text:
Dr. Harley has received consulting fees from IVAX Diagnostics (more than $10,000), owns stock or stock options in IVAX Diagnostics (now Erba Diagnostics), and serves on the Erba Diagnostics Board of Directors. He has licensed intellectual property to Erba Diagnostics for the isolation and purification of select autoantigens.
The content of this work is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or its relevant institutes.
Replacement of standard immunofluorescence methods with bead-based assays for antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is a new clinical option. The aim of this study was to evaluate a large, multiethnic cohort of patients with systemic lupus erytematosus (SLE), blood relatives, and unaffected control individuals for familial aggregation and subset clustering of autoantibodies by high-throughput serum screening technology and traditional methods.
Serum samples (1,540 SLE patients, 1,154 unaffected relatives, and 906 healthy, population-based controls) were analyzed for SLE autoantibodies using a bead-based assay, indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), and immunodiffusion. Autoantibody prevalence, sensitivity for disease detection, clustering of autoantibodies, and associations between newer methods and standard immunodiffusion results were evaluated.
The frequencies of ANAs in the sera from African American, Hispanic, and European American patients with SLE were 89%, 73%, and 67%, respectively, by BioPlex 2200 bead-based assay and 94%, 84%, and 86%, respectively, by IIF. When comparing the serum prevalence of 60-kd Ro, La, Sm, nuclear RNP A, and ribosomal P autoantibodies across assays, the sensitivity of detection ranged from 0.92 to 0.83 and the specificity ranged from 0.90 to 0.79. Autoantibody cluster analysis showed associations of autoantibody specificities in 3 subsets: 1) 60 kd Ro, 52-kd Ro, and La, 2) spliceosomal proteins, and 3) double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), chromatin, and ribosomal P. Familial aggregation of Sm/RNP, ribosomal P, and 60-kd Ro in SLE patient sibling pairs was observed (P ≤ 0.004). Simplex-pedigree SLE patients had a greater prevalence of dsDNA (P = 0.0003) and chromatin (P = 0.005) autoantibodies compared to patients with a multiplex SLE pedigree.
The frequencies of ANAs detected by a bead-based assay are lower than those detected by IIF in European American patients with SLE. These assays have strong positive predictive values across ethnic groups, provide useful information for clinical care, and provide unique insights into familial aggregation and autoantibody clustering.
The diverse clinical presentations of systemic lupus erytematosus (SLE) create significant difficulties for diagnosis. However, studies have shown that a common feature of SLE, the presence of autoantibodies, is associated with select clinical features (1). Previous studies have found that autoantibodies are often present in SLE patient sera years before diagnosis and prior to the onset of associated clinical symptoms (2, 3). Detection of autoantibodies is an important tool in SLE classification (4, 5), and some autoantibodies may be used to monitor the potential for disease flare (6, 7).
The prevalence of autoantibodies varies among self-reported ethnic groups. Compared with European American patients with SLE, African American patients with SLE have a higher prevalence of autoantibodies targeting Sm and nuclear RNP (nRNP) proteins (8–11). Autoantibody cluster analysis provides additional information about clinical symptom associations or genetic risk; however, studies to date have either evaluated relatively small patient cohorts (12–15) or used historical antibody data measured by a variety of detection methods (16). A few studies examining the prevalence of autoantibodies in blood relatives of SLE patients have shown that low levels of SLE-specific autoantibodies were detectable in clinically healthy relatives (17–19).
Although autoantibodies remain paramount in lupus diagnosis and management, detection of lupus specificities varies significantly between clinically available assays. To date, detailed evaluations of newer methods in large, multiethnic collections of SLE patients and control subjects are incomplete. The historical autoantibody testing methods of immunofluorescence and immunodiffusion require specially trained laboratory personnel and are becoming less available in many US markets. Based on variability in autoantibody detection across and within select methods, it has been difficult to consistently and accurately measure prevalence of autoantibodies in diverse SLE patient cohorts. Questions remain about the number of SLE patients that would be potentially missed because the newer methods may test fewer autoantibody specificities. Moreover, it remains to be determined whether the frequency of specific autoantibody detection is different across different races, and whether healthy family members of SLE patients might have higher rates of autoantibody specificities when these newer methods are used for detection.
Therefore, the primary objective of our present study was to examine the prevalence, specificity, clustering, and familial aggregation of specific autoantibodies within a large cohort of SLE patients, unaffected relatives, and unaffected controls. In addition, we sought to compare antinuclear antibody (ANA) results between a multiplex bead assay and classic detection methods (indirect immunofluorescence [IIF] and immunodiffusion) in a large, multiethnic cohort.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Patients and controls.
All experiments were performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Institutional Review Boards. SLE patient and control serum samples were identified, based on serum availability, from the Lupus Family Registry and Repository and the Lupus Genetics Cohorts at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. The study group included 1,540 SLE patients, 1,154 SLE-unaffected relatives, and 906 healthy, population-based controls.
The diagnosis of SLE was defined according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria for classification (i.e., the presence of at least 4 of 11 criteria) (4, 5). Upon enrollment, participants were asked to self-report their ethnicity from a list that included African American, non-Hispanic European American, Hispanic, Gullah, American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, other, mixed race, or not reported. Gullah individuals live in the Sea Islands and coastal plains of South Carolina and Georgia. These individuals were grouped with African Americans in this study. The distribution of ethnic groups, according to disease status and sex, is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Demographic characteristics of the cohort based on disease status, ethnicity, and sex*
Values are the number or number (%) of participants. SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus.
African American and Gullah
Mixed race or not reported
Serologic autoantibody testing.
Autoantibody screening was performed by laboratory staff in the College of American Pathologists–certified clinical immunology laboratory at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments–approved laboratory). Each serum sample was screened for SLE-associated autoantibodies. ANAs and anti–double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) were measured using IIF (using HEp-2 cells for detection of ANAs and Crithidia luciliae for detection of anti-dsDNA; Inova Diagnostics) (2, 3, 20). A positive result was defined as detection of ANAs at a titer of ≥1:120 and anti-dsDNA antibodies at a titer of ≥1:30. The IIF assays were manually read by clinical immunology laboratory personnel, using a Nikon Optiphot fluorescence microscope (HBO bulb 100W mercury lamp, 20× objective). Precipitating levels of autoantibodies directed against Ro/SSA, La/SSB, Sm, nRNP, and ribosomal P were detected by immunodiffusion (21). Anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, with a titer of >20 IgG or IgM phospholipid units being classified as positive (22).
BioPlex 2200 bead-based autoantibody analysis.
The BioPlex 2200 system (Bio-Rad) is a US Food and Drug Administration–approved multiplex technology for fully automated, high-throughput serologic analysis. The BioPlex 2200 ANA kit uses fluorescently dyed magnetic beads for simultaneous detection of 13 autoantibody specificity levels within a single serum sample. This method detects antibodies against dsDNA, chromatin, ribosomal P, SSA 60 (60-kd Ro), SSA 52 (52-kd Ro), SSB (La), Sm, the Sm/RNP complex, RNP A, RNP 68, Scl-70, centromere B, and Jo-1. The manufacturer lists the following sources of antigen: dsDNA synthesized by polymerase chain reaction, affinity-purified 60-kd Ro, La, Sm/RNP complex, Sm, chromatin, and ribosomal P proteins, and recombinantly produced 52-kd Ro, RNP A, RNP 68, Scl-70, centromere B, and Jo-1.
In BioPlex 2200 assays for detection of dsDNA, results are reported in IU/ml; thereby this technique serves as a semiquantitative assay, with a previously determined cutoff for anti-dsDNA positivity of 10 IU/ml. In the BioPlex 2200 system, an antibody index (AI) (range 0–8) is used, depending on the fluorescence intensity of each of the other autoantibody specificities, with a cutoff for positivity set at an AI value of 1.0, as recommended by the manufacturer. The AI scale is standardized relative to the binding values of the calibrators and control samples provided by the manufacturer. Levels of factor XIIIb were tested as a quality control, by serving both as a serum confirmation test and as an indicator of sample integrity. Levels of factor XIIIb (an enzyme involved in blood coagulation) have minimal variation between individuals. Low factor XIIIb levels indicate nonserum or nonplasma samples, inappropriate dilution of samples, or sample degradation. Serum samples were excluded if they contained errors based on low factor XIIIb levels, with low levels determined according to cutoff values defined by the manufacturer.
Two-group comparisons using chi-square statistics and McNemar's tests identified statistically significant differences in the prevalence of autoantibodies in the sera of SLE patients, SLE-unaffected family members, and healthy, population-based controls. In analyses comparing the autoantibody prevalence between patients and unaffected relatives, 1 patient and 1 unaffected relative who was matched to the patient by sex and race were used. McNemar's chi-square and exact tests, which were used when smaller subgroups were examined, were performed using SAS version 9.1.3 (SAS Institute). Data on ANA positivity were provided along with data on 10 of the 13 lupus-associated autoantibody specificities, excluding centromere B, Jo-1, and Scl-70; data for these latter 3 autoantibodies are presented separately. Independent subgroups were used for chi-square analysis when comparing differences in autoantibody prevalence based on race/ethnicity and when comparing unaffected relatives and healthy, population-based controls. The potential association between simplex and multiplex families and these 10 autoantibodies was assessed with logistic regression analyses adjusted for race/ethnicity.
