Preliminary Notes on Islamic Political Space: Madina in Qur'anic Discourse

Is there a particularly Islamic political space? This paper initiates this long-term research project of spatializing early Islamic history, drawing on the Qur'ān's own spatial discourse. The project seeks to articulate the roles space plays in early Islam's political project. Within this framework, this paper defends the assertion that early Islam presents socio-political relationships which suggest al-madina –a particular conception of the ‘city' - as a pivotal locus in this formative political space. Arguments focus on the origins of such a conception in its Meccan Qur'ānic occurrences. Four preliminary features emerge: the madina's association with Qur'ānic journey- narratives and debates of legitimate authority; its environmental connection to a productive hinter-land; its association with a trans-tribal social structure; and its evocation of a public-sphere. Set against the historical background of late-antiquity in which the first Muslim umma appeared and where concurrently the city, as a social artifact, faced threats of dispersion and irrelevance, these features potentially constitute a program for the emergent umma to salvage urbanity itself. In a later paper, evidence from the Prophet's acts in al-Madina (Yathrib) and his Companions' developments of other urban settlements, especially al-Kufa, will be engaged to substantiate the relation between Qur'ānic text and human action

Stress analysis of portable safety platform (Core Sampler Truck)

This document provides the stress analysis and evaluation of the portable platform of the rotary mode core sampler truck No. 2 (RMCST {number_sign}2). The platform comprises railing, posts, deck, legs, and a portable ladder; it is restrained from lateral motion by means of two brackets added to the drill-head service platform

Stress analysis of jacks, frame and bearing connections, and drill rod for core sampler truck No. 2

This analysis evaluates the structural design adequacy of several components and connections for the rotary mode core sampler truck (RMCST) No. 2. This analysis was requested by the Characterization Equipment Group (WHC 1994a). The components addressed in this report are listed below: front jack assembly and connection to the truck chassis; rear jack assembly and connection to the truck chassis; center outrigger jacks and connection to the truck chassis; lower frame assembly and connection to the truck chassis; bolt connections for bearing plate assembly (for path of maximum load); traverse slide brackets and mounting of the traverse jack cylinders; and drill rod (failure loads)

Analysis of Bracket Assembly for Diversion Box Leak Detector

This Supporting Document Presents Structural and Stress Analysis of a Bracket Assembly for the diversion box leak detectors related to the Cross Site Transfer Project. The results show that the assembly meets the requirements for dead load and natural phenomena hazards loads (seismic and wind)

Detrusor wall thickness compared to other non-invasive methods in diagnosing men with bladder outlet obstruction: A prospective controlled study

AbstractIntroductionThe current study aims to compare the diagnostic accuracy of detrusor wall thickness to other noninvasive, tools, using pressure flow studies as a reference, in the assessment of bladder outlet, obstruction among men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms.Patients and MethodsMen aged 50 or older presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms were evaluated for bladder outlet, obstruction using detrusor wall thickness (measured by a transabdominal 7.5MHz ultrasound) and, other non-invasive tools (namely uroflowmetry, post-void residual, and prostate volume), and the results were compared to pressure flow study.ResultsDetrusor wall thickness ranged from 0.7mm to 7mm (mean±SD of 2.39±1.64mm), and 21 patients, were classified as obstructed (thickness≥2mm). Based on pressure flow study 23 patients had, bladder outlet obstruction. Detrusor wall thickness had the highest accuracy (88.0%), the highest, specificity (92.6%) and the highest positive predictive value (90.5%) among the non-invasive tests.ConclusionsDetrusor wall thickness measurement can be used to diagnose and quantify bladder outlet obstruction, non-invasively in men with lower urinary tract symptoms, with an accuracy approaching that of the standard pressure flow studies

Prenatal hypoxia induces increased cardiac contractility on a background of decreased capillary density.

Background: Chronic hypoxia in utero (CHU) is one of the most common insults to fetal development and may be associated with poor cardiac recovery from ischaemia-reperfusion injury,yet the effects on normal cardiac mechanical performance are poorly understood. Methods: Pregnant female wistar rats were exposed to hypoxia (12% oxygen, balance nitrogen)for days 10–20 of pregnancy. Pups were born into normal room air and weaned normally. At 10 weeks of age, hearts were excised under anaesthesia and underwent retrograde 'Langendorff' perfusion. Mechanical performance was measured at constant filling pressure (100 cm H2O) with intraventricular balloon. Left ventricular free wall was dissected away and capillary density estimated following alkaline phosphatase staining. Expression of SERCA2a and Nitric Oxide Synthases (NOS) proteins were estimated by immunoblotting. Results: CHU significantly increased body mass (P < 0.001) compared with age-matched control rats but was without effect on relative cardiac mass. For incremental increases in left ventricular balloon volume, diastolic pressure was preserved. However, systolic pressure was significantly greater following CHU for balloon volume = 50 μl (P < 0.01) and up to 200 μl (P < 0.05). For higher balloon volumes systolic pressure was not significantly different from control. Developed pressures were correspondingly increased relative to controls for balloon volumes up to 250 μl (P < 0.05).Left ventricular free wall capillary density was significantly decreased in both epicardium (18%; P <0.05) and endocardium (11%; P < 0.05) despite preserved coronary flow. Western blot analysis revealed no change to the expression of SERCA2a or nNOS but immuno-detectable eNOS protein was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in cardiac tissue following chronic hypoxia in utero. Conclusion: These data offer potential mechanisms for poor recovery following ischaemia, including decreased coronary flow reserve and impaired angiogenesis with subsequent detrimental effects of post-natal cardiac performance

A new hereditary colorectal cancer network in the Middle East and eastern mediterranean countries to improve care for high-risk families

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a very high incidence in the western world. Data from registries in the Middle East showed that the incidence of CRC is relatively low in these countries. However, these data also showed that CRC incidence has increased substantially over the past three decades and that a high proportion of cases are diagnosed at an early age (<50 years). In view of these findings, more attention should be paid to prevention. Because of the often limited financial resources, focused screening of individuals with hereditary CRC, in particular those with Lynch syndrome, appears to be the most cost-effective strategy. During recent meetings of the Palestinian Society of Gastroenterology and the Mediterranean Task force for Cancer Control (MTCC) in Jericho, and the Patient�s Friends Society of Jerusalem in Hebron the issue of hereditary CRC in the Middle East was discussed and the idea was conceived to establish a network on hereditary colorectal cancer (HCCN-ME) with the goal of improving care for high-risk groups in the Middle East and (Eastern) Mediterranean Countries. © 2017, The Author(s)

Erratum to: A new hereditary colorectal cancer network in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean countries to improve care for high-risk families (Familial Cancer, (2018), 17, 2, (209-212), 10.1007/s10689-017-0018-6)

Unfortunately, the 10th author name in the author group was published incorrectly in the original publication as �Keivan Maijdzadeh� the correct name is: Keivan Majidzadeh.Author name has also been corrected in the original publication. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2017

A new hereditary colorectal cancer network in the Middle East and eastern mediterranean countries to improve care for high-risk families

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a very high incidence in the western world. Data from registries in the Middle East showed that the incidence of CRC is relatively low in these countries. However, these data also showed that CRC incidence has increased substantially over the past three decades and that a high proportion of cases are diagnosed at an early age (<50 years). In view of these findings, more attention should be paid to prevention. Because of the often limited financial resources, focused screening of individuals with hereditary CRC, in particular those with Lynch syndrome, appears to be the most cost-effective strategy. During recent meetings of the Palestinian Society of Gastroenterology and the Mediterranean Task force for Cancer Control (MTCC) in Jericho, and the Patient�s Friends Society of Jerusalem in Hebron the issue of hereditary CRC in the Middle East was discussed and the idea was conceived to establish a network on hereditary colorectal cancer (HCCN-ME) with the goal of improving care for high-risk groups in the Middle East and (Eastern) Mediterranean Countries. © 2017, The Author(s)