Peace, a Condition for Israel's Security

The current study examines the conceptual framework of what Israel calls 'Israel's national security'. Using short interviews with Israelis and citing statements made by Israeli leaders, the study found first that Israelis are raised to embrace a bunker mentality where people always feel they are subject to constant threat; and second that Israel understands security only in terms of power, with the ultimate goal of bringing the Palestinians/Arabs under its dominance. The study argues that this theory has never brought security to Israel and it is unlikely to achieve this goal in the future. The study concludes that it is only through an all-out, just peace that Israel can feel secure, thrive and establish a favorable climate for the generations to come.Keywords: Peace, Security, Bunker Mentality, Zionism, Middle East Conflict

ELUCIDATION OF THE CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF MISSENSE MUTATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH FAMILIAL EXUDATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY AND CONGENITAL MYASTHENIC SYNDROME

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), within eukaryotic cells, is a hub for protein folding and assembly. Misfolded proteins and unassembled subunits of protein complexes are retained in the ER and degraded by a process termed endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD). Frizzled class receptor 4 (FZD4) and muscle, skeletal, receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK) are Wnt receptors. These proteins contain the frizzled cysteine-rich domain (Fz-CRD) required for dimerization in the ER. Mutations in FZD4 and MuSK genes are known to cause familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR, an autosomal dominant disease) and congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS, an autosomal recessive disease), respectively. It was hypothesized that missense mutations within Fz-CRD lead to misfolding of FZD4 and MuSK proteins and consequent ER-retention. Investigating the molecular mechanism of these mutations is important since misfolded protein and ER-targeted therapies are in development being developed. Wild-type and mutants of FZD4 and MuSK were expressed at 37 °C in HeLa, COS-7, and HEK293 cells and their subcellular localizations were investigated using confocal microscopy imaging and glycosidase treatments. Abnormal trafficking was demonstrated in 10 of 21 mutants studied; nine mutants were within Fz-CRD and one was distant from Fz-CRD. These ER-retained mutants were improperly N-glycosylated confirming ER-localization. They were tagged with polyubiquitin chains confirming targeting for proteasomal degradation. The half-lives of wild-type MuSK and P344R-MuSK were 45 and 37 minutes, respectively; the latter half-life improved on incubation with proteasomal inhibitor MG132. The P344R-MuSK kinase mutant showed around 50% of its in vivo autophosphorylation activity. Trafficking defects in three of the 10 mutants (M105T-FZD4, C204Y-FZD4, and P344R-MuSK) were rescued by expression at 27 °C and by chemical chaperones (2.5-7.5% glycerol, 0.1-1% dimethyl sulfoxide, 10 μM thapsigargin, or 1 μM curcumin). Trafficking of wild-type FZD4 was not affected by co-expression with any of the nine ER-retained mutants, suggesting haploinsufficiency as the mechanism of disease. Thus, all nine Fz-CRD mutants of FEVR and CMS studied resulted in misfolded proteins. In contrast, only one of the 12 mutants outside Fz-CRD resulted in ER-retention. These findings demonstrate a common mechanism for diseases associated with Fz-CRD missense mutations. Disorders of Fz-CRD may be receptive to novel therapies that alleviate protein misfolding

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the tibialis anterior muscle and the effects on strength and gait mechanics on stroke patients: A systematic review.

Purpose: To establish the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the tibialis anterior muscle (TA) on chronic stroke patients in order to improve gait mechanics. Subjects: 6 Materials & Methods: A systematic search of Pubmed, PEDro, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library was conducted to identify all pertinent randomized control trials (RCTs). RCTs that met the inclusion criteria were then assessed using the 11-point PEDro scale. Studies were assessed by two raters, and articles that scored 6 or above were accepted for review. Results: The initial search yielded 34 articles: 21 were pulled for data extraction, six met selected inclusion and exclusion criteria. PEDro scores for selected articles range from 6 to 9, with a mean score of 6.8. Conclusions: Studies varied widely in parameters of application and prescription of NMES and baseline characteristics of subjects. Research supports the use of NMES to treat impairments of the TA following stroke, such as ankle range of motion and TA strength, as well as functional parameters, such as Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores, obstacle avoidance, and modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile. However, these results were equivalent to outcomes using ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) or conventional rehabilitation program (CRP). In conclusion, NMES improved gait mechanics in patients with chronic stroke, but was not superior when compared with AFO or CRP. Clinical Relevance: This systematic review demonstrates that NMES improves gait mechanics in chronic stroke patients, however, is no more effective than CRP or AFO interventions

The Discounted Cash Flow Approach to Corporate Valuation Empirical Evidence on the Companies Listed in Al Quds index

