The wisdom of polygamy in Islam: The law and customary practice in Afghanistan / Nasir Ahmad Yousefi

This paper aims to review the wisdom of polygamy in Islam, how the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) put it into practice by his divinely guided lifestyle and its practice in Afghanistan. Ninety nine percent of Afghanistan‘s populations are Muslims and yet women in polygamous marriages are subjected to ill-treatment - a treatment which is often sanctioned by customs and/or the decisions of the so-called Jirga (elders council). This paper explains that the polygamy related customs and the Jerga‘s decisions in Afghanistan are contrary not only to Islamic Law but also Afghanistan domestic laws and international human rights law

A Double-Blind Randomized Trial Comparing the Effectiveness and Safety of Nifedipine and Isosorbide Dinitrate in Chronic Anal Fissure

Background: Chronic anal fissure is a common disease that is accompanied with pain and bleeding during defecation. Various surgical and non-surgical methods have been offered for the treatment of this condition. The aim of this randomised clinical study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of nifedipine and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) in the treatment of chronic anal fissure. Methods: This double-blind clinical trial study was performed on patients aged 20 to 60 years old in 2012 to 2013. The samples with a primary diagnosis of chronic anal fissure were enrolled from the patients admitted to public treatment at the educational Imam Ali Clinic, Shahrekord, Iran by researchers and general surgery specialists. The patients were randomised into two groups: nifedipine 0.3% (n = 35) or ISDN 0.2% (n = 35) applied three times a day for three weeks. The patients were examined on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days of treatment, and the symptoms including bleeding, pain, and healing status, as well as the side effects of the drugs, were assessed. Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: After 21 days of follow-up, complete healing was achieved in 77.1% (n = 27) of patients in the nifedipine group and 51.4% (n = 18) in the ISDN group (P = 0.05). The mean VAS of the pain on day 21 was 0.91 (SD 0.01) in the ISDN group and 0.45 +/- 0.78 in the nifedipine group, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.038). The bleeding was similar in the two groups (P = 0.498). Conclusion: In view of the findings on healing status and pain in the patients, nifedipine may be significantly more effective in the treatment of chronic anal fissure than ISDN

Optimization of Multi-zone Building HVAC Energy Consumption by Utilizing Fuzzy Model Based Predictive Controller

The rapid improvement of living standards has led to increased energy consumption in buildings worldwide. Globally, the energy consumed in buildings accounts for 20.1% of total delivered energy (EIA 2016). Improving energy efficiency in buildings therefore is an important component for combating climate change. This paper aims to improve end use energy efficiency in multi-zoned residential buildings through the application of thermal comfort based, energy optimization algorithms. We use a case study approach with a detailed analysis of a 4-story residential apartment building in central Illinois. The study building constitutes 21 thermal zones modeled in EnergyPlus. The model is validated using monthly energy consumption data. The effectiveness of four different steam heating system control methods are evaluated and described: a) a Model Predictive Controller (MPC) design based on neuro-fuzzy temperature predictor; b) a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) tuned by fuzzy logic; c) a PID tuned by a genetic algorithm; and d) an on/off controller and the flow regulator based on indoor temperature. All are optimized for energy consumption reduction potential and thermal comfort. The main effect of the various control methods is tuning boiler feed flow by regulating the condensing cycle. A reduction in circulated steam flow results in decreased direct energy consumption and improved condensing pump efficiencies. We find that the MPC design using a neurofuzzy temperature predictor can reduce heating energy use by up to 38% in comparison with an on/off controller baseline

Tetra­kis{4-[(2H-tetra­zol-5-yl)meth­yl]morpholin-4-ium} dodeca­tungstosilicate hexa­hydrate

The crystal structure of the title compound, (C6H12N5O)4[W12(SiO4)O36]·6H2O, consists of an α-Keggin-type [W12(SiO4)O36]4− polyoxidoanion, four [(2H-tetra­zol-5-yl)meth­yl]morpholinium cations and six uncoordinated water mol­ecules. In the cations, the morpholine rings display chair conformations. Extensive N—H⋯O, N—H⋯N, O—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds are present in the crystal structure

Value relevance of available-for-sale financial instruments (AFS) and revaluation surplus of PPE (REV) components of other comprehensive income

Value relevance studies have thus far provided mixed evidence.Studies also found that fair value reporting has a significant impact on the value relevance of other comprehensive income. Additionally, most studies on value relevance of other comprehensive income focused on developed countries where the capital market is more efficient.In these settings due to the existence of active market, fair valuation of assets may not pose a major problem.In Malaysia the mandatory reporting of comprehensive income by all listed firms based on the requirement of FRS101, coincides with the adoption of FRS139 the standard for financial instrument and could be an interesting setting to investigate.This study hypothesized that other comprehensive income and its components are associated with share price.The results indicate that other comprehensive income and its components are value relevant.The results indicate that the move towards a more comprehensive income reporting through the preparation of the Statement of Comprehensive Income results in more informative financial reporting

Relationship between Willingness to Communicate and Iranian EFL Learner’s Speaking Fluency and Accuracy

