Homeopathy and the science of high dilutions: when to believe the unbelievable

In 1988, a Nature Editorial titled “When to believe the unbelievable” noted that the famous high-dilution experiments of the Benveniste group had no physical basis and suggested that “prudent people should, for the time being, suspend judgment.” In point of fact, judgment was not suspended and in the ensuing weeks the authors were resoundingly condemned and ridiculed for the purported lack of replication of their findings. Twenty-four years later, the concept that a solution diluted beyond the Avogadro-Loschmidt constant may show some biological and pharmacological activity is still “unbelievable” from an ordinary common sense perspective, but things are dramatically changing. Several groups of researchers from countries all over the world have been investigating this difficult question, which has weighty implications not just for pharmacology (homeopathy) but also for biology, physics and the environmental sciences. The XXVI meeting of GIRI (International research group on ultra-low dose and high-dilution effects), scheduled to take place in Florence on 20-22 September 2012, will present a growing body of evidence in favor of the “existence” of high-dilution/dynamization effects. Continuing the excellent work of the preceding editions, the meeting features a rich and outstanding program organized into four main tracks: physico-chemical features of high dilutions; studies done in planta and in the field; clinical and veterinary evidence; and laboratory models. ... For two centuries, homeopathy and science have been regarded as two opposing and conflicting fields. Now things are changing, as scientific evidence begins to support many homeopathic tenets, and the homeopathic world increasingly stimulates science to investigate previously under-evaluated and little understood subtle phenomena. For over 26 years from the foundation, the international GIRI group has been stimulating fruitful dialogue in the interest of furthering true science—i.e., that which is free from ideological barriers and pre-judgments. Quite often, scientific “dogmas” have been disrupted by new evidence, or previously dismissed phenomena have gained importance in the light of a new conceptual framework. The unusual properties of high dilutions/dynamizations, which merit further investigation, are potentially relevant not just to homeopathic pharmaceutical science, but also to agriculture (“agrohomeopathy”), environmental sciences and, in general, to the future of mankind.

Performing Excellence: Nobel Prize nomination networks in North America

This paper examines how scientific excellence is performed in Nobel nominations for medical scientists. Performing excellence encompasses both conducting excellent scientific work and being recognized for it. Both dimensions are closely intertwined: doing and recognizing excellent work depend on each other. Tracing nominations from the Nobel Archives in Solna, Sweden, the paper shows that Nobel Prizes are only the tip of the iceberg of networks of scientific recognition, which belong to cultures of excellence. Approaching cultures of excellence through nominations helps to understand how scientific prizes were awarded. The nominations show that science is not just a cognitive activity but also a social endeavour, and that the decision about who is awarded the Nobel Prize is also an outcome of social processes. Analysing the nomination networks thus explains to a certain extent the predominance of researchers from the USA versus Canada (and other countries). It shows, among other things, that a proactive policy of Nobel Prize nominations is part of the culture of excellence in which American scientists often participate. The mechanisms of scientific recognition as reflected in Nobel Prize nomination networks and rhetoric give insight into the patterns and the background of awarding the prize.

Assessing Crisis Management Competencies: A Case Study of Pasir Gudang City Council

In this modern era of globalisation, the role of leaders and employees in handling crises and problems is very important. This study aims to gather as much understanding as possible through different perspectives.This study was conducted using qualitative methods involving eight informants in a number of in-depth interviews until data saturation has been reached. During the interview sessions, questions were asked based on the preparation of an interview protocol. Data analysis discovered four main themes related to crisis management competencies, namely “excellent work culture”, “dynamic thinking competency learning”, “efficient organisational production”, and “responsive governance development”.Overall, the data acquisition indicates that crisis management competencies give further understanding to employees on how to deal and handle upcoming crisis and to prepare it from happening in the future. At the same time, the management and employees need to implement organisational learning as a process to formulate strategies and improve the service quality to external parties such as customers and stakeholders.

La prego di voler gradire una mia Carta dei prodotti alimentari…

The Authors examine some elements of the work of the great cartographer Benedetto Marzolla (1801-1858) who, together with Carlo Afàn de Rivera, represents the best among the intellectuals and technicians that the Kingdom of Two Sicilies yielded before the Italian unification. This contrasts with the commonplace outlined be the Savoyard-Risorgimental propaganda which describes Naples and the Kingdom as a country inhabited by incapables, depraved and lazy persons. The Authors resume the theme of the Map of Nourishing Products, an excellent work not only because it describes the terrestrial and marine nourishing productions, but also for the connection with many agrarian landscapes and relative trades. Moreover, the Authors present the Map of Excise Duty (1830) another work of Marzolla together with Valentino, never known or considered by cartography scholars. This map does not seem to be cited inside the catalogues or inventories about Marzolla’s production, compiled by Valerio or by others authors in the frame of the analysis of the Royal Topographical Office of Naples (ROT), especially along the second half of the XIX century. The “modernity” of Marzolla manifests not only in consideration of anti-historical comparisons with actual excellent or “organic” food products, but for the analogies with the original proposals of Brunet, Ferras and other academics of the Maison de la Géographie. Unfortunately, Italian geographers have devoted little attention to this field of study.

Density: Bulk in-situ or SG?

The density used to covert volume to tons is critical in determining the real in-situ tonnage of Mineral Resources. However, the methods used to determine density and the use of different technical terms are seen to be inconsistent throughout the industry. Probably the best discussion addressing the determination of density was presented by Lipton (2001). This paper does not try to replicate this excellent work, but rather to review current industry practice and present a comparison of the approach to density in public reporting. Some of the technical terms used in reporting and the common methods applied are also discussed.

Workability of dentists working in state children's dental polyclinics

Introduction. A high level of workability of a doctor is an essential part of successful professional activity. The assessment of workability in combination with the study of working conditions, health status and quality of life of a specialist seems to be one of the actual areas of occupational health. The aim of the study was to analyze the workability of dentists providing medical care to children in state children’s dental polyclinics and children’s departments of state dental polyclinics providing medical care to adults in St. Petersburg. Materials and methods. A survey included 120 dentists using a standardized workability questionnaire. Workability was characterized by the level of current workability and workability index. Statistical data processing was carried out using SPSS 17.0 software. Results. The average values of current workability and workability index in the studied group of dentists are in the average (reduced) level - 6.1 ± 1.7 and 33.0 ± 5.3. The majority of doctors indicated the presence of certain health disorders, although 40% noted that their health will allow them to adequately fulfil their professional duties in the next two years. 62% of specialists were characterized by a good level of work motivation. From the total number of specialists, 68% had up to 9 days of disability per year. The group of dental surgeons did not have specialists with excellent work ability, and the proportion of doctors with good workability was half the size of others. 68% of doctors need to improve workability, and 11% need to restore it. Discussion. It is alarming that half of the specialists had a low (threatening) level of current work ability with average levels of current work ability and work ability index. Only 8.3% of doctors consider themselves absolutely healthy and capable of doing work without restrictions. Conclusion. The majority of dentists corresponds to average workability level. Workability indicators and the number of days of disability of dental surgeons are worse than those of orthodontists and pediatric dentists. The majority of doctors need to improve workability.

Evolutionary Developmental Biology

Evolutionary developmental biology, or evo-devo, is the study of the reciprocal relationships between ontogenetic development and evolutionary processes. This still relatively new research field, of roughly four decades, is highly heterogeneous and based on a variety of different approaches and interpretations of evo-devo as a research field. Broadly conceived forms of evo-devo, in which nearly every comparative-embryological or developmental-genetic approach is presumed to have evolutionary significance, intersect with more specialized practices that are characterized by the explicit evolutionary questions they attempt to answer. In this bibliographic survey we focus on the latter. These works explore an interconnected set of two principal scientific problems: How do the mechanisms of individual development evolve, and how do the properties of developmental systems that characterize organismal lineages influence their further evolution? Within each of these larger areas, a host of more detailed questions can be defined, and, in pursuing them, evo-devo addresses many empirical and conceptual issues that pertain to the emergence of complex phenotypes as well as the evolving interactions of development with population-level processes and the environment. The theoretical consequences of these kinds of investigations have a significant impact on how organismal evolution is conceptualized today. Thus, the publications listed herein were chosen for their specific evo-devo content and their capacity to bridge the empirical and theoretical dimensions. Recent works are favored, but foundational classics of individual subject areas are also cited. Besides the general parts, our survey contains sixteen thematic sections that cover the most important areas of evo-devo research. For each of these sections, we were permitted to list up to ten publications. Of course, this cannot do justice to all the excellent work in the field. Therefore, we attempted to highlight publications that are representative of the selected areas and address crucial conceptual aspects. Since even this criterion is a highly subjective one, we ask all those whose work could not be included for their understanding. In addition to providing an introduction to the characteristic themes of evo-devo, we have aimed for a suitability of this survey as a comprehensive resource for the teaching of evo-devo to advanced undergraduate and graduate students.

July 25 — the Day of the Dental Technician

Healthy teeth are the key to the normal functioning of the whole organism; people should start taking care of the condition of their teeth from early childhood. It is the teeth that are the only organ of the human body that is incapable of regeneration, so they need special care and the most careful attitude. Not everyone regularly visits dentists, and very few are closely familiar with the work of their right-hand people — dental technicians. At the beginning of the 18th century, serious changes took place in the field of dentistry, i.e. the transition from conservative tooth extraction to the desire for their maximum preservation and restoration. Pierre Fauchard is considered the ideological inspirer of scientific dentistry. By the way, it is dentists who are most directly related to the formation of another scientific discipline — anesthesiology. The first experiments with anesthetics — nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and sulfuric ether — began to be used by dentists as early as the 19th century. It was then that the English naturalist H. Davy experienced the pain-dulling effect of nitrous oxide fumes, and in the 40s of the same century, another dentist had a tooth removed for the first time under the influence of «laughing gas». Many people are used to calling stomatologists dentists, but this broad concept unites not only dentists and surgeons, but also feldshers and technicians. Each individual direction requires a highly qualified specialist, serious practical experience and excellent work skills.

مولانا سمیع الحق شہیدؒکی تفسیری خدمات کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Maulana Sami Ul Haq of Akora Khattak (Nowshera, Pakistan ) was a great shariah scholar. He was also the leader of a religious political party. He was one of the famous Muhaddithun ( experts in traditions) of the sub-continent. He became the vice chancellor of Haqqania University after the demise of his father, Hadhrat Maulana Abdul Haq. Maulana Sami Ul Haq has served the teachings of Quran and has a rich contribution in the commentary of Quran. He is considered as the last spokesman of the mission of Shah Wali Ullah Muhaddith Dehlvi, Hadhrat Maulana Obaid Ullah Sindhi, and Hadhrat Maulana Imam Ahmad Lahori. He also considered as the last representative of the methodology and interpretation of Quranic Sciences of these well-known Shariah Scholars of the sub-continent. Shaykh Ul Hadith Hadhrat Maulana Sami Ul Haq has done excellent work in absorbing, preserving and disseminating the Quranic commentary of Ahmad Lahori. The fruitful and thorough efforts that were once the hallmark of Imam Lahori had then fully adapted by Maulana Sami Ul Haq and had become the part of his life. This qualitative research explores that Maulana Sami Ul Haq was a follower and excellent representative of the Quranic commentary of Imam Lahori. This study also analyzes that how Maulana Sami Ul Haq had incorporated the methodology and commentary of Imam Lahori in his lectures about Quranic Sciences.