Many companies in the Palestine Exchange (PEX) do not disclose enough information about the risks they are exposed to. The goal of this research is to introduce the reader to the companies‟ valuation techniques using Discounted Cash Flow, often referred to as “DCF”, in order to calculate the companies' values based on the disclosed financial information related to the Palestinian firms listed in PEX. This study compares the results concluded using this method with other valuation methods. In this research, various corporate valuation theories are discussed, and selected corporate valuation techniques are applied for the valuation of companies listed in PEX. The corporate valuation theories being applied in this research are; the Discounted Cash Flow .(DCF) model, the Dividend Discount Model (DDM) and the Residual Income Model (RIM) In addition to using one method for determining the expected rate of return on a company‟s stock, i.e. the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). Based on the corporate valuation analysis made, the DCF model is selected as the primary corporate valuation model in this thesis, and the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is chosen to estimate the cost of equity for the company. Finally, the analysis using graphs and sensitivity analysis and scenarios is conducted in order to evaluate whether the results obtained are reasonable and to show the divergence between the output values. The companies values using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model are calculated based on the forecasted Free Cash Flow (FCF) in the explicit forecasting period (the horizon period) and the estimated continuing value after the explicit forecast period (after horizon period). The study results are compared with equity values of the companies listed in PEX, .Table 9 shows that.The DCF model shows whether the company‟s value is understated or overstated as well asthe differences between the equity spot value and actual value using the DCF when it is nearthe actual value. In most cases, the model shows that the company‟s Fair Market Value FMV) is always overstated over its calculated intrinsic value using DCF. The difference between the DCF and the other methods is that DCF is the most reliable method in all conditions, e.g. in the cases of undeclared dividends the DCF will not affect the company‟s evaluation. Adding to that, when DCF is used to evaluate companies facing losses the value of the stock will not be a negative value. The DDM is not a reliable evaluation model in the case of no dividends, for examples GMC, TNP, UCI and WATANYIA are all companies which did not declare any dividends during the year 2013. However, if the companies do not declare dividends it does not mean that the value of the companies is Zero. Accordingly, the value of the companies using DDM in the case of no dividends will be zero, which seems to be unreasonable. Furthermore, evaluation of the companies that are facing losses using the RIM will show negative values of the companies. The equity values obtained from the DCF, DDM and RIM are compared with those published in PEX. These differences in these values are likely to be due to undisclosed information and demand and supply factors

Non-conventional treatments for conventional chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcomas are the most common malignant tumors of the cartilage, are seen predominantly in adults, and have varied clinical behavior. The majority of them affect the medullary canal of long bones and pelvic bones. The prognosis of chondrosarcoma is closely related to histological grading; however, the grading is subject to interobserver variability. Conventional chondrosarcomas are overall considered to be chemotherapy- and radiation-resistant, resulting in limited treatment options. The majority of advanced conventional chondrosarcomas are treated with chemotherapy without any survival benefit. Recent studies have evaluated molecular genetic findings which have improved the understanding of chondrosarcoma biology. Newer therapeutic targets are desperately needed. In this review article, we explore ongoing clinical trials evaluating novel ways of treating advanced conventional chondrosarcoma

Toxicity Testing of Restorative Dental Materials Using Brine Shrimp Larvae (Artemia salina)

This study investigated the effect of extracts of different composites, glass ionomer cement (GIC)s and compomers on the viability of brine shrimp larvae. Ethanolic extracts of four dental composites (Z-100; Solitaire 2; Filtek P60 and Synergy), a conventional GIC (Ketac-Fil), a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitremer), two compomers (F2000; Dyract AP), and a flowable compomer (Dyract Flow) were prepared from each material. Following evaporation of the ethanol, the extracts were resuspended in distilled water, which was then used to test the effects on the viability of brine shrimp larvae. For the composites, the extract of Synergy was the least toxic (88% viability) followed by the extracts of Solitaire 2, Z100 and P60 (75%, 67.5% and 50% viability, respectively). One-way ANOVA revealed highly significant differences between the resin composite materials (

The Relationship between Team Training Components and Team Performance Effectiveness

The main purpose of this study is to determine the relation between team training components and team performance, with the intention of filling the gap that presently exists in the team training research and the given guidance to team training practitioners on how to effectively use their oftentimes limited resources to have the maximum impact on team performance effectiveness. Results were mostly inconclusive, due to the limitations of the research. However, the researcher discovered a significant relationship between team training content and team training strategies with team performance effectiveness. Also, some interesting results were found in relation to individual components of training contents (technical skills, problem-solving skills, and group meeting skills) which significantly influenced to team performance effectiveness. Furthermore, individual components of training strategies (informal learning, high quality training, and ongoing training) were found as top three components that influence team performance effectiveness. Unfortunately, the scope of this research prevented results decisive enough to be comprehensive for team training practitioners. However, the research provided a better understanding in the relation between team training and team performance. Thus, it is emphasized that there is still a need to conduct additional researchers to filling the gap has not being solved by the current study. In the last chapter, some recommendations were provided for future use to any researcher enhancing this academic field

Assessment for the Curriculum of 8th Grade Art Course Based on Total Quality Standards

The present study aimed to assess the curriculum of 8th grade art course based on total quality standards. The sample consists from 37 female and male 8th grade teachers. The latter teachers are art teachers. They were selected during the academic year (2017/2018). To meet the study’s goals, the researcher developed a questionnaire that consists from 60 items. It sheds a light on 4 areas; (the standards related to the curriculum design, goals, content, and assessment methods). The researcher checked the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. He adopted a descriptive analytical approach. It was found that the extent of meeting the total quality standards by the curriculum of the 8th grade art course is high.  The mean of the book design-related standards is ranked first and the mean of the content-related standards is ranked second. The mean of the assessment methods-related standards is ranked third and the mean of goals-related standards is ranked fourth. The researcher recommends making changes to the educational goals of the curriculum. Such goals must be related to contemporary issues and the latest scientific developments Keywords: assessment, art course, total quality standards DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-24-02 Publication date:August 31st 202