Slow Expansion Research Articles

Spatial variation in Allee effects influences patterns of range expansion

Allee effects are thought to slow range expansion and contribute to stable range boundaries. Recent studies have shown Allee effects to vary spatiotemporally due to influences of environmental heterogeneity on population processes. Gradients in Allee effects might occur as a species' range approaches suboptimal conditions while expanding into new territory. Allee effects could exhibit patchiness if drivers of positive density dependence (e.g. mate finding rates) are influenced by habitat patchiness. However, theoretical studies have largely assumed Allee effects to be spatially constant. The goal of this study was to evaluate how spatiotemporal patterns of range expansion respond to spatial variations in Allee effects. We simulated spread in landscapes that differed in the spatial configuration and range of Allee thresholds. We compared spread with a constant Allee effect to spread in landscapes where the Allee threshold varied along a gradient or in a patchy fashion. Landscape configuration affected patterns of range expansion when Allee thresholds were near or exceeded the number of colonizing immigrants. In gradient landscapes, spread decelerated as the range edge approached higher Allee thresholds. In patchy landscapes, spread advanced quickly through areas with lower Allee thresholds and stalled in areas with higher Allee thresholds. Both focal and neighboring locations influenced spread. Spatial variation in Allee effects may be an underappreciated source of heterogeneity in patterns of range expansion. When Allee effects vary, spread estimates based on a spatially averaged Allee threshold may not accurately predict realized rates of spread. Our findings suggest that spread can occur despite generally high Allee thresholds if Allee thresholds are low in a subset of patches. This result has negative implications for controlling the spread of invasive species, but it also suggests range shifts by native species in response to climate change may be possible with even sparsely distributed refugia from Allee effects.

Morphology and kinematics of the gas envelope of Mira Ceti

Observations of 12CO(3–2) emission of the circumbinary envelope of Mira Ceti, made by Atacama Large Millimetre/sub-millimetre Array, are analysed. The observed Doppler velocity distribution is made of three components: a blueshifted south-eastern arc, which can be described as a ring in slow radial expansion, ∼1.7 km s−1, making an angle of ∼50° with the plane of the sky and born some 2000 years ago; a few arcs, probably born at the same epoch as the blueshifted arc, all sharing Doppler velocities redshifted by approximately 3±2 km s−1 with respect to the main star; thirdly, a central region dominated by the circumbinary envelope, displaying two outflows in the south-western and north-eastern hemispheres. At short distances from the star, up to ∼1.5 arcsec, these hemispheres display very different morphologies: the south-western outflow covers a broad solid angle, expands radially at a rate between 5 and 10 km s−1 and is slightly redshifted; the north-eastern outflow consists of two arms, both blueshifted, bracketing a broad dark region where emission is suppressed. At distances between ∼1.5 and ∼2.5 arcsec the asymmetry between the two hemispheres is significantly smaller and detached arcs, particularly spectacular in the north-eastern hemisphere are present. Close to the stars, we observe a mass of gas surrounding Mira B, with a size of a few tens of au, and having Doppler velocities with respect to Mira B reaching ±1.5 km s−1, which we interpret as gas flowing from Mira A towards Mira B.

Complex formation between polyelectrolytes and oppositely charged oligoelectrolytes.

We study the complex formation between one long polyanion chain and many short oligocation chains by computer simulations. We employ a coarse-grained bead-spring model for the polyelectrolyte chains and model explicitly the small salt ions. We systematically vary the concentration and the length of the oligocation and examine how the oligocations affects the chain conformation, the static structure factor, the radial and axial distribution of various charged species, and the number of bound ions in the complex. At low oligocation concentration, the polyanion has an extended structure. Upon increasing the oligocation concentration, the polyanion chain collapses and forms a compact globule, but the complex still carries a net negative charge. Once the total charge of the oligocations is equal to that of the polyanion, the collapse stops and is replaced by a slow expansion. In this regime, the net charge on the complexes is positive or neutral, depending on the microion concentration in solution. The expansion can be explained by the reduction of the oligocation bridging. We find that the behavior and the structure of the complex are largely independent of the length of oligocations, and very similar to that observed when replacing the oligocations by multivalent salt cations, and conclude that the main driving force keeping the complex together is the release of monovalent counterions and coions. We speculate on the implications of this finding for the problem of controlled oligolyte release and oligolyte substitution.

