Assessment of Ta’widh and Gharamah in Islamic Financing Contract and Its Applicability Potential for Construction Works Contracts

Ta'widh and gharamah are the Shariah compliant late payment charges primarily used for Islamic financial contracts. Seven identified themes were used to qualitatively compare and contrast between the Guidelines on Late Payment Charges for Islamic Banking Institutions (2012) against the provisions of interest for late interim payment from four Malaysian construction works contracts. The findings revealed similarities and differences for identification of Shariah compliance. Recommendations were made for the harmonisation of ta’widh and gharamah in the construction works contracts while ensuring its practical and legal applicability. The outcome is beneficial for Islamic organisations and Muslims involved with the construction works.  Keywords: ta’widh and gharamah, late payment, interest,construction, eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i15.250

Mapping of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA primer (RAPD) on chromosome 2A of common wheat

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA primers (RAPDs) were mapped on chromosomes 2A of wheat genotypes using “Chinese Spring” nullisomic-tetrasomic lines. One particular pair of chromosome was absent and another homologous pair was present in the extra dose. Genomic DNA was isolated from two genetic stocks viz; NT1D1B and NT2A2B. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were conducted using RAPD primers GLC-07 and GLB-11. PCR amplification using primer GLC-07 produced single band of approximately 1100 bp in both the genetic stocks, indicating that the primer was annealed to a loci other than chromosome 2A. RAPD primer GLB-11 amplified a polymorphic allele of approximately 500 bp which was present in NT1D1B but was absent in NT2A2B, indicating that the locus was present on chromosome 2A of common wheat. Hence, this marker (GLB-11) can reliably be used to keep track of chromosome 2A of wheat.Key words: Wheat, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA primer (RAPD), mapping, chromosomes, homologous, genomes

Doctrinal analysis on interest for late interim payment for Malaysian construction works contracts

The doctrinal analysis is a legal methodology adopted to understand a particular area of law's principles and practices. In the context where interest is used as a charge for late interim payment, related provisions in the Malaysian construction works contracts are confined by minimal details. Hence, this study aims to identify relevant legal provisions bearing the principles and practices of interest for a late interim payment for the Malaysian construction works contracts using the doctrinal analysis approach. Fifteen cases were selected from the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Law Reports from 2015 until 2018 for the analysis. The doctrinal analysis was conducted in two stages; the first stage was to locate the law sources, and the second stage was to synthesis the findings of the analysis. Through the analysis, seven themes and nineteen sub-themes based on the case judgements and principles related to interest for late interim payment were developed. The findings were subsequently presented to legal experts for validation and comments. This study helps the employer and the contractor be more prudent in forming and treating contractual interest provisions for late interim payment. Also, a better understanding of the legal implications for the said provisions might reduce disputes between the contracting parties

A Preliminary Study of Parasitic Infections of Some Fishes from Kinabatangan River, Sandakan, Sabah

A survey of fishes of the Kinabatangan River was conducted to determine the fish types, abundance and prevalence of parasitic infection. The fishes were collected with gill nets in two distinct areas, named Abai and Bilit. Eleven fish species in ten genera and ten families were encountered. The family Ariidae formed 36.3% of the total number of individuals (n=80) while the rest were Pangasiidae (15%), Siluridae (11.3%), Cyprinidae (10%), Engraulidae (7.5%), Bagridae (6.3%), Toxotidae (6.3%), Sciaenidae (3.8%), Megalopidae (2.5%) and Clariidae (1.3%). Both ectoparasites and endoparasites especially intestinal helminth were recorded. The ectoparasite infestation rate was 45% whereas the endoparasite remain only 17.5%. The overall parasitic infection rate was more than half of sample (53.8%).This preliminary data indicated that almost half of the population of fishes from these areas could be exposed to parasitic infection

Associated Factor of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Academic Outcome

