Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Issues in Islamic Finance and Economics: Progress and Challenges

Glossary of Arabic Terms ix Acknowledgement xxi 1 Development and Progress of Islamic Finance 1 2 Issues and Challenges 47 3 Islamic Finance and Globalization: Convergence and a Boost for Rapid Growth? 75 4 Globalization and Its Implications for Muslim Countries 111 5 Expanding Financial Frontiers 129 6 Reputational Risk for the Islamic Financial Industry 149 7 Design of Benchmark for Asset Pricing 179 8 Qard-ul-Hassan-based Microfinance 197 9 Developing the Theoretical Foundations of Economics in Islam 211 10 Islam and Economic Development 243 11 Taxation and Public Expenditures in Islam 263 12 Scope of Social Safety Net in Islam: A Case Study 293 References 327 Index 363
The Positive and Negative Impact of Remittances on Economic Growth in MENA Countries

In the worldwide economy, remittances represent one of the major international flows of financial resources. Sometimes the flows of remittances can exceed the flows of foreign direct investment (FDI). For centuries, economists have tried to recognize why some countries reflect strong economic growth, while others stand still at low levels of output. This effort led to a numerous of possible determinants of economic growth including financial development. This study aims to observe the impacts of remittances on economic growth, using panel data set of MENA countries, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Syria, Lebanon and Tunisia, during the period 2000-1010. These countries have experienced a major increase in remittance inflows, and at this time accounts for the bulk of total remittance receipts, compared with other regions. Most countries, remittances represent the largest source of foreign exchange earnings and represent more than 10 per cent of GDP. Hence, it is worth noting that while some countries are net providers of remittances (the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries), others such as Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Syria are known to receive large amounts of workers’ remittances. In other words, the econometric analysis will be based on those remittance receiving Arab countries. The paper is then to review the theoretical as well empirical literature devoted to remittances, in order, first, to select the arguments that can be applied to this region and, second, to identify empirically if there are significant relationships between remittances and growth in these countries JEL Classification: C3, 01, F3, F22
Understanding contemporary Ireland

About the Contributors Acknowledgements 1. Ireland in the Twenty First Century Rob Kitchin and Brendan Bartley Part One: Planning and Development Section introduction 2. Planning in Ireland Brendan Bartley 3. Regional development: trends, policies and strategies James A. Walsh 4. Recent development of the Irish urban systems Des McCafferty 5. Urban property development Andrew MacLaran and Sinead Kelly 6. Rural development - retrospect and prospect John McDonagh 7. Transport James Killen 8. Strategic spatial planning in Northern Ireland Michael Murray and Brendan Murtagh Part Two: Economy Section introduction 9. The manufacturing sector Chris Van Egeraat and Proinnsias Breathnach 10. The services sector Proinnsias Breathnach 11. Agriculture in transition James A. Walsh 12. Tourism and heritage Catherine Kelly Part Three: Political landscape Section introduction 13. Political landscape of the Republic of Ireland Adrian Kavanagh 14. Transformations in governance Joe Larragy and Brendan Bartley 15. Green Ireland? The governance of waste Honor Fagan and Michael Murray 16. The meaning of Northern Ireland Brian Graham Part Four: Population and social issues Section introduction 17. Immigration: Labour migrants and asylum seekers and refugees Piaras MacEinri 18. Transformations in housing Mary Corcoran, Patrick Duffy and Karen Keaveney 19. Deprivation and its spatial articulation Trutz Haase 20. Health and disease Frank Houghton and Dennis Pringle 21. 'For the way we live today': consumption, lifestyle and place in Ireland. Denis Linehan Conclusion 22. Ireland now and in the future: Rob Kitchin and Brendan Bartley Notes References Index
How to Build Random Key Pre-distribution Schemes with Self-Healing for Multiphase WSNs

In this paper, we propose a simple random key pre-distribution (RKP) scheme with self-healing for multiphase wireless sensor networks (WSNs) without even lightweight operations such as a hash function, in which the link compromised by node-capture attack in a WSN automatically self-heals with time. Our scheme can enhance the resiliency of existing RKP schemes by only updating the key pool of a server with time. As a result, processing of each sensor is still the same as in the RKP schemes. More interestingly, round synchronization is not necessary to be implemented in a node. Our contribution is the simple scheme with security evaluation, in which we conduct analytical evaluation and a simulation experiment of our scheme, and results obtained from both analysis and simulations indicate that our scheme is effective in self-healing.
An Anoxic Sea of Japan by 2200 ?

It has been reported that the Sea of Japan was anoxic during the last glacial period and did not become oxic until early in the Holocene. Studies have shown that the thickness of the bottom layer decreased between 1969 and 1984 and that the bottom oxygen concentration dropped between 1977 and 1984. Recent data have further confirmed those earlier observations that properties in the deep waters of the Sea of Japan have been changing since 1969. Researchers recently reported an increase in the potential temperature of the deep waters, a deepening of the oxygen minimum layer, and a decrease in the thickness of the adiabatic bottom water as well as in the oxygen concentrations. These temporal variations were interpreted as being transient and probably caused by the recent reduction or cessation of new bottom water formation in the northern Sea of Japan. Here, it is shown that this stagnation started at least as early as 1950 and is continuing. This is consistent with the heat flow data. It was also shown that the interpreted oxygen consumption rate and the phosphate and nitrate regeneration rates since the stagnation began have remained consistent with the rates calculated from the one dimensional advection-diffusion and the mass balance models. These rates average 0.8± 0.4 μmol kg yr for oxygen, 0.007± 0.003 μ mol kg yr for phosphate and 0.10± 0.04 μmol kg yr for nitrate. If the stagnation continues, the Sea of Japan could become anoxic below 2000 m 180-530 years from now.
Novel heuristic solutions for Multi-Skill Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem

In this article some novel scheduling heuristics for Multi-Skill Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem have been proposed and compared to state-of-the-art priority rules, based on task duration, resource salaries and precedence relations. New heuristics stand an aggregation of known methods, but are enhanced by skills domain. The goal of the paper is to investigate, whether evaluated methods can be used as robustness enhancement tools in metaheuristics, mostly evolutionary algorithms. Experiments have been performed using artificially created dataset instances, based on real-world instances. Obtained results prove that such methods stand interesting feature that can be included to more complex methods and increase their robustness.
Confocal Fluorescence Imaging Enables Noninvasive Quantitative Assessment of Host Cell Populations In Vivo Following Photodynamic Therapy

We report the use of optical imaging strategies to noninvasively examine photosensitizer distribution and physiological and host responses to 2-[1-hexyloxyethyl]-2 devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) of EMT6 tumors established in the ears of BALB/c mice. 24 h following intravenous (IV) administration of 1 μmol kg-1 HPPH, wide-field fluorescence imaging reveals tumor selectivity with an approximately 2-3-fold differential between tumor and adjacent normal tissue. Confocal microscopy demonstrates a relatively homogeneous intratumor HPPH distribution. Labeling of host cells using fluorophore-conjugated antibodies allowed the visualization of Gr1+/CD11b+ leukocytes and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II)+ cells in vivo. Imaging of the treated site at different time-points following irradiation shows significant and rapid increases in Gr1+ cells in response to therapy. The maximum accumulation of Gr1+ cells is found at 24 h post-irradiation, followed by a decrease at the 48 h time-point. Using IV-injected FITC-conjugated dextran as a fluorescent perfusion marker, we imaged tissue perfusion at different times post-irradiation and found that the reduced Gr1+ cell density at 48 h correlated strongly with functional damage to the vasculature as reported via decreased perfusion status. Dual color confocal imaging experiments demonstrates that about 90% of the anti-Gr1 cell population co-localized with anti-CD11b labeling, thus indicating that majority of the Gr1-labeled cells were neutrophils. At 24 h post-PDT, an approximately 2-fold increase in MHC-II+ cells relative to untreated control is also observed. Co-localization analysis reveals an increase in the fraction of Gr1+ cells expressing MHC-II, suggesting that HPPH-PDT is stimulating neutrophils to express an antigen-presenting phenotype.
SUECICA Formation of soft rot cavities in various cellulose fibres by icola alopallonella

ODC-844.2 The ability o f the soft rot fungus Humicola alopallonella Meyers & Moore to form cavities in various cellulose fibres has been studied. The following fibre materials were tested: wood of aspen, beech, birch, pine and spruce, three sulphate pulps with different lignin content, spruce holocellulose, Avicel, Sigmacell T38, flax, jute, ramie, sisal, cotton, kapok, seed hairs o f Salix pentandra L, and two viscose rayon fibres. In addition the degradation o f cellophane was studied. Typical soft rot cavities were formed in all the natural fibres except for spruce holo cellulose tracheids. The cavity formation in fibres like Avicel, Sig-macell T38 and cotton which contain no or possibly minute amounts o f lignin and hernicelluloses, shows that these substances are not needed for cavity formation per se. The shape o f the cavities is rather similar in all the natural fibres, indicating that the explanation o f the form o f the cavities must be sought in the crystalline structure o f the cellulose. Various aspects o f the process o f cavity formation are discussed in the light o f the new findings.
Prenatal exposure to maternal depression, neonatal methylation of human glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) and infant cortisol stress responses

