Differentiating Benign from Suspicious Vertebral Marrow Lesions Detected with Conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Apparent Diffusion Coefficient and Diffusion-Weighted Image

BACKGROUND: Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, include the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), are of great benefit in assessing troublesome vertebral marrow lesion in patients presented with primary malignancy outside the spines. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of vertebral column MRI in characterization and evaluation of marrow lesion in patients with primary malignancy utilizing ADC and DWI in addition to conventional MRI sequences. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study which includes 80 patients referred to MR unit 58 of them referred from the oncology department in oncology teaching hospital having primary cancer outside the spine and also referred complaining of back pain and worry from metastasis while the remaining 22 are cancer-free patients referred to MRI because of lower back pain – the study was performed in Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq, during the period from the beginning of September 2018–October 2019. RESULTS: The study sample consists of 55 females and 25 males, the breast cancer is main primary in females and represents 30/58 patients, while the prostate is the main cancer in males and represents 7/58 patients. When correlating the MR sequences (T1W, Fat sat and DWI) all together and after addition of ADC value (<9x10-3 mm2/sec) in diagnosis of malignancy there is decreasing frequency of positive cases from 39% before ADC to 22.4% after adding it which is close to histopathology results (17% ). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy of ADC in detecting metastasis within the vertebral marrow are 94%, 95%, 88.9%, 97.5%, and 94.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Conventional MRI using standard T1W, T2 weighted, and fat suppression sequences cannot discriminate between benign and pathological vertebral marrow lesions. Using DWI improves the recognition of pathological bony lesion(s) and this is strengthened when enforced by ADC value and by that, it can replace the need for intravenous contrast administration. DWI and ADC are beneficial in follow-up of previously detected restricted lesion and in assessment its response to treatment that was depicted by measuring its ADC that consequently elevated in healing phase

Linking place preference with satisfaction: an examination of its relationship from Tahfiz students perspective

This paper explored the pattern of students’ learning setting preferences in Al Quran memorisation and satisfaction towards the settings in 10 consecutive days of an experiment. Subjects were assigned to five different Hafazan settings in their learning ecology set based on the findings from the literature. Eight indicators encompass the memorisation performance, comfort level towards setting arrangement and position, perceived wall finishes, furniture ergonomic, brightness level, temperature and privacy, were adapted to record their learning experience in manipulated settings. The objective of this investigation is to study the satisfaction and comfort level of students during Quran memorisation as well as to identify the preferences setting arrangement while memorising the given verses of Quran. The result is segregated between gender. It is pertinent to note, both genders prefer at seat at window face setting. However, male students would rather sit on the chair with a table provided while female students tend to choose sitting with cross-legged. In conclusion, both objectives are achieved. It seems both genders have different preferences in terms of position. The findings are significant for further investigation of Islamic learning ecology and behavioural studies, that is limitedly available for references. Implications of the findings discussed

Linking place preference with satisfaction: an examination of its relationship from Tahfiz students perspective

This paper explored the pattern of students’ learning setting preferences in Al Quran memorisation and satisfaction towards the settings in 10 consecutive days of an experiment. Subjects were assigned to five different Hafazan settings in their learning ecology set based on the findings from the literature. Eight indicators encompass the memorisation performance, comfort level towards setting arrangement and position, perceived wall finishes, furniture ergonomic, brightness level, temperature and privacy, were adapted to record their learning experience in manipulated settings. The objective of this investigation is to study the satisfaction and comfort level of students during Quran memorisation as well as to identify the preferences setting arrangement while memorising the given verses of Quran. The result is segregated between gender. It is pertinent to note, both genders prefer at seat at window face setting. However, male students would rather sit on the chair with a table provided while female students tend to choose sitting with cross-legged. In conclusion, both objectives are achieved. It seems both genders have different preferences in terms of position. The findings are significant for further investigation of Islamic learning ecology and behavioural studies, that is limitedly available for references. Implications of the findings discussed

Bibliometric Review of Corporate Governance of Islamic Financial Institutions Through AI-Based Tools

Purpose: Although corporate governance vis-à-vis Shariah governance (SG) has remained a cornerstone of research in Islamic financial institutions (IFIs), little is known about the themes covered by the plethora of studies conducted in this domain. Accordingly, this research aims to unpack the major themes covered in the literature on SG from 2007 to 2023 employing bibliometric analysis technique.   Design/methodology/approach: The evaluation of 440 published articles in Scopus is done through different analytical tools i.e., Gephi, VOSviewer, and Scholarcy (artificial intelligence-based research tool) to decode publication trends, outlets, performance, authors, and themes.   Findings: The findings elucidate the double-digit increase in the publication, Malaysia is the leading country, Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research is the most popular publication outlet, and the International Islamic University (IIUM) is the spearhead institution on SG research. Our results further reveal that SG research broadly covers four main topics; significance of SG, fundamental ingredients of effective SG, impact of SG on IFIs, and latent issues in SG.   Originality/novelty: This study contributes to strengthening the governance and management system of IFIs by identifying the novel research avenues

Relationship between Islamic Social Finance and Sustainable Development Goals: A Conceptual Framework

The success of a country’s economic development can be assessed by the extent to which the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are achieved. However, many developing countries face challenges in attaining the SDGs, often due to budget constraints. To overcome these obstacles, the presence of Islamic social finance, also known as ZISWAF (Zakat, Infaq, Sadaqat, and Waqf), is expected to play a significant role. Islamic social finance aims to address social and economic issues such as poverty and income inequality. This study aims to analyze the role of Islamic social finance (ISF) in the context of the SDGs. As Islamic social finance adheres to principles that align with the SDGs, it is essential to investigate whether ISF can support the achievement of the SDGs through its funding activities. The role of Islamic social finance in relation to the SDGs can be observed by examining the programs funded by ISF and assessing their alignment with the SDGs. The analytical approach employed in this study is descriptive and qualitative, aiming to explain the role of Islamic social finance in the SDGs. The analysis draws insights from relevant literature and data, and a conceptual framework is formulated to illustrate the relationship between Islamic social finance and the SDGs. The findings highlight the important role of Islamic social finance, including zakat, in contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. Through several case studies in various countries, Islamic social finance has demonstrated its potential to support the attainment of SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, and 12. These results emphasize the significant contribution of Islamic social finance in the success of SDGs programs, underscoring its potential as a tool for achieving the SDGs. Keywords: Islamic social finance, SDGs, relationshi

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MOOC at Universiti Sains Malaysia: factors impacting the teaching and learning outcomes of TITAS course

A study has been conducted to investigate the factors that impacted the outcomes of teaching and learning of Tamadun Islam dan Tamadun Asia (TITAS) course among first year undergraduate students of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). This is part of a larger study that looks at the impact of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) initiative of Ministry of Education Malaysia of four pilot courses offered during the first semester of 2014/2015 academic session. A total of 158 students enrolled in TITAS course responded to the 37 items-questionnaire. The respondents consist of male (15.1 %) and female (84.8 %) and majority of them (86.7 %) are competent in ICT. A factorial analysis was conducted to give patterns and structures to the data and provide a meaningful interpretation to the variables influencing the outcomes of the teaching and learning. The analysis revealed three components that explained a total of 56.80 % of the variance. The first factor is the design of the learning activities (39.80 % of the variance) followed by the access to the learning materials (11.78 % of the variance) and the third factor can be attributed to curriculum compliance of learning course (5.21 % of the variance). The significant of the study is that it revealed of the importance of the design of learning activities for the successful implementation and delivery of MOOC. Equally important is the seamless access to the learning materials. Detailed discussion on these two factors will be put forward and as well as the appropriate interventions within the whole MOOC implementation framework

Sanitation knowledge and practices of Malaysian food SMEs: addressing current issues and readiness in acceptance of green sanitation technology

