The Islamic Theology of Interfaith Marriages between Theology, Law and Individual Ijtihad

There is a growing body of literature that recognises the importance of revisiting the question of interfaith marriages in Islamic thought. Hence, this paper attempts to illustrate the Islamic theology of interfaith marriages in general, with particular emphasis on exogamy. In doing so, the theological and sociological factors that have led to the traditional consensus on the prohibition of exogamy are explored. The article, firstly, investigates the contributions of al-Ghazālī (d. 1111) and Ibn Taymiyya (d. 1328) in advancing the discussion beyond its contours in formative Islam. Secondly, it engagingly presents the unstudied views of Muḥammad ‘Abduh (d. 1905) and ‘Abd Allāh al-‘Alāylī (d. 1996) on the question of exogamy. Thirdly, it points out that the Islamic legal maxim sadd al-ḏharā’i‘ (blocking the means) cannot stand alone in justifying the prohibition of exogamy, illustrating thatt he moment a faqīh (Muslim jurist) appeals to sadd al-ḏharā’i‘ is the moment they implicitly acknowledge the original permissibility of the question in point. Finally, it brings to the fore the need to revive the tradition of individual ijtihad

Comportement de poteaux circulaires creux en béton armé de barres d’armature et de spirales en PRFV sous charges centrées et excentrées

L’un des problèmes les plus graves auxquels sont confrontées les structures en béton armé d’acier est la détérioration des éléments structuraux causée par l’aggravation des problèmes de corrosion de l’acier, en particulier dans les environnements difficiles tels que les structures marines, les fondations sur pieux et les tunnels. Récemment, Polymère Renforcé de Fibres (PRF) a été introduite pour l’industrie de la construction afin de résoudre le problème de la corrosion, en raison de leur résistance innée à la corrosion et un rapport résistance à la traction/poids élevé. Les critiques de études antérieures précieuses ont montré que les ingénieurs praticiens ne disposent pas d’informations suffisantes sur le comportement des poteaux en béton armé de PRF de section creuse sous charges centrée et excentrée. En raison du nombre très limité de données expérimentales, la plupart des normes et directives de conception actuelles prévoient des dispositions très prudentes pour l’utilisation du PRF dans les éléments de compression. Par conséquent, la présente étude a été menée pour aider à combler ce manque de connaissances en analysant le comportement de poteaux circulaires creux en béton armé de PRFV soumis à des charges centrées et excentrée. Un total de 27 spécimens grandeur réelle ont été fabriqués et testés⸺19 spécimens sous charges de compression centrée et 8 spécimens sous charges de compression excentrée. Outre le type de chargement, les paramètres d’essai comprenaient l’influence du taux et du type d’armature longitudinale, la configuration de la section transversale du spécimen, le taux, le type et la configuration de l’armature transversale, et l’excentricité de la charge. Les spécimens avaient des diamètres extérieurs/intérieurs de 305/113 mm et une hauteur de 1,500 mm. En outre, une étude paramétrique a été menée pour enrichir la base de données expérimentale avec le développement de nombreux diagrammes d’interaction charge axiale-moment tels que: l’influence du rapport diamètre intérieur/diamètre extérieur; l’influence du taux et type d’armature longitudinale; l’influence de la contribution ou non des barres en compression; et l’influence de la résistance à la compression du béton. Les résultats des essais, y compris le comportement à la fissuration, la résistance des poteaux, le mécanisme de rupture, le déplacement axial, le déplacement latéral, les déformations des armatures, la rigidité et la relation moment-courbure, ont été examinés. Une famille de diagrammes d’interaction charge axiale-moment prenant en compte ou non la contribution en compression des barres longitudinales en PRFV a été développée pour mieux comprendre le comportement sous charge centrée et excentrée des poteaux de section creuse en béton armé de PRFV.Abstract: One of the most serious issues confronting steel reinforced concrete structures is the deterioration of members caused by worsening steel corrosion problems, particularly in harsh environments such as marine structures, pile foundations, and tunnels. Recently, Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars has been introduced for the construction industry to overcome the corrosion problem, due to their innate corrosion resistance and high tensile strength-to-weight ratio. A critical review of valuable past studies indicated that insufficient information on the concentrically and eccentrically behavior of FRP-RC hollow columns is available for practicing engineers. Due to very limited experimental data, most currently design codes provide very conservative provisions for the use of FRP in compression members. Therefore, this present study has been conducted to help fill this knowledge gap by analyzing the response of GFRP-RC hollow circular columns subjected to concentric and eccentric loading. A total of 27 large-scale specimens were constructed and tested⸺19 under pure axial compression loading and 8 under eccentric compression loading. Besides the loading type, test variables included the influence of the longitudinal reinforcement ratio and type, specimen cross-section configuration, transverse reinforcement ratio, type, and configuration, and load eccentricity level. The specimens had 305/113 mm outer/inner diameters and 1,500 mm in height. In addition, a parametric investigation was carried out to enrich the research database with numerous load-moment interaction diagrams such as: influence of the inner-to-outer diameter ratio; influence of longitudinal reinforcement ratio and type; influence of considering-to-disregarding bar contribution in compression; and influence of concrete compressive strength. The test results, including cracking behavior, column strength, failure mechanism, axial displacement response, lateral displacement response, reinforcement strain response, stiffness, and moment-curvature response, were examined. A family of load-moment interaction diagrams in terms of disregarding and considering the contribution of GFRP longitudinal bars in compression was developed to better understand the concentrically and eccentrically behavior of GFRP-RC hollow columns

