Piety and power: Pious endowments in the Bahrī Mamlūk period, 1250-1382

The narrative chronicles that document the Mamlūk Empire frequently mention the various pious endowments (sing. waqf, pl. awqāf) of their day. This institution’s importance to the social, political and economic spheres of the Mamlūk Empire is evident by the numerous treatises written about pious endowment and the impressive amount of endowed buildings built from the mid-thirteenth century till the early sixteenth century. This study intends to investigate why this institution became so pervasive during the Bahrī period (648-792 A.H./1250-1382 A.D.) by examining endowed institutions in their entirety. While investigating the endowments of Qalāwūnid sultans, this thesis argues that endowments were consciously employed in order to cultivate legitimacy, power, and patronage networks. Mamlūk pious endowments also provide insights into the land tenure system and power structure that began to change after the third reign of al-Nāṣir Muḥammad b. Qalāwūn (r. 709-41/1310-41). The employment of pious endowments by the Mamlūk elite to realize various goals illustrates the institutions flexibility and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances allowed for the institution’s longevity. These developments and the prevalence of endowments created a precedent for the Burjī Mamlūk period (784-923/1382-1517) which saw the “waqfization” of the land tenure system during the fifteenth century

Firm Specific Determinants of Growth in a Post CPEC Situation

Purpose: The study explores  the determinant of firm growth in a post CPEC scenario by taking a panel data of 53 textile based firms listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Approach/Methodology/Design: The data were extracted from the Financial Statement Analysis (FSA) published by State Bank of Pakistan for a period ranging from 2012 to 2017. In this research, we applied some methods to evaluate results descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression models such as random effect model, fixed effect model and pooled OLS and also we use GMM method (generalized method of movement).  Findings: The results after the calibration of CPEC as dummy variable proved that profitability and financial leverage are significant determinants of firm growth in the textile sector of Pakistan even after controlling the endogeneity problems.   Originality/value: The results imply that the firms in textile sector should focus on sustained profitability and also the availability of healthy financial arrangements to pursue growth in the long term

EHEC O157 from A to T: EHEC O157:H7 epidemiology supplemented with long-read sequencing

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EHEC O157) is a key zoonotic pathogen responsible for large food-borne outbreaks worldwide. Whole genome sequencing is a relatively novel technology being utilised by Public Health agencies to determine isolate relationship and inform outbreak investigations. However, the main implementation of whole genome sequencing currently utilises “short-read” sequencing which fails to obtain complete information on prophages and genome structure due to the presence of multiple repeat regions in EHEC O157 genomes. In collaboration with Public Health England, this research helped deploy short-read sequencing approaches for routine use at the Scottish Escherichia coli Reference Laboratory (SERL). This has allowed the SERL and affiliated Scottish epidemiologists to better determine whether isolates are related and trace the source of outbreaks. The “long-read” Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) sequencing platform was then used to analyse the complete prophage content (bacteriophage DNA integrated in the chromosome) of a subset of strains. Specifically, the analysis took an in-depth look at prophages encoding the main Shiga toxins (Stx) responsible for the serious pathology associated with EHEC O157 infections. In addition, the sequencing method allowed the observation of large chromosomal rearrangements (LCRs), potentially mediated by areas of homologies present in the prophage population. The significance of such LCRs is still being investigated but the genome plasticity may act to allow the bacterial strain to ‘switch’ phenotypes for niche adaptation. The potential of using “long-read” methods alongside routine “short-read” sequencing of EHEC O157 for public health benefit was investigated and its value demonstrated for outbreaks. For example, by enabling a more accurate prediction of the host/source attribution of an infection strain based on analysis of the Stx-encoding prophage within the isolate. While such approaches show considerable promise, costs and accuracy issues (depending on the platform, PacBio vs Oxford Nanopore MinIon) will need to be surmounted, and the underlying biology studied further, before their use could usurp more high throughput “short-read” methods

