Search

Egyptian pro‐democracy activists mobilized two major uprisings in recent years: one ending Hosni Mubarak's decades‐long rule in February 2011 and the other precipitating a coup against newly elected president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013. Prior research indicates that nonviolent campaigns succeed more often and are more likely to result in democracy than armed insurgencies. The theorized explanation, in short, is that nonviolent campaigns better facilitate democratic participation, but it is inadequate when civil resistance has mixed outcomes. Analysis of the Egyptian case demonstrates how ambiguous results can be understood by disentangling the specific ways civil resistance prefigures democracy. The article traces the varying efficacy of civil resistance in Egypt between 2011 and 2015 through five distinct mechanisms: fostering inclusive political participation; organizing civil society; establishing civilian checks on authority; implementing procedures for nonviolent conflict management; and instituting practices of egalitarian self‐governance. The case study serves to refine our understanding of the link between nonviolent action and democratization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the effect of topical 2% dorzolamide alone, and in combination with topical 0.5% timolol, on intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal cats. Animals Twenty-four healthy Domestic Short-haired cats. Procedure Baseline values of IOP were established at 7 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 5 pm and 9 pm during pretreatment phase (days 1–2). During treatment phase (days 3–10) cats received 2% dorzolamide HCl q 12 h in group A ( n = 6), q 8 h in group B ( n = 6), and combined with 0.5% timolol maleate q 12 h in group C ( n = 6). Cats in control group D ( n = 6) received artificial tears q 8 h. During treatment phase IOP measurements were continued at the same time-points as in the pretreatment phase. Results Mean pretreatment IOP in all cats was 18.46 ± 2.99 mmHg. Mean IOP decreased significantly ( P < 0.0086) in all treatment groups compared to pretreatment values (group A: 16.40 ± 0.49 mmHg, group B: 16.04 ± 0.49 mmHg, group C: 17.76 ± 0.49 mmHg). IOP did not decrease in control group D (18.55 ± 0.49 mmHg). The difference in IOP between treatment groups (A, B, C) was not statistically significant, but comparison of IOP between each treatment group and the control group was statistically significant (A–D; P = 0.0057; B–D, P = 0.0012; C–D, P = 0.0212). Conclusion Topical 2% dorzolamide significantly lowers IOP in normal cats but the effect is mild. Concomitant application of 2% dorzolamide and 0.5% timolol does significantly decrease IOP, but the effect is not significantly greater than q 8 h administration of dorzolamide alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective To investigate the potential damage to the canine corneal endothelium following transcorneal iridal laser photocoagulation using a semiconductor diode laser. Animals studied Sixteen young mongrel dogs. Procedures Baseline corneal endothelial cell counts and corneal thickness were measured in the central and temporal quadrants using a noncontact specular microscope under general anesthesia. Transcorneal iridal photocoagulation was applied using a semiconductor diode laser in a continuous mode with the use of an operating microscope. Fifteen dogs were treated, and the sixteenth dog served as a control. Fifteen different treatment combinations were randomly assigned to the 30 eyes; the fellow eye was treated differently. Three treatment factors were investigated: (1) laser energy intensity, (2) target tissue to endothelial distance, and (3) laser application duration. After 3 weeks the dogs were euthanized, specular microscopy was repeated, and the cornea was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Results Dyscoria and focal iris darkening were noted in all eyes immediately following laser treatment. Focal corneal edema (n = 2) and an incipient anterior capsular cataract (n = 1) were also noted. Baseline mean corneal endothelial cell densities were 2530 cells/mm[sup 2] centrally and 2607 cells/mm[sup 2] temporally. Postlaser corneal endothelial cell densities were 2499 cells/mm[sup 2] centrally and 2523 cells/mm[sup 2] temporally. Mean prelaser corneal thickness measurements were 0.555 mm centrally and 0.549 mm temporally. Postlaser corneal thickness measurements were 0.580 mm centrally and 0.554 mm temporally. Statistical analyzes revealed no significant changes in endothelial cell densities (P > 0.05) or corneal thickness (P > 0.05) induced by any treatment combination. Aside from tissue handling and processing artifacts, scanning electron microscopy revealed no endothelial cell damage. Conclusions Our study demonstrated by specular and scanning electron microscopy that diode laser iridal photocoagulation had no significant effect on the canine corneal endothelium within the parameters described. However, one must take into consideration the young age of the dogs and the potential for corneal endothelial cell regeneration in young dogs, and the relatively short period of postoperative study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the book "Civilian Jihad: Nonviolent Struggle, Democratization and Governance in the Middle East," edited by Maria J. Stephan.