2,494 research outputs found
A critical analysis of Christian responses to Islamic claims about the work of the Prophet Muhammad, ‘the Messenger of God’.
No full textThe aims of this study are to analyse critically the different Christian responses to the Islamic understanding of the work of Muhammad. Chapter one consists a short introduction leading to an appraisal of Muhammad which incorporates historical, hagiographal and Quranic source material, and in the light of relevant Christian and Muslim scholarship. The second chapter presents a summary critical analysis of Muhammad in Christian theological perspective, from 661 A.D. to modern times. Chapter three presents a critique of Christian responses to the Muslim allegations that the text of the Bible has been infected with corruption; and that Muhammad's advent and status are foretold in the unadulterated' scriptures, and in the Gospel of Barnabas. Chapter four examines the theological significance of the work of Muhammad for Christians. Thus, Jesus and Muhammad are critically assessed and contrasted in order to ascertain the importance, for Christians, of the Muslim claims in respect of Muhammad as ’the messenger of God’. Chapter five provides a critical evaluation of the various Christian responses to Muhammad. It is argued that many of the said responses have been entangled in myths and misperceptions which have severely distorted the true account of Muhammad's work. Consequently, many Christians have failed to appreciate the divine legitimacy of Muhammad's call to prophethood. Further, it is argued that Christians should accept that Muhammad is a genuine prophet, and the messenger of God. However, Muhammad's use of the power-structure in order to maintain Islam is in sharp contrast to Jesus’ decision to face the consequences of his ministry passively through faith in God. Accordingly, orthodox Christian belief in the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus provides another dimension to prophethood, where the messenger and the message become one, an identification which finds no parallel in Islam, and which, in the nature of the case, cannot find a parallel
Landslide susceptibility assessment using Frequency Ratio, a case study of northern Pakistan
No full textThe northern Pakistan is attributed with rough terrain, active seismicity, monsoon rains, and therefore hosts to variety of geohazards. Among the geohazards, landslides are the most frequent hazard with devastating impacts on economy and society. However, for most of the northern Pakistan, landslide susceptibility maps are not available which can be used for landslide hazard mitigation. This study aims to develop a remote sensing based landslide inventory, analysing their spatial distribution and develop the landslide susceptibility map. The area, selected for this study is comprised of Haramosh valley, Bagrote valley and some parts of Nagar valley, in the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) in Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan. The SPOT-5 satellite image was used to develop a landslide inventory
which was subsequently verified in the field. The landslide causative factors of topographic attributes (slope and aspect), geology, landcover, distances from fault, road and streams were used to evaluate their influence on the spatial distribution of landslides. The study revealed that the distance to road, slope gradient
has the significant influence on the spatial distribution of the landslides, followed by the geology. The derived results were used in the Frequency ratio technique to develop a landslide susceptibility map. The developed landslide susceptibility map can be utilized for landslide mitigation in the study area
Financial Development and Economic Growth: Evidence from a Heterogeneous Panel of High Income Countries
No full textThis paper examines the empirical relationship between financial development and economic growth for high income countries. The study focuses on both indirect finance and direct finance, separately as well as jointly. Applying the methodology of Nair-Reichert and Weinhold (2001) for causality analysis in heterogeneous panel data, two sets of results are reported. First, the evidence regarding the relationship between financial development and economic growth from a contemporaneous non-dynamic fixed effects panel estimation is mixed. Negative and statistically significant estimates of the coefficient of the inflation and financial development interaction variable indicate that financial sector development may even be harmful to economic growth when inflation is rising. Second, in contrast with the recent evidence of Beck and Levine (2003), heterogeneous panel causality analysis applied on a refined model indicates that there is no definite evidence that finance spurs economic growth or growth spurs finance. Most of our findings are in line with the Lucas (1988) view that the importance of financial matters is over-stressed. The only exception is the case of activity in stock markets where our result supports the Robinson (1952) view that finance follows enterprise.
Byzantine Consensus with Local Multicast Channels
No full textByzantine consensus is a classical problem in distributed computing. Each node in a synchronous system starts with a binary input. The goal is to reach agreement in the presence of Byzantine faulty nodes. We consider the setting where communication between nodes is modelled via an undirected communication graph. In the classical point-to-point communication model all messages sent on an edge are private between the two endpoints of the edge. This allows a faulty node to equivocate, i.e., lie differently to its different neighbors. Different models have been proposed in the literature that weaken equivocation. In the local broadcast model, every message transmitted by a node is received identically and correctly by all of its neighbors. In the hypergraph model, every message transmitted by a node on a hyperedge is received identically and correctly by all nodes on the hyperedge. Tight network conditions are known for each of the three cases.
We introduce a more general model that encompasses all three of these models. In the local multicast model, each node u has one or more local multicast channels. Each channel consists of multiple neighbors of u in the communication graph. When node u sends a message on a channel, it is received identically by all of its neighbors on the channel. For this model, we identify tight network conditions for consensus. We observe how the local multicast model reduces to each of the three models above under specific conditions. In each of the three cases, we relate our network condition to the corresponding known tight conditions. The local multicast model also encompasses other practical network models of interest that have not been explored previously, as elaborated in the paper
THE effects of ageing on driving related performance
No full textAccording to one estimate, about 40 percent of the driving population will be over the age of 60by the year 2020 in the UK and currently, several hundred thousand drivers with dementia holddriving licenses. The number of motor vehicle crashes per unit distance of automobile travel is“U”-shaped, with risk increasing slightly between the ages of 55 and 60, but risk increasing witheach successive five-year interval. Some individuals who have mild dementia possess sufficientdriving skills to be designated as fit drivers. The most challenging assessment and decision for thephysician/licensing authority as regards fitness to drive lies in drivers who are questionablydemented or are in a state of very mild dementia.In the absence of a reliable standard protocol, some clinicians make judgment based on selfreporting,which has risks associated with it as lack of insight and judgment are potential commontraits of the population experiencing cognitive decline. Seldom is recourse made by healthprofessionals to on-road assessment as a first alternative as it requires a fee and such testingcenters are not readily available everywhere. This research addresses this issue of theidentification of cognitive tests that can be used to assess an individual’s ability to drive andespecially of those individuals that are questionably demented and are the most difficult toidentify. A younger and an older group consisting of 56 drivers in total were administered ninedifferent cognitive tests and two drives (Drive-I and Drive-II) on the STISIM driving simulator.The cognitive test ufov3 (involving the identification of a central target and simultaneously theradial localization of a peripheral target embedded in distracter triangles), which is the thirdsubtest of the UFOV (Useful Field of View) test showed the highest discriminating ability inseparating “poor-drivers” from “not-poor-drivers”, with 92.86 % of the drivers correctlyclassified. The next best discriminating ability in decreasing order of strength was that of dichoticlistening test, trail making test, rey-copy test and paper folding test. Also, age was found to be anexcellent discriminator of “poor-drivers” and “not-poor-drivers” with 91.07 % of the driverscorrectly classified. A composite cognitive measure consisting of the sum of all nine cognitivetests was not a better predictor than the ufov3 test alone; overall it was still an excellentdiscriminator, classifying 89.29 % of drivers correctly. The commonly recommended ClockDrawing test and the Trail Making test did not emerge as significant predictors of driving ability.A general driving skills linear model for prediction purposes was derived that explained 59 % ofthe variation in a general driving performance index with the ufov3 test, the dichotic listening testand the rey-recall test as significant predictors. Recommendations are made as to how this testshould be used to screen potentially at risk drivers
Elastomeric grating sensor for multifunctional optofluidic biosensing
No full textOptical sensing techniques are being employed in widespread applications
ranging from aerospace to electronics, process control and medicine. Optical
biosensors are desirable in various clinical applications for their greater
sensitivity, electrical passivity, wide dynamic range and high spatial resolution.
Optical biosensors such as laser interferometers and optical fiber sensors can be
incorporated for the real time measurement of biofluid parameters.
Various applications in medicine such as blood monitoring in
hemodialysis require the monitoring of multiple biofluid parameters. As multiple
monitors are needed for sensing, the sensor becomes bulky and costly. Miniature
optical sensors based on elastomers are best suited for this purpose. Sensors
based on deformable elastomeric materials have several benefits such as greater
sensitivity, high spatial resolution, reliability and low cost.
The Multifunctional Elastomeric Grating Sensor (EGS) presented in this
thesis is fabricated using elastomeric materials. The EGS is made by integrating
a two-dimensional (2D) diffraction grating inside a hemispherical chamber. The
sensing mechanism of the EGS is based on the diffraction of light. The laser
beam passing through the 2D grating and the fluid inside the chamber is
diffracted. The diffraction angle and the power of diffraction orders are used to
compute the biofluid parameters. This sensor can be used for real time
monitoring of glucose concentration, refractive index, pressure and opacity of the
fluid.
In future, the EGS will also be useful in highly sensitive temperature
measurements. This device is being tested for more advanced biological
experiments such as DNA hybridization and enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). This simple, compact and low cost device has an enormous
potential for future use in various clinical applications such as blood monitoring
in hemodialysis.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I only', the embargo will last until 2017-05-01The student, Muhammad Khan, accepted the attached license on 2015-04-12 at 18:13.The student, Muhammad Khan, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2015-04-12 at 18:22.This Thesis was approved for publication on 2015-04-13 at 13:28.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #7823 on 2015-07-22 at 14:17:41Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T22:33:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2
KHAN-THESIS-2015.pdf: 1573808 bytes, checksum: 59491f5f3be1d287b7f75eb34da247cc (MD5)
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Previous issue date: 2015-04-13Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 79848
Lift date: 2017-07-22T22:34:16Z
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An Analysis of Allocative Efficiency of Wheat Growers in Northern Pakistan
No full textRestricted translog production model is used to estimate the allocative efficiency of wheat growers in Peshawar Valley. It is found that average allocative efficiency is 72 percent. To increase the allocative efficiency, farmers need to increase the use of nitrogen and phosphorous and decrease the use of tillage and irrigation.
