The Qur'an, the sacred book of Muslims, is considered the primary source of divine knowledge and religion. It has been the subject of extensive study by scholars of various disciplines for decades. ...To preserve the faithful transmission of his teachings, strict rules have been established to which all scholars must conform.However, in recent decades, some works have emerged which are subject to inconsistency with the carefully established rules. In this article, we will focus on a critical and scientific approach to certain opinions and ideas formulated in the books of NICOLAÏ Sinai, entitled "The Qur'an: A historical-critical Introduction" and Abdullah Saeed, entitled "The Qur'an: An Introduction." This article aims to present an objective and rigorous analysis while highlighting the points of disagreement and the outstanding questions concerning the interpretations presented in these works. From this observation, the article will highlight the discrepancies with some of the concepts advanced in these books using a qualitative research methodology.
In this article, we argue that integrative literature reviews are among the most useful vehicles for advancing knowledge and furthering research in a topic domain. Integrative literature reviews are ...strongly anchored in a representative description of a field, but add new insights via a critical analysis and synthesis of the field’s literature. Based on this definition, we explicate the ways that scholars can (1) define the ‘space’ for an integrative review (i.e., how they can justify and bound an integrative review), and (2) synthesize insights gained from the review to develop a new perspective or point of view on the literature. We illustrate these points with several of the most highly‐cited manuscripts published in the Academy of Management Annals. Finally, we close by arguing why these points make integrative reviews most useful for advancing knowledge and furthering research in the area of management.
In this paper, we propose a novel computational formulation capable of solving the problem of material softening and the emerging localisation of strains in spatial frame-like structure, a common ...phenomenon for brittle heterogeneous materials. This study adopts the embedded strong discontinuity approach within our original velocity-based framework. The velocity-based formulation is thus enhanced with additional capabilities of detection of critical load level and critical cross-section and introduction of the jump-like variables at the level of velocities and angular velocities to enable more realistic description of strain localisation. A modified consistency condition is derived using the method of weighted residuals in complete accordance with the theoretical concept of strong discontinuity. One of the key advantages of the proposed method is its computational efficiency, which is preserved even after detecting cross-sectional singularities and handling post-critical localised strains. The numerical examples show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach.
•The problem of material softening and strain localization is addressed.•The primary unknowns are velocities and angular velocities.•The field of unknowns is enriched with additional shape functions.•The solution procedure enables possible discontinuities and localisms.•The updated strains are obtained using kinematic compatibility equations.•We surpass the singularity of cross-sectional constitutive equations.
Resumen: El tabaquismo es una enfermedad crónica que constituye la primera causa evitable de muerte en los países desarrollados. En España, la prevalencia de consumo de tabaco ha disminuido gracias a ...la aplicación de políticas de control del tabaco; sin embargo, la legislación vigente no establece una regulación armonizada para todos los productos. El objetivo de este artículo es revisar la legislación actual y analizar sus limitaciones en relación con los principios de buena regulación administrativa definidos ahora en la Ley 39/2015. Las principales limitaciones pueden vertebrarse en cuatro ejes: la falta de regulación específica de estos nuevos productos, las diferencias en su regulación, la falta de información de sus efectos nocivos y de las novedades en la regulación de los espacios libres de humo, y la falta de adaptación de la regulación a la evidencia científica más reciente. Con todo, la calidad de la regulación para el control del tabaco en España, pese a los éxitos conseguidos con la Ley 28/2005, se ha visto comprometida por la relajación del Estado en el ámbito legislativo, regulatorio y administrativo, que ha comportado un estancamiento normativo opuesto a los principios de buena regulación. Esta revisión debería animar a las sociedades científicas y las asociaciones ciudadanas a reclamar igualmente la modernización de la legislación sobre tabaquismo, con políticas decididas y coordinadas de prevención y control para poder promover una España libre de tabaco. Abstract: Tobacco smoking is a chronic disease that is the leading preventable cause of death in developed countries. In Spain, the prevalence of tobacco use has decreased driven by the implementation of tobacco control policies; however, current legislation does not establish a harmonized regulation for all tobacco products. The aim of this article is to review the current legislation and critically analyze its limitations in relation to the principles of good administration now defined in the Law 39/2015. Spanish in force tobacco control policies main limitations can be divided into four areas: the lack of specific regulation for new tobacco products; the differences in their regulation; the lack of information to the general population on their harmful effects and the new developments in the regulation of smoke-free spaces; and the lack of adaptation of the regulation to the most recent scientific evidence. All in all, the quality of tobacco control regulations in Spain, despite the successes achieved with the Law 28/2005, has been compromised by the State's laxity in the legislative, regulatory, and administrative spheres, which has led to a regulatory stagnation that runs counter to the principles of good regulation. This review should encourage scientific organizations and civil society associations to call for an actualization of the tobacco legislation, with determined and coordinated prevention and control policies to promote a tobacco-free Spain.
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•Overview and advantages of third generation biofuels are briefed.•Optimization of factors affecting cultivation and photo bioreactors types are studied.•Harvesting and extraction ...techniques are analyzed and highlighted using case studies.•Significance and analysis of biodiesel from multiple micro algae species in IC engines.•Techno-economic assessment to identify commercial viability of micro algae biodiesel.