Real-Time Implementation of JPEG Encoder/Decoder

With the immense size of images, compression has become a common way of minimizing the amount of storage necessary for images. This is also beneficial for transmission purposes. The Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) standard is frequently used for still images. This standard is very flexible and many of the same algorithms can be used for video applications. Video applications require large amounts of data to be processed every second. Therefore, the following describes the hardware design of a chip allowing for high-speed compression. The design uses the JPEG algorithms and is targeted towards ASIC design. Further plans include use of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The hardware design is based on grayscale images and only works with the raw image data

2,2′-[(E,E)-cis-(Cyclo­hexane-1,4-di­yl)bis­(nitrilo­methanylyl­idene)]diphenol

In the title compound, C20H22N2O2, the asymmetric unit contains two independent half-mol­ecules, which are both completed by crystallographic inversion symmetry. The cyclo­hexane rings of both mol­ecules adopt chair conformations; the N atoms are in equatorial orientations in one mol­ecule and in axial orientations in the other. Both mol­ecules feature two intra­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds, which generate S(6) rings

The role of monetary policy tools in addressing global economic crises in high-income countries (Covid 19 crisis as an example)

Monetary policy is considered one of the most important macroeconomic policy tools used by monetary authorities Monetary authorities use it alongside other policies such as fiscal policy, trade policy to influence economic activity through its impact on the variables of this activity such as investment, production, prices and income. Contrary to the theories of classical economists were based on the fact that the economic system is based on stability and balance. The reality has shown that we rarely find a stable country, and the rule has become imbalance and instability, or what is known as (economic crises cycle) that have accompanied capitalist systems and occur successively and differ in their impact and severity from one country to another. The latest of these crises is the economic crisis resulting from the spread of the Corona epidemic and the subsequent economic closures. Through the closures and other necessary health measures to combat the pandemic quickly led to an economic crisis witnessed globally. In the face of these crises, countries seek to control and reduce their negative effects through economic policy tools, including monetary policy, as it plays an important role by formulating and implementing its tools in a way that contributes to creating a stable economic environment, promoting economic growth, and addressing shocks to which the economy is exposed. The study aimed to measure the impact of monetary policy tools in addressing this economic crisis resulting from corona pandemic. Depending on a main hypothesis that monetary policies have a great effectiveness on addressing this urgent globally economic crisis. The study contained of (30) high income countries, for the period (2019-2022), depending on the estimation of the static and dynamic panel data model. The most important results of this study were most of the causes of this crisis are due to the consequences of the economic closure measures. The research suggested that monetary policy should address the lasting economic scars from the crisis and prevent enduring economic damage

2-Anilino-3-(2-hy­droxy­prop­yl)-4-methyl-1,3-thia­zol-3-ium chloride

In the title compound, C13H17N2OS+·Cl−, the thia­zolium ring mean plane makes a dihedral angle of 55.46 (9)° with the benzene ring. In the propanol group, the N—C—C—C and N—C—C—O torsion angles are 172.58 (15) and 52.9 (2)°, respectively, and the S—C—C—C torsion angle is 178.99 (18)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯Cl and N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming zigzag chains along [001]. There is also a C—H⋯Cl inter­action present

Literature Review of Advancements in Adaptive Ramp Metering

Over a period spanning more than 30 years, several ramp metering algorithms have been developed to improve the operation of freeways. Many of these algorithms were deployed in several regions of the world, and field evaluations have shown their significance to improve traffic conditions on freeways and ramps. Previous reviews of ramp metering algorithms focused more on the research outcomes and evaluations of traditional metering algorithms developed in the early stage of ramp metering research. The purpose of this paper is to cover the more recent developments in ramp metering in relation to the traditional metering strategies. Several local and coordinated ramp metering algorithms were reviewed. In summary, Asservissement Linéaire d’Entrée Autoroutière (ALINEA) was found to be the most widely deployed local ramp metering strategy. The algorithm is simple and implementation costs less than other strategies. It also guarantees the targeted performance goals provided that the on-ramp has sufficient storage. Several extensions were proposed in the literature to fine-tune its performance. Among the coordinated metering strategies, zone based metering is simple to implement and easy to re-configure. System-wide adaptive ramp metering (SWARM) algorithm is more sensitive to calibrate for accurate prediction of traffic states. Heuristic ramp-metering coordination (HERO) algorithm can be useful if both local and coordinated control are desired particularly if the local control is using ALINEA. Fuzzy logic based algorithms are gaining popularity because of the simplicity and the fast re-configuration capability. Advanced real time metering system (ARMS) seems theoretically promising because of its proactive nature to prevent congestion; however, its performance is highly dependent upon accurate predictions. Finally, some guidelines were proposed for future research to develop new proposals and to extend the existing algorithms for guaranteed performance solutions.Scopu

