Xenotransplantation, Subsistence Hunting and the Pursuit of Health: Lessons for Animal Rights-Based Vegan Advocacy

I argue that, contrary to what Tom Regan suggests, his rights view implies that subsistence hunting is wrong, that is, killing animals for food is wrong even when they are the only available food source, since doing so violates animal rights. We can see that subsistence hunting is wrong on the rights view by seeing why animal experimentation, specifically xenotransplanation, is wrong on the rights view: if it’s wrong to kill an animal to take organs to save a human life, it’s wrong to kill an animal to eat that animal to save a human life or improve human health. I discuss these arguments’ implications for animal rights-based vegan advocacy, insofar as some people claim that they don’t feel their best on vegan diets and so their eating meat is morally justified. I argue that such an attempt to justify consuming animal products fails on Regan’s rights view, but discuss some attempts to morally excuse such violations of animals’ rights. These attempts are inspired by Regan’s attempts at potentially excusing animal rights advocates’ using medications developed using animals

Numerical meshing issues for three-dimensional flow simulation in journal bearings

This paper was presented at the 3rd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2011), which was held at the Makedonia Palace Hotel, Thessaloniki in Greece. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Thessaly, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute.Hydrodynamic journal bearings are widely used in technical and industrial applications due to their favourable wearing quality and operating characteristics. In the recent years, various experimental and numerical analyses were carried out on the design layout, the load capacity and the durability of the bearing. For typical applications the two-dimensional Reynolds differential equation is solved numerically to calculate the pressure distribution in the oil film, which is essential to simulate the dynamic behavior of the bearing. This approach however, does not allow any detailed predictions of the local three-dimensional flow structures. To understand the mechanisms, which are driven by local flow phenomena, it is necessary to solve the full Navier-Stokes-Equations in 3D together with the conservation of mass. An accurate computation of a three-dimensional flow field requires a careful discretisation of the model. Moreover, only a deliberately chosen meshing based on the optimum number of cells across the gap achieves a sufficient numerical accuracy with acceptable computational effort. This work presents variations of the mesh generation of small gaps in journal bearing models and the computed flow fields, respectively. The threedimensional calculations are validated with measured experimental data done by Laser-Doppler-Velocimetry (LDV). In conclusion of this process the comparison of the velocity profiles of the flow field across the gap yield the necessary numerical discretisation limit applicable to the computation of the flow in journal bearings

Three dimensional flow structures in journal bearings

This paper was presented at the 2nd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2009), which was held at Brunel University, West London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, IPEM, the Italian Union of Thermofluid dynamics, the Process Intensification Network, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group and the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.In general, the fluid flow in journal bearings can be described by the Navier-Stokes Equations and the conservation of mass. The application of the small gap criterion allows a simplification of these equations yielding the Reynolds Equation, which links the local gap size with the pressure gradient resulting in a powerful tool for the designing process of journal bearings. Typically, the Reynolds Equation is used in EHD-design software based on FE-methods, which is used to compute pressure distributions, forces, deformations and many more parameters needed for the selection of the right bearing geometry. However, there are regions in the journal bearing where the Reynolds Equation must fail, because either the small gap criterion or the Couette flow assumption is violated. There are pockets, grooves and holes, which are necessary to distribute the oil supply across the gap. Moreover, the oil feed represents a cross flow perpendicular to the circumferential main flow. In these regions three dimensional flow structures replace the undisturbed Couette flow, which are strongly affected by vortices, but are non-turbulent due to the Re-scale. This work presents experimental data obtained from a cylinder apparatus with moderate gap sizes, which features independently rotating cylinders and a cross flow through a hole in the sidewall. LDV-measurements of velocity profiles and visualization methods to animate the three dimensional nature of the flow are presented. The experimental data are used to validate 3D-CFD calculations, which are expanded towards smaller gap sizes in the range of typical journal bearings in automotive applications

Three-dimensional simulation of cavitating flow in real journal bearing geometry

This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.Hydrodynamic journal bearings are commonly used in many technical applications because they provide low friction and minimal wear. In general, flow simulation during the engineering design process is carried out by means of the Reynolds equation. The Reynolds equation is a non-linear two-dimensional differential equation, which is based on the pressure and the gap between shaft and bushing in relation to bearing clearance, eccentricity, bushing deformation and load. However, due its two-dimensional nature it is inaccurate where the lubricant flow inside the bearing becomes three-dimensional e.g., in the vicinity of feed holes or grooves. The work on hand presents the numerical approach and the cavitation model based on the Rayleigh-Plesset equation. Moreover, a bearing flow experiment was designed and constructed with the goal to validate numerical results. Finally, the validated 3D simulation model is applied on a real bearing, which was subject to an experimental investigation targeting cavitation. The numerical results include images of complex three-dimensional flow structures, vortices and vapor distributions. In comparison of 2D and 3D simulation, the two-dimensional approach gives wrong information in 2 out of 6 critical regions pertaining cavitation failing in both, over- and under-prediction of cavitation. In summary, a new numerical model expands the scope for the numerical simulation of the lubricant flow in hydrodynamic journal bearings and improves the prediction of cavitation