Dental and skeletal effects of palatal expansion techniques: a systematic review of the current evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

The aim was to assess the quality and to summarise the findings of the Systematic Reviews (SRs) and Meta-Analyses (MAs) on the dental and skeletal effects of maxillary expansion. Electronic and manual searches have been independently conducted by two investigators, up to February 2015. SRs and MAs on the dentoalveolar and skeletal effects of fixed expanders were included. The methodological quality was assessed using the AMSTAR (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews). The design of the primary studies included in each SR/MA was assessed with the LRD (Level of Research Design scoring). The evidence for each outcome was rated applying a pre-determined scale. Twelve SRs/MAs were included. The AMSTAR scores ranged from 4 to 10. Two SRs/MAs included only RCTs. The current findings from SRs/MAs support with high evidence a significant increase in the short-term of maxillary dentoalveolar transversal dimensions after Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME). The same effect is reported with moderate evidence after Slow Maxillary Expansion (SME). However, there is moderate evidence of a non-significant difference between the two expansion modalities concerning the short-term dentoalveolar effects. With both RME and SME, significant increase of skeletal transversal dimension in the short-term is reported, and the skeletal expansion is always smaller than the dentoalveolar. Even though dental relapse to some extent is present, long-term results of the dentoalveolar effects show an increase of the transversal dimension, supported by moderate evidence for RME and low evidence for SME. Skeletal long-term effects are reported only with RME, supported by very low evidence.

A note on statistical properties for nonuniformly hyperbolic systems with slow contraction and expansion

We provide a systematic approach for deducing statistical limit laws via martingale-coboundary decomposition, for nonuniformly hyperbolic systems with slowly contracting and expanding directions. In particular, if the associated return time function is square-integrable, then we obtain the central limit theorem, the weak invariance principle, and an iterated version of the weak invariance principle.

The slow expansion with nonminimal derivative coupling and its conformal dual

We show that the primordial gravitational wave with scale-invariant spectrum might emerge from a nearly Minkowski space, in which the gravity is asymptotic-past free. We illustrate it with a model, in which the derivative of background scalar field nonminimally couples to gravity. We also show that since here the tensor perturbation is dominated by its growing mode, mathematically our slowly expanding background is conformally dual to the matter contraction, but there is no the anisotropy problem.

Responsiveness (Buoyancy) of Union Taxes to GDP in India (1990–91 to 2015–16)

Changes in tax receipts of government take place with changes in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Such changes in tax receipts may be the result of two factors: (1) there may be automatic changes in the tax yield when tax parameters are held constant. Such automatic changes are referred to as elasticity or built-in flexibility. (2) Increasing tax receipts may also necessitate imposition of new taxes, changes in rate structure of existing taxes, expansion of tax base, changes in scheme of exemptions, etc., or briefly referred to as discretionary changes. The overall responsiveness of tax revenues to discretionary changes in tax scheme (including automatic responses) is called responsiveness or buoyancy of the tax system and it is measured as the percentage change in tax receipts over percentage change in GDP. The tax structure of the Union Government in India is composed of direct and indirect taxes. In terms of tax receipts, direct taxes are mainly composed of corporation tax and income tax while indirect taxes mainly include customs, excise duties and service tax. An analysis of responsiveness (buoyancy) reveals that the overall buoyancy of union taxes has been 1.04. Direct taxes have had a higher buoyancy coefficient. Within direct taxes, corporation tax has exhibited higher buoyancy as compared to income tax. Buoyancy coefficient of indirect taxes has been less than 1.0 and within indirect taxes, buoyancy of excise duties has been lower than that of customs. Service tax has, however, revealed the highest buoyancy coefficient. Some of the factors responsible for lower buoyancy (responsiveness) of Indian taxes have been relatively slower expansion in base, increase in threshold limits, and large number of exemptions, rebates and deductions under tax laws, reduction in customs and excise duty rates under the impact of New Economic Policy, increasing tax evasion etc. It is high time that tax/GDP ratio in India be considerably raised through improving buoyancy coefficients. This would necessitate considerable expansion in tax base, bringing agricultural incomes under the Central Income tax net, rationalization of tax-preferences/incentives, bringing non-filers in unorganized sectors under the tax net, concentrating on High Net Worth Individuals, checking avoidance and evasion of taxes and improving tax administration. There is also need for introducing ‘accountability’ and switching over to ‘family’ as the unit of assessment.

Functional morphology of gill ventilation of the goosefish, Lophius americanus (Lophiiformes: Lophiidae)

The goosefish, Lophius americanus, is a dorso-ventrally compressed marine fish that spends most of its life sitting on the substrate waiting to ambush prey. Species in the genus Lophius have some of the slowest ventilatory cycles recorded in fishes, with a typical cycle lasting more than 90s. They have a large gill chamber, supported by long branchiostegal rays and ending in a siphon-like gill opening positioned underneath and behind the base of the pectoral fin. Our goals were to characterize the kinematics of gill ventilation in L. americanus relative to those of more typical ray-finned fishes, address previous assertions about ventilation in this genus, and describe the anatomy of the gill opening. We found that phase 1 of ventilation (during which both the buccal and gill chamber are expanding) is greatly increased in duration relative to that of typical ray-finned fishes (ranging from 62 to 127s), and during this phase, the branchiostegal rays are slowly expanding. This slow expansion is almost visually imperceptible, especially from a dorsal view. Despite this unusually long phase 1, the pattern of skeletal movements follows that of a typical actinopterygian, refuting previous assertions that Lophius does not use its jaws, suspensorium, and operculum during ventilation. When individuals were disturbed from the sediment, they tended to breathe more rapidly by decreasing the duration of phase 1 (to 18–30s). Dissections of the gill opening revealed a previously undocumented dorsal extension of the adductor hyohyoideus muscle, which passes from between the branchiostegal rays, through the ventro-medial wall of the gill opening, and to the dorsal midline of the body. This morphology of the adductor hyohyoideus shares similarities with that of many Tetraodontiformes, and we suggest that it may be a synapomorphy for Lophiiformes+Tetraodontiformes. The specialized anatomy and function of the gill chamber of Lophius represents extreme modifications that provide insight into the potential limits of the actinopterygian gill ventilatory system.

Physiological Implications of Slow Fusion Pore Expansion on Protein Discharge: Likely Inhibition of Tissue Plasminogen Activator by its Co-Packaged Protein Inhibitor

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a serine protease that converts plasminogen to plasmin, mediating breakdown of vascular clots. Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor (PAI) is the principal endogenous protein inhibitor of tPA, which covalently and irreversibly inactivates tPA at neutral pH. Despite this interaction, we found unexpected immunocytochemical and zymographic evidence that tPA and PAI can be packaged into the same secretory granule in adrenal chromaffin cells. Co-packaging of tPA and PAI raises the possibility that the post-fusion protein discharge rates, determined in part by fusion pore expansion, may regulate the amount of enzymatically active tPA released into the extracellular milieu. Specifically, we hypothesize that the change in pH of secretory granules from acidic (pH = 5.5, pre-fusion) to neutral (pH = 7.4, post-fusion), coupled with differential discharge rates, may affect the discharge rate of enzymatically active tPA. We investigated protein discharge by transfecting primary bovine chromaffin cells with tPA or PAI fused to pHluorin, a pH-dependent fluorescent marker that is quenched at pH 5.5 and bright at pH 7.4. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), we quantified secretion rates of pHluorin-tagged tPA or PAI from individual secretory granules in the context of co-overexpression of the proteins. Overexpression of PAI slows tPA post-fusion release suggesting that covalent interaction and inhibition of tPA activity can occur before the completion of discharge. Supported by NIH, RO1-GM110289 to RWH and DA and 5T32HL7853-17 to KPB.

Surface vacuolar ATPase in ameloblastoma contributes to tumor invasion of the jaw bone.

