Factors influencing Islamic banking selection criteria among muslim international students of selected universities in northern states of Malaysia

The number of Muslim international students studying in the Malaysian institution of Higher education is incessantly growing. The extensive numbers of Muslim international students in Malaysia have contributed not only the country’s education sector, but even the Islamic banking industry as well. Thus, the aim of the study is to examine the factors that influence Muslim international student’s selection criteria of the Islamic banking sector. This study focuses on all international students in Northern State of Malaysia, especially three public universities, namely University Utara Malaysia, University Sains Malaysia, and University Malaysia Perlis. A total of 217 questionnaires are distributed and 163 usable responses were analyzed. The outcome of the study indicates that 43 percent of the variance of Muslim international student’s selection criteria to choose Islamic banking system can be explained by the variables which are religiosity, knowledge, service, reputation. Furthermore out of the four independent variables, the variables, specifically knowledge, service and reputation are found significant to the selection criteria of Islamic bankin

Evaluation of Designs of Baloch Needlework and its Impact on the Building Facade in Balochistan

Architecture and clothing is one of the most notable categories of each area's culture. Clothing of Baluchistan area, with regard to its specific features, has great values and potentials including; decorations and designs of needlework used in Baluch women's dress indicating specific art and delicacy that has been emerged by female artists. Artists who are mostly illiterate and have not studied geometry but have created noble geometric designs with unique delicacy. Baluchistan architecture also has potential and features that are sometimes inspired by clothing. This research aimed at analysis of design of needle-works and its impact on building's façade in Zahedan and the inspiration of architecture from design of needle works with regard to the cultural feature in this area. Baluch Needle work as one of hobby skills among people of this area has a particular position and notable history in this area. Designs of this civil art are not only seen on people clothing in this area but also are observed in buildings facades. As clothing, besides adding beauty to people, it protects and covers them. Architecture, also, besides adding beauty to environment around it, protects it and holds it as clothing. Thus, we can consider cloth as human's secondary clothing or clothing as primary architecture. Apart from these, clothing of each nation is one of the cultural aspects of that nation, as architecture is considered as one of the cultural aspects of that nation. It means that we can study Baluch women's needle work from two artistic and architectural aspects. This research aimed at describing the Iranian artistic and architectural decorative achievements and case study of Baluch art and architecture. The research results showed that the unity and reoccurrence of homogeneous designs is oriented towards their unique perception of clothing and building. This research, with regard to its results, is an applied research and its methods are based on field and library study. This research intends to examine the impact of Baluch needle works designs in architecture of Zahedan city through field and library study methods

Effects of Media Composition on Performance and Kinetics of Baker’s Yeast Isolated from Sudan

Abstract is present with attachment

Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction and Motivation of Nurses at Madina Hospital in Somalia

The shortage in both the total numbers and the experience nurses is a crucial issue. Hospital administration must realize the extent of the nursing shortage as it is related to how patient care is being delivered. In the context of hospital setting, nurses are the key component of the medical staffs and they play major roles in ensuring the service quality are being provided to patients as part of the national services to the public. Thus, nurses' satisfaction and motivation on their job are very important to be maintained. This study commenced with the intention to investigate the issues relating to the general scenario and the perspective on working environment of the nurses. In addition, this study also investigated and confirmed the result of the pilot study done at the Medina Hospital on the same issue. This study has the unique advantage as it can represent the other hospitals that follow the same structure in the context of Somalia. The main underlying theory being referred to in this research is the Motivation- Hygiene Theory by Herzberg. This study was a non- experimental, quantitative design with convenience sampling because the medical centre was selected as the target population. The design enabled for the establishment of the relationship between independent and dependent variables, which are the motivation and hygiene factors with the nurses' job satisfaction. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS, using both descriptive and correlational statistics. On the other hand, Cronbach's Alpha was used to determine internal reliability. Based on the result, it was found that generally, the nurses at Madina Hospital were not happy with their work. Therefore, there exixt an urgent need for the Medina Hospital management to look seriously into the matter of job satisfaction among their nurses. Further research is needed in order to reveal a more comprehensive suggestion as to how to develop a better hospital culture

Istraživanje gena za otpornost na antibiotik tetraciklin u izolata bakterije Escherichia coli izdvojenih iz tovnih pilića u Iranu.