The application of English as an international language has been well known in any field of life. Four skills of this language are divided into two categories, productive skills (speaking and writing) and receptive skills (listening and reading). According to the practicality of the English language nowadays, most of people try to learn English. It is observable that majority of learners step in this way just to learn how to converse and participate in discussions. In other words, they aim to improve their speaking skill. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate possible relationship between willingness to communicate and Iranian EFL learners' speaking fluency and accuracy. In this way, OPT, WTC test, fluency and accuracy test were employed. Afterwards, statistical analysis was accomplished. Consequently, the analysis indicated acceptable results. The results contain positive relationship between willingness to communicate and speaking fluency. It can be concluded that both trainers and trainees can employ willingness to communicate as one of the tools to increase fluency and accuracy level of learners speaking

The wisdom of polygamy in Islam: the law and customary practice in Afghanistan / Hekmatullah Muradi and Nasir Ahmad Yousefi

This paper aims to review the wisdom of polygamy in Islam, how the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)put it into practice by his divinely guided lifestyle and its practice in Afghanistan. Ninety nine percent of Afghanistan’s population are Muslims and yet women in polygamous marriages are subjected to ill-treatment – a treatment which is often sanctioned by customs and/or the decisions of the so-called Jirga (elders council). This paper explains that the polygamy related customs and the Jerga’s decisions in Afghanistan are contrary not only to Islamic Law but also Afghanistan domestic laws and international human rights law

An in-house indirect immunofluorescence test for ensuring that the cell bank is contamination free

 Background: Cross-contamination between cells is a usual mistake at cell culture laboratories and cell banks worldwide. MRC5 diploid cell and Rk-13, Vero and Hela continuous cell lines are used in different stages of human viral vaccines propagation at Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute of Iran. However diploid and continuous cells are propagated at separated cell culture laboratory and continuous cells can contaminate MRC5 diploid cells. Therefore, a sensitive test is needed. World Health Organization recommends few molecular and cellular techniques to cell characterization. Materials and Methods: The present study was therefore designed to set up an indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test as follows: Polyclonal anti-MRC5 cell and anti-rabbit antibodies were prepared in rabbit and goat, respectability. Anti-rabbit IgG was purified using protein G affinity chromatography, conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), and then further purified to remove unbound FITC using Sephadex G 25 chromatography. Using double immunodiffusion assay, purification of homemade anti-rabbit IgG was asssayed by observation of a single arch. Results: The titer of homemade FITC conjugated goat anti rabbit IgG was measured 1/16 vs 1/8 of commercial type. Fluorescein/protein molar ratio of local made fluorescein goat anti-rabbit IgG was measured 3.44 and its protein concentration and FITC concentration were determined 1.198 mg/ml and 0.01 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Moreover, homemade IIF test showed 100% intra-laboratory reproducibility. Purity of three batches of MRC5 working seed cell was verified using in- house IIF test and no contamination to continuous cell lines was found

A solution-based intelligent tutoring system integrated with an online game-based formative assessment: development and evaluation

Nowadays, intelligent tutoring systems are considered an effective research tool for learning systems and problem-solving skill improvement. Nonetheless, such individualized systems may cause students to lose learning motivation when interaction and timely guidance are lacking. In order to address this problem, a solution-based intelligent tutoring system (SITS) is integrated with an online game-based formative assessment game called tic-tac-toe quiz for single-player (TRIS-Q-SP) for learning computer programming. This assessment game combines tic-tac-toe with online assessment, and the rules of tic-tac-toe are revised to stimulate students to use online formative assessment actively. Finally, an experimental study is devised to assess the success of SITS, and significant achievements are observed for the experimental group, besides enjoyment and positive opinions toward the TRIS-Q-SP. Therefore, the practical use of SITS is supported, as the results indicate considerable advantages for the experimental group over the control group. The findings also reveal that immediate elaborated feedback upon answering each question in TRIS-Q-SP is part of an optimal design

Estimation and evaluation of pseudo-CT images using linear regression models and texture feature extraction from MRI images in the brain region to design external radiotherapy planning

AimThe aim of this study is to construct and evaluate Pseudo-CT images (P-CTs) for electron density calculation to facilitate external radiotherapy treatment planning.BackgroundDespite numerous benefits, computed tomography (CT) scan does not provide accurate information on soft tissue contrast, which often makes it difficult to precisely differentiate target tissues from the organs at risk and determine the tumor volume. Therefore, MRI imaging can reduce the variability of results when registering with a CT scan.Materials and methodsIn this research, a fuzzy clustering algorithm was used to segment images into different tissues, also linear regression methods were used to design the regression model based on the feature extraction method and the brightness intensity values. The results of the proposed algorithm for dose-volume histogram (DVH), Isodose curves, and gamma analysis were investigated using the RayPlan treatment planning system, and VeriSoft software. Furthermore, various statistical indices such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Error (ME), and Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) were calculated.ResultsThe MAE of a range of 45–55 was found from the proposed methods. The relative difference error between the PTV region of the CT and the Pseudo-CT was 0.5, and the best gamma rate was 95.4% based on the polar coordinate feature and proposed polynomial regression model.ConclusionThe proposed method could support the generation of P-CT data for different parts of the brain region from a collection of MRI series with an acceptable average error rate by different evaluation criteria