PurposeThis paper aims to compare the rebate computation in Islamic sale-based financing contracts as proposed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in its guidelines on ibrāʾ (rebate) – with the rebate ...computation in conventional finance that is applicable to conventional loans, thus examining if there is a significant difference between the two approaches.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs the qualitative analysis method, involving review and discussion of relevant literature. Subsequently, a quantitative analysis is utilized to compare both rebate computations: the one proposed by BNM for Islamic sale-based financing contracts and the conventional finance computation that is utilized in conventional loans.FindingsBNM's rebate computation for debts resulting from sale-based financing contracts does not differ from the conventional finance rebate computation applied to conventional loans; such similarity may raise the usury concerns that the conventional finance rebate computation raises.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper focuses only on the fixed profit rate rebate computation proposed by BNM guidelines.Practical implicationsThe results highlight the need for seeking another rebate computation to be applied in Islamic financial institutions in the case of mandatory bilateral rebate for sale-based financing contracts – a computation that differs from the practice utilized in conventional loans in order to avoid any usury implications associated with conventional finance computation.Originality/valueThe paper examines the rebate practice proposed by BNM for sale-based financing contracts. Forcing a predetermined rebate computation in sale-based financing contracts could be plausible as BNM requires; however, the suggested computation might be questionable because it resembles conventional finance computation.
Accidental falls are a major cause of morbidity placing pressure on hospital capacity and utilizing costly services. Evaluating the burden of falls is key for planning, implementation, and evaluation ...of prevention strategies. To date, no studies have been published on accidental falls at the population level in Kuwait. We studied the burden of accidental falls on public hospital inpatient capacity in Kuwait and identified the subgroups with the highest utilization of inpatient service days.
From the national database of inpatient hospitalizations, we selected hospitalizations of patients admitted to Kuwait's public hospitals for unintentional injury caused by an accidental fall from 1 January through 31 December 2016. We studied the number of inpatient service days (bed days), length of stay (LOS), and number of hospitalizations by age group, gender, and nationality. Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Chi square tests were used for comparison. Logistic regression was used to quantify the risk of prolonged LOS and fractures among fall-related hospitalizations.
Accidental falls were responsible for 2.9% of inpatient hospitalizations, 3.7% of inpatient service days (61,140 days) with an ALOS of 9.1 days in Kuwait's public hospitals in 2016. Accidental falls were responsible for 4.6% of older adult service days, and an even higher 5.6% of older women service days. In the age group 13-64, fall-related service days for non-Kuwaitis (5.7%) were more than triple those for Kuwaitis (1.8%) with a substantial percentage among male non-Kuwaitis (8.1%). The risk factors for exceeding the national ALOS for fall-related hospitalizations were female gender (OR 1.36), age 65 and older (OR 9.72), age 13-64 (OR 5.20), being non-Kuwaiti (OR 1.39), sustaining a femur fracture (OR 11.67), and undergoing surgery (OR 2.63). Fall-related hospitalizations associated with a higher risk of fractures were females (OR 1.22), patients 65 years and older (OR 5.09), patients aged 13-64 (OR 3.65), and non-Kuwaitis (OR 1.28).
Accidental falls impose a considerable burden on inpatient service utilization in Kuwait. This varies by age, gender, and nationality. To reduce this burden, prevention programs should target working-age non-Kuwaiti males and older females.
Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle) is a plant of considerable commercial importance worldwide as functional food due to its organic acids, mucilage, anthocyanins, macro and micro-nutrients content. ...Although Hibiscus flowers are emerging as very competitive targets for phytochemical studies, very little is known about their volatile composition and or aroma, such knowledge can be suspected to be relevant for understanding its olfactory and taste properties. To provide insight into Hibiscus flower aroma composition and for its future use in food and or pharmaceutical industry, volatile constituents from 2 cultivars grown in Egypt, viz. Aswan and Sudan-1 were profiled using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to GCMS. A total of 104 volatiles were identified with sugar and fatty acid derived volatiles amounting for the major volatile classes. To reveal for cultivar effect on volatile composition in an untargeted manner, multivariate data analysis was applied. Orthogonal projection to latent structures-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed for 1-octen-3-ol versus furfural/acetic acid enrichment in Aswan and Sudan-1 cvs., respectively. Primary metabolites contributing to roselle taste and nutritional value viz. sugars and organic acids were profiled using GC-MS after silylation. The impact of probiotic bacteria on roselle infusion aroma profile was further assessed and revealed for the increase in furfural production with Lactobacillus plantarum inoculation and without affecting its anthocyanin content. This study provides the most complete map for volatiles, sugars and organic acids distribution in two Hibiscus flower cultivars and its fermented product.