Third generation micro algae feedstock cultivation and fuel production have sustainable and economic benefits due to their microscopic nature. Each process in the production of micro algae biodiesel such as cultivation, harvesting and extraction can be optimized to negate the factors affecting production. Optimized micro algae biodiesel blends can be utilized to obtain ideal engine maps by calibrating engine parameters at stationary or dynamic engine tests. Numerous studies are available on micro algae based biodiesel production and its application in IC engines. Even though few consolidated articles are available on the effects of using micro algae biodiesel in IC engines, little to no article is available clubbing the production and optimization aspects of micro algae biodiesel with engine testing. To address this issue, this article intends to consolidate studies which have utilized different reactors for cultivating diverse micro algae species with multiple growth mediums. Furthermore, this combination also includes different biomass preprocessing and extraction techniques in producing micro algae biodiesel. Also, the implementation of micro algae biodiesel in IC engines and its output characteristics for different micro algae biodiesels have been highlighted and analyzed. To understand the current commercial status of micro algae biodiesel, a techno-economic analysis has been drawn. Studies revealed that closed type reactors are effective for continuous cultivation due to the constant regulation and availability of optimized growth factors. Furthermore, the techno-economic assessment revealed that the maintenance costs involved in the production should be lowered by 2–3 times the original to make micro algae biodiesel commercially available.
In the era of digital revolution many cities around the world have invested significantly in the design and implementation of smart city projects and initiatives to provide solutions to the ...challenges of climate changes and urbanization. At the same time, various efforts have been made to evaluate performance and outcomes of those projects and initiatives. This study provides a critical analysis of 34 selected smart city assessment tools to highlight their strengths and weaknesses and to examine their potential contribution to the evolution of the smart city movement. The selected tools are evaluated against an analysis framework that covers criteria related to comprehensiveness, stakeholder engagement, context sensitivity, strategic alignment, uncertainty management, interlinkages and interoperability, temporal dynamism, flexibility, feasibility, presentation and communication of the results, and action plans. Results indicate that selected tools have achieved limited success in addressing these criteria. In particular, only few tools have addressed criteria related to stakeholder engagement, uncertainty management, interlinkages, and feasibility. The paper argues that assessment tools should capitalize on the advancements in smart solutions and big data analytics to develop better strategies for addressing these criteria. In addition to highlighting weaknesses that need to be addressed in the future, results of this study can be used by interested target groups such as smart city developers, planners, and policy makers to choose tools that best fit their needs.
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•A framework for critical analysis of smart city assessment tools is introduced.•Thirty four assessment tools are analyzed using the framework.•There is a lack of balanced distribution of indicators across different themes.•Temporal changes, flexibility, and reporting criteria are relatively well addressed.•Feasibility, interlinkages, and uncertainty management criteria are rarely addressed.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, with notable tension transpiring in the field of education. Given that Generative AI is rapidly emerging as a transformative ...innovation, this article endeavors to offer a seminal rejoinder that aims to (i) reconcile the great debate on Generative AI in order to (ii) lay the foundation for Generative AI to co-exist as a transformative resource in the future of education. Using critical analysis as a method and paradox theory as a theoretical lens (i.e., the “how”), this article (i) defines Generative AI and transformative education (i.e., the “ideas”), (ii) establishes the paradoxes of Generative AI (i.e., the “what”), and (iii) provides implications for the future of education from the perspective of management educators (i.e., the “so what”). Noteworthily, the paradoxes of Generative AI are four-fold: (Paradox #1) Generative AI is a ‘friend’ yet a ‘foe’, (Paradox #2) Generative AI is ‘capable’ yet ‘dependent’, (Paradox #3) Generative AI is ‘accessible’ yet ‘restrictive’, and (Paradox #4) Generative AI gets even ‘popular’ when ‘banned’ (i.e., the “what”). Through a position that seeks to embrace rather than reject Generative AI, the lessons and implications that emerge from the discussion herein represent a seminal contribution from management educators on this trending topic and should be useful for approaching Generative AI as a game-changer for education reformation in management and the field of education at large, and by extension, mitigating a situation where Generative AI develops into a Ragnarök that dooms the future of education of which management education is a part of (i.e., the “so what”).
•Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has been popularized by ChatGPT.•Great debate on Generative AI in education is reconciled through a paradoxical perspective.•Paradoxes of Generative AI are four-fold.•Generative AI should be embraced rather than shunned in the future of education.•Takeaways include definitions, lessons, implications, guidelines, and future directions.
Green supply chain management and the circular economy Liu, Junjun; Feng, Yunting; Zhu, Qinghua ...
International journal of physical distribution & logistics management,
09/2018, Letnik:
48, Številka:
8
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Purpose
Green supply chain management (GSCM) and the circular economy (CE) overlap but also differ. The purpose of this paper is to clarify linkages between these two concepts. It identifies mutual ...theory applications used to study GSCM and CE.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review is conducted to identify theories from GSCM and CE studies. A critical analysis explores the theories that can provide mutual applications between GSCM and CE fields. Propositions are developed.
Findings
In all, 12 theories are applied in both GSCM and CE studies. Several theories are only applied in GSCM studies, but can help to advance CE study. These theories include complexity, transaction cost economics, agency, and information theories. Each of the eight theories only applied to CE can potentially advance GSCM study.
Research limitations/implications
The findings contribute to further theory development for both GSCM and CE study. A methodological review can advance theoretical development and cross-pollination in both fields.
Originality/value
This work is the first study to explicitly explore linkages of GSCM and CE from a theoretical perspective.
