The purpose of this paper is to examine the Information and communication technology (ICT) challenges are being faced by the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the service sector of Pakistan. Quantitative research methodology is adopted by using the close ended questionnaire as a data collection tool. For the purpose of this study, nine challenges which are well documented in the literature being faced by the service industries in Pakistan are hypothesized. Out of these nine challenges, six are being accepted; however, three are rejected in the light of the responses received from the stakeholders. The accepted assumptions are unavailability, complexity of technology, limited speed of broadband, unskilled staff, frequent disconnection, and incomplete online payment process evaluated, those variables significantly influence to the performance & growth of SMEs in Pakistan. On the other hand, the results also indicate that affordability, lack of trust and cyber threats assumptions rejected. Since all these variables categorized in to three main factors i.e are ICT access, ICT infrastructure, and ICT securities. Additionally, the results indicate that these three factors are significant influenced on the performance of SMEs. Finally, findings of this study suggest that government need to empower ICT infrastructure on the basis of regional uniformity, and provide flexible policy regulations for creating strong bridge between SMEs and ICT, so that to minimize challenges and can contribute more in the development of country.

Using cement dust in asphalt mixing can have many environmental advantages. Before widely adapting cement dust in asphalt paving, trial sections and adequate provisions should be provided. By pass cement dust is proposed within this research as an alternative to traditional mineral filler in hot mix asphalt (HMA). The effect of using waste cement dust as mineral filler on the Marshall properties of hot mix asphalt was investigated. The optimum cement dust content was determined. Five asphalt concrete mixtures with various cement dust contents, namely; 0%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 100% by weight of the filler were studied. Laboratory testing has revealed an enhancement in Marshall when cement dust was used. Marshall testing results have indicated an increase in the stability, unit weight and a decrease in the flow, voids ratio and voids in mineral aggregates when the percentage of cement dust content increases. The optimum cement dust ratio was found to be 100% of the used mineral filler. Hence, cement dust can totally replace filler in asphalt paving mixtures.

In Filtering contrast, brightness and normalization of the image are performed with an ultimate goal to remove or reduce the noise to a maximum extent. Contrast and Brightness are two major factors, which affect the superiority of an image for easy or stainless or pleasant viewing. Equalization through Histogram (HE) is a very famous approach for image contrast adjustment or enhancement in image processing. In general, the histogram equalization distributes pixel values consistently and produces an outcome in a superior image with the linear increasing histogram. Contrast adjustment is the part of image preprocessing and specifically filtering noise. In this paper, the new algorithm is discussed for a Grayscale Fingerprint image. The algorithm tunes pixel intensity value to a higher intensity value based on a constant value τ. In this paper, we compare the new algorithm with Histogram Equalization and try to find its advantages and disadvantages. This method is effectively used in Fingerprint Identification/verification purpose as an alternative for image filtering. The algorithm is implemented using MATLAB2015a.

Bio-fuels are the most promising renewable energy which may provide a viable mode of alternative system and can be a real substitute to fossil fuels. Nevertheless, this technology ought to overcome a number of hurdles before it can compete in the fuel market and can be broadly organized. Consequently, the present research was attempted to evaluate the esterified oil obtained from „Gingili (Sesame) seed‟ (botanically called Sesamum indicum, L. belongs to family Pedaliaceae) for various physico-chemical parameters followed by performance of diesel engine with variable blends. Accordingly, the oil generated from the seeds of Gingili was subjected for transesterification with methanol in presence of catalyst NaOH. The fuel properties of Gingili (Sesame) bio-diesel can meet up with the specification of ASTM such as, Color (pale brown), Specific Gravity at 150 C0.88, Kinematic viscosity@400C 5.22, Cetane number 53.20, Sulphur, wt% 0.0083, Cloud point 12, Pour point -10, Lower Heating Value (KJ/Kg) 40676.848, Flash point 2400C, Fire point 1840C. Further, an imperative performance of diesel engine was recorded with increase in ratio of fuel blends of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% & 50% respectively. In addition, the comparative analysis was also carried-out between both Gingili (Sesame) bio-diesel and petroleum diesel with diesel engine system at variable loads and the performance characteristics of the engine were analyzed. The engine test results showed significant thermal efficiency in Gingili biodiesel compared to petroleum diesel with respect to performance and emission parameters. The emission parameters like, Carbon monoxide (CO), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC) was found to be low when compared to petroleum diesel. In conclusion, Gingili biodiesel found to be most significant source as compared to petroleum diesel on the basis of over all performance and emission parameters deliberated via analysis.

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) have become a hot research area over the past few years. The main purpose of VANETs is to improve traffic safety, traffic efficiency, and driving comfort. Particularly, traffic safety attracts the great attention of government, academia, and industry, because it is the most critical aspect of VANETs related to human lives. Therefore, many safety applications in VANETs have been proposed and investigated. However, how to guarantee the reliability of safety applications in VANETs is a big challenge, considering its natures of vehicle mobility and ad-hoc connection. In this paper, we provide an overview of VANETs for safety applications. Then, we discuss the specific reliability requirements in VANETs and the corresponding quality of service (QoS) metrics. Furthermore, based on these requirements and metrics, we analyse and evaluate whether or not current VANETs are able to support safety applications with stringent reliability requirements. New insights into potential enhancements from perspective of both new dynamic QoS requirements and radio resource sharing are provided and discussed. Finally, we illustrate future research directions to improve the reliability of VANETs for safety applications.

This paper investigates the linear stability of two superposed Maxwell viscoelastic fluid layers in the presence of a uniform horizontal magnetic field. A normal-mode analysis is applied to the governing MHD equations to derive the dispersion relation for interfacial disturbances. The results show that the viscosity and permeability of porous medium both have destabilizing influence on the growth rate of unstable mode of disturbance.