Global dynamic topography observations reveal limited influence of large-scale mantle flow

Convective circulation of the Earth’s mantle maintains some fraction of surface topography that varies with space and time. Most predictive models show that this dynamic topography has peak amplitudes of about ±2km, dominated by wavelengths of 10⁴km. Here, we test these models against our comprehensive observational database of 2,120 spot measurements of dynamic topography that were determined by analysing oceanic seismic surveys. These accurate measurements have typical peak amplitudes of ±1km and wavelengths of approximately 10³km, and are combined with limited continental constraints to generate a global spherical harmonic model whose robustness has been carefully tested and benchmarked. Our power spectral analysis reveals significant discrepancies between observed and predicted dynamic topography. At longer wavelengths (such as 10⁴km), observed dynamic topography has peak amplitudes of about ±500m. At shorter wavelengths (such as 10³km), significant dynamic topography is still observed. We show that these discrepancies can be explained if short-wavelength dynamic topography is generated by temperature-driven density anomalies within a sub-plate asthenospheric channel. Stratigraphic observations from adjacent continental margins show that these dynamic topographic signals evolve quickly with time. More rapid temporal and spatial changes in vertical displacement of the Earth’s surface have direct consequences for fields as diverse as mantle flow, oceanic circulation and long-term climate change

Must International Legal Pedagogy Remain Eurocentric?

Mainstream international law is Eurocentric. Throughout the past half millennia, no territory beyond Europe was safe from jus gentium's striking capability to legitimize the intrusion of European civilizational precepts. Beginning with the Americas but quickly shifting to Africa and Asia, each continent was a battleground for the penetration of a provincial knowledge system. In this paper, I explore the implications of Eurocentrism for international legal pedagogy. While textbook authors now pay homage to other civilizations, their effusions are ornamental only. Instead of supporting epistemological equivalency, they centre European international law throughout their works, exorcising the brutalities of European history that generated the law in question. After setting out the dilemma, I outline three approaches towards transforming international legal pedagogy that capitalize on the decolonization movement. Each method builds on the premise that, without epistemic diversity, legal pedagogy will continue to rationalize European international law's predatory impulse

Physiological and Histopathological Investigations on the Effects of α-Lipoic Acid in Rats Exposed to Malathion

The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of α-lipoic acid treatment in rats exposed to malathion. Forty adult male rats were used in this study and distributed into four groups. Animals of group 1 were untreated and served as control. Rats of group 2 were orally given malathion at a dose level of 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) for a period of one month. Experimental animals of group 3 were orally given α-lipoic acid at a dose level of 20 mg/kg BW and after 3 hours exposed to malathion at the same dose given to group 2. Rats of group 4 were supplemented with α-lipoic acid at the same dose given to group 3. The activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic acid transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and acid phosphatase (ACP), and the values of creatinine, urea, and uric acid were statistically increased, while the values of total protein and total albumin were significantly decreased in rats exposed to malathion. Moreover, administration of malathion for one month resulted in damage of liver and kidney structures. Administration of α-lipoic acid before malathion exposure to rat can prevent severe alterations of hematobiochemical parameters and disruptions of liver and kidney structures. In conclusion, this study obviously demonstrated that pretreatment with α-lipoic acid significantly attenuated the physiological and histopathological alterations induced by malathion. Also, the present study identifies new areas of research for development of better therapeutic agents for liver, kidney, and other organs' dysfunctions and diseases

Publisher's Note: "Solution processed multilayer polymer light-emitting diodes based on different molecular weight host" (vol 109, 074516, 2011)