In addition, we analyzed the influence of familial association with SLE by comparing SLE patients with no SLE familial occurrence (simplex pedigree) to SLE patients with at least 1 blood relative affected by SLE (multiplex pedigree). To compensate for multiple testing, a Bonferroni correction was applied using a comparison-wise significance level (α) of 0.005; thus, single-comparison statistical significance was defined as P values less than or equal to 0.005. Hierarchical variable cluster analysis with the centroid method was used to identify related groups of similar autoantibody specificities. Tetrachoric correlations between the autoantibody profiles in SLE patients were determined using SAS version 9.2.
Familial aggregation of autoantibody occurrence within siblings was used to explore potential genetic influence on the production of autoantibodies (23). We categorized each sibling pair as either concordant positive, discordant, or concordant negative for each of the 10 lupus-associated autoantibody specificities. The total numbers of concordant positive (n1), discordant (n2), and concordant negative (n3) sibling pairs were determined to calculate odds ratios (ORs), as follows: 4n1n3/([n2]2 − n2). The ORs were calculated for sibling pairs consisting of 2 SLE patients within a family and for sibling pairs of 1 SLE patient and 1 unaffected sibling.
Higher frequency and number of autoantibodies in African American participants irrespective of disease status.
The overall prevalence of autoantibodies detected in the serum samples by BioPlex 2200 bead-based assay varied depending on ethnicity (Figure 1). Of the 1,030 African Americans in the study, 468 patients with SLE (90%), 89 unaffected relatives (33.7%), and 43 healthy, population-based controls (17.5%) were positive for at least 1 of the autoantibodies tested by BioPlex 2200 assay. The mean ± SD number of autoantibodies detected within this ethnic group was 4.33 ± 2.30 for patients, 2.38 ± 2.09 for unaffected relatives, and 1.31 ± 0.71 for healthy, population-based controls. Of the 507 Hispanics, 163 patients with SLE (73.1% of the patient group), 34 unaffected relatives (23.4% of the unaffected relative group), and 19 healthy, population-based controls (13.7% of the control group) had at least 1 positive result for an autoantibody specificity. Within this ethnic group, the mean ± SD number of autoantibodies detected was 3.68 ± 2.21 for patients, 1.74 ± 1.08 for unaffected relatives, and 1.21 ± 0.71 for healthy, population-based controls. Of the 1,872 European Americans, 483 patients with SLE (67.4% of the patient group), 177 unaffected relatives (26.5% of the unaffected relative group), and 46 healthy, population-based controls (9.5% of the control group) were found to be positive for at least 1 of the 10 tested autoantibody specificities associated with SLE. In this group, the mean ± SD number of autoantibodies present by bead-based assay within the samples was 2.79 ± 1.79 for patients, 1.54 ± 0.99 for unaffected relatives, and 1.41 ± 1.07 for healthy, population-based controls.
Among all of the SLE patients in the study, 53.1% of African American patients, 34.3% of Hispanic patients, and 18.7% of European American patients were found to have 4 or more of the tested autoantibody specificities (Figure 1). Overall, when we applied this commercially available standard antibody-testing platform, 88.8%, 73.1%, and 67.4% of the patients with established SLE in the African American, Hispanic, and European American ethnic groups, respectively, were found to be positive for SLE autoantibodies. Therefore, ∼11–33% of these patients with established SLE would be ANA negative by this detection method.
Higher prevalence of select autoantibody specificities in African Americans compared with European Americans and Hispanics.
Analyses of the individual autoantibody specificities that were detected revealed significant differences among the ethnic groups (Figure 2). When compared to European American SLE patients, African American SLE patients displayed a significantly higher prevalence of autoantibodies against dsDNA, chromatin, ribosomal P, 60-kd Ro, Sm, Sm/RNP, RNP A, and RNP 68 (χ2 = 13.3–129.5, P ≤ 0.001 for all comparisons) (Figure 2A). Hispanic SLE patients also had significantly higher autoantibody prevalences compared to European American SLE patients for the anti-dsDNA, anti–ribosomal P, anti-Sm/RNP, and anti-RNP 68 autoantibody specificities (χ2 = 8.7–11.3, P ≤ 0.004 for all comparisons). When compared to Hispanic SLE patients, African American SLE patients had a higher autoantibody prevalence for the chromatin, Sm, Sm/RNP, RNP A, and RNP 68 specificities (χ2 = 11.6–41.5, P ≤ 0.001 for all comparisons).
Analyses of the autoantibody prevalences in unaffected relatives revealed no effect that could be associated with self-reported ethnicity (Figure 2B). Interestingly, in the healthy, population-based control group, the prevalence of anti–52-kd Ro was significantly higher in African American control subjects than in European American control subjects (Figure 2C).
Detection of antichromatin as the most common autoantibody specificity in SLE patients and unaffected blood relatives.
When a BioPlex 2200 system was used to test the sera, 76% of SLE patients, 28% of SLE-unaffected relatives, and 12% of controls were found to have at least 1 lupus autoantibody specificity. As expected, the prevalence of all 10 autoantibodies was significantly higher in SLE patients compared to controls (χ2 = 80.9–638.1, P < 0.001 for all comparisons). When comparing the SLE patients to unaffected relatives, all specificities except anti-La were significantly more common in the SLE patient group (P < 0.005). The mean ± SD number of all detectable autoantibody specificities was 3.58 ± 2.18 for patients, 1.78 ± 1.41 for unaffected relatives, and 1.29 ± 0.83 for healthy, population-based controls.
The prevalence of individual autoantibodies varied among SLE patients. Antichromatin was the most prevalent (55.8% of SLE patients), while anti–ribosomal P was the least prevalent (12.4% of SLE patients). Unaffected relatives also had varied autoantibody prevalence. Similar to the findings in SLE patients, chromatin was the most prevalent specificity in the SLE-unaffected relative group (12.5%). When compared to unrelated control subjects, SLE-unaffected relatives had a significantly higher prevalence of dsDNA, chromatin, 60-kd Ro, 52-kd Ro, Sm, and RNP A autoantibodies (P < 0.005 for all comparisons).
The prevalence of anti–Scl-70 was 2.2% in SLE patients and 1.2% in both SLE-unaffected relatives and healthy, population-based controls (P not significant). Anti–centromere B responses were detected in 3.7% of SLE patients and in <1% of both unaffected relatives and healthy, unrelated controls (P < 0.001), with women being >4 times more likely to be positive (P < 0.001). Jo-1 antibodies were present in <0.5% of all samples. Inclusion of the prevalence of Scl-70, centromere B, and Jo-1 antibodies did not significantly affect the overall ANA prevalence rates, and therefore these were not included in subsequent analyses.
Varying associations of the BioPlex 2200 bead-based assay and IIF results across ethnic groups.
IIF is the historical standard for broad-scale ANA screening. Comparisons of results from the IIF assay to those from the BioPlex ANA assay indicated that there were differences in the sensitivity and specificity of detection. We found that 88.8% of SLE patients, 34.7% of unaffected relatives, and 18.3% of healthy, population-based controls were ANA positive by IIF at a serum titer of ≥1:120, whereas 76.4%, 27.9%, and 12.4%, respectively, were positive by BioPlex 2200 assay. When all 13 measured autoantibodies were assessed together, 78.2% of SLE patients, 28.9% of unaffected relatives, and 13.8% of unrelated controls were considered ANA positive using the BioPlex 2200 assay; these prevalence rates were extremely similar to those detected when only the 10 lupus-associated autoantibodies were analyzed. Differences in autoantibody prevalence between the 2 tests were most striking in European American patients (Table 2).
Table 2. Comparison of overall autoantibody prevalence, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value between BioPlex 2200 bead-based assay and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), unaffected relatives, and healthy, population-based controls in each ethnic group*
Positive antinuclear antibody results were based on a titer of ≥1:120.
Healthy, population-based controls
Positive predictive value
Negative predictive value
Autoantibody testing by IIF revealed a higher prevalence of autoantibodies among the SLE patients, SLE-unaffected relatives, and healthy controls in all ethnic groups, suggesting that the IIF assay is able to detect a more diverse repertoire of autoantibodies than is offered within the BioPlex 2200 ANA kit. Interestingly, among African American control subjects, the prevalence rates were similar between the BioPlex assay and the IIF detection method.
Further comparative analysis of the diagnostic efficacy between the BioPlex assay and the IIF ANA screening test was performed using the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for each assay. PPV and NPV analyses were performed within the combined group of SLE patients and healthy, population-based controls as a whole, as well as within ethnic subgroups (Table 2). Overall, the PPV for the IIF assay (89.2%) was similar to that of the BioPlex assay (91.3%), but the NPV proved to be better within the IIF assay (81.1%, compared with 68.6% for the BioPlex assay). Within the individual ethnic subgroups, African Americans had the highest PPV and NPV for both assays.
Because of the established clinical associations and therapeutic implications placed on the detection of anti-dsDNA antibodies in patients with SLE, we specifically examined the consistency of anti-dsDNA autoantibody detection between the BioPlex 2200 assay and the current standard IIF detection method. The prevalence of anti-dsDNA detected by IIF was 24.3% among SLE patients, 0.4% among unaffected relatives, and 0.1% among unaffected, unrelated controls.
