Islamism and the state after the Arab uprisings: Between people power and state power

The authors would like to thank the Arts and Humanities Research Council for facilitating the research for this article through their support of the research network People Power versus State Power of the Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World.This paper examines the trajectories of different Islamist trends in the light of the Arab uprisings. It proposes a distinction between statist and non-statist Islamism to help understand the multiplicity of interactions between Islamists and the state, particularly after 2011. It is outlined how statist Islamists (Islamist parties principally) can contribute to the stabilization and democratization of the state when their interactions with other social and political actors facilitate consensus building in national politics. By contrast when these interactions are conflictual, it has a detrimental impact on both the statist Islamists, and the possibility of democratic politics at the national level. Non statist-Islamists (from quietist salafi to armed jihadi) who prioritize the religious community over national politics are directly impacted by the interactions between statist Islamists and the state, and generally tend to benefit from the failure to build a consensus over democratic national politics. Far more than nationally-grounded statist Islamists, non-statist Islamists shape and are shaped by the regional dynamics on the Arab uprisings and the international and transnational relations between the different countries and conflict areas of the Middle East. The Arab uprisings and their aftermath reshaped pre-existing national and international dynamics of confrontation and collaboration between Islamists and the state, and between statist and non-statists Islamists, for better (Tunisia) and for worse (Egypt).PostprintPeer reviewe

Nickel and ozone stresses induce differential growth, antioxidant activity and mRNA transcription in Oryza sativa cultivars

This study evaluates the influences of nickel and ozone exposure individually and/ or in combination on growth performance, antioxidant activity and genes up regulation of two rice cultivars Sakha 101 and Giza 178. Ni treatment at high doses (100 µM Ni) and 75 ppb O3 alone reduced the fresh weight, mineral content, membrane integrity and Rubisco content. There was an increase in SOD and APX activity in the shoots of rice cultivars, whereas, there was a decrease in GR and GST in the roots and shoots. In contrast combined stresses appeared to be stimulatory for growth and mineral contents, Rubisco content and antioxidant enzymes. Nonspecific lipid transfer protein and transmembrane protein genes were up regulation in rice cultivars in response to Ni stress. Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase is upregulated in response to ozone stress; RNA pseudouridine synthase, heat shock proteins and cytochrome P450-like were upregulated in response to combined stresses. The results revealed that the interactive effects of both stresses were antagonistic on growth parameters and antioxidant activities to overcome the adverse effects of both pollutants

Positive Salt Tolerance Modulation via Vermicompost Regulation of SOS1 Gene Expression and Antioxidant Homeostasis in <i>Vicia</i><i>faba</i> Plant

Strategic implementation of vermicompost as safe biofertilizer besides defensing saline soils offer dual function solving problems in developing countries. The current study aims to utilize vermicompost (VC) for amelioration of 200mM NaCl in Vicia faba Aspani cultivar and investigate the molecular role of salt overly sensitive pathway (SOS1). The experiment was conducted following a completely randomized design with three replicates. Treatments include 0; 2.5; 5; 10; 15% dried VC intermingled with soil mixture (clay: sand; 1:2) and/or 200 mM NaCl. The results show that salinity stress decreased broad bean fresh and dry weight; and K+/Na+. However, malonedialdehyde and H2O2 contents; increased. Application of 10% VC and salinity stress increases Ca2+ (41% and 50%), K+/Na+ (125% and 89%), Mg2+ (25% and 36%), N (8% and 11%), indole acetic acid (70% and 152%) and proteins (9% and 13%) for root and shoot, respectively, in comparison to salt treated pots. Moreover, all examined enzymatic antioxidants and their substrates increased, except glutathione reductase. A parallel decrease in abscisic acid (75% and 29%) and proline (59% and 58%) was also recorded for roots and leaves, respectively. Interestingly, the highly significant increase in gene expression of SOS1 (45-fold) could drive defense machinery of broad bean to counteract 200 mM NaCl

Positive Salt Tolerance Modulation via Vermicompost Regulation of SOS1 Gene Expression and Antioxidant Homeostasis in Viciafaba Plant

Strategic implementation of vermicompost as safe biofertilizer besides defensing saline soils offer dual function solving problems in developing countries. The current study aims to utilize vermicompost (VC) for amelioration of 200mM NaCl in Vicia faba Aspani cultivar and investigate the molecular role of salt overly sensitive pathway (SOS1). The experiment was conducted following a completely randomized design with three replicates. Treatments include 0; 2.5; 5; 10; 15% dried VC intermingled with soil mixture (clay: sand; 1:2) and/or 200 mM NaCl. The results show that salinity stress decreased broad bean fresh and dry weight; and K+/Na+. However, malonedialdehyde and H2O2 contents; increased. Application of 10% VC and salinity stress increases Ca2+ (41% and 50%), K+/Na+ (125% and 89%), Mg2+ (25% and 36%), N (8% and 11%), indole acetic acid (70% and 152%) and proteins (9% and 13%) for root and shoot, respectively, in comparison to salt treated pots. Moreover, all examined enzymatic antioxidants and their substrates increased, except glutathione reductase. A parallel decrease in abscisic acid (75% and 29%) and proline (59% and 58%) was also recorded for roots and leaves, respectively. Interestingly, the highly significant increase in gene expression of SOS1 (45-fold) could drive defense machinery of broad bean to counteract 200 mM NaCl

Hematite nanoparticles influence ultrastructure, antioxidant defenses, gene expression, and alleviate cadmium toxicity in Zea mays

The present study describes the response of Zea mays to hematite nanoparticles (NPs) using five concentrations ranged from 500 to 8000 mg kg−1, and Cd2+ concentrations (110 or 130 mg kg−1 Cd2+) only or combined with 500 mg kg−1 NPs, using soil culture. The endpoints measured were root/shoot growth, elements uptake, ultra-structural alterations, lipid peroxidation, some antioxidant enzyme activities, and their relative gene expressions. The results indicated that hematite NPs exhibited a dual behavior, in which 500 mg kg−1 NPs significantly enhanced maize growth, while 4000 and 8000 mg kg−1 NPs significantly increased lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity displaying positive correlation with SOD expression in shoots (r = +0.472, p < .05). Ultrastructure micrographs revealed the appearance of aggregated NPs inside the vacuoles. The stunted growth, perturbed ultra-structure, and high lipid peroxidation were used as toxicity biomarkers for Cd2+. However, combined treatments of 500 mg kg−1 NPs and Cd2+ significantly stimulated growth and glutathione reductase activity, while significantly reduced catalase (CAT) activity displaying positive correlation with CAT expression in roots (r = +0.694, p < .01). In conclusion, hematite NPs could alleviate Cd2+ toxicity not at the level of antioxidant defense, but by affecting mechanisms of Cd2+ detoxification

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among General and Technical Secondary School Students in Egypt

(1) Background: Children spend a lot of time within schools. The school setting generally has many ergonomic hazards and reinforced behavior patterns which put children at greater risk of environmental hazards than adults during their critical developmental stages. (2) Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and detect spinal deformities amongst general and technical secondary school students. (3) Methods: A total of 418 students from the second grade of secondary school in Shaquira governorate, Egypt participated in this cross-sectional study. Each student in the study was screened via Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and had their upper limb posture measured via RULA (Rapid Upper Limb assessment), and the deviation in their thoracic curve was measured using a scoliometer. (4) Results: There was a prevalence of MSDs amongst students as there were 69.7% of general school students and 83.8% of the technical school students suffering from MSDs with a statistically significant difference between both technical and general school students in RULA score and musculoskeletal complaints, whereas there were non-statistical differences in the scoliometer scale in both general and technical education students. (5) Conclusions: Musculoskeletal problems are prevalent among Egyptian secondary school students, with higher prevalence between technical school students. Therefore, preventive measures and strategies are recommended to overcome the future complications of these musculoskeletal disorders

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially