An Axiological Dimension of Qur’ānic Epistemology

This study inquires into the value system associated with two epistemological conceptual schemes of the Qur’ān, namely, āyah (sign) and ḥikmah (wisdom). In many respects, the rapid accumulation of all types of knowledge and the progress in the predominantly secular science and technology of modern times have marginalised values from scientific inquiry, leading to intellectual crisis, epistemological confusion and social disorientation. Thus, there is a clarion call to revisit the place of values in epistemological discourse. In an attempt to broaden the human horizon, the Qur’ān propounds a unified system of knowledge and value whereby it draws attention to several natural phenomena seen as āyāt (signs) of Allah which should be explored through a ḥikmah-based framework of value judgment. Guided by axiological concern, this study examines the place of value in Qur’ānic epistemology.Keywords: Axiology; āyah (sign); epistemology; ḥikmah (wisdom); Qur‟ān

Comparative study of physical and elastic properties of jute and glass fiber reinforced LDPE composites

Jute fiber reinforced low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites and glass fiber reinforced LDPE composites were prepared at variable proportions using compression molding technique at 120 °C. Few physical and mechanical properties such as bulk density, water absorption%, tensile strength, elongation at break (Eb%), Young’s modulus, flexural stress and strain and tangent modulus of both composites were studied and compared. Throughout the study, it was revealed that glass composites had better mechanical stability as compared to LDPE jute composites

Declining incidence of esophageal cancer in the Turkmen Plain, eastern part of the Caspian Littoral of Iran: A retrospective cancer surveillance

Background: Previous studies have shown that upper gastrointestinal cancers are the most common cancers in Caspian Littoral, and rate of esophageal cancer (EC) in Iranian Turkmens residing in the Eastern part of littoral are among the highest in the world. Our aim was to reassess the rate 30 years later and following socioeconomic changes in the region. Methods: A comprehensive retrospective search was undertaken to find all new cancer cases during the 1996-2000 period. Diagnosis of cancer was based on histopathological reports in 68.2, clinical and/or radiological evidence in 29.7 and death certificate only (DCO) in 2.1 of the cases. Results: A total of 5143 new cancer cases were registered of whom 3063 (59.6) were males. The median (IQR) age was 60 (44-69) years. Age-standardized rates (ASR) for all cancers in males and females were 134.7 and 104.5 per 100,000, respectively. Based on ASR, the top five common cancers in males (excluding skin cancer) were cancers of esophagus (43.4), stomach (27.8), colorectal (10.7), bladder (7.8) and oral cavity (6.3), while in females cancer of esophagus (36.3) was followed by cancers of breast (15.7), stomach (8.3) colorectal (6.6) and cervix (3.6). Conclusion: We conclude that EC incidence rate has decreased to less than half the rate reported 30 years ago, while the incidence rates of colorectal and breast cancers have increased significantly. © 2006 International Society for Preventive Oncology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Emergence of noncollinear magnetic ordering in small magnetic clusters: Mnn_n and As@Mnn_n

Using first-principles density functional calculations, we have studied the magnetic ordering in pure Mn$_n$ ($n=2-$10, 13, 15, 19) and As@Mn$_n$ ($n=1-$10) clusters. Although, for both pure and doped manganese clusters, there exists many collinear and noncollinear isomers close in energy, the smaller clusters with $n\leqslant$5 have collinear magnetic ground state and the emergence of noncollinear ground states is seen for $n\geqslant$6 clusters. Due to strong $p-d$ hybridization in As@Mn$_n$ clusters, the binding energy is substantially enhanced and the magnetic moment is reduced compared to the corresponding pure Mn$_n$ clusters.Comment: 10 Pages and 5 Figure

Study of physical, mechanical and thermal properties of unidirectional jute fiber reinforced PVC film composites

This paper presents the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of unidirectional jute fiber reinforced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film composites. Composites (wt % of fiber) of jute fiber reinforced PVC matrix were prepared by compression molding at 160⁰ C. Variable weight ratios of these composites namely 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15 and 80:20 were prepared and then physical, mechanical and thermal properties were studied. The tensile strength of composites increases with the increase of fiber addition and percentage of elongation at break decreases with increase of fiber addition. Thermal analysis of PVC-jute fiber composites show that thermal degradation of PVC film starts ahead of jute fiber and the degradation of composites was occurring in two stages