Vespula vulgaris
No full textVespula vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) Remarks: Faiz et al. (2016) reported this species from Gilgit-Baltistan: Hunza and Astore. Distribution: Albania; Austria; Bulgaria; Belarus; Belgium; China; Czech Republic; Denmark; England; Finland; France; Greece; Georgia; Germany; Hungary; Italy; Ireland; Iran; India; Japan; Korea; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Luxembourg; Mongolia; Moldova; Netherlands; Norway; Portugal; Pakistan; Poland; Romania; Russia; Sweden; Scotland; Spain; Switzerland; Slovenia; Turkey and U. K; introduced into Argentina; Australia; Chile; Iceland; New Zealand; Tahiti (Carpenter & Kojima 1997; Faiz et al. 2016).Published as part of Rafi, Muhammad Ather, Carpenter Muhammad Qasim, James M., Shehzad, Anjum, Zia, Ahmed, Khan, Muhammad Rafique, Mastoi, Muhammad Ishaque, Naz, Falak, Ilyas, Muhammad, Shah, Mazafar & Bhatti, Abdul Rauf, 2017, The vespid fauna of Pakistan, pp. 1-28 in Zootaxa 4362 (1) on page 24, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4362.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/107611
The lime: botany, production and uses/ edited by M. Mumtaz Khan, Rashid Al-Yahyai, and Fahad Al-Said
No full textIncludes bibliographical references and indexThis book is the most recent collection of research and scientific literature exclusively dedicated to lime (Rutaceae) culture and the marketplace. The coverage of each subject area is broad, ranging from basic cultivation practices to postharvest handling to uses, which makes it the best choice for amateurs and professionals alike. Chapter 1 emphasizes lime importance and global production, while chapter 2 covers its comprehensive systematic classification and distribution. In chapter 3, lime breeding, genetics and biodiversity are discussed; and in chapter 4, lime tree growth, development and reproductive physiology are elaborated. In chapter 5, propagation techniques, nursery production and certification are explained, while in chapter 6, schematic planning for lime orchard establishment is discussed. In chapter 7, crop water requirements, irrigation systems and fertigation are highlighted; and in chapter 8, cultural practices, e.g. tree pruning, thinning, weeding, planting density and intercropping, are covered. In chapter 9, precision agriculture in lime is elaborated; and in chapter 10, insect pests and diseases and their control measures are covered. In chapter 11, innovative production technologies, e.g. the use of plant growth regulators, remote sensing and organic production systems, are highlighted. In Chapter 12, harvesting and postharvest management of lime fruit are emphasized; and in chapter 13, the uses (folk to modern) and future dynamics are discussed in depth. With the latest information presented in simple language, this book will appeal to a range of principal users, e.g. educators, researchers, students, agriculture extension workers, farming communities, industry personnel and professionals/practitionersIntroduction and Overview of Lime / M. Mumtaz Khan, Rashid Al-Yahyai and Fahad Al-Said -- Systematic Classification, Distribution and Botany / Chandrika Ramadugu, Muhammad F. Razi, Manjunath L. Keremane, Rainer W. Scora and Mikeal L. Roose -- Advances in Lime Breeding and Genetics / Muhammad Amjad Ali and Muhammad Azher Nawaz -- Growth, Development and Reproductive Physiology of the Mexican Lime (Citrus aurantifolia Christm (Swingle)) / G. Almaguer-Vargas, S.R. Mr̀quez-Berber, V. Gonzl̀ez-Hernǹdez, N. Cruz-Huerta and I. Ramr̕ez-Ramr̕ez -- Propagation and Nursery Certification / Muhammad Azher Nawaz, Yong-Zhong Liu, M. Mumtaz Khan and Waqar Ahmed -- Planning and Orchard Establishment / Muhammad Usman and M. Mumtaz Khan -- Irrigation and Fertilization Management in Lime Trees / Francisco Garca̕-Sǹchez, Silvia Simn̤-Grao, Vicente Gimeno, Juan Jos ̌Martn̕ez-Nicols̀ and A.K. Srivastava -- Cultural Practices / Dalmo Lopes de Siqueira, Luiz Carlos Chamhum Salomô and Cšar Fernandes Aquino -- Precision Agriculture in Lime: Potential for Application of Precision Agriculture Technologies in Lime Cropping Systems / Aitazaz A. Farooque, Qamar U. Zaman, Arnold W. Schumann and Travis J. Esau -- Plant Protection: Lime Diseases and Insect Pests / A.M. Al-Sadi, Renan B. Queiroz, Philip Donkersley, A. Nasehi and Simon L. Elliot -- Innovative Production Technologies / Muhammad Fakhar-ud-Din Razi, Rhonda Janke, Muhammad Mumtaz Khan and Um-e-Ammara -- Harvesting and Post-harvest Management / Ahmad Sattar Khan and Zora Singh -- Traditional/Commercial Uses and Future Dynamics / M. Asif Hanif, Smitha Padmanabhan, Mostafa Waly and Ahmed Al-Maskari1 online resource
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