Spaceborne Hybrid-FPGA System for Processing FTIR Data

Progress has been made in a continuing effort to develop a spaceborne computer system for processing readout data from a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer to reduce the volume of data transmitted to Earth. The approach followed in this effort, oriented toward reducing design time and reducing the size and weight of the spectrometer electronics, has been to exploit the versatility of recently developed hybrid field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to run diverse software on embedded processors while also taking advantage of the reconfigurable hardware resources of the FPGAs

Mitigation of Traffic Congestion Using Ramp Metering on Doha Expressway

Ramp metering is the most effective and widely implemented strategy for improving traffic flow on freeways by restricting the number of vehicles entering a freeway using ramp meters. A ramp meter is a traffic signal programmed with a much shorter cycle time in order to allow a single vehicle or a very small platoon of vehicles (usually two or three) per green phase. Ramp metering algorithms defines the underlying logic that calculate the metering rate. Ramp meters are usually employed to control vehicles at the on-ramp to enter freeway (mainline) to mitigate the impact of the ramp traffic on the mainline flow. However ramp meters can also be used to control traffic flow from freeway to freeway. The selection of appropriate ramp metering strategy is based on the needs and goals of the regional transportation agency. Ramp meters can be controlled either locally (isolated) or system-wide (coordinated). Locally controlled or isolated ramp meters control vehicles access based on the local traffic conditions on single ramp or freeway segment to reduce congestion locally near the local ramp. System-wide or coordinated controlled ramp meters are used to improve traffic conditions on a freeway segment or the entire freeway corridor. Ramp Meters can be programmed either fixed time or traffic responsive. Fixed metering uses pre-set metering rates with a defined schedule based on some historical traffic data. Fixed or pre-time metering addresses the recurring congestion problem, but fails in case of non-recurring congestion. Traffic responsive metering uses present traffic conditions to adjust its metering rate. Traffic data is collected using loop detectors or any other surveillance system on real time. Traffic responsive control can be implemented in both isolated and coordinated ramp meters. Some known traffic responsive algorithms include Asservissement Linéaire d'Entrée Auotroutière (ALINEA), Heuristic Ramp Metering Coordination (HERO), System Wide Adaptive Ramp Metering (SWARM), fuzzy logic, Stratified zone algorithm, Bottleneck algorithm, Zone algorithm, HELPER algorithm and Advanced Real Time Metering (ARM algorithm). These various algorithms are developed in various regions of the world and some of them are evaluated for quite a long period of time. However the difference in traffic parameters, driver's behaviors, road geometries and other parameters can affect the performance of the algorithm when implemented in a new location. Hence it is necessary to investigate the performance of the ramp metering strategy prior to physical deployment. In this work, we chose Doha Expressway to deploy ramp metering for improvement in traffic conditions. Doha Expressway is a six-lane highway in Qatar that link the North of Doha to the South. The highway can be accessed through several on-ramps at different locations. The merging of ramp traffic to the freeway often causes congestion on the highway in several ways. It increases traffic density on the highway, reduce vehicles speed and causes vehicles to change lanes in the merging area. Hence in this research we first investigated the impact of ramp traffic on the mainline flow and identified the potential bottlenecks. Then ramp meters were installed at some of the on-ramps to evaluate the performance of each to improve the traffic flow on the mainline. The outcome of this study is to select the optimum metering strategy for each on-ramp with proposed modifications if required. Extensive simulations are carried out in PTV VISSIM traffic micro simulation software. The simulator is calibrated using real time traffic data and geometrical information.qscienc