Reconstructing the historical development of Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah

Any programme that involves the redevelopment of the historical parts of a city should derive its criteria from an understanding of the cultural as well as the urban development of the area. The study of historical urban and cultural progress requires the will and effort to appreciate not only its history, recent and ancient, but to seek out those existing features that evoke and communicate the origins and transformation of the particular place. It is this evolving context to which with the alteration of the city environment should correspond. Investigating significant features and characteristics from each period of time can therefore be considered as a central requirement in outlining successful development strategies for old and historical urban quarters.The study carries out just such an examination, applied to the city of Madina. This is the birthplace of the religion and traditions of Islam, and is where the Prophet (pbuh) established the first Mosque and planned the prototype for all Islamic cities. Yet recent changes have destroyed much of the fabric related to these beginnings and much of the written history has lost its architectural evidence and become fragmentary. This thesis therefore seeks to reconstruct the history of Madinah with reference to the historical parts of the city that remain or have disappeared, from which new criteria for developments may be extrapolated. The historical review is divided as follows:After introducing the invariable natural context of Madinah - its climate and landscape - Part one presents a chronological study of the urban development of Madinah and the changes and diversifications of land use. This identifies features and characteristics related to each historical period. This provides a basis for extracting criteria for developing the old urban quarters. This part is considered as major reference for future research, acting as a main database for Madina.Part two is a detailed study and analysis for the most important urban and architectural elements and abstracting the most important basics and criteria for these elements. These criteria should be considered as flexible in order to fulfil existing requirements in both planning and architecture. The study turns its focus upon various types of urban elements such as closed streets, walk -ways, courts, streets, markets and architectural elements such as mosques, schools, libraries, arbitah, asbila, bath rooms, castles, towers and traditional houses. Plans, elevations, sections and photographs illustrate these elements. These elements are not comprehensively documented, as only a summary and extracted criteria is included for these elements.This allows the author to present some ideas on the nature of future developments in the city which can be seen as enhancing the structure of Madinah by maintaining a complete link between its historical and its contemporary issues

On the Semantics of Snapshot Isolation

Snapshot isolation (SI) is a standard transactional consistency model used in databases, distributed systems and software transactional memory (STM). Its semantics is formally defined both declaratively as an acyclicity axiom, and operationally as a concurrent algorithm with memory bearing timestamps. We develop two simpler equivalent operational definitions of SI as lock-based reference implementations that do not use timestamps. Our first locking implementation is prescient in that requires a priori knowledge of the data accessed by a transaction and carries out transactional writes eagerly (in-place). Our second implementation is non-prescient and performs transactional writes lazily by recording them in a local log and propagating them to memory at commit time. Whilst our first implementation is simpler and may be better suited for developing a program logic for SI transactions, our second implementation is more practical due to its non-prescience. We show that both implementations are sound and complete against the declarative SI specification and thus yield equivalent operational definitions for SI. We further consider, for the first time formally, the use of SI in a context with racy non-transactional accesses, as can arise in STM implementations of SI. We introduce robust snapshot isolation (RSI), an adaptation of SI with similar semantics and guarantees in this mixed setting. We present a declarative specification of RSI as an acyclicity axiom and analogously develop two operational models as lock-based reference implementations (one eager, one lazy). We show that these operational models are both sound and complete against the declarative RSI model

The quantitative changes trend of Iranian schools building from the early Islamic centuries until Qajar Era

Like any other piece of art indicating signs of past originalities, the Iranian architectural works are required to be recognized and introduced. From amongst the architectural subjects, schools have the most links in the most elegant formats with the past heritage, nature and environment and enjoy a certain importance. The important point concerning studying Iranian schools architecture is to recognize the trend of architecture continuance of these buildings, especially during Islamic era. From amongst the important factor in studying the continuity in schools architecture include quantitative continuity and number of schools built during each era, which shall be an effective guide in recognition of the indicated values. Based on such type of analytical vision, studying quantitative continuity of building schools and number of the same during different post-Islamic eras until Qajar Era in Iran is the main context and purpose of this study. The generality of the study represents an analysis on the number and quantitative continuance of building schools during different eras of Iran Islamic architecture, beyond which, the quantitative trend of building and important cities in terms of number of built schools in each era are identified. This study is of historical- interpretation type and collection the data and conclusion are based on comparative studies conducted on different library and field resources and refining and choosing the most correct and reliable statistics from amongst the available information. In Conclusion, the number of schools in all the post-Islamic eras in Iran, the most important cities and eras in terms of quantity of building schools are determined and relationship between political importance of cities and number of built schools in them is observed. According to the aforementioned interpretations, this study shall clarify a documented role to plan in order to take benefit from the available information in an optimized manner

Physicochemical characteristics and pollen spectrum of some north-east Algerian honeys.