Developing Novel Criteria to Classify ARDS Severity using a Machine Learning Approach

Davant de les dificultats mèdiques per abordar correctament els problemes del ARDS, tal com es reporten en múltiples publicacions especialitzades, en aquesta tesi hem plantejat la hipòtesi que l'ús de tecnologies modernes d'aprenentatge automàtic (ML) podria millorar el nostre coneixement i la nostra capacitat per predir i abordar aquests ARDS. qüestions. Per assolir aquests objectius (i) vam proposar una fórmula nova [PaO2/(FiO2xPEEP) or P/FPE] per a PEEP≥5 i els valors de tall corresponents per abordar la bretxa de definició de Berlín per a la gravetat de l'ARDS mitjançant enfocaments ML. Es van examinar els valors de P/FPE que delimiten els límits de l'ARDS lleu, moderat i greu. Hem aplicat ML per predir la gravetat del ARDS després de l'aparició al llarg del temps comparant els criteris actuals de PaO2/FiO2 de Berlín amb P/FPE en tres escenaris diferents, (ii) vam tenir com a objectiu caracteritzar el millor escenari precoç durant els dos primers dies a la unitat de cures intensives (ICU) per predir la durada de la MV després de l'inici de l'ARDS mitjançant enfocaments de ML, i (iii) vam validar P/FPE com a predictor de la mortalitat de la ICU més enllà de l'estat actual de la tècnica mitjançant llindars de classificació intuïtius basats en ML.Frente a las dificultades médicas para abordar adecuadamente los problemas de ARDS, tal como se reportan en múltiples publicaciones especializadas, en esta tesis planteamos la hipótesis de que el uso de tecnologías modernas de aprendizaje automático (ML) podría mejorar nuestro conocimiento y nuestra capacidad para predecir y abordar estos ARDS. cuestiones. Para lograr estos objetivos (i), propusimos una fórmula novedosa [PaO2/(FiO2xPEEP) or P/FPE] para PEEP≥5 y los valores de corte correspondientes para abordar la brecha de definición de Berlín para la gravedad del ARDS mediante el uso de enfoques ML. Examinamos los valores de P/FPE que delimitan los límites del ARDS leve, moderado y grave. Aplicamos ML para predecir la gravedad del ARDS después del inicio a lo largo del tiempo comparando los criterios actuales de PaO2/FiO2 de Berlín con P/FPE en tres escenarios diferentes, (ii) apuntamos a caracterizar el mejor escenario temprano durante los dos primeros días en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (ICU) para predecir la duración de la MV después del inicio del ARDS utilizando enfoques de ML, y (iii) validamos P/FPE como predictor de mortalidad en la ICU más allá del estado actual del arte utilizando umbrales de clasificación intuitivos basados en ML.In front of the medical difficulties to properly address ARDS issues, as they are reported in multiple specialized publications, in this thesis we hypothesized that the use of modern machine learning (ML) technologies could improve our knowledge and our capacity to predict and address these ARDS issues. In order to achieve these objectives (i) we proposed a novel formula [PaO2/(FiO2xPEEP) or P/FPE] for PEEP≥5 and corresponding cut-off values to address Berlin’s definition gap for ARDS severity by using ML approaches. We examined P/FPE values delimiting the boundaries of mild, moderate, and severe ARDS. We applied ML to predict ARDS severity after onset over time by comparing current Berlin PaO2/FiO2 criteria with P/FPE under three different scenarios, (ii) we aimed at characterizing the best early scenario during the first two days in the intensive care unit (ICU) to predict MV duration after ARDS onset using ML approaches, and (iii) we validated P/FPE as a predictor of ICU mortality beyond the current state of the art using intuitive classification thresholds based on ML