The Pistacietea verae: a new class of open, deciduous woodlands in Middle and Southwestern Asia

oai:repository.derby.ac.uk:q71q1Aims: To analyse the syntaxonomy of open, deciduous woodlands at the southern margin of the steppe zone in the colline and montane belts of the Pamir-Alai, western Tian Shan and Iranian Mountains (Irano-Turanian region). Study area: Tajikistan (Middle Asia) and Iran (Southwestern Asia). Methods: We prepared two datasets: the first dataset contained 110 relevés from Tajikistan and Iran representing pistachio groves, the second one was a comparative dataset of 1,276 relevés of pistachio groves and floristically related woody and grassland phytocoenoses from the Irano-Turanian and Mediterranean regions. These two datasets were classified separately with the modified TWINSPAN algorithm with pseudospecies cut levels 0%, 2%, 10% and 25%, and total inertia as a measure of cluster heterogeneity. Diagnostic species were identified using the phi coefficient as a fidelity measure. A NMDS ordination was used to explore the relationships between the distinguished groups. Results: We found that Pistacia open woodlands are very distinctive in terms of species composition, including numerous endemics. Our observations in Pamir-Alai, Kopet-Dagh, Zagros, Alborz and other Central and southern mountains of Iran proved that pistachio open woodlands form distinct zonal vegetation of the colline-montane belt. We thus propose a new class Pistacietea verae, with the order Pistacietalia verae and appropriate type alliance Pistacion verae, including two associations: Pistacietum verae and Pistacietum khinjuk. Conclusions: Our research has shown that the Pistacia open woodlands are a distinct vegetation typical of the Irano-Turanian region and due to its specific ecology, phytogeography and unique species composition, should be regarded as a vegetation class Pistacietea verae. It needs further examination and comparison with similar vegetation in the western Irano-Turanian and Hindu Kush regions. Recognizing the unique pistachio open woodlands as a distinct vegetation class in the Irano-Turanian region is crucial for establishing effective conservation strategies in these understudied yet ecologically significant ecosystems, spanning potentially from the Zagros, Alborz and other Central and southern Mountains of Iran to Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan

Chimpanzee Rights: The Philosophers' Brief

In December 2013, the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) filed a petition for a common law writ of habeas corpus in the New York State Supreme Court on behalf of Tommy, a chimpanzee living alone in a cage in a shed in rural New York (Barlow, 2017). Under animal welfare laws, Tommy’s owners, the Laverys, were doing nothing illegal by keeping him in those conditions. Nonetheless, the NhRP argued that given the cognitive, social, and emotional capacities of chimpanzees, Tommy’s confinement constituted a profound wrong that demanded remedy by the courts. Soon thereafter, the NhRP filed habeas corpus petitions on behalf of Kiko, another chimpanzee housed alone in Niagara Falls, and Hercules and Leo, two chimpanzees held in research facilities at Stony Brook University. Thus began the legal struggle to move these chimpanzees from captivity to a sanctuary, an effort that has led the NhRP to argue in multiple courts before multiple judges. The central point of contention has been whether Tommy, Kiko, Hercules, and Leo have legal rights. To date, no judge has been willing to issue a writ of habeas corpus on their behalf. Such a ruling would mean that these chimpanzees have rights that confinement might violate. Instead, the judges have argued that chimpanzees cannot be bearers of legal rights because they are not, and cannot be persons. In this book we argue that chimpanzees are persons because they are autonomous

Relative Reactivity of the Metal-Amido versus Metal-Imido Bond in Linked Cp-Amido and Half-Sandwich Complexes of Vanadium

