From Structure to Purpose: Green and Social Narratives, and the Shifting Morality of Islamic Finance in Kuala Lumpur

Background: The anthropology of sustainability documents and interprets diverse visions of sustainable and liveable futures. Islamic scholars and financiers are now debating the distinctive contribution of Islamic finance to global sustainability. While mainstream global finance has only recently begun to pay explicit attention to social and environmental sustainability, Islamic economics has always emphasised the need to benefit society, the community, and the environment. Objectives: We ask what has been the influence of the emergence of green and social finance upon Islamic finance in Malaysia, the global centre of Islamic finance. Methods: The study is based on collaborative, co-productive ethnography and autoethnography, and textual analysis of working documents of the Securities Commission Malaysia, focusing on how environmental requirements are expressed in new financial products, known as green sukuks, or green Islamic bonds. Results and conclusions: We have found that much of the moral debate in Islamic finance has revolved around the distribution of financial risk: when investors share the risk of failure, they can participate in society rather than merely exploiting social relations, yet the emergence of ‘green’ Islamic finance appears to shift the centre of moral gravity away from risk structuring towards technical criteria of sustainability, replicating the growth-oriented anthropocentric managerialism of mainstream finance

Development and Evaluation of Surface Modified Poly (lactic acid) Microsphere via Irradiation Techniques for Drug Delivery System

AbstractPoly (lactic acid) (PLA) has been used in medical field because it is biocompatible, biodegradable and has good mechanical properties. However, its surface characteristic which is hydrophobic and chemically inert is not suitable as a carrier in drug delivery system. Purpose of this study is to modify and improve PLA microspheres surface by grafting hydrophilic monomers onto its surface via irradiation techniques. Two sets of PLA microspheres with and without hydrophilic monomers were irradiated using high energy irradiations which are electron beam and Gamma (γ) rays respectively. Although dose used in irradiating samples were same for both electron beam and γ-rays, but the dose rate were different where electron beam has the higher dose rate. Free radicals will be formed when a matter is irradiated with ionising radiation and these radicals will interact with monomers and initiate grafting. Three hydrophilic monomers were used in this study i.e. Acrylic Acid (AA), Acrylamide and Maleic Anhydride (MAH). Surface modified PLA microspheres were characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). PLA microspheres surface were successfully modified and grafted with selected monomers and confirmed by FTIR results. The degrees of grafting were found to be dependent on irradiation dose and dose rate of irradiation as well as monomer used in the grafting. SEM shows surface of PLA microsphere after surface modification is rougher compared to before surface modification

Comparison of Carboxyhaemoglobin Concentrations between Low-flow and Minimal-flow Anaesthesia with Desflurane

This was a prospective randomised study comparing carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations between low-flow anaesthesia (fresh gas flow 1.0 L/min) and minimal-flow anaesthesia (0.5 L/min) using desflurane. Sixty (ASA 1 or 2) adult patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either low-flow (Group 1) or minimal flow anaesthesia (Group 2). Venous blood samples for carboxyhaemoglobin levels were taken at baseline and at 10 mins intervals for 40 mins. Both groups showed significant increase in carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations within the first 10 mins when fresh gas flow of 4.0 L/min was used. Reduction in carboxyhemoglobin levels was seen after 20 mins of minimal or low flow anaesthesia. However, there was no significant difference in the magnitude of reduction of carboxyhemoglobin concentrations between the groups. The fractional inspired of oxygen (FiO2) showed no significant changes in either group. In conclusion, desflurane usage in anaesthesia with either low-flow or minimal-flow was not associated with increased carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations

Control of an Underactuated Double-Pendulum Overhead Crane using Improved Model Reference Command Shaping: Design, Simulation and Experiment

This paper presents a new control scheme based on model reference command shaping (MRCS) for an overhead crane, with double-pendulum mechanism effects. The approach has an advantage in achieving an accurate trolley positioning, with low hook and payload oscillations, under various desired trolley positions and parameter uncertainties, without the requirement for measurement or estimation of system parameters. These are challenging in practice. The previously developed MRCS algorithm is improved in order to reduce its design complexity, as well as to ensure that it can be augmented with a feedback controller so that a concurrent controller tuning can be realised. The combined MRCS and feedback controller is used to achieve both, precise trolley positioning, and low hook and payload oscillations. To evaluate the effectiveness and the robustness of the approach, simulations and experiments using a nonlinear model and a laboratory double-pendulum crane are carried out. Under various desired positions and parameter uncertainties that involve varying the cable lengths (payload hoisting) and the payload mass variations, the superiority of the proposed approach is confirmed by achieving higher hook and payload oscillation reductions when compared with a recently proposed feedback controller. In addition, the desired trolley positions are achieved with smoother responses

Draft genome sequence of arsenic- resistant Microbacterium sp. strain SZ1 isolated from arsenic-bearing gold ores

Microbacterium sp. strain SZ1 isolated from gold ores of a Malaysia gold mine was found to be highly resistant to arsenic. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of SZ1, which may provide further insights into understanding its arsenic resistance mechanism. In this draft genome, a complete set of ars operons and two additional scattered ars genes were encoded

A triangulated perspective for understanding CAM use in Lebanon: a qualitative study.

Background: Existing evidence marked a prevalent use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies in Lebanon that is concomitant with low rates of disclosure to health care providers and limited knowledge among the general public of safety and side effects of CAM use. Objectives: To examine the perspectives of Lebanese CAM users, CAM providers, and health care providers (HCPs) regarding their understanding of CAM and of the Push and Pull factors that drive its use. Methods: A qualitative research study was conducted using in-depth interviews, targeting Lebanese adults (CAM users; 18-65 years) (n=14), CAM providers such as yoga instructors, owners of CAM product outlets, herbalists, and religious figures (n=13); and HCPs including physicians, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists (n=14). The topic guide covered, in addition to the understanding of CAM, the Push and Pull factors driving CAM use. The adults were recruited by convenient sampling, and CAM providers and HCPs using a purposive sampling approach. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and translated into English. Analysis was performed using a qualitative thematic approach. Similarities and differences in the perceptions of the participants with regards to factors that influence CAM use were charted and contrasted, using a triangulated approach. Results: The three study groups exhibited a similar understanding of CAM, referring to non-conventional therapies used to prevent/treat diseases or to enhance wellbeing. CAM users and CAM providers identified "distrust in HCPs", "lack of patient-centered care in CM", and "limitations and side effects of CM" as important Push factors. All study groups highlighted the limited CAM knowledge of HCPs as a main reason for the lack of patient-centered care. All three groups also underscored the affordability and the social and cultural support for CAM as main enablers of its prevalent use. Unlike HCPs who were skeptical about the safety and effectiveness of CAM, CAM users and CAM providers indicated that most of CAM therapies are safe and efficient. Conclusions: The triangulation of perspectives (CAM users, CAM providers, and HCPs) in this study allowed a comprehensive appraisal of CAM use and its drivers. Improving the HCPs' CAM-related knowledge, promoting patient-centered care and fostering an open dialogue between HCPs and CAM providers are among the recommendations of the study. Background: Existing evidence marked a prevalent use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies in Lebanon that is concomitant with low rates of disclosure to health care providers and limited knowledge among the general public of safety and side effects of CAM use. Objectives: To examine the perspectives of Lebanese CAM users, CAM providers, and health care providers (HCPs) regarding their understanding of CAM and of the Push and Pull factors that drive its use. Methods: A qualitative research study was conducted using in-depth interviews, targeting Lebanese adults (CAM users; 18-65 years) (n=14), CAM providers such as yoga instructors, owners of CAM product outlets, herbalists, and religious figures (n=13); and HCPs including physicians, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists (n=14). The topic guide covered, in addition to the understanding of CAM, the Push and Pull factors driving CAM use. The adults were recruited by convenient sampling, and CAM providers and HCPs using a purposive sampling approach. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and translated into English. Analysis was performed using a qualitative thematic approach. Similarities and differences in the perceptions of the participants with regards to factors that influence CAM use were charted and contrasted, using a triangulated approach. Results: The three study groups exhibited a similar understanding of CAM, referring to non-conventional therapies used to prevent/treat diseases or to enhance wellbeing. CAM users and CAM providers identified "distrust in HCPs", "lack of patient-centered care in CM", and "limitations and side effects of CM" as important Push factors. All study groups highlighted the limited CAM knowledge of HCPs as a main reason for the lack of patient-centered care. All three groups also underscored the affordability and the social and cultural support for CAM as main enablers of its prevalent use. Unlike HCPs who were skeptical about the safety and effectiveness of CAM, CAM users and CAM providers indicated that most of CAM therapies are safe and efficient. Conclusions: The triangulation of perspectives (CAM users, CAM providers, and HCPs) in this study allowed a comprehensive appraisal of CAM use and its drivers. Improving the HCPs' CAM-related knowledge, promoting patient-centered care and fostering an open dialogue between HCPs and CAM providers are among the recommendations of the study

Investigating synergistic effects of surfactants and nanoparticles on emulsion stability

A challenge of making oil production viable is emerging with time because most of the oil reserves have been exploited using primary and secondary recovery methods. Chemicals such as surfactants have been used to increase oil production through a method called chemical enhanced oil recovery. However, the application of this method is experiencing difficulties because of excessive use of surfactants that not only has negative effect on the economics of the project, but also poses severe environmental concerns. Another method that is being widely proposed is to apply emulsion flooding to enhance oil production. In order to maximize the impact of this method and as a result achieve higher oil recovery factor, it is vital to maintain the stability of the emulsion used. One of the claimed methods to improve the stability of emulsion is the application of synergistic effect between nanoparticles (NPs) and surfactants. This article aims on investigating the stability of emulsion using bottle test when applying the synergistic effect between NPs and surfactants with varying concentrations of the NPs, and surfactant charge. An anionic surfactant - sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and a cationic surfactant - cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) have been utilized in this study. Nano-silica was selected as the NPs used in this study. It was found that synergistic effect is more prominent between SDS and nano-silica with decrease in emulsion phase height percentage (measure of emulsion stability) going down to 22% compared with 43% for combination of CTAB and nano-silica, and 51% in case of using only surfactants. This has proved that the synergistic effect is beneficial in enhancing the emulsion stability, which can be implemented in the application of emulsion flooding where the stability of the emulsion is crucial

Optimization of Sliding Mode Control using Particle Swarm Algorithm for an Electro-hydraulic Actuator System

The dynamic parts of electro-hydraulic actuator (EHA) system are widely applied in the industrial field for the process that exposed to the motion control. In order to achieve accurate motion produced by these dynamic parts, an appropriate controller will be needed. However, the EHA system is well known to be nonlinear in nature. A great challenge is carried out in the EHA system modelling and the controller development due to its nonlinear characteristic and system complexity. An appropriate controller with proper controller parameters will be needed in order to maintain or enhance the performance of the utilized controller. This paper presents the optimization on the variables of sliding mode control (SMC) by using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. The control scheme is established from the derived dynamic equation which stability is proven through Lyapunov theorem. From the obtained simulation results, it can be clearly inferred that the SMC controller variables tuning through PSO algorithm performed better compared with the conventional proportionalintegral-derivative (PID) controller

A review of the dynamic modeling approaches for characterizing fluid flow in naturally fractured reservoirs

Fluid flow in fractured media has been studied for decades and received considerable attention in the oil and gas industry because of the high productivity of naturally fractured reservoirs. Due to formation complexity and reservoir heterogeneity, characterizing fluid flow with an appropriate reservoir model presents a challenging task that differs relatively from homogeneous conventional reservoirs in many aspects of view, including geological, petrophysical, production, and economics. In most fractured reservoirs, fracture networks create complex pathways that affect hydrocarbon flow, well performance, hence reservoir characterization. A better and comprehensive understanding of the available reservoir modeling approaches is much needed to accurately characterize fluid flow behavior in NFRs. Therefore, in this paper, a perspective review of the available modeling approaches was presented for fluid flow characterization in naturally fractured medium. Modeling methods were evaluated in terms of their description, application, advantages, and disadvantages. This study has also included the applications of these reservoir models in fluid flow characterizing studies and governing equations for fluid flow. Dual continuum models were proved to be better than single continuum models in the presence of large scale fractures. In comparison, discrete models were more appropriate for reservoirs that contain a smaller number of fractures. However, hybrid modeling was the best method to provide accurate and scalable fluid flow modeling. It is our understanding that this paper will bridge the gap between the fundamental understanding and application of NFRs modeling approaches and serve as a useful reference for engineers and researchers for present and future applications

Graphical user interface for wireless patient monitoring system using zigbee communication

Nowadays, heart related diseases are on the rise situation. In Malaysia, the proportion of patients is increasing day by day but the number of doctor and nurse slightly different situation. For this reason, the new propose graphical user interface for wireless patient monitoring system is proposed in order to help doctors and nurses to monitor their patient wirelessly for 24 hours by using a designated proposed device. This system runs as prototype to minimize the costing issue in the hospital. This system consists of software and hardware. Visual Basic Net 2010 software is used to design the graphical user interface (GUI) and Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC) 16F877A microcontroller is used as the hardware to implement the whole proposed system. This system is can be divided into three parts. There are three stages that involved in completing the system. The first is developing a program for the microcontroller, the second is transmitting the data from microcontroller to the personal computer (PC) using XBee module and the third is designing the GUI. In conclusion, the proposed GUI for wireless patient monitoring system facilitated the doctor and nurse in monitoring the patient and increased the efficiency of patient monitoring. For the future recommendation