Ahmadiyya and secularism: Religious persecution at home affects endorsement for secular values in Canada

Contrary to the common notion that Muslims are fundamentalist, anti-modern, and against Western norms (hence their opposition to secularism), this paper argues that Muslims are not homogeneous. Therefore, their approach to secularism is not a matter of their assumed fixed religiosity. One recognises that, after seeing the Ahmadiyya Muslim community endorsing secular values in Canada, the assumption that Muslims coming to the West are anti-secular is misleading. The community’s persecution and loss of religious identity in Pakistan have moderated their approach toward secularism. To prove the hypothesis, Ahmadiyya teachings, addresses by living caliphs, and public statements from Ahmadiyya leaders are used to highlight changes in the community’s approaches toward secularism. The argument is based on the rise of Islamic nationalism in Pakistan, which excluded Ahmadis from the fold of Islam and placed them on the path of persecution. Brief comparative case studies of Alevis and Ismailis are included to strengthen the findings of this paper

Trustworthiness of Organic Produces in Urban Market: Innovation through Quick Response(QR)Code

Considering the risks associated with food consumption, several risk reduction strategies are used by consumers, all linked to brand loyalty, store image or label references that build trust in the product. A food product can be labeled organic if it complies with the principles for organic production, processing, labeling and control. Previous researchers have identified that organic certification logo have significant impact on consumption of organic products in urban markets. Organic logo increases trustworthiness of urban consumers about organic produces. Previous studies further observed that high price has deep connotation with trustworthiness about organic produces and urban buyers have ability to pay high price. The urban buyers though they have ability to pay high price for organic produces, they do not get them from trustworthy sources due to lack of believable information about organic produces. The urban organic consumers mostly come from affluent part of the society who have access to technology and have access to smartphone for available information about sources of organic produces. Quick response code (QR code) is a type of 2D bar code that is used to provide easy access to information using free application with smartphone or QR scanner. The information (authentication code, grower code, name, location, contact number, Facebook URL, production date, expiry date and regulatory authority URL) about authentic organic growers can be embedded on QR code that can track easily at no cost. This paper addresses the model of adopting QR code based labeling mechanism for organic produces that dramatically will improve trustworthiness among organic consumers. This authentication process will eliminate fake organic growers also. The QR code based mechanism may increase brand loyalty, store image and can be used as a tool to replace the traditional organic labeling for urban markets

Application of VACNTs in MEMS devices

Vertically aligned Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) which are commonly referred to as CNT forests, have many potential engineering applications for its attractive mechanical, electrical, optical, and thermal properties. Various micro patterning of VACNTs are used for fabricating MEMS devices such as pressure sensor, thermometer, switches etc. A new patterning technique recently introduced by our group is named as micro mechanical bending (M2B) of VACNTs. Typically, CNT forest is known to be the darkest material on earth that can almost completely absorb light. This new M2B technique for CNT forest remarkably changes the optical property of the processed zone. The most significant observation made from the processed CNT forest is the visible optical reflection from bent and flattened area. Another interesting property of the resultant is anisotropic behaviour of the surface. The anisotropic and flexible nature of CNT forest has opened the gateway to use these patterned CNT forest as several types of MEMS based sensor, which will be discussed in this paper

Post traumatic avulsion of lumbar artery: a rare cause of retroperitoneal haemorrhage treated by glue embolization

Lumbar arterial injury after trauma is a rare cause of significant retroperitoneal haemorrhage. Early diagnosis followed by endovascular transcatheter embolization is a very effective treatment to control bleeding in patients who do not respond to conservative management. We present a case of post traumatic avulsion of left fourth lumbar artery which was successfully treated with percutaneous transcatheter arterial embolization with glue

Import elasticity of tea: a case of Pakistan

Pakistan is second largest importer of tea. It is based on the fact that negligible part of the consumption of tea is produced domestically. The import analysis of tea is significant to check the import bill. The paper empirically investigated the determinants of import of tea using annual time series data for the years 1977-2009 at the national level. We find that import of tea is positively influenced by GDP, domestic tea consumption and human population. While the domestic price of the tea and import duty on tea negatively impacts the import of tea. The findings indicate that import of tea cannot be significantly controlled by adjusting the variables of domestic price and import duty on tea. The point to the need for the policy makers is to decrease the import bill by changing the consumption behavior of the people and introducing the substitutes of tea which are domestically available

An institutional review of transarterial embolization in haemorrhagic urological emergencies

OBJECTIVE: To review the effectiveness of therapeutic transarterial embolization in controlling phagic urological emergencies irrespective of the cause of emergencies. METHODS: Thirty-seven vascular angiographies were performed in 32 patients (19 males and 13 females, age range 19-70 years) who were referred with haemorrhagic urological emergencies to Aga Khan University Hospital\u27s angiography suite from July 2005 to June 2010. Embolization was performed with coils, polyvinyl alcohol particles, N-Butyl cyanoacrylate glue and gel foam according to the clinical indication. Data on clinical indication, technique, site and type of bleeding lesions were obtained from a retrospective review of medical records. Success rate, clinical outcome and complications of the procedure were analysed. RESULTS: Indications of procedure included iatrogenic injury (16), Renal mass on clinical examination and imaging (4), haematuria with pseudoaneurysm on examination (3), haematuria with no known cause (3), post traumatic renovascular injury (2) Renal arteriovenous fistulas (2), Carcinoma of prostate (1) and pelvic arteriovenous (AV) fistula (1). Twenty four patients underwent successful endovascular control of bleeding. Eight examinations were negative for active extravasation, two of whom showed haemorrhage in second session and were embolized. Two sessions were needed in two patients at different time intervals. Complication as dislodgement of coil in distal profunda femoris artery was seen in one patient with no significant obstruction to flow. CONCLUSION: Transarterial renal angioembolisation is a safe and effective therapeutic tool for managing haematuria or haemorrhage in urological emergencies. Wherever and whenever indicated it should be the first preferred treatment modality

Import elasticity of tea: a case of Pakistan

Pakistan is second largest importer of tea. It is based on the fact that negligible part of the consumption of tea is produced domestically. The import analysis of tea is significant to check the import bill. The paper empirically investigated the determinants of import of tea using annual time series data for the years 1977-2009 at the national level. We find that import of tea is positively influenced by GDP, domestic tea consumption and human population. While the domestic price of the tea and import duty on tea negatively impacts the import of tea. The findings indicate that import of tea cannot be significantly controlled by adjusting the variables of domestic price and import duty on tea. The point to the need for the policy makers is to decrease the import bill by changing the consumption behavior of the people and introducing the substitutes of tea which are domestically available

Study on micro-patterning process of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs)

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) have drawn significant attention by the researchers because of their nanometric size and favorable material properties. Patterning of CNT forests in the micrometric domain is very important for their application in the area of microelectromechanical system (MEMS). For the first time this paper reports, detailed experimental investigation on a post growth m-patterning process of VACNT forests. The micromechanical bending (M2B) process was locally applied at the targeted area in order to change the alignment of VACNT forests. Interestingly, the VACNT forest was transformed from typical black body absorber to reflective mirror as the M2B process was applied. Several parameters were identified that govern the resultant patterns such as rotational spindle speed, lateral bending speed, step size, tool morphology, and total depth of bend. Optimization of the parameters was carried out experimentally to obtain the best surface roughness and integrity of the microstructure. A minimum average surface roughness of Ra D 15 nm was achieved with 2000 rpm spindle speed, 1 mm/min bending speed and 1 mm step size

Rare co-occurrence of dural arteriovenous fistula and arteriovenous malformation with bilateral subcortical and basal ganglia calcification

The present study describes the imaging findings in a patient with dural arteriovenous fistula (AVR) and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with bilateral subcortical and basal ganglia calcification. A 29 year old male patient presented with chief complaint of recent onset of generalized tonic clonic seizures and mild disorientation. The imaging studies on MCT demonstrated diffuse, symmetric calcification in the bilateral basal ganglia and subcortical white matter. MR imaging and angiography revealed AVM in parietooccipital region with supply predominantly from left posterior cerebral and middle cerebral arteries. Multiple dural feeders from meningeal branches of occipital and superficial temporal branches of bilateral external carotid and right internal carotid arteries. Calcification is proposed to be due to chronic reflux into the parenchymal veins or vascular steal phenomenon. This rare co-occurrence of subcortical calcification in a patient with a dural AVF and AVM is being reported

Treatment of intracranial aneurysms using detachable coils; initial results at a university hospital in Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the technical success, safety and outcome of endovascular coiling procedure in intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: From April 2003 to April 2009, 43 patients (23 males and 20 females), age range 11 to 70 years, mean age 46.67 +/- 11.57 years were treated for intracranial aneurysms by detachable coil deployment at Radiology Department of Aga Khan University Hospital. Aneurysm rupture with subarachnoid haemorrhage was the cause of presentation in 39 patients while 4 patients were diagnosed with un-ruptured aneurysms. At time of presentation, grading of subarachnoid haemorrhage was done according to Hunt and Hess grading system. Eleven patients presented with Grade I haemorrhage, other 11 presented with grade II haemorrhage, 8 patients had grade III haemorrhage and 9 patients had grade IV haemorrhage. Preliminary diagnostic workup was performed by cross sectional imaging, CT angiography or digital substraction angiography. Coiling procedures were performed under general anaesthesia through femoral artery approach. Detachable platinum coils were densely packed in all aneurysms by endovascular technique. Patient files and radiology reports were retrospectively reviewed. Technical success and safety of the procedure were analyzed. Modified Rankin Score was used to determine clinical outcome. Score 0-2 represented good outcome, score 3-5: dependency (Can not attend own bodily needs and carry out daily activities without assistance) and score 6: death. RESULTS: Aneurysm size ranged from 3mm - 22mm (mean size 8 mm +/- 4). 74.4% aneurysms had narrow necks while 25.6% aneurysms were wide necked. Most common aneurysm site was anterior communicating artery. Technical success rate for endovascular intracranial aneurysm coiling was 95.3% (n = 41). Major complication rate was 11.6 % (n = 5). Mortality rate was 2.3% (n = 1). 78% patients showed good clinical outcome after coiling including 4 patients with un ruptured aneurysms (n = 32). CONCLUSION: Results of endovascular aneurysm coiling at our center showed high technical success rate (95.3%) and good short term clinical outcome in 78% patients