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Alcohol restrictions amid COVID-19 virus outbreak
On March 17 the Estonian Government approved a nightly ban on alcohol sales across Estonia, extending it from stores to all dining facilities. Starting from March 18 it is possible to sell alcohol in restaurants, pubs, bars and other catering establishments and hotels from 10am to 10pm. Night sales of alcohol from 10 pm to 10 am are prohibited until the end of the emergency situation.
The restriction on the retail sale of alcohol is necessary in order to prevent cases of alcohol abuse that burden both the medical system and the police during the emergency situation.
On Tuesday (March 24), the Mayor of Tallinn Mihhail Kõlvart put forward several proposals to Prime Minister Jüri Ratas to tighten restrictions in the capital during the emergency situation and to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The city thinks the rules regarding the selling of alcohol between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. need to be better enforced and, together with the municipal police, found many violations on a recent spot check.
The same day Estonian government did introduce strict new restrictions, among which was also a decision that from 27 March, bars and clubs must be closed at 10pm in the evening, except for take-away food distribution and home delivery. Other entertainment venues, such as bowling and billiard clubs, hookah cafes and adult clubs, will be closed from 27 March.
Ban on service of alcohol in Oslo
From 20:30 on Saturday, 21 March 2020, service of alcohol will be prohibited in all restaurants and bars in Oslo. Establishments serving food or take-away may remain open.
These guidelines apply to restaurants and bars in Oslo:
# All licensed establishments serving alcohol, such as bars, pubs, nightclubs and similar, must stay closed.
# Only food-service establishments with a kitchen and serving food at the table are permitted to stay open.
# Establishments that did not serve food when the regulation came into force must stay closed.
# Establishments offering frozen pizza or toast are not reckoned as food-service establishments in the sense of the regulation.
# Guests must keep a distance of minimum one meter from each other.
# There must never be more than 50 persons, including staff, in the premises.
# Self-service from a buffet is not permitted.
Finland will close restaurants
On March 24 Finland Government decided to close restaurants, but pick-up food can be requested. The proposal has to be supported by the Parliament.
Once the restrictions take effect sitting in restaurants, bars, pubs, or cafes is no longer allowed, but pick-up foods can be ordered at home. In other words, the restaurants are closed, except for the takeaway food. Alcohol should still not be sold out and there is no change.
NordAN: Concern about Statoil intervening in national alcohol policy
Tallinn bans public alcohol, tobacco, express loan ads
Tallinn’s hard liqueur sale ban hits gas stations and small stores
Tallinn strips 124 shops and all gas stations of alcohol license
Norway´s government receives a joint letter from the public health organisations
Estonia: 25 percent excise duty cuts came into effect Monday
Estonia: Riigikogu passes bill lowering alcohol excise duty rate by 25 percent
Estonia: Restrictions on alcohol point of sale displays came into force last Saturday
Norway´s investment funds are cleaning house
Norway: how many would stop a drunk driver?
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Tag Archives: private jets
Photos, Quote of the day, Social Commentary, Travel
Quote of the Day: ‘I promise you will never have to turn Right on an airplane’
May 15, 2014 nottinghillyummymummy'Seinfelded, british airways, British Airways gold card, business class, cessnas, economy, Eileen Benes, falcons, first class, G5, G6, Mustique, private jets, seinfeld airport episode, world traveller plus 3 Comments
(Seinfeld Airport Episode, Courtesy of the Internet)
I admit it. I am a Business-Class-Kind-of-Girl. No, not the ‘Swingers’ movie Business-Class-Kind-of-Girl, where my ass is too big to fit in an economy seat, but the Seinfeld Business-Class-Kind-of-Girl, who has tried Business Class and has trouble going back to economy. The worst is when they make you walk past Business Class to get to economy, making you look at all these people being treated like royalty, condescendingly sipping their Champagne in your face smugly and gleefully. It makes me feel like Eileen in that Seinfeld episode: ‘Oh, no, please, don’t send me back there. Please, I’ll do anything. It’s so nice up here. It’s so comfortable up here. I don’t want to go back there. Please don’t send me back there…’ I don’t know anyone who has tried Business/First/PJ and is just dying to get back to Economy.
These days, I could just take a Business Class Flight for 12 hours and come back to London for all I care. I just want 12 hours to do whatever I want, without hearing ‘mummy!’ being screamed at me every two seconds, a husband requiring ‘attention’ and having to keep up the appearance of a ‘perfect’ life (which it never is, trust me). Everyone here in Business Class is smiling. The air must be better. This is a Happyland; nice people constantly making me feel so good, asking me ‘how are you’, ‘what can I get for you,’ ‘is everything Ok’ for once and bringing me food, magazines, and champagne at the tip of a button. I get to watch movies all day long without feeling guilty and actually read a whole sentence out of a book uninterrupted. What else could a girl ask for?
The High Miles Club
The best kind of Business Class flying, which I specialise in, is on Miles/Points, guilt-free Business Class flying, where everything feels better when it’s (almost) free. (There have to be some perks for your husband’s constant work travels and making you feel like a single mother). I have analysed all the possible and impossible routes using BA Miles and have gotten it down to an art. Flying to main business hubs and cities in the US/North America is relatively easy: New York, Chicago, LA, Toronto as well as other far away Business centers like Tokyo. Forget the Maldives, it is a very popular holiday destination, which is virtually impossible to book on miles, unless you book months and months in advance in the rainy season. From London, your safest warm destination is the Carribean, which is why I have been to Barbados more times than I care to discuss, St. Lucia, Mustique and Antigua. Other possible warm and sunny destinations include Bangkok, Cape Town and Brazil.
Men and Business Class
Men are equally as guilty of loving Business Class. Those in the know ask each other ‘Do you turn Right or Left on an airplane?’ which fuelled the famous line a Hedge Funder used to try to win his fiancé back: ‘I promise you will never have to turn Right on an airplane.’ I used to date a guy with a British Airways Gold Card, which was one of the few perks of him travelling all the time, until he ‘Seinfelded’ me (see Youtube video at top). One of our Business seats was given away (we got them on miles) and he made me sit in the ‘back of the bus’ while he was ‘in front’ in Business (using the excuse that he traveled so much that he needed his Business seat). Needless to say, this relationship did not last. A man’s attitude towards flying Business is really an entry into his mind. It’s very simple, those men who will take the Business seat instead of giving them to you will always put themselves/their jobs/their hobbies/their priorities in front of yours and you will just need to accept this for the rest of your life. Take it or leave it. Really, the first question a woman should ask on a first date should be: ‘If we had one seat in Business and one seat in Economy, which would you choose and which would you offer me?’ The same goes for men, if your date demands Business Class on your first trip together to the One & Only in the Maldives after 6 weeks of dating, good luck.
Children and Business Class
Now there is the dilemma of what to do with children and flying. Hugh Jackman recently told the Sunday Times Magazine that he flies economy with his children and First without them ‘when he’s working.’ Within the Notting Hill Mums set, it is typical for a three year old NHYM daughter to go on a domestic flight and push all the buttons before asking her mother: ‘Mummy, how do I turn this into a bed?’ Then there is the 5 year old who flies commercial for the first time (after his father loses his job during the recession) and asks his father ‘Daddy, who are all these people on our plane?’ Luckily, the father was clever enough to convince him that this kind of flying was much better; bigger airplane, more movies and games, more friends to make, and of course, flatbeds.
Economy and World Traveller Plus vs. Business
Who needs an overweight, slobbering, snoring guy who overtakes his half of the armrest and locks you in for the whole flight while some little shit kid is kicking the back of your seat while his mother smiles apologetically when you give her evil stares (but does absolutely nothing about it)? Then there are the wafts of the ‘Odeurs du Corps’ perfume (translated as ‘body odours,’ sounds so much better in French), a mix of BO and gastrointestinal gasses, the latter which have been proven to occur more frequently at altitude since gasses expand as pressure decreases (http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/scientists-support-breaking-wind-airplane-article-1.1265744). The air in Business Club is truly better. Then there are the poor air hostesses who have to endure the humiliation that they are ten years older and ten kilos heavier than their Business Class counterparts. I have cringed when I asked an Economy air hostess what kind of Red wine she was pouring me, and she replied’We only have two kinds of wine, Red and White.’
World Traveller Plus is really where I feel the most comfortable, since I can’t justify the price of actually paying for Business seats (which makes me sick thinking of how many houses with running water I could build in Africa for the price of one ticket), but can’t help feeling torn because I hate that I love Business so much.
First Class vs. Business
My analysis of First vs. Business is quite simple. There is not enough difference between First and Business to justify the price or the Miles. Although, there are still a lot of positives to First Class, I like the pyjamas but they only have two sizes, Medium and Large, and I quite simply look like I am wearing my husband’s workout clothes after a massive weight loss and gastric banding. They are also rather potato-sack unflattering. The Virgin Upper Class bottoms are better styled and more comfortable, I could wear them every day, so when you see someone walking down Westbourne Grove in Virgin Upper Class sweatpants, you’ll know it’s me.
What I also like about First Class is that the passengers are actually more civilized than Business Class passengers. When M took her first First Class flight at 7 months, everyone was smiling, cooing and wanting to hold her. She was treated like a First Class Baby. In Business, I have witnessed ‘airplane rage’ caused by her and other small children. Once when a woman was seated next to us complained for half an hour about having a two year old next to her (M), another time I watched in amusement a French couple who had been bumped to World Traveller Plus, ranting for half an hour while a happy family of five including three girls each in their own Business seat (the youngest was still sucking on her soother), watched them almost get thrown off the flight because they wouldn’t go to their World Traveller seat.
Private Jets vs. Business Class
Private jets are a whole other ball game. I personally don’t do very well on PJs, since I am claustrophobic and anything less than a G5 (Cessnas/Learjets) reminds me of getting in an MRI scan, with the loud buzzing noise and the feeling of a round white tunnel enclosing in on me. Makes me want to reach for a Xanax. I will never have enough money/friends with enough money to fly G5/G6/Boeing, so I will stick to commercial. The closest commercial flight that resembles flying private is the London City to NYC all-Business flight, (where I happened to be the only woman on the flight, and the only pregnant one, which took them by surprise. They handled me like a rare Chinese Ming porcelain statue). It has only around 18 seats and has its own lounge-straight-to-airplane with drinks and snacks to nibble on before the flight, which is good enough for me. But if you are like some wannabes I’ve met who dream of flying Private, there is a certain Private Jet Etiquette to be familiar with depending on the owner’s country of origin.
The Russians: The Russians specialise in ‘professional ladies’ without shame, who come on board to give them all kinds of ‘helping hands and mouths’ during the flight, offering the air hostesses 10,000 Euros for any extra help needed (this one politely declined). Then there is the 60 year old Russian who knows his limits with two 18 year olds, when he keeps it to a little massaging and caressing while Jessie J’s song ‘It’s all about the money’ blares in the background.
The Saudis: As soon as the flight becomes airborne, this International Private Jet Air Zone becomes Islam-free territory, the Hijabs have been forgotten at home, the wet bar is well stocked with Gin and Whiskey, cigarettes and cigars are smoked and alcohol fountains appear. You might as well bring on the pork crackling. Let the good times roll.
The Icelandics: Remember the days of smoking on flights? Still possible on PJs and the group of Icelandics who brought the Icelandic economy to its knees decided to stop over in Hawaii just to buy a $10 pack of cigarettes. Seems like they didn’t know how to make very good financial choices, professionally or personally.
The Americans: Promising his fiancé a mink fur coat, an American stops in Kiev in search of the fur coat, but his mission is ‘diverted’ by some ‘professionals’. He is a very generous man when he hears about the pilot’s cheating wife (the pilot found out after installing spy software in his house which took photos every 2 minutes of his cheating wife and colleague lover), he tells his friend, ‘Find a girl for the pilot and make sure she f**ks his brains out. I’ll pay.’ His fiancé never saw a fur coat
So there you have it. I am a Business Class kind-of-Girl. See you in Business, if I’m lucky.
Quote of the day, Social Commentary
Quote of the Day “Are you here for an interview?’
March 27, 2014 nottinghillyummymummybelgravia, bling, blingland, boodles, DVF, harrods, louis vuitton, private jets 1 Comment
Welcome to BlingLand….
M has been invited to R’s house for a playdate. R is from a country we shall call Blingland, where the bigger the bling, the better. R is very wealthy. I hear through the ‘nanny grapevine’ that R travels in a private jet and has a room dedicated to her clothes. She arrives at nursery driven by her chauffeur, who wears a chauffeur’s hat, and her two nannies, one older, gentle Filipina and one English for etiquette and elocution lessons. When R’s mum calls me to ask if M can come over for a playdate, I ask her whether she wants me or the nanny to bring her, not knowing what the norms and customs of BlingLand are. She replies ‘Whatever is easiest for you’ and thinking that I should really do the polite thing, I decide to bring M myself. Trying to spruce up for R’s mum, who always looks glamourous with perfect hair, a big white smile, and pink lipstick ready for the finals of the Miss BlingLand beauty pageant, I choose to wear a DVF dress, my nicest jewellery and handbag, thinking I should mimic R’s mum to make her feel comfortable, and hail a cab to Belgravia.
When I arrive to the megamansion in Belgravia, the nice Filipina nanny answers the doorbell and takes M to R’s playroom and tells me to wait next door in the ‘waiting’ room while she calls ‘Madame’. I appear to be in the staff quarters because there are Filipinas running around looking slightly alarmed by the sight of me, shuffling their feet in every direction. Through the hall, I see the chef preparing a delicious smelling stew of some sort. I keep waiting. At some point, a Filipina who looks like the head Filipina, barges in, looks me up and down and asks me in a rather gruff and unfriendly voice ‘Are you here for the interview?’ Indignant, outraged and slightly humiliated I respond ‘No, I am M’s mum!’ Of course, I want to scream at her ‘Can’t you see I am wearing a f**** Diane Von Furstenberg dress, carrying a Louis Vuitton handbag and wearing thousands of pounds worth of Boodles?!’ She turns around without a word of apology and stomps away as I am left seething in the waiting room of the staff quarters of the megamansion. A few minutes later, I calm down and realise that the Filipinas probably never see anyone but people from BlingLand enter the megamansion and innocently mistook me for the help. Eventually, the Filipina nanny returns saying ‘I’m sorry, Madame is not here, she went to the supermarket.’ That’s when I decide that M is ready for her first ‘drop off’ playdate and leave in a hurry. For those of you who don’t know, the word for ‘supermarket’ in Blingish is ‘Harrods.’
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Amiga All-in-One is next in line for Commodore USA release
By Paul Ridden
Amiga All-in-One is next in li...
Commodore USA has revealed its plans to release an Amiga-branded all-in-one keyboard computer
An Amiga 1200, originally issued in 1992 with a Motorola 68EC020 14MHz processor and 2MB of RAM
Screenshot of an AROS display
View gallery - 3 images
Only a few short days ago, Commodore USA announced its intention to launch a modern version of the legendary C64 all-in-one keyboard computer. Now the company has revealed an exclusive licensing agreement with Amiga Inc. that should result in the company releasing upgraded Amiga-branded machines. As well as a technical overhaul, the new computers are to be fully compatible with the updated version of the AmigaOS operating system.
The image rendered on Commodore USA's product page looks closest to an Amiga 1200, which came with 2MB of system memory and a Motorola 68EC020 14MHz processor when it was originally released in 1992. Computer technology has moved on a tad since then and the new Amiga-branded all-in-one is shown with a 2.66GHz Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 512MB of onboard memory, a 2TB HDD and 4GB DDR3 RAM. There's even mention of a Blu-ray optical drive placed where the floppy disk drive would have originally sat.
Commodore USA's CEO Barry Altman, commenting on the success in securing the rights to an exclusive global license, said: "The legacy of the Commodore and Amiga trademark brand, reunited once again after so many years, and our reintroduction of the legendary All-In-One computer keyboard form factor, combined with the twenty five year anniversary of the introduction of the first Amiga computer by Commodore International, is a once in a lifetime opportunity."
The company has also announced full compatibility with the open source update to the AmigaOS operating system, AROS.
No more information has been released at this time, we'll keep an eye on developments and let you know when actual product becomes available. In the meantime, expect more licensing news to come from the press room at Commodore USA as the company attempts to acquire "the third and final brand license, completing our quest for the total technology trifecta." Atari ST anyone?
ComputersAll-in-oneCommodore USAAmiga
Paul Ridden
While Paul is loath to reveal his age, he will admit to cutting his IT teeth on a TRS-80 (although he won't say which version). An obsessive fascination with computer technology blossomed from hobby into career before hopping over to France for 10 years, where he started work for New Atlas in 2009. Now back in his native Blighty, he serves as Managing Editor in Europe.
Gadgeteer September 6, 2010 11:12 AM
That rendering looks like it\'s straight out of 1991, with its dark look, wooden checkerboard background and CRT monitor. They really should give this up. I liked the Amiga as much as anybody, having owned every model they made except for the 4000. It was definitely a value-priced alternative to the Mac. But it\'s time to let go of the past. With the Mac mini starting at only $699, there\'s no need for a less expensive competitor that doesn\'t use Windows.
The_Omega_Man September 6, 2010 04:01 PM
i am looking forward to this. i would love to see n affordable computer with amigo OS 4.x on it.
Facebook User September 6, 2010 07:30 PM
Is it going to be made by Cybernet?
V-4-Vendetta September 8, 2010 12:54 PM
I wish they used a clicky-keyboard to give it old school authenticity. Sadly it looks like a standard keyboard. I still use old-school IBM clicky-keyboards. They are the best. I hate mushy quite keys.
Etienne Marais August 6, 2012 02:25 PM
I understand that it would be able to run Windows, being i7
I also understand that it would Not be able to run Amiga OS 4.x as it is not PPC based.
Marco Nadal April 15, 2013 10:53 PM
If it is not 680xxx or PPC based it cannot run the OCS/AGA Amiga software; In what way is it an Amiga? Can AROS run OCS games? Is there some sort of hardware emulation in there?
Asus targets business users with tough and capable Chromebox Fanless
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New magnetic tape prototype breaks data density and capacity records
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Online providers respond to national lockdown with price hikes
Broadband providers and online streaming services, such as Netflix, are responding to a national lockdown across the UK by putting their prices up and taking advantage of a captive market.
Yesterday Virgin Media announced forthcoming price increases for its broadband, TV and phone services. The average rise would be 4%, it said. That is 13 times higher than the current consumer-price-inflation rate.
In its defence, Virgin said it did not raise prices as normal in 2020, citing pandemic-related difficulties for customers, and it plans to invest £1bn in its network this year. Other internet providers are expected to announce similar – or larger – inflation-beating increases soon.
For example, BT changed its terms and conditions last year to say it would increase broadband prices by 3.9% above the first CPI rate published every year, which this year is due in 16 days. BT’s sister companies, EE and Plusnet, followed suit.
Meanwhile, millions of Netflix users with standard and premium accounts will see prices rise by up to £24 a year. See below:
Standard price plan will rise from £8.99/month to £9.99/month (an 11% increase or £12/year). This plan lets you watch Netflix in high definition on up to two devices at once, and download shows to up to two mobile phones or tablets.
Premium price plan to rise from £11.99/month to £13.99/month (a 17% increase or £24/year). This plan lets you watch Netflix in ultra-high definition on up to four devices at once, and download shows to up to four mobile phones or tablets.
Basic price plan will stay at £5.99/month. This plan lets you watch Netflix in standard definition on one device at a time only, and download to one mobile phone or tablet. It isn’t affected by this price rise.
Says Nick Baker, streaming and TV expert at Uswitch.com:
“Netflix has been a lifeline for many people during lockdown, so this price rise is an unwanted extra expense for households feeling the financial pressure.
“It’s unfortunate timing that this price hike coincides with another national lockdown, when all of us will be streaming more television and films than ever.
“During the first lockdown, the amount of streaming content watched by consumers rose a third on the previous year, and our viewing habits are likely to increase similarly this time.
“It’s worth remembering that if you feel you aren’t getting value for money from your subscription you can cancel penalty free whenever you want.
“Alternatively, if you’re currently on the standard plan but could manage watching on just one screen, you could downgrade to a basic package for £5.99.”
Jan 6, 2021Chris Price
For latest tech stories go to TechDigest.tv
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News Latest international News
Home/Sports/Andy Murray tests positive for coronavirus before Australian Open
Andy Murray tests positive for coronavirus before Australian Open
admin January 14, 2021 Sports Comments Off on Andy Murray tests positive for coronavirus before Australian Open 0 Views
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Andy Murray has tested positive for the coronavirus days before he was due to leave Britain for the Australian Open, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The three-time Grand Slam champion is isolating at home near London and still hopes to compete in Australia when it is safe to travel, the person said.
Murray has been given a wild-card entry into the first Grand Slam tournament of 2021.
The Australian Open was delayed three weeks because of Covid-19 restrictions and is set to begin February 8. Players and officials must spend 14 days in quarantine once they arrive in Australia.
Murray, a five-time Australian Open runner-up, earlier backed out of the Delray Beach Open in Florida to “minimise the risks” of contracting the virus through international travel.
While a positive test threatens Murray’s participation in Australia, it doesn’t necessarily rule it out.
American player Tennys Sandgren was given special clearance to board a charter flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne despite testing positive for Covid-19 in November and again on Monday.
Under tournament protocols agreed with Australian government authorities, all players had to return a negative test before boarding their flights to Australia and would be subjected to further testing on arrival and daily during a 14-day period of quarantine.
Sandgren received an exemption after Australian health officials assessed his case history.
The first of about 1,200 players, coaches, entourage and officials were set to land on Thursday in Australia.
Tennis Australia said today that players who have previously tested positive for Covid-19 were “required to provide additional and highly detailed medical information as proof they are a recovered case and no longer infectious or a risk to the community”.
Murray has slipped to No. 122 in the ATP rankings after several years of battling hip injuries and surgery.
The 33-year-old Scot made a teary retirement announcement in Melbourne two years ago before undergoing a second round of surgeries to extend his career.
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More COVID-19 Cases and College Participants Confirmed from Spring Break Trip to Cabo San Lucas
AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin has collected additional information on a cluster of COVID-19 positive cases stemming from a large group primarily composed of students returning from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in March. Most of the UT students were on a trip organized by independent travel vendor JusCollege that included a number of additional students from other colleges and universities.
“This incident is an urgent reminder of the responsibilities students have to their communities, each other and themselves,” said Soncia Reagins-Lilly, the university’s vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “We are deeply concerned for the health of the students affected and for their broader impact on the communities where they live.”
In the course of tracing all known participants from UT and making contacts to ensure public health measures, the university, working closely with officials at Austin Public Health, is now aware of:
211 students from UT Austin who traveled to Cabo San Lucas during the spring break period March 14-19.
This number (211) includes 178 students who participated in a trip organized by the travel vendor JusCollege and 33 who made independent arrangements.
Of these UT students, 49 have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 as of April 3. Although that total may still rise in days to come, it is thought that any further additions will be minimal, due to the low number of people potentially remaining to be tested from the UT Austin cluster.
For people with positive tests, health officials directed self-isolation for a minimum of seven days from symptom onset and at least two days past the resolution of symptoms.
People who were asymptomatic and had a negative test result were directed to self-quarantine for 14 days from last exposure, following established public health protocols.
The university is not aware of the total number of students from the other universities who attended JusCollege trips to the region. UT Austin urges JusCollege to reach out to the other universities whose students took part in their organized trips to ensure the level of contact tracing and outreach necessary to support the health of the participants and the communities they returned to.
Mexico was not under a federal travel advisory at the time of the trip. As spring break approached, the university strongly urged students to take extra caution, especially those travelling abroad. Although UT prohibited students from travelling abroad on university-sponsored programs, the university relies on students to act responsibly in matters of personal, non-university-sponsored travel.
Among measures taken to limit the spread of COVID-19, the university has moved all classes online, instructed students not to return to campus, canceled university events, and directed Austin-based students and employees to adhere to the city’s “Stay Home – Work Safe” order.
In a video message to UT students earlier this week, Dr. Terrance Hines, chief medical officer of University Health Services, stressed the importance of everyone following public health guidelines and practicing social distancing.
“Not only can it help young people from getting infected, but it can also prevent them – sometimes without symptoms – from passing the virus on to parents and grandparents and others in our community,” said Hines. “It’s also important to note that while many young people have only mild symptoms, many have had serious infections requiring hospitalization.”
After the initial announcement of positive tests from students on the Cabo trip earlier this week, some people have speculated online about the identity of participants on the trip.
Reagins-Lilly noted there is no indication that the trip was connected to any particular student organizations on the UT campus, and that people should be wary of spreading misinformation based on rumors.
“As we enter a new reality of working together remotely, relying on online tools, it’s vital that we show respect for one another,” said Reagins-Lilly. “We should resist the temptation to single out members of our community. COVID-19 is affecting all elements of our society, and fighting it depends on our abilities to unite as a community.”
The university urges all members of its community who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 to be screened for testing. Students can call the UHS Nurse Advice Line at 512-475-6877. Others can call UT Health Austin at 833-882-2737; call their physician, who can register them to be tested with Austin Public Health; call CommUnityCare at 512-978-8775; or access telehealth services (via Austin Public Health).
Members of the UT community can get answers to COVID-19 questions from a central webpage at https://coronavirus.utexas.edu/.
Tags: Campus, UT Stories: COVID-19
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Phillips Kaiser, Top Houston Business Attorneys Launch Program to Increase Diverse Representation in Legal Field
HOUSTON - December 8, 2020 - (Newswire.com)
Despite concentrated efforts over the last decades, the legal profession in the U.S. has struggled to increase the number of minorities in the practice of law. The American Bar Association’s 2020 Profile of the Legal Profession Report found that only 5% of lawyers are African American, 5% are Latino, 2% are Asian and 1.3% are Native American. Relative to their populations, these groups are vastly underrepresented in the field. The numbers are even worse in business law. While large firms have spent big money on diversity initiatives, these percentages have hardly changed in the last 10 years.
This is why Greg Phillips and Craig Kaiser, founding partners of corporate business law firm Phillips Kaiser PLLC, launched The Legacy Project — a program dedicated to not only hiring but developing minority lawyers in the corporate business law sector.
Greg and Craig are uniquely positioned to lead in this endeavor.
“We’ve worked in all aspects of law,” says Greg, who’s been practicing for more than 30 years and was the only African American on his team at his first job with a large firm. “We’ve worked at big firms and big companies. We’ve been law firm creators. We’ve managed lawyers. Through our experiences, we really put a diverse story on the table.”
Greg and Craig, who have also been practicing for more than 30 years, have worked together for most of their careers and have noted the minority disparities, specifically in the field of corporate law.
“Other than my own firm, I probably haven’t worked with more than five minority lawyers in my life,” says Craig. “This is something we need to address.”
In response to the growing cry for racial justice in America, Craig approached Greg this year with the idea of The Legacy Project. Providing general counsel services to mid-sized and large businesses, Craig knew Phillips Kaiser could make a difference not only in the legal field but for businesses who value legal counsel from diverse voices as their own organizations grow more diverse.
The Legacy Project is a program where minority lawyers join Phillips Kaiser while undergoing targeted training in standard-of-service requirements, personal and leadership development, measurable goal-setting, and more.
While many firms focus on hiring diverse lawyers, they too-often fail to retain those lawyers because they don’t feel their values align with what can be a very homogenous work culture.
With The Legacy Project, Craig says they will continue to build “a culture and an ecosystem that will allow lawyers to thrive, no matter where their career takes them. It’s really about developing the individuals.”
There’s a lot of talk about race inequities today, but Craig and Greg aren’t just talking. With The Legacy Project, they are tangibly applying their experience and skills to change the legal field as they know it for generations to come.
To learn more about The Legacy Project, visit us at https://phillipskaiser.com/the-legacy-project/.
Phillips Kaiser PLLC offers corporate business services to small, mid-sized and large businesses. To learn more, visit https://phillipskaiser.com.
Greg Phillips and Craig Kaiser are available for interviews.
Craig M. Kaiser
Gregory L. Phillips
Phillips Kaiser
Email: ckaiser@phillipskaiser.com or gphillips@phillipskaiser.com
Get our FREE resource About The Legacy Project
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Original Source: Phillips Kaiser, Top Houston Business Attorneys Launch Program to Increase Diverse Representation in Legal Field
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Gerson Bill Mandating Review of Transpo Projects Is Now Law
In one of his final acts as a City Council member, Alan Gerson won passage for a bill that may slow down major street projects.
New York City’s 2009 legislative session didn’t end without a parting gift from outgoing Lower Manhattan rep Alan Gerson. A new law that passed City Council unanimously before the end of the term mandates that any significant changes to the streetscape be subject to comment by both the local council representative and the community board. Though the comments are not binding, the law seems primed to slow down the process of re-designing streets at a time when projects to enhance bus service and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists are top priorities in New York City, and hundreds of New Yorkers are still dying every year on city streets. Mayor Bloomberg signed the bill into law on December 28.
The law tacks on up to 65 days of back-and-forth between the city,
council members and community boards on major street projects, after which DOT is not obligated to make any changes. Ian Dutton, the vice chair of
Manhattan Community Board 2’s Traffic and Transportation Committee and
a resident of Gerson’s district, noted the seeming superfluity of the
law: "When we really needed it was over the last 50 years when they
were pushing highway projects on us that we didn’t want. Now we have a
DOT that is really responsive to the neighborhoods for the first time."
Dutton did add that "it may help going forward if there’s an
administration that wants to rip up all these bike lanes and pedestrian
plazas."
The law is a variation on an idea that Gerson had floated for over a year. An earlier version of the legislation would have required local input into almost any new transportation project, big or small.
The bill that passed City Council is somewhat more limited. It covers "major realignments of the roadway," particularly the addition or removal of a lane of traffic or parking on more than four blocks or "1,000 consecutive feet of street." That would certainly apply to one of Gerson’s chief targets, the Grand Street bike lane, and probably the Chatham Square reconfiguration as well. Any true bus rapid transit project would fall under the scope of the law.
Even on projects where the law applies, however, it might have little effect.
Although DOT will be required to give council members and community boards notice, make formal presentations to them upon request, and receive comments and recommendations from them, DOT can still implement the original plan if it so chooses. Transportation Alternatives spokesman Wiley Norvell expressed relief that "the bill’s final iteration maintains the city’s authority to change street design when safety, particularly that of vulnerable users like pedestrians and cyclists, is at stake."
As currently written, the law is essentially codifying what DOT already does. In recent years, few significant projects have been undertaken without providing notice to the local community board. To the extent that it smooths over the sometimes fractious relationships between community boards and City Hall, the law could prove beneficial. "We hope this law helps bridge the knowledge gap that has proved frustrating in the past," said Norvell, "and ensures that community boards understand the compelling rationale for why their streets are changing."
Whether Gerson’s law ultimately ends up improving relations between DOT and neighborhood residents or providing local reactionaries with another stalling tactic (or both) remains to be seen. In either case, it’s more than a little ironic that a bill ostensibly intended to ensure an open process was hurriedly passed by a lame duck City Council right before the holidays, when no one was looking.
Filed Under: Alan Gerson, Chinatown, City Council, Community Boards, DOT, Ian Dutton, Streetsblog
Gerson Looks to Rein In Runaway Safety Improvements
By Brad Aaron | Dec 9, 2008
Not long ago, Alan Gerson spoke in favor of giving pedestrians more space at Petrosino Square. Alan Gerson’s office has more on what we suspected was a bill intended to give the Lower Manhattan City Council member and his colleagues more power over DOT implementation of new bike infrastructure. Judging by this comment from Gerson […]
NYLCV Endorses Safe Streets Foe Alan Gerson for Re-Election
By Ben Fried | Sep 1, 2009
The New York League of Conservation Voters came out with their slate of primary endorsements today. Streetsblog readers may be surprised to see that District 1 incumbent Alan Gerson is one of four City Council candidates in Manhattan to win the environmental group’s endorsement. Since last fall, Gerson has agitated against pedestrian and bike improvements, […]
Alan Gerson Wants Greater “Review” of DOT Bike Safety Plans
By Aaron Naparstek | Dec 8, 2008
In 2006, Alan Gerson helmeted-up and rallied for a protected bike lane on Houston St. On a day when you’d hope City Council members would be focused on the Bikes in Buildings bill, Manhattan City Councilman Alan Gerson is planning to introduce a new piece of legislation aimed at giving someone — presumably City Council […]
Starting Tonight, Learn How You Can Join Your Local Community Board
Tuesday’s vote at Manhattan Community Board 7 is a reminder that the road to livable streets progress often goes through the local community board. With that in mind, Transportation Alternatives is kicking off a series of community board join-up meetings this week, where you can apply to serve on your local board. Community boards, while […]
Lunch Break Fun: Gerson Leads Protest of “Dangerous” Grand St. Bike Lane
By Ben Fried | Aug 21, 2009
Non-motorized New Yorkers negotiate the hair-raising Grand Street sidewalk and bike lane. Photo: Ben Fried. Anyone heading over to Chinatown for lunch? If not, and you work in Manhattan, you might want to change your plans. This rally, promoted by Council Member Alan Gerson, promises to be a can’t-miss event: Rally to Protest Dangerous Conditions […]
Petrosino Square to Expand Into Lafayette Street
By Brad Aaron | Jun 12, 2008
Alan Gerson extolls the value of using underutilized traffic lanes for park space, with Friends of Petrosino Square founder Georgette Fleischer, Parks Borough Commissioner Bill Castro and CB 2 Chair Brad Hoylman Manhattan Community Board 2 member Ian Dutton reports that this morning city officials held a groundbreaking for the renovation of Petrosino Square. As […]
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Sound Study Project
The goal is to keep whales from swimming into potentially dangerous areas of the ocean, and wherever “Deadly Sonar” may be present.
The Ojai Valley Whale Society (OVWS) is concerned with protecting whales past, present and future.
Saving whales is a team effort. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the International Maritime Organization, which governs worldwide shipping, have adopted specific proposals which improve navigational safety and reduce ship strikes to whales in shipping lanes and in marine sanctuaries, estuaries and reserves where whales are known to be. Efforts have been successful because an entire village of institutions is working together across our oceans. Whales are being saved!
“The collaboration between NOAA and the Coast Guard in reviewing and modifying these vehicle traffic separation schemes demonstrates the strong working relationship between our agencies, “ said Rear Admiral Karl Schultz, Eleventh Coast Guard district commander. “The modifications to the traffic lanes balance the safe and efficient flow of commerce within and between our nation’s ports, with NOAA’s goal of reducing whale strikes from vessels.”
I applaud these organizations efforts and appreciate specialists in the field trying to prevent harm to whales. I am inspired by their work. And because of my personal devotion to whales, and perhaps a common goal, the OVWS is piloting the OVWS Sound Study Project. The focal point of the OVWS Sound Study Project is transcribing and deciphering tonal frequencies, vocal passages, behaviors and interactions of various whale species, to find just what combinations they use to communicate warnings to one another. One might think that man trying to speak to a whale in their language is nothing less than nonsense; but I am encouraged by a group of specialists who have already had success deciphering calls of other mammals, i.e. wolves and elephants.
The OVWS Sound Study Project goal is to keep whales from swimming into potentially dangerous shipping lanes and deadly SONAR fields. Just as you and I avoid wandering into “deadly traffic intersections,” whales could avoid swimming into “deadly water intersections.” We want to develop an underwater beacon that “speaks their language” that would be placed strategically into potentially dangerous locations in the ocean, i.e. shipping lanes, wherever “Deadly Sonar” is present, or wherever whales are in danger. To transmit “WARNING” in their language in hopes of preventing future whale stranding, injury to, or loss of life, can be a reality.
Signaling and sending messages to these creatures using their own vocalization patterns, in their own language, can bridge the gap of communication. Scientific studies have already been conducted with proven results for other mammals such as elephants and wolves, please see further below, “Study Confirms, Elephants Hear Warnings With Their Feet,” by John Roach, National Geographic News, Feb.16/06; “Elephants May ‘Talk’ Via Vibrations,” July
8/02; and Shaun Ellis, “A Man Among Wolves,” National Geographic Channel, April 9/07. By using vocal frequency patterns of the mammals’ own language, specialist’s are able to send animals in the opposite direction!
The Sperm whale produces extremely intricate polyphonic and polyrhythmic patterns as well as heterochromatic frequencies to navigate, communicate and locate its food. The clicks/pings and rhythmic/harmonic passages function as the “prime mover” for the Sperm whale, as well, a majority of the 88 species found in our oceans today.
The Humpback whale also produces clicks and pings similar to the Sperm whale. However, the Humpback utilizes another set of vibrations by combining rhythmic, harmonic and melodic pitches. This whale uses multiple modes of sound to produce high, shrill shrieks, and low moans and groans, and can produce melodic lines, like singing a song.
Given my background in music, ancient history, sound and vibration, I am able to imitate and emulate tonal frequencies and vocal passages produced by various whale species, particularly the Humpback, Orca and Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus/Cachalot). This is of particular interest to me, as I am an Ethno-musicologist, musical biologist, and recording percussionist (as heard in films such as TITANIC).
The frame drum/skin covered drum, (membranophone, approximately 10-15,000 years old), produces the same, in some cases identical, tonal frequencies to that of the Humpback whale. These tones can be produced using a specific hand technique combined with a particular finger position on the skin of the frame drum.
The musical bones, (idiophone), the oldest instrument in the world besides the human voice, (3.5 million years old), produces clicks/pings in virtually the same frequency ranges, in some cases identical to that produced by a majority of whale species, including the Humpback, Orca and particularly the Sperm whale.
I have begun using musical bones and pitched frame drums to play vocalizations as produced by these whales. The primary goal and objective is to incur dialogue with different species of whale through interaction, via hydrophones.
Successful research has already been carried out in Etosha National Park, Namibia, Africa, to prevent deadly elephant stampedes from taking place. Caitlin O’ Connell-Rodwell, a Biologist at Stanford University has recorded and used the elephants’ own “danger calls” to ward off raging stampedes for ten years.
Scientific “Study Confirms, Elephants Hear Warnings With Their Feet,” by John Roach, National Geographic News, Feb.16/06; and “Elephants May ‘Talk’ Via Vibrations,” July 8/02. When played back to a herd of stampeding elephants, the elephants’ own calls – which surmount to, “Stop! Danger! Ferocious Tigers Ahead!” stops them dead in their tracks! Use of this specific “danger call” or “warning signal,” sends rampaging elephants in the opposite direction, resulting in countless lives saved, (animals, humans and elephants alike). Peter Narins, a Biologist at UCLA, confirms and validates this scientific study.
Similar scenarios with successful results have also been achieved with staving off wolves from killing cattle in North America. Shaun Ellis, “A Man Among Wolves,” National Geographic Channel, April 9/07.
That being said, the same case can be made for whales. Mammals share common traits. No different than the elephants in Africa and the wolves in North America, the same set of life saving calls can be deciphered for whales and, likely, other species.
I have begun to analyze the tonal frequencies, dialogue patterns and language systems of the Sperm, Orca and Humpback whales. By interaction and further study of their behaviors and communication systems, I will be able to identify their own “Danger Calls” and play this “Warning” back to them.
We appreciate and thank you for your time, concern and donations.
Aaron Plunkett
Founder/Discoverer
P.o.b. 282, Ojai, CA, 93024
California’s oldest and first fossilized, 25-million-year-old, Family of toothed baleen whales, “Wendell, Annie & Louie.”
Discovered 1/19/2000
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Home BIASED HISTORY Make no mistake: Cook’s voyages were part of a military mission to...
The spread of coronavirus in Australia is not the fault of individuals but a result of neoliberalism
The Federal Government Funds Aged Care and it regulates Aged Care
Stephen Gapps, University of Newcastle
Captain James Cook arrived in the Pacific 250 years ago, triggering British colonisation of the region. We’re asking researchers to reflect on what happened and how it shapes us today. You can see other stories in the series here and an interactive here.
The military nature of the Endeavour’s voyage – as part of an aggressive reconnaissance and defence against Indigenous resistance – has historically been overlooked or downplayed.
But musket fire was used many times to teach lessons of British military superiority. Violence underscored almost all of Cook’s Pacific encounters with Indigenous peoples.
In the broader strategic sense – as all 18th and early 19th century scientific voyages were – Cook’s voyages were part of a European drive to conquer. The aim was to claim resources and trade in support of the British Empire’s expansion.
At its heart, Cook’s first voyage was first and foremost a Royal Navy expedition and he was chosen as a military commander who had a background in mathematics and cartography.
Imperial science and ‘ships of force’
During the “great age” of Pacific voyaging, expeditions always had several goals at once.
Cook’s first voyage in 1769 occurred during the perennial cold war of Anglo-French rivalry after what has been regarded as the first global conflict, the Seven Years War (1756-1763). This was also at the height of the promotion of “imperial science” – the idea that scientific advancement and colonial expansion were twin goals.
As industrialisation drove upheaval in Europe, scientific “discovery” was seen as a critical part of establishing, developing and controlling an empire.
The seeds of Cook’s “secret instructions” to seek out the fabled southern continent were sown by an astronomer, Professor Thomas Hornsby.
In 1766 Hornsby called for a “settlement in the great Pacific Ocean” led by “some ships of force”. This expedition would be advantageous to astronomers, but also “add a lustre” to a nation already distinguished “both in arts and arms”. It seemed a natural fit to the scientist Hornsby that the Royal Navy spearhead a British presence in the Pacific.
Even Cook, as was expected of any sea-going commander visiting distant stations, made military reconnaissance notes.
In November 1768, when the Endeavour reprovisioned at Rio de Janeiro, the local Viceroy was suspicious of a voyage supposedly to observe the transit of Venus. He suspected Cook of seeking to extend British influence in the Pacific.
Cook duly noted in his journal the state of local defences in and around Rio de Janeiro and that
it would require five or Six sail of the Line to insure Success.
Cook felt insulted at being carefully watched and had a low opinion of the Viceroy’s scientific ignorance. But, in fact, the Viceroy was correct.
After opening his supplementary instructions (so-called “secret orders” issued by the British Navy) Cook headed off to attempt to find and claim for Great Britain the supposed southern land thought to exist in the vast southern ocean.
The stories of Tupaia and Omai and their vital role as Captain Cook’s unsung shipmates
Policy emanated from the barrel of a gun
Every European ship that voyaged the Pacific was, in the first instance, a floating fortress; an independent command with the ability to send out small shore parties or to concentrate firepower as needed.
And this was at the heart of all contact, all encounters, all attempts at communication with Pacific and other peoples. Make no mistake, restraint in British policy and conduct with Indigenous peoples in the Pacific emanated from the barrel of a gun.
Cook’s voyaging did not take place on a blank canvas, but across a rich tapestry of thriving, voyaging cultures that were ultimately the target of European aggression.
Cook has often been feted as one of the few 18th century voyaging captains renowned for his “tolerance” of Indigenous people and cultures. But ultimately, this was a tactic used in pursuit of domination. The best military commander only rarely has to resort to open conflict.
A lesson learned well before Cook
Cannon – such as those Cook dumped overboard to lighten his ship after he struck the Great Barrier Reef in 1770 – make good museum objects and monuments in public parks.
But like those on Cook’s ship the HMB Endeavour, the fact is many cannon on later voyages were hardly used – if ever. The power of artillery fire had been swiftly learned by Pacific peoples since Europeans first arrived in the 1500s, many years before Cook.
Resistance warfare occurred across the Pacific from the 1500s right through to conflicts such as Samoan resistance to German imperial rule in 1908. But like the Australian Frontier Wars, these conflicts have often been neglected by military historians.
Yet conflict across the Pacific was surprisingly inter-connected, and influenced military thinking back in Europe.
A long history of oceanic warfare and navigation
One such example is The Battle of Mactan in 1521, in which Indigenous warriors in the Philippines fought and defeated an overconfident, numerically small Spanish force fighting under Portugal’s Ferdinand Magellan (famous for circumnavigating the globe).
And in 1595, the Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendana was searching for “Terra Australis” when he arrived in the Marquesas Islands. He was met by several hundred canoes and more than 200 Marquesans were killed in the ensuing conflict.
European voyagers were often unaware that many major island groups across the Pacific were in regular communication with each other.
At least 174 years years after the Spanish devastation in the Marquesan islands, Tupaia – the Tahitian priest and navigator with knowledge of more 70 islands in the Pacific – joined the Endeavour voyage, in effect as a pilot and intermediary.
Tupaia drew a map with more than 130 islands on it, and included the Marquesas Islands on it. He described to Cook and Joseph Banks how, in the distant past, four islands were visited by ships similar to the Endeavour. His map drew on Pacific knowledge of previous conflicts and navigation techniques.
Tuaia’s first map of the Pacific islands.
When the British captain Samuel Wallis arrived at Tahiti in the HMS Dolphin in 1767, just two years before Cook, according to Jean-Claude Teriierooiterai, the Ari’i Amo (king) of Tahiti probably recognised these voyagers as the same white people who had attacked the Marquesans.
Around 100 double war canoes loaded with stones attacked the Dolphin for four days until Wallis fired his cannon into the Tahitian fleet (and at villages ashore for good measure). The Tahitians rightly regarded this firepower as all but invincible and soon became hospitable.
Attack of Samuel Wallis and his crew aboard The Dolphin by the people of Otaheite, Tahiti.
When the French voyager Louis-Antoine de Bougainville arrived at Tahiti a year later, he thought the Tahitians the friendliest people in the world, living in a paradise. He did not know that he had Wallis’ cannon fire to thank for his reception.
It is important to remember the military factors in Cook’s and all other voyagers experiences in the Pacific and around Australia. They remind us of what underlined, if not defined, cross-cultural encounter moments.
Addressing the fact that these expeditions were all of a military nature reminds us that European colonisation was resisted from its very first moments.
Stephen Gapps, Conjoint Lecturer, University of Newcastle
Bob Lee - Modified date: November 4, 2020
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Tag Archives: petitions
Nepal Christians Begin Legal Battle for Burial Ground
Hindu group declares country a Hindu state; upper castes seek halt to conversions.
KATHMANDU, Nepal, April 19 (CDN) — With the government refusing to listen to their three-year plea for an official cemetery and ignoring a protracted hunger strike, Nepal’s Christians are now seeking redress from the Supreme Court.
“Every day there are two to three deaths in the community, and with each death we face a hard time with the burial,” said Chari Bahadur Gahatraj, a pastor who filed a petition in the high court on March 13 asking it to intervene as authorities of Nepal’s oldest Hindu temple had begun demolishing the graves of Christians there.
Gahatraj and Man Bahadur Khatri are both members of the newly formed Christian Burial Ground Prayer and National Struggle Committee that since last month began leading a relay hunger strike in a public area of the capital, asking for a graveyard. They said they were forced to go to court after the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), which runs Nepal’s oldest Hindu shrine, the Pashupatinath temple, said it would no longer allow non-Hindus to use the temple’s forested land.
“We don’t want to hurt the sentiments of any community,” Gahatraj told Compass. “Nor are we trying to grab the land owned by a temple. We are ready to accept any plot given to us. All we are asking for is that the burials be allowed till we get an alternate site.”
Judge Awadhesh Kumar Yadav has since ordered the government and PADT not to prevent Christians from using the forest for burials until the dispute is resolved. The legal battle, however, now involves a counter-suit. Hindu activist Bharat Jangam filed a second writ on March 20, saying that since the forest was the property of a Hindu temple, non-Hindus should not be allowed to bury their dead there just as churches do not allow Hindu burials.
Subsequently, the court decided to hear the two petitions together, and yesterday (April 18), the hearings began. While two lawyers argued on behalf of Gahatraj and Khatri, a cohort of 15 lawyers spoke against their petition. The next hearing is scheduled for May 3.
Along with the legal battle, Christians have kept up their relay hunger strike. To step up pressure on the government, the protestors also announced they would lead a funeral march to the offices of the prime minister and the culture minister and hand over coffins to them as a symbolic protest. If that too failed, they warned they would have no option but to go on hunger strike in front of the prime minister’s office and parliament, this time carrying dead bodies with them.
Alarmed at the rate the issue was snowballing, the government finally responded. Yesterday Culture Minister Gangalal Tuladhar opened talks with the protestors, agreeing to continue the negotiations after three days. The government also formed a four-member committee to look into the demand. Currently, Christians are asking for cemetery land in all 75 districts of Nepal.
Protestors were wary of the government’s intent in the overture.
“This could be a ploy to buy time and bury the issue,” said a member of the Christian committee formed to advise parliament on drafting the new constitution, who requested anonymity.
Though the committee formed to look into the Christians’ demand for burial land has been asked to present a report within two weeks, Christians suspect the panel is dragging its feet.
“The new constitution has to be promulgated by May 28, but it does not seem likely that the main political parties will be able to accomplish the task,” the Christian committee member said. “And if the constitution doesn’t materialize in time, there will be a crisis and our problem will be shelved.”
Hindu Nation
Adding to their unease, Christians are now facing a redoubled campaign by Hindu groups for the restoration of Hinduism as the state religion, five years after parliament declared Nepal, the world’s only Hindu kingdom, secular.
If the new constitution had been promulgated last year, it would have consolidated secularism in Nepal. But with the country missing the deadline due to protracted power-sharing rows among the major political parties, Christians still feel under threat.
On Thursday (April 14), when the country celebrated the start of the indigenous new year 2068 with a public holiday, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, which seeks the reinstatement of Hinduism as the state religion, kicked off a campaign at the Bhadrakali temple in Kathmandu. As curious onlookers and soldiers patrolling the nearby army headquarters looked on, party members fervently blew into conch shells and rang bells to draw people’s attention to their demand.
The party, which is also seeking the restoration of monarchy, took some oblique shots at the Christian community as well.
“There is a deliberate and systematic attempt by organizations to convert Hindus,” said Kamal Thapa, party chief and a former minister. “These organizations are guided by foreign powers and foreign funds. If the widespread conversion of Hindus is not stopped immediately, we will have to take stern measures.”
Three days later, an umbrella of Hindu groups – the Rastriya Dharma Jagaran Mahasabha (the National Religion Resurrection Conference) held a massive gathering in the capital, declaring Nepal a “Hindu state” and meeting with no official objection. The proclamation came as the climax to a three-day public program calling for the restoration of “the traditional Hindu state.” Several Hindu preachers and scholars from neighboring India attended the program, held on the grounds of the Pashupatinath temple, which is also a UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site.
The “Hindu state” proclamation was the brainchild of Shankar Prasad Pandey, a former member of parliament from Nepali Congress, the second largest party in Nepal, now in opposition. Though Pandey was a sitting Member of Parliament in 2006, when the body unanimously declared Nepal secular, he began opposing the move soon afterwards, leading four campaigns against it nationwide.
“I consider the nation and the Hindu religion to be more important than the party,” said Pandey, known as the MP who began to go barefoot 32 years ago to show solidarity with Nepalese, who are among the poorest in the world. “Over 90 percent of the Nepalese want Nepal to be a Hindu state. However, the government is led by people whose only concern is power and money.”
Pandey’s campaign is supported by Hindu groups from India and the West: Narendranath Saraswati, who is the Shankaracharya or religious head of a prominent Hindu shrine in India’s Varanasi city; Dr. Tilak Chaitanya, chief of a group in the United Kingdom that propagates the Gita, the holy book of the Hindus; and Tahal Kishore, head of a Hindu organization, Radha Krishna Sevashram, in the United States.
Two weeks before the May 28 deadline for the new constitution, Pandey and his followers plan to step up the campaign for a “Hindu state” in the capital. Though Pandey denies it could stir up animosity between the majority-Hindus and Christians – whose minority population is said to have crossed 2 million but is actually only 850,801, according to Operation World – there are fears of religious tension if not outright violence.
The Hindu rallies continue to grow as a pressure tactic. Yesterday (April 18), members of Nepal Brahman Samaj, an organization of “upper castes” from whose echelons temple priests are appointed, fought with security forces in front of parliament house, demanding their rights be respected and an end to conversions.
More Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) campaigning is scheduled on April 29, when the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal’s Thapa has called for a mass gathering in the capital.
http://www.compassdirect.org
Posted in Christianity, Hinduism, India, Nepal, United Kingdom, USA | Tagged 2006, 2068, accept, activist, allow, alternate, appointed, area, army, attended, Awadhesh Kumar Yadav, barefoot, battle, begin, begun, bells, Bhadrakali, Bharat Jangam, book, brainchild, burial, burials, bury, campaign, campaigning, capital, castes, celebrated, cemetery, Chari Bahadur Gahatraj, chief, Christian, Christian Burial Ground Prayer and National Struggle Committee, Christianity, Christians, churches, city, community, conch, consolidated, constitution, conversions, convert, counter-suit, country, court, crisis, culture minister, dead, deadline, death, deaths, declared, declares, demanding, demolishing, Dr, drafting, echelons, end, face, filed, forces, foreign, forest, forested, formed, former, fought, front, funds, Gangalal Tuladhar, gathering, Gita, given, government, grab, graves, graveyard, ground, grounds, group, guided, halt, hard, head, headquarters, high court, Hindu, Hinduism, Hindus, Hindutva, holiday, Holy, hunger, hurt, ignoring, important, India, indigenous, intervene, issue, judge, Kamal Thapa, Kathmandu, Kingdom, land, leading, legal, listen, major, Man Bahadur Khatri, mass, members, minister, missing, monarchy, move, MP, Narendranath Saraswati, nation, National Religion Resurrection Conference, nationalist, nearby, negotiations, neighboring, Nepal, Nepal Brahman Samaj, Nepalese, Nepali Congress, new, newly, non-Hindus, official, oldest, onlookers, opened, opposing, organizations, owned, PADT, Parliament, parliament house, parties, party, Pashupati Area Development Trust, Pashupatinath, Pastor, patrolling, Persecution, petition, petitions, plea, plot, political, poorest, power-sharing, powers, preachers, priests, Prime Minister, problem, program, prominent, promulgated, propagates, property, protracted, public, Radha Krishna Sevashram, rang, Rashtriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, Rastriya Dharma Jagaran Mahasabha, redress, refusing, reinstatement, relay, religion, religious, resolved, respected, restoration, rights, rows, scheduled, scholars, secular, secularism, security, seek, seeking, sentiments, Shankar Prasad Pandey, Shankaracharya, shells, shelved, shrine, site, snowballing, soldiers, solidarity, start, state, strike, supreme court, Tahal Kishore, talks, temple, Tilak Chaitanya, time, together, traditional, UNESCO, United Kingdom, upper, USA, use, Varanasi, West, world, World Heritage Site, writ, year | Leave a comment
INDIA: WITNESSES RECEIVE DEATH THREATS IN ORISSA TRIALS
Posted on August 6, 2009 by particularkev
State blames 2008 Kandhamal district violence on conversions, ‘reconversions.’
NEW DELHI, July 14 (Compass Direct News) – Nearly 11 months after an unprecedented wave of anti-Christian attacks shook the eastern state of Orissa, a reign of terror continues in the area as the former rioters issue death threats to witnesses.
Of the more than 750 cases filed in various police stations in Kandhamal district and neighboring Gajapati district, only one has resulted in conviction. Some trials are underway amid reports of armed extremists threatening to kill witnesses.
The Rev. Dibya Paricha of the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Catholic Archdiocese said several witnesses are shrinking away to save their lives. On Thursday (July 9), a witness in Salapsahi village, in the Kasinpadar area under the Phiringia police station, refused to testify in a murder case.
“During the trial, the complainant, the younger brother of the victim, said he did not know anything about the case,” Paricha, coordinator of the Christian Legal Association’s (CLA) legal cell in Kandhamal, told Compass. “The previous day, he had said that he would tell the truth so that the culprits would be punished … From a reliable source we came to know that he was threatened with death.”
On June 30, three men carrying pistols – Sanjeeb Pradhan, Bikram Pradhan and Pratap Pradhan – threatened witnesses in the Gondaguda area of the Chenchedi Gram Panchayat administrative area, under the jurisdiction of the Sarangarh police station in Kandhamal, Paricha said.
The three men have been issuing death threats to witnesses through the area villages, he said.
“I know them [the three gunmen] personally,” Paricha said. “They were living hand-to-mouth until recently, and now they are riding a motor vehicle and threatening the survivors.”
Information on the threats has been provided to the sub-collector (an administrative officer in charge of a sub-district), the sub-divisional police officer and the district collector (administrative head), he said, and a First Information Report has been registered at the Sarangarh police station.
Another witness and complainant in a riot-related case, 55-year-old Batia Digal, was threatened on June 17, said Paricha. Gobida Chandra Pradhan from Piserama village and Shricharnan Mohan Pradhan from Dodaingia village in Raikia area tried to pressure Digal to withdraw the case, in which a local legislator from the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Manoj Pradhan, is one of the accused.
The Raikia police station is investigating the case.
On July 4, Christians saw a ray of hope when a fast-track court in Phulbani, Kandhamal district convicted a tribal leader of arson – the first conviction in a 2008 violence case. The court sentenced a 58-year-old Chakradhar Mallick to two years of prison and a fine of 1,000 rupees (US$20). Mallick had burned the house of a Christian, Loknath Digal, and threatened to kill him in August 2008.
But the granting of bail to one of the prime suspects in numerous anti-Christian riot cases – local BJP legislator Pradhan of the G. Udayagiri assembly constituency – on July 6 dampened the spirits of the Christians. Bail was granted for 15 days so that Pradhan could take oath as a member of the new assembly, reported Indo-Asian News Service. Pradhan was arrested in October 2008 on various charges including murder, rioting and arson.
The spate of violence that erupted in Kandhamal in August-September 2008 killed more than 100 people and resulted in the incineration of 4,640 houses, 252 churches and 13 educational institutions. The violence began following the assassination of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu council or VHP) leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, by a Maoist (extreme Marxist) group. Hindu nationalist groups blamed Christians for the assassination.
Although more than 100 people were killed in the attacks, only 26 murder cases have been registered under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. According to CLA statistics, 13 cases were registered in the Raikia police station alone. Five complaints were filed in Tikabali, two each in G. Udayagiri, Sarangada, and Balliguda, and one each in Gocchapada and Phiringia.
At least nine cases were registered for attempted murder: four in Balliguda, two in G. Udayagiri, and one each in Tumudibandha, Phulbani, and Sarangada. Two rape cases were registered, one each in the Phulbani and Balliguda.
Over 550 cases have been filed for arson and looting: 323 in G. Udayagiri alone, 59 in Tikabali, 32 in Raikia, 31 in Gocchapada, 26 in Phulbani, 23 each in Phiringia and Balliguda, 18 in Daringbadi, 10 in Sarangada, four each in Tumudibandha and Kotagarh, and three in Khajuripada.
Around 680 people were arrested in the numerous cases, but some have managed to get bail from courts, according to The Deccan Herald newspaper.
The CLA and a non-profit group, the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), are providing free legal services to the victims and their relatives in Kandhamal. In neighboring Gajapati district, which also faced numerous anti-Christian attacks in August-September 2008 as fallout of Saraswati’s murder, the All India Christian Council (AICC), in partnership with the HRLN, is providing free legal aid to victims of the violence.
“At least 337 families lost homes or businesses [in Gajapati district],” Dr. Sam Paul, AICC spokesman, told Compass. “[However,] most rehabilitation as well as public attention has focused on Kandhamal district.”
Commenting on the need for legal help in Gajapati, Paul added, “On one single day [in June], the lawyers counselled and drafted petitions for 30 persons.”
The AICC and HRLN are also helping the victims in Gajapati to receive compensation and recover lost identity cards and other documents.
Silence of Inquiry Panel
At the same time, a judicial commission headed by Justice S.C. Mohapatra to probe the August-September 2008 violence submitted a 28-page interim report to the state government on July 1 without blaming any group or organization for the violence.
“Sources of the violence were deeply rooted in land disputes, conversion and re-conversion and fake certificate issues … Suspicion among the scheduled tribe and scheduled caste inhabitants of Kandhamal is the main cause of riots, with the tribals suspecting that Pana Dalits were capturing their land through fraudulent means,” Mohapatra said, according to The Hindu.
Those belonging to the Kui tribe in Kandhamal are mostly Hindu. Christians make up an estimated 16 percent of the 650,000 people in the district, with more than 60 percent of them belonging to the Pana community and classified as “Scheduled Castes,” better known as Dalits (formerly “untouchables”).
The Pana community has been demanding recognition as a tribal community, as Dalits lose their right to government’s affirmative action after they convert to Christianity. The Kui people, however, oppose the demand, as it would increase the number of candidates eligible for government-reserved jobs. Sections of the Kui people believe that Pana Dalits make fake certificates to get the land that can belong only to tribal people.
“I know it will take at least two years to complete inquiry, but the interim report will help the government to make immediate intervention,” added Mohapatra.
Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Catholic Archdiocese told private channel Zee News, “Justice Mohapatra had given remarks on other matters without touching the subject for which the commission was set up, to investigate culpability in the series of attacks on Christians.” Cheenath said that conversion was “not at all” a factor behind the Kandhamal violence.
The National Commission for Minorities in October 2008 had accused the then-ruling state government, a coalition of a regional party, the Biju Janata Dal (NJD) and the BJP, of not controlling the violence. It said that despite knowing that public reaction to the murder of a prominent religious leader like Laxmanananda would be extreme, there was little evidence of action by political and administrative higher-ups in Bhubaneswar, reported The Indian Express daily on Oct. 30, 2008.
In March 2009, the BJD broke its 11-year-old alliance with the BJP, saying it did not want to partner with a “communal” party. The BJD fought and won the April-May state assembly election alone. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held the BJP and groups linked with it, such as the Hindu extremist VHP and its youth wing Bajrang Dal, responsible for the violence, according to private news channel CNN-IBN.
Posted in Christianity, Hinduism, India, Roman Catholicism | Tagged 2008, accused, action, administrative, affirmative, AICC, aid, All India Christian Council, alliance, alone, anti-Christian, Archbishop, area, armed, arrested, arson, assassination, assembly, attacks, attention, bail, Bajrang Dal, Balliguda, Batia Digal, believe, Bharatiya Janata Party, Bhubaneswar, Biju Janata Dal, Bikram Pradhan, BJP, blamed, blames, broke, brother, burned, businesses, candidates, capturing, carrying, case, cases, caste, cause, cell, certifcate, Chakradhar Mallick, channel, charges, Chenchedi Gram Panchayat, Chief Minister, Christian, Christian Legal Association, Christianity, Christians, churches, CLA, classified, CNN-IBN, Coalition, commenting, commission, communal, community, compensation, complainant, constituency, continues, controlling, conversions, convicted, conviction, coordinator, counselled, court, culpability, culprits, Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Catholic Archdiocese, daily, dampened, Daringbadi, death, deeply, demand, demanding, Dibya Paricha, disputes, district, District Collector, documents, Dodaingia, Dr, drafted, eastern, educational, election, eligible, erupted, evidence, extreme, extremists, faced, factor, fake, fallout, families, fast-track, filed, fine, first, focused, following, former, formerly, fought, free, G. Udayagiri, Gajapati, Gobida Chandra Pradhan, Gondaguda, government, granting, group, groups, gunmen, head, headed, help, helping, Hindu, Hinduism, Hindus, homes, hope, house, HRLN, Human Rights Law Network, identity cards, immediate, incineration, including, India, Indian Penal Code, Indo-Asian News Service, information, inhabitants, inquiry, institutions, interim, intervention, investigating, issue, issues, issuing, jobs, judicial, jurisdiction, justice, Kandhamal, Kasinpadar, Khajuripada, kill, killed, know, Kotagarh, Kui, land, leader, legal, legislator, linked, little, lives, living, local, Loknath Digal, looting, lost, main, managed, Manoj Pradhan, Maoist, Marxist, matters, means, member, motor, murder, National Commission for Minorities, nationalist, Naveen Patnaik, need, neighboring, new, New Delhi, newspaper, NJD, non-profit, oath, officer, organization, Orissa, Pana Dalits, panel, partner, partnership, party, people, Persecution, personally, persons, petitions, Phiringia, Phulbani, Piserama, pistols, police, police stations, political, Pratap Pradhan, pressure, prime, prison, private, probe, prominent, provided, providing, public, punished, Raikia, rape, Raphael Cheenath, ray, reaction, receive, recently, recognition, reconversions, recover, refused, regional, registered, rehabilitation, reign, relatives, reliable, religious, remarks, report, reported, reports, responsible, resulted, Rev, riding, right, riot, rioters, rioting, Roman Catholic, Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholics, rooted, ruling, S. C. Mohapatra, Salapsahi, Sam Paul, Sanjeeb Pradhan, Sarangad, Sarangarh, save, scetion 302, scheduled, Scheduled Castes, sections, sentenced, series, services, shook, Shricharnan Mohan Pradhan, shrinking, silence, source, spate, spirits, spokesman, state, statistics, sub-collector, sub-district, sub-divional, subject, submitted, survivors, suspecting, suspects, suspicion, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, terror, testify, The Deccan Herald, The Hindu, The Indian Express, threatened, threatening, threats, Tikabali, touching, trials, tribal, tribe, truth, Tumudibandha, underway, unprecedented, untouchables, various, vehicle, VHP, victim, victims, village, violence, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, wave, wing, withdraw, witness, witnesses, won, World Hindu Council, younger, youth, Zee News | Leave a comment
SRI LANKA: PARLIAMENT TO VOTE ON ANTI-CONVERSION LAWS
Posted on February 1, 2009 by particularkev
Draft ‘Bill for the Prohibition of Forcible Conversions’ enters final phase.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, January 26 (Compass Direct News) – The Sri Lankan Parliament may soon enact laws designed to restrict religious conversions.
A standing committee assigned to consider a draft “Bill for the Prohibition of Forcible Conversions” presented its report to Parliament on Jan. 6, suggesting minor amendments that clear the way for a final vote in February. The provisions of the bill criminalize any act to convert or attempt to convert a person from one religion to another religion by the use of force, fraud or allurement. Those found guilty of breaking the law could be imprisoned for up to seven years and/or fined up to 500,000 rupees (US$4,425).
The Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thero, a member of the Buddhist Jathika Hela Urumaya party (JHU or National Heritage Party), first proposed the draft in 2004. While the JHU claims the bill is designed to stop unethical conversions, civil rights groups and Christian churches say it will infringe on the constitutional rights of freedom of religion and legitimize harassment of religious minorities.
Buddhists form a 70 percent majority in Sri Lanka, with Roman Catholics constituting 7 percent and Protestant Christians only 1 percent of the population.
After the first reading of the bill in Parliament in August 2004, 22 petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the draft legislation.
The Supreme Court determined the draft bill to be valid except for clauses 3 and 4(b), which it deemed unconstitutional. These clauses required any person who converted or participated in a religious conversion ceremony to report to a government official and prescribed punishment for failure to report such conversions.
The draft was then referred to a parliamentary standing committee for further review. In its report, presented to the House on Jan. 6, the committee made a few amendments to the original draft in keeping with Supreme Court recommendations. The most notable amendment was the deletion of the need to report conversions and the punishment prescribed for not reporting them.
These amendments paved the way for the draft bill to be passed by a simple majority vote when it is presented for a final reading in Parliament this February.
Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera, however, has requested a two-day debate on the draft bill on grounds that it would affect all religions.
Fulfilling Campaign Promises
The JHU, founded and led by Buddhist clergymen, made anti-conversion legislation a cornerstone of its debut election campaign in 2004, when it won nine seats in Parliament. With the possibility of an early general election this year, the bill has become a matter of political survival for the JHU.
At a press briefing on Jan. 7, Ven. Ellawela Medhananda Thero, a Buddhist monk and Member of Parliament representing the JHU, called on all political parties to vote in favor of the bill.
“People expected us to fulfill two goals,” he said. “One was to end unethical conversions and the other was to liberate the country from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. That is why we entered politics.”
Ven. Medhananda Thero added that the purpose of the bill was to protect all major religions in the country from fundamentalists and unethical conversions.
Sri Lanka’s Christian community and civil rights groups have strongly objected to the draft legislation. Far from stemming alleged forced conversions, they claim the bill will become a weapon of harassment through misapplication, limiting the fundamental rights of thought, conscience and religion. These rights include the right to adopt a religion and the right to practice, observe and teach religion.
The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) said in a recent press statement that, “It is our gravest concern that this bill will grant legal sanction for the harassment of religious communities or individuals, and offer convenient tools of harassment for settling personal disputes and grudges, totally unrelated to acts of alleged ‘forced’ conversion.”
Banning Compassion
According to Section 2 of the draft bill, the offer of any temptation such as a gift, cash or any other gratification to convert or attempt to convert a person from one religion to another is punishable with up to seven years of prison and a maximum fine of 500,000 rupees (US$4,425) – equal to approximately three years’ wages for the average Sri Lankan citizen.
Sri Lankan Christians have repeatedly expressed concern that key sections of the draft bill are open to wide and subjective interpretation that could criminalize not only legitimate religious activity but also legitimate social action by faith-based organizations or individuals.
“A lady who heads a charitable trust caring for orphans asked if she could be charged under this law, since she is a Christian and some of the children she cares for are not,” a lawyer told Compass. “Many people will now think twice before helping the poor or needy, for fear of being accused of committing a criminal act.”
Ironically, on June 4, 2008, in his address to the new Sri Lankan ambassador to the Holy See, Pope Benedict XVI had acknowledged the Sri Lankan government’s appreciation of the Catholic Church’s charity work in the country.
“Such action is a concrete example of the Church’s willing and prompt response to the mission she has received to serve those most in need,” he said. “I commend any future measures which will help guarantee that Catholic hospitals, schools and charitable agencies can continue to care for the sick, the young and the vulnerable regardless of ethnic or religious background.”
He went on to assure the government that “the Church will continue in her efforts to reach out with compassion to all.”
On Jan. 8, at his traditional New Year meeting with all ambassadors to the Holy See, the pope appeared to be addressing concerns over anti-conversion legislation.
“The Church does not demand privileges, but the full application of the principle of religious freedom,” he said. He also called on Asian governments to ensure that “legislation concerning religious communities guarantees the full exercise of this fundamental right, with respect for international norms.”
Since the first draft anti-conversion bill was presented to Parliament in 2004, the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka, NCEASL and Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka have repeatedly called for an alternative solution based on inter-faith dialogue with fair representation of all religious communities.
“Enactment of laws to regulate something as intrinsically personal as spiritual beliefs will not contribute towards resolving disagreements and promoting religious harmony,” said Godfrey Yogarajah, executive director of the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission. “On the contrary, it will create mistrust and animosity.”
Posted in Buddhism, Christianity, Law and Legislation, Roman Catholicism, Sri Lanka | Tagged accused, acknowledged, act, action, activity, address, addressing, adopt, affect, agencies, alleged, allurement, alternative, ambassador, ambassadors, amedment, amendments, animosity, anti-conversion, appeared, application, appreciation, approximately, Asian, asked, assigned, assure, attempt, average, background, banning, beliefs, Benedict XVI, bill, breaking, Buddhist, called, campaign, care, caring, cash, Catholic Bishops Conference of Sri Lanka, ceremony, challenging, charged, charitable, charity, chief, Christian, Christianity, Christians, churches, citizen, civil rights, claims, clauses, clergymen, Colombo, commend, committee, committing, communities, community, compassion, concern, concrete, conscience, consider, constitutional, continue, contrary, contribute, convenient, conversions, convert, converted, cornerstone, country, create, criminal, criminalize, debate, debut, deletion, demand, designed, determined, dialogue, disagreements, disputes, draft, early, election, Ellawela Medhananda Thero, enact, enactment, ethnic, example, executive director, exercise, expected, expressed, failure, fair, faith-based, fear, filed, Final, fined, force, forced, founded, fraud, freedom of religion, fulfilling, fundamental, fundamentalists, future, general, gift, goals, Godfrey Yogarajah, government, governments, grant, gratification, gravest, grounds, groups, grudges, guarantee, guilty, harassment, harmony, help, Holy See, hospitals, house, imprisoned, individuals, infringe, inter-faith, international, interpretation, ironically, Jathika Hela Urumaya, JHU, Joseph Michael Perera, key, lady, laws, lawyer, legal, legislation, legitimate, legitimize, liberate, liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, limiting, major, majority, matter, measures, meeting, member, minor, minorities, misapplication, mission, mistrust, monk, National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, National Heritage Party, NCEASL, need, needy, New Year, norms, notable, objected, observe, official, Omalpe Sobitha Thero, opposition, organizations, original, orphans, Parliament, participated, parties, party, passed, paved, people, Persecution, person, personal, petitions, phase, Politics, poor, Pope, population, practice, prescribed, presented, press briefing, press release, principle, privileges, prohibition of forcible conversions, promises, promoting, prompt, proposed, protect, Protestant, provisions, punishable, punishment, purpose, reading, recent, recommendations, referred, regardless, regulate, religion, religions, religious, report, reporting, representation, representing, required, resolving, respect, response, restrict, review, rights, Roman Catholic, Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholics, rupees, sanction, schools, seats, sections, serve, settling, sick, social, solution, spiritual, Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan, standing committee, statement, stop, strongly, subjective, supreme court, survival, Tamil Tigers, teach, temptation, thought, tools, traditional, trust, unconstitutional, unethical, unrelated, valid, validity, vote, vulnerable, wages, weapon, whip, wide, willing, won, work, World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission, young | Leave a comment
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Nasdaq Inc. in talks with Texas Gov. Abbott about relocating trading systems to D-FW, sources say
Nasdaq Inc. is in talks with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott about potentially relocating the exchange’s electronic trading systems from New Jersey to Dallas-Fort Worth, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.
Other trading exchanges also could be involved in the discussions, both sources said.
Nasdaq is planning a visit to Texas to meet with the governor, according to one of the sources. Leaders of the exchange have had “a great dialogue” with Abbott, the source said.
The exchange, which lists about 176 Texas companies and has 87 employees in the state, is intrigued by an opportunity touted by Abbott to power its electronic infrastructure with renewable energy from wind farms in the state, according to one of the sources. Nasdaq is the trading platform for many of the nation’s environmentally conscious companies.
When Facebook invested $1 billion in building its massive data center at AllianceTexas north of Fort Worth, it struck a deal to buy its electricity from a 17,000-acre wind farm under construction at the time. Facebook, which trades on Nasdaq, is now planning to add to its 150-acre campus, which opened in 2017.
Dallas-Fort Worth isn’t alone in wooing the stock exchanges. Officials in Virginia, North Carolina and Illinois have also had discussions with Nasdaq, one of the sources said.
In a statement to The Dallas Morning News, Nasdaq vice president of communications Joe Christinat said: “We are assessing all options, but our No. 1 priority is protecting the U.S. capital markets and its investors.”
A spokesman for the New York Stock Exchange’s parent company, the Intercontinental Exchange, couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
A potential tax on financial transactions in New Jersey, where Nasdaq and other exchanges house the data systems that power Wall Street’s daily trades, is what’s driving the talks.
NYSE, Nasdaq and Cboe Global Markets Inc. signaled in September that they would be willing to shift operations away from New Jersey if the state passed the proposed tax. The proposal would implement a quarter-cent tax on every transaction for firms handling more than 100,000 transactions a year.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has said as recently as this week that he supports the tax. New Jersey faces a $5.63 billion shortfall in its current fiscal year as a result of a drop-off in tax revenue during the coronavirus shutdown.
On Tuesday, a coalition of trade associations representing about 200,000 financial services workers sent a letter to New Jersey lawmaker John F. McKeon, the proposal’s sponsor, conveying “strong opposition” to the tax.
“A [tax] could lead to financial firms moving their electronic infrastructure and the related jobs outside of New Jersey. This would reduce employment and revenue in the state,” the coalition wrote.
Last month, NYSE conducted a dry run using a backup system in Chicago to determine how quickly it could move operations out of New Jersey. Nasdaq has performed similar tests.
Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the nation’s largest data center markets, with tech giants like Facebook and Google investing heavily in new facilities in recent years.
Facebook recently filed plans with the state to expand its massive AllianceTexas facility by an additional 277,000 square feet. Google is constructing a 375-acre, $600 million data center campus in Midlothian in Ellis County.
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Section I. Responsibility and Warranty
Topic I.1. General
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You represent, warrant and covenant that no materials of any kind submitted through your account will violate, plagiarize, or infringe upon the rights of any third party, including copyright, trademark, privacy or other personal or proprietary rights; or contain libelous or otherwise unlawful material. You hereby indemnify, defend and hold harmless Origins Online from and against any and all liability and costs, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees in connection with any claim arising out of any breach by you or any user of your account of this Agreement or the foregoing representations, warranties and covenants. You shall cooperate as fully as reasonably required in the defense of any such claim.
By engaging in any and all use of the Content and/or Service provided by Origins Online the user and all related users of said account voluntarily relinquish any and all rights and entities, fictional or real, created by, induced by, brought into, referenced, promised, implied, or used in any and all efforts, relating or not, to Origins Online and its Administrators thereof. In no such event shall these entities and rights be claimed or requested forcibly without the explicit permission of Origins Online and its administrators in regard to the Content and/or Service.
Furthermore, Origins Online is especially not to be liable for any of the following losses or damage (regardless of whether such damage or losses were foreseen, foreseeable, known or otherwise): (a) loss of data; (b) loss of revenue or anticipated profits; (c) loss of business; (d) loss of opportunity; (e) loss of goodwill or injury to reputation; (f) losses suffered by third parties; or (g) any direct, indirect, consequential, incidental, special or exemplary damages arising from the use of Origins Online regardless of the form of action. Origins Online claims the right to use any user's likeness, whether fictional, portrayed, or real, in any and all advertisements justifications and promotional campaigns.
Origins Online reserves the right to override, modify, nullify, or restructure any decision made previously, regardless of time passed, when potentially affecting the wellbeing of it or its Administrators thereof. Decisions are ultimately made by the staff as whole, and while in-depth reasoning may be provided along with the announcement, it is not necessary that it is published.
The staff shall use the Terms of Service as the one and only foundation for their decisions. While encouraged, it is not necessary that previous rulings will be taken into account. Players are advised to ask before taking past history for granted. Rationales explaining the connection between the infringement and the Terms of Service shall be provided, but are not open to discussion, unless it is explicitly stated.
Ragnarok Online has a multitude of monsters, items, skills and maps. Origins Online reserves the right to make modifications to each and every one of those components. Staff members shall be made aware of the reasoning behind modifications, and shall provide insight on that, should a player request so. The guiding standards of fairness, balance, and timeliness are subjective and may even be divisive, and are only open to discussion in appropriately appointed environments.
Individual staff members may act at their own discretion in cases of damage control, that is, if immediate action is required to stop an ongoing violation. In those cases, a clear warning shall also be provided by the staff member, and said decision shall be shared with the staff in its entirety, for further evaluation. Damage control actions are subject to modifications and nullifications, and do not exclude the possibility of extended punishment to be applied to infringers, should the staff in its entirety deem it necessary.
Any and all awards promised or implied, whether fictional or real, will be handed out at the administrators' sole decision. Such decision shall be final, and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into.
Return of any prize notification as undeliverable or failure to reply within an acceptable time period as dictated by the Owner of Origins Online may result in disqualification or selection of an alternative winner. If more than one prize is awarded, only one prize per entrant shall be awarded unless explicitly challenged by the Administrators of Origins Online during the selection process. Origins Online reserves the right to deduct a partial sum of any prize when required in processing fees.
Awardees grant Origins Online and all subsidiaries explicit permission to use their name, likeness, and whatever creation was submitted as part of the contest in any and all promotional campaigns and events without compensation in any form.
Awards are at the sole discretion of Origins Online, and no prizes will be awarded as a result of poor or improper actions or judgments on behalf or in relation to any entrant. Entries being judged on merit, subjective will, or ambiguous data reserve Origins Online the right now to declare any winner, or delay the contest.
THE SERVICE AND THE CONTENT ARE PROVIDED BY Origins Online ON AN “AS IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF TITLE OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL Origins Online BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICE, THE CONTENT AND THE PRODUCTS. YOU HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT USE OF THE SERVICE AND/OR CONTENT IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK.
Origins Online servers are based in the European Union, but does not own equipment or hire workers in the EU. However, Origins Online does accept volunteers. All volunteers must pass an entrance process which generally involves an application and an interview, although special circumstances warrant special actions, and therefore general guidelines are not always adhered to. Volunteers receive no form of financial compensation of subsidization for their work, and are never coerced or forced into participating.
Equipment in the EU is rented by third party not-for-profit organizations and given to Origins Online to be used, but belongs to the respective companies which offer the services.
Origins Online runs on an Hercules-derived framework and on software licensed under the GNU General Public License, which do not violate Aegis copyright laws. The Origins Online client is not a copy of any previously released client. As with any client used to connect to similar services, there are unavoidable similarities in the methods of operation and idea. Because individual labels of text and names does not validate copyright, Origins Online is fully entitled to the use and distribution in and out of the European Union for any and all of its client-side software. Art forms expressed that may occur in the Origins Online client has the unique use of conveying a more pleasurable gameplay for Origins Online only; therefore, falls under a directly different purpose than similar art pieces that may occur elsewhere, and it has to be intended as an illustrated concept. Origins Online does not distribute property of Gravity Co. Ltd., Gravity Interactive Inc., Gravity Europe SAS. or any other entities.
It is forbidden to attempt to find or exploit any loopholes which may exist for the purpose of legal prosecution, or malicious acting. In the event that a loophole is found in our guidelines, Origins Online reserves the right to apply punishment in any occurrence of improper conduct, seek restitution for all resulting damages, and holds no liability for any damages caused through or by our actions. In addition, Origins Online holds the right to claim compensation for all damages incurred.
In case a loophole is abused in attempt to evade a punishment, Origins Online reserves the right to apply the evaded punishment, increased by a factor of two (2x) for a first infringement. Repeated attempts to abuse loopholes in order to evade punishments may lead to a permanent account ban.
Should the wording on a rule be found to ambiguous, or otherwise open to a different interpretation from that which was originally intended, the interpretation that is in accordance to the following guiding principles shall be the valid one.
Attempts to push for or misdirect to a different interpretation shall be interpreted as an attempted loophole exploitation, and judged accordingly to the Terms of Service topic on Loopholes.
Ragnarok Online is a Massive Multiplayer Online game. Each player will encounter a number of other persons, with different ages, moral standards, cultures and abilities. In order to ensure an enjoyable environment for the community, each player is required to keep a respectful, friendly, polite behavior.
Any form of malicious acting, with any goals, ranging from, but not limited to, gaining unwarranted benefits, disrupting the gaming experience of other players, causing annoyance to the Administrators or Game Masters, causing harm to the server or its population, is not tolerated.
Origins Online has been designed as a casual, rather than a competitive, MMORPG server. Thus, it should be expected that decisions will take into account the subjective aspects of fun, joy, and originality, rather than competition, efficiency, and absolute min-maxing
The present rules aim to improve the overall experience of the community as a whole, rather than harshly and pointlessly punishing each individual mistake. The punishments are thus designed to carry out a teaching purpose, and be lenient for first time infringements, but harsher for repeated offenses.
When the same offense is reiterated repeatedly, the punishments are increased, if necessary by doubling the previous one each time, but may be varied, at the GMs' discretion, depending on the circumstances of the case.
The same infringement, even if reported by multiple people, does not qualify as a repeated occurrence, except in the cases where it is carried out against different people. For example, a public use of inappropriate language is considered as a single episode, even if reported independently by different people, while multiple episodes of harassment through private messages (even if they occurred concurrently) are considered multiple infringements. In the case of multiple infringements, a punishment equal to the sum of each separate punishments may be applied.
All players realize that spending time on Origins Online is purely voluntary, and are free to leave or change their level of participation at any time and Origins Online in no way addicts or coerces its players or associated individuals, and therefore all actions are on a want, rather than a need, basis.
Players assume all responsibility for any and all possible damages that may occur on their own behalf. This includes all damages caused by both internal and external causes, and includes but is not limited to emotional, health, time off work, and any potential inability to carry out future endeavors.
Players also realize that Origins Online has the ability, at its sole discretion to cancel or change any portion of its services at any time without prior warning, with no compensation to other parties.
Though connected to your chosen name and email address, upon registration Origins Online is granted full ownership of your account and all the characters stored on Origins Online servers, the items stored on these servers, or any other data which the servers and accounts are comprised of. This, however, does not change the fact that a user is entirely responsible for the safety of their own account information. If the owner has supplied others with their log in information, said user is responsible for any and all actions made on the account in question, regardless of whether or not the respective user has provided consent.
The email address specified during the account creation is the master key to the account for its entire lifetime. Any person that can send and receive emails using such email address, is granted full control over the Master Account. Periodic email validations may be requested by the Administration or by the System, in order to ensure the continued ownership of the associated email address. In the case of failure to perform a validation, at any point in time, access to the Master Account may be temporarily revoked, until the email address is successfully validated. Requests to change the email address associated to an account shall be handled by the support staff, at their own discretion, and after satisfactorily proving the account ownership.
In case of rules or laws violations, any accounts may be irrevocably terminated, deleted or revoked at the Administrators' discretion.
In connection with your access, for security reasons data that potentially permit an identification (for example IP address, date, time, visited pages, logins or other logs) are being saved on our servers. No individual-related utilization of these data will take place, unless exceptional cases with the purpose of the Service safeguard. The right for a statistical analysis of anonymous data records is reserved.
When registering to Origins Online, you shall provide your real e-mail address, which will be used only for account management and shall not forwarded to third parties, without your explicit approval. If data is being submitted to service providers in the context of commissioned data processing, the data is bound to the applicable laws in matter of privacy. By registering an account, you grant Origins Online the right to use your e-mail address for (low traffic) internal communications, unless explicitly asked otherwise. Any of the messages sent will come with details on how to remove your e-mail address from the distribution lists.
Articles in Origins Online discussion forums are open to the public (for reading). You should carefully review your posts before publishing whether they include information not intended for public. You have to face that your posts are included in search engines and accessible even without specifically addressing the Origins Online website throughout the world. Deletion or correction of such entries often cannot be achieved at foreign operating companies. Persons younger than 18 years of age should not submit individual-related data to Origins Online without approval of parents or parental guardians.
In some areas of the Service cookies are used for the purpose to realize user functions. The use of the Service without cookies is limited. Most browsers are preset to automatically accepting cookies. However, you can deactivate the saving of cookies or set your browser to notify you as soon as cookies are sent. Please refer to your software manual for instructions on this.
If you request any technical support, you consent to our remote accessing and review of the computer you load the Software onto for purposes of support and debugging. You agree that we may communicate with you via email and any similar technology for any purpose relating to the Service, the Software and any services or software which may in the future be provided by us or on our behalf.
Origins Online does not condone account trading or selling.
Any account involved in these events, at the GMs' discretion, shall be terminated immediately, along with appropriate related accounts.
In-game items and currency do not belong to the player. Rather, Origins Online grants limited temporary ownership of items to player. Selling items/accounts/zeny to make a profit is strictly prohibited as players do not have the authority to do so.
This means that any trading of Origins Online internal items, zeny, accounts, services in exchange for currency, items, accounts, services or goods outside of Origins Online are prohibited.
If such actions are found out to happen, all the involved and related accounts may be permanently banned, terminated and/or deleted by the Administrators. Any items or zeny found to be traded for real money, services or goods, may be confiscated and the trade made void. No compensation shall be given to either party of the trade.
Either you or Origins Online may terminate your account at any time without further obligation to the other. Further, Origins Online reserves the right to terminate the service at any time without further obligation to you.
If the service or your account is terminated or canceled at any time for any reason, you agree to the following: (a) you will lose any characters developed or items accumulated and you will not have the right to transfer, sell or assign any characters or items to anyone else; (b) you may not access the service in any manner or for any reason, including via any other account. In the event that an account is terminated, Origins Online may terminate any and all other related accounts; (c) we may terminate this Agreement (including your Software license and your Account) immediately and without notice if you breach this Agreement or willfully infringe any third party intellectual property rights, or if we are unable to verify or authenticate any information you provide to us, or upon game play, chat or any player activity whatsoever which is, at our sole discretion, inappropriate and/or in violation of the spirit of Origins Online as described in the Terms of Service.
The human operating the device connecting to the server at the time is said to be the “Player” of the account at that given instant. Although players may infringe on policies, it is the Character, Account, Owner or Guest to take the blame and thus the punishments.
Identity should remain unique to each user. Maliciously “stealing” another player's name or taking any other action with the intent to impersonate them or cause other forms of damage will not be tolerated by our staff. This may include and be not limited to impersonation of staff members, other fellow players or guilds. Any form of “Game Master” (GM) in a name is strictly forbidden. Creating a character name to imitate one of the Game Masters' names may be forbidden.
A Master Account’s boundaries extend to the respective identities on other services, such as GitLab, Discord, Telegram, wherever they’ve been associated to the Master Account.
Penalty: Forced name change and one week account to permanent account/IP ban. If the identity theft wasn't intended, a name change may be offered at the Administrators' discretion. Game Master or Staff impersonations is grounds for immediate Master Account termination.
Harassment can come in many different forms, and none of them are acceptable. Harassment may include, but not be limited to, verbally abusing an individual or group, unwanted following or stalking, threatening, embarrassing, spamming, spreading rumors and revealing personal information. Harassment is defined as “Words, conduct or action, usually repeated or persistent that, being directed at a specific person, annoy, alarm, or cause substantial emotional distress, discomfort or unwanted attention of that person or any other person or entity.”
Attempts, direct or concealed, to discover or reveal personal information about a Game Master, or to disrupt their work, will be considered major cases of harassment and punished accordingly. This may include, but not be limited to, begging for items, money or any kind of commands, misusing the support channels for personal matters, for pointless, unwarranted requests, or to inconvenience the staff in any way, disclosing or requesting any information, verified or not, about the in-game identity of a staff member that wasn’t officially made public.
Personal attacks, such as those based on a person's race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, lifestyle choice, disablement or other such affiliation, are strictly prohibited.
If a Player is being harassed through private messages, said Player is asked to /ex before reporting it. If the offender changes characters to keep harassing the victim, the offender and all related accounts will be punished. If a Player is being harassed by being followed around or spammed, the Player is asked to contact a Game Master (“GM”) to request assistance, after politely asking the offender to stop, if applicable in the current situation.
Punishment for the above can range anywhere from a three (3) day temporary ban to a permanent ban. Players who switch accounts to continue harassing will skip to a seven (7) day temporary ban on their Master Account. Repeated offenders may have their Master Accounts banned longer or even be permanently banned.
Players who have nothing good to say about another, are asked not to spread rumors in public chats, websites or forums of any sort. While we may not control what goes on in private chat of party, guild, or PMs of friends, we disapprove of it. Expressed rumor spreading will result in punishment in accordance to the severity. This includes but is not limited to rumors or defamation about fellow players, Game Masters of this or other servers, shall it happen through the Origins Online Service or any other third party services.
Sitting in town (or any other public places, including #main chat, and forums) gloating, talking about who you dislike, or gossiping is not tolerated. It's annoying, brings down any server's image, and is rather childish. If you're too bored to level, why not host an event or go make friends? Helping others provides a much more enjoyable experience for everyone, rather than harboring hatred and sharing that negativity with others in a public location.
To extend this, it's highly suggested to avoid discussions in public chat channels (#main, public chat, forums) about topics that could offend other players or cause argues, such as politics, religion or sexual preferences.
Punishments may vary between a twelve (12) hours mute and one week account ban depending on the severity. Reiterations may lead to a permanent IP ban.
The Origins Online community consists of people with varying ages and moral values. Therefore, anything considered as adult content is strictly forbidden. Words that may be considered objectionable are to be kept to a minimum. Repeated usage in channels where anyone who is not accepting of such terms is reading can lead to sanctions, at the GMs' discretion. Usage of vulgar words to offend an individual or group, or to describe a sexual or violent act will not be tolerated.
Attempts to bypass these rules with alternate languages, alternate spellings, symbols or other forms of internet speak will also fall under disciplinary action. The server's official language is English, and using other languages in public contexts is discouraged.
Punishments may vary between a verbal warning, a temporary mute, jail, or three (3) days account ban
Names — such as, but not limited to, account names, nicknames, character names, homunculus names, pet names, guild names, guild titles, party names, chat room titles, shop titles and signs — and pictures — such as avatars, signatures, guild emblems — may not violate third party trademark rights, copyright, or other proprietary right, defame or imitate another player's name, or be considered vulgar or otherwise objectionable or offensive, according to the Terms of Service topic on Language and Inappropriate Contents. Edited Frost Joke / Scream scripts are subject to this rule as well.
Punishments may vary between a verbal warning, a forced name change or character/guild deletion and three (3) days account ban.
Advertising other servers, no matter what their rates and features are is considered an unacceptable behavior, and it shall be severely punished. Advertising includes but is not limited to listing another server’s features in a positive way, or negatively comparing Origins Online to that server. Merely mentioning another server one player has previously played in, pointing out some other server's features in order to suggest improvements for the Origins Online gaming experience, or describing features that you dislike and would not like to see here may be exempted from this rule, depending on the context.
Penalty: Permanent Master Account/IP ban.
In case of serious rumors, doubts and accusations regarding the Staff's integrity or one of its members, harming, in any possible way, the server in a higher degree of severity, taken as exceptional/emergency occasions, the Origins Online Staff is given the autonomy to convoke a committee with investigative purposes.
The committee, (“Ethics Council”), will be composed of up to six (6), and not less than four (4) active players from Origins Online. The players will volunteer to be elected by the Origins Online community, through official polls held on Origins Online forums. Each player will vote only once and Game Masters are forbidden to vote. Players having past incriminations or staff notes on their Origins Online records may not be allowed to volunteer.
The Ethics Council will last for up to ten (10) days. During the investigation, the Staff member under suspicion will be secluded from their functions.
The committee will have temporary access to investigate logs related to the accused Staff members, filtering out the references to any not involved Players and Staff members. Any Staff members refusing to cooperate and provide proofs will be presumed culprit.
The Ethics Council is not granted any powers beyond the investigative purpose. In other words, the committee may not judge or take decisions beyond the necessary to investigate, being restricted to give its own sight about the accusations.
The Ethics Council will be asked to prepare a complete report, which will be submitted to the Staff, excluded the member under investigation. Said report will contain proofs of any sort, as long as they are legit. The Ethics Council investigations will not assume legal value until the absolute majority of its members' votes (at least half and one) is gathered in favor of it.
In case the investigation concludes for the GM integrity, the player who started the accusations will fall under the other Terms of Service topics, being duly punished at the Administrators' discretion. Ethics Council members forging faked proofs or accusations, or exploiting the special privileges given for personal purposes are liable to increased punishments.
Each player is entitled to one, and only one, Master Account, which corresponds to a Forum Account. Each Master Account allows creation of an unlimited amount of Game Accounts.
Master Accounts are individual and must not be shared, under any conditions. In order to share characters, players shall use the Guest Account system. Multiple players in the same household are to create different Master Accounts.
Punishment: In the case of multiple Master Accounts belonging to or controlled by the same person, OR Master Accounts shared by multiple players without using the Guest Account System, Permanent Ban on the Master Account(s) in question.
Should the Master Account system be abused, the punishment for ownership or control of more than one account can be increased at the staff’s discretion. This includes but is not limited using using a separate account to evade a ban, or using two accounts to claim twice as many rewards, or any other form of abuse described in Topic VI.3. Bugs and Exploitation.
In case a player registered multiple Master Accounts already, and they want to fix it, please get in touch with the development staff as soon as possible, through the support email address or by creating a private ticket in the Issue Tracker.
The unauthorized disclosure with the public or with third parties of confidential or classified information is not tolerated. This includes but isn’t limited to any information shared by staff members or otherwise licitly or illicitly obtained, such as screenshots, chat logs, database logs and so on, as well as excerpts from private conversations with players or other third parties that didn’t explicitly authorize sharing the contents.
Breaches of confidentiality may lead to a permanent ban to the infractors.
Persistent requests toward a player in possess of confidential information to violate this rule shall be considered harassment, and subject to Topic IV.3.
Individuals or groups that assist an infractor in order to help them carry out their malicious deeds, or to help them avoid punishment, including, but not limited to, providing false information to the staff or misleading others, will lead to the assisting party being considered an accomplice of the infractor.
Accomplices may be subject to the same punishment as if they had carried out the infraction themselves.
Scrolling or any other form of spamming is not allowed. Scrolling is defined as repeatedly causing the screen or the chat window to roll faster than users are able to type into it or preventing them to use the chat efficiently. Constant begging, nagging and messages flooding (including but not limited to public chat and #main chat) will also be considered spam.
Please do not spam skills or spells in populated areas in towns and cities. Brewing or Forging may fall under this rule, unless it's for a very limited time period. Please step away from the streets and/or the crowd if you need to do so.
Under no circumstances players are allowed to brew, spam skills or use Ice Wall near the Prontera fountain.
Using @duel in highly populated locations may be considered as spamming: please avoid it, and move to less populated areas.
Do not set up a chat room or shop near NPCs or warp portals. The bubble itself shall not obstruct a warp portal nor an NPC if viewed at the default camera orientation, or whatever camera orientation is usual for that particular portal or NPC. Setting up a chat room or shop on top of another person is also disallowed.
In Prontera, chat rooms may only be set up on the sidewalks, and should also respect the previous rules. Shops are not allowed on defined streets, paths, or heavily used walkways in any town. This includes towns without paved roads, such as Comodo or Payon, and extends to buying shops outside of towns. In heavily trafficked fields and dungeons, buying and vending shops should be kept well clear of parties and pathways.
Shops containing an item with an excessively high price, having the clear purpose to keep the shop open when everything else is sold, are subject to this rule.
Penalty: One-hour mute to one-day account ban. Improper shops and chat rooms may lead to punishment ranging from character forced move, muted, or disconnection to one day jail time.
If a monster is following a player, the Player owns such monster as the player does not lose the attention of the monster, except for some special cases described below, and the case of holding onto a scarce monster, as defined in the Mobbing topic of the Terms of Service.
If a monster owned by a player is attacked, provoked, or otherwise followed in close proximity with the intention of causing the monster to change target, the player doing such will have performed Kill Stealing.
Although MVPs are considered free-for-all, using skills such as Pneuma, Safety Wall, Ice Wall, and other utility or defensively oriented skills in an intentionally disadvantagous way, such as to prevent others from attacking, buffing, healing or affecting a monster, is considered grief play. Additionally, using a character's sprite to cover the MVP to prevent targeting, or covering the tomb left by a dead MVP is not allowed. Ruling for scenarios which diverge from these guidelines will be subject to staff discretion.
General Grief-Play rules still apply to MVPs.
Having a rare or very scarce monster follow a player or party grants ownership of the mob to them, but it does not give them the right to hold onto it indefinitely. After a period of at least 1 minute, if no effort is being made to kill it, others may announce their intention to contend the monster. Contenders should create a recording in the case they are indicted of kill stealing. The recording must show the 1-minute waiting period up till the contender begins engaging the monster.
To report a Player for Kill Stealing, one must either contact a GM so that they can see it first hand, or submit at least two (2) well defined incidents in screen-shots, or one well defined incident in a video.
Punishment for Kill Stealing may vary between a twelve (12) hour jail for a first offense and a one to three (3) day account ban. For repeated offenders, temporary bans will be issued on all associated accounts. For cases that are not well defined, a verbal warning will be issued. For the specific case of holding onto a scarce monster, Kill Stealing may be excused, but still discouraged, and evidence needs to be submitted by the defendant, and found to be of beyond reasonable doubt.
Hitting monsters to damage them by 50% and then teleporting, waiting for someone else to kill them as a strategy for leveling or hunting is against the rules. While the rules for this are not completely defined, GMs are free to use their own judgment to determine whether an incident is an infraction of the rules. This is a very much common-sense rule.
Punishment may vary between a six (6) hour jail for a first offense and a one day account ban. For repeated offenders, temporary bans will be issued on all associated accounts.
AFK Leveling refers to, but is not limited to, autocast or reflect features that allow the killing or weakening of monsters while the Player is not there (either away from the computer or alt-tabbing to do other things), such as using a High Orc Card and a Grand Cross to TU, or features that allow an inactive leeched character to bypass the AFK restrictions, such as creating self-moving autofollower trains. This however, does not include training homunculus leeching or being leeched, as long as the above is not also done at the same time. AFK leveling in general is defined not by what the player is doing, but rather by how they react. If you do not pass the test, whether you are AFK, alt-tabbed, on a different character, talking on the phone, or watching TV, you will be considered an AFK leveler.
AFK teleporters are defined as anyone teleporting and not passing the modified AFK test. It doesn't matter if you're using a macro, having a younger brother do it, or watching TV and just using Fly Wings. If you do not pass the test, you are an AFK teleporter. Those logging off while the test is being conducted will also receive the same punishment as an AFK teleporter.
An alchemist/biochemist with a homunculus is allowed to level, hunt, and otherwise kill monsters as long as they won't use third party programs. Autoloot will turn off after thirty (30) seconds of inactivity, and exp gain will cease after five (5) minutes of inactivity. AFK feeding is not allowed, and being caught feeding while AFK by a GM or another player may be punishable.
AFK Levelers will be tested by a GM or an independent player for one minute. Any AFK Leveler exceeding one minute of inactivity, will be punishable when reported. The report must offer sufficient proof, with screenshots showing two distinct instances with at least forty-five (45) seconds of separation.
The punishment for an AFK teleporter and AFK levelers may include, but is not limited to, five (5) day mute and jail, to a permanent Master Account ban. Any rule breaking, such as using third-party programs and/or macroing to move/teleport/feed will result in a Master Account ban.
Anyone idling/afking in any of the Battlegrounds maps may be punished with at least a one to three days account ban. In extreme cases where alternate accounts are being used, this will stretch to a ban across all accounts, at the GMs' discretion. After the first punishment, more severe punishments will be handed out, at the GMs' discretion.
If any of the infringements is suspected to have been performed through the use of third party unauthorized tools or client modifications, it may also be subject to Topic VI.1.
Intentionally disrupting another player's gameplay is said to be Grief-Playing. This may include, but not be limited to, de-buffing others outside of WoE maps - including the use of Aspersio to weaken damage or Kyrie Eleison to cancel Assumptio, littering or otherwise dropping large amounts of items in the immediate vicinity of other players, placing skills, shops or chats with disruptive intentions, following at a close range for extended time periods. Using reversed buffs with no side effects such as Blessing on Undead monsters will not be considered grief-playing.
In WoE, PvP, MVP environments, or in places where it would cause a disadvantage to other players, you may not trade with, add to your friends list, or send guild/party invitations to another player.
Although MVPs are free-for-all, using skills such as Pneuma, Safety Wall and Ice Wall to prevent others from attacking them, buffing, healing or affecting a monster in negative ways to other players is considered grief-play. Using a character’s sprite to cover the tomb left by a dead MVP is not allowed.
If a Player purposely teleports, or loses the target of a monster or group of monsters in a way such that the mob attacks an unsuspecting player or party, that offending player is said to have Mob Dropped. Likewise, using Dead Branch or Bloody Branch, or changing a monster's class through the Azoth weapon, Hylozoist card or the “???” skill near someone not desiring it is also considered Mob Dropping, and will be treated in the same way. It is also forbidden to use Dead Branch, Bloody Branch, Azoth, Hylozoist and “???” in towns, PvP/GvG maps, newbie/low level training areas and the “safe paths” between towns, or, in any case, 1 map away from towns.
To report a mob drop incident, players must provide two distinct screen shots. To report a branching incident, a player must take one screenshot. An authorized GM will then look at branch logs.
Using skills near others that require you to hide first will also fall under the category of mob-dropping. Please do it in an isolated place. Constantly following a character which uses hiding skills to kill monsters and preventing them to kill without mob dropping will, though, fall back in the Kill Steal rule.
Punishment for grief playing is a one to three (3) day ban. For heavily repeated offenses, punishment may be increased at the GMs' discretion. Punishment for WoE grief playing may be delayed to include the following week WoE.
Due to Guild Dungeons being the only maps where PvM and PvP elements coexist, special rules come into play. Guild Dungeon maps are considered PvP environment first and foremost, with free engagement rules allowing players to deal with any enemy present on the map by any means necessary, including mobdropping, killstealing or dead branch spamming. In essence, anything that the game mechanics allow is fair play (unless deemed to be unintended, such as a bug or an exploit).
The one exception is res-killing (resurrecting an enemy in order to kill them again and force them to lose exp), which is still considered grief play and will be punished according to Topic V.5. Grief-Playing.
When you step into a Guild Dungeon you concede that you are a potential target at any point, and that anyone can come and interrupt your leveling/farming session.
Scamming is not allowed. Actions with the purpose, whether implicit or explicit, to generally mislead in the case of a trade, vend, or other sort of transaction are not allowed. Vending non-slotted items for slotted item prices is considered scamming. A shop name that misleads the buyer, such as one that announces a slotted item, but sells a non-slotted one, also falls under scamming.
Vending items, intentionally or accidentally, for less than their market price, is not considered scamming. NPC items may be vended for more than their base price (up to 3x NPC price for equipment, and up to 6x for all other items), in locations where the item is not available. Items that can only be purchased after completing a quest or aren’t available to be bought in bulk, such as Speed Potions, are also exempt from the scamming rule.
Buying items in a Buying Store for less than their NPC sell price falls under this rule. Selling items for more than the conditions mentioned above allow for also does. Trades not done via automated vending process may be exempted from this rule if the part that would be harmed by it leaves written record (e.g. via in-game chat messages) of their understanding that trading with an NPC would be more beneficial to them.
All players have the rights to back out of any trade agreement (including contracts) before the transaction or parts of it has been completed by either sides.
If you enter into a typed agreement with someone to form a legitimate contract and then fail to complete your end of the deal, you are obligated to either complete or reverse (where reversible) the contract.
Contracts can be defined as services of any kind (brewing, forging, hunting, refining, leeching, etc). Obtaining collateral is recommended both for contracts or lent items. Keeping items or Zeny without honoring your typed contract is forbidden. However, GMs will exercise total discretion in dealing with these cases.
Scamming will have a variety of punishments decided on by the GM per case. In the case of vending non-slotted items for slotted prices, the merchant will be jailed. In addition, your associated accounts will be blacklisted. In the future, you may find the amount of zeny attempted to be scammed spontaneously gone from one of your characters.
Emblem changes with an intent to look similar to, or in anyway resemble, any active WoE Guild (at the GMs' complete discretion) is illegal. Changing your emblem during WoE for the purpose of confusing another guild is not allowed and may be punishable.
Disabling of the emblem during WoE is not allowed. Any WoE guild (as determined subjectively by GMs) must use an unique emblem during War of Emperium. Emblems with more than 70% of transparent pixels, or resembling mouse cursors or other game sprites meant to confuse the enemy guilds may fall in this category. Characters without a guild, but clearly collaborating with one, as determined by GMs, fall under this rule.
The guild leader is punishable for guild rules infringements. This could range from a warning to jailing of the guild master to a temporary ban, preferably during WoE times. Continued offense will result in guild level lowering, disabling of certain skills for amounts of time, or even the total disbanding of a guild. In the case of infractions deriving from independent action by a player that is not the guild leader, punishment can range from a 1 hour ban to one (1) week ban for the first offense, from one (1) week to three (3) weeks for a second offense, and to a permanent ban for a third offense.
Mobbing refers to the act of accumulating a large amount of monsters to follow a character, usually so they can be killed faster or more efficiently by using Area of Effect attacks. A mob is a group of one or more monsters that is following, attacking, or otherwise targeting a player or a party of players.
While mobbing is allowed, it should be noted that, if a party is not alone in a map, the monsters should be divided fairly among players. This means that all players should be able to mob with the same ease, and mobs shouldn't be dragged from too far away from wherever they are going to be killed. Therefore, mobbing the entire map, or getting too many monsters to follow a player character before actually killing them, can greatly harm another player's ability to use that map for their purposes. This is not only discouraged, but shall be met with punishment. If a party does not realize another's presence on the map, at least one verbal warning is to be issued via public channel from a player to the party. After that, should the excessive mobbing not cease, players are advised to start collecting evidence and to warn a Game Master.
All players involved in the infringing party are subject to punishment. This may range from a verbal warning for the first occurrence, to a 3-day ban, to two weeks of suspension.
Altering the game in any way to give yourself an advantage over other players is inadmissible. This includes but is not limited to the use of third party programs such as WPE, OpenKore (or any other botting or packet editor program), hexed clients or client files, and keyboard/mouse/auto response macros.
A user that is suspected of using a robot (or “bot”), or any other tool that can artificially generate inputs that were not performed by a real player, may be investigated. Should the behavior of the user be found to be indistinguishable from that of a bot, the user will be considered as a botter. It is required to always have a person capable of successfully communicating with the investigator, however bad their spelling or grammar may be. Whoever is investigating the suspected botter shall make communication attempts in as many languages as they wish, as long as at least one of them is English. An investigator can be identified by the yellow name that is displayed when the user hovers the mouse cursor over their character. The name of an investigator is commonly prefixed with letters between brackets ([]).
Origins Online does not condone the editing of the client, GRF, grayworld, flatmap, or related files or processes, other than for lightweight customization that doesn’t provide any advantage and only serves for preference purposes. Any such GRF customization should be done by creating a new file named custom.grf, which must be explicitly approved and digitally signed by the GM team. The digital signature is only valid for the Master Account that requested it, and different players need to request the validation of their custom.grf separately, even if they submit identical files.
In order to submit a GRF file for validation, players shall create a private ticket in the Support Tracker, and attach the edited file, as well as a detailed description of the purpose of each contained file, and the reason why it was edited. Once the modifications are accepted, a digitally signed copy of the GRF file is provided to the submitter, to be placed inside the “OriginsRO/OrigRO” subfolder of their client files.
Any decision concerning the validation of a modification is subject to future revisions by the staff, and may be revoked at any time. In such cases, a notification message will be sent to the user through the official channels.
For convenience, and in order to speed up the review process, the following lists of allowed, tolerated and disallowed edits are provided. Edits in the tolerated list are accepted, but they will void any GM support on clientside matters. Any edits not explicitly listed in the allowed or tolerated lists are, by default, disallowed. In case of doubt, players should verify with a GM whether their edit is acceptable.
Homunculus AI scripts, in the OriginsRO/AI/USER_AI folder. Note that alchemists and biochemists must make sure their homunculus will respect the rules itself. An alchemist is punishable for kill-stealing or similar actions done by their homunculus. These scripts aren’t contained in the GRF files and do not require the use of a custom.grf file.
Frost Joke/Scream text, as long as it always displays a line (through custom.grf). Text contained in these files will be considered as part of the player speech, and will be punishable in case of rule violations.
Alternate (new style) mouse cursor (through custom.grf).
Custom Skins, in the “OriginsRO/Skin” folder. These resources aren’t contained in the GRF files and do not require the use of a custom.grf file.
Modified Auras sprites (through custom.grf).
Change empty guild emblems to blacks, or custom (through custom.grf).
Modified Cast Circles (through custom.grf).
Modified pettalktable.xml (through custom.grf).
Simplified AoE effects, as long as they don’t change the general appearance of the original effect - for example, reducing opacity is acceptable, while removing effect layers is not - (through custom.grf).
Shortened versions of the sound effects from the Performance or Ensemble skills (through custom.grf).
Changing/Deleting the blind effect from Demon of the Heavens.
Make items already identified.
Editing to see WoE damage.
Editing to see cloaked/hidden characters.
Editing homunculus, mercenary, elemental, pet, player or monster sprites, or related .act files.
Changing monster sprites (for example to easily target MvPs or other mobs).
Editing skillnametable to make certain skills easier to see. Switching between iRO / kRO names may be tolerated though.
Deleting trees and pieces of scenery.
Modified item sprites.
Flat Map/Grayworld
Modifications to the contents or properties of any files with extension .grf or .orp, except custom.grf.
It is encouraged that guilds check that each of their players is not using a modified client.
Random (or select) people from different guilds may be checked at the GMs' discretion. While GMs will try to avoid doing this during big rushes or heavy defenses, sometimes it is necessary, and thus will be done. Checks will be anywhere from non-WoE times, beginning of WoE, to the end of WoE and may be in either an active or a passive form. A passive check is completely invisible to the user, and won't require them to do anything. An active check requires a player to perform simple actions, as instructed by a Game Master - either through personal messages or in person - or as shown by a NPC dialogue or picture displayed on the player's screen. Anyone logging out or “disconnecting” during a check will be auto-banned in most cases. However, we will analyze each case independently. Some forms of checks may be completely automated, and using any form of not explicitly allowed or tolerated third party programs might lead to an automatic and irrevocable punishment.
Accusations of cheating or unfair activity should be brought up in private with a member of Origins Online GM team. Please provide proof of the rule infringement before you point any fingers. This also applies to the GM team: attacks on our staff will be treated in the same fashion as a player vs player case.
Note that anyone found using or promoting the usage of unofficial clients and third party software (other than the ones available on the site and listed here) will receive a punishment based on how severe the found edit is. All robots, macros, scripts, and hardware that may allow an extra advantage, even if used with no apparent advantage or for cosmetic purpose, are disallowed. Other programs written, modified or otherwise employed to obtain an advantage similar to one of the aforementioned items are equally disallowed. All offenders will be permanently banned, along with all related accounts and IPs.
If the edit is found to be advantageous in War of Emperium (at the Administrators' discretion), the related guilds will lose all castles for that week, and have all commerce wiped. Depending on the situation, it may also carry over to the alliance. On repeated offenses, other guild punishments will also be enacted. Any guild found supporting disallowed modified clients will also be punished.
*The usage of Gray World/Flat Map is disallowed. All offenders will have their Master Account permanently banned.
Anyone attempting to do any Hacking or Cracking activity against our servers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In addition, all related accounts and IPs may get permanently banned from the game and community.
Game Masters will use total discretion when dealing with hacking cases that do not result from server security problems. Hacking is defined as any unlawful act relating to the Origins Online service or another player's account, whether access is given willingly or not.
Players who share accounts will receive limited help from the Administrators. This may include brewers and guild characters. For any given situation, however, it is the Administration's sole decision whether to aid with a case. Also, note that by using someone else's character, you may become permanently linked to their related accounts list, thus making each risk to get punished because of the other's actions in case of serious infringements to rules requiring an Account/IP ban.
If an exploitable bug is found in game, any players knowing about it have to report the issue through our Bugtracker, in private form, as explained in the Bugtracker guidelines. If any abuse of the bug in question is to take place, the perpetrator may be banned relatively to the severity of the abuse. This is extended to those who fail to report someone else exploiting a bug. Not knowing it is a bug and not a game mechanic is not valid as an excuse. In case of doubt, better to report it anyways, or ask a Game Master.
The abuse of certain technical limitations of the implementation of certain game features in order to obtain advantages is considered bug exploitation. This may include any means that allow the use of the single-clienting party bonus while multi-clienting, concurrent access to WoE castles with multiple clients where forbidden, taking part into any minigames, battlegrounds or events in opposing parties in order to favor each others.
Punishments for bug exploits are almost always a permanent ban on all related accounts and IPs. Deals are sometimes made to unban, at the Administrators' sole discretion, depending on the situation, and the information the player has to offer in exchange.
The use of automated tools to crawl the Origins Online website without permission, with or without the purpose of data scraping, is not tolerated. In case of justified reasons for data collection or third party service integration, Origins Online may provide access to selected subsets of the information available through the website or Control Panel, in a machine-friendly format. This is subject to the Administrators’ approval and technical feasibility or availability of the requested information. For inquiries and requests, the email address support@originsro.org may be used.
Users found to be crawling the website without authorization may be subject to a permanent ban on all related accounts and IPs.
The Community rules apply to the Origins Online forums as well as the official chat channels (IRC, Discord, Telegram) and the public issue tracker (GitLab).
Use the appropriate forum sections or chat channels. The Origins Online forums and Discord server are divided in specific sections for a reason. Do not start discussions directed at one person or group. Please use the PM feature for that.
Penalty: discussion moved or deleted without notification.
Do not spam, multi-post, and/or post the same content in multiple sections. Any post that is not directly related to or does not contribute to the thread's original purpose will be considered spam. Making two or more consecutive posts in a forum thread is considered multi-posting. Use the editing feature instead. Please don't make multiple forum threads consisting of the same content. One thread is enough for your topic to be seen by others. Do not create new threads or tickets about topics that have already been discussed. Please use the Search function to avoid this problem.
Penalty: discussion deleted.
Depending on the severity of the report, judicial action might not be taken. Staff members will also take into consideration the background details, such as the individual standings of both parties and the relationship between them.
Reports must be based on infringement of the Terms of Service. Any report against another member can only be made if the accused has broken any one of the Terms. All other reports will be made void.
Reports must include evidence. The staff cannot act only according to what someone says. Unless otherwise stated, such reports will be put on hold until actual proof is provided. If nothing is provided, the report will be closed. This includes defensive posts: you will need to show proof in order to defend yourself, or your post will be made void. Any screenshots provided as evidence may not have edits or censor traces on them, or they may be made void. If the screenshot accidentally shows unrelated private messages (PMs, guild chat, party chat) that you don't want to publicly post, you are free to cover some parts, as long as you provide an unedited copy to the Game Masters through a Personal Message.
Reports should be created in the appropriate public section in the Origins Online Forums. If the reporter wishes to report another player in private, they should do so by creating a confidential ticket in GitLab, or by emailing support@originsro.org. Reports submitted through any other mean may be ignored. In special circumstances, such as reports against one specific staff member, in order to preserve confidentiality, the reports sent to admin@originsro.org may be accepted.
Evidence gathered during investigations is considered confidential, even if it has been shared with some parties, and falls under Topic IV.10 about Confidentiality.
Please make only one report for each case. This rule also applies to the creation of new threads referring to the same infringement after a verdict has been reached. If you feel the result was unjust, please PM a GM about it rather than making another topic.
Do not post if you're unrelated to the case. The public reports section is not a place for discussions or sharing personal opinions. Unless you have actual, first-hand, proof to contribute to the case, please do not post no matter what valid reason you feel you have to do so. Only the defendant, and no third parties, may submit counter-evidence or defend themselves from the charges. Should the defendant choose not to seek defense within a week from the report date, punishment shall be applied as seen appropriate by the GMs, and according to the present document. The grace time may be shortened, at the GMs' discretion, depending on the severity of the case and the evidence available.
Be specific of what you are buying, selling or trading. When creating a thread in the Marketplace forum sections, please try to leave specific details, such as amounts and cost ranges. If you're unsure of an item's price, please consult the Price Check section or ask in the #trade channel in-game. Although this rule won't be strictly enforced, it is here only to aid you in acquiring what you're looking for faster. If you utilize a public channel to announce an offer, you are in no position to reject performing the trade with someone who accepts it, regardless of your opinions on that person. If you would prefer to have your offer limited to friends only, please use a guild or ally chat to perform the announcement.
This server does not allow the trading of accounts, items of other servers or real money. Please do not make any requests of that kind.
Penalty: Minimum of 1 (one) hour mute. Punishment may be increased for repeated offenses, including switching characters to avoid the mute.
All auctions posted in the Auctions forum section must include the following:
Exact Description Of Item(s). If the items do not match their description, the auction shall be made void and the auctioneer punished.
Start Date.
End Date. Auctions may not be canceled after one day before end date, or the cancel notification will be made void. You cannot have as an end-date condition a “satisfactory bid”. All auction end-dates must have either an exact date or a set time period.
Starting Bid (if any). You may not accept anything other than zeny on your auction thread. However, you may make a private deal with someone and cancel your auction so long as there is more than one day left in the auction.
Bidding Increments (if any).
If, after being warned that one or more of the above is missing, no change is made, the thread will be closed. At the end of the auction, item must be sold to the highest bidder on the thread. You cannot go against the auction results and sell the item to someone else, no matter what the reasons are. Please note that the highest bidder is the highest bidder on the thread. You cannot claim that someone has made a private bid. All items that are not rightfully sold to the highest bidder will be forcibly traded to the person.
If the winning bidder cannot be contacted up to a week after the end date has passed, auctioneers are no longer bound to the auction results. You are free to do whatever you want with the item.
Bidders cannot make bids for any other reason but to win an item. An example would be bidding to raise the minimum bid. If it turns out that you are the winning bidder, you must pay up the auctioneer. If you do not, the trade will be done forcibly.
You may only bid with zeny. Do not post anything regarding other offers. You may offer something to the auctioneer through other contact methods, since the auctioneer may cancel the auction if allowed to, but you may not make private bids for the actual auction.
This section is not a place for discussions. Do not reply in an auction thread complaining about how the starting bid is too high. If you do not like the auction details, do not bid.
This forum section is made solely for the purpose of finding the average price of items. Also, this section is also for reference for other players in the future as well. Any trading discussions will make your thread harder to read for information. Do not buy/sell in this section.
Feature suggestions should be solely created as tickets in the public GitLab issue tracker.
Tickets must include a complete and detailed description of the actual suggestion, as well as the reasons and argumentations in favor of it. Please select the “Enhancement” template while posting, and follow the given instructions. The lack of any of the requirements will get a suggestion voided.
Please note that we try to adhere to Official servers in their pre-renewal state. Any suggestions trying to modify the gaming experience and make it different from that of those servers, must be explicitly said, and it may be not considered at the Staff's discretion. Please note that iRO (International Ragnarok Online) is in some cases different from the other Official servers; in such cases, we try to follow the standard version instead of the iRO one.
Player votes on suggestions are encouraged, and they should come with argumentations, where applicable. The voting system to be used is the “Thumb Up/Thumb Down” button available in the ticket page. Multiple votes by the same player will not be counted in. In any case, the final answer about a suggestion is at the Administrators' and the dev staff's sole discretion, and may or may not go against the majority of the votes.
Suggestions not following the guidelines may get voided or deleted at the Game Masters' discretion.
Technical support is provided through the Technical Support forum section as well as through the #support Discord channel and the official Telegram chat channel.
Support requests must include a complete and detailed description of the issue that needs technical support, as well as any other related informations. Screenshots are greatly appreciated.
In case of a client issue, you are asked to post the error details, including the Gravity Handler hex dump, if applicable, as well as some details on your setup (setup type - kRO+Origins Online lite, Origins Online full, etc; installation folder) and your operating system version.
Posting the patch status details is encouraged, since it makes the troubleshooting faster. To get a report on your client patch status, open the Origins Online launcher and choose Save Report from the File menu. You can either upload the file to a hosting site or copy its contents and include it in your post, wrapped in “[code] [/code]” tags.
Before asking for support, please review the General Troubleshooting Information thread in the Technical Support forum section.
Bug reports should solely be submitted through the public GitLab issue tracker.
Tickets must include a complete and detailed description of the reported bug, as well as any other related informations requested in the appropriate templates available at the time of posting. Screenshots are appreciated, if they help or are needed to explain the problem properly. In case of a client issue, you are asked to post the error details, including the Gravity Handler hex dump, if any, as well as some details on your setup (setup type - kRO+Origins Online lite, Origins Online full, etc; installation folder) and your operating system version.
Detailed informations on how to reproduce the problem are generally required, unless it's made obvious by the problem details, and the report may be voided if it's not present.
In case of exploitable bugs, the report has to be made in private form, by checking the appropriate box while posting the report.
Posts explaining how to exploit a bug, if not made private through the above explained method will follow the general server rules about bug exploitation.
Char:
Players/Autotraders (?):
958+1650
Total (?):
Online Today (?):
WoE Info
Next WoE:
Sat 15:00 UTC
Starting in:
Castles:
Bergel - Britoriah #4
(Top Mid Geffen)
Nuenberg - Luina #3
(Bottom Mid Aldebaran)
Holy Shadow - Greenwood Lake #3
(Top Right Payon)
Sun 19:00 UTC
Mersetzdeitz - Britoriah #5
(Bottom Right Geffen)
Neuschwanstein - Luina #1
(Bottom Left Aldebaran)
Copyright © 2013-2021 Origins Online.
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You’ve probably read about this already. But earlier this month, Urban Fantasy/Romance writer Sherrilyn Kenyon slapped YA author Cassandra Clare with a lawsuit. The suit claims that…
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How to Become a Plumber
Find Plumbing Trade Schools Near You
Tag Archives: Plumbing Training Near Me Butler AL 36904
Plumbing Training School Butler AL
How to Select the Best Plumber Training near Butler Alabama
The initial step to becoming a plumbing tradesman or contractor is enrolling in a plumbing school near Butler AL. But with numerous vocational schools to choose from, just how do you undertake making sure that you enroll in the ideal one? Especially since there are so many variables to consider. For example, many potential students will begin by looking for schools that are nearby their home. After they have found some that are within driving range, they will select the one with the cheapest tuition. Even though cost and location are significant, they are not the only factors that should be considered. Also critical are the accreditation and reputations of the schools, along with their job placement and graduation rates. These and additional qualifiers should influence your final judgment when choosing a plumbing training school. We will address that checklist in greater detail later in this post. But to begin with, let’s review a little bit about becoming a plumber and the instructional options that are accessible.
Becoming a Plumber
Almost everyone at one time or another has needed the services of a professional plumber. It may have been due to a leaky faucet or perhaps a hot water heater needed to be replaced. Plumbers provide a valuable service for the maintenance of both commercial and residential buildings. They are skilled tradesmen who are trained in the installation, repair and replacement of plumbing systems. These systems include pipes, plumbing fixtures, water based heating and cooling, sewage removal and sprinklers. A local Butler AL plumber will typically advance through three phases during their professional career.
Apprentice. The majority of Butler AL plumbers begin their careers as an Apprentice. Apprenticeships are often completed in tandem with a formalized plumbing training program. Apprentices are typically paid but unlicensed and work under the guidance of a licensed plumber during working hours and attend plumber training classes at night. The second phase of their career begins once the apprenticeship and the training program have been completed.
Journeyman Plumber. Once the apprenticeship has been completed as well as any required training program, application for Journeyman Plumber licensing can be made. Most often licensing is controlled by the state but can be managed more locally at the county or city level. A Journeyman license will only be issued after all requirements have been met, including a passing score on the licensing exam. Even though a Journeyman is more knowledgeable and experienced than an Apprentice, they generally must continue to be supervised, in this case by a Master Plumber.
Master Plumber. After attaining the necessary work experience and completing any additional educational requirements, the Journeyman can apply to become a Master Plumber. Once again a passing score must be achieved on the licensing exam before a license will be issued. There are several benefits to advancing to the Master Plumber level, including earnings at the highest pay level, unsupervised working conditions, and the ability to start and own a business. Master Plumbers may also hire and supervise both Journeymen and Apprentices.
As a technical field requiring a high level of skill and competence, plumbing can take years of both training and experience to master. As a consequence, the best opportunity for success for a new Apprentice in Butler AL is to enroll in a plumbing technology program that will provide the comprehensive quality training needed to embark on this challenging career.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Plumbing Schools Near You!
Plumbing Certificate and Degree Programs
There are several educational options available near Butler AL to receive the necessary training to begin your career as a plumber. As far as the schools offering programs, you can enroll in a trade, technical or vocational school as well as a local community college. The programs offered will vary, but in general the shortest is the certificate program which will focus on the fundamentals and generally take about a year to complete. An Associate Degree will take 2 years to complete and will provide a more comprehensive education. There are some colleges that do offer a Bachelor Degree in plumbing technology, which are 4 year programs and much broader in nature. When choosing a school and program, naturally the completion time and the cost will be important factors. Tuition can vary significantly among the various schools and colleges and for some private schools can be quite expensive. State schools and community colleges typically offer their programs at the lower end of the tuition scale. However, when making your comparisons, keep in mind that many schools offer financial aid and even scholarships to help offset some of the financial burden. So be sure to find out what is available for each school and program before making your final decision.
Things to Ask Plumbing Training Schools
Once you have decided to obtain a diploma, certificate or degree, you can start to narrow down your school options. Considering that there are so many plumbing tech and trade schools in the Butler AL area, it’s imperative to have a checklist of qualifications that each school must satisfy. The initial two that we mentioned were location and the cost of tuition. And although both qualifiers may be crucial when making your determination, there are additional factors that must be considered as well. Below is a checklist of those additional qualifications that you will need to assess prior to enrolling in a plumber vocational school.
Is the Plumbing School Accredited? A large number of plumbing technical schools have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for instance electrical technology. Make certain that the Butler AL school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, many states require that the plumbing training course be accredited for it to qualify for certification or licensing.
Is the Plumbing School Licensed? In addition to accreditation, another way of confirming that a vocational school you’re considering is reputable is by checking that it’s properly licensed. Licensing is typically controlled and regulated by state agencies, such as the Alabama Department of Education. If you’re not sure, ask the school which state agency regulates its licensing and then check to ensure that it’s up to date.
How Long has the School been in Business? Another means of determining the quality of a technical school is to find out how long it’s been in business. The longer a school has been in operation, the more likely that its programs are highly rated and regarded. Conversely, schools that are not well regarded or that provide low quality training generally don’t stand the test of time. However, keep in mind that even the best of Butler AL schools had to start from their first day of operation, so only use it as one of several qualifications for each school you are considering.
What are the School’s Completion and Placement Rates? Ask the plumbing schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate may suggest that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It could also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which can result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of contacts to assist grads acquire apprenticeships or jobs in the Butler AL area.
Are Apprenticeship Programs Sponsored? Numerous plumber training programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of plumbing businesses or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with local Butler AL plumbers or plumbing specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area plumbing professional community.
Are there Modern Facilities? Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the master plumber you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Butler AL plumbing contractor if they can provide some suggestions.
Where is the School Located? Unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Butler AL home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.
Are there Smaller Classes? It’s desirable that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk to some of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is in Butler AL and what degrees or certifications they have earned.
Is the Class Schedule Convenient? Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Butler AL, check that the schools you are looking at provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family emergencies.
Plumbing Training School Butler Alabama
Choosing the best plumbing training program will undoubtedly be the most important decision you will make to launch your new profession. You originally came to this website because of your interest in Plumbing Training School and wanting more information on the topic Where to Find Local Plumbing Courses. But as we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that you will need to examine and compare among the schools you are reviewing. It’s a necessity that any plumber tech school that you are examining includes a considerable amount of hands-on training. Classes should be small in size and every student should have their own equipment to train with. Classroom education needs to provide a real-world context, and the training program should be up-to-date and conform with industry standards. Training programs differ in duration and the kind of credential provided, so you will need to ascertain what length of program and credential will best satisfy your needs. Every training program provides unique options for certification as well. Probably the best approach to research your final list of schools is to go to each campus and talk with the students and faculty. Invest some time to attend some classes. Inspect the campus and facilities. Make certain that you are confident that the program you pick is the best one for you. With the proper training, effort and commitment, you can become a professional plumber in Butler AL.
More Alabama Plumbing School Locations
Where to Find Accelerated Plumber Training Pelham AL
Becoming A Plumber Addison AL
Where to Find Local Plumbing Training Fultondale AL
Where to Find Local Plumbing Courses Near Me Gulf Shores AL
Plumber Courses Axis AL
Accredited Plumber Trade Schools Eutaw AL
Plumber Training Arab AL
Where to Find Accredited Plumber Courses Near Me Jacksonville AL
Where to Find Night Plumbing Training Near Me Scottsboro AL
Where to Find Accelerated Plumber Classes Near Me Pine Hill AL
Al Butler
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of The Greater Waynesboro Area
Waynesboro, MS 39367
This entry was posted in Alabama and tagged Plumbing Courses Near Me Butler AL 36904, Plumbing Training Near Me Butler AL 36904, Schools for Plumbers Near Me Butler AL 36904 on February 28, 2020 by Pat.
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11 Oct 2012 11 Aug 2013 by Volubrjotr
State Militias May Be Implemented To Root Out Obama’s Muslim Brotherhood.
President Putin Sends Nuclear Attack Submarines To Southern Seas!
President Putin Cracks Down On Rothschild Goons John Kerry & Barry Soetoro: Monsanto’s “Bee Apocalypse”.
Mutual NWO Appreciation Society: Ex-General David Petraeus Awards Impeached Richard Nixon’s War Criminal Henry Kissinger An Intrepid Freedom Award May 2013.
ILLUMINATI, “we corrupt in order to rule.”
Roman Catholic Popes Have All Denounced Free Mason’s New World Order: If You Believe Otherwise You’re A Victim Of The Banker’s Propaganda.
-STATUTE-
(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied
males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section
313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a
declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States
and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the
National Guard.
(b) The classes of the militia are -
(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard
and the Naval Militia; and
(2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of
the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the
Naval Militia.
Currently 35 terrorist training camps spread across the USA and run by Sheikh Gilani from PakistanThey are called “Soldiers of Allah” or “Jamaat ul-Fuqra” and are training in your own backyardSome of their most active camps are:
– Trout Creek Pass, Colorado (over 100 acres)
– Red House Virginia (over 120 Acres)
– Mecca Circle, Wayne County, GA
– Islamber, NY (considered their headquarters)
– Holy Islamville, SC (another huge compound and extremely active)
– Baladullah, CA (Huge and also extremely active)
– A new one PA (Wayne County)
– Fairfax, VA
– York, SC
– Hancock, NY
– Deposit, NY
– Springfield, MA
– Philadelphia, PA
– Hyattsville, MD
– Bethany, WV
– Meherrin, VA
– Dover, TN
– Commerce, GA
– Jessup, GA
– Marion, AL
– Talhina, OK
– Houston, TX
– Coldwater, MI
– Buena Vista, CO
– Oak Hill, CA
– Onalska, WA
– ETC ETC ETC
In a rational country, they would have been closed and the inhabitants put in jail for the rest of their miserable lives, with no special privileges given them because of their membership in the death cult. But this is not a rational country.
The election of a totally incompetent ultra liberal proves that…..
Will The Hoover Dam Keep Obama In Power? The Next 9/11? You Decide!
HAARP Weather Modification Hits Chihuahua Mexico ~ Home To Mitt Romney’s Father: Drought Threatens 2.5 Million Mexicans By Starvation!
Obama Enforces United Nations Agenda 21 by Shutting Down 259 Fed Agriculture Offices ~ Ending Initially 7,000 American Jobs (which is still increasing) While Importing 80,000 Islamic Immigrants.
Two Soviet Senators Charles Schumer & Al Franken Told IRS To Target Constitutionalists! Rothschild’s Sovietism Ended In Russia On 25 December 1991.
U.S. Gun Companies Refusing Sales To Obama Government With Fraud Gun Laws: N.Y. Charlie Schumer Gets Hit Back Twice As Hard!
Charlie Schumer’s Shuffle: The Benedict Arnold Of The Glass Steagall Act & The Rothschild Champion Sleeper Cell For Wall Street!
Deadbeat New York Senator Charles Schumer: Covers For Deadbeat New York Mayor Bloomberg’s Expatriated Millions To Oversea Banks!
STOP S.679 ~ Charles Schumer Dismantles U.S. Constitution For Dictatorial Powers With Bill S.679.
Piece Of Shit Charles “Shyster” Schumer: After Porking The U.S., Shyster Wants Empty Compromise!
We spend what we don’t have. We deny the reality of Islamic Jihad. We embrace (not under this lunatic) every evil dictator in the world. And the aim is to disarm the USA by 80 %.
Militant Islam Monitor.org/
Jihad Watch.org/
[PDF] The Conspiracy to Establish a Jihad Training Camp in Bly, Oregon File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat file download
Jihad training camp, despite the fact that the property did not have any permanent living facilities, bathroom facilities, or electricity. …
www.nefafoundation.org/miscellaneous/…/NEFA_Bly0609.pdf
Islamic Jihad Training in America? May 22, 2006 … American Muslims engaged in the establishment of training camps in the U.S., … MILITANT JIHAD TRAINING – OR JUST RELIGIOUS TRAINING? …
www.canadafreepress.com/2006/hagmann052206.htm
Much of this information is outdated. I am launching a search for more up-to-date information. I would appreciate any help U.S.Militia members & others could add to this.
Want to stay abreast of the latest developments in the fight against the “Islamification of America?”
Join us at American Infidels
The reference to “Stealth Jihad” is to the book by the same name written by Jihad Watch‘s Robert Spencer. More below.
Military Coup Could Oust Obama & NYC Bloomberg!
The information on Islamic training camps in the USA begins with Weasel Zippers, which quoted February 17 from the Shelbyville, Tennessee Times Gazette articleIslamic subversion alleged by speaker.
The Tennessee newspaper provides a write up about the speech delivered by former FBI special agent, John Guandolo, who told “law enforcement and Homeland Security personnel that a network of Islamic organizations are working to incrementally implement Islamic law in the United States.”
The Non-Existent March Onto The White House. 9/12/2009
During a presentation at the Bedford County Emergency Management Agency, former FBI agent John Guandolo briefed members about groups such as the
, which he claims is working with other Islamic groups to slowly implement
, also known as Islamic law, which encompasses all areas of life.”
If Americans Attacked CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) [sic]: Would It Be Patriotism Or Terrorism? – CAIR speaker to Muslims: “Ok To ATTACK Fort Bragg”
On October 17, 2007, the Center for Security Policy paid tribute to John Guandolo, one of six Defenders of the Home Front honorees, stating:
Special Agent John Guandolo of the Federal Bureau of Investigations: A decorated U.S. Marine combat veteran of Desert Storm, Special Agent Guandolo has worked in the FBI since 1996 including nine years as a member of its SWAT team.
Bill Of Rights Are Unalienable Rights they are NOT Inalienable Rights. Inalienable Rights are a legal ease trapping in the court system. Know Your Rights!!! https://politicalvelcraft.org/2013/04/19/kansas-governor-signs-bill-nullifying-obamas-violation-of-the-bill-of-rights-federal-attempt-to-gun-control/
Since shortly after 9/11, he has worked in the Bureau’s Washington Field Office’s Counterterrorism Division, developing a legendary expertise concerning Al Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood organizations and the broad subversive Islamist movement in the U.S. Special Agent Guandolo was recognized for his efforts to educate his colleagues and others in the law enforcement and intelligence communities about these subjects.
In his talk, Guandolo warned the group:
Note: More on CAIR at DiscoverTheNetworks.
Every major Muslim organization is controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood, the former FBI agent said, which he said was formed to overthrow America and establish Islamic law. […]
Ready? Basel III 2013 – 2019: The Dump Phase Of The Cartel’s Pyramid Scheme Begins!
Remembering Ramadan: Muslim Ordered To Behead 3 Christians For Ramadan Presents ~ Coincided With British Petroleum’s Indonesian EcoTerrorism.
President Putin To Deliver S-300 Anti-Aircraft Missiles For Syria’s President Assad.
Banker’s Soviet Senate Set To Vote June 10: S.744 Gives Lifetime Amnesty To 33 Million Foreigners To Work Diminishing American Jobs.
Memorial Day: 1801 First War With The United States By Islam ~ Remembering Those Who Were Enslaved & Killed.
United States Militia ~ That Is YOU!
He said that Muslim groups will demand concessions on matters by saying, “You have to do this; you have to do this or I will be offended.”
“The solution to this is you,” Guandolo said. “If you are looking to DHS, the FBI and Congress to solve this … you’re going to be woefully disappointed.”
He said that FBI agents in the field “are working good cases,” but that the FBI leadership “is unwilling to do what the agents are asking them to do, which is to pony up and use some courage and start stepping on these people.”
“This is political subversion, this is an insurgency in the United States,” he said of the Islamic movement. “Insurgency is thwarted at the local level and the tip of the spear is local police.”
Guandolo also said that the group CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, is actually a front for the terror group Hamas.
He also said that he was threatened with his job no less than three times by superiors in the FBI “that told me we were creating waves in the Muslim community.”
Guandolo also said to watch what is happening in Great Britain, where Islamic radicalism has taken root.
HEAD OF THE SNAKE ROTHSCHILD
He noted that [Geert Wilders] a member of the Danish Parliament was recently denied entry into the United Kingdom for fear that it would offend Muslims.
“They denied him access while at the same time, Islamic law is being instituted on the streets of Great Britain,” he said.
Guandolo presented the documentary Homegrown Jihad: The Terrorist Camps Around the U.S. produced by the Christian Action Network (CAN), which premiered February 11 in Washington, DC.
Guandolo continues:
The group describes its purpose as “to protect America’s religious and moral heritage through intensive lobbying efforts — both in the nation’s capital and at the grass roots level.”
Modern Militia Movement
‘CALLING THEIR BLUFF’: Christian Author Takes On Muslim Group’s $30M Suit
They claim that for the past two years, members have “been on location, deep inside hidden Islamic terrorist training compounds, scattered across the United States.”
The terror group is called Jamaat ul-Fuqra, but is known in America as Muslims of America, which CAN alleges is a front organization for Pakistani Islamic cleric Sheikh Mubarak Ali Shah Gilani.
Baron Bodissey at Gates of Vienna posted an exclusive with CAN — Jamaat ul-Fuqra in Georgia — From the Air on February 19.
Also see Bodissey’s series Jamaat ul-Fuqra in Virginia Part 1, October 10, 2005; Part 2, November 7, 2005; and Part 3, December 2, 2005; also see Jamaat-ul-Fuqra in California, October 13, 2005; A Small Town, October 18, 2005; South Carolina, October 19, 2005; HQ: New York, October 20, 2005; A Bird’s Eye View, December 26, 2006; and Charlotte County (VA), February 20, 2007. There is more at Al-Fuqra Exposed.
WSB-TV Investigates Jamaat ul-Fuqra – Part 1:
At least seven such communities are active today, in Hancock, N.Y.; Red House, Va.; Tulare County, Calif.; Commerce, Ga.; York, S.C.;
Dover, Tenn.
; and Combermere, Canada. While some of these enclaves contain only rudimentary buildings and trailers, the California compound has 300 residents on a 440-acre spread, according to a recent report by a local ABC station.
Residents deny any involvement with terror, but Fuqra has a history of getting into trouble with the law.
Over the years, at least a dozen Fuqra members have been convicted of crimes including conspiracy to commit murder, firebombing, gun smuggling, and workers’ compensation fraud in the United States or Canada. And Fuqra members are suspects in at least 10 unsolved assassinations and 17 firebombings between 1979 and 1990. […]
Harder to document publicly but affirmed by several investigators and intelligence sources are the group’s continuing links with guerrilla training in Pakistan.
But then elusiveness is the order of the day for an organization whose members are well versed in the use of aliases; whose structure, shrouded behind front groups, is a network of safe houses and cells; and whose founder and members consistently maintain that it doesn’t exist.
The Colorado Attorney General John W. Suthers, Colorado Department of Law,reported as recently as 2008:
Colorado’s investigation indicated that the United States FUQRA movement was composed of approximately 30 different ‘Jamaats’ or communities, somewhat mobile in nature. Most of these ‘Jamaats’ are believed to currently exist today, along with what investigators deemed to be several ‘covert paramilitary training compounds’ — one of which had been located in a remote mountainous area near Buena Vista, Colorado prior to Colorado’s prosecutions in the mid-1990s. […]
Roman Catholic Vlad Tepes: Impaled The Muslim Brotherhood, Thus Saving His Country From The Islamic Headcutters Of The Ottoman Empire.
It is believed the activities of UL FUQRA across the nation continue. Just recently the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (BATF) arrested one of the former Colorado defendants and FUQRA member, Vincente Rafael Pierre, in Virginia on alleged ammunition violations.
In California, a FUQRA member was arrested on the suspected murder of a Fresno County Deputy Sheriff this last August. In addition, FUQRA operates something called the Quranic Open University in Los Angeles, which has received over $1.5 million dollars over the course of the last two years in charter school funding.
This entity is also located in New York City and Philadelphia. There are believed to be active UL FUQRA training compounds still existing in New York, Michigan, South Carolina, California, and perhaps other states.
FUQRA or its members have been investigated for alleged terrorist actsincluding murder and arson in New York, Detroit, Philadelphia, Toronto, Denver, Los Angeles and Tucson. UL FUQRA is suspected of more than thirteen firebombings and, at least, as many murders within the United States.
The Shelbyville, Tennessee Times Gazette article continues:
CAN asserts that one of these compounds is near Dover, in rural Stewart County. The site was the subject of a 2002 Tennessean article about the small Muslim community. […]
APPROXIMATELY 3,308 AMERICANS HAVE BEEN MURDERED, BY MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD ON AMERICAN SOIL SINCE 1972
State’s Constitutional Militias: Sovereign Militias Buy More Firearms In 3 Months, Than What It Takes To Outfit The Entire Chinese And Indian Armies Combined!
The documentary cites a Justice Department document from 2006 that exposed 35 compounds in the U.S., which the group alleges are used for terrorist training. The document was marked “Dissemination Restricted to Law Enforcement” and was not supposed to be released to the public.
CAN claims that all copies of Sheik Muburak Gilani‘s terrorist training video, “Soldiers of Allah,” had been confiscated and sealed except for a copy the Christian organization obtained.
In the documentary, Gilani is shown saying “We are fighting to destroy the enemy. We are dealing with evil at its roots and its roots are America.”
The alleged training video also shows men taught how to use AK-47s, rocket launchers, and machine guns, as well as how to kidnap and kill Americans, how to conduct sabotage and subversive operations, and instructions on the use mortars and explosives.
CAN also wants to have Jamaat ul-Fuqra placed on the State Department’s Foreign Terrorist Organization Watch List, which would shut down the camps.
If Muslims Want To Live In America: U.S. Constitution Forbids Raping Anyone By Religious Sharia Doctrine.
The View NWO Whores, -Joy -Whoopi -Walters: Muslim “Misunderstanders” Murdered 3000 Americans On 911!
Anatomy of a Coverup
The Center for Security Policy has an excellent article by David Yerushalmi, Shariah’s Black Box written September 15, 2008, which “examines the multitude of legal issues – both criminal and civil – that Shariah-compliant finance (SCF) presents to U.S. financial institutions and their professional advisers. In short, SCF is the practice of investing in conformity with Islamic law (Shariah).”
Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch and Coalition to Stop Shariah, spearheaded by Frank Gaffney of the Center for Security Policy, explains the danger of Shariah-Compliant Finance, 11/07/08 (also see the Shariah Finance Watch website for more):
Joy Brighton of ACT! for America, Shariah Finance expert and Columbia MBA, describes the threat of financial institutions embracing Shariah Finance as a banking and investment product. It is a new form of cultural Jihad with terror supporting implications.
The Real Barack Obama
New Book Twilight in America Exposes Islamic Camps Where Americans Train for JIHAD (counterjihadreport.com)
Radical Jihadists Training On U.S. Soil (thetruthsoldier.com)
Infiltration, Treason, Jihad – Welcome to The Project (righttruth.typepad.com)
Egypt’s Christians Work to Stop Islamic Takeover (themuslimissue.wordpress.com)
The Obama Doctrine Exposed (counterjihadreport.com)
Obama’s ring: ‘There is no god but Allah’ (askmarion.wordpress.com)
The Muslim Brotherhood in its own words (atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com)
Obama Quote Displayed in Cairo Airport: ‘We must educate our children to become like young Egyptian people.’ (americanthinker.com)
Ads preaching tolerance going up in NYC subway (miamiherald.com)
Taqiyya – Deliberate Lying To Advance Islam (tarpon.wordpress.com)
Come And Take Them
14 United State Governors Prepare State Militia Defenses: To Counter Obama’s Rogue Federal Forces! (politicalvelcraft.org)
U.S. Governors Prepare State Militia Defenses! (politicalvelcraft.org)
Obama’s Beloved Muslim Brotherhood Mercenaries Arrived In Gaza With Grad Multiple Rocket Launchers Against Israel. (politicalvelcraft.org)
Iran Has Sleeper Cells in U.S. Ready to Attack (counterjihadreport.com)
FBI open to US Muslim Brotherhood groups “establishing a committee to review materials used in FBI anti-terrorism training” (atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com)
To fight homegrown terrorism, Obama to embed Islam in schools (creepingsharia.wordpress.com)
Obama’s Friends Are America’s Enemies – National Review Online (blog) (nationalreview.com)
Muslim group: ‘Wipe Christianity from face of earth’ (wnd.com)
Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Leader Calls for Jihad on Israel (atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com)
Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood Leader Says Jihad on Israel Is Every Muslim Duty (twtface.com)
How Muslim Brotherhood Fools The West (newsflavor.com)
Terror-linked CAIR tries to shake down Florida law enforcement training on jihad (creepingsharia.wordpress.com)
Posted in Barack Obama, Islam, Muslim, Muslim BrotherhoodTagged colorado, Commerce Georgia, David Petraeus, Hancock, Islamic Jihad, Jamaat ul-Fuqra, Mubarak Ali Gilani, oregon, Sheikh Gilani, Trout Creek Pass, Virginia
Previous What Ended The Ice Age? Global Warming And There Were No People There!
Next Weekend Reflections: Republic States Tell feds To Back Down On Obamacare ~ With 5 Years Jail Time, For Anyone Attempting To Enforce.
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Category: Technical Notices
After Brexit Preparations for Brexit Technical Notices
How to prepare if the UK leaves the EU with no deal
Post date 10th October 2018
Guidance on how to prepare for Brexit if there’s no deal.
The UK Government has published a series of technical notices. These notices are designed to inform people, businesses and stakeholders about steps they may need to take in the event of a ‘no deal’ scenario.
Last updated 13 October 2018
Details at
Notices have been published on the following areas:
UK government’s preparations for a no deal scenario
Applying for EU-funded programmes
Connecting Europe Facility energy funding if there’s no Brexit deal
Delivering humanitarian aid programmes if there’s no Brexit deal
European Regional Development Funding if there’s no Brexit deal
European Social Fund (ESF) grants if there’s no Brexit deal
European Territorial Cooperation funding if there’s no Brexit deal
Funding for UK LIFE projects if there’s no Brexit deal
Horizon 2020 funding if there’s no Brexit deal
The government’s guarantee for EU-funded programmes if there’s no Brexit deal
Funding for British Overseas Territories if there’s no Brexit deal
Aviation safety if there’s no Brexit deal
Aviation security if there’s no Brexit deal
Driving in the EU if there’s no Brexit deal
Flights to and from the UK if there’s no Brexit deal
Operating bus or coach services abroad if there’s no Brexit deal
Vehicle insurance if there’s no Brexit deal
Rail transport if there’s no Brexit deal
Meeting rail safety and standards if there’s no Brexit deal
Farm payments if there’s no Brexit deal
Manufacturing and marketing fertilisers if there’s no Brexit deal
Receiving rural development funding if there’s no Brexit deal
Regulating pesticides if there’s no Brexit deal
Commercial fishing if there’s no Brexit deal
Plant variety rights and marketing of seed and propagating material if there’s no Brexit deal
Breeding animals if there’s no Brexit deal
Handling civil legal cases
Handling civil legal cases that involve EU countries if there’s no Brexit deal
Buying and selling timber if there’s no Brexit deal
Classifying your goods in the UK Trade Tariff if there’s no Brexit deal
Commercial road haulage in the EU if there’s no Brexit deal
Exporting animals and animal products if there’s no Brexit deal
Exporting controlled goods if there’s no Brexit deal
Importing and exporting plants if there’s no Brexit deal
Importing animals and animal products if there’s no Brexit deal
Trade remedies if there’s no Brexit deal
Trading with the EU if there’s no Brexit deal
Exporting GM food and animal feed products if there’s no Brexit deal
Exporting objects of cultural interest if there’s no Brexit deal
Trading and moving endangered species protected by CITES if there’s no Brexit deal
Maintaining the continuity of waste shipments if there’s no Brexit deal
Existing free trade agreements if there’s no Brexit deal
Importing high-risk food and animal feed if there’s no Brexit deal
Labelling products and making them safe
Appointing nominated persons to your business if there’s no Brexit deal
Developing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) if there’s no Brexit deal
Labelling tobacco products and e-cigarettes if there’s no Brexit deal
Producing and labelling food if there’s no Brexit deal
Producing and processing organic food if there’s no Brexit deal
Protecting geographical food and drink names if there’s no Brexit deal
Regulating chemicals (REACH) if there’s no Brexit deal
Trading goods regulated under the ‘New Approach’ if there’s no Brexit deal
Trading under the mutual recognition principle if there’s no Brexit deal
Travelling with a European Firearms Pass if there’s no Brexit deal
Vehicle type approval if there’s no Brexit deal
Control on mercury if there’s no Brexit deal
Control on persistent organic pollutants if there’s no Brexit deal
Regulating biocidal products if there’s no Brexit deal
Classifying, labelling and packaging chemicals if there’s no Brexit deal
Health marks on meat, fish and dairy products if there’s no Brexit deal
Export and import of hazardous chemicals if there’s no Brexit deal
Meeting business regulations
Accessing public sector contracts if there’s no Brexit deal
Broadcasting and video on demand if there’s no Brexit deal
Copyright if there’s no Brexit deal
Exhaustion of intellectual property rights if there’s no Brexit deal
Merger review and anti-competitive activity if there’s no Brexit deal
Patents if there’s no Brexit deal
Trade marks and designs if there’s no Brexit deal
What telecoms businesses should do if there’s no Brexit deal
Accounting and audit if there’s no Brexit deal
Providing services including those of a qualified professional if there’s no Brexit deal
Structuring your business if there’s no Brexit deal
Banking, insurance and other financial services if there’s no Brexit deal
VAT for businesses if there’s no Brexit deal
Personal data and consumer rights
Data protection if there’s no Brexit deal
Geo-blocking of online content if there’s no Brexit deal
Consumer rights if there’s no Brexit deal
Industrial emissions standards (‘best available techniques’) if there’s no Brexit deal
Reporting CO2 emissions for new cars and vans if there’s no Brexit deal
Upholding environmental standards if there’s no Brexit deal
Using and trading in fluorinated gases and ozone depleting substances if there’s no Brexit deal
Meeting climate change requirements if there’s no Brexit deal
Regulating energy
Civil nuclear regulation if there’s no Brexit deal
Generating low-carbon electricity if there’s no Brexit deal
Nuclear research if there’s no Brexit deal
Running an oil or gas business if there’s no Brexit deal
Trading gas with the EU if there’s no Brexit deal
Trading electricity if there’s no Brexit deal
Regulating medicines and medical equipment
Batch testing medicines if there’s no Brexit deal
Ensuring blood and blood products are safe if there’s no Brexit deal
How medicines, medical devices and clinical trials would be regulated if there’s no Brexit deal
Quality and safety of organs, tissues and cells if there’s no Brexit deal
Submitting regulatory information on medical products if there’s no Brexit deal
Trading in drug precursors if there’s no Brexit deal
Regulating veterinary medicines
Accessing animal medicine IT systems if there’s no Brexit deal
Registration of veterinary medicines if there’s no Brexit deal
Regulation of veterinary medicines if there’s no Brexit deal
Sanctions policy if there’s no Brexit deal
Satellites and space
Satellites and space programmes if there’s no Brexit deal
Getting an exemption from maritime security notifications if there’s no Brexit deal
Recognition of seafarer certificates of competency if there’s no Brexit deal
State aid if there’s no Brexit deal
Studying in the UK or the EU
Erasmus+ in the UK if there’s no Brexit deal
Travelling between the UK and the EU
Mobile roaming if there’s no Brexit deal
Taking your pet abroad if there’s no Brexit deal
Travelling in the Common Travel Area if there’s no Brexit deal
Travelling to the EU with a UK passport if there’s no Brexit deal
Taking horses abroad if there’s no Brexit deal
Workplace rights if there’s no Brexit deal
Tags no-deal
After Brexit Technical Notices
Brexit Technical Notices – Preparing for “no-deal”
Post date 24th August 2018
Government departments have issued a number of Technical Notices which provide information on the effects of leaving the EU with “no deal” agreed between the UK and the EU.
They have been gathered into a collection and are available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/how-to-prepare-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal
Civil nuclear and nuclear research
Studying in the UK or EU
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STREAMINGHBO
The Shop: Uninterrupted | Trae Young’s First All-Star Game (Season 3 Episode 1 Bonus Clip) | HBO
Trae Young recounts his journey to his first All-Star game. #HBO #TheShopHBO
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In collaboration with LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s Uninterrupted, HBO Sports presents unfiltered conversation and debate from the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
The Shop gives viewers a one-of-a-kind barbershop experience, which for many provides a sanctuary for free-flowing and spirited discussions. The series will visit barbershops around the country to gather distinguished individuals who can speak honestly on sports, music, pop culture, world events, business and other culturally relevant topics.
The Shop is available to stream now on http://www.hbo.com.
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Christine Gallaher Michie
Christine Gallaher Michie was born Nov. 8,1917 in Braggadocio, Mo., to the late Corbin and Jessie Mae Gallaher, and died Nov. 7,2011 in Lockhart, Texas.
A graduate of Braggadocio High School, Christine, also called “Cricket” due to herboundless energy, married the love of her life, Joe B, Michie of Steele, Mo.
Thehandsome young couple was blessed with one son, Joe Allen M
ichie.
The family lived in Steele, Micola, Kennett, and Caruthersville, Mo., and later in Tucson, Ariz., and Blytheville, Ark.
Christine was known for her cooking, especially her tamales, roast beef, and iced tea, and for her love of entertaining on tile dining room table she made in the house she designed.
During her later years she moved to Lockhart, Texas, to be near her son and family, residing in the Parkview Nursing Home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her son, and her brothers, Raymond Gallaher and Toby Gallaher.
She is survived by her sister, Allie Mae Nelson, of Ozark, Mo.; brother, Charles Gallaher, of Denver, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Teresa Gallaher, of Caruthersville, and Ruby Gallaher, of Cold Stream, Ill.; daughter-in-law, Julie Hawkins Michie, of Lockhart; her grandchildren, Anna Brock of Matthews,
N.C., Dr. Allen Michie, of Austin, Texas, the Reverend Michael Michie, of McKinney, Texas, and Christine Harriett Zelazny, of Eagleville, Tenn.; and nine great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank Lupe Salinas, her best friend, and Lisa Hamilton and Rosa Lujan, caregivers, for their loving care.
Services are pending with H.S. Smith Funeral Home, Caruthersville, Mo., with burial planned in the Little Prairie Cemetery.
To honor lost son, Gold Star Mom ...
Sonia Pembroke Foster
Vera Roberta Cardwell
Victoria Partida Garcia
Ruth Wallace
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Broadband for All
About CCG
Spectrum Winners and Losers
AT&T posted a short statement on their public policy blog called ‘Inconvenient Facts and the FCC’s Flawed Spectrum Screen’. In that blog post they complained that the FCC had failed to apply the spectrum screen to Softbank’s acquisition of Sprint and Sprint’s acquisition of the rest of Clearwire. And AT&T is right. The FCC has been incredibly inconsistent in the way it looks at wireless acquisition and mergers.
So what is the spectrum screen? The spectrum screen is a set of internal rules at the FCC that they use to determine if any wireless carrier owns too much spectrum in a given market. Historically the FCC had a generic rule that said that no one company could own more than one-third of the spectrum usable for wireless in a given geographic area. This spectrum screen was applied both to attempts of wireless carriers to buy new spectrum or to mergers between wireless carriers.
The FCC has been very inconsistent in the way they apply the existing screen. Last September they announced that they were going to look at the way the spectrum screen ought to work. But meanwhile, during the last year the screen has been applied (or ignored) in the following ways:
When the FCC looked at the proposed AT&T / T-Mobile merger they rejected the merger in part because they said that the acquisition would fail the screen test in 274 CMAs that covered 71 of the top 100 markets and 66% of the US population. However, the FCC fudged the spectrum screen in coming up with those numbers. At that time the spectrum screen set the maximum amount that any one carrier could own in one market at 95 MHz, which was one-third of the spectrum available for wireless carriers. However, in coming up with their conclusion the FCC lowered that threshold to 90 MHz in judging the merger. That might not sound like a big difference, but it lowered the number of markets affected by the merger by 84 and reduced the overall problem to less than 50% of the top 100 markets and 50% of the US population. That is still a lot of places where the proposed merger would have failed the spectrum screen, but AT&T had announced plans to divest of bandwidth as needed to meet the FCC test. The FCC made this change in the spectrum screen without any public input.
When Verizon acquired spectrum in the 1.7 to 2.1 GHz band the FCC applied this fully to their spectrum screen band. They did the same when AT&T acquired 2.3 GHz spectrum.
And then there is the recently announced approval for Softbank to acquire Sprint and Clearwire spectrum. The Clearwire spectrum at 2.5 GHz is right next to the 2.3 GHz spectrum recently acquired by AT&T. While the FCC fully counted the spectrum AT&T purchased against the spectrum screen, in the Softbank acquisition the FCC counted only 55.5 MHz of the Clearwire spectrum against the new Softbank spectrum screen even though there is an average of 140 MHz available in most of the Softbank markets.
So AT&T has a legitimate gripe. The FCC seems to apply the spectrum screen to get the results they want. It looks a lot more like the FCC is picking market winners and losers than they are protecting the public. The spectrum screen was established in the first place to promote competition. The FCC wanted to make sure that a given carrier did not get so much spectrum in a major market that they could effectively close out competition. They also didn’t want carriers to be able to hoard spectrum for future use. But the FCC no longer seems to be using market protection as the criteria of deciding who can and cannot merge.
It’s clear that the FCC didn’t want AT&T and T-Mobile to merge. They thought that it was bad for competition to lose one of the major carriers in the country. But it was wrong for them to fudge the spectrum screen as a way to justify their position rather than just oppose the merger on pure competitive grounds.
And in the case of Softbank they are going in the opposite direction. They obviously want a new competitor to AT&T and Verizon and they are ignoring the spectrum screen to make sure that happens.
Why does all of this matter? Like anything else it’s a matter of money. Wireless carriers have two ways that they can address congested conditions. They can just add more cell sites, closer and closer to the old ones. In effect spectrum is reusable and each new cell site uses the original spectrum freshly. The other solution is to just layer on a new spectrum in a crowded area so that no new cell sites need to be constructed. That is much cheaper than building cell sites, and so carriers want more and different spectrum in major markets to meet the seemingly insatiable and rapidly growing demand for mobile data.
The issue is going to get a lot worse. President Obama announced a new policy that will release up to 500 MHz of new spectrum for wireless use over the next five years. So there is going to be a new land grab by all of the carriers and the FCC needs to get ready.
It just seems to me like the FCC needs to toss out the spectrum screen and come up with a new way to determine the right amount of competition. In the two biggest merger cases before them in the last few years they blatantly ignored their own spectrum screen rules to get the result they wanted. That is evidence enough that we need to stop having the fiction of a spectrum screen. If the FCC wants to be in the game of picking market winners and losers they just need to be upfront about it.
Posted by CCGConsulting in Regulation - What is it Good For?, The Industry
Tagged: AT&T, Clearwire, FCC, Federal Communications Commission, Softbank, Sprint, Sprint Nextel, Verizon
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Home Politics Like Southwest Louisiana, FEMA Is Worn Down
Like Southwest Louisiana, FEMA Is Worn Down
The agency's disaster response capabilities have been compromised by a hellacious combination of natural disasters, COVID-19, and Trumpian understaffing.
by Gabrielle Gurley
David J. Phillip/AP Photo
Flooding after Hurricane Laura in Cameron, Louisiana, about 30 miles south of Lake Charles, August 2020
This summer’s furies, Hurricanes Laura in August, Sally in September, and Delta in October, pummeled the same southwest corner of Louisiana. Blue tarps covered the roofs of the places Laura spared. Delta blew them off and flooded anything still standing. After the storm cleared out, area residents flocked to Twitter to complain that the country—especially the national media and FEMA—had forgotten them.
This week, many Lake Charles residents finally got the response they were looking for from the man who came down to the city after Laura. “We love the people of Lake Charles, Louisiana,” President Trump tweeted in pre-election mode. “You’ve been hit hard, and often, but your Federal Government is there to help. It will all work out, and FAST!!! @fema @USArmy.
The early days of the pandemic raised questions about FEMA’s ability to respond to hurricanes and other disasters alongside its COVID-19 demands. For Southwest Louisiana residents, those fears have been validated.
“I don’t think people realize the extent of the suffering and the damage in that town,” says Robert Mann, a Louisiana State University media and public-affairs professor. “Because of that, they are worried that they are not going to get the federal assistance that a larger city closer to suburban New Orleans or Baton Rouge would get.
“It was like a nuclear bomb went off,” he adds.
Whether FEMA will move fast enough for residents, however, is debatable. The early days of the pandemic raised questions about FEMA’s ability to respond to hurricanes and other disasters alongside its COVID-19 demands. For Southwest Louisiana residents, those fears have been validated.
Displaced people see an agency slow to furnish trailers and other temporary housing to replace their homes. FEMA is on the ground now, pulling in resources and providing financial assistance. But the agency is almost out of bandwidth with another six weeks of the hurricane season to go.
The biggest problem is the provision of temporary housing, which presents fiscal and logistical challenges. “It’s expensive,” says Brant Mitchell, director of LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute, “and takes a lot of resources to properly implement. You have to wait on the funding. In the meantime, people are without housing.”
Two wildlife reserves span the sparsely populated rural region. Lake Charles, where nearly a quarter of residents are poor, is almost evenly split between Blacks and whites. There are few hotels, and the ones in nearby Lafayette filled up quickly. In a decision reminiscent of how New Orleans suburbs kept out Black residents after Katrina, the majority-white city of Lafayette, 75 miles to Lake Charles’s east, decided not to open an emergency shelter, citing fears of “outside entities” in the wake of protests in Lafayette after the death of Trayford Pellerin, a Black man shot by police at a local gas station. So Delta evacuees were compelled to seek out hotels in New Orleans, Shreveport, Houston, and beyond—even in Mississippi and Arkansas.
Getting manufactured housing units, one type of temporary shelter that FEMA provides, to sites from the agency’s Alabama or Maryland storage facilities is a complex task. Once delivered, the units must be parked on level land, connected to sewers and utilities, have sprinklers, and be ADA-compliant. Eligible residents must adhere to rules ranging from the number and types of pets to prohibitions on cannabis. There are other limitations: FEMA can only offer temporary housing for 18 months after a disaster. Inevitably, some people fall through the cracks between the end of their FEMA-provided shelter and securing a permanent residence, which is always a major problem after disasters.
Some of the frustration with FEMA can be attributed to the public’s misplaced expectations. States and localities are the first responders, restoring electricity and water, clearing debris, and the like. Only once state and local officials exhaust their resources do they call on FEMA. John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s Democratic governor in a fiercely Republican state, gets good bipartisan marks for his hurricane response, in contrast to his coronavirus measures that have prompted Republican state legislators to try to rein in his emergency powers to mandate mask wearing and related restrictions.
FEMA has been pulled in 50 directions by the COVID-19 response, even before it’s had to deal with the California wildfires, the Iowa derechos, and the most active hurricane season since Katrina. The Trump administration has used it as a carrot and stick, doling out “rewards” of pandemic supplies to compliant states and seizing supplies from defiant (usually blue) ones. Like many federal agencies in the age of Trump, FEMA’s leadership ranks have been decimated. The agency’s top response-and-recovery officials are acting administrators; a deputy assistant administrator for logistics management was also acting, on a detail assignment that ended on October 13.
A May GAO report found that FEMA staff deployed to disaster zones often do not possess the skills needed at a particular location, and that overwhelmed employees often refuse assignments. After working on Hurricanes Irma and Harvey About half of its employees assigned to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria declined their assignments. Today, exhausted employees move between the pandemic—and wildfires and flooding—to deal with the hurricane season in a state haunted by the specter of Katrina.
Laura, a Category 4 storm with formidable 150 mph winds and a fierce storm surge, hit Lake Charles 15 years almost to the day after Katrina devastated New Orleans. In Katrina’s wake, Louisiana officials and FEMA Administrator Michael “heck of a job” Brown bore a heaping amount of the blame for the calamities that enveloped New Orleans and its environs after dozens of levees collapsed in 2005. Many fled, but tens of thousands of residents could not or would not evacuate. Fifteen hundred people died.
FEMA has been pulled in 50 directions by the COVID-19 response, even before it’s had to deal with the California wildfires, the Iowa derechos, and the most active hurricane season since Katrina.
Since Katrina, Louisiana officials have stitched stronger hurricane preparedness into the fabric of the Gulf Coast. This year, most residents heeded evacuation orders, and mindful of the pandemic, local officials steered evacuees to hotels. Mitchell notes that the state has constructed its own shelters, rebuilt an entire radio system to maintain emergency communications, and established search and rescue teams (which did not exist in 2005). Some state agencies now do double duty, clearing debris alongside the National Guard. After Delta, FEMA helped coordinate out-of-state search and rescue teams; some FEMA staff remained in the region after Laura. More than 30 people lost their lives in the three hurricanes, some of them after the storms had cleared out.
Despite the post-Katrina improvements, the pleas from residents and local officials suggest that something is still amiss. “People accept that the climate is changing no matter what you want to ascribe it to,” says Jill Trepanier, an LSU climate scientist. “They are willing to listen to politicians and scientists about the threats to life and property, but the response to aftermath is not as robust as it should be for a perennial event.”
More from Gabrielle Gurley
The critical question, however, arising out of the 2020 hurricane season is whether people in vulnerable areas should remain there or migrate. The local oil and gas industries shed workers to Texas cities like Midland after the 2014 price crash, but most people in a poor region in a poor state aren’t going anywhere, especially if they are Black, and even though they’ve been consigned to live in polluted lands near the region’s energy facilities. “The same communities that have been hit the hardest with the environment impacts of pollution have also been hit the hardest with these more intense rain bombs and hurricanes that have gotten stronger because of climate change,” says Robert Bullard, the father of the environmental-justice movement and a Texas Southern University professor of urban planning and environmental policy.
The swamplands and coastal forests of southwestern Louisiana sponge up some hurricane effects—Laura would have been much worse if the land had been filled in by homes or industry. Humans have deep attachments to their homelands. But living along coastlines being redrawn in real time by more powerful cyclones and warming and rising seas is a life-threatening proposition that even the most responsive federal agency cannot change.
Politics hurricanes Energy & the Environment Robert Bullard The Trump Administration Louisiana
Gabrielle Gurley
Gabrielle Gurley is The American Prospect’s deputy editor.
Read more by Gabrielle Gurley
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Social cleansing
Chef Marco Pierre White is not someone known for his customer care skills. He has recently bought the historic Angel Inn in Lavenham, Suffolk and alienated regulars by getting rid of Strongbow and Foster’s. He says “I don’t like Foster’s and Strongbow. I like traditional ales and ciders. If they don’t like that, I’m sorry.” Fair enough, but surely if you want to change the product mix you take your customers with you by offering a choice rather than doing your best to antagonise them. While he may be conjuring up an image of a traditional rustic ale and cider house, in reality what’s the betting it will be a poncy, pricey gastropub, and he quite simply doesn’t want working-class people riff-raff in there? They probably drop fag-ends on the floor outside as well.
Posted by Curmudgeon at 1:14 pm
John West 20 June 2011 at 13:24
I fear you may have been taken for a ride on this one. My years in journalism have taught me never to trust Daily Mail copy - the story is usually warped through a snide prism. All papers take a line in their comment - perfectly vaid - but the Mail's reporting on a great many matters leaves much to be desired.
In response to the quote attributed to Marco Pierre White, I can't say I want dogs sitting on chairs, loud swearing or the suchlike. He stretches his point too far with tattoos, of course. But surely as a landlord/owner, he's free to set his own rules. And indeed, I know plenty of pubs with such rules - seldom enforced, as it's essentially common decency - with mixed clientele and a friendly, banterful atmosphere.
The article does not go far to find punters with opposing views, of whom there may be many.
So long as he doesn't do away entirely with punters just wanting a drink, it's still a pub and there's nothing in this copy that would make me worried, beyond the way it's been framed by the 'journalist'.
Curmudgeon 20 June 2011 at 13:37
Oh, I know very well that anything printed in the Daily Mail needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. But it is symptomatic of a widespread attitude in the pub trade where the pensioners' cribbage school is kicked out to squeeze more diners in. And what kind of pub do you think it will become?
Brew Wales 20 June 2011 at 13:45
I did read that pub had failed under the previous owners so wish MPW all the best in his new chav-free pub.
Neville Grundy 20 June 2011 at 13:45
He said: "Had I not taken it over, the reality is it would have closed." I'm not keen on gastropubs, but at least he's kept it open.
I too don't like loud swearing in pubs or dogs on chairs; they should be on the floor. Tattoos are usually innocuous, but if a big, shaven-headed fellow is covered with them, he can be intimidating to some customers.
Neil, Eating isn't Cheating 20 June 2011 at 14:03
Your negativity is really quite a thing the behold sometimes mudgie!
Here's a guy taking the shit beer and fake cider out of a pub and replacing it with traditional ales and ciders, and you're still not bloody happy!
It would seem he's taken all the shit customers out as well...
TL 20 June 2011 at 17:18
MPW bought the only pub in my village, the Chequers in Maresfield, saying how important it is for a village to have a local. So important that he increased the price of a pint to four quid, covered all the floor space with tables, set for dinner with with crisp white linen and left just four stools at the tiny remaining bar area where you can sit/stand and have an informal drink.
OK, there are three ales on tap but how fresh and tasty do you think they are if 99% of punters are there for the gastro grub and Chablis?
I miss my Harveys Best and I miss my local. Having a celebrity chef restaurant on my door step is poor consolation.
Beware gravy-making sheep in wolf's clothing.
Simon 20 June 2011 at 17:37
An open restaurant is better than a closed pub.
Birkonian 20 June 2011 at 18:04
There are numerous cases of new landlords ripping out the hadpumps and replacing them with keg. A nice change to see the tables turned.
@TL - yes, you sum up the likely situation perfectly. I recall him even getting a puff-piece in CAMRA's Beer magazine about the Chequers.
@Simon - well, an open nail parlour or used car lot is better than a closed pub too, but an open pub is better than any of them.
Dick Puddlecote 20 June 2011 at 23:39
"An open restaurant is better than a closed pub."
Why not a drop-in NHS health centre instead? It's all employment, after all. ;)
The more I think about this, the less I'm convinced by the MPW apologists.
For a start, Lavenham is not exactly chav central in the first place. It's a quiet, pretty, rather twee village. I have been there, although I haven't been in the Angel. The customers being excluded are not going to be shaven-headed, pitbull-wielding, effing and jeffing thugs, they're going to be ordinary village people. They're probably just slightly shabby pensioners with elderly mongrels.
The vast majority of Good Beer Guide listed pubs will serve Strongbow and Fosters, or their equivalents, alongside cask beer. If you want to improve the product mix, the way to do it is to offer better brews alongside these rather than just getting rid of them and antagonising the folk who drink them. Axing them sends out a clear message of "riff-raff not wanted here". It's like "we don't serve chips".
And the experience of the Chequers at Maresfield strongly suggests that the end result will not be a characterful old-fashioned alehouse, but a pretentious, high-priced establishment with an overwhelming emphasis on food. It would probably be far more use to the ordinary folk of Lavenham as a Tesco Express than as an exclusive gastro non-pub.
Interesting question: is a Tesco Express preferable to a restaurant that is out of the price range of local people?
Tim 21 June 2011 at 10:13
MPW's also the guy that opened a 'Steak and Alehouse' in London with the dullest selection of beers I've seen anywhere that calls itself an 'alehouse' (including none at all from local micros):
http://www.mpwsteakandalehouse.org/food-drink.html
MPW owns the Swan in Aughton, which isn't far from where I live. The website has 13 pages, including 3 menus and a wine list. In all of that website, this is the only reference to beer: "For beer lovers, The Swan Inn remains true to its North West origins and offers a great selection of real ales." So it's clear where the priorities lie.
However, if it's true the Angel Inn would be otherwise closed, there's little to complain about, as the locals still would have lost their Foster's and Strongbow. On the other hand, if a thriving local had been converted, then the complaints would be completely justified.
Realistically I suspect the Angel Inn would have been taken over by someone else, so poncy gastropub vs closed pub is a false dilemma.
J Mark Dodds 20 October 2012 at 12:01
It's not rocket science when it comes to pubs. If they are inviting and attractive to be in, and offer genuinely good value relative to the context, then people will come and enjoy them.
All manner of pubs can be revitialised by investing in them wisely and paying attention to what their local communities actually WANT to see on the bar and coming out of the kitchen.
Comments, especially on older posts, may require prior approval by the blog owner. See here for details of my comment policy.
Please register an account to comment. To combat persistent trolling, unregistered comments are liable to be deleted unless I recognise the author. If you intend to make more than the occasional comment using an unregistered ID, you will need to tell me something about yourself.
Trickle becomes a flood
From Blackburn to India
Smoking and freedom
A problem of proof
Grit your teeth and bear it
The weak and the strong
Yet more beer watering
May suit alternative use
Don’t let society scapegoat smokers
Half a loaf
Stubbing out your own folk
Drink less and live longer
Fame at last
Save the pub from Cameron!
The results are out
Stick to the knitting?
Stick to Tetley’s
The gestation of a dubious idea
Get your act together
What did I tell you?
Giving it five
Cats in a sack
Conspicuous by its absence
Losing your head
Don't say I didn't warn you
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Prevalence of nonfunctional overreaching/overtraining in young English athletes
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011 Jul;43(7):1287-94. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e318207f87b.
Nuno F Matos 1 , Richard J Winsley, Craig A Williams
1 Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e318207f87b
Purpose: Nonfunctional overreaching and overtraining (NFOR/OT) in adults can lead to significant decrements in performance, combined with physical and psychological health problems. Little is known about this condition in young athletes by comparison; thus, the aim of the study was to assess the incidence and symptomatology of NFOR/OT in young English athletes.
Methods: Three hundred seventy-six athletes (131 girls and 245 boys, age=15.1±2.0 yr) completed a 92-item survey about NFOR/OT. The sample included athletes competing at club to international standards across 19 different sports. Athletes were classified as NFOR/OT if they reported persistent daily fatigue and a significant decrement in performance that lasted for long periods of time (i.e., weeks to months). Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov nonparametric tests. Significant predictors of NFOR/OT were identified using logistic regression analysis.
Results: One hundred ten athletes (29%) reported having been NFOR/OT at least once. The incidence was significantly higher in individual sports (P<0.01), low-physical demand sports (P<0.01), females (P<0.01), and at the elite level (P<0.01). Training load was not a significant predictor of NFOR/OT; however, competitive level and gender accounted for a small (4.7% and 1.7%, respectively) but significant explanatory variance of NFOR/OT (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Approximately one-third of young athletes have experienced NFOR/OT, making this an issue for parents and coaches to recognize. OT is not solely a training load-related problem with both physical and psychosocial factors identified as important contributors.
Athletes*
Cumulative Trauma Disorders / epidemiology*
Fatigue / epidemiology
Health Surveys / statistics & numerical data
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Development of an integrated earthquake early warning system in Taiwan - Case for the Hualien area earthquakes
Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
By: Y. Wu, J. Chung, Tzay-Chyn Shin, Nai-Chi Hsiao, Y.B. Tsai, W.H.K. Lee, and Ta-Liang Teng
https://doi.org/10.3319/TAO.1999.10.4.719(T)
Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
In order to explore the feasibility of an earthquake early warning system for Taipei, two prototype seismic early warning systems have been implemented in Hualien, about 120 km away. The Taiwan Rapid Earthquake Information Release (TREIRS) can routinely determine earthquake location and magnitude in about one minute after the earthquake occurred. However, this reporting time is too long for earthquake early warning purposes. A dense, real-time monitoring system composed of 8 strong-motion stations was installed in Hualien area for testing earthquake early warning capability. For the 27 earthquakes occurred during August 1998 to April 1999, this system has successfully reported earthquake information in about 18 sec after the origin time. Therefore, it provided about 15 sec of early warning time before shear waves arrival in the Taipei urban area. Based on our experience of these two systems, we are encouraged to proceed forward in the development of an earthquake early warning system.
10.3319/TAO.1999.10.4.719(T)
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Time to add some items!
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From Instagram Follow Us @oneweekrecords
About One Week Records
A One Week Record is ten songs that are recorded in seven days. The record is produced in my home studio. The artist is invited to my house to eat, drink, sleep, and record music for One Week. Given the limited schedule, there is no time to overproduce. The idea stems from my long-time love affair with demos, as I am often disappointed with the big production that follows. I don’t want to hear what the studio sounds like. I want to hear what the artist sounds like. The goal here at One Week Records is to produce high-quality recordings that are an honest representation of the artist’s creativity.
Check out the other Press Press Merch Shops for more great gear.
We’re available by phone (540) 206-3495 and chat every day, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET.
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Aussies are being ripped off more than ever before, study shows
Started by Badga666, December 2, 2017
Badga666 217
Waffle Manager
More than a million Aussie workers are being ripped off by their employers, according to a shocking new report into wage theft.
A bleak new report shows one-in-10 working Australians — more than a million of us — rarely or never receive the minimum wage from our employers.
The findings from workforce management software provider, Kronos, found almost half of Australians said they are not always paid for work carried outside of their shift hours including meetings and training and 11 per cent said their pay does not accurately correspond to the hours worked.
“It’s disappointing to learn, that even in today’s mature economy, a large number of Australians are being exploited in the workplace — at a time when wage growth is slow and many people are working harder than ever,” said Peter Harte, managing director of Kronos ANZ.
“The practice is also illegal with significant penalty rates for those businesses found to breach regulations.”
According to the report, 43 per cent of Australians said, during the course of their working life, they had worked for an Australian employer who paid them less than the minimum wage.
More than 15 per cent said they were aware of situations where they were paid differently to their short-changed migrant colleague and a quarter have been paid cash in hand to avoid paying tax.
“The situation is not ideal for building the thriving and intelligent economy Australia needs to compete in the international marketplace,” said Harte.
“Given the complexity of workplace regulations and the changes that can occur annually, we understand it is not always easy for businesses to keep up to date.”
One of the worst sectors for wage theft is hospitality — as experts say the industry is “a recipe for exploitation”.
Shine Lawyers employment law expert Will Barsby said when people didn’t know their rights, some employers were all too willing to take advantage.
“In hospitality, workers are not really strongly unionised compared to other industries. Whether it’s a big, small or medium business, the most common worker is young, unskilled or a migrant so really it’s a hotpot for exploitation,” he said.
“When you put all these things in the mix, people aren’t aware of their rights — people are desperate to work, and it’s a recipe for exploitation.
“Underpayment is definitely an issue. I see reports of these cases daily, particularly in backpacker centres in far north Queensland and also in CBD locations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
“It comes down to the fact that these people are vulnerable, because working might be a condition of their visa, or they are travelling and need money, or they’re young and unskilled and unfortunately it continues to be a problem.”
Backpackers are also hit hard when it comes to being ripped off at work.
Bleak findings, released by UNSW Sydney and UTS last week, show a third of backpackers and international students are paid half the legal minimum wage.
Its authors said the results show what many already suspected — that the problem of exploitation of workers from overseas was “endemic and severe”.
“We’ve all heard stories of backpackers and international students being exploited, but we’ve never really known how far it goes,” said Laurie Berg, a senior law lecturer at UTS.
“We have a really large silent underclass of invisible temporary workers who are being paid well below the minimum wage.”
Ms Berg, who co-authored the report with Bassina Farbenblum, a senior law lecturer at UNSW Sydney, said 15 per cent of fruit and vegetable pickers were being paid less than $5 an hour.
“We also received indicators of much more serious exploitation which indicate criminal forced labour, for example,” she said. “And we have a substantial amount of people working in really exploitative conditions.
“For instance paying for a deposit upfront for their job, having their passport confiscated by an employer and having to pay cash back to their employer after receiving their wage. This is most prevalent in food services and in horticulture.”
Kavawuvi likes this
"It's massive. Probably hard to tell from the picture. "If you're up for it. You've done it before, right?"
But it broke so now I'm using a puny one..." - ShikuTeshi 2017 -Tucker933 2017
Tiddy-bits:
Skeezix the Cat 3,088
I'm a woofer
Probably those fuckin' Kiwis' faults.
Badga666 likes this
1 hour ago, Skeezix the Cat said:
I see zero flaws in your argument and must therefore agree.
Tucker933 and Skeezix the Cat like this
7 hours ago, Badga666 said:
I think Tucker might be one of them. I mean, how much do you get paid for these articles? Probably less than your average walmart employee!
Just now, Skeezix the Cat said:
I think you might be on to something... If I disappear all of a sudden assume Tucker is responsible.
Sceny and Skeezix the Cat like this
Tucker933 12,812
Tucker933.com
BACK TO WORK, AUSIE.
Skeezix the Cat, Badga666 and Sceny like this
Oddly, this is familiar to you... as if from an old dream.
Guide to Balanced Gameplay
Sceny 2,997
International Cunt
46 minutes ago, Tucker933 said:
6 hours ago, Tucker933 said:
That's it! I'm going on strike.
30 minutes ago, Badga666 said:
Annnd nothing of consequence happened.
Skeezix the Cat likes this
IkaBula 70
As someone who's been one of those exploited Aussies, I have to say it's not fun and the strain it causes is absolutely ridiculous.
My old employer can burn for what he did, honestly.
Our Revival Forums
Go To Topic Listing Off-Topic
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journal-index
Advance Science:clinical care
Microbial Safety of Foods in the Supply
Mohamed T. Elkhishin, Ravi Gooneratne and Malik A. Hussain
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/AFTNSOJ-3-141
Provisional PDF 980.81 KB
Full-Text (HTML)
Squamous Metaplasia in Colorectal Polyps
Naziheh Assarzadegan* and Felipe J. Solano
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/PLMOJ-1-101
Some Problems of Vaccination Campaigns in Developing Countries
Chengjun Sun*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/VROJ-1-e001
Liquid Biopsies: Handle With Care
Deyali Chatterjee*
Leading Ebola Vaccine Candidates
Vincent Pavot*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/VROJ-1-101
Mast Cells: The Key Players in Cardiac Remodelling
Amrit Pal Singh*, Harpal S. Buttar
Quality Improvement in Clinical Laboratories: A Six Sigma Concept
Jawahar (Jay) Kalra* and Ashish Kopargaonkar
Cosmetology: Past, Presence and Future
Varvaresou Athanasia*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/TCOJ-1-e001
Is There Scientific Evidence that Panax Promotes Hair Growth
Frederico EHFF*, Sá-Caputo DC, Dionello CF, Cardoso ALB, Morel DS, Maiworm A, Guimarães CAS, Santos R, Guedes-de-Aguiar EO, Gonçalves CR, Carvalho-Lima RP, Kutter CR, Machado-Rocha L, Pereira FG, Brandão-Sobrinho-Neto S, Jaña- Rosa A, Neves RF, Moreira-Marconi E, Paineiras-Domingos LL, Costa-Cavalcanti RG, Almeida-Farias C, Souza PL, Paoli S, Presta GA and Bernardo-Filho M
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/TCOJ-1-101
A Novel Application for a Rheumatologic Medication
Charles F. Haller, Matthew B. Carroll*, Christopher Smith, Yolanda Moulds-Love, William Pomeroy and Bryan C. Ramsey
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/ORHOJ-1-e001
Perspective: Ultrastructural Origins of Bone Fragility
Jitin Samuel, Rohit Khanna and Xiaodu Wang*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/ORHOJ-1-101
The Use of Botulinum Toxin-A for Neck Pain
Abdulrazzaq Alobaid*
C-C Chemokine Receptor Seven (CCR7): Coming of Age In Vaccines
Colin A. Bill, Olga B. Soto and Charlotte M. Vines*
Bier Spots on the Face: The First Case Report
Hamza Yildiz* and Huseyin Saman
Herd Immunity Conferred By Hepatitis B Vaccination Increases the Protection Efficacy against Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Yuting Wang, Ling-Ling Lu, Dongmei Wang and Chunfeng Qu*
Is Normal Knee Biomechanics Reproduced by Modern Total Knee Arthroplasty Designs? The Role of Fluoroscopy
Pier Francesco Indelli*
Galdieria sulphuraria Relieves Oily and Seborrheic Skin By Inhibiting the 5-α Reductase Expression in Skin Cells and Reducing Sebum Production In Vivo
M. Bimonte, A. De Lucia, A. Carola, A. Tito, S. Buono, A. L. Langellotti, V. Fogliano, G. Colucci and Fabio Apone*
Model Based vs. Rule Based Designs in Phase I Dose Finding Clinical Trials
Yunfei Wang, DrPH; Jichuan Wang, PhD*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/CTPOJ-1-e001
Gouty Arthritis of the Axial Skeleton: A Case Report
Yuko Kobashi*, Yohei Munetomo, Akira Baba, Shinji Yamazoe and Takuji Mogami
Provisional PDF 1.02 MB
Current Status of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccines
Daniela Sosa, Rahul Dev Jayant*, Ajeet Kaushik and Madhavan Nair*
Cultural Adaptation for Common Orthopedic Disorders Pathology and Presentations With Focus on Middle Eastern and Asian Patients
A Simple Method for Breast De-epithelialization: The Monobloc Method
Musa Kemal KELES, Ugur Horoz* and Hakan Cepni
Medical Error Disclosure: A Point of View
Jawahar (Jay) Kalra*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/PLMOJ-1-e001
Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors May Improve Glycemic Control in Patients Rheumatoid Arthritis and Concomitant Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Abhijeet Danve*, Shivtej Sehra, Divya jaykumar and Supriya Kulkarni
A Rare Cause of Shoulder Pain: Ganglion Cyst of the Acromioclavicular Joint
Hakan Sarman*, Metin Celik and Mehmet Murat Bala
Innovations in Microbial Biodiscovery, Targeting Silent Metabolism and New Chemical Diversity
Zeinab G. Khalil* and Robert J. Capon
Dendritic Cell Maturation is a Critical Step in Dendritic Cell Vaccine Preparation for Cancer Therapy
Samad Farashi-Bonab and Nemat Khansari*
The QuickDASH in the Assessment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity
Matthew B. Carroll*
Overview of Adult Immune Thrombocytopenia
Leonard I. Boral*, Gregory P. Monohan and Valentina Moirangthem
Innovation of Wound and Burn Care Dressings from Traditional to Nonwoven Polymeric Scaffolds
Sukhwinder K. Bhullar*, Harpal S. Buttar
Invasive Moderately-Differentiated Mucinous Adenocarcinoma Incidentally Identified in Perforated Acute Diverticulitis With Abscess Formation
Mahmoud L. Soliman, Sandra R. Cerda and Huihong Xu*
Medical Micro-Needling
Ebtisam Elghblawi*
Chemical Peels: A Must Have Armamentarium
Rahul Pillai*
Mesotherapy Cocktails Can be the Secrecy for Youthful Keeping
Could Hair Loss be a Relevant Symptom Associated with Chikungunya
Danúbia Sá-Caputo, Laisa Liane Paineiras Domingos, Eliane O Guedes-Aguiar, Rafaelle P. Carvalho-Lima, Severo de Paoli, Danielle Soares Morel, Igor Bastos, Clailson H. A. Farias, Claudia F. Figueiredo, Glenda Dias, Eric H. F. Frederico and Mario Bernardo-Filho
Distribution and Conduct of Clinical Trials Involving Music Therapy: Registered Clinical Trials in the Lost 15 Years
Keiko Yukawa, Hitoshi Fuji and Hajime Sato*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/CTPOJ-1-101
Abstract [+]
Objective: This study aimed to conduct an evaluation of music therapy clinical trials
worldwide, to understand what trials have been conducted and to show the chronological
changes. Additionally, we sought to clarify issues related to providing clinical trial registration
Methods: We searched the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) database for
“music therapy,” and identified the disease target for each article found.
Results: A total of 150 clinical trial studies were found in the ICTRP using the term “music
therapy.” In these trials, music therapy was used for improvement of social functioning in
schizophrenia and/or serious mental disorders, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and cancer
symptoms. Twenty-five clinical trials were actively recruiting. Sixteen of the 25 trials were
registered in the United States at ClinicalTrials.gov, of which 9 trials were conducted in the US.
Seven trials were conducted in other countries such as Spain, Taiwan, and China.
Conclusion: A search for music therapy clinical trials retrieved 150 trials from the ICTRP, and
the number of clinical trial registrations has increased yearly. Music therapy is widely used in
patients with various diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and arthritic pain and
has the potential to improve certain disease outcomes, but there is not enough evidence to
substantiate its efficacy. It is important to enlighten researchers and pharmaceutical companies
on the proper management of the quality of such clinical trial information, as this is an important
issue.
Plaque Psoriasis Formation and Body Hair (Re)Growth: A Common Pathway Activation
Linda Lazzeri, Antonietta D’Errico and Francesca Prignano*
Cell Derived Virus-Like Particles (VLP) in Future Vaccine Development
Pramila Walpita*
Essential Oils and Cosmetic Aromatherapy
Saima Siddique*
Nanocosmetics: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful
Rinti Banerjee*
Topical Corticosteroid Misuse Among Females Attending at Dermatology Outpatient Department in Ethiopia
Feleke Tilahun Zewdu*, Awel Abdulkerim, Mahelet Dessie Nigatu, Getasew Mulatu Akenaw and Mastewal Misganaw Alemayehu
Ebola Virus: Promising Vaccine Candidates
Reema Sameem and Sajani Dias*
The Swan Song of a Pathologist: “Why Do I Love Thee, Pathology? Let Me Count the Ways….”
Bhagirath Majmudar*
Fluorinated Lipids Conjugated to Peptide Antigens do not Induce Immune Responses Against Cervical Cancer
Waleed M. Hussein, Saori Mukaida, Tzu-Yu Liu, Istvan Toth and Mariusz Skwarczynski*
Aesthetic Crowns for Restoring Anterior Primary Incisors
Baydaa Ali Othman Al-Rawi*
Recent Advances in Adenovirus-Vectored Vaccines Development
Alexander N. Zakhartchouk*
Hair Loss and Chemotherapy: An Overview about What You Need To Know
Danúbia Sá-Caputo and Mario Bernardo-Filho*
Clinical Investigations on Medical Devices, after the New European Regulation (2017/745)
Salvatore Bianco*, Alfredo Nunziata and Giacomo Pozzoli
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trials: A Quick Update on Concepts and Types
Bolaji Emmanuel Egbewale*
Immunobiology of Anticancer Virotherapy With Newcastle Disease Virus in Cancer Patients
Education and Health System Collaboration are Indispensable in Vaccination Coverage
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/VROJ-1-e005
The Case for Flu Vaccination
Olukayode A. Akinlaja*
The Concept of Developing a Plasmodium vivax Malarial Vaccine with a Focus on its Pre-erythrocytic Stage
Tuan Imaad Aarif, Sajani Dias*
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/VROJ-1-109
Don’t Shun the Shunt: Surgical Portosystemic Shunts in the Era of TIPS and Liver Transplantation
Her-HsinTsai*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/LROJ-3-e004
Hair as a Specimen to Determine the Concentration of Cortisol Levels in Individuals that have Performed Physical Activity
Alexandre Gonçalves de Meirelles*, Marcia Cristina Moura-Fernandes, Eloá Moreira-Marconi, Tânia Regina Lemos-Santos, Gefferson da Silva-Costa, Sérgio Oliveira De-Carvalho, Ivana de Cássia Araújo Ventura, Ygor Teixeira-Silva, Laisa Liane Paineiras-Domingos, Danúbia da Cunha de Sá-Caputo and Mario Bernardo-Filho
Glucocorticoid Induced Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Alterations Associated with Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Navid Mahabadi, Ashley Doucet, Andrew Lun Wong, and Vahid Mahabadi*
Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment for Vaginal Rejuvenation in Post-Menopausal Indian Women
Rahul Pillai* and Safal Rahim
Actinic Lichen Nitidus with Dermoscopic Features, and Response to Hydroxychloroquine
Smriti Shrestha* and Aditi Mishra
The Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Versus Carbamazepine in Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Rebecca Millan-Guerrero*, Rebecca Isais-Millan, Gabriel Castillo-Varela, Gabriel Ceja-Espíritu and Martha Alicia Higareda Almaraz
Alternative Effective Management of the Musculoskeletal Pain
Olena Plotkina* and Andrei Bourdeinyi
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/ORHOJ-1-e002
A Review of Vaccine Efficacy Measures
Sayan Dasgupta*
Salmonella-based Anticancer Vaccines and their Efficacy
Samad Farashi-Bonab* and Nemat Khansari
Consensus Meeting on International Standards for Oral Whole Cell Killed Cholera Vaccines, 17-18 May 2018, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Lina Odevall, Sjoerd Rijpkema, Dean Smith, Tong Wu, Firdausi Qadri, Jan Holmgren, Julia Lynch and Viliam Pavliak*
The Prognostic Value of PD-L1 Expression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Cohort Study and Systematic Literature Review
Daniel Schmolze, Carolyn E. Behrendt, Peter P. Lee and Sophia Apple*
Latest Results from Immunotherapy Clinical Trials in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Alexios Strimpakos*, Konstantinos Tsigaridas and Maria Avgoustidou
Cancer immunotherapy has evolved enormously in the recent years with better understanding of immune reactions, immune microenvironment and immunosurveillance. Breast cancer is characterized by large heterogeneity, a fact which rather complicated the development and the approval of novel therapeutic options in comparison to the majority of other solid tumors since each subtype has required a unique scientific approach and different targets and goals. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered the most aggressive of the breast cancer subtypes with limited treatment options and worse outcome compared to others. This article summarizes some of the early clinical studies and the recently presented phase III clinical study of immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors in this difficult setting.
Keywords: Cancer; Immunotherapy; Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC); Breast cancer.
Neoantigen: A New Hope for Effective Cancer Immunotherapy
Nemat Khansari*
Role of Sound Enhancer Device in Teleconsultation
Shijina Koliyath, Ravi Kumar Chittoria*, Vinayak Chavan, Abhinav Aggarwal, Saurabh Gupta, Chirra Likhitha Reddy, Padmalakshmi Bharathi Mohan and Imran Pathan
To study the role of sound enhancer device in teleconsultation.
This study was conducted in the plastic surgery department in a tertiary care centre in the month of May-June 2019. A sound enhancer device was used with mobile phone for videoconferencing as form of teleconsultation by plastic surgery trainees in operation theatre and outpatient department. At the end of the study feedbacks were taken from the trainees.
It was found that on using the sound enhancer device, the sound quality improved and it was helpful in the teleconsultation sessions using videoconferencing.
The use of sound enhancer is a simple, cost-effective, innovative method of using a simple technology to aid in utilisation of teleconsultation facilities in a very non-sophisticated way.
Sound enhancer device; Teleconsultation; Telemedicine.
Self-Adjuvanting Peptide Vaccines Against Cervical Cancer
Hannah Hanh-Hong Truong, Waleed M. Hussein*, Tzu-Yu Liu, Zhongfan Jia, James W. Wells, Michael J. Monteiro, Mariusz Skwarczynski and Istvan Toth
Cervical cancer is a common cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide, with a fatality rate second only to breast cancer. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the main causative agents of cervical cancer, and are therefore obvious targets for vaccine development. Although two prophylactic HPV vaccines have been commercialized, therapeutic vaccines against HPVs have not been developed yet. Current vaccine technologies emphasize the power of small particles in targeting immune cells, and particles of 20-50 nm have been reported to induce optimal immune responses against a variety of pathogens and cancers.
We synthesized new nanoparticle-based vaccines against cervical cancer by using antigenic 8Qmin peptide epitope derived from HPV-16 E7 protein, a hydrophilic poly-(L-glutamic acid) (PGA) linker, and an 8-arm poly (tert-butyl acrylate) dendrimer-based delivery system (D8).
Four different peptides containing 8Qmin and PGA of different lengths were successfully synthesized with high yield and purity. These were then conjugated to alkyne-functionalized D8 by copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition “click” reaction. The conjugates self-assembled into nanoparticles, with decreased particle size corresponding to a greater number of Glu units. The four vaccine candidates were tested in C57 black 6 (C57BL/6) mice bearing well-established (7-day-old) tumors to examine their therapeutic effects.
Interestingly, only one conjugate delayed tumor growth, and montanide adjuvanted antigen, used as a positive control, failed to demonstrate any therapeutic effect.
Peptide-based subunit vaccine; Human papillomavirus; Polyglutamic acid; Therapeutic cancer vaccine; Polymer-peptide conjugate; Self-adjuvanting; Cervical cancer.
Clinical Research: The Future of Medicine Stuck in the Digital Past
Elizabeth Del Mastro Benincasa*
Role of Bactiguard Infection Technology in Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections
Shijina Koliyath, Ravi Kumar Chittoria*, Abhinav Aggarwal, Saurabh Gupta, Chirra Likhitha Reddy, Padmalakshmi Bharathi Mohan and Imran Pathan
To study the role of bactiguard infection technology (BIP) in preventing Catheter-associated urinary tract infections. This study was conducted in a tertiary care centre in the Department of Plastic Surgery, JIPMER, Pondicherry, India in the month of August 2019. The study subject was a 55-year-old gentleman with Fournier’s gangrene and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The Foley’s catheter with BIP technology was used and its role in preventing urinary tract infections (UTI) was studied over a period of 10-days. During the period of the catheter use in our subject, patient did not develop features of urinary tract infections. BIP technology is claimed to be effective in preventing Catheter-associated urinary tract infections but further studies in more individuals is required to validate the same.
Bactiguard infection technology (BIP); Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI); Biofilm.
opposite to the editorial
Diagnosis and Cure: Intellectual Honesty is the Basis of All Science
Alfred Miller*
Remote Consent Clinical Research
Preethi Sriram*
Recruitment in clinical research trials can be challenging in trials that are time-sensitive and/or are rare disease and critical care trials. One of the hurdles for recruitment in these types of clinical trials is due to the consent process, and the need to have consent of the patient within a certain timeframe, or the patient unable to consent for themselves. This paper will discuss the usage of the utilization of remote consent options for these trials.
Recruitment; e-consent; Remote consent; Clinical trials; Rare disease; Time-sensitive.
Circulating Tumor Cells: Beyond Isolation and Detection
Michelle J. McNamara*
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are the precursors to metastases and increased numbers of CTCs in the peripheral circulation have been shown to correlate with decreased progression-free and overall survival. Although the current clinical utility has been focused on the prognostic significance, other clinical applications are being explored, such as determining if a patient is a candidate for treatment, determining the efficacy of treatment, evaluation for resistance to therapy, prediction of metastatic site, or as an early predictor of metastases. Current methodologies are based on quantifying CTCs and include technologies based on physical, immunological, and molecular techniques. However, these have limitations, of which most of them do not have the ability to perform morphological evaluation. Using morphological evaluation, CTCs in body fluids could be used for primary diagnosis in the setting of cancer of unknown primary (CUP) or in initial or early diagnostic scenarios. Additionally, cytological specimens have been shown to be useful for ancillary testing in patients when surgical resection specimens or biopsies are not available. Evaluation of CTCs should incorporate histological, immunehistochemical, and molecular characterization to enable clinicians to obtain the comprehensive diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic information necessary to provide appropriate personalized care to cancer patients.
Circulating tumor cell (CTC); Circulating; Tumor cell; Cancer; Isolation; Detection; Metastasis; Prognosis.
CTC: Circulating tumor cell; RT-PCR: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; EMT: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; MET: Mesenchymal-epithelial transition; TRAIL: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand; CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen; CUP: Cancer of unknown primary; CAP: College of American Pathologists; AMP: Association for Molecular Pathology; ASCO: American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Spontaneous Resolution of Pituitary Cystic Lesion
Alice Willison, Avinash K. Kanodia*, Kirit Singh, Graham Leese, Douglas Allan, and Kismet Hossain-Ibrahim
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/NOJ-7-133
Differentiating between cystic lesions of pituitary gland may be challenging. Usual differentials are cystic pituitary adenoma (cPA) and Rathke’s cleft cyst (RCC). Diagnostic certainty of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is limited in the absence of usual suggestive features. Furthermore, RCC can co-exist with approximately 2% of pituitary adenomas. Over time, these cystic lesions may remain static, resolve spontaneously, or result in symptomatology relating to mass effect and/or hormonal disruption. In cases of an asymptomatic lesion being found incidentally, little is known about how it may progress, raising question whether to proceed with surgical management or follow-up. We a present case of a spontaneously resolving pituitary cystic lesion with imaging features more suggestive of cPA than RCC, for which watchful waiting proved a successful treatment strategy. The current case serves as a reminder that small cystic lesions can be followed-up with spontaneous resolution and should be offered active treatment only when clinically required.
Pituitary gland; Pituitary cystic lesion; Cystic pituitary adenoma (cPA); Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Single-Blind Comparative Study of the Aesthetic Outcome of Armouring Procedures with PLLA/PCL- and HA-Enriched Absorbable Threads
Poleva Irina* and Kajaia Albina
Absorbable threads represent one of the most exciting breakthroughs in aesthetic medicine. The innovative composition of absorbable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/caprolactone (PCL) threads enriched with hyaluronic acid (HA) has triggered the interest of aesthetic practitioners.
To compare the aesthetic outcomes of armouring procedures with absorbable PLLA/PCL threads versus the same procedure performed with PLLA/PCL/HA threads (APTOS, Tbilisi, Georgia threads).
Eight patients underwent thread insertion in the face (PLLA/PCL threads on one side and PLLA/PCL/HA threads on the other). Aesthetic outcome was determined subjectively by the patient after 7 days using a 5-point rating questionnaire. Wrinkles were evaluated objectively using 3D photosystem software after 7, 30, and 90 days.
Seven days after treatment there was significantly less pain, less swelling, less burning and a faster reduction of skin irregularities on the side treated with HA-enriched threads (all p<0.05). The side of the face treated with HA-enriched threads also demonstrated faster and more obvious improvement of wrinkles.
Absorbable PLLA/PCL threads have a reliable reputation for oval correction of the face and long-lasting biostimulation. The new HA-enriched threads shorten the post-procedure downtime, accelerate rejuvenation and provide more significant patient satisfaction.
Absorbable thread; Thread lifting; HA-enriched threads; Aesthetics.
Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance of the Probiotic Bacteria Found in Commercial Food Products
R. M. Asela Priyadarshana* and Clarencia R. Daniel
The Lactobacillus is an industrially-important group of probiotic organisms that plays an important role in human health by inhibiting harmful and pathogenic bacterial growth, boosting immune function, and increasing resistance to infection. The aim of this study was to identify the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus based on their phenotypic features and genotypic features. This study also shows the importance of probiotic bacterium, and the effects of their antibiotic resistance to human.
Six different brands were cultured on man, rogosa and sharpe (MRS) agar. The identity of the culture was based on the characteristics of the strains of Lactobacillus spp. which was characterized using their phenotypic features (cell morphology, Gram’s staining tests which are specific for Lactobacillus genus). The bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted by two different methods, boiled cell method and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Furthermore, the extracted DNA yields were compared to determine which gives the best yield. The bacterial genus was detected with using genus specific primers, specific to the Lactobacillus. All the isolates were further subjected to antibiotic resistance test using disc diffusion method against a total of 4 antibiotics (Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Vancomycin and Ampicillin) and the antibiotic resistant genes of tet(M) & erm(B), were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Five isolates out of six samples (A to E) were found to exhibit multiple resistance against some of the most commonly used antibiotics. The isolates showed resistance toward tetracycline, erythromycin & vancomycin. Besides that, the isolates displayed a low-level of resistance toward ampicillin.
This study proves that antibiotic resistance is present in different species of probiotic strains, which may pose a food safety concern.
Lactobacillus; Probiotics; Antibiotics; Tetracycline; Vancomycin; Erythromycin; Ampicillin; Antibiotic resistance.
Principles and Applications of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Microarray: A Review
Haben Fesseha* and Hiwot Tilahun
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) microarrays are collections of DNA probes arranged on a base pair and the latest commercialized molecular diagnostic technologies that offer high throughput results, more sensitive and require less time. It is the most reliable and widely accepted tool facilitating the simultaneous identification of thousands of genetic elements even a single gene. Microarrays are powerful new tools for the investigation of global changes in gene expression profiles in cells and tissues. The different types of DNA microarray or DNA chip devices and systems are described along with their methods of fabrication and their use. The DNA microarrays assembly process is automatized and further miniaturized. DNA microarrays are used in the search of various specific genes or in gene polymorphism and expression analysis. They will be widely used to investigate the expression of various genes connected with various diseases in order to find the causes of these diseases and to enable their accurate treatment. Generally, microarray analysis is not only applied for gene expression studies, but also used in immunology, genotyping, diagnostics and sequence analysis. Additionally, microarray technology being developed and applied to new areas of proteomics, cancer research, and cellular analysis.
Application, DNA, Microarray, Principle.
Nutrient-Dense, Functional Foods Enhance Hair, Skin, and Nail Appearance
Kate Bauer, William Clearfield, Rochelle Ramacher, Pei-Ra Ling, Charles Marsland and Stacey J. Bell*
The American diet is nutrient-poor and rich in unhealthy compounds like sodium, sugar, and saturated fats. Whether food has an effect on appearance has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this prospective, single-armed study was to evaluate the impact of consuming two nutrient-dense functional foods, which are low in salt, sugar, and saturated fats, on hair, skin, and fingernail health.
Both subjective (self-reported questionnaires and photographs) and objective (i.e., salivary pH and skin hydration) tests were used to evaluate appearance. Weekly compliance with nutrient-dense foods, body weight, and quality of life assessment were also recorded.
Participants(n=28) consumed most of the nutrient-dense foods and remained weight stable, which was the goal of the study to exclude the effect of changes in body weight on appearance. Neither objective measurement of appearance showed significant improvements. Subjective measurements using questionnaires specific to hair, skin, and fingernails improved significantly over the 8-week study. Rating of photographs that the participants took of themselves improved significantly over the 8-weeks. These included reduced redness, decreased pore size, and better skin color. Using an acne-rating scale, a significant improvement was observed at week 8 compared to baseline. The quality of life parameters improved significantly including feeling of well-being, feeling full, having more energy, sleeping better, having less stress, and being more focused.
Inclusion of two nutrient-rich, functional foods in the diet improved the appearance of hair, skin, and fingernails. These foods were well-received and easy-to-prepare, leading to excellent compliance with the dietary protocol.
Appearance; Diet; Functional foods; Nutrient-dense foods; Hair; Skin; Nails.
Better Together: Evolving Social Process between Bystanders and First Responders is a Force Multiplier for Effective Emergency Response
Carmit Rapaport* and Isaac Ashkenazi
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/EPOJ-5-117
Bystanders are an integral part of an emergency scene. Their presence on site makes them the immediate potential responders, who can provide life-saving assistance as well as various rescue actions. Research has shown that bystanders are willing to and are capable of helping, especially (but not limited to) when a leader emerges, as the help is rooted in a collective action. In this article, we suggest a new framework for understanding the effectiveness of bystanders help, based on the evolving social process between bystanders and first responders. As we show, the transition from no help, at the very first moment right after the emergency has occurred, to an effective coordinated response where first responders and bystanders act together, goes through engagement of bystanders. Further, first responders should acknowledge the social organization of bystanders, utilize and leverage it in order to optimize their efforts. This framework has important insights for policy makers when managing emergency and disaster situations with limited resources.
Bystanders; First responders; Mass casualty incident; Help; Emergency; Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Non-Invasive Treatment for Adhesive Capsulitis Not Helped by Physical Therapy: A Case Study in Manipulative Medicine
Jason Strandberg*
This case documents the treatment of a middle-aged woman with chronic, unresponsive adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) using manipulation, active release therapy, and electronic acupuncture. She had not responded to typical physical therapy but did respond to active release therapy along with adjunctive manipulation and acupuncture. In our course of treatment we wanted to see if we could significantly improve pain-free range of motion and normal; function without using invasive treatments like surgery and manipulation under anesthesia. Over a course of five weeks, using a soft tissue manipulation technique known as active release technique along with electrified acupuncture and home exercises, we were able to increase her range of motion to near normal and her function to normal. She was not forced to miss any work because of the treatment and can now do all the things she needs to do for work.
Frozen shoulder; Adhesive capsulitis; Manipulation; Active release therapy; Non-invasive treatment.
Case Illustration
Dynamic Shape Change of an Aortic Valve Cusp Perforation on 3D Transesophageal Echocardiogram
Maedeh Ganji, Jose Ruiz, Robert Percy, Emil Missov and Srinivasan Sattiraju
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/HROJ-7-152
Outstanding Outcome of Pancreatic Cancer: What Lessons Do We Learn
Muhammad W. Saif*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/POJ-4-e012
Recombinant Protein D from Haemophilus influenzae Induces Mouse Bactericidal Antibodies Against Typeable and Non-Typeable Haemophilus influenzae, which Partially Protect Infant Rats Against Serotype b Bacteraemia
Nathan Palmer*, Yajun Tan, Manolya Saydam, Arif Felek, Huajie Zhang, Shumin Zhang, Min Fang, Jun X. Wheeler, Qiming Hou, Xiao Ma, Junzhi Wang and Fatme Mawas
To evaluate the immunogenicity of a recombinant protein D from Haemophilus Influenzae (Hi) and the functional activities of the induced protein D antibodies in a mouse model.
Female Balb/c mice were immunised subcutaneously with recombinant protein D in the presence or absence of adjuvants and the serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) response to protein D was assessed by ELISA. The functional activity of the immune sera was evaluated in vitro using bactericidal assay against typeable Hi serotype b (Hib) and non-typeable Hi (NTHi) clinical isolates and in vivo using an infant rat bacteraemia model and a Hib clinical isolate.
A dose-dependent IgG response was induced in mice immunised with the recombinant protein D and this response was further increased by the adjuvants used [CPG, AlPO4 and Al(OH)3], with the latter showing the greatest effect on the antibody response. Immune sera were very effective in bactericidal assay against several Hib and NTHi clinical isolates, with a higher serum bactericidal titre against the NTHi than against the Hib isolates. This is possibly due to the lower expression of protein D on the Hib isolates used in our study, compared to the NTHi isolates. In addition, anti-protein D antibodies were partially protective in vivo infant rat bacteraemia model against a challenge with Hib Eagan strain.
Our results suggest that recombinant protein D is a good vaccine candidate against Hi and should be given in combination with other vaccine candidates to ensure complete protection against Hib and NTHi.
Haemophilus influenzae (Hi); Haemophilus influenzae serotype b bacteraemia; Rats.
Superior Mesenteric Artery and Nutcracker Syndromes in a Healthy 14-Year-Old Girl Requiring Surgical Intervention after Failed Conservative Management
David Wood, Andrew Fagbemi, Loveday Jago, Dalia Belsha, Nick Lansdale and Ahmed Kadir
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/GOJ-5-132
This case report presents the diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery and nutcracker syndromes in a previously fit and well 14-year-old girl. Although these two entities usually occur in isolation, despite their related aetiology, our patient was a rare example of their occurrence together. In this case the duodenal compression of superior mesenteric artery syndrome caused intractable vomiting leading to weight loss, and her nutcracker syndrome caused severe left-sided abdominal pain and microscopic haematuria without renal compromise. Management of the superior mesenteric artery syndrome can be conservative by increasing the weight of the child which leads to improvement of retroperitoneal fat and hence the angle of the artery. The weight can be improved either by enteral feeds or parenteral nutrition. This conservative management initially helped but not in the long-term as the child started losing weight again. The next step in management is surgery (duodenojejunostomy – if the conservative management fails), which the child went through, remarkably improving their symptoms.
Pathology Hiding in Plain Sight: The NF1 Plasma Membrane
Vincent M. Riccardi*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/CSMMOJ-6-e008
Beyond Placebo: Alternative Options to the Randomized Control Trial Design in Rare Disease Studies
Unique difficulties and challenges can arise for rare diseases and orphan disease indications within a clinical trial. Some of the challenges encountered by trials that are working on rare diseases can include recruitment and enrollment. One of the explanations for the challenges that are encountered in rare disease trials is because of the trial design of study, where the investigational product is being compared to the placebo. This review paper discusses the usage of placebo and when other options could be taken into consideration while creating the protocol, specifically with consideration to rare disease studies. It is essential for the investigators and those designing the protocol to consider alternative options from the standard randomized controlled trial. The aim of this paper is to review alternative trial design options. The trial designs discussed in this review paper include crossover trials, single arm studies and historical data, and n-of-1 trials.
Recruitment; Enrollment; Placebo controlled; Clinical trials; Rare disease; Crossover trials; Single arm study;
Historical data; n-of-1 trials.
A Rare Cutaneous Manifestation of the Systemic Erythematosus Lupus: The Chilblain Lupus – A Clinical Case
David Castro-Corredor*, Prado Sánchez-Caminero, Isabel M. de Lara-Simón and Fiorella L. Piaggio-Muente
Perniosis or chilblain pernio is an inflammatory skin disease, typically located on acral skin surfaces secondary to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and damp conditions. This disorder can appear as an idiopathic dermatosis, usually in young women, but occasionally it is associated with diseases such as anorexia, intestinal lymphoma, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, monoclonal gammopathies, cryoproteinaemia, viral infections, as well as connective tissue diseases, especially lupus, picture that is known as chilblain lupus. We present a case of perniosis associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and review the literature.
Chilblain lupus; Perniosis; Chilblain pernio; Rare cutaneous; Myelomonocytic leukemia; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Advanced Heart Failure Exacerbated by Discreet Left Ventricular Lead Non-Capture
Jon Krathen*, John Costello, Mark Moshiyakhov, Raphael Corbisiero and Kulpreet Barn
This case report illustrates a challenging case of worsening heart failure in a previously well-compensated patient with unclear etiology. Further workup revealed the patient’s cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) left ventricle (LV) lead was losing capture during positional changes. This case demonstrates the importance of device optimization, as well as electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring to elucidate possible causes of acute systolic heart failure.
Cardiac resynchronization; cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT); Systolic heart failure; Lead positioning;
Advanced heart failure.
brief research report
Awareness of Ototoxicity among Medical Doctors in Assam
Writisha Bora, Himanshu K. Sanju*, Vijay Kumar, Prasanta Borah and Tushar Jain
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/OTLOJ-6-159
Previous literature has reported ill-effect of ototoxic drug on hearing and balance. Present study investigated awareness among medical doctors for the same.
A total of 55-medical doctors of multiple specialties from Assam, India participated in the present study. A total of 14 questions with Likert Scale based scoring pattern were framed and validated for the present study.
Outcome of the present study showed high awareness percentage about side effect ototoxic drugs was obtained, which was a satisfying outcome.
While low audiological referral and consultation awareness was identified as an area of concern.
Ototoxicity; Doctors; Assam; Awareness.
Rechargeable Battery Solutions for Digital Hearing Aids: A Mini Review
Neha Taneja*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/OTLOJ-SE-5-104
Everyday all of us use rechargeable solutions either its smartphones, televisions, or any other electronic devices. Faster streaming of these electronic devices to other external devices may be facilitated through wireless connectivity. Wireless streaming demands much more battery backup. With advancement of hearing aid technology many features exists in hearing aids which may facilitate better spectral information, improved speech understanding in presence of background noise and thus improving communication and quality of life of the users. The use of these advanced features often requires continuous uninterrupted power supply. Traditional disposable hearing aid batteries cannot be assured of their performance due to their inopportune time discharge. Recently rechargeable solutions in hearing aids have been discovered that can support long-lasting wireless streaming. Modern day rechargeable batteries are expected to be easy to charge which can last for longer duration with more reliability and durability. Rechargeable as a feature is added on over and boon. Rechargeable battery solutions based on its various benefits may support as boon for environment, hearing aid users and professionals (better counseling and more satisfied users). The aim of this article is to highlight the awareness of these different rechargeable solutions for the users and professionals. In addition mentioning in brief the superiority of Lithium ion battery which is widely accepted in rechargeable hearing aids.
Rechargeable hearing aids; Wireless streaming; Batteries for hearing aids; Li-ion batteries.
Bone Grafting, Its Principle and Application: A Review
Haben Fesseha* and Yohannes Fesseha
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone through transferring bone cells from a donor to the recipient site and the graft could be from a patient’s own body, an artificial, synthetic, or natural substitute. Bone grafts and bone graft substitutes are indicated for a variety of orthopedic abnormalities such as comminuted fractures (due to car accidents, falling from a height or gunshot injury), delayed unions, non-unions, arthrodesis, osteomyelitis and congenital diseases (rickets, abnormal bone development) and are used to provide structural support and enhance bone healing. Autogenous, allogeneic, and artificial bone grafts are common types and sources of grafts and the advancement of allografts, synthetic bone grafts, and new operative techniques may have influenced the use of bone grafts in recent years. Osteogenesis, osteoinduction, osteoconduction, mechanical supports are the four basic mechanisms of bone grafting and help bone tissue to regenerate completely. A bone graft can be harvested from the iliac crest, proximal tibia, proximal humerus, proximal femur, ribs, and sternum. An ideal bone graft substitutes should be biologically inert, readily available, must possess osteogenic, osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties, provide mechanical support, easily adaptable in terms of size, shape, length and substituted by the host bone. Bone banks are the source of bone grafts and implants and necessary for providing biological material for a series of orthopedic procedures. Bone grafts and implants can be selected as per clinical problems, the equipment available and the preference of the surgeon. A search for an ideal bone graft is on and may continue time to time.
Application; Bone; Bone graft; Bone replacement; Bone bank; Principle.
Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation: Our Experience
Syed S. Ahmad*, Shuaibah A. Ghani, Ghuncha Khatoon, Sumera Sagheer and Juwairiya Ilyas
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/OOJ-4-120
Traditionally, ciliary body destruction has been used to treat uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) following maximally tolerable medical therapy. This is due to the large number of complications seen with this procedure. However, recently a new technique of sub-threshold laser or micropulse laser, is able to provide selective destruction of the ciliary body in a controlled manner. This avoids most of the complications seen with other modalities. We have performed a small case descriptive pilot study to assess the effectiveness of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) in lowering IOP.
This pilot study was conducted on four patients in the age range 55-70-years with intractable glaucoma. Two patients had primary angle closure glaucoma, one-each had steroid-induced glaucoma and neovascular glaucoma. Mean baseline IOP was 32±2.4 mmHg. Mean number of glaucoma medications were 2.5±1.5. All patients underwent 180° MP-TSCPC. Absolute success was defined as IOP<20 mmHg without acetazolamide.
Following the procedure the patients were followed-up at days 1,7,30 and 90. At the last follow-up of the study, mean IOP was 18.2±1.2 mmHg in all four patients. Mild anterior chamber inflammation was the only complication noted. Mean number of glaucoma medications reduced to 1.5±1.0 following the procedure. Thus, absolute success was achieved in all patients.
This small pilot study validates other studies which show effectiveness of MP-TSCPC as an efficient and safe procedure to lower IOP. This procedure can be used over a wide variety of cases, though the indications for such procedures are still evolving. More extensive and long-term studies will clarify the position of this procedure in our glaucoma management practices.
Glaucoma; Micropulse laser; Cyclophotocoagulation.
The Catalytic Framework: Africa’s Weapon to End Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome by 2030
Benjamin Djoudalbaye*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/HARTOJ-7-131
An In-Depth Analysis of Our Myositis Cohort Following the Example of the EuroMyositis Registry
Stylianos Tomaras* and Jörn Kekow
To describe our myositis cohort in-depth.
From January 2006 to December 2018, all newly diagnosed myositis patients were retrospectively enrolled in the study. We performed a subtype reclassification using the 2017 EULAR/ACR criteria, following the example of the EuroMyositis registry. Disease activity and damage were measured by the newest standardized assessment-tools for clinical studies. Comparisons between myositis subgroups were conducted using Fisher’s exact test.
We enrolled 32 patients (25 were female): six patients with dermatomyositis, six with polymyositis, eleven with overlap myositis, six with antisynthetase syndrome, one with autoimmune necrotizing myopathy, one with juvenile antisynthetase syndrome and one with juvenile dermatomyositis. The overall median follow-up period was 23-months (9-44.75). Interstitial lung disease (ILD) was most frequently seen in patients with antisynthetase syndrome. Patients with overlap myositis were more likely to have polyarthritis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis, reduced capillary density in the nail fold capillaroscopy and Raynaud syndrome. Ovarian cancer during the follow-up period occurred in two patients (one with polymyositis and one with dermatomyositis). Myositis-related death was reported in two patients: acute respiratory failure in autoimmune necrotizing myopathy and dysphagia-related complications in polymyositis. Cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and rituximab demonstrated a significant steroid-sparing effect. In 22 of 32 patients, the myositis subgroup classifications made on the basis of our opinion and the new EULAR/ACR classification criteria were different, showing strong disagreement, especially in the subtype polymyositis.
Our analysis highlights the heterogeneity in myositis subgroups and shows the steroid-sparing effect of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and rituximab.
Myositis; Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy; Dermatomyositis; Antisynthetase syndrome; Overlap myositis; Rituximab.
CCP: Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide; CK: Creatine kinase; CYC: Cyclophosphamide; IIM: Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy; ILD: Interstitial lung disease; IMACS: International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group; MDI: Myositis Damage Index; MMT8: Manual muscle test 8; MTX: Methotrexate; MYOACT: MYOsitis disease ACTivity; RTX: Rituximab; TIF-1γ: Transcriptional factor-1γ.
Optimizing Cardiovascular Outcome in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Better Control of Diabetes Mellitus with Empigliflozin and Hypertension with Renin Angiotensin System Inhibitors and Manidipine Preferably of the Dihydropyridones
Kulvinder Kochar Kaur*, Gautam Allahbadia and Mandeep Singh
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/OROJ-7-141
Aim: Obesity is increasing globally by leaps and bounds and thus the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) along with it so much so that the term diabesity had to be coined. Earlier we had reviewed how to treat the both together and the role of empagliflozin to improve cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOT). Similarly T2DM and hypertension are pathophysiologically-related diseases which co-exist with a broader complex of metabolic diseases which co-exist possessing similar set of risk factors. Hence it is important to consider which antihypertensives are suitable that possess a positive effect on metabolic factors in cases of T2DM who require an antihypertensive.
Method: A systematic review was carried out using the PubMed search engine with the MeSH terms: “T2DM”; “essential hypertension; “cardiovascular (CV)”; “Complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and antihypertensive”; “Antihypertensive preferred in T2DM subjects”; “Renin-angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors”; “Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)”; “Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)”; “Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker”; “β2 blockers”; “Diuretics”.
Discussion: Most diabetes mellitus (DM) subjects need a minimum of two antihypertensive drugs, combining a renin-angiotensinaldosterone system (RAS) inhibitor with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker seems to be the most indicated approach. But not all dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers have equivalent effects on metabolic parameters. Hence manidipine that causes positive effect on insulin resistance (IR) seems to be an effective option. We have reviewed how manidipine is superior to amlodipine with regards to improving IR, not seen with amlodipine, along with not causing excessive sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation, pulse pressure and ankle edema or to much lesser extent than amlodipine. Therefore, manidipine needs to be the first addition to RAS inhibitors in case of DM’s having hypertension of the dihydropyridines calcium channel blockers. Further good blood pressure (BP) control been correlated with good CVs outcomes.
Conclusion: A RAS inhibitor is the first line of choice of drugs in a subject with T2DM who needs to be treated with empagliflozin for better CVOT outcome, and when a 2nd drug has to be added it is manidipine that is preferred over amlodipine. Plant products are proving to be having a lot of beneficial effects in DM, obesity and hypertension. Thus need for developing agents from plants will prove to be more cost effective in these chronic diseases where compliance is difficult to achieve with the use of common antiDM drugs and antihypertensives with the cost factor along with their side effects.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); Diabesity; Antihypertensives; Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) inhibitor; Dihydropyridines calcium channel blockers; Plant products.
A New Mindset: Artificial Intelligence in Digital Hearing Aids
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/OTLOJ-6-e007
Neurofibromatosis 1 Somatic Mutation Triggering Cellular Apoptosis to Prevent Neurofibromatosis 1 Progression
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/NOJ-7-e011
Cancer Dynamics
Daniel Gandia* and Cecilia Suárez
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/CSMMOJ-6-130
An Unusual Case of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Case Report
Babu Karavadra*, Medha Sule and Christine-Antoinette Portelli
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/GOROJ-7-152
Malrotation of the gut is rare in adults. We discuss the case of a 30-year-old primiparous woman who presented to the acute gynecology ward at 19-weeks’ gestation with ongoing nausea and vomiting throughout pregnancy. She attended on a number of occasions with the same symptoms and was trialed on a number of different antiemetics. Initial biochemical investigations were unremarkable, however, the patient started to develop signs of ‘abdominal obstruction’. A magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the pelvis showed evidence of duodenal obstruction secondary to malrotation which may be secondary to a fibrous (Ladd’s) band. She was treated laparoscopically via a Ladd procedure and had an uneventful recovery. Interestingly, the patient presented again in her second pregnancy with very similar symptoms and underwent another Ladd procedure, but via a laparotomy. This is an interesting, rare and unusual case of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
Ladd bands; Pregnancy; Nausea; Vomiting; Hyperemesis; Volvulus.
Correlation of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Glucose Uptake by Liver Cancer and Transcriptional Regulation of the Warburg Effects in ATT-MYC Mouse Model of Liver Cancer
Mahmoud Elalfy* and Juergen Borlak
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/LROJ-3-112
It was previously reported that diethylnitrosamine (DEN) enhanced liver cancer progression in ATT-MYC mouse model of liver cancer. Radiogenomics is a new tool in advanced science technology that gives information on tumor biology, non-tumor surrounding tissue, the degree of tumor size and presence of necrosis of cells especially with joined micro computed tomography – positron emission tomographys (CT/PETs).
To evaluate the correlation of gene expression and non-invasive microPET information of the liver tumors at different points of the stage of growth.
Exon array expression of the liver of ATT-MYC mice treated with DEN or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) compared to control non-transgenic mice were analyzed by array track and the current data were also compared to microarray expression of liver tumor of ATT-MYC mice.
The expression of genes responsible for glucose transport such as glut1, 3, 4, hk1, slc1a5, slc1a1, slc1a4, slc1a2, gp6c and gpc-1-3-4 were up-regulated significantly in DEN-treated transgenic mice immediately after end of treatment (p≤0.05), while glut2 (fold change 0.9503, p-value 0.4385) and hk2 (fold change 3.0589, p-value 0.0565) genes were increased not significantly immediately after end of treatment. Additionally, at 4.5-months of observation after the end of treatment slc1a5, slc38a2, glut1, glut4 and gpc3-4 genes had a significant fold change in liver tumor tissue in DEN treated mice when compared to BHT or control transgenic or non-transgenic one. While hk1, 2, slc5a1, slc1a4, glut2, glut3, g6pc and gpc-1 genes were increased non-significantly in the liver of treated mice when compared to control group at 4.5-months of observation after the end of treatment. Notably, c-myc, hif-1 and aldoa glycolytic genes were expressed significantly both time points of 4 and 8.5-months while ldhb, hk-2 and PKM2 were increased non-significantly in DEN treatment when compared to BHT/control non-transgenic animals.
There is a definitive correlation between genes responsible for glucose transport and 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the early and advanced degree of liver carcinogenesis. This study of glucose pathway in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at different stages of early and advanced one is the potential for therapeutic anticancer therapy.
18-FFluorodeoxyglucose (FDG); MicroPET; Exon array expression; Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); Att-myc transgenic mice; Diethylnitrosamine (DEN), Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT); Glucose metabolism.
Cutaneous Polyarteritis Nodosa in Adult Patient
Cristiana S. Santos*, Samuel S. Álvarez and González Moran
Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa is a rarer variant of classic polyarteritis nodosa with unknown etiopathogenesis. It presents with skin, articular and nervous involvement, after systemic involvement is ruled out. This work reports the case of a 41-year-old male patient diagnosed with cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa with skin lesions, polyarthralgia and sensory axonal polyneuropathy.
Skin; Polyarteritis; Vasculitis; Biopsy; Immunofluorescence; Histology.
Clinical and Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Pelvic Floor in Primiparous Women after Normal Vaginal Delivery with Episiotomy and without Episiotomy
Nora H. K. Elabady*, Ahmed M. Awara, Amr M. El-Badry and Nareman El-Hamamy
The aim of this prospective study is clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation of the pelvic floor in primiparous women after normal vaginal delivery with episiotomy and without episiotomy.
This is a cross-section study of primiparous women with a history of delivery at Tanta University Hospital from August 2018 to August 2019. The sample power was calculated based on avulsion (major and minor) in two groups (vaginal delivery with episiotomy and without episiotomy) of total forty-primiparous women with an interval after delivery (20 cases after normal vaginal delivery with episiotomy and 20 cases after normal vaginal delivery without episiotomy).
Twenty-four hours of delivery there was a highly significant difference between group A (with episiotomy) and group B (without episiotomy) regarding to ultrasound abnormalities, degree of tear, blood loss, hemoglobin concentration and clinical findings, while no difference regarding levator ani weakness. Two months later from delivery there was no significant difference between group A and group B regarding to ultrasound abnormalities and levator ani weakness while there was a difference between the two groups in regarding with clinical findings.
Normal vaginal delivery without episiotomy in primiparous women is better than normal vaginal delivery with episiotomy as there is no perineal tenderness, no dyspareunia. Low incidence of urinary, rectal incontinence, tear and perineal infection.
Clinical and ultrasonography; Primiparous; Normal vaginal delivery; Episiotomy.
Pancreas and Coronavirus Disease-2019
Lorenzo Dioscoridi*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/POJ-4-111
The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Computed Tomography Image Reconstruction: A Systematic Review
Theresa Lee* and Euclid Seeram
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/ROJ-4-129
Current image reconstruction techniques in computed tomography (CT) such as filtered back-projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction (IR) have limited use in low-dose CT imaging due to poor image quality and reconstruction times not fit for clinical implementation. Hence, with the increasing need for radiation dose reductions in CT, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in image reconstruction has been an area of growing interest.
The aim of this review is to examine the use of AI in CT image reconstruction and its effectiveness in enabling further dose reductions through improvements in image quality of low-dose CT images.
A review of the literature from 2016 to 2020 was conducted using the databases Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, and PubMed. A subsequent search of several well-known journals was performed to obtain additional information. After careful assessment, articles were excluded if they were not obtainable from the databases or not available in English.
This review found that deep learning-based algorithms demonstrate promising results in improving the image quality of low-dose images through noise suppression, artefact reduction, and structure preservation in addition to optimising IR methods.
In conclusion, with the two AI-based CT systems currently in clinical use showing favourable benefits, it is expected that AI algorithms will continue to proliferate and enable significant dose reductions in CT imaging.
Computed tomography (CT); Artificial Intelligence (AI); Image reconstruction (IN); Machine learning (ML); Deep learning (DL); Dose reduction.
AI: Artificial intelligence; CT: Computed tomography; ML: Machine learning; DL: Deep learning; FBP: Filtered back-projection; IR: Iterative reconstruction; MBIR: Model-based iterative reconstruction; LDCT: Low-dose computed tomography; FDA: U.S Food and Drug Administration; ANN: Artificial neural network; DNN: Deep neural network; CNN: Convolutional neural network; CNR: Contrast-to-noise ratio; SNR: Signal-to-noise ratio.
The Digital Stethoscope in Telemedicine: A Health Camp Study
Imran Pathan, Ravi K. Chittoria*, Saurabh Gupta, Chirra L. Reddy, Padmalakshmi B. Mohan, Shijina Koliyath, Nishad K and Mohamed Ishaq Z
India is a vast country with limited human resources. People living in remote areas often have limited access to healthcare facilities. To address this need and to increase healthcare awareness, health camps have been established. These camps are often supervised by junior physicians. Telemedicine, and in particular use of a digital stethoscope may provide better diagnosis and better consultation to the patient by senior physicians located remotely. This article highlights the clinical use of a digital stethoscope in such a health camp.
Health camp; Telemedicine; Digital stethoscope.
Diversity and Recruitment of Minorities in Clinical Trials: An Unmet Need
Nathalie Vives*
Patient centricity has led to the idea that drugs should answer medical needs not only defined by the medical bodies but relevant for the patients themselves. This implies that the diversity of the patients should be represented in clinical trials. Disparities in representation of diverse populations in clinical trials have been well-documented for several pathologies like arterial hypertension, diabetes but also in oncology. Today, Caucasian patients included in clinical trials represent at least 75% of the clinical trials population even in pathologies where minorities are largely more affected than Caucasians. Filling the gap in diversity is an important matter to ensure ethics, good practices, regulatory compliance, patient safety and scientific validity. To achieve their recruitment goals and being patient centric, sponsors and investigational sites need to pay attention of this problem and put in place specific strategies. Mistrust of patients of minority groups toward clinical research is one of the main barriers along with lack of access to clinical trials (low awareness, communication barriers, distance to investigational sites). Adapted communication, community-based strategies are some of the useful strategies directed to the patients. Investigators may not encounter diverse populations in their area or may not be aware of unconscious bias when identifying patients suitable for a clinical trial. Looking for referrals and raising awareness of the risk of bias with training on culturally sounded approaches could help investigators to recruit more diverse populations. Lack of awareness and costs may prevent sponsors to focus on diversity but ethics, benefits of data acquisition and patient centricity should be enough motivators to modify this trend. Patients, investigators and sponsors have their own barriers to tackle the lack of diversity in clinical trials. The cultural background of all stakeholders is an important factor in those barriers. Only multidisciplinary approaches including human sciences would help to define patient recruitment strategies that would mitigate the current lack of diversity.
Clinical trials; Patient recruitment; Diversity, Minorities.
Towards a More Sustainable Response: Strengthening the Social Agenda in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Epidemic
Jennifer Knight-Johnson*
Agenesis of the Thyroid Isthmus: A Case Report
Ivan P. Mani* and Niharika Raju,
Agenesis of the thyroid isthmus is a rare entity with a incidence rate of 0.5 and 10%. Thyroid isthmus agenesis could be associated with ectopic thyroid tissue or agenesis of the thyroid lobes. We discuss a case of a multinodular goitre which presented with morphological variations which was not detected on ultrasonography of the neck.
Thyroid; Head and neck; Isthmus.
A Rare Case of Giant Cell Myocarditis
Althea C. G. Neblett*
Giant cell myocarditis is a rare condition first described in 1905. It has a reported incidence range from 0.007% to 0.051%. It affects female and male individuals, equally, and usually occurs in young and middle-aged persons. The underlying aetiology of giant cell myocarditis is unknown but it is thought to be mediated by T-lymphocytes. Diagnosis is made via histological examination of myocardial tissue and is characterized by a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate with multinucleated giant cells and cardiomyocyte necrosis, predominantly affecting the ventricles. The following report describes a rare case of giant cell myocarditis in a 71-year-old man with a history of hypertension and heart failure, who died while waiting to be seen in the emergency department. Autopsy findings revealed an enlarged, dilated heart with histologic features in keeping with giant cell myocarditis, along with features of heart failure. Diagnosis of giant cell myocarditis is less common in the elderly age group, possibly due to a less severe disease process in this age group and it may be misdiagnosed because older individuals may have other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
Myocarditis; Giant cell myocarditis; Autopsy; Elderly, Cardiovascular.
Combining Ability Analysis in Sweet Corn (Zea Mays Saccharrata L.) Using Line by Tester Design
Abdullah Khan, Hidayat Ur-Rahman*, Ashfaq Ahmad, Muhammad Iqbal, Sajid Kamal, Sohail Khan and Junyao Bu
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/AFTNSOJ-6-168
The purpose of this study was to investigate the different combination of testcrosses for morphological and yield relating traits and to investigate general combining ability of the inbred lines.
This research was conducted at The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during 2016. Line x-tester analysis was used to test general combining ability (GCA) effects of 24 S4 lines of sweet corn. Alpha lattice design with two replications and two checks was used during the experiment. Research data were recorded on various flowering, morphological and yield parameters.
Highly significant variations were recorded among the testcrosses for the studied traits except anthesis silking interval (ASI), 100-kernel weight. Minimum days to tasseling (48-days) and silking (53.5-days) was exhibited by pop-syn-swt (9-4)×synthetic sweet. GCA effect was -2.14 for tasseling and -2.00 for silking. Maximum value (3.5-days) for ASI was recorded for Pop-synswt 1(8-3)×synthetic sweet, while GCA effect for ASI was -0.71. Lowest plant height (129.8 cm) was recorded for pop-syn-swt 1(3-3)×synthetic sweet, while GCA effect for plant height was observed to be -14.79. Maximum cob length (16.6 cm) was revealed by pop-syn-swt 1(12-2)×synthetic sweet. For cob length GCA effect of 1.01 was recorded. Maximum 100 kernel weight (31.3 g) was estimated for pop-syn-swt 1(2-1)×synthetic sweet. GCA effect of 1.85 was recorded for 100-kernel weight. Highest mean (7143.9 kg ha-1) for grain yield was recorded for pop-syn-swt 1(9-4)×synthetic sweet. GCA effect for grain yield was found to be 1370.93.
Generally a low GCA value, either positive or negative indicates that the mean of a parent does not largely vary from its offsprings. In contrast, high GCA value suggests that parent is either superior or inferior to the general mean and it has high heritability and less environmental effects. Based on the findings in this research, the above mentioned testcrosses can be included in future sweet corn breeding programs where early flowering and yield attributes is desired.
Sweet corn; General combining ability; Inbred lines; Line by tester; Yield; Flowering.
Cross-Sectional Associations between Physical Activity and Internet Addiction among Undergraduate Students in Taiwan
Yen-Jung Chang* and Jia-Ji Sun
Internet addiction is a major health concern among undergraduate students; however, few studies have addressed modifiable behavioural factors associated with internet addiction in the context of Taiwan. This study aimed to investigate associations between physical activity and the risk of internet addiction among undergraduate students in Taiwan.
In 2017, we recruited 320 undergraduate students from Northern Taiwan to participate in a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey. Physical activity was measured by the Taiwanese short-form version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, which evaluates an individual’s weekly levels of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity (VPA) and moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity (MPA). Internet addiction was measured by the Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS).
For the 320 surveyed students, the average CIAS score was 53.3, and 18.13% of participants were at risk for internet addiction (defined as CIAS score >64). The results of the multiple regression analysis indicated that a routine of at least 150 min of MPA per week was negatively associated with risk for internet addiction (β=−4.39, 95% CI=[-8.10, -0.66]). No significant associations were observed between internet addiction and 75 min of VPA or 150 min of total physical activity per week. Among the 5 dimensions of the CIAS scale, MPA was negatively associated with tolerance symptoms, time-management problems, and interpersonal and health-related problems when a routine of 150 min per week was adopted.
A routine of 150 min of MPA per week was associated with a lower risk for internet addiction. Intervention efforts aimed at reducing undergraduate students’ problematic internet use should promote recommended levels of MPA. We also recommend longitudinal research on the effects of engaging in physical activity on the risk of internet addition.
Physical activity; Internet addiction; Undergraduate students.
Innovation in Clinical Trials is Possible: The Hidden Opportunity in the Coronavirus Disease-2019 Emergency
Valeria L. Scarano* and Davide Smaldone
The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) emergency has clearly shown the need to discover, test and produce a new vaccine but also in general the fragility of the current chain of clinical trials. Through this emergency, is it possible to look at the current clinical trial processes with new eyes? Is it possible to seize the opportunity for change and to have confidence in the possibility of their improvement? In this short article the authors wanted to give an optimistic answer to this question by pushing on the possibilities of innovation nowadays.
Clinical trials; Innovation; Covid-19; Digital transformation.
How a Network Came Together to Manage a Large Research Program During the Pandemic
Tamara Friedman*, Elli G. Paleoudis, Avery Freed, Susan Adler, Cheryl Fittizzi and Ihor Sawczuk
Hackensack Meridian Health, a large New Jersey network comprised of 17 hospitals, a medical school, and 200 ambulatory care centers, executes a large research program with approximately 1000 active human subjects studies. With the arrival of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Office of Research Administration was confronted with a series of challenges. These included minimizing face-to-face contact among research participants and staff, allocating limited resources to handle the influx of COVID-19 related proposals, providing human subjects protection training to the physicians and staff who were needed to run the clinical trials, adjusting bio-repository activities to meet the increased demand for samples, and disseminating all of the new regulatory and operational information to the thousands of researchers in the network. The network’s success in modifying its research program quickly and effectively to adapt to the changing landscape can be attributed, in large part, to the centralized nature of the research administration.
Research administration; COVID-19; Network.
The Time is Now for Disruptive Innovation in Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Adherence Monitoring
Giffin Daughtridge*, Elijah Kahn-Woods, Casper Enghuus and Shane Hebel
Monitoring adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis is a critical component of reaching ending the human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) epidemic goals in the US. Currently, providers still depend on “self-report” pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence, whereby providers ask their patients about their recent pill taking habits. There appears to be growing consensus across the HIV prevention community that “self-report” is an inadequate method of identifying that is in-need of additional adherence support services. In a recent survey, 97% of providers report utilizing self-reported adherence because it is convenient, but only 10% of these providers believe it is accurate. While “self-report” is convenient, evidence and testimonials from diverse stakeholders across the HIV prevention landscape indicate that there is a desire for more accurate, effective adherence monitoring methods. In this mini-review, we will briefly synthesize the emerging evidence and propose a solution to ensure all patients receive the support needed to protect them from HIV acquisition.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis; HIV; Adherence; Prevention; Self-report.
The Potential of Amniotic Fluid-Derived Extracellular Vesicles to Treat Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Versus Hydroxychloroquine in Human Patients
Ian A. White*
Recently a lot of attention has been focused on fast-tracking repurposed drugs for the treatment of a novel coronavirus; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent leading to the devastating coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19). One of the first and most well-known examples is hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which has been used for years as a treatment for malaria, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. HCQ was rolled out as a miracle treatment for Covid-19, which was inexpensive, effective and causing few side-effects. However, its effectiveness in treating Covid-19 has recently been questioned leaving doctors and patients confused and desperate. Here the proposed mechanisms of action of HCQ are discussed and compared with an inexpensive, safe and effective alternative, which is derived from natural, healthy amniotic fluid.
Covid-19; SARS-CoV-2; Amniotic fluid; CytoSomes.
The Role of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with Instillation and Dwell Time in the Preparation of Wound Bed
Nishad Kerakada, Ravi K. Chittoria*, Saurabh Gupta, Chirra L. Reddy, Padmalakshmi B. Mohan, Imran Pathan, Shijina Koliyath and Neljo Thomas
Although the negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a time tested method of wound preparation, the role of NPWT with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) in decreasing the downtime of wound preparation needs to be evaluated.
The objective of this study is assess the role of NPWTi-d in wound bed preparation.
Materials and Methods This study was conducted in a tertiary care center, after getting informed consent and ethical clearance. NPWTi-d was done on a 36-years-old female with no known co-morbidities admitted with infected raw area over the right below knee amputation stump and exposed bone who was not responding well to conventional wound dressing. NPWT was applied with the help of sterile polyurethane sponge and two tubes. The antimicrobial solution used was ionic silver solution, just enough to wet the sponge completely and up to the point when the transparent occlusive covering begins to lift. Negative pressure was applied at 125 mmHg. The wound was bathed with ionic silver solution and it was allowed to stay in the wound for 10-minutes, after every 2-hours of negative pressure application. This was continued for 1-week. The dressing was opened at the end of 1-week, wound irrigated with normal saline, exudate swabs for culture taken and debrided, following which fresh NPWTi-d was applied. This was repeated for the next 3-weeks.
By the end of third week, the wound became clean, fully covered with healthy granulation and the wound bed was ready to undergo the definitive wound cover procedure.
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT); Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation dwell time (NPWTi-d); Ionic silver solution; Wound bed preparation; Amputation stump.
Model Liposomal Delivery System for Drugs and Vaccines
Farrhana Z.Firdaus, Zeinab G. Khalil, Robert J. Capon, Mariusz Skwarczynski, IstvanToth* and Waleed M. Hussein*
Liposomes have been used for drug delivery since their discovery 60-years-ago. The advantages they provide as carriers have been recognised and exploited to improve the delivery of numerous drugs and eliminate harmful side-effects. Liposomal delivery has been tested for anticancer drugs, anti-tuberculosis drugs, variety of vaccines, just to list a few.
We developed a series of liposomal formulations with the addition of cholesterol and polyethylene glycol. The uptake of these formulations by human epithelial prostate cancer (PC-3) cells and mouse macrophages was examined and analysed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.
Among the liposomes tested, small anionic liposome vesicles (≤200 nm) prepared with egg phosphatidylglycerol as the main lipid were most effectively taken up by PC-3 cells and macrophages.
We produced a liposome formulation that can be used as a model system for the delivery of drugs and vaccines.
Liposomes; Drug delivery; Vaccines delivery; Egg phosphatidylglycerol; Polyethylene glycol.
Current Emerging Therapy for Amyloidosis Neuropathy
Yung-Chih Cheng*
Peripheral neuropathy is a type of neurological disorder in which patients with complex inherited neurological defects present significant phenotype in the peripheral nervous system. Hereditary amyloidogenic transthyretin (hATTR) neuropathy is typical polyneuropathy caused by single-nucleotide variants in the gene encoding transthyretin (TTR) and leads to transthyretin misfolding and systemic deposition of amyloid. One of the clinical hallmarks of hATTR neuropathy is polyneuropathy of the destruction of the somatic and autonomic peripheral nervous system, leading to loss of autonomy. Progressive amyloid accumulation also causes multi-organ dysfunction and death. There are many therapeutics that have been proposed and developed in these years. These therapies aim to reduce or eliminate hATTR from the plasma, stabilize the hATTR to prevent deposition, and dissolute the amyloid misfolding matrix. Recently, gene therapy strategy is being deployed to treat recessive genetic disorders by eliminating the expression of the mutated genes. Thus, gene-silencing approaches have been used to manage this amyloidosis neuropathy in the broad stages and produce some degree of improvement of this disease. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Inotersen (an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)) and patisiran (a small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) for the treatment of hATTR polyneuropathy to suppress hATTR expression. Inotersen, a 2’-O-methoxyethylmodified ASO, which acts by reducing the production of transthyretin, and has been demonstrated to improve the quality of life in early hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis polyneuropathy. I here focus on the RNA-targeted therapy with particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms by which antisense oligonucleotide can be designed to modulate transthyretin RNA function for being a novel therapy for hereditary amyloidosis neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy; Amyloidosis; Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO).
Wound Care and Healthcare
Lydia A. Corum*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/EMOJ-6-154
Effectiveness of Identafi® in Evaluation of Precancerous Oral Lesions
Vural Fidan*, Handan Koyuncu, Emine Sakalar and Bengisu Turfan
To examine the role of the Identafi® device in early diagnosis of the nature of oral lesions.
Buccal mucosal lesions that diagnosed Kreatosis were the most seem lesion in oral area.
It has been observed that the indentative device provides convenience to the physician in the early diagnosis of precancerous oral
lesions and some tissue formations that may be overlooked can be reached.
Identafi®; Oral lesion; Precancerous; Early diagnosis; Tobacco; Alcohol.
Anastasis: Cell Survival Mechanism
Abolaji S. Olagunju*, Folashade G. Olorunfemi, John O. Teibo and Abiodun M. Adewolu
Equilibrium between cell survival and death is important for normal cell homeostasis and development and also for inhibiting pathologies particularly cancer. Anastasis is a natural cell recovery phenomenon that rescues cells from the brink of death or a mechanism by which cells recuperate from apoptotic lesions and return to its normal active and functioning state. Programmed cell death (apoptosis) was known to be an intrinsically irreversible cascade that commits cells to a rapid destruction. However,
recent studies have demonstrated the possibility of recovering dying cells even at the late stages. Anastasis uses the usual pro-metastatic and pro-survival factors to inhibit apoptotic progression. Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation and its related modulators is not only linked with cellular metastasis and survivability but also widely associated with the stemness of cancer cells.
Anastasis; Programmed cell death; Cancer; Pro-metastatic factor; Pro-survival factor; Genetic instability; Cell cycle arrest.
The Effect of Internal Locus of Control and Social-Emotional Learning on Life and Relationship Satisfaction
Sibylle Georgianna* and Jennifer Jagerson
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.17140/PCSOJ-6-157
The current study examined the impact of a non-governmental organization’s academic tutoring and mentoring program on the social-emotional learning (SEL) and subjective well-being of 240 marginalized young women.
One-hundred-fifty-nine currently enrolled 7-12th grade students with a mean age of 16.39, SD=1.55; 40 students who were enrolled in college with a mean age of 20.25, SD=1.57, and 25 who had graduated from college with a mean age of 22.48, SD=2.16 and their leaders participated.
All participants completed in a survey that assessed the degree of participants’ locus of control, expectations of success (self-efficacy), current goals and career-related aspirations and their satisfaction with their relationships and life in general. Twenty-one of the participants and all leaders also were interviewed.
Regression analyses revealed that both the participants’ self-management and the leader’s locus of control were significant predictors of the participants’ internal locus of control. Congruent with interview findings, latent structural equation analysis revealed that three manifest variables of social-emotional learning, “self-management”, “social awareness”, and “self-efficacy” had direct positive effects on participants’ subjective well-being (i.e., their satisfaction with life and relationships).
Culturally sensitive approaches to mentoring and training are needed and helpful. Future research should be carried out to mitigate design limitations and further the current study’s addition to the body of research on social-emotional learning and well-being.
Self-management; Self-efficacy; Social awareness; Social-emotional learning (SEL); Internal locus of control; Life satisfaction; Relationship satisfaction; Subjective well-being (SWB).
Halting Coronavirus Replication
Kira Smith*
Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) inhibitors can reduce replication of many viruses with certain characteristics similar to those of coronaviruses, while the p53 protein is another important factor in the down-regulation of viral growth. Tenovin is a class of small molecules that inhibit Sirtuin 1 and 2, in addition to activating the p53 protein, by means of regulating the interactions used by coronaviruses as a self-defense mechanism. By blocking virus growth and continuous replication, with already tested antiviral medicines, the promise of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) eradication exists.
COVID-19; Coronavirus replication; SIRT1 inhibitors; p53; Tenovin.
Study of Analysis the Sensitivity of the Computational Environment for Radiological Research Field Size Based on Two Dimensional Dose Distribution for Water Phantom Cases
Yati Hardiyanti*, Thareq Barasabha, Choirul Anam, Novitrian Novitrian, Freddy Haryanto and Abdul Waris
This study analysed the sensitivity of the field size from variations in the target volume dimensions, depth, and position. The variations in the target volume analysis were used to determine the width of the field size. Thus, the quality control of the radiation beam can be obtained.
The computed tomography (CT) image of the IBA Dose 1 type of water phantom consists of 350 slices. Variations in the dimension of the target volume were modelled in 10×10×10 cm3, 10×12×10 cm3, 10.2×10×10.2 cm3, and 15×15×15 cm3. Beam parameters use one beam of irradiation on the central axis 0°, 6 MV energy, 100 cm source-skin distance (SSD), beamlet delta x, and y set to 0.1 cm. Dose distribution in the form of the XZ isodose curve and dose profile was used to observe the field size.
In this study, the isodose curve was successfully displayed in the XZ isodose curve. The field size’s sensitivity has been successfully reviewed from variations of the target volume, depth, and position. The target X and Z direction analysis is used in determining the width and length of the field size.
The analysis related to the field size sensitivity study was obtained from a relatively valid calculation. The field size was evaluated with variations in depth of 1.5 cm, 5 cm, 10 cm, and variations in positions of 10 cm, 12 cm, 14 cm, 18 cm, and 20 cm. This study will be used as a reference to validate the distribution of computational environment for radiotherapy research (CERR) dose in the future. Thus, the accuracy of the dose calculation can be obtained.
2D Dose Distribution; Sensitivity; Quality control; Treatment planning system; Radiation therapy dosimetry.
Dietary Recommendation in Diabetes Care: Carbohydrate Counting and Caloric Content of Nigerian Foods
Taoreed Azeez*, Patience Chimah, Abdul F. Hassan, Adedeji Moradeyo, Ubong Umoren and Emmanuel Eguzozie
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rising globally and even more in low and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Optimal management of the disease is important to improve survival and prevent or delay its complications. Lifestyle management is a standard universal approach in optimizing the care given to diabetic patients. Dietary management is the central link in lifestyle modifications of individuals living with diabetes. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is a systematic therapeutic approach of assessing the nutritional needs of an individual, determining nutritional goals, counselling the clients on how to achieve the goals, prescribing and monitoring meal plans to achieve the goals. It is evidence-based, effective and highly recommended. All carers of the diabetes patient, including the health workers and the family members of the patients, need to have basic understanding of medical nutrition therapy but the efforts should be coordinated by licensed dietitians. There are evidences that adherence to prescribed calories is effective in the control of cardiovascular risk factors such as blood glucose, weight, lipid profile and blood pressure. However, prescription of calories should be based on thoughtful consideration of the nutritional needs, weight goal, personal preferences and tastes and cultural practices of individuals living with diabetes mellitus. Food pyramids give a graphical illustration on the recommended classes and servings of food. Six to eleven servings per day of carbohydrates, 3-5 servings per day of vegetables, 2-4 servings per day of fruit, 2-3 servings per day of dairy products and 2-3 servings per day of fish are the recommended proportions of the different classes of foods for an adult on an average of 2000 calories. Carbohydrate counting, taken with appropriate insulin dosing and physical activity, has been demonstrated to be effective in optimizing the glycaemic control of patients on multiple daily insulin injections. There are challenges in doing this in Nigeria due to lack of food labels. The caloric contents of common Nigerian foods are highlighted so as to help in achieving dietary goals.
Diabetes care; Dietary approach; Carbohydrate counting; Caloric content of Nigerian foods.
retrospective research
Cesarean Section Rate at Lumbini Zonal Hospital, Nepal: An Analysis Using the Robson Ten Group Classification System
Bishnu Gautam*, Shree D. Acharya, Vishnu Prasad Sapkota, Raut B. Batsal, Laxmi Bhattarai, Maria Jose and Kiran Paudel
Caesarean section (CS) rates have increased globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of the Ten-Group Robson classification as the global standard for assessing appropriateness of CS. Nepal has higher-than-global average rates of CS requiring further investigation into appropriateness.
This study aims to investigate the caesarean section rates at tertiary care center in Nepal and make analysis based on the group-10 classification.
A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out from 2016 April -2017 March in Lumbini Zonal Hospital, Butwal, Rupendehi, Nepal. 3,817 women who birth over a 12-month period were analyzed using this classification. The caesarean rate, its indications were calculated and categorized into groups according to Robson’s 10-group classification.
Women with previous CS (Group 5) comprise the largest proportion (9.4%) of the overall 26.41% CS rate. The second largest contributor was a singleton nulliparous woman with cephalic presentation at term (6.6% of total 26.41%). Caesarean section rates in single breech pregnancies were very high (>65%). Robson’s Group 5 was the highest contributors to overall CS rate contributing 35% of all C-sections, followed by Group 2 (24%), and Group 1 (13%).
The ten-group classification helped to identify the main groups of the subjects who contribute the most to the overall caesarean section rate. This study results suggest that women with previous CS are at risk for having another CS delivery in subsequent pregnancies and therefore there is an urgent need for a dedicated vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) clinic to support this such women to ensure CS are only done when indicated. Furthermore, reducing the CS rate for nulliparous i.e. Group 1 and 2 would, in the long-term, also reduce the size of Group 5 in the future.
Cesarean rate; Caesarean section; Robson’s group classification.
Implant-Supported Removable Partial Denture: An Approach to Rehabilitate Maxillary Kennedy Class I
Imed Ouni*, Sinda Ammar, Hiba Triki, Imen B. Afia, and Lamia Mansour
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/DOJ-6-142
Patients with maxillary Kennedy Class I are frequent visitors to the dental office, the missing of posterior teeth makes the control of the movement of removable partial dentures difficult due to the axis of rotation and the different resiliencies between the supporting structures. The use of implants in association to the conventional metal frame denture provides favorable long-term stability and retention, good clinical outcomes in terms of occurrence of complications and maintenance. In this clinical case, a patient with a maxillary Kennedy Class I was rehabilitated using a 3 implants to support metallic removable partial denture. A three dimensional (3D) surgical guide was used for the well-placement of the strategic implants and ball attachments were tightened as connectors between implant and denture. The patient was satisfied after 4-years of follow-up and reported good occlusal stability, esthetic and functional satisfaction.
Dental implant; Distal extension removable partial denture; Kennedy Class I; Attachment denture.
Electrical Injury and Prolonged Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report of Complete Neurological Recovery
Uma Hariharan* and Vinoth Natarajan
Sudden cardiac arrest continues to have a high mortality rate. Out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has a poor outcome compared to those occurring in a healthcare setup due to lack of awareness and appropriate resources. The most common rhythm abnormality in OHCA is ventricular fibrillation which requires early defibrillation, ideally on the location.
A 19-years male was witnessed by lay bystanders to have become unresponsive following contact with an electric lighting pole on the road median in Chandigarh. A passer-by medical resident detected no pulse and initiated chest compression. Since there was no immediate return of spontaneous circulation and aetiology suggested a defibrillate rhythm. The patient was taken in the car and rushed to a tertiary care centre, 10-minutes away. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was interrupted during transport for lack of adequate personnel. Ventricular fibrillation was noted and shock was delivered along with inotropes. Around 26-minutes into the resuscitation, the patient had the return of spontaneous circulation. After post-cardiac arrest care in intensive care unit (ICU), he was extubated and discharged home in 1-week with full neurological recovery.
Recovery of full neurologic function could be explained by the alternating presence of stable and unstable cardiac rhythms and in part at least brought about by immediate attempts at resuscitation. The report seeks to review these aspects of emergency care besides highlighting the need for both immediate and accurate emergency medical services such as lay responder training, public access defibrillation and responsive transport systems for such patients.
Sudden cardiac arrest; Out of hospital cardiac arrest; Ventricular fibrillation; Early defibrillation; Electrical injury.
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity: Is It an Easy Procedure?
Emilio Manno*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/SROJ-6-e004
Accuracy of Bioimpedance Modalities for Fluid Assessment in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Observational Study
Jacob C. John*, Graham T. Gipson, Christopher D. King, Timothy E. Bunchman and Oliver Karam
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/NPOJ-6-124
Fluid overload is a major contributor to mortality in critically ill patients but is difficult to estimate clinically. Bioimpedance has been used to estimate fluid volumes with three different methods of analysis:1. single-frequency; 2. multi-frequency; 3. bioimpedance spectroscopy. The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of different types of bioimpedance analysis in detecting changes in fluid volumes.
Prospective observational study, in end-stage renal disease patients requiring dialysis, in a tertiary care center. During hemodialysis, we assessed the correlation between change in estimated total body water volumes, as measured by all three methods of bioimpedance, and fluid volumes removed, as measured by changes in body weight.
Twenty-four pediatric and adult patients were included in the study (median age 42.4 years) with a total of 30 study assessments performed. There was a weak correlation between change in body weight and change in estimated total body water volumes (R=0.15, 0.41, and 0.38, respectively). In the Bland-Altman analysis, the mean biases along with their associated 95% confidence limits of agreement were -0.23 L (-4.1 to 3.5 L) for single-frequency; -1.1 L (-4.1 to 1.9 L) for multi-frequency; and -0.6 L (-6.1 to 4.8 L) for bioimpedance spectroscopy.
In this study of end-stage renal disease patients requiring dialysis, the accuracy of bioimpedance measurement to evaluate fluid changes was poor, regardless of bioimpedance modality.
Body composition/physiology; Body fluid/physiology; Electric impedance; Extracellular fluid/metabolism; Renal dialysis.
Calculation of Photons Reaction Rate Resulting at 120 kVp X-ray Tube Voltage and 1 mAs as Function to Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine Pixel Numbers Using Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport and a Voxel Model of a 29-Year-Old Patient
Tawfik A. Shdeed*
To read the digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) images of brain and extract intensity values and build a three dimensional model for Monte Carlo n-particle transport (MCNP) code input file in purpose to study the average particle flux and deposited energy of X-Ray photons resulting at 120 kVp and 1 mAs (form point source) as function to DICOM pixel numbers in the brain tissues for a 29-year-old female patient using MCNP code and Matlab program to read the DICOM images.
The matrix laboratory (MATLAB) program was used to read the DICOM images and extract the intensity values in each pixel of the DICOM image corresponding to certain slice of the brain. These color levels are characteristic of different tissue, and have been relied upon to create the specific material in each volume element in MCNP input file.
Values of the deposited energy at surface of skin are high, so it is always necessary to be cautious when performing the examination to obtain acceptable images from the first time and without having to repeat the imaging again for the same case unless there are necessities for it.
Computed tomography (CT); X-ray; Voxel phantom; MCNP Code; Average particle flux; Matlab.
Influence of Nutritional Awareness on Grocery Shopping by Kuwaiti Parents in Relation to Children Nutrition
Dalal Al-Roumi, Dina Abu-Abdo,Mariam Al-Khulaifi, Sara Al-Khadhari, Eman Al-Awadhi and Farouk El-Sabban*
Caregivers, specifically parents, are ultimately responsible for the nutrition of children living in the household, in spite of the children’s preferences for food items. There have been no studies on the relationship between the nutritional knowledge level of Kuwaiti parents who grocery shop and their children’s nutrition. Therefore, this study was carried out to explore grocery shopping patterns of Kuwaiti parents in relation to their children’s eating habits.
A questionnaire was administered by 4 of the authors through face-to-face interviews with 100 Kuwaiti parents who grocery shop for their families. The questionnaire was designed to cover three main categories: demographics, parents’ nutritional knowledge, and children’s nutrition. Subjects were interviewed at random at 6 supermarket locations. Data were analyzed utilizing a SPSS statistical package and the Chi–Square test was used to examine the association between variables at the p<0.05 level of significance.
Demographic data of respondents showed that 92% were married, 66% were females, 61% were university graduates, and 84% allowed children to choose food items while shopping. Children’s age ranged from 2 to 18-years. Results indicated that the media was the main source of nutrition knowledge of participants. About 50% were familiar with food labels, 74% were shopping for nutrition claims and most parents (60%) were shopping for low-fat products. Analysis of data revealed several associations among demographics, nutrition knowledge of parents and nutrition of children.
This study is the first of its type to be carried out in Kuwait. It revealed several important aspects of parents’ background and awareness of nutrition as influencing factors on their grocery shopping. It is hoped that this line of research will be expanded, for the benefit of children’s health and avoidance of future nutrition-related diseases.
Children; Health; Kuwait; Nutrition interest; Nutrition knowledge; Parents.
The Athletic Intelligence Quotient and Performance in the National Football League
James K. Bowman*, Thomas R Boone, Leonard Zaichkowsky, Scott Goldman and Alex Auerbach
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/SEMOJ-6-180
In the realm of competitive athletics, numerous variables have been examined for predictive utility with respect to player selection/development and outcomes on the field. Notwithstanding important advances, the current predictors only account for a modest amount of variance in outcomes of relevance in the National Football League (NFL).
The primary objective of this study was to investigate the predictive validity of a new measure of athletic intelligence, the Athletic Intelligence Quotient (AIQ), which is based on the empirically supported Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) Theory of Intelligence. The predictive validity of the AIQ was determined in relation to performance metrics from 146 NFL players across several seasons.
Hierarchical regression analyses indicate that specific AIQ factors accounted for a statistically significant increase in the explanation of variance beyond the current level of evaluation for several performance metrics (e.g., career approximate value; sacks, tackles, rushing yards). Further, specific factors of the AIQ are related to position specific statistics, offering the possibility that performance prediction can be focused in for the specific skills required by a given position.
Given the recent impact of analytics in professional sports, and the significant findings noted in the current investigation, the authors discuss the potential importance of the AIQ in the selection and coaching processes.
Revision of Maryland Minor Consent Law on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Prevention: An Outcome of Advocacy
Oluwatosin Olateju*, Deb Dunn, Patricia McLaine and Sharon Barrett
To date, only few United States (US) states have explicit regulations that allow minors to independently give consent for human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) prevention treatments. This manuscript will reflect upon key advocacy efforts leading to the revision of the Maryland Minor Consent Law, evaluate current human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention laws for minors in U.S. states, and highlight resources for health advocacy.
Between 2018-2019, public health professionals in Baltimore, Maryland reviewed the Maryland Minor Consent Law and other adolescent consent laws within the U.S. The professionals advocated for a legal review of the gap by the State Senate and the Office of Attorney General.
In May 2019, the public health advocates were successful in their effort for a revision of the Maryland Minor Consent Law to include Treatment for the Prevention of HIV-Consent by minors. Upon their review of all adolescent consent laws within the U.S., they found that only eleven states currently have explicit language indicative of an adolescent’s ability to give consent for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
This inquiry can change upstream factors such as laws, regulations, policies and institutional practices.
HIV, Prevention, Pre-exposure prophylaxis, Adolescents, Minor consent law.
research protocol
Coronavirus Disease-2019, Diabetes and Dialysis: An Internal Medicine Conundrum Proposal for a Suitable and Easy-to-Handle Prevention Protocol
Felice Strollo, Ersilia Satta, Carmine Romano, Carmelo Alfarone, Teresa D. Corte*, Giuseppina Guarino and Sandro Gentile
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/DROJ-6-147
Frail populations burdened with chronic diseases can get more severe forms of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and have a higher mortality rate.
To test the efficacy of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) containment protocol in patients with endstage renal disease (ESRD) diabetes mellitus (DM) requiring dialysis, who are a typical example of the above category.
The protocol included: (i) daily telephone COVID-19 related triage for patients and their general practitioners (GPs); (ii) social distancing; (iii) environment sanitization, including ambulances, transfer vans, medical equipment, patient/health personnel clothing, and individual protection devices; (iv) adoption of quota systems for patients allowed to the dialysis room, and increased time lags among dialysis shifts. Eight hundred twenty-five (825) patients on dialysis (315 with and 510 without DM), and 381 healthcare providers (HCPs) were monitored continuously from the start of the pandemic until the end of the lockdown.
No HCPs were infected, while only two patients on dialysis were positive for SARS-CoV-2: one with DM, who died in intensive care, and one without DM, who recovered at home. The adopted contagion containment protocol proved to be effective for both HCPs and patients.
Therefore, we propose it as a useful model for any internal medicine or ESRD specialized units dealing with patients on dialysisoriented with or without DM.
COVID-19, Dialysis, Diabetes, Prevention, Contagion.
Role of Low-Level Laser Therapy as an Adjunct in the Management of Diabetic Ulcer
Shijina Koliyath, Ravi K. Chittoria*, Chirra L. Reddy, Padmalakshmi B. Mohan. Imran Pathan, Neljo Thomas and Nishad Kerakada
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic debilitating condition affecting people worldwide and diabetic foot ulcers are also a common problem. The treatment of diabetic ulcers requires a multimodal approach. Adjuvant low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may be useful in lesions with protracted healing course but the evidence is still limited. In this study, we share our experience regarding the use of low-level laser therapy as an adjuvant treatment modality in a patient with diabetic foot ulcer.
Low-level laser therapy; Diabetic ulcer.
Prevalence and Economic Significance of Hydatidosis on Cattle Slaughtered at Nekemte Municipal Abattoir, Western Ethiopia
Tuge Temesgen*
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/VMOJ-5-150
The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hydatidosis, to identify the association between expected risk factors and occurrence of the disease, to investigate economic importance and to evaluate fertility and viability of the hydatid cyst in cattle slaughtered at the abattoir.
A cross-sectional study, which involves both ante-mortem and post-mortem examination, was conducted at Nekemte municipal abattoir from November 2015 to March 2016.
A total of 355 local cattle breed was randomly sampled and examined for the presence of hydatid cysts in the organs of the animals using the standard meat inspection procedures, 66 (18.6%) animals were found harboring hydatid cysts. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the prevalence of bovine hydatidosis in all risk factors with exception of sex of the animals. Among 207 hydatid cysts recorded, 93 (44.92%) were from lungs, 65 (31.40%) from livers, 4 (1.93%) from heart, 3 (1.44%) from kidney, 1 (0.48%) from spleen and 41 (19.8%) were in two organs from lung and liver. Fifty-seven (57) of these 207 cysts were randomly selected and subjected to fertility and viability test which revealed 19 (33.33%) as fertile, 25 (43.86 %) sterile and 13 (22.81%) calcified. Viability test proved 7 (12.28%) of 19 fertile cysts as viable and 12 (21.05%) of 19 fertile cysts as non-viable. Viability of cysts in different organs revealed that 5 (16.1%) and 2 (10%) of cysts from lungs and liver, respectively. The estimated financial loss during the study period both due to condemnation of organs and an in direct carcass weight loss from hydatidosis was 2,190,143.52 ETB.
The results of this study revealed that bovine hydatidosis was an economically important disease of cattle which need serious attention for prevention and control actions in and around Nekemte. Hence, establishment of well-equipped standardized abattoirs, prohibition of backyard slaughter, creation of public awareness, deworming and control of stray dogs are of paramount importance.
Abattoir; Cattle; Economic loss; Hydatidosis; Nekemte; Prevalence.
Histopathological Analysis of the Pro-Arrhythmogenic Changes in a Suspected Chagas Disease Sudden Death
Héctor O. Rodríguez*
Sudden death is the principal cause of fatality in Chagas disease, afflicting to non-symptomatic patients younger than 50-years. For this, sudden death associated with chagasic malignant arrhythmias is underdiagnosed and their pathophysiological basis is poorly understood.
In this sense, this work aimed to analyze the histopathological alterations in cardiac structures specialized in the generation/conduction of action potential in an anatomopathological case of non-diagnosed sudden death living in a Chagasic endemic area.
The donor was a woman, 62-year-old, which ingressed without vital signs to the emergency room of “Antonio María Pineda” hospital, without any apparent antecedents of cardiac disease. The gross examination was normal, with no external evidence of structural/ischemic disease.
Microscopic examination revealed nodal like cell depopulation, microvascular disturbances, chronic myocarditis with mononuclear and mast cell infiltrate plus extracellular matrix reaction, and profuse damage of neural structures placed in nodal region. amastigote nest of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) was detected.
These findings suggest a complex association among parasite persistence, sinus disease, micro-ischemia foci, and neural inflammation in the genesis of malignant arrhythmias of Chagas disease despite the absence of structural disease or massive necrosis. It is important to perform a protocol of examination for no explained sudden death cases in chagasic endemic countries, to avoid misdiagnosed of sudden death associated with Chagas disease.
Seventy Cases of Partial Gastric Pull-Up According to the Schärli Technique for Esophageal Replacement in Pediatrics
Martín Rubio, Mariano Boglione*, Carlos Fraire, Silvia Takeda, Cristian Weyersberg, Fermín Prieto and Marcelo Barrenechea
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/PNNOJ-7-131
Esophageal replacement (ER) is indicated in patients with long gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) or failure of the primary anastomosis. Also, severe caustic or peptic strictures, resistant to conservative treatment with medication and dilations, may require an ER. Numerous techniques with different organs and routes have been described, all with satisfactory results.
Our objective is to describe the experience obtained with partial gastric pull-up according to the Schärli principles (SGPA).
Medical records of patients who required a SGPA between October 1995 to June 2018 were reviewed. The analysis was observational, longitudinal, retro-prospective and descriptive. Epidemiological data, surgical aspects and postoperative complications of the patients were considered.
Seventy ER were performed with SGPA. The indication was esophageal atresia (EA) in 58 cases (44 long gap and 14 failure of the anastomosis), 10 caustic strictures, one peptic stricture resistant to conservative treatment and the other due to a retained foreign body. The age of the ER was on average 2-years and 9-months. The route was: posterior mediastinal (35), retrosternal (29) and transpleural (6); without a thoracic approach in 59 patients. The duration of the procedure was 4.7-hours on average. There were 13 cases of intraoperative complications, 8 cases of pneumothorax, 5 bleeding injuries (3 in the spleen, 1 liver and 1 cervical), and one injury to the cervical trachea. Anastomotic dehiscence was observed in 37 patients (52%), which closed spontaneously after an average of 17.8-days in all except one patient. Thirty-one patients (44%) developed anastomotic stenosis, requiring redo anastomosis in 6 cases; 37% developed dumping and 23% gastroesophageal reflux disease. There were 3 deaths (4.2%): all in EA patients with associated malformations, following a morbid postoperative period with infectious complications in intensive care at 10-days, 7 and 8-months after ER. Follow-up was an average of 8-years. All 67 living patients are currently tolerating oral feeding.
In our experience with ER using SGPA, we observed a high incidence of complications, generating a longer post-operative evolution and with greater morbidity than that described in other techniques. Given these results, we changed our strategy to complete gastric transposition, in order to reduce morbidity and improve the evolution of this complex group of patients.
Esophageal replacement; Partial gastric pull-up; Esophageal atresia; Caustic stricture.
Review of the article on “The Rate of Underascertainment of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Infection: Estimation Using Japanese Passergers Data On Evacuation Flights”
Eric Lin*
The Association of Dietary Fatty Acids and Gut Microbiota Alterations in the Development of Neuropsychiatric Diseases: A Systematic Review
Kulvinder Kochar Kaur*, Gautam Allahbadia, and Mandeep Singh
Having reviewed earlier the role of probiotics in obesity and other associated metabolic disorders like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), engineering probiotics for cholera and other neuronal diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson disease with incidence of obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) so much on the rise, Here the aim of this systematic review is to highlight the influence of dietary patterns, like fatty acids, other lipids on role of maternal stress and the neuropsychiatric disease (NPD) formation along with influence of probiotics in reverting them.
A systematic review was carried out using the PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, Cochrane reviews, and Google Scholar, Search engine with the MeSH Terms; “Impaired lipid metabolism”; “Oxidative stress”; “inflammation”; “Gut Microbiota (GM)”; “NPD”; “Schizophrenia (SCZ)”; “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)”; “Bipolar disorders (BD)”; “Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA)”; “5-hydroxy tryptamine (5HT)”; “Brain derived neutrotrophicfactor (BDNF)”; “Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)”; “Saturated (SFA)”; “Depression”; “Resolvins”; “Protectins”; “Short chain fatty acids (SCFA)”; “Probiotics”; “Fecal Transplantation” from 1990 till June 2020.
We found a total of 900 articles under various subheadings of GM and NPD and probiotics with NPD and SCZ, ASD. One hundred ninety-two (192) articles got selected for this comprehensive review. No meta-analysis was conducted.
We observed a marked correlation among dietary habits, like utilization of Western diet (WD) with marked escalation of intake of high fat, high sugar rich diet escalated n6 PUFAS over n3 PUFAS and influence on GM that is not helpful in digestion of the nondigestible fibers in form of starch along with generation of butyrate aiding in certain beneficial effects and on formation of various neurochemicals like escalation of BDNF while increased GABA, reduced 5HT formation alteration of tryptophan metabolism is seen in these WD food and we have tried to detail the role of SCFA formation, generation of resolvins and how they work in the formation of various NPD besides maternal diet during pregnancy and how it determines infants microglial priming and later determinants of early stress.
Dietary fat; Western diet; Microbiota to brain communication (MBC); Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA); Gut microbiota (GM); Schizophrenia (SCF); Autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Avianomics: The Beginning at the End
Mary Komp, Rebecca Bowie, Jean-Rémi Teyssier, Brooke C. Bodle, Alison Ferver, Richard A. Mudarra, Bin Zuo, Travis Tabler, Derrell T. Lee, Craig W. Maynard, Garrett Mullenix and Sami Dridi
The research-teaching nexus is the pinnacle of academic activity. As a scientist and educator, my overall objective is to give students access to cutting-edge research and help them develop high order inquiry skills. In addition, as research and thesis writing frequently involves the development of new complex reading skills associated with comprehension and synthesis of a tremendous volume of information, along with in-depth critical analysis, evaluation, and elegant academic writing style, I decided to assign this editorial to my 2020-Biochemical Nutrition graduate students. As my students have diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and have been exposed to a variety of tech-based learning, we decided to summarize here recent advances in omics research in avian species to facilitate the discussion by asking new questions, which may help open new vistas for future investigations. By following the “scaffolded” approach, my students highlighted progress in Transcriptomics (Komp M and Bowie R), Proteomics (Tabler T and Lee T), Kinomics (Hernandez RM and Zuo B), Epigenomics (Ferver A), Metabolomics (Maynard C and Mullenix G), and Microbiomics (Teyssier JR and Bodle B). I would like to thank my students for their motivation, dedication,
determination, perseverance, connection, consistency, and support. I would also like to thank AFTNS-OJ for inviting me to write this editorial and I hope by getting my students involved would promote their curiosity, help them understand complex questions, explore more sources, stimulate their independent thinking, and create research- and question-mindsets.
Radio Histological Treatment of Endometrial Hyperplasia: A Case Report
Priscila F. Berganza*, Maria D. Molina, María A. P. Dahinten and Mariela S. Ramos
Endometrial hyperplasia is defined as the pathological condition caused by hyper plastic changes at the level of the glandular and stromal structures of the endometrium that are part of the lining of the endometrial cavity. Atypical endometrial hyperplasia can cause an essential problem because it is considered a precursor of endometrial cancer. The early diagnosis of precancerous endometrial
lesions and the exclusion of pre-existing endometrial carcinomas are necessary for patients’ optimal management. The following is a case of a 50-year-old Guatemalan patient with a three-day history of vaginal bleeding. The transvaginal ultrasound reports endometrial thickening suggestive of endometrial hyperplasia. The diagnosis was confirmed with histology. The treatment offered was surgery without indicating any medication.
Endometrium; Endometrial hyperplasia; Biopsy; Histological; Echography; World Health Organization (WHO).
Nebulized Tranexamic Acid for Hemoptysis
Veerle Leenaerts*
The synthetic antifibrinolytic drug, tranexamic acid, is widely used intravenously, orally and topically to treat various bleeding complications. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence of its use as inhalation drug for hemoptysis. In this review, the available literature about aerosolized tranexamic acid is listed.
The Effects of Societal and Structural Barriers on Participation among Individuals with Physical Disabilities
Nathan Perkins*
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that the more than 53 million people living with a physical disability in the United States to participate in regular physical activities consisting of both aerobic and anaerobic components, if possible. Also, if individuals with physical disabilities are unable to meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, they are encouraged to do as much as their physical disability permits. Despite the recommended guidelines, several individuals with physical disabilities do not participate in regular physical activities. Prior research suggests that several societal and structural barriers in sport and exercise environments often negatively affect individuals with physical disabilities. Thus, it is essential for family members, healthcare practitioners, rehabilitation/recreational teams, and community leaders to encourage individuals with physical disabilities to conquer barriers that restrict participation.
Anti-Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-Beta Therapy Does Not Trigger Retinal Endothelial Cell Toxicity
Zachary K. Goldsmith, Andrew S. Irvine, Matthew W. Wilson and Vanessa M. Morales-Tirado*
Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a highly angiogenic tumor, for which anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies have shown limited success in clinical setting. Recent investigations demonstrated upregulation of ancillary axis including the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) when VEGF is inhibited. This illustrates the need for novel therapeutics. Previous work from our lab showed inhibition of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFR-β) by imatinibmesylate (IM), inhibited Rb cells proliferation in vitro. Novel therapies ideally are tumor-specific, leaving normal non-cancerous cells a stroma to perform their homeostatic functions. Rb treatments induce apoptosis of the retinal endothelial cells, causing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines to the microenvironment.
We investigated the role of the PDGFR-β in the tumor microenvironment and how inhibition of this signaling pathway, as a potential targeted therapy, impacts angiogenesis in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRECs), specialized neurons arborizing the retinal microvasculature.
Our results demonstrated that inhibition of the PDGFR-β signaling pathway by IM affects the proliferation of the Rb cells, but not hRECs. PDGFR-β signaling is not required for hRECs angiogenic activity, although it reduces the percentage of VEGF-Aproducing cells.
These results illustrate a lack of functional activity PDGFR-β signaling in hRECs and points to a more tumor-specific therapeutic option. This is of critical importance as success of treatment also depends on the ability of the normal tissues to remain healthy after sensitization and/or killing of the Rb tumor.
Retinoblastoma; Retinal endothelial cells; Ocular oncology; Imatinib mesylate.
Macroscopic White Blood Cell Casts: An Extremely Rare Presentation of Klebsiella Pyelonephritis
Larry B. Mellick* and Kimberly Rathbun
In this case report, we present a patient with severe pyelonephritis who presented complaining of passing worm-like tissue from his penis. This patient was passing macroscopic ureteral white blood cell casts resulting from a severe pyelonephritis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Acute pyelonephritis; White blood cell casts; Urinary tract infections; Urinary tract infection (UTI); Ureteral casts.
Natural Honey as a Safe and Efficacious Alternative to Skin Grafting Post-Surgical Excision for Necrotizing Fasciitis at Primary Care Level: A Preliminary Study
Badryia Al Lenjawi, Rasheed Prieiyl, Diovanni Mendoza, Lowlwa Al Meslamani and Hashim Mohamed*
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/DRMTOJ-5-143
Necrotizing fasciitis is a soft tissue bacterial infection that spreads rapidly resulting in the destruction of muscles, skin, and underlying tissue. Necrotizing fasciitis is defined as a fast and progressive inflammatory infection of the fascia leading to secondary necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue moving along the facial plane. Fournier gangrene is a type of necrotizing fasciitis involving the scrotum and perineal area. Patients suffering from acute necrotizing fasciitis require an effective regimen which includes surgical removal of devitalized tissues, systemic antimicrobials and mitigating underlying systemic disease processes. The burden of treating wounds following surgical debridement, on the other hand, can be challenging especially in the third world where resources are scarce resulting in suboptimal wound coverage and function. At primary care level we had the opportunity of using natural honey in 5 patients with non-healing wounds in either the lower limb or scrotum due to acute necrotizing fasciitis. This natural noninvasive approach offers a cost-effective and efficacious alternative to dermatotraction, skin grafting and negative pressure wound therapy. In these patients, the use of natural honey led to the restoration of the appearance and function of the fasciotomy wound especially in patients with co-morbidities or those refusing skin grafting due to cost, religious factors, etc. The authors present the clinical results followed by a discussion on the therapeutic properties of natural honey. This case series demonstrates the efficacy of topical raw honey as a catalyst for speeding the healing process by secondary intention thereby offering a safe and efficacious
alternative for managing various wounds resulting from acute necrotizing fasciitis.
Natural honey; Necrotizing fasciitis; Primary care; Wounds.
The Right to Abortion in North Macedonia
Daniela Antonovska*
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17140/WHOJ-6-139
Equitable access to safe abortion is part of the corpus of human rights. Providing women with access to safe abortion means protection and realization of one of their fundamental human rights. However, around the world, even nowadays, women face not only legal obstacles, but as well stigmatization and conviction against fulfillment of the right to abortion. In North Macedonia there a multiple type of barriers and large inequalities related to the accessibility and availability of reproductive healthcare
services. Women with low socio-economic status are mostly affected. The need for contraception has not been met and reproductive healthcare services are unevenly distributed across the country.
Laws; Abortion; Safe; Women’s sexual and reproductive rights; Healthcare services.
Coronavirus Disease-2019, Diabetes and Dialysis in Southern Italy: The Second Wave Follow-up
Felice Strollo, Ersilia Satta, Carmine Romano, Carmelo Alfarone, Teresa Della Corte*, Giuseppina Guarino, Maria Pasquarella and Sandro Gentile
After the official coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)) pandemic declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO), Italy had the second-largest number of confirmed cases, after China. The Italian government introduced progressive infection-mitigation measurements, thus dramatically reducing social interactions and preventing virus spread. During the summer, infection containment measures progressively loosened until, due to an unjustified interpretation of some permissions and the excessive utilization of public transportation at school reopening, the contagion rate progressively increased until causing a severe challenge for our National Health Service (NHS) again.
To assess the efficiency of our previously described protocol in 18 Campania region-located Nefrocenter Consortium dialysis centers (DCs) as further adapted to new knowledge under the new ubiquitous contagion conditions and to identify SARS-CoV-2-infection mortality rate and risk factors.
381 HCP members underwent regular monitoring on April 1 and November 13, 2020. Dialysis patients did so too during that period according to the expected shifting prevalence over time (mean±SD:853±30 per month; range 825 to 873) vs (11.8% in April, and 14.8% in November vs. a pre-coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) 12.0% rate in January).
More patients got infected in November (10.19%) than in April (0,24%), and 22 patients of the 89 from the SARS-CoV-2 November positive subjects required hospitalization for moderate-severe symptoms (24.72%), with death unavoidably coming in 19 (86.36% of hospitalized and 21.35% of infected patients) compared to the only one recorded in April (0.12%). The pandemic’s two periods
showed a strong association between mortality rate and often co-existing comorbidities, primarily represented by arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The previously efficient contagion containment measures adopted by our DCs were not enough in November to fight the global infection risk pending on the whole Italian social community around. The author, discuss possible reasons and put forward further suggestions for the best handling of any future infection waves.
COVID-19; Dialysis; Diabetes; Prevention; Contagion; COVID second round.
Challenges Related to Antimalarial Abuse in Coronavirus Disease-2019 Treatment in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Anselme Manyong* and Ange Landela
Malaria is endemic to many African countries and geographies and remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality on the continent. Ongoing efforts by health authorities to reverse the scale of malaria are often faced to the challenges of drug resistance often generated by therapeutic abuses relating to self-medication, sub-therapeutic under dosages and poor storage and handling of drugs throughout the pharmacy supply chain system.
Malaria; Covid-19; Morbidity and mortality; Abuse antimalarial; Drug resistance.
The Promise of Small Data for Telemedicine in Chronic Condition Management: A Real-World Case Series
Steven M. Schwartz*, Brigid Byrd, Helen Dempster and Tim Payne
Connected care is defined as the “real-time, electronic communication between a patient and a provider, including telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and secure email communication between clinicians and their patients” (Alliance of Connected Care). Connected care can create a high-value interaction strategy with patients when it makes thoughtful use of commercially available digital health technologies with demonstrated both clinical and economic effectiveness. Karantis360™, is a home sensor technology that enables real-time tracking, data analytics and predictive care for personal (at home) care powered by IBM Watson Health. IndividuALLyticsTM is a telemedicine platform driven by a patent-pending an N-of-1 analytical engine and related digital dashboards that provides individual, patient level evaluation of treatment response. The underlying technology combines disparate digital health technology data with the best evidence-base guidelines with N-of-1 methodology. The output allows for creation of personalized treatments empirically tested at the patient level over time (aka over the course of care). When aggregated both within and across persons,
the time-ordered data can build predictive pathways of behavior and ensure the relevant care and medical treatments are in place to support effective medical and self-management of chronic illness. This case-series report describes the implementation of a joint home sensor technology (big data) and an N-of-1 analytic engine (small data) with three elderly consented volunteer customers-patients of Karantis360™. Each person underwent successive, 2-week behavioral change treatment phases to determine usability, utility regarding medical and self-management and any proximal effects on health risks.
Telemedicine; Small data; n-of-1; Internet of things; Chronic conditions; Self-management; Predictive analytics.
Prolonged Cardiac Arrest in Severe Bupropion Intoxication: Everything You Should Know About Anti-Arrhytmics, Transesophageal Echocardiography Guided Resuscitation and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Caitlin Celis, Melvin Willems, Ben Pellens and Stefanie Vandervelden*
A 30-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department one and half hours after severe bupropion extended-release intoxication, estimated to be between 18 and 36 g. She initially presented with seizures and later developed signs of cardiotoxicity with persisting sustained ventricular tachycardia. Despite multiple defibrillation attempts and the administration of sodium bicarbonate,
calcium gluconate and magnesium, restoration of sinus rhythm was found unsuccessful. In another attempt to treat this refractory ventricular tachycardia lidocaine was given followed by deterioration to asystole. During cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the quality of chest compression was assessed and optimised using transoesophageal echocardiography. Eventually venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) was needed to achieve hemodynamic stability. In this case report we discuss the successful use of VA-ECMO after bupropion intoxication, which has only been reported in 3 other cases but should be considered as one of the treatment options in severe overdose cases. Also, the rare complication of asystole after lidocaine administration and the value of transoesophageal echocardiography during CPR will be discussed.
Bupropion; Intoxication; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; TEE guided resuscitation; Antiarrhythmic therapy.
The Effect of L-Carnitine, Green Tea Extract and Lotus Leaf Extract on the Body Fat Percentage in High Energy Diet-Induced Obese Rats
Chu Wan-Li* and Lin Wen-Chuan
Obesity has become a public health issue of global concern. Obesity is often associated with the occurrence of many diseases, and will also increase mortality; it not only affects personal health, but also increases healthcare costs, thus reducing social productivity and causing negative social and economic impacts. Therefore, ameliorating obesity is an issue worth attention and effort. The development of a natural and safe anti-obesity combination is worthy of further research. It is known that L-carnitine, green tea and lotus leaves have anti-obesity potential, but there is no research and discussion on this novel combination to improve body fat.
This study explored how the dietary supplement formula containing L-carnitine, green tea extract and lotus leaf extract (CGL) lowered the body fat accumulation in rats induced by high-energy diet.
The test used 60-week-old male Sprague Dawley® white rats, which were first divided into the control group (12 rats were given normal feed) and the experimental group (48 rats were given high energy diet; HE). The HE group was further divided into H2O and CGL groups (296, 593 and 1186 mg/kg, to be designated as CGL-L, CGL-M, CGL-H respectively). The rats were first fed with feed for five-weeks, and then fed with different doses of CGL by gavage starting from the sixth-week. After nine-weeks of feeding, the rats were sacrificed to obtain their body weight, feed intake, body fat, serum biochemical indices and liver lipid measurements.
The results show that the final body weight of HE+CGL-L (578.8±41.6 g) was significantly lower than that of HE+H2O (634.9±42.2 g), and the body fat amount of HE+CGL-L (36.6±9.8 g) was significantly lower than that of HE+H2O (49.4±13.8 g). Feed efficiency and calorie efficiency of HE+CGL-L were also significantly lower than that of HE+H2O (p<0.001). HE+CGL-M and HE+CGL-H were also able to significantly reduce the final body weight, body fat amount and serum-free fatty acid concentration (p<0.05).
CGL can significantly reduce the final body weight, body fat amount, body fat ratio, feed efficiency and calorie efficiency. CGL has the potential as a new dietary supplement for weight loss. However, the significance of these results on humans taking the supplement for prolonged periods of time is unknown and should be a focus for future investigations.
Obesity; L-Carnitine; Green tea extract; Lotus leaf extract; Weight loss.
Nothing is Simple
Mark Wesson*
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17140/EPOJ-6-e002
NOTE: The DOIs of the In-Press Articles will only function after the final publication of the articles and once they are uploaded to the Current Issues.
Hepatitis C Update
Omar Massoud*
Comparisons between Portosystemic Shunting Modalities in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension
Firuz Gafurovich Nazyrov, Castro-Benitez C, Andrey Vasilyevich Devyatov, Azam Khasanovich Babadjanov*, Umid Ravshanovich Salimov and Laziz Lappasovich Mardonov
Iron and Copper Toxicity in Rat Liver: A Kinetic and Holistic Overview
Rosario Musacco-Sebio, Christian Saporito-Magriñá, Juan M. Acosta, Alberto Boveris and Marisa G. Repetto*
Pediatric Acute Liver Failure: Current Perspectives
José Colleti Jr., Rafael Teixeira Azevedo and Werther Brunow de Carvalho
Training of Future Surgeons in Minimally Invasive Surgery Needs Intensification: A Multicentre Study
Srinath Ranjit, Farhan Rashid, Sami Mansour, Khaleel Fareed, Neda Farhangmehr, Bruno Lorenzi and Alexandros Charalabopoulos*
New Ideas on Limitations to VO2max: Five Major Determinants for VO2max
Masahiro Kohzuki*
A Case Report on Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease Seen at a Tertiary Hospital in the Philippines
Tathiana T. Marcelo*, Eleonore B. Iguban*
Dementia and Oral Health: Is There A Connection?
Suellan Go Yao and James Burke Fine*
Cranial and Spinal Subdural Hygroma Following Lumbar Epidural for Labour Analgesia
Elizabeth Thompson*, Nicholas Haden and David Hutchins
Intracranial hygroma is a rare and probably missed complication of epidural analgesia secondary to accidental dural breech. The patient presented had a presumed spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak with symptoms of intracranial hypotension. Unusually the patient had both an intracranial subdural hygroma and rarely reported extensive spinal intradural (extra-arachnoid) collection following a lumbar epidural, administered in labour. Given the potential for progression to symptomatic neurological deficits, anesthetists should consider subdural hygroma when encountering patients with features of intracranial hypotension, or altered neurology following epidural. Pathophysiology, imaging and management are discussed.
Subdural hygroma; Epidural; Dural puncture.
Pediatric and Neonatal Malnutrition: A Collaborative, Family-Centered Approach Improves Outcomes
Dena L. Goldberg* and Holly A. Van Poots
Determinants of Canine Rabies in Morocco: How to Make Pertinent Deductions for Control?
Mounir Khayli*, Youssef Lhor, Sami Derkaoui, Yassir Lezaar, Mehdi El Harrak, Latifa Sikly and Mohammed Bouslikhane
Prevalence of Anaemia among Pregnant Women Attending 82 Division Nigerian Army Hospitals, Enugu
Chukwunonso Collins Ejiofor*, Rosemary Ujunwa Ozokono and Joshua Izuchukwu Ugwu
Review on Artificial Intelligence and Applications in Healthcare
Ravish Huchegowda*, Srinivas Huchegowda, Jyothi R. Jain, Manoj Parthasarathy, Tharika Shraddha, Nagalakshmi C. Sathyanarayanshetty, Bharat V. Poojary, Farhan Zameer, Chetan H Gowda, Naveen H. Gowda and Huskur N. Venkatesh
Compliance with Tobacco Control Policies and Global Youth Tobacco Survey: A Cross-Sectional Comparison between GYTS 2000 and 2015 in Maharashtra, India
Mangesh S. Pednekar*, Prachi P. Kerkar, Sameer S. Narake, Dhirendra N. Sinha and Surendra S. Shastri
“The Moustache Sign”: A Common Morphological Characteristic in Cardiovascular Disease Treatment
Vineet Bhatia*, Parneesh Arora, Anunay Gupta, Suman Bhandari and Upendra Kaul
Reirradiation of Recurrent Tumors in Central Nervous System in Children and Adolescents
Jose Alert*, Ivon Chon and Ramon Ropero
Burden, Access, and Disparities in Kidney Disease
Deidra C. Crews*, Aminu K. Bello, Gamal Saadi and for the World Kidney Day Steering Committee**
retrospective study
The Causes of Marginal Discrepancy of Fixed Dental Prostheses: A Cross-Sectional Study
Asma Ismail, Yosra Gassara, Dalenda Hadyaoui and Mounir Cherif*
Vision in the Hearing-Impaired: Enhanced or Deprived?
Jaikishan Jayakumar*
Challenges Facing Pediatric Dentistry Diplomates and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry: Setting the Bar for Minimal Competency vs. Excellence
John E. Nathan*
A Decision Support System is Needed for Rapid Triage of Chest Pain Patients Using High Sensitivity Troponin Testing-Based Algorithms
Chien-Chang Lee*, Cheng-Heng Liu, Sih-Shiang Huang and Cho-Han Chiang
Engaging African Americans in Breast Cancer Prevention Strategies: A Partnership Between a Community Cancer Center and the African American Community in Delaware
Jennifer Sims-Mourtada*, Zohra Ali-Khan Catts, Patricia Swanson and Nora Katurakes
Deep-Ultraviolet Raman Spectroscopy for Cancer Diagnostics: A Feasibility Study with Cell Lines and Tissues
Nicole M. Ralbovsky, Vladimir Egorov, Eugene Moskovets, Paromita Dey, Bijan K. Dey and Igor K. Lednev*
Endoscopic Treatment of Refractory Variceal Bleed
Shreyas Saligram*, Marina Roytman, Helen Wong and ThimmaiahTheethira
Anesthetic Considerations in Bilateral Congenital Anophthalmia: A Rare Clinical Entity
Lalit Gupta* and Manisha Manohar
Congenital anomalies planned for ocular surgeries range from the rare to atypical to common. Many of this rare ophthalmopathy are associated with clinical syndromes and have important anesthetic implications. Not only is it important to know the syndrome we are dealing with, but it’s also the more important to understand the systems that are involved, the extent of involvement, potential anesthetic complications, right from the cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, neuromuscular, genitourinary systems to airway. Understanding these aspects becomes more important in rare clinical scenarios as it helps to plan the case, anticipate and treat the complications. Congenital anophthalmia is one of the rare conditions with an incidence of <3/1000 with microphthalmia reported in up to 11% of blind children, hence we report a rare case of bilateral congenital anophthalmia planned for excision of right ocular swelling.
Ophthalmopathies; Congenital anophthalmia; Microophthalmia; Ocular surgery.
Hardware Causing Hard Times: Use of the SuperNO2VA™ Nasal PAP Device to Address Airway Challenges Caused by Eroding Mandibular Hardware
Michael Marotta* and Geoffrey S. Kilgore, Jr
Maintenance of the airway and adequate ventilation are essential for the anesthetized patient and may be compromised in patients with pan-facial trauma, abnormal dentition, abnormal mandibular space, or presence of dental hardware. We present an unusual case of a patient with a lack of natural mandibular structure and exposed mechanical hardware with fistula complicating intubation and ventilation prior to surgery.
A 35-year-old male with a history of a self-inflicted gunshot to the left submandibular region approximately 6 years prior was scheduled for urgent mandibular hardware removal, closure of left facial fistula, and removal of several teeth. Pre-oxygenation and ventilation were complicated by extruding hardware and eroded skin, causing interference with a conventional facemask seal. The patient was pre-oxygenated using the SuperNO2VA™ nasal mask with which an adequate seal was achieved without use of a nasal trumpet and with a modified grip. Tracheal intubation via oral video laryngoscopy was successful, and the case proceeded uneventfully.
Adequate ventilation and airway maintenance can be difficult to achieve in patients with abnormal facial structure or mandibular mechanical hardware using conventional methods. The SuperNO2VA™ nasal mask can address airway issues for these patients peri-operatively.
Anesthesiology; Airway management; Difficult airway; Airway devices; Difficult intubation; Ventilation; Oxygenation; Facial trauma; Mask ventilation.
Pneumocephalus Caused by an Epidural Ozone Injection for Treatment of Disc Prolapse
Surath Manimala Rao*, Laxmi Kotgire and B.V. Savitr Sastri
Pneumocephalus is a complication seen either after head trauma or post-neurosurgical procedure. It can be life-threatening if it turns into tension pneumocephalus. The presence of intracranial air indicates the presence of an open communication of cerebrospinal fluid. Air enters dura matter even without connection. Thin air flows upstream along the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathway. Herein, we report a case of pneumocephalus in a 62-year-old female after epidural injection of Bupivacaine and Ozone for the treatment of a prolapsed disc. She was shifted to our hospital post-epidural injection for the management of severe headache. Though it is a rare complication, keeping this in mind will help to quickly diagnose, if need arises.
Pneumocephalus; Head trauma; CT; Thunderclap headache.
Changes on Electrocardiographic Patterns and Associated Factors among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients
Wondu Reta Demissie*, Samuel Tadessa, Elsah Tegene and Tewodros G. Mariam
Antihyperglycemic Mechanisms of Allium sativum, Citrus sinensis and Persea americana Extracts: Effects on Inhibition of Digestive Enzymes, Glucose Adsorption and Absorption on Yeast Cells and Psoas Muscles
Boris Gabin Kingue Azantsa*, Guy Roussel Takuissu, Etienne Junior Tcheumeni, Martin Fonkoua, Edwige Ruth Kemadjou Dibacto, Judith Laure Ngondi and Julius Enyong Oben
Mechanisms by which some plants with antihyperglycemic effects reduce postprandial hyperglycemiaare not fully elucidated. This study was designed to investigate some action mechanisms of extracts from stem bark of Citrus sinensis, seeds of Persea americana and bulbs of Allium sativum including in vitro inhibition of α-amylase and invertase; glucophagic capacity, absorption capacity on yeast cells and psoas tissues.
The Praxitype: An Improved Interpretation of Genotype-Phenotype Variation
There is a need for an understanding of the genomic reality that realizes a connector between the genotype and the phenotype by addressing HOW the genotype actually manifests as the phenotype, as a function of the locus or the allele, mutated, variant or wildtype. That understanding is encompassed by the notion of the PRAXITYPE, which assembles and presents the available answers to the HOW!
Compliance with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) does not Prevent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)- Related Cancers in Women Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Katherine Rogg and William R. Robinson*
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in people with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), due to behavioral choices and overlapping risk factors.
The purpose of this report is to determine the long-term incidence of human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated cancer in women with pre-invasive cervical neoplasia, and compliance with medication and cancer screening recommendations.
HIV-infected women diagnosed with pre-invasive cervical neoplasia and an HPV-associated malignancy between 1995-2008 were identified. Data collected includes: demographics, HIV treatment/response, malignancy treatment/response, other healthcare utilization, use of health navigators, and compliance.
Seventy-one subjects were identified with HIV infection, cervical dysplasia, and at least ten years’ follow-up. 17/71 (24%) were identified with an HPV-related malignancy. The mean age of those diagnosed with HPV-related malignancy was 39-years. Malignancies included: Cervix-9, Vulva-7, Anal-4, Vagina-3, Uretha/Bladder-2, Oropharyngeal-3. Eight also had in-situ neoplasms: Cervix-4, Vulva-3, Oropharyngeal-1. Four subjects had 3 separate malignancies, and two others had 2 malignancies. Compliance with HAART correlated strongly with immunocompetence, response to therapy, use of patient navigators, and survival. Sixty out of saventy one (84.5%) subjects underwent screening mammography, 57/71 (80.3%) underwent colonoscopy, and 67/71 (94.3%) underwent pap smear testing. Compliance with screening compared favorably with the general population, and overall survival was similar.
The long-term incidence and mortality from cancer in women with HIV and cervical dysplasia appears to be comparable to that seen in the general population, with the possible exception of oropharyngeal cancers. Compliance with cancer screening recommendations appears to be higher than in the general population. This suggests that structured primary care programs for HIV-infected women are effective in prevention/early diagnosis of cancer. Standardized screening programs for oropharyngeal cancers should be considered in this population.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); Cancer; Human papilloma virus(HPV); Women; AIDS;
Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART).
The Effectiveness of Inferior Turbinoplasty in Children with Nasal Obstruction
Balegh H. Abdelhak*, Ahmed A. Sadek, Rasha A. Abdel Moneim and Zein A. Saad
To evaluate the effectiveness of medial flap inferior turbinoplasty for the treatment of nasal obstruction in children.
This study was conducted at the ear nose throat (ENT) Department at Minia University Hospital, Minia, Egypt which include 40 children with bilateral nasal obstruction due to bilateral hypertrophied inferior turbinates that did not respond to medical treatment for 3 successive months in the form of (systemic antihistamines, systemic and local decongestant drugs and local corticosteroid spray) who attended the ENT outpatient clinic. All patients were subjected to turbinate reduction through medial flap inferior turbinoplasty.
Forty patients with bilateral hypertrophied inferior turbinates were assessed. Ninety days after surgery, 90% of patients transformed from severe or moderate degrees of nasal obstruction “pre-operatively” to mild degree or completely with no nasal obstruction; 80% of patients had grade I improvement in nasal obstruction and 14 patients had only grade II improvement; only
10% of patients had crustation.
Medial flap inferior turbinoplasty is safe and effective in the treatment of nasal obstruction in children with almost no complications was recorded.
Inferior turbinate hypertrophy; Inferior turbinoplasty; Nasal obstruction; Children.
Coexistence of Tuberculosis and Metastatic Undifferentiated Carcinoma of Nasopharynx in Cervical Lymph Node
Sameh Mezri*, Sameh Sayhi, Marwa Ben Amira, Issam Msakni, Besma Laabidi, Rania Ben M'hamed and Khemaies Akkeri
The coexistence of a head and neck cancer and a lymph node tuberculosis is rarely described. The problem is essentially diagnostic. We report the case of a patient with cervical lymphadenopathy and non suspect swelliing of nasopharynx. Histopathological study of lymph node reveled an association of a tubercular adenitis and a metastasis of a squamous cell carcinoma.
Changes in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, Biochemical and Hematological Profile of Workers in Spray Painting Industry: A Cross-Sectional Study
Christopher E. Ekpenyong* and Nseobong N. Nkereuwem
There is a global increase in occupational exposure to solvents, some of which are suspected to cause acute or chronic toxic nephropathies in humans. However, limited studies have been done to evaluate the systemic effects of exposure to some of the commonly used solvents such as paints.
The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of chronic exposure to paint fumes on renal and hepatic functions of industrial spray painters. Methodology In this cross-sectional study, 49 occupationally exposed male industrial spray painters who had served for greater than 5 years were evaluated for changes in renal, hepatic and hematological indices using standard instruments and results were compared with levels in the unexposed (sex and age-matched) participants.
Significant changes in markers of renal, hepatic and hematological functions were observed in the exposed compared with unexposed participants including significant decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum levels of potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-), and significant increases in serum levels of creatinine (Cr), sodium (Na+), urea (Ur) and uric acid (UA) in the exposed compared to levels in the unexposed group. Abnormal serum levels of hepatic enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) and hematological indices (PCV, total-RBC, nuetrophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes) were also observed in the exposed compared to levels in the unexposed participants.
Prolonged exposure to paint fumes may be associated with a significant risk for hepato-renal dysfunction and hematotoxicity. Preventive measures should include limiting exposure and using antioxidant medications.
Spray painting; Toxicity; Workers; Kidney; Liver; Blood cells.
Abbreviations ALT: Alanine transaminase; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; AST: Aspartate transaminase; eGFR: Estimated glomerular fitration rate; C-G: Cockroft-Gault; MDRD: Modification of diet in renal disease; Na+/K+/ATPase: Sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase; PH: Hydrogen Concentration; PCV: Packed cell volume; RBC: Red blood cells; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; UA: Uric acid; Ur: Urea.
Loss of Pancreatic β-cell Secretory Function During Disease Progression in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus – A Small Cross-Sectional Study
George B. Kudolo*
Introduction: Overt type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic progressive disease which is produced by the collusion of three metabolic defects-increased hepatic glucose production, impaired pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion and decreased insulin action. The measurement of plasma glucose 2 hours post-ingestion of 75 g of glucose during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) may be used to classify individuals as normal glucose tolerant (NGT), impaired glucose tolerant, T2DM and T2DM with pancreatic β-cell failure.
Objectives: This study was undertaken primarily to show the importance of assessing the pancreatic β-cell function especially during the care of the diabetic patient.
Methods: A standard 75 g glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was administered to four groups of 8 subjects (4 male, 4 female). Blood was drawn every 15 minutes for 2 hours for the measurement of glucose, insulin and C-peptide and the measurement of the area under the curve (AUC(0→2)) over the 2-hour period.
Results: American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria were used to classify the subjects. The normal glucose tolerant (NGT), had 2 h glucose 111±11 mg/dL, those with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) had 2 h glucose 160±13 mg/dL. The 2 h glucose for the T2DM group was 258±27 mg/dL and those for the T2DM-PE group was 260±42 mg/dL. The AUC(0→2) for NGT group were 254±40 mg/dL/h, 112±61 μU/mL/h and 10.2±4.6 ng/ml/h for glucose, insulin and C-peptide, respectively. The AUC(0→2) for the IGT group were 394±32 mg/dL/h, 160±48 μU/mL/h and 19.8±7.7 ng/ml/h for glucose, insulin and C-peptide, respectively. The AUC(0→2) for the T2DM group were 474±62 mg/dL/h, 194±40 μU/mL/h and 13.4±4.7 ng/mL/h for glucose and insulin, and C-peptide, respectively. The AUC(0→2) for the T2DM-PE group were 481±80 mg/dL/h, 51±29 μU/mL/h and 7.2±2.8 ng/mL/h for glucose, insulin and C-peptide, respectively. There was no significant difference between the diabetic groups with respect to the glucose AUC(0→2) but a significant difference existed in the insulin AUC(0→2), (p<0.0001) mirrored by the fasting plasma insulin levels (30±8 μU/mL vs 14+8 μU/mL, for T2DM and T2DM-PE, respectively, p<0.0005). Although there was about a 300% increase in fasting insulin between the IGT and T2DM groups, the corresponding fasting C-peptide levels were only about 15%. This is probably due to differences in hepatic and renal functions in those two groups, the processes that control insulin and C-peptide levels in the body.
Conclusion: Although measurement of blood glucose appears adequate in the diagnosis of the diabetes, it seems that plasma insulin/C-peptide measurements could guide physicians in their choice of medications for the treatment of diabetic patients, especially when the pancreas begins to fail. To that end, larger studies are warranted to study the effects of hypoglycemic agents on hepatic insulin extraction and renal C-peptide excretion to ascertain the reliability of the plasma insulin and C-peptide levels.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Pancreatic β-cells; Oral glucose tolerance test; Pancreatic exhaustion.
Exploring the Everyday Lived Experience of African American People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) in the Rural South
Jill E. Rowe*
Despite previous findings attesting to the syndemic nature of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), chronic disease and mental illness coordination of these issues remains a significant barrier to initiating and maintaining the delivery of mental and physical health care to persons living with HIV (PLWH). These inequities are even greater when applied to rural settings, particularly in areas that are medically underserved. To date, there is scarce research regarding the lived experiences of African American PLWH
in rural settings. Constructivist grounded theory was used to analyze this qualitative data set. These discourses provide a rich narrative regarding effective systems of care, the context in which these processes take place and related constraints or limitations of the current systems.
In-depth interviews with 24 African American PLWH both inside (N=20) and outside (N=4) of care in rural Northwestern Virginia were conducted. Rural African American PLWH were queried about their perceptions of the provision of HIV health care services, barriers to linkages to care, retention of PLWH in care, and recommendations for improving HIV health care services for rural PLWH.
Participants offered insights on the linkages to health and mental health care consistent with the pattern recommended by the cascade of care (i.e. pre-screening, testing, refer to treatment, treatment and sustain treatment). Participants identified contextual factors, including traumatic events, medication (side effects), other chronic health issues, issues with the current health and mental health system, stigma, and lack of social support. We highlight PLWH’s recommendations for linking rural PLWH into care and sustaining that care.
We discuss the implications of these findings for programmatic development in the rural context.
Rural African Americans living with HIV; Barriers to HIV health care; Rural South; HIV lived experience.
Outcomes of Vocal Fold Immobility After Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery
Anatoli F. Karas, Aniruddha Patki, Marisa A. Ryan, Patrick A. Upchurch, Rose J. Eapen and Eileen M. Raynor*
Cardiovascular surgery is increasingly performed in children for congenital malformations of the heart and great vessels. Observed as vocal fold immobility, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is a well-described complication. As overall outcomes improve and patients live longer, the sequelae of vocal fold immobility amplify insignificance. Families are often unaware of the longterm issues related to vocal fold immobility especially with regard to need for alternative alimentation routes. We report on the incidence of use of feeding tubes, the timing of vocal fold function return and need for additional aerodigestive interventions.
We reviewed 65 patients <2-years who underwent cardiovascular surgery at a tertiary center from 2008-2013 and were diagnosed post-operatively with vocal fold immobility by fiberoptic examination.
Patent ductus arteriosus and hypoplastic left heart syndrome were the most common of the cardiovascular anomalies included. The majority (92%) had unilateral left immobility. Recovery of motion was observed in 29% ranging from 1-month to 3-years. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome had a significant negative correlation with recovery. Forty-six percent required gastrostomy tube placement either to supplement their oral intake or to completely meet their nutritional needs. Forty-eight percent required subsequent aerodigestive surgery including direct laryngoscopy/bronchoscopy (22%), tracheostomy (8%) and vocal fold injection (5%).
Counseling of families and primary care providers regarding the impact of pediatric vocal fold immobility after cardiac surgery should include the high potential requirement for supplemental alimentation as well as the need for feeding and speech therapy. Longitudinal otolaryngology and speech pathology care is imperative with vocal fold immobility since the majority of these patients do not experience functional recovery and may require further interventions over time.
Vocal cord paralysis; Pediatric cardiovascular surgery; Pediatric aerodigestive disorders; Voice; Swallow; Gastrostomy.
Why do HIV PrEP Patients Become Lost-to-Care and How Can We Improve PrEP Retention?
Sahana Jayaraman*, Linden Lalley-Chareczko, Sarah Williams, Devon Clark, Caitlin Conyngham and Helen C. Koenig
To assess reasons for patients being lost-to-care (LTC) at an urban health center (Philadelphia, PA, USA) that provides access to oral tenofovir/emtricitabine(TDF/FTC) as pre- exposure prophylaxis(PrEP) to patients ages 13-30 years through a drop-in model of care.
Ninety-nine patients were identified as LTC based on not visiting a clinician in ≥4 months during the period April 2016-January 2017. Patients were contacted by phone/email to participate in a voluntary telephone survey regarding reasons for falling out of care. Results were analyzed descriptively.
Of the 99 patients preliminarily identified as LTC, 19 completed the survey. Reason(s) for becoming LTC included: 47%(9) relocation, 11%(2) transportation difficulties to/from clinic, 26%(5) financial/insurance problems, 5%(1) perceived medication side effects, 16%(3) trouble remembering to attend appointments regularly, 5%(1) difficulty with daily medication adherence, and 0% social stigma. Furthermore, 21%(4) remain at high-risk of HIV/STI acquisition after becoming LTC. The main study limitations are selection bias and small sample size, where the small sample size did not allow for statistical significance.
While the major cause for becoming LTC was relocation, these findings suggest 37% of LTC incidences may be preventable with additional/up-front support. Because 21% of LTC patients remain at high-risk of HIV/STI acquisition, proactive re-engagement initiatives are potentially useful.
HIV/AIDS; Pre-exposure prophylaxis; Retention and care; Socioeconomic factors; Adolescent Health; Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Persons.
Transcatheter Arterial Embolization in Postpartum Hemorrhage: A Case Report
Alka Chhabra*, Anil Bhiwal, Neha Pandey, Sitaram Barath and Sunanda Gupta
Postpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. The significant impact of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) on maternal mortality can be reduced if timely measures are implemented. Transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) is an alternative therapeutic strategy for PPH.
We report a case of postpartum haemorrhage which was managed by transcatheter arterial embolization in lieu of hysterectomy to preserve fertility and menstruation in a 27-year-old patient.
The critical role of obstetrician, anaesthesiologist and interventional radiologist as a team, improve the quality of care and patient safety.
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH); Peripartum hysterectomy; Transarterial embolisation.
In Need of Care but Providers of Care: Grandparents Giving Fulltime Care to their Grandchildren in Rural Uganda
Neema Stella* and Nankwanga Annet
In most African countries, the elderly face challenges that affect their health and wellbeing and are more pronounced because of the systemic factors of inadequate health care, food insecurity and the general care. Increasing population of the elderly persons in Uganda is raising concern than ever before. The purpose of this paper to ascertain care available to the rural elderly persons and their role as carers for their grandchildren and implications on their wellbeing.
This was a qualitative study conducted among the rural elderly aged 60 years and above in eight purposively selected district that included Lira, Nebbi, Kampala, Luwero, Pallisa, Jinja, Mbarara, and Ntungamo. The study sample consisted of 101 elderly person from whom in-depth interviews were conducted. Data was analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis.
Rural elderly in Uganda face a lot of constraints that include access to healthcare and information, poor economic status, food insecurity and poor nutrition, and poor accommodation and housing conditions. Two broader themes emerged inductively from the analysis that include care available for the rural elderly and providing care to grandchildren. These themes generated several subthemes. Taking care of grandchildren crippled the elderly and reduced the economic benefits. That said some rural elderly were happy and felt fulfilled to care of the grandchildren despite the lack of resources.
The rural elderly in Uganda are living in doleful conditions with limited care and support. They need care but are the providers of care to the grandchildren. They are frails and may not afford to provide adequate care. They care for grandchildren many of whom are orphans and vulnerable yet they themselves need care. It is important the government and the community re-enforce this care not to put strain on elderly. The rural elderly unique challenges necessitates special targeting and mobilization of resources at the household, local, district and national levels.
Grandparents; Care; Orphans; Grandchildren; Skip-generation; Uganda.
Uptake of the BI-RADS Ultrasound Characterization of Breast Masses: Perceptions among Staff at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda
Alex Onono and Aloysius Gonzaga Mubuuke*
The Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) is a classification system aimed at standardizing risk assessment during breast ultrasound to ensure patient safety. BI-RADS is currently used in Uganda so as to standardize breast ultrasound reporting and enhance patient management.
This study aimed at exploring staff perceptions towards the use of the BI-RADS ultrasound characterization of breast masses.
It was an exploratory qualitative study that involved staff who perform breast ultrasound at Mulago Hospital in Uganda. Focus group discussions and individual interviews were conducted.
All staff used the BI-RADS system, however, some of them had a negative attitude towards BI-RADS. The three major themes that emerged were: standardization of breast ultrasound reporting for patient safety; need for more Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and challenges with the BI-RADS system.
The study demonstrated that the staff generally had positive perceptions and attitude of the BI-RADS system and felt that it was an efficient system for ensuring patient safety and further reduce mortality from breast cancer.
Breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS); Breast; Ultrasound; Staff perceptions.
The Use of Single-Cell Transcriptomics’ to Detect Cellular Transition through Notch Signaling and Receptor Expression in Differentiated Kidney Collecting Tubule Cells in Adult Mice: A Review
Matthew A. Cornacchia*, Soroush Nomigolzar, Giovanni Charles, Himax Patel and Kenneth Luberice
Transcriptomics has allowed for a better understanding of disease, and the sequencing of individual genes is becoming a leading approach to discovering novel germ lines. A newly defined cell type, described as transitional cells, was characterized based on their expression of key marker genes that define principle cells (PC) and intercalated cells (IC). Gene expression patterns suggested that a Notch signaling pathway was activated during the transition from IC to PC. An experimental model studying the transition in an inducible transgenic mouse demonstrated that Notch signaling and receptor expression is sufficient to drive cell transition in differentiated adult kidney collecting tubule. The identification of novel cell lines allows for a more accurate diagnosis of kidney disease and precise staging of disease. Molecular profiling and precision therapy will continue to revolutionize the field of medicine and warrants further exploration.
Transcriptomics; Kidney disease; Principle cell; Intercalated cell; Notch signaling; Gene sequencing.
PC: Principle cell; IC: Intercalated cell, DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; RNA: Ribonucleic acid; mRNA: Messenger ribonucleic acid.
A Case of Pleomorphic Adenoma Metastasising to Contralateral Supraclavicular Lymph Node
Esmail Abdulahi Ahmed*, Kamil Akdag, Onur Üstün, Ayça Başkadem Yılmazer, Pınar Özay Nayır, Zeynep Aydodu and Yavuz Uyar
Pleomorphic adenomas are the most common benign parotid tumours in all populations. Management always consists of a curative superficial parotidectomy. However, rare cases described, in which these histological benign tumors metastasize to distant sites. We present an example of a recurrent parotid pleomorphic adenoma with a contralateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis after several surgical interventions.
In this case, we reported reported a case of 29-years male with extensive metastasis in submandibular, submental and also very rarely seen contralateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis. Parotidectomy with preservation of facial nerve and radiotherapy was given to the patient since the lesions were very aggressive.
The patient had several surgical interventions, so it is essential to do meticulous resection in the first surgery to prevent local recurrence and distant metastasis.
Pleomorphic adenoma; Metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma; Salivary gland benign neoplasia.
Anticancer Natural Products: A Review
Ranwa A. Elrayess and Heba N. Gad El-Hak*
Historically, natural products played a forceful role in human treatment ailments. Nowadays, natural products include a large part of current pharmaceutical agents, mostly in the field of cancer therapy. The main aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the most known natural product used as anticancer globally, including various other natural products. Many of these natural product appears to act through an anticancer mechanism. Overall, natural product research is a vigorous tool to discover novel biologically active components with unique mechanisms of action. Given the diversity of nature, it is sensible to indicate that chemical leads can be produced that are able to interact with most therapeutic targets. This review creates a solid foundation for further study these natural products with additional research and study.
Anticancer; Natural product; Plant compounds; Marine flora; Microorganisms; Venom.
Stroke Prevention: Extra-Cranial Carotid Artery Therapy
Christopher J. White* and Jose David Tafur Soto
A patient-centered approach is reasonable in candidates for carotid revascularization. The patient and their physician should discuss the available treatment options, including revascularization (either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA)) with their physician. There remains uncertainty regarding the value proposition for revascularization (either CEA or CAS) in asymptomatic patients as a strategy to prevent stroke. Investigation continues into characterizing high-risk carotid plaque subsets, but until that data is available, physicians and patients should continue to strive to achieve the best outcomes with the information that is currently available. The other consideration in asymptomatic patients is that there is a cumulative benefit to revascularization that is dependent on life expectancy. However, the magnitude of the benefit of revascularization, over the longer term in the setting of multifactorial medical therapy, including statins, is not known.
Carotid endarterectomy; Carotid stent; Angioplasty; Embolic protection devices.
Malignant Restenosis and Progression of Disease in Psoriatic Patients Undergoing Coronary Interventions: Is it the Koebner’s Phenomena to Blame?
Vineet Bhatia*, Parneesh Arora, Vineet Relhan and Upendra Kaul
Severe psoriasis is associated with an enhanced risk of cardiovascular (CV) diseases. The potential impact of psoriasis on the prognosis following coronary revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or surgical) is not well studied and sparse data available in literature points towards a grim long-term prognosis. The following two cases highlight this phenomenon. We also discuss the plausible reasons responsible for the poor prognosis and propose some possible mechanisms for the same.
Ovine Network between Fatteners and Breeders in Middle Atlas of Morocco: Where to Act to Prevent the Spread of Epidemics?
Lezaar Yassir*, Khayli Mounir, Caroline Coste, Renaud Lancelot and Bouslikhane Mohammed
This cartographic and analytical study, using the social network analysis method, aims to characterize sheep mobility from breeders producing lambs in the Middle Atlas Mountains to the fattening centers, passing through livestock markets in order to describe the exchange network, to identify the main mobility hubs and to secure the production of fattening lambs by improving the efficiency of the epidemiological surveillance system for “peste des petits ruminants” (PPR) in lambs producers of the Middle Atlas in Morocco.
Descriptive cross-sectional study within the framework of active epidemiological surveillance. It was carried out at a regional level, for mapping the movements of sheep and to analyze the network of exchange relating to this species by the Social Network Analysis (SNA) method in the middle atlas massif and in the zone of sheep fatteners to guide epidemiological surveillance efforts. A total of 807 breeders producing lambs, sheep fatteners and traders were surveyed, including 54 fatteners in fattening workshops (sampling fraction of 48.6%), 150 breeders and traders in livestock markets of Middle Atlas and 603 producing lamb breeders of this massif (sampling fraction at the massif level of 6.64%).
The study revealed a very strong commercial relationship between middle Atlas breeders and fattening zone breeders whose longrange outflows mainly converge towards urban consumption centers. The major strategic livestock markets of the middle Atlas proved to be key points in the articulation of the flows, as was the commune gathering the fatteners. Centrality indicators were used to identify the main trade hubs that contribute to the spread of diseases and to quantify their importance in the influence of sheep movement, while network cohesion parameters have shown that network is vulnerable to the spread of epidemics.
The results of this survey revealed the main commercial hubs at the Middle Atlas level and at the level of the province of fatteners, which represent a great risk of spreading sheep diseases over long distances rather quickly in event of an epizootic, but also representing the ability to control the spread through the control of the movement of animals at their level.
Ovine network; Epizotic of (Peste des Petits Ruminants); Mapping; Social network analysis; Hub; Betweenness; Degree; Strong component; Cutpoint.
Oligo-Metastatic Carcinoma Cervix: A Few Do Extremely Well
Pallavi Nair and Francis V. James*
The consequence of metastatic carcinoma cervix is regarded to be poor. We present three patients with carcinoma cervix who relapsed in the paraaortic nodes, lungs and vertebra. All of them had oligometastatic disease and were treated with chemotherapy to the lung lesion and radiotherapy to the bone lesion and paraaortic nodes. After more than 5-years they are disease free and on regular follow-up.
Carcinoma; Cervix; Oligometastasis; Paraaortic lymph nodes; Chemoradiation; Chemotherapy.
Prothrombin Complex Concentrates in Post-traumatic Hemorrhage: A Review
Ozgur Karcioglu*, Ebru Yilmaz, Selman Yeniocak and Hakan Topacoglu
Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) has long been used to reverse vitamin K antagonists (VKA)-induced coagulopathy rapidly and safely. However, its use in trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) in patients not using VKA drugs is yet to be elucidated. This article is a narrative review and analysis of the most recent literature to analyse consequences, and intended effects associated with this treatment modality in TIC. Utilization of PCC was addressed in the literature data found by searches of databases. The indications, efficacy and outcomes associated with the use of the product were reviewed in the articles. Some studies point out promising results with respect to PCC use to overcome the VKA-related coagulopathy in victims of trauma. PCC may be a viable option for resuscitation in emergency and critical care in the management of severe hemodynamic deterioration induced by trauma, despite contradictory findings in the literature.
Blood coagulation factor; Trauma; Hemorrhagic shock; Exsanguinating hemorrhage.
Exploring the Association between Demographic Factors and Breast Cancer Diagnosis at a Holistic Breast Imaging Clinic in Cairo, Egypt
Hanan S. Gewefel*, Sophia Michelen, Bodour Salhia, Iman Ewais, Mona Fouad and Sejong Bae
Breast cancer is among the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, including Egypt. Age is a well-known determinant of breast cancer risk; however, more data is needed to better understand the importance of age on incidence of breast cancer in the Middle East. Being overweight or obese are also known risk factors—especially for post-menopausal women–however, these data are not available for women in developing countries.
The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the association between age, breast density, and demographic factors of breast cancer patients, across a spectrum of radiological breast diagnoses at a large Breast Imaging Clinic in Cairo, Egypt.
We explored the association between age, demographic factors, and Breast cancer incidence among 6,711 women undergoing mammographic screening over a consecutive period of 6-years. Data was collected from March 2007 until March 2013 and extracted
from an electronic data base system.
A total of 6,711 participants were included in this study. The median age of all patients was 46.1. Mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.5, where 34% of the patients were overweight and 32.4% were obese. Older women were more likely to be obese compared to younger women (38.4% vs 18.1%, p<0.001). Older females were more likely to have less dense breasts (ACR: A) compared to younger females (18.1% vs 8.7%, p<0.001). Women older than 40 had a higher confirmed number of breast cancer diagnoses compared with the younger age group (10.7% vs 3.5%, p<0.001). Women with breast cancer were more obese (p<0.001), had denser breasts (p<0.001), were post-menopausal (p=0.002), and more likely to be Muslim (p=0.0021). In the multivariate analysis, aforementioned factors were significant predictors for confirmed diagnosis.
To our knowledge this is the largest study to examine the association of radiological breast assessments on breast cancer incidence, obesity and demographic factors in Egypt. Although data shows the global burden of breast cancer is shifting to the developing world and affecting younger women at alarming rates, our data demonstrated a very low occurrence of breast cancer in both age groups.
Breast cancer; Breast radiological diagnoses; Phenotypic variations; Breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS).
Call Me Anything but Thoughtless or Misguided in IBD Management
Nicholas V. Costrini*
Do You Still Use Topical Antibiotics after Intravitreal Injections?
Banu Turgut Öztürk*
Nowadays intravitreal drug injection is the most frequent treatment for retinal diseases. Despite widely use endophthalmitis is already most feared complication of every intravitreal injection in each patient. In clinical setting topical antibiotics have been widely used as a precaution to prevent endophthalmitis however recent published evidence showed it to be unnecessary. Furthermore repeated use of topical antibiotics might give rise to antibiotic resistance in conjunctival flora and thus more aggressive endophthalmitis. Strict asepsis has been awarded as the main rule for endophthalmitis prophylaxis intravitreal injection.
Intravitreal injection; Steroid; Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); Topical antibiotic; Enodphthalmitis; Antibiotic resistance.
Complications Related to Implants Used in Anterior Bleb Forming Glaucoma Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Alejandra Salinas*, Fabián Rodríguez and Javier Bardavío
To make an account of published implant-related complications (IRC) by a systematic review of the literature.
A systematic search of Pubmed and Scopus databases and Google Scholar engine was performed with selection criteria to detect papers on IRC. We excluded unrelated papers and reviewed selected ones. We considered papers that did not explicitly state about occurrence or not occurrence of IRC as non-IRC reporting. Main outcome measures were the number of papers reporting on complications, IRC, and types of IRC.
After the search, selection, and addition, we studied 109 papers. Incidence of IRC was 4.5%, half required explantation. While 26 implant studies found IRCs (23%), 13 case reports on surgical complications, 8 (61.5%) of them reported IRC. Frequent complications were conjunctival erosion, blockage of the tube, migration to anterior chamber or damage to surrounding tissues.
Most papers did not report on IRC. Length or nature of studies may skew finding IRC. The incidence of IRC was 4.5%. Hard and sharp implants carry a greater risk of IRC and explantation.
Implant-related complications (IRC); Glaucoma surgery; Anterior bleb forming.
A Study to Explore the Impact of Endometriosis in the United Kingdom: A Qualitative Content Analysis
Babu Karavadra*, Paul Simpson, Edward Prosser-Snelling, Edward Mullins, Andrea Stöckl and Edward Morris
To gain insight into the areas that impact women with endometriosis.
A qualitative content analysis of an online survey.
Online questionnaire via Endometriosis UK.
Women diagnosed with endometriosis of any age range.
Free-text online questionnaire through Endometriosis UK completed by women. Results were analysed using NVivo version 9, qualitative analysis software. The software creates links between common words (codes), and these links allow data to be placed in nodes (called themes) which are then developed into categories. Content analysis was used to understand this data.
Main outcome measures
Impact of endometriosis on women’s lives.
In total, 1872 questionnaires were returned but not everyone was able to identify ten separate features that affected them. As such, 1872 women provided at least one area that affected them, 1800 provided two areas, 1770 provided three areas and 1600 provided four areas. The results show that the main areas of concern for these women were pain (53%), heavy menstrual bleeding (11%), low mood (8%) and the perceived lack of understanding displayed by other people (7%). Other important factors were fertility concerns, impact on employment, problems with the medical team and uncertainty. These then impacted on their daily life whereby some women felt “guilty” for not ‘being a normal mother’. A key term that resonated was that endometriosis is an “invisible disease”.
This analysis provides us with insight into the complex psycho-social factors that interact with bio-physical symptoms. Further research is required in sub-population groups such as teenagers and ethnic minority women to explore any differences in impact and how care can be guided accordingly.
Endometriosis; Impact; Qualitative methods; Quantitative methods; Online survey.
Sirtuin Inhibitor as a Novel Cell Cycle Checkpoint and Regulator of the TP53-MDM2 Pathway in Uveal Melanoma
Zachary K. Goldsmith, Matthew W. McEwen, Mercy W. Kibe, Kelley Yuan, Hua Yang, Qing Zhang, Sumana R. Chintalapudi, Bradley T. Gao, Monica M. Jablonski, Benjamin King, Ryan P. Lee, Abigail Lepsch, Neel Patel, Xiang Di Wang, Hans E. Grossniklaus, Matthew W. Wilson*, Vanessa M. Morales-Tirado*
The liver is the most common site of uveal melanoma (UM) metastasis with approximately 50% of UM patients being affected. With no proven therapies that mitigate metastases the mortality rate is 85% within the first year after detection of the liver disease. In this study, we provide a mechanistic understanding of the de-regulation of the TP53-MDM2 pathway in UM, which plays a central role in tumor biology.
We investigated the TP53-MDM2 signaling pathway in the microenvironment of liver metastases taken from both a murine orthotopic xenograft and post-mortem metastatic UM human liver. These findings were studied in-depth using both primary and metastatic UM cell lines treated with the MDM2 antagonist Nutlin-3a and the sirtuin inhibitor and transcriptional activator of TP53, Tenovin-6.
De-regulation of the TP53-MDM2 signaling pathway is specific to the liver microenvironment, providing a survival mechanism for UM metastases. Tenovin-6, not Nutlin-3a, reduced UM cell survival by increasing the percentage of cell death and reducing the percentage of proliferating cells. Tenovin-6 increased acetylation of p53, reduced ubiquitination of the protein, and acted as a cell cycle regulator.
Our findings suggest that in patients with metastatic UM de-regulation of TP53-MDM2 signaling pathway promotes growth of the liver metastases and provides pre-clinical information on the potential of targeting of the TP53-MDM2 signaling pathway via Tenovin-6.
Uveal melanoma; Ocular tumors; Nutlin-3a; Tenovin-6; TP53; MDM2.
The Phenotype Landscape of Cancer in the Genotype Era
Daniel Gandia*
Pulmonary Artery Hypertension in Children Living with Sickle Cell Anaemia
Barakat A. Animasahun* and Moriam O. Lamina
Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) ultimately leads to straining of the right ventricle and increases the risk of heart failure in affected patients. Its clinical presentation is similar to that of many other diseases thus delaying the diagnosis until the disease is far advanced. It remains one of the leading causes of death in adults with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) worldwide. It confers a high risk of death with two-year mortality rates as high as 40-50% even at modest elevation of pulmonary artery pressure. Median survival age after detection of the disease is said to be 25.6-months. Early detection of elevated pulmonary artery pressure in childhood and appropriate intervention by optimization of anti-haemolytic therapy may prevent the progression of this complication. The current writes up is a review of literatures on pulmonary artery hypertension among children with sickle cell anaemia. This will give information which will aid early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension among children with sickle cell anaemia. This will ultimately improve the quality of life of children with sickle cell anaemia and reduce morbidity and mortality from the disease in adults and children living with sickle cell anaemia.
Sickle cell anaemia; Pulmonary artery hypertension; Children.
What IBD Physicians Can Learn from Major League Baseball Managers
The Evolving Field of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Pancreatic Cancer
Maged Ghaly*, Emile Gogineni and Muhammad W. Saif
Pancreatic cancer remains a devastating disease with dismal outcomes despite the development of novel chemotherapeutic regimens and radiation techniques. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) offers an advantage both in image guidance and radiation dose delivery to direct ablative doses to tumors with acceptable toxicity compared to conventional techniques. Recent literature is clustered with data pertaining to SBRT in patients with resectable, borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic tumors. We here present a summary of the current data and highlight the limitations and potential for future growth. Further clinical study in the form of multi-institutional trials is warranted to establish the role of SBRT in combination with new chemotherapeutic agents as well as a non-invasive alternative to surgery.
Pancreatic neoplasms; Pancreas cancer; Radiosurgery; Stereotactic; Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT); Radiation; Radiotherapy.
Challenges Ahead for Advanced Training Programs in Pediatric Dentistry in the Area of Sedation for Pediatric Dentists and the Commission on Dental Accreditation
Robot Assisted Comprehensive Surgical Staging for Endometrial Cancer: A Validation Study
Nitin A. Wadhwa*, Dennis Mauricio, Isabel Eisner, Ruchi K. Wadhwa and Pankaj Singhal
The study sought to evaluate the historical surgical-pathological trends in Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) 33 in a cohort of patients who underwent robot-assisted staging of uterine carcinomas.
This is a retrospective study from June 2016 through December 2018 at Catholic Health Services Hospitals in Long Island (CHSLI), NY, USA. All patients underwent robotic surgical staging with hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Fifty patients were included, and patients were separated into cohorts with endometrioid or non-endometrioid histology for analysis. Patients were staged using the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 classification.
For all patients undergoing surgical staging, the rate of pelvic and para-aortic nodal metastases occurred at 10% and 8%, respectively. Sixty percent of the grade 1 endometrioid tumors had less than 50% myometrial invasion. No patients had positive paraaortic lymph nodes in the absence of pelvic node involvement. High-risk histologies were associated with nodal disease thirteen percent of the time. A correlation between increasing depth of invasion and positive lymph nodes was demonstrated. Increasing grade of tumors was correlated with the frequency of nodal metastasis. Intraperitoneal spread was highly correlated to metastatic lymph nodes. Deep invasion was positively correlated with nodal disease.
The results of this study validate the trends previously known from GOG 33 in a population undergoing robot-assisted surgical staging for uterine carcinomas.
Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) 33; Robotic; Surgery; Uterine cancer; Lymph nodes; Trends.
An Observational Study to Evaluate Infection Risk in Two Staff Warming Devices and a Review of Current Literature into Thermal Comfort in the Operating Room and Beyond
Mark Silverberg*
To compare the degree of bacteria dissemination using two currently available operating room (OR) personnel warming devices. The “off-label” use of 3MTM’s Bair HuggerTM vs. a fairly new device, worn around the torso and under a scrub warm-up jacket or surgical gown, the OPERATIONHEATJAC® transformer only (TRO) powered by a transformer and controlled by a 4-level controller, and best for anesthesia providers and perfusionists.
Initially, staff members in scrubs sat in a room for 3 and 6-hours with agar plates placed in various positions throughout the room. Then staff members sat in the same room under the same conditions for 3 and 6-hours, and placed the hose from 3M’s Bair Hugger under their scrubs. Agar plates were positioned in the room in the same positions as in the control. Then staff members sat in the same room under the same conditions for 3 and 6-hours, wearing the OPERATIONHEATJAC® TRO over their scrub shirt and under a scrub warm-up jacket. Agar plates were again positioned in the room in the same positions as in the control. Bacteria colony counts were compared.
The bacteria colony counts were 43.78% and 46.18% higher at 3 and 6-hours respectively from placement of the hose from 3MTM’s Bair HuggerTM under scrubs vs. the control. There was no significant difference in bacteria colony counts with using the OPERATIONHEATJAC® TRO vs. the control.
ORs are maintained cold, mostly for surgeon comfort. In an attempt to keep comfortable in this environment, peripheral OR staff opt for the “off-label” use of 3M’s Bair Hugger hose placed under scrubs. An increased spread of bacteria throughout the OR can result from this practice. Currently, there are now safer OR personnel warming devices available. In addition, this paper reviews the significance and benefits of keeping staff warm and comfortable.
Warming devices; OPERATIONHEATJAC®; surgical site infections (SSIs); Operating room (OR); Temperature.
A Couple’s Personalized-Care Intervention for Weight-Loss and Diabetes based on DNA and Gut Biome Profiles: A Case Study
Simitha Singh-Rambiritch* Ranjan Sinha, Chandana Reddy, Alicia Nakamoto and Camel Irudayanathan,
The global prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Given the negative strain that obesity and associated chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, put on the healthcare system and the economy, disease management has begun evolving to help individuals change their behaviors. Obesity is often difficult to treat and even harder to maintain. Past studies have failed to show weight loss maintenance over long periods after interventions. To overcome the complexity of obesity, a multifaceted precision care treatment approach should be adopted.
The aim of this case study was to assess the health benefits and weight loss journey of a cohabiting Caucasian heterosexual married couple using the Digbi Health personalized obesity management program. A personalized integrative nutrition plan is created based on one’s genetic and gut microbiome obesity risk profile and incorporates daily digital tracking and lifestyle coaching. Never before has a program offered personalized data including genetic, gut microbiome and lifestyle coaching to help people understand the best plan to lose weight and keep it off long term.
The male subject achieved a total change in weight loss of 15.94%, as well as a reduction in A1C and blood pressure levels and the female subject achieved a 13.65% change in weight loss over a period of four months. The couple have still been able to maintain their weight loss goals four months after completing the program, stating their individual and personalized approach gave them the tools long-term to maintain.
A supportive environment for cohabiting couples following a personalized weight loss program based on their genetic and gut microbiome profile may help with weight loss and long-term maintenance.
Diabetes; Gut microbiome; Obesity; Diet; Physical exercise; Overweight; Body mass index (BMI); Couples; Hypertension.
Dealing with Violent Dangerous Patients: The Medicolegal Pitfalls
Navin Naidoo*
Melorheostosis: A Rare Cause of Limb Pain
Matthias Z. H. Lu* and Narlaka Jayasekera
Melorheostosis is a rare skeletal dysplasia, and to date there are no reports of this condition in Australia. This is a case of a lady who presented with dull arm pain with a pathognomonic radiological findings. The plain radiographs obtained of the limb demonstrated a characteristic candle wax appearance in a monomelic distribution. The natural history, presentation, and management are discussed in detail.
Melorheostosis; Skeletal dysplasia; Central Australia.
Why HALO 301 Failed and Implications for Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
Nausheen Hakim, Rajvi Patel, Craig Devoe and Muhammad W. Saif*
Survival rates for pancreatic cancer (PC) remain dismal. Current standard of care treatment regimens provide transient clinical benefit but eventually chemoresistance develops leading to poor outcomes. PC is a relatively chemoresistant tumor and one of the explanations for this is attributed to desmoplasia that impedes drug delivery. Based on this, stromal modifying agent such as Pegvorhyaluronidase alfa (PEGPH20) was developed and investigated in phase I-III studies. Although phase I-II studies showed promising results in patients with high hyaluronic acid (HA) expressing tumors, the phase III HALO 301 study failed to miss it’s primary endpoint and further development of PEHPH20 is halted. This failure implies that targeting desmoplasia alone is not sufficient and other intrinsic factors such as lack of significant neoantigens, low tumor mutational burden, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition may be at play. It is also important to consider that although the tumor stroma may be a physical barrier hampering drug delivery, it may also have protective effects in restraining tumor growth and progression. Further studies in molecular biology to better characterize the complex interaction between the microenvironment and cancer cells are warranted.
Pegvorhyaluronidase alfa (PEGPH20); Desmoplasia; Pancreatic cancer; Chemoresistance; HALO.
PARP Inhibitors in Pancreatic Cancer: From Phase I to Plenary Session
Rajvi Patel, Daniel Fein, Carolina B. Ramirez, Kevin Do and Muhammad W. Saif*
Survival rates for pancreatic cancer remain dismal. Current standard of care treatment regimens provide transient clinical benefit but eventually chemoresistance develops. Tumors deficient in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage repair mechanisms such as BRCA mutants show better responses to platinum based agents, however, such tumors can utilize the poly(adenosine diphosphate [ADP]–ribose) polymerase (PARP) pathway as a salvage mechanism. Therefore, inhibition of PARP pathway could lead to tumor destruction and synthetic lethality in presence of BRCA mutation. Various PARP inhibitors have been approved for treatment of patients with germline or somatic BRCA mutant breast and ovarian cancer. This provides basis of using PARP inhibitors in patients with pancreatic cancer that harbor BRCA mutation. A recent phase III Pancreas Cancer Olaparib Ongoing (POLO) study showed impressive results with near doubling of progression free survival compared to placebo (7.4 vs 3.8 months). These results highlight the importance of germline testing for all patients with pancreatic cancer and inclusion of additional deficiencies in homologous recombination repair (ATM and PALB2) including BRCA variants of uncertain significance should be further explored.
Pancreatic cancer; Chemoresistance; DNA damage repair; Synthetic lethality; BRCA1/2; Germline mutations; Genomics.
A Rare Case of Gemcitabine-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension
Janice Shen, Su Yun Chung, Elham Azimi-Nekoo, Jyothi Jose and Muhammad W. Saif*
Gemcitabine is the backbone of systemic treatment of locally advanced and metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In recent literature, gemcitabine has been linked to various pulmonary side effects.
We report a case of an 82-year-old male who developed acute pulmonary hypertension after receiving one cycle of gemcitabine for metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. His symptoms began with fatigue associated with shortness of breath and cough that worsened despite dose reduction. He developed new onset bilateral pulmonary effusions and an echocardiogram revealed findings consistent with pulmonary hypertension. A computed tomography (CT) angiogram was negative for pulmonary thromboembolism. Although he was promptly treated with diuretics and steroids, the patient could not tolerate any further therapy.
Gemcitabine-induced pulmonary hypertension is rare and can be challenging to diagnose, as it remains a diagnosis of exclusion. However, physicians should be vigilant of new pulmonary symptoms, as delayed treatment can cause significant patient morbidity and mortality.
Cholangiocarcinoma; Gemcitabine; Pulmonary hypertension.
CT: Computed Tomography; PE: Pulmonary Thromboembolism; GIPT: Gemcitabine-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity.
Epidemiological Description of a Protracted Cholera Outbreak in Hagadera Refugee Camp and the Surrounding Host Community within Fafi Sub County and Garissa County in Kenya during March-September 2019
Kadra N. Abdullahi*, Dorcus Mutindin, Willy Kabugi and Shafe Mowlid
On 27th March 2019, the Hagadera Refugee Camp reported an outbreak of acute watery diarrhea. An investigation was initiated to confirm the causative organism and define the epidemiology of the outbreak to support evidence-based control measures.
A suspected case was a resident of Hagadera Refugee Camp or the surrounding community with a sudden onset of acute watery diarrhea and vomiting between March 27 and September 16, 2019. A probable case was defined as a suspected case with a positive rapid test for Vibrio cholerae; a confirmed case was a probable case with a positive stool culture for V. cholerae. We conducted a systematic case finding by visiting health facilities and villages. We reviewed patient records to identify suspected cholera casepatients. We conducted a descriptive epidemiologic study, examining the distribution of the cases. We computed the attack rates by age, sex, and residence. The case fatality rate was calculated as the ratio of the total number of suspected cholera death to the total number of cholera case-patients. We conducted targeted interventions including spraying, handwashing demonstration, distribution of soaps health education and promotion.
We identified 667 suspected cholera cases between March and September 2019 of these, 38% (253/667) had a positive rapid diagnostic test for V. cholerae; 6% (43) were negative and 56%(371) rapid diagnostic test (RDT) were not conducted. Out of the 94 rectal swabs for culture, 71% (64/94) were confirmed to be V. cholera O1 serotype Inaba. The epidemic curve exhibited a continuous common-source outbreak with several peaks. The mean age of the case-patients was 15-years (range: 0.2-70-years). Both males and female had an attack rate of 9/10000 respectively. The highest attack rate was in ≥30-years (14 per 10,000).
This was a continuous common source cholera outbreak caused by V. cholerae 01 serotype Inaba. We recommended strengthening the surveillance system improving early detection and effective response.
Cholera; Outbreak; Kenya; Garissa; Protracted; Hagadera; Epidemiological; Descriptive.
RDT: Rapid diagnostic test; WHO: World Health Organization; CTC: Cholera Treatment Centre; AWD: Acute watery diarrhea; TCBS: Citrate bile salt sucrose; CFR: Case fatality rate; OCV: Oral cholera vaccine; IRC: International Rescue Committee; UNHCR: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The Importance of Enzyme Substitution Therapy in Early Pancreas Exocrines of Insufficiency
Biljana Petrovic*
Functional disorders of the digestive tract are a common occurrence in the doctor’s office. In addition to functional dyspepsia, 35% of dyspepsia are unresolved dyspepsia, which are a symptom of the early stage of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.
Based on clinical experience, we can suspect and detect chronic pancreatic insufficiency at an early stage, which is the aim of this paper.
To demonstrate the efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy in the early stage of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency using the case report of the patient.
Results confirms significance and effectiveness of creon as an enzyme replacement therapy in the treatment of malabsorption and maldigestion.
Creon (pancreatin) showed great effect in the treatment of dyspepsia and anorexia nervosa, body mass index (BMI) for 30 days increased from 15.9 to 17.4, which leads us to the conclusion that unrecognized chronic pancreatic insufficiency can be expected in long-term dyspepsia.
Chronic pancreatic insufficiency; Enzyme; Body mass index (BMI); Digestive tract.
Why are Patients Reluctant to View Exercise as a Treatment Plan?
Mike Swoboda*
The Skinny on Moisturizers: A Brief Report
Sreeja R. Kuppam*
This work is done by a high school student and we are publishing this as it fits into our mission of promoting and encouraging studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field for our next generation. – Editor-in-Chief, DRMTOJ
To compare the effectiveness of 5 different skin moisturizers using JELL-O® as a model for the human skin.
In this study five different moisturizers (Equate®, Burt’s Bees®, Suave®, Aveeno® and Vaseline®) were applied to equivalent samples of JELL-O®. Observations were made over a 12-day period and data was collected at 15 different time intervals. The primary outcome was the height (cm) and weight (g) of the JELL-O® sample at each time interval. The study was an ex vivo experiment conducted in a home laboratory. No Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was required since the research does not involve living organisms.
Overall, the JELL-O® sample that had the Vaseline® applied on it had the lowest loss of height and weight. The height stayed at 100% of its original value and the weight only decreased to 97.2% of the original value by the end of the observation period. In contrast, the sample which had Suave® applied to the surface its height and weight decrease the most (42% and 28% respectively). The other moisturizers had effects intermediate between these two extremes.
Based on this ex vivo head to head study using JELL-O® as a model for the human skin the 5 moisturizers examined had widely differing levels of effectiveness with Vaseline® appearing to be the most protective against evaporative losses and Suave® appearing to be the least.
Moisturizers; Dry skin; Different moisturizers; Skin lotions; Vaseline® effectiveness.
Lycopene: Implications for Human Health–A Review
Lynda M. Doyle*
Lycopene is one of the six major dietary and serum carotenoids, and a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. A large and growing body of scientific evidence supports the role of lycopene in multiple areas of health, including cancer, prostate, cardiometabolic, lung, skin, and liver health, and elucidates lycopene’s mechanisms of action. This paper provides an overview of several benefit areas, specifically prostate, testes, cardiovascular, liver and skin health.
Lycopene; Carotenoids; Cardiovascular disease (CVD); Human health.
Squamous Melanocytic Tumour at an Unusual Site: An Uncommon Case and Literature Review
Barbara Barbosa*, Salvador J. Diaz-Cano, FRCPath and Alexandre Abramavicus
We herein present a case report of a 60-year-old male patient diagnosed with squamous-melanocytic tumour (SMT) in his anal region, comprised of two intermingled different phenotypic lesions. This dual tumour is quite uncommon and could potentially be challenging on both diagnose and also management. It is the first case reported on this location, moreover, the lack of consensus for these lesions makes it difficult to classify them. We reviewed the literature of similar SMT’s and discussed its histogenesis. As they are rare, their biological behavior and potential metastasis remain unclear. Therefore, close follow-up is advised.
Combined neoplasia; Squamous-melanocytic tumour; Uncertain; Anal canal.
Graves Disease: Successful Cesarean Section and Salpingectomy
Ryan Sanni* and Kinal Bhatt
Necrotizing Fasciitis: Fatal Evolution of Acral Melanoma
El Marfi Abdelhafid*, Samia Mrabat, Kaoutar Laamari, Mohammed El Idrissi, Abdelhalim El Ibrahimi, Abdelmajid El Mrini, Zakia Douhi, Sara Elloudi, Hanane Baybay and Mernissi F. Zahra
Characteristics of Effective and Safe Methods of Treatment for Fresh Fracture-Dislocations of the Proximal Humerus
Pavel Kogan*, Dmitrii Chugaev and Leonid Solomin
The study was aimed to assess the results of treatment for fracture-dislocations of the proximal humerus (PH) within different time frames for optimizing treatment tactics.
This retrospective cohort study evaluated clinical outcomes of 25 patients with fracture-dislocations of the PH (15 patients were analyzed for short- and medium-term results, and 10 – for long-term results). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 9-years. All patients underwent: clinical examination, constant score assessment and shoulder X-ray examination. Clinical, radiological and statistical methods were used for analysis.
Assessment of the degree of initial displacement of tubercles and its impact on the results of treatment showed that significantly better results were obtained in case of displacement no more than 10 mm (p=0.041). Patients with displacement no more than 10 mm had an average score of 68.0±16.1 points (Mean=69.5), while those with displacement of the tubercle(s) exceeding 10 mm had an average score of 49.5±19.5 points (Mean=44). Analysis of the results of treatment showed that the delay in restoring normal anatomy of the PH or avoiding surgical interventions at all led to functional disorders of the shoulder joint. It was also demonstrated that neither patients, nor doctors were satisfied with the outcomes of the unipolar shoulder replacement (USR). Based on the results of the study, we proposed an algorithm for determining the tactics of surgical treatment in cases when a fracture-dislocation of the PH with complete dislocation of the fragment involving the articular surface of the humeral head is diagnosed.
The present study demonstrated some factors affecting the outcomes of treatment for fracture-dislocations of the PH. Current approaches for endoprosthesis replacement in these cases remain debatable and require further investigation.
Trauma; Fracture; Shoulder joint; Fracture-dislocation of the proximal humerus.
A Familial Case of Spontaneous Regression of Colloid Cyst of the 3rd Ventricle on Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Deepsha Agrawal*, Athanasios Grivas and Ancy Joseph
A 21-year-old male underwent screening for a positive family history of colloid cyst with an MRI scan. This suggested a lesion in the region of the roof of his 3rd ventricle which was confirmed on a computerized tomography (CT) scan as a colloid cyst measuring 6 mm. Seven-years before his evaluation, the patient’s father was found to have an approximately 20 mm colloid cyst with acute hydrocephalus for which he underwent excision. His sister suffered a sudden death at the age of 25. The cause of death was confirmed on autopsy as a colloid cyst which was undiagnosed and associated with acute hydrocephalus. At the time of evaluation, the patient was asymptomatic. On serial imaging in 1-year, there was a definite increase in size of the colloid cyst which now measured 8 mm along its maximum dimension. The colloid cyst also changed in signal intensity appearing more hyperintense on T2-weighted images and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence. A serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 18-months as a part of ongoing surveillance with neuroimaging following the first presentation. This demonstrated a decrease in size and change in the shape of the colloid cyst, measuring 5 mm in maximum dimension, with associated decrease in ventricular size and resolution of hydrocephalus suggesting some spontaneous rupture of the colloid cyst. A CT head with unenhanced volume acquisition of the head demonstrated residual partially international organization for standardization (ISO), partially hyperdense colloid cyst seen at the foramen of Monro. This confirmed the findings of MRI with a decrease in size of residual colloid cyst measuring approximately 5 mm in maximal diameter with no residual hydrocephalus.
Neuroradiology; Central nervous system cysts; Colloid cyst; Magnetic resonance imaging; Third ventricle; Foramen of Monro.
Reproductive Biotechnology Options for Improving Livestock Production: A Review
Atsbha Hadgu and Haben Fesseha*
Reproductive biotechnology is one of the options which have a role in the improvement of livestock. It is a technology that improves livestock production by improving the reproductive insufficiency of the animal through different techniques. These are artificial insemination (AI), cloning, estrus synchronization, embryo transfer (ET), transgenesis and in vitro fertilization. These techniques are very important techniques to advance livestock production and to meet the people’s demands now-a-day. These reproductive biotechnologies have a dramatic effect on the world’s economy through the improvement of livestock genetics, preventing disease, facilitate transportation, keeping endangered animals and reducing economic loss. Artificial insemination in animals was originally developed to control the spread of disease, avoiding the transport of animals with potential pathogens to other animal units for mating and avoiding physical contact between individuals. The use of semen extenders containing antibiotics also helped to prevent the transmission of bacterial diseases. AI is broadly used in developing countries including Ethiopia. Even if reproductive biotechnologies are effective to change livestock production status of the countries, they are not applied routinely due to the presence of different challenges. Therefore, this review highlighted the major reproductive biotechnology options and their roles in the improvement of livestock production.
Artificial insemination; Estrus synchronization; Embryo transfer; Livestock; Reproductive biotechnology.
Gender, Creativity and Insanity: From an Anthropologist’s Notebook
Meenakshie Verma*
This essay has emerged through my research engagements with life history as a research method in anthropology. It is based on the life events of a woman artist. The past few decades have brought an explosion of cultural criticisms and also explorations of women’s creative expressions across cultures. Some of the queries addressed are, how do external forces shape the creativity of female artists. Also, how do creative women respond to such forces? Creative women, then, have a unique relationship to their cultural contexts, as well as to the creative genre to which they respond. This essay also delves into myths related to insanity and women. It discusses creativity, as a mode of engagement with rigid social structures.
Life history; Women; Creativity; Body psyche; Insanity; Myths; Anthropology.
An Exploration of the Perceptions of Radiology Professionals towards Point of Care Ultrasound Training for Non-Radiology Health Care Providers
Aloysius G. Mubuuke* and Francis Businge
Point of care ultrasoun
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About Me Growing up in a small New England town with a mother who was an antiquarian it was inevitable that I would be exposed to old things. A move to Newburyport MA renewed my interest in all things old. This background has now evolved into research, writing, consulting and all the things I love to do. Here is why this doesn’t always work. Deeds follow the land not the buildings. Simply relying on the the chain of title we look for the words “dwelling” , “buildings” or “house”.
But then again, what relationship is ever easy? I know a woman who dates an older man, and he jumps from profession to profession while trying to make a career in music take off. Early on I used to have a fit every week about what he could do to make more time for me, but at a certain point, after some compromising, you end up just trying to be supportive and patient.
If you’re trying to date your house, you may be able to find a clue in its plastering job. Although it’s difficult to determine the age of plaster itself, you can come up with an approximate date by examining the lath behind the plaster.
What type of bottle is it? This entire website is essentially a “key” – albeit a complex one – to the dating and typing typology of historic bottles. In addition, this site also assists the user with these questions: What technology, techniques, or processes were used to manufacture the bottle? Where did the bottle come from, i. Where can I go for more information on historic bottles?
Revival[ edit ] In and again in , when the Sephardic Jews were expelled from Spain and Portugal respectively, some took it as a call from heaven to migrate to Eretz Yisrael, which later changed hands between Mamluks and Ottomans. By the late 16th century,[ citation needed ] Safed had become a center of Kabbalah , inhabited by important rabbis and scholars. At this time there was a small community in Jerusalem headed by Rabbi Levi ibn Haviv also known as the Mahralbach.
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Older houses usually haven’t been built all in one piece and all at one time. Rooms are added, additions built, roofs raised, and porches redesigned. Homes are more like the Louvre in Paris, France — a medieval fortress gets a makeover during the Gothic era, Baroque, and even Modern age of architecture.
Article by Mitchell Stephens Few inventions have had as much effect on contemporary American society as television. Before the number of U. By the late s, 98 percent of U. The typical American spends depending on the survey and the time of year from two-and-a-half to almost five hours a day watching television. It is significant not only that this time is being spent with television but that it is not being spent engaging in other activities, such as reading or going out or socializing.
The system was designed by Philo Taylor Farnsworth, a year-old inventor who had lived in a house without electricity until he was While still in high school, Farnsworth had begun to conceive of a system that could capture moving images in a form that could be coded onto radio waves and then transformed back into a picture on a screen.
Boris Rosing in Russia had conducted some crude experiments in transmitting images 16 years before Farnsworth’s first success. Also, a mechanical television system, which scanned images using a rotating disk with holes arranged in a spiral pattern, had been demonstrated by John Logie Baird in England and Charles Francis Jenkins in the United States earlier in the s. However, Farnsworth’s invention, which scanned images with a beam of electrons, is the direct ancestor of modern television.
The first image he transmitted on it was a simple line. Soon he aimed his primitive camera at a dollar sign because an investor had asked, “When are we going to see some dollars in this thing, Farnsworth? To direct the effort, the company’s president, David Sarnoff, hired the Russian-born scientist Vladimir Kosma Zworykin, who had participated in Rosing’s experiments.
Being a church, it is not listed under this web. It is open for free tours call Church offices are open Tuesday – Thursday and Friday Available at the front office desk is a free self guided tour brochure around the church grounds and historical cemetery. Also ask for a brochure about the above six historical homes.
In all the old houses examined, no significant exceptions to this rule, or extended survivals of old, plain ovolo panels, during the period in question, have been found, so that thus far, the evidence abundantly shows that the more ornate (i.e. beaded or quirked ovolo) door panels described, if part of the original construction of a house, will.
History[ edit ] Single parenthood has been common historically due to parental mortality rate due to disease , wars and maternal mortality. Historical estimates indicate that in French, English, or Spanish villages in the 17th and 18th centuries at least one-third of children lost one of their parents during childhood; in 19th-century Milan, about half of all children lost at least one parent by age 20; in 19th-century China, almost one-third of boys had lost one parent or both by the age of The United States Census reported that From to , the percentage of single-parent households jumped to On the other hand, the 3 areas of the world that are most likely to have non-marital childbearing are Latin America, South Africa, and Sweden.
Along with this, the areas where there are an extremely high number of children living in single parent homes include Africa , Europe , Latin America , North America , and Oceania. It has also been shown that children living in areas of South Africa are the very most likely to live with a single parent. There are statistical graphs and charts to support previously mentioned concerns and topics. The following reference ensures statistics of other countries worldwide, rather than just the United States.
There are even some that argue that a single parent family is not even really a family.
When’s the Right Time for Sex? Experts discuss the consequences of not playing by your own dating rules. By Elizabeth Heubeck From the WebMD Archives Whether you’re new to the dating scene, a regular player, or jumping back into the game after a long hiatus, the same questions about dating rules apply: How soon do you lean over for that first kiss? Is it too early for a steamy make-out session? And last — but by no means least — how do you know when the time is right for sex?
Dating Old Historic Houses. Posted on January 5, November 2, by TopCat. I’ve been having this pleasant exchange with an historic house owner in Connecticut. Kinda shows some of the intricacies of dating old historic houses.
Find more old houses for sale, rent or auction Welcome To OldHouses. We invite potential home buyers to browse and enjoy our collection of historic homes – and other buildings – for sale, rent or, to be auctioned. Here are listings of the highest quality and attractiveness to be found anywhere on The Internet, with new specimens added daily. Real estate professionals, as well as individual homeowners, are cordially invited to list their available properties on OldHouses.
Only listings meeting the highest standard are allowed! This is demanded by the thousands of discerning home buyers who frequent our Web site. Agents who sell old houses especially are further invited to profile their services on our site and will be interested to learn about special services we offer for their exclusive benefit. Old-house enthusiasts of all kinds will be delighted by our extensive collection of resources for their enjoyment and practical use.
They include a wealth of links to businesses that offer products for old-house restoration, and also artisans and service providers to the old house trade, helpfully organized by region. Besides, we maintain catalogs to all manner of Web sites, publications, and organizations which provide information, advice and support for all aspects of historic buildings and living therein. Our Old House Archives provide endless fascination as well as helpful information for the public’s use.
Homeowner FAQs Questions from owners of old or historic houses Are there resources for people looking to buy or sell historic properties? Finding the right buyer for your historic property is important and requires marketing that focuses on reaching other homeowners with an appreciation for historic houses. Once you have made the decision to sell, Historic New England recommends finding a real estate broker who understands the valuable and unique characteristics of older houses and has experience selling older and historic properties.
Historic New England does not advertise third-party listings for historic properties. Does Historic New England accept donations of historic homes? If you are considering the donation of your historic home either as an outright gift or through estate planning, please visit our Donate page and look for the Planned Giving section.
Jun 22, · We have enjoyed learning about our old home, so much so that we created a site to capture our research. The reason I write is that it our C has a number o.
This thorough research should be done before the start of any demolition or restoration work. Outside expertise may be needed for identification of any wallpapers found during a restoration project. There are a number of museums with wallpaper reference collections that may be contacted to solicit their interest in offering professional assistance in identifying samples see appendix A. If so, then duplicate samples accompanied by good clear slides of the room and wallpaper would be appropriate to send for examination.
Preliminary, generalized, and brief statements of opinion about the date of a wallpaper, may be given free of charge, though many museums may set a minimal fee. If more extensive information and research is required or requested, consultants’ fees may be charged. On-site examination of wallpaper is often necessary, in which case, most of the listed museums can recommend consultants.
Travel expenses and fees vary and may seem high on first consideration, but expertise is invaluable in planning the preservation of valuable wallpapers and can prevent costly mistakes. Architect, engineer, architectural historian, historian, curator, and other trained personnel may all be needed. Ideally, personnel experienced in restoration work should do the preliminary research, both in documents and in the physical structure, and set the scope for the total restoration project.
In determining the appropriateness of wallpaper, there are some specific points to be covered. Part of the examination of a building should begin with any extant records of the business, institution or family connected with it.
Tools are objects that make our lives easier. A computer or smart phone are examples of modern-day tools. Paleolithic is a word that comes from the two Greek words palaios, meaning old, and lithos, meaning stone. Using a hammer stone for flaking.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and we’ll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer – Author: Henry Mercer.
In , the couple sold it to a new owner who restored the interior, but who later sent the house into foreclosure. The developer, Jerry Raffa, plans to demolish the house at Sixth St. He wants the borough to buy the house from Raffa and move it two miles south next to the Avalon History Center, a museum run by the historical society. Dean said he is drafting a letter to the developer while other residents spread the word.
On the third floor, Dean said, messages dating back to are written on the walls by past vacationers. Census data, and the island is nearly empty during the winter. Preservation in Avalon, Wahl said, typically is pursued by homeowners.
Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email A major excavation, which uncovered the first Neolithic settlement site of its kind in Wales, has been short-listed for a prestigious award. Work has been underway since at Llanfaethlu on Anglesey , which is now the site of the multi-million pound Ysgol y Llannau. Before the construction work could begin archaeologists were commissioned to carry out excavations at the site where they were surprised to uncover the first Early Neolithic multi-house settlement discovered in the region.
Several thousand artefacts including pottery and stone tools, Neolithic and early Bronze Age pit groups, two human burials, and a burnt mound are just some of the finds that have been uncovered.
Dating of Old Houses by Henry Mercer, June , Bucks County edition, Paperback in English.
Home Blog Entry Old men chasing young women: A good thing Old men chasing young women: A good thing September 13, It turns out that older men chasing younger women contributes to human longevity and the survival of the species, according to new findings by researchers at Stanford and the University of California-Santa Barbara. Evolutionary theory says that individuals should die of old age when their reproductive lives are complete, generally by age 55 in humans, according to demographer Cedric Puleston, a doctoral candidate in biological sciences at Stanford.
But the fatherhood of a small number of older men is enough to postpone the date with death because natural selection fights life-shortening mutations until the species is finished reproducing. By increasing the survival of men you have a spillover effect on women because men pass their genes to children of both sexes. Why should a species that stops reproducing by some age stick around afterward?
According to Puleston, earlier studies looked only at women, because scientists can reproduce good datasets for humans entirely based on information related to female fertility and survival rates. We care about reproduction because that is a currency by which force of selection is counted. The scientists compiled longevity and fertility data from two hunter-gatherer groups, the Dobe! Kung of the Kalahari and the Ache of Paraguay, one of the most isolated populations in the world.
They also looked at the forager-farmer Yanomamo of Brazil and Venezuela, and the Tsimane, an indigenous group in Bolivia. The study also looked at several farming villages in Gambia and, for comparison, a group of modern Canadians.
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About NAPT
The National Association for Proficiency Testing
NAPT is the most trusted name for Interlaboratory Comparison & Proficiency Testing administration, development & support
Our mission is to provide our customers with the best information, tools and service to help them improve measurement processes and results through participation in interlaboratory comparisons and proficiency testing.
NAPT is committed to providing participants with the unbiased analysis of measurement processes necessary to enhance awareness of their technical competence and data integrity.
ISO/IEC 17043:2010 Accredited
NAPT is an accredited proficiency testing provider by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
View Our Scope of Accreditation
Providing the Best Tools & Support
NAPT's main objective is to support our mission by providing professional management and program administration, coordination, data processing and reporting for interlaboratory comparisons and proficiency testing.
Additionally, we have six main supporting objectives:
Foster Knowlege
Foster development and dissemination of advanced technical knowledge throughout the metrology community.
Provide Insight
Provide insight that assists clients in gaining a better understanding of their measurement processes.
Promote continual improvement in measurement processes through increased knowledge and data integrity.
Aid in Development
Aid in the ongoing development of policies and practices within the field of proficiency testing.
Assist in Accreditation
Assist organizations in meeting accreditation needs through participation in proficiency testing programs.
Protect History
Act as a repository for historical test data of interlaboratory comparisons and proficiency tests.
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NAPT dares you to compare its services against other PT providers. You'll find NAPT rises to the top every time.
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“NAPT is a great proficiency testing service, and has helped us refine our proficiency testing process. They took the extra time to communicate over and above with us which demonstrates their commitment to their customers. We have been using NAPT for 15 years and the service has always been top notch. They offer a diverse service and the detailed reporting is outstanding.”
Troy Thomas / Essco Calibration Laboratory
"The NAPT staff has consistently demonstrated their commitment to providing a timely proficiency test with prompt responsiveness and technical support. The statistical analysis report is very thorough and elaborate. Technical support is top notch, demonstrating a high level of competence in proficiency testing, analysis, calibration methods and associated measurement uncertainties. Top notch PT provider!"
Dave Kreitlow / MTS Systems Corporation
"Transcat partnered with NAPT in 2000 because of NAPT’s commitment to support calibration laboratories seeking to become accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 (Guide 25 at that time). But NAPT has also proven, over the past 20 years, to have excellent customer service and the ability to flex with Transcat’s needs for additional proficiency tests as we have grown and added new capabilities to our network of commercial and private calibration labs. We recently reached a point of growth where we found it necessary to divest the portion of proficiency tests we had administered internally; NAPT stepped up to take on these internal PTs by offering us a complete program solely managed by NAPT – and at a reasonable price! We continue to partner with NAPT because they are simply the best proficiency testing provider in the business!"
Philip Mistretta / Transcat, Inc.
NAPT History
NAPT was founded in 1996 with the goal of helping organizations improve their measurement processes.
NAPT was founded in March of 1996. Beginning in 1993 the association's founder was already developing the awareness and relationships that have supported NAPT's mission.
It was clear there was a need for an association dedicated to effective proficiency testing because of newly implemented standards set by the metrology community for internationally accepted accreditation. These requirements suggested that a responsive yet neutral and unbiased party, having no conflict of interest, was needed to manage the administration and coordination of proficiency testing.
Working with numerous metrology professionals over the years to make NAPT what it is today, has been one of the most enjoyable things I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with.
Charles Ellis / NAPT Founder
One key finding was that the proficiency programs conducted at that time throughout the U.S. were limited in scope. More importantly, although there were many types of comparison programs being conducted across the world, just a few allowed participation from the metrology community in an open format.
Round robins have been ably conducted by organizations such as NIST and NCSL, but this function was not institutionalized until NAPT's formation.
NAPT fills a gap in the U.S. accreditation and verification infrastructure. NAPT provides verification of lab proficiency for the U.S. companies that participate, and also serves as tangible evidence to other countries of U.S. metrology competence.
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Home Dispatches Clinton on Track to Win the Most Votes. Abolish the Electoral College!
Clinton on Track to Win the Most Votes. Abolish the Electoral College!
by Harvey Wasserman
Hillary Clinton by Gage Skidmore
For the sixth time in our history, a candidate for President of the United States may have won the popular vote and lost the White House.
This must end.
While the nation—and much of the world—shudders at the thought of a Donald Trump presidency, our electoral system has once again failed to deliver a formal victory to the person who got the most votes.
Hillary Clinton appears to have won the nationwide popular vote. As of about 1 PM eastern time, the tally was roughly 58,909,774 votes (47.6%) for Clinton, versus 58,864,233 votes (47.5%) for Trump. (The exact numbers will change as the vote count continues.)
But Donald Trump's Electoral College tally has exceeded the 270 Electoral College votes needed to take the White House.
There is much more to tell about this. This year’s vote has once again been stripped and flipped by GOP Jim Crow segregationist tactics that disenfranchised millions of primarily African-American and Hispanic citizens.
But if the current vote tallies continue roughly they way they are, Donald Trump will join Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, and George W. Bush as presidents who lost the popular vote but still took the nation's highest office, in every case with huge impacts.
The Electoral College was established at the 1787 Constitutional Convention to prevent the public from voting directly on our national leader. Ostensibly, it was meant in part to protect small states from being bullied by bigger ones.
It also installed a “three-fifth bonus” that gave plantation owners a 60 percent headcount for their slaves. The ruse was counted into Congressional districting, giving the south a distinct advantage over the northern free states. That’s why every President from Jefferson to Lincoln either owned slaves or had a vice president who did.
In 1800, Jefferson beat the incumbent John Adams in an Electoral College swung by “bonus votes” that came from slaves who could not actually cast them. In 1824, John Quincy Adams made a deal with Kentucky slaveowner Henry Clay to steal the presidency from Andrew Jackson, who had beaten Adams by about 50,000 popular votes.
In 1876, Republican Rutherford B. Hayes lost to Democrat Samuel Tilden by about 250,000 votes. But the GOP used federal troops in the south to shift enough Electoral College votes to create a deadlock. Hayes then became president by agreeing to remove those troops and end Reconstruction, a catastrophe for southern blacks and a triumph for the Jim Crow segregation that has defined our national politics ever since.
In 1888, Republican Benjamin Harrison lost the popular vote to incumbent Democrat Grover Cleveland but became president anyway. Cleveland won back the White House in 1892.
In 2000, Democrat Al Gore beat Republican George W. Bush by a nationwide tally of about 500,000 votes. Gore was also ultimately shown to have won the popular vote in Florida. But Bush’s brother Jeb, then governor of Florida, used a computerized system to remove voters from the rolls, to steal Florida’s electoral votes and put George in the White House.
Much the same was done in Ohio 2004 to defeat John Kerry. Bush ultimately was credited with a victory in the nationwide popular vote.
This year, Donald Trump’s Electoral College victory will change history in unimaginable ways. But nationwide it appears he did not win the popular vote. Hillary Clinton did.
There is much more to this story. But one thing is clear: There is no useful function for the Electoral College, a vile 230-year-old holdover from the bad old days of the southern slaveocracy. It poisons our electoral process.
It will require a Constitutional Amendment to get rid of it. But if we are to have anything that resembles a democracy, the Electoral College must be abolished.
Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman are co-authors of The Strip & Flip Selection of 2016: Five Jim Crows & Electronic Election Theft (www.freepress.org / www.solartopia.org) and six other books on election protection.
Dispatches Democracy Elections
Harvey Wasserman wrote The People’s Spiral of U.S. History (www.solartopia.org).
Read more by Harvey Wasserman
I fully agree on abolishing
I fully agree on abolishing Electoral College.
But in that case, we must also introduce VOTER ID.
Whatever more than 4 years ago
Could the authors respond to
Could the authors respond to the comment which corrects about 1800 and also tell us who those vice presidents were which were slave holders and yet were VPS for both Adamses and Lincoln, and how did that happen please?
Laura more than 4 years ago
We can't let that WOMAN
We can't let that WOMAN become president either. Prepare to revolt in case she steals it, HONDURAS SHALL NOT FORGET, NOR WILL ALL OUR FELLOW LIBYAN VICTIMS!!!
Radiant Meadows more than 4 years ago
Too many brown people were
refugees, illegals and immigrants swayed the "popular vote".
Shangey D more than 4 years ago
It is unbelievable that the
It is unbelievable that the myth about fraud in the Florida vote during the Gore / Bush election still persists.
The ONLY reason this ever came up is because the media FALSELY proclaimed Gore to have won the vote BEFORE the vote count was completed. This led Democrats to believe that they had won.
When the vote count was terminated, Bush was found to have won.
Gore, bad loser, contested this outcome, which led to numerous re-counts of the all the votes.
Every single recount - as complete as they could be - yielded a Bush majority. Not a single recount ever found a Gore majority.
Here is the full legal text that shows that the Supreme Court had backed Gore's demand for a re-count, given how narrow the result had been. It had never unfairly sided with Bush. However, after contested votes had been manually re-counted several times and the result still favored Bush, they put an end to the bickering.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/00-949.ZPC.html
Start accepting the FACTS for what they are!
No, Jeb Bush could not have altered the result electronically, because all the ballots were available on paper - and they counted those paper ballots.
Pro Libertate more than 4 years ago
Once again, people on the
Once again, people on the left distinguish themselves through total ignorance of historical achievements that were the result of thousands of years of social and political thinking.
What we see is the arrogance of the ignorant who presume that 250 years ago, people must have been stupid.
In fact, the founders of the US were geniuses who knew exactly what they were doing. They had studied societies throughout history and integrated the ideas of the best and brightest when they created a FEDERATION that was supposed to be united, while allowing each member State maximum freedom.
For local rule is always best. Federal government should never interfere, except in matters of defense and issues affecting several States.
But most of all, in order to create unity, the people in each State had to feel they had fair representation.
Hence the Senate, which grants 2 seats to every State, independent of its population.
And the Electoral College, which ensures that a few States with large populations cannot simply dominate every presidential election.
It is more than obvious that people who live in very populous States develop entirely different attitudes from those who live in less densely populated regions.
Apparently, arrogant nitwits from the highly populated areas now think that their values (or absence thereof) should be imposed on everyone else.
They are not willing to accept that people in other States should also get represented at the executive level.
Well it is high time to inform you that if you had your way, the US would simply fall apart.
Abolish the electoral college and find yourself without 90% of the US land mass - and hence the resources of those wast regions - to back up your life style.
The system is as it is for a very good reason - and seeing the immature behavior of all who hate it is the best proof that it is perfectly good that they do not get their way.
"Abolish the electoral
"Abolish the electoral college and find yourself without 90% of the US land mass..."??? Where did you get that from? The proof of the intellectual bankruptcy of such conservative addicts of Latin as "Pro Libertate" is to be found in such kooky assertions as this. And now, America and the world are going to yet again be in the hands of minds like this. God help us all.
Spencer Harper more than 4 years ago
Wow! There is sure a lack of
Wow! There is sure a lack of understanding what the government if the United States is. Seriously, abolish the electoral college system? If this occurs, then our country will definitely remain split. The electoral college system allows rural American to have a voice in government. If we truly have a popular vote for president, then the cities where the majority of the population lies would control government. Yes, at times it seems like one's vote do not count. I live in California and I tend to vote Republican. My vote for president will mostly likely never count as California is controlled by our three city populations, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. I live in central California in the 5th largest city, but never will my vote count for president or even governor of our state. But as one looks at the landscape of our great and wonderful country, we realize that rural and city must both work together. I believe our founding fathers had an incredible understanding of this and thus created a republic and not a democracy. This is Civics 101. Just because one's candidate loses does not mean the system is broken, most likely it is because the message wasn't accepted or agreed upon by all people's groups, rural, city, urban alike. This is America where all is heard not just the loudest or even the small majority, but everyone.
Eric Hiett more than 4 years ago
The result could be improved
The result could be improved if, instead of abolishing the Electoral College, all states were required to send a delegation to the Electoral College that reflected the proportion of votes in that State, including votes to third parties. That way the College could more fairly represent the wishes of the electorate. The winner might not be the candidate winning the most votes but the candidate who was most acceptable to the delegates attending the College meeting.
Peter Moller more than 4 years ago
Same result as abolishing.
Same result as abolishing. You still need to change the Constitution.
Peg more than 4 years ago
Whaaa???
It might be useful to see that there has been ONE instance of the electoral college voting differently than the public.
It might be useful to know enough history to know that the Founders were NOT worried about big state/small states but rather by fear that 'too much democracy" might allow for the election of a person not fit for office. The electoral college was meant to be a buffer against stupidity. (The Constitution also required that Senators be elected by their respective state legislators until the 17th Amendment.)
Jefferson/Adams: Adams was an unpopular president (Alien and Sedition Act, anyone?). Jefferson was his vice-president, as the "runner-up" of the electoral vote.
In 1800, the EC tied between Jefferson and Burr (who was his "running mate") , so it went to the House of R. After 35 ballots, A. Hamilton threw his vote to TJ. Jefferson/Burr got 2/3 of the popular vote, btw.
The EC tie was caused because they were trying to elect Jefferson with Burr as VP. After this, the the 12th Amendment required electors to cast votes specifically for President and Vice President. NOT an instance of "electoral college" voting differently than the general public. Also - Pennsylvania, NY - votes for Jefferson; South Carolina: 4 votes for Adams.
( Further, off topic-- it is difficult to see how the 3/5th Compromise "caused" (was "the reason why") people owned slaves. Even in "slave states," fewer than half of whites owned slaves. Lincoln's family moved from Kentucky to Illinois because Illinois was a free state. )
Hayes-Tilden; 1876 - the end of Reconstruction in the South. DEMOCRATS in the south were "redeeming" the south from Republican-backed voting rights for African -Americans. In 1876, South Carolina democrats nominated the former Confederate Wade Hampton for governor and vowed to get him elected "if we have to wade in blood knee-deep." Because of this situation, Congress (still under Republican control and still trying to protect Reconstruction principles) appointed special Electoral Commissioners in SC, Fla, Louisiana, and part of Oregon, who voted for Hayes. Behind the scenes, though -- Hayes got these votes in exchange for "non-interference" in the South, while the southern democrats pledged to respect civil and political rights of blacks. (We know how that turned out....)
The only "guns" that were involved in this were those held (at least metaphorically, possibly actually) to the heads of Republican-voting citizens, and the subsequent removal of Federal troops (and their guns) who were protecting black rights. It is NOT the case that the EC used guns to change votes, as implied in the above article.
1888 - true. Cleveland won by .7% but the EC vote was 233-168. 89% of the electorate voted.
2000 - Bush-Gore. The EC was NOT the body that prevented the Gore presidency. It was the Florida state government's voter suppression that prompted calls for a recount that was STOPPED by said Florida government, with complicity by the Supreme Court. Had the popular vote in FL been actually counted, their 29 votes would have gone to Gore.
There may be good arguments for abolishing the EC, but this article has not made a valid (historical) case.
To repeat: It might be useful to see that there has been ONE instance of the electoral college voting differently than the public.
Jocelyn M more than 4 years ago
I feel the Electoral College
I feel the Electoral College has outlilved is purpose. Today it has the effect of my one vote not having the value it should have. Each citizen's vote should have equal weight.
Phyllis Bailey more than 4 years ago
Even with the 2000 and 2016
Even with the 2000 and 2016 votes being what they were, nobody in Washington (not even Democrats) will support dismantling the Electoral College. It's like Citizens United ruling. Big talk, but most of them live for it. NOBODY is going to propose action to undo it apart from a handful of progressives that will be shut down quicker than you can say Bernie Sanders.
If you take it to a popular vote, that will give third parties a chance to grab more power and that is the absolute last thing any of them want. They'd rather stick with fighting for electoral votes. So we're stuck with it for now.
Remember super delegates? Where has that discussion gone? LOL maybe if we're lucky we can remember to be disgusted by it in another four years.
Mike more than 4 years ago
Our last hope is convincing
Our last hope is convincing Republican Electors to break ranks and vote for Hillary. Only 38 are needed. There's a movement to make this happen. Sign & share petition https://www.change.org/p/electoral-college-electors-electoral-college-make-hillary-clinton-president-on-december-19?recruiter=59931859&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-reason_msg
Marilyn S more than 4 years ago
She didn't 'Win'!! This kind
She didn't 'Win'!! This kind of blindered thinking is the delusional mindset that lost the Dim's the support of the 75% of Americans of voting age who DID NOT vote for Hillary or Trump. Abolish the archaic & elitist electoral college? Great! Do it!! But don't mollify yourselves into thinking Clinton's loss was an electoral aberration. She was resoundingly rejected by 3 of 4 Americans and with good reason. Continued failure to address the neoliberal/NeoCon disease that permeates the Dim Party condemns it to ongoing irrelevance and the promotion of wrong-wing, 'Alt-wrong' fascism.
Rael Nidess, M.D. more than 4 years ago
you have to mention that it's
you have to mention that it's impossible to get rid of it by constitutional amendment. Need for you to read about National Popular Vote. See www.fairvote.org
Roy Ulrich more than 4 years ago
How can we get rid of electro
How can we get rid of electro vote ? It was written 200 yo by the racist white men ! Now it is not applied to the melting pot America ! I felt the country betrayed my vote ! It hurt so much! America is not civilized like France or Germany or England ! We need to find out the ways to change ! Talk to our representatives in our state? Please give us the lead? We don't want this event re occur for 2020!
Kasprow more than 4 years ago
We need to lean on the
We need to lean on the delegates to vote for Hillary instead of Trump in those states where the popular vote went toward Hillary. I think they are meeting in December to vote. Then after that we need to abolish the Electoral College. We are no longer a nation of slave states!
Shannon Nelson-Deighan more than 4 years ago
Excellent article! This type
Excellent article! This type of article needs main stream media exposure. There are a lot of young people protesting the election results, but besides protesting the surprising outcome, they should be protesting the Electoral College system and demand the popular vote. Just like our local and state officials are elected, by popular vote, it's about time we really make our individual vote matter when choosing our national leader. I wish major broadcasters could pick up on this article and inform the American public on this old dysfunctional method of voting, because a lot of people who vote don't understand the Presidential voting process and many think it's by popular vote until they are told otherwise. So how can such a movement to abolish the Electoral College get started and who would do it?
JD more than 4 years ago
"It also installed a “three
"It also installed a “three-fifth bonus” that gave plantation owners a 60 percent headcount for their slaves. The ruse was counted into Congressional districting, giving the south a distinct advantage over the northern free states.".....is that TRUE???
In my opinion, if it that is TRUE, wouldnt the electoral college be definetely classified as corrupt, unfair, probably racist and most likely unconstitutional in today's world and be immediately reversed to the popular vote in both primaries and presidential election!
Arcangelo more than 4 years ago
This election is the perfect
This election is the perfect example of why we need the electoral college. I understand those who are upset that Clinton lost the election because of the electoral college while it appears she won the popular vote. It's my understanding that's not guaranteed yet as there are still locations waiting to report. Nevertheless, I urge you to take a look at the county map of the 2016 election. It is almost completely red with the exception of major metropolitan areas. I looked into the vote differential between Los Angeles County, Cook County (Chicago) and the counties surrounding New York. Hillary Clinton outperformed Trump by somewhere between 3-4 million votes in these few counties. The whole reason the electoral college was put in place was for this very reason. These urban areas are so heavily Democrat that their vote totals simply by population skew the numbers so much towards the Democrats as to not give a reasonable assessment on how the country feels as a whole. You may think that is unfair but as a conservative I look at the sea of red on the county electoral map and believe it's amazing if not a little unfair that Trump didn't win by a much larger margin than he did. The political views of a few major metropolitan areas should not have the impact of tipping the National scales towards the democrats as it is clear that the majority of urban and rural areas in the United States do not share their political views. If you don't believe me look at the individual county electoral maps for Illinois and New York. They are almost entirely red accept Chicago and New York. California is the only one that appears to be a split of blue and red. The electoral college allows what appears to be a 50/50 split of the popular vote to be more fairly counted throughout the country as a whole and not only those locations that are heavily populated. I understand why Democrats hate it because they're much more likely to win the popular vote and lose and electoral college situation due to these conditions.
Nick more than 4 years ago
I agree with this article
I agree with this article whole-heartedly. However, I sincerely hope--that those of you complaining here about the Electoral college, are not any of the same people who called us Sander's supporters "whiners" and "sore losers" when we complained about the Superdelegates--an equally undemocratic process.
Gillian G more than 4 years ago
Actually, we vote directly
Actually, we vote directly for our state government, and for our Federal representatives (from the states to the Federal government). There was never any intention by the founders of this nation to create a democracy. We do not need a democracy. We do not WANT a democracy. We are now, and always have been, a constitutional republic comprised of a federation of independent states. National government was never intended to be so large and powerful. To remove the impact of the states on the power of the national government (which abolishing the Electoral College would surely do) would render the states virtually powerless. We would have what has long been known as "the tyranny of the majority". That sounds great when the "right" people happen to be in the majority today. Times change, though. Demographics change. Members of the majority can find themselves in the minority very quickly, often with little warning. Without the checks on majority tyranny (which can come from the left, the right, and even the center), the minority remain powerless (and often abused) for as long as the majority remains.
In Federalist Paper #10, James Madison made his feelings on pure democracy crystal clear:
"Hence it is that such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with security and the rights of property, and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in the deaths..."
Checks on absolute power are good for all of us. I live in a state that, for all practical purposes, plays no real role in modern national politics. That does not, however, mean that it should forever be relegated to one of the "flyover" states that those in power traverse while moving from the power centers on the East coast to the power centers on the West coast. That would essentially render powerless and voiceless the bulk of the population living between the coasts. I do not think that is what any of us really wants.
MinTN more than 4 years ago
Articles like this are why we
Articles like this are why we need to bring back civics classes. The electoral college serves many useful functions. The need for 270 electoral votes requires candidates to address the unique needs of sparsely populated areas, enhances the importance of small states relative to large ones and of all states relative to the federal government. If we went to a direct popular vote candidates would concentrate their attention on the densely populated coastal areas. This would effectively disenfranchise huge swaths of the country, undermine the power of states, greatly weaken federalism, and vastly increase the already unhealthy concentration of power in the DC-Manhattan axis. Taken together, this would likely lead to even an even more polarized electorate and possibly even serious civil unrest. Fortunately, this opportunistic power grab by coastal "progressives" will never happen because small states in the interior will rightly block passage of the necessary constitutional amendment.
Mark more than 4 years ago
We are not a democracy. We
We are not a democracy. We are a republic, as in the Pledge of Allegiance.We would have to change that first. If we were a Democracy, we wouldn't need a Congress.
John Benford more than 4 years ago
This article is historically
This article is historically wrong on so many levels I don't know where to begin. So I'll pick a place at random: the article completely ignores the 12th Amendment, ratified in 1804. It completely ignores the 20th Amendment, 1933, which also modified the original EC system. ~~~~~ But most of all, what the authors don't seem to get is that there should be no popular vote for president or vice-president. Apparently these authors don't understand how the EC system was supposed to work before it was hijacked by partisan politics. People were supposed to vote for local citizens who could be trusted to go to Washington and chose the country's leaders. The members of the EC would vote in blocks according to state, but the idea was to take the decision out of the hands of the people and give it to a committee that is elected by the people. ~~~~~ If you voted on Tuesday, ask yourself this: What is the name of the elector I just voted for? If you can't answer that question, the system is not working as intended, and that's because under the EC system you vote for electors not candidates. There shouldn't even be such a thing as the "popular vote," so who cares who won it???? ~~~~~ And the reason I say it is that the Founding Fathers were smart enough to know that the people are too stupid to choose their own leaders. (And, boy, has history ever proven that point.) Just like most democracies today and every major corporation, the F-Fathers saw that choosing a leader should be done by committee. In England, it's Parliament; at MS it's the Board of Directors. ~~~~~ Instead of eliminating the EC, it should be reformed so that it operates as intended. There should be no more grotesque primaries, no presidential candidates, and no so-called "popular vote."
Denis O'Brien more than 4 years ago
I just can't believe what
I just can't believe what Bull***t this is. HOW can only a few people decide who the winner will be, when millions of people already decided who the winner s going to be? This system is unfair and it's should be considered illegal.
Angie Marshick more than 4 years ago
This is an outrage. I have
This is an outrage. I have been talking about this outdated Electoral College vote ever since Bush supposedly won over Gore.
We as Americans need to get rid of this horrible way of electing our president.
And we need to act now.
Jenn more than 4 years ago
You're dismissing the fact
You're dismissing the fact that we are a republic and that the president is chosen by the people through the states. It isn't just ostensible - the Electoral College protects smaller states from larger ones, by design.
Also, as authors of a book on Jim Crow you should know that it was Democrats and not Republicans who enforced Jim Crow. The 3/5 vote clause was a compromise; the slave states wanted full counting for slaves, and non-slave states didn't want captives to inflate slave state representation.
a fair man more than 4 years ago
People are protesting Donald
People are protesting Donald Trump as president. Lets protest to abolish the electoral college. The popular vote has been robbed. It is time the people of America are heard. All people.
Debbie McDonald more than 4 years ago
The highest score wins in any
The highest score wins in any venue and it should be for this contest also. This should be the last time the republicans have stolen an election. ABOLISH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Valerie Moe more than 4 years ago
What can the average person
What can the average person do to help?
Amy more than 4 years ago
And, we have to fix our
corrupt election management systems. We need paper ballots across the nation - paper ballots hand counted at the precinct with results published by precinct. Maybe, in the best of all worlds, ranked choice voting, non-partisan election management, debate management, and restricting...you get the idea - a real democratic system.
Wayne Stinson more than 4 years ago
How can we hold on to racist
How can we hold on to racist methodology born during period of slavery condemned for decades by reasonable men and women?
Janet Azarovitz more than 4 years ago
Clinton won!
Alaina Johnson more than 4 years ago
Put this 18th Century relic
Put this 18th Century relic in the dustbin of history.
Steven Jay Gaynor more than 4 years ago
Yes, Trump is a horror, but
Yes, Trump is a horror, but do you actually think that Hillary War Fiend is a progressive? Did you look at her transition team?
Chris more than 4 years ago
We vote directly for all of
We vote directly for all of our other elected officials, president should be the same!!
Ashley Cowen more than 4 years ago
What difference does it make? Vote George Bush; get Nicky Rockefeller, Vote Al Gore; get Nicky Rockefeller. Killary Clinton is a Rothschild/ Rockefeller bitch. At least Trump is not the controlled opposition this time, hopefully.
Liam Mullins more than 4 years ago
first Gore, now Clinton booth
first Gore, now Clinton both of whom should have been our president. I shudder at the thought of Trump representing the USA and what his administration will do to the environment.
lynda braun more than 4 years ago
Where is the petition to
Where is the petition to abolish the electoral college?????
Martha G.Caparell more than 4 years ago
Do you HONESTLY think a
Do you HONESTLY think a popular vote would favor Hillary? Did you consider how many Trump voters DIDN'T vote thanks to electoral college's predictability?
National popular vote would not only be a waste of resources in campaigning, it would also encourage massive fraud and mass advertising of misinformation.
Cory more than 4 years ago
Your logic is faulty. We
Your logic is faulty. We already have mass advertising of misinformation, and the current system does nothing to prevent or discourage voter fraud--it just spreads the problem out to 50 constituencies rather than one. If you could explain why the will of the majority is less important than the vagaries of 50 separate elections, that might also help your case, but it would be a plea for an anti-democratic system that makes some votes more equal than others. One person, one vote is the only really fair and democratic way to choose leaders. The electoral college systems can prove antithetical to democracy in a way that one person, one vote does not.
James Levy more than 4 years ago
I want to abolish the
I want to abolish the electoral college - retroactively. I want my vote to count! I wish there was a way we could do this and elect Hillary Clinton instead of this mad man who has the potential to destroy not just America, but the world.
Sharlene White more than 4 years ago
I agree, but will we ever
I agree, but will we ever have politicians who are altruistic enough to do it or will they continue to keep the flawed, anachronistic system in place that put them or their cronies in office?
Western Sage more than 4 years ago
Hillary for president!
Irina more than 4 years ago
The electoral college is
The electoral college is doing exactly what its intended to do. Keeping bigger states from bullying little states. Just because there happens to be so a giant population burst in giant cities like New York, LA, Detriot, ext doesn't mean they should decide the President for at 52 states. Each state should of have its own say. Just because you think one way doesn't give them the right to think another.
first of all the biggest
first of all the biggest state Texas and Cali are bullying everybody so irrelevant but most important did u read this and how this was a electoral college was a racial process? .....Per article "It also installed a “three-fifth bonus” that gave plantation owners a 60 percent headcount for their slaves. The ruse was counted into Congressional districting, giving the south a distinct advantage over the northern free states. That’s why every President from Jefferson to Lincoln either owned slaves or had a vice president who did.
You are correct in your
You are correct in your assessment of the original purpose of the electoral college. But do not forget the electoral college is an all or nothing system. If the delegate allotment were proportional to the votes cast then it might be fairer. But as it stands the electoral college silences the voices of millions of registered voters. If, for example, you live in Georgia and are a democrat, independent or green party voter who does not support the republican candidate, your voice and your vote for president will NEVER be heard and NEVER be counted. Perhaps the electoral college was necessary at the time the country was founded but that is no longer the case. It is an outdated paradigm of governance and destructive to the democratic process.
Janie more than 4 years ago
It is clearly time for a
It is clearly time for a change. We must deeply grieve that we have come to this place. Needing so much pain to learn and then step up to the calling!!! I know little of this process but I am willing to learn and wish to participate in the change. Feeling it all,
Mia Babineau more than 4 years ago
I think it's imperative that
I think it's imperative that we have a petition to abolish the Electoral College. We probably need some other ways to achieve this too.
Zoe Harris more than 4 years ago
Of course, had that been in
Of course, had that been in place for the primaries, the Democrat nominee for President would probably have been Bernie and he would probably have won any vote over Donald.
Mike Boddington more than 4 years ago
We can't let this man become
We can't let this man become president.
Susan Cox more than 4 years ago
So how do we go about getting
So how do we go about getting rid of electoral college? I will put everything I can into changing this. First Al Gore now Hillary. Tell me what I can do.
Fran more than 4 years ago
So please tell me how this is
So please tell me how this is done it's a friggin act of Congress. Yes, it needs to go away and has needed to go away for years and why has nobody done anything about it. This comes up after each election but nobody does anything about it...so let's do something about it instead of the BS we continue to do...time for a clean up of all the dumb and outdated shit that our foreparents left us.
Terrah more than 4 years ago
No, this has nothing to do
No, this has nothing to do with an act of Congress. The Electoral College was set up in the Constitution. Abolishing it would require amending the Constitution. The most which could be done simply by an act of congress is to require electors to vote for the candidate who wins the national popular election. I am not sure if that would be upheld by the Supreme Court.
John H more than 4 years ago
She did win the popular vote,
She did win the popular vote, but if it's to be ridden of, Hillary will be the last one. He did win by the current standards, and I think we have to get rid of it and am outraged at the trump victory, but she can't be president. She'll be the last.
Leah Hersh more than 4 years ago
Most Americans don't
Most Americans don't ultimately care whether their presidential candidate wins or loses in their state or district . . . they care whether he/she wins the White House. Voters want to know, that no matter where they live, even if they were on the losing side, their vote actually was equally counted and mattered to their candidate. Most Americans think it is wrong that the candidate with the most popular votes can lose. We don't allow this in any other election in our representative republic.
The National Popular Vote bill is 61% of the way to guaranteeing the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in the country, by changing state winner-take-all laws (not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, but later enacted by 48 states), without changing anything in the Constitution, using the built-in method that the Constitution provides for states to make changes.
All voters would be valued equally in presidential elections, no matter where they live.
Every vote, everywhere, for every candidate, would be politically relevant and equal in every presidential election.
No more distorting and divisive red and blue state maps of predictable outcomes.
No more handful of 'battleground' states (where the two major political parties happen to have similar levels of support among voters) where voters and policies are more important than those of the voters in 38+ predictable states that have just been 'spectators' and ignored after the conventions.
The bill would take effect when enacted by states with a majority of the electoral votes—270 of 538.
All of the presidential electors from the enacting states will be supporters of the presidential candidate receiving the most popular votes in all 50 states (and DC)—thereby guaranteeing that candidate with an Electoral College majority.
The bill was approved this year by a unanimous bipartisan House committee vote in both Georgia (16 electoral votes) and Missouri (10).
The bill has passed 34 state legislative chambers in 23 rural, small, medium, large, red, blue, and purple states with 261 electoral votes.
The bill has been enacted by 11 small, medium, and large jurisdictions with 165 electoral votes – 61% of the way to guaranteeing the presidency to the candidate with the most popular votes in the country
NationalPopularVote
otto more than 4 years ago
We cannot call ourselves a
We cannot call ourselves a democracy if yet again the winner of he popular vote does not become President. ABOLISH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE!
Stephen Spitz more than 4 years ago
This is a very good article,
This is a very good article, but it is wrong about 1800. See Michael J. Dubin's United States Presidential Elections 1788-1860, page 9. Thomas Jefferson electors got 41,516 popular votes, but John Adams electors only got 25,7458 popular votes.
Richard Winger more than 4 years ago
There is a very feasible way
There is a very feasible way to achieve this without a constitutional amendment. Many state legislatures have already signed onto this. Read about it here: http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/written-explanation
Danny Sleator more than 4 years ago
It's time to ABOLISH
It's time to ABOLISH ELECTORAL VOTE! YOUR ACTUAL VOTE Didn't COUNT!!!
***Popular Vote (Individual Vote)***
ClLINTON=59,626.695 votes
TRUMP=59,428.493 votes
Clearly CLINTON WON individual Vote!
By electing our President solely based on who the majority of our population selects, without the inclusion of an Electoral College, the vote of every American citizen would hold equal weight and significance. Under this new system, when we vote for President we would actually be voting for President, not instructing ‘electors’ on how we want them to vote. The will of the American people would always be executed and honored, and could never be thwarted.
With the Electoral College, the voting power of the people has been diluted and unequally distributed across our nation. It’s time that we begin to amend our broken process.
Jennifer more than 4 years ago
Agreed!!!
Sam more than 4 years ago
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Phylostratigraphic profiles reveal a deep evolutionary history of the vertebrate head sensory systems
Bakarić, Robert
Department Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Society;
Sestak_2013.pdf
Šestak, M. S., Božičević, V., Bakarić, R., Dunjko, V., & Domazet-Lošo, T. (2013). Phylostratigraphic profiles reveal a deep evolutionary history of the vertebrate head sensory systems. Frontiers in Zoology, 10(1): 18. doi:10.1186/1742-9994-10-18.
Cite as: http://hdl.handle.net/11858/00-001M-0000-000E-FF13-9
Background: The vertebrate head is a highly derived trait with a heavy concentration of sophisticated sensory organs that allow complex behaviour in this lineage. The head sensory structures arise during vertebrate development from cranial placodes and the neural crest. It is generally thought that derivatives of these ectodermal embryonic tissues played a central role in the evolutionary transition at the onset of vertebrates. Despite the obvious importance of head sensory organs for vertebrate biology, their evolutionary history is still uncertain. Results: To give a fresh perspective on the adaptive history of the vertebrate head sensory organs, we applied genomic phylostratigraphy to large-scale in situ expression data of the developing zebrafish Danio rerio. Contrary to traditional predictions, we found that dominant adaptive signals in the analyzed sensory structures largely precede the evolutionary advent of vertebrates. The leading adaptive signals at the bilaterian-chordate transition suggested that the visual system was the first sensory structure to evolve. The olfactory, vestibuloauditory, and lateral line sensory organs displayed a strong link with the urochordate-vertebrate ancestor. The only structures that qualified as genuine vertebrate innovations were the neural crest derivatives, trigeminal ganglion and adenohypophysis. We also found evidence that the cranial placodes evolved before the neural crest despite their proposed embryological relatedness. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings reveal pre-vertebrate roots and a stepwise adaptive history of the vertebrate sensory systems. This study also underscores that large genomic and expression datasets are rich sources of macroevolutionary information that can be recovered by phylostratigraphic mining.
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Paradise Found 2015
A revolutionary scientist defends his life choices to his dying father, a tyrannical CIA agent fighting for redemption.
Actors: Daniel Dasent, Destiny Thomas, James Robert Wood, Marcella Avila, Marty Wisher
A sequel to 2006’s Who Killed the Electric Car?, director Chris Paine once again looks at electric vehicles. Where in the last film electric cars were dismissed as uneconomical and…
Vitamania: The Sense and Nonsense of Vitamins
Dr Derek Muller takes us on an epic adventure, a world-spanning investigation of vitamin science and history, asking how do we decide whether to take vitamin supplements, or not?
Mel Brooks: Unwrapped
At the age of 91, Mel Brooks is unstoppable, with his musical Young Frankenstein opening to great critical acclaim in London in late 2017. Alan Yentob visits Mel at home…
Bombay Beach is one of the poorest communities in southern California located on the shores of the Salton Sea, a man-made sea stranded in the middle of the Colorado desert…
Genre: Documentary, Drama
The stories of four of America’s most notorious biohackers and their relationships with Aaron Traywick, a self-proclaimed biohacker whose life took a tragic turn when he was mysteriously found dead…
Step Into Liquid
No special effects. No stuntmen. No stereotypes. No other feeling comes close. Surfers and secret spots from around the world are profiled in this documentary.
Mary Magdalene: Art’s Scarlet Woman
Waldemar Januszczak explores the impact of Mary Magdalene’s myth on art and artists. In art all Christian saints are inventions but Mary Magdalene has been the subject of more invention…
Heavy Water
Follow big wave surfer Nathan Fletcher through the evolution of surfing and his relationship with big waves in this special premiere event from Fathom Events, 1091 Media and Red Bull…
A love story, portraying the dilemmas and inevitable consequences of ambition. It is a film about a woman’s fight for independence, a woman trying to succeed with her own art…
Blurred Lines: Inside the Art World
As one art scene insider proclaims, the contemporary art world can be summed up as “rich people trying to prove how rich they are,” but is that all there is…
VHS Nasty
In the 80’s, a legendary cult following like no other developed during the VHS era, those that loved The Video Nasty! Explore all the greatest cult video titles such as…
Genre: Documentary, Horror
This darkly comic, genre-bending piece of gonzo journalism from international provocateur Mads Brügger (filmmaker of Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Red Chapel) rips the corroded lid off the global scheme…
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The Ghost Beyond
A struggling novelist moves his wife and young son to an old country home, but when a presence begins to communicate with his son, the family must escape an evil that threatens to doom them to the house for eternity.
Director: R. Michael Givens
Actors: Bobby Batson, Mary Charles Miller, Rebekah Lynn Dow, Silvio Wolf Busch, Steven Paul, Tifani Ahren Davis, Trevor Donovan, Vail Bloom
A young journalist goes deep undercover within a mountain commune and becomes manipulated by a duplicitous cult leader.
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery, TV Movie
A frustrated, angry teenage girl awakens something in the woods when she naively performs an occult ritual to evoke a witch to kill her mother.
Killing Ground
When young urbanites Ian and Sam decide to go camping, they arrive at their isolated destination to discover another tent already set up, but no sign of its owners. With…
The Beast with a Million Eyes
An alien space craft lands in the desert. The alien takes over the minds of some of the local humans and animals and is able to see through them. The…
A dinner party goes horribly wrong.
Genre: Action, Comedy, Horror
After surviving the incidents in Barrow, Alaska, Stella Olemaun relocates to Los Angeles, where she intentionally attracts the attention of the local vampire population in order to avenge the death…
Bundy and the Green River Killer
A police detective consults with incarcerated serial killer Ted Bundy to help him catch The Green River Killer. Based on terrifying true life elements which inspired Silence of the Lambs….
Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror, Thriller
Stir of Echoes: The Homecoming
A soldier returns home from the Iraq war only to be haunted by visions of the dead.
Ghosts of Darkness
Two paranormal investigators are unexpectedly thrown together in the hope of solving a 100 year mystery. Locked for three nights in a house with a dark and unsettling past, the…
Psychic Killer
Mental patient Arnold Masters, hospitalized for a murder he didn’t commit, learns astral projection–the art of leaving one’s physical body and transporting the soul someplace else–from a fellow inmate. Upon…
The Tales of Strango the Clown
The tragic story of a high powered business exec. Lawrence “Strangio” Del Rio who loses it all forcing him down a dark insidious path of multiple gruesome murders under the…
Neon Maniacs
A group of teenagers in San Francisco discover a nest of homicidal monsters living in a tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, but when they try to tell authorities, no…
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Enterprising Chloe, 15, organises auction to say thanks to the QEH
By Communications QEHKL March 22, 2017
A teenager is organising a charity auction to give something back to the children’s ward at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Chloe Hobday, 15, of Downham Market, was treated in Rudham Ward when she was younger and has put on the auction to say thank you to the nursing staff.
The enterprising youngster has received a number of donations from generous businesses to go under the hammer in the Eternity Church, Sovereign Centre, Sovereign Way, Downham Market, on Saturday, April 1.
An 18-hole round of golf, jewelry, meal vouchers and afternoon tea are among the lots which will be on offer from 5.30pm (Doors open at 5.00pm).
Chloe said: “The staff on Rudham ward helped me when I was younger and I wanted to say thank you.
“I am hoping to raise £1,000 for the ward during the year and the response I’ve had to the auction from businesses has been really good.
“We will be offering tea and coffee at the auction and I hope as many people as possible will be able to come along and support the ward.”
Click here to download picture and press release
Pictured is Chloe Hobday, who is organising a charity auction to say thank you to the QEH.
Tags: health health and wellbeing healthcare kings lynn kings lynn hospital nhs qeh qehkl the queen elizabeth hospital kings lynn west norfolk
Previous Entry Having a ball and raising £7,600
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Rodney Curtis
The Spiritual Wanderer
If you like Rodney's blog, you'll love his hilarious and spiritually uplifting books! Check out his latest, Getting Laid (off) ...
... and make sure your collection is complete with A "cute" Leukemia and Spiritual Wanderer.
About Rodney
July, 2014 Archives
Island hopping with Cousin Dick
Driving 12 hours from Detroit, we crossed a drawbridge onto the island. Then we took a car ferry to the next island. Finally, we rode a small passenger ferry to this remote rock. If we want to go any further, it’ll be by kayak or backstroke.
Standing at the tippy top of the lighthouse, my daughter Skye points out Escanaba, a zillion miles across the bay. Either that or she’s eyeing the enormous spider. It’s about six hours from here to Escanaba; the spider’s six inches away.
It’s a bit strange standing here at Death’s Door, so labeled because of the treacherous passageway that has claimed many a seafaring vessel. Door County Wisconsin, named after Death’s Door, is a curious mix of rural farmland, super upscale summer homes and a healthy schmattering of quaint little towns with quaint little galleries. “Tourist traps” cousin Dick calls ‘em. It reminds me of what Cape Cod might have looked like 50 years ago.
My dad’s cousin, Dick Leonard, is a cool, seasoned world-traveler.
A series of islands and bays make up this peninsula jutting off into Lake Michigan, separating it from Green Bay. Cousin Dick spends a lot of his time here. The not-quite-80-year-old is the only one we know who remains on my father’s side of the family. We have recently become reacquainted, fortunately. He graciously opened his home to our invading throng, (all ten of us, when in the past, the most he’s hosted was two!).
After leaving the two northernmost islands along Death’s Door, I am regaled by my cousin’s stories. He has traveled the world over, including a trip to Antarctica last fall. This fall, he will outdo himself with an early-morning balloon trip over the Serengeti. Did I mention he’s almost 80? My journey in the minivan to get here pales somewhat in comparison.
But I had no real preconceived notions about what this trip would hold. I felt it would be more about the journey, as opposed to the destination. Sure, my brother and I wanted to hear stories about Dad from way back when. But something fascinating began to happen. Dad’s stories gave way to Dick’s stories. Somehow he became more fascinating to us than our long lost father.
Maybe it’s because he’s still thriving. Educated in economics at Harvard, he thought he’d become a lawyer. But his own father’s illness pushed him to become a doctor. His deceased wife was a high level ad executive, living the Mad Men life as a woman. Remember Peter Pan peanut butter being “the pea-nuttiest?” That was one of her many slogans. I still sing the jingle in my head.
We visited during the Plein Air (art out in the open) Festival and found some fun outdoor installations including a mermaid, owl, fish and a “mowman.”
On the last night at his place, we spent time stargazing at the eye-popping display above us. In sweats and socks I stumbled across the sand down to his beach to see if I might snap the Big Dipper rising above his house. Fiddling around with my camera and bracing it against an incongruous pole that had sprouted up in the sand, I got lucky and scored Ursa Major.
Looking closely afterward, I couldn’t believe I’d also captured the binary stars in her handle, the horse and rider — Mizar and Alcor for you star buffs.
Dad loved looking at the stars. He loved sailing and flying too. It turns out his cousin is a lot like him in those respects. We caught various glimpses of our father in his cousin. But no, we weren’t looking for a replacement dad. That undercurrent never really surfaced during our time gallivanting around Door County. More importantly, I like that we have made a strong connection with someone who represents both our family’s past and its future. Dick says we’re welcome back any time.
Also — and this can’t be understated — I like that I can now claim I’ve been to Death’s Door both figuratively and literally. The first time around I feared the destination and hated the journey. This time, I bought custard, lots and lots of custard. Whipped cream and hot fudge do wonders for the soul (if not the waistline).
Ursa Major, The Big Dipper, rises above cousin Dick’s place along the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan.
Driving around, snapping photos
It’s what we used to call feature hunting
A tiny doggie in downtown Northville entertains kids on their way to an outdoor concert.
Sometimes I simply love being a freelance writer and photographer. This past week was one of those times.
A large company in Southeast Michigan hired me to travel around photographing people, towns and neighborhoods in and about Detroit for the sole purpose of putting them in a brochure to attract potential employees.
I got to put on my photojournalism pants and drive around “making images.” This time — as opposed to when I was a newspaper photographer — I was only tasked with showing the Good. The Bad and the Ugly could wait for someone else. How fun!
Recovering journalists, like me, can just show up at a situation and portray only what the client wants me to share. I’m okay with that.
Real journalists are tasked with giving a balanced report on their stories. Just this week, another Malaysian plane crashed and a ground war began in Gaza. My heart goes out to the journalists who have to cover that type of news. More so, my heart goes out to those civilians actually living those stories.
For years I photographed fires and tragedy, inhumanity and — ugh, death. It’s so much more enjoyable picturing only the bright side of the human condition. So while I read and witness from afar all the ugliest this world has to offer, I remember how fortunate I am living where I live and covering what I cover.
And yes, I feel guilty for feeling this way. There will always be a part of me that feels as though maybe I should be putting myself on the line to tell the real story. But that guilt quickly evaporated when I pulled into one of the area’s most affluent neighborhoods and two little boys, not more than seven-years-old, waited for me to drive by before shouting, “pecker head.”
The adrenaline surge hit and I was instantly transported back to all the dangerous situations I’ve been in as a journalist, like the pushy crowd gathering around me in Haiti or that semi driver who threatened to put my camera somewhere extremely uncomfortable. Those guys in Boston — who said if I took another picture in the courtroom, they’d make sure it was my last — also flashed in my memory.
Nah, just kidding. Those two little boys made me laugh, especially with the way they said it, “PEKuh head,” with a pronounced lisp.
But don’t tell that to my freelance client; I’m trying to put in for a little extra combat pay.
Back in the day, we called driving around aimlessly taking photographs “feature hunting.” Most photographers grew to hate it since that meant it was a slow news days and there wasn’t enough stuff for the next day’s paper.
We liked to whine a lot back then.
Give me a “fluff” piece any day to write or photograph. But what do I know; I’m just a pecker head, but at least I’m a happy one.
The fountain spray on Belle Isle doesn’t have far to go before mixing with low hanging clouds.
Getting Laid (off) by Rodney Curtis
Nothing stops The Spiritual Wanderer, as Rodney Curtis is known to readers far and wide from the title of his first humorous book about the many quirky challenges of life in America. Then, suddenly his life went from quirky to terrifying as he was hit with a double whammy: a layoff notice and a diagnosis of cancer. Many would have folded under the pressure, but Rodney’s approach to life remains undimmed. As he says in his introduction, he keeps laughing in the face of fear.
A ‘Cute’ Leukemia by Rodney Curtis
The shocking L-words struck like hammers: “Laid off,” then, “Leukemia.” Like millions of Americans, Rodney Curtis feared for his life and his family. But what that deadly acute leukemia didn’t know was: It was dealing with the Spiritual Wanderer, the columnist who is famous for finding humor and wisdom in daily life. Rodney started by renaming his foe: “A Cute Leukemia.” He explains, “Nothing makes cancer madder than belittling it and pinching its darling baby cheeks.” If you’d like to try chuckling in the face of your fears, join Rodney on his quest to recover both humor and health.
Spiritual Wanderer by Rodney Curtis
Who is the Spiritual Wanderer? He’s an ordinary person like you and me. When he crawls out of bed each morning, he needs to find a cup of frozen coffee before he can contemplate searching for spiritual answers in the cosmos. As his day unfolds, Rodney Curtis looks everywhere for meaning and hope–and always for humor. He wanders through the lives of people around him, through the streets with his beloved dogs and even searches for spiritual guidance in the lights high above us, although that winking glow up there sometimes turns out to be a streetlight. In these 40 short adventures with the Wanderer, you’ll likely find yourself standing very close to your own home.
Beginnings and Endings
The Sausage Thief
Virtual Head Peace
A Perfect 10?
A Funeral For A Friend’s Father
Popping Kernels
New Floors
Egret Regret?
Lapsed Time
Kurt and Karl
Touring Tortola
Go See Yesterday
Why oming?
Outliving My Father
Mayan Healing Ritual
Being in the Not Know
Zach and Meegan: two friends, two notes
The Shaving Syndicate
A Seattle Slew Of Scenic Skies — A Postcard Journal
Read The Spirit Magazine
Read The Spirit Bookstore
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Region in Focus
City in Focus
MAPIC Shoppers who eat during a trip to the mall spend more
In Research Hub
14:21, 15 November 2017
By Virna Asara
Shoppers who eat during their visit to a shopping centre make 25% more transactions; spend 12% more and stay 35 minutes longer in a mall compared to shoppers who don’t stop to dine, according to new data from European prop-tech business Coniq.
The report was released on the first day of the Mapic retail real estate fair in Cannes.
Landlords are aware of the tangible benefits of F&B and leisure in traditional shopping destinations, with recent research from real estate consultancy JLL suggesting that leading shopping centres will allocate up to a fifth of floor space to the sector by 2025, up from 10-15% currently.
‘While the model of combining retail and leisure is one high street brands are increasingly moving towards in a bid to enhance the consumer experience, shopping centres have been embracing this for many years,’ commented Coniq’s CEO Ben Chesser. ‘And, as consumers increasingly want ‘experiences’ built in to their shopping trips, F&B is transforming the mall landscape – allowing forward-thinking centres to capitalise on the increased revenue opportunities that incorporating F&B options presents.’
In recent years, more money has been spent on eating out than ever before, and this trend looks set to continue, according to Ian Hanlon, local director of Foodservice Consulting at JLL. ‘Millennials in particular are more willing to spend their money on a great experience rather than ‘stuff’, and as a result, retail schemes across the world are increasing their allocation to leisure and F&B and introducing innovative food operators and concepts. The right F&B offer can help attract new and different audiences and enhance the profile of a retail place,’ said Hanlon.
Coniq’s data comes from more than 700,000 transactions in shopping centres across nine European countries between October 2015 and November 2017.
Neinver builds on strong tenant relations to maintain resilience
In an interview with RetailWatch, Stephan Fickl, Neinver’s new group leasing director, explains how the firm’s strong brand partnerships continue to be the key to resilience.
The ingredients for success
While the food and beverage sector was one of the earliest and hardest hit by the pandemic, key trends coalescing around its social importance underline that F&B is still very much on the menu.
Masters of mix
It’s been clear for a while that mixed-use schemes, exposing property owners to a range of asset classes, represent a smart play.
VIA Outlet's success proves the value in the destination
Created in 2014 to acquire and add value to existing outlet centres, VIA Outlets currently owns 11 assets across nine European countries, and is the third largest premium outlet operator in Europe.
The footfall equation
Proptech, including big data and artificial intelligence (AI), has been billed as the solution for a number of the property industry’s woes for some time.
Who are we? PropertyEU was established in 2006 as a truly pan-European information source for real estate professionals. We provide in-depth news, data and analysis of Europe's property markets at a time of increasing cross-border investment, development and financing across the continent and beyond.
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storytelling motif
Travels through Space and Time – The success of Doctor Who
October 27, 2020 June 21, 2019 by Gale Ambassadors
│By André Buller, Gale Ambassador at the University of Portsmouth │
Doctor Who, possibly Britain’s most famous science-fiction television show, has enjoyed success in both its original running from 1963 to 1989, and its reboot from 2005 to the present. Centering around the eponymous ‘Doctor,’ the show follows the adventures of this eccentric and benevolent shape-changing alien around the cosmos in a premise that has remained largely static throughout the 56 years of its circulation. As a child, I was both terrified and enthralled by the television show, and such interest in the fantastical has persisted into my studies (as evident in my previous supernatural post about witchcraft!)
Read moreTravels through Space and Time – The success of Doctor Who
Categories Gale AmbassadorsTags 1960s television, 1970s television, 1980s television, aliens, Cyberman, Dalek, Doctor Who, Gale Ambassador, Gallifrey, pioneering T.V. show, Police Box, Science Fiction, Sonic Screwdriver, storytelling motif, supernatural, Tardis, The Doctor, The Times Digital Archive, The Times Selection, Time Lady, Time Lord, Time travel, what makes a television series successful
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Translating the Rhetoric of Inclusion into Reality
JONATHAN GLAZZARD
This book has traced the autobiographical factors which have shaped the development of an inclusive teacher identity. Additionally, it has examined how the changing discourses of inclusion have shaped its realization in practice across a teaching career which spans in excess of thirty years. Life history method is used to examine the biography and teaching career of one informant. Additionally, an auto-ethnographic approach is employed to consider the effects of inclusion on the school in which the participant currently works. This is not a study which seeks to generalize. The data suggest that personal experiences of exclusion during childhood have significantly shaped the development of an inclusive teacher identity in both me and the participant. Foucault’s concept of transgression is applied to the narrative. Throughout the narrative it has been possible to identify acts of transgression by the informant, both within personal and professional contexts. The narrative and auto-ethnographic account illustrate how it was possible for the informant to develop a more inclusive pedagogy under the previous discourse of integration in comparison to subsequent discourses of inclusion.
Scholars' Press
Published - 10 Apr 2018
https://my.scholars-press.com/catalogue/details/gb/978-620-2-30976-9/translating-the-rhetoric-of-inclusion-into-reality?search=978-6202309769
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Translating the Rhetoric of Inclusion into Reality'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
rhetoric Social Sciences
narrative Social Sciences
discourse Social Sciences
career Social Sciences
exclusion Social Sciences
GLAZZARD, JONATHAN. (2018). Translating the Rhetoric of Inclusion into Reality. Scholars' Press. https://my.scholars-press.com/catalogue/details/gb/978-620-2-30976-9/translating-the-rhetoric-of-inclusion-into-reality?search=978-6202309769
GLAZZARD, JONATHAN. / Translating the Rhetoric of Inclusion into Reality. Scholars' Press, 2018.
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abstract = "This book has traced the autobiographical factors which have shaped the development of an inclusive teacher identity. Additionally, it has examined how the changing discourses of inclusion have shaped its realization in practice across a teaching career which spans in excess of thirty years. Life history method is used to examine the biography and teaching career of one informant. Additionally, an auto-ethnographic approach is employed to consider the effects of inclusion on the school in which the participant currently works. This is not a study which seeks to generalize. The data suggest that personal experiences of exclusion during childhood have significantly shaped the development of an inclusive teacher identity in both me and the participant. Foucault{\textquoteright}s concept of transgression is applied to the narrative. Throughout the narrative it has been possible to identify acts of transgression by the informant, both within personal and professional contexts. The narrative and auto-ethnographic account illustrate how it was possible for the informant to develop a more inclusive pedagogy under the previous discourse of integration in comparison to subsequent discourses of inclusion.",
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GLAZZARD, JONATHAN 2018, Translating the Rhetoric of Inclusion into Reality. Scholars' Press. <https://my.scholars-press.com/catalogue/details/gb/978-620-2-30976-9/translating-the-rhetoric-of-inclusion-into-reality?search=978-6202309769>
Translating the Rhetoric of Inclusion into Reality. / GLAZZARD, JONATHAN.
Scholars' Press, 2018.
T1 - Translating the Rhetoric of Inclusion into Reality
N2 - This book has traced the autobiographical factors which have shaped the development of an inclusive teacher identity. Additionally, it has examined how the changing discourses of inclusion have shaped its realization in practice across a teaching career which spans in excess of thirty years. Life history method is used to examine the biography and teaching career of one informant. Additionally, an auto-ethnographic approach is employed to consider the effects of inclusion on the school in which the participant currently works. This is not a study which seeks to generalize. The data suggest that personal experiences of exclusion during childhood have significantly shaped the development of an inclusive teacher identity in both me and the participant. Foucault’s concept of transgression is applied to the narrative. Throughout the narrative it has been possible to identify acts of transgression by the informant, both within personal and professional contexts. The narrative and auto-ethnographic account illustrate how it was possible for the informant to develop a more inclusive pedagogy under the previous discourse of integration in comparison to subsequent discourses of inclusion.
AB - This book has traced the autobiographical factors which have shaped the development of an inclusive teacher identity. Additionally, it has examined how the changing discourses of inclusion have shaped its realization in practice across a teaching career which spans in excess of thirty years. Life history method is used to examine the biography and teaching career of one informant. Additionally, an auto-ethnographic approach is employed to consider the effects of inclusion on the school in which the participant currently works. This is not a study which seeks to generalize. The data suggest that personal experiences of exclusion during childhood have significantly shaped the development of an inclusive teacher identity in both me and the participant. Foucault’s concept of transgression is applied to the narrative. Throughout the narrative it has been possible to identify acts of transgression by the informant, both within personal and professional contexts. The narrative and auto-ethnographic account illustrate how it was possible for the informant to develop a more inclusive pedagogy under the previous discourse of integration in comparison to subsequent discourses of inclusion.
SN - 978-6202309769
BT - Translating the Rhetoric of Inclusion into Reality
PB - Scholars' Press
GLAZZARD JONATHAN. Translating the Rhetoric of Inclusion into Reality. Scholars' Press, 2018.
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Royal Commission and Brisbane Boys College
RCbbc
library 📚
Tag Archives: peer
How much do the elite take care of their own
Posted on 17/12/2020 by treacl - Tony Anstatt
From ‘When British Royals Are Pedophiles, It’s Called Peccadilloes’ (Frank Report 2019), James Saville fronts the article (as follows).
James Saville
Through reading of this article, attention is drawn again and again by the following second paragraph:
Watch the deck being reshuffled over and over again as the “elite” take care of their own.
Despite receiving intense amounts of counselling, therapies, medications and distractions: many CSA Victims continue to speak about the intensity of their CARC Session and-or their NRS Submission, ripple effects within marriages and families who’re reluctant to admit that these (unkown) Abuses “ever happened” (‘under their responsibility’), disputes and victim-blaming that may result when the CSA Victim has to retell/relive these past experiences to uninvolved relations ‘for interest sake’, splits that may often be blamed on the CSA Victim for ‘being the needle in the haystack’ of their family separation.
many CSA Victims continue to speak about the intensity of their CARC Session and-or;
their NRS Submission;
ripple effects within marriages and families who’re reluctant to admit that these (unkown) Abuses “ever happened” (‘under their responsibility’);
common descriptions of young victims being so targeted, that they did not even know of what parts of the human anatomy were involved: “before I had ever even heard of sex or knew what anatomy was used” (Shivani, 5th paragraph, 2019);
patterns of predators should always be reported + shared with others in that community type (just as this RCbbc.blog). this allows for cautious advice to be shared with others (previous, existing + potential);
disputes and victim-blaming that may result when the CSA Victim has to retell/relive these past experiences to uninvolved relations ‘for interest sake’l;
an earlier victim of a known CSA Predator has gone from being victim, to re-enacting these same behaviours on a new victim. these actions should not occurr + Police should be contacted ASAP;
splits that may often be blamed on the CSA Victim for ‘being the needle in the haystack’ of their family separation;
Hike these are only some of the potential ‘haystack needles’, they do describe some of the experiences that some of the BBC Students had experienced, witnessed or ignored during their enrolment. These articles were never meant to make accusations, only to provide another POV in the often controlled world of ‘free media exposure’. Comments are welcomed, yet relevant threats will now be reported through applicable QPS CPIU channels (previous OCA comments included). As overlapping instances of Qld Baptist’s SDBC have been cited, these warnings are also made via SDBC_RC.
Prince Charles with Sir James, suspected of being a long standing pedophile.
BBC. (2020). Brisbane Boys’ College. https://www.bbc.qld.edu.au
Commonwealth of Australia. (2017). Child Abuse Royal Commission. https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au
Department of Social Services. (2020). National Redress Scheme. https://www.nationalredress.gov.au
OCA. (2020). Brisbane Boys’ College Old Collegians’ Association. http://oldcollegians.com.au
Qld Police Service. (2020). Child Protection Investigation Service. https://www.police.qld.gov.au/units/victims-of-crime/child-protection
SDBC_RC Blog. (2020). Sunnybank District Baptist Church Blog. https://sdbcrc.wordpress.com
Shivani. (2019). When British Royals Are Pedophiles, It’s Called Peccadilloes. https://frankreport.com/2019/08/13/when-british-royals-are-pedophiles-its-called-peccadilloes/
Royal Commission and Brisbane Boys’ College. 2020.
