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Purpose This paper aims to investigate the current status of research output published in open access (OA) journals from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries from 2010 to 2019 and compare their performances in terms of OA research output. Design/methodology/approach Papers contributed by the researchers of BRICS countries were searched using an advanced search option in the Web of Science core collection database. The retrieved results were restricted to the “journal articles” published in the “English language” during the time period of 2010 to 2019. After that, the selected papers were again refined by using the “open access” section to identify the research output of BRICS countries published in OA journals. Findings Total 2,219,943 papers were published from BRICS countries, out of which 402,199 articles were published in OA journals and South Africa has published the highest number of research output in OA journals (31%). Although, there has been a constant increasing growth of research output published in OA journals in BRICS countries from 13,300 papers in 2010 to 82,310 articles in 2019. Engineering and Technology have published the maximum number of papers in OA journals. Researchers of BRICS countries mostly contributed their OA research output in journals published from the USA and Scientific Reports (UK) is identified as one of the leading OA journals. Additionally, among all the BRICS countries, China is found as the promising leader in terms of OA journals publications, the maximum share i.e. 71.25 per cent of total 402,199 OA journal publications have been produced by the highest number 137 (23.41%) of institutions of China and Chinese Academy of Sciences (China) is leading institution with 39,036 papers published in OA journals. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to BRICS countries, but it offers theoretical implications for extending its scope to different countries. This study may be used for raising awareness of OA among researchers of BRICS countries and encouraging them to contribute their research work in OA journals. The findings of this study are useful and meaningful in understanding the comparative status of research across countries, disciplines, journals and institutions. Originality/value This is the first study in BRICS countries focusing on the research output published in OA journals.

Architecture reflects and pinpoints its nation’s progress and mindset. Ottoman Empire, which ruled over three continents, is known for its unique and magnificent architecture represented by grand mosques, seminaries and imperial palaces .The so called Ottoman Architecture was created with in the domain of the Ottoman Empire and is known for its distinct characteristics. This architecture was initially influenced by Seljuk architecture. All Ottoman Sultans had special taste for architecture .Later on, the center was shifted to the capital of the fallen Byzantine Empire, and thus got inspirations from byzantine art .The most well۔known architect of that era was Sinan who revolutionized the art of architecture. He designed almost three hundred buildings distinguished for spacious courtyards surrounded by vast gardens. In the 18th century, Ottoman Sultanate came into contact with Europe, and therefore Baroque influences came to be seen in their architecture. Hence, internal decorations became prominent in the architecture.

Like the limits of crime, crimes against human life and body are also very dangerous in terms of their effects, so the Qur'an has fixed their punishment for them. Islamic law has set specific punishments for it, and it does not allow any kind of crime to be reduced. These crimes have schakled the very basis of society and they have to be dealt with severely. The basic elements of society are the need to protect the structures on which the lives and deaths of society depend. These crimes can be basically divided into two types: 1.Crimes against human beings (e.g. murder) 2.Crimes against the human body. There is a long way to go around, and in the meantime, this kind of research is needed, the seriousness of which is far greater than the rest of researches. This article examined the crimes against humanity in the light of Islamic law.

Aḥādīth is the second most important source of guidance in Islamic jurisprudence. Aḥādīth is the collection of traditions which consists of the Prophet (PBUH) sayings as well as an account of his daily practice. The companions of the prophet took great care in accounting aḥādīth in light of the Prophet’s (PBUH) sayings. However, the later generations overlooked that diligent practice and attempted to fabricate aḥādīth in order to destroy Islam. This can be illustrated from an event when a person who was about to be hanged mocked caliph Haroon ur Rasheed about four thousand aḥādīth fabricated by him. The Caliph replied that he didn’t know Abdullah bin Mubarak who would sift these aḥādīth. Hence the Ummah felt the urgent need to cleanse the traditions of the Prophet(PBUH)from impure ambitions of liars, and so the practice of delving deep into the background of the narrators of aḥādīth like where they were born, instructed, travelled became important. In this way, the scholars developed the system of Jarhwa Ta'deel through which they divided aḥādīth into different categories according to the life and conduct of narrators. One such category is known as "Weak aḥādīth." In this paper, weak traditions from the book of aḥādīth especially Fazaile A’mal are selected in order to discuss their weaknesses and the scholars’ perspective on them.

This paper aims to examine the availability of Open Access (OA) research literature in the field of digital library. In order to analyse the availability of OA research literature in the field of digital library, a search was conducted on Web of Science’s Core collection database on June 11, 2019. In response to a topic search TS = “Digital Library” using the advanced search option, 849 articles were retrieved. Of the 849 articles examined, the details of 26 articles were not found in the Google Scholar. Therefore, 823 articles were selected for further analyses. After examining the Websites of OA articles, they were classified into three categories: gold OA, green OA, and both gold and green OA. Furthermore, all the green OA articles were systematically organised into six groups for the examination of the self-archiving venues used by the researchers for self-archiving. Out of 823 articles analysed, OA versions were found for 64.76 per cent of articles. This study found that 26.68 per cent of OA articles were available through gold OA and 60.39 per cent articles were available through green OA, while 36.53 per cent articles were accessible via both OA journals and self-archiving (gold & green OA). Although researchers used various OA platforms for self-archiving of their research work, publishers’ Websites were found as the most preferred choice for self-archiving of research work by the authors in the field of digital library. Computer Science discipline has the highest share of OA copies available through self-archiving. However, it is important to point out that more than 78 per cent of self-archived articles were found as the final publisher’s PDF versions of the article which publishers never allow for self-archiving.

