The Bay of Bengal: Next theatre for strategic power play in Asia
Abstract This paper explores the factors behind the increasing strategic significance of the Bay of Bengal in the current geopolitical context. The study starts by highlighting the factors contributing to the rising importance of the littoral region from a general economic, geopolitical and energy perspective. It then analyses the specific objectives and strategic aspirations of the major powers involved in the Bay, and how those may turn the area into a hub of converging, and/or conflicting interests. The focus is then shifted toward the smaller littoral nations and their individual relations with the major players. Finally, challenges to stability in the region are discussed, and a cooperative approach is suggested for the context of the Bay. The paper argues that the strategic importance of the Bay will considerably increase in the coming years. As the nations involved are major and rising powers, the power play in the area will inevitably reshape the dynamics of the region. The interests that are at stake are also of crucial importance to the countries involved; hence, their protection will also demand a rapid militarization of the littoral. Most of these countries are now redirecting their focus from land to sea, which is adding a whole new dimension to the importance of the Bay. However, this paper argues that cooperation and competition is in all the nations’ best interest, as any conflict in the Bay region could bring in political, economic and energy insecurity affecting all the concerned countries. Another dimension this paper explores is the implication of this competition on smaller nations and their role in the larger schemes of the major powers. In order to lay out an exhaustive and holistic view, historical, economic, military, geopolitical and social factors have been taken into account in this research
A New Energy Frontier: The Bay of Bengal Region
A New Energy Frontier: The Bay of Bengal Region Preliminary pages 1. An Overview of the Energy Scene in the Bay of Bengal Region, by Sudhir T Devare 2. Current and Expected Energy Production and Consumption within the Bay of Bengal Region: A Synopsis, by Elspeth Thomson 3. Gas Potential at the Bay of Bengal and Implications for India's Energy Security, by Talmiz Ahmad 4. Macroeconomic Challenges for the Growth of the Energy Sector in Bangladesh in the Context of Regional Integration, by Debapriya Bhattacharya Tazeen Tahsina 5. Energy in the Bay of Bengal Region: Myanmar's Perspective, by U Than Tun 6. Marine-related Energy Resources in the Eastern Indian Ocean: Indonesian Perspective, by Sugiarta Wirasantosa 7. Energy Trading and Singapore's Role as a Hub, by Ong Eng Tong 8. Bay of Bengal: Awakening of a Potential Giant Area, by P K Singh 9. Energy Transportation Security in the Bay of Bengal, by Vijay Sakhuja 10. Ethical Business Practice or Camouflage? Energy and Mining Companies and Corporate Social Responsibility, by Andrew Symon 11. Sustainable and Renewable Energy: Scenarios for the Future, by Christophe Bongars.
Assessment of fractures in endodontically treated teeth restored with and without root canal posts using high-resolution cone beam computed tomography
Background Root fractures are a diagnostic challenge for dentists in endodontic treatment. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the characteristics of tooth fractures and the presence of root canal posts in endodontically treated teeth using high-resolution cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and Methods Fifty high-resolution CBCT scans of endodontically treated teeth with a diagnosis of fracture were obtained, of which 30 were from women and 20 were from men. These scans were acquired with three Veraviewepocs 3D units and one 3D Accuitomo 170 unit, with a 40 × 40-mm field of view and 125 μm voxel size. The variables assessed included the type of fracture, extent of fracture, type of retention, post length, cause of endodontic failure, location of the lesion, and time required to detect the fracture (difficulty score). For data analysis, the chi-squared test, Student’s t-test, and multiple linear regression (α <0.05) were used. Results No association was found between the type of fracture and type of retention or between the type of fracture and its extent (P>0.05). On the other hand, the type of fracture significantly influenced the time required for its detection. Additionally, the most difficult plane for detecting the fracture and the difficulty score were associated, with statistically significant results. Conclusions The type of fracture in endodontically treated teeth was not associated with the type of post used for restoration. All of the CBCT systems used to detect tooth fracture showed the same efficiency. Key words:Cone-Beam CT, Tooth Fracture, Root Canal Post.