Imprisonment as a form of punishment: a case study of Maldives

Today punishment of imprisonment is seen to be given a less prominent significance in terms of punishing offenders as a means of rehabilitation and reducing recidivism rates throughout the world. However, it is found that the Maldivian courts have adopted a pattern of punishing offenders through imprisonment as a general form of punishment for almost all types of crimes despite considering the severity and mitigating factors of a given case. This pattern of punishing offenders through imprisonment alone is practiced by an authority of discretion given to the judges in the Penal Code of Maldives even though the same Penal Code allows for the application of other forms of alternative punishments. Whilst some may argue on the effectiveness of imprisonment as a general form of punishment, our argument lies in resorting away from a punishment that yields less possible avenues for rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders back into the society and that the preference should be given to alternative forms of punishments based on the circumstances surrounding any individual case

Genetic improvement for drought tolerance in rice using mutation induction

Thirty-three percent of the world's farmland is subject to drought, making it the most difficult abiotic stress on rice production. Ten different M4-rice mutants were tested, along with three check varieties (Giza 179, Sakha 107, and IET1444 - International check variety for drought stress), to see how well they fared in drought conditions. These genotypes were tested in well-watered (WW: irrigation every 4 days), water-stressed (WS1: irrigation every 8 days), and severe water-stressed (WS2: irrigation every 12 days) conditions across generations M5 to M8. Drought stress was measured regarding its effect on agronomic traits and drought tolerance indices. Of the ten tested mutants, seven high-tillering mutants had higher yields under normal and stress conditions than the check varieties did in the field. The STI, MP, YI, and GMP indices show that, compared to IET444 (DT check variety), the mutant EN25 performed best under drought stress, followed by the mutant EN27. According to the data analysis of SCoT markers, only 34 of the 46 primers used amplified 377 bands (alleles) across 53 different markers. There was a wide range of genetic similarities among mutants, parents, and the check varieties, and it ranged from 17% to 78%. These seven mutants shared 13 common bands with the most drought-tolerant check variety (IET444) using SCoT markers, which indicates that these mutants carried some drought-tolerant genes. Hence, these mutants hold great potential for use in drought-stressed rice breeding programs

Entropy squeezing for qubit - field system under decoherence effect

We study in detail the dynamics of field entropy squeezing FES) for a qubit - field system whose dynamics is described by the phase-damped model. The results of calculations show that the initial state and decoherence play a crucial role in the evolution of FES. During the temporal evolution of the system under decoherence effect, an interesting monotonic relation between FES, Wehrl entropy (WE)and negativity is observed

Ensuring safe cyberspace for children: an analysis of the legal implications of social media usage in Malaysia and Singapore

Easy accessibility of electronic devices connected to the internet and the widespread usage of the internet in every aspect of modern lives have made the use of social media an indispensable part of society. These technologically driven and completely-internet dependence means of living have brought detrimental implications as much as they have benefited lives. Each day more and more children are introduced to the internet and its benefits, either at home as a means of entertainment, or at school as a means of education. However, these opportunities provide avenues for the children to explore the ever-expanding vastness of the internet, leading to exposure of indecent materials, and accessing and participating in websites not meant for the usage by underage children. The glorification of social media websites through targeted advertisements and peer pressure adds to the already worsening crises of social media abuse through unlawful means. This article examines the protective measures taken by the authorities in Malaysia and Singapore to protect children in these two countries from the internet and social media related issues. The data is acquired doctrinally from library sources and the finding of this article could be extended to other areas of protecting young children from the harms of the internet

A New Sutureless Illuminated Macular Buckle Designed for Myopic Macular Hole Retinal Detachment

Purpose. To report the anatomic and visual results of a new sutureless illuminated macular buckle designed for patients with macular hole retinal detachment related to high myopia (MMHRD). Design. Prospective nonrandomized comparative interventional trial. Methods. Twenty myopic eyes of 20 patients (mean age, 51.4 years; range, 35–65 years) presenting with MMHRD with a posterior staphyloma, in whom the new buckle was used, were evaluated. The buckle used was assembled from a 5 mm wide sponge and a 7 mm wide silicone tire; it was fixed utilizing the sterile topical adhesive Histoacryl Blue (B Braun, TS1050044FP) which polymerizes in seconds upon being exposed to water-containing substances. The primary outcomes measured included aided visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. The mean follow-up period was 6 months. Results. Postoperatively, the MH closure was identified by OCT in 8 (40%) eyes. The mean BCVA increased from 0.11 to 0.21 (p<0.005). The axial length of the eyes included decreased from 30.5 mm preoperatively to 29.8 mm (p=0.002) postoperatively. Conclusion. Preparation of the new sutureless macular buckle is simple and easy. Illumination of the terminal part of the buckle ensures proper placement. Histoacryl Blue is effective in fixing the buckle in its place for at least 6 months with no reported intra- or postoperative complications