Sanitation is crucial in the food industry, involving cleaning and disinfection processes to ensure facility cleanliness. This study examined sanitation knowledge and practices among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia's frozen meat sector. It also evaluated the acceptance of eco-friendly sanitation technology, specifically an electrolysis unit producing electrolyzed water. Data was collected through an open-ended online questionnaire using Google Forms. The questionnaire comprises demographic profiles, sanitation knowledge, sanitation program design knowledge, sanitation challenges, and the acceptance of integrating a green cleaner with the current sanitation program. Results show SME manufacturers possess sanitation knowledge but face implementation challenges due to absent sanitation programs, skilled labor shortage, hot water supply issues, difficulty cleaning narrow spaces in equipment, chemical storage, and budget constraints. Due to low-temperature operations, only 73 % of frozen meat industries use hot water for sanitation. Additionally, 45 % lack wastewater treatment, leading to chemical residue discharge into municipal drainage. SMEs show interest in electrolyzed water for its dual role as a cleaning and disinfecting agent. The technology's room-temperature efficacy and environmentally friendly degradation into salt and water appeal to SMEs. Adopting electrolysis sanitation technology is expected to significantly reduce costs by utilizing only salt, water, and electricity for electrolyzed water generation

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions. </jats:sec

Global, regional, and national progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 for neonatal and child health: all-cause and cause-specific mortality findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 has targeted elimination of preventable child mortality, reduction of neonatal death to less than 12 per 1000 livebirths, and reduction of death of children younger than 5 years to less than 25 per 1000 livebirths, for each country by 2030. To understand current rates, recent trends, and potential trajectories of child mortality for the next decade, we present the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 findings for all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality in children younger than 5 years of age, with multiple scenarios for child mortality in 2030 that include the consideration of potential effects of COVID-19, and a novel framework for quantifying optimal child survival. Methods We completed all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality analyses from 204 countries and territories for detailed age groups separately, with aggregated mortality probabilities per 1000 livebirths computed for neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and under-5 mortality rate (USMR). Scenarios for 2030 represent different potential trajectories, notably including potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential impact of improvements preferentially targeting neonatal survival. Optimal child survival metrics were developed by age, sex, and cause of death across all GBD location-years. The first metric is a global optimum and is based on the lowest observed mortality, and the second is a survival potential frontier that is based on stochastic frontier analysis of observed mortality and Healthcare Access and Quality Index. Findings Global U5MR decreased from 71.2 deaths per 1000 livebirths (95% uncertainty interval WI] 68.3-74-0) in 2000 to 37.1 (33.2-41.7) in 2019 while global NMR correspondingly declined more slowly from 28.0 deaths per 1000 live births (26.8-29-5) in 2000 to 17.9 (16.3-19-8) in 2019. In 2019,136 (67%) of 204 countries had a USMR at or below the SDG 3.2 threshold and 133 (65%) had an NMR at or below the SDG 3.2 threshold, and the reference scenario suggests that by 2030,154 (75%) of all countries could meet the U5MR targets, and 139 (68%) could meet the NMR targets. Deaths of children younger than 5 years totalled 9.65 million (95% UI 9.05-10.30) in 2000 and 5.05 million (4.27-6.02) in 2019, with the neonatal fraction of these deaths increasing from 39% (3.76 million 95% UI 3.53-4.021) in 2000 to 48% (2.42 million; 2.06-2.86) in 2019. NMR and U5MR were generally higher in males than in females, although there was no statistically significant difference at the global level. Neonatal disorders remained the leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years in 2019, followed by lower respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, congenital birth defects, and malaria. The global optimum analysis suggests NMR could be reduced to as low as 0.80 (95% UI 0.71-0.86) deaths per 1000 livebirths and U5MR to 1.44 (95% UI 1-27-1.58) deaths per 1000 livebirths, and in 2019, there were as many as 1.87 million (95% UI 1-35-2.58; 37% 95% UI 32-43]) of 5.05 million more deaths of children younger than 5 years than the survival potential frontier. Interpretation Global child mortality declined by almost half between 2000 and 2019, but progress remains slower in neonates and 65 (32%) of 204 countries, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, are not on track to meet either SDG 3.2 target by 2030. Focused improvements in perinatal and newborn care, continued and expanded delivery of essential interventions such as vaccination and infection prevention, an enhanced focus on equity, continued focus on poverty reduction and education, and investment in strengthening health systems across the development spectrum have the potential to substantially improve USMR. Given the widespread effects of COVID-19, considerable effort will be required to maintain and accelerate progress. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd