What’s Coming Next?

The need and desire for forecasts is explored, starting with the weather. A case study is made of the 2020 Primary process to select a Democratic Party presidential campaign, and how predictions were overturned by events. Predictions of doom are investigated, ranging from Malthus to the Millennium Bug. Some of the pressing threats that we face in current times are discussed in light of our incomplete understanding of uncertainty.

Techniques for Egyptian Eyes: Diplomacy and the Transmission of Cosmetic Practices between Egypt and Kerma

This article examines the context and distribution of Egyptian eye cosmetic equipment, kohl pots and sticks, found at Classic Kerma (c. 1650–1550 BCE) sites in Upper Nubia in modern-day Sudan. It is argued that these cosmetic assemblages, which included the body techniques, etiquettes, and embodied experiences involved in its application, display, and removal, were forms of courtly habitus adopted from Egypt. Diplomacy is suggested to be the primary process through which these objects and practices were transmitted, as diplomatic visits facilitated the performance of court habitus in intercultural encounters. Kerman agency in consuming and adapting these forms of habitus were negotiated through personal relationships and interactions with Egyptian diplomats that worked to create shared forms of interregional court identities.

Purulent-Necrotic Diseases Of The Face: Aspects Of Diagnostics And Treatment

The problem of treatment of pyoinflammatory diseases (PID) of the face and neck is relevant for both dentists of polyclinics and maxillofacial surgeons in hospitals. About 50% of those in maxillofacial hospitals, and about 20% of those who seek help from a dentist and a surgeon of polyclinics, are patients with inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region (MFO), among them - 60-80% of patients with abscesses and phlegmons, the frequency of which has increased by 1.5–2.0 times over the past decade. There has been a steady growth of atypical and severely flowing progressive phlegmon, spreading simultaneously in several cellular spaces, with the development of such formidable complications as sepsis, contact mediastinitis, and thrombosis of the cavernous sinus of the dura mater. Low-symptom “erased” forms of phlegmon are found among 13.4–22% of patients, are characterized by a long course and are difficult to diagnose, which contributes to late hospitalization and untimely treatment started. Microbial etiology of HVZ CLO is due to the localization of the primary process (connection with the oral cavity, teeth).

Advances in the occurrence of pyroptosis：a novel role in atherosclerosis

: Pyroptosis is a new type of pro-inflammatory programmed cell death identified over the last few years and has since attracted researchers' attention. Current research demonstrates that pyroptosis's primary process is dependent on caspase-1 protein and gasdermin D protein and is accompanied by the release of inflammatory substances. However, the specific mechanisms and physiological or pathophysiological processes involved in pyroptosis are unclear. Presently, research on the occurrence, development, and treatment of various diseases associated with pyroptosis is of significant value. Pyroptosis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. For instance, numerous studies have revealed that pyroptosis is involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, and it is closely associated with pyroptosis of three essential cells (vascular endothelial cells, macrophages, and vascular smooth muscle cells) in atherosclerosis. The advancement of research on pyroptosis is anticipated to give insights into its application as a potential method for treating diseases. This article mainly reviews the relationship between pyroptosis and associated mechanisms, factors that cause pyroptosis and the relationship between pyroptosis and various diseases, especially atherosclerosis.

Selection of an Optimal Supplier

The paper describes the selection of an optimal supplier from China based on three obtained bids to produce 120,000 forged pieces, which is the primary process for shaft production. The choice was made using the AHP method based on the Expert Choice software program and Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM). The key information when choosing the optimal supplier of large number of forgings is to define the objective of the task, decision tree with weighted criteria and sub-criteria, consistency checking and possible reconsideration using brain storming when defining the strength of criteria/sub-criteria. To some extent, this may reduce initial subjectivity in the decision-making process in the Decision Support System.

An interesting case of small vessel pathology following coronavirus infection

Vasculitis is a descriptive term for a wide variety of conditions characterised by inflammation of the blood vessels that may occur as a primary process or secondary to an underlying disease. Occlusive vasculopathy is a different clinical entity characterised by skin changes and ulceration of the lower extremities because of thrombosis of the small vessels of the dermis and is usually associated with pre-thrombotic conditions. Both conditions can be confirmed or excluded by skin biopsy. We report the case of a 63-year-old woman presenting with upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms followed by a vasculitic rash on both legs. The patient underwent extensive radiological and laboratory investigations that were negative apart from positive coronavirus OC43. A biopsy of the skin was performed. Considering the clinical presentation and the investigations performed, the diagnosis of small vessel vasculopathy following coronavirus OC43 has been suggested by the authors.

Memory drives the formation of animal home ranges: evidence from a reintroduction

Most animals live in a characteristic home range, a space-use pattern thought to emerge from the benefits of memory-based movements; however, a general model for characterizing and predicting their formation in the absence of territoriality has been lacking. Here, we use a mechanistic movement model to quantify the role of memory in the movements of a large mammal reintroduced into a novel environment, and to predict observed patterns of home range emergence. We show that an interplay between memory and resource preferences is the primary process influencing the movements of reintroduced roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Our memory-based model fitted with empirical data successfully predicts the formation of home ranges, as well as emerging properties of movement and revisits observed in the reintroduced animals. These results provide a quantitative framework for combining memory-based movements, resource preference and the emergence of home ranges in nature.

Dye inhibition of phosphate transport in everted duodenal sacs of mice

Phenol Red has been widely used to test kidney function in man. Using the simple, everted gut sac technique has been observed to inhibit the phosphate transport by phenol red in the mouse intestine. We wanted to see if other similar organic anions are able to inhibit the phosphate transport across the mouse intestine. Both uptake and release of phosphate by the everted duodenal sacs of mice are inhibited by phenol red, bromocresol green and bromophenol blue. At the highest dose all the dyes were able to inhibit both influx and efflux significantly. Loss of phosphate from bathing solution is taken as influx and the gain of phosphate by the solution within the sac is taken efflux. At higher dosages a trend of increase in E/I% was noted. At the highest dose all the dyes were able to increase this parameter significantly over the control. Influx appears to be the primary process to be affected. Possible use of phenol red, on account of its safety in humans, as a hypophosphatemic agent is suggested.