The tetracycline resistance of E. coli isolates (n = 300) from broiler chickens was investigated in three stages of the rearing period (one-day-old chicks, thirty-day-old chickens and one day before slaughter). Tetracycline resistance genes (tet(A), tet(M), tet(O) and tet(S)) were investigated among 120 tetracycline resistant E. coli isolates. Tetracycline resistance at the three stages of sampling was 67, 90 and 94%, respectively. Of the 120 tetracycline resistant E. coli isolates, 68 (59%) carried the tet(A) resistance gene. The tet(A) resistance gene was present in 32.5% (13/40) of E. coli isolated from one-day-old chicks, 65% (26/40) of E. coli isolated from thirty-day-old chickens and 72.5% (29/40) of E. coli isolated from the chickens on the day before slaughter. None of the tested isolates contained tet(M), tet(O) or tet (S). Tetracycline resistance was relatively high in E. coli isolated from one-day-old chicks, suggesting a high prevalence of tetracycline resistance in the preliminary gut flora of these broiler chicks. Significant increases in the resistance rate of E. coli isolates were found during the 2nd and 3rd rearing period. Tet(A) was the only detected tet resistance gene in these E. coli isolates. The rise of the tet(A) resistance gene during the rearing of broilers is alarming because this plasmid mediated tet gene can be transmitted to other pathogenic and commensal bacteria in the poultry industry.Istražena je otpornost na tetraciklin izolata vrste E. coli (n = 300) izdvojenih iz tovnih pilića triju dobnih skupina (jednodnevnih, 30 dnevnih i pilića jedan dan prije klanja). Ukupno je 120 izolata E. coli otpornih na tetraciklin bilo pretraženo na prisutnost gena za otpornost na tetraciklin (tet(A), tet(M), tet(O) i tet(S)). Otpornost na tetraciklin u izolatima iz jednodnevnih pilića iznosila je 67%, u izolatima iz 30 dnevnih pilića 90%, a u onih izdvojenih iz pilića dan prije klanja 94%. Od 120 izolata otpornih na tetraciklin, 68 (59%) nosilo je gen tet(A). Gen tet(A) dokazan je u 32,5% (13/40) izolata E. coli iz jednodnevnih pilića, u 65% (26/40) iz 30-dnevnih pilića i 72,5% (29/40) iz pilića dan prije klanja. Nijedan od pretraženih izolata nije sadržavao tet(M), tet (O) or tet(S). Otpornost na tetraciklin bila je relativno visoka u izolata iz jednodnevnih pilića, što upućuje na zaključak o visokoj prevalenciji otpornosti primarne crijevne flore na tetraciklin. Značajno povećanje stope otpornosti izolata E. coli ustanovljeno je tijekom 2. i 3. uzgojnog razdoblja. Tet(A) bio je jedini dokazan tet gen u pretraženih izolata. Povećana učestalost gena otpornosti tet(A) tijekom uzgojnog razdoblja tovnih pilića je zabrinjavajuća jer se plazmid prenositelj gena tet može prenijeti na druge patogene i komenzalne bakterije u peradi

Uptake of health insurance among Muslims in Nairobi county, Kenya

Introduction: In Kenya and the world across, health insurance has been reckoned as an important health policy that serves to protect households from the direct financial consequences of health care and meet the  Sustainable Development Goal of Universal Health Coverage and Poverty Eradication. However, health insurance uptake has remained to be a major challenge for universal health care coverage especially amongKenyan Muslims who have conflicting religious faith towards  conventional health insurance. This study had two main objectives: (1) to determine level of uptake of health insurance among Muslims and (2) to examine the role of religion in health insurance uptake among Muslims.Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional study design.  Post-stratified sampling was used to select 389 respondents who participated in the survey questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation and Test of independence (Chi-square) were used to analyze quantitative data using SPSS Version 20. Results: Findings revealed that only 86(22%) of Muslims were enrolled in a health insurance scheme. Among the 86 Muslims who had an insurance cover, Majority were enrolled in National Health Insurance Fund (65,70.6%) while 21(29.4%) were enrolled in private health insurance schemes. Among the 303 Muslims who had no insurance cover, 285 (94.1%) preferred being enrolled in Takaful Health insurance whichis Shariah Compliant. Religion played a significant role on choice and enrollment of Muslims to health insurance schemes. Religious beliefs andShariah teachings had a statistically significant relationship with uptake of health insurance (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Uptake of health insurance among Muslims is low despite the growing population of Muslims in Kenya partly due to Muslims strong religious belief and Shariah laws, which prohibits them from enrolling into conventional insurance hence limiting freedom of  individual decisions on the insurance schemes to enroll in. Despite high demand for health insurance products among Muslims, there lacks health insurances products aligned to the religious beliefs and needs of Muslim hence exposing them to hefty medical bills which deepens poverty and inaccessibility to basic health car

Energy inputs – yield relationship and sensitivity analysis for tomato greenhouse production in Iran