Studies on the performance of organic and inorganic fertilizer on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Experiments were conducted in the Botanical Garden of the Department of Biology of Kaduna State University to study the effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on the growth and yield of Cucumis sativus L. The seeds for the experiment were locally sourced. Four (4) days after transplanting, a rate of 2ton/ha, 4ton/ha, 6ton/ha poultry manure was applied. Similarly, a rate of 25g/ha, 50g/ha, 75g/ha of NPK was also applied and a control. Seeds of cucumber were planted by broadcasting on the seed bed the seedlings were transplanted after germination. The plants were subjected to irrigation by watering morning and evening. The results of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicated significance difference among the treatments with respect to the parameters studied (p < 0.05). Highest plant height of 33cm was recorded with 6ton/ha compared to the control which had 11.5cm. However, highest number of leaves was recorded with 4ton/ha and was followed by the 6ton/ha. The best stem girth of 1.8cm, was observed with 4ton/ha while the control had 0.88cm stem girth. Excellent vigour was produced by the 6ton/ha, while the lowest vigour was observed with the 2ton/ha. The best plant yields of was observed with 6ton/ha compared with the control which had the least performance. On the other hand, 25kg/ha of NPK had the highest plant height of 20.5cm while the lowest plant height of 13cm was observed with 75kg/ha, compared to the control which had 11.5cm. The 25kg/ha gave the highest number of leaves followed by the 50kg/ha and 75kg/ha which both had the lowest number of five (5) leaves. Similarly, 50kg/ha had the highest stem girth of 1.2cm while the lowest stem girth was observed with the control which had 0.7cm stem girth. The best vigour was recorded with the 25kg/ha compared to the control which had the least vigour. Also, highest plant yields was recorded with 25kg/ha and the lowest plant yield was observed in the control. The application of poultry manure in the propagation of Cucumis sativus remarkably influenced the growth and yield of Cucumber

Determinant criteria for designing Health benefit package in selected countries

Health benefit package described as primary health interventions that provided with government using general funds for all regardless their financial ability. This study was aimed at determine appropriate pattern for Iran using comparative survey of Health benefit package in various countries. A review exploration was done, scholars was selected population of both developed and developing countries, required information was also extracted by articles, searches and reports of reliable sources and date were analyzed by SPSS, in brief. The vast majority frequencies was respectively allocated to accessibility (40.7%), cost- effectiveness (29.6%), prioritize, efficacy and cost (22.2%). most countries located in WHO African region were selected cost-effectiveness and accessibility, WHO southeast Asia region were selected, coverage, prioritize, efficacy and quality and finally most WHO Europeans region were elected effectiveness and services costs for including services in Health benefit package. According to most Health benefit package designer emphasis on criteria including accessibility and costeffectiveness, to design Health benefit package for Iran, these criteria must be noticed

Investigating the Impact of Non-Hydrodynamically Connected Descaling Parameters in the Removal of Different Stages of Paraffin Deposits Using Multiple Nozzles in Petroleum Production Tubing

Despite the continued research efforts in understanding the erosional behaviors of multiple flat fan nozzles in the removal of different types of scale deposits from petroleum production tubing. The non-hydrodynamically connected descaling parameters such as stand-off distance, nozzle arrangement and chamber pressure have not been duly considered up to date. This research utilizes 3-flat fan high-pressure nozzles at a high injection pressure of 10 MPa to remove paraffin deposits at different growth stages from petroleum production tubing to evaluate the effects of the descaling parameters on scale removal. A stand-off distance of 25 mm, 50 mm and 75 mm; nozzle arrangement in novel orientations (triangle, diagonal & right-angle) involving 7-nozzles header and chamber pressures (in compression – 0.2 MPa and vacuum -8.0 x10-3 MPa) were utilized as the varying non-hydrodynamically connected parameters. Generally, the selection of both nozzle arrangement and chamber air concentration was found to be governed by the type and shape of the deposit in question while the scale removal capability was found to be reduced with an increase in stand-off distance due to poor jet contact. An average hollow shaped paraffin removal of 276 g, 259 g and 226 g were recorded at ambient condition across the respective stand-off distance of the three respective nozzles arrangements. While the introduction of 0.2 MPa compressed air significantly increased the respective removal of the early stage paraffin deposition to 342 g, 299 g and 277 g respectively. Also, more hollow shaped removal improvement of 366 g, 320 g and 288 g were achieved after suctioning the chamber by -0.008 MPa, while simultaneously pumping water at 10 MPa. The case of solid shaped paraffin signifying complete tubing blockage was not effective at ambient condition, with average paraffin removal of 99 g, 126 g and 112 g respectively. However, the introduction of compressed chamber air registered the best solid paraffin removal results of 235 g, 286 g and 256 g respectively. Whereas the suction operation recorded an average removal of 229 g, 270 g and 250 g of paraffin across the respective jet positions and nozzle configurations. This result provides a practical approach to the removal of organic scales deposits at varying descaling conditions of injection pressure, standoff distance and nozzle arrangement

Quantum marking and quantum erasure for neutral kaons

Entangled K0 anti-K0 pairs are shown to be suitable to discuss extensions and tests of Bohr's complementarity principle through the quantum marking and quantum erasure techniques suggested by M. O. Scully and K. Druehl [Phys. Rev. A 25, 2208 (1982)]. Strangeness oscillations play the role of the traditional interference pattern linked to wave-like behaviour, whereas the distinct propagation in free space of the K_S and K_L components mimics the two possible interferometric paths taken by particle-like objects.Comment: 4 RevTeX page