Background: In animal models, variations in early maternal care are associated with differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress response in the offspring, mediated via changes in the epigenetic regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene (Nr3c1) expression. Objective: To study this in humans, relationships between prenatal exposure to maternal mood and the methylation status of a CpG-rich region in the promoter and exon 1F of the human GR gene (NR3C1) in newborns and HPA stress reactivity at age 3 months were examined. Methods: The methylation status of a CpG-rich region of the NR3C1 gene, including exon 1F, in genomic DNA from cord blood mononuclear cells was quantified by bisulfite pyrosequencing in infants of depressed mothers treated with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant (SRI) (n=33), infants of depressed non treated mothers (n=13) and infants of non depressed/non treated mothers (n=36). To study the functional implications of the newborn methylation status of NR3C1 in newborns, HPA function was assessed at 3 months using salivary cortisol obtained before and following a non noxious stressor and at a late afternoon basal time. Results: Prenatal exposure to increased third trimester maternal depressed/anxious mood was associated with increased methylation of NR3C1 at a predicted NGFI-A binding site. Increased NR3C1 methylation at this site was also associated with increased salivary cortisol stress responses at 3 months, controlling for prenatal SRI exposure, postnatal age, and pre and postnatal maternal mood. Conclusions: Methylation status of the human NR3C1 gene in newborns is sensitive to prenatal maternal mood and may offer a potential epigenetic process that links antenatal maternal mood and altered HPA stress reactivity during infancy.
Students’ and Teachers’ Views on Fair Grades - Is it Possible to Reach a Shared Understanding?

Hakan Burden Computer Science and Engineering Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden burden@chalmers.se Rogardt Heldal Computer Science and Engineering Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden heldal@chalmers.se Tom Adawi Engineering Education Research Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg Gothenburg, Sweden adawi@chalmers.se
If times change, should we throw away the hearthstone? Exploring (Dis) continuities in autonomy and decision-making in the lives of Ghanaian women

This paper attempts to investigate continuities and discontinuities between traditional and modern representations of womanhood and female gender roles focusing primarily on family and work settings. Using approaches informed by Sociology, Cultural Psychology, and African Studies, the paper explores traditional views of womanhood encapsulated in (and also transmitted intergenerationally) through proverbs. This customary perspective is contrasted with the results of the Everyday Lives Survey from the Pathways of Women's Empowerment Ghana project. The survey investigated the nature of everyday life– education, work, decision making, access to institutions, and autonomy in relationships—in six hundred (600) adult women in both rural and urban communities in three regions of Ghana. We argue that although the times are changing, there have only been modest disruptions in the lives of Ghanaian women as far as issues of autonomy and decision-making in are concerned.
Worldwide experience with a totally subcutaneous implantable defibrillator: early results from the EFFORTLESS S-ICD Registry

Aims The totally subcutaneous implantable-defibrillator (S-ICD) is a new alternative to the conventional transvenous ICD system to minimize intravascular lead complications. There are limited data describing the long-term performance of the S-ICD. This paper presents the first large international patient population collected as part of the EFFORTLESS S-ICD Registry. Methods and results The EFFORTLESS S-ICD Registry is a non-randomized, standard of care, multicentre Registry designed to collect long-term, system-related, clinical, and patient reported outcome data from S-ICD implanted patients since June 2009. Follow-up data are systematically collected over 60-month post-implant including Quality of Life. The study population of 472 patients of which 241 (51%) were enrolled prospectively has a mean follow-up duration of 558 days (range 13–1342 days, median 498 days), 72% male, mean age of 49 ± 18 years (range 9–88 years), 42% mean left ventricular ejection fraction. Complication-free rates were 97 and 94%, at 30 and 360 days, respectively. Three hundred and seventeen spontaneous episodes were recorded in 85 patients during the follow-up period. Of these episodes, 169 (53%) received therapy, 93 being for Ventricular Tachycardia/Fibrillation (VT/VF). One patient died of recurrent VF and severe bradycardia. Regarding discrete VT/VF episodes, first shock conversion efficacy was 88% with 100% overall successful clinical conversion after a maximum of five shocks. The 360-day inappropriate shock rate was 7% with the vast majority occurring for oversensing (62/73 episodes), primarily of cardiac signals (94% of oversensed episodes). Conclusion The first large cohort of real-world data from an International patient S-ICD population demonstrates appropriate system performance with clinical event rates and inappropriate shock rates comparable with those reported for conventional ICDs. Clinical trial registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier NCT01085435.
Sustained Activity in the Medial Wall during Working Memory Delays