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) was defined by recurrent and intrusive thoughts, images or urges (obsessions) and repetitive behaviour or mental acts. There were several themes of OCD symptoms which were checking, symmetry, contamination, repeating, hoarding, cleaning or washing, and counting. Each symptom showed different behaviour. We use Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Scale to measure the severity of obsessive compulsive disorder. Our target population was in secondary school students in Tapah which were Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tapah and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Buyong Adil. The aims of our project were to study the association between OCD and academic outcome. The research design was Cross-Sectional Research. This design was based on observations that take place in different groups at one time. This means that there was no experimental procedure, so no variables are manipulated by the researcher. For example, the variable of interest was age because we wanted to see if any changes were noticed in groups of different ages. We used convenience sampling to conduct the survey. We met Administrative Senior Assistant of the school to find class that was free without disturbing their learning process. Then, we went to the class and distributed the questionnaires. Our respondents were from teenagers in range between 13 to 17 years old and we did not include secondary school students. Moreover, to study the association between OCD and academic outcome, we used chi-square test for the statistical analysis. Thus, we found that there was no significant association between Academic Outcomes and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder since the p-value for Chi-Squared test was more than 0.05 (p-value: 0.092).  We can conclude that the OCD does not affect the academic outcomes of the secondary students. This was because based on our research; the result showed that the respondent’s academic outcomes were majority pass. OCD’s impact on learning cannot be underestimated. So this study was very important in order to estimate the impact. Besides, it was important to educate and give awareness to the public about OCD. It  would be meaningful when people know about this symptoms moreover for those who have OCD. It would help then to control their severity. Keywords: academic, chi-squared, obsessive compulsive disorde

Modelling ultrasound waves bubble formation in ethanol/ethyl acetate azeotrope mixture

The separation of an azeotropic mixture such as ethanol/ethyl acetate in distillation process can be enhanced by ultrasound wave. The application of ultrasound wave creates bubble cavitation in the mixture and shifts the vapour-liquid equilibrium favouring the separation of the azeotropic mixture. This study investigates the formation of bubbles in the mixture through modelling and simulation. The results obtained show that bubble formation at low ultrasound frequency is favoured by the increase in intensity, which has a direct relation to sonic pressure. The optimal sonic pressure for bubble formation at equilibrium is 5 atm and conforms to the model for small bubble formation with radius of 0.14 /<m. Furthermore, the maximum possible number of bubbles at equilibrium in the ethanol/ethyl acetate azeotropic mixture of 1 L is 91 × 1015. The developed model can be used to determine the optimal sonic pressure, sound intensity, size of bubble, and possible number of bubbles formed at equilibrium

Assessing Bone Mineral Density in Sickle Cell Disease Patients and linking it to Admission Rates: A Prospective Uni-center Study

INTRODUCTION: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder with bone mineral density (BMD) as a common clinical manifestation of SCD. With a prevalence of 2.6%, Saudi Arabia is among the highest incidence of SCD worldwide. The purpose of this research was to examine how SCD evolves and how it affects bone density in Saudi patients from an Eastern Province tertiary hospital. METHODS: This was an observational prospective study conducted in the tertiary care hospital among 119 SCD patients. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A – severe SCD patients requiring hospital care ≥3/year; and Group B included patients with a smooth course of SCD who did not require frequent hospitalization (&lt;3 hospitalizations per year), with a milder course of the disease. Analysis was based on the frequency of hospitalizations with pain crises and measuring BMD. RESULTS: Of 119 patients, 73.1% had low bone density. Compared to the femur (47.9%), the spine (62.2%) had a higher prevalence of low bone density. The prevalence of low BMD did not significantly differ between the two groups (64.8 vs. 79.9%, P = 0.081). Patients with more frequent hospital visits had significantly higher Mg concentrations (2.30 vs. 0.84, P = 0.001), higher gamma-glutamyl transferase (59.44 vs. 39.49, P = 0.030), and significantly lower 25-hydroxy Vitamin D (34.82 vs. 49.48, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SCD had a generally higher prevalence of low BMD. Further research is needed to answer the proposed debate about the accuracy of DXA scanning in patients with SCD

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10&nbsp;years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37&nbsp;years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Rhinitis associated with asthma is distinct from rhinitis alone: TARIA‐MeDALL hypothesis

Asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis (AD) are interrelated clinical phenotypes that partly overlap in the human interactome. The concept of “one-airway-one-disease,” coined over 20 years ago, is a simplistic approach of the links between upper- and lower-airway allergic diseases. With new data, it is time to reassess the concept. This article reviews (i) the clinical observations that led to Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA), (ii) new insights into polysensitization and multimorbidity, (iii) advances in mHealth for novel phenotype definitions, (iv) confirmation in canonical epidemiologic studies, (v) genomic findings, (vi) treatment approaches, and (vii) novel concepts on the onset of rhinitis and multimorbidity. One recent concept, bringing together upper- and lower-airway allergic diseases with skin, gut, and neuropsychiatric multimorbidities, is the “Epithelial Barrier Hypothesis.” This review determined that the “one-airway-one-disease” concept does not always hold true and that several phenotypes of disease can be defined. These phenotypes include an extreme “allergic” (asthma) phenotype combining asthma, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio