Indefiniteness between the eloquent and grammarians

 This research discusses the concept of indefiniteness in grammarians, showing the attempts of grammarians to put an absolute to the indefiniteness, limit depending on agroup of linguistic and referential sings, and then to determine the degrees of indefiniteness, especially that some indefinite nouns are more indefinite than the others

Practices of food producers in producing halal food products in Malaysia

Malaysian Government has taken proactive steps in making Malaysia as a regional halal hub. Tremendous potential in the development and production of halal products especially food should be expected. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate the level of practice by the food producers in producing halal food products. Studied variables are adherence on halal labeling, understanding on halal process and procedures and awareness on halal demand, and associated factor including food producers’ practices. A set of questionnaires was designed and sent to 60 selected food producers in Malaysia by post. The data collected were then analyzed using the SPSS version 13 for descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and also multiple regressions. The results showed that most of the respondents, who are Muslim food producers, claimed that they have obtained halal certification from JAKIM. The results also revealed that all the adherence towards halal labeling, understand the halal processes and procedures, and aware of consumers’ demand towards halal food have significantly related to the halal practices and were moderately positively correlated. This present study can be used to serve as a basis for future research in determining the level of halal practices by all food producers in Malaysia

Integrated Heat Regenerator (IHR) Designs with Hydrogen Preheater and Thermoelectric Generator for Power Enhancement of a 2 kW Fuel Cell Vehicle

The power train efficiency of fuel cell vehicles (FCV) can be enhanced by improving the hydrogen energy utilization. Based on a mini FCV running on a 2 kW open-cathode Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell, a waste heat recovery system design needs to be developed as an approach towards higher energy efficiency. The novelty of the system is on the integration of thermoelectric generator technology with hydrogen preheating process for a combined heat and power output. This manuscript presents the proposed integrated heat regenerator (IHR) designs, analysed using numerical computational modelling. Three IHR designs were proposed where the main design criteria are (i) a minimum of 10oC hydrogen preheating degree, and (ii) non-parasitic active cooling for the TEG cells. Three design concepts were studied to identify its design and performance limitations. The numerical results were validated with theoretical modelling analysis for hydrogen exit temperatures and TEG surface temperatures. The analysis on predicted fuel cell power enhancement, TEG power generation and waste heat utilization were performed by relating the temperature profiles of the hydrogen reactant and TEG surfaces to fuel cell reaction models and TEG power relationships. A compact IHR design that produced 7.7 to 8 % total power enhancement and suitable in size for a mini FCV was identified for future development work

Strategic thinking : What, why and how

Strategic thinking is increasingly being recognized as an important requirement for effective strategic management in business organizations. More and more scholars, consultants and practitioners are conceding that strategies. Despite being considered as an integral part of the strategic management process, the literature indicates strategic thinking has not received much research attention. This paper strives to address this gap. Specifically, the paper attempts to provide some useful insight into the development of strategic thinking as an important strategic management concept and good business practice

Pulse versus daily oral Alfacalcidol treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a common complication of chronic kidney disease and is managed using vitamin D replacement therapy. Very few studies have examined the effectiveness of pulse alfacalcidol therapy in comparison to daily oral alfacalcidol therapy in suppressing serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to replicate the findings of prior studies comparing effectiveness of pulse oral alfacalcidol therapy versus daily oral alfacalcidol therapy in suppressing PTH after 13 weeks of therapy using a Palestinian sample of hemodialysis patients, and to identify demographic and biomedical characteristics of patients that are independently associated with PTH levels. One hundred and sixty-seven patients completed the study, 88 in the daily group and 79 in the pulse group. The pulse group had more clinically significant reduction in mean PTH level by 75 pg/dL at 13 weeks than the daily group, but this was not statistically significant. The effect of alfacalcidol therapy on metabolism of phosphate and corrected calcium levels was comparable in both groups, and pulse therapy was not associated with increased risk of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Serum PTH levels were independently and inversely associated with older age and diabetes. Switching daily alfacalcidol therapy to thrice-weekly alfacalcidol pulse therapy seems safe and convenient, especially for hemodialysis patients with poor compliance with treatment. This study also highlights the importance of monitoring and preventing malnutrition in hemodialysis patients and maintaining optimal glycemic control in diabetic hemodialysis patients

Students' self-directed learning readiness towards using the “SolveMe” Web in Technical and Vocational Education

Self-directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) is an essential skill in continuous Tearning and Leaching (T&L) that needs to be applied to any student. The study aimed to look at the Self-directed Learning Readiness Level (SDLRL) among the final semester students. The total number of students involved was 136 students, covering seven areas namely Catering, Electrical and Electronics, Building Construction, Creative Multimedia, General Machining, Welding, and Air Conditioning. The questionnaire instrument used was adapted from Guglielmino(1997). The results of the study were analyzed using descriptive statistics involving average use, standard deviation, percentages, frequency and scores. Inference statistics involve t-tests. Studies showed that the students' Key Performance Indexes (KPIs) were at moderate levels for three aspects of self-management, learning to learn and self-control. The t = .119 test, p <.905 showed no significant difference in SDLRL based on gender (female, average = 3.4002, SP = .37393 and male, average = 3.3925, SP = .37146) which served as a reference that could benefit the academic institution for adapting the T&L technique involving SDLR

Epidemiology of Common Ocular Manifestations among Patients on Haemodialysis in West Bank, Palestine: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of ocular manifestations and associated factors in patients on haemodialysis. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 191 patients on haemodialysis from a haemodialysis unit in Nablus, Palestine. &nbsp;Medical examination for ocular manifestations (intraocular pressure, cataract, retinal changes, and optic neuropathy) was performed using Tono-Pen, portable slit-lamp, and indirect ophthalmoscope. Predictor variables were age, gender, smoking, medical comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD)), and use of antiplatelet or anti-coagulation medications. Results: The prevalence of any ocular manifestation in at least one eye was 68%. The most common ocular manifestations were retinal changes (58%) and cataract (41%). The prevalence of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), preoperative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and either NPDR or PDR was 51%,16%, and 65%, respectively. Increase in age by one year was associated with increase in the odds of having cataract by 1.10 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06, 1.14). Patients with diabetes had higher odds of having cataract (odds ratio (OR) 7.43; 95% CI, 3.26, 16.95) and any retinal changes (OR 109.48, 95% CI, 33.85, 354.05) than patients without diabetes. Patients with diabetes and IHD or PAD had higher odds of having NPDR than patients with diabetes and free from IHD or PAD (OR 7.62; 95% CI, 2.07, 28.03). Conclusion: Retinal changes and cataract are very common ocular manifestations among patients on haemodialysis. The findings emphasize the importance of periodic screening for ocular problems this vulnerable population, especially older patients and those with diabetes, to prevent visual impartment and associated disability. Keywords: Kidney Failure, Chronic; Renal Dialysis; Eye Diseases; Eye Manifestations; Cross-Sectional Studies

The effects of Ramadan fasting on clinical and biochemical markers among hemodialysis patients: A prospective cohort study.

Ramadan fasting is compulsory for all healthy adult Muslims. Although sick people are exempted from Ramadan fasting, some patients such as hemodialysis patients prefer to fast during Ramadan. The effect of Ramadan fasting on clinical outcomes and biochemical markers among hemodialysis patients is not clear. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of daily Ramadan fasting and partial Ramadan fasting on key biochemical and clinical markers among hemodialysis patients as compared to hemodialysis patients who chose not to fast during Ramadan. A prospective cohort study of 269 end stage renal disease patients were recruited from the hemodialysis unit in An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine. The participants were divided into three cohorts based on their plans for fasting during Ramadan in May 2018; Ramadan fasting group (RFG), Ramadan partial fasting group (RPFG) and Ramadan not-fasting group (RNFG). Key clinical and biochemical markers were measured before, during and after Ramadan. After adjustment for diabetic and hypertension status and other sociodemographic variables, RFG had higher mean inter-dialytic weight gain (IDWG) by 0.62 kg than RNFG (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26, 0.99). RPFG also had slight increase in mean IDWG than RNFG by 0.35 kg (95% CI 0.11, 0.60). Additionally, RFG and RPFG had significant increase in mean serum potassium as compared to RNFG. Diabetes was independently associated with increased IDWG by 0.48 kg (0.25, 0.72). Diabetes and hypertension were associated with some independent changes in biochemical markers, but these were clinically negligible. Our findings suggest that Ramadan fasting (fully or partially) is tolerable by hemodialysis patients and is not associated with important clinical complications. However, these patients should be made aware of the potential risk of fluid overload and hyperkalemia, if they decide to fast during Ramadan. Thus, they should be closely monitored and instructed to adhere to their dietary and fluid intake allowances. Further prospective cohort studies with comprehensive dietary measures and information on adverse clinical outcomes may provide more evidence about the tolerability and safety of Ramadan fasting by hemodialysis patients.The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

The potential of treated palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge as an organic fertilizer

Palm oil mill contributed a significant benefit to agro-based industry and social-economic for Malaysia. Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is considered as a polluted wastewater and the treated POME sludge was produced from the open treatment ponds. The objective of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of treated POME sludge and its potential as an organic fertilizer. It was collected from the dumping ponds in Felda Jengka 8, palm oil mill. Physicochemical characteristics, sampling and preparation of samples were analyzed according to the standard method of soil and the wastewater. The samples were collected after one and six month of age with different depths (one, two and three meters). The statistical analysis revealed that the depth was not significant on the physicochemical characteristics. The characteristics of the treated POME sludge was measures using CHNS-O, C/N ratio, solid analysis, heavy metal, macro and micronutrient, moisture content, and pH. However, the elements of oxygen, iron and pH were shown an interaction effects with time. In conclusion, the treated POME sludge has shown significant effect and the potential used as an organic fertilizer. Indeed, further studies on crops response are being conducted to prove the findings

The Potential of Treated Palm Oil Mill Effluent (Pome) Sludge as an Organic Fertilizer

Palm oil mill contributed a significant benefit to agro-based industry and social-economic for Malaysia. Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is considered as a polluted wastewater and the treated POME sludge was produced from the open treatment ponds. The objective of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of treated POME sludge and its potential as an organic fertilizer. It was collected from the dumping ponds in Felda Jengka 8, palm oil mill. Physicochemical characteristics, sampling and preparation of samples were analyzed according to the standard method of soil and the wastewater. The samples were collected after one and six month of age with different depths (one, two and three meters). The statistical analysis revealed that the depth was not significant on the physicochemical characteristics. The characteristics of the treated POME sludge was measures using CHNS-O, C/N ratio, solid analysis, heavy metal, macro and micronutrient, moisture content, and pH. However, the elements of oxygen, iron and pH were shown an interaction effects with time. In conclusion, the treated POME sludge has shown significant effect and the potential used as an organic fertilizer. Indeed, further studies on crops response are being conducted to prove the findings