We have taken advantage of the temporal resolution afforded by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the role played by medial wall areas in humans during working memory tasks. We demarcated the medial motor areas activated during simple manual movement, namely the supplementary motor area (SMA) and the cingulate motor area (CMA), and those activated during visually guided saccadic eye movements, namely the supplementary eye field (SEF). We determined the location of sustained activity over working memory delays in the medial wall in relation to these functional landmarks during both spatial and face working memory tasks. We identified two distinct areas, namely the pre-SMA and the caudal part of the anterior cingulate cortex (caudal-AC), that showed similar sustained activity during both spatial and face working memory delays. These areas were distinct from and anterior to the SMA, CMA, and SEF. Both the pre-SMA and caudal-AC activation were identified by a contrast between sustained activity during working memory delays as compared with sustained activity during control delays in which subjects were waiting for a cue to make a simple manual motor response. Thus, the present findings suggest that sustained activity during working memory delays in both the pre-SMA and caudal-AC does not reflect simple motor preparation but rather a state of preparedness for selecting a motor response based on the information held on-line.
Spontaneous Activity Signatures of Morphologically Identified Interneurons in the Vestibulocerebellum

Cerebellar cortical interneurons such as Golgi cells, basket cells, stellate cells, unipolar brush cells, and granule cells play an essential role in the operations of the cerebellum. However, detailed functional studies of the activity of these cells in both anesthetized and behaving animals have been hampered by problems in recognizing their physiological signatures. We have extracellularly recorded the spontaneous activity of vestibulocerebellar interneurons in ketamine/xylazine-anesthetized rats and subsequently labeled them with Neurobiotin using the juxtacellular technique. After recovery and morphological identification of these cells, they were related to statistical measures of their spontaneous activity. Golgi cells display a somewhat irregular firing pattern with relatively low average frequencies. Unipolar brush cells are characterized by more regular firing at higher rates. Basket and stellate cells are alike in their firing characteristics, which mainly stand out by their irregularity; some of them are set apart by their very slow average rate. The spontaneous activity of interneurons examined in the ketamine/xylazine rabbit fit within this general pattern. In the rabbit, granule cells were identified by the spontaneous occurrence of extremely high-frequency bursts of action potentials, which were also recognized in the rat. On the basis of these observations, we devised an algorithm that reliably determined the identity of 75% of the cells with only 2% incorrect classifications. The remaining cells were placed into border categories within which no classification was attempted. We propose that this algorithm can be used to help classify vestibulocerebellar interneurons recorded in awake, behaving animals.
Enterococcus durans EP1 a Promising Anti-inflammatory Probiotic Able to Stimulate sIgA and to Increase Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Abundance

Enterococcus species, principally Enterococcus faecium are used as probiotics since a long time with preference in animal applications but safety considerations were updated and also new uses as probiotics can be envisaged. Fifteen Enterococcus strains isolated from different foods were identified and analyzed for virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Three Enterococcus durans strains were selected to study their immunomodulatory properties on PBMC and Caco2 cells. Two strains presented a profile toward a mild inflammatory Th1 response considering TNF-α/IL-10 and IL-1β/IL-10 cytokines ratios. The third strain EP1, presented an anti-inflammatory potential and was selected for in vivo studies. In mice, the strain was well tolerated and did not cause any adverse effects. EP1 administration increased the amount of IgA+ cells in mesenteric lymph node (MLN) after 7 days of administration. In fecal samples, the IgA content increased gradually and significantly from day 7 to day 21 in treated group. Additionally, IL-17, IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and CXCL1 gene expression significantly decreased on day 21 in Peyer’s patches and IL-17 decreased in MLN. Mice treated with the probiotic showed significant lower mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mucins in the ileum at day 7 while their expression was normalized at day 21. Colonic expression of il-1β, il6, and mucins remain diminished at day 21. Ileum and colon explants from treated mice stimulated in vitro with LPS showed a significant reduction in IL-6 and an increase in IL-10 secretion suggesting an in vivo protective effect of the probiotic treatment against a proinflammatory stimulus. Interestingly, analysis of feces microbiota demonstrated that EP1 administration increase the amount of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a butyrate-producing bacteria, which is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, we demonstrated that EP1 strain is a strong sIgA inducer and possess mucosal anti-inflammatory properties. This strain also modulates gut microbiota increasing Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a functionally important bacterium. Thus, E. durans EP1 is not only a good candidate to increases F. prausnitzii in some cases of dysbiosis but can also be interesting in gut inflammatory disorders therapy.
The Optimal Mix Between Funded and Unfunded Pension Systems When People Care About Relative Consumption

The paper studies the optimal portfolio mix between funded and unfunded pension systems when people care about relative consumption. In pay-as-you-go systems with fixed contribution rates, pensions are tied to wages. This lowers the uncertainty of individuals' future relative position thereby increasing the attractiveness of unfunded systems. The paper shows analytically that the optimal share of funding decreases with the importance of relative standing. A calibrated version of the model suggests that the concern for relative standing has also a quantitatively important impact on the optimal share of funding. For reasonable assumptions it is typically around 20%.