Towards an Islamic Paradigm of the Information Society

The main purpose of this study was to understand how Muslim Communication Scholars think about the phenomenon of "information society". The study was carried out through three research questions: 1) What is the concept of information society from the perspective of Muslim Communication Scholars? 2) How could Muslim countries achieve that information society and through which process? 3) What are the similarities and differences between Muslim and Western scholars‘ opinions about the concept and process of information society? These questions aim to determine how Muslim Communication Scholars conceptualize the information society and what characteristics and components it must have to be suitable for Muslim countries. Due to the nature of the study, a qualitative research method was used by the researcher to investigate on how Muslim Communication Scholars think about the phenomenon of information society. Among the qualitative research methods, because of the nature of research problem, "grounded theory" was used in this study. Data was gathered from eleven Muslim Communication Scholars in the field of communication who had fulfilled the criteria of sampling procedure. Respondents were selected through "snowball and chain" strategy. The data collection method employed was mainly in-depth interview with the respondents. All interviews were taped recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed. In addition, document analysis was also carried out. The validity of study was ensured through identifying the research biases, triangulation, members‘ checks, and peer examination. The reliability was ensured through stating the researcher‘s position, triangulation and audit trail. The findings of this study yielded new characteristics, components and structure of Muslim Communication Scholars‘ perspective that are no similar to what so called "information society" in the West. Eleven major themes and several sub-themes emerged from this study in relation to Muslim Communication Scholars' conceptualizing of information society. Two themes were regarding question No.1 that are: 1) Strategy of Domination and 2) Building Islamic Civil Society. And also nine themes were found regarding question No.2, including: 1) Predominant of Knowledge, 2) Highly Educated, 3) Regulated Flow of Information, 4) Controlled Information and Communication, 5) Logical Freedom of Expression, 6) Participatory Political System, 7) Free Access to Right Information, 8) Bridged Digital Gap and 9) Maintaining Traditional Culture. According to the above themes, it was discovered that Muslim Communication Scholars conceptualize this phenomenon much different from their counterparts in the West. This study concludes that based on the findings, new model of society with different structures, components and characteristics are needed for contemporary Muslim countries. Therefore, based on their argument, the paradigm of "information society" should be changed to paradigm of "Islamic Civil Society" to be suitable for Muslims. However, as Islamic Civil Society is broader concept suggested by respondents of this study as an ideal society for contemporary Muslim countries, only its components related to the area of communication and information was discussed in this study. Specific implications and recommendation for future research are also suggested

Morphology and Properties of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)/Clay Nanocomposites

Le polyéthylène téréphtalate (PET), un thermoplastique semi-cristallin, est produit par une réaction de condensation soit du téréphtalate de diméthyle soit de l’acide téréphtalique et de l’éthylène glycol. Le PET est habituellement utilisé dans l’industrie de l’emballage des aliments et boissons. Toutefois le PET ne permet pas d’avoir des propriétés barrières à l’oxygène suffisantes pour l’emballage des breuvages telles que la bière et les boissons gazeuses non alcoolisées qui sont sensibles à l’oxygène ou à la perte de dioxyde de carbone. L’incorporation de silicates en feuillets imperméables à une matrice de PET et la fabrication de nanocomposites à base de PET est une méthode prometteuse en vue de l’amélioration des propriétés barrières du PET. L’objectif de la présente étude est d’améliorer les propriétés barrières du PET avec des silicates en nanocouches. Les nanocomposites à base de PET et d’argile ont été préparés par un mélange à l’état fondu. Par rapport au mélange en solution et la polymérisation in-situ, le mélange à l’état fondu a des avantages environnementaux et économiques car l’utilisation de solvants organiques n’est pas nécessaire. De plus, cette technique entraîne des forces de cisaillement élevées ce qui améliore le niveau d’exfoliation des particules d’argile dans la matrice. Afin de créer un long chemin tortueux et une diffusion ralentie des molécules de gaz à travers le nanocomposite, les particules d’argile doivent être bien dispersées et distribuées dans la matrice. Par conséquent, une attention particulière est apportée à l’amélioration du niveau d’exfoliation des silicates stratifiés dans la matrice de PET. À cet égard deux types différents d’argiles organomodifiées, le Cloisite® 30B (C30B) et le Nanomer® I.28E (N28E), ont été mélangées avec le PET. Des films de nanocomposite à base de PET ont été préparés par extrusion. Un PET ionomère a été utilisé afin d'augmenter la compatibilisation et l'espacement entre les couches des particules d'argile. Il a été observé que mélanger un PET et un PET ionomère entraîne la formation d'un mélange immiscible. Des interactions favorables entre les particules d'argile et le PET ionomère localise les particules d'argile dans les domaines composés du PET ionomère et restreint la distribution des particules. Néanmoins, les études morphologiques et rhéologiques montrent que le PET ionomère agit comme un agent exfoliant et accroit l'espacement des nanofeuillets de vi l’argile N28E. L'incorporation de 2 % en masse de C30B dans la matrice de PET entraîne l'amélioration de 25 % des propriétés barrières à l'oxygène. Les effets des conditions de mise en oeuvre, de la composition de l'argile, et de la concentration des argiles sur les propriétés morphologiques et rhéologiques des nanocomposites de PET et argile ont été examinés dans la seconde partie de cette étude. Différents organo-argiles comme le N28E, C30B, Cloisite 25A (C25A), et Cloisite 15A (C15A) aussi bien qu'un argile non-modifié synthétique Somasif ME100 (SM100) ont été mélangés avec le PET en utilisant une extrudeuse double vis. Les résultats morphologiques et rhéologiques montrent que l'augmentation du temps de résidence et un nombre plus grand d'éléments de cisaillement améliorent la dispersion des argiles et les propriétés viscoélastiques. Alors que le PET seul présente une viscosité non-dépendante de la fréquence, la viscosité complexe des nanocomposites montre un comportement rhéofluidifiant qui devient plus prononcé quand la quantité d'argile augmente. Le module de conservation est presque indépendant de la fréquence aux basses fréquences pour les chargements élevés d'argile, due à la formation d'un réseau interconnecté des particules d'argile. Des propriétés rhéologiques plus élevées ont été observées pour les nanocomposites les plus intercalés/exfoliés. La dégradation de la matrice de PET, due à la présence des organo-argiles, a été quantifiée en utilisant l'équation de Maron-Pierce. Parmi les organo-argiles étudiés dans ce travail, la dégradation la plus importante a eu lieu pour la matrice contenant du C30B. Pour contrôler la dégradation thermique du PET et pour améliorer les propriétés des nanocomposites à base de PET, dans la dernière partie de cette recherche, un agent d'allongement de chaînes multifonctionnel à base de résine d'époxy, le Joncryl ADR-4368F (Joncryl), a été ajouté aux nanocomposites via un lot primaire. L'effet de l'agent d'allongement de chaînes sur les propriétés morphologiques, rhéologiques, mécaniques, thermiques, optiques, et sur les propriétés barrières aux gaz a été examiné sur le nanocomposite contenant 4 % en masse de C30B et de N28E. Grâce aux réactions entre les groupes fonctionnels de l'agent d'allongement de chaînes et les groupes terminaux du PET, les propriétés viscoélastiques des échantillons contenant du Joncryl ont été augmentées. Des contraintes de cisaillement plus élevées, dues à la présence de l'agent, entraînent une exfoliation plus élevée et par conséquent des propriétés mécaniques et barrières plus élevées. Une réduction de 46 % de la perméabilité à l'oxygène a été obtenue pour les films nanocomposites contenant du C30B et du Joncryl en comparaison aux films de PET pur. vii La réduction pour les nanocomposites contenant du N28E et du Joncryl était de 40 %. Les nanocomposites contenant du N28E et du Joncryl contenant du C30B et du Joncryl l'augmentation était légèrement moindre.