Posted in BBC, elite, GPS, RC | Tagged BBC, child sex abuse, Children, control, criminal, CSA, culture, elite, examples, experienced, impacts, impressions, patterns, peer, private school, RC, royal commission, sdbc, secrets, strategies, victimisation, victims | Leave a Reply
Creativity’s CSA Impact | performing arts + child sexual abuse
Long suspected throughout many CSA Victims’ childhoods, in 2018 Scientific Alert published the following article on the proven-identified link: “Scientists Have Found a Strong Link Between a Terrible Childhood And Being Intensely Creative”. Opening with ‘exposure to abuse, neglect or a dysfunctional family’ throughout a victim’s childhood, expands to join together how these impacts have a clear linkage. Complemented through Counselling and verifying some Victims’ long-held suspicions, this Article gives another (Scientific/Journalistic) POV – which may also satisfy those of us who often felt disbelieved, palmed-away or ignored. We knew what we were/had survived; we just didn’t know how to word, or should I say ‘Scientifically categorise’ what we ‘endured’! … WTF ?!!!… we were only young, innocent kids at their time: the perfect hunting ground, for these Criminal-Pedophilic-Dirty-(typically)-Senior/Old-(WO)-Men.
I apologise for going off on an emotional-outburst, yet this is a toned-down form of many of the conversations had with Victims, Parents and Relations; Thankfully, their mutual aim is to protect this triggering news from younger Siblings; As horrifying as this possibility is to consider, perhaps this is (another) layer of defence which the Criminal-Pedophilic-Dirty-(typically)-Senior/Old-(WO)-Men know of + exploit. Having (naturally?) always having entered the Arts, this Article gives many reasons and answers questions, yet more interests may be shown. Perhaps this is an underlying advantage of Creativity, yet CSA Survivours I’ve spent any time with each have their own ‘checklists’ to work through. At this point, I’ll aim to re-publish the complete Article ASAP, in addition to again providing the Private + Confidential Counsellors. Of great interest, is the amount of focus I am working through with my Counsellor on the “minor and inconsiderate” events, which are actually mounting up to explain the devastating impact which may result.
Hopes are that each of you, your loved ones and each of our ecosystems copes alright throughout this COVID19 Pandemic.
/ / / RECENT SEARCH
Performing artists who were exposed to abuse, neglect or a dysfunctional family as a child might experience their creative process more … https://www.sciencealert.com/childhood-adversity-linked-to-intense-creative-process
Starr, M. (2018). Scientists Have Found a Strong Link Between a Terrible Childhood And Being Intensely Creative. https://www.sciencealert.com/childhood-adversity-linked-to-intense-creative-process
Posted in abuse, Library, Mental Health, Support | Tagged advice, child abuse, child sex abuse, child sexual abuse, childhood, community, coping, creativity, CSA, culture, examples, experienced, patterns, peer, support, victims | 1 Reply
Help out, by helping others
Whenever you may have felt a need to pay something back, here’s a Future-focussed way you can. After interest in earning my own ‘#cryptocurrencies’, I learnt about online wallets. This is where news that ‘Binance Exchange bought TrustWallet’, can start to grab the interest of those outside some of those ‘Elite Circles’ …
Coindo.com article
Each of us can receive 10%. Binance is making waves. https://binance.com/en/register?ref=F9FNH4BM…#binance#cryptocoin Take a look at how cryptocurrencies and blockchain are reshaping our world from Bloomberg @business @crypto
Posted in Support | Tagged advice, donate, elite, eNews, help, peer, Suport, support | Leave a Reply
Meetup closure + Power of Secrets!
Although the MeetUp Group ‘Brisbane Abuse Survivours Network’, now seems to have closed – we’re experiencing larger + wider impacts with this RCbbc Blog. The growth, interaction + time required by these RCbbc Blog pages continue to outweigh any more time + costs taken by running a MeetUp Group as well.
https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/
We’ve now achieved at least 1,124 Subscribers, the ongoing impact + support is filling in a much-needed gap. Particularly direct families continue to be a cause of many surviving-victims not coming forth, I’m now in a position that I’ve recently had a 3rd body start guiding one of my parents through my CSA mess. It’s not a solution, yet it does feel relieving to have an unresolved misunderstanding taken off my shoulders. Please seek help, through a Counsellor!
Secrecy has-does-will have a power over our lives. It always will, yet we each have that same control over it. This is where Predators/Abusers/Facilitators have taken advantage of their assumed targets, typically manipulating their unawareness of their own rights (maturity, trust + secrecy). ‘The Power of Secrets’ in PsychologyToday begins by stating that Secrets can divide people. “They deter relationships. And they freeze development on individuals.”
The Secret life of Families, Evan Imber-Black, Ph.D.
Power of Secrets contains titles of: HOW SECRETS SABOTAGE, SHATTERING THE TRIANGLE, ‘DON’T TELL ANYONE OUR BUSINESS’, BREAKING FAMILY RULES, ROOM FOR REHEARSAL, FROZEN FAMILIES + RESPECTING TRANSITION TIMES. So enthralling are these, I’ll try to repost the entire page ASAP.
From the book The Secret Life of Families by Evan IrabetBlack, Ph.D. Copyright 1998 by Evan Imber-Black. Reprinted by permission of Bantam Books, New York, New York. All rights reserved. Amazon Springer kobo
PHOTO (COLOR): Secrets are kept or opened for many reasons, from self-serving abuses of power to the protection of others. (Unavailable, yet text provided)
PHOTOS (COLOR): Family secrets are destructive and all families have some secrets from the outside world. Resist the temptation to handle them at transition times such as weddings, graduations, and new beginnings. (Unavailable, yet text provided)
BY EVAN IMBER-BLACK
RETRIEVED:
Imber-Black, Evan. (1998). The Power of secrets. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/199807/the-power-secrets
Child Abuse Royal Commission. (2017). Contact & support. https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/contact
Posted in abuse, NRS redress, Qld Justice, Qld Police, RC, Support | Tagged abuse, advice, child sex abuse, child sexual abuse, coping, CSA, peer, RC, royal commission, Suport, support, trust, victims | Leave a Reply
Childhood abuse never ended for thousands of Australian adults
PHOTO After surviving years of abuse at the hands of her family, Sarah has started a family of her own. ABC NEWS: TRACEY SHELTON
Sarah is living proof that “life after hell” is possible.
For more than 20 years she says she endured beatings, rape and degradation at the hands of her family.
She tells of being locked in sheds, made to eat from a dog’s bowl and left tied to a tree naked and alone in the bush.
Her abusers spanned three generations and included her grandfather, father and some of her brothers. She has scars across her body.
“This is from a whipper snipper,” she says, pointing to a deep gouge of scar tissue wrapped around the back of her ankle. Higher up is another she says was caused by her father’s axe.
Family violence support services:
1800 Respect national helpline 1800 737 732
Women’s Crisis Line 1800 811 811
Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491
Lifeline (24 hour crisis line) 131 114
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
But Sarah survived.
Now she is speaking out in the hope of empowering others trapped in abusive situations.
“There is life after hell, but you need to learn how to believe in yourself,” she says.
A reality for many Australian adults
As confronting as Sarah’s case may be, she is not alone.
While most people assume child abuse ends at adulthood, it can bring control, fear and manipulation that can last a lifetime.
Incestuous abuse into adulthood affects roughly 1 in 700 Australians, according to research by psychiatrist Warwick Middleton — one of the world’s leading experts in trauma and dissociation. If that estimate is accurate, tens of thousands of Australian adults like Sarah are being abused by family members into their 20s or even up to their 50s.
PHOTO Warwick Middleton is one of the world’s leading experts in trauma and dissociation. ABCNEWS Tracey Shelton
“It’s a mechanism of ongoing conditioning that utilises every human’s innate attachment dynamics, and where fear and shame are used prominently to ensure silence — particularly shame,” says Professor Middleton, an academic at the University of Queensland and a former president of the International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation.
He has personally identified almost 50 cases among his patients, yet there was no literature or studies on this kind of abuse when he began publishing his findings.
Hidden in ‘happy’ families, successful careers
Sydney criminologist Michael Salter has found similar patterns in his own research. He said cases of incest are “fairly likely” to continue into adulthood, but this extreme form of domestic abuse is unrecognised within our health and legal systems.
“It’s unlikely that these men are going to respect the age of consent,” says Mr Salter, who is an associate professor of criminology at Western Sydney University. “It doesn’t make sense that they would be saying, ‘Oh you’re 18 now so I’m not going to abuse you anymore’. We’re just not having a sensible conversation about it.”
The ABC spoke with 16 men and women who described being abused from childhood into adulthood.
They said their abusers included fathers, step-fathers, mothers, grandparents, siblings and uncles.
Medical and police reports, threatening messages and photos of the abuse supported these accounts. Some family members also confirmed their stories.
PHOTO Sarah’s father often recorded the abuse. This image is the first in a series of five she discovered in the family home.
Sarah says her father and his friends photographed some of her abuse. One image shows her beaten and bloodied with a broken sternum at five. In another photo (pictured here), she cowers as her father approaches with a clenched fist.
Most victims described their families as “well-respected” and outwardly “normal-looking”, yet for many the abuse continued well after their marriage and the birth of their own children, as they navigated successful careers.
“You see a lot of upper-income women who are medical practitioners, barristers, physiatrists — high functioning in their day-to-day lives — being horrifically abused on the weekends by their family,” Mr Salter says.
Helen, a highly successful medical professional, says she hid sexual abuse by her father for decades.
“They didn’t see the struggle within,” she says.
A mental ‘escape’
Professor Middleton describes abuse by a parent as “soul destroying”. In order to survive psychologically, a child will often dissociate from the abuse.
Compartmentalising memories and feelings can be an effective coping strategy for a child dependent on their abuser, says Pam Stavropoulos, head of research at the Blue Knot Foundation, a national organisation that works with the adult survivors of childhood trauma.
‘I learnt to disappear’
Like a “shattered glass”, three women discuss the myths and challenges of living with Dissociative Identity Disorder.
The extreme and long-lasting nature of ongoing abuse can result in dissociative identity disorder, which on the one hand can shield a victim from being fully aware of the extent of the abuse but can also leave them powerless to break away, Ms Stavropoulos says.
Claire*, 33, describes her dissociation as both her greatest ally and her worst enemy.
“You feel like you’ve keep it so secret that you’ve fooled the world and you’ve fooled yourself,” she says.
In her family, women — her mother and grandmother — have been the primary physical and sexual abusers and she says some of her abuse is ongoing.
“In a way you have freedom, but at the same time you are trapped in a nightmare,” she says.
‘It’s like he’s melted into my flesh’
For many, the attachment to an abuser can be so strong, they lose their own sense of identity.
Kitty, who was abused by her father for more than five decades until his recent death, says she did everything her family said to try to win their love.
“I thought I was some kind of monster because I still love my father,” she says. “It’s like he’s melted into my flesh. I can feel him. He is always here.”
Raquel’s rage grew from her family’s dark past
Four years into my relationship with my new partner, I realised I was continuing a cycle of abuse. I am a survivor of family sexual abuse who was raised by a child molesterer, and I was releasing my rage on the closest person to me, writes Raquel O’Brien.
Mr Salter says the conditioning is difficult to undo, and often leaves a victim vulnerable to “opportunistic abuse” and violent relationships.
“If the primary deep emotional bond that you forge is in the context of pain and fear then that is how you know that you matter,” he says. “It’s how you know that you are being seen by someone.”
Many of those the ABC spoke with were also abused by neighbours or within the church or school system. Others married violent men.
“They don’t have the boundaries that people normally develop,” Mr Salter says, adding that parental abuse could leave them “completely blind to obvious dodgy behaviour because that’s what’s normal for them”.
‘You believe they own your body’
Professor Middleton said premature exposure to sex confuses the mind and the body and leaves a child vulnerable to involuntary sexual responses that perpetrators will frequently manipulate to fuel a sense of shame, convincing them they “want” or “enjoy” the abuse.
For Emma*, violent sexual assaults and beatings at home began when she was five and are continuing more than 40 years later.
“When you are naked, beaten, humiliated and showing physical signs of arousal, it really messes with your head. It messes with your sexuality,” she says.
“Your sense of what is OK and what isn’t becomes really confused. You come to believe that they literally own you and own your body. That you don’t deserve better than this.”
A medical report viewed by ABC shows Emma required a blood transfusion last month after sustaining significant internal tissue damage from a sharp object. The report stated Emma had a history of “multiple similar assaults”.
She said medical staff do want you to get help and sometimes offered to call police.
“What they don’t understand is that for me police are not necessarily a safe option,” she says.
As a teenager she had tried to report to the police, but was sent back home to face the consequences.
She said a “lack of understanding about the dynamics of abuse and the effects of trauma” mean victims rarely get the response and help they need.
While Emma has been unable to escape the abuse, she has made many sacrifices to shelter her children from it. But they still suffer emotionally, she says.
“It makes it hard for anyone who cares about you having to watch you hurt over and over again.”
Incest after marriage and kids
For Graham, it was devastating to find out his wife Cheryl* was being sexually abused by both her parents 10 years into their marriage.
“I had no idea it was going on,” he says, of the abuse that continued even after the birth of their children. “The fight between wanting to kill [her father] and knowing it’s wrong wasn’t fun. I don’t think people know what stress is unless they’ve been faced with something like that.”
With Graham’s support, the family cut contact with his in-laws. He says the fallout of this abuse ripples through society impacting everyone around both the abused and the abuser.
Mr Salter urges anyone suffering abuse to reach out for help, and for those around them to be supportive and non-judgemental.
“You can get out — don’t take no for an answer. Keep fighting until you find someone who is going to help you keep fighting,” he says.
Sarah met Professor Middleton after a suicide attempt at 14, but it took many years for her to trust and accept that things could change.
“I just couldn’t grasp I was free. It didn’t matter what anyone did,” she says.
“I still felt overall that my family was in control of me and at any moment they could kill me.”
Through therapy with Professor Middleton — who she spoke of as the only father figure she has ever known — and the support of her friends and partner, Sarah finally broke away from her abusive family to start a new life of her own.
“You need people to help you through it. In the same way that it took other people to cause you the pain, it takes new people to replace them and help you give yourself another go,” she says.
“If I can give hope to one other person out there, then all my years of pain will not have been for nothing.”
*name changed to protect identity
https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-01/family-sex-abuse-survivor-took-rage-out-on-partner/10155992
Posted in CSA, eNews, Legal, Library, Mental Health, Qld Police, Support | Tagged advice, dissociation, family, family violence support, legal, Library, peer, police, support, trauma, victims, violence | Leave a Reply
Delays in Institutions run similar to Facebook tactics
“Delay, Deny and Deflect: How Facebook’s Leaders Fought Through Crisis” is what a New York Times Article is titled, followed by the overplayed icon photograph:
Facebook has gone on the attack as one scandal after another — Russian meddling, data sharing, hate speech — has led to a congressional and consumer backlash.CreditCreditTom Brenner for The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/14/technology/facebook-data-russia-election-racism.html
Having paid significant attention to moments that FB-Facebook has appeared on Australia’s ABC, I recognised similarities between one monolith & that of church Institutions in Australia. National Redress Scheme is applicable to any Child Abuse Survivour, yet hearing of deaths before Compensation &/or Redress is made seems to reignite the fire.
The long, painful wait for abuse survivors to see redress
Please read through the linked Article above: “The long, painful wait …” to read information such as the following:
“These figures confirm what we have known; there is huge inequity between the Catholic Church’s wealth and their responses to survivors,” said Helen Last, chief executive of the In Good Faith Foundation, which supports abuse survivors.
“The 600 survivors registered for our foundation’s services continue to experience minimal compensation and lack of comprehensive care in relation to their church abuses. They say their needs are the lowest of church priorities.”
Healy said the church’s meeting the claims of survivors whose complaints of abuse were upheld was “amongst its highest priorities”. He said that since that report the church had paid an extra $17.2 million to survivors.
The Age’s investigation also calls into question the privileges the church enjoys, including exemptions from nearly all forms of taxation and billions of dollars in government funding each year to run services – $7.9 billion for its Australian schools alone in 2015.
It involved obtaining property valuations from 36 Victorian councils, including most of the Melbourne metropolitan area, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, many under freedom of information.
It identified more than 1860 church-owned properties with “capital improved value” (land plus buildings) of just under $7 billion.
SOURCES: https://www.theage.com.au/interactive/2018/catholic-inc-what-the-church-is-really-worth/
https://newviralstory.com/the-long-painful-wait-for-abuse-survivors-to-see-redress/
Posted in catholic, CSA, eNews, Facebook, knowmore, Legal, NRS redress, Qld Police, RC, Social Media | Tagged child sex abuse, Church, CSA, culture, Facebook, Institutional, institutional responses, media, NRS, patterns, pedophiles, peer, police, RC, Redress, royal commission, SM, victims | 1 Reply
Noteworthy CSA Posts : similarities?
In the midnight of black-out curtains
I see that bright light again
though it’s slower this time
spreading across my face
like it wants me to see it
lingering to illumine
but this is not a tunnel to Heaven.
A man’s weight presses down on me
I won’t shift his presence for days
and cries drawn out will remain in my ears
whether fear, pain, horror
it’s clear they are mine
I sound like a child being hurt
with no way out.
That familiar pain in the PFC*
What did they do to me?
*Prefrontal cortex
© 2018 archaeotrauma
The Birth of a Book- The story of a ForgWhy The Impact of Child Abuse otten Australian
Sixty years later my friend courageously gave evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Her life has been a battle to recover from the abuse that was perpetrated against her as a child. Its been an honour to hear and record her story. Now I just need to find a way so you can hear it too.
Extends Well Into Adulthood
Research finds that child abuse harms mental and physical health in adulthood.
Child abuse, Signs of Hope & Study findings.
The study’s lead author, Abigail Millings of the University of Bristol, commented in a research summary that researchers sought to examine how caregiving plays out in families: “…how one relationship affects another relationship. We wanted to see how romantic relationships between parents might be associated with what kind of parents they are. Our work is the first to look at romantic caregiving and parenting styles at the same time.”
The research found – no surprise – that “a common skill set underpins caregiving across different types of relationships, and for both mothers and fathers. If you can do responsive caregiving, it seems that you can do it across different relationships.”
Millings added, ”It might be the case that practicing being sensitive and responsive — for example, by really listening and by really thinking about the other person’s perspective — to our partners will also help us to improve these skills with our kids.”
Posted in RC | Tagged advocacy, child sex abuse, CSA, peer, support | Leave a Reply
Royal Commission – Update
Following today receiving calls from Royal Commission staff, the ‘Statements’ have begun to be posted from others. Following SMS messages with a Classmate and previous PMSA discourse – our Report should satisfy updated RC details.
Posted in Edu, RC | Tagged experienced, input, institutional responses, peer, Report, victims | Leave a Reply
treacl - Tony Anstatt
The National Redress Scheme – Newsletter
Brainwashing in the local institutional church
Recent reads …
FACT SHEET ON MEMORY: THE TRUTH OF MEMORY AND THE MEMORY OF TRUTH
ACGS Churchie
ATSI Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Blue Knot
Clayfield College
kid & teen issues
knowmore
NRS redress
PMSA
QGSSSA
Qld Justice
Qld Police
Somerville House
Sommerville House
Sunshine Coast Grammar School
What we are learning about responding to child sexual abuse
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IS OUR OBSESSION WITH HEALTH HEALTHY?
Over the years I’ve gone from a 250lb bodybuilder to a 205lb CrossFit Games Regional competitor. From running a free blog called ‘Globofit’ for my gym-rat friends to follow CrossFit workouts, to owning, operating, and programming hundreds of workouts for thousands of athletes through my 2 businesses Raincity Athletics and The Canadian Affiliate League. From running free boot camp classes in a park as a way to sell protein shakes, to training a variety of high level athletes. Every one of these accomplishments was a very long, twisted, and stressful road full of learning.
This is due to the fact that I tend to obsess over things. I like to overdo it. Whether it’s as simple as a song that I put on repeat for a week, training and exercise, or opening my own business. In my lifetime I have overdone many things in both good and bad ways, and I’ve learned a lot from these experiences. Learning from these mistakes is why I love running Raincity Athletics. I get to teach my clients (and coaches) how to not make the same mistakes that I have made. And there have been a lot.
SOMETIMES LIFE GETS IN THE WAY
With all these mistakes I’ve made, and learning I’ve done, I’ve evolved from believing that health must be your #1 priority in order to be able to function at a high enough level to achieve these things - to realizing that sometimes the only way to truly prioritize our health is to be comfortable and confident enough to not prioritize our health.
Sometimes life gets in the way of our healthy plans. It could be as small as traffic interfering with getting to your workout, to major injuries having you off the training floor for months, or sometimes life just throws you a whole basket full of lemons. Either way, the healthiest thing you can do for your body (and mind) during these times is to accept that you cannot always prioritize your health. I’m not saying if life throws you off the horse it’s ok to give up, but sometimes the best thing to do is accept that we must walk beside and lead the horse, before we jump back on.
There’s lots of enemies to our health in the world today, no matter what path (paleo, zone, vegetarian, etc) you believe in. Processed foods, sugar, and sedentary lifestyles are a few – but one of the biggest culprits of inflammation, diseases, and weight gain is one that rarely gets enough attention: Stress.
“I didn’t get a workout in today”
“I didn’t run as fast or lift as much as I should/would/could have”
“I blacked out and ate a tub of Earnest” (it happens ok??)
Whether you are a professional athlete, make a living through health or a sport, or you’re in your period of obsession for a goal – then keep that up. You are either paid to stress out about these things, or you know what you’re signing up for. I applaud the sacrifices you are making to do so. But for the rest of us (or when your professional endeavors end) you’ll have to find a balance because the problem is the higher we prioritize our health, the more likely we are to stress about it.
CREATE SUSTAINABILITY. NOT STRESS.
The only way to truly prioritize our health, is to balance it with our life so that we can minimize our stresses and create sustainable habits that become second nature. I think it’s great to go through a period of health obsession; whether it’s via a 30 day nutrition or health challenge, or signing up and training for a big race/competition - do it! But once it’s done, remember the big picture: health & longevity. Take the lessons your learned from your period of obsession, and apply them in a way that create sustainability, not stress.
I’m not saying you should let yourself eat a pint of Earnest ice cream a day (we all make mistakes ok? #worthit) but remember the balance - because getting stressed out about what you did or didn’t do in the end might do more damage than the act itself.
Learn from your mistakes and just keep moving forward towards your higher level of strength, beauty, health, and balanced happiness.
About the Athlete
Simon ‘Thor’ Damborg is Head Coach and Program Director at Raincity Athletics and The Canadian Affiliate League. A Crossfitter, Olympic weightlifter, downhill skier and volleyball player among other things, he enjoys helping people realize how much more our bodies can do than our minds let us. Rather than helping a small group of people attain elite status, he prefers to try to help the masses make minor lifestyle changes that in turn will help societies health issues as a whole.
© 2021 RYU Apparel Inc USA
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Europol and IT security firms united against the ransomware
July 26, 2016 By Pierluigi Paganini
The No More Initiative aims to spread information about ransomware and the risk of exposure,providing suggestions to avoid falling victim to the threat.
A joint operation conducted by the Europol with police and cyber security firms worldwide aims to tackle the Ransomware threat. It has been estimated that the ransomware victims tripled in the first quarter of this year alone.
The joint effort was announced by the Europol, the initiative was called ‘NO More Ransom,’ Kaspersky and Intel are the IT giants that participate in the initiative alongside with the Netherlands police.
The “exponential” rise in Ransomware threat represents a serious problem for users online and it is a profitable business for cyber criminals. The operation NO More Ransom is the response of the Europol of the growing threat.
“Today, the Dutch National Police, Europol, Intel Security andKaspersky Lab join forces to launch an initiative called No More Ransom, a new step in the cooperation between law enforcement and the private sector to fight ransomware together.” states the official announcement published by the European law enforcement Agency. ” No More Ransom (www.nomoreransom.org) is a new online portal aimed at informing the public about the dangers of ransomware and helping victims to recover their data without having to pay ransom to the cybercriminals.”
The No More Initiative aims to spread more information about the ransomware threat and the risk of exposure, providing suggestions to avoid falling victim to this family of malware. The online portal includes a session that provides instruction to prevent a ransomware attack and give the users also to report a crime to the European Law Enforcement Agencies.
“For a few years now ransomware has become a dominant concern for EU law enforcement. It is a problem affecting citizens and business alike, computers and mobile devices, with criminals developing more sophisticated techniques to cause the highest impact on the victim’s data.” declared the Europol’s deputy director Wil van Gemert. “Initiatives like the No More Ransom project shows that linking expertise and joining forces is the way to go in the successful fight against cybercrime. We expect to help many people to recover control over their files, while raising awareness and educating the population on how to maintain their devices clean from malware.”
Online users may access the No More Ransom portal to download freely available tools that may allow them to decrypt files locked by the ransomware. At the time I was writing the NoMoreRansom website includes the decryption tools for 4 popular threats, including CryptXXX, CoinVault and Bitcryptor .
The “Crytpo Sherrif” section was implemented to allow visitors to upload ransomware samples and a description to identify the type of ransomware.
Below the list of suggestions published on the No More Ransom portal:
Back-up! Back-up! Back-up!
Use robust antivirus software to protect your system from ransomware.
Keep all the software on your computer up to date.
Trust no one. Literally.
Enable the ‘Show file extensions’ option in the Windows settings on your computer.
If you discover a rogue or unknown process on your machine, disconnect it immediately from the internet or other network connections.
Of course, don’t pay the ransom!
(Security Affairs – cybercrime, Europol)
EuropolHackinglaw enforcementmalwareNo More Ransomransomware
Hackers are offering for sale O2 customer data on the dark web
Hacker Interviews – MLT, Core member of the TeaMp0isoN
O2 customer data that was reportedly first stolen from the gaming site XSplit in November 2013 are now offered for sale on the Dark...
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Civilian Awards
Padma Bhushan,Awarded by the Government of India (January 2010)
Padma Shri,Awarded by the Government of India (January, 2000)
Honorary Doctorate
D. Lit.,Awarded by the Aligarh Muslim University (June, 2009)
D. Lit.,Awarded by the Middlesex University (July, 2009)
D. Lit.,Awarded by the Anna University (August, 2009)
D. Lit.,Awarded by the Miami University (May, 2012)
Doctor of Music degree Awarded by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (2014)
Honorary doctor of music degree Berklee College of Music (2014)
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars),Best Score: Slumdog Millionaire (2009)
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars),Best Song:“Jai ho,” Slumdog Millionaire (2009)
Grammy Award for Best Motion Picture Song:“Jai ho,”Slumdog Millionaire (2010)
Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album: Slumdog Millionaire (2009)
Roja (Tamil, l993)
Minsara Kanavu (Tamil, I997)
Lagaan (Hindi, 2002)
Kannathil Muthamittal (Tamil, 2003)
Gentleman (Tamil, I994)
R.D. Burman Award for Best New Musical Talent,
Roja (Hindi, l995)
Kaadhalan (Tamil, l995)
Rangeela (Hindi, I996)
Bombay (Tamil, I996)
Kadhal Desam (Tamil, I997)
Minsara Kanavu (Tamil, l998)
Dil Se (Hindi, I999)
Jeans (Tamil, I999)
Taal (Hindi, 2000)
Mudhalvan (Tamil, 2000)
Alaipayuthey (Tamil, 2001 )
Best Background Score The Legend of Bhagat Singh (Hindi, 2003)
Saathiya (Hindi, 2003)
Best Background Score Swades (Hindi, 2005)
Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)
Sillunu Oru Kadhal (Tamil, 2007)
Guru (Hindi, 2008)
Best Background Score Guru (Hindi, 2008)
Sivaji: (Tamil, 2008)
Best Background Score :Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi, 2009)
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2009)
Delhi 6 (Hindi, 2010)
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (Tamil, 2011)
Ye Maaye Chesave (Telugu, 2011)
Rockstar (Hindi, 2012)
Kadal (Tamil, 2014)
Screen Awards
Kadhal Desam (South Tamil I997)
Minsara Kanavu (South Tamil I998)
Best Non film Album Vande Mataram ( I998)
Taal (Hindi 2000)
Best Background Score Rang De Basantl (Hindi 2007)
Guru (Hindi 2008)
Best Background Score Guru (Hindi 2008)
Best Background Score Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi 2009)
Delhi 6 (Hindi 2010)
Dinakaran Cine Awards
Minsara Kanavu (Tamil I998)
Jeans (Tamil I999)
Mudhalvan (Tamil I999)
Kadhalar Dhmam (Tamil 2000)
Tamil Nadu State Award
Roja (I993)
Gentleman ( I994)
Kaadhalan (I995)
Bombay ( I996)
Mlnsara Kanavu ( I998)
Sangamam (2000)
Cinema Express Award
Roja (Tamil, I993)
Kalasaagar Award
Film Fans’ Award
Cine Goers’ Award
Zee Cine Awards
Best Background Score: The Legend of Bhagat Singh (Hindi, 2003)
Best Background Score: Guru (Hindi, 2008)
Bollywood International Film Awards
Saathiya (Hindi 2003)
Bollywood International Music Awards
Best Song :Taal Se Taal Mila Taal (Hindi 2000)
International lndian Film Awards (IIFA)
Best Background Score Saathiya (Hindi, 2003)
Best Background Score Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)
Best Song Recording Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)
Best Composer Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)
Best Composer Guru (Hindi, 2008)
Outstanding Achievement by an lndian in International Cinema (2008)
Best Background Score Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi, 2009)
Best Composer Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi, 2009)
Composer of the Decade (Special Award 2009)
Global Indian Film Awards (GIFA)
Rang De Basanti (Hindi 2007)
Best Background Score Rang De Basanti (Hindi 2007)
Sahara Sangeet Awards
Yuva (Hindi, 2004)
Best Music Arranger Meenaxi, A Tale of 3 Cities (Hindi, 2004)
Critics Award Swades (Hindi, 2005)
Channel [V] Awards
Viewer’s Choice Award (1998)
Best Producer Vande Mataram (1998)
MTV Awards
MTV IMI Award for Best Song:“Dil se re,” Dil Se (Hindi, 1999)
MTV Asia Music Awards for Most Popular Artiste, India (2003)
MTV Immies for Saathiya (Hindi, 2003)
V Shantaram Film Awards
Taal (2001)
Guru (2007)
Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
Vikatan Awards
Best Music Director – Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (Tamil 2011)
Star Vijay Awards
Most Favourite Music Director (2006)
Best Music Director: Sivaji (Tamil, 2008)
Best Music Director : Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (Tamil 2010)
Best Music Director : Kadal
CNN-lBN Song of the Year Award
“Roobaroo,” Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2006)
“Tere bina,” Guru (Hindi, 2007)
“Kabhi kabhi Aditi,” Jaane Tu. . Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2008)
Song of the Year:“Jashn-e-bahaara,” Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi, 2009)
Album of the Year: Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2009)
Music Director of the Year (Hindi, 2009)
Best Background Score : Jodhaa Akbar (Hindi, 2009)
2009 Listeners’ Choice Song of the Year:“ Kabhi Kabhi Aditi,” Jaane Tu..Ya Jaane Na
Listeners’ Choice Album of the Year: Jaane Tu..Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2009)
BIG Star Entertainment Awards
BIG Star Most Entertaining Song – “Saadda Haq”
R.D. Burman Award for Best New Composer,
SuMu Music Awards (l993)
Lux-Kumudam Award: Kaadhalan (Tamil, 1995)
Stardust Cine Honours, Best Music: Taal (Hindi, 2000)
Filmgoers’ Award for Best Music: Taal (Hindi, 2000)
ARY Asian Bollywood Music Awards,
Outstanding Asian Musician (2005)
Pogo TVAwards for Best Song:“Masti ki paathshala,” Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)
NDTV Song of the Year Award 2006:“Masti ki paathshala,” Rang De Basanti (Hindi, 2007)
Sunfeast Isai Aruvi Tamil Film Music Awards 2008, Best Music: Sivaji (Tamil)
LA Critics Film Awards, Best Score: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Black Reel Awards, Best Score: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
NY Film Critics Online Awards, Best Score: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
International Press Academy Satellite Awards, Best Score: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
San Diego Film Critics Awards, Best Score: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Pogo TV Amazing Song of the Year:“Kabhi kabhi Aditi,”Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2008)
Lux Sabsey Favourite Kaun Awards 2009: Sabse Favourite Gaana “Kabhi kabhi Aditi”
Houston Film Critics Society Awards, Best Original Score, Runner-up: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Houston Film Critics Society Awards, Best Original Song, Runner-up:“jai ho,” Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
BFCA Critics Choice Awards, Best Composer: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards, Best Composer, Runner-up: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Golden Globes, Best Composer: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Asian Film Awards, Best Music: Jodhaa Abkar (Hindi, 2009)
British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA)Best Music: Slumdog Millionaire (2009)
Cine Blitz Awards, Best Music:Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na (Hindi, 2009)
BMI Film Music Awards, Best Music: Slumdog Millionaire (2009)
Awards for overall achievement in music
Madras Telugu Academy Puraskar (1992 to 1994)
Sanskriti Award,Awarded by the Sanskriti Foundation (1994)
Bommai Nagi Reddy Award (I995)
Kalaimamani Award, Awarded by the Government of Tamil Nadu (I995)
Thangapillai Award (1995)
Rajiv Gandhi Award (1995)
Gana Kaladhair,Awarded by Bharat Kalachar (1996)
Malaysian National Award for Contribution to Music (1996)
Fanta Award (999)
Awadh Sammaan,Awarded by the Government of Uttar Pradesh (May, 2001)
Al-Ameen Education Society Community Award (2001)
Amir Khusro Sangeet Nawaz Award (2002)
Lata Mangeshkar Samman,Awarded by the Government of Madhya Pradesh (2005)
Mahavir Mahatma Award,Awarded by the Oneness Foundation(April, 2005)
Honour for Contribution to Global Music, Awarded by Stanford University, USA (January, 2006)
Swaralaya Award for Contribution to Music (2007)
Limca Book of Records, Indian of the Year for Contribution to Popular Music (2007)
CineMaya Indian Achiever Award (2007)
Isai Thirai Award 2008
Rotary Club of Chennai Award for Lifetime Achievement (2008)
CNN-IBN Global Indian of theYear (2009)
UK Asian Music Awards 2009 – Outstanding Achievement
Sanatan Sangeet Puraskar 2006
Vijay TV Awards – Chevalier Shivaji Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music (2009)
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Engineer Change.
UCLA Samueli engineers are looking to build therapeutic devices that will connect directly with our brains. It’s just one example of our breakthrough engineering technologies in medicine. We are searching for new ways to develop new drugs much more rapidly. We are using AI to build cancer treatments tailored to the individual. We’re crunching big data to better understand how genetics impact disease and building nanoscale tools to effect better cures.
Endeavors of this magnitude require a great deal of collaboration, and our research partners at the world-renowned David Geffen School of Medicine are just a few steps away. And while our work is largely conducted locally, our vision is global – supporting the health needs of underserved communities and developing countries around the world.
Explore today’s latest technologies from UCLA Samueli that will improve healthcare and save lives tomorrow.
Click on the links below to visit some of our labs.
Neural Computation and Engineering Laboratory
The research group studies questions at the intersection of neuroscience and computation.
Director: Jonathan Kao, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering
Microfluidic Biotechnology Laboratory
Exploiting unique physics, microenvironment control, and the potential for automation associated with miniaturized systems for applications in basic biology, medical diagnostics, and cellular engineering.
Director: Dino Di Carlo, professor of bioengineering, and mechanical and aerospace engineering
Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory
Research in stem cell engineering and mechanobiology, as well as tissue engineering and vascular remodeling.
Director: Song Li, professor and chair of bioengineering
Khademhossieni Laboratory
Using a multi-disciplinary approach to develop microscale and nanoscale technologies with the ultimate goal of generating tissue-engineered organs and controlling cell behavior.
Director: Ali Khademhosseini, professor of bioengineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, and radiology
Seidlits Research Group
Applying engineering approaches to develop therapeutic strategies that promote regeneration of healthy central nervous system tissues.
Director: Stephanie Seidlits, assistant professor of bioengineering
Aydogan Ozcan Research Group
Introducing fundamentally new imaging and sensing architectures to address the immediate needs and requirements of telemedicine for global health problems.
Director: Aydogan Ozcan, Chancellor’s Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Bioengineering
Chen Lab
Building synthetic biological circuits for medical applications, engineering next-generation chimeric antigen receptors
Director: Yvonne Chen, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering
Optofluidic Systems Group
Developing heterogeneously integrated functional devices and systems for biomedical applications.
Director: Eric Pei-Yu Chiou, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and bioengineering
Zarlab
Developing techniques for solving the challenging computational problems that arise in attempting to understand the genetic basis of human disease.
Director: Eleazar Eskin, professor of computer science, and human genetics
Big Data Genomic Lab
Improve our understanding and treatment of human disease by the analysis of big data collected in relation to the diseases.
Director: Eran Halperin, professor of computer science, human genetics, and anesthesiology
Back to Research Pillars
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Sarah Berman, journalist
Pitch me a story at sarah dot berms at gmail dot com
Writing + Editing
NXIVM Book
Lan Tung sets out to redefine ‘Chinese music’
The musician and improviser puts her eclectic tastes on display with the first-ever Sound of Dragon Festival beginning May 1.
Chinese music, erhu, experimental, Guidebook, improv, Lan Tung, Sound of Dragon
REVIEW: Elsethings Festival with Raleigh, PrOphecy Sun and We Are Phantoms Again
While East Vancouver celebrated the demise of a beloved venue with abandon, a smaller gathering in the West End launched an unexpected new haven for fun-having. Though it certainly wasn’t the first show hosted by Googly Eyes Collective, Elsethings Arts Festival—a collage of performance, film, art, and cozy hangouts—was charged with expectation, light, and new beginnings.
Discorder Magazine, Googly Eyes Collective, Indie, prOphecy sun, Raleigh, Vancouver, We Are Phantoms Again, West End
REVIEW: Mother Mother with Hannah Georgas at the Orpheum
At a sold-out Wednesday night show, whilst a snowstorm swirled outside, it was obvious just how much frontman Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother enjoys the drama associated with a perceived apocalypse. Forces both natural and amplified came together in theatrical tension on the Orpheum stage, beginning with a foreboding opener (and new album title) “The Sticks.”
Discorder Magazine, Hannah Georgas, Indie, Mother Mother, Vancouver
New Dogg, Old Tricks
He may have reincarnated himself as a reggae artist, but so far this summer, the rapper is sticking to a more familiar style. Which Snoop will make an appearance at Montreal’s Osheaga Music Festival this weekend?
Catalpa, Globe and Mail, hip-hop, New York, reggae, Snoop Dogg, Snoop Lion
PODCAST: Summer Fling
Being the starving (okay, lentil-eating) writer that I am, gifts generally come from the heart rather than my wallet. Since this birthday mixtape is full of sun-soaked summer jams with only a few weird autobiographical interjections (sorry in advance!) I thought I might share this one more widely.
Berman Down the House, DIIV, Frank Ocean, Grimes, Pleasure Cruise, podcast, Shabazz Palaces
VIDEO: A takeaway jam
For many of the musicians I know, band practice is an intimate weekly ritual. One member taps out a rhythm overheard on the bus, while another articulates some severely internet-centric lyric. Sometimes it’s all lighbulbs and fireworks. Other times ideas are ridiculed and abandoned as quickly as they’re expressed.
The Adulthood graciously shared a jam session with me, and even let me point a camera at their faces. When I stopped by, they were jamming out a new song called ‘Til Death do us Part. This is the resulting video/jam/document/thing.
Indie, jammin' with, The Adulthood, Vancouver
East Van’s underground music lab
In the labyrinth of jam spaces and studios known as the Secret Location, it seems a noisy cross-genre experiment is born every minute. Buzzing with activity on a recent Saturday afternoon in Vancouver, nearly 100 local bands set aside their hangovers to come down and get photographed for the upcoming Music Waste festival.
Aquanaut, DIY recording, Juvenile Hall, metal, Music Waste, Nite Prison, noise, psych, punk, Random Cuts, Secret Location, Vancouver
REVIEW: Oneohtrix Point Never live at W2
Trippiness is a strange musical currency; value is so often predicated on the mind-altering substances consumed by its listeners. Having arrived stone sober at W2 to see Oneohtrix Point Never (Brooklyn-based Daniel Lopatin), this reviewer admits she was only adequately captivated by the synaptic soundscapes on offer Wednesday night. But as someone’s grandma might say: better to be challenged than bored.
80(sun), Beamss, Black Dice, connect_icut, Discorder Magazine, drone, electro, Flash Palace, Justice, noise, Plays:four, Pop Drones
Artist prOphecy sun keeps a recording studio in her pocket
You might think it takes a lot of equipment to record and edit vocals, instrumental tracks, field recordings and music videos for half a dozen different bands. But for one Vancouver performance artist with a penchant for singing on her bike, all it takes is an iPhone.
Prophecy Sun is a singer, dancer and creator whose curiosity keeps her moving. “For me it comes down to accessibility,” she says of her pocket-sized piece of gear. “First and foremost, it’s so immediate. I don’t have to worry about getting someone else involved, I can just press record and start doing it.”
Indie, iPhone, music, OpenFile, performance art, prOphecy sun, recording
Grimes: “It’s kinda psychedelic…”
It wasn’t so long ago that Claire Boucher—a.k.a. Grimes—released a miniscule run of 30 cassettes for her breezy electro-goth debut Geidi Primes. Just over a year ago, the Vancouver-born, but then Montreal-based artist played to a modest crowd at the Astoria with the help of local jack-of-most-trades, Cameron Reed.
“Cam set up my first show in Vancouver, which was really nice of him,” Boucher recalls of the de facto show promoter, who also crafts glitchy atmospherics under the banner Babe Rainbow. On the line from her parents’ place in town, Boucher reflects on how far she’s come.
Blood Diamonds, Claire Boucher, Discorder Magazine, Grimes, Montreal, Vancouver
Vancouver’s newest record label skips CD format
Vancouver has a tradition of local forward-thinking record labels, from Nettwerk to Mint to Scratch Records. But the latest imprint to launch in this city has a new, untested idea: Sizzle Teen Records will forgo the CD format and focus on vinyl and digital sales exclusively.
“If you look at the big guys in the music industry, from Warner Brothers to HMV, they’re all pretty much failing,” says label founder Richie Fudalewski. “From our experience, CDs are not worth it.”
Adele, c, OpenFile, Sizzle Teen, Spin Digital, Vancouver, Zulu Records
Best records of 2011
Nguzunguzu – The Perfect Lullaby. A labyrinth of stripped-down loops and beats referencing ’90s R&B chart-toppers and Angolan kizomba & zouk in equal measures. Truly the only possible way to enjoy eight hours trapped in a Mozambican airport.
MYTHS – MYTHS. Supercharged electro-noise with a semi-psychotic swagger. First caught them opening for HEALTH and they’ve been terrifying me ever since. “Deadlights” is basically Alice Glass squared.
best of 2011, Discorder Magazine, HEALTH, MYTHS, Nguzunguzu, The Perfect Lullaby, Vancouver
REVIEW: Lightning Dust / Hard Drugs split 7″
Crafted by a pair of local boy/girl two-pieces, this split seven-inch pressed on white vinyl has a dark side and a goofy side—both of which may cause you to unwittingly sing in public.
First up is Lightning Dust, one of the many successful side projects spawned by hometown stoner-rockers Black Mountain. Amber Webber and Joshua Wells explore their ‘80s goth-pop side in the moody, half-whispered affirmation “Never Again.” With quiet beginnings, the track swells into several timpani and thunderclap-accompanied moments fit for a particularly tragic scene of a John Hughes flick.
Black Mountain, Discorder Magazine, Hard Drugs, Indie, Lightning Dust, Vancouver
Just over a month after the New Pornographers headlined a free concert in Stanley Park celebrating Vancouver’s 125th birthday, the band’s recording studio and rehearsal space—located on the third floor of the Red Gate—has packed up permanently.
“We’re almost entirely moved out, sadly, but we’ve been there over six years,” says John Collins, bassist and multi-instrumentalist for the New Pornographers. “When Jim [Carrico] found the place we were the first people to get in there—before there was any electricity or water.”
Apollo Ghosts, arts grants, Destroyer, Downtown Eastside, Evaporators, Lost Lovers Brigade, Megaphone Magazine, New Pornographers, renovictions, The Red Gate, Vancouver
PODCAST: South African indie makes waves
South African indie music has rarely crossed the ocean to North America’s mass markets—but the genre is developing, and the sound is big, bright and bold.
Gazelle frontman, Xander Ferreira, says South African indie music is in a renaissance period: “We believe this is the future for African music, for people to gather a scene here first and then go and take over the world.”
Africa Without Maps, Bushfire Festival, Gazelle, Hot Water, Indie, Limpopo, podcast, South Africa, Swaziland, Toronto Star, Tshe Tsha Boys
Songs for Change
Mbongseni “Bholoja” Ngubane wasn’t always an internationally revered musician. By profession, the soulful songwriter hailing from the kingdom of Swaziland was once a mechanical engineer.
“To me, music is a calling,” Bholoja explained, hours before taking the stage at this year’s Bushfire Arts Festival in Ezulwini, Swaziland.
“It’s not all about being doctors or engineers. I was an engineer, but I’m an artist today.”
Africa, Bholoja, Bushfire Festival, House on Fire, Jiggs Thorne, Swaziland, The Sunday Times, Young Heroes
Flash Palace
If a never-ending laser beam were unleashed inside the Taj Mahal, would it make a sound?
Though they have no scientific evidence to back it up, all four members of Flash Palace are willing to bet it would sound like an intricately woven post-rock jam with carefully hidden Josh Groban samples. At least that’s the soundscape bassist Ellis Sam described while discussing his band’s debut EP Some Misinterpreted Sunsets.
Discorder Magazine, Flash Palace, Shindig
Black to Basics
Though Vancouver may be a comfort zone for hometown heroes Black Mountain, the band has proven they’re willing to make leaps and bounds outside that space—and luckily, it’s playing off.
Reached from the Black Mountain tour van en route to Austin, Texas, bassist Matt Camirand opened up about their new album, new tour, and new approach to rock and roll.
Black Mountain, Megaphone Magazine, The Highway Kind
REVIEW: !!! – Strange Weather, Isn’t it?
Strange Weather, Isn’t It? Is basically a 40-minute I-told-you-so to all those stubborn, rock-centric music snobs who insisted disco had died for good. Although the band has been crafting reverb-soaked funky danceathons since their inception in 1996, !!!’s newest effort feels particularly rife with self-confirmation.
!!!, chk chk chk, disco, Isn't it?, Strange Weather, The Block Magazine
If life is a beach for Wavves frontman Nathan Williams, the last two years have brought soaring swells along with some gnarly riptides.
Back in 2008, equipped with a Macbook and lack of better things to do, Williams unwittingly set the music blogosphere abuzz with a few irreverent bursts of lo-fi stoner pop. His eponymous debut received nods from the scene’s most respected tastemakers, catapulting Wavves into indie fame before the 24-year-old even had a chance to move out of his parents’ San Diego home.
Nintendo, surf rock, The Block Magazine, Wavves
REVIEW: Surfer Blood @ the Biltmore
If a university class in concert reviewing existed, I likely would have failed it on Tuesday, Oct. 5. I arrived at the Biltmore at 10:30 p.m.—okay, maybe closer to 11 p.m.—just in time to see more than a handful of blissed-out Drums fans skipping stairs on their way out of the venue. Not a good sign . . .
Alex Hudson, Discorder Magazine, Exclaim!, Kuba Bacciarelli, Surfer Blood, The Biltmore, The Drums
REVIEW: The Magician and the Gates of Love – The Singles
The Magician is a far cry from the balding “illusionist” that probably showed up at your eighth birthday party. Though he has been known to bust out a card trick or two at his live shows, Nathan Moes (and his new backing band the Gates of Love) are the real deal.
Drawing noticeable influence from Belle & Sebastian, the Unicorns, Ben Folds and the Flaming Lips, the Langley quintet’s follow-up to Moes’ debut EP Who Will Cut the Grass When I’m Gone? is a work of honest showmanship, sans smoke and mirrors . . .
Belle and Sebastian, Ben Folds, Brian Wilson, Discorder Magazine, The Flaming Lips, The Magician and the Gates of Love, The Unicorns
REVIEW: Jaill – That’s How We Burn
Creative spellers and Milwaukee four-piece Jaill sound like the type of band that “practices” rather than “jams.” Every song on their big label debut That’s How We Burn fits into a cohesive garage-pop aesthetic; the riffs are watertight, the drum licks indestructible. Never mind improvising — everything from lead singer Vincent Kircher’s conversational melodies to the subdued hints of Wisconsin twang — feel polished and calculated . . .
alt-rock, Discorder Magazine, Indie, Jaill, That's How We Burn
Sleepless in Salmo
Contrary to what you may or may not have been told, Shambhala Music Festival is not held in outer space. But considering its remoteness, heart-stopping volume and 10,000 sparkle-encrusted attendees, it may as well be.
It’s a place where crystal healings and beatboxing tournaments happen in confusingly close proximity; where entire rivers are inexplicably dyed fluorescent green; and where motorized couches pass as entirely reasonable means of transport. Hosted on a 500-acre cattle ranch near Salmo, B.C. — about an eight-hour drive from Vancouver — Shambhala is a dance party destination for those craving spooky encounters of an electronic kind . . .
Adham Shaikh, Bassnectar, Discorder Magazine, DJ Subvert, Drop the Lime, electro, Excision, Five Alarm Funk, Glitchy & Scratchy, Holy Ghost!, Lion-S, Longwalkshortdock, Love & Electrik, my!gay!husband!, NERO, Organic Mechanic, Shambhala Music Festival, Shasta, Skream, Sweatshop Union, Syd Woodward
REVIEW: LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening
At the risk of sounding like a Kool-Aid sipping bandwagoner, it must be said that rumours of this album’s party potential have not been greatly exaggerated. The critically untouchable new release from James Murphy’s electro-punk brainchild is only partially overblown, but probably for good reason . . .
Chuck Klosterman, Discorder Magazine, electro, James Murphy, LCD Soundsystem, This is Happening
It was daylight outside, but you wouldn’t have guessed it from the subterranean lighting inside the Biltmore Cabaret. Hip-hop wordsmith Shad and I shared a red velvet booth, while his bassist Ian Koiter absent-mindedly grooved in the background.
A few minutes before soundcheck, we were contemplating the finer points of the 1984 video game Tetris.
“I play a lot of Tetris on my computer. It calms me down in a weird way,” he said. “There’s definitely a rhythm to it. I find it relaxing.” . . .
Discorder Magazine, features, Hannah Georgas, Hey Ocean!, hip-hop, Juno, London ON, Polaris Music Prize, Shad, tetris, TSOL, Warped Tour
A little internet hype goes a long way.
Of all the buzzworthy artists floating around the blogosphere, this is especially true for Kid Sister. Within two short years, the Chicago MC went from selling baby clothes and stealing microphones at basement dance parties, to collaborating with Kanye West and performing at Coachella’s main stage. All this—plus a BET award nomination—went down before she released a debut album . . .
A-trak, Chicago, electro, features, hip-hop, Kanye West, Kid Sister, party music, rap, The Block, The Block Magazine, Ultraviolet
REVIEW: Arctic Monkeys – My Propeller
The third single to follow up last year’s full-length album Humbug, My Propeller solidifies the band’s departure from its faster, more furious roots. Gone are the days of upbeat, angular party songs about scummy men. Instead, the Arctic Monkeys have crafted a croony collection of melancholic commentary on shitty bars, wasted evenings and arguably frontman Alex Turner’s penis . . .
Arctic Monkeys, Discorder Magazine, My Propeller, Queens of the Stoneage, rock
REVIEW: Caribou – Swim
You would think winning the prestigious Canadian Polaris Prize in 2008 might have caused a certain performance anxiety in bedroom composer Dan Snaith—known to his fans as Caribou. Following up a glistening and critically-acclaimed album like 2007’s Andorra stands as no easy feat . . .
Caribou, Dan Snaith, Discorder Magazine, Polaris Prize, Swim
REVIEW: Woodhands – Remorsecapade
Much like its title suggests, Remorsecapade is a portmanteau: a frantic blend of equal parts euphoria and despair, excitement and heartbreak. Hailing from Toronto, the drum and synth duo have injected an unexpected amount of emotional honesty (and intensity) into their sophomore release . . .
dance, Discorder Magazine, electro, Remorsecapade, Woodhands
REVIEW: Yukon Blonde
Innovation and artistry are often touted as the ultimate pillars of indie achievement—which is probably why it’s difficult (at first) to get excited about a standard, well-executed pop record like Yukon Blonde’s eponymous debut. Like a vintage flannel shirt, the sound and aesthetic are consciously derivative. But the Vancouver-based indie poppers have conjured enough reflection and polish to make their ’60s rock-inspired album a worthwhile listen.
indie rock, Vancouver, Yukon Blonde
VIDEO: Goodbye Cobalt!
After smashing heads and melting faces for nearly a decade, Vancouver’s hardcore bar shut its doors October 1, 2009.
Cobalt Motor Hotel, metal, No Fun City, punk, The Thunderbird, Vancouver
Sarah Berman’s writing has appeared in Adbusters, Maclean’s, the Globe and Mail, the Vancouver Sun and many others. A lifelong supporter of independent and alternative press, Sarah has contributed multimedia to nonprofits like Journalists for Human Rights, Megaphone Magazine and Paper Tiger TV.
Get in touch at sarah (dot) berms (at) gmail (dot) com.
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Josh Ferguson's return sparks Illinois blowout of Purdue
Connor O'Gara | 5 years ago
Final: Illinois 48, Purdue 14
Key play: Josh Ferguson 12-yard touchdown catch in second quarter
Get ready for some raving about Josh Ferguson. The Illinois tailback played in his first game since the B1G opener and didn’t waste much time making his presence felt. In typical Ferguson fashion, he provided a needed spark in the passing game to give Illinois some breathing room in the second quarter. That showed you the safety valve that Wes Lunt had been lacking in recent weeks. That was just the beginning of Ferguson’s monster day.
Telling stat: Illinois had 46 B1G points entering Saturday
Illinois’ offense had been brutal in B1G play. Their highest single-game output before Saturday was 20 points. The Illini had that by halftime against Purdue’s lowly defense. Why did Illinois’ offense struggle so much? Well, because Ferguson was out against some of the B1G’s best defenses. Ferguson is underrated in terms of a national perspective, but those who watch the B1G know how big of an impact Ferguson makes. His 174 yards from scrimmage further proved that he’s one of the most versatile threats in the B1G. On top of that, he can pass block, which was an area Illinois struggled with in recent weeks. To put it simply, Illinois looks much, much more formidable with Ferguson on the field.
Worth noting:
-Ke’Shawn Vaughn has tons of talent
I’ve been critical of the freshman, but on Saturday, he played the best game of his young career. We saw how dangerous Vaughn can be in the open field, especially when he has gaping holes to run through. His career-high 203 yards from scrimmage provided Illinois with a deadly one-two punch out of the backfield that Purdue simply had no response for. You can expect Bill Cubit to try and use Vaughn in a similar role moving forward.
-Purdue has allowed 40-plus points in three of last four games
Lost in the shuffle of last week’s victory against Nebraska was the fact that once again, the Boiler defense was gashed. Against Illinois at home, Purdue had a chance to get back on track. Instead, the Boilers again showed how badly they miss Ja’Whaun Bentley. The Boilers missed far too many tackles to give themselves a chance. Andy Garcia was the only Boiler that looked like he was capable of making a play. Turnovers bailed out the unit last week, but once again, they showed that if they aren’t getting takeaways, they can’t stop much of anything.
What it means: Illinois’ bowl chances are alive and well, Purdue takes a step back
This was a game that Illinois absolutely had to have to put itself back into the bowl conversation. Credit Cubit’s squad for stepping up and doing just that after it was humiliated at Penn State. Last week could’ve sparked a downward spiral. Instead, the Illini showed its plenty worthy of a postseason game. Purdue, on the other hand, suffered yet another blowout loss to a middling B1G team. It looked an awful like the Minnesota game, which has to be troubling. It was reported earlier in the week that Darrell Hazell was going to return for the 2016 season. But it’s efforts like Saturday’s that will continue to make Purdue fans question that decision.
Connor O'Gara
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.
Illinois adds Army assistant to Tank Wright's strength and conditioning staff
Star Illinois DL exits transfer portal, will return to Champaign for 2021
Tony Adams breaks down decision to return to Illinois for one more season
Illinois starting DB announces return for 2021 season
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Minnesota LB ejected over questionable targeting call in 2nd quarter vs. Iowa
Dustin Schutte | 2 months ago
Mariano Sori-Marin’s night is over early.
The Minnesota linebacker was ejected from Friday night’s rivalry game against Iowa early in the 2nd quarter after being hit with a targeting penalty on Iowa running back Tyler Goodson. Sori-Marin is arguably the best linebacker the Gophers have this season.
Sori-Marin made a hit on Goodson while leading with the helmet. The Minnesota linebacker appeared to be going for the legs, but Goodson was being brought to the ground and his body level changed, which led to the helmet-to-helmet contact.
In the first 3 games of the season, Sori-Marin racked up 17 tackles and 3 pass break-ups. Minnesota was already shorthanded defensively in the game, with starting defensive back Benjamin St-Juste out for the contest.
Minnesota is looking for its first victory over Iowa since 2014. It’s going to be very tough without two of the better defenders on the field for the 2nd half.
Dustin Schutte
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB
Future Minnesota receiver has monster performance in Texas State Championship Game
Sweet revenge: Minnesota hands No. 7 Michigan its first loss of the season with massive upset
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Wisconsin can introduce itself as Playoff contender Saturday night
Erik Buchinger | 2 months ago
Welcome back, Wisconsin Badgers.
Last time we saw them, redshirt freshman quarterback Graham Mertz put on a show for all of college football to see on a Friday night in an empty Camp Randall Stadium to open the B1G season. It was about as flawless of a performance as you’ll see from a team to open the season, and expectations should’ve been raised immediately following it.
In one game, the Badgers turned into heavy favorites to win the B1G West and potentially close the gap on Ohio State in the conference, triggering thoughts of a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Wisconsin took the last two weekends off with canceled games against Nebraska and Purdue due to a coronavirus outbreak. The Badgers finally appear healthy enough to play, and they could reintroduce themselves to the Playoff picture with another solid showing in a Saturday night game that should draw quite a few eyeballs (ABC, 6:30 Central) with not a whole lot of compelling competition in that time slot. This could be a pretty good “remember us?” moment for the Badgers.
Michigan struggles hurt
Michigan has not done Wisconsin any favors by starting the season 1-2 with losses to Michigan State and Indiana. Had the Wolverines remained unbeaten, they would be a top-10 team, and taking them down on the road in a prime time matchup would be extra sweet for Wisconsin. The Badgers need as many big-time opponents as possible to persuade the College Football Playoff committee to give them a spot if everything falls in their favor.
Despite Michigan’s struggles, a win on Saturday sure should be impress the committee, considering Wisconsin just returned to practice after undergoing a full shutdown shortly after the Badgers’ season-opening victory on Oct. 23. In addition, Wisconsin will likely be without several players who are still not healthy enough to play or haven’t passed the B1G’s mandatory 21-day pause for those who test positive for the coronavirus. It remains to be seen which players will sit out this weekend as Wisconsin is not reporting COVID-19 cases, but it appears likely Mertz will return to the field to be the Badgers quarterback.
No matter how bad Michigan has looked this season, especially on defense, Wisconsin should not overlook the Wolverines. Jim Harbaugh’s back is officially against the wall and he needs a win in the biggest way. I still remain confident he will not be fired during or immediately after the 2020 college football season, but going against a desperate team is always difficult, and that’s just the start of it for the Badgers.
Tough slate the rest of the way
If the Badgers survive the road game against Michigan, they still have plenty of tough matchups the rest of the way.
Opening day victim Illinois and the opponents from the canceled games — Nebraska and Purdue — gave Wisconsin a cushy start to the season that is now gone. I know Purdue is still unbeaten, but if I’m Wisconsin, I’d rather play the Boilermakers over any of the final four teams on the Badgers’ schedule.
After Michigan, Wisconsin heads on the road to take on No. 23 Northwestern, which has been a tricky place for the Badgers for a long time. Despite all their success, the Badgers beat the Wildcats in Evanston just once since 1999 and are 1-5 in that span, and this is a Northwestern team still undefeated.
Wisconsin still has a home game with Minnesota, and despite the Badgers’ domination of the series and the Gophers struggling in 2020, anything can happen in a rivalry game. Wisconsin will stay at home for the next game against a top-10 Indiana before closing out at Iowa in a series that always gets weird.
If the Badgers run through the regular season unbeaten, that would be pretty impressive even if it is just six games.
What to cheer for this weekend
To have any shot at the CFP, Wisconsin needs to finish the season 7-0 and beat an undefeated Ohio State in the B1G title game. I think it has to be Ohio State, nobody else. Even then, the Badgers will need some help. So who should Wisconsin fans be rooting for?
First off, Wisconsin needs a loss from Purdue at some point. That matchup was canceled, and the Boilermakers are still unbeaten. If they end the season at 7-0 and Wisconsin finishes 6-0, the B1G’s convoluted 2020 tiebreaker procedure comes into play. Root for Northwestern over Purdue on Saturday night.
Elsewhere in the B1G, the Badgers should root for Indiana to keep playing well this weekend so a victory over the Hoosiers would look all the more impressive.
The ACC did not do Wisconsin any favors last weekend. Notre Dame’s win over Clemson could very well mean two teams make it from that conference, assuming both teams win out the regular season and the Tigers avenge their loss in the ACC title game. Badgers fans should be rooting hard for Boston College to beat Notre Dame this weekend.
With so many teams on bye weeks and with games getting postponed or canceled, Wisconsin doesn’t need to do too much scoreboard watching this weekend. Plus, none of that will matter if it doesn’t take care of business the rest of the way, starting Saturday night against Michigan.
Drew Brees drops in impressive TD pass with beautiful dime
Senior DB for Wisconsin to utilize extra year of eligibility in 2021
Tom Brady scores 1st TD in battle vs Drew Brees, cashes in turnover for early lead
Erik Buchinger
Erik Buchinger brings his vast experience covering Wisconsin and B1G football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @ErikBuchinger.
Wisconsin running back Garrett Groshek reveals plans for 2021 season
Wisconsin basketball defeats Rutgers thanks to stellar defensive performance
Wisconsin basketball lands commitment from 3-star forward with European ties
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A Blog by Shelley A. Sackett
← Student of Elie Wiesel shares his story in Marblehead
Salem’s Root celebrates three years of helping at-risk youth →
Inaugural Salem pumpkin drop draws crowd
Posted by Shelley A. Sackett
Hundreds of pumpkins, diverted from landfills and incinerators, will become compost for local gardens and farms. [Courtesy Photo/Marilyn Humphries]
By Shelley A. Sackett
Last Sunday at Dead Horse Beach, the sun shone brightly, the air was Fall-crisp and pumpkins were flying through the air as over 100 people participated in Salem’s first Great Pumpkin Drop and Toss.
Scotia Hunter, 10 and a fifth-grader at Carlton Innovation School, never imagined she would be throwing her jack-o’-lantern into a barrel four days after she carved its face.
“I think it’s really fun,” she said, despite hers landing a little short of its mark.
Sponsored by SAFE (Salem Alliance for the Environment), SalemRecycles and Black Earth Compost, the community event promoted composting with the goal of signing up more Salem households to participate in the fee-based service. It also provided the opportunity for people to find out if they had the skills to shoot their pumpkin through a basketball hoop.
A blue tarp in front of the truck bore the slimy remains of those former Jack o’ lanterns whose owners didn’t score.
Justin Sandler of Black Earth Compost with is glad he put down a tarp in front of his “basketball hoop” truck.
“I feel like people are underestimating how much force it takes to get a 10-pound pumpkin up and over into the truck,” said Justin Sandler, Short Stop at Black Earth Compost of Gloucester, which donated its services. “We lowered the hoop for the kids, but some people have been adventurous,” he added with a chuckle.
Black Earth Compost CEO Conor Miller, who has done post-Halloween pumpkin pick ups in other towns and has handled Salem’s for the past couple of years, knew the city was ripe for just such a special event.
“Salem’s amount of pumpkins is triple any other town’s, and I always wanted to shoot one through the basketball [hoop],” he said. “We’re trying to get as many people in Salem on board to participate in curbside composting. It’s the right thing to do.”
The idea to host a free community composting event grew out of a SAFE board meeting last summer where members set reducing residential composting rates and increasing participation as one of its top priorities for the coming year.
Initially, a grant allowed Salem to offer composting at no cost during a pilot program begun in April 2014. By that December, about 1,500 homes had signed up. When the grant ran out and the city had to start charging for the service, household participation rates took a tumble.
Current subscribers pay $8/month, but the cost could be reduced to $6.50 per month with the addition of fewer than 100 more households, according to Miller.
SAFE Chairman Pat Gozema, who has been active in SAFE since its 2001 founding, says her group is concerned about the existence of methane gas coming from landfills and the incineration of organic material, particularly food.
“We need to increase composting so food waste goes to the growing of more food rather than producing more methane gas that causes climate change,” she said.
Gozemba organized an initial event planning session shortly after last summer’s SAFE board meeting. She invited Miller, Salem Business Manager Julie Rose, and members of SalemRecycles, the all-volunteer committee appointed by Mayor Kim Driscoll in 2008 to develop ways to increase recycling and decrease waste.
Miller suggested doing a pumpkin drop off.
“He said after Halloween, the compost bins are very heavy, straining his collectors’ backs. He thought this would be helpful,” said Shelley Alpern, SAFE board member and longtime volunteer.
The group decided to make the event community-wide and free, so they could amass hundreds of pumpkins and reintroduce people to composting. Black Earth agreed to absorb the cost of the pick up in return for gaining the organic material. Coffee Time Bake Shop on Bridge Street and Honey Dew Donuts and Dunkin Donuts, both located on Washington Street, donated treats and donuts. SAFE absorbed remaining costs.
Miller started Black Earth Compost in 2010 after working in the recycling and composting fields in Wisconsin and Wyoming. He is passionate about eliminating wasted materials and committed to doing his part to make that goal a reality.
“I think of composting like a soil bank. If you’re only drawing from it, in other words sowing but not recycling the nutrients, then we’re all going to be broke,” he explained. He refers to food bank and animal feed donations as alternatives to composting, but is adamant that consumers not throw away food that came out of the ground “or we’re going to run out of nutrients.”
He too hopes more people sign up for curbside composting services after attending Sunday’s event.
“Driving from one house to the next is more efficient than driving from one neighborhood to the next. It becomes cheaper and cheaper the more people that do it,” he said.
Judging from the almost full container of names entered into a raffle for a free one-year compost pickup, the event sponsors succeeded in whetting people’s appetites to participate more in composting. The free cider and treats didn’t hurt either.
“Instead of letting pumpkins sit on the sidewalk for three weeks and rot, the city collects them and makes them into compost,” said Salem resident Craig Barcelo between bites of a donut. “This is fantastic. I’d definitely do it again.”
Posted in Environment, Feature, North Shore MA, Salem
Tagged Black Earth Compost, Composting, SAFE, Salem MA, Salem Pumpkin Drop, SalemRecycles
Chabad of the North Shore
Chicago Dyke March
Commercial Fishing Industry
Congregation Shirat Hayam
Dolphin Yacht Club
Elana Rozenfeld
Haunted Happenings
JCCNS
Massachusetts National Guard
Mayor Driscoll
North Shore MA
Salem Film Fest
Salem First Muster
Salem History
Salem Public Schools
Temple B'nai Abraham
Youth to Israel
From Marblehead to Hollywood, where she now makes movies that touch the soul
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JCCNS Jewish Book Month Speaker Series goes virtual
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LeapFrog My Pal Scout
Rated #3 in Toys
By hgilpin12
Love this product! I was able to personalize it to my sons likes and favorite songs! We have had one with each our 3 children growing up!
By katietylock
Scout and Violet have been favorites for both of my kids and all of my nephews. I love how you can program it to say your child's name, favorite animal, favorite food and favorite color. The kiddos always light up when they hear Scout/Violet say their name. It is a great learning toy. It teaches feelings which I love. I always buy for my friends who are having a baby or for their children on a 1st birthday.
By Leavitt12
Super cute product very customizable. The music it's my daughter to sleep and she loves to listen to the stories.
By vnarcisse
WE LOVE SCOUT!!!!! He is the best. Easy to set up with your child's names and favorites. He adds the name, favorite food and color to songs. Auto shut off when he's not being used. The best feature- the bedtime music; he plays classical instruments for 5, 10, or 15 minutes . Absolutely awesome toy!!
By gaarabucket
I would definitely recommend it, in fact I have gifted this toy multiple times. I got this item because I put it on my register when I was pregnant. I received it at my baby shower and I was so excited that I got my phone out and set it up immediately, which was very easy to do. My son is young, but it is still fun for him and he likes to chew on it and cuddle it during his floor time. It also has a bedtime song button which means even though he is still only 4 months, we use it often. I personally like it when he sings to my son because it sings his name, which catches his attention and is teaching him things through song at a very young age that he will hear over the course of his next year or two of life.
By ShayDenZayne
My 18 month old son has one and I honestly didn't know if he would like it, but he loves stuffed animals and puppies so I decided to get it. I'm so glad I did! He loves it. I got it for him when he was 10 months old and he has been attached to Scout ever since. It's the cutest thing to see.
By ashleywsaiz
These toys are so neat because they're interactive without having a screen! Love it!
By khays2616
My son got this for christmas this year. He hasn't put it down since he opened it. Hes only 2 but he will sit down with it and act like he's reading the books with his " my puppy" as he calls it.
By shrout319
My daughter received Violet as a gift. She really likes playing with it. It's really soft to cuddle with. There are so many different options to customize it to your child. She really likes all the different music that it plays.
By tattedstylist12
My daughter loves this toy. Loves to cuddle it, but it's also a great learning tool!
By julia921
did not engage my child like I thought it would.
By MegBrek
my daughter received Violet for her first birthday, she is now three and Violet is still her best friend
By MissSunnShineBaby
My friend's 2 year old son got this for Christmas last year and he loves it. He calls it his baby!
By sara321
My daughter got this when she was around 7 or 8 months old. She is now 2 and still plays with it often. She loves that it says her name.
By noodlesoups
My parents bought this for our daughter on her 1 year birthday, her name is odd and they did not have it, but they had her shortened nickname that we call her Abby. She liked it when she first got it, but not as much as she does now at 18 months. When violet says her name she lights up and laughs. She also loves the animal noises, and dances to the songs. It is easy to program and provides hours of entertainment.
Crayola Washable Kid…
Vulli Sophie the Gira…
Winning Moves Games N…
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reading for 1.3.17
Posted on December 31, 2016 by leona
story from anews on an action in greece
on anews this brought up (most oddly) questions of “indiscriminate” consequences and classism. thoughts?
reading for 12.27
the part about controversies and disagreements at the bottom of
the wikipedia entry for critical race theory
if people already have the charles mills article “but what are you really?”, then you could revisit that, although probably that won’t be the reading… (it’s a bit long), it’s just really interesting.
the following is from CRT:an intro
What do critical race theorists believe? Probably not every
member would subscribe to every tenet set out in this book,
but many would agree on the following propositions. First,
that racism is ordinary, not aberrational—“normal science,”
the usual way society does business, the common, everyday
experience of most people of color in this country. Second,
most would agree that our system of white-over-color ascendancy
serves important purposes, both psychic and material.
The first feature, ordinariness, means that racism is difficult
to cure or address. Color-blind, or “formal,” conceptions of
equality, expressed in rules that insist only on treatment that
is the same across the board, can thus remedy only the most
blatant forms of discrimination, such as mortgage redlining
or the refusal to hire a black Ph.D. rather than a white high
school dropout, that do stand out and attract our attention.
The second feature, sometimes called “interest convergence”
or material determinism, adds a further dimension. Because
racism advances the interests of both white elites (materially)
and working-class people (psychically), large segments of society have little incentive to eradicate it. Consider, for example,
Derrick Bell’s shocking proposal (discussed in a later
chapter) that Brown v. Board of Education—considered a
great triumph of civil rights litigation—may have resulted
more from the self-interest of elite whites than a desire to
help blacks.
A third theme of critical race theory, the “social construction”
thesis, holds that race and races are products of social
thought and relations. Not objective, inherent, or fixed, they
correspond to no biological or genetic reality; rather, races
are categories that society invents, manipulates, or retires
when convenient. People with common origins share certain
physical traits, of course, such as skin color, physique, and
hair texture. But these constitute only an extremely small
portion of their genetic endowment, are dwarfed by that
which we have in common, and have little or nothing to do
with distinctly human, higher-order traits, such as personality,
intelligence, and moral behavior. That society frequently
chooses to ignore these scientific facts, creates races, and endows them with pseudo-permanent characteristics is of great interest to critical race theory.
Another, somewhat more recent, development concerns
differential racialization and its many consequences. Critical
writers in law, as well as social science, have drawn attention
to the ways the dominant society racializes different minority
groups at different times, in response to shifting needs
such as the labor market. At one period, for example, society
may have had little use for blacks, but much need for
Mexican or Japanese agricultural workers. At another time,
the Japanese, including citizens of long standing, may have
been in intense disfavor and removed to war relocation
camps, while society cultivated other groups of color for jobs
in war industry or as cannon fodder on the front. Popular
images and stereotypes of various minority groups shift over
time, as well. In one era, a group of color may be depicted as
happy-go-lucky, simpleminded, and content to serve white
folks. A little later, when conditions change, that very same
group may appear in cartoons, movies, and other cultural
scripts as menacing, brutish, and out of control, requiring
close monitoring and repression.
Closely related to differential racialization—the idea that
each race has its own origins and ever evolving history—is
the notion of intersectionality and anti-essentialism. No person has a single, easily stated, unitary identity. A white feminist
may be Jewish, or working-class, or a single mother. An
African American activist may be gay or lesbian. A Latino
may be a Democrat, a Republican, or even a black—perhaps
because that person’s family hails from the Caribbean. An
Asian may be a recently arrived Hmong of rural background
and unfamiliar with mercantile life, or a fourth-generation
Chinese with a father who is a university professor and a
mother who operates a business. Everyone has potentially
conflicting, overlapping identities, loyalties, and allegiances.
A final element concerns the notion of a unique voice of
color. Coexisting in somewhat uneasy tension with anti-essentialism, the voice-of-color thesis holds that because of
their different histories and experiences with oppression,
black, Indian, Asian, and Latino/a writers and thinkers may
be able to communicate to their white counterparts matters
that the whites are unlikely to know. Minority status, in
other words, brings with it a presumed competence to speak
about race and racism. The ““legal storytelling” movement
urges black and brown writers to recount their experiences
with racism and the legal system and to apply their own
unique perspectives to assess law’s master narratives.
things even this cursory reading brings up–
1. what does it mean that the most cutting edge theory on race is coming from a group of lawyers?
2. obviously the solutions for lawyers are not going to be ours, but what responses could anarchists have to these different thoughts on what race means/implies in the us?
3. intersectionality is a term that has taken off amongst identity adherents. the concept was intended to be a challenge to essentialism, but seems not to have been at all. what do people think about that? have you had experiences with this term in particular?
and… a random but very interesting chapter from Seeing Through Race: Idolatry
a few chapters from To the Customers, a critique of the invisible commitee, and specifically To Our Friends, by some anon folks out of italy.
“By spreading his tail this bird so fair,
Whose plumage drags the forest floor,
Appears more lovely than before,
But thus unveils his derrière.”
Guillaume Apollinaire,
The Invisible Committee’s second book, like the first, was published in France by the same publishing house, La Fabrique, whose name is a homage to workerist ideology. Its animator is Eric Hazan, a real character of an editor, as well as a historian and philosopher. Beyond being, of course, a bitter enemy of the constituted order, although his First Revolutionary Measures (the title of one of his books written together with the zombie of Kamo, who, some whisper, was also dug up on the plateau of Millevaches near Tarnac) has not completely managed to make people forget his latest counter-revolutionary measures (his electoral propaganda in favor of the socialist François Hollande, now president of France). Like the preceding work, To Our Friends is also part of the battle series of La Fabrique editions, the same series that includes works of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Mao, Blanqui, Gramsci, Robespierre, as well as three titles from Tiqqun … But Hazan doesn’t only have eyes for the grandpas and grandsons of authoritarian revolutionary thought: his 2010 catalog can also brag of Les Mauvais Jours Finiront: 40 ans de combats pour la justice et les libertes (The Bad Days Will End: 40 Years of Fighting for Justice and Liberty), the title that, with the piquant communard-situ flavor, serves to spice up a hot dish from an author as insipid as the Judiciary Union. Well? What’s strange about this? Nothing, considering that in 2003, Hazan had already distinguished himself for the publication of the diary of the founder of the National Police union (who spent twenty years doing this “good job in which one helps people and protects society”), while in 2005 he published the book of an auxiliary doctor of the police who desired to let the public know what it takes to care for the health of the arrested in the police station.
In short, as you’ve understood, Eric Hazan is a revolutionary, well-read and lacking prejudice.
The back cover of the Invisible Committee’s new book, along with listing to whom it is addressed, concludes with the by now inevitable affectation of humility, a genuine trademark of certain movement areas. This new editorial effort is simperingly presented by its authors as a “modest contribution to an understanding of our time.” Now, it is already annoying to hear a scholar complimenting himself for his erudition, or a muse bragging about her beauty, or a strong man asserting his strength. But modesty? To flaunt one’s modesty is to fall into the most flagrant hypocrisy, it is bellowing out one’s conceit. But, as we will see, the Invisible Committee is the supreme master of contradiction.
Starting with an ostentatious humility, the I.C. is announced with great fanfare. In the original promotional press release for the book in France, we actually read:
In 2007, we published The Coming Insurrection… A book that has now ended up being associated with the ‘Tarnac case,’ forgetting that it was already a success in bookstores… Because it isn’t enough that a book be included in its totality in a file of an anti-terrorist investigation for it to sell, it is also necessary that the truths it articulates touch that readers due to a certain correctness. It must be acknowledged that a number of assertions by the Invisible Committee have since been confirmed, starting with the first and most essential: the sensational return of the insurrectionary phenomenon. Starting in 2008, a half-year has not passed without a mass revolt or an uprising taking place to the removal of the powers in charge … If it has been the sequence of events that has conferred its subversive character to The Coming Insurrection, it is the intensity of the present that makes To Our Friends an eminently more scandalous text. We cannot content ourselves with celebrating the insurrectional wave that currently passes through the world, also congratulating ourselves on having noticed its birth before others… To Our Friends is thus written at the peak of this general movement, at the peak of the experience. Its words come from the heart of disorders and are addressed to all those who still believe sufficiently in life to fight. To Our Friends wants to be a report on the condition of the world and of the movement, an essentially strategic and openly partisan writing. Its political ambition is boundless: to produce a shared understanding of the times, at the expense of the extreme confusion of the present.
Advertising language knows only the absolute superlative. The words of this presentation sound so lacking in modesty as to be inappropriate if addressed to potential friends, usually not so inclined to welcome such arrogance, but perfect if one intends to address potential customers luring them with the promise of strong emotions. Isn’t it true that every new product that gets put on the market is presented as if it were a “masterpiece,” an “experience you don’t want to miss,” a “unique sensation”? In 2006, an essay on the propaganda of daily life that appeared in France, published by Raisons d’agir editions, also pointed this out, declaring that
Another symptom of the influence of advertising is the inflation of hyperbole, particularly in… book and film reviews […] Journalists make the jobs of the copywriters of the advertising agencies easier, littering their articles with enthusiastic formulas, rich with adjectives … The incestuous relationship with advertising contributes to making [language] a tool of programmed emotion, an impulsive language, just as one describes ‘an impulsive purchase’.
Curious—but we are not at all surprised—that the author of this essay, entitled “LQR,” is precisely Mr. Eric Hazan, who in the costume of the essayist lashes out against this invasion of advertising into the language, while in the costume of editor he welcomes it, with the aim of programming readers to the impulsive purchase of his products.
Putting aside the poverty of self-promotional gimmicks, such a conceit brings to our minds some considerations of an old and well-known Italian anarchist, who mocked the
sweet mania of all idolaters. Thus, marxists attribute everything to Marx, and one passes for a marxist even if one says that bosses rob the workers (ah! so you admit the theory of surplus value, they shout at you in a triumphant tone) or if one affirms the millennia-old truth that to assert reason force is required. If you say that the sun shines, the mazzinians will say that Mazzini said it, and the marxists will answer that Marx said it. Idolaters are made this way.
The Invisible Committee is also made this way, it is an idolater of itself. It only remembers the disorders that broke out after its book was blessed by FNAC or Amazon—not even the insurrections and rebellions that exploded starting from 2007 were due to it, not even the rebels who rose up throughout the planet did so because they were aroused by reading its text. And what about what happened, for example, in Oaxaca or Kurdistan in 2006, in France or Iran in 2005, in Manipur or Syria in 2004, in Iraq and Bolivia in 2003, in Argentina in 2002, in Algeria in 2001, in Ecuador in 2000, in Iran in 1999, in Indonesia in 1998, in Albania in 1997… not to mention the ongoing revolts that break out in countries impenetrable to western information like China?
Let the lowdown scoundrels of the Invisible Committee resign themselves. They have predicted nothing, they have not discovered and announced anything new. Storms don’t break out to confirm the words of the meteorologist. There have been insurrections throughout history, and they have no need of anyone to theorize them in order to explode. Neither revolutionaries who discuss them in their autonomous publications, nor intellectuals who transform them into logos of success on the publishing market. So if the I.C. brag about being aware of the insurrectional phenomenon before others, then one has to ask who these others are: their competitors in climbing sales ratings for titles of political critique? Toni Negri who obsesses them so much in the competition for theoretical hegemony of the extreme left, or Stéphane Hessel who incites to the civic insurrection of consciences, or Naomi Klein, icon of the anti-globalization movement, whose books have all sold many more than them, clearly because… they have articulated even more correct truths?
However it may be, we admit it, the Invisible Committee has achieved a first. Before others, it has commodified insurrection.
But in case advertising hyperbole isn’t successful, emotional participation intervenes. In the book’s preface, the rugged members of the Invisible Committee enthrall their readers with their personal confidences, making the readers into participants in their adventurous life:
Since The Coming Insurrection, we’ve gone to the places where the epoch was inflamed. We’ve read, we’ve fought, we’ve discussed with comrades of every country and every tendency. Together with them, we’ve come up against the invisible obstacles of the times. Some of us have died, others have seen prison. We’ve kept going. We haven’t given up on constructing worlds or attacking this one.
It is here that that sensation of deep embarrassment, almost shame, for someone else comes out.
The strength of anonymity is in its ability to unburden the meaning of an idea or an action from the identity of the one who formulates it or carries it out, returning it in this way to a full availability in its universal essence. But what is there to say when it gets used only to take the license of claiming or boasting about who knows what undertakings? Who is the Invisible Committee out to impress when—certain that no one could refute it—it evokes its omnipresence in disorders, death, and prison suffered by its members, along with its irreducible tenacity? Such boastfulness might impress its customers, but it provokes everyone else to savage sarcasm. We also take for granted that the collection of authors’ rights has allowed it to make insurrectional tourism, or rather to compete with pacifists and leftists, the police and journalists in rushing headlong to wherever there were outbreaks of revolt. But we still doubt that the I.C. has discussed with comrades of every tendency (okay, let’s not be too persnickety: “every tendency” except for those who don’t adore them). Finally, who among its initiates is dead and how? It doesn’t say, this way making fantasy fly. Is the Committee speaking of those fallen on the field during insurrections? Or more simply of the dedicatees of this new book? Maybe Billy and Guccio and Alexis were all part of the Committee? And which of its members ended up in prison? The hacker Jeremy Hammond?
We strongly doubt it, but it is completely useless to dwell on such questions. After having been the self-proclaimed spokespeople of the “historical party” of insurrection, nothing remains to the Invisible Committee but to inspect its properties, coopting the revolt of others through the use of the royal “we” that makes it reflect on “global action by our party,” or to recall that on “May 10, 2010, five hundred thousand of us flooded into the center of Athens.” Just as in the past the intellectuals of the Situationist International bragged of expressing the revolutionary theory, maintaining in defiance of ridicule that their ideas were “in everyone’s heads—it is well-known,” in the same way the intellectuals of the I.C. brag in the present of expressing the insurrectional event, maintaining—in defiance of ridicule and feeding off of the slogan of Anonymous—that they are legion and are everywhere on the barricades erected over the planet. It is well-known!
Here it is: the last peacock of the zoo of the extreme left, utterly intent on opening its tail with phosphorescent feathers to put itself on display before its public.
One of the common traits of LQR, the idiom of advertising and the language of the Third Reich—a parallel that obviously does not imply any equating of neoliberalism to nazism—is the pursuit of effectiveness even at the expense of plausibility …
Of nazi language, Jean-Pierre Faye writes, ‘the most surprising thing is that its inconsequentialities are practical for it: since they also play in the field that produced them, one would say that they tend to recharge it.’ Even LQR does not fear inconsequentiality.
Eric Hazan,
LQR. La propagande du quotidien
(LQR: The Propaganda of Everyday Life)
The language of the Invisible Committee fears it that much less. The aspect that most leaps out before its writings is precisely the lack of a consequential logic underlying its affirmations. It seems to be a characteristic of this entire milieu, since already in 2003 the last editors of Tiqqun announced in their (announcement for enlistment and so called) Appel (Call): “The question is not to demonstrate, to argue, to convince. We will go straight to the evident. The evident is not primarily an affair of logic or reasoning. It attaches to the sensible, to worlds.” One already starts to smile over the curious and self-interested mixture of terms. In general, the sensible is as far as can be from an evident. The sensible is subjective, individual, obscure as a riddle that is interpreted by each one individually. The evident, instead, is objective, common, clear as a certainty clarified for all collectively. The sensible is controversial, the evident, no, it is verified. If both are not “affairs of logic,” it is for diametrically opposed reasons. Reason doesn’t have the capacity of making an affair of what lies beyond its range (like the elusive sensible), while it has no need to do it with what is right here (like the evident already taken for granted at a discount). But what interests the authors of Appel, what makes them drool before the evocation of the sensible as evident, is that both are recognized, accepted in any case, and, above all, are not debated. Each one has her own inaccessible sensibility, all yield before the undeniable evident.
It’s the same worry that afflicts the Invisible Committee: not to be called into question. So in order not to incur the risk that its words are examined, pondered, maybe even refuted, in order to make it clear that they are also immediately conceded and accepted as they are, it feigns a superior indifference for the substance of the contents—a tedious waste of time—preferring to make the readers quiver with thrilling sensations, like silk: intensity, consistency, finesse. In its debut of 2007, it was quick to present itself in the guise not of the responsible author, but rather of the “scribe” who bears no blame, which limits itself to reporting “commonplaces,” “truths,” and “observations” of the times. In this way, The Coming Insurrection did not become a book on which to reflect and debate, but rather a book to acknowledge. In short, a sacred text.
Along the same line, To Our Friends is presented as a commentary on some slogans drawn on walls during the revolts that broke out around the world. Every chapter, in fact, takes a bit of graffiti, the image of which is recopied on its opening page, as the title. Through this pathetic expedient the customers are directed to observe the same inferred evidence—it isn’t the Invisible Committee speaking, it is the global insurrection; hey, have you seen? the global insurrections say exactly what the Invisible Committee says! Well, of course, after all, the walls of this planet agree with everyone from democrats to fascists, from religious fanatics to sports fans, even sex maniacs. You just have to choose the right photograph.
It’s not hard to grasp that for common mortals intent on making themselves pass for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, there is only one sure method for making their words infallible: saying everything and its contrary. Flip through the pages of the Invisible Committee and you remain certain that every one of its statements, peremptory as befits a piece of evidence, will know a few pages later an equally peremptory denial. In this way, what it maintains will always be true and those who criticize it will support, by force of circumstance, the false. Its intention to untangle the “greatest confusion,” to “untangle the skein of the present, and in places to settle accounts with ancient falsehoods,” through a hurricane of contradictions, sophisms, and absurdities, is curious, but we fear that such confusions and such falsehoods can only increase after the reading of its books in which every least bit of logic and consequentiality are literally demolished.
The examples that one might make on the matter risk being endless. We have already seen how the Invisible Committee shows off its modesty to satisfy its vanity. It doesn’t miss any opportunity to insult the left, which publishes it and with whom it theorizes having relationships. It denounces the recuperation and impotence of radical ideas when put in the service of the commerce of publishing, but doesn’t hesitate to practice it. It thunders about wanting to desert this world, but doesn’t tolerate those who abandon it (unlike these latter, to secede from the world, it seizes it in order to grasp its position!). It complains of the human being alienated by technological trinkets, then exhorts people to use these trinkets after having revealed the ethic of the technique. With regards to ethics, it considers them adorable but only in the service of politics. It admits that insurrection depends on qualitative criteria, while it explains why one cannot do without the quantitative. It cites outlaws who deny the existence of another world, then announces that it creates worlds. It sees war everywhere and wants to make it in such a devastating way that it does not designate the enemy, but rather seeks to makes friends with it. It is interested in any demand-based struggle, originating with any pretext, but then blames those who raise the question of austerity. It critiques time and again the myth of assemblyism and the anxiety over legitimacy present in many struggles, while it exalts the great merit of those most infected with them. It throws the self-organizational capacities that people put into action when they are suddenly deprived of state services in the face of realists, and then becomes realistic in its turn and prescribes courses that prevent/preempt self-organization for all. It invites the forgetful to remember the ancient insurrectional origin of the term “popular” (populor = devastate) but deliberately omits explaining that the “devastation” was that carried out by soldiers in war (populus = army). It wants life to put roots into the earth, but it doesn’t tolerate ideas putting roots into life. While it sets forth its critique of areas of the movement, it accuses those subversives who criticize areas of the movement of “auto-phagy.” It reproaches revolutionaries for not understanding that power is found in infrastructures, that it is therefore necessary to strike there, but then warns against taking action. Since everything organizing itself requires attention and everything being organized requires management, it invites becoming-revolutionaries to be organized. It proclaims the end of civilization, by warning that its technical complexity makes it immortal. It mocks the divisions that weaken the movement, but acknowledges that fragmentation could make it indomitable. It goes into ecstasy over the impulse of spontaneism, but it’s best if it is not completely spontaneist. Along with “comrade Deleuze,” it supports the need to be the most centralist of the centralists, but then, along with an Egyptian comrade, supports not wanting leaders, so that the centrality, in order not to be too oppressive, must be transversal. These are just a few examples to explain the nausea that assails us after a few ups and downs on the theoretical roller-coaster of those who in 2007 announced The Coming Insurrection and in 2014 revealed that the aim of every prophecy is to “impose here and now waiting, passivity, submission.”
Now when one runs into someone who can habitually stoop to contradictory claims, a doubt spontaneously and immediately arises: is she aware of the absurdities she maintains? If he doesn’t notice them, perhaps his intelligence is quite limited. If, on the other hand, she is aware of it, why does she do it? There would be some not very clear motivation behind it, which escapes us. In short, the conclusion one reaches in these cases is that there are only two alternatives. Either one is dealing with an aware person, who is then an opportunist or one is dealing with an imbecile.
But the Invisible Committee, as one can easily see, is certainly not imbecilic. The other, much more reliable theory remains. This explains the reason for the deep disgust that pervades us in reading its texts (the same that we felt on reading that Appel, which, in whatever way and whoever its authors were, anticipated them inside the movement). Could it be that we are victims of that revolutionary romanticism that loves to see in every enemy of the constituted order a Warrior for the Idea; Could it be that, like Winston Smith, we also have not managed very well to detach ourselves from the conventions of oldspeak: but could we not feel disgusted before those who would like to make revolutions through the contortions of doublethink? This may all be commercially and politically convenient—as the editorial success of the Invisible Committee and the electoral success of its first Fan Club indicate—but it remains ethically appalling.
In the tremors of the uprisings,
I held, as anchors for every storm,
ten to twelve party badges in my pocket.
Giuseppe Giusti,
A Toast to Turncoats
In Latin, it seems, was the origin of a dig at the master of rhetoric, Cicero, who was accustomed “duabus sellis sedere” (to sit on two thrones). In French today they say “jouer sur les deux tableaux” (to play on two gameboards). In German, it becomes “zwischen Baum und Borke leben” (to live between the tree and the bark). In Spanish it sounds like “nadar entre dos aguas” (to swim in two waters). In Italian it is “tenere i piedi in più scarpe” (to have one’s feet in many shoes). While in English it is “to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.”
Every language has a colorful expression of its own to point out the attitude of one who doesn’t hesitate to change opinion and behavior according to the moment and the situation, one that describes the oscillations of turncoats, of chameleons, of double-crossers. Opportunism is an old defect that afflicts politics, whether reformist or revolutionary. Like the Calls, it becomes manifest above all in periods of manifest crisis. When events go along at a more or less regular rhythm, it is easy to keep theory and practice, means and ends, together. But when that rhythm gets disrupted, when urgency takes over the mind, that is when people are transformed into acrobats of Tactics. From the search for what one considers right (an ethical question), one turns to the search for what one considers functional and convenient (techno-political questions), closing one’s eyes to possible incongruities. Some of those Spanish anarchists who would become government ministers knew about this, for example, Garcia Oliver who—going in the course of a few months from robbing banks to drawing up decreed laws—began to demand “using the same methods as the enemy, and especially discipline and unity.”
The characteristic of the Invisible Committee is not that of putting into action a practice that contradicts any of its theory, since from the start it maintains opposing theories, flinging open the door to any practice whatsoever. It is so full of contradictions as to no longer even appear contradictory. On the contrary. In fact, if one can say everything and its opposite, then one can also do everything and its opposite. This is the secret of its success: giving a semblance of coherence to incoherence. This is what has affected its editor Hazan, theoretical critic of advertising, which he utilizes in practice, as well as a revolutionary editor of judges and cops and supporter of presidential candidates. And this also seems to excite its admirers in Tarnac, who, after having learned yesterday that “visibility must be avoided” and that it is necessary to “get organized” coherently, and before repeating today that “disgust, pure negativity, and absolute refusal are the only discernable [sic] political forces of the moment,” have thought it good to come into the political and media limelight. But don’t suppose that the editor and Fan Club are not in agreement with the observation that “for two whole centuries elections have been the most widely used instrument after the army for suppressing insurrections,” they had simply already learned in 2007 that “Those who still vote seem to have no other intention than to desecrate the ballot box by voting as a pure act of protest. We’re beginning to suspect that it’s only against voting itself that people continue to vote.” A wasted effort since it is well-known, except in Tarnac, that capital, ever since “the revolutionaries of the years 1960-1970, were quite clear that they wanted nothing to do with it… selects its people… territory by territory.” Everything clear, true?
Naturally this absolute lack of coherence is also and above all what attracts the Committee’s customers, the thing for which they are doubly grateful. First of all for producing goods at an essentially affordable price that allow them to enter into the virtual reality of insurrection, of living a thousand adventures “as if they were true” without taking the risk of getting scratched. To the readers it is enough to leaf through its books to see oneself seated at the table of the Strategic Committee for Global Insurrection, the words of the insurgents of Tharir square in one’s ears, the streets of Exarchia before one’s eyes, Edward Snowden on the run from the CIA sitting on the right and sub-comandante Marcos on the left. Because, ultimately, according to the Invisible Committee itself, everything is reduced to being a mere question of perception and sensibility. A hit of adrenaline that is extended even after the reading of the book, since at that point the readers feel stirred up and gratified and free to do anything whatever, even if he was a nuclear technician in the service of the army. Police and fascists excluded (in anticipation of the firing squad, or of some future tactical utilization?), everyone else now knows that they can one day unite with the revolutionaries, the true revolutionaries, those who look neither at intentions nor at individual responsibilities, but only at technical competence.
Such a practical eclecticism is not just the implicit consequence of the contemporary formulation of more opposing thoughts, or of the lack of a coherent and consistent theory, since it is explicitly theorized by the Committee itself. After and as Tiqqun, it repeats like a mantra the need of an action based on a situational ethic. Or rather on the relaxed availability, capacity, ability to adapt oneself to circumstances, to merge into the environment, to be—to say it in the I.C.’s way—“at the height of the situation.” Here one might refer to the ancient sophist relativism of Gorgia, but it’s better to leave it in the vulgar oldspeak of the ends that justify the means. If already in Appel one could read that
To get organised means: to start from the situation and not dismiss it. To take sides within it. Weaving the necessary material, affective, and political solidarities … The position within a situation determines the need to forge alliances, and for that purpose to establish some lines of communication, some wider circulation. In turn those new links reconfigure the situation,
in To Our Friends, the I.C. maintains that,
Conflict is the very stuff of what exists. So the thing to do is to acquire an art of conducting it, which is an art of living on a situational footing, and which requires a finesse and an existential mobility instead of a readiness to crush whatever is not us,
managing in this way “in the complexity of the movements, to discern the shared friends, the possible alliances, the necessary conflicts. According to a logic of strategy, and not of dialectics.”
Even though the Invisible Committee sometimes opportunistically invoked it, the refusal of the world—what incites to desertion, to secession—is not at all considered a basis for sedition, but rather for renunciation. The I.C. sees deserting this world, staying outside of it, as the first step toward the rancorous impotence of the hermitage. This is why the I.C. doesn’t at all exhort people to break ranks, but to take one’s side inside, or rather reconfigure them. In fact, the true crisis gets defined as “that of presence” and to come out of it, it is necessary to heed the admonition of a member of Telecomix:
What is certain is that the territory you’re living in is defended by persons you would do well to meet. Because they’re changing the world and they won’t wait for you.
If it is the state defending the territory, if it is the state changing the world, if it is the state not waiting for subversives … well, let the latter hurry to catch up with the state, to go meet with it. They might give it some good advice.
But this is not desertion at all: deserters are those who no longer obey orders, who abandon the spaces in which they are restricted, throw off the uniforms, and go into hiding. What the I.C. propose instead in To Our Friends is an infiltration starting from the bottom. A nearly impossible tactic to put into practice (except in films dear to the Committee like Fight Club), but very easy to theorize about on paper (as the early situationists well knew). A tactic that requires a predisposition to falsehood, an inclination to hypocrisy, complicity in abjection, tolerance for infamy, and that has always accompanied the worst betrayals. But when it’s a question of tightening necessary political solidarities, there are those who don’t get lost in operative doubts or in ethical scruples.
In this regard, To Our Friends contains intoxicating passages. According to the Committee,
insurrections no longer base themselves on political ideologies, but on ethical truths. Here we have two words that, to a modern sensibility, sound oxymoronic when brought together. Establishing what is true is the role of science, is it not?—science having nothing to do with moral norms and other contingent values.
When it has to approach the words truth and ethics, the Committee excuses itself with embarrassment as if it had belched in public. To such hyper-modern eyes, such an approach can only seem like an oxymoron. Ultimately, it’s understandable. Ethics dies on contact with politics, politics weakens on contact with ethics. This is why anyone who is obsessed with the search for what is convenient can do nothing less than recall how their values are “contingent” (or rather accidental, random, incidental, conditional). For every outdated spirit, the ethical truths wielded by the Invisible Committee make them roll on the floor laughing as these truths are fickle, synonymous with convenient opinions. An ethical truth takes hold of an entire life, 24 hours out of 24, not the time of a situation with the sole aim of tightening a strategic alliance.
But the moment the ethical ballast is jettisoned, according to the I.C. it goes without saying that “We have an absolutely clear field for any decision, any initiative, as long as they’re linked to a careful reading of the situation… Our range of action is boundless.” Boundless, clear? However little the situation requires it, it is possible to do anything. It’s what Nechaev thought in the past, or Bin Laden in the present. So one understands the reason why the I.C. regrets that “Since the catastrophic defeat of the 1970s, the moral question of radicality has gradually replaced the strategic question of revolution.” To be strategic, the revolutionary has to be as subtle and mobile as a rubber band, she must be able to easily go from the balaclava to the suit and tie, from conflicts with the police in the streets to handshakes with colleagues in the government buildings. One must be capable of spitting on those in power and kissing subversives today, and tomorrow kissing those in power and spitting on subversives. To achieve this result it is necessary to have done with those individuals and those groups so stupid and presumptuous as to get impeded by values that they believe to be their own and autonomous, which they follow like the dog follows its master. It is necessary instead to make way for the “historical party” phantasm invested with a higher mission—leading to the revolution—in a position to justify every base act carried out by its human militants in flesh and blood in the course of their intelligent and modest slalom between the sensible weathercocks of situations.
But where do all these considerations come to? To Tarnac, for example. It was hard for Invisible Committee to swallow that in 2008-2009 its most enthusiastic fans (or members, according to some points of view) were mocked, taunted, sometimes even pushed out of movement situations, after having clearly shown what their conflict is made of, when, to these admirers of Blanqui—who spent more than thirty years behind bars—a few weeks in prison seemed to be enough to send them running under the skirts of the disparaged Left in search of protection. Which is why, after years of meditation weighing things up, here is the tactical defense of such behavior: “When repression strikes us, let’s begin by not taking ourselves for ourselves. Let’s dissolve the fantastical terrorist subject …”. It isn’t the claim of innocence, no. It isn’t panic, no. It isn’t the absence of the least bit of dignity, no. It is a winning strategic move. In effect, in this life of the daily repression of desires, it seems to us precisely that the whole lesson of the I.C. is reduced to this: no longer take yourself for yourself.
In the same way, it is always in defense of its Tarnac fans—since March 2014 neo-municipal-council-members, then mass media opinion-makers, and more recently even admonishers of police investigators (to whom they suggest which investigative trails to follow)—that the Committee emphasizes the imperious tactical necessity of establishing contacts with the other side, with all those who might prove useful tomorrow:
We need to go look in every sector, in all the territories we inhabit, for those who possess strategic technical knowledge… This process of knowledge accumulation, of establishing collusions in every domain, is a prerequisite for a serious and massive return of the revolutionary question.
This is why recently the most revolutionary grocers in France have gone to knock on the doors of a pair of embassies in London to pay homage to two of the great victims of persecution for telematic Free Information. One is an Australian hacker who aided the police of his country in the hunt for “pedophiles” (those monsters who, behind the closed doors of their habitation, collect and look at obscene photographs of children and who therefore, not being 19th century celebrities like Lewis Carroll or Pierre Louÿs, deserve only prison), the other is an American information technician in the service of the CIA since 2006, after an accident that happened to him during his training shattered his dream of fighting with the Special Forces in Iraq. Here absolutely are two people to know, because they defend the territory, change the world and possess necessary knowledge. And so, two precious allies of revolutionaries, as the condition of both objectively shows since they find themselves targeted by the United States government. After all, as the I.C. puts it:
A gesture is revolutionary not by its own content but by the sequence of effects it engenders. The situation is what determines the meaning of the act, not the intention of its authors.
Which means that individual intentions don’t count for anything, only the results count and it is up to the future to establish who is or isn’t revolutionary. A Marinus Van der Lubbe, to give a name, you can forget him. What did he do that was revolutionary? Nothing, the loser. Considering it well, indeed, now there is no more doubt: there is hope even for cops and fascists. A hope of redemption, of atonement, in short, of “tiqqun.”
In case it isn’t sufficiently clear, after the passage of the Invisible Committee nothing is left intact but a political idea; and that is, for example, that one can be a state functionary and a revolutionary at the same time.
Posted in Readings | Tagged reading | Leave a reply
reading for 12. 13
Posted on December 8, 2016 by leona
the stirner who eats gods
i don’t remember who suggested it, introducing the topic will be a free for all!
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Behind Enemy Lines California moves to curb solitary confinement
California moves to curb solitary confinement
by George Lavender
Following a mass hunger strike by prisoners in California last year, some state legislators promised to reform the use of Security Housing Units (SHU). This week, Assembly Bill 1652 passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee. It now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. If the bill becomes law, prisoners would only be sent to SHU for specific serious rules violations that come with determinate SHU sentences. The Prison Complex spoke with the bill’s author Assembly Member Tom Ammiano.
Q: Why, in your view, is this bill necessary?
A: Amnesty International and other international organizations have looked at our solitary confinement and called it torture. We think the CDCR [California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation] has been very capricious and arbitrary in how they assign people to the SHU.
They like to say the gang issue is particular to California, which is not true – there’s other states with very, very aggressive gangs. [In California] they use that as a scare tactic.
One of the arguments they use against my bill [is] if we release people from the SHU it’s a danger to the general population. Well, not if there is adequate risk management. Other states that we don’t even see as progressive, like Mississippi, have programs that have really reduced the need for the SHU.
Recidivism has been greatly reduced, so they’re doing something right and we’re not. The tragedy here is they [CDCR] keep missing the point of rehabilitation. Particularly in the SHU, restrictions on contact and materials makes rehabilitation a farce.
Amnesty International and other international organizations have looked at our solitary confinement and called it torture. We think the CDCR has been very capricious and arbitrary in how they assign people to the SHU.
Q: If, as you say, it’s not about stopping gang violence, what motivation do you think the CDCR has for continuing the use of long-term solitary confinement?
A: I think it’s been institutionalized. There’s a culture in the prison. I have to say, every prison guard I meet is not a demon or something out of a movie, [but] I’m sure they feel that it’s less dangerous for them to break someone’s spirit, that they don’t act out as much.
It works for the system because we ask the system to deal with these people but we don’t give them the resources. There’s many pieces to this equation that have contributed to the prison culture.
Q: Prison officials say these units are necessary to prevent violence in the prison system. What do you think could be done to reduce violence in prison?
A: First of all, try to keep as many people out of it as possible. Then, if all that doesn’t work, look at all the programs that are working throughout the United States, in Washington, Mississippi etc., and copy those programs.
Even copy programs we have here in San Francisco, and I think LA has one or two good ones, really looking at education and really looking at counseling. It can be done.
Then making sure that when the inmate is released those programs are still going on for him or her: housing and education and job training. You wind up saving money in the long run, but mostly you’re saving lives.
Q: The hunger strikes in California prisons in 2011 and again in 2013 received widespread public attention. How important were those protests in leading to this legislative action?
A: It’s very important. The thing is these are baby steps. We want to really put meat on this bone. The first step is it needs to be sustainable in Sacramento and in Washington. Unfortunately it takes lot for that to translate. I think the hearings we did about the SHU, the visits we did, and the hunger strikes, all resulted in these pieces of legislation.
Q: What opposition have you encountered to this bill?
A: CDCR itself, the prison guards, the governor, mostly law enforcement. The sheriffs came and testified against my bill. It’s so annoying. What do sheriffs have to do with it? It’s the usual suspects. A lot of Republicans, and then there’s timid Democrats too.
Q: Given that, how optimistic are you that this bill can pass?
A: I’m cautiously optimistic that we will get something out of the bill, if not the entire bill as written. And then there’s Hancock’s bill, which also faces its challenges, but I think she has a shot.
I think the hearings we did about the SHU, the visits we did, and the hunger strikes, all resulted in these pieces of legislation.
Prison is an issue some find very radioactive, but regardless of what happens there is momentum now. Bills can come back.
I would love the bill to be signed by the governor, but to me the most important thing is this is part of the dialogue. Now there’s actually debate; it’s on the radar.
The public and sympathetic public officials should keep that flame alive. I’ll be termed out this year, but Loni Hancock will be there, and I’ve been talking to a couple of my colleagues and I think they would be willing to carry the torch on this.
Q: As you mentioned, you will be termed out this year. Will this be an issue that you continue to work on?
A: Unless I get a job in a boy band and have to travel! I’m going to remain engaged. I’ve learned a lot; there’s a lot more to learn.
George Lavender is an independent radio and print journalist based in Oakland, California. He’s a producer of “Making Contact,” a weekly half-hour radio show, and reports for Radio France International, Free Speech Radio News and the Pacifica Network. He has also written for The Guardian, New Internationalist, Journal of Race, Poverty and the Environment, Truthout and local newspapers in the U.S. and UK. Follow him on Twitter @GeorgeLavender.
The Bay View thanks In These Times for permission to reprint this story, which appears in George Lavender’s blog on their site called The Prison Complex, where “Lavender tracks and reports on issues related to imprisonment in the U.S.”
Assembly Appropriations Committee
Assembly Bill 1652
Assembly Member Tom Ammiano
Assembly Public Safety Committee
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
California-Oregon border
curb solitary confinement
determinate SHU sentences
gang violence
George Lavender
Hancock’s bill
hunger strikes in California prisons
Long-Term Solitary Confinement
Loni Hancock
mass hunger strike by prisoners in California
mass hunger strikes of 2011 and 2013
Pelican Bay State Prison
prison guard
prison officials
prison system
Security Housing Units
serious rules violations
The Prison Complex
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Shadtournament
The Definitive Guide to Manga
By Howdy A 0
Lots of people might think that when they listen to the word comics after that it is just the same no matter where its beginning is all comics are the same. This is NOT the case as although both American Manga and also Japanese Manga coincide in the sense that they are both telling a story on paperback form, the real styles are completely different. Among the vital differences in both of these manga is just how whatever mores than overemphasized in the Japanese variation for instance in some manga the eyes are drawn very big as well as exhibit an nearly treasure stone result to them whereas in American manga whatever is more sensible.
Another crucial distinction is that the majority of Japanese manga is published in black and white form and also have a number of hundred web pages per book whereas the American manga is in colour and also has around 32 web pages per publication. There is also the size of guides that provide both kinds of manga that differ in size. A manga from Japan will certainly be a whole lot smaller than the American manga publication. For these factor Japan’s manga are likewise cheaper than American manga as they utilize black and white inking and smaller pages implying that they can sell for a reduced expense and also still earn a profit. The American manga also has unique marketing factors versus the Japanese manga too such as being in colour and remaining in a larger publication. The main benefit of this is that the American version does not have loads of pages so consequently it is thorough as well as does not dwell way too much on one scene whereas the Japanese manga has hundreds of web pages therefore it has a great deal of scenes extremely similar which results in the Japanese manga being analysis fast and there is very little to take in on some pages whereas the American addresses a much slower pace with a lot of detail on each web page needing the viewers to take their time whilst going through.
In my point of view the main vital distinction in both manga is not a lot what they include yet in fact it is exactly how they are checked out as well as stereotyped by culture. The American manga has for a long time been stereotyped as a childlike thing for kids as well as teenagers to dwell upon and consume their time with, whereas for Japanese manga there is a style and type for everybody and so it is viewed as Japanese manga is for everyone as well as not just for a specific age.
know more about One piece manga here.
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Neuropilin-1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and infectivity
View ORCID ProfileLudovico Cantuti-Castelvetri1,2,*,
View ORCID ProfileRavi Ojha3,*,
View ORCID ProfileLiliana D. Pedro1,2,*,
View ORCID ProfileMinou Djannatian1,2,*,
View ORCID ProfileJonas Franz4,5,6,*,
View ORCID ProfileSuvi Kuivanen7,*,
View ORCID ProfileFranziska van der Meer4,
Katri Kallio3,
View ORCID ProfileTuğberk Kaya1,2,8,
View ORCID ProfileMaria Anastasina3,9,
Teemu Smura7,
Lev Levanov7,
View ORCID ProfileLeonora Szirovicza7,
View ORCID ProfileAllan Tobi10,
Hannimari Kallio-Kokko11,
View ORCID ProfilePamela Österlund12,
View ORCID ProfileMerja Joensuu13,
View ORCID ProfileFrédéric A. Meunier13,
View ORCID ProfileSarah J. Butcher3,9,
Martin Sebastian Winkler14,
Brit Mollenhauer15,16,
Ari Helenius17,
View ORCID ProfileOzgun Gokce8,
View ORCID ProfileTambet Teesalu3,19,20,
View ORCID ProfileJussi Hepojoki5,21,
View ORCID ProfileOlli Vapalahti7,11,22,
View ORCID ProfileChristine Stadelmann4,
View ORCID ProfileGiuseppe Balistreri3,18,†,
View ORCID ProfileMikael Simons1,2,23,†
1Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.
2German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.
3Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
4Department of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
5Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
6Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.
7Department of Virology, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
8Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
9Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences–Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
10Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
11Department of Virology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
12Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland.
13Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
14Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
15Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
16Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik Kassel, Kassel, Germany.
17Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
18The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
19Cancer Research Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
20Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
21Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
22Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
23Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.
↵†Corresponding author. Email: giuseppe.balistreri{at}helsinki.fi (G.B.); mikael.simons{at}dzne.de (M.S.)
Science 13 Nov 2020:
Vol. 370, Issue 6518, pp. 856-860
DOI: 10.1126/science.abd2985
Ludovico Cantuti-Castelvetri
ORCID record for Ludovico Cantuti-Castelvetri
Ravi Ojha
ORCID record for Ravi Ojha
Liliana D. Pedro
ORCID record for Liliana D. Pedro
Minou Djannatian
ORCID record for Minou Djannatian
Jonas Franz
ORCID record for Jonas Franz
Suvi Kuivanen
ORCID record for Suvi Kuivanen
Franziska van der Meer
ORCID record for Franziska van der Meer
Katri Kallio
Tuğberk Kaya
ORCID record for Tuğberk Kaya
Maria Anastasina
ORCID record for Maria Anastasina
Teemu Smura
Lev Levanov
Leonora Szirovicza
ORCID record for Leonora Szirovicza
Allan Tobi
ORCID record for Allan Tobi
Hannimari Kallio-Kokko
Pamela Österlund
ORCID record for Pamela Österlund
Merja Joensuu
ORCID record for Merja Joensuu
Frédéric A. Meunier
ORCID record for Frédéric A. Meunier
Sarah J. Butcher
ORCID record for Sarah J. Butcher
Martin Sebastian Winkler
Brit Mollenhauer
Ari Helenius
Ozgun Gokce
ORCID record for Ozgun Gokce
Tambet Teesalu
ORCID record for Tambet Teesalu
Jussi Hepojoki
ORCID record for Jussi Hepojoki
Olli Vapalahti
ORCID record for Olli Vapalahti
Christine Stadelmann
ORCID record for Christine Stadelmann
Giuseppe Balistreri
ORCID record for Giuseppe Balistreri
For correspondence: giuseppe.balistreri@helsinki.fi mikael.simons@dzne.de
Mikael Simons
ORCID record for Mikael Simons
Another host factor for SARS-CoV-2
Virus-host interactions determine cellular entry and spreading in tissues. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the earlier SARS-CoV use angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor; however, their tissue tropism differs, raising the possibility that additional host factors are involved. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 contains a cleavage site for the protease furin that is absent from SARS-CoV (see the Perspective by Kielian). Cantuti-Castelvetri et al. now show that neuropilin-1 (NRP1), which is known to bind furin-cleaved substrates, potentiates SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. NRP1 is abundantly expressed in the respiratory and olfactory epithelium, with highest expression in endothelial and epithelial cells. Daly et al. found that the furin-cleaved S1 fragment of the spike protein binds directly to cell surface NRP1 and blocking this interaction with a small-molecule inhibitor or monoclonal antibodies reduced viral infection in cell culture. Understanding the role of NRP1 in SARS-CoV-2 infection may suggest potential targets for future antiviral therapeutics.
Science, this issue p. 856, p. 861; see also p. 765
The causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). For many viruses, tissue tropism is determined by the availability of virus receptors and entry cofactors on the surface of host cells. In this study, we found that neuropilin-1 (NRP1), known to bind furin-cleaved substrates, significantly potentiates SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, an effect blocked by a monoclonal blocking antibody against NRP1. A SARS-CoV-2 mutant with an altered furin cleavage site did not depend on NRP1 for infectivity. Pathological analysis of olfactory epithelium obtained from human COVID-19 autopsies revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infected NRP1-positive cells facing the nasal cavity. Our data provide insight into SARS-CoV-2 cell infectivity and define a potential target for antiviral intervention.
An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections has caused a pandemic associated with a severe acute pulmonary disease named COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) (1). A related coronavirus, SARS-CoV, led to a much smaller outbreak in 2003, possibly due to infection occurring predominantly in the lower respiratory system, whereas SARS-CoV-2 spreads rapidly through active pharyngeal viral shedding (2). Despite these differences, uptake of both viruses is mediated by the same cellular receptor: angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) (3–5). One hypothesis to explain the enhanced spreading of SARS-CoV-2 is the presence of a polybasic furin-type cleavage site, RRAR^S, at the S1-S2 junction in the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein that is absent in SARS-CoV (6). Similar sequences are found in the S proteins of many other pathogenic human viruses, including Ebola, HIV-1, and highly virulent strains of avian influenza (6, 7). The presence of the polybasic cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 results in enhanced pathogenicity by priming the fusion activity (8) and could potentially create additional cell surface receptor binding sites. Proteolytic cleavage of RRAR^S by furin exposes a conserved C-terminal motif, RXXROH [where R is arginine and X is any amino acid; R can be substituted by lysine (K)], in the S protein. Such C-terminal sequences that conform to the C-end rule (CendR) are known to bind to and activate neuropilin (NRP1 and NRP2) receptors at the cell surface (9). Recent cryo–electron microscopy structures of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein demonstrated that the S1-S2 junction is part of a solvent-exposed loop and is therefore accessible for receptor interactions (10, 11).
To determine whether SARS-CoV-2 can use NRP1 for virus entry and infectivity, we generated lentiviral particles pseudotyped with the SARS-CoV-2 S protein. Pseudoviruses are well suited for virus entry assays, as they allow viral entry to be distinguished from other virus life-cycle steps. Human embryonic kidney 293 T (HEK-293T) cells, which have almost no detectable ACE2 and NRP1 transcripts (fig. S1), were transfected with plasmids that encode the two established host factors (4), human ACE2 and the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), or NRP1. When expressed alone, ACE2 rendered cells susceptible to infection (Fig. 1A). Although NRP1 did not promote infection in HEK-293T cells, its coexpression with ACE2 and TMPRSS2 markedly enhanced infection (Fig. 1, A and B). NRP1 expression increased infection in Caco-2 cells, which endogenously express ACE2 (12) (Fig. 1C and fig. S1D), showing that NRP1 can potentiate infection in the presence of other host factors. To test the specificity of NRP1-dependent virus entry, we developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that were designed to functionally block the extracellular b1b2 domain of NRP1, which is known to mediate binding to CendR peptides (13). The mAb3 was observed to bind to the recombinant b1b2 domain of wild-type (WT) NRP1 but not to the triple-mutant b1b2 domain (S346A, E348A, and T349A in the CendR binding pocket) (fig. S2A). The potency of the mAbs in preventing cellular binding and internalization of NRP ligands was tested using 80-nm silver nanoparticles (AgNP) coated with the prototypic NRP1-binding CendR peptide RPARPAROH (9) (fig. S2B). mAb3 efficiently blocked AgNP-CendR binding (fig. S2C) and internalization (fig. S2, D and E), whereas another monoclonal antibody, mAb2, had no effect and was used as a control in further experiments. Treatment of HEK-293T with mAb3 significantly reduced infection by SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses in cells expressing ACE2, TMPRSS2, and NRP1 (Fig. 1D), but not in cells expressing ACE2 and TMPRSS2 only (fig. S2F). When SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus was preincubated with recombinant, soluble extracellular b1b2 domain of NRP1, the wild type significantly reduced infection compared with the triple mutant (Fig. 1E and fig. S2G).
Fig. 1 NRP1 facilitates the cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped particles.
(A) Representative images and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 S protein (SARS-2) (blue bars) and vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) pseudotype (gray bars) infectivity in HEK-293T cells transiently expressing control (ctrl) vector, ACE2, NRP1, or TMPRSS2 (TSS2). Data are normalized to the respective infectivity of SARS-2 and VSV-G pseudotype in ACE2-expressing cells. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out with Tukey’s correction for multiple comparisons. (B) HEK-293T cells transiently expressing ACE2 and TMPRSS2 or NRP1, ACE2, and TMPRSS2 were inoculated with SARS-2 pseudotype. Data are normalized to SARS-2 infectivity in cells expressing ACE2 and TMPRSS2. One-way ANOVA was performed with Tukey’s correction for multiple comparisons. (C) SARS-2 pseudotype infectivity in Caco-2 cells expressing NRP1 or control vector. Data are normalized to the respective infectivity of SARS-2 and VSV-G pseudotype in control cells. Two-way ANOVA was carried out with Sidak’s correction for multiple comparisons. (D and E) HEK-293T cells transiently expressing NRP1, ACE2, and TMPRSS2 were inoculated with SARS-2 pseudotype in the presence of mAb3 antibody against NRP1 [(D), mAb3] or control mAb2 [(D), ctrl Ab] and in the presence of soluble NRP1 wild-type b1b2 domain [(E), wt b1b2] or NRP1 mutant b1b2 domain [(E), mut b1b2]. Data in (E) are normalized to untreated cells expressing NRP1, ACE2, and TMPRSS2. Two-tailed unpaired Student’s t test was performed. All data are represented as means ± SDs from three independent experiments [(A) to (C)] or three biological replicates [(D) and (E)]. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ****P < 0.0001. All images show GFP-positive, infected cells (magenta) and Hoechst stain (cyan). Scale bars, 100 μm.
Next, we explored the role of NRP1 using SARS-CoV-2 isolated from COVID-19 patients from the Helsinki University Hospital. We used WT SARS-CoV-2 and a cleavage-impaired SARS-CoV-2 mutant that was isolated from Vero-E6 cells, which rapidly accumulate mutations at the furin cleavage site of the S protein during passaging (Fig. 2, A and B) (14). First, we confirmed that furin cleaved the WT, but not the mutant, SARS-CoV-2 S protein by analyzing S protein processing in Chinese hamster ovary cells with functional (parental) or deficient (FD11) furin enzyme (fig. S3) (15). Next, we validated that exogenous ACE2 expression rendered HEK-293T cells susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2 (Fig. 2, C and D). NRP1 expression alone caused lower levels of infection, which were detectable only with increasing virus titer (Fig. 2, C and D). We then compared the ability of WT and mutant SARS-CoV-2 to infect HEK-293T that stably express ACE2; ACE2 and TMPRSS2; or ACE2, TMPRSS2, and NRP1. Infection of these cell lines by the WT, but not the mutant, virus increased in the presence of NRP1, providing further evidence that NRP1 requires a furin-cleaved substrate for its effects (Fig. 2, E and F). We studied the effect of the NRP1-blocking antibody, mAb3, on infection of Caco-2 cells by WT and mutant SARS-CoV-2 and found that preincubation with NRP1-blocking antibody reduced WT virus infection by ~40%, whereas the control mAb2 had no effect (Fig. 2, G and H). NRP1-blocking antibody had no effect on the infection by the mutated virus (Fig. 2, G and H).
Fig. 2 A blocking antibody against the b1b2 domain of NRP1 reduces infection by wild-type SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-2-wt) but not a mutant with a deletion at the furin-cleavage site (SARS-2-mut).
(A) Sequence analysis of viruses isolated at different passages (P) from different cell types. The first sequence is the reference from the Wuhan isolate (NC_045512.2). The sequence abundance in each virus population is indicated as a percentage. ND, not determined. §, SARS-2-wt; §§, SARS-2-mut. A, Ala; S, Ser; Y, Tyr; Q, Gln; T, Thr; N, Asn; P, Pro; R, Arg; V, Val. (B) A deletion adjacent to the furin-cleavage site abrogates the enzymatic cleavage of the S protein. Immunoblot analysis was carried out on cell lysates from Vero-E6 cells infected for 16 hours with two viral populations (§ and §§). Numbers indicate protein size (in kilodaltons). (C and D) Representative images and quantification of SARS-2-wt infectivity in HEK-293T cells stably expressing ACE2 (blue bars) or NRP1 (orange bars) compared with nontransfected cells (gray bars). Different virus titers were used. Data are normalized to the infectivity in ACE2-expressing cells at multiplicity of infection (MOI) = 5. Two-way ANOVA was done with Tukey’s correction for multiple comparisons. (E and F) Representative images (E) and quantification (F) of HEK-293T cells stably expressing the indicated combinations of ACE2, TMPRSS2 (TSS2), and NRP1 after inoculation with SARS-2-wt (wt; blue bars) or SARS-2-mut (mut; gray bars). Data are normalized to the respective infectivity in ACE2-expressing cells. Two-way ANOVA was performed with Tukey’s correction for multiple comparisons. (G and H) Caco-2 cell infection in the presence of control mAb2 (ctrl. Ab) or mAb3 blocking antibodies against NRP1 after SARS-2-wt (wt; blue bars) or SARS-2-mut (mut; gray bars) inoculation. Data are normalized to the respective vehicle control (phosphate-buffered saline) sample. Two-way ANOVA was performed with Tukey’s correction for multiple comparisons. Data are means ± SDs from three independent experiments. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ****P < 0.0001. Magenta, SARS-2-wt– and SARS-2-mut–infected cells; Hoechst stain, cyan. Scale bars, 50 μm.
Cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 S protein at the S1-S2 site generates the C-terminal end sequence TQTNSPRRAROH. To determine whether this specific sequence can function as a substrate for NRP1, we used AgNPs coated with TQTNSPRRAROH peptide or different control peptides, including one with a terminal amide group (TQTNSPRRARNH2), which reduces NRP1 binding (9) (Fig. 3A). We found that AgNP-TQTNSPRRAROH, but not control AgNPs, were efficiently taken up by HEK-293T cells expressing NRP1 (Fig. 3, B and C). Next, we determined whether AgNP-TQTNSPRRAROH particles were also internalized into cells in vivo. We chose to study nanoparticle entry in the mouse olfactory epithelium, owing to the known expression of NRP1 in the olfactory system (16), including olfactory neuronal cells of the epithelium (fig. S4). AgNPs-TQTNSPRRAROH and control AgNP-TQTNSPRRARNH2 were administered into the nose of anesthetized adult mice. Six hours after administration, we observed a significantly larger uptake of AgNP-TQTNSPRRAROH than of AgNP-TQTNSPRRARNH2 into the olfactory epithelium (Fig. 3, D and E) and, unexpectedly, into neurons and blood vessels of the cortex (Fig. 3, F and G). Similar results were obtained for AgNPs coated with the prototypic NRP1-binding CendR peptide RPARPAROH (fig. S5).
Fig. 3 NRP mediates entry of nanoparticles coated with SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-2) S–derived CendR peptides into cultured cells, olfactory epithelium, and the central nervous system of mice.
(A) Peptide sequences used for AgNP coating. The peptides mimic SARS-2 S protein after furin cleavage (post) and as controls; S protein before cleavage (pre), in which the terminal amino acid is replaced by alanine (Ala); or with an amide terminus (post amide). X, any amino acid. The arrow indicates the cleavage site. (B and C) Representative images and quantification of the internalization of peptide-coated AgNPs in HEK-293T cells expressing NRP1. Merged images show AgNP-positive cells (magenta) and Hoechst stain (cyan). One-way ANOVA was carried out with Tukey’s correction for multiple comparisons. (D to G) Representative images and quantification of the main olfactory epithelium [(D) and (E), respectively] and cortex [(F) and (G), respectively] 6 hours after intranasal administration of AgNPs coated with SARS2-post and SARS2-post amide peptides. n = 4 replicates for (C); n = 5 (E) and n = 4 (G) mice per condition. Data are means ± SDs. Two-tailed unpaired Student’s t test; *P < 0.05, ***P < 0.001. Magenta, AgNPs; cyan, Hoechst stain; green, NeuN (neuronal marker); yellow, AQP4. Scale bars, 100 μm (B), 20 μm [(D) and (F)].
Having obtained evidence for a role of NRP1 in cell entry of SARS-CoV-2, we examined whether NRP1 expression correlated with the detection of virus RNA in single-cell transcriptomes. For these analyses, we used published single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets of cultured experimentally infected human bronchial epithelial cells and cells isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of severely affected COVID-19 patients (17). Among the proposed entry and amplification factors, NRP1, FURIN, and TMPRSS11A were enriched in SARS-CoV-2–infected cells compared with noninfected cells (fig. S6). We also detected increased expression of these proteins after infection (fig. S6). In addition, RNA expression of NRP1 and its homolog NRP2 was elevated in SARS-CoV-2–positive cells compared with adjacent cells in the BALF of severely affected COVID-19 patients (fig. S7).
Because the availability of virus receptors and entry cofactors on the surface of host cells determines infectivity, we compared the expression patterns of ACE2 and NRP1 in published scRNA-seq datasets of human lung tissue (18) and human olfactory epithelium (19). Whereas ACE2 was detected at very low levels, both NRP1 and NRP2 were abundantly expressed in almost all pulmonary and olfactory cells, with the highest levels of expression in endothelial cells (figs. S8 and S9). We confirmed these results by examining NRP1 immunoreactivity in human autopsy tissue and detected NRP1 in the epithelial surface layer of the human respiratory and olfactory epithelium (fig. S10A). ACE2 was hardly detectable in these tissues (fig. S10B). Within the olfactory epithelium, NRP1 was also observed in cells positive for oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (OLIG2), which is mostly expressed by olfactory neuronal progenitors (fig. S10C).
In light of the widely reported disturbance of olfaction in a large fraction of COVID-19 patients (20, 21) and the enrichment of NRPs in the olfactory epithelium, we analyzed a series of autopsies from six COVID-19 patients and eight noninfected control patients to determine whether SARS-CoV-2 could infect NRP1-positive cells (Fig. 4 and table S1). Using antibodies against the S protein, we detected infection of the olfactory epithelium in five of six COVID-19 patients. The infected olfactory epithelial cells showed high expression of NRP1 (Fig. 4, A and B). Additional costaining indicated infection of cells positive for OLIG2 (Fig. 4B and fig. S11).
Fig. 4 SARS-CoV-2 infects the olfactory epithelium.
(A) Costaining of S protein (brown) and NRP1 (purple) in the apical olfactory epithelium (OE) in a noninfected control (left) and in the apical OE (middle) and adjacent mucosa (right) in a COVID-19 patient. LP, lamina propria; HB, horizontal basal cells. (B) Costaining of NRP1 (magenta) or OLIG-2 (magenta) with S protein (yellow) in OE cells. Nuclei are shown in blue. Scale bars, 10 μm.
There is limited knowledge about the virus–host interactions that determine cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2. Viruses display considerable redundancy and flexibility because they can exploit weak multivalent interactions to enhance affinity. To date, studies of SARS-CoV-2 entry have focused almost entirely on ACE2, which is expressed at very low protein levels in respiratory and olfactory epithelial cells (22). This raises the possibility that cofactors are required to facilitate virus–host cell interactions in cells with low ACE2 expression. NRP1 could represent such an ACE2 potentiating factor by promoting the interaction of the virus with ACE2. The reason a number of viruses (23–26) use NRPs as entry factors may be their high expression on epithelia facing the external environment and their function in enabling cell, vascular, and tissue penetration (9, 13).
science.sciencemag.org/content/370/6518/856/suppl/DC1
Figs. S1 to S11
Table S1
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Acknowledgments: We thank R. Müller, K. Schulz, and U. Scheidt for expert technical assistance; S. Osborne for proofreading the manuscript, and the DNA Dream Lab facility and K. Kogan for design and cloning of plasmids. Funding: The work in Munich and Göttingen was supported by grants from the German Research Foundation (SPP2191, TRR128-2, TRR274-1, SyNergy Excellence Cluster, EXC2145, Projekt ID390857198, EXC 2067/1- 390729940, and STA 1389/5-1), the ERC (Consolidator Grant to M.S.), and the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation. The work at the University of Helsinki was supported by the University of Helsinki and by donations from Finnish colleagues to whom we are very grateful. The Academy of Finland supported G.B. (318434), O.V. (336490), S.J.B. (315950 and 336471), and J.H. (1308613 and 1314119). O.V. was supported by Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, EU Horizon 2020 program VEO (874735), and Helsinki University Hospital Funds (TYH2018322). S.J.B. was supported by the Swedish Research Foundation and M.A. by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (799929). M.J. is supported by The Australian Research Council’s Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DE190100565). F.A.M. is supported by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellowship (GNT1155794). T.T. and A.T. are supported by the European Regional Development Fund (project 2014-2020.4.01.15-0012), Wellcome Trust International Fellowship WT095077MA, European Research Council grant GLIOGUIDE, and the Estonian Research Council (grants PRG230 and EAG79 to T.T.). Author contributions: G.B., M.S., and A.H. conceived the project. L.C.C., R.O., L.D.P., M.D., J.F., S.K., F.v.d.M., K.K., M.A., and L.S. designed and carried out experiments. A.T., T.T., L.L., O.V., J.H., O.G., H.K.K., P.O., and M.J., developed and provided tools. L.C.C., R.O., L.D.P., M.D., J.F., S.K., T.K., C.S., T.S., M.J., F.A.M., S.J.B., J.H., and O.V. analyzed the data or supervised data acquisition. L.C.C., R.O., L.D.P., M.D., J.F., S.K., T.K., and O.G. visualized the data. T.K. and O.G. performed the scRNA-seq data analysis. M.S.W., B.M., C.S., and H.K.K. provided human samples. G.B. and M.S. wrote the manuscript. G.B. and M.S. supervised the project. Competing interests: T.T., O.V., and G.B. have a pending patent on the monoclonal antibody 3 (mAb3) against the NRP1 b1 domain for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition. Data and materials availability: All data needed to evaluate the conclusions in the paper are present in the paper or the supplementary materials. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. This license does not apply to figures/photos/artwork or other content included in the article that is credited to a third party; obtain authorization from the rights holder before using such material.
Correction (12 November 2020): After the First Release version was published, the authors added an image to Fig. 4A so that the figure now shows a region of the olfactory epithelium of a COVID-19 patient that is comparable to the region shown for the control patient.
You are going to email the following Neuropilin-1 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and infectivity
By Ludovico Cantuti-Castelvetri, Ravi Ojha, Liliana D. Pedro, Minou Djannatian, Jonas Franz, Suvi Kuivanen, Franziska van der Meer, Katri Kallio, Tuğberk Kaya, Maria Anastasina, Teemu Smura, Lev Levanov, Leonora Szirovicza, Allan Tobi, Hannimari Kallio-Kokko, Pamela Österlund, Merja Joensuu, Frédéric A. Meunier, Sarah J. Butcher, Martin Sebastian Winkler, Brit Mollenhauer, Ari Helenius, Ozgun Gokce, Tambet Teesalu, Jussi Hepojoki, Olli Vapalahti, Christine Stadelmann, Giuseppe Balistreri, Mikael Simons
Science 13 Nov 2020 : 856-860
NRP1 serves as a host factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and may potentially provide a therapeutic target for COVID-19.
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Coronavirus: Why are Indians running away from isolation wards?
The country has one of the world’s worst public health systems.
Mar 16, 2020 · 06:30 am
A photo of a backed up toilet of the isolation ward in SN Medical College and District Hospital, Agra shared by a family friend of woman accused of evading Covid-19 treatment. | Yash Archit/Facebook
As the world grapples with the coronavirus, people in most countries are turning to their governments and public healthcare systems to battle the pandemic. In India, however, the situation is different. With a public healthcare system that is in a shambles, many Indians are looking with suspicion at the state’s efforts to battle the Covid-19 disease, creating complications for health authorities to grapple with.
This was illustrated by the case of the Agra woman who hit the headlines last week after media reports falsely reported that she had fled quarantine. As it turns out, the woman who had recently returned from Europe resisted the option of being isolated public health facility even though her husband began to show Covid-19 symptoms. “The sight of the unhygienic condition of the toilets made her retch,” her brother-in-law told the Times of India.
So strident was this family’s objection to accessing the Uttar Pradesh public health system that the district magistrate had to intervene on Thursday to allow the authorities access to the family, Agra’s chief medical officer Dr Mukesh Kumar Vats told the Times of India. On Sunday, the Uttar Pradesh police booked the woman’s father-in-law under the Epidemic Act and could be jailed for up to two years.
Then they loaded them all in a bus with no help for heavy luggage and around 3 they reached The isolation centre in Narela. No lift so she had to carry her suitcases up 3 floor. To reach a room which is horrible. Not fit for humans or animals.
She asked for water ...(2) pic.twitter.com/sLWO0E8PTw
— Tinkerbell 11:11 (@tinkerbell9958) March 16, 2020
This is not the only such case. On March 9, a coronavirus suspect escaped from a government hospital’s isolation ward in Mangaluru, arguing that he preferred to seek private treatment. In Manesar, where the Indian Army runs a quarantine facility, patients created a ruckus for better facilities – an incident that ended with the police being called in to control the situation.
Poor conditions
A similar situation as Agra’s was seen when Mumbai resident Ankit Gupta posted pictures of unsanitary conditions in the city’s Kasturba Hospital, which is acting as the city’s isolation ward. Gupta’s friend is under observation. Another suspect, Navya Dua complained about the sanitation in an isolation ward in Delhi.
PLEASE HELP My friend is under observation at Ward 27 Kasturba Hospital Mumbai with 10 other patients. These bad conditions with poor sanitation, reckless staff attitude will not help contain the pandemic@CMOMaharashtra @mybmc #CoronavirusPandemic #COVID19india #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/j3iAPYW2yy
— ankit gupta (@ankuagarwal) March 12, 2020
I land at Delhi airport dated 16th March 1:00 am KLM airlines from Spain. I am subject to the 14 day quarantine at a govt facility in Dwarka police training school. I won’t say anything I just give some videos of our *sanitised* accommodation. @PMOIndia @WHO @CISFHQrs pic.twitter.com/vd4AnLBIkW
— Navya Dua (@NavyaDua) March 16, 2020
Ironically, so low is the trust in public healthcare that Indians have been trying to avoid the public system even when private healthcare does have not the capacity to tackle the problems posed by Covid-19. One man died of Covid-19 in Karnataka on Saturday as private hospitals refused to admit him, citing their lack of capability. The confusion as the patient sought admission, in fact, meant that scores of other people are now at risk since the man had to run from pillar to post seeking treatment.
Unhealthy India
This extreme lack of trust in India’s public health system is not surprising. India has one of the weakest health systems in the world, with abysmal health indicators. India spends only 1.28% of GDP on public health. This is lower than than the proportion of national income spent by the poorest countries on earth: as per the World Bank, countries classified as Lower Income spend 1.57% of their GDP on public health.
The results of this are not surprising. People in Bangladesh, Nepal and even Liberia – a country with a per capita GDP one-seventh that of India – are healthier than Indians.
This sort of shambolic public health infrastructure is bad at the best of times – but could be catastrophic during a health emergency like Covid-19. This is all the more so given that public nature of the infection, it is public health authorities that need to take the lead. Private healthcare can, at best, provide a supporting role.
Experts identify India’s problems as stemming from bad choices driven by ideology rather than a lack of money per se. “Ideally public hospital network should be build with excess capacity, a considerable degree of unused beds and equipment,” explained T Sundararaman, the former executive director of the National Health Systems Resource Centre, an advisory body to the health ministry in a background paper on coronavirus in India. “A certain planned “slack” or “redundancy” is essential so that at times of crisis such as this (or during disasters) the surge in cases can be addressed.”
While this was a trend, it has become even worse under this current Union government, argues Sundararaman: “The present government has accelerated this decline by cutting back expenditure for strengthening public hospitals and signaling that they would like to outsource district hospitals as profit generating venues.”
Private profits over public health
This forms part of a movement that seeks to make the government a purchaser of healthcare from private organisations rather than act as a provider itself, explains Sulakshana Nandi, Joint National Convener, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan. “Rather than spend on building and maintaining public hospitals, the government is diverting funds on insurance schemes such as Ayushman Bharat Yojana which allow people to purchase healthcare from private players,” said Nandi.
Nandi continued: “This model is flawed since it places profits at the centre. Moreover, since private healthcare is concentrated in urban areas, this puts rural or tribal areas at a disadvantage.”
India at risk
Nandi feels that this weakened public health infrastructure has placed India on a weak footing as it prepares for Covid-19.
As a stopgap measure, Nandi feels that the private healthcare sector needs to play a part but only on the terms set by the government. “The profit principal has to be put aside given the emergency Covid-19 poses,” she said.
However, this by itself will not be able to overcome India’s weakness in public health. “If fortunately the crisis passes us by we may be saved a catastrophe,” said T Sundararaman. “But if it hits India, the way it is playing out in Italy, and there is a surge of patients seeking care in public hospitals, it could be an unprecedented disaster.”
Oxford scientists explain how they developed the Covid-19 vaccine in record time
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How to set up PS5
By Tyler Colp 2 weeks, 6 days
Even if you managed to be one of the lucky ones to grab a PlayStation 5, it can be a bit of a tedious and somewhat confusing process to set up. There’s a lot of pieces involved and some steps to run through when you finally have it on. But with a little guidance, you can rocket through the whole thing and get right to playing your games.
Unboxing and preparing the PS5
This step is the fun part if you like cracking open a new purchase and seeing what your money went toward. The PS5 has a huge box because it’s a huge console. You’ll want to carefully fold open the box and pull everything out. Inside you should find the PS5 console itself, the DualSense wireless controller, an HDMI cable, a power cable, a USB C to USB A cable, the stand, and a handful of user manuals. For now, separate everything from its twist ties and have it prepared for connecting to your console and TV.
Set up the PS5 stand
From here, you should find a place to put your PS5 and decide whether or not you’re going to have it sit vertically or horizontally. Both orientations require the use of the stand. By now, you will have a good idea of just how gigantic the console is, so you can make your decision accordingly.
For horizontal use, you want to set up the stand’s rotating section to sit away from the clip. Put another way: have the indentations on the circular part of the stand (with the big protrusion) sitting parallel with the clip. Then, all you need to do is line up the clip with the small PlayStation face button symbols on the back of the PS5. It should lightly, but firmly grip onto the edge of the console’s fins and keep it level when you lay it down.
For vertical use, you need to set up the stand a little differently. First, take a look at the bottom of the PS5 and you’ll see a small circle in the middle. Pop out the circle to reveal a screw hole. On the stand, you want to turn the middle section to line up with the clip. Flip it over, and you’ll see a screw in the recessed section. Take it out, replace it with the plastic circle that you just removed for storage, and pick up the stand. All you have to do is place the stand’s clip on the bottom of the PS5 in the vertical orientation and screw it into the base. When you’re done, it should stand upright with the stand protruding out from the left and right.
Connecting the power, HDMI, and ethernet to the PS5
Now that your PS5 can sit somewhere without being wobbly or unruly while you mess with cables, you can start to hook it up. This part is pretty easy if you’ve set up any other console before. The power cable hooks right into the bottom or left side of the unit depending on your chosen orientation. And the HDMI cable goes right next to it. Plug the power cable into a wall socket, and the HDMI cable into your TV. This is also when you would want to plug in an ethernet cable too if you don’t want to use WiFi.
Pairing the DualSense and powering on the PS5
The physical part of the process is almost done. Plug the provided USB-C to USB-A port into your new DualSense controller and either the front or back USB ports on the console. This allows the PS5 to properly pair it with the system in a moment. Now, you just need to press the power button located on the front of the console and make sure your TV is powered on and set to the right input channel.
The PS5 will initially ask you to plug in the DualSense controller and to hit the PlayStation button in the middle. Do that, and it’ll take you to the next step. Choose a language, and then decide whether or not you want the screen reader to say options out loud to you. The PS5 will then prompt you to connect to a WiFI internet connection. Choose your correct SSID and enter a password if it’s required. Next, you’ll need to use the up and down d-pad buttons to adjust the display area to your TV’s borders. If you have a HDR-enabled TV, the console will ask you to mess with the brightness in the next two steps.
PS5 power options
The PS5 will then prompt you to enter a game disc if you’d like to start installing it while you finish the rest of the setup. Be sure to do this if you want to get into your game faster! Otherwise, move onto the Power Options for Rest Mode screen. Here is where you get three options: Optimized Experience, Low Power Use, and Custom. The basic differences between the first two choices are whether or not the PS5 will automatically download system and game updates while it's in Rest Mode and charge your controller. Some people like this feature off because there’s always a risk that new updates could cause problems for your system or games, and because it’s hard to track how much data and power the console uses without your input. Low Power Use mode disables all that, and Custom lets you tweak individual settings. The Power Options are entirely up to you; there’s no wrong answer here.
There’s a system software license agreement next, and then the system will have you update the system software to the latest version. Once it’s finished, the PS5 will restart and have you press the PS button again. This is where it’ll prompt you to update the controller and to do so you need to sign into your PlayStation Network email address and password or create one. Alternatively, you can use the PlayStation phone app and scan the QR code.
The PS5 will now ask you to decide how you want to adjust your privacy settings, or how much you want other people and friends to see your activity on the console. There’s a set of options ranging from completely open permissions to closed down ones. You can also opt to keep your current settings from the PS4. If you’re worried about people seeing what you’re playing or what you’re doing, choose the option that’s right for you. Keep in mind, you can always change it later.
PS5 data sharing and security
In order to improve the PlayStation experience, Sony asks you to share your data with them during the PS5 set up. You can choose to share only a limited amount of data or all of it. This is purely up to you, and you can change it later at any time.
Following that, the PS5 will notify you how to further secure your account by adding a passcode to prevent people from signing into your account when they use the PS5, and a prompt to enter your password whenever you make purchases. Both of these options are available in the settings.
The security options continue with 2-Step Verification. The PS5 will ask how you want to add a layer of security to your account. You can use a text message or an authenticator app. Or you can choose the option to skip it for later. We recommend doing this now because 2FA is a vital thing to have on an account that could have hundreds of dollars of games on it.
Regardless of your choice on the 2FA option, you will also get asked to add a phone number to your account to retrieve your password if you forgot it. If that doesn’t interest you, you can do it later too.
If you have a family that will make use of your PS5, this upcoming step is where you can tweak the settings for those accounts. You can do things like restrict certain content, keep track of playtime, and set up spending limits. Like all of these settings, you can change this later in the console’s settings.
The final steps
It’s almost time to actually use your PS5! The next step asks if you’d like to automatically download video streaming apps like Disney+, Hulu, YouTube, and Netflix. You can select and deselect whichever ones you want. If you aren’t interested at all, you can choose to do this later.
The Transfer Data from Your PS4 option allows you to transfer users, games, and saved data to your new console. This process has you connect both your PS4 and PS5 to the same WiFI network or connect them via an ethernet cable. The setup will run you through another option and give you a timer for how long the transfer will take. You can either do this whole section now or later.
And that’s it. The PS5 will welcome you to the console and fade the screen into the main menu. You made it! The PS5 is fully set up and you can play games or start perusing the store to your heart’s content.
TOPICS: Entertainment, Entertainment, Gaming, Ps5
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sociologists
June 22, 2014 by HillenSean
Cultural tourism – its time is nigh
There are some among us (either through ignorance or greed) who consider Donegal unfit for cultural tourism – but a quick glance at what’s happening right now in the area proves them wrong.
Take, for example, the Slí Cholmcille (Slighe Chaluim Chille) project.
As I started writing this, many people – tourism and community leaders, teachers, retired air-force pilots, sociologists, photographers, authors, solicitors, doctors and academics – were gathered at Óstán Loch Altan, Gortahork, in the scenic northwest of the county, talking enthusiastically about developing Ireland’s very own ‘Santiago Columba’ into a successful cultural tourism pilgrimage project that could attract thousands to both western Scotland and Ireland.
Speakers at the conference air their views as to how the proposed pilgrimage trail could be developed.
Organized by The Islands Book Trust, led by John Randall and ably assisted by the ever-helpful Mairi NicChoinnich, in association with Colmcille Éirinn is Alba and supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Foras na Gaeilge, this three-day conference which ended today (Sunday) aims to develop a heritage trail based on the travels and travails of the Celtic mystic, Columba. Such a project could not only inform Irish and foreign visitors about local history, archaeology, folklore and heritage but also create employment and business for hotels, B&Bs, cafes, restaurants, museums and bars alike in the two regions.
“We have a wonderful opportunity to expand our learning and to attract visitors on a significant historical route from south-west Donegal to the Isle of Lewis in north-west Scotland,” said Randall, chairman of the Islands Book Trust.
This united effort is supported by renown authors-cum-academics such as University College Cork’s Máire Herbert (Iona, Kells, and Derry: The History and Hagiography of the Monastic Familia of Columba) and Brian Lacey (Saint Columba: His Life & Legacy).
Renown University of Cork researcher and author Máire Herbert beside the old stone cross on Tory Island with her groundbreaking book on the mystic monk Columba (Colmcille).
With additional speakers such as University of Galway’s Mícheál Ó Dónaill, Calum MacGilleain, Tristan ap Rheinallt and Aidan O’Hara from Scotland, Noel O’Gallchoir from Gaoth Dobhair, Noleen Ni Cholla, Moira Ni Ghallchoir, Maolcholaim Scott, Liam O’Cuinneagain and even the King of Tory Island himself, Patsy Dan MacRuaidhri, the conference comprehensively analyzed the tantalizing persona of Columba from the sociological, archaeological, historical, religious and mythological perspectives. And, more importantly, how interest in the fellow can be turned into a dollars and cents/euros and pennies booster for local tourism.
Brian Lacey, medieval historian and author, informs guests at the Sli Cholmcille conference about Pagan and druidic practices in and around Errigal and Muckish mountains.
The only drawback to an otherwise excellent symposium of speakers was the often poor technics, the out-of-focus projection of some otherwise well-researched multi-media presentations.
But the development of Sli Cholmcille is just the tip of the iceberg.
A quick glance at the local newspapers – the Donegal News and the Donegal Democrat – this weekend alone, shows a rich vein of cultural tourism – including the weekly music seisúns and this summer’s ‘Gaelturas’ initiative at Teach Hiudai Beag; the year-long programme of music and dance at Teac Jack and Leo’s Tavern; the ‘Goitse Gaoth Dobhair’ events in Bunbeg this coming weekend, which emerged from the ‘Dearg le Fearg’ language equality campaign, as well as ‘Luinneog Lunasa’ in the same area; the ‘Swell Festival’ on Arranmore; and ‘FestiFál’ and ‘Evil Eye Festival’ in Falcarragh to name but a few. Other local diverse activities with strong potential range from rock-climbing, wind-surfing and kayaking with Rock agus Roam; horse and pony riding at the Dunlewey Trekking Centre and elsewhere; the craft demonstrations at Ionad Cois Locha; and the educational Walking Donegal, the hill, coast and lake hikes with informed guide, Seamus Doohan; as well as specialty walks such as the ‘Tullaghbegley Heritage Walking Weekend.’
And that’s not to mention the many literary tourism opportunities based on the art of creative writing.
Antonia Leitner from Carinthia in Austria is not shy to show her love of books and learning at Magheroarty Beach.
The idyllic landscapes and seascapes of Donegal have been an inspiration to many best-selling novelists and short story authors who have set their plots within or around the county, in genres ranging from sci-fi to literary fiction and fantasy, as well as plays. These writers include Brian Friel, Edna O’Brien, Sophia Hillan, Kenneth Gregory, Emma Heatherington, Michael Harding and Laurence Donaghy, some of whom will speak at Ireland’s newest writing retreat ‘Forgotten County, Remembered Words’ from June 28th to July 4th in Gaoth Dobhair.
With the national initiative ‘The Wild Atlantic Way’ now well underway and Donegal an integral part of it, there’s only one thing stopping the cultural tourism momentum that’s building up – a continued reluctance by Údarás na Gaeltachta, the primary economic development organisation in the Gaeltacht – to fund the many projects with serious money not just the few pennies it has been doling out until now to stave off a rising tide of protest.
‘Acupuncture of the body, acupuncture of the earth’ – author Brian Lacey describes a theory he learned from a Slovenian artist.
As many people are now saying, this organisation must host regular, open, community meetings and really listen to what local people – the very people they are there to serve – want in terms of more innovative community development; provide much greater transparency in its spending of an estimated 1.2 billion euro in public money, than it has to date; and an end to kow-towing to political parties and their funders (first Fianna Fail and now Fine Gael) which has resulted in far too much money going into the pockets of a rich elite of developers/builders who make easy profits from building simplistic, unneeded, industrial estates.
A new direction is required and a Catholic Church-run sex, drugs and alcohol addiction center in Falcarragh, with no guarantee of decent local jobs – especially as such a centre already exists in Donegal and research indicates this is sufficient for need – is hardly the panacea for high unemployment and emigration from the area. Some say real investment in local cultural tourism means shelving the proposed investment of three million euro by Údarás in the addiction centre and putting those euro millions into local tourism projects, the one sector a beautiful region like Donegal can benefit widely from, now and in the long-term (if that three million euro is spent on the proposed addiction centre, it spells the end for any real investment in anything else – no other board members of Údarás in other Gaeltachts will vote for any further significant monies for Donegal).
In this regard, it is quite sad to see how much Tory Island has fallen below its full potential – far behind many other attractive island retreats dotted around Ireland. The dismissive attitude of relevant funding authorities – and perhaps the disunity and lack of concerted lobbying and effort by local people (full burden cannot rest solely on the shoulders of one man, King Patsy Dan) – has meant its tourism income has suffered greatly, with accompanying lack of promotion (not even a regular newsletter on events or significant signage on the mainland and on the island itself).
“I am tired of trying to persuade Udaras na Gaeltachta officials to properly fund projects here on Tory Island, their ears are deaf, they simply don’t understand,” said King Patsy Dan MacRuaidhri. “The people here deserve such support. Our ancient and colourful history calls out for it.”
Befriending Royalty. Modern version of the horse-drawn carriage?
It’s make-or-break time for northwest Donegal.
Let’s put an end to the notion that cultural tourism is an unimportant, peripheral activity, the kind of mind-think that Údarás officials are stuck on, and have been for decades. This specialized sector has the potential to provide immense, long-term economic benefits for this hard-hit, hard-pressed part of the county and country, but it requires serious commitment and financial support.
In a future post I will give specific examples from my extensive sojourns in other parts of the world as an international travel writer where cultural tourism has transformed and enlivened a local and often paralyzed economy.
Meanwhile the next post will focus on what precisely various speakers at the conference said about Columba, this larger-than-life monk who seems to defy description, someone about whose background we know very little, either because documents were destroyed by marauding, book-burning Vikings, or were deftly confiscated by church abbots on a precise propaganda campaign.
To read more of Sean’s work, check these sites:
World Itineraries
JustLuxe
Ireland Writing Retreat
Fios Training and Coaching Organization
Posted in Donegal | Tagged academics, addiction clinic, archeology, authors, Brian Friel, Catholic Church, Celtic, Columba, community, conference, cultural tourism, doctors, Donegal, Donegal Democrat, Donegal News, Edna O'Brien, Emma Heatherington, festival, Fianna Fail, financial support, Fine Gael, Gaeltacht, Gortahork, Gweedore, history, Ireland, Irish language, John Randall, Kenneth Gregory, king, Laurence Donaghy, Máire Herbert, Michael Harding, monk, photographers, pilgrimage, retired air-force pilots, Rock agus Roam, saint, Saint Columba, Santiago Columba, Scotland, Slighe Chaluim Chille, sociologists, solicitors, Sophia Hillan, speakers, teachers, Tory Island, Udaras na Gaeltachta, Vikings, walking donegal, wild atlantic way, writing retreat | 4 Comments
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Bailon started her career with singing group 3LW which led to her involvement in the Disney franchise, The Cheetah Girls.
talk show along with former fellow Disney Channel star Tamera Mowry, Jeannie Mai, Tamar Braxton and Loni Love, which premiered on July 15, 2013.
Thank you @adriennebailon for graciously loving me,” Israel wrote.
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The pair first went public with their relationship this past April, and immediately faced a slew of criticism about the timing of their relationship.
(Houghton filed for divorce from his estranged wife of 20 years just one month prior.)“I met Adrienne Bailon a bit over 2 years ago, we worked together & became friends,” he wrote at the time. From a friendship, as two single adults we have very recently begun to explore a dating relationship,” he shared.
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Houghton later defended his relationship with new girlfriend Adrienne Bailon, maintaining they did not begin to date until after Houghton's divorce was finalized.In the case of the People vs Adrienne Bailon, the evidence shows the daytime talk show host did indeed play a role in the breakup of gospel singer Israel Houghton‘s 20-year marriage.Rhymeswithsnitch — Last night Fameolous blog picked up on Adrienne and Israel’s scent after they were photographed frolicking together in Tulum Mexico.Now, Bailon speaks about her relationship with new boyfriend Houghton. I know the truth and I think when you have friends and loved ones that know the truth, and you know that, God defines who I am, you know what I mean?" Bailon said on a recent episode of "The Real," where she is one of the hosts. God knows the situation and I think that I can rest in that." Bailon first became publicly known when she rose to fame as a founding member and lead singer of both 3LW(1999-2007) and The Cheetah Girls (2003-2008)."Yes I am dating, his name is Israel Houghton as some of you guys may know.Adrienne Bailon is officially engaged to her boyfriend Isreal Houghton! Oui,” she captioned the video, while her new fiance wrote a more lengthy post about their relationship. If you cheated on a man, he would be like, “You're disgusting, and I want nothing to do with you.” But women, we're supposed to be like, “He messed up.Worship leader, singer, songwriter and producer Israel Houghton recently announced his divorce from his wife of more than 20 years.It seems to be simple math that I had not even met Adrienne during the time my marriage was falling apart.' Friends first: The 44-year-old singer and the former Cheetah Girl, 32, worked together on the movie I'm In Love With A Church Girl.They are seen here promoting the film in 2013 with Galley Molina (far right)‘Why are women always the ones who have to forgive?
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COVID-19 cases across SCV rise to at least 139
Tammy Murga
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital officials confirmed Tuesday two new diagnoses for COVID-19, and L.A. County announced five others had been confirmed, which increased the total number of cases across the Santa Clarita Valley to at least 139.
Tuesday also saw the second-largest one-day increase in fatalities countywide, with 22 deaths reported, bringing the COVID-19 death toll to 169 in L.A. County, according to the county Public Health Department.
The hospital’s two new confirmed cases, plus an additional five cases reported by Los Angeles County from other sources, brought the SCV’s total of new cases to at least seven.
Since the start of the virus outbreak locally, Henry Mayo has reported its own numbers, which reached a total of 56 positive cases by late Tuesday morning, according to hospital spokesman Patrick Moody.
Kaiser Permanente, which has offices in the SCV and has started drive-up testings across Southern California, said it would not release reports of COVID-19 confirmed cases.
Henry Mayo has administered 371 tests, 20 more since Monday, and of those, 294 returned negative, while 27 remain pending. There is a disparity in figures due to some patients being tested more than once, said Moody.
As of Tuesday, two additional patients stayed at Henry Mayo for treatment, bringing the overall tally to 14 hospitalized individuals. The hospital currently does not have information on the number of recovered patients, according to Moody.
In Los Angeles County, the Department of Public Health confirmed Tuesday afternoon an additional 550 new COVID-19 cases, which brought the total over the last 48 hours to 970 new diagnoses. Overall, the countywide tally reached 6,910 cases and a death toll of 169 after an additional 22 deaths were reported, Barbara Ferrer, the department’s director, said in the county’s daily COVID-19 briefing.
The county does not have a “report-back mechanism” in confirming how many people have recovered, said Ferrer, adding, “People have recovered once they’re no longer in the hospital, no longer under isolation and have not passed away. And so over time, that number should become clear to us, as in fact we see turnaround times at our hospitals and we can anticipate that many of those people are returning (home).”
As of April 6, more than 35,300 people in the county received testing and 14% returned positive, said Ferrer.
“I want to note that we believe we have over 20,000 negative lab results that aren’t included here,” she said. “We’re waiting for verification through electronic lab reporting. We hope by the end of the week we’ll have a more accurate count of total labs and the percent of folks who are positive.”
For the first time, Public Health provided preliminary race and ethnicity information on the individuals who died after testing positive for COVID-19. The county only had information for 93 of the 169 cases, of which 19% of people who died were Asian, 17% were African American, 28% were Latinx, 27% were white and 9% were identified as belonging to another race or ethnicity, said Ferrer.
She and other health officials have urged the public to avoid going out this week and the next, including for essential errands such as to purchase groceries. On Tuesday, Ferrer recognized that “this week is Holy Week and Passover begins tomorrow…so I ask for now that you please cancel any planned gatherings, and this includes in-person gatherings, as well as gatherings in cars.”
The number of cases for the Santa Clarita Valley, broken down into region, were as follows, according to Public Health’s numbers as of Tuesday afternoon:
City of Santa Clarita: 112
Unincorporated – Acton: “–”
Unincorporated – Agua Dulce: “–”
Unincorporated – Canyon Country: 9
Unincorporated – Castaic: 6
Unincorporated – Lake Hughes: 0
Unincorporated – Newhall: 0
Unincorporated – Placerita Canyon: 0
Unincorporated – Sand Canyon: 0
Unincorporated – Saugus: “–”
Unincorporated – Saugus/Canyon Country: 0
Unincorporated – Stevenson Ranch: 8
Unincorporated – Val Verde: 0
Unincorporated – Valencia: “–”
Anywhere there is a “ – ” means they could have between one and four cases, according to county DPH officials.
This is done to protect patient privacy, and once these locations have five or more cases then they will be included, according to Public Health spokesman Bernard Tolliver. Locations that have zero will say “0.”
Previously, The Signal had not been including the “–” in the day’s final count, but since the “–” represents a value ranging from one to four, the count now reflects the more accurate number.
To view all coronavirus-related stories, visit signalscv.com/category/news/coronavirus.
Tammy Murga covers government and politics for The Signal. She joined in the summer of 2018, previously working in Northern California as an assistant editor and reporter for the Lake County Record-Bee. In 2016, she graduated from Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles. Have a story tip? Message her on Twitter (@tammyxmurga) or at [email protected]
L.A. County surpasses 1M cases of COVID-19
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3 Large-Cap Growth Stocks to Buy for Gains in 2021: Amazon, Adobe, and Netflix
AMZN – The tech industry’s 2020 bull run is likely to roll on this year with the continuation (and perhaps widening) of remote lifestyles and corporate digital transformations. With this, large-cap stocks such as Amazon (AMZN), Adobe (ADBE) and Netflix (NFLX), which reported impressive growth rates even before the pandemic, are expected to reach new highs. Let’s take a closer look.
By Aditi Ganguly
The tech industry is expected to stand tall even with the gradual economic recovery that is expected this year. Large-cap companies operating in the tech industry have been the biggest beneficiaries of the COVID-19 pandemic; they leveraged their resources and contributed mightily to the sustainability of the global supply chain, to increase their revenue and earnings significantly. While many expect the tech industry to retreat once the pandemic is over, the rising global dependence on technology should keep the sector’s momentum alive this year.
However, the rising power of large-cap companies such as Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) has sparked a fear of monopolistic behavior in the markets, leading to federal investigations. But in the worst-case scenario, if these giants are forced to split their operations into multiple small-scale companies, their dominating position in virtually all spheres should protect their growth prospects quite well.
Companies such as Adobe, Inc. (ADBE) and Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), which lead the markets in the cloud computing and virtual entertainment segments, respectively, have plenty of upside. With consistent improvement in revenue and earnings over the past couple of years, these companies have undertaken strategic expansion and financial consolidation measures to propel their growth going forward. With the dependence on technology likely to deepen in the future, we believe that these stocks have plenty of room to move higher.
Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN)
As the largest e-commerce company in the world, AMZN has been one of the biggest gainers in the pandemic. It has a market capitalization value of nearly $1.60 trillion, making it one of five trillion-dollar companies operating in the world.
This comes in despite the current antitrust charges levied against the company by the U.S. government and European Union. AMZN has been implementing robust expansion strategies to increase its market reach. AMZN is currently building multiple fulfilment centers across the country, as well as developing its cloud services segment (AWS). As the demand for cloud services continues to rise amid the remote working and learning culture, AWS has emerged as one of the top three largest cloud computing companies and is poised to expand further into the Indian and European markets. On the e-commerce front, AMZN purchased 11 aircrafts from Delta Air Lines and WestJet Airlines on January 5, which are expected to add to the company’s air cargo network within the next two years.
AMZN has maintained its growth trajectory over the past couple of years, making it one of the fastest growing large-cap companies. By branching out to new segments and entering budding markets, AMZN has enjoyed a substantial rise in earnings. The company’s revenues have increased at a CAGR of 29.3% over the past three years, while its EPS has risen at a CAGR of 105.8% over the same period. Its net income has grown at a CAGR of 108.2% over the past three years.
AMZN launched Amazon Pharmacy for online prescription medication sales on November 19. Online drug sales through its e-commerce platform reaps several savings benefits, with up to 80% savings on no-prescription medication. With a second wave of COVID_19 infections now raging across the U.S., coupled with high unemployment, AMZN pharmacies should witness high demand as people order medication online to save money while social distancing.
AMZN’s net sales have increased 37% year-over-year to $96.10 billion in the third quarter ended September 30, 2020. Its net income has grown 200% from the year-ago value to $6.30 billion, while EPS has risen 192.4% from the same period last year to $12.37.
The consensus EPS estimate of $45.41 for the current year represents a 30.1% rise year-over-year. The company has an impressive earnings surprise history; it beat the Street’s EPS estimates in three of the trailing four quarters. The consensus revenue estimate of $449.57 billion for the current year indicates an 18.3% rise from the year-ago value.
AMZN gained more than 115% to hit its 52-week high of $3,552.25 in September, since hitting its 52-week low of $1626.03 in March. The stock has gained 155.3% over the past three years.
How does AMZN stack up for the POWR Ratings?
B for Trade Grade
B for Buy & Hold Grade
B for Overall POWR Rating.
It is currently ranked #20 of 71 stocks in the Internet industry.
Adobe, Inc. (ADBE)
ADBE is a diversified software company operating in three major segments – Digital Media, Digital experience, and publishing. Its subscription service known as Creative Cloud affords members access to the latest versions of premium creative products. ADBE provides services in the field of digital marketing, web application development, OEM printing, and market automation. Known for its photoshop and video editing software, ADBE is a leading player in cloud computing and interactive software segment.
The company’s focus on branding and innovation has allowed it to capture a sizeable market globally. As a result, ADBE’s revenues have increased at a CAGR of 20.8% over the past three years, while its EPS has grown at a CAGR of 47.4% over this period. Net income has increased at a CAGR of 45.9% over the same period.
ADBE total addressable market will expand to $147 billion by 2023, as revealed a financial analyst meeting on December 10. The company also announced a $15 billion multi-year stock repurchase program that day. This should allow the ADBE to strengthen its position in the booming cloud computing industry, while increasing its shareholder returns.
ADBE acquired work management platform Workfront in December , which should streamline its marketing services significantly. This synergy should allow ADBE to provide a comprehensive platform to its customers to enhance its productivity and efficiency rates, thereby making it highly demanded in the remote working culture.
ADBE reported record revenues of $3.42 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter ended November 27, 2020, up 14% year-over-year. This can be attributed to a 20% rise in its Digital Media segment revenue, and a 14% rise in Digital experience subscription revenue. Net income has risen 164.1% from the year-ago value to $2.25 billion, while its EPS increased 166.4% from the same period last year to $4.52.
The consensus EPS estimate of $11.22 for fiscal 2021 represents an 11.1% rise year-over-year. ADBE has an impressive earnings surprise history as well; it beat the Street EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The consensus revenue estimate of $15.20 billion for the current year represents an 18.1% improvement from the same period last year.
ADBE gained more than 110% to hit its 52-week high of $536.88 in September since hitting its 52-week low of $255.13 in March 2020. The stock has gained 42.8% over the past year.
It is no surprise that ADBE is rated “Buy” in our POWR Ratings system, with an “A” for Trade Grade, and “B” for Buy & Hold Grade and Industry Rank. It is currently ranked #34 of 121 stocks in the Software – Application industry.
Netflix, Inc. (NFLX)
NFLX is the largest video streaming and entertainment platform in the world, with more than 95.15 million subscribers, as of September 30, 2020. While NFLX’s growth is greatly attributable to the coronavirus pandemic, which increased the demand for virtual entertainment worldwide, the company has been on an upward trajectory for quite some time.
NFLX has gained 140.7% over the past three years, which can be ascribed to its impressive earnings and revenue growth. NFLX’s revenue has increased at a CAGR of 29.8% over the past three years, while net income has risen at a CAGR of 85.4% over this period. EPS has risen at a CAGR of 83.6% over the same period.
NFLX’s revenue has increased 22.7% year-over-year to $6.44 billion in the third quarter ended September 30, 2020. The company’s operating income has risen 34.2% from the year-ago value to $1.32 billion, while net income has grown 18.8% from the same period last year to $790 million. EPS has increased 18.4% from the prior-year quarter to $1.74.
While net additions to its Board of Directors have slowed over the last reported quarter, NFLX recently made some value additions to its Board The company appointed Strive Masiyiwa, founder and chairman of a telecommunications and technology group based in Europe and Africa, to its Board of directors, on December 16. By leveraging Masiyiwa’s vast experience and market reach, NFLX should be able to enter the African markets with an advantage .
The consensus EPS estimate of $9.03 for the current year indicates a 44% rise year-over-year. The consensus revenue estimate of $29.50 billion for fiscal 2021 indicates an 18.2% rise from the same period last year.
NFLX nearly doubled in just four months to hit its 52-week high of $575.37 since hitting its 52-week low of $290.25 in March. The stock has gained 53.2% over the past year.
NFLX’s POWR Ratings reflect this bullish outlook. It is currently ranked “Buy”, with an “A” for Trade Grade, and a “B” for Buy & Hold Grade and Industry Rank. In the 71-stock Internet industry, NFLX is currently ranked #22.
AMZN shares were trading at $3,114.21 per share on Monday afternoon, down $68.49 (-2.15%). Year-to-date, AMZN has declined -4.38%, versus a 1.29% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.
About the Author: Aditi Ganguly
Aditi is an experienced content developer and financial writer who is passionate about helping investors understand the do’s and don'ts of investing. She has a keen interest in the stock market and has a fundamental approach when analyzing equities. More...
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'); } $(tr.join('')).appendTo($('table#news-stream tbody')).slideDown("slow"); }); } symbol_get_snippets('AMZN'); }); jQuery(function($) { $('.post_content').find('a[href^="http"]').not('a[href*=stocknews]').attr('target','_blank'); }); //Change Stock Tickers to Get Rating Links let tickerPos, ratingReplace = ""; let stockData = {"replace_stocks":[{"stock":"AMZN"},{"stock":"ADBE"},{"stock":"NFLX"}]}; for (tickerPos in stockData.replace_stocks) { ratingReplace = '(' + stockData.replace_stocks[tickerPos].stock + ' - Get Rating)' replaceTickers(tickerPos); } function replaceTickers(tickerPos) { let stockTicker = stockData.replace_stocks[tickerPos].stock; let regexTicker = new RegExp('\\(([^)]+)(\\b'+ stockTicker +'\\b)([^)]+)\\)', 'g') let str = document.getElementById("articlecontent").innerHTML; let res = str.replace(regexTicker, ratingReplace); document.getElementById("articlecontent").innerHTML = res; }
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3 Stocks Setting Up to Breakout in January: Uber, Las Vegas Sands, and Starbucks
SBUX – The stock markets are expected to remain uncertain this month as many of last year’s problems persist. However, we think investor optimism about a possible economic recovery this year should help stocks such Starbucks Corporation (SBUX), Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER), and Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) breakout. Let’s look closer at why.
By Aaryaman Aashind
The worst of the pandemic is perhaps behind us, but many 2020 issues remain, making the stock market outlook uncertain, at least for this month. Rising COVID-19 infections, a slower-than-anticipated vaccine rollout and rising unemployment are some of the key issues that will likely keep the markets volatile. Also, because January as the month in which fourth-quarter earnings are reported , investors will likely wait for some positive corporate results before making any heavy bets on stocks.
But while the overall outlook for January remains uncertain, there are certain companies that are likely to perform well based on investor optimism about their rebound potential with a vaccine-driven economic recovery. These companies were hard hit by the pandemic and are now setting up to rebound with expected increases in demand this year.
Starbucks Corporation (SBUX), Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER), and Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) are three such stocks that are on a steady path to recovery. So, these companies could be good additions to your portfolio now.
Starbucks Corporation (SBUX)
SBUX operates a chain of beverage and fresh foods outlets around the world. The company is a retailer of specialty coffee, tea, and other beverages. Over the past year, SBUX has gained 17.2%.
The company recently partnered with Microsoft Teams to introduce a feature that allows users to send Starbucks eGift cards to others through the platform. SBUX has also upgraded its rewards program. Allowing members to now scan their Starbucks app and pay for r items through cash, credit/debit cards, or selected mobile wallets.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2020, the company reported an increase of 10% in Active Starbucks Rewards Membership in the United States. The company also opened 480 net new stores during the quarter.
SBUX is expected to see revenue growth of 11.6% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and 21.2% in 2021. The company’s EPS is estimated to grow 141% in 2021 and at a rate of 49.7% per annum over the next five years.
How does SBUX stack up for the POWR Ratings?
A for Peer Grade
A for Overall POWR Rating
The stock is also ranked #1 of 53 stocks in the Restaurants industry.
Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER)
UBER operates a platform that allows users to call for cabs, request delivery of food, and other related services. The company has operations in the United States and internationally. UBER’s stock has returned 56.6% over the past year.
UBER recently upgraded Uber Connect, which will now allow users to deliver packages in 2400-plus new cities in the United States. UBER has also revamped its rewards program by introducing new redemption options and extending the period for redemption.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2020, UBER saw a 125% increase in delivery revenue year-over-year. Its net loss attributable to the declined 6% compared to the same period last year.
UBER’s revenue is estimated to increase 9.5% in the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and 42.1% in 2021. The company’s EPS is expected to rise 59.2% in 2021 and 65.5% per year over the next five years.
UBER’s strong fundamentals are reflected in its POWR Ratings. It has a “Strong Buy” rating with an “A” for Trade Grade and Buy & Hold Grade.
Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS)
LVS develops and operates integrated resorts in the United States and Asia. The company’s resorts feature accommodation, gaming, entertainment, restaurants, and other amenities. LVS’ stock price has increased 26.7% over the past three months.
LVS is reportedly in talks to venture into sports betting through its casinos which could prove lucrative for the company. The company may also diversify its services by venturing into online wagering.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2020, the company was reeling from the effects of the coronavirus on the travel and tourism industry and reported a decrease in net revenue of 82%. However, LVS is continuing to invest in its properties in Macao, Marina Bay Sands, and Las Vegas, which could drive growth once the market recovers.
LVS’s revenue is expected to grow 11.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and 170.9% in 2021. The company’s EPS growth is expected to be 300% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and 161.5% in 2021.
It is no surprise that LVS has a “Buy” in our POWR Ratings systems with a grade of “B” in Trade Grade. In the 33-stock Entertainment – Casinos/Gambling industry, LVS is ranked #9.
SBUX shares were trading at $104.85 per share on Monday afternoon, down $0.82 (-0.78%). Year-to-date, SBUX has declined -1.99%, versus a 1.63% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.
About the Author: Aaryaman Aashind
Aaryaman is an accomplished journalist that’s passionate about providing in-depth insights about investing and personal finance. Recently he has been focused on the stock market and he specializes in evaluating high-growth stocks. More...
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'); } $(tr.join('')).appendTo($('table#news-stream tbody')).slideDown("slow"); }); } symbol_get_snippets('SBUX'); }); jQuery(function($) { $('.post_content').find('a[href^="http"]').not('a[href*=stocknews]').attr('target','_blank'); }); //Change Stock Tickers to Get Rating Links let tickerPos, ratingReplace = ""; let stockData = {"replace_stocks":[{"stock":"SBUX"},{"stock":"UBER"},{"stock":"LVS"}]}; for (tickerPos in stockData.replace_stocks) { ratingReplace = '(' + stockData.replace_stocks[tickerPos].stock + ' - Get Rating)' replaceTickers(tickerPos); } function replaceTickers(tickerPos) { let stockTicker = stockData.replace_stocks[tickerPos].stock; let regexTicker = new RegExp('\\(([^)]+)(\\b'+ stockTicker +'\\b)([^)]+)\\)', 'g') let str = document.getElementById("articlecontent").innerHTML; let res = str.replace(regexTicker, ratingReplace); document.getElementById("articlecontent").innerHTML = res; }
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[Defense in Brief] Report says 17,000 defense contractors have left the industry
By Jon Dougherty • December 15, 2017 December 15, 2017
Defense in Brief
Intelligence Reporting
Tagged budget, Congress, continuing resolutions, U.S. military
The defense drawdown agreed to by the Obama administration and Congress that took place between 2011 — the year the Budget Control Act was passed — and 2015 resulted in a loss of at least 17,000 defense contractors, thereby harming the Pentagon’s civilian industrial complex.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies analysis said the number of first-tier prime vendors declined by roughly 17,000 companies, or roughly 20 percent, during the time period, raising questions about the health and future of the industrial base.
The authors noted that they used publicly available contractor data for their study and thus it’s unclear — due to the limitations in the subcontract database — to know whether all of those firms have left the industry altogether or are performing lower-tier work now.
“There is no doubt that a huge portion of the recent turbulence in the defense industrial base has taken place among subcontractors, who are less equipped to tolerate the defense marketplace’s funding uncertainly and often onerous regulatory regime — yet it remains extremely difficult to determine the real impact of these conditions on subcontractors,” the authors conclude. [source] (Analyst comment: More evidence that the Budget Control Act and perpetual continuing resolutions rather than actual defense budgets are depleting military readiness. This para says it all: “The CSIS summary links 2011 Budget Control Act caps, subsequent short-term budget agreements, and Congress’ ‘unpredictable and inconsistent’ appropriations process to the ‘lost suppliers, changes in competition and market structure, and other turmoil’ it found. The years 2011-2015 are considered a period of defense drawdown and decline.)
Jon Dougherty
Jon E. Dougherty is a political, foreign policy and national security analyst and reporter with nearly 30 years of experience in both fields. A U.S. Army veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, he holds BA in Political Science from Ashford University and an MA in National Security Studies/Intelligence Analysis from American Military University.
Post ISIS, U.S. is shifting focus to IranChina must prepare for war because ‘North Korea is a ticking time bomb’
Pingback: Report says 17,000 defense contractors have left the industry via /r/economy | Chet Wang
Mailbag: What is the S2? An Explanation of Staff Functions and Community Security
Alt-Observer Weekly Summary For 30 March 2018
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springload
An Ad Technology and Online Media consultancy
Ad Ecosystem, Marketers, Media Agencies, Publishers
How private marketplaces actually work
By Eric Picard (Originally Published on iMedia – December 13, 2014)
Recently Ricardo Bilton wrote an article for Digiday about the difficulties that publishers have had embracing private marketplaces (PMPs). The validity of his article is arguable, and he called out a few of the buy-side platforms as causing some of the difficulty — despite the massive and growing volumes those platforms are actually driving in the PMP world. So instead of rebutting his article, let me define how these things work, and what the scope and difficulties are in making use of private marketplaces, but also what benefits can come from them.
Before we get into it, let’s talk about complex vs. complicated. They actually mean different things. Complex implies that the difficulty of embracing something is unavoidable — some things are just complex, have lots of moving parts and lots of opportunities to implement. Complicated implies that the difficulty is avoidable, and could be designed around. Private marketplaces today are both complex and complicated. We need to remove the complications.
Back in the dark ages of the programmatic world, let’s say 2008, publishers were wary of the newly emerging programmatic landscape. In order to convince them to put their inventory into the proto-exchanges that existed, the concept of a private exchange or private marketplace evolved. Keep in mind that up to that point, mostly the inventory that flowed on the exchanges came from ad networks daisy-chaining their inventory together. But as publishers began participating, and SSPs entered the scene, these private marketplace mechanisms were rolled out to support publisher concerns about yield optimization — and especially cherry picking and cream skimming — buying strategies that were major concerns for publishers in those early days.
As a result, the first private marketplaces were fairly simple to understand, and were nice ways for publishers to get their feet (or at least their toes) wet in the programmatic space. The basic concept was simple: Publishers could expose some or their entire inventory to an exchange or SSP. They could hand-pick which advertisers were invited to come into the private marketplace. Only those invited to have access could bid on the inventory.
The problem with this early approach was that it missed out on some very important fundamentals of exchange-based buying and selling. One important fundamental is bid density: For every impression that is exposed to an auction, you need as many bidders (buyers) as possible competing for that inventory in order to have the price reach a reasonable amount — especially in a second price auction.
What is a second price auction?
It’s a pretty simple idea, really — if three people participate in a second price auction for an Apple, all three people put in the highest price they’re willing to pay for that apple. Person A bids $1.00. Person B bids $1.50. Person C bids $0.50. Person B would win the auction, but only pay $1.01 for the Apple. The reason for a second price auction rather than a first price auction (in the example above for a first price auction, person B would still win, but would pay $1.50) is to encourage the bidder to put their true price into the auction. Second price auctions are generally understood to have less “gaming” of the auction — since the high bidder is protected from overpaying.
But in a world where only one or two advertisers are bidding on the same impression, there’s often no second price to use. So private marketplaces by nature are problematic when it comes to bid density — and many early private marketplaces ultimately failed to succeed. There are mechanisms that can be tried — for instance using a first price auction for private marketplaces — but of course this can lead to rampant gaming of the auction — and rarely will a buyer put the actual price they’re willing to pay into a first price auction. Another mechanism is price floors –which protect the publisher from having the impression fall on the floor for close to nothing — but often a PMP price floor in those days became a price, rather than a floor due to the lack of bid density.
As our industry evolved away from the original exchanges and toward real-time bidding, a whole host of new complex issues were uncovered — but also amazing new capabilities. One of the key things that this drove in the PMP world were new innovations like dynamic floor pricing — where the SSP or even the publisher ad server was able to analyze demand across the ad server, the SSP, the PMP, and the open exchange and set the floor on a per-impression basis.
As publishers got over their initial fear of programmatic selling, they began to put their inventory into the open exchange and blend the private and open bids into the same auction. Publishers quickly realized that they needed to give the buyers that had private marketplace access a set of preferences so that they would continue in the PMP rather than bounce out to the exchange. This led to all kinds of mechanisms — across various systems that have brought us to our modern programmatic landscape for private marketplaces.
Private marketplaces today
Private marketplaces today are very confusing. They’re both complex and complicated. There’s no clear and simple definition of a PMP that means exactly the same thing to everyone because there are so many ways to implement one. And depending on your ad server, your choice of SSP and/or exchange, and the buyer’s DSP, it’s fairly impossible to know in advance how the PMP will instantiate itself. Literally if you took five impressions of a PMP and reviewed them, each could be delivered completely differently from the others.
For publishers looking to start using private marketplaces today — without any legacy configurations or expectations, there are some benefits of having waited. Today PMPs are really about giving the publisher control over the way their preferred customers get treated by the auction. As everyone knows, when you have a big customer, who spends a large amount with you annually, you probably want to give them some discounts and benefits for working with you. Private marketplaces today are evolving into sets of controls for protecting the relationship with the buyer, and often for giving them either a discount, or giving them better access and control over the inventory they want to buy. It is the latter scenario — giving the buyer control — that makes some publishers very nervous, but is the real benefit of the PMP in today’s market.
In this scenario, the publisher lets their big spending customers get some additional control over defining the audience and the inventory that they have access to. Sellers frequently will bundle this additional control with a larger overall buy, or with a high minimum CPM, or with a high minimum overall budget. And publishers are finding that this approach makes everyone on all sides of the deal much happier. Everyone wins, as long as the complexity required to pull this off is embraced.
One of the biggest innovations in the programmatic world, and one that causes a lot of the complexity behind the issues this space has been saddled with, is the Deal ID. Deal ID was supposed to solve many problems in the programmatic space, but they have added another layer of complexity. The trick is to embrace the complexity without structuring things in such a way that they become unnecessarily complicated.
What is deal ID?
It became clear that while RTB was a vastly superior way to buy and sell ads than anything else we’d seen as an industry — there were touch-points between the old systems and the new systems that were confusing. Nowhere was this confusion worse than when a buyer wanted to execute a guaranteed deal over the RTB infrastructure.
But that Deal ID mechanism has now been used in much more flexible ways than its original driving intent. Think of a Deal ID as a way to prioritize a buy against supply. And the features for how you prioritize the bid vary by ad server, by exchange, by DSP, and by SSP. Sometimes the combination of each of those things leads to a different set of capabilities.
If you’re feeling confused, you’re getting the picture. This isn’t simple stuff. But that’s okay, because with complexity comes opportunity. Here’s a complex, but powerful scenario that Deal ID opens up:
All of these bids are Deal ID bids — prices are CPM:
Advertiser A sets up a dynamic bid that lands at $5 for the impression. Publisher floor prices this advertiser at $7.
Advertiser B sets a dynamic bid at $6 for the impression. Publisher floor prices this advertiser at $4.
Advertiser C sets up a dynamic bid for $17 for the impression. Publisher floor prices this advertiser at $20.
Advertiser D sets up a dynamic bid for $1 for the impression. Publisher floor prices this advertiser at $3.
In the above scenario, Advertiser B would win the auction, and pay $6 CPMs for that impression. Since one of the Deal ID bids won the auction, the impression never makes it to the open exchange. If for some reason the publisher had set the floor price for advertiser B at $7, then this auction would have flowed through to open exchange, and then advertiser C would have likely won the auction (assuming nobody in the open exchange bid higher than $17). Advertiser C would end up paying whatever the next highest bidder was willing to pay, plus $0.01.
How was that for complex? Want it to be more complex?
Some ad platforms can support a Deal ID with a dynamic bid, or a fixed price with a priority cascade. So while price mattered a lot in the example above, if one of those bids (even the low bid) was a fixed price, it would have won the auction at the fixed price. That’s how you give your preferred advertisers ways to find their preferred audience while giving them a fixed price. The trick is to negotiate well on the price on both sides so everyone gets what they want.
So while Deal ID is just one mechanism that may or may-not be part of a private marketplace, the two concepts are becoming somewhat inextricably linked together. What is a private marketplace today? It’s a complex set of interacting tools, systems, mechanisms, and approaches that can be used to give the publisher control over the prioritization of their supply against the demand represented over the exchange. Easy to understand? No. Easy to configure? No. Easy to execute against? Not yet. But worth using? Absolutely!
This complexity means power, but the complexity leads to confusion and complications. So when we have people who aren’t practitioners writing articles about very complex systems and how they are used, and then going to sources for quotes about adoption of these complicated scenarios, the answer is going to either be vague (not quotable) or clear (not accurate.) And these clearer quotes, which aren’t really very accurate in many cases, paint a picture of the space that looks like it isn’t working.
Private marketplaces give publishers control over the prioritization of buys coming from the programmatic channel. As an industry, we’re still figuring private marketplaces out — but vast and growing dollars are being spent over them in the meantime, and those buyers and sellers willing to take the time and effort to understand the complexity are winning. Yes, we need to make the execution of private marketplaces less complicated. It would be nice if we could also make them less complex, but only if we don’t lose the power that comes with the complexity. And in the meantime, the channel is growing and productive.
Ad Ecosystem, Economics, Online Media
Don’t Believe The Lies About Digital Media
By Eric Picard (Originally published on AdExchanger Monday, December 1st, 2014)
For years, there has been a series of bad memes spreading throughout our industry. Some of the big ones have caused a huge amount of misunderstanding in our space.
Here’s my favorite: “There is infinite supply of ad inventory. With this overabundance of supply, the cost of inventory will be driven to zero.”
This way of thinking caused the publisher side of the industry to fear and block adoption of programmatic buying and selling until the last year or two, when it was proved to be false.
A simple truth: All ad impressions (in a nonfraudulent world) are created by a person seeing an ad. I estimate that there are 5 trillion monthly digital ad impressions in North America. If we divide this against roughly 300 million active Internet users in North America, assuming they spend on average five hours a day consuming content on the Internet, that breaks down to approximately 100 ads per hour.
So we as an industry have 100 chances an hour, or about 500 chances per day, to reach each person in North America with a digital ad. Of the 300 million people we can reach, advertisers only care about a sliver of the total audience.
Once you break down the audience to the desired number of people to reach, with the relevant targeting, the question becomes: Of the 500 daily opportunities, how many times do you want to reach that group of people? It comes down to several factors: what mechanisms you, as a buyer, can use to identify them and deliver an ad to them, the format of the ad and how effective you believe your opportunity to reach them will be.
So, no – the number of impressions is not infinite. And if we believe that some percentage of the ads in that 5 trillion monthly statistic are fake, meaning fraudulent or simply not viewable, then the number of chances to reach consumers could be much smaller, from 100 to as low as 50 ad opportunities per hour.
Suddenly the lie is turned on its head and it becomes more about maximizing the opportunity with your target audience. And for those opportunities, the cost is definitely not heading toward zero.
Not True: Ad Inventory Can Be Defined By The Publisher And Divided Into Pools Of Undifferentiated Impressions
Ad inventory is made up of a group of individual, unique ad impressions. Every impression has hundreds of points of data surrounding it. The problem with this belief is that it assumes limitations that don’t exist. Publishers define inventory in broad, relatively undifferentiated buckets, which are the lowest common denominator from a complex media plan sent with a fairly detailed RFP by the buyer.
For instance, buying a million impressions of “soccer moms” from a publisher creates a very limited view of that inventory. The range of income, interests, product ownership or geography is broad for the individuals behind those impressions. And some “soccer moms” may be worth more than others depending on an advertiser’s campaign goals.
In a world where inventory is publisher-defined, this lowest common denominator approach was the only way to operate a scale media business. But that’s no longer the case. Buy-side decisioning allows the buyer to define the inventory – and that inventory definition by nature can be more complex than ever.
So what is an impression? Ultimately an impression is a human being engaging in a monetizable experience via a computer or digital device, in a certain modality. By modality, we mean that they’re either passively consuming content (such as watching a video), actively consuming content (reading an article or email), actively participating in an interruptible interactive experience (playing a game with breaks between levels) or actively participating in a non-interruptible interactive experience (writing an email or engaged in a video chat).
All the data about the person behind the impression is captured in first-party (buy side and sell side) and third-party data platforms. And all the data about the content being consumed, and the user’s modality, belongs to the publisher. It is by matching both types of data that we can truly unlock the value of inventory. The more open and transparent we make things, the more value we unlock. By giving buyers access to the unfettered truth of inventory and the ability to peruse and pay for their desired inventory, price ultimately tends to go up, not down. The old world of limited, siloed and blocked data is responsible for this lie.
As we’ve opened up inventory sources and unlocked access to audience and modality data, the market responded by equalizing prices. As a result, publishers can make just as much money from programmatic channels as direct sales. Publishers that are allowing demand from programmatic sources to compete directly with guaranteed inventory are becoming pleasantly surprised with the results. Publishers that started early on this path are gaining some significant advantages that could be sustainable over the long haul.
Not True: Publishers Don’t Let Buy-Side Systems Access Inventory Because Of Potential Data Leakage
This is an old misconception. Back around 2005, some publishers invested in technology to enable creation of “publisher first-party” audience targeting data. They tracked individual audience members’ activity on the publishers’ sites and put these content consumption behaviors into behavioral targeting segments. They could then sell these segments as inventory definitions, rather than just selling locations.
This was very useful when publishers had small pools of valuable inventory that would sell out, such as auto-related inventory that would sell out months in advance. So publishers tracked users who read articles in the “auto content” bucket and created a segment called “auto intenders” so they could sell ads targeted to those users when they were browsing other pages of the publisher’s content. If they charged $15 CPMs for auto content ads, they would sell behaviorally targeted “auto intenders” for $10. They’d deliver those ads on pages that were probably selling for $5 CPMs, more than doubling the yield on those impressions.
The problem is that only the largest publishers with big user bases that consumed lots of their content could assemble enough valuable behavioral data. The small window into a person’s web-surfing behavior that any one publisher had access to was not enough to really create sustainable value. However, that data was created, sold and valued by the market, although it was less valuable to buyers because it originated from user activity on just one publisher, rather than data pooled across publishers.
Right around that time, the first behavioral ad networks, typified by Blue Lithium, figured out that they could supercharge their behavioral targeting segmentation by buying guaranteed targeted buys from publishers and stealing segmentation data from the publishers. They maximized reach by keeping the frequency cap as low as the publisher would allow, then dropped their own cookies on those users and added the publisher’s targeting definition to their own.
For instance, say a buy of “auto intenders” from Yahoo had a frequency cap that was set to one. If the ad network bought 1 million impressions for a $10 CPM, they would add 1 million unique users to their own cookie pool of “auto intenders” for just $10,000. They could then find those same users on cheaper sites, and eventually buy the inventory over ad exchanges for less than $1 but sell it for $8, allowing them to arbitrage the market. Since these networks could turn small expensive direct buys into feeders of their behavioral targeting pools, and then extend those buys to cheap inventory sources, publishers obviously became very concerned about this “data leakage.”
Most publishers, other than the very largest, stopped investing in their own first-party behavioral data technologies, leading to the creation of the lie that publishers are deathly afraid of data leakage. But what people missed is that most publishers simply gave up fighting this battle. Instead they partnered with third-party data providers that paid publishers for the rights to collect behavioral data.
They would then push the behavioral segments back into the publisher’s ad server so they could sell the data as part of their direct buys. The data leakage problem led to the creation of the third-party data marketplace and the tracking of users across publishers, which marketers find more valuable.
The real value that publishers can provide is not in turning the behavior of their audiences into targeting data. Instead publishers can give buy-side decisioning systems access to data about the content being consumed (category-level data) and what users are doing on those pages (modality data). They can also enable the buyer to bring their own first-party data, which is far more valuable for buyers than anything the publisher could assemble.
Everybody wins when publishers open up competition between decisions made by a demand-side or buy-side ad platform and direct buys booked through their sales force. When given the opportunity, buyers are willing to pay similar or higher rates for access to this inventory, compared to what they’d pay for publisher-packaged inventory that only offers publisher-based ad decisions. The two methods competing with one another increases the value of the inventory and maximizes the yield for each impression. It’s a “win-win” or a non-zero-sum game – a good thing for everyone.
3rd Party Data, Marketers, Media Agencies, Targeting
How To Use RTB For Targeted Reach Instead Of Retargeting
By Eric Picard (Originally published on AdExchanger)
I was recently told by an executive in a position to know that 70 to 80% of revenue in the RTB space comes from retargeting. I found that stunning because it basically tells us that the RTB space is incredibly immature. If the vast majority of revenue in the space is retargeting, then nearly all the spending comes from ecommerce companies.
That means we have huge upside in this space because ecommerce companies certainly don’t make up anything near the majority of advertising spending.
Nearly 90% of advertising spend “all-up” is done on a targeted reach basis. In other words, the advertiser has come up with an ideal marketing persona (or series of marketing personas – many brands have five to 10 defined marketing personas) and their media plan is designed to reach people matching that persona. Using old-school methods, such as Nielsen or comScore, they find publishers with audiences matching their marketing personas, and that’s where they’ll buy impressions.
The problem is that this is extremely inaccurate, and wastes budget by spreading it across the whole audience that visits this publisher. On one hand, it’s wasteful because it pushes the message on audiences that don’t match campaign goals. On the other hand, it’s OK if there’s some “waste” in media spending because there’s value in getting the message in front of slight target mismatches.
Case in point: I don’t have cable at home. We watch Hulu, Amazon Prime and Netflix when we consume TV content. But recently, while traveling, I saw a few hours of TV in my hotel each night. I was shocked by the vast number of pharmaceutical ads on broadcast television – especially on the news (which I hardly watch anymore).
Most ads related to conditions I’m not facing today – so in a sense those ads were wasted. But should I ever contract one of those conditions, I’ll likely remember those products exist. Or should one of my close friends or loved ones get stricken with those conditions, I’ll recall that a medication exists and engage in conversation with them.
So yes – this broadcast brand strategy certainly does have some value. As I’ve said before: There’s value in the fact that I know Dodge Ram owners are “RAM Tough.”
On the other hand, we can be much more precise now than in the past — if you can find the data. And if you believe in the methodology that created the data, there are ways to more precisely reach your target personas and target audiences of all flavors.
Find The Right Tools
Using demand-side platforms and social media marketing tools, including the self-service tools within Facebook, it’s now possible to find your target audience in a variety of ways. You can be very narrow or very broad. You can control exactly which sites on which you’ll reach that audience, or you can simply specify on which sites you don’t want to reach your audience.
For brands that are very particular about running ads only on approved content, there is the white list – a specific list of domains matching against publishers that you specifically approve to run ads on. This does limit scale, but there’s no limit on the size of the white list you can create. And there are vendors like Trust Metrics that you can use to build a custom white list for you, which both hones the targeting to sites that match your brand safety metrics and massively reduces fraud.
Or if you want, you can use private marketplaces to execute buys only on the sites you specifically negotiate with for access to their audiences over RTB. This has a lot of value for pharma and marketers that are extremely sensitive to running ads on sites that match their brand values.
If you want to specify a tightly targeted user base, one that is so targeted that it limits the audience size to only a few thousand users, you can do that using tools like Facebook’s advertising that lets you specify many different elements and tells you how limited the size of your audience is.
Or there are tools like Optim.al, which hones the audience and offers ways to expand or contract it. Or tools that let you find audiences similar to your targeting with less targeting but greater impression volume. (Disclosure: My company Rare Crowds does this.) Or you could use MediaMath’s built-in features to automatically find the right audience that performs best for your campaigns.
Nearly every company playing in the RTB space has functionality designed to meet the needs of advertisers that want to reach specific audiences, not just retarget people who visited your website or who are existing customers. There is the potential to reach people you haven’t reached before, find new customers and prospect for them.
The biggest growth sector for RTB this year is clearly going to be brand advertisers and those that use RTB for targeted reach — just like 90% of all media spending.
The Fifth Wave Of Ad Tech: Privileged Programmatic
Ad Tech Vet Eric Picard Joins Pandora As VP Of Ad Product Management
Why Do Web Pages Load So Slowly In A Broadband World?
How Microsoft Almost Won Digital Advertising
Why Programmatic Budgets Will See Massive Growth
3rd Party Data
Ad Ecosystem
Ad Technology
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Grockit
Learnist is a place for learning and sharing what you know
October 15, 2015 intro-multimediaBlog site, Building Brands, Discovery Channel, Grad Student, Grockit, Kaplan, Learn from Peers, Learnist, Sharing Knowledge, UFstacielscott Leave a comment
Learnist…Builds Brands and Shares Knowledge
Let’s Take It Back To Inception:
Farbood Nivi, a former teacher of the year for the Princeton Review and academic advisor at Kaplan, founded a company called Grockit in 2007.
Grockit was created as a social learning game company designed to help learners educate themselves through technology. In short, Grockit was an online test prep service geared at aiding students in their preparation to take standardized tests and help them earn their best possible scores. On December 18, 2012, Grockit announced a strategic $20 million dollar investment from Discovery Communications, best known for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and TLC television channels. The announcement also included Uber and Scribd as additional investors along with previous investors Atlas Venture, Benchmark Capital, GSV Capital, New Schools Ventures, and Integral Capital Partners. Then in 2013, Kaplan acquired Grockit. Kaplan, being a test prep company itself, found the acquisition was a natural fit in the progression of shared learning through technology. With Grockit’s primary focus as instructional online learning for test prep, the acquisition allowed Nivi to focus on a new social learning tool for the company, which he called Learnist. Learnist differs from Grockit and Kaplan in that, it’s a social learning tool championing collaborative learning through sharing with others.
Learnist Has Grown:
Nivi originally developed Learnist for K-12 teachers and students alike, to help users create ‘learn boards’ to assist with studying and learning core curriculum.
In May of 2013, Learnist had around 700,00 registered users with 200,000 of those users being active monthly participants. Additionally, the company disclosed that each month, they received approximately two million page views. In February 2014, Learnist had roughly 10 million users. Talk about growth of the audience and users of a technology product! Today, Learnist is for users that want to share knowledge and collaborate with other subject matter experts. There is a lack of statistical demographical data for Learnist available to the public, but one could argue the target audience is reflective by the type of content that is highlighted on Learnist.
Articles all over the web compare the content communities Learnist and Pinterest to one another. In many instances, Learnist has been dubbed ‘The Pinterest for Education’. CEO Roy Gilbert cites the two communities are very different, but if you explore the functionality and look of the two social platforms, you’ll find they are very similar!
Nivi stated, “The word “integration” means to make something whole, and I think that’s an important point. The goal is for the organization to be optimized — not the individual parts.”
What Learnist Can Do For Your Brand:
Farbood Nivi, stated the following on his LinkedIn account, “We want to be the Instagram of knowledge-sharing… like a smart RSS.”
And that is what Learnist is working towards and striving to do. It is a content community of curious people sharing knowledge about anything and everything. It is taking individuals or brands and brings them together as a whole unit in a synergistic learning environment. Learnist believes in collaboration, that everyone is an expert in something, and that Learnist is the go-to platform to share knowledge with other folks that have the same passion or those that are just curious in nature looking to learn something new.
Learnist offers brands the opportunity to provide value to their consumers through the sharing of knowledge. The Learnist platform establishes brand credibility for all users creating content since they are viewed as the experts in their area of expertise.
Functionality of the site allows for simple browsing of categories or a specific search of a topic. Each board gathers content from multiple sources and complies the content for easy reading and computation. The Learnist app then provides the full article if the user wants to read more about a particular topic. One of my favorite features is after you are done reading an article you can save a board to your reading list and reference it again and again. There are so many times I’ve read content online that I would like to reference at a later date so I print the article not having a virtual bookmark to use, which leads to a stack of paper that eventually gets thrown away…the article never to be referenced again.
Learnist provides content viewing, how-to guides, and educational videos on a variety of subjects. A user can add things to a reading list, create boards, collect things, and follow subject matter experts or brands that the user finds interesting. Lessons or ‘learn boards’ can be annotated with notes and explanations and organized sequentially if needed. Another feature is the virtual checklist, which allows one to mark off learnings that are complete, or suggest new learnings. In addition to this ‘bookmark’ feature of learn boards, content from Learnist can be shared socially across Facebook, Twitter and email.
Learnist On Social:
Facebook: 80,488 Likes
Twitter: 9,633 Followers
Pinterest: 5,100 Followers
Instagram: 246 Followers
Linked In: 238 Followers
Tumblr: Presence
Available When You’re On The Move:
Learnist is offered through Google Play for android phones and the iTunes Store for iOS devices. Learnist audience grew exponentially when it was available through mobile apps for people on the go, especially with the Android version for those that are located internationally. The mobile apps were recently updated to make the experience more immersive and easier for the user to create their own learn boards.
Learnist Is A Money Maker and Has Celebrity Status:
In a strategy to have users coming back for additional content, the Learnist app features premium boards created by topic experts and celebrities.
Currently these premium boards may be purchased for ninety-nine cents. Some of the celebrities being featured are Olivia Wilde, Gus Van Sant, and Dhani Jones.
Nivi’s goal for Grockit and Learnist was to make high-quality education accessible to everyone, and that is what he is accomplishing through these educational learning tools.
Check out my Prezi!
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Explore by university,
course or country
5 American boarding schools that look like Hogwarts
Study International Staff
The Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle light projection show at Universal Studios Hollywood. Source: Amanda Edwards/AFP
Harry Potter may be British but there are many Hogwarts look-alike boarding schools in the US that capture that essence of magic that sold more than 500 million books worldwide. Although these schools don’t teach spells and potions, they have similar traits to the “School of Witchcraft and Wizardry” featured in the seven fantasy novels about “The Boy Who Lived.”
Some of those traits include exclusive admittance, a focus on team sports, being centuries old, and dress codes. Below we take a look at five boarding schools in the US that have what it takes to be compared to the enchanting Hogwarts:
Trinity-Pawling School, New York
Although Trinity-Pawling is an all-boys school, you’ll find some features that resemble the magical Hogwarts campus within its large 230-acre campus overlooking the scenic Hudson River Valley. It boasts a large 400-seat theatre contemporary arts centre, a large common dining hall — the Scully Dining Hall — and an outstanding farm and greenhouse.
Tonight we celebrated Candlelight – A Festival of Lessons and Carols, one of Trinity-Pawling’s beloved and long-standing traditions. (This Episcopal Christmas Festival has been a part of our community since 1938!) ✨#TPTraditions
A post shared by Trinity-Pawling School (@trinitypawlingschool) on Dec 11, 2018 at 3:56pm PST
There’s also a large field for football, soccer, and lacrosse, and with a little imagination, you can picture a game of Quidditch. The traditional Christmas service, aptly named Candlelight, takes place every December in the chapel on campus. It has all the ethos of the “Great Hall” of Hogwarts, but instead of the candles floating in the air, here students hold them safely in their hands.
Emma Willard School, New York
Although Emma Willard School wasn’t used for Harry Potter, this historic women’s school appeared in “Scent of a Woman” starring Al Pacino in 1992. Similarities to Hogwarts? Its Gothic architecture and gargoyles, except the gargoyles don’t come to life quite as much as they do as in Harry Potter.
The Hill School, Pennsylvania
With a campus spanning more than 200 acres, the Hill School has two artificial turf fields and several faculty homes. The nearest town is Pottstown, the home to 22,000 residents, which easily compares to Hogsmeade near Hogwarts where young wizards and witches got their fill of butterbeer.
Hill Students: Are you ready for the Autumn Games?! #TheDormCup 🏆
A post shared by The Hill School (@thehillschool) on Oct 15, 2020 at 1:56pm PDT
The community spirit is strong here, as are teacher-pupil relations, comparable to those of Hogwarts. Seated meals in the dining hall, a dress code, and sixth form tea are some of the traditions here. Now all it needs is a Divinations class where your fortune is read in your tea leaves for the full Hogwarts social vibes.
Masters School, New York
Located on a majestic 96-acre campus, the Masters School is just 19 kilometres away from Manhattan and offers many extracurricular societies, just like Hogwarts does — sans the dragons and Hippogrifs, of course. This coeducational college institution has over 60 sports teams with 26 at varsity level, which shows you how competitive and accomplished students here can be.
Lawrenceville School, New Jersey
Lawrenceville has been following the rapidly changing health situation surrounding the COVID-19 disease and is taking steps to protect the health and wellbeing of our community. After much thought and consideration, we have decided to transition to remote learning beginning on Tuesday, March 31. Emails with specific information about this transition have been sent to the campus community, and up-to-date information on Lawrenceville’s response to COVID-19 can be found at lawrenceville.org/coronavirus-covid-19 (🔗in bio) 📷: Noah Laubach ’23
A post shared by The Lawrenceville School (@lvilleschool) on Mar 15, 2020 at 7:07am PDT
Houses at Hogwarts were both the living and learning communities for its students, and produced outstanding wizards and witches. It’s the same at the Lawrenceville School, each House is divided by levels. Each house differs in degrees of freedom and supervision but all foster pride, responsibility, and a great sense of leadership.
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Calling Local Artists: Get Your Artwork Featured on Arden Fair Mall’s 40-Foot LED Video Tower!
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Art on a Mission to Expose, End and Rectify Long-Term Prison Sentencing of Children • Ise Lyfe Explains His Little Giant Project
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/[sido]/COPYING
Contents of /COPYING
Sun Oct 11 19:01:42 2009 UTC (11 years, 3 months ago) by ben
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155 The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for
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166 If distribution of executable or object code is made by offering
167 access to copy from a designated place, then offering equivalent
168 access to copy the source code from the same place counts as
169 distribution of the source code, even though third parties are not
170 compelled to copy the source along with the object code.
172 4. You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Program
173 except as expressly provided under this License. Any attempt
174 otherwise to copy, modify, sublicense or distribute the Program is
175 void, and will automatically terminate your rights under this License.
176 However, parties who have received copies, or rights, from you under
177 this License will not have their licenses terminated so long as such
178 parties remain in full compliance.
180 5. You are not required to accept this License, since you have not
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187 the Program or works based on it.
189 6. Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the
190 Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the
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192 these terms and conditions. You may not impose any further
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194 You are not responsible for enforcing compliance by third parties to
195 this License.
197 7. If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation of patent
198 infringement or for any other reason (not limited to patent issues),
199 conditions are imposed on you (whether by court order, agreement or
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204 may not distribute the Program at all. For example, if a patent
205 license would not permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by
206 all those who receive copies directly or indirectly through you, then
207 the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would be to
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210 If any portion of this section is held invalid or unenforceable under
211 any particular circumstance, the balance of the section is intended to
212 apply and the section as a whole is intended to apply in other
213 circumstances.
215 It is not the purpose of this section to induce you to infringe any
216 patents or other property right claims or to contest validity of any
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218 integrity of the free software distribution system, which is
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222 system; it is up to the author/donor to decide if he or she is willing
223 to distribute software through any other system and a licensee cannot
224 impose that choice.
226 This section is intended to make thoroughly clear what is believed to
227 be a consequence of the rest of this License.
229 8. If the distribution and/or use of the Program is restricted in
230 certain countries either by patents or by copyrighted interfaces, the
231 original copyright holder who places the Program under this License
232 may add an explicit geographical distribution limitation excluding
233 those countries, so that distribution is permitted only in or among
234 countries not thus excluded. In such case, this License incorporates
235 the limitation as if written in the body of this License.
237 9. The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions
238 of the General Public License from time to time. Such new versions will
239 be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to
240 address new problems or concerns.
242 Each version is given a distinguishing version number. If the Program
243 specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and "any
244 later version", you have the option of following the terms and conditions
245 either of that version or of any later version published by the Free
246 Software Foundation. If the Program does not specify a version number of
247 this License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software
248 Foundation.
250 10. If you wish to incorporate parts of the Program into other free
251 programs whose distribution conditions are different, write to the author
252 to ask for permission. For software which is copyrighted by the Free
253 Software Foundation, write to the Free Software Foundation; we sometimes
254 make exceptions for this. Our decision will be guided by the two goals
255 of preserving the free status of all derivatives of our free software and
256 of promoting the sharing and reuse of software generally.
258 NO WARRANTY
260 11. BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY
261 FOR THE PROGRAM, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. EXCEPT WHEN
262 OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER PARTIES
263 PROVIDE THE PROGRAM "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED
264 OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
265 MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS
266 TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE
267 PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING,
268 REPAIR OR CORRECTION.
270 12. IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING
271 WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MAY MODIFY AND/OR
272 REDISTRIBUTE THE PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES,
273 INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING
274 OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
275 TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY
276 YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER
277 PROGRAMS), EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
278 POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
280 END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
282 How to Apply These Terms to Your New Programs
284 If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest
285 possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it
286 free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms.
288 To do so, attach the following notices to the program. It is safest
289 to attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively
290 convey the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least
291 the "copyright" line and a pointer to where the full notice is found.
293 <one line to give the program's name and a brief idea of what it does.>
294 Copyright (C) <year> <name of author>
296 This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
297 it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
298 the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
299 (at your option) any later version.
301 This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
302 but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
303 MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
304 GNU General Public License for more details.
306 You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
307 with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
308 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
310 Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail.
312 If the program is interactive, make it output a short notice like this
313 when it starts in an interactive mode:
315 Gnomovision version 69, Copyright (C) year name of author
316 Gnomovision comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details type `show w'.
317 This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it
318 under certain conditions; type `show c' for details.
320 The hypothetical commands `show w' and `show c' should show the appropriate
321 parts of the General Public License. Of course, the commands you use may
322 be called something other than `show w' and `show c'; they could even be
323 mouse-clicks or menu items--whatever suits your program.
325 You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or your
326 school, if any, to sign a "copyright disclaimer" for the program, if
327 necessary. Here is a sample; alter the names:
329 Yoyodyne, Inc., hereby disclaims all copyright interest in the program
330 `Gnomovision' (which makes passes at compilers) written by James Hacker.
332 <signature of Ty Coon>, 1 April 1989
333 Ty Coon, President of Vice
335 This General Public License does not permit incorporating your program into
336 proprietary programs. If your program is a subroutine library, you may
337 consider it more useful to permit linking proprietary applications with the
338 library. If this is what you want to do, use the GNU Lesser General
339 Public License instead of this License.
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← BOOK TOUR GIVEAWAY: Dancing with Death by Andrea Heltsley
REVIEW: Zom-B by Darren Shan →
Vaempires: Zombie Rising–The Bloody Chunks Tour!
Welcome to the Vaempires: Zombie Rising Bloody Chunks Tour! That is a badass name, isn’t it?
Here’s a special message from the author, Thomas Winship.
Hello everyone. Welcome to the Bloody Chunks Tour!
I’m Thomas Winship, author of Vaempires: The Evolutionary War—a vampire series that explores the question: what if vampires evolved?
For this book tour, I decided to do something a bit different. Instead of sharing excerpts, reviews, interviews, and all the usual accompaniments, I’m giving you the book itself—piece by piece.
Or chunk by bloody chunk!
This tour is the only place where you can read Vaempires: Zombie Rising, the next chapter in the vaempires saga, before its official release!
The tale of The Evolutionary War resumes in Væmpires: Zombie Rising.
Væmpires have taken control of twelve major cities. Their leader, Vielyn, seeks the atomic weapons that will bring the rest of the world to its knees.
Vampire forces are reeling. As Linq and Ray race to the royal estate to rendezvous with Cassandra and Daniel, the princess is captured and Daniel falls.
With the fate of world shifting to their teenage shoulders, Linq and Ray must deal with tremendous losses while battling a most unexpected—and undeadly—new foe.
This tour wouldn’t be possible without the time and efforts of a very special group of people, beginning with Silvia and Franny at Dark Mind Book Tours and including everyone on the list below. Please show your support by stopping by, commenting, and spreading the word!
Darkest Sins / Book Trailer Reveal
GraveTells / Chapter 1
Mind Reader / Chapter 2
Fictional Candy / Chapter 3
Words In Sync / Chapter 4
Chapter By Chapter / Chapter 5, Part 1
Picked By Poison / Chapter 5, Part 2
Reader Girls / Chapter 6, Part 1
What’s Beyond Forks? / Chapter 6, Part 2
September 21st
Sweet Southern Home / Chapter 7
TToria / Chapter 8
Kindle and Me / Chapter 9
S.M. Boyce’s Blog / Chapter 10
Happy Tails and Tales / Chapter 11
Darkest Sins / Reviews
I hope you enjoy Vaempires: Zombie Rising!
And now, Chapter 7 of Vaempires: Zombie Rising!
Linq and Ray raced around the round hill—not quite pell-mell, but damned close—propelled as much by youthful exuberance as by a sense of impending resolution. They’d been alone for too long and they yearned for friendly faces.
The tower to their right was forgotten. Whatever secrets it contained remained safe for the time being, as the lure of the living overwhelmed any cold curiosity felt by either teen.
The stench of death intensified. There was no doubt that the teens approached a killing field. Linq caught hints of Cassandra’s and Daniel’s scents, there and then gone like a whisper of wind, but those scents were overpowered by the smell of blood and decay.
The heartbeat wasn’t repeated, but the buzzing of insects increased. The estate’s holofields still worked, thus keeping the carrion out, but Linq knew that some four-legged predators inhabited the estate’s woods. It was only a matter of time before the smell lured them out and they braved the castle in search of a fresh meal.
The expanse of the west ward flowed into view as the teens thundered around the hill. Linq stopped, blinking three times in amazement—or, perhaps, in horror—at the scene spread before them.
Ray ground to a halt beside him.
Both teens had known what they were heading toward, but what they encountered was nowhere near what they had expected.
The west ward was a sea of dead væmpires. Bodies were everywhere. Bodies. Body parts. Things that would require forensic evaluation to identify.
Ray turned to Linq, mouth agape. “Holy Mary, Mother of God!”
Linq frowned, looking at his friend out of the corner of his eye. He couldn’t turn away from the carnage. “Why would you say such nonsense?”
The blond teen shrugged. “It carries such gravitas, don’t you think?”
“Whatever.” Linq couldn’t focus on Ray’s humor with the carnage lying before him. He started forward, moving toward the nearest pile of bodies. The stench was horrendous.
Ray followed in lockstep. “Well, I think all vampires should possess a sense of gravitas.”
“I’d think that would include showing respect for the dead,” Linq said, preoccupied. But Ray got his attention when he grabbed his upper arm in a steel grip and spun him around until they were facing each other.
Ray’s face was hard, with no trace of humor in his eyes. “I have plenty of respect for the dead,” he stressed. “Provided the dead aren’t animals who’ve attacked everyone I hold dear.”
“That isn’t what I meant,” Linq insisted, resisting the urge to pull his arm free. “Look around and tell me something isn’t seriously wrong here.”
Ray glanced around, a disgusted glance that perceived nothing. “I’m having a real hard time finding sympathy for these creatures, Linq.”
“This isn’t about sympathy, dammit,” Linq snapped. He took a deep breath and reached up to carefully pry Ray’s fingers from his biceps. “Something is wrong. It feels … wrong.”
He growled in frustration and walked over to a body. It had once been a young man, thirty or so years old, with a lean physique and a head of curly black hair. The man’s face looked like it had been put through a meat grinder and his torso was dotted with stab wounds. Next to him was an elderly woman whose lower jaw and right arm was missing.
Linq knelt beside the bodies. “Look at the nature of these wounds. These people weren’t killed. They’re mangled. Hacked apart. They’re almost … I don’t know … desecrated.”
Ray raised an eyebrow. “Desecrated?”
Linq waved a hand, shaking his head. “That’s not it, but I can’t find another word to describe it. These bodies are damaged way beyond what was necessary to kill them.”
“You’re overthinking this,” Ray countered. “And you’re also forgetting that we’re trained for this sort of thing, but most people aren’t. You and I—Daniel and Cassie even—we’re elite fighters. We’ve been in combat simulations since we could walk. We’ve killed thousands of enemies through the years—humans, vampires, animals, any type of holo-creature a programmer could think of. We’re efficient killers.
“But throw an untrained person into a fight, especially something as bad as this, and all you get is chaos. Fighting and killing and clawing and biting. Untrained people don’t know when to stop. They’re pushed beyond the pale, they’re fighting for their lives, and the next thing you know, their enemy is dead but they’re still attacking the dead body.”
Linq scanned the immediate area. “It’s every body, Ray. Every single one.”
Ray sighed. “Fine. It’s something bigger then. Someone went crazy or gave into bloodlust.” He snapped his fingers. “Maybe Daniel gave in again.”
Linq shook his head, lost in thought. “I don’t know. It would certainly explain the carnage.” Then his blood ran cold. “Oh man! What if Daniel gave in to bloodlust and killed Cassie as well?”
“Calm down,” Ray said, testing the air. “It’s obvious Cassie’s no longer here.”
“You think Daniel is?”
Ray’s shrug was noncommittal. His eyes said otherwise.
Linq looked around at the scores of dead bodies. “He could be any one of them.”
“I’m not going to assume the worst while there’s still hope.” Ray cocked his head. “Daniel’s scent is in that direction. Let’s go.”
They had walked a few yards when something that had been bothering Linq became apparent. “Why is the decay so rapid?”
Ray stopped, his rigid posture betraying frustration. “What?”
“The bodies are too deteriorated for having been dead for such a short time,” Linq explained. “Even if they were killed last night, it still wouldn’t make sense, but they haven’t even been dead that long. Look at them. They’re still warm. Hell, some of them are barely cooled.”
“For chrissakes,” Ray hissed. “Who cares? This isn’t a mystery to be solved.”
Linq gave the teen a measured look. “It might be important.”
Ray exhaled in a long, slow sigh. “Why?”
“For any number of reasons,” Linq said, struggling to keep exasperation from coloring his voice. “Not the least of which is the fact that we share the planet with these people. Even if we’re at war now, there’s still hope for a peaceful solution.”
Ray stepped forward, getting right in Linq’s face. Ray smelled of grime and gore, but it was the simmering rage that concerned Linq.
“I’m not hoping for a peaceful resolution, and I don’t give a damn about these bodies.”
“I don’t have time for a political debate,” the blond teen said, turning away. “And I’m done examining dead væmpires. I’m finding Daniel.”
Thump.
Linq froze. Ray twirled to face him.
“That came from behind you.”
Linq turned. A body lay near the base of the tower. Although its temperature was low, it was the only body in the direction of the heartbeat. Before he started up the hill, Ray’s hand fell on his shoulder.
“Daniel’s scent is in the other direction,” Ray warned.
“I know. But all we have is a scent.” Linq nodded toward the hill. “We don’t even know if he’s out there, but we do know there’s a body up there. A body with a heartbeat.”
He steeled himself for an argument, but Ray said, “Fair enough.”
They ascended the hill. The heartbeat didn’t repeat as the teens drew near the body. Reaching it, they stared in silence for a moment.
“It’s a little girl,” Ray said, breaking the silence. He sounded equal parts amazed and puzzled.
It certainly looked like a girl. She was short, with multicolored hair pulled into pigtails. Her one-piece pajamas were even dotted with teddy bears. But there was nothing childish about her figure. Even prostrate, it was obvious the girl was well beyond puberty.
“Not a girl,” Linq remarked. “Although there’s something weird about her.” He knelt beside the body. He couldn’t bring himself to feel for a pulse; he even felt awkward watching her chest for the rise and fall that would indicate breathing. It was there—very little movement, almost imperceptible, but it was there.
The woman-child was on her back, arms outstretched and legs splayed, head to one side. He had no choice but to examine her, so he reached out, placing two fingers against her chin and turning her head. Her skin was cooler than normal but still warm to the touch. He could live a thousand years—well within expectations, provided he survived the ongoing hostilities—and still never get used to the feel of warm skin. It was too unnatural.
Linq grimaced, an involuntary reaction, when he saw the other side of her head. “She was shot,” he noted, even though Ray was well aware of what a laser-rifle wound looked like. “I don’t see bone or grey matter, so I don’t think it pierced her skull.”
He probed the cauterized furrow that ran from her temple to behind her ear, wrinkling his nose at the smell of scorched flesh and suppressing a shudder. Vampires didn’t share the human squeamishness about unprotected contact with body fluids, but digging in an open wound was still an unpleasant sensation.
The heartbeat was so loud that Linq jerked back in surprise, falling on his rear and dropping the girl’s head to the grass.
“Shit,” he said, scrambling back to the body, but the girl hadn’t even flinched. There was no response at all beyond the heartbeat. “She is alive, but that heartbeat’s too infrequent for her to be unconscious. She must be in a coma.” He cursed again, catching Ray’s eye. “She might never come out of it.”
“Well, if she’s of no use to us,” Ray said, claws extending, “let’s make sure she doesn’t come out of it.”
Linq leaped to his feet, wrapping a hand around Ray’s wrist. “No way.”
“Get out of my way,” Ray snarled, blue eyes flashing.
“Not gonna happen.”
Ray tried pulling his arm free, but Linq didn’t let go. “It isn’t your decision.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Linq said, trying to maintain eye contact. “I can’t let you kill her in cold blood.”
“Then wake her up,” Ray proposed, the calmness in his voice belying the intensity in his eyes.
“What?” Linq said in disbelief.
Neither paid attention to the heartbeat. “You heard me,” Ray said. “Wake her up. I’m not playing games anymore. I’m not letting another væmpire walk away because you don’t have the guts to do what needs to be done.”
With that, he placed his free hand against Linq’s chest and shoved. Linq stumbled back a step, releasing Ray’s wrist.
Ray looked down at the girl, but Linq growled, “Don’t even think about it.”
Ray’s head snapped up and Linq saw that he was thinking about doing it. Very much so, in fact. His eyes had a wild gleam that Linq had never seen before, forcing Linq to start thinking of tactical ways to subdue him in case he pressed the issue—all the while realizing that Ray knew all the same moves and countermoves that Linq would use.
Drawing himself up to his full height, Ray looked down at Linq. “If I were you, I’d get out of the way.”
Anger radiated off the teen in waves, but Linq couldn’t back down. “Ray, don’t do this.” His voice hardened. “Don’t. Do. This.”
“Don’t do what?” Ray asked between clenched teeth. “Don’t kill someone who’d kill you if given the chance, or don’t kill someone who’s defenseless? Or is it don’t kill someone involved in a sneak attack that killed God knows how many people?”
Linq didn’t have an answer, so Ray continued.
“How the hell can you stand there protecting her?” he snarled. He gazed down at the supine form for a few seconds while silence reigned. When he lifted his gaze, a semblance of sanity had been restored to his eyes. “These … these things killed my family … my parents … my brothers … my s-s-sis—”
Ray’s voice gave out and he almost broke down. Linq saw it in his eyes and in the set of his jaw. But the blond teen swiped a hand across his eyes, erasing any tears and replacing them with hatred and determination. The determination concerned Linq most.
“They killed my sister, Linq. My entire family. They probably killed your family, too. Everyone we cared about.” His eyes locked on to Linq’s. “Where are Daniel and Cassie? Dead, too, for all we know. Hell, we both smell Daniel. If we’re close enough for that, he smells us too. So where is he—in a coma like sleeping beauty here?”
Ray’s eyes were wide, unfocused. “You don’t wanna kill in cold blood. Fine. I get it. Wake her up, let her take a swing at us, and be done with it.”
“I’m sorry, Ray. We can’t.”
“Why not?” Ray roared.
Ray leaped at the girl as if galvanized by her heartbeat.
Linq managed to grab the teen by both wrists. He flung his arms apart, and they collided into each other but remained upright.
The two teens had argued before, but had never fought. It felt wrong to have it happen then.
Ray tried to pull his wrists in as Linq struggled to quell the instincts kicking in. His fingertip muscles tensed, ready to rocket razor-sharp claws forward, while his gums throbbed with fangs ready to burst forth.
Linq knew he was bound to lose a two-pronged battle, so he tried a desperate gamble. Letting his arms go slack, he threw his body forward, driving Ray back a step. Before the startled teen could react, Linq dropped to his back, yanking Ray forward onto his coiled legs before pistoning them out and sending the teen flying.
He jumped up, positioning his body between Ray and the girl as Ray rolled to his feet. “Ray, listen to me,” he pleaded. “If you kill her, you can’t go back.”
Ray marched toward him without responding.
“Don’t you understand?” Linq yelled. “If you do this, there’s no going back.”
Ray halted. “There’s no going back to what, Linq? Back to a world that made sense? Back to a family that’s alive? Back to what?”
“Back to now,” Linq reasoned. “Back to before you killed this girl.”
Ray held his claws up; they were black with dried blood. His eyes were haunted. “I’m already a killer.”
“But not a murderer.”
Ray snorted. “Killer. Murderer. There’s no difference in war.”
Linq shook his head. “Bullsh—”
Ray rushed him, pivoting right before they collided to try to sneak past Linq’s muscled bulk. Desperate, Linq threw a sweeping kick, upending his friend again.
Ray cartwheeled through the air and landed on the comatose væmpire with bone-crushing force. A whiff of strong perfume swirled through the air. Linq dove toward the pair while Ray scrambled off the girl, seemingly abandoning all murderous intent.
They stopped moving.
“Oh man.” Ray backed away from the body.
“Well, that was … a bad idea,” Ray said, looking sheepish and concerned. Just like that, whether due to the fall or something else, the old Ray was back.
Both teens braced, but the væmpire didn’t move.
Nothing happened beyond her increased heartbeat. Ray wiped a hand through his hair, pushing one side into his trademark spikes.
He walked over to Linq, holding his hand out. “I’m sorry, Linq. I don’t know what the heck came over—”
The heartbeat grew stronger with each beat.
Thump-thump.
They turned in unison toward the comatose girl—
—but strange sounds behind them—
Thump-thump-thump.
—a huff, like an exhalation of breath—
—but a voluminous huff, like collective exhalations—
—followed by whispers of movement—
—brought them back to their original positions.
Thump-thump-thump-thump.
Linq shook his head. Ray just gaped at the scene before them.
Spread out across the west ward, the dead væmpires rose. But there was still only one heart beating.
“What the hell is this?” Linq whispered, too shocked to speak up.
“It’s that damned girl,” Ray said.
“I knew we should’ve killed her.”
Linq agreed with him, but didn’t waste his breath.
Down the hill, a pair of rheumy eyes locked on to Linq’s. The creature shuffled forward, claws and fangs extending as it did.
“It isn’t too late to kill her now,” Linq offered, turning toward the girl with the maddening heartbeat.
A door burst open, disgorging a pair of rotting væmpires from the guard tower.
The creatures shuffle-stumbled toward the teens, moving with surprising speed for such ungainly motions.
“Yes, it is,” Ray said, without a trace of bitterness in his voice.
Thomas Winship was born in Middletown, NY (USA) and still resides in Orange County. He holds an MBA in Management from St. Thomas Aquinas College, where he serves as an adjunct professor of courses in English Composition, Communications, and Business. He also spent fifteen years working for a global pharmaceutical company, specializing in organizational development, talent management, and training. Tom writes in his spare time. His first novel, a mystery/legal thriller entitled Temporary Insanity (a.k.a. Case Closed), was a 2008 finalist in a national contest but failed to garner industry attention. His second novel, Væmpires: Revolution, was published in October and a follow-up novella, Væmpires: White Christmas, was published in December. He is an avid collector of books, comic books, music, and movies. His interests are diverse: on any given day, Tom is likely to be found watching a horror movie, attending a hard rock concert, or enjoying a Broadway show. He is currently working on the next installment of the “Væmpires” series, which is scheduled for a 2012 release.
This is where you can find Thomas:
Posted on September 21, 2012, in book tour, books, misc., reading. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
Thomas Winship (@vaempires) | September 21, 2012 at 8:40 am
It’s great to be here again, Carrie. Thank you so much for helping share Vaempires: Zombie Rising.
Pingback: The Vaempires: Zombie Rising Bloody Chunks Tour (Chapter 10)S.M. Boyce – The Blog!
Pingback: S.M. Boyce -The Vaempires: Zombie Rising Bloody Chunks Tour (Chapter 10)
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Speakers & Programs
ARTICLE ARCHIVE: Jack Harvey
Article Archive: JOHN BERIAULT
Article Archive: Dr. Robert Gore
Awards to SWFAS Members
Craighead Laboratory
SWFL SITES OF INTEREST
The Dr. Frank C. Craighead, Sr. Archaeological Laboratory
A Key Attraction at the Collier County Museum in Naples
The Dr. Frank C. Craighead, Sr. Laboratory
The Craighead Laboratory is a key attraction and education area for children and adults. A pioneer environmentalist, Dr. Frank Cooper Craighead, Sr., devoted much of his life's work to the study and preservation of Florida's natural resources and beauty. Craighead began his career in 1910 as a forest entomologist with the US Department of Agriculture. He made his first visit to South Florida in 1915 to investigate disease caused by beetles in pine trees and developed an immediate interest in the region's abundant plant and wildlife.
Dr. Craighead retired as Chief of Forest Entomology and moved to Homestead , Florida , in 1956. For the next 22 years, he studied South Florida's ecology and natural sciences for the Everglades National Park and National Geographic Society. He and his wife, Carolyn, moved to Naples in 1968.
A leading authority on Florida's native plants and water resources, Dr. Craighead's scientific research, publications and personal dedication contributed to a growing national concern for the preservation of the Everglades and South Florida's wetlands. In 1976, Governor Reubin Askew officially honored Dr. Craighead as the “Scholar of the Everglades ” and joined the Collier County Commission in proclaiming November 16th as “Dr. Frank C. Craighead, Sr. Day.”
His field laboratory was moved to the Collier County Museum grounds and restored in 1987. It was dedicated on November 16, 1992 by Carolyn Johnson Craighead, and is open to the public and used by scholars and students on a regular basis. The Craighead Archaeological Laboratory is operated and staffed by members of the Southwest Archaeological Society (SWFAS) to process and archive archaeological material from local sites.
MORE ABOUT THE LAB
THE HISTORY OF THE CRAIGHEAD LABORATORY FEBRUARY 1987 TO OCTOBER 1999
THE SWFAS CRAIGHEAD ARCHAEOLOGICAL LABORATORY
AT THE COLLIER COUNTY MUSEUM, NAPLES, FLORIDA
THE HISTORY OF THE CRAIGHEAD LABORATORY
FEBRUARY 1987 TO OCTOBER 1999
By Arthur R. Lee
by John Furey, President, SWFAS 2019
Art Lee was the Director of the Craighead Lab for SWFAS from it’s opening on March 6, 1988 to his resignation on August 2002, and put his heart and soul into making it a success. He was also an editor of the Newsletter and a prolific writer that contributed to the articles that SWFAS published as well as the newsletter. In the early days of the lab, Art was the driving force of improvement and innovation. Between December 1999 and August 2000, Art wrote a seven- part history of the lab that was published in installments in the SWFAS Newsletter. A fitting introduction to the series was written by the then Acting SWFAS Newsletter Editor John Beriault. The SWFAS operated Craighead Archaeological Laboratory at the Collier County Museum was and continues to be a crucial and integral part of the mission of our Society and this history is a testament to the hard work and long- term dedication of the members of SWFAS. This is a compilation of the seven articles in one place to facilitate ease of access and reading.
THE CRAIGHEAD LABORATORY
by John Beriault, Acting SWFAS Editor, December, 1999
Most everyone who has been a member of SWFAS for a bit is aware that Art Lee is our long-time director of the Craighead Laboratory, a professional-class archaeological research facility our Society maintains at the Collier County Museum. Art, at the urging of several of the other laboratory people, has written an excellent history on how the lab came into being and some of the notable events connected with the facility. I find this effort by Art important on several levels: It shows that nothing of lasting worth is ever accomplished with ease- or at least without a few hitches. The history itself and the interplay of individuals is worth recording. Finally, I think the membership needs to know what an important facility it supports. Our legacy will be the information and reports the Craighead Laboratory creates and disseminates- that’s how we will be remembered through our individual efforts – and as a group, years after one, the other, or all of us are gone.
HISTORY OF THE CRAIGHEAD LABORATORY: PART I
by Arthur R. Lee, SWFAS Newsletter, December 1999
A Salvage Operation
In February, 1987, Collier County Museum director Ron Jamro got word that a 16-by-24 building that had stood by the pond behind the sheriff’s office in the county governmental complex was to be abandoned as office space and used for oil and paint storage. He was horrified, for the building had been used as a wilderness laboratory and office by the late Frank C. Craighead, Ph. D-venerated as an early and effective voice on behalf of saving the Everglades and had been given to the county for safekeeping on his death. The intended new use would spell its end
Jamro notified John Beriault who, he knew, as a young man had been permitted to accompany Dr. Craighead on environmental excursions, and the pair developed a plan to have the building saved for use as a headquarters and lab by the Southwest Florida Archaeological Society, of which Beriault was president.
Negotiations with the county followed, complicated by the fact that the museum was temporarily owned by a support organization, Friends of the Collier Museum, which had assumed responsibility for moving the Museum to its present location and greatly enlarging it- work done more expeditiously by private citizens than by government. Broadly, the arrangement reached obliged SWFAS to assume much of the cost of moving the building in return for its use. An agreement to that effect was signed with the board of county commissioners March 1, 1987 and the building was moved to the new site March 23.
A major cost element was construction of the foundation. Its excavation- at the site currently occupied by the yellow building on the Museum grounds- represented the first physical work done by SWFAS at the lab. A charter SWFAS member, Guy Fischer, constructed the forms for the concrete footings, and on a day of sweat and expectations the concrete trenches were dug and filled. Fischer later built the landing and stairs to the back door, carefully designed to permit passage of drying rack trays. Refusing help, he commented: “If it’s going to have my name on it, it’s going to be right”. He built it so strong that it later withstood the lab’s being moved to a different location.
Paying attendant costs became a major preoccupation for SWFAS: A special garage sale was held, individuals made donations and the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy contributed $1,000. As with many crises that were to follow, SWFAS squeaked through. But the rosy glow that lighted expectations was not without its shadows.
All had agreed that a front porch should be added to the building, it being apparent that the structure was too small- two sheets of plywood wide and three long- to hold gatherings of any size. And laying out the interior on paper-was relatively easy because the location of its two doors and a closet that had housed a toilet dictated placement of the major lab counter, plumbing and drying rack, leaving three walls available for storage racks and bins, the essentials of any archaeological lab. SWFAS members generally interested in the lab had generally agreed on what was to go where by he time Art Lee was designated to meet with interior decorator Richard F. Geary III, a member of the Museum’s support group, who made it clear at the outset of the session that he had some pretty definite ideas as to how the lab would be set up. Lee was puzzled, since he had no previous knowledge that the friends did, in fact own the building despite the arrangement SWFAS had made with the county commission, and had come to the meeting with detailed drawn plans for the building’s interior arrangements (as, indeed, had Geary). Once the matter of proprietorship was understood, they settled down to discussing physical arrangements of the lab, reaching a mutual understanding on layout as well as the type of floor and counter coverings to be used, and the location of the lights.
HISTORY OF THE CRAIGHEAD LAB: PART II
by Arthur R. Lee, SWFAS Newsletter, January 2000
A Window on the Lab
No mention was made at that meeting of the alteration that greeted SWFAS members eyes when they next visited the structure: Most of the front wall had been torn out to make room for an immense window, which posed a security threat and- fully as important- removed a third of the available wall storage space. Though SWFAS members were critical at the time, the window is handsome and has served to give thousands of school children and adults, a glimpse of a serious side of archaeology.
No one argued with other changes that were made by the Friends of the Museum organization to give the building a South Florida look – addition of a false aluminum roof and attractive siding – nor with the air conditioning and fluorescent lighting it installed. Though there were delays, the bulk of the work was essentially completed by year’s end.
On January 21, 1988, SWFAS was given official permission to go to work on the interior, and volunteers put in some long hours. A SWFAS carpenter installed new wall panels and an additional layer of plywood flooring for strength; joists were moved to accommodate the new lighting system and members put up new ceiling panels. Jack Thompson, with his engineering skills, rescued volunteers buffered by the problem of matching beveled ends of ceiling trim. A ditching machine laying irrigation pipe was shanghaied into digging a channel for plastic piping tapped, without ceremony into a potable water main. The drying rack was installed and screened drying trays were fabricated by Walt Buschelman and Art Lee.
Charlie Strader’s pickup truck was drafted to haul a miscellany of Museum furnishings that had taken up residence in the building to and from temporary storage to permit the interior work, including installation of the counter top, to be done by SWFAS volunteers. The storage space was donated by Bill Jones of Tamiami Builders.
A major part of SWFAS’s contribution to the renovated museum complex was a replica Indian Mound, erected north of the lab. The creation considered of a heap of dirt on either side of a wooden walkway, one formed around a plastic- faced box within which John Beriault had laid deposition layers with artifacts as they would have been exposed by an archaeological excavation. Despite days of unseasonable rains, the creation was rushed through to completion in time for the Museum’s official opening February 15, 1988. (Rain water that seeped into the enclosure ultimately caused weeds to sprout and flourish in the cutaway display, forcing its removal and the elimination of the “Indian Mound”).
The lab’s turn to be officially opened came Sunday March 6, with the installation of a plaque containing a picture of the late Dr. Craighead, the memento of a banquet offered by the Naples community some years before to honor the distinguished scientist. Present were his widow, Carolyn, then in her 90’s; sons Frank Jr. and John, themselves known for their work in zoology, and daughter Jean Craighead George, an award- winning author. (Mrs. Craighead was to become an occasional visitor to the lab, stopping in the course of walks around the Museum grounds with a companion which continued until her death in April, 1993 at the age of 103). The preceding Tuesday evening, March 1, a score of SWFAS members and county officials had met at the lab over coffee and sandwiches to observe the first anniversary of the contract giving the society use of the building.
(A progress report published that month noted that, pending the construction of permanent shelving and racks of draws, the lab would use metal shelving, surplus to the Museum. Eleven years later the metal shelving is still in place, the permanent storage yet to be fabricated).
HISTORY OF THE CRAIGHEAD LAB: PART III
by Arthur R. Lee, SWFAS Newsletter, February 2000
Tuesday, April 5 (1988 ed.), marked an interesting episode in the lab’s relations with the county government. A middle level official, Kevin O’Donnell, had insisted that the public have free access to the lab building during all hours that the Museum would be open. SWFAS could not recruit enough volunteers to staff the facility for so many hours, and it could not ill afford the necessary public liability insurance. After protracted negotiations, SWFAS agreed to build a hog-wire cage ceiling high that would enclose an area four feet to a side inside the front door in which visitors could stand without danger to instruments or artifacts on work tables; the cage, in turn, had a wire door leading to the interior of the ab, which would be padlocked when the lab was not staffed. April 5 the last screw of the “monkey cage” as it came to be called, was driven home. It was to remain in place until a different arrangement was made for SWFAS’ use of the building. The next day Alice Ash, Jean Belknap, Virginia Beville, and Mary and Walt Buschelman, Art Lee and Virginia Reed met to decide on regular lab hours – Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Tuesdays were added later and Saturdays were abandoned for lack of interest and difficulty in meshing with Museum schedules (on one occasion tab workers arrived to find Seminole dancers using the lab as a dressing room).
A dramatic episode in the establishment of a working relationship between a volunteer organization with scientific pretensions and a public government institution was to occur on May 26, 1988. SWFAS had learned that at a scheduled session of the board of directors of the Friends organization the matter of SWFAS’ use of the lab building was to be discussed, and packed the meeting with 17 representatives. The Friends raised questions regarding payment of certain construction charges, which SWFAS agreed to look into, and the problem of staffing the facility raised by O’Donnell was settled by agreement to provide a written schedule. Since that episode relations between the county and SWFAS, though changed over time, have been rational and the Museum and lab staffs have sought out ways of making the relationship work to mutual advantage. From the outset SWFAS staffers have been regarded as Museum Volunteers, a relationship strengthened in May with the appointment of anthropologist Nancy E. Olsen as curator with incidental responsibility for lesion with SWFAS Later, in 1995, she was given honorary membership in recognition of her many activities in support of SWFAS.
HISTORY OF THE CRAIGHEAD LABORATORY: PART IV
by Arthur R. Lee, SWFAS Newsletter, March 2000
Out of the Mud
Work for other organizations was undertaken for the first time that year. More than 600 artifacts recovered from Gault Island were cleaned, numbered and inventoried in preparation for their being incorporated in a display being readied by the Florida State Museum of Natural History for the Museum of the Islands, then just being formed on Pine Island. In November a major collaboration was established with a University of Florida crew doing an archaeological analysis of Horr’s Island; it involved use of a storage facility in East Naples as a drop point for material en route to and from the lab where it was cleaned and given a preliminary analysis. A later, major operation of that type was undertaken in August, 1993, when volunteers in the course of several sessions cleaned and analyzed 70 bags of shell removed by the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy from a disturbed area in the Bonita Bay development; a sizable contribution toward lab expenses resulted.
In February, 1990, the lab was moved, being set on its new location in the northeast corner of the Museum grounds. The Museum had obtained the 6th historic residence and needed for it the space that had been occupied by the lab. In preparation, materials and equipment were moved back to the B&B lot, valuable instruments went to the Museum vault, and the Lee’s home work room was set up as a temporary lab. Restoration of the building to a working laboratory coincided with SWFAS’ hosting the annual meeting of the Florida Anthropological Society, making for a busy period. Heroes of the move were Jean Belknap and Walt Buschelman, who dug a trench 300 feet long, two feet deep and one shovel wide for the lab’s water line from the main Museum building to the new location, breaking a deadlock with the utilities people and getting the lab back in operation.
Lab volunteers were delighted to note that the Museum had added to the back of the lab building a wooden platform, the planks spaced to permit drainage, where artifacts could be washed; that operation in the original location had been a muddy affair. The Museum added a double sink later.
The move changed the lab’s physical ambiance completely. Where it had been standing by itself in the open, it became a part of a corner of the Museum grounds reserved for native trees and other plants, shaded and with cover for birds, a delightful setting.
A year after the move to the new location, on February 19, 1991, the lab’s official status changed to its present form. The Society had petitioned the County Commission to be relieved of its original agreement - under which the lab building had been saved from destruction – citing the financial burden of liability insurance it was obliged to carry since it was regarded as a public facility. A delegation from SWFAS had asked that the organization be allowed to continue its work at the lab – as volunteers of the Museum. In an “executive summary” filed with the commission, Museum Director Ron Jamro had stated that since 1987 the Society had upheld its duties under its agreement and had operated the lab in a ‘safe and conscientious manner” and that its members as volunteers had been of service to the Museum.
HISTORY OF THE CRAIGHEAD LABORATORY: PART V
by Arthur R. Lee, SWFAS Newsletter, April 2000
The Storage Problem
The perennial storage problem was slightly eased in July 1991 when P.W. Quails constructed a wooden cabinet with sliding drawers to hold part of the growing comparative collection. Early in the lab’s operation it became apparent that analysts needed specimen animal bones and shells to help identify the left -overs from meals eaten long ago that appear in test pits. The first was a complete skeleton of a racoon found on Gault Island. Charlie Strader found a road 01 fox, and buried it to let nature reduce it to bone – the start of a small cemetery as other animals lost the right of way to cars. A Pine Island fisherman contributed several small fish not now commonly caught. Workers back yards became repositories for fish remains; Jean Belknap, whose fishing expeditions with her brother, yielded nature – prepared bones of alligator and manatee (ai4 duly registered with the state authorities) became skilled at separating bones from fur, and Walt Buschelman perfected a technique for bleaching bones. Fish markets became used to requests for fish heads from which otoliths – excellent for species identification could be extracted and added to the examples. John Dante had contributed from his consider-able collection. An opossum chose a lot next to Dante’s home as a place to die, and John Beriault contributed several sets of bones he had come across. A state license was applied for and granted to maintain the collection, kept in serviceable condition by Ella May Ablahat. The lab, by the way, still welcomes (fresh) road kills.
More storage for specimens was provided in 1995 when the Museum made available a large metal specimen cabinet. Still later the Museum permitted SWFAS to erect shelves in part of a garage it had acquired and located adjacent to the lab, a luxury it enjoyed until October, 1999, when a change in Museum operation forced SWFAS to rent commercial warehouse space. Also, in 1995, the Museum gave SWFAS use of a large capacity metric scale. Another major contribution to the lab’s technical arsenal was the donation in March, 1992, by Barbara and Reed Toomey of a flotation barrel, a device to separate out light organic material from column samples, as well as to do normal screening. It has been in periodic use ever since, supplemented by two lab fabricated pairs of screens of 1 mm and 0.5 mm gauge. Rom Jamro, Ray Seguin, Charlie Strader and Linda S. Robinson donated balances and other laboratory equipment. Bob and Jean Belknap have placed on long term loan a diamond-blade saw for use in shell dating. Constructive criticism of the lab’s chair inventory has been made by Elizabeth McCarthy and Jan Gooding who bought their own upgraded. A number of people have helped flesh out the lab’s reference library, including Linda S. Robinson, Annette Snapp, Dr. Robin and Jan Brown, Jean Belknap, Maria Stone, Ella May Ablahat and the Lees. A major contribution to SWFAS’s and the lab’s ability to participate in public events was the construction by Ray Seguin of an elaborate, transportable metal-framed folding exhibit; Eleonore Young put a good deal of time into adapting a previously-prepared exhibit to its format.
Many individuals have helped the lab financially, with contributions ranging from enough to purchase odd bits of equipment to sizable donations; Lois and Stanley Polewka were quick to appreciate the load imposed by the $300 needed for each Carbon 14 date, and others, like Linda S. Robinson and Jim and Sue Long, have joined them in helping defray those costs; John Beriault has been the source of countless assists. The Lab has shared, as well, from major contributions to SWFAS such as the stock donation from Pat and the late Col. Don Randell and a sizable gift from a visitor to Bonita Springs who dropped in at a monthly meeting, joined in a site investigation, and decided that the organization needed a boost – Noma Copley of New York City.
THE FIRST REPORT
A major milestone was passed in September, 1992, when a report on the exploration of Mulberry Midden, a hunting camp just off Immokalee Road near highway I-75, was sent to the printers. Although ad hoc reports had been prepared for various occasions during the lab’s existence, the 36- page report on site 8CR697 was the first comprehensive report on all aspects of the excavation and laboratory analysis of artifacts from a site. Since then, two other formal reports have been printed, on Satin Leaf 8CR766, a tool -manufacturing station on south Marco Island, published in May, 1996, and Heineken Hammock 8CR231, a hunting camp in what is now the Berkshire village area just east of Naples, published in May, 1998. All of the reports, stripped of their voluminous tables, have been printed in the quarterly journal of the Florida Anthropological Society, The Florida Anthropologist, as well.
In a unique experiment in 1992 food shell that had been excavated from a mound on the banks of the Imperial River was sorted, weighed, counted and disposed of at the home of Charlie and Gail Strader, an event of the Society’s annual December picnic.
And the new year 1993, saw the lab undertake a new enterprise. Twenty- one individuals, many SWFAS members but including those from as far away as Lake Placid and Everglades City, attended classes held evenings twice a week in January on basic laboratory techniques. Instructors were lab regulars, Walt Buschelman, Jean Belknap, John Dante, Art and Lynn Lee and John Beriault, who gave a special session on ceramics. The Museum generously installed exterior lights to enable class use of the porch and washing area.
The following year, on October 8, 1994, the lab in conjunction with the Museum arranged for a day-long seminar with Dr. Arlene Fradkin of the Florida Museum of Natural History as visiting lecturer. All 20 available places were taken, some by professionals from as far away as Sarasota. Sessions were in the Museum lecture hall and the lab. Note should be made of the effort workers have made to improve their own skills and knowledge to expand their contributions. All of the regular crew take work home and borrow technical books to study. One Elizabeth McCarthy attended a 1999 workshop on archaeological illustration at the center for American Archaeology.
The Fall of 1993 saw a statewide observance of Archaeology Week, and SWFAS and the Museum participation was wholehearted; Museum grounds were packed with exhibits and demonstrations, and lab workers showed the public all aspects of artifact analysis. All subsequent Archaeology Week observances saw open houses at the lab, with special exhibits and talks in the Museum lecture hall. November, exhibits were placed on the porch during the Museum’s Old Florida Days observance, netting a good audience, a practice repeated in following years.
HISTORY OF THE CRAIGHEAD LABORATORY: PART VI
by Arthur R. Lee SWFAS Newsletter, May 2000
In its very early days, the Museum passed on to the lab a computer surplus to its needs. It was full -sized, too big for the space that could be made for it, and soon was returned. As time went on and the boxes of artifacts to be analyzed grew in number, it was becoming evident to all that hand figuring was resulting in too many answers for the same problems. So, after Capt. Carl Johnson of Bonita Springs in 1993 wrote “Computer Whiz” on his membership application form, he was immediately put to work. Special analysis forms were prepared to feed information into his high-powered machine and the resulting relationship between him and the lab has proved to be permanent, and strengthened by the support Jack Thompson was able to provide after his retirement from the business world.
There was still a need for an inhouse machine, so the lab went abegging. A local computer shop in 1995 donated a (what turned out to be a very) used computer, and Lynn Lee located a table slender enough and with wheels that could be rolled into the closet for safekeeping when not in use. However, the computer was so antiquated and unreliable that when, in 1999, it refused to turn on its monitor, no tears were shed as it was sent on its way to a vocational school for cannibalizing. The board of directors voted for funds for a new one and it is now in operation equipped to work in tandem with Captain Carl.
In this recitation the phrase “SWFAS volunteers” or the word “workers” have been used, with little attempt at individual identification, which obviously, given the stretch of time involved could not complete. During the construction and furnishing phases no personnel records were kept, although later on the Museum wanted a record made of SWFAS workers, in their role as Museum Volunteers, which imposed a discipline of sorts.
Given these limitations, no attempt will be made here to provide a complete list of those who contributed to creation of the lab as an entity, or its function. However, there are many names which crop up repeatedly in accounts of various phases of lab development and which merit inclusion in this account. Work on refurbishing the interior and construction of the back steps and the ill-fated “Indian mound”, as an example, involved Alice Ash, Paul Benedict, James and John Beriault, Virginia Beville, Walter Buschelman, Travis Doering, Ron Jamro, Elvin Konen, Aer and Lynn Lee, Virginia Read, Leo Ruble, Charlie Strader, Jack and Dottie Thompson, Anne and Keith Waterhouse and Mary Ruth Winchell. With actual lab operation some of those named dropped out of the record, and others appeared, such as Jean Belknap, Mary Buschelman and Ray Seguin. Bud and Shirley House won the award for having traveled the greatest distance- from St. James City – to attend an early “wash in”, nosing out Gary Susdorf and his son Brian of Ft. Myers. Added to the roster of those helping when the lab was moved to its present location were Dan Catino, John Dante, Valerie Flanigan, P.W. Quails, and Gail Strader. Later affairs attracted Liz Allgeir, Sylvia Ansey, Linda Ballou, Lelia Conrade, Jo Ann Grey, Barb and Chuck Hostler, Jim Long, Melvin and Jackie Milstein, Suzanne Morrow, Virginia Reed, Terry Sachko, Doris Smith, Dr. Aubrey and Doris Sparks, Ev Ulinger, Suzan Watts and Eleanore Young.
When operations became more formalized, an “honor roll” was set up at the instigation of Bud House, listing on bronze tabs the names of those who have rung up 200 hours or more of lab time. That list currently has these names: Ella May Ablahat, Jean Belkman, John Dante, Jan Gooding, Art and Lynn Lee, Elizabeth McCarthy, Lois Polewka and Jack Thompson.
SHARK TEETH AND VOODOO
These names do not constitute a full roster of those that have helped make the lab what it is, but they are what has floated to the surface of meager records and a fallible memory. An interesting side note on human nature has been provided by the makeup of lab workers. Those who slug through the detail, day in and day out, are willing to put up with something less than climactic excitement to achieve the end result – another footnote in the history of this area, another view of it early inhabitants. Through their lens, minor changes in pottery decoration, identification of an animal tooth, loom large.
Some come to the lab in search of peace. Over time we have been helped by individuals recently displaced physically, who are still adjusting to this part of the world. Others have found it to be a place where physical wounds can heal; there have been several who have there waited out a time of recuperation analyzing shell or bone.
Visitors, too, arrive through varied motivation. Several times a year the lab is visited by people who have found something on the beach; some leave overjoyed at having found something identifiable with the ancient people; others are disappointed at not having discovered an object that they could sell for thousands. There is a thin but steady stream of visitors who have found everything from a carved voodoo fetish to a silver Calusa tablet; the state’s mines provide a continuing flow of people referred to the lab by the Museum with their Pleistocene shark’s teeth or bits of mastodon; Jean Belknap’s reference books are of great service to them.
In this regard, and in maintaining an informative display of objects in the large window, the lab serves as a contributing adjunct to the Museum, as do its occasional symposia and lectures. The Museum is one of the few in the United States to have its own archaeological laboratory. SWFAS’s formal reports are published as a part of a Museum technical reports series. A subliminal message is passed to those who look through the window at the workers inside: “Here are grown people putting in time and effort to learn and preserve the history of this place.” (One member of a fourth -grade class looking at the people at their tables, asked: “Are they real?”) Archaeology classes from the Florida Gulf Coast University have a chance to see the physical – as opposed to the classroom and textual side of the profession.
HISTORY OF THE CRAIGHEAD LABORATORY: PART VII
by Arthur R. Lee, SWFAS Newsletter, June 2000
A PEAK UNDER THE CURTAIN
Are there more tangible evidences of the results of these efforts by so many over such a long span of time? Lab workers have no way of knowing all of the uses to which their contributions to other organizations’ projects have been put, but it has pleased them to identify some of their work in others’ reports. In a field which yields many suggestions, hints, and possibilities, it is highly satisfying to reflect on solid findings. Like discovering identical mid/late Archaic tool manufacturing techniques on sand dunes on both Marco and Useppa Islands, separated by many miles; like confirming pottery differences which help in delineating the line between Glades and Caloosahatchee areas; of raising at least the fringe of the curtain hiding the events of the mid-Archaic period which saw the tumultuous transition between the early Archaic era with its upland oriented culture and the well-watered terminal Archaic period whose people looked to the sea. Lab workers have watched the development of estuaries and shallow watery meadows by their identification of shellfish remains; seen how voyagers packed their trail food, read the rise and fall of sea levels in the changes of shellfish harvests; spotted crossroad meeting places between East coast and the Southwest populations. They believe they have worked out at least the approximate location of early waterways, and having seen the shift from societies using no ceramics to those making fiber tempering, and finally sand tempering – a sequence known elsewhere, now more firmly established in Southwest Florida. The discovery of Lucy? Not exactly. But maybe a chromosome or two?
Which is a way of responding to the question as to weather the lab has been fulfilling the mission it accepted at the outset: Advancing the cause of archaeology in this part of the world, and helping the Museum to meet its function of preserving history and imparting knowledge of it.
CRAIGHEAD ARCHAEOLOGICAL LABORATORY IN SWFAS NEWSLETTERS
Art Lee wrote a history of the Craighead Laboratory, however, there were many articles in the SWFAS Newsletters that more fully explained the trials and tribulations that were written as these events were unfolding. This listing will augment the article written by Art Lee and expand upon the details of what was happening. The effort to construct and open the Craighead Laboratory was anything but a straight line and the lab became the focal point for SWFAS members. When we look back from the vantage point of today it is difficult to imagine the myriad of problems that they had to overcome: political, construction and financial. I invite you to experience what it took to make “our Craighead Archaeological Laboratory” by reading the articles below to get a flavor of the times and a ‘behind the scenes’ look. ( J. Furey, Ed)
APR.......Moving the Craighead Lab
JAN.......Interior Work on Craighead Lab Started
FEB.......Reception to Mark Inauguration of Lab
MAR......Craighead Family Presides over Opening
MAR......Adorned with A New Back Porch, Lab on Verge of Opening
APR.......Craighead Starts Operation After Completion of Required Construction
JUN.......Craighead Lab Operation Reviewed by County and SWFAS
JUN.......Is It A Lab? An Exhibit? Or an Exhibitor?
DEC.......County to Move Craighead Lab
FEB.......Craighead Lab at New Location Awaiting Foundations and Utilities
MAR......Craighead Lab Resumes Operations
JUL.......New Cabinet Made to House Comparative Collection
MAR......Craighead Get Flotation Tank as a Gift
SEP........Proposed Courses to be Taught at Craighead
FEB.......Craighead Lab Graduates 18 in Lab Techniques
JUN.......The Craighead Lab
DEC.......The History of the Craighead Lab Part I: Art Lee
JAN.......Large Window in Front of Lab Installed
JAN.......History of the Craighead Lab Part II: Art Lee
FEB.......History of the Craighead Part III: Art Lee
MAR......History of the Craighead Lab: Part IV: Art Lee
APR.......History of the Craighead Lab: Part V: Art Lee
MAY......History of the Craighead Lab: Part VI: Art Lee
JUN.......History of the Craighead Lab: Part VII: Art Lee
AUG......Hurricane Party at Lab to Construct Hurricane Shutters
AUG.......Art Lee Resigns Post at Craighead Lab
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Kelly Clarkson Takes on Johnny Cash for Powerful ‘Ring of Fire’ Cover [Watch]
The Kelly Clarkson Show via YouTube
Kelly Clarkson can sing just about any genre and cover just about any artist, including the legendary Johnny Cash.
The “Because of You” hitmaker did exactly that on Wednesday (Oct. 7) when she tore into a cover of the 1963 classic hit “Ring of Fire” on the latest "Kellyoke" segment on her much loved talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Sporting an adorable dress and brown cowboy boots, the Grammy winner seemed extra comfortable singing a song that is about falling in love, considering that she is still dealing with her divorce from her estranged husband Brandon Blackstock. She filed for divorce in June after nearly seven years of marriage.
What made the performance even cooler is the fact that her band members were on hand to perform the iconic horn portion of the song, each appearing on their own individual screen due to current social distancing guidelines.
Clarkson has no doubt hit just about every musical genre thus far during her "Kellyoke" segment, including country covers of Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean and the Chicks.
Even as a judge on The Voice, Clarkson seems to like to stretch herself as much as possible. Just this week, she announced that she was bringing American soul singer Leon Bridges on as her Season 19 advisor on the singing competition show.
“I have been really looking forward to him,” Clarkson says in an interview with Access Hollywood. “I am such a fan of his talent, I love his tone, I love his artistry.”
Season 19 of The Voice premieres Monday, Oct. 19, at 8PM ET on NBC.
Filed Under: Kelly Clarkson
Categories: Country Music News, Country Music Videos
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5 Best Apps You Can Use To Work From Home During The Pandemic
by Vanessa Kamau
These are the best apps you can use to work home from home during the pandemic.
These are the apps you can use to work from home during the pandemic. Most people have been forced to work from home and that can be destabilizing however during these digital times you really don’t have to slow down operations. With this in mind, it’s important to consider the challenges of getting tasks done from the comfort of your own home – as well as any implications this might have.
Whether you’re an employer or employee these are the best ways to ensure that your employees are still working.
1. Serene
The biggest role Serene plays is blocking access to distracting websites and apps during work sessions while also silencing your phone. Separate studies find it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back on track after being distracted. This gives you an idea of how much time those email notifications can cost you throughout the day.
Serene asks you to set a daily goal, which can be broken up into multiple work sessions or tasks – as long as they all contribute to the day’s end goal. These sessions run for 20-60 minutes, another feature based on studies that show the human brain tens to start losing focus on a task after 20 minutes.
Slack is a massaging platform designed for teams and it’s the ideal communication tools for remote workers. Instant messaging is organised into channels, which team members can join and leave, as needed, so nobody receives messages or notifications irrelevant to them.
READ 8 Pinterest Strategies You Should Use To Promote Your Business
Team members can also chat outside of main topics in separate threads which prevents these messages from interfering with the most project-centric conversations.
Group video meetings and voice calls are made easy with Zoom. Once again, there’s a free version of Zoom, which will be enough for a large chunk of smaller teams.
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Crucially, paid versions only require hosts to pay a monthly fee rather than everyone who attends meetings. A host is someone who invites people team members to join meetings but up to 100 participants can join and you (or your company) will only need to upgrade to a paid version if meetings last longer than 40 minutes.
Chrome Remote Desktop allows you to access your computer securely from your phone, tablet or another computer.
Essentially, this means you can access your machine from anywhere, at any time without worrying about any security risks. You can access your computer by typing in an access URL into a web browser or download the mobile app for iOS and Andriod.
The other key function of Chrome Remote Desktop is to connect your device with fellow teammates. This means you can provide access to your computer and receive remote support, allowing colleagues to see your screen and control your computer – perfect for getting technical issues resolved.
READ How to work with docs in cloud along with ease of file conversion?
While Google Calendar is a great free digital calendar, it doesn’t provide some of the advanced features remote workers typically need. A more feature-rich alternative is the aptly named Calendar, which connects all of your calendars into a single interface.
Aside from integrating all of your calendar apps, Calendar’s star feature is the way it handles meetings. Instead of arranging video chats or other meetings with arranging emails between multiple team members, Calendar allows anyone to choose and book meeting times during your availability hours while ensuring there are no conflicts with existing meetings or tasks.
Vanessa Kamau
Vanessa Kamau is a young writer from Daystar University. She has been a writer for 5 years and enjoys it as a hobby and passion. During her free time she enjoys nature walks, discoveries ,reading and takes pleasure in new challenges and experiences. Contact: [email protected]
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Self-Publishing, Writing/Publishing
Anna Todd’s Wattpad fanfic leads to publishing, movie deals
Author Anna Todd. (Photo by planetadelibrosmexico.com via Wikimedia Commons, used under Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 4.0 license.)
Date: December 6, 2018Author: Chris Meadows 0 Comments
The Atlantic has an interesting article about a recent self-pub-to-trad-pub success story. Anna Todd wrote One Direction fanfic on her smartphone, posting it to Wattpad a chapter at a time, gradually building up a devoted fan following. This ended up leading to a 4-book publishing deal with Simon & Schuster (with a name-change for the One Direction lead singer-inspired protagonist), and subsequent movie adaptations that Todd is producing.
If this sounds familiar, it’s only because it is. Fifty Shades of Grey started out as self-published Twilight fanfic, after all, and I’ve heard that a lot of Twilight fanfic stories get re-self-published with serial numbers filed off to varying degrees of success. So perhaps the most interesting thing here is not so much that it happens, but that it is continuing to happen. I speculated in the first-linked post in this paragraph that the Fifty Shades phenomenon might be a fluke—but here it goes happening again.
Just as I mentioned in that first post, fan feedback is filling in for some of the services traditional publishers provide. And Todd is leveraging that feedback, effectively writing her books “socially.”
Rather than outlining her books—“it just messes up my entire story”—she prefers to “write socially.” With After, she’d review the comments on her most recent chapter and then tweak the story’s plot: If readers finished the section feeling happy, she’d throw in a twist to make them sad. If they were incensed at Harry, she’d have Tessa misbehave. “I had feedback every day, all day,” Todd said. “I always just felt like a puppet master playing with everybody’s emotions and doing this with the characters.”
The article goes on to note that she’s returning to self-publishing for her latest book, which she’s posting chapter by chapter on Wattpad, because she “just wanted that control back.” It adds that she even opted to rewrite the book completely after getting feedback from her closest fans, which sounds an awful lot like what one does when they get feedback from an editor. Todd explains, “When I realized that I can invest in my own marketing and do exactly what I think needs to be done—well, then it just feels like: What is the benefit of having a publisher?”
What, indeed? I’m starting to suspect that traditional publishers versus self-publishing is going to be analogous to print books versus ebooks. There’s always going to be demand for print books, because some people just prefer them. Likewise, traditional publishing will have enough benefits for enough writers and readers that there will still be enough demand to keep them afloat at some level (though it’s possible there might well be a great die-off at some point until their numbers dwindle to a new equilibrium point). But not all readers will reject ebooks, and not all writers and readers will want to write or read trad-published books—for all that, as Author Earnings’s reports show, self-publishing’s share of the market is growing ever larger.
But it’s not just self-publishing for money that draws the readers. The newer generations of readers are considerably more comfortable with technology than their forebears, and some of them are voracious (just ask Scribd!). These voracious readers will seek out new material to read wherever they can find it, including fanfic and other free writing sites—which is why so many of them found Anna Todd’s works when she was just writing for free on Wattpad.
Another interesting thing is that traditional publishers are aware of these new publishing media, and seem to be treating them like a communal slushpile—as in the cases of E.L. James or Anna Todd. Since the most popular works develop huge followings, this slushpile is essentially self-sorting—the most popular stuff floats to the top, and comes with a built-in market for the professionally-published versions that come later.
Is posting your writing to Wattpad for free a good idea in terms of building publicity and fandom before going the self-publishing-for-money route? I don’t know. Just because it works for some writers doesn’t mean it will work for everyone. But on the other hand, if you’re posting what you’re writing for free anyway, a community site like Wattpad will serve to concentrate readers in the one place—it’s a lot easier for them to find new stuff on Wattpad than to find it on some random site across the Internet. I’m even considering reposting some of my Internet fiction there, just to see if I can get a few new readers.
In any case, it continues to be fascinating watching the brave new world of 21st-century publishing grow and develop. Who knows where it might go next?
Anna ToddfanficFifty Shades of GreySelf-PublishingSimon & SchusterWattpadwriting
Published by Chris Meadows
TeleRead Editor and Senior Writer Chris Meadows has been writing for TeleRead--except for a brief interruption--since 2006. Son of two librarians, he has worked on a third-party help line for Best Buy and holds degrees in computer science and communications. He clearly personifies TeleRead's motto: "For geeks who love books--and book-lovers who love gadgets." Chris lives in Indianapolis and is active in the gamer community. View all posts by Chris Meadows
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Tag: Mitsubishi Estate
Japan’s tallest skyscraper to be built
A new mixed used development including Japan’s new tallest skycraper named Torch Tower/Tokyo Torch will be built just north of Tokyo Station. The project is expected to take 6-7 years to complete.
Japan’s tallest skyscraper ever, taller than Tokyo Tower, to be built near Tokyo Station
A Look at Tokyo Torch
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torch_Tower_(Japan)
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13739663
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/09/17/business/japans-next-tallest-building-finished-fy-2027/
From Akihabara News:
“Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Mitsubishi Estate has provided concept images of its Tokyo Torch development, planned to open near Tokyo Station before the end of the March 2028. It’s most prominent feature, the 63-story Torch Tower, will be the largest skyscraper in Japan, taking the crown from Osaka’s Abeno Harukas”.
“By adding a new attraction, we will shape Marunouchi into a district that would be chosen (by businesses),” Mitsubishi Estate President Junichi Yoshida said at a press conference Thursday”.
Author adminPosted on September 19, 2020 October 2, 2020 Categories Mitsubishi, Real Estate, Skyscrapers, Tokyo Station, Tokyo TorchTags Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi Estate, Real Estate, skyscrapers, Tokyo Station, Tokyo Torch, Torch Tower
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CD/DVDs
Home > node > The Madness of George III, National Theatre at Home review – a powerful, elegant depiction
The Madness of George III, National Theatre at Home review – a powerful, elegant depiction | reviews, news & interviews
The Madness of George III, National Theatre at Home review – a powerful, elegant depiction
A story told with the wit and elegance of a tune played on a harpsichord
by Rachel HalliburtonFriday, 12 June 2020
Trapped by power: Mark Gatiss and Debra Gillett
It has been the fate of George III – who on many levels was a visionary and accomplished monarch – to go down in history as a comic figure, most famed for losing first America and then his mind.
It has been the fate of George III – who on many levels was a visionary and accomplished monarch – to go down in history as a comic figure, most famed for losing first America and then his mind. This Nottingham Playhouse production tells his story with all the wit and elegance of a tune played on a harpsichord, yet it is made remarkable by the way in which it simultaneously excavates the pain and pathos underlying his condition.
That is due not least to an extraordinary performance from Mark Gatiss in the title role. Gatiss arrives in this production on the wings of a prolific and varied TV career, yet here he demonstrates himself to be every bit as much a creature of the stage as he charts George’s decline from benign eccentricity into verbally incoherent despair.
Gatiss fans are familiar with the biographical detail that he grew up opposite Winterton Psychiatric Hospital in County Durham, where his father was chief engineer. Many have connected that time of his life with some of the more gothic manifestations of The League of Gentlemen, but he himself has declared that it was far more helpful for his portrayal of what he has diagnosed as the king’s “massive nervous breakdown”.
There is no shortage of detail in Alan Bennett’s deft, funny script as to why anyone in George’s position might find themselves tipped over the edge. This first bout of madness (it recurred in 1801 and finally in 1810) began in 1788, not a great time for monarchs in general given what would happen to France’s Louis XVI a year later in 1789. England was far from immune to the tensions that led to the French revolution, and though the assassination attempt on George shown at the start of the play is comically inept, it demonstrates the undercurrents of political hostility against him. Beyond that he is clearly haunted, on a political level by the loss of America, and on a personal level by the death of his son Octavius – a tragedy compounded by the fact that his oldest surviving son is a corpulent troublemaker greedy for his throne.
Gatiss begins the play by revelling in George III’s determined bumbling ordinariness – one particularly amusing scene sees him and Debra Gillett’s Queen Charlotte cheerily addressing each other as Mr and Mrs King in bed. The first sign of his forthcoming breakdown comes simply in a lilt of the voice: as he describes the gruesome torture of a Frenchman ripped apart by horses, a slight faltering in his tone suddenly reveals the depth of his pain at the cruelty of the world around him. In the full onset of madness we watch him switch between rage and plaintiveness, mania and desolation as he roams across the stage, bald and half-naked as an escapee from Bedlam in a Hogarth cartoon. Gatiss’s career has been marked in recent years by his urbane, elegant embodiments of those in power, yet here he gives a simultaneously compelling and uninhibited portrayal of inner torment and devastation.
It is of course the mark of his rank that his own mental collapse threatens the collapse of the entire political order. Adam Penford’s slickly orchestrated production amusingly highlights the conflicting agendas of Prime Minister William Pitt as he tries to hold the government together, and Charles Fox, leader of the Whig opposition and revolutionary sympathiser.
As Pitt, Nicholas Bishop (pictured above, front, second from left) puts in an empathetic, honourable performance – the play sheers away from his clampdowns on civil liberties to focus on his support for the king and the lingering trauma from his own father’s madness. Amanda Hadingue’s Fox is less subversively charismatic than 18th century accounts suggest him to be, yet her spirited performance sustains the playfully hostile dynamic between the two, not least in parliament scenes where the rowdiness is sustained by depicting half the politicians as masks held up on sticks. (Possibly a technique that could be adopted in our own Covid-wrecked world…)
Of all the productions seen by this reviewer to date, this one works particularly well on TV. Some of this is to do with performances that are both arresting and unforced. Some of it is to do with Robert Jones’ effective, simple design which allows the predominantly red and black costumes of the royal household to blaze strikingly against a cool green panelled set with shiny reflective floors, stylishly evoking the interiors of the royal residences at Windsor and Kew.
There is also the riveting psychological dynamic between the king and Adrian Scarborough’s Dr Willis, the plain-talking sceptic who eventually guides him back to sanity. Against Bennett’s satirical portrait of London’s top physicians fumbling their way towards a cure, Scarborough stands out as the defiant outsider. The moment when he suddenly declares to George that “your improprieties are deliberate”, is one of the most moving and resonant points of the evening. A moment that shows – perhaps all too relevantly – that when the political and scientific stakes are high, without clear-sightedness and emotional truth the trappings of power count for nothing.
Free on the National Theatre's YouTube channel till 18 June
Read more theatre reviews on theartsdesk
@Hallibee1
Gatiss roams across the stage bald and half-naked as a Bedlam escapee from a Hogarth cartoon
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#Brexit: Sussex VC expresses concern for ‘serious ramifications’ ahead
Date: June 25, 2016Author: dangreen4114 1 Comment
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Sussex, Michael Farthing, has expressed concerns for the ‘very serious and significant ramifications’ following the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union.
In a statement yesterday, he said the vote for Brexit on Thursday has ‘massive implications for us all’ and that ‘we must do whatever we can to retain we can to retain the contribution of universities to the economic and social life of Britain’. He also lamented that there will be ‘long-term implications for our researchers and students who are currently involved in EU funded programmes’ and that the result does not reflect the views of the majority of staff and students at Sussex. In a poll conducted by Sussex University, 82% of staff and students had supported Britain’s membership of the EU.
However, Farthing reassured Sussex that there will not be an immediate impact on the immigration status of current and prospective staff and students from EU countries, and that, for the time being, Britain would remain part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme and the Erasmus scheme. He added that the University’s Senior Management Group has already discussed the possible consequences of a Brexit to the University, including what mitigating steps may be required in terms of the running and livelihood of Sussex.
Britain voted to leave the European Union, with 52% of people choosing to bring to an end the country’s 43-year long membership of the now 28-member organisation. Brighton and Hove, with 68.6% of Brightonians voting to remain members of the EU. Nearby Lewes also voted to remain, but by a much smaller margin.
Vote Leave have celebrated the result, saying the British people have voted to ‘take back control’, whilst the Remain campaign have expressed concern for the direction of the country, with fears that Scotland and Northern Ireland may want referenda to break away from the United Kingdom after both regions voted to Remain.
2016BrexitEUEuropean UnionUKUnited Kingdom
Published by dangreen4114
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Mon, Jan 18, 2021 | Updated 11.36PM IST
TOIPlus
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Nokia Oyj is a Finnish IT and communications multinational corporation, headquartered in Espoo, Uusimaa. Founded by Fredrik Idestam and Leo Mechelin in 1989, Nokia has transitioned through a number of verticals.
In 1987, it developed its first mobile phone, the Mobira Cityman 900. From 1996 to 2003, Nokia dominated the mobile phone industry. In 2004, Nokia launched its first touchscreen smartphone, the 7710.
Nokia’s dominance continued in 2007-08 despite the challenge from BlackBerry, but its market share dropped from 50% to 43% within a year of launch of iPhone by Apple in 2007. In 2011, Nokia announced a partnership Microsoft to develop smartphones exclusively for the Windows Phone OS and the same year, the first Nokia Windows Phone products - Lumia 800 and 710 - were launched.
As of 2013, Nokia employed 90,000 people across 120 countries and reported annual revenue of €12.7 billion. Later that year, Nokia announced it will sell mobile handset business to Microsoft for €5.44 billion ($7.17 billion).
LAST UPDATED : Dec 24, 2020, 08:13 PM IST
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Nokia 2.4 now available on open sale in India: Price, specs and more
This was announced by the company via its official Nokia Mobile India Twitter account where it tweeted, “Nokia 2.4 is ready for you. Keep the energy up with 2-day Adaptive Battery technology, take detailed night shots with AI imaging and the impressive 6.5”(16.51 cms) HD+ screen. Available on Nokia online store and in stores near you.”
Nokia has launched air conditioners in India marking the company’s entry into the home appliances segment in the country. The new range of Nokia branded ACs comes with a starting price of Rs 30,999 and will be available via e-commerce site Flipkart. Those interested can buy the newly launched Nokia branded ACs from December 29.
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Nokia C1 Plus with Android 10 (Go edition) launched in Europe: Price, specs and more
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Nokia laptops to launch on Flipkart: Sources
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Nokia 2.4 with 4500mAh battery launched at Rs 10,399
HMD Global, the company which holds the license to manufacture Nokia branded smartphones, has launched its latest budget smartphone in India. The company has launched Nokia 2.4 smartphone in the country. The handset runs Android 10 and is powered by an octa-core MediaTek processor.
Nokia 5.4 smartphone with quad-camera expected to launch soon
HMD Global, the company which holds the license to manufacture Nokia branded smartphones, launched the mid-range Nokia 5.3 smartphone earlier this year. Now it seems that the company is all set to launch its successor Nokia 5.4 soon.
HMD Global expected to launch Nokia 3.4 in India this month
HMD Global, the company which holds the license to manufacture Nokia branded smartphones, recently launched its Nokia 2.4 smartphone in India. Now, an online report suggests that the company might soon launch another budget smartphone in the country.
HMD Global set to launch Nokia 2.4 in India
HMD Global, the company that has the license to manufacture and sell Nokia-banded handsets, is set to launch a new pocket-friendly smartphone in India called Nokia 2.4, The Times of India-Gadgets Now has learnt. The most likely handset to accompany the Nokia 2.4 is the Nokia 3.4 as the two were launched together in the International market together back in September.
Nokia 2.4 becomes available at retail outlets and online on Flipkart and website
Nokia 2.4 smartphone will be available at leading retail outlets across India, and online on Flipkart and Nokia.com/phones from today.
Nokia teases smartphone launch in India on November 26
Although Nokia has not revealed the names of smartphones it may bring, the list of expected phones include the budget category Nokia 3.4 and Nokia 2.4 or the flagship Nokia 8.3 5G. Both Nokia 3.4 and Nokia 8.3 5G are already listed on the Nokia India website.
Nokia C3 gets a price cut in India, now starts at Rs 6,999
The company has reduced the price of the top-end variant of the handset that offers 3GB RAM and 64GB storage by Rs 1,000, making its price Rs 7,999. On the other hand, the price of the base variant has been reduced by Rs 500, making its Rs 6,999.
After TVs, Nokia may launch laptops in India soon
As per the report, the BIS website shows nine different model numbers that have received certification. The model numbers of the nine models are NKi510UL82S, NKi510UL85S, NKi510UL165S, NKi510UL810S, NKi510UL1610S, NKi310UL41S, NKi310UL42S, NKi310UL82S, and NKi310UL85S.
Nokia 8000 4G key features, image leaked online
Now, as a new update to this, a report by WinFuture has tipped what can be called the first look of the revived version of the Nokia 8000. As per the image that has appeared online, the handset doesn’t sport the slide-out cover for the keypad and a slider display like the classic version but rather comes with a standard phone with a small display and keypad.
Nokia 6300 4G and Nokia 8000 4G launched in Europe: Price, specs and more
HMD Global, the company that owns the right to sell and manufacture Nokia branded handsets, has launched revamped versions of two classic phones — Nokia 6300 4G and Nokia 8000 4G.
HMD Global may bring back two 'classic' Nokia phones soon
As per the report, the next two classic phones will be Nokia 6300 and Nokia 8000 as these model numbers have been claimed to be found on the site of a Danish carrier called Telia. While there is no date of the launch yet, it is likely to happen with the company’s next flagship smartphone, Nokia 10, the specs of which have just recently emerged online.
Nokia 10 PureView may come powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 875
HMD Global-owned Nokia is reportedly working on the successor to Nokia 9.3 PureView called the Nokia 10 PureView. The handset has allegedly been leaked online. As per a report by NokiaPowerUser, the smartphone may come powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 875 processor.
Nokia Essential Wireless headphones launched
HMD Global, the company which holds the license to manufacture Nokia branded products, has launched the all new Nokia Essential Wireless headphones. The Bluetooth headphones come with a price tag of 50 euros and will be available globally starting November 2020. The customers will be able to purchase the headphones in Black colour option.
Nokia 215 and Nokia 225 feature phones launched in India: Price, availability and more
HMD Global has launched two new feature phones — Nokia 215 and Nokia 225 — in India today. To recall, these handsets were launched globally in China earlier this month. While the Nokia 215 is priced at Rs 2,949, the Nokia 225 is priced at Rs 3,499. Both handsets will be available starting October 23 online and across top retails outlets starting November 23.
This is when your Nokia phone will get Android 11 update
As per the company plans, the first four Nokia-branded smartphones that are set to get Android 11 update are Nokia 8.3 5G, Nokia 2.2, Nokia 5.3 and Nokia 8.1. These handset models are set to receive the update during the fourth quarter of 2020.
Nokia 251 4G and Nokia 225 4G feature phones launched
HMD Global, the company which holds the license to manufacture Nokia branded phones, has launched two 4G feature phones with VoLTE support in China. The company has launched Nokia 215 4G and Nokia 225 4G phones.
Nokia 3.1 starts receiving Android 10 update
HMD Global, the company which holds the license to manufacture Nokia branded smartphones, has started rolling out an Android 10 update to Nokia 3.1
Nokia Power Earbuds Lite, Nokia Portable Wireless speaker launched
HMD Global, the company which has the license to manufacture Nokia branded products, has launched the new true wireless earbuds of the company. The company has launched Nokia Power Earbuds Lite priced at 59.9 euros (Rs 5,155) and it will start selling in October. The true wireless earbuds will come in Charcoal, Fjord and Snow colour options.
Nokia smart TVs launched at Rs 12,999 onwards
New range of Nokia-branded smart TVs is official. The latest range of models has been p in partnership with Walmart-backed e-commerce giant Flipkart under a brand licensing partnership. The Nokia smart TVs will be available starting October 15 during Flipkart’s annual festive sale event as part of ‘The Big Billion Days Specials.’
This maybe Android 11 rollout roadmap for Nokia smartphones
A report by NeoWin has claimed that the official Nokia Mobile Twitter account posted an image — which has now been deleted — that shows the detailed layout of which Nokia-branded handset gets Android 11 update when.
HMD Global, the company which holds the license to manufacture Nokia branded smartphones, recently rolled out Android 10 update for Nokia 3.1. Now, the company has started rolling out an Android 10 update for Nokia 5.1.
Nokia wants to put 4G on Moon and NASA may make it happen
NASA has selected 14 American companies, including several small businesses, as partners to develop a range of technologies that will help forge a path to sustainable Artemis operations on the Moon by the end of the decade. NASA is spending $370 million for the same and Nokia just got $14.1 million to develop 4G infrastructure for the Moon.
Nokia to launch new range of smart TVs: Report
Finnish telecom and smartphone company Nokia forayed into the smart TV segment last year with the launch of its 55-inch model.
Nokia 7.3 alleged renders appear online, reveal design and camera set-up
In a new leak, alleged renders of the smartphone have appeared online.
HMD Global to launch Nokia 9.3 PureView, Nokia 7.3 5G and more phones soon
Nokia 2.4 and Nokia 3.4 with Android 10 launched: Price, availability and more
HMD Global owned Nokia has announced Nokia 2.4 and Nokia 3.4 smartphones. The duo runs on Android 10 operating system and are said to be Android 11 ready. While the Nokia 3.4 is powered by Snapdragon 460, Nokia 2.4 is equipped with MediaTek Helio P22 chipset.
Nokia 8.3 5G with quad-rear camera launched
HMD Global, the company which holds the licence to manufacture Nokia branded smartphones has launched its latest mid-range 5G smartphone -- Nokia 8.3 5G.
Nokia C3 is now available for purchase
HMD Global, the home to Nokia smartphones, launched two new smartphones -- Nokia 5.3 and Nokia C3 — on August 25 in India. The entry-level Nokia C3 smartphone went on sale today. The smartphone runs on Android 10 operating system and comes with a 5.99-inch display.
Amazon Fab Phones Fest announced: iPhone 11, OnePlus Nord 5G and others to be available on discount
E-commerce giant Amazon has announced that it is going to hold a special sale for smartphone buyers in India. The sale, called the Fab Phones Fest, is set to start on December 22 and will go on till December 25. The company has already created a microsite to highlight the discounts and deals that will be available on mobiles and mobile accessories during the four-day sale.
Nokia 125, Nokia 150 feature phones launched: Price, availability and more
Apart from launching two smartphones in India, HMD Global has also launched two new feature phones — Nokia 125 and Nokia 150. To recall, these handsets were launched globally in May earlier this year.
HMD Global sends out invites for virtual event on September 22
The company has not mentioned what all it plans to launch. However, rumours suggest that it is expected to unveil Nokia 7.3 and Nokia 9.3 Pureview smartphones on that day. Besides this, the company could also launch the Nokia 3.4 and Nokia 2.4 budget handsets too.
Nokia 3.4 price and specifications surface online
HMD Global, the company which holds the license to manufacture Nokia branded smartphones, is all set to launch its latest Nokia 3.4 smartphone. The company is expected to launch the smartphone soon in the UK. However, ahead of the official launch the price and specifications of the upcoming smartphone surfaced online.
5 devices that have become popular thanks to affordable smart TVs
The popularity of affordable smart TVs in the country has also helped in the creation of the accessory ecosystem. Devices like chromecast, Android TV box, soundbars and more have become a common thing. Here are some of the gadgets that have become popular thanks to affordable smart TVs.
HMD Global rolls out Android 10 operating system update to Nokia 2.1
HMD Global has started rolling out the latest Android 10 operating system update to Nokia 2.1 smartphone in 10 countries, including India. This was announced by Nokia Mobile’s official Twitter account.
Nokia Media Streamer launched at Rs 3,499
Flipkart has launched Nokia Media Streamer as part of its partnership with Nokia. Priced at Rs 3,499 and it will start selling on Flipkart starting August 28.
Nokia 5.3 and Nokia C3 launched in India: Price, availability and more
HMD Global, the Finland-based company that has license to manufacture and sell Nokia-branded handsets, has launched two smartphones in India — Nokia 5.3 and Nokia C3. While Nokia 5.3 is a budget smartphone, Nokia C3 is an entry-level smartphone. The company claims that Nokia C3 is India-first smartphone.
Nokia 5.3 with Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor is available for purchase starting today
HMD Global’s recently launched Nokia 5.3 smartphone is up for purchase starting today. The smartphone will be available on the company's official website, Nokia.com/phones, and Amazon India website. The Nokia 5.3 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor and comes with quad rear camera setup.
Nokia 5.3 with Snapdragon 665 gets listed online
Nokia 5.3 was launched earlier this year along with Nokia 8.3 5G and Nokia 1.3 via an online event. As per the listing on Nokia India website, the handset will come powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor.
Nokia C3 expected to launch in India soon
It seems that HMD Global might soon launch the Nokia C3 smartphone in India. According to an online report, the company might soon bring the device to India.
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toddmthatcher Todd's Movie Reviews April 28, 2018 3 Minutes
A decade into its multi-billion dollar cinematic universe, Avengers: Infinity War invites viewers to marvel at its gathering of superhero titans to fight another – a villain from planet Titan who reverses one frequent MCU debit (a weak villain). It’s an experience that yields many positive results packed with the action and humor we’ve come to anticipate from the best of this franchise. This movie is massive and it feels that way. The 19th entry in the MCU that started with 2008’s Iron Man, here we have nearly all the significant characters from its catalog banding together. If you ever wondered how Thor (Chris Hemsworth) would get along with the Guardians of the Galaxy, the answer is humorously provided. How do the egos of Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) meld? You’re about to find out. What happens when the original Avengers and others pick up their weapons alongside Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) in Wakanda? Giddyup!
All of this runs the risk of Infinity War coming off as gimmicky, but it mostly doesn’t. That’s because directors Anthony and Joe Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely do a remarkable job sticking these giants into the blender and creating something that goes down smooth. This is not necessarily a sequel to 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron or 2016’s Captain America: Civil War (essentially the third Avengers flick). Rather it’s a follow-up to almost every MCU title. It’s important to know what happened in the actual Avengers pics and Civil War, but I’d suggest having knowledge of the Guardians, Panther, and so on. Lucky for Disney and Marvel Studios, you probably do. The gathering of these comic book and box office behemoths leads Infinity War to often feel like the continuation of a long running TV serial – albeit one with huge stars and an unlimited budget.
What brings all the characters together is Thanos (Josh Brolin). He has the proportions of the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and a similar sized ambitions of world destruction. Thanos is hell-bent on collecting the Infinity Stones, six potent gems that would render him all-powerful and capable of wiping out populations of many galaxies. After the breakup of the Avengers in Civil War two years ago, it’s Thanos that causes Mr. Stark and Captain America (Chris Evans) to put their differences aside. Thus begins the jigsaw puzzle of matching up Guardians and Asgardian gods with Wakanda kings and mystical doctors and your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man (Tom Holland).
As you may recall, Thanos has history with one particular character – Gamora (Zoe Saldana). She’s his adopted daughter after he decimated her home planet when she was a little girl. For those who might have assumed the Guardians of the Galaxy would have a glorified cameo in this universe, that is certainly not the case. It’s Gamora’s backstory with Thanos that puts meat on his character’s bones and assists in making him one of the franchise’s best villains. Brolin, for his part, gives the performance his menacing all in crafting him.
Delving too far into what happens in Infinity War would feel like cheating in any review. Part of the fun here is discovering just how these dozens of heroes and villains coexist. Some general observations: Thor alongside Groot and Rocket is a joy, as is witnessing Groot as a bratty teen with its attention rooted to a video game device. The return to Wakanda and its whip smart inhabitants feels welcome just weeks after Panther’s stand-alone effort. And after 10 years of Tony Stark onscreen in numerous MCU titles, Downey Jr.’s portrayal of him is still as strong as ever. There’s never been a moment in the decade where it felt like Downey was slumming it. He’s the heart of this franchise.
The conclusion of Infinity War leaves a lot open for the sequel that will arrive next year. When the credits roll before the inevitable post-credits sequence, we witness something both powerful and perhaps not as powerful as it seems after careful thought (saying more would be a spoiler). There’s no doubt, however, that this comic book all-star game is a winner.
***1/2 (out of four)
Letitia Wright
Ross Marquand
Russo Brothers
Winston Duke
Published by toddmthatcher
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Üye Olduğu Tarih 2 yıl önce
Çevrimiçi görüldüğü en son zaman 1 yıl önce
Dil English (USA)
My Letter to the Editor of New York Times Magazine - by Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger
Sully, with all these accolades coming from other "up front flight crew, primarily Caps. Here's one from who stated his summer job as a 'male steward, with a quarter of the time being called, stewardess. Evemtually we were all, in a sense, gender neutral and given the name of Flight Attendant. Though it took a good years for it to fully kick in. Sir, I lived my entire flying career out of NYC [1974-1994 That also makes me #68 in the US hired as a flight attendant] That said, 'That morning, between and radio and hearing what was going on with your aircraft. Being dressed, I grabbed my knapsack, grabbed my bike from the ceiling and headed over to 11th avenue and headed north. it happened that my timing was perfect. As you were starting your decent toward the Hudson. And, We as pretty much know what the are in a ditching. The tail section almost always breaks away. But with the experience of this PPO;T, THE CALM OF THE DAT, AND YOU CAN THE MILIONS/TENS OF MILLIONS...INCLUDING MINE
(Written on 25-11-2019)(Permalink)
Delta Air Lines wants 200 Boeing 797, if launched
Not to be too crude But, I'm not too sure that Boeing has the Balls to retool the 757...Or should I say a handle on it's EGO to retool instead of starting from scratch. Of course there are designs galore but the $'s needed....well, I'm done.
When we think of aircraft...it's always been the newer, the better. What has occurred with Boeing has been a shocker to say the least. But, as you just heard. "I'll take 200 of the 797 sight unseen". That has the way it's always been with aircraft buying. Retooling the 757's is one way around it COYOTEHUNTER...and that is an aircraft I have always liked. But, is that the way to go. Even for the industry itself, would they accept retooling over new designing? There lies the Big question.
How Airlines Are Defending Dormant 737 MAX Jets From The Ravages Of Corrosion, Insects And Time
That's an intriguing concept because it runs true with cars as well. Just throwing in my two cents!
Delta Receives Last Boeing Airplane, The Future Is All Airbus
I would opt'd to switch out for ANY other airport that going through ATL. PERIOD! The staff is over worked, angry at times, often with an attitude...Any where but Atlanta Please! Oh, least I say, and never Chicago!
Air Force One Paint Job
AF-1 is a Classic visual. I've been fortunate enough to have seen it several times at different airport around the world over the years. And, nothing bring greater pride of nationality than seeing that aircraft in another country, with its current paint job. That being, of course, the colors produced during the Kennedy administration...Thank you, Mrs. Kennedy. Nothing states the presence of the United States more that our Air Force One. There is no reason to change it. Other than....Trump wants him name associated with anything and everything he can get his hands on. Be it a Wall, a War, be it a military parade for himself, be it hijacking the 4th of July...for himself, be it turning AF-1 into a pseudo-military/looking aircraft to represent the United States [in a Trump way] Let us all do our best to STOP THIS ACT OF FOOLISHNESS!
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The Best Time to Travel to Hawaii
What's the Worst Time to Go to Hawaii?
Off-Season Travel to Hawaii
Laurie Jo Miller Farr, Leaf Group Updated March 15, 2018
The Aloha State offers a bounty of visitor options. (Photo: kauai,Hawaii Poipu Beach image by W.Scott from Fotolia.com )
Hawaii Travel Tips: Best Time to Travel
Cheapest Month to Travel to Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the enviable destinations where the chances of getting good weather is quite evenly distributed all through the calendar year. Average daytime temperatures range between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, dipping only about 10 degrees overnight. Because the off-season has more to do with demand than guaranteed sunshine, it's not fixed in a single block of time. Seasonality takes place during the year as a result of peaks and valleys around holidays and the school calendar.
Winter High Season in January through March
After New Year's, peak season continues through the first week or two of January. The last two weeks of January may usher in some of the least expensive airfares of the year when the last holiday makers have left, and the mid-winter high season hasn't quite arrived. This dip is only a temporary one however, as February and March are still high season. When Easter arrives early, March is even more popular. As long as the lower 48 states are experiencing winter, Hawaii continues to attract large numbers of visitors, including surfers looking for the bigger winter waves whipped up by trade winds. Winter is also a draw for whale watchers.
Spring Low Season in April through June
Once the Easter break has passed, the remainder of April through mid-June is off-season. Exceptionally, "Golden Week" in Japan is responsible for a bump in tourism numbers in late April through the first few days of May when most Japanese businesses are closed and they're free to travel. While the Japanese tourism may not affect airfares to and from the continental U.S., hotels and resort prices may be impacted. This is the start of the dry season, which means the trade winds die down – as does the surf – so both the ocean water and the weather should be delightful. Swimming at the beach is comfortable, with ocean water in the mid- to high-70s degree Fahrenheit. The tropical landscape is at its showiest with plenty of sunshine and blossoming spring foliage.
Busy Summer Vacations in July and August
School's out...and that means school in Hawaii, too. Beaches and attractions favored by families, including locals, become noticeably more crowded in summer. For visitors, Hawaii Tourism Authority points out that airfare may be especially pricey for travelers flying in from the East Coast, due to high-season adjustments associated with the transcontinental portion of the journey. While there's little or no rain during summer months, the high humidity makes for steamy weather. Summer also means that waterfalls and surf are at their least impressive. Average daytime temperatures top out in the low 90s Fahrenheit and at the beach, the ocean water can be above 80 degrees. Hurricanes cannot be completely written off, although they rarely affect the Hawaiian Islands.
Autumn is Off-Season September to Mid-December
Once school resumes, family travel to Hawaii comes to a close until the Christmas rush. Therefore, fall means low season. Late autumn brings a welcome change in airfares and accommodation tariffs, but less delightful changes in the weather once November draws near. In mid-October the Championship Ironman Triathlon event attracts athletes and their supporters to the Big Island of Hawaii at Kailua-Kona. On the north shores of the island, November through February is the big wave surf season. If a Kona storm carrying high winds and rain comes along, this is the season for it. As a rule, it tends to be drier on the leeward (western) side of the islands and rainier on the windward (eastern) sides. From about two weeks before Christmas, arrival numbers to Hawaii jump sky high, which is reflected in prices. Airfares over the holiday period can be more than double the fares offered in May and October. Peak season continues for a week or two beyond New Year's Day.
Hawaii Tourism Authority: Trip Planning FAQ
Hawaii Guide of US: Best Time to Travel to Hawaii
Frommer's: When to Go in Hawaii
Hawaii Tourism Authority: Weather
CNN Travel: Hawaii Vacation Trips
Go Hawaii: Travel Information
Based in San Francisco, Laurie Jo Miller Farr is career-long destination and hotel marketing specialist. She contributes to CBS Travel, Where, Frommers, Foodie Travel USA and We Blog the World. She is editor of The Travel Vertical, a weekly newsletter for digital travel marketers. A former tourism director for NYC, Laurie Jo is a dual UK/US citizen who covered the 2012 London Olympics for "Best of Britain" and received the 2013 Yahoo Contributor of the Year Award.
Peak Travel to England
The Busiest Time to Visit Waikiki, Hawaii
Vacation in Kapoho, Hawaii
The Average Cost of a Hawaii Vacation for Two
How to Find Cheap Flights to Hawaii
Hawaii Travel»
Travel in Hawaii»
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Florida Vacation Cruises
Intercoastal Waterway Tours in Florida
River Cruises in Florida
Thomas K. Arnold, Leaf Group
Florida has dozens of rivers suitable for boating and cruising. (Photo: Florida waterway image by EDawg from Fotolia.com )
Florida Sightseeing Cruises
Boat Tours on the St. Johns River, Florida
Florida may be best known in tourism circles for its Orlando theme parks and its Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches, but the state also has a thriving river-cruise trade. Rivers like the St. Johns River and the Indian River, part of the Intra-Coastal Waterway, are navigated by all sorts of tour and charter services, on vessels ranging from small cruise ships to luxury yachts, sailboats and catamarans.
USA River Cruises
USA River Cruises offers a seven-day "Great Rivers of Florida" cruise along the St. Johns River. The cruise includes stops at Amelia Island, known for its quartz-sand beaches; the historic town of Palatka, where America's rich and famous came to vacation after the Civil War--and the home of Ravine Gardens State Park, with its acres of colorful winter-blooming azaleas and camellias; St. Augustine, America's oldest surviving European settlement; and Green Cove Springs, with its healing mineral springs. Cruises take place aboard a trio of small cruise ships: the 49-passenger American Glory and the American Spirit and American Star, each of which has accommodations for up to 100 passengers. USA River Cruises 3407 N.E. 97th St. Vancouver, WA 98665 800-578-1479 usacruises.com
Rivership Romance
Rivership Romance, based in the central Florida town of Sanford, offers several different short river cruises down the St. Johns River. Among them: four-hour luncheon cruises, with plenty of food and 25 miles of scenic riverway; three-hour Sunday brunch cruises; and Saturday night Moonlight Dining and Dancing cruises, leaving Sanford at 7:30 for 3.5-hour floating parties with appetizers, dinner, entertainment, drinks and dancing. The Riverboat Romance carries about 50,000 passengers a year, according to its website. The ship, whose keel was laid in 1942, used to haul coal and ore around the Great Lakes. Rivership Romance 433 North Palmetto Ave. Sanford, FL 32771 800-423-7401 rivershipromance.com
Indian River Cruises
Indian River Cruises offers daily two-hour picnic lunch, afternoon and sunset cruises along the Indian River, for parties of two to six people. Cruises, aboard a 49-foot catamaran, sail along a 25-mile stretch of the Intra-Coastal Waterway between Cocoa and Melbourne, on Florida's east coast, that is known for its deep water, wildlife and views of historic turn-of-the-century homes. Two-day and three-day catamaran river cruises also are available, with stops in Gigi Key, on the Indian River Lagoon, and Mosquito Lagoon. Indian River Cruises 90 Delannoy Ave. Cocoa FL 32923 321-223-6825 indianrivercruises.com
Maps of the World: Florida Rivers
USA River Cruises: Great Rivers of Florida
Rivership Romance: Schedule
Thomas K. Arnold is publisher and editorial director of "Home Media Magazine" and a regular contributor to "Variety." He is a former editorial writer for U-T San Diego. He also has written for "San Diego Magazine," "USA Today" and the Copley News Service. Arnold attended San Diego State University.
Pontoon Boat Tours in Vero Beach, Florida
Romantic Dinner Cruises in Green Cove Springs, Florida
Sightseeing Cruises in Stuart, Florida
Cruises From Port St. Lucie, Florida
What Are Florida's Main Landforms in the Region?
Cruises & Cruise Vacations»
US Cruises»
Florida River Cruises»
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The Berger Bits
Technology, home theatre, gadgets and gizmos from a consumer's perspective
Review – Styx: Master of Shadows
Styx: Master of Shadows by Cyanide Studio is in many ways a game that screams out to people like me who fell in love with Dishonored and the Thief series. Focused on stealth with lots of items to steal and many ways to reach the intended destination with a bit of Assassin’s Creed thrown it, Styx has so much for people who want a genuine stealth game in the best spirit of Thief.
Unfortunately, what started as everything I wanted in a stealth game eventually turned into frustration, including a few rage quits. Read on to find out what’s great, what’s not so great, and what’s downright infuriating.
You play Styx, a foul-mouthed goblin in the world of Akenash, which is dominated by humans and elves. At the core of the land is the WorldTree, which is the source of Amber – a magical substance that is for all intents and purposes the game’s version of mana. The WorldTree is also a point of contention between the humans and elves who don’t trust each other at all but still live under a very uneasy truce. Plagued with painful headaches and no memory of what has happened, you work your way through various areas – both indoors and out – to solve the mystery of who you are, who’s responsible for your situation, and who is manipulating the already fragile relationship between the humans and elves. You also have the ability to create clones of yourself to act as distractions or even weapons to take out enemies. And what is that big, glowing tattoo all about?
After each set of missions, which comprise three or four individual levels, you can upgrade various skills with the points that you accumulated. Your perception of your environment and your ability to hide, to upgrade your clones to be their own weapons, and to increase your attack potential when needed can all be upgraded. Optional bonus goals can be completed to give you additional points for upgrading. Not killing anyone (except when part of the mission), achieving secondary objectives, finishing the levels within a certain time frame, collecting coins that are scattered about, finding hidden relics within each level, or getting through the entire mission without any alerts all offer bonus points that you can use to upgrade.
The levels are definitely the high points of the game. All are incredibly well designed for the task at hand. Dark, shadowed areas or high overlooks litter each level; paths contain multiple ways of getting where you need to go; secret areas, coins, and potions are scattered around. Some of the levels take you outdoors into glorious fortresses while other areas are underground, dark, and foreboding. Some of the missions even take place outside on bright, sunny days. Such levels are a wonderful change from dark nights or underground caverns. What’s more, the design and layout of some of the levels are gorgeous to look at. On the outdoor levels, I’d often climb to a high point and look around to take in the view, whether it’s to the perilous depth below or the sunset in the distance. For the most part, I really enjoyed the art direction and the level design.
You can stay on the ground and work your way through shadowy corners or you can parkour to areas high above your enemies. (Most of the time, you need to do both.) Even though you can take an aggressive approach, you are best served by being as stealthy as possible. The parry system is not very well designed, and you’ll die in one to three hits, depending on the enemy. If you want you survive in Styx, being as stealthy as possible is definitely the best way to play. That said, killing an opponent by dropping onto him from above or sneaking up from behind can be quite satisfying. Of course, if you’re trying to get the bonuses for not killing anyone and for not setting off any alerts, stealth is your only option.
Health and amber (mana) are the only potions in the game. You can get some before you start a mission in your hideout or you can find them occasionally in the environment or on a target that you can pickpocket. Amber is what gives your magical abilities: invisibility, cloning, and “amber vision” perception, which is identical to eagle vision in Assassin’s Creed.
In another nod to Thief, you can save anywhere you want (with very few exceptions) although automatic save points do exist. Styx is a game in which you will want to save as often as possible, so I was very grateful when I found out that I could save my game at any time.
Finished missions can be replayed from your hideout. With regard to the bonuses (no killing, no alerts, etc.), it’s impossible to (A) kill no one, (B) set off no alerts, (C) collect all of the coins that are scattered about, (D) collect all of the relics, and (E) perform a speed run under a certain time all in one mission. If you want to collect all of the bonuses, you have to go through each level at least two times. Fortunately, once you achieve any of those goals for a mission, those goals are done for the rest of the game and your replays only need to focus on the remaining, optional goals.
The graphics are smooth and fluid, but they feel dated even though they still look gorgeous. Some textures and animation feel like they’re several years behind; however, I never had any problem with the frame rate or draw distance. On a decent solid state drive, levels took only a few seconds to load. I also do not recall the game ever crashing on me while playing.
Parkouring isn’t bad; however, you’re restricted to ledges and decorative items on the walls. After playing Assassin’s Creed for so long, I was mildly annoyed that areas like holes in the wall or gaps in stone decorations were not allowed. There were plenty of areas to climb so that you could have multiple ways of getting where you needed to go, but it was still quite limited compared to other parkouring games.
In so many ways, Styx is a wonderful mix of Thief and Assassin’s Creed with some basic RPG ingredients thrown in. That said, what could have been an amazing game was marred by numerous issues to the point that I never bothered finishing the game.
Styx Falls Short
Styx has multiple platforming issues. Sometimes I would jump from a ledge and just barely fall short, tumbling to infinity below. Other times I would fall off even though it seemed as thought I had plenty of room left. Many times the platforming had to be so precise as to be frustrating. Parkouring from one wall point to another was also problematic. You have to be perfectly aimed or else you risk not grabbing onto it and falling, most often to your death.
The most frustrating part of parkouring is how the game handles ledges. To drop to a ledge from above, you have to slowly approach the ledge until you fall off. This is pointless if you’re about to be discovered because you’re not going to go slowly in that situation whereas with Assassin’s Creed and Middle-Earth: Shadows of Mordor you hold a button to drop and catch the ledge. Conversely, jumping onto a ledge automatically pulls you up unless you hold the B button down (I played this with an Xbox 360 controller) which seems completely counter-intuitive. If I’m jumping onto a ledge that has an enemy, why would I want to jump up and be exposed to patrolling enemies by default? I would much rather hang there and then press a button to lift myself up at a time of my own choosing.
You can get bonus points if you don’t kill anyone, but there is no option to knock someone out. The only choices you have are to evade or kill. I understand not killing anyone, but there are plenty of unarmored people who can be knocked out and can still count towards “no kill” bonuses like in Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Unfortunately, this option was completely ignored by the developers.
NPCs have a tendency to repeat the same line over and over and over. When hidden in an area, waiting for my opportunity to get away unnoticed, the NPC near me repeated the exact same line no less than five times. I’d rather have silence.
One of the upgrades for your clones is to turn them into a smoke bomb. On multiple occasions while the smoke bomb was still in effect, enemies saw me through the still-dense cloud of smoke as though there was no cloud at all, leading to some frustrating attempts at escape or movement to a hiding spot.
Path algorithms often broke so that the NPCs would walk in a jagged circle, never leaving their area, which often made getting past them impossible without using up some amber for invisibility or killing them, which nullifies any no-kill bonuses.
Speaking of which, late in the game are areas where you cannot get past guards who stand in front of your only exit without using invisibility or attacking. Normally, I’d use a clone to get the guards to attack and move away from where I want to go; however, in one particular area using a clone is useless because the guards are skilled archers. They’ll kill your clone without moving from their spot. You have to be invisible to get past them if you want to go for the “no alert” and “no killing” bonuses. If you don’t have enough amber, you’re screwed.
Styx is also loaded with triggered, artificial difficulties. In one instance, I saw a coin on a landing between two sets of stairs. With amber vision, I saw a guard at the bottom of the lower set of stairs, standing there and not doing anything. Once I stepped on the stairs below me, he then – and only then – decided to be concerned that there was no one guarding the table and moved immediately to the table with the coin. I hate that kind of artificial difficulty tactic. It’s just as infuriating in games like GTA or my much-loved The Saboteur where during a car escape the pursuing cars just so happen to show up on the map right where your current path would take you directly in their sight.
The game has enormous beetles called roabies. They’re very aggressive and effectively blind, but their hearing is very good. They will investigate the slightest of noises and will kill you with only a few attacks – but for some reason they completely ignore humans. Several times I expected to see a human approach a roabie and get attacked, hopefully with the roabie winning that battle. Once I saw a human walk through a roabie with no consequences! Having the roabies attack anyone in their range as they would with Styx could have led to some interesting strategies for dealing with enemies.
Killing an enemy results in the breakage of any potion bottle that he has on him. What’s infuriating about that is that the potion bottle will break even with a silent kill where he’s already laying on the ground! Stabbing or snapping the neck of someone who is already on the ground does not create a shock wave that can break a glass bottle!
Without spoiling anything, the ending levels involve you having to avoid elves, which is not a big deal; however, the elves can smell – yes, smell – your amber and will grow suspicious if you get too close. So you can’t get close to them for a stealth kill (you can use throwing knives if you have any) and I found no bottles of amber lying around. (Believe me, I looked!) As a result, any of your powers that you use during those levels burn up your amber with no apparent ability to refill. And, true to form, there are areas where you can’t get past a doorway without an elf detecting you unless you become invisible – which burns up more amber but also means that the elves can’t smell the amber that’s giving you the power to be invisible! (How is that possible?)
The most infuriating part of this game to me, however, is that the same levels are used multiple times. Essentially, half of the game consists of you working your way to a central area, and the rest consists of fighting your way back through those same levels. I hated some of the earlier Halo games because of this – fight your way in then fight your way back. I know that level design can be difficult; however, the beauty of the levels had me wanting more. (Seriously, the level designers did a great job!) One particular level is used three times! Even the most beautiful levels become boring after that.
Having to go through all of the levels again is disappointing at best. At worst, the repetitive nature becomes an incredibly boring grindfest particularly if you want to upgrade Styx as much as possible. For example, the simplest way to earn all level bonuses is to play each set of missions at least two times:
– once with stealth for the “no alert”, “no killing”, coins, relics, and second objective bonuses
– once for the speed run where you don’t care about anything else and you run through as quickly as possible
Now imagine that you have to run through each of the levels not twice but actually four times because fighting your way out and back are separate missions with their own bonuses. The one level you would have to play through no less than six times because it’s used with three separate missions! I love the level design, but not enough that I should have to fight my way through them at least four times!
None of these issues by themselves were enough to make me dislike the game; however, all of them combined made the second act a very frustrating experience. By the time I got to the final boss fight, I had no amber left to become invisible, and the parrying is so poorly implemented that the fighting was very difficult. And did I mention that during the final boss fight enemies can throw knives at you and kill you without you getting close to them?
When you take all of these issues into account – the repeating levels, the troublesome platforming, the artificial difficulty spikes, etc. – I was so frustrated after my fourth failure to beat the last boss fight that I exited the game and I now have no desire to finish it.
I love stealth games. I wanted to love this game. Actually, I still love the first half. The gorgeous level design, the emphasis on stealth, and the plot twist that occurs at the halfway point had me desperately wanting to see and find out more.
Then I had to go back through all of the levels (minus the tutorial level) which immediately made the game feel stale; continue to deal with the platforming and parkouring issues; play each level no less than four times to earn more upgrade bonuses; deal with the artificial, difficulty spikes and a higher density of enemies to avoid. By the final sequence, all of these issues combined had completely dispirited me. I had had enough and didn’t care any more.
I’ve played all of the Thief iterations, including the reboot, and loved them. I also love Dishonored, which is often regarded as a spiritual successor to Thief. I finished all of those games and in some cases played them to completion multiple times. But Styx? I can’t do it.
If you can deal with repeating levels, platform issues, and other such problems, Styx is definitely worth playing. The first act is amazing. The levels really are gorgeous and perfectly designed for this kind of game. The RPG elements add a nice twist to the game with enough options to allow you to upgrade to fit your personal play style. That twist at the end of Act 1 really delivers a punch that makes you want more. Unfortunately, Act 2 is so much of a drag that it makes finishing the game a chore. I wanted to finish it if only to get it done, but it crushed me to the point that I couldn’t even do that. May you have better luck (and patience) than I. Styx had so much potential that eventually ended up being wasted.
Developed by Cyanide Studio
Published by Focus Home Interactive
Available on PC (Steam, reviewed), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
This game was purchased by the author.
Posted by John Berger at 8:50 pm Tagged with: gaming, PC, PS4, stealth, Steam, XBOne
How To Play “Grand Theft Auto V” (PC) in 3D The Widescreen.org Movie and Media Podcast 191
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2021 Grammy Awards Postponed Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images
The 2021 Grammy Awards have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will now take place on March 14. The news was confirmed via a press release from the Recording Academy, which arrived Tuesday evening (Jan. 5), after Rolling Stone published the news, as confirmed via multiple sources.
"After thoughtful conversations with health experts, our host and artists scheduled to appear, we are rescheduling the 63rd annual Grammy Awards," reads a joint statement from Recording Academy Chair and Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr., CBS Executive Vice President of Specials, Music, Live Events and Alternative Programming Jack Sussman and Grammy Awards Executive Producer with Fulwell 73 Productions Ben Winston. "The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do.
"Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show," the statement continues. "We want to thank all of the talented artists, the staff, our vendors and especially this year's nominees for their understanding, patience and willingness to work with us as we navigate these unprecedented times."
The 2021 Grammy Awards were originally set for Jan. 31, and nominees were announced in late November, just before Thanksgiving. Showrunners were already planning a scaled-back version of the all-genre awards show before opting to postpone.
No performers had yet been announced for the 2021 Grammy Awards, though CBS has been running ads for the big show. Comedian and TV host Trevor Noah was booked to host the event, at which Ingrid Andress, Mickey Guyton, Eric Church and more country artists are nominated. Andress is the only country nominee in the show's four General Field categories: She picked up a Best New Artist nod.
While vaccinations against COVID-19 have begun in the United States, the pandemic is far from over, which means most large-scale live events, including concerts and awards shows, are being postponed or scaled down in 2021. In the land of film and TV, the Critics Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards and Oscars have all been pushed back to March or April from their usual dates early in the year.
In the country music world, awards show postponements are nothing new nearly one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 ACM Awards were postponed from April to September; the 2020 CMT Music Awards were pushed back from June until October; and the 2020 Americana Honors & Awards were canceled. To keep within CDC, state and local guidelines related to the spread of the virus, the ACMs spread out over three different venues in Nashville and did not allow a live audience, while the CMTs were largely pre-taped.
Conversely, in November, the 2020 CMA Awards went on as planned, with a change in venue and no fans allowed. However, performers and nominees, and their guests, were all allowed to attend in person, after undergoing rounds of COVID-19 testing and with other protocols in place. Nonetheless, five acts dropped out of the show due to positive coronavirus tests or exposure to the virus, and the Country Music Association faced backlash after Charley Pride died of COVID-19 within weeks of the ceremony, which he attended.
5 Snubs, 4 Surprises + 1 Historic Moment From the 2021 Grammy Nominations:
Source: 2021 Grammy Awards Postponed Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
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Nerds Support, Inc. Unveils NSP Tech, Increasing Focus on Medium to Corporate Businesses
Aug 15, 2017 | Technology
Nerds Support, Inc., the Nationally Recognized Miami IT Service Provider has unveiled a new service meant to cater to larger scale companies.
MIAMI, FL, August 15, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ — Nerds Support, Inc. a Miami based IT Service provider recently rebranded and unveiled a redesigned website, logo and tagline www.NSPTech.net, IT for Success. Since 2004, Nerds Support, Inc. has been providing Cloud Services, Managed IT Services, and Security & Compliance just to name a few. With this rebranding, NSP Tech is focusing more on a larger scale to assist medium to corporate businesses exceed their business goals, with Cloud Solutions and Security & Compliance which has always been its core strength. The new tag line “IT for Success” is truly what NSP Tech stands for in order to meet its client’s needs. The new website www.NSPTech.net will seek to increase its online presence and help to communicate with current as well as prospected clients. The website also highlights all that NSP Tech can provide to allow your business to grow and succeed.
NPS Tech serves as a revival of the popular IT Service consulting firm, Nerds Support, Inc. Nerds Support has helped many business owners improve the quality of the work performance and has initiated new systems, it has allowed them to work more efficiently and therefore have been very successful. NSP Tech is a Miami IT service company that was created to carry on the vision that Nerds Support, Inc. was founded on, and more.
“We are incredibly proud to announce the arrival of NSP Tech and its new tagline, IT for Success,” says Scott Richman, President of Nerds Support and Founder of NSP Tech. “Nerds Support has always been at the forefront of the industry for Miami Cloud Solution Providers and we are thrilled, and determined, to see where NSP Tech will take our innovation and our goals. Through our state-of-the-art infrastructure and technical expertise, we have become one of the leading IT Service Providers. Our proactive IT services delivers a competitive advantage.”
You can read more about the company by visiting www.NSPtech.net or you can schedule a consultation today by calling 305-551-2009.
NSP Tech Inc. was founded by Scott Richman, a Microsoft-certified system engineer who worked for a Fortune 500 company. Pursuing his dream of using enterprise technology to leverage small- and medium-sized businesses, Scott successfully led a team of vibrant technology experts at Nerds Support, Inc. to assist business owners throughout Miami, Florida. After an increase in growth, Scott has extended the services of Nerd Support Inc., to NSP Tech Inc. to cater to mid-size and corporate businesses. Backed by a state-of-the-art infrastructure, our team always has your best interests at heart.
NSP Tech’s mission is to provide world-class IT solutions that lets medium to corporate scale companies focus on their core business functions. Whether they need computer support, data recovery, managed IT support, cloud computing, companies can count on NSP Tech for concrete results.
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thecricketlibrary.com
We love reading cricket books
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Librarians around the world are often asked to weigh in on the debate around the correct way to categorise your books in a cricket library. Often there will be some heated discussions on this topic and we would like to take this opportunity to shed some light on the thinking behind the options available and allow you to make an informed decision depending on your personal circumstances.
Traditionally books are categorised according to the dewy decimal system which is a three digit number with three decimal places followed by the first three letters of the author’s surname. This is a proven method that works effectively in your traditional library and could be applied when creating a sorting system for a cricket specific library.
Modern thinking amongst cricket librarians has seen a move towards a less traditional, though highly popular method of sorting books and this is what has become known as The Batting Order Method. This puts all other systems aside and gives you the option as the librarian to select an order for the books in a similar fashion that a captain would select the batting order for their team.
It should be pointed out that this method is particularly catering to autobiographies and biographies about particular players. Generic cricket books will have a sorting method of their own as would fiction texts with a cricketing storyline.
In essence, The Batting Order Method allows you to categorise your books in such a way that you can easily locate titles written by cricketers in batting order without needing to concern yourselves with a dewy decimal number or an alphabetised code. This said, it is not uncommon to see cricket libraries using alphabetical ordering amongst the particular places within the batting order.
A real life example of this would be on the opening batsmen shelf, where books by or about Matthew Hayden are placed ahead of Bob Simpson, Michael Slater and Mark Taylor on alphabetical grounds.
It would be at the discretion of the librarian whether players such as David Boon and Justin Langer would slot into the openers section or pushed down to the shelves for the number three batsmen as they spent time batting in both positions. Another conundrum would be determining if the likes of Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh who opened the batting in ODI cricket would slot in on the top two shelves or be placed lower down the order according to where they batted in the longer formats. Again this is another area where you as the librarian have a lot of power and it must be used wisely.
For libraries with larger budgets, it is within the realms that you would stock more than one copy of such books so that they could be located in either section. Though in most cases, the head librarian will need to make a judgement call as to the best location of the book.
If using The Batting Order Method, you will only require twelve shelves, one for each place in the starting XI and another for players who were particularly good at, or make reference to their time carrying the drinks. Books by team managers, physiotherapists and coaches can also go on this shelf or have their own dedicated section elsewhere in the library.
This may not be the way to go for everyone, but at thecricketlibrary.com we strongly recommend you give The Batting Order Method some serious consideration when it comes to establishing your own cricket library.
Rachel Priest Special Guest on the Cricket Library Weekly
Conquering the Gabba – Five visiting players who made an impression
Cricket Library Weekly – Special Guest Trent Woodhill
Cricket Library Weekly – Farewell 2020
Cricket Library Weekly – Christmas Special
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Chipset: An integrated set of VLSI chips that perform all of the vital functions of a computer system, including the functions that once required separate chips. The types of devices replaced by the chipset includes:
EIDE controller
PCI bridge
RTC (real-time clock)
IrDA controller
PS/2 mouse controller
secondary cache controller
low-power CMOS SRAM
Note that some of the above are not integrated with every chipset.
Every bit of information that is stored in memory or is sent to any I/O device has passed through the chipset on its way to the CPU. You can think of the CPU as a terminus or node, while the chipset is the hub. The chipset is all about I/O and multiplexing and data transfer. Peripherals need the chipset to access other peripherals.
Have you ever heard of DMA? Have you ever wondered how data bypasses the CPU on its way to the appropriate device? The DMA controller inside the chipset does that. What keeps data pouring in from the hard disk to the CPU from colliding with data from other devices? The bus controllers (memory, PCI, ISA, EISA) inside the chipset do that.
The chipset runs the show. When new chipsets emerge, motherboard manufacturers redesign their boards to accommodate them. Presently, more chipsets are having greater functionality, even as costs are staying relatively constant.
The CPU can be changed. The memory can be upgraded. The hard disk can be swapped. But the motherboard has been designed around the capabilities of the chipset, and until you change the motherboard, your PC will function largely the same.
Here are some examples of what properties the chipset dictates.
Memory type: FPM, EDO, BEDO, SDRAM, parity-checking, ECC
Secondary cache: burst, pipeline burst, synchronous, asynchronous
CPU type: 486, P-24T, P5, P54C/P55C, Pentium Pro, Pentium II
Maximum memory bus speed: 33, 40, 50, 60, 66, 75, 83, 100 MHz
PCI bus synch: synchronous or asynchronous to memory bus speed
PCI bus type: 32-bit or 64-bit
SMP capability: single, dual, trio, or quad CPU support
Support for features like: AGP, IrDA, USB, PS/2 mouse
Support for built-in PCI EIDE controller and every possible EIDE feature you can imagine: DMA mode, PIO mode, ATA/33, etc.