Ameloblastoma is the most common benign odontogenic tumor in Japan. It is believed that it expands in the jaw bone through peritumoral activation of osteoclasts by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) released from the ameloblastoma, as in bone metastases of cancer cells. However, the clinical features of ameloblastoma, including its growth rate and patterns of invasion, are quite different from those of bone metastasis of cancer cells, suggesting that different underlying mechanisms are involved. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the possible mechanisms underlying the invasive expansion of ameloblastoma in the jaw bone. Expression levels of RANKL assessed by western blotting were markedly lower in ameloblastoma (AM-1) cells than in highly metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-3) cells. Experiments coculturing mouse macrophages (RAW264.7) with AM-1 demonstrated low osteoclastogenic activity, as assessed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinuclear cell formation, probably because of low release of RANKL, whereas cocultures of RAW264.7 with HSC-3 cells exhibited very high osteoclastogenic activity. Thus, RANKL release from AM-1 appeared to be too low to generate osteoclasts. However, AM-1 cultured directly on calcium phosphate-coated plates formed resorption pits, and this was inhibited by application of bafilomycin A1. Furthermore, vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) and H+/Cl- exchange transporter 7 (CLC-7) were detected on the surface of AM-1 cells by plasma membrane biotinylation and immunofluorescence analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis of clinical samples of ameloblastoma also showed plasma membrane-localized V-ATPase and CLC-7 in the epithelium of plexiform, follicular and basal cell types. The demineralization activity of AM-1 was only 1.7% of osteoclasts demineralization activity, and the growth rate was 20% of human normal skin keratinocytes and HSC-3 cells. These results suggest that the slow expansion of several typical types of ameloblastomas in jaw bone is attributable to its slow growth and low demineralization ability.

Distribution of vascular plant species in woodland patches of Ojców National Park (southern Poland) in relation to seed dispersal

<p>Plant diaspore dispersal is a fundamental process affecting the development of forest vegetation and its natural regeneration, especially with regard to typical woodland species, which spread slowly and form short-term soil seed banks. Most of these species have poor seed dispersal mechanisms, which is the major cause of their very slow expansion.</p><p>The following questions were asked: (<em><strong>i</strong></em>) is there a relationship between the age of a woodland and the presence of forest vascular plant species representing different seed dispersal types; (<em><strong>ii</strong></em>) how do the proportions change between species representing different seed dispersal types in relation to the age of woodland; (<em><strong>iii</strong></em>) what factors determine the presence of species representing a given seed dispersal type; (<em><strong>iv</strong></em>) which factors affect the presence and which ones influence the abundance of selected woodland species? A multiple regression models were developed based on data obtained from 144 woodland patches designated for the study. A probit regression analysis was performed for selected species exhibiting various seed dispersal models.</p><p>Woodland plants of all seed dispersal types show a significant relationship with the age of woodland, starting from the strongest linkage: anemochores, myrmecochores, endozoochores, epizoochores, barochores, autochores. As the woodland ages, the proportion of forest myrmecochores and anemochores grows, whilst the proportion of autochores, epizoochores and endozoochores shrinks. Results obtained indicate that the direct proximity of ancient woodland has a major effect on the occurrence of more poorly dispersing plants in recent woodlands, such as myrmecochores and heavy anemochores.</p>

Ruptured femoral artery pseudoaneurysm: A life-threatening, iatrogenic catastrophe!

