From the emergent property of consciousness to the emergence of the immaterial soul or mind’s substance

According to property-emergentism, consciousness is an emergent property of certain aggregate neurological constructions, whereas substance-emergentism maintains that the emergence of consciousness depends on the emergence of mental substance or soul. In this article, we presented some arguments supporting substance-emergentism by analysing various properties of consciousness, including the first-person perspective, referral state, qualia, being active, causative, non-atomic, interpretative, inferential and inventive (emanative and innovative). We also explored the impossibility of representing big images on the small monitor and the incapacity of physical entities being conscious because of their intrinsic multiplicity, absence and deficiency. These arguments, which apply the philosophy of Mulla Sadra, could be considered by philosophers of mind and religion, as well as theologians who follow some religious beliefs such as the afterlife on existence and survival of the soul. Also, we attempted to respond to property-emergentists’ objections to substance-emergentism. Contribution: This research contributes to prove and accept the emergence of the immaterial soul after the stages of natural evolution of the body. It uses the basics of emergentism, including natural evolution, to link science and religion in believing the existence of the immaterial soul. Demonstrating the immaterial reality of human existence provides the ground for theological issues such as afterlife and religious morality

Effects of Supplemental Irrigation on Yield and Yield Components of Spring Safflower Genotypes

In order to evaluate the effect of supplemental irrigation on yield and yield components of spring safflower genotypes, an experiment was conducted with four irrigation levels (none irrigation, irrigation at heading, flowering and heading + flowering stages) and three safflower genotypes (Gilla, Isfahan land race and PI-537636) in a split plot experiment based on complete block design with three replications in Agricultural Research Station of Ardabil in 2008. In this study effects of irrigation levels and genotypes on plant height, number of seed per head, 1000-grain weight, kernel to seed coat ratio, biological yield, harvest index, oil and seed yield was significant. Irrigation at heading and flowering stages were most efficient. Also there was significantly interaction between irrigation and genotypes in kernel / seed coat ratio and seed yield. Isfahan land race genotype with irrigation at heading and flowering stages had the best treatment combination

Reliability of Cognitive Faculties: A Critic on Plantinga’s View on Atheist Naturalism

In the naturalism and evolutionism context, the ultimate objective and function of cognitive faculties is adaptation, survival and reproduction. Our cognitive faculties are not developed to generate true beliefs, therefore, but to have adapt behavior. Alvin Planatinga is not at ease with naturalism idea. To him, the problem with naturalism is the non-existence of proper understanding on the manner by which the belief and behavior are interrelated, thus, he concludes that the reliability of cognitive faculties are founded on low naturalistic evolutionism; because any alleged argument against these faculties, first, requires reliable perceptual faculties and next, if we realize lack of reliability in these faculties we developed self-defeating belief, consequently, in both the cases naturalism face criticism. Plantiga’s criticism on naturalism view as to reliability of cognitive faculties has made some philosophers encounter problems like: 1) high probability of interrelating casual belief and behavior, 2) argument based on personal incredulity, 3) lack of distinction between reflective and non-reflective knowledge, 4) finding independent evidence for reliability as to escape self-defeating, 5) the external status of mental states and 6) the problem of circle. To the authors here, except the problem of circle, Plantiga has been able to find proper answer for the rest of five problems. The objective here is to analyze, complete, expand and criticize Plantiga’s notion in rejecting the atheistic naturalism through the ability to secure cognitive faculties to unveil consistency of the new scientific findings with religious beliefs

Comparison of geotube and stone cemented wall stability as coastal protection system [case study and 2D limit equilibrium and FEM modeling analysis]

Geosynthetic structures for shore protection have demonstrably lower construction and lifetime costs than those of hard structures. This paper outlines the effect of scouring on banks protection structures stability in case of comparison between sand-stone wall and a geosynthetic structure that is commonly used for shore protection: geotextile wraparound revetments (GWRs). Different 2D Limit Equilibrium and FEM modeling analysis were carried out on a case study of sandstone example. As a result, GWRs have been shown to adapt extremely well against differential settlement and scour erosion. Analyses show that many advantages of sand-stone structures remain, but that geosynthetic structures should not be regarded as an alternative shore construction method. Rather, they are a preferable solution for numerous coastal problems

Critical Reread of a Debate: Anscombe and Lewis Dispute in Rejection of Atheistic Naturalism

In 1948 a legendary debate occurred at the Oxford Socratic Club between C. S. Lewis and Elizabeth Anscombe. In this meeting, Lewis shows that atheistic naturalism is refute in meaning the strict materialism. Anscombe makes three basic criticisms against Lewis' argument:1. Lack of distinction between irrational and non-rrational causes of belief,2. The threat of skepticism,3. Lack of distinction between types of “full” explanations. Lewis and Anscombe's views can be considered in several ways: 1. Despite Anscombe's correct critique, the lack of distinction between irrational and non-rational causes does not solve the problem of naturalism which is an inference belief of other beliefs. 2. Anscombe considers that “if naturalism is correct, there is no valid human argument”, is a skeptical threat to knowledge, while this objection does not problem on Lewis' argument. 3. Contrary to Anscombe's claim, the ommisive approach to other explanations is not a consequence of Lewis's Argument, but the main idea of naturalism itself. 4. Lewis's incorrect analysis of mental states is accidental because he considers the origin of these states to be non-physical. 5. Lewis did not explain well what he meant by “did not explain well what he meant by "the impossibility of evolutionary processes in creating creatures with perception and understanding of creatures without understanding”. By an analytical, comparative and critical insightcan eliminate, correct and reconstruct the weaknesses of Anscombe and Lewis' views

Effects of Irrigation Deficit and Application of Some Growth Regulators on Defense Mechanisms of Canola

A split-plot experiment arranged in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications was carried out in Safiabad Agricultural Research Center of Dezful in order to investigate the effects of foliar applications of ascorbic acid (AsA), salicylic acid (SA) and methanol (Me), under deficit irrigation conditions, in canola; there were 3 levels of irrigation as the main factor (irrigation after 70 mm evaporation from the pan as control, cessation of irrigation at the flowering stage and cessation of irrigation at the appearance of siliques) and 10 levels of foliar applications as sub-factor (100, 200 and 300 mg.l-1AsA; 100, 200 and 300 µM SA; 10, 20 and 30% (w/v) methanol; and foliar application of distilled water as control). Foliar applications were made during both budding and initiation of flowering stages. Results indicated that antioxidant enzymes showed different responses to deficit irrigation and foliar application treatments. Maximum catalase (CAT) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities were observed under cessation of irrigation at flowering stage and foliar application of 300 µM SA, while ascorbate peroxidase (APX) reached its maximum activity under the same irrigation conditions and foliar application of 300 mg.l-1AsA. SA had more influence to increase in CAT and PPO activity under cessation of irrigation at flowering stage. The relative water content (RWC) was also decreased due to the drought stress caused by the cessation of irrigation. Foliar application of SA (100 μM) and Me (10% w/v) had more influence to maintain RWC compared to ascorbic acid under irrigation cessation at flowering stage

Roadmap on commercialization of metal halide perovskite photovoltaics

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) represent one of the most promising emerging photovoltaic technologies due to their high power conversion efficiency. However, despite the huge progress made not only in terms of the efficiency achieved, but also fundamental understanding of the relevant physics of the devices and issues which affect their efficiency and stability, there are still unresolved problems and obstacles on the path toward commercialization of this promising technology. In this roadmap, we aim to provide a concise and up to date summary of outstanding issues and challenges, and the progress made toward addressing these issues. While the format of this article is not meant to be a comprehensive review of the topic, it provides a collection of the viewpoints of the experts in the field, which covers a broad range of topics related to PSC commercialization, including those relevant for manufacturing (scaling up, different types of devices), operation and stability (various factors), and environmental issues (in particular the use of lead). We hope that the article will provide a useful resource for researchers in the field and that it will facilitate discussions and move forward toward addressing the outstanding challenges in this fast-developing field

Effect of Gender and Age on Fast Track Recovery after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery‫‬

Background: The extubation time after open heart surgery has been the subject of many scientific articles for more than a decade. Today, early extubation is a common phenomenon in CABG surgeries. The aim of the present study is to examine the correlation between the age and gender with extubation time after coronary artery surgery Materials and Methods: this is a retrospective study. we referred to archive of Golestan hospitals, gathered files of patients with CAGB in 2013 and extracted required data from them. Data gathering instrument was researcher-constructed questionnaire including patients' demographic information. Results: According to statistical results, the extubation time in patients over 70 years was significantly higher than those under 70 years(P>0.05). 23% of male patients and 24% of female patients experienced delayed extubation. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion: Extubation time in patients undergoing cardiac surgery increases with increasing age. But there is no difference between the two genders. However, this finding requires further research by other scholars