Examination of the presence of dsDNA autoantibodies based on ethnicity revealed that this specificity was greatest in African American SLE patients (28.2%), with a similar prevalence in both European American (21.5%) and Hispanic (21.1%) SLE patients. However, dsDNA autoantibody specificity had a higher prevalence in all 3 ethnicities when detected using the BioPlex 2200 assay compared to the IIF. African Americans displayed the largest difference in prevalence of anti-dsDNA between IIF and the BioPlex 2200 test, showing a prevalence of 28.2% by IIF and 35.7% by BioPlex 2200 assay. Among Hispanics, 35% tested positive for anti-dsDNA antibodies when the serum was tested with the BioPlex 2200 assay, compared to 21.1% testing positive using IIF, while European Americans displayed an anti-dsDNA autoantibody prevalence of 23.4% by BioPlex assay and 21.5% by IIF.
Varying detection of autoantibodies in SLE patients, blood relatives, and healthy controls between traditional and BioPlex detection methods.
When all 13 Bio-Rad BioPlex 2200 ANA analytes were assayed in the serum of SLE patients in the 3 ethnic groups, we found that 29.7% of European American patients, 10.5% of African American patients, and 25.1% of Hispanic patients were autoantibody negative. In addition, we examined family members and control individuals for false-negative results. Within these groups, ∼30% of African American, European American, and Hispanic blood relatives and ∼20% from each control ethnic group were found positive for dsDNA antibodies by IIF but negative by BioPlex 2200 assay. Of the remaining autoantibody specificities, only individuals who were blood relatives of the SLE patients had false-negative results for Ro, La, or nRNP autoantibodies; among these individuals, fewer than 1% of African Americans were false negative for Ro, La, or nRNP, and fewer than 1% of European Americans were false negative for Ro and nRNP.
We next examined the presence of false-positive results. Among the SLE patients, 2.11% of African Americans, 6.3% of European Americans, and 7.6% of Hispanics were autoantibody positive by BioPlex 2200 assay but negative by IIF. Among the blood relatives, 11% from each ethnicity had false-positive results, compared to 11.4% of African American controls, 13.2% of European American controls, and 13% of Hispanic controls.
To explore the possibility of other potential antigenic targets among the samples found to be ANA negative by BioPlex 2200 assay, we examined the prevalence of aCL antibodies. The prevalence of aCL antibodies was lower in the BioPlex 2200 ANA–negative samples compared to that in the BioPlex 2200 ANA–positive samples (10.4% versus 15.6%; P = 0.02).
Similar sensitivity between bead-based assay and the IIF and immunodiffusion methods.
To reference our findings from the BioPlex 2200 bead-based assays to those obtained with traditional standards for detection of SLE antibody specificities, we compared the BioPlex 2200 assay results with the corresponding immunodiffusion results. In autoantibody testing of the serum of SLE patients, the sensitivity of the BioPlex 2200 assay, relative to the results from immunodiffusion, for detection of Ro, La, ribosomal P, Sm, and nRNP complex (nRNP A and nRNP 70-kd) antibodies was found to be 0.92, 0.92, 0.83, 0.89, and 0.92, respectively. Anti-dsDNA detection by BioPlex 2200 assay, when compared to IIF, had a sensitivity of 0.71 and a specificity of 0.80. Detection of centromere B and Jo-1 autoantibodies by the BioPlex 2200 assay, when compared to IIF and immunodiffusion, respectively, exhibited respective sensitivity values of 0.70 and 0.80 and respective specificity values of 0.98 and 0.998.
Enrichment of dsDNA and chromatin autoantibodies in SLE patient sera from simplex pedigrees.
To evaluate the effect of familial relationship on autoantibody prevalence, SLE patients were categorized as simplex (having no known familial relationship to other SLE patients) or multiplex (having at least 1 blood-related family member with SLE). Of the 1,540 SLE patients, 53.8% were classified as having a multiplex SLE pedigree, 26.5% were classified as having a simplex pedigree, and 19.7% were unknown. Interestingly, a significantly higher prevalence of anti-dsDNA was found among simplex-pedigree patients (35.0%) than among multiplex-pedigree patients (25.1%) (χ2 = 14.37, P < 0.0002).
African American and Hispanic patients are significantly more likely than European American patients to be anti-dsDNA positive. Therefore, multiple logistic regression was performed to determine whether an SLE patient with a simplex pedigree is more likely to be anti-dsDNA positive, regardless of ethnicity. Using dsDNA positivity as the outcome and both ethnicity (European American, African American, Hispanic, or other) and status (simplex or multiplex) as predictors, we found that simplex-pedigree patients had a significantly greater prevalence of anti-dsDNA than did multiplex-pedigree patients, even after adjusting for ethnicity (OR 1.59, P = 0.0003).
A significantly higher prevalence of chromatin autoantibodies was also found among simplex-pedigree patients (59.1%) compared to multiplex-pedigree patients (50.8%), when analyses were adjusted for ethnicity (χ2 = 8.33, P = 0.005). No other differences in the prevalence of other autoantibody specificities between simplex- and multiplex-pedigree SLE patients were noted.
Familial aggregation of ribosomal P, Sm/RNP, and 60-kd Ro autoantibody specificities in SLE patient sibling pairs.
Familial aggregation analysis was performed as a measurement of genetic influence on the production of certain autoantibody specificities. The autoantibody specificities with evidence of familial aggregation within SLE-affected sibling pairs included ribosomal P (OR 5.34, P = 0.002), Sm/RNP (OR 2.90, P = 0.002), and 60-kd Ro (OR 2.56, P = 0.004) (Table 3). Within sibling pairs that consisted of an SLE-affected patient and an unaffected sibling, no significant aggregation for individual autoantibody specificity was detected.
Table 3. Familial aggregation of autoantibodies in sibling pairs*
SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus; ANA = antinuclear antibody; IIF = indirect immunofluorescence; dsDNA = double-stranded DNA; NA = not applicable.
Values are the number of sibling pairs categorized as either concordant positive (+/+), discordant (+/−), or concordant negative (−/−) for each autoantibody.
In examining the relationship between ANA positivity and family aggregation (Table 3), the results from the BioPlex 2200 bead-based assay indicated that there was familial aggregation in SLE-affected sibling pairs (OR 2.51, P = 0.01) as well as in the SLE patient/unaffected sibling pairs (OR 0.38, P < 0.001). IIF ANA assays showed aggregation of positivity for ANAs in SLE patient/unaffected sibling pairs (OR 0.49, P = 0.004).
Unique ethnic differences in autoantibody subsets revealed by autoantibody clustering.
Hierarchical cluster analysis of antibody profiles detected within all SLE patient samples showed 3 distinct subsets of autoantibodies: 1) 60-kd Ro, 52-kd Ro, and La, 2) Sm, Sm/RNP, nRNP A, nRNP 68, and chromatin, and 3) dsDNA and ribosomal P (Figure 3). When we performed the same analysis with SLE patients subgrouped on the basis of ethnicity, the 3 clusters described above were observed in the African American patients with SLE. However, in the European American and Hispanic patients, antibodies against chromatin tended to cluster with dsDNA and ribosomal P. All results accounted for ∼90% of the variability in antibody profiles in each patient group.
The goal of this study was to characterize autoantibody prevalence, specificity, clustering, and familial aggregation within a large cohort of SLE patients, unaffected blood relatives, and healthy, population-based controls using a Bio-Rad BioPlex 2200 ANA screening test. Our results further confirm the high sensitivity of the BioPlex 2200 ANA assay that has been demonstrated previously by other groups (24–26). Moreover, our study detected variable autoantibody prevalence in SLE patients based on ethnicity, identified a subset of autoantibodies present in unaffected family members, demonstrated an enrichment of anti-dsDNA in the simplex pedigree, established familial aggregation of select autoantibodies, and explored the interrelatedness of 3 subsets of common SLE autoantibodies.
The BioPlex 2200 ANA assay has the potential to serve as an ANA screening and detection method to identify individual antibody specificities. The autoantibody prevalence within SLE patients was found to be higher when the IIF ANA detection method was used as compared to the BioPlex 2200 assay. Differences in autoantibody frequency may be influenced by several factors. First, the BioPlex 2200 assay detected the presence of only 13 defined specificities, whereas IIF detects antibodies against a variety of cellular components, such as Ku, Ki, Su, 4–6S RNA, α-actinin, and single-stranded DNA (27), as well as unknown antigens. Nevertheless, specificities included within the BioPlex 2200 assay allowed identification of autoantibodies in the majority of patients found to be ANA positive by IIF. Interestingly, when the BioPlex 2200 detection method was used, 1 in 5 African American healthy individuals had positive findings for ANAs.
Unfortunately, a number of European American SLE patients who were ANA positive by IIF (32.6%) had no autoantibodies that were detectable on the BioPlex 2200 ANA screening test, thereby suggesting that a number of SLE patients might be found to be ANA negative by this method. When European American healthy control subjects were analyzed, the BioPlex 2200 ANA screening test showed that the prevalence of antibodies was nearly 50% lower than the prevalence detected by IIF ANA screening (at a titer of ≥1:120).
This difference in ANA positivity between screening methods and the overall prevalence of other autoantibodies cannot be explained by medication or changes in ANA positivity over 5 years of disease, as no significant differences were observed. Interestingly, as the length of time since SLE diagnosis increased to 10 years, the prevalence of ANA negativity decreased significantly in African American patients (P = 0.0281) and European American patients (P = 0.0077). Since the overall percentage of healthy, population-based control subjects found to be ANA positive was still higher than optimal, it is likely that the BioPlex 2200 ANA test will result in more false-negative results in SLE patients if used as the sole test for ANAs.
We examined the PPV and NPV of each assay to compare their abilities to identify SLE patients. Of particular note, the PPV for both the BioPlex 2200 and IIF assays was strong in African Americans (92.5% and 93.1%, respectively), while the PPV for the BioPlex 2200 assay in Hispanics (89.6%) and European Americans (91.3%) was slightly better than that for IIF (88.3% and 87.3%, respectively). However, the NPV was better for IIF compared to the BioPlex 2200 assay in the overall cohort (81.1% versus 68.6%) and within the individual ethnic subgroups (African Americans 82.2% versus 71%, Hispanics 76.5% versus 66.7%, and European Americans 79.4% versus 65.3%) (Table 2). Our study used a cutoff titer of 1:120 to indicate a positive result (28). Using this cutoff, the PPVs were decreased in the total cohort (83.7%) and in the individual ethnicities (African Americans 90.8%, Hispanics 82.7%, and European Americans 85.2%). Overall, these results support the premise that the BioPlex 2200 assay has a better PPV, while the IIF assay has a stronger NPV for autoantibody detection among patients with established SLE.
The BioPlex 2200 ANA assay also allowed for identification of autoantibody specificities within unaffected family members of SLE patients. This is of considerable interest as we continue to explore the genetic and environmental influences that may lead to the development of SLE and allows further characterization and serial monitoring of these autoantibody-positive, unaffected relatives. Previous study findings have contributed to the idea that production of specific autoantibodies by SLE patients and family members is the result of complex genetic influences and might indicate genetic susceptibility to autoimmune disease (18, 29). Previous studies that demonstrated familial aggregation of autoantibodies were based on data obtained by immunodiffusion. In those studies, Ro, La, nRNP, and ribosomal P showed significant aggregation within patient/patient sibling pairs, while significant aggregation in patient/unaffected relative pairs was detected for dsDNA, Ro, La, nRNP, and ribosomal P (29). In our study, using a BioPlex 2200 ANA screening test, familial aggregation of autoantibodies was detectable in patient/patient sibling pairs (ANAs, ribosomal P, Sm/RNP, and 60-kd Ro), while within patient/unaffected relative pairs, only ANAs showed familial aggregation, suggesting that the heritability pattern may be more refined.
Previous studies have introduced the concept of antibody cluster analysis to create serologic profiles that may assist with diagnosis, prognosis, and disease subsetting (12–16). In this study, we identified clusters of autoantibodies associated with previously defined physical antigen complexes or other suspected temporal associations (30–32). Our study indicated antibody clustering between Ro and La autoantibodies, Sm and nRNP antibodies, and dsDNA and ribosomal P autoantibodies. These results are in agreement with those from the published literature (12–16), with the exception of an association between nRNP and ribosomal P autoantibodies. Autoantibody cluster analysis of separate ethnic groups revealed variation of clustering within African Americans as compared to the trend established in European Americans and Hispanics. A recent study identified ANA variance in healthy adults across 6 different geographic regions, suggesting that there is an environmental component to autoantibody prevalence (33). Thus, differing genetic or initial environmental influences may alter autoantibody prevalence. These findings suggest the need to analyze racial/ethnic groups separately when examining etiology of disease, potential biomarkers, or any other proposed diagnostic or prognostic application of autoantibodies in SLE. Ongoing efforts to integrate these findings into a diagnostic or prognostic algorithm are currently under way.
In conclusion, we found the BioPlex 2200 ANA screening test to be a highly informative tool for assessment of autoantibody prevalence in SLE patients. Our analysis identified a significant increase in prevalence and total number of autoantibodies in African American SLE patients compared to European American SLE patients. Analysis of unaffected relatives of SLE patients and healthy, population-based controls revealed an increased prevalence for a specific group of autoantibody specificities within unaffected relatives, and therefore this finding requires further examination of the genetic influence of autoantibody production. Cluster analysis of autoantibody prevalence revealed an association between autoantibody specificities, which can be subsequently used to establish more accurate algorithms for interpretation of ANA testing results in a race-specific way, thereby maximizing the informative potential of ANA screening. Autoantibodies play a fundamental role in diagnosis and treatment of SLE and, with further characterization, may provide a unique perspective into pathogenesis.
All authors were involved in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content, and all authors approved the final version to be published. Dr. James had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.
Study conception and design. Bruner, Guthridge, Lu, Reichlin, Scofield, Harley, James.
Analysis and interpretation of data. Bruner, Guthridge, Lu, Robertson, Neas, Scofield, James.
We thank Aaron Guthridge and David Wiist Jr. for their technical assistance and Tony Prestigiacomo, PhD and Steve Binder, PhD for their expertise with the Bio-Rad BioPlex 2200 instrument and data interpretation. We also thank the clinical immunology laboratory personnel at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, particularly Cathy Velte, Camille Anderson, and Sandy Long. We thank the Lupus Family Registry and Repository, including its personnel, participants, and referring physicians.

