Thomas Hobbes’ views on Philosophy, State of Nature and International Relations

The state of nature of Hobbes is like a reflection of the depression of 1640s that prevailed in the United Kingdom. The basic concept that determines the state of nature is individuality. This phenomenon is the expression of individuality, the beginning of Renaissance but not of full competence, of expressing individuality, liberating oneself from doctrinal teachings and medieval conceptions. According to Hobbes, human beings are individuals who have the desire and choice to choose. The person's ability to use his will and preference determines his happiness or unhappiness. The emotions of feeling, fear, desire etc. which are the basic characteristics of human life, are not merely physical and factual phenomenon, but a moral phenomenon that becomes evident by loving, enjoying or disliking, desiring or avoiding oneself. For Hobbes, human life is competition and struggle. As a creature that thinks of the future, human beings are constantly struggling to secure their future ambitions. It is the basic survival condition of a person that wants to be sovereign. It is inevitable that people who are equal in terms of physical and mental force will fight everyone in natural condition. This paper tries to elucidate Thomas Hobbes’ understandings of the concepts of philosophy, state and state of nature. This article will further try to shed light on the Thomas Hobbes’s views on International Relations

Focused Ion Beam Tomography

To study the fundamental effect of shape and morphology of any material on its properties, it is very essential to know and study its morphology. Focused ion beam (FIB) tomography is a 3D chemical and structural relationship studying technique. The instrumentation of FIB looks like that of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), but there is a major difference in the beam used for scanning. For SEM, a beam of electrons is used with scanning medium whereas in FIB, a much focused beam of ions is used for scanning. FIB can be used for lithography and ablation purposes, but due to advancements and high-energy focused beam, it is nowadays being used as a tomographic technique. Tomography is defined as imaging by sectoring or cross-sectioning any desired area. The hyphenation of FIB with energy-dispersive spectrometry or secondary ion mass spectrometry can give us elemental analysis with very high-resolution 3D images for a sample. This technique contributes to acquaintance of qualitative and quantitative analyses, 3D volume creations, and image processing. In this chapter, we will discuss the advancements in FIB instrumentation and its use as 3D imaging tool for different samples ranging from nanometer (nm)-sized materials to micrometer (μm)-sized biological samples

Polycythemia Secondary to Pheochromocytoma

Polycythemia, also known as polyglobulia, is a clinical condition characterized by an increased number of red blood cells (RBC) or haematocrit concentrations in the peripheral blood. It can either be primary (polycythemia vera) or secondary, which can be congenital or acquired; the most common causes include obstructive sleep apnoea, obesity, hypoventilation, Pickwickian syndrome, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lastly, pheochromocytoma. Here we present a case of a 54-year-old male with a four-day history of altered state of consciousness (ASOC), right-sided body weakness, and respiratory difficulty. After a thorough history, examination, and investigation, he was diagnosed as a case of polycythemia secondary to pheochromocytoma. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical to save the patient’s life

THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF JOB SATISFACTION BETWEEN WORKPLACE OSTRACISM AND EMPLOYEE TURNOVER INTENTION

This research has focus upon the role of social support at workplace in order to abate the ostracized behavior that develops among employees and ultimately leads towards Employee Turnover Intention. The mediating role of job satisfaction is tested specific in this relationship first time. Data was accumulated from employees having a managerial position in textile industry. The results obtained in this study are consistent with our hypothesis that ostracized behavior is interlinked with employee turnover intention rate. Employees undergoing ostracism have converse association with job satisfaction. This study has stress upon the role of managers or leader to implement fair practices in helping to diminishing ostracized behavior

Application of a multiplex PCR assay for the detection of Shigella, Escherichia coli and Shiga toxin-producing Esch. coli in milk.

A multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay using previously known genetic markers of Shigella, Escherichia coli and Shiga-toxic Esch. coli was standardized. uidA gene was targeted for the common detection of Esch. coli and Shigella, whereas ipaH and stx1 genes were used as markers for the detection of Shigella and shiga-toxin producing strains, respectively. The standardized assays detected the target organism specifically and selectively. The mPCR developed by combining all the three reactions generated specific products. The inclusivity and exclusivity tests depicted the precise specificity of the mPCR assay. Results were interpreted on the basis of the pattern of amplicons generated: amplifications of the ipaH and uidA gene fragments indicated the presence of Shigella spp., amplification of uidA alone revealed the presence of Esch. coli and additional presence of verotoxin gene amplicon indicated verotoxinogenic nature of the strain. Specific patterns of bands were obtained when different strains of Esch. coli and Shigella spp. were subjected to this assay. The reactions, individually as well as in the mPCR, could detect approximately 1 cell per 20-microl PCR assay. The protocols were validated by analyzing the coded samples of full fat milk spiked with different pathogens. In naturally contaminated raw milk samples (n=100), Esch. coli were detected in all samples and verotoxinogenic Esch. coli in 15 samples. Shigella, however, was not detected in any of the samples. When DNA purified from the samples found positive for Shiga-toxic Esch. coli was directly used as template for the mPCR, the results showed agreement with the enrichment based detection. The mPCR assay, standardized in this study, may be used for rapid microbiological evaluation of milk samples. Further, the study emphasizes the need for better hygienic conditions in dairies

Comparison of haemoglobin level between high altitude people and low altitude people

Background: Hemoglobin is the iron holding and oxygen carrying protein found inside the red blood cells. Studies have been done on Hb level variations in gender, race and region but no comparative study on different altitude effects in Pakistan is reported. Comparison of Hemoglobin level between people living at high altitude and low altitude was done in this study. Samples from district Skardu Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan were used as high-altitude samples and samples from district Lahore, Pakistan were utilized as low altitude samples. Samples were obtained from those people who don’t have any haemoglobinopathies.Methods:  50 blood samples were collected for this study; 25 individuals were from low altitude level and 25 of high-altitude level. Estimation of hemoglobin concentration was done by Cyanmethemoglobin method to compare the individuals HB from low altitude with high altitude.Results: All the blood samples were properly analyzed, and the results extracted from the samples, living at low altitude were compared with those living at high altitude. Mean and standard deviation values were calculated, and they found to be different for both populations, people at high altitude and the people living at low altitude. 25 residents of high altitude showed following results of hemoglobin: mean=15.0 and SD=0.632. On the other hand, 25 individuals of low altitude revealed these results: mean=14.53 and SD=0.633.Conclusion: There was a significant difference in Hb level in blood at high altitude (7500 feet) and low altitude (711 feet from sea level) P=0.004.  Keywords: Hemoglobin, Standard Deviatio

Decolonising curriculum in education: continuing proclamations and provocations

There is no denying the importance and increased significance of interest in decolonisation in education and the wider social sciences. This article aims to bring a continuing contribution to an evolving and important discussion. The methodology of this work allows a range of academics from different cultural contexts to voice their decolonising proclamations. The authors of the article are a combination of White, Black, Asian and mixed-race academic researchers in higher education who have come together to proclaim their viewpoints. They draw upon their research and apply professional practice in relation to differing aspects of generally decolonising education and specifically decolonising curricula. As a group, we believe that the notion of decolonising applies to all sections of education – not only to primary schools, but also to nurseries, secondary schools, colleges and universities. We hope this article will encourage more research, advocacy and action within education and interdisciplinary contexts into the complexity of decolonising the curriculum

Initial Environmental Examination for Power Plant in Local Sugar Mill

This research presents the IEE (Initial Environmental Examination) and EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) for sugar mills as power generation business. The study evaluates the proposed project according to the environmental assessment requirements of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency. The study has been conducted using standard environmental assessment methodology with the consultation of national and international environmental guidelines such as World Bank environmental and International Finance Corporation (IFC). The installation of 100 MW cogeneration thermal power plant adjacent to existing sugar mill located in district Muzaffargarh has been considered as a case study.  It has been concluded that the residual impacts of the proposed operation will be of minor significance and careful implementation of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will ensure that environmental impacts are managed