Built-in PS/2 mouse, keyboard controller and BIOS, and real-time clock circuitry
As you can see, a lot of what makes a chipset nice is that it can replace the dozens of chips that used to pock-mark a motherboard and require detailed compatibility testing for the motherboard designers. With a single-chip or 2-chip solution, many chipsets can replace nearly every major controlling chip on the motherboard. This cuts the design and testing phase of a motherboard by perhaps 60% or more. It also, unfortunately, increases the time it takes to bring a new chipset to market, and reduces the options allowed. This problem is obviated with the way Intel has built chipsets for the Pentium. (And yes, I made that word up.) There are now (in practice) only two chipset choices for builders of laptop and desktop Pentium motherboards: the "Triton II," and the 430TX. The Triton I, the Triton III, and the 430MX have recently been superseded. With only two Intel chipset options (I discount the Triton III on purpose here), you shouldn't be surprised that there are a lot of similarities in motherboards based on these two designs. Intel is the leading manufacturer of chipsets for Pentium, Pentium Pro, and Pentium II motherboards.
This description of chipsets is not meant to be a definitive description of the underlying technologies associated with motherboards. However, a brief description of what is hot and what is not deserves some mention. Each definition comes complete with a link to some more detailed information where necessary.
What Is a Chipset?
AGPAccelerated Graphics Port – a 66 MHz (doubled to 133 MHz in practice) bus used in combination with the standard 32-bit 33MHz PCI bus for graphics adapters to receive data from main memory faster.
Northbridge – In the chipset community, this refers to the major bus controller circuitry, like the memory, cache, and PCI controllers. The north bridge may have more than one discrete chip. The entire chipset is named after the numbers on the primary or largest north bridge chip. e.g. "FW82439HX" designates the Intel 430HX PCIset.
Southbridge – In chipset lingo, this refers to the peripheral and non-essential controllers, like EIDE and serial port controllers. The south bridge usually has only one discrete chip, and has the benefit of being interchangeable on many different chipsets, for example the SiS 5513 and the Intel PIIX.
EDOBurst Enhanced Data-Out RAM – EDO, only a bit faster.
SDRAMSynchronous Dynamic RAM – memory that operates synchronously to the memory bus. SDRAM is normally rated at 8, 10, or 12 ns, while standard DRAM is rated at 60, 70, or 80 ns. In practice, SDRAM is packaged in the relatively new 3.3 volt 168-pin unbuffered DIMM modules. SDRAM is slowly replacing EDO and FPM.
DIMMDual In-Line Memory Module – usually refers to the 168-pin 64-bit/72-bit/80-bit modules found in many Socket 7 and Slot 1 motherboards. A 168-pin DIMM may be SDRAM, EDO, FPM, or BEDO RAM. As far as I know, DIMM's are always 3.3 V devices and cannot be mixed with 5 V SIMM's.
FPM Fast Page Mode – the type of RAM found on most 386, 486, and P5 motherboards. EDO is gradually replacing FPM. Most FPM RAM is rated at 60, 70, 80, or 100 ns, and is most often packaged in 5 V 30-pin or 72-pin SIMM's.
ECC Error-Correcting Code – a designation for memory or buses that perform constant checking of data integrity. Memory buses may use ECC to automatically correct single-bit errors in real-time and detect two-bit errors. Note that a 2-bit error will usually hang the system. For main memory, your chipset or your memory must support ECC before you gain the benefits of it. ECC memory is very expensive and is normally found only on high-end servers. (Some people have tried to correct this assumption, however it is still accurate.)
Slot 1 – Intel's patented (proprietary) motherboard connector for the Pentium II's Single Edge Connector (SEC) module. The Pentium II CPU and heatsink fit into the Slot 1 using rails mounted on plastic inserts. Slot 1 to Socket 8 adapters are made to allow for Pentium Pro processors to fit into a Slot 1.
Socket 8 – Intel's patented (proprietary) motherboard connector for the Pentium Pro CPU. The Socket 8 is a zero-insertion force (ZIF) design that makes CPU installation quick and easy, unlike the Slot 1 design which requires a manual and a half-dozen pieces of plastic.
Socket 7 – The de facto industry-standard design originated by Intel that can be used for any P54C or P55C processor, including the AMD K5 and K6, the Intel Pentium and Pentium MMX, the IDT C6, and the Cyrix/IBM 6x86, 6x86L, and 6x86MX processors. The Socket 7 is a ZIF design like the Socket 8, and it supersedes the older Socket 5/6's that earlier P54C (single-voltage) processors used.
Socket 4 – The P5's ZIF socket, used only for the 5 volt Pentium. Sockets prior to the Socket 4 were less well-defined and were used on 486-style motherboards.
SMP Symmetric Multi-Processing – a method that allows more than one microprocessor to share the load of CPU requests. The Intel Pentium Pro natively supports four CPU's. The Intel Pentium and Pentium II support only two CPU's. With the aid of specialized circuitry, systems can be built with many more than just four CPU's, although this sometimes requires an asymmetric (front-end, back-end) system.
The Intel Multi-Processor Standard (MPS) is the specification used by chipset makers and software developers for SMP systems. Intel's MPS allows the owner of an Intel SMP system to buy an off-the-shelf software product such as Linux, Microsoft NT, SCO MPX, FreeBSD, Sun Solaris, Novell NetWare, or IBM OS/2 by simply installing the software's multi-processing HAL for Intel microprocessors.
USBUniversal Serial Bus – to (mis)use a familiar acronym, USB is a "peripheral connection interface" for external devices. To describe it is also to imply that it is known in the industry as "vaporware." There just aren't many devices that use USB for it to be a serious technology yet. Its speed is a staggering 24 MHz (12 Mb/sec), making a run for the i-link, IEEE-1394 (Apple's FireWire) market. USB is supposed to be what you'll connect joysticks, keyboards, modems, scanners, mice, and anything else you use today that needs a slow SCSI or RS-232 interface. Sure, RS-232 was the hot product of the 1980's, but hey - it still works fine for my modem. With as slow as it is adopting USB, many people believe that the IEEE-1394 spec will blow the doors off USB (USB maxes out at a puny 12 Mbps compared to 400 Mbps for i-link), leaving USB to a fate somehow reminiscent of the 80487. Others see USB used for low-to-medium bandwidth products, supplementing the high-end i-link products that may soon run at speeds up to 1 Gbps.
BIOSBasic Input/Output System – the software stored in ROM that is executed first during a system's boot. The BIOS performs a power-on-self-test (POST) which verifies vital component functions like memory, CPU, cache, DMA, keyboard, A20 address gate, video, floppy, and hard disks. This software may be stored on a EEPROM so that the user may "flash" or write to the ROM. Not to be confused with CMOS. A system's BIOS was what actually introduced me to the idea of reverse-engineering. Now, the famous Compaq BIOS that won court approval paved the way for Compaq to be the first manufacturer of a 386 computer, beating IBM in their own game. Back then, clones were declared illegal if you merely copied the IBM BIOS and didn't pay a licensing fee. Compaq had to find a bunch of virgin BIOS-code writers who had never seen IBM's PC BIOS. The virgin engineers received carefully-worded instructions from "dirty" engineers who had seen the BIOS code. All of this was scrutinized as part of a landmark court decision regarding cloning, reverse-engineering, and NDA's.
This revolution opened up the third-party unlicensed BIOS-writing industry as Phoenix, AMI, and others began selling and licensing BIOS code to clone PC builders around the world. The story of the BIOS is what defined the IBM clone industry of the 1980's and 90's.
CMOSComplementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor – yes, even I'm impressed that I know what it stands for. Although there are quite a few ways to describe CMOS (you can always get into a TTL/CMOS logic debate or a discussion on the properties of doped silicon), the CMOS on a motherboard is not the generic, all-encompassing term you may be familiar with. Rather, CMOS is merely the small 64-byte memory circuit that holds vital configuration data used by the BIOS every time the system is booted. The CMOS is what the Setup program writes to whenever you update your hard disk or memory settings. The motherboard's CMOS is sometimes in two parts – one for the password, the other for the setup info. Many motherboards allow you to clear setup CMOS and/or password CMOS separately if you wish. Since the CMOS circuit must have constant power to it to keep its contents stored, you can clear it by moving the jumper provided for this function. Most motherboards have a mercury or alkaline battery to maintain the RTC and the CMOS circuits supplied with power. Note that CMOS actually refers to the process employed to manufacture the circuit, and it is more properly called NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) to distinguish it from other CMOS circuits.
ROM read-only memory – On a motherboard, this stores the BIOS code, and is most often a 64 KB or 128 KB EEPROM. Types include EPROM (erasable, programmable ROM), which uses UV light to erase and a ROM burner to program, and EEPROM (electrically erasable, programmable ROM), known as Flash ROM, which can be written and erased while in-circuit. The ROM is usually socketed with 28 pins and has a reflective sticker on it to cover the EPROM's window. Shining UV light through this window will erase the EPROM's memory so it can be reprogrammed.
RTC Real-Time Clock – This device is not only self-explanatory, it's the most predictable of components on the motherboard. It receives power from a small battery on the motherboard.
PnP Plug ‘n Play – the specification that allows devices to be automatically detected and configured by the system software, both the BIOS and the OS. Microsoft Windows 95 is the only major OS with native PnP capabilities.
ACPIAdvanced Configuration and Power Interface – a power management API that goes beyond what APM's suspend and doze modes would do. It was introduced by the Intel 430TX chipset as part of its PC97 compliance.
PCI Rev. 2.1 Concurrent PCI – the PCI specification used in all current Intel chipsets, including the 430VX, 430HX, 430TX, and 440FX.
COASTCache-on-a-stick – cache module in a DIMM package found on Socket 7 motherboards. There are at least two different versions of COAST, each related to the chipset of the motherboard. COAST seems to be a short-lived technology with its niche in 1996. Caches made prior to or after this time mainly use good old-fashioned SRAM soldered to the motherboard.
PC97 – This was an initiative planned and agreed upon by Intel (for the chipsets), Microsoft (for the operating system), and Toshiba (for the mobile PC industry) to improve power management, increase conformity for the notebook computer, and to specify the technologies that computer manufacturers should comply with for maximum compatibility. This initiative includes ACPI, Ultra DMA, Concurrent PCI, and SDRAM. See also PC98.
For other words not covered here, I will refer you to ZD's Acromania index or the PC Webopædia.
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Viewing: Opening
courtesy: www.vermontglassguild.com/events
Tuesday May 16, 2017 | by Lindsay Hargrave
OPENING: Vermont Glass Guild members unveil new work in second annual exhibition
FILED UNDER: Announcements, Exhibition, Image Gallery, New Work, Opening
Dan Clayman, Mapping 16,000 Parts, 2017. Burned paper. collection: the artist
Tuesday May 9, 2017 | by Andrew Page
OPENING: Dan Clayman takes his glass panel assemblages to new heights in sculpture park exhibit
FILED UNDER: Announcements, Architecture, Artist Interviews, New Work, News, Opening, Public Art
With a rainy VIP opening on Friday, May 5th, and the sun breaking through for a Saturday "Meet the Artist" afternoon event on May 6th, Dan Clayman unveiled Radiant Landscape, a monumental new project installed at the Grounds for Sculpture's Museum Building in Hamilton, New Jersey. This large-scale work that rises two stories is made up of thousands of 22-by-32-inch glass sheets rigged together in an intricate but elegant engineering solution which presents three fields of glass suspended vertically, at a steep pitch, and horizontally. The individual components are in shades of sunset gold, clear, and oceanic blue glass. The gold and clear are adjacent to one another and interact as they diffuse light that filters into the building's large windows, altering its hue and connecting to the landscape outside, and revealing several of Clayman's mapped-boulder sculptures (named for the geolocation where the natural boulder was found). The blue color field is suspended horizontally, and, bathed in its aquatic hues, one cannot escape the feeling of being under the surface of a large body of water.
Sibylle Peretti, Pearl River, 2017.
Tuesday April 25, 2017 | by Hailey Clark
OPENING: Sibylle Peretti plumbs intricate relationships in nature with new body of work
FILED UNDER: Announcements, Artist Interviews, Exhibition, New Work, Opening
Sibylle Peretti a German-born artist who renders nature-inspired dreamscape will unveil a new body of work at her upcoming exhibition entitled "It Was Such a Beautiful Promise," where she explores a world of complex relationships and issues of survival. Exhibiting at Callan Contemporary in New Orleans from May 4 to June 25, 2017, Peretti’s glass panels are a continuation of her previous work, The Land Behind, where she explored the effects imagination has on creating space. Compared to her earlier work, which exhibits similar themes, the glass artist evolves her use of external symbols, (i.e., bees, vegetation, and crystals) to a different found object: pearls.
Bob Snodgrass, Skull Pipe, 2016. 6 in. courtesy: apexart.
Tuesday April 4, 2017 | by Awura Barnie-Duah
OPENING: Gaining acceptance, glass pipes being shown at larger art venues
FILED UNDER: Announcements, Exhibition, Museums, Opening
Apexart, a downtown Manhattan non-profit arts venue for independent curators and emerging and established artists, is currently showing an exhibition of glass pipes unabashedly celebrated by the show's organizer David Bienenstock, who is the former head of content at High Times magazine and a self-described "cannabis consultant." Despite the growing support for the decriminalization of marijuana (the most recent Gallup poll on the subject found 60-percent of Americans support legalization), Bienenstock has titled the exhibition "Outlaw Glass," and it gathers a wide range of work by a new generation of artists following in the footsteps of pioneering flameworker Bob Snodgrass, whose legacy the exhibition is designed to honor. Not just a showcase of the best work by contemporary glass, the exhibition also delves into the "authentic underground cannabis culture," examining the sometimes shadowy aspects of pipemaking, which has endured targeted law enforcement crackdowns as recently as in 2003's Operation Pipedreams. Bienenstock notes that the fine art world's embrace of pipemaking may be "following the trajectory of graffiti culture, which started literally in the streets amid serious and sustained official repression, only to break through into galleries and then put its stamp on both high art and popular culture."
Monir Farmanfarmaian, Third Family - Heptagon (Detail), 2011. Mirror, reverse-glass painting, and acrylic. photo: robert divers herrick. courtesy: the artist and haines gallery
Thursday March 16, 2017 | by Awura Barnie-Duah
OPENING: Iranian contemporary artist’s richly mirrored work featured at Chrysler Museum of Art
Kandinsky and Mondrian are two Western painters credited with pioneering the form of geometric abstraction. But artwork that focuses on patterns of color and shape rather than figuration goes back to ancient art forms, especially in Islamic Art, where depiction of religious figures has been carefully avoided in respect for the faith's ban on idolatry. The mirror sculptures of Monir Farmanfarmaian, an Iranian artist, bring together influences of Western avant-garde painting and centuries-old Islamic art in works of refraction and geometric abstraction. An opening reception this evening at The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia, will kick off an exhibition of Farmanfarmaian's work that will continue through July 30, 2017.
Marita Dingus, Cage Glass Girl, 2016. Mixed media. H 28 1/2, W 9, D 4 in. courtesy: traver gallery, seattle
Wednesday March 1, 2017 | by Gabi Gimson
OPENING: Marita Dingus seeks solace from political upheaval in mixed-media works at Traver
FILED UNDER: Announcements, Exhibition, New Work, Opening
Mixed-media artist, Marita Dingus, will exhibit her most recent body of work at Seattle’s Traver Gallery beginning March 2. "The Gathering" will feature figurative sculptures made from discarded materials—an aesthetic for which Dingus has come to be known, but this exhibition will also include some of her largest-scale work to date. Dingus takes inspiration from African tribal art, particularly the bristly Nkondi sculptures of the Kongo people. Nkondi sculptures are anthropomorphic figures traditionally used to summon spirits for the purpose of correcting and healing social strife.
Kazuki Takizawa, The Minimalist, 2015-2017. Blown glass sculpture. courtesy: the artist
Thursday February 23, 2017 | by Hailey Clark
OPENING: Kazuki Takizawa takes on weighty topic in upcoming solo exhibition at major craft gallery
Black Iris Vase, 1909. Porcelaneous earthenware. collection: newark museum
Wednesday February 15, 2017 | by Hailey Clark
OPENING: The Newark Museum explores art boundaries with upcoming exhibit
FILED UNDER: Exhibition, Museums, Opening
On February 22, 2017, the Newark Museum will open a provocative exhibition titled "When Objects Became Art," which presents early twentieth-century glass and ceramic works from its private collection to foster a new understanding of the dividing line between decorative and fine art.
Imagine Museum benefactor Trish Duggan, and museum executive director Nate Jessup, at hard-hat tour. courtesy: imagine museum.
Tuesday February 14, 2017 | by Gabi Gimson
A brand-new glass museum set for grand opening in St. Petersburg, Florida, by end of 2017
FILED UNDER: Announcements, Exhibition, Museums, News, Opening
St. Petersburg, Florida, may seem an unlikely hub for glass art, but the city that holds the world's record for the most consecutive days of sunshine is also soon to be home to a new museum devoted entirely to the material as a medium of sculpture. The brand-new Imagine Museum is currently being installed in a repurposed building just nine blocks away from the Morean Arts Center, which boasts a now-permanent collection of Dale Chihuly’s work. The Imagine Museum expects to have a grand opening before the end of 2017, but it is already hosting events even as it undergoes a major renovation of its building, which has in previous incarnations been a bank, nightclub, and, most recently, a charter school. The museum is in the process of installing signage and building out its museum store. The first floor is on schedule to be complete by the end of February, where it will host occasional activities and events before the museum officially opens.
Carol Prusa, Spooky Action. Glass. courtesy: boca raton museum
Wednesday February 1, 2017 | by Awura Barnie-Duah
OPENING: Berengo’s Glasstress project comes to Boca Raton, Florida
FILED UNDER: Exhibition, Museums, New Work, News, Opening
Adriano Berengo is back with another Glasstress exhibition, this time in partnership with an art museum in Boca Raton, Florida. Known for bringing artists who don't usually utilize glass as a medium together with his team of glass maestros in Murano, Berengo has built Glasstress into an art-world brand since it debuted as a collateral exhibition at the 2009 Venice Bienalle. In addition to his Glasstress exhibits at the international exhibition, Berengo has also been developing "Glasstress World" in which Berengo Project artists display their work in partnership with major museums around the globe.
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_newworld —
Kagome ( _newworld) wrote,
Kagome
_newworld
(Re-)Christening - Reita/Aoi/Miyavi - Part Two
Title: (Re-)Christening (Part Two)
Author: Kagome
Warnings: Smut, mild BDSM (involving the use of handcuffs), biting, dirty talk, mild bloodplay, blowjob, some sap.
Pairing: Reita (The GazettE)/Aoi (The GazettE)/Miyavi (solo, S.K.I.N.)
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies.
Summary: “Because I’ve been thinking that we should re-christen the house, since we’ve moved in. Every single room. Sound good to you, Aoi-chan?” Of course it sounds good to Aoi.
Comments: This is for coiled_iris, again. ^.^ She wanted more of my dominant!Reita and uhm… more of my needy Aoi, too, I believe. So, yeah. Here you go, bebe. Hope you enjoy it, and I hope the rest of you wonderful readers enjoy it too! I’ve missed writing these three together. Again, this is in two parts because LJ is evil. >_>; Part One can be found here.
The blonde used the pressure of knife to bring Aoi’s face closer to his own and then he kissed him, just barely touching his tongue to the brunette’s before pulling away, the cool touch of the knife leaving with the warmth of his lips. Aoi wanted to ask for more, but he refrained from doing so. The focus at the moment was removing Miyavi’s shirt, after all.
“How much do you like this shirt, Miyavi?” Reita asked as he lightly trailed the tip of the knife down Miyavi’s chest, stopping at the top of his jeans, where they rode low on his hips. “This knife is sharp enough to very easily cut through it—I’ve made sure of that. It’ll slice through fabric – and skin – like slicing through butter. Easy as pie.”
Both Miyavi and Aoi shivered in unison, and then Miyavi bit his bottom lip, staying silent for a few seconds. Finally, he said: “It’s not my favorite shirt by any means, and it can be replaced.”
”Good.” Reita grabbed a fistful of Miyavi’s shirt and pressed the edge of the knife against the neckline, not yet slicing the shirt, but Aoi gathered from the looks of things that Miyavi’s shirt would soon be history.
“Wait Rei,” Miyavi whispered, and Reita paused, looking down at him questioningly. Miyavi continued, voice breathy, “Wouldn’t it be easier to just uncuff me? I mean--”
Reita didn’t let him finish. “Please do me a favor and make him shut up for a minute, Aoi-chan,” he said. “I’d do it myself, but I am otherwise occupied. He’s just whining because he doesn’t want to be the one restrained right now.”
Aoi leaned over Miyavi from the side, trying not to crowd Reita so that the bassist could still see what he was doing. He gently touched Miyavi’s face, and the younger man’s gaze averted from the knife that Reita was holding, settling on Aoi instead.
Aoi knew that Miyavi wasn’t afraid of the knife, or of what Reita could do with it. They had played games like this before, after all, and they had all enjoyed it. The look in Miyavi’s eyes was not one of fear, but excitement. His bottom lip was wet with saliva and a little swollen from having bitten it, and, feeling somewhat mesmerized, Aoi closed the distance between their lips. Well, Reita had said to make Miyavi shut up, hadn’t he? What better way to silence a lover than with a kiss?
Their kiss in the kitchen had started off as something fierce and demanding, but had gradually gentled. This kiss was the exact opposite: it was nothing but sweet and tender and gentle to begin with, Aoi’s tongue lapping lightly at Miyavi’s lips, patiently requesting to be allowed inside. When Miyavi’s lips parted for him, Aoi nearly smiled in triumph and explored the other man’s mouth fully. However, the leisurely pace of the kiss soon changed and became something more insistent as Miyavi bit at Aoi’s lips, and Aoi didn’t hesitate to bite back. Miyavi tugged at the cuffs again to no avail, the chain rattling dully against the wood, and Aoi kissed him harder, drawing his tongue into his mouth and sucking none-too-softly.
There was a soft hissing sound then, and curiosity bid Aoi to look, but he ignored it. It was far more important to keep kissing Miyavi like this; it seemed almost vital to hear those little growling noises that he made in the back of his throat as Aoi continued to kiss him. Anyway, the brunette had a pretty good idea that the sound was that of the blade parting the fabric of Miyavi’s shirt (as though the shirt were butter, as Reita had said). To satisfy his desire to know for certain, Aoi slid one hand down, fingers gliding over the delightfully bare skin of Miyavi’s chest.
Abruptly, Miyavi cried out against Aoi’s lips, sounding surprised, and the kiss was broken. Aoi looked at Reita, wondering what had caused Miyavi to react the way he had. Reita merely smiled at him and glanced down, and that was when Aoi saw it: a shallow vertical cut on Miyavi’s abdomen, about two inches in length, which ended just above his navel.
“Sneaky little fucker,” Miyavi said, though there was no bite to his words at all. He trembled visibly, and Aoi knew that the tightness of his jeans had to be beyond uncomfortable at this point.
“Like you’re complaining,” Reita snorted, grinning. “I felt your cock twitch when I did it, you dirty little boy, and both Aoi and I previously learned that you enjoy this.” He leaned heavily onto Miyavi’s lower body, his tongue swiping at the cut, gathering the blood there. Miyavi’s answering groan certainly couldn’t have been mistaken for one of annoyance—it was one of pure lust.
Before Aoi had even realized he had moved, he was beside Reita, his eyes focused on the cut that Reita had made. “I want to….” He trailed off before he could finish his sentence, feeling their eyes on him, and he felt his face grow warm with a rush of heat.
“You’ve done it before,” Reita said, and his voice was soft and gentle. “Have another taste of him, Aoi-chan. Of his vulnerability. Taste him. He wants you to. Don’t you, Miya.”
“Yes,” Miyavi answered without hesitation. “It’s okay, Aoi. I do like it.” He lifted his hips a little, as though in invitation, and when Aoi looked up, needing to see his face, he found no uncertainty in the other guitarist’s eyes. “You know you want to. You know I want you to. You know Rei wants to watch you do it.” And fuck, if Miyavi talking like that wasn’t a seduction all its own.
Aoi needed no further convincing. Lowering his head further, he let his tongue trail along the cut, much like Reita had. His lips closed around Miyavi’s skin and he sucked gently, feeling the muscles of Miyavi’s abdomen tighten as he did so. The coppery-tasting carmine fluid danced along his tastebuds, and Aoi soon drew back, not wanting to somehow open the wound further.
“Kinky, aren’t you?” Reita purred close to his ear, and Aoi felt himself blush even more at the same moment he heard Miyavi chuckle softly.
“You know he is,” Miyavi said once he’d stopped chuckling. It seemed, however, that he couldn’t quite keep himself from grinning as he said it.
“It’s your fault~,” Aoi replied, placing the blame on both of his lovers. “I was so innocent before I was with the two of you.”
“Not entirely our fault.” Reita’s fingers tangled in the brunette’s hair and tugged, not enough to truly hurt, but definitely enough to get Aoi’s attention. Reita then brushed his lips against the shell of his ear. “Besides, if I recall correctly, you were the one jerking yourself off while Miya fucked me.”
“And,” Miyavi added, as though tacking his words onto the end of Reita’s sentence, “you don’t know the meaning of the word innocent, baby.” In Aoi’s opinion, he sounded entirely too smug, especially considering the fact that he was the one currently restrained. Aoi believed that he and Reita should do something about that.
“Reita,” Aoi began, a shuddering moan escaping him as Reita pulled on his hair a bit harder, “don’t you think Miyavi is still a bit overdressed? I can do something about that, if you let me. I….” He trailed off, momentarily forgetting what he was supposed to be saying as the bassist’s teeth worried at his earlobe. “… I want to taste him, Rei. His cock. Can I?”
Well, that certainly seemed to knock Miyavi’s smugness down a couple of notches. He eyed Aoi hungrily, squirming slightly beneath the older man’s hands (which were currently resting on Miyavi’s sides), and then averted his gaze to look at Reita almost pleadingly. “Oh, yes, Rei. I want his lips around me.”
The fingers in Aoi’s hair relaxed and then released their hold. Reita nipped at Aoi’s shoulder before saying, “Uh-uh, Miya. You’re all tied up, right? And you were such a bad boy earlier, not letting Aoi do what I told him to do. You don’t get to call the shots. So if you want something, you’re going to have to ask.” And oh, how deliciously seductive his voice sounded when he made it dip low like that.
Miyavi’s pleading look turned into a long-suffering one and he frowned. “Ask? Can’t I just be suggestive?” He spread his legs a little, and Aoi caught himself staring. In his own opinion, it wasn’t necessary for Miyavi to ask, but… Well, it did sound incredibly hot when he begged.
No, it wasn’t necessary for Miyavi to ask, but Aoi wanted to hear him. He answered the younger guitarist’s question before Reita could: “Yes, Miya, you do have to ask.” His fingers trailed idly down Miyavi’s body, nails raking lightly over skin, and he nearly purred in satisfaction when he saw goosebumps erupt on Miyavi’s flesh. “I want to hear you ask for what you want me to do to you. After all, you enjoy hearing what Rei and I want—it certainly isn’t fair for you to not do the same, is it?”
“It’s very simple,” Reita said, his own hands beginning to explore again. The fingers of one hand closed around Miyavi’s length and tugged roughly, and Miyavi released a sound that was akin to a wail as he tried to lift his hips, but Reita’s other hand held him down and kept him from doing so.
“Oh, fuck,” Miyavi groaned, his breath leaving him in ragged, irregular exhalations as Reita squeezed and stroked him through his jeans. “I want you to—Reita, I want to feel—want to be naked… Not enough. Aoi’s mouth. Your mouth.” His words were garbled but Aoi understood them, and he knew that it wouldn’t take much to make Miyavi beg now, considering that the soloist’s eyes and tone of voice were already screaming ‘please’. Aoi knew it, and he knew that Reita knew it, too.
“But you aren’t being nice and asking,” Reita stated, not even missing a beat as Miyavi released a loud moan and began struggling against his bonds again, even though they all knew that it was of no use. Aoi knew from experience, however, that sometimes, trying to break free from handcuffs (or anything else that restricted movement of the hands, such as Reita’s nose strap had) was not necessarily a voluntary action. Sometimes, it was more of a… reflex, really—the need to touch overriding everything else, including deliberate movements and thoughts. Wanting - needing - to touch and being denied the ability to do so could be exceptionally cruel, but Aoi also knew that being bound and at another person’s mercy could be a freedom in and of itself. Quite a paradox.
Miyavi finally stopped tugging at the cuffs and settled down, gazing up at Reita and Aoi in a mix of helplessness and need. There were other things Aoi saw in that look as well, but those two emotions stood out the most. He did not note any of his earlier smugness, though—that had clearly been eradicated for the time being, at least.
“Please, Reita.” Miyavi’s voice was barely more than a whisper when he spoke, but when he begged, Aoi knew that he meant it. “Please.”
Reita stopped stroking Miyavi’s erection and gently patted his thigh. “Oh, but you’re begging the wrong person right now, Miya. You had better be making that request to our Aoi.”
Miyavi’s fixed his eyes fully on Aoi. “Please, Aoi. Please. Need you. Want you.”
Hearing Miyavi plead like that was one of the most beautiful things Aoi had ever heard, and the desperation in the younger man’s voice seemed almost tangible, insomuch that Aoi almost reached for his pants right then and there, but he stopped himself from doing so. Miyavi hadn’t finished asking properly, after all, and Aoi was determined (though he had to admit that his determination was wavering badly in the face of such desire) to hear Miyavi tell him exactly what it was that he wanted. Nevermind that both he and Reita already knew.
Aoi breathed in deeply through his nose in an attempt to steady himself and not undo Miyavi’s pants just yet, his fingers practically itching with the desire to do just that. “You have to finish, Miya. You have to tell me what it is that you’re asking for.”
“Oh, that’s very good, Aoi,” Reita complimented, his fingers softly caressing the dip in Aoi’s spine, which caused the brunette to press back against Reita’s fingers without even thinking about it, silently asking for more touches, hoping that those fingers would move lower. But as soon as he pressed back, Reita stopped touching him and chuckled—that same low, throaty chuckle. “Soon, Aoi-chan. I believe Miyavi has something to ask you first, though, don’t you, Miya?”
Miyavi nodded mutely and then swallowed audibly, hesitating for a fraction of a second before saying, “Please suck my cock, Aoi.”
“Bingo.” With slightly-trembling hands, Aoi reached for Miyavi’s jeans and made quick work of the button and the zipper, too eager now to do what Miyavi had asked to be concerned in the least with taking his time. He shoved pants and boxers down together, and then Reita tugged them the rest of the way off. Aoi silently thanked the blonde for his help, and then allowed his gaze to settle on Miyavi’s now-freed length. It was a deep shade of red and seemed almost painfully erect. It couldn’t have been pleasant for the younger man to have his hard cock trapped in his jeans. Aoi understood that, too—having one’s erection confined in cotton and denim was not the most comfortable experience in the world.
Aoi would reward him for his trouble soon enough.
The brunette leaned over Miyavi once more, pausing with his lips mere inches away from Miyavi’s erection and hovering there for a few seconds, inhaling the scent of his arousal and watching the pre-cum glisten at the tip and then slide slowly downwards until Aoi feels almost dizzy and disoriented by the force of his want to please the man beneath him.
He caught the pre-cum on his tongue before it could slide further down Miyavi’s length, tasted it, and moaned low in his throat. The taste could only be described as Miyavi, and Aoi wanted more of it, that taste that seemed to slide along his tastebuds teasingly, igniting new sparks of heat elsewhere, only to retreat rapidly and slide down his throat, leaving him with just a hint of an aftertaste. He wanted more of that.
Aoi dipped his head further down, tongue tracing the vein along the underside of Miyavi’s cock before he reached the tip again, lapping greedily at the slit, head reeling when Miyavi said his name like that and begged for more.
Aoi gave him what he begged for, parting his lips further and taking Miyavi in halfway, swiping and swirling his tongue over and around the flesh inside his mouth, humming softly. He relaxed his throat and lowered his head further, not stopping until his lips hand reached the very base of Miyavi’s length. He remained there for a moment, humming softly before coming back up, hearing Miyavi hiss as he purposely dragged his lipring along sensitive skin.
Then Aoi was bobbing his head up and down slowly, taking more of Miyavi’s cock into his mouth on each downstroke, sucking so hard that his cheeks hollowed. Each time he moved, Miyavi made one of those low, groaning noises, which made Aoi’s balls practically fucking ache. To make matters worse (or better, depending on how one looked at it), Reita’s hands were on him again, fingers drawing invisible, nonsensical patterns on his back. His touch was feather-light, not enough, and Aoi wanted to ask for more but he didn’t want to stop sucking Miyavi’s cock in order to do so.
Aoi was just about to draw back far enough so that he could suck on just the head, but before he could, he found Reita’s hand in his hair again. Reita twisted his wrist sharply and pulled so hard that there was more pain that pleasure, and Aoi couldn’t help but cry out in a mix of pain and protest – and even a little pleasure – as Reita jerked him away, Miyavi’s cock sliding out of his mouth with a wet pop.
Miyavi protested as well, lifting his hips as if he were trying to follow Aoi’s mouth, though Aoi was now out of his reach. “Reita! Reita, why? Let him… fuck, Reita, please let him keep going!”
Aoi’s hair was then released, and he barely refrained from rubbing at his now-aching scalp. Reita did not answer Miyavi, but he smiled at Aoi, flashing teeth, and the brunette believed that that particular look was rather feral. He had the feeling that it wasn’t meant to be frightening, but if it was, frightened was the exact opposite of how he felt right now. Hell, he’d had the point of a knife under his chin just moments ago, and that had been exciting. He supposed that that’s what happened when one trusted one’s lovers so completely—things that might usually be considered frightening became another tool to heighten arousal and pleasure.
“Sorry to so rudely interrupt,” Reita told Aoi, though it didn’t sound like he meant it, “but you were being awfully greedy just now, don’t you think?”
Aoi merely blinked at the blonde confusedly. How had he been greedy? What had he done?
“Keeping his taste all to yourself,” Reita clarified. “You probably would have sucked him off if I hadn’t stopped you, huh?”
Aoi didn’t attempt to deny it, because truth be told, if Reita hadn’t pulled him away, he probably would have done just that—he probably would have given Miyavi a proper blowjob, and more than likely would have even milked him dry. Nope—no sense in even remotely attempting to deny it. Instead, he went for truth: “Probably,” he mumbled, averting his gaze. “But I could have kissed you after. You could have tasted him on my tongue.”
“Mmm. You know how much I enjoy that, but the thing is, Aoi-chan, I don’t want him to come just yet. That will be saved for later as well. And for the time being…” He trailed off, pressing a kiss to Aoi’s temple before leaning over Miyavi as Aoi had leaned over him. “… It’s my turn.”
Reita was so close to Miyavi’s cock that Aoi knew he had to feel the bassit’s warm breath tickling his skin. Miyavi whimpered, hands jerking and twisting in the cuffs as he stared down at Reita. “Do I have to beg you, too?”
“No,” Reita replied, even though Aoi knew that at this point, Miyavi wouldn’t have hesitated to beg anyway. “I am doing this because I want to, and not because it’s what you want.” It was a half-lie—all of them knew it (Reita would do anything and everything for Miyavi, after all), but neither Aoi nor Miyavi attempted to point out the obvious.
Unlike Aoi, Reita did not tease Miyavi by using his tongue and then taking him in slowly. Instead, he took all of his length in one go and held Miyavi’s hips down as the soloist tried to buck up into his mouth and throat. He drew back, concentrating his efforts on stimulating the head of Miyavi’s cock, and from the look (and sound) of things, his tactic was working.
“Ohhhh, god… Rei… more.” Miyavi tried to lift his hips again, but Reita continued to hold him down; Aoi could see that he was digging his fingers into Miyavi’s skin, and he knew that it had to hurt at least a little, but Miyavi was seemingly paying it no mind whatsoever because the look on his face didn’t hold a trace of pain. But then again, Reita was very talented at blending pleasure and pain in such a way that pleasure was somehow all that could be felt.
Reita began a rhythm, albeit a slow one, sucking and bobbing his head, still refusing to allow Miyavi’s hips the freedom of movement. However, the rest of Miyavi’s body didn’t keep still—visible tremors ran through him, his legs moved as though they were restless, his toes curled and then straightened, and his arms jerked again and again, fighting against his restraints.
As Aoi watched them, he noticed his breathing growing even heavier, and he didn’t even bother resisting the urge to touch and to brush his lips against bare skin. His hands reached for Miyavi first, touch gentle and soothing, lips and tongue working at the cut again, making it bleed afresh. He pulled away the moment that he tasted blood, thick and metallic on his tongue. Miyavi said his name, and then Reita’s name, and Aoi pressed a kiss to a patch of skin right below the younger man’s bellybutton before he moved on to Reita.
Aoi’s fingers ran through blonde hair—not pulling, just touching, wanting to feel the softness of it between his fingers. He nipped lightly at Reita’s neck, and Reita released a moan, though it was muffled. It was like a chain reaction: The vibrations of the bassist’s moan affected Miyavi, causing him to moan as well, and Aoi’s breath caught at their sounds, every single part of his body feeling like it was on fire.
“Rei,” Aoi murmured, the fingers of one hand playing over his back whilst the fingers of his other hand caressed Miyavi’s inner thigh, “can we have more now?” He was asking, even though he wasn’t the one tied up. He was asking, even though Reita hadn’t told him that he had to ask. He was asking because Reita was currently in the middle of something else. He was asking because Reita was obviously the one in charge right now.
A few more hard sucks (enough to make Miyavi emit a keening whine), and then Reita drew back, pressing a kiss to the tip of Miyavi’s length before looking at Aoi, a small smile playing on his lips. “You really are impatient, aren’t you?”
“I am right now,” Aoi replied truthfully as he rested one hand against Reita’s belly. “I want more. Something. Anything. Just… touch me, or fuck me or—”
“I still want to suck you off,” Miyavi interjected, and Aoi’s turned his attention to the other guitarist once more, head spinning at the words he’d just heard. He had been imagining the same thing in the kitchen—Miyavi’s lips wrapped around his cock while he thrust his hips as hard as he pleased. The mental images – combined with Miyavi’s words and memories of the numerous times when Miyavi had given him blowjobs before – made Aoi purr delightfully.
“I would really love that,” the brunette replied before licking his lips and looking questioningly at Reita. “Does that sound good to you? Would you like to see that?”
Reita placed a finger beneath his chin and tapped softly, making a small ‘hmmm’ sound, as though he were actually considering what Aoi had asked. When he answered, however, he wasn’t speaking to Aoi, but Miyavi. Also, he answered with a question of his own: “In the kitchen, you had the idea that you would give Aoi-chan a blowjob while I fucked him, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” Miyavi answered, almost moaning the word. “I did say that. Will that happen, Rei? Please say it will now. I want to help you make him come. Please let me.”
Again, Reita avoided a real answer in favor of a question: “How badly do you want his cock in your mouth, Miya-chan? How badly do you want to feel his cum run down your throat?” His fingers brushed over the nest of curls that surrounded Aoi’s length, and that brief touch made Aoi whimper.
“Badly enough, Rei, trust me.” Miyavi’s voice was shaking now, and he was watching Reita and Aoi intently, no doubt noting every single move that they made. “Please don’t deny me. Us. He wants it too. I can taste him already, at the back of my tongue.” He was pleading with his eyes and with his voice—willing and shameless supplication. He wasn’t even asking for either of them to satisfy his own need for release.
“I appreciate that you are so ready to please Aoi and myself, Miya,” Reita began (and he did sound appreciative), “but considering your current position, I think that you sucking him off will be possible, but me fucking him at the same time? I just don’t think that’ll work. Don’t delude yourself into thinking that I might uncuff you for this, either, because it’s not going to happen, I assure you.”
Miyavi sighed in what Aoi assumed to be exasperation, though it morphed into a high-pitched, needy sound at the end. “Reita.”
“You can fuck him, Rei,” Aoi suggested, torn between frustration and need. “You can fuck Miya while I… occupy his mouth.”
Reita tilted his head to one side and Aoi caught a glimpse of that smirk again before it was gone. “That’s a very good idea, Aoi. What do you think, Miyavi?” He was asking Miyavi a question that Aoi already knew the answer to—a question that Reita knew the answer to as well. Fucking tease.
“I think I want it. You. Both of you. Right the fuck now.” The desperation was still evident in those words—his voice was still thick with it; however, there was also an underlying tone of command, barely detectable, but it was there.
“I’m sorry,” Reita began, though he sounded anything but apologetic, “but didn’t you forget something, baby?” He reached for the pocketknife again, trailing the tip of it along Miyavi’s left inner thigh. Aoi watched, fascinated, as the blood began to bead at that second shallow cut, and he trembled when he heard Miyavi’s breath catch in his throat.
Reita lifted his hand and brought the blade to his lips, pressing his tongue to it and licking away whatever blood that might have been there. “I believe you forgot that you’re supposed to be asking, Miya, not giving the orders. You’re the one tied up right now, remember?”
“I know,” Miyavi replied, averting his eyes. “I am sorry, Rei.” This time, the apology sounded genuine. “I do think it’s a good idea, though, and I do want it. So… please, Rei.”
The ‘please’ earned a full smile, and the blonde nodded. “I’d tell you no, but it’s incredibly hot to hear you beg, Miya, so I’ll say yes.” He proceeded to move closer to the couch, which momentarily confused Aoi, but when he reached for one of the small pillows on said couch, Aoi understood.
“Lift your head,” Reita told Miyavi, and when Miyavi did so, the bassist slid the pillow beneath his head and neck. “All right. Now you have some support—don’t want you complaining about a crick in your neck before you’re able to finish Aoi off.”
Miyavi snorted and rolled his eyes, though he smiled when he did so. “I appreciate your desire for me to be comfortable all of a sudden, baby, but if you remember correctly, I’ve done similar things in far less comfortable positions, and in the end, everyone was happy.
Surely Reita did remember, but if he didn’t, Aoi certainly did. At one point, all three of them had managed to somehow fit themselves into a very cramped bathroom stall (in a restaurant) and yes, all three of them had been satisfied with the experience, despite the fact that Aoi had protested and tried to point out the fact that they could have easily gotten caught. It hadn’t worked, because he had tried to tell them the same thing before, and they hadn’t listened. That particular experience had been no different. It had been… a delightfully interesting evening, to say the least.
“Oh, I remember,” Reita assured Miyavi, twining a few strands of the soloist’s dark hair around his index finger. “As if I could forget.” He leaned over, kissing Miyavi quickly before sliding back down Miyavi’s body, settling himself between legs that more-than-willingly opened wider to accommodate him. He then looked to Aoi. “Hand me the lube, Aoi. I’ll prepare him, and then you can… occupy - as you so brilliantly put it – his mouth to your heart’s content.”
Aoi wrinkled his nose and stuck his tongue out at the blonde, but he passed the small tube to Reita without comment. He watched as Reita opened the lube and squirted a dollop of it onto three of his fingers. Aoi wondered if Reita would tease Miyavi – tease all of them, really – by starting off with one finger and gradually working his way up to using all three of them until Miyavi was writhing and begging again—begging for Reita’s cock instead of his fingers.
That didn’t happen, though.
“I won’t tease you anymore, Miya,” Reita said before kissing Miyavi’s hipbone. “I want you, and Aoi wants you. I’m not going to be gentle, and I’m not going to go slowly.” It was the only warning he gave before he pushed those three fingers inside of Miyavi’s body, roughly twisting his wrist to the left and then to the right, opening the other man up.
Miyavi screamed at the intrusion, but Aoi could tell that it wasn’t a scream of pain—it was one of pleasure. Just a hint of pain crossed his features when he grimaced slightly, but it was gone quickly enough, and he shoved himself down onto Reita’s fingers, forcing them in deeper. “Yesssss.”
“You fucking love it, don’t you?” Reita nearly snarled the words as he thrust his fingers in hard and rotated his wrist again, tearing a strangled moan from Miyavi’s lips. “You love it when we get a little rough with you.”
“Yeah… Oh, fuck! Yes!” Since the blonde wasn’t forcing him to keep his hips still, Miyavi continued to rock downwards, fucking himself on Reita’s fingers. Aoi knew that he did like it rough from time to time—all three of them did.
As abruptly as Reita’s fingers entered Miyavi, they withdrew. Miyavi whined in protest, but Reita ignored the protest in favor of lubing himself up, and Aoi watched as he did that, too, almost swearing that he could feel his mouth watering as he watched Reita’s hand move up and down his cock. The bassist was using just enough lube to work his way inside—it wouldn’t be a gentle entry, either. He wasn’t using enough lube on himself for it; he hadn’t prepped Miyavi enough for a smooth entry, either. This time, there was going to be some roughness to it, but Aoi doubted that Miyavi would mind. He certainly didn’t mind.
“Aoi,” Reita said, and Aoi had to force himself to look away from Reita’s cock, from the hand that still rested on it, though he was no longer stroking himself. He met Reita’s gaze, absentmindedly toying with his lipring, and he could see the understanding in the blonde’s eyes. “Go to him. Shove yourself into him as hard and deep as you want, because that’s what I’m going to do.”
“Ohhh,” Miyavi moaned, and Aoi’s attention was once again captured by the younger man. He stared down at Miyavi and Miyavi stared right back, eyes full of liquid heat. “Come up here, Aoi.”
Miyavi didn’t even have to say ‘please’. Aoi scrambled up to him without a second thought, and soon, his knees were resting on either side of Miyavi’s face, nestled between his head and his arms. His hands were gripping Miyavi’s forearms, and his cock was brushing lightly against those tantalizing lips. “Now?” he asked as he looked back over his shoulder at Reita, who was running his hands up and down Miyavi’s trembling thighs.
“Now,” Reita agreed, and both he and Aoi shoved in at the same moment. Miyavi screamed again, though it was muffled by Aoi’s length, and when Aoi felt the muscles of Miyavi’s throat relax and then constrict around him, he moaned, his grip on the other man’s arms tightening.
Aoi heard Reita moan as well, and somehow he knew – he just knew - that those muscles had tightened, too. Pretty damn good reason to moan insensibly.
“Miya,” Aoi breathed, “I’m gonna… gonna move. Shove in again, deep.” It wasn’t much of a coherent warning, but hopefully, Miyavi understood and would be prepared for it. He gave a second or two for those words to register, and then he drew back and shoved in again—in and in, past Miyavi’s gag reflex, and he felt those muscles relax again, accepting him, though he knew that it took a conscious effort on Miyavi’s part.
Miyavi sucked and swirled his tongue around Aoi’s cock, and Aoi was certain that if he had been standing up, his knees would have buckled. Miyavi definitely knew how to use his mouth—that much had to be said.
“Fucking brilliant mouth,” Aoi groaned, thrusting his hips down again in a succession of short, jerky movements. “Always know how to use it just right.”
“Feels pretty ‘fucking brilliant’ down here, too,” Reita said as he shoved again, and Aoi felt just a slight scrape of teeth along his erection, and yeah, that felt fucking brilliant too.
They quickly found a rhythm together, Aoi and Reita. When Reita was thrust in, so would Aoi. They weren’t gentle—their rhythm was hard and fast and unforgiving, though not once did Aoi hear Miyavi make a sound of displeasure. He knew that Miyavi’s throat would be at least a little sore later, but he would make up for it. He knew of several ways he could make the other man forget that his throat had been sore in the first place. But that would wait until later, because right now, Aoi was so close, and he didn’t even feel like trying to delay orgasm—Reita had made them wait until his cock and his balls had hurt, and now, he was finally getting what he wanted, and Miyavi was taking it, taking it all and giving pleasure in return.
For what felt like a long time (though in reality, Aoi knew that it could have only been several minutes), there was just heavy breathing, moans and incoherent whispers and muffled sounds of pleasure, the sound of flesh hitting flesh, and other such noises. There was the pleasure itself, too—mind-reeling, completely perfect, no doubt pushing all three of them to the brink. Aoi could feel how close he was, and he knew that it would only take just a little push for him to topple right over the edge.
Then, there was Reita’s voice, his words gasped out and running together, because he was still fucking Miyavi mercilessly and he wasn’t showing any signs of slowing down: “Know what I like about this position?” His fingers were inside of Aoi before Aoi could even process his words properly, much less answer. He was already too far gone, too lost in a haze of pleasure to make sense of anything else.
“This,” Reita said throatily as he began scissoring and thrusting his fingers inside of Aoi, fucking him roughly—fucking him like he was fucking Miyavi, fucking him like Aoi was fucking Miyavi. No gentleness at all. Again, Aoi found himself not minding the lack of tenderness as he groaned helplessly, shoving himself back onto Reita’s fingers and then forward into Miyavi’s mouth. Almost.
Another slick sound—one that Aoi recognized as lube on skin, and he knew without looking that Reita was now stroking Miyavi’s cock, balancing himself on his knees as he continued to thrust into him, over and over again. Aoi felt Miyavi writhe and shove his hips up, and felt him make more of those gorgeous sounds around his cock.
“Come, Miya,” Reita urged. “Come for us. Scream for us. Let Aoi feel it.”
That was exactly what Miyavi did, too. Aoi felt him tense up and he immediately stopped shoving himself into Miyavi’s mouth, though he made no move to pull away yet. Instead, he just rested there, nails biting into Miyavi’s forearms as the younger man shuddered uncontrollably and screamed around Aoi’s erection.
Though Aoi hadn’t meant for it to happen, the combined force of Reita’s fingers brushing against his prostate and Miyavi screaming around his cock triggered his own release, and he came in the middle of Miyavi’s orgasm, shouting loud enough that he was certain anyone within a five-mile radius heard him. He silently apologized as he heard Miyavi sputter a little before he heard the other guitarist swallow.
It was then that he pulled out of Miyavi’s mouth, repositioning himself so that he could bend down and kiss Miyavi comfortably in a tangible – though non-verbal – apology for the trouble. If Miyavi felt annoyed or any other sort of negative emotion, he didn’t show it. He tipped his head back further, mouth opening beneath Aoi’s, and Aoi kissed him sweetly, his tongue swiping at the sides and roof of his mouth. He chased down the taste of himself in Miyavi’s mouth, hands moving to cup Miyavi’s cheeks as they continued to kiss.
Finally, Aoi pulled back, though only when his lungs burned with the need for Aoi. He pulled back and turned to find Reita watching them in something akin to fascination. His lashes fluttered and his chest heaved, but he was otherwise still. A glance downwards revealed that his fingers were still wrapped around Miyavi’s cock, though they were no longer moving. Aoi could see Miyavi’s release, pearlescent and glistening on Reita’s fingers.
“Rei,” Miyavi said softly, voice somewhat hoarse, and Reita jumped a bit, seemed to come back to himself.
“You’re just beautiful,” Reita said, as though that explained everything. Aoi believed that it did, in its own way. He could relate to Reita’s sentiments. Beautiful.
“Rei,” Aoi echoed belatedly, and then he was moving again, sliding down so that he could press his lips to the fingers that still loosely fisted Miyavi’s obviously spent length. His tongue sought out that flavor too, savored the salty, somewhat bitter taste of it. His lips left Reita’s fingers, and then he pressed them to Reita’s lips in offering, breathing, “Taste.”
Reita released a shaky sigh against Aoi’s mouth before he kissed him, and the brunette opened to him, his own tongue darting forward to tease at Reita’s tongue, giving him a hint of the taste that he was offering. He both heard and felt Reita growl softly, and then Reita was kissing him deeply, making soft, wordless noises against Aoi’s lips. His hips, which had been still, began moving again, as hard and fast as before, though his thrusts were now considerably less controlled and more erratic, rhythm almost non-existent.
“It’s all right, Rei,” Miyavi said, his voice soothing. “Let go, let go. Let me feel you now.” Then, as if remembering, he added, “Please.”
That was, apparently, the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. Reita cried out when he came, though Aoi greedily swallowed the sound. He held onto Reita as the blonde’s body jerked and trembled, and when he was eventually still, only then did Aoi draw back, but his hands didn’t leave Reita’s body.
“You okay?” Aoi asked, and when Reita nodded, he posed the same question to Miyavi.
Miyavi smiled. “Just fine, gorgeous. Throat’s just a tad sore, but I’ll be fine. No need for apologizing, because I wanted it, just like that.”
Aoi nodded in understanding, and then moved to snuggle against Miyavi’s side as Reita used part of Miyavi’s ruined shirt to swipe at part of the mess that still remained on his hand and Miyavi’s abdomen. Aoi watched as the bassist tossed the piece of cloth aside and then freed Miyavi’s hands, gently massaging his arms.
“Oh, that’s nice,” Miyavi commented, closing his eyes. He sounded perfectly content. “Keep doing that, Rei, and I might fall asleep~.”
Reita snickered, pressing a kiss to the taller man’s forehead before snuggling against him as well, reaching over to brush a few strands of damp hair out of Aoi’s eyes. “You can’t go to sleep yet, Miya. There’s still a lot of rooms left to… re-christen.”
Miyavi opened his eyes and grinned lopsidedly. “Oh, yeah. You’re right. Well, give me about ten or fifteen minutes and we can take this to the kitchen.” His gaze focused on Aoi, who looked back at him, somewhat startled. “Did you enjoy this, Aoi-chan?”
“I did,” Aoi replied, and he had.
“Well, I vote the kitchen is next, and that you get to wear the handcuffs this time~.” Miyavi stretched, otherwise seeming fairly boneless for the time being, happy enough to bask in the afterglow.
“I second that,” Reita said as he smirked at Aoi. “And after that, maybe we should try for the bathroom down here. Or the hallway. Or the laundry room. You know—work our way to the stairs. I’ll even be nice and let the two of you handcuff me to something.”
“You think we can fuck on the stairs without breaking our necks?” Miyavi asked. “I know we did it before but we were all a little… tipsy that night. And we were at the top of the stairs.”
“We’ll stay at the bottom of the stairs then,” Reita replied, as though that settled it. “Can’t break our necks from there. At least, I don’t think we can.”
Aoi snickered, but then stopped himself short due to the image that just popped into his head. When Reita and Miyavi nudged him, asking what was wrong, he told them what he had just pictured: “Just thought of you, Rei, cuffed to the railing of the stairs. Miya fucking you, and me fucking him.”
Reita’s eyes became heavy-lidded once more. “I think I like your idea, Aoi.”
“Me too,” Miyavi agreed. “In fact, I like it so much that I think I want to do that next.”
Reita blinked at him. “What happened to the kitchen? Are we skipping it?”
“No,” Aoi replied. “Not skipping it. We can go back to it, after we leave the stairs~.”
They had plenty of rooms left to cover, but the sun hadn’t even fully set yet. None of them had anywhere that they needed to be tomorrow—it was an off day.
They had plenty of time.
~END~
Tags: aoixmiyavi, aoixreita, miyavi, miyavixaoi, miyavixreita, reitaxaoi, reitaxmiyavi, reitaxmiyavixaoi, the gazette, three is company
In Silver - Reita/Uruha
Title: In Silver Author: Kagome Prompt: “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.” Warnings: Innuendo, language, and mild sexual…
Fall Apart if You Need to - Reita, Uruha
Title: Fall Apart if You Need to Author: Kagome Prompt: “Turn around, I am here / If you want, it’s me you’ll see / Doesn’t count, far or near /…
Rethinking the Equation - Uruha/Maggie
Title: Rethinking the Equation Author: Kagome Prompt: “One does not kill oneself for love of a woman, but because love - any love - reveals us…
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The latest U.S. news
Unknown man with two ceramic knives attacked police officers in France
By: Tim Viwer
In: WORLD NEWS
A man with two knives attacked police officers in the south of France.
As it was marked, the attack happened in the town of Bollen (Vaucluse department, Provence region). Policemen came to the call after information about a man armed with two ceramic knives. The intruder broke into someone’s home with a cold weapon.
When the offender saw the police officers, he attacked them. The intruder managed to pierce the body armor of one of the law enforcement officers in the abdomen and wounded the other two. However, police officers soon managed to disarm the offender with a stun gun. The man was detained and sent to the nearest police station.
Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating all the circumstances of the incident. However, the National Antiterrorist Prosecutor’s Office of France has not yet been involved in the investigation.
Why the forecaster Edgar Cayce named trump the last president of the United States
Scientists from Wuhan talk about bat bites
Media: Melania Trump files for divorce from Donald Trump
Defense of the Earth - NASA will hit an asteroid in September 2021
CNN will seek to get Fox News off the air
A Russian was fired in the U.S. over a post about storming the Capitol
American forecaster Edgar Cayce: “Russia will be the new center of the world”
The identity of the man who beat up the police officer at the Capitol has been established
Chief: Tim Viwer
All rights under the provision of the Copyright Act are reserved @Copyrite by site US-NEWS-LATEST.COM
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Fire destroys home in Lake Cowichan
VICTORIA -- A massive fire has destroyed a home in Lake Cowichan.
Firefighters were still on scene late Friday afternoon on Mountain View Drive, where a neighbour says he heard fire trucks coming up the street around 11 a.m.
“I walked out my front door and four houses down, it’s fully engulfed,” said resident Clayton Parker.
Parker said the house is occupied by a woman, her teenage foster son, a dog and some birds.
The neighbour said the people and the dog made it out safely but he believes the birds did not.
Video from the scene shows multiple fire crews battling the blaze into the afternoon.
The home is a single-storey structure in the front, but stretches into four storeys in the back with the slope of a hill.
The Lake Cowichan Fire Department is expected to provide more details Friday.
Firefighters were still on scene late Friday afternoon on Mountain View Drive in Lake Cowichan. (Carmen Duval)
(Carmen Duval)
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'It's an honour': Newly discovered fossil fish species named after Vancouver Island collector
Published Thursday, September 17, 2020 1:01PM PDT Last Updated Thursday, September 17, 2020 4:16PM PDT
Researches say that an approximately 25 million year old fish fossil found in Sooke by a Vancouver Island collector is the first of its kind to be discovered: (CTV News)
VICTORIA -- A new genus and species of prehistoric fish has been named after a Vancouver Island collector who discovered a well-preserved fossil of the creature in Sooke.
The species, named the Canadodus suntoki by Russian researcher Evgeny Popov, is named after collector Steve Suntok who donated the fossil to the Royal BC Museum in 2014.
The name roughly translates to “tooth from Canada,” as the fossil is part of a fish dental plate.
Popov, who is one of the world’s leading experts on fossil holocephalian fishes, says that the fossil that Suntok found is an entirely new fish compared to anything found before.
“I knew it was something significant. Not necessarily a new species but something significant,” Suntok told CTV News Thursday.
The fossil dental plate indicates that the fish was likely a type of Chimaeridae, which is a species of fish that feeds on invertebrates by crushing their shells on its hard flat dental plates, before eating the animal inside, according to researchers.
Suntok found the fossil in a northwest portion of Sooke. Researchers say that Sooke is an excellent area for paleontological discoveries, with a variety of fossils at the Royal BC Museum coming from the region.
Ancient whale vertebrae and rib specimens have been found in Sooke and donated to the museum, as well as a potential terrestrial mammal bone, fossil leaves, and many invertebrate fossils, such as oysters, barnacles and snails.
The Suntok family has experience finding and preserving fossils on Vancouver Island. Many fossils discovered by the family have been donated to the Royal BC Museum, including a new water bird coracoid bone which was named after Steve Suntok’s daughter, Leah, in 2015, named the Stemec suntokum.
“Because of erosion, every time we go there there’s something new,” said Suntok.
“New things get exposed so from time to time I go back just to check out the site. On this occasion I found something I’d never seen before, which was pretty exciting.”
Researchers say that cliff faces near Muir Creek and beaches near Kirby Creek in Sooke “easily contain the richest exposures of fossils near Victoria.” Fossils in the area tend to date back approximately 25 million years.
Vancouver Island paleontologist Marji Johns, who is a co-author into research on the Canadodus suntoki, says that she was thrilled by the discovery.
Johns says that very few paleontologists in B.C. and Canada are able to do field work while conducting research and that volunteer collectors like the Suntok family are largely responsible for finding rare and usual fossils..
Suntok says that having the Canadodus suntoki named after him is a dream come true.
“I’m ecstatic about it. It’s the dream of every amateur collector,” he said.
“It’s an honour. I don’t deserve it, but I’m extremely appreciative of it.”
Amateur fossil collector Steve Suntok says it's "an honour" to have a new species of ancient fish named after him: (CTV News)
Fossil find: B.C. family stumbles upon new species of penguin-like bird
Fossil excavated on Vancouver Island the latest piece in 85-million-year-old puzzle
Researchers discover new dinosaur species found only in B.C.
Courtenay curator pushes Elasmosaur for B.C.'s first-ever provincial fossil
Fossilized dragonfly species among the first to receive scientific names in B.C.
Dinos of Canada stamp features reptile discovered in Comox Valley
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A drop in airline flights from China and Hong Kong due to the coronavirus is increasing demand for private jets as wealthy passengers try to get out, executives say, but travel bans and nervous crew have kept that from translating to more business.
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more than 1,300 people in China, has led premium Asian airlines like Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (0293.HK) and Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIAL.SI) to drastically cuts their flight schedules.
UK-based consultancy Ascend by Cirium said the number of flights scheduled to operate to, from and within China had dropped by 34% from Jan. 23 through Feb. 11.
Those cuts have left stranded passengers to rely on government-led evacuations. For those who can afford it, there are private jet charters carrying smaller groups and promising less risk of exposure to the virus, executives said.
Strict quarantine requirements, travel bans on Chinese citizens and concerns for crew safety have left only a limited pool of private jet operators willing to fly to China compared with the situation during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003, operators said.
“This time the operators and countries have put lots of restrictions on the usage of private jets to the countries affected by this virus,” said Logan Ravishkansar, chief executive of Singapore-based charter operator MyJet Asia Pte Ltd. “Business leaders are scared and confused to go in and out of Asia. Flight crews are afraid to fly as well.”
Private jet companies VistaJet and NetJets said they have suspended their China operations, while manufacturers Gulfstream and Bombardier Inc (BBDb.TO) canceled plans to market jets at this week’s Singapore Airshow.
“While we are receiving an uptick in inquiries, it has not amounted to more flights,” said Patrick Gallagher, president sales and marketing for Berkshire Hathaway Inc’s (BRKa.N) NetJets.
A South American government asked PrivateFly, a global booking service for charter flights, to set up four flights out of Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the coronavirus outbreak, although the request might not be possible, chief executive Adam Twidell said.
Onboard a private jet carrying passengers away from coronavirus outbreaks, the volunteer flight crew and passengers would wear masks that they change every hour, and a medical crew would be dressed in full protective gear, he said. After the flight, the crew get three weeks of paid leave but must stay close to home.
Unlike a regular business jet flight, passengers would serve themselves food from a spread laid out in the cabin.
“Movement during the flight is kept to a minimum and there is very little interaction between anyone onboard to reduce any chance of infection,” Twidell said.
Jackie Wu, president of Hong Kong-based JetSolution Aviation Group, said her company had received a “significant increase of private flight charter requests,” from Asia.
The requests are mostly for flights departing from Hong Kong or China to destinations like Auckland, Taipei, Phnom Penh, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
She said she cannot fulfill about half of those requests because of travel bans on visitors from China.
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Together we are strong! 40 partners and events organizers create the ViennaUP network, curated by the Vienna Business Agency. ViennaUp's range of online and on-site events are open to a global community, giving all participants the chance to explore a vast spectrum of international startups working in FinTech, HealthTech, Green Tech and many more. ViennaUP'21 is connecting tomorrow's problem solvers with today's boldest investors.
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pepsi discontinued products 2020
You've most likely heard of the grand (and failed) experiments that were New Coke and Crystal Pepsi.
While the demand for staples like hot dogs and cereal has soared, dwindling sales of other items pushed them into early retirement.
But all isn't lost—you can still get a round 10-inch customizable cake instead. J.M.
We're yet to find out what the new name will be. Sales of the original Slice were so strong that Pepsi introduced more flavors and varieties, such as Apple, Fruit Punch, Grape, Passionfruit, Peach Glaze, Mandarin Orange, Pineapple, Strawberry, Cherry Cola, "Red,” Cherry-Lime, and Dr. Slice—Pepsi’s answer to Dr. Pepper. Which states will be counting ballots past Election Day? These are among some of the products you may have had trouble locating on store shelves in recent weeks. All indications are that the aluminum can manufacturers are producing at or near capacity.".
A word of warning, however: Americans are generally not used to its bitter taste, so you may not be a fan. Most soft drink manufacturers have temporarily limited production of some products until the aluminum shortage is resolved. A soft drink meant to be consumed during breakfast, Pepsi boasted that it featured 28% more caffeine than regular Pepsi (which was still 77% less than coffee). These are among some of the products you …
Sometimes PepsiCo, and its other divisions releases a limited edition flavor for a certain amount of time of weeks until the discontinuation such as Pepsi X, Pepsi Holiday Spice, Pepsi Salted Caramel and more Pepsi products that they had been released along the years. (Apéritifs are generally alcoholic beverages served before a meal in order to stimulate one's appetite.) Sadly, Coca-Cola pulled the plug after sales fell short of expectations in most of its test markets in 1995.
The drink is an “enhanced water drink” with 200 milligrams of L-theanine, which is about 10% of the daily value of magnesium. Which means technically, you can still purchase the soda grandchild of Mountain Dew Sport. A perfect demonstration of that came when a shortage of Amy's Roasted Vegetables Pizza sent loyal customers into a tizzy. If it tastes the same to you, great. Check out this list of 100 Unhealthiest Grocery Foods in America. These are the discontinued brands that PepsiCo, and it's other divisions that have been released over the past years. Here’s what life abroad is really like for ex-pats, The best hole-in-the-wall diner in every state. We recommend either ordering via grocery delivery or calling your local store to verify. It’s actually 200 milligrams.
Diet Pepsi A.M. Pepsi Azuki; Pepsi Baobab; Pepsi Boom Due to the pandemic, more people are suddenly buying canned beverages to enjoy at home.
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product information. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} What time do the polls close in every state? Coca-Cola later released a “do-it-yourself” version of Sprite Remix, which featured a flavor packet with a can of regular Sprite.
While the snack giant is expected to bring some of the shelved items back, CEO Steven Williams said he expects about 3% to 5% of their products to be discontinued for good due to the pandemic. They sold it to a small manufacturer, who got bought by Big Red, who made a deal with the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, which relaunched All Sport in 2009. The beverage was only made available in a few test markets throughout the United States, until Pepsi discontinued it less than a year later. gtag('js', new Date());
The company had been struggling to keep up with competition across 56 grocery categories they're currently in, especially as consumer preferences shift away from processed foods. When asked about the situation, Coca-Cola told one Twitter follower: “We are seeing greater demand for products consumed at home & taking measures to adapt, working to mitigate the challenge during this unprecedented time. Vault was a citrus soda and energy drink hybrid marketed primarily towards teenage boys and young men. Bring to a boil for 1 minute and then turn off the heat. This might sound like a silly question, but consider that decaffeinated tea and coffee both do contain a small amount caffeine. In the case of Pepsi Caffeine Free, there is none. If you can’t find your favorite caffeine free soda you can make your own. Odwalla had been part of Coca Cola's portfolio since 2001, and the company noted the product had lost its customer base as health-conscious consumers are turning away from smoothies. It’s not just Coke that is impacted.
The recipes for most soft drinks are highly guarded secrets, so we don’t know if the recipes are the same (minus the caffeine). Pepsi will try to help people sleep with a new drink. Made with lightly sparkling water, the beverage boasted natural caramel, apple extract, kola nut extract, and natural sugar cane instead of high-fructose corn syrup. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019.
As the Official Beverage and Snack Partner of Expo 2020, PepsiCo will begin distributing a range of products marking The World’s Greatest Show. There is a Facebook page to support bringing it back the 2 liter bottle. To capitalize on the growing soda-as-coffee-substitute trend in the '80s, Pepsi released Pepsi A.M. in 1989.
The Coca-Cola Company never released a “morning” variety of Coca-Cola, but the soft drink multinational began hawking the idea of soda for breakfast with a “Coca-Cola in the Morning” marketing campaign. OK Soda had its own manifesto and "unconventional" marketing campaign that revolved around the idea that “Things are going to be OK.” The soda company even hired alternative cartoonists Daniel Clowes (Ghost World) and Charles Burns (Black Hole) to design soda cans and commercials for the brand.
It will never cost you more to purchase through a sponsored link, however.
Dr. Anthony Fauci said 2021, 2022 might be a more normal time for Americans.
Smucker Co., which owns Jif, has pivoted away from novelty peanut-based snacks this year in order to focus on their main money-makers like peanut butter. The drink includes 200 grams of L-theanine, which is an amino acid found in green and black tea, as well as mushrooms. A perfect demonstration of that came when a shortage of Amy's Roasted Vegetables Pizza sent loyal customers into a tizzy.
This page is about Pepsi, and its other divisions discontinued brands and flavors that was released in some part of a month within the year that they released it, that they meant to be a permanent addition to their line up, but the sales about the flavor, popularity, and the branding about the soda started to fail, and then discontinued for a while after the soda's release. The 2020 presidential election has been going on for what feels like forever, but it’ll all come to a head on Tuesday. After extensive test marketing in 1989, Pepsi introduced Mountain Dew Sport the following year.
As we've reported last week, Coca Cola is discontinuing their juice and smoothie line Odwalla.
... food products, and restaurants to be discontinued or shutter their doors.
And although this beloved product was only temporarily out of stock due to production issues, the company did reduce their offering during the pandemic. Olivia Tarantino 7/2/2020. Fun fact: Sergio Zyman was the same executive who launched New Coke in 1985. Election night or election week?
There’s no word yet on when the issue will be resolved. A Brewers Association spokesperson explained to KFMB: "Other beverage industries are moving away from other packaging, particularly plastic, creating additional demand. The sophisticated soda is available at various World of Coca-Cola museums throughout the United States. Conagra Brands announced it would be reviewing the complete branding and packaging of Mrs. Butterworth's products. Fresca has been nearly impossible to find in stores since mid-2020. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Our original recipes are easy to make, but will impress your family and friends. Soon after I placed the order, I got a note from the shopper that everything was in stock, EXCEPT the Pepsi. 5 reasons Boise State is unlike Cougars’ previous seven foes. But throughout the years, both the Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo have played around with their product lines, resulting in a number of other short-lived, now-discontinued soft drinks. Yes, it should taste the same. They are available in over 200 countries and territories and tailored to meet the tastes and preferences of our local consumers.
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I know most of you are probably here because you can’t handle the artificial sweeteners or don’t like using them.
We're yet to see which beloved Amy's items we'll have to say goodbye to for good. The drink will be widely available in December. RELATED: Why has toilet paper run out during the pandemic? For example, the company currently isn't producing it's low-sodium product Lightly Salted Lay's potato chips. The same trend can be seen with sodas.
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Film (band)
Film (Iranian magazine)
Film (film)
Film was a Yugoslav rock group founded in 1978 in Zagreb. Film was one of the most popular rock groups of the former Yugoslav new wave in the late 1970s to early 1980s.
New wave years (1979-1981)
During 1977 and 1978, bassist Marino Pelajić, guitarist Mladen Jurčić, and drummer Branko Hromatko were Azra members when Branimir "Johnny" Štulić brought Jura Stublić as the new vocalist. Stublić was to become Aerodrom member, but due to his deep vocals it never happened. The lineup functioned for a few months only and after a quarrel with Štulić, on early 1979, Pelajić, Jurčić, Hromatko and Stublić formed the band Šporko Šalaporko i Negove Žaluzine, naming the band after a story from the "Polet" youth magazine, which was soon after renamed to Film. The memories of the Azra lineup later inspired Štulić to write the song "Roll over Jura" released on Filigranski pločnici in 1982.
Saxophonist Jurij Novoselić, who at the time had worked under the pseudonym Kuzma Videosex, joined the band, inspiring others to use pseudonym instead of their original names: vocalist Stublić became Jura Jupiter, bassist Pelajić became Mario Baraccuda and guitarist Jurčić became Max Wilson. Before joining the band, Stublić did not have much experience as a vocalist, however, since his father had been an opera singer, he often visited the theatre and opera, and at the age of 13, he started playing the guitar, earning money as a street performer at seaside resorts.
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Film_(band)
Film (Persian:فیلم) is an Iranian film review magazine published for more than 30 years. The head-editor is Massoud Mehrabi.
Film Magazine Website / About
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Film_(Iranian_magazine)
Film is a 1965 film written by Samuel Beckett, his only screenplay. It was commissioned by Barney Rosset of Grove Press. Writing began on 5 April 1963 with a first draft completed within four days. A second draft was produced by 22 May and a forty-leaf shooting script followed thereafter. It was filmed in New York in July 1964.
Beckett’s original choice for the lead – referred to only as “O” – was Charlie Chaplin, but his script never reached him. Both Beckett and the director Alan Schneider were interested in Zero Mostel and Jack MacGowran. However, the former was unavailable and the latter, who accepted at first, became unavailable due to his role in a "Hollywood epic." Beckett then suggested Buster Keaton. Schneider promptly flew to Los Angeles and persuaded Keaton to accept the role along with "a handsome fee for less than three weeks' work."James Karen, who was to have a small part in the film, also encouraged Schneider to contact Keaton.
The filmed version differs from Beckett's original script but with his approval since he was on set all the time, this being his only visit to the United States. The script printed in Collected Shorter Plays of Samuel Beckett (Faber and Faber, 1984) states:
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - https://wn.com/Film_(film)
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HERSHEY, PA - DECEMBER 10: U.S. President Donald Trump gestures with US Vice President Mike Pence during a campaign rally on December 10, 2019 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This rally marks the third time President Trump has held a campaign rally at Giant Center. The attendance of both President and Vice President signifies the importance Pennsylvania holds as a key battleground state. (Image: Getty)
Trump Ridicules Biden For Mask-Wearing, Says He Has ‘Big Issues’
by Fion HuangSeptember 4, 2020, 4:35 pmSeptember 4, 2020, 4:35 pmSeptember 4, 2020, 4:35 pm2020 Candidates, 2020 Election, Daily Digest, News, News Feed >
On Thursday, President Donald Trump held a mass rally, featuring crowds of people with no masks, in Pennsylvania where he ridiculed Democratic nominee Joe Biden‘s decision to wear a mask.
While Trump urged rally attendees to vote in-person, he also drew attention to Biden’s diligent mask-wearing. Trump commented that Biden’s mask-wearing gives the presidential candidate a “sense of security.”
Despite the U.S. leading with the world’s largest number of COVID-19 cases, Trump claimed that he has never seen another man that “likes masks as much as” Biden. Trump continued to mock Biden. “If I were a psychiatrist, I’d say this guy has some big issues,” he said.
In May, the president poked fun at Biden’s mask-wearing at a Memorial Day ceremony.
Biden clapped back at Trump by calling the president a “fool.” In response to the mockery, he said Trump’s refusal to wear a mask and “macho-stuff” costs people’s lives. “Presidents are supposed to lead, not engage folly and be falsely masculine,” he said.
The exchange came after Trump’s tweet in June where he shared a picture of himself in a mask calling it “patriotic.”
We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus, and many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can’t socially distance. There is nobody more Patriotic than me, your favorite President! pic.twitter.com/iQOd1whktN
Trump is expected to visit North Carolina, Minnesota and Ohio the following week for more of his ‘Make America Great Again’ events.
coronavirus COVID-19 Donald Trump Joe Biden mask wearing
Article by Fion Huang
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A Year in Reading: 2017
Editor December 1, 2017 | 15 books mentioned 4 min read
Over the last 13 years, the Year in Reading has collected the book recommendations and musings of some of the most brilliant readers and writers working today. Looking at the series over time it becomes an instrument of measurement, not only for tracking the way the site itself has grown and evolved, but for recording the big books of the moment, or the books of yesteryear that readers never tire of discovering anew. It can also capture–in a glancing, kaleidoscopic way–the general mood of the professional reading public. The 2016 Year in Reading was in some respects pretty grim, as contributors tried to reconcile reading, at its heart an intensely private, personal passion, with the requirements of being human in a world where bad things persist in happening.
This year I’d like to focus on the good things. The Year in Reading is my favorite thing we do at this site, and I’m so grateful for the writers who gave generously of their time to participate. I’m grateful for the dedicated readers who navigate here every morning and give the site a reason to live, and for the supporters who are helping us secure the future. This is our 14th year, and 14 years is an eon in Internet Time. The Millions won’t survive the heat death of the universe, but it has already stuck around longer than at least some bad things will.
A lot of our 2017 Year in Reading contributors were anxious and tired and read less than they would have liked. The good news is that they still did a lot of excellent, engaged reading. The good news is that there are more exquisite and important things to read than you’ll ever read in your lifetime. The good news is that books are still the vehicles for inquiry, revelation, devastation, and joy that they have always been.
The names of our 2017 contributors will be unveiled throughout the month as entries are published (starting with our traditional opener from Languagehat’s Stephen Dodson later this morning). Bookmark this post, load up the main page, subscribe to our RSS feed, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter to make sure you don’t miss an entry — we’ll run three or four per day. And if you look forward to the Year in Reading every year, please consider supporting the site and ensuring this December tradition continues for years to come.
–Lydia Kiesling
Do you love Year in Reading and the amazing books and arts content that The Millions produces year round? We are asking readers for support to ensure that The Millions can stay vibrant for years to come. Please click here to learn about several simple ways you can support The Millions now.
Stephen Dodson, co-author of Uglier Than a Monkey’s Armpit, proprietor of Languagehat.
Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage.
Eugene Lim, author of Dear Cyborgs.
Edan Lepucki, contributing editor and author of Woman No. 17.
Sonya Chung, contributing editor and author of The Loved Ones.
Emily St. John Mandel, staff writer and author of Station Eleven.
Nick Ripatrazone, contributing editor and author of Ember Days.
Garth Risk Hallberg, contributing editor and author of City on Fire.
Janet Potter, staff writer.
Louise Erdrich, author of LaRose.
Ahmed Saadawi, author of Frankenstein in Baghdad.
Jesmyn Ward, author of Sing, Unburied, Sing.
Jeff VanderMeer, author of Borne.
Lidia Yuknavitch, author of The Book of Joan.
Garth Greenwell, author of What Belongs to You.
Carmen Maria Machado, author of Her Body and Other Parties.
Kevin Young, author of Bunk: The Rise of Hoaxes, Humbug, Plagiarists, Phonies, Post-Facts, and Fake News.
Yoko Tawada, author of Memoirs of a Polar Bear.
Danzy Senna, author of New People.
Jenny Zhang is a poet and writer.
Matthew Klam, author of Who Is Rich.
Paul Yoon, author of The Mountain.
Julie Buntin, author of Marlena.
Brandon Taylor, associate editor of Electric Literature’s Recommended Reading and staff writer at Literary Hub.
Hannah Gersen, staff writer and author of Home Field.
Matt Seidel, staff writer.
Zoë Ruiz, staff writer.
Clare Cameron, staff writer and author of The Last Neanderthal.
Il’ja Rákoš, staff writer.
Ismail Muhammad, staff writer.
Thomas Beckwith, staff writer.
Michael Pollan, author of Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation.
Jeff Chang, author of Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop.
Robin Sloan, author of Sourdough.
Juan Villoro, author of The Reef.
Chiwan Choi, author of The Yellow House.
Scaachi Koul, author of One Day We’ll All Be Dead And None Of This Will Matter.
Gabe Habash, author of Stephen Florida.
Ayobami Adebayo, author of Stay with Me.
Kaveh Akbar, author of Calling a Wolf a Wolf.
Kima Jones, founder of Jack Jones Literary Arts.
Vanessa Hua, author of A River of Stars.
Hamilton Leithauser, rock star.
R.O. Kwon, author of The Incendiaries.
Rakesh Satyal, author of No One Can Pronounce My Name.
Kristen Radtke, author of Imagine Wanting Only This.
Nick Moran, staff writer.
Lydia Kiesling, site editor and author of The Golden State.
Anne Yoder, staff writer.
Michael Bourne, staff writer.
Tess Malone, associate editor.
Bill Morris, staff writer and author of Motor City Burning.
Kaulie Lewis, staff writer.
Myriam Gurba, author of Mean.
Patrick Nathan, author of Some Hell.
Morgan Jerkins, author of This Will Be My Undoing.
Michael David Lukas, author of The Last Watchman of Old Cairo.
Jamel Brinkley, author of A Lucky Man.
Shanthi Sekaran, author of Lucky Boy.
Kara Levy, fiction writer.
Patty Yumi Cottrell, author of Sorry to Disrupt the Peace.
Heather Scott Partington, NBCC emerging critic.
Paul Goldberg, author of The Yid.
Simeon Marsalis, author of A Lie is To Grin.
Kevin Barry, author of Beatlebone.
Laura Turner, writer.
Sarah Smarsh, journalist.
Kyle Chayka, writer.
A Year in Reading: Outro
Don’t miss: A Year in Reading 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
Editor This is the byline used for site announcements and for articles by more than one Millions contributor.
A Year in Reading: Tanaïs
Tanaïs December 20, 2019 | 15 books mentioned 4 min read
We can’t afford ignorance, but we do still need spaces to dream, to reimagine the world, to counter erasures of stories we deserve and need to know.
Tanaïs | 15 books mentioned 4 min read
A Year in Reading: Rivka Galchen
Rivka Galchen December 15, 2009 | 15 books mentioned 2 2 min read
To go back and read Saul Bellow is to encounter again the kind of mad virtuosity that, in a certain mood, to a certain type of mind, is a sort of translation of the embodied genius of Jackie Chan.
Rivka Galchen | 15 books mentioned 2 2 min read
A Year in Reading: Joanna Smith Rakoff
Joanna Smith Rakoff December 17, 2010 | 15 books mentioned 3 4 min read
A Year in Reading: Jeffrey Eugenides
Jeffrey Eugenides December 4, 2012 | 15 books mentioned 5
I’m ending up the year reading two terrific books, Stone Arabia by Dana Spiotta and Stag’s Leap by Sharon Olds. The Spiotta is amazingly well written, rich, funny, learned, linguistically sturdy, and tonally fresh. The book’s intriguing structure is too complicated to go into here, but Spiotta did a wonderful interview on “Fresh Air” that will explain everything, if you’re interested. And you should be. I’ve always loved Sharon Olds’s poetry but her new book has kept me up reading at night. The poems circle around a central trauma, a mid-life divorce, and take the narrator through all the stages of this profound grief. “Poem for the Breasts” was revelatory to me, speaking as it does from a feminine point of view about objects I have given much thought to myself. Like the book as a whole, like Olds’s entire work, the poem is generous, honest, brave, witty, and beautiful, a paean to the delights of heterosexual love.
More from A Year in Reading 2012
Don’t miss: A Year in Reading 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
The good stuff: The Millions’ Notable articles
The motherlode: The Millions’ Books and Reviews
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Jeffrey Eugenides | 15 books mentioned 5
A Year in Reading: Marisa Silver
Marisa Silver December 17, 2010 | 15 books mentioned 1 2 min read
A Year in Reading: Mark Sarvas
Mark Sarvas December 5, 2010 | 15 books mentioned 3 2 min read
A Year in Reading: Anne K. Yoder
Anne K. Yoder December 16, 2017 | 15 books mentioned 3 min read
Books were also, for me, bright stars against the dark night of our political nadir.
Anne K. Yoder | 15 books mentioned 3 min read
A Year in Reading: Garth Risk Hallberg
Garth Risk Hallberg December 5, 2015 | 15 books mentioned 4 7 min read
As if to mark the new year, or as if preemptively depressed by the brutal lows and snows of the months to come, our thermostat suffered a nervous breakdown in the first weeks of 2015. The new normal was 63 degrees Fahrenheit. I’d wake before dawn, put on long johns, pants, fleece, and hat, and sit down at my desk, between north-facing windows, trying to start something new. The phrase “rough draft” took on a new meaning. As did the phrase “starting cold.” By noon — an interval during which I’d moved only to shower and take the kids to school and re-wrap myself in a horse blanket — my fingers and nose were phantom appendages. Looking back on this now, though, I feel a surge of warmth. Why? Because every afternoon, after a late lunch, I’d fire up the space heater in the living room and sprawl in a patch of sun and return to an imagined Italy.
I’d begun Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels with a rationing plan: one volume for each season of the year, to culminate with the publication of the fourth and final installment in September. But a week after I finished Volume 1, that plan went all to hell. More than Lila and Lenù (heroines, antagonists, entangled particles), I missed the volcanic energy they generated together. Nothing else I tried to read seemed quite as vivid. So I dipped into Volume 2 — just a few pages, I told myself. And then when I reached the end, I didn’t even pretend to wait to begin Volume 3. At various times, in the empty house, I caught myself talking back to the page. “Wake up, Lenù!” “Don’t open that door!” “Oh, no, she didn’t!” Oh, yes, she did.
The only not-fun part of binge-reading the Neapolitan series was running out of pages before the end — which, by mid-February, I had. I felt like Wile E. Coyote, having raced out over a canyon, legs still churning, but with nothing left beneath. Eventually, I found a different kind of escape: Ivan Goncharov’s Oblomov, a dreamy 19th-century Russian novel where, basically, nothing happens. Rather than distract me from my snowbound state, this novel seemed to mirror it. For the first 100 pages, Oblomov, our hero, can’t even get out of bed. He’s an archetype of inanition, a Slavic Bartleby, but with a gentleness of spirit that’s closer to The Big Lebowski. He falls in love, screws it up, gets rooked by friends and enemies…and hardly has to change his dressing gown.
Sufficiently cooled from Ferrante fever, I moved on to Elizabeth Hardwick’s Sleepless Nights, from 1979. I’ve taught (and admired) Hardwick’s essays, but was somehow unprepared for this novel. Fans often mention it in the company of Renata Adler’s Speedboat and Joan Didion’s Play It as It Lays, with which it shares a jagged, elliptical construction and a quality of nervy restraint. But where the fragments of Adler and Didion suggest (for me, anyway), a kind of schizoid present-tense, Hardwick’s novel is as swinging and stately as a song by her beloved Billie Holiday, ringing “glittering, somber, and solitary” changes from remembered joy and pain.
As the glaciers beyond my windows melted to something more shovel-ready, I began to fantasize about a piece called “In Praise of Small Things.” At the top of the list, along with the Hardwick, would go Denis Johnson’s Train Dreams, the story of a Western railroad worker around the turn of the last century. I’m still a sucker for full, Ferrante-style immersion (favorite Westerns include The Border Trilogy, Lonesome Dove, and A Fistful of Dollars), but to deliver an entire life in a single sitting, as Johnson does, seems closer to magic than to art. Train Dreams is just about perfect, in the way only a short novel can be.
Then again, I also (finally) tackled The Satanic Verses this year, and caught myself thinking that perfection would have marred it. The book is loose, ample, brimful — at times bubbling over with passion. Another way of saying this is that it’s Salman Rushdie’s most generous novel. The language is often amazing. And frankly, that the fatwa now overshadows the work it meant to rub out is a compound injustice; many of the novel’s most nuanced moments, its most real and human moments, involve precisely those issues of belief and politics and belonging Rushdie was accused of caricaturing. Also: the shaving scene made me cry.
Though by that point spring had my blood up. Maybe that’s why I was so ready for Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s The Leopard. Or maybe it was the return to Italy. Either way, this turned out to be one of the most beautiful novels I’ve ever read. As with Hardwick, the mode is elegy, but here all is expansion, sumptuousness, texture: the fading way of life of an endearingly self-regarding 19th-century aristocrat, ambered in slow, rich prose (in Archibald Colquhoun’s translation): “In a corner the gold of an acacia tree introduced a sudden note of gaiety. Every sod seemed to exude a yearning for beauty soon muted by languor.” And by the time I finished, gardens were blooming and buzzing around me, too.
I woke the morning after our Fourth of July party to find that a guest had left a gift: Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen, Mary Norris’s memoir of life in the copy department of The New Yorker. We headed to the beach, on the theory that saltwater is an antidote to hangover. But I ended up spending most of the afternoon on a towel, baking, giggling, geeking out over grammar and New Yorker trivia. What kind of magazine keeps a writer this engaging in the copy department? I wondered. On the other hand: what are the odds that a grammarian this scrupulous would be such a freewheeling confidante?
I don’t think of myself as a memoir guy, but (appetite whetted by the Comma Queen), I ran out a few weeks later to buy a brand new copy of William Finnegan’s Barbarian Days — a book I’d been waiting to read since first encountering an excerpt a decade ago. Finnegan is a brilliant reporter, and the core material here — his life of peripatetic adventuring in the 1970s — seems, as material goes, unimprovable. Around it, he builds a narrative that is at once meticulously concrete and wonderfully, elusively metaphorical. Even if you don’t know or care about surfing, the whole thing starts to seem like some kind of parable. Which may be true of most good sports writing…
And speaking of brilliant reporting: in early August, I plucked a copy of David Simon and Ed Burns’s The Corner from the giveaway pile on someone’s stoop. It’s exhaustive — almost 600 pages, and none of the broad strokes, in 2015, should come as news. Yet its account of individual struggle and systemic failure in a poor neighborhood in Baltimore is nonetheless enraging, because so little seems to have changed since the book’s publication in 1997. I found myself wanting to send a copy to every newsroom in the country. Here on the page are causes; there in the paper years later, effects.
It would take a week of vacation and newspaper-avoidance in Maine to remind me of how urgent fiction can be, too — or of the value of the different kind of news it brings. I read A Sport and a Pastime. I read Double Indemnity. I read The House of Mirth. And I fell into — utterly into — Javier Marías’s A Heart So White. This novel has some similarities with The Infatuations, which I wrote about last year; Marías works from a recipe (one part Hitchcock-y suspense, one part Sebaldian fugue, one part sly humor) that sounds, on paper, like a doomed thought experiment. Yet somehow every time I read one of his novels, I feel lit up, viscerally transfixed. And A Heart So White is, I think, a masterpiece.
This October, I published a novel. And I came to suspect that prepub jitters had been shaping both my reading and my writing all year, from those cold dark starts in January to my lean toward nonfiction in the summer. Anyway, some admixture of vacation and publication (the phrase “release date” takes on a whole new meaning) seemed to cleanse the windows of perception, because I spent most of the fall catching up on — and enjoying — recent books I’d missed. Preparation for the Next Life, for example, was love at fist page; if you’d told me Atticus Lish was another of Don DeLillo’s pseudonyms, like Cleo Birdwell, I wouldn’t have batted an eyelash. Yet an eccentric and (one feels) highly personal sense of the particular and the universal colors the prose, and Lish doesn’t let sentimentalism scare him away from sentiment. His milieu of hardscrabble immigrants and natives jostling in Flushing, Queens, feels both up-to-the-minute and likely to endure. Someone should Secret-Santa a copy to Donald Trump.
Another contemporary novel I loved this fall was actually more of a novella — another small, good thing. Called Grief Is the Thing with Feathers, it’s the first published work of fiction by a young Englishman named Max Porter. It follows a father of two through the year after the death of his wife. The chapters are compressed, poetic vignettes that evoke the chimera of grief through suggestion and indirection. And then, more evocative still: the arrival of a giant, metempsychotic raven straight out of Ted Hughes’s Crow. You quickly forget that the book is weird as hell, because it is also beautiful as hell, moving as hell, and funny as hell.
In late October, I got to spend a week in the U.K., and decided to pack London Fields. A boring choice, I know, but I’d been shuttling from here to there for a few weeks, and needed to be pinned down in some specific, preferably Technicolor, place. London Fields didn’t let me down. The metafictional schema shouldn’t work, but does. And more importantly, a quarter century after its publication (and 15 years on from the pre-millennial tension it depicts), the prose still bristles, jostles, offends freely, shoots off sparks. The picture of the world on offer is bleak, yes. Yet in surprise, in pleasure, in truthfulness, almost every sentence surpasses the last. This book is now my favorite Martin Amis. I wouldn’t trade it for love or Money.
As synchronicity goes, M Train on a plane may not quite match London Fields in London, but Patti Smith’s new book remains one of the best reading experiences I had this year. Like Grief Is the Thing with Feathers, it is elliptical and fragmentary, weird and beautiful, and, at its core, a reckoning with loss. Much has been made of the book’s seeming spontaneity, its diaristic drift. But as the echoes among its discrete episodes pile up, it starts to resonate like a poem. At one point, Smith writes about W.G. Sebald, and there are affinities with The Emigrants in the way M Train circles around a tragedy, or constellation of tragedies, pointing rather than naming. It is formally a riskier book than the comparatively straight-ahead Just Kids, but a worthy companion piece. And that Patti Smith is still taking on these big artistic dares in 2015 should inspire anyone who longs to make art. In this way, and because it is partly a book about reading other books — how a life is made of volumes— it seems like a fitting way to turn the page on one year in reading, and to welcome in another.
Don’t miss: A Year in Reading 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
Garth Risk Hallberg | 15 books mentioned 4 7 min read
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2011 season, andretti autosport, bourdais, briscoe, castroneves, conway, coyne, de silvestro, dixon, dreyer and Reinbold, foyt enterprises, franchitti, ganassi, hinchcliffe, hunter-reay, hvm, indycar, kanaan, kimball, kv racing, meira, newman-haas, penske, power, rahal, sao paulo, sato, servia, tagliani, viso, wilson
2011 Sao Paulo IndyCar 300 (Rd 4, Qualifying, April 30th)
Creative Commons / Laranjatomate
Will Power secured his fourth consecutive pole position and Roger Penske’s 200th pole as an owner at the street circuit in Sao Paulo yesterday.
The Australian finished the final session with a gap of four-tenths over Andretti-Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay, with Scott Dixon (Ganassi) and Ryan Briscoe (Penske) occupying the second row.
Ganassi pairing Graham Rahal and Dario Franchitti drew up the rear in final qualifying stage.
Despite Power’s run of poles, the Penske man has only once converted them into a victory in 2011 – he will be looking for a good result today in order to jump back to the top of the championship standing.
Helio Castroneves was the big scalp at the end of the second period of qualifying. The three-time Indy 500 winner is the highest starting Brazilian with his 7th best time – he pipped Dreyer & Reinbold’s Justin Wilson and Mike Conway (Andretti-Autosport) by just a few hundredths.
Takuma Sato rounded out the top ten in his KV Racing machine. Sato headed James Hinchcliffe (11th, Newman-Haas) and Sebastien Bourdais (12th, Dale Coyne) as the chequered flag emerged.
Simona de Silvestro was the first out from the first group of qualifying 1 – the ‘Swiss Miss’ lines up 13th on the grid. The HVM pilot pitted early in the session with a “safe” time, only to drop out as the clock ran out.
Tony Kanaan (KV Racing) initially qualified 15th, but was later demoted six places on the grid following illegal changes made to his front wing during the session.
Marco Andretti (Andretti-Autosport), Danica Patrick (Andretti-Autosport), Raphael Matos (AFS), Sebastian Saavedra (Conquest) and Ana Beatriz (Dreyer & Reinbold) take up the inside lanes from rows eight to thirteen.
Vitor Meira only just missed out on the session part of qualifying. Although Meira just nudged ahead of Oriol Servia (16th, Newman-Haas), both fared far better than the following pack.
Indeed on the outside of row nine stands Ganassi’s Charlie Kimball – the debutante set a best lap nearly half-a-second outside of the cut-off point. Alex Tagliani pitted early in the session leaving him 20th, although the Canadian ran less than a tenth quicker than JR Hildebrand (22nd, Panther) and James Jakes (24th, Dale Coyne).
EJ Viso did not run in qualifying after a practice crash. The Venezuelan suffered arear brake failure, leaving the KV Racing pilot helpless on the way to his accident.
Pos Driver Team Time Gap
1. Will Power Penske 1m21.8958s
2. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti 1m22.2975s + 0.4017s
3. Scott Dixon Ganassi 1m22.3620s + 0.4662s
4. Ryan Briscoe Penske 1m22.3937s + 0.4979s
5. Graham Rahal Ganassi 1m22.4970s + 0.6012s
6. Dario Franchitti Ganassi 1m22.6103s + 0.7145s
7. Helio Castroneves Penske 1m22.6283s (Round 2)
8. Justin Wilson Dreyer & Reinbold 1m22.6471s (Round 2)
9. Mike Conway Andretti 1m22.6986s (Round 2)
10. Takuma Sato KV 1m22.7379s (Round 2)
11. James Hinchcliffe Newman/Haas 1m22.8450s (Round 2)
12. Sebastien Bourdais Dale Coyne 1m22.9084s (Round 2)
13. Simona de Silvestro HVM 1m23.6807s (Group 1)
14. Vitor Meira Foyt 1m23.3196s (Group 2)
15. Oriol Servia Newman/Haas 1m23.4015s (Group 2)
16. Marco Andretti Andretti 1m23.7682s (Group 1)
17. Charlie Kimball Ganassi 1m23.7126s (Group 2)
18. Danica Patrick Andretti 1m24.0967s (Group 1)
19. Alex Tagliani Sam Schmidt 1m23.7801s (Group 2)
20. Raphael Matos AFS 1m24.1890s (Group 1)
21. Tony Kanaan KV 1m23.6838s (Group 1)
22. JR Hildebrand Panther 1m23.8443s (Group 2)
23. Sebastian Saavedra Conquest 1m24.2963s (Group 1)
24. James Jakes Dale Coyne 1m23.8482s (Group 2)
25. Ana Beatriz Dreyer & Reinbold 1m24.8246s (Group 1)
26. EJ Viso KV (Group 2)
From → 2011 Racing Season, IndyCar Qualifying
« 2011 Sao Paulo IndyCar 300 (Rd 4, Red Flagged Race, May 1st)
2011 Indy Lights Race of Alabama (Rd 2, April 10th) »
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Remainer MPs cheer John Bercow for re-opening parliament as they pledge to wreck Boris’ Brexit plan
- in Usa News
GLOATING Remainer MPs cheered on Speaker John Bercow as he reopened Parliament this morning – after they pledged to wreck Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan.
The Speaker was treated to a round of applause as he welcomed MPs back into the chamber.
Speaker John Bercow was cheered by Remainer MPs as he welcomed the back into the Commons today
AP:Associated Press
Jo Swinson is applauded by Remainer MPs after announcing a Lib Dem led plot to stop Brexit
Getty Images – Getty
Boris Johnson has arrived back at Downing Street ahead of facing MPs this afternoon
Minutes earlier Jo Swinson said the PM was “not fit to be Prime Minister” as she announced a Lib Dem led plot to stop us leaving the EU on October 31.
Swinson said MPs must remove the “threat of No Deal” before Boris meets with Brussels chiefs next month.
She also claimed Britain was in a “moment of great peril” and ruled out tabling a vote of no confidence and instead called on MPs to look at “all options”.
In cringe-worthy scenes MPs then clapped the Lib Dem boss and said “here-here” as if they were cheering her on from inside the chamber.
This morning the Lib Dem boss hinted that MPs would now try and completely wreck Boris’ Brexit position and destroy the chances of a No Deal Brexit even sooner.
At the moment the law says Boris needs to accept an extension if he doesn’t get a deal by October 17, but Ms Swinson suggested they would try and bring that forward to before October’s EU council meeting.
Swinson said: “Parliament can be innovative and inventive.
“We saw in September the House of Commons take control of the order paper to pass legislation.
“That’s the type of way forward which may well enable us to take the threat of a No Deal Brexit off the table much sooner than the 19 October.”
ELECTION CALL
Smug Swinson’s call comes after it emerged the PM will throw down the gauntlet to Jeremy Corbyn for a third time and demand a general election.
The move comes after Supreme Court judges ruled Boris’ dramatic move to suspend – or prorogue – Parliament was unlawful.
Mr Johnson is expected to call for a vote on a national poll tomorrow, the Telegraph reports.
He has repeatedly challenged Mr Corbyn to an election and previously blasted the Labour boss as a “chicken” after he dodged the call in the Commons.
Cabinet ministers have called for the PM to suspend – or prorogue Parliament – for a second time if he loses the vote.
A Government source said: “We are in truly uncharted territory here.
“Proroguing Parliament again would not be without risk, but every time the courts and others try to stop the Prime Minister, it reinforces the point that the Government is fighting a lone battle to carry out the will of the people.”
COMMONS GRILLING
Boris landed on an RAF flight from New York at 11am and is expected to join MPs in the chamber this afternoon.
Speaker John Bercow will recall Parliament from 11.30am and while the shutdown will top the list of priorities across the House – no formal votes on it are expected to take place today.
The Government is expected to give five oral statements in the chamber today.
There will also be no Prime Minister’s Questions, but Bercow said MPs would have “full scope” for urgent questions, ministerial statements and emergency debates.
The anti-Brexit Speaker said he “welcomed” the verdict by the Supreme Court judges and the Tories fear he is among the Remainers who will do their upmost to block Brexit.
REMAINER PLOT
MPs see the resumed sitting as their last chance to stop us leaving the bloc while time ticks down to the deadline on October 31.
Diane Abbott told reporters that Labour is plotting with other parties to “improve the Benn bill” – which stopped us leaving with No Deal – in another effort to block the will of the people.
Remainer MPs are set to demand fresh detail on Brexit and a statement on Parliament’s suspension.
If the PM refuses, Labour has vowed to force its publication by passing a Commons motion known as a humble address.
The move is backed by former Cabinet minister Amber Rudd and the sacked Tory rebels.
A cross-party group has agreed to “drown” the Government with requests for information with questions on the collapse of Thomas Cook and the ongoing violence in Hong Kong.
They will not, however, ask for an immediate no confidence vote.
DEFIANT BORIS
A defiant Mr Johnson has refused to quit as PM despite Mr Corbyn – and other opposition ministers – calling for his head.
Boris said he “strongly disagreed” with the ruling of the 11 justices at the Supreme Court but vowed he was going nowhere.
Instead the embattled Tory leader fumed: “Jeremy Corbyn is talking out the back of his neck and he should have an election.”
Mr Johnson updated Cabinet ministers on the ruling in a conference call on Tuesday from New York, in which Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg reportedly said the Supreme Court judgment amounted to a “constitutional coup”.
I don’t think the Government should apologise also for saying that we are attempting to honour the democratic will of the British people.
He also spoke to the Queen after the verdict, according to a Government source who would not comment on whether he apologised to the monarch.
A defiant Michael Gove has refused to “apologise” for the chaos the government’s Parliament shutdown has caused.
He told the BBC told: “I don’t think that the Government should apologise for having a strong domestic agenda, I don’t think we should apologise also for seeking to advance our exit from the European Union.
Despite Boris losing all six parliamentary votes during his brief tenure as PM, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said he was a “born winner”.
“I think it is only fair to say that Boris is the Pep Guardiola of British politics,” Mr Gove said.
FACING THE MUSIC
Shadow cabinet office minister Jon Trickett indicated they would be seeking to bring Mr Johnson to the Commons chamber to account for his actions.
“We want to hear what legal advice he was acting on, why he ended up in court and being ruled in this quite extraordinary way.
Mr Rees-Mogg will set out the business for the week on Wednesday, a Government source said.
Mr Johnson meanwhile has said he still wants to go ahead with a new Queen’s Speech setting out the Government’s legislative agenda – his stated reason for seeking a shutdown of Parliament.
His comments suggest that he could potentially seek another suspension – or prorogation – something he has not ruled out.
Mr Corbyn, who brought forward his Labour Party Conference speech so he can return to Westminster, called the PM’s plan to stop MPs sitting for five weeks “reckless” and “disastrous”.
He added: “This unelected Prime Minister should now resign.”
But yesterday the embattled PM was handed a huge boost after trade talks with Donald Trump.
SUPREME FOLLY
Sun readers slam Supreme Court's ruling & stand by Boris Johnson
THE PRO ROGUES
Remainer MPs to 'drown' PM by demanding publication of prorogue legal advice
EU'RE FAULT
BoJo's allies slam 'constitutional coup' as judges' ruling derails Brexit plan
JEREMY CAR BIN
Corbyn's 'unachievable' eco plans would see cars confiscated & meat rationed
New pressure on BoJo over ex-model, 34, as 4th taxpayer handout worth £12K emerges
Boris visited flat of entrepreneur pole-dancer, 34, for IT LESSONS, claim pals
Backing him to stay at No10, the US President said: ““I’ll tell you, I know him well, he’s not going anywhere”.
And Boris replied: “No, no, no”.
Asked if he had any advice for PM to deal with judges, Mr Trump said: “No I think he’s doing very well.
And on his reaction to the court ruling today he added: “I had no reaction … for him it’s just another day at the office.”
Boris shrugged off today’s drama, adding: “Tomorrow’s just another day in Parliament.”
CORB CHAOS Labour boss plans to ruin Boris' Brexit plans
JEREMY Corbyn today said he would throw Boris Brexit plans into chaos for at least a month as he refused an election yet again.
The Labour boss point blank refused to sort out the political deadlock by going back to the people until AFTER the PM has requested a Brexit extension from the EU.
Boris has insisted he won’t ever ask for another delay, but it’s unclear exactly what his plan would be if there was no deal after October’s EU summit.
Mr Corbyn said this morning: “Until it is very clear that the application will be made, per the legislation, to the EU to extend our membership to at least January, then we will continue pushing for that and that is our priority.”And he demanded that Boris apologise formally to the Queen too.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Labour should push for a vote of no confidence in Boris as soon as possible – saying he would support the leftie boss becoming “interim” prime minister.But he would only back him to get a Brexit extension and call a general election.
Mr Corbyn said today he had no plans for a vote of no confidence in his conference speech, which was brought forward 24 hours after the damning verdict yesterday.
Boris gets off his RAF flight from New York this morning
BBC supplied by Pixel8000 07917221968
Boris flew through the night to get back to Westminster this afternoon
Speaker John Bercow will recall Parliament by 11.30am tomorrow
Boris met Trump in New York this afternoon
The Supreme Court has been urged by Remain lawyers to demand that MPs are recalled next week if it rules that Boris Johnson misled the Queen[/caption]
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Shocking footage shows gang yob stab rival through car window in broad daylight
A THUG who stabbed a rival gang member through their open car window in broad daylight has been jailed for 11 years.
Shocking footage shows 20-year-old Tyriq Richards-Tindle run up to the car’s open window before launching the brutal attack in Luton, Beds.
The attack happened in broad daylight
Bedfordshire Police/Triangle News
The horrific video was captured on a dash-cam, and appears to show Richards-Tindle leaning through the open window with a blade around five times.
The stunned driver jumps the car forward several paces, but soon realises there’s no escape from the attacker as they’re gridlocked by traffic.
Richards-Tindle then runs away from the car after shrugging off his victim who grabs fruitlessly at his arm, attempting to ward off the attack.
A man in a blue hooded jacket watches on as the brutal stabbing takes place in broad daylight, at 11.45am on July 8.
Richards-Tindle answered “no comment” to all questions put to him when he was quizzed, despite after being shown the footage of the incident.
He was charged with GBH with intent and pleaded guilty at Luton crown court before being caged on Tuesday.
Det Con Colin Knight, from Bedfordshire Police, said: “It’s quite clear that Richards Tindle was so focussed on inflicting violence on his rival.
“That he spared no thought for others in the area, which included many members of the public.
“The 11 year sentence that has been imposed on him should serve as a warning to others involved in gangs, or who use weapons to cause fear and intimidation.
“While other 20-year-olds in our county enjoy their youth, with many heading back to university this week, Richards-Tindle will spend his time behind bars.
CLUCKING HELL
Where your Nando's chicken comes from as farm with deformed chicks is exposed
MONSTER MUM
Mum-of-six pleads GUILTY to murdering 2 of her kids & plotting to kill 4 others
Middle-aged woman sent 25,000 ECSTASY pills worth £450k after buying dress online
SNOOP TRAGEDY
Snoop Dogg's grandson Kai Love dies just 10 days old, reports claim
HEARTS OF GOLD
Sacked Thomas Cook staff fly stranded Brits home for free and get whip round
URGENT RECALL
Contact lenses recalled over fears particles may 'damage surface of your eye'
“While in prison I hope he’s able to reflect on his actions.
“This case also highlights the risks associated with gang activity, as the victim also received nasty injuries and required several surgeries following this incident.
“To anyone involved I would like to say: this doesn’t have to be your life, and what you’re putting at risk is far more than what you stand to gain.”
Richards-Tindle was jailed for 11 years
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