The econometric analysis of the underground economy in selected Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Oman

The growing expansion of the underground economic activities has become a serious concern to many countries as it is viewed as a challenge to the economies in the world. Using the currency demand approach model, this study embarks on analyzing the underground economy particularly in the estimation of its size., and its related issues such as illegal money and tax evasion in selected Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries; United Arab Emirate, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The analysis in the study is based on time-series quarterly data over the period of 1991:Q1 to 2010:Q4 for the UAE, Kuwait and Oman; and annual data for Saudi Arabia and Qatar over the period of 1980-2010. The analysis of data begins with stationarity test using the recent techniques that account for structural break in addition to the traditional unit root test. It follows by the Gregory and Hansen cointegration test in the presence of structural break for long-run estimates based on currency demand function. Also, the General to Specific (GETS) technique is employed to estimate the short-run dynamic error correction model. The results of data analysis indicate that the estimated size of the underground economy to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Saudi, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Oman are 62.80%, 17.03%, 10.34%, 24.95% and 32.35% respectively. While, the estimated average size of the illegal money to the money outside banks for Saudi, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Oman are 18.18%, 26.70%, 59.68%, 59.51% and 49.78% respectively. The findings also indicate that the rate of tax evasion to the official GDP is estimated at an average of 5.15%, 2.12%, 0.63%, 2.82% and 2.92% for Saudi, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Oman respectively. Given the empirical results obtained from the research, the governments of GCC should formulate rules and regulations; and economics policy that are able to curb the growing size of the underground economic activitie

Estimating the Volume of the Hidden Economy in Yemen, 1995-2009: Evidence from ARDL Approach of Cointegration

Knowing the size of the hidden economic activities is very important for economists as well as policy makers for economic development and planning. The expansion of the activities in hidden economy has become a competing economy with the official activities. This study aims to shed light on the hidden economy’s phenomena in Yemen as a one of the least developing countries. It attempts to measure the size of the hidden economy based on the size of tax evasion by measuring the currency in circulation and the ratio of newly-printed banknotes to the public expenditure. The study uses quarterly data over the period of 1995Q1 to 2009Q4. In this study, the ratio of newly-printed banknotes to the public expenditures which are issued increasingly by monetary authorities over the period are as indicative a wrong monetary policies in Yemen. The study investigates whether there is a long- run relationship in the money demand function which is used as a measurement of the Yemen’s hidden economy. The ARDL bound testing approach for cointegration test is adopted in this study. The empirical results show that there is a unique and stable long-run relationship among currency in circulation and its determinants, which indicates a growing activities of hidden economy in Yemen. It confirmed that the growing of the hidden economy is associated with the weakness in the tax system and corruption in Yemen. The average volume of the hidden economy related to the official GDP has grown steadily from 78.25% in 1995 to 94.1% in 2009. The results also reveal that after incorporating the CUSUM and CUSUMSQ tests, the Yemen’s money demand function is stable between 1995:1 and 2009:4