Sir, Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm (PSN) of the femoral artery is a complication reported after transfemoral catheterisations with the incidence of 3.42% in interventional cardiology and haemodialysis units.[1,2] Rupture of a PSN is rare and often fatal;[3] nevertheless, only unruptured PSNs have been reported in the anaesthetic literature so far.[4] A 75-year-old woman presented to us in a state of shock with severe pallor and a systolic blood pressure (BP) of 60 mmHg. She was a known case of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral hydronephrosis, renal and vesical calculi. She had undergone emergency haemodialysis and ureteric stenting during management for acute renal failure (ARF) in a sub-speciality institute. She developed a painful swelling in the right groin a week following the removal of her femoral venous catheter and hospital discharge. A colour Doppler examination revealed a right femoral artery pseudoaneurysm measuring 8.7 cm × 4.8 cm. However, she could not undergo treatment from a vascular surgeon and remained confined to bed at home for 10 days. Eventually, when she was made ambulatory, she collapsed and was brought to our emergency department in a state of shock. Laboratory investigations revealed haemoglobin (Hb) of 5.6 g/dl, random blood sugar – 216 mg/dl, blood urea 45 mg/dl, serum creatinine 2.4 mg/dl, normal serum electrolytes and coagulation profile. Her chest radiograph showed minimal bilateral pleural effusion. A colour Doppler examination of the right femoral vessels showed evidence of a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the common femoral artery (11.5 cm × 7.5 cm) [Figure 1]. Figure 1 Axial section at the level of inguinal region showing common femoral artery with thrombus in the anterolateral wall (t), residual blood flow in the posteromedial wall (r) of the artery and haematoma (h) superficial to the artery She was stabilised with intravenous (IV) fluids, blood transfusion, respiratory therapy and plain insulin by 36 h following admission and surgery was planned. Pre-anaesthetic examination revealed BP of 109/70 mmHg; pulse rate 92/min and Hb – 6.9 g/dl with bilateral basal crepitations. There was a tender, non-pulsatile cystic swelling of about 11.5 cm × 7.5 cm over her right groin, with bluish-red discolouration of overlying skin [Figure 2]. She was accepted with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status grade III. Figure 2 Ruptured pseudoaneurysm of right femoral artery in the right groin In the operating room, along with the routine monitoring, her right IJV was cannulated for central venous pressure (CVP) which showed 5 cm H2O. A volume of 8 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with buprenorphine 120 µg (2 ml test dose + 6 ml) was administered in a lateral position to achieve continuous lumbar epidural differential blockade (modified Bromage II). The surgery lasted for about an hour. Intraoperatively, fall in systolic BP to 80 mmHg (CVP – 3 cm H2O) was treated successfully with IV dopamine (5 µg/kg/min), crystalloids, hetastarch and blood transfusion. Unfractionated heparin, 2500 units was administered just before closure (1 h, 15' after epidural placement) and repeated in two doses, 4 hourly postoperatively. Oozing was observed from the groin wound following third heparin dosage. It was reversed with IV protamine sulphate along with aPTT monitored anti-coagulation. Post-operative epidural analgesia with 8 ml 0.125% bupivacaine and 100 µg buprenorphine lasted for 24 h and was continued for 2 days. The recovery was uneventful following epidural catheter removal after 5 days. PSN of an artery develops after either arterial or venous catheterisation due to inadvertent injury to the arterial wall with continuous leakage of blood forming a pulsatile haematoma. It can result in slow expansion, rupture, distal embolisation, local pain, neuropathy and local skin ischaemia.[5] For emergency haemodialysis, central venous catheterisation with femoral access is chosen for bed–ridden ARF patients having co-morbidities such as pulmonary oedema, severe hyperkalaemia or with inaccessible/thrombosed IJVs.[6] However, femoral route is most vulnerable for arterial puncture with the highest incidence (9–15%) followed by internal jugular (6.6–9.4%) and subclavian (3.1–4.9%). Hence, ultrasound-guided placement and removal is recommended.[6] The risk factors for iatrogenic PSN formation are large-sized catheters, simultaneous artery and vein catheterisation, faulty technique, anticoagulation, obesity, advanced age, hypertension, and haemodialysis.[7] Non-surgical management is usually preferred in view of the co-morbidities and significant anaesthetic risk. Surgery is reserved for patients with large PSNs and impending rupture.[7] In our elderly patient, prolonged confinement to bed resulted in the slow expansion of the PSN and rupture after sudden ambulation. We preferred differential epidural blockade to obviate hypotension accompanying complete motor blockade. With an increasing number of percutaneous vascular interventions in recent years, the risk and incidence of PSN formation is increasing. This case is reported to highlight this iatrogenic complication with its fatal potential when the patient remains unattended. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

Protecting Human Rights in Austerity Claims in the UK

In many ways, writing about the economic crisis in the UK is telling a story about the past. Recently, media and scholars have been reporting that a successful economic recovery is upon us, that the double dip recession is over and that a slow but steady expansion of the UK economy is already taking place. To put it simply, the UK appears to be out of the economic crisis. Yet, although the economy has improved, the politics of the current conservative government is still very much focused on limiting social benefits and entitlements, a move that could have been explained during the economic crisis, but one that is now questionable. In this regard, although this article appears to be about the past, it is in fact about the present – it is about the effects of the economic crisis, about the government’s treatment of our most vulnerable people both during and out of a recession, and about our conception of the rule of law. The article how the adoption of a rights based approach has already changed the treatment of austerity claims in the UK. Recent constitutional developments in the UK (including the discussions about the repeal of the Human Rights Act and the adoption of a new Bill of Rights) and the danger of withdrawing from the European Convention of Human Rights make the focus on this jurisdiction especially interesting. The obvious question that arises is whether a human rights based approach is dependent on the UK being a member of the Convention. The article investigates the impact of the Human Rights Act on the current English constitutional climate and reveals the expanded potential for rights protection.

A comparison of the sagittal and vertical dentofacial effects of maxillary expansion produced by a memory screw and a hyrax screw

Abstract Aim The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the cephalometric effects of a conventional Hyrax expansion screw and a memory screw on the skeletal and dentoalveolar structures and soft tissues of the face. Methods Thirty-two patients with a maxillary transverse deficiency were divided into two groups. A memory-screw group included 17 patients (nine females and eight males), while a Hyrax-screw group was comprised of 15 patients (eight females and seven males). The mean ages of the subjects in the memory-screw and Hyrax-screw groups were 13.00 ± 1.29 and 12.58 ± 1.50 years, respectively. Lateral cephalograms were taken of the patients at the beginning of the treatment (T1), at the end of expansion (T2) and retention periods (T3). The mean expansion period was 7.76 ± 1.04 days in the memory-screw group and 35.46 ± 9.39 days in the Hyrax-screw group. The Shapiro-Wilk Normality test was used to determine whether the investigated parameters were homogeneous. To determine the treatment changes within the groups, a paired t-test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test were applied to the homogeneous and non-homogeneous parameters, respectively. A comparison between the groups was carried out using the Student’s t-test for homogeneous parameters and the Mann-Whitney U test for all others. Results A results summary indicates that mid-palatal sutural opening and subsequent important skeletal and dental expansions were obtained in all patients. The maxilla moved anteriorly and inferiorly in both groups while the mandible rotated inferiorly and posteriorly but to a greater extent in the memory-screw group. Conclusion The newly-developed memory expansion screw takes advantage of rapid and slow maxillary expansion protocols. The suture is opened and the maxilla expanded with relatively lighter forces over a shorter time. The RME using the memory screw resulted in similar sagittal and vertical changes to those produced by the Hyrax screw.

Ward identities for scale and special conformal transformations in inflation

We derive the general Ward identities for scale and special conformal transformations in theories of single field inflation. Our analysis is model independent and based on symmetry considerations alone. The identities we obtain are valid to all orders in the slow roll expansion. For special conformal transformations, the Ward identities include a term which is non-linear in the fields that arises due to a compensating spatial reparametrization. Some observational consequences are also discussed.

Growth Performance of Major Crop Groups in Odisha Agriculture: A Spatiotemporal Analysis

This study has analysed the pattern in growth of area, production and productivity of major crop groups across the physiographic zones in the state of Odisha for the period 1993–94 to 2010–11. It has observed an unstable and unsustainable growth in area, production and productivity over the years in the state as well as in all physiographic zones. The relatively high growth rate of foodgrains production in Odisha has been achieved mainly through area effect. Although, contribution of technology towards sustainable output growth has been recognized, growth in the yield rate is slow. This sluggish growth in area, production and yield of all crop groups in the state is because of slow expansion of irrigation network, low level of fertilizer consumption, slow rate of technology adoption, and low level of infrastructural development. The slowdown in the process of cropping pattern change indicates the failure of most government efforts to diversify agriculture in the state. It is time to reform this sector and accord importance to food safety issues to meet the growing demand for quality food through stable and sustainable growth in agriculture and replacing subsidies with investments and infrastructural development.

