Lahore University of Management Sciences

About: Lahore University of Management Sciences is a education organization based out in Lahore, Pakistan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Fixed point & Metric space. The organization has 1524 authors who have published 3015 publications receiving 42665 citations. The organization is also known as: LUMS.

Pharmacological screening of Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. for antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities.

Abstract: Medicinal plants have proven their importance as a valuable source of molecules with therapeutic potential. Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. (family: Sapotaceae) is traditionally used as a hematinic, laxative, digestive, anthelmintic, antipyretic, and in the treatment of gastro-urinary disorders. To provide scientific evidence for its folkloric use, the present study investigated Monotheca buxifolia fruit hydro-ethanolic extract (MBHE) for its prospective antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities. MBHE was eluted through column chromatography to isolate the bioactive secondary metabolites which may probably involve in its beneficial properties. The phytochemical constituents in MBHE was elucidated using UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C NMR, 2D-NMR spectra in combination with EIMS and FAB-MS spectrometric techniques and comparison with literature data of related compounds. The antinociceptive activity of MBHE was evaluated in the acetic acid induced abdominal constriction assay; the anti-inflammatory potential was assessed in the carrageenan induced paw edema, while the antipyretic effect was tested against brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia in BALB/c mice at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg. Elution of MBHE along with various characterization techniques led to the isolation of oleanolic acid and isoquercetin. Significant attenuation of chemical induced nociception was observed with MBHE at tested doses of 50 mg/kg (P < 0.01, 68.87 %), 100 mg/kg (P < 0.01, 68.87 %) and 150 mg/kg (P < 0.001, 83.02 %). During a duration of 1–5 h in the carrageenan induced paw edema assay, significant ameliorative effect (P < 0.01, P < 0.001) was demonstrated by MBHE at 50 mg/kg (22.94–20 %), 100 mg/kg (33.23–21.13 %) and 150 mg/kg (38.23–25 %). MBHE also significantly alleviated the brewer’s yeast induced pyrexic response when tested at doses of 50 mg/kg (P < 0.05 in 2nd h), 100 mg/kg (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 in 1–5 h) and 150 mg/kg (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 in 1–5 h). These findings suggest that Monotheca buxifolia possess pain, inflammation and pyrexia ameliorating properties, probably mediated by the presence of oleanolic acid and isoquercetin contents, though the involvement of other important phytochemicals constituents cannot be ignored.

Room Temperature Magnetic Behavior of Sol-Gel Synthesized Mn Doped ZnO

Abstract: Mn doped ZnO nano-crystallites were synthesized by state of the art sol-gel derived auto-combustion technique. As-burnt powder was investigated with different characterization techniques to explore the properties of Mn doped ZnO dilute magnetic semiconductor. X-ray diffraction measurements indicate that Mn doped ZnO retain wurtzite type hexagonal crystal structure like ZnO. Compositional and morphological studies were carried out by energy dispersive X-ray analysis and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Temperature dependent resistivity of the sample exhibited the semiconducting behavior of the DMS material. Room temperature magnetic properties determined by vibrating sample magnetometer, revealed the presence of ferromagnetic and diamagnetic contributions in Mn doped ZnO.

Optimal Operation of Energy Storage With Random Renewable Generation and AC/DC Loads

Abstract: We study the optimal operation of energy storage owned by a consumer who has intermittent renewable generation and faces time-varying (random) electricity prices and different types of ac/dc loads. We formulate the optimal storage operation problem as a finite-horizon dynamic program, with an objective of minimizing the expected energy cost. The incorporation of different types of ac/dc energy sources and appliances complicates the sequential decision making problem on storage operation. We provide a complete characterization on an optimal threshold policy, and implement the characterized optimal policy in realistic settings with random renewable generation and electricity prices. Numerical results demonstrate that the optimal dynamic programming (DP) solution saves 5%–12% of the total cost resulting from conventional DP solutions (that ignore the difference in ac/dc conversion efficiencies). Further, the value of storage (the consumer’s net benefit obtained by optimally operating the storage) increases with renewable generation. For example, as the (average) solar generation increases from 40% to 100% of the average (total) demand, the value of a 32 kWh (80 kWh) storage increases from 2.0% to 5.4% (7.2% to 14.9%, respectively) of the maximum energy cost.

Scanning the Internet for Liveness

Abstract: Internet-wide scanning depends on a notion of liveness: does a target IP address respond to a probe packet? However, the interpretation of such responses, or lack of them, is nuanced and depends on multiple factors, including: how we probed, how different protocols in the network stack interact, the presence of filtering policies near the target, and temporal churn in IP responsiveness. Although often neglected, these factors can significantly affect the results of active measurement studies. We develop a taxonomy of liveness which we employ to develop a method to perform concurrent IPv4 scans using ICMP, five TCP-based, and two UDP-based protocols, comprehensively capturing all responses to our probes, including negative and cross-layer responses. Leveraging our methodology, we present a systematic analysis of liveness and how it manifests in active scanning campaigns, yielding practical insights and methodological improvements for the design and the execution of active Internet measurement studies.

Seeing is Believing: Exploring Perceptual Differences in DeepFake Videos

Abstract: With AI on the boom, DeepFakes have emerged as a tool with a massive potential for abuse. The hyper-realistic imagery of these manipulated videos coupled with the expedited delivery models of social media platforms gives deception, propaganda, and disinformation an entirely new meaning. Hence, raising awareness about DeepFakes and how to accurately flag them has become imperative. However, given differences in human cognition and perception, this is not straightforward. In this paper, we perform an investigative user study and also analyze existing AI detection algorithms from the literature to demystify the unknowns that are at play behind the scenes when detecting DeepFakes. Based on our findings, we design a customized training program to improve detection and evaluate on a treatment group of low-literate population, which is most vulnerable to DeepFakes. Our results suggest that, while DeepFakes are becoming imperceptible, contextualized education and training can help raise awareness and improve detection.