Treatment of (η5-C5H4C2H4NR)V(N-t-Bu)Me (R = Me, i-Pr) and CpV(N-p-Tol)(N-i-Pr2)Me (Cp = η5-C5H5) with B(C6F5)3 or [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] results in formation of the corresponding cations, [(η5-C5H4C2H4NR)V(N-t-Bu)]+ and [CpV(N-p-Tol)(N-i-Pr2)]+. The latter could also be generated as its N,N-dimethylaniline adduct by treatment of the methyl complex with [PhNMe2H][BAr4] (Ar = Ph, C6F5). Instead, the analogous reaction with the linked Cp-amido precursor results in protonation of the imido-nitrogen atom. Sequential cyclometalation of the amide substituents gave cationic imine complexes [(η5-C5H4C2H4NCR'2)V(NH-t-Bu)]+ (R' = H, Me) and methane. Reaction of cationic [(η5-C5H4C2H4NR)V(N-t-Bu)]+ with olefins affords the corresponding olefin adducts, whereas treatment with 1 or 2 equiv of 2-butyne results in insertion of the alkyne into the vanadium-nitrogen single bond, affording the mono- and bis-insertion products [(η5-C5H4C2H4N(i-Pr)C2Me2)V(N-t-Bu)]+ and [(η5-C5H4C2H4N(i-Pr)C4Me4)V(N-t-Bu)]+. The same reaction with the half-sandwich compound [CpV(N-p-Tol)(N-i-Pr2)]+ results in a paramagnetic compound that, upon alcoholysis, affords sec-butylidene-p-tolylamine, suggesting an initial [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. The difference in reactivity between the V-N bond versus the V=N bond was further studied using computational methods. Results were compared to the isoelectronic titanium system CpTi(NH)(NH2). These studies indicate that the kinetic product in each system is derived from a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. For titanium, this was found as the thermodynamic product as well, whereas the insertion reaction was found to be thermodynamically more favorable in the case of vanadium.

The anatomical structure of leaf blade of the Siberian feather grasses (Poaceae: Stipa)

Results of studies of the anatomical structure of leaf blade of Siberian feather grasses are presented. A cross sections of leave blades were studied in 15 species: S. capillata, S. grandis, S. krylovii, S. baicalensis, S. praecapillata, S. consanguinea, S. orientalis, S. lessingiana, S. kirghisorum, S. dasyphylla, S. pennata, S. pulcherrima, S. zalesskii, S. glareosa, S. klemenzii. The following diagnostic characters were identified: relative height and degree of expressiveness of edges, quantity and type of veins, extent of development and arrangement of sclerenchyma as well as number and type of trichomes on the adaxial surface of leaves. Despite the uniformity of these features in many species within sections, they exhibit distinctive morphological patterns and have been proved to be taxonomically useful.В статье представлены результаты исследования анатомического строения листовой пластинки 15 видов сибирских ковылей: S. capillata, S. grandis, S. krylovii, S. baicalensis, S. praecapillata, S. consanguinea, S. orientalis, S. lessingiana, S. kirghisorum, S. dasyphylla, S. pennata, S. pulcherrima, S. zalesskii, S. glareosa, S. klemenzii. У исследованных видов были выявлены следующие диагностические признаки: относительная высота и степень выраженности ребер, их форма, количество и тип жилок, степень развития и расположение склеренхимы, количество и тип трихом на адаксиальной поверхности листьев. Несмотря на однородность этих признаков у многих видов в пределах секции, на секционном уровне они проявляют отличительные морфологические закономерности и имеют высокую таксономическую значимость

Consistent Value of Two-Stage Pedicle Flaps in the Age of Microsurgical Maxillofacial Reconstruction

Introduction Up to the second half of the twentieth century, pedicled flaps marked the gold standard in reconstructive surgery. Followed by the introduction of microsurgical techniques, these flaps were increasingly abandoned. We conducted a retrospective study to determine the value of two-stage pedicle flaps in modern maxillofacial reconstruction. Material & Methods A chart review from October 2017 to November 2020 was performed to identify patients who were treated by a two-stage pedicle flap in our Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Results A total of 31 patients, 17 female and 14 males received 36 two-stage pedicle flaps. All patients were in noticeably impaired health condition with a majority of ASA-score 3. The defect location mainly contained extraoral resections (58.3%). A variety of flaps were harvested consisting of buccal flaps, Abbe flaps, forehead flaps, deltopectoral flaps, nasolabial flaps, and a tubed flap. Discussion The study outlines two indications for the use of two-stage pedicle flaps. Firstly, as a back-up strategy in heavily pre-treated wound beds and secondly in an almost contrarily indication as a first-choice reconstructive option of the facial skin in esthetic demanding cases. Conclusion The timesaving and straight forward surgical approach as well as their low postsurgical complications and strong long-time success rates secure the two-stage pedicle flap a justified niche role in times of microsurgical maxillofacial reconstruction