Sustainable Development is the only path to achieve the green economy

Sustainable development is the management of renewable resources for the good of the entire human and natural community. Built into this concept is an awareness of the animal and plant life of the surrounding environment .The goal of sustainable development is to provide resources for the use of present populations without compromising the availability of those resources for future generations, and without causing environmental damage that challenges the survival of natural ecosystems. Consequently, sustainable economies cannot be based on the use of non-renewable resources. Ultimately, sustainable economies must be supported by the use of renewable resources such as biological productivity, and solar, wind , geothermal, and biomass energy sources. However, even renewable resources may be subjected to overexploitation and other types of environmental degradation. Central to the notion of sustainable development is the requirement that renewable resources are utilized in ways that do not diminish their capacity for renewal, so that they will always be present to sustain future generations of humans. On the other hand, Egypt welcomes the concept of the green economy to achieve sustainable development ,within the framework of respect for national priorities of each country, in order to achieve more decent work opportunities, and developments continued, and use environmental resources. Egypt have passed already in the implementation of a number of pilot projects in this regard, and look forward to witnessing the next stage for more cooperation with development. The energy is the main driver of economic and social development with the necessity to development of primary energy resources and the proper management and use of the most important policies and development strategies Egypt depends in achieving economic development and technological several sources of energy available to a power and petroleum and natural gas, but that recently Egypt has seen a severe lack of energy due to the following reasons Increased energy consumption rate - Lower crude oil and gas production rates in the country - Some electricity production plants with low efficiency - increasing proportion of commercial waste- Slow expansion of the use of alternative energy .In this sense the Ministry of Environment has searched for alternative sources of energy assessing its environmental impact and its economic and social impact at the same time and take measures and actions that would raise sustainable proportion of renewable energy in the Egyptian energy mix and working to reduce the pressures of climate change where can these measures can contribute to maximize the utilization of alternative energy resources and traditional such as the use of solid waste as well as alternative fuels and use them as a form of alternative energy.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)-Determining Clonal Events at Presentation of Aplastic Anemia (AA)

Historically, the evolution rate of aplastic anemia (AA) to MDS approaches 15% in 10 yrs; thus, AA can be considered a major predisposition factor for secondary MDS (sMDS). The likely etiology includes expansion of a preexisting clone or truly late clonogenic events. In both instances, progression can be a result of a clonal escape, but confirmation of the presence of mutant cells at presentation would indicate that initial autoimmune processes may represent a tumor surveillance reaction.We studied 326 patients with AA and 47 patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and identified 36 cases (progression rate: 11% in median follow up of 6 years) that evolved to MDS or AML (median time to progression: 3.2 yrs.; transplanted patients were not censored). Cytogenetic analysis upon progression showed abnormal karyotype in 83% of cases; 7% had complex karyotype and -7/del(7q) was present in 62% of cases. The presence of a PNH clone was detected in 17% of cases that transformed to sMDS vs. 35% in non-progressors (P =.1). For comparison, we have also analyzed primary de novo cases of MDS (pMDS) with (N=94) and without (N=557) -7/del(7q). In contrast to sMDS, -7/del(7q) was present in 14.4% of cases in pMDS.Because sMDS following AA or PNH included a high proportion of patients with -7/del(7q), we compared sMDS with -7/del(7q) to pMDS with -7/del(7q) for coexisting mutational events. Mutations in RUNX1, CBL, SETBP1 and ASXL1 appeared to be more frequent in sMDS vs. pMDS (28.6% vs. 2.1%, 21.4% vs. 2.1%, 21.4% vs. 5.3%, 21.4% vs. 10.6%, P =.003, P =.02, P =.07, P =.37, respectively). In contrast, TP53 and DMT3A were more common in pMDS (7.1% for sMDS vs. 17%, 0% for sMDS vs. 8.5%, P =.69, P =.59). Similarly, there were several other distinctive differences between all sMDS and pMDS irrespective of the cytogenetics: mutations in SF3B1, SRSF2, NPM1, DNMT3A were common in primary AML but entirely absent from cases after AA; mutations in RUNX1 and SETBP1 appeared to be more frequent in sMDS vs. pMDS (26.3% vs. 8.3%, 21.1% vs. 3.2%, 15.8% vs. 3.9%, P =.03, P =.005, respectively).Whole exome NGS was performed after progression, with confirmed somatic mutations subsequently tracked back by targeted deep NGS applied to serial samples starting at initial presentation. Confirmed mutational events and chromosomal aberrations were found in 19/36 patients with sMDS; 17/19 cases of sMDS had at least 1 confirmed somatic mutation. Remarkably, in retrospective analysis in 6/7 cases studied serially, at least one of the identified mutations was detectable at presentation when deep targeted sequencing (depth 5,000~20,000 reads) was performed. In 5 of these cases the alterations appeared to be ancestral events for sMDS evolution. When anadditional 77 AA or PNH cases were studied by deep sequencing, somatic mutations were present in 48% of AA patients at presentation. Detection of clonal events at presentation was associated with an increased risk of subsequent MDS evolution (14/37 mutant cases vs. 3/40 nonclonal cases evolved, P =.002). Mutations found at both initial presentation and upon evolution were suggestive of a slow expansion of previously cryptic clones (ASXL1, CUX1, TET2, CBL, RUNX1, and SETBP1). Patients with these genes (n=18) had worseoverall survival compared to patients without these mutations (P =.03). To assess the potential impact of immunosuppressive therapies (IST), we also investigated a subset (out of 77) of 53 patients (39 responders and 14 refractory cases) following IST. Clonal somatic events were identified in 27 of them, but there was no association between the response to IST and somatic mutations at presentation.Our results demonstrate that while subclonal mutations indicative of oligoclonal hematopoiesis are frequent in AA, the presence of permissive ancestral somatic events at the outset of AA predisposes patients to sMDS, a feature that had diagnostic and prognostic implications. DisclosuresSekeres:Celgene Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; TetraLogic: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Analysis of the dentoalveolar effects of slow and rapid maxillary expansion in complete bilateral cleft lip and palate patients: a randomized clinical trial.

The purpose of this study was to compare the dentoalveolar effects of slow (SME) and rapid (RME) maxillary expansions in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). A sample of 50 patients with BCLP and maxillary arch constriction was randomly and equally allocated into two groups. Group SME comprised patients (mean age of 8.8years) treated with quad-helix appliance. Group RME comprised individuals (mean age of 8.9years) treated with Hyrax expander. Digital dental models obtained immediately pre-expansion (T1) and 6months after the active expansion period (T2) were used for measuring maxillary dental arch widths, arch perimeter, arch length, palatal depth, buccolingual inclination of posterior teeth and differential amount of expansion accomplished at the canine and molar regions. Inter-phase and intergroup comparisons were performed using paired t tests and t tests, respectively (p<0.05). SME and RME caused significant increase of arch widths and arch perimeter. Arch length and palatal depth decreased nonsignificantly with SME but significantly with RME. Buccal tooth inclination was significant only for maxillary deciduous canines in both groups. The quad-helix appliance showed a significant differential expansion between anterior and posterior regions. No differences were observed between SME and RME for all variables. Differences were not found between the dentoalveolar effects of SME and RME in patients with BCLP. SME demanded a greater therapy time compared to RME. Both expansion procedures can be similarly indicated to correct maxillary arch constriction in patients with BCLP in the mixed dentition.

Nuclear robustness of therprocess in neutron-star mergers

We have performed r-process calculations for matter ejected dynamically in neutron star mergers based on a complete set of trajectories from a three-dimensional relativistic smoothed particle hydrodynamic simulation. Our calculations consider an extended nuclear network, including spontaneous, $\beta$- and neutron-induced fission and adopting fission yield distributions from the ABLA code. We have studied the sensitivity of the r-process abundances to nuclear masses by using different models. Most of the trajectories, corresponding to 90% of the ejected mass, follow a relatively slow expansion allowing for all neutrons to be captured. The resulting abundances are very similar to each other and reproduce the general features of the observed r-process abundance (the second and third peaks, the rare-earth peak and the lead peak) for all mass models as they are mainly determined by the fission yields. We find distinct differences in the abundance yields at and just above the third peak, which can be traced back to different predictions of neutron separation energies for r-process nuclei around neutron number $N=130$. The remaining trajectories, which contribute 10% by mass to the total integrated abundances, follow such a fast expansion that the r process does not use all the neutrons. This also leads to a larger variation of abundances among trajectories as fission does not dominate the r-process dynamics. The total integrated abundances are dominated by contributions from the slow abundances and hence reproduce the general features of the observed r-process abundances. We find that at timescales of weeks relevant for kilonova light curve calculations, the abundance of actinides is larger than the one of lanthanides. Hence actinides can be even more important than lanthanides to determine the photon opacities under kilonova conditions. (Abridged)