----------Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, is produced by condensation reaction of either dimethyl terephthalate or terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol. PET is commonly used in food and beverage packaging industry. However, PET does not offer sufficient oxygen barrier properties in packaging of beverages such as beer and carbonated soft drinks that are sensitive to oxygen and loss of carbon dioxide. Incorporation of impermeable layered silicates into a PET matrix and manufacturing of PET nanocomposites is a promising method to enhance barrier properties of PET. The aim of the present study is to improve barrier properties of PET with silicate nanolayers. PET clay nanocomposites were prepared via a melt blending approach. In comparison to solution blending and in-situ polymerization, melt blending has environmental and cost advantageous because there is no need for organic solvents. Besides, this technique provides high shear forces that improve the exfoliation level of clay particles in the matrix. To create a long tortuous pathway and slow down the diffusion of gas molecules through the nanocomposite, clay particles must be well dispersed and distributed in the matrix. Hence, a particular attention is paid to the improvement of exfoliation level of silicate layers in the PET matrix. In this regard two different types of organomodified clay, Cloisite® 30B (C30B) and Nanomer® I.28E (N28E), were melt blended with PET. PET-based nanocomposite films were prepared using cast film extrusion. A PET-ionomer was employed to compatibilize and increase the interlayer spacing of the clay particles. It was observed that mixing of PET and PET-ionomer results in an immiscible blend. Favorable interactions between the clay particles and the PET-ionomer localize the clay particles into the PET-ionomer domains and restrict the distribution of the particles. Nevertheless, morphological and rheological studies show that PET-ionomer acts as an exfoliation agent and increases the gallery spacing of N28E nanolayers. Incorporating 2 wt% C30B into PET matrix led to 25% enhancement in oxygen barrier properties. The effects of processing conditions, clay chemistry, and concentration on the morphological and rheological properties of PET clay nanocomposites were investigated in the second part of this study. Various organoclays such as N28E, C30B, Cloisite® 25A (C25A), and Cloisite® 15A (C15A) as well as unmodified synthetic clay Somasif® ME100 (SM100) were melt blended with PET using a twin-screw extruder. Morphological and rheological results show that a longer ix residence time and more shearing elements improve the dispersion of clay tactoids and enhance the viscoelastic properties. While the neat PET exhibits a frequency independent viscosity, the complex viscosity of the nanocomposites shows a shear-thinning behavior, which becomes stronger with clay loading. The storage modulus was nearly independent of frequency at low frequencies and high clay loadings, due to the formation of an interconnected network of clay particles. Larger rheological properties were observed for the most intercalated/exfoliated nanocomposites. The PET matrix degradation, due to the presence of the organoclays, was estimated using the Maron-Pierce equation. The highest degradation occurred for the matrix containing C30B among the organoclays studied in this work. To control the thermal degradation of PET and improve the overall properties of PET nanocomposites, in the last phase of this research a multifunctional epoxy-based chain extender, Joncryl® ADR-4368F (Joncryl), was added to the nanocomposites via a master-batch approach. The effect of the chain extender on the morphological, rheological, mechanical, thermal, optical, and gas barrier characteristics of the nanocomposites containing 4 wt% C30B and N28E was examined. The viscoelastic properties of the samples containing Joncryl increased due to the reaction between functional groups of the chain extender and PET end groups. Higher shear stress induced by the presence of the chain extender resulted in higher exfoliation level and consequently better mechanical and barrier properties. A 46% reduction in oxygen permeability was obtained for the PET nanocomposites containing C30B and Joncryl, in comparison to the neat PET films. The corresponding reduction for the nanocomposites containing N28E and Joncryl was 40%. Nanocomposites containing N28E and Joncryl exhibited a 66% improvement in tensile modulus, whereas the corresponding improvement for the nanocomposites containing C30B and Joncryl was slightly less

The Effect of Van Dijk Discourse Strategies on Iranian EFL Learners’ Writing Proficiency

This study tried to improve the writing proficiency of Iranian EFL students utilizing an innovative model through implementing and operationalizing the principles of critical discourse analysis which was introduced by Van Dijk’s (2000) well-known socio-cognitive model. To this end, 57 intermediate language learners studying English in language institutes for several years were selected as the participants of the study using a version of TOEFL test as the selected proficiency test. The included participants were randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control—with 28 students in experimental group (16 females and 12 males) and 29 students in control group (17 females and 12 males). Both groups went through a three-stage model (pre-writing, during-writing and post-writing). The teaching procedure on writing had some differences between the instruction provided for the experimental group and the instruction presented to the control group in which the experimental group received some instruction of some suitable discursive strategies, namely, comparison, example (illustration), explanation, repetition, reasonableness and context description. After instruction, two groups were asked to write on a topic and their compositions were scored using holistic scoring procedure in order to guarantee the high reliability. The results of the study showed the significant differences between the performances of the experimental and control groups which indicated to the efficiency of the CDA-oriented approach to teach writing skill. However, the result of the study showed non-significant differences between the performances of the two genders as well as the performances of females and males in each group

The effect of circuit resistance training with different intensities on the agouti-related protein, insulin and glucose plasma levels in young men

Background: Agouti-related protein (AgRP) is a signaling peptide that affects feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, and the stimulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a 6-week circuit-resistance training course (10 exercises at 20, 40, 60, and 80 of 1RM) at different intensities on the levels of plasma AgRP, plasma insulin, and glucose. Materials and Methods: The participants in this experimental study included 45 dormitory male students, aged 20-24 years, with the mean weight of 70.61±3.76 kg, mean age of 21.55±0.17 years, and mean height of 174.84±1.15 cm. They were randomly divided into five groups, each with nine members (i.e., one control group and four experimental groups at 20, 40, 60, and 80 of 1RM). The experimental groups performed the circuit-resistance training exercises at the specified intensities; in contrast, the control group performed no regular training during the course of the study. The blood samples were collected from the venous vein 48 hours before and after the training session (three hours after normal breakfast). Results: The results showed no significant differences between the groups in terms of the AgRP (P=0.399) and glucose levels (P=0.270); however, the difference related to the insulin levels was observed to be significant (P=0.013). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, a larger reduction in the AgRP levels is associated with high intensities of resistance training (i.e., at 80 of 1RM). Therefore, training intensity could be regarded as an influential factor in reducing the appetite and controlling obesity among young men

Communication channels used by academic staff in interacting with their students

The aim of this paper is to report the findings on the impact of communication technology as a channel for interaction between academic staff and their students, conducted at a Malaysian higher learning institution. The study focused on media choice and it attempted to determine the communication channels mostly used by academic staff in interacting with their students and the reasons for selecting these channels. It also intended to find out whether there was a significant relationship between communication channels mostly used by academic staff and their perception of media richness. The results revealed that although the existence of new communication technologies such as the internet offers faster and cheaper facilities, face-to-face communication is still the most used and preferred communication channel by academic staff in interacting with their students. In addition, there was a significant relationship between the communication channel mostly used by respondents and their perception of media richness and social presence. This explained why the higher level of social presence, the higher the level of experience with a channel would be. The findings of this study extended two of the most widely investigated media choice theories; Media Richness Theory (MRT) and Social Presence Theory (SPT)

Phenome-wide association study on miRNA-related sequence variants:the UK Biobank

BACKGROUND: Genetic variants in the coding region could directly affect the structure and expression levels of genes and proteins. However, the importance of variants in the non-coding region, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), remain to be elucidated. Genetic variants in miRNA-related sequences could affect their biogenesis or functionality and ultimately affect disease risk. Yet, their implications and pleiotropic effects on many clinical conditions remain unknown. METHODS: Here, we utilised genotyping and hospital records data in the UK Biobank (N = 423,419) to investigate associations between 346 genetic variants in miRNA-related sequences and a wide range of clinical diagnoses through phenome-wide association studies. Further, we tested whether changes in blood miRNA expression levels could affect disease risk through colocalisation and Mendelian randomisation analysis. RESULTS: We identified 122 associations for six variants in the seed region of miRNAs, nine variants in the mature region of miRNAs, and 27 variants in the precursor miRNAs. These included associations with hypertension, dyslipidaemia, immune-related disorders, and others. Nineteen miRNAs were associated with multiple diagnoses, with six of them associated with multiple disease categories. The strongest association was reported between rs4285314 in the precursor of miR-3135b and celiac disease risk (odds ratio (OR) per effect allele increase = 0.37, P = 1.8 × 10-162). Colocalisation and Mendelian randomisation analysis highlighted potential causal role of miR-6891-3p in dyslipidaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates the pleiotropic effect of miRNAs and offers insights to their possible clinical importance.</p

The Legal Requirements for Iran to Join EU Gas Market

One of the most important issues in the field of exporting gas to the European union through the pipelines is understanding the market and the laws and regulations in the EU as well as the requirements of other countries in the face of these regulations. Analyzing the EU laws and then the laws and regulations in Iran regarding the gas export and legal requirements for entering to the EU gas market are the main aims of this article.The results show that the EU Third Gas Directive 2009 forms the basis of the legal and contractual issues of the EU gas market which provide various legal guidelines, including ownership separation, third party access to the gas storage facilities, and Regulatory Bodies. Iran gas export laws are listed in the upper hand documents including General Policies of Iran in Energy sector, Iran Vision (2025), General Policies of the resistance economy and sixth five-year plan for Economics, Social and Cultural Development. Laws on Third Gas Directive regarding third Party Access to the Network, Tariff Regulation, Ownership and Transparency Completely applies on existing and future gas pipelines to EU Borders including Territorial Waters and Exclusive Economic zone between EU and third Countries including Iran

A Survey on Weapon Target Allocation Models and Applications

In Command and Control (C2), Threat Evaluation (TE) and Weapon Target Allocation (WTA) are two key components. To build an automated system in this area after modeling Threat Evaluation and Weapon Target Allocation processes, solving these models and finding the optimal solution are further important issues. This setting demands instantaneous operational planning and decision making under inherent severe stress conditions. The associated responsibilities are usually divided among a number of operators and also computerized decision support systems that aid these operators during the decision making process. In this Chapter, the literature in the area of WTA system with the emphasis on the modeling and solving methods are surveyed

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasonography and Radiography in Detection of Pulmonary Contusion; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Ultrasonography is currently being used as one of the diagnostic modalities in various medical emergencies for screening of trauma patients. The diagnostic value of this modality in detection of traumatic chest injuries has been evaluated by several studies but its diagnostic accuracy in diagnosis of pulmonary contusion is a matter of discussion. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography and radiography in detection of pulmonary contusion through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: An extended systematic search was performed by two reviewers in databases of Medline, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest. They extracted the data and assessed the quality of the studies. After summarization of data into true positive, false positive, true negative, and false negative meta-analysis was carried out via a mixed-effects binary regression model. Further subgroup analysis was performed due to a significant heterogeneity between the studies. Results: 12 studies were included in this meta-analysis (1681 chest trauma patients, 76% male). Pooled sensitivity of ultrasonography in detection of pulmonary contusion was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.81-0.96; I2= 95.81, p&lt;0.001) and its pooled specificity was calculated to be 0.89 (95% CI: 0.85-0.93; I2 = 67.29, p&lt;0.001) while these figures for chest radiography were 0.44 (95% CI: 0.32-0.58; I2= 87.52, p&lt;0.001) and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.88-1.0; I2= 95.22, p&lt;0.001), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that the sources of heterogeneity between the studies were sampling method, operator, frequency of the transducer, and sample size. Conclusion: Ultrasonography was found to be a better screening tool in detection of pulmonary contusion. Moreover, an ultrasonography performed by a radiologist / intensivist with 1-5MHz probe has a higher diagnostic value in identifying pulmonary contusions

Breast cancer prevention information seeking behavior and interest on cell phone and text use: a cross-sectional study in Malaysia

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second principal cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide, including Malaysia. This study focused on media choice and attempted to determine the communication channels mostly used and preferred by women in seeking information and knowledge about breast cancer. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was carried out to examine the breast cancer prevention information seeking behavior among 450 students at one private university in Malaysia. Results: The mean age of respondents was 25±4.3 years. Common interpersonal information sources were doctors, friends, and nurses and common channel information sources were television, brochure, and internet. Overall, 89.9% used cell phones, 46.1% had an interest in receiving cell phone breast cancer prevention messages, 73.9% used text messaging, and 36.7% had an interest in receiving text breast cancer prevention messages. Bivariate analysis revealed significant differences among age, education, nationality and use of cell phones. Conclusions: Assessment of health information seeking behavior is important for community health educators to target populations for program development