Introducing a design procedure for Archimedes Screw Turbine based on optimization algorithm

Archimedes screw turbines have gained popularity in generating power from flowing water. One aspect that hasn't been considered yet is optimizing those parameters that are considered assumptions in the prediction models. In this research, a simple procedure was introduced to design an appropriate Archimedes screw turbine for a given site using a prediction model and an optimization model. First, the mathematical efficiency prediction model of Archimedes screw turbines was developed and validated with experimental and real-world Archimedes screw turbine data. Then, the grey wolves optimization algorithm was developed to be used as an actual engineering application, sensitively analyzed, and coupled with the prediction model. The prediction models were evaluated. The model convergence was investigated, and then, the optimization parameters were found to get maximum efficiency. The results revealed that the optimum number of iterations and grey wolves are 200 and five, respectively. Also, the best values for the inner diameter to the outer diameter ratio, the pitch to the outer diameter ratio, tilt angle, and blade number were found in ranges: 0.43–0.56, 1–1.2, 20–22.5, and 2–4, respectively

Experimental investigation of PV/T and thermoelectric systems using CNT/ water nanofluids

This study investigated experimentally the thermal performance of a Photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) and thermoelectric (TE) system using the application of two nanofluids. Single-walled Carbon nanotube/water (SWCNT/water) and multi-walled Carbon nanotube/water (MWCNT/water), with a mass fraction of 0.02% were assessed as the working fluid of the PV/T system. Examinations were done from 10:00 to 16:30 daily in November 2021 at Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Different parameters were measured during the experimental tests including fluid inlet and outlet temperatures, volume flow rate, solar irradiance, and ambient and cell surface temperatures. The results showed that the highest performance of the solar system was measured using the application of SWCNT/water nanofluid. The PV/T surface temperature decreased using nanofluids compared to pure water. It was found that the output generated power and efficiency improved using nanofluid application whereas application of SWCNT/water was more effective compared to MWCNT/water nanofluid. Also, the application of the two nanofluids improved the performance of the TE module compared to pure water. The highest values of TE electric current, voltage, generated power, and efficiency were obtained using the application of SWCNT/water nanofluid

Constructing an Islamic criminal law system in Malaysia

Malaysia operates a federal parliamentary system. The Constitution recognises Islam as the Federation's religion with the proviso that other religions be practised in peace. Islamic law exists alongside common law. This study analyses how the two laws are harmonised and the features of Islamic law in operation. This paper qualitatively analyses the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and examines the features of Islamic law it contains. In particular, this paper studies the current establishment of Syariah courts, its criminal mandate, the enforcement, and Syariah approach in practice in Malaysian federal territories. This paper's findings may help the improvement and betterment of Islamic law, particularly in harmonising common law jurisdiction with Syariah. ********************************************************************************************** Malaysia menggunakan sistem federal parlementer. Konstitusinya mengakui Islam sebagai agama federasi dengan aturan agama lain boleh dipraktikkan dalam damai. Hukum Islam hadir bersandingan dengan common law. Penelitian ini menganalisis sikap dimana kedua hukum bisa harmonis dan fitur hukum Islam dalam praktiknya. Tulisan ini secara kualitatif menganalisis Konstitusi Federal Malaysia dan memeriksa fitur hukum Islam di dalamnya. Secara khusus, tulisan ini mempelajari pembentukan pengadilan Syariah saat ini, mandat pidananya, penegakannya, dan pendekatan Syariah dalam praktik di teritori federal Malaysia. Penemuan dari tulisan ini dapat membantu mengembangkan dan memperbaiki Hukum Islam terutama harmonisasi antara yurisdiksi common law dan Syariah