The qualities of seventeen honey samples harvested from the North-East areas of Algeria were evaluated by determining the pollen spectrum, pollen number quantity and physicochemical attributes. Pollen analysis can therefore be useful to determine the geographical and botanical origin of honeys. The following determinations were carried out: pH, density, acidity (free, lactone and total), moisture, electrical conductivity,  hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity, apparent sucrose, and proteins.The results obtained in the present study show the variability of chemical composition of the honey samples. It proved that nine natural honeys are of blossoming origin; suitable for consumption and that one (T5 conferred Bougous) can be used with fine dietetics, it is very rich in pollen which is regarded as protein source. The remainder, eight honeys, were not in conformity with the International Regulatory Standards, their sugar contents (Sucrose) and hydroxymethylfurfural exceeded the InternationalRegulatory Standards Review by the International Honey Commission, this was probably due to use of syrup for the over-feeding the bees during the spring. The sample Bouhachana (G1) had high water content (more than 20%), low density and electrical conductivity higher than 5 μS/cm, which makes it likely to undergo fermentation and degradation. Honeys of Guerguour (T1), Boutheldja (T2) and Bouhadjar (T3) had pH lower than the European standards concerning the quality control of the foodstuffs (exp. honey). These samples are fragile; so we cannot preserve them for a long period. The palynological analysis (qualitative and quantitative) of the harvested samples in the area, showed the absence of a honey obtained from only one melliferous plant. All honeys are polyfloral exits of theseveral plant species visited by the worker bees during their blossoming periods. Three families are the most represented in the groups of pollen of accompaniment (the secondary pollen ranged between 16-45%) and the pollen considered as rare (minor pollen 3-15%) in the counted total number of the pollen grains in 10 grams of honey. These forager honey families are: Myrtaceae presented by the Eucalyptus, Papilionaceae presented by Hedysarum coronarium which is a forager plant characterized by a very vast surface of development, and Rosaceae represented byorchard and forest species.The pollen grain number counted in honeys is very significant (between 80 000 and 24 832 000pollen grain), what makes it possible to classify the samples analyzed among the categories rich in pollen

Effects of yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) and turmeric powder (curcuma) on laying hens performance, physical and nutritional eggs quality

peer reviewedSoybean meal is the main source of protein in laying hens’ diet that is generally imported. This study aims to explore the yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) “TM”, and curcuma effects on laying hens’ performances, and physical and nutritional eggs quality. One hundred laying hens were divided randomly into 4 groups. The first group (Control) received a standard commercial diet (SCD), while test groups (TM, TP, and TM-TP) received SCD with respectively 5% TM, 0.50 % curcuma, and 5% TM and 0.50% curcuma. According to the results, Control and TM reduced significantly hen’s bodyweight in the experiment end. However, the curcuma incorporation and TM (TP and TM-TP) kept the stability of bodyweight during the whole period. No effect of diet was observed on feed intake and egg laying rate. Diet had a significant effect on eggs physical parameters (weight, freshness, thickness and rupture force). The mixture of TM and curcuma permitted eggs with good physical parameters. For nutritional quality of eggs, all groups had the same content of ALA and DHA. However, eggs of group receiving a mixture of TM and curcuma had the lowest cholesterol content. Thus, TM and curcuma could reduce soybean importation dependence with improving eggs quality

Morphological and Biochemical Characteristics of Wild Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) Genotypes in Turkey

This study was carried out to determine the pomological and biochemical characteristics of eight different loquat genotypes collected from the Black Sea region (Turkey) in 2018. Totally 20 fruits, at the same ripening stage, were collected from the selected genotypes and tested. Results suggested that there were a high (0.768-0.907) positive and statistically significant correlations among all pomological features (P 0.05). According to the PCA (principal component analysis) analysis of the pomological characteristics, the genotype #1 was superior as compared with other genotypes. Contrary to the pomological characteristics, genotype #1 was found to have the lowest phenolic compounds and it was also moderate in sugar content but a high-grade genotype by organic acids, especially citric acid and malic acid. Furthermore, results suggested that genotypes #3, #4, #7 and #8 were identical and were rich in glucose, succinic acid, and total flavonoid. The results suggested that loquat fruits had a high potential for health benefits. The results are also a preliminary key reference for future studies in terms of loquat cultivation throughout the world and have high potential as a functional food

Morphological and Biochemical Characteristics of Wild Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) Genotypes in Turkey

This study was carried out to determine the pomological and biochemical characteristics of eight different loquat genotypes collected from the Black Sea region (Turkey) in 2018. Totally 20 fruits, at the same ripening stage, were collected from the selected genotypes and tested. Results suggested that there were a high (0.768-0.907) positive and statistically significant correlations among all pomological features (P 0.05). According to the PCA (principal component analysis) analysis of the pomological characteristics, the genotype #1 was superior as compared with other genotypes. Contrary to the pomological characteristics, genotype #1 was found to have the lowest phenolic compounds and it was also moderate in sugar content but a high-grade genotype by organic acids, especially citric acid and malic acid. Furthermore, results suggested that genotypes #3, #4, #7 and #8 were identical and were rich in glucose, succinic acid, and total flavonoid. The results suggested that loquat fruits had a high potential for health benefits. The results are also a preliminary key reference for future studies in terms of loquat cultivation throughout the world and have high potential as a functional food

Síntesis, caracterización y evaluación de 1-monoacilgliceroles de ácidos grasos insaturados como potenciales lípidos bioactivos

The synthesis of 1-monoacylglycerols of selected unsaturated fatty acids and their antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activity is reported in the present study. The monoacylglycerols of fatty acids like undecenoic, oleic, linoleic and erucic acids were prepared by chemical esterification with solketal followed by deprotection. Fatty acids like alpha linolenic, gamma linolenic and ricinoleic acids were initially isolated from natural sources and further enriched in their respective methyl ester forms. The monoacylglycerols of ricinoleic and linolenic acid methyl esters were prepared by enzymatic transesterification with solketal using lipase from Candida antarctica followed by deprotection. The synthesized 1-monoacylglycerols were purified and characterized by spectral studies. The antimicrobial activity revealed that the monoacylglycerol of gamma linolenic acid was the most effective antibacterial followed by the monoacylglycerols of undecenoic and alpha linolenic acids. In the cytotoxicity assay against five cell lines, all the monoacylglycerols exhibited moderate activity but the activity was best against MCF7 Human Breast Adenocarcinoma cell lines.La síntesis de 1-monoacilgliceroles de ácidos grasos insaturados seleccionados y su actividad antimicrobiana y citotoxicidad se describen en el presente estudio. Los monoacilgliceroles de ácidos grasos como los ácidos undecenoico, oleico, linoleico y erúcico se prepararon mediante esterificación química con solketal seguido de desprotección. Los ácidos grasos como el alfa-linolénico, gamma-linolénico y ricinoleico se aislaron inicialmente de fuentes naturales y se enriquecieron aún más en sus respectivos ésteres metílicos. Los monoacilgliceroles de los ésteres metílicos de los ácidos ricinoleico y linolénico se prepararon mediante transesterificación enzimática con solketal utilizando lipasa de Candida antárctica seguido de desprotección. Los 1-monoacilgliceroles sintetizados se purificaron y caracterizaron mediante estudios espectrales. La actividad antimicrobiana mostró que el monoacilglicerol del ácido gamma-linolénico fue el antibacteriano más eficaz seguido del monoacilglicerol de los ácidos undecenoico y alfa-linolénico. En el ensayo de citotoxicidad contra cinco líneas celulares, todos los monoacilgliceroles mostraron una actividad moderada, pero la actividad fue mejor contra las líneas celulares de adenocarcinoma de mama humano MCF7

Protective effect of cerium oxide nanoparticle on sperm quality and oxidative damage in malathioninduced testicular toxicity in rats: An experimental study

Background: Malathion is an organophosphorus pesticide that commonly used in many agricultural and non-agricultural processes. Previous studies have reported the effects of melatonin on the reproductive system. Cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) due to their antioxidative properties are promising to impact on the development of male infertility. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CeNPs on oxidative stress and sperm parameters after malathion exposure of male rats. Materials and Methods: 36 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n=6/each): Control, CeNPs -treated control (15 and 30 mg/kg/day), malathion (100 mg/ kg/day), and CeNPs -treated malathion groups (15 and 30 mg/ kg/day). At the end of the study (4 wk), the sperm counts, motility, and viability in the testis of rats were measured, also lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity, and total thiol groups in homogenate testis were investigated. Results: Malathion significantly reduced sperm count, viability, and motility than the control rats (p<0.001). Co-treatment of malathion with CeNPs 30 mg/kg had a protective effect on sperm counts (p=0.03), motility (p=0.01), and viability (p<0.001) compare to malathion group. Also, the results showed that malathion reduced testis total anti-oxidant capacity, the total thiol group, and increased testis malondialdehyde than the control rats (p<0.001). CeNPs 30 mg/kg are increased total antioxidant capacity (p<0.001) and total thiol group (p=0.03) compared to malathion group. CeNPs at both doses (15 and 30 mg/kg) improved malondialdehyde than the malathion group (p<0.001 and p=0.01 respectively). Conclusion: CeNPs 30 mg/kg administered considerably restored testicular changes induced by malathion. The improvement of oxidative stress by CeNPs may be associated with increased sperm counts, motility and viability in the testis. © 2018, Research and Clinical Center for Infertitlity. All rights reserved