Harvesting Energy of Radio Frequency

Renewable Energy sources are the center of attraction for research and development all over the world nowadays. Oil and Gas are no more the main source of Energy, consequently the demand of a lasting cheap source of energy that is environmental friendly, is the main challenge recently. During the last decade, power consumption has decreased opening the field for energy harvesting to become a real time solution for providing different sources of electrical power. Energy Harvesting is a new technology that is going to make a revolution in the coming decade. Energy Harvesting is a technique to provide alternative sources of energy that are environmental friendly and low in cost. Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting is one of the methods to provide electrical energy from the ambient Radio Frequency Energy that already exists in the environment. For example Hand phones can be directly charged from Radio frequencies in the environment like 915 MHz. Laptops can be charged by frequencies like 2.45 GHz. RFID passive tags can be powered by these radio frequencies without the supply of any batteries increasing the range of passive RFID tags to longer distances with lower cost. Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting can provide a world with batteryless devices. With RF Energy Harvesting, the true mobility can be achieved where mobile devices do not depend on centralized power sources for charging. Instead they make use of the existing energy in the environment

The edge environment in Cairo: An approach to reading the social pattern language of the Middle Eastern built environment

AbstractThis paper introduces a new concept that might help in reading both social life and urban process, showing how they are interlocked in a way that clarifies ideologies and their implications for the physical form of the city. This reading is capable of envisioning and analysing the relationship between the cohesive social pattern language of traditional built environment and its physical expression, relying on a new reflective and exploratory concept, the edge environment. This illuminates the relationship between the values hidden beneath the physical edges of spatial morphology in Middle Eastern urban contexts like Cairo, and allows those values to be understood in terms of modern ideologies relating to the human community. The concept of edge environment might help in the design education particularly in conservation and up-grading processes, as an analytical tool and as a design method by careful interventions at edges by fine tuning of the edge environment

Impact of Consumer Attitude and Online Video Advert Characteristics on Consumer Purchase Decision in Nuremberg Germany

Background: The global increased internet penetration has resulted in a shift in the way people do business. Similarly, marketers and companies have changed from traditional offline advertisements to online advertisement to increase their product reach and tap into new tech-survey customers who spend many hours online. Online Video Advertisement (OVA) is one of the forms of online advertisement that has witnessed tremendous growth over the last decade. With Germany being one of the countries with high internet penetration and high volumes of e-commerce, high internet and social media users, many companies have embraced OVA to reach this population with their brands. However, the consumers' knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of OVA have rarely been explored. It remains largely unknown how the OVA characteristics and consumer attitude on the OVA affect their purchase intention and purchase decision. In this study, we sought to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions on OVA among consumers in Nuremberg, Germany and determine the influence of the OVA characteristics and consumer attitude on their purchase intention and decision. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among conveniently selected Nuremberg adult residents. A semi-structured questionnaire administered online was used for data collection using Google forms. The data was imported into Excel for cleaning before being imported into IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 for analysis. For descriptive analysis, frequencies and percentages were used for categorical variables, while for the Likert scale data, mean and standard deviation were used. The reliability of the Likert scales was assessed using Cronbach alpha. Pearson's correlation was used to determine the association between the different scales, while Linear and multiple linear regression were used to quantify the association between perceptions on OVA influence of the OVA characteristics and consumer attitude (explanatory variables) and purchase intention and decision (outcome variable). Results: Of the 206 participants, 128 (62.1%) were male. Most (135; 65.5%) had frequently seen OVA, 194 (94.2%), saw it in the last one month, 169 (82.0%) on YouTube, 13 (6.3%) on Facebook, and 7 (3.4%) on Instagram. A total of 195 (94.7%) preferred OVA with the skip option. More than half (104; 50.5%) agreed that OVA reinforce product familiarity. There was a strong significant positive correlation between attitude towards OVA (r=0.622; P-value<0.001) and content and quality of OVA (r=0.602; P-value<0.001) and purchase intention. In the multiple regression analysis, attitude towards OVA, invasiveness of OVA, and OVA quality and content were significantly associated with intention to purchase and purchase decision for the advertised product (P value<0.001). Conclusion: The positive attitude of the consumer on OVA, and its content and quality are key aspects that influence consumers to purchase the advertised product while invasiveness of the OVA seems to put them off. This has implication for marketers as these are key aspects that they need to consider in designing OVA to ensure that they result in improved sales hence value for money invested in OVA advertisements. Keywords: Online Video Advertisement, Consumer decision, consumer purchase, marketing. DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/81-01 Publication date:August 31st 202