Solution processed multilayer polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) based on different molecular weight host have been investigated. A PLED based on high molecular weight poly (vinyl carbazole) PVKH and low molecular weight poly (vinyl carbazole) PVKL, doped with iridium, tris(2-phenylpyidine) Ir(ppy)3 as a host-guest emitting layer (EML), shows a dramatic increase in device efficiency. When the PVKH was used as a hole transport electron blocking layer (HT-EBL), effective electron blocking was achieved, which leads to an increase exciton population in the phosphorescent zone. The use of low molecular weight PVKL as a host material in the top layer prevents barrier formation for hole transport from the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene) (PEDOT)–EBL to the EML. External quantum efficiency of 11%, current efficiencies of 38 cd/A, power efficiency of 13 lm/W and brightness of 7000 cd/m2, were obtained. The effect of the PVKH layer on the electrical and optical device characteristics was investigated. Simulation of the optical outcoupling using SETFOS 3.1 software is in agreed with the observed results and allowed us to predict the emissive dipole location and distribution in the EML layer. The effect of the PVKH on the exciton quenching by the electrodes was also investigated using time resolved fluorescence photon counting, which indicates weak exciton quenching by the PEDOT layer and the device enhancement predominantly achieved by exciton confinement in the emissive layer

Gene Expression and Methylation Levels of PCSK9 Gene in Iraqi Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

يرتبط التعبير الجيني لجين  PCSK9ارتباطًا وثيقًا بمستويات الدهون وخطر الإصابة بمرض تصلب الشرايين التاجية. تهدف الدراسة الحالية إلى قياس كمية التعبير الجيني للجين PCSK9 وتأثير المثيلة على مستوى تعبيره الذي يساهم في التسبب في اضطراب الشريان التاجي الحاد. تضمنت الدراسة الحالية 150 شخصًا من المجتمع العراقي ، 100 مريض بمرض الشريان التاجي و 50 من الأصحاء. تم تحديد تركيز PCSK9 في كل عينات المصل المدروسة بواسطة تقنية ELISA ، وتم تقدير مستويات التعبير عن جين PCSK9 في الدم الكامل بطريقة qRT-PCR ، واكتشاف مستوى مثيلة الحمض النووي في جين PCSK9 باستخدام تقنية HRM-PCR. كان التعبير عن جين ب مستوى اعلى  PCSK9 6.06 ± 1.84 في مجموعة مرضى ASCAD مقارنة بمجموعة التحكم 1.00 ± 0.19. أيضا كان تركيز بروتين PCSK9 عالياً في مجموعة المرضى مقارنة بمجموعة الاصحاء P = <0.01. فضلا عن ان مستويات مثيلة PCSK9 ، اظهرت فرقاً معنوياً بين مجموعتي الدراسة بمستوى 0.002P=. في الختام ، ترتبط مستويات بروتين PCSK9 في المصل بمرض الشريان التاجي كما موضح في receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis ، مما يؤدي إلى اعتبار أن تركيز بروتين PCSK9  قد يكون مؤشرًا جيدًا لتطور مرض الشريان التاجي.The expression of the Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 gene (PCSK9) is inextricably related to lipid levels and a risk of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (ASCAD). The present study aims to measure the quantity of PCSK9 gene expression and the effect of methylation on its expression level taking part in the pathogenesis of acute coronary artery disorder. A current study included 150 subjects from the Iraqi population, 100 ASCAD patients and 50 healthy controls. The concentration of PCSK9 in each serum sample was determined by the ELISA technique, the expression levels of the PCSK9 gene in whole blood were estimated by RT-qPCR – Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR method, and DNA methylation level detection in PCSK9 gene by using High Resolution Melting Analysis (HRM) technique. The expression level of the PCSK9 gene was 6.06 ± 1.84 in ASCAD patients group compared with a control group 1.00 ±0.19. That indicates the up-regulation of the PCSK9 gene in patient with atherosclerosis. In addition, the PCSK9 concentration was higher in patient group in comparison to the healthy controls group P= < 0.01. However, PCSK9 methylation levels, a highly significant distinction between the two study groups p=0.002. In conclusion, serum PCSK9 levels are associated with coronary artery lesions as shown in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Suggests that, serum PCSK9 might be a good indicator of coronary artery disease development

Attenuating Effect of Ginkgo biloba

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba leaves extract on experimental liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in male albino mice. The experimental mice were divided into four groups. The mice of the first group were served as control. The experimental animals of the second group were given 150 mg/kg body weight of TAA by intraperitoneal injection, twice weekly, for 9 weeks. The mice of the third group were exposed to TAA and supplemented with G. biloba leaves extract. The animals of the fourth group were supplemented with G. biloba leaves extract. The levels of plasma alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were statistically increased while the levels of plasma total protein, albumin, glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly decreased. The levels of liver superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glycogen and total protein were notably declined, whereas the level of total lipid was increased in mice of the second group. Furthermore, microscopic examination of liver sections from mice treated with TAA showed an abnormal morphology characterized by nodular transformations in liver parenchyma which surrounded by fibrous septa. Administration of G. biloba leaves extract reduced extent and development of fibrous septa, liver cells change, and biochemical alterations in mice exposed to TAA. This study showed that G. biloba leaves extract has a potential activity against TAA-induced liver fibrosis and suggested that the chemical constituents of G. biloba are effective in modulation of oxidative stress induced by TAA

Medicinal Properties of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) Oil: An Overview

Coffee is one of the massive tropical crops in developing countries and historically understudied in subjects of crop nutrition and administration. Arabian coffee (Coffea arabica) plant belongs to the genus Coffea in the Rubiaceae family. It is known as the most widely recognized Coffea species created comprehensively summing up to over 75% of the all-out Coffea creation. Its compounds are a complex mixture of different chemicals that have many health benefits. The usage of various parts of a coffee plant, along with its oil is verified for the manufacturing of ancient medicines that helped in curing a number of ailments. These traditional uses were scientifically proven by many studies including psychoactive responses, neurological and metabolic disorders. Coffee oil consists mainly of triglycerol and fatty acids along with antioxidants. It also possesses some biologically active fatty acids that are anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic and anti-atherosclerotic in nature. This paper provides the medicinal properties and scientific review of Arabica coffee Oil

Manufacture of Light Weight Ceramic Bodies as Thermal Insulator From Local Material

The research work covers a study of the feasibility of producing lightweight ceramic thermal insulation bodies used for lining the furnaces by adding saw dust and AlF3 to the Dewechla clay (Kaolinite).AlF3 is a chemical waste materials in the Akashat–factories in Rutba to the Dewechla clay (kaolinite). Finely distributed Saw dust and ALF3 were added to clay with different weight percentages (0, 15, 25, 35 & 40) Wt%. Cylindrical shape samples (30mm diameter and 30 mm height) were prepared by using the semi–dry method, moulding pressure was (500Kg/cm²). After drying at (110C◦), the samples were burnt at (900, 950, 1000, 1050&1100) C◦. The fired samples were investigated to obtain their properties, bulk density, porosity ,compressive strength and thermal conductivity. It was possible to produce ligh-weight ceramic thermal insulators with bulk density between (700 and 1300) Kg/m³ compressive strength not less than (25) Kg/cm² and thermal conductivity between (0.2 and 0.4) Kcal/m.h.c

How the other half lives: CRISPR-Cas's influence on bacteriophages

CRISPR-Cas is a genetic adaptive immune system unique to prokaryotic cells used to combat phage and plasmid threats. The host cell adapts by incorporating DNA sequences from invading phages or plasmids into its CRISPR locus as spacers. These spacers are expressed as mobile surveillance RNAs that direct CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins to protect against subsequent attack by the same phages or plasmids. The threat from mobile genetic elements inevitably shapes the CRISPR loci of archaea and bacteria, and simultaneously the CRISPR-Cas immune system drives evolution of these invaders. Here we highlight our recent work, as well as that of others, that seeks to understand phage mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas evasion and conditions for population coexistence of phages with CRISPR-protected prokaryotes.Comment: 24 pages, 8 figure