•SPME GC-MS was adopted for volatiles profiling in roselle flowers.•104 volatiles were identified with furans and aldehydes as major classes.•OPLS was used to classify between flower cultivars.•Sugars, organic acids were profiled using GCMS.•Impact of probiotic bacteria on roselle infusion aroma was assessed
Guava tree (Psidium guajava L., Myrtaceae) is an economic grown worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Guavas encompass numerous cultivars (cvs.) that were discriminated in ...previous studies based on leaf morphological features and profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Nevertheless, fruit VOCs have also shown outstanding potential for discrimination of other plant taxa, which has not been utilized in guava. Hence, the current study investigates the various guava cvs. harvested from India and Egypt. A total of 5 samples were analyzed by solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results led to the detection of 42 VOCs belonging to aldehydes, alcohols, esters, ketones, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, in addition to monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Butylated hydroxytoluene and β-caryophyllene were predominant reaching 77% and 41% in Egyptian and Indian guava, respectively. The impact of probiotic fermentation, i.e., Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. plantarum on aroma profile was not significantly different (p > 0.05). Multivariate data analyses were further applied for samples classification and markers determination, including principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). PCA score plot showed clear segregation of Egyptian from Indian specimens, whereas OPLS-DA revealed that β-caryophyllene was associated with white fruit versus 3-butenyl isothiocyanate and muurolol in red fruit type in the case of Indian guava. The richness of Egyptian guava in butylated hydroxytoluene in addition to the presence of vitamin C may potentiate its antioxidant activity, to be followed in subsequent studies regarding its health effects.
Little information exists on songbird roosting habits and the types of habitats that songbirds select. To better understand a species' habitat requirements, all aspects of its biology should be ...studied. The Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea, Wilson) is a Nearctic-Neotropical migrant that is a species of conservation concern across its range. It is one of the fastest declining species of wood-warbler (Parulidae) in North America. Since 2007, a breeding population of Cerulean Warblers has been monitored in southern Indiana, as part of the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment. The Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment is a 100 yr project that studies the effects of different forest management practices on plant and animal communities. During the 2017 breeding season, 10 male Cerulean Warblers were tracked to roost locations. Roost sites selected by male Cerulean Warbler were characterized with less basal area, higher canopy cover, greater grapevine (Vitis spp., L.) presence, less shrubs, steeper slopes, and less white oak (Quercus alba, L.) abundance. With this new knowledge we can incorporate additional features of habitat in the formulation of a management plan for this declining species.
Piper nigrum
L. (black and white peppercorn) is one of the most common culinary spices used worldwide. The current study aims to dissect pepper metabolome using
1
H-NMR targeting of its major primary ...and secondary metabolites. Eighteen metabolites were identified with piperine detected in black and white pepper at 20.2 and 23.9 μg mg
−1
, respectively. Aroma profiling using HS-SPME coupled to GC-MS analysis and in the context of autoclave treatment led to the detection of a total of 52 volatiles with an abundance of β-caryophyllene at 82% and 59% in black and white pepper, respectively. Autoclaving of black and white pepper revealed improvement of pepper aroma as manifested by an increase in oxygenated compounds' level.
In vitro
remote antimicrobial activity against food-borne Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria revealed the highest activity against
P. aeruginosa
(VP-MIC 16.4 and 12.9 mg mL
−1
) and a direct effect against
Enterobacter cloacae
at
ca.
11.6 mg mL
−1
for both white and black pepper.
