An analytical study of Ibn Wāṣil’s Mufarrij al-Kurūb fī Akhbār Banī Ayyūb (The Dissipater of Anxieties in the Report of the Ayyubids) The Political Historiography of Women in the late Ayyubid Dynasty: 589-648/1193-1250

Women’s history, especially in the political arena, requires fuller treatment by research in historiography. Recent studies have largely demonstrated the extent of the discrepancy in historical narratives about the political role of women. It is a common but oversimplified explanation to state that the under-reporting of women as actors on the political stage has been due to the fact that the majority of historians and historiographers were men. Close reading of the historical text can reveal, not only insights about political activities of women, but evidence that certain male historians were paying attention to the political actions of women. Studies that analyse historical text using primary sources are crucial because they make the contents of these texts accessible to a wider audience and thus add value to the existing literature. This study is an analysis of Ibn Wāṣil’s Mufarrij al-kurūb fī akhbār Banī Ayyūb, in particular, of his views regarding the political roles of Ayyubid women in the late Ayyubid dynasty. Chapter One explores the general features of Islamic historiography during the Ayyubid dynasty. Chapter Two deals with Ibn Wāṣil himself: in order to uncover the factors that had impact on him when he reported his text, it explores his life, personality, and the environment in which he lived and worked. Chapter Three examines this historian’s attitude toward the jawārī and to the queenship system represented by Shajar al-Durr. Chapter Four examines his assessment of the regency system represented by the Ayyubid princesses, Ḍayfa Khātūn and Ghāzīyya Khātūn. The concluding chapter discusses the research results

Shockwaves and the Rolling Stones: An Overview of Pediatric Stone Disease

Urinary stone disease is a common problem in adults, with an estimated 10% to 20% lifetime risk of developing a stone and an annual incidence of almost 1%. In contrast, in children, even though the incidence appears to be increasing, urinary tract stones are a rare problem, with an estimated incidence of approximately 5 to 36 per 100,000 children. Consequently, typical complications of rare diseases, such as delayed diagnosis, lack of awareness, and specialist knowledge, as well as difficulties accessing specific treatments also affect children with stone disease. Indeed, because stone disease is such a common problem in adults, frequently, it is adult practitioners who will first be asked to manage affected children. Yet, there are unique aspects to pediatric urolithiasis such that treatment practices common in adults cannot necessarily be transferred to children. Here, we review the epidemiology, etiology, presentation, investigation, and management of pediatric stone disease; we highlight those aspects that separate its management from that in adults and make a case for a specialized, multidisciplinary approach to pediatric stone disease

Thermal Effect of Ceramic Nanofiller Aluminium Nitride on Polyethylene Properties

Ethylene polymerization was done to form polyethylene nano-composite with nanoaluminum nitride using zirconocene catalysts. Results show that the catalytic activity is maximum at a filler loading of 15 mg nanoaluminum nitride. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that percentage crystallinity was also marginally higher at this amount of filler. Thermal behavior of polyethylene nanocomposites (0, 15, 30, and 45) mg was studied by DSC and thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA). Morphology of the component with 15 mg aluminium nitride is more fibrous as compared to 0 mg aluminium nitride and higher filler loading as shown by SEM images. In order to understand combustibility behavior, tests were performed on microcalorimeter. Its results showed decrease in combustibility in polyethylene nanocomposites as the filler loading increases

Correction: Aqeeli et al. Assessing the Dependence and Perceptions of the Harm and Addictiveness of Electronic Cigarettes among Saudi University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare 2024, 12, 1289

Reference 13 has been removed from the original publication [...

Assessing the Dependence and Perceptions of the Harm and Addictiveness of Electronic Cigarettes among Saudi University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: The rising prevalence of e-cigarette use among university students necessitates a comprehensive understanding of dependence levels and associated factors. This study investigates e-cigarette dependence among Jazan University students in Saudi Arabia. (2) Methods: With the use of a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 1187 students through an online survey from January to April 2024. Dependence levels were assessed using the Penn State Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index (PS-ECDI), and the Arabic version of the questionnaire was validated through pilot testing. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with e-cigarette dependence. (3) Results: The results indicated that among current e-cigarette users, 37.4% had low dependence, 34.4% had medium dependence, and 13.8% had high dependence. A significant proportion of current and ever users regarded e-cigarettes to be less harmful (50.6% and 44.4%, respectively) and less addictive (37.9% and 32.3%, respectively) than cigarettes. Significant factors influencing dependence included gender, with males showing higher odds of medium (AOR = 12.8, 95% CI: 3.4–47.6) and low dependence (AOR = 9.7, 95% CI: 2.5–37.3) compared to females. Longer duration of e-cigarette use (>2 years) was strongly associated with high dependence (AOR = 50, 95% CI: 7.7–324). Daily use and multiple quit attempts were also significant predictors of higher dependence levels. (4) Conclusions: These findings highlight the substantial e-cigarette dependence among university students and underscore the need for targeted interventions to address this growing public health concern