This paper studies the energy balance between the input and the output energies per unit area for greenhouse tomato production.  For this purpose, the data on 30 tomato production greenhouses in Isfahan province, Iran were collected and analyzed.  The results indicated that a total specific input energy of 116,768.4 MJ ha-1 was consumed for tomato production.  Diesel fuel (with 40%) and chemical fertilizers and manure (with 30%) were amongst the highest input energies for tomato production.  The energy productivity was estimated to be 1.16 kg MJ-1.  The ratio of output energy to input energy was approximately 0.92. 19% and 81% of total energy input was in renewable and non-renewable forms, respectively.  The regression results revealed that the contribution of input energies on crop yield for human power, machinery, pesticides and electricity inputs was significant.  The human power energy had the highest impact (1.45) among the other inputs in greenhouse tomato production.  The marginal physical productivity of diesel fuel, seed and total chemical fertilizer with manure was negative.  It can be because of applying the inputs more than required or improperly applying.  The highest shares of expenses were found to be 34% and 21% for human power and total diesel fuel and machinery, respectively.  Cost analysis revealed that total cost of production for 1 ha greenhouse tomato production was around US$34939.  Accordingly, the benefit-cost ratio was estimated as 2.74.  Results of greenhouse gas emission indicated that tomato production is mostly depended on diesel fuel sources.  Diesel fuel had the highest share (2,719.98 kg CO2eq.ha-1) followed by electricity (729.6 kg CO2eq.ha-1) and nitrogen fertilizer (409.5 kg CO2eq.ha-1).   Keywords: tomato, greenhouse, energy productivity, economic analysis, Cobb-Douglas functio

Perceptions of Employees on Psychological Factors Affecting Obesity: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Obesity has now become an epidemic in Iran and there is convincing evidence that psychological factors play an important role in obesity and overweight. Given the key role of employees, as valuable human resources, in providing services and the increasing sedentary lifestyle among them, the current study aimed to explore governmental employees’ perceptions of psychological factors that affect obesity. Method: This qualitative study was conducted through content analysis. In total, 4 focus group discussions were held with groups of 8 subjects (32 subjects). Semi-structured interviews were conducted on a diverse sample of 35 obese or overweight governmental employees between February 2014 and January 2015. All interviews were audio recorded and were analyzed using the Strauss and Corbin method. Results: As a result of data analysis, the 3 main categories of poor adaptability in stressful periods, low self-efficacy, and motivators emerged. Poor adaptability in stressful periods consisted of the 5 main subcategories of periods of university entrance exam, soldiering, career, marriage, and childbirth. Low self-efficacy was explored in the 2 main subcategories of lack of positive model and the sense of lack of control over circumstances. Motivators included the subcategories of pleasure and apprehension. Conclusion: This study showed that perceptions of employees on psychological factors influencing obesity differed. Therefore, further researches, both qualitative and quantitative, are required in this field. Keywords: Grounded theory, Obesity, Qualitative stud

Removal of Diclofenac from Water using an Hybrid Process Combining Activated Carbon Adsorption and Ultrafiltration or Microfiltration

Small amounts of pharmaceuticals are increasingly found in natural waters and wastewaters in treatment plants. Several processes are developed for their removal such as hybrid membrane processes. These techniques integrate membrane filtration (mainly ultrafiltration or microfiltration) to a physical technique (such as flocculation or sorption on activated carbon). In this study, we report results on a process with sorption on activated carbon and microfiltration or ultrafiltration using a ceramic membrane, with a specific attention to the influence of the membrane pore size. The membranes showed little fouling at the experimental conditions used (maximum 500 mg/L activated carbon), while an important increase in conductivity was observed in permeate samples due to the salting out of ions from the activated carbon particles. Besides, the removal of diclofenac and humic acid (both at 10 mg/L) was higher than 90 % during the treatment with both ultrafiltration and microfiltration, however microfiltration was preferred due to its higher flux. These results suggest that hybrid processes of activated carbon/ultrafiltration or microfiltration could be interesting alternatives for processing waters containing small amounts of pharmaceuticals

Immunomodulation by Mesenchymal Stem Cells A Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Type 1 Diabetes

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent stromal cells that have the potential to give rise to cells of diverse lineages. Interestingly, MSCs can be found in virtually all postnatal tissues. The main criteria currently used to characterize and identify these cells are the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation into tissues of mesodermal origin, combined with a lack in expression of certain hematopoietic molecules. Because of their developmental plasticity, the notion of MSC-based therapeutic intervention has become an emerging strategy for the replacement of injured tissues. MSCs have also been noted to possess the ability to impart profound immunomodulatory effects in vivo. Indeed, some of the initial observations regarding MSC protection from tissue injury once thought mediated by tissue regeneration may, in reality, result from immunomodulation. Whereas the exact mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory functions of MSC remain largely unknown, these cells have been exploited in a variety of clinical trials aimed at reducing the burden of immune-mediated disease. This article focuses on recent advances that have broadened our understanding of the immunomodulatory properties of MSC and provides insight as to their potential for clinical use as a cell-based therapy for immune-mediated disorders and, in particular, type 1 diabetes