Piper nigrum
L. (black and white peppercorn) is one of the most common culinary spices used worldwide.
Dispersal, defined as movement an individual makes from one breeding population to another, is a process that strongly influences the population dynamics of many animal species. Although dispersal ...across longer distances is believed to be a relatively uncommon phenomenon for most bird species, movements between populations drive numerous ecological processes, and understanding rates and directions of dispersal are especially important when considering species of conservation concern. The Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) is a Nearctic-Neotropical songbird that breeds in mature forests of eastern and central North America and has experienced significant declines in recent decades largely due to habitat loss on the breeding grounds. Previous research suggests that Cerulean Warblers exhibit high rates of long-distance dispersal and that populations may be shifting away from the peripheral edges of its breeding range. The potential impacts of dispersal on reproductive success, however, remain unknown for this species. In this study, we used a long-term dataset (2013–2021) to investigate dispersal rates, age-related differences in dispersal, and effects of immigration on nest success in a population of Cerulean Warblers in south-central Indiana. To categorize birds as either immigrants or residents, we analyzed naturally occurring stable-hydrogen isotopes in tail feathers grown on the breeding grounds. We found an overall high rate (26.5%) of long-distance dispersal in this population, and the majority of these immigrants appeared to have originated from latitudes south of our study site. Additionally, our findings suggest that dispersal rates of juveniles and adults are very similar in this population, and that immigration appears to have no effect on reproductive success. This study contributes to our limited knowledge of the Cerulean Warblers' full annual cycle ecology, and our reported high dispersal rate and lack of effect of immigration on nest success have encouraging implications for the conservation of this declining species.
The present study investigated the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 14 Egyptian mango specimens collected from three different regions and of different cultivars (cvs). VOCs were extracted via ...solid-phase microextraction, followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The results obtained for sesquiterpene hydrocarbons’ qualitative abundance were represented by 28 peaks, whereas monoterpene hydrocarbons amounted for the highest levels in most of the mango cvs. Multivariate data analyses were employed for sample classification and identification of markers. Unsupervised principal component analysis revealed that “zebdia” cv from the three origins combined together being enriched in terpinolene. Moreover, supervised orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis identified β-terpinene and (Z)-geranylacetone in the premium “awees” cv. The impact of probiotic bacteria on mango juice aroma was further assessed revealing no potential changes in the composition. This study provides the first comprehensive insights into Egyptian mango aroma and reveals that the cv type overcomes the geographical origin in their aroma profile.
(1) Background: Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme) essential oil (TEO) has gained much attention because of its long history of medicinal usage. However, the lack of precise chemical profiling of the TEO and ...methods to optimize the bioactivity and delivery of its constituents has hampered its research on quality control and biological function; (2) Methods: The current study aimed to analyze the TEO’s chemical composition using the GC-MS method and identify its key components. Another objective of this work is to study the impact of the protective layer of amphiphilic oligochitosan (AOC) on the physicochemical stability and transdermal potentials of TEO multilayer nanoemulsions formulated by the incorporation of TEO, Tween80, lecithin (Lec), and AOC; (3) Results: The AOC protective layer significantly improved the stability of TEO-based NEs as revealed by the constancy of their physicochemical properties (particle size and zeta potential) during storage for a week. Excessive fine-tuning of thyme extract NEs and the AOC protective layer’s persistent positive charge have been contributed to the thyme extract’s improved anti-inflammatory, transdermal, and anti-melanoma potentials; (4) Conclusions: the AOC-coated NEs could offer novel multifunctional nanoplatforms for effective transdermal delivery of lipophilic bioactive materials.
Abstract The hydrological characteristics of a watershed play a crucial role in shaping ecosystems within the Boreal zone and have a significant impact on regional environments. Knowing these ...characteristics, such as the distinctive topography, vegetation, soil composition, and climatic conditions in the Canadian Boreal ecozone, is essential for implementing sustainable water management. This study focuses on assessing the hydrological dynamics of the Upper Humber River Watershed (UHRW) in western Newfoundland, Canada, using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The UHRW includes sub-basins and hydrological response units (HRUs), with diverse land uses, soil types, and slope characteristics. Key parameters influencing streamflow simulation were identified through sensitivity analysis, including the runoff curve number, the effective hydraulic conductivity, the temperature lapse rate, the soil evaporation compensation factor, and the available water capacity of the soil layer. The SWAT model, using data from the Reidville hydrometric station, shows favorable performance metrics, with R 2 values of 0.79 and 0.83 during the calibration and evaluation periods, respectively. The model effectively captures seasonal and monthly flow patterns, displaying right-skewed distributions and seasonal variations. The analyzed hydrological parameters, such as precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, surface runoff, and groundwater flow, reveal their significant contributions to the water balance. The flow duration curve analysis indicates the model’s capability to estimate peak and low flows, with slight under-prediction during the recession phase. Seasonal analysis further supports the model’s performance, with positive Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values ranging from 0.65 to 0.91. The study concludes that the SWAT model is suitable for simulating the hydrological processes in the studied watershed providing valuable insights for sustainable water resource management and decision-making in the UHRW. The results can be useful for other Boreal ecozone watersheds.
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