Both Islamic and western laws try to facilitate their followers in different ways. For the above mentioned purpose both have formed several Legal Maxims which assist each and every individual to enjoy these facilitations provided to them by the Legal Science. Similarly there are some Legal Maxims which provide legal excuses to these people. Among these Legal Maxims there is a Maxim considered as one of fundamental legal Maxims called “Ignorance of facts and Ignorance of the Law”. This article focuses on explanation and interpretation of the said Maxim according to Islamic as well as western Laws.

Legume crops are very important group of plants that belong to Fabaceae or leguminaceae family and are rich in different essential amino acids. These legumes prove to be the cheapest and most easily accessible source of required proteins. Humans need proper amount of proteins and essential amino acids that are crucial for the proper functioning of the body. In developed countries a large number of diverse diets including meat, fish, protein, drinks and food supplements are readily available but the developing countries having very small income per capita cannot afford all of these commodities. They fulfill their nutritional value by using legume crops. But in developing countries pulses face a number of biotic challenges. They have low production due to less improved varieties. Major damage to the pulse crops is due to the range of bacterial, fungal and viral diseases that drastically reduce the crop production per unit area. Major diseases of pulse crops include chickpea (Blight, Fusarium wilt, root rot), Green and Black gram (Leaf crinckle virus, Mung bean yellow mosaic virus, Mungbean phyllody disease, Cercospora leaf spot, Powdery Mildew), lentil (Ascochyta Blight, Stemphylium Blight, Anthracnose, Botrytis grey mold, Lentil Rust) and soya bean (Charcoal rot, White mold, Louisiana, Root rot, Septoria glycines, Sclerotium rolfsii, Black root rot). These diseases can be controlled by many physical as well as biological methods that have low cost of production and safe to environment. The detailed elaboration of major pulse diseases and their effective control methods have been summarized in this review paper.

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the level of open access (OA) adoption by researchers in Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), identify predictors of OA status (OA vs non-OA) and explore the availability of OA versions of the articles and venues used by the researches for hosting of their articles.Design/methodology/approachArticles contributed by the researchers in IITs were searched using an advance search option in the Web of Science Core collection database. The search was restricted to journal articles published in English language in the year 2015. Of the 10,049 articles retrieved, 1,023 (10 per cent of the total) were chosen randomly. Articles selected after randomizations were exported to MS Excel for further analyses. Title of each article was searched in Google Scholar to assess its OA availability and venues used by the author for self-archiving. Details of ten articles could not be traced in Google Scholar, and they were excluded from the analysis. Based on the analysis of URLs, all OA articles were classified into three categories: gold OA, green OA and both gold and green OA. The OA articles available through green route were further classified into six categories based on the analysis of the websites and the self-archiving venues used by the authors: institutional repository, subject repository, researcher or scholar’s website, organizational website, ResearchGate and other websites.FindingsOf 1,013 articles examined, OA versions were found for 68.70 per cent of articles. Of the total OA articles, 10.26 per cent articles were available through gold OA and 58.44 per cent were available through green OA, while remaining 6.21 per cent were available via both gold and green OA routes. Although researchers use different venues for self-archiving their articles, ResearchGate and institutional repositories are the most preferred choices by the researchers in IITs. Researchers in IITs are seemed to be unaware of the self-archiving policies of publishers, as more than 85 per cent self-archived articles were found as final PDF versions that are normally not allowed by the publishers.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to IITs, but it offers theoretical implications for extending its scope to different subjects and institutes. The findings of the study may be useful for the publishers and institutions for formulating OA policies. The findings of the study might be used for raising awareness of OA among researchers and encouraging them to contribute their research outcome in OA outlets.Originality/valueThis is the first study in India focusing on the availability of OA research.

Background The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in patients on systemic steroids for various indications to patients not on steroids in term of disease severity, and associated morbidity and mortality. Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients with CDI at our hospital from January 2011 to December 2016. Patients were evaluated for baseline characteristics, comorbidities, medications, disease severity, disease-related length of stay (LOS) from the diagnosis of CDI to discharge, need for surgical intervention, and disease-related mortality. Based on systemic steroids use, patients who were using steroids for different indications constituted the study population, and those with no steroids use were clustered as a control group. Results Of the 258 patients included, males were 127 (49%). Severe and severe-complicated CDI developed in 21/63 (33.3%) and 1/63 (1.6%) of patients on steroids (average daily dose of 20 mg), and in 73/195 (37.4%) and 5/195 (2.6%) of patients with no steroids use (P = 0.56 and P = 0.66, respectively). Surgical intervention was not required in the steroids group and 5/195 (2.7%) of patients not on steroids underwent bowel surgeries (P = 0.38). Mean LOS (days) was 11.6 ± 1.5 in the steroids group and 10.4 ± 0.7 in the no-steroids group (P = 0.4). CDI-related mortality occurred in 9/63(14.3%) of patients on steroids, and in 15/195 (7.7%) of patients not on steroids (P = 0.12; odds ratio (OR): 2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.8 - 4.8). Conclusion There was no significant difference in the severity of CDI, need for surgical interventions, disease-related LOS and mortality in systemic steroids users compared to patients not on steroids.

Background The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in patients on systemic steroids for various indications to patients not on steroids in term of disease severity, and associated morbidity and mortality. Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients with CDI at our hospital from January 2011 to December 2016. Patients were evaluated for baseline characteristics, comorbidities, medications, disease severity, disease-related length of stay (LOS) from the diagnosis of CDI to discharge, need for surgical intervention, and disease-related mortality. Based on systemic steroids use, patients who were using steroids for different indications constituted the study population, and those with no steroids use were clustered as a control group. Results Of the 258 patients included, males were 127 (49%). Severe and severe-complicated CDI developed in 21/63 (33.3%) and 1/63 (1.6%) of patients on steroids (average daily dose of 20 mg), and in 73/195 (37.4%) and 5/195 (2.6%) of patients with no steroids use (P = 0.56 and P = 0.66, respectively). Surgical intervention was not required in the steroids group and 5/195 (2.7%) of patients not on steroids underwent bowel surgeries (P = 0.38). Mean LOS (days) was 11.6 ± 1.5 in the steroids group and 10.4 ± 0.7 in the no-steroids group (P = 0.4). CDI-related mortality occurred in 9/63(14.3%) of patients on steroids, and in 15/195 (7.7%) of patients not on steroids (P = 0.12; odds ratio (OR): 2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.8 - 4.8). Conclusion There was no significant difference in the severity of CDI, need for surgical interventions, disease-related LOS and mortality in systemic steroids users compared to patients not on steroids.

Dieulafoy lesions are a rare etiology of gastrointestinal bleeding from a large caliber-persistent tortuous submucosal artery. They account for 1-2% of all causes of acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage with 80%–95% of these lesions located in the stomach along the lesser curvature. One-third of these lesions present at an extragastric location, with the proximal duodenum accounting for 15% of them. We present a 21-year-old male with no significant past medical history or risk factors, who presented with repeated syncopal episodes followed by hematemesis, found to have a Dieulafoy lesion located at the duodenal bulb. This lesion was diagnosed and successfully treated via upper endoscopy with epinephrine injection and the application of 2 endoscopic clips.

On 7th September 2011, Government of Pakistan reached out for international assistance to prepare a humanitarian response to 2011 monsoon flooding. In response to that, a meeting was held on 8th September between UNRC/HC, OCHA and NDMA Chairman (along with his team) at PDMA Sindh’s office in Karachi to discuss the broad parameters of the Response Plan for the Floods in Pakistan in 2011 and the overall coordination mechanisms. In this discussion, four clusters were identified for Phase including food security, wash, health and shelter. It was also decided that cluster needs assessments and cluster response strategies will include elements of nutrition, protection and early recovery/ community restoration activities. Being the lead agency for community restoration, UNDP has put together this Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) report within 48 hours to understand how it can provide support to the affectees in the most time-effective manner.

Pakistan’s youth population is one of the fastest growing in the world. Currently the proportion of people between 15 and 29 years of age is 27.63%. In UNDP Pakistan, inclusion of Youth is being recognized as an important feature in order to move from good to great (G2G). This paper is an attempt to recommend actionable policy recommendations to mainstream youth in the development agenda of UNDP Pakistan. This paper contains:Part I – Background and Overview of Youth affairs in Pakistan. The concepts of youth mainstreaming and youth engagement, and outlines a brief statistical profile of youth population in Pakistan.Part II – National Policies and Reforms on Youth Affairs in Pakistan. Background and overview of National Youth Policy in Pakistan. Part III – UN and UNDP’s Focus on Youth. Analyzes the youth focused work of various UN agencies in Pakistan. By taking stock of their work, it enables the authors to identify UNDP’s comparative advantage to engage with youth. This ensures that the recommendations to follow are more integrated with ONE UN approach and also avoid unnecessarily overlaps with other UN agencies. Part IV – Youth engagement and mainstreaming in UNDP Pakistan. This section identifies and builds its recommendations on the comparative advantage of UNDP Pakistan.The recommendations are kept in line with an integrated review of the 15 priority areas of The National Youth Policy of Pakistan (NYP), the World Programme Action for Youth (WPAY) and the role of other UN agencies working in Pakistan. Based on the comparative advantage of UNDP identified in this paper, three focus areas are recommended for youth mainstreaming and engagement efforts. These include enabling prospects of income generation for the youth, support for character building of the youth and encouragement of social volunteerism in youth. The unit specific recommendations provided under these three focus areas for UNDP ensure provision of support for youth on three levels: Strengthening of youth-focused/based institutions in the country, provision of support for policy, advocacy and awareness on youth affairs and support for youth focused pilot initiatives.These recommendations are followed by a plan of action for the country office in the short, medium and long term.