domain: biology


text:
TWG Security makes the prestigious Inc. 5000 36th Annual List and other company news
Sep 19, 2017 at 11:40 AM
TWG Security makes Inc. 5000 list
TWG Security, a security technology firm based in the Lehigh Valley, ranked No. 2815 with a three-year sales growth of 121 percent on the 2017 Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies list. Companies on the 2017 Inc. 5000 list are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2013 to 2016. Complete results of Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.
"2017 is our 10-year anniversary, and I could not be more proud of my team and what we have accomplished," said Michael Miller, president and CTO. "Having Inc. Magazine select us as one of the 5000 fastest growing companies in the U.S. is a validation of everyone's hard work."
Air Products Foundation to match retiree, employee giving
Air Products Foundation is joining the commitment made by its parent company, Air Products, to support United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley's 2017-2018 campaign. Air Products Foundation announced that it would match each dollar of retiree contributions, up to $50,000 annually per eligible retiree. Air Products also matches contributions of its employees dollar for dollar.
Air Products Foundation's incentive will go a long way to support the Century Challenge. The challenge was initiated to expand the good works done by United Way in the community. PPL Corporation, Air Products, Crayola, Dual Temp Company, BB&T and a handful of anonymous individuals have pledged a total of $1 million in matching funds for all new and increased gifts to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley this year.
In the past few years, UWGLV has organized its work around three goals aimed at strengthening the Lehigh Valley by 2022: increasing the number of older adults whose basic needs are met at home by 50 percent; increasing access to and availability of nutritious food by 50 percent; and increasing the number of third-grade students reading at grade level by 50 percent, which in turn will increase high-school graduation rates across the Lehigh Valley.
Tony Hawk Foundation supports Quakertown Action Park
Quakertown was awarded a $10,000 grant from iconic skateboarder Tony Hawk's foundation to expand and build a new skate park at the existing Main Street Park. Along with the $10,000 grant, the Tony Hawk Foundation gave input and approval on the design of the park.
The existing Main Street Skate Park was installed in 2003, and by 2008, the borough was struggling to manage the property as there were countless incidents of vandalism and criminal mischief. At that point local churches and community members stepped in to provide regular competitions and programming for the park. By 2011, the park atmosphere started to experience some real change, and Borough Council appointed the Quakertown Main Street Park Committee to explore ways to expand the park and build on all of the positive momentum. The committee worked with local participants to develop a design that will feature new basketball courts, walking trails, a recreation center, and of course the skate park itself. The approved skate park design is suitable for skateboarders, BMX bikers and various other action sports participants of all skill levels.
Along with the Tony Hawk Foundation, the Main Street Park Committee has received support and funding from local businesses and organizations. Committee members have been excited to kickoff Phase 1 of the multi-phase project this year.
Until the Action Park is finished, skate park goers will use the current ramps.
NCC named one of best colleges for adult learners
Northampton Community College has received national recognition as one of the 100 best community colleges for adult learners nationwide by Washington Monthly. Since 2005, Washington Monthly has released an annual college guide and ranking. Schools are rated based on what they are doing for the country. For the second year in a row it has ranked the best colleges for adult learners, the first-ever ranking of its kind.
Rankings are based on data from two federal government sources as well as the College Board's Annual Survey of Colleges and combined into seven general measures of colleges' openness and responsiveness to adult students and to how well those students fared once they left. NCC ranked 60th on the nationwide list and scored high marks in ease of transfer, flexibility of programs, services for adult students, and tuition and fees.

domain: geography


Jan 26, 2011, 11:13 PM EST
The Thrashers are in a bit of a fight to hang on to the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, but tonight Ondrej Pavelec put the team on his back and carried them to victory over the division rivals from Washington. Pavelec made 36 saves in earning his third shutout of the season and stymied a frustrated Capitals offense yet again, although this time it wasn’t due to lack of effort.
Nik Antropov scored the only goal of the game in the middle of the second period beating Semyon Varlamov who also had a stellar game in the loss. Varlamov stopped 23 shots on the night and did just about everything he could to help the Caps win. You can’t ask for much more than giving up just one goal, especially with the Caps offense, but on this night he was out-dueled by the fantastic Pavelec.
Atlanta now stays ahead of Carolina in the Eastern Conference with the win as the Hurricanes also won tonight against the Islanders. As these teams now break for the All-Star weekend, the Thrashers will be sending just Dustin Byfuglien to Raleigh for the weekend’s events while the Capitals send Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green.
- Rutherford: ‘Our guys felt very strongly about reacquiring’ Lovejoy 37
- Winners and losers of the 2015 trade deadline 59
- Giordano to have surgery, is ‘done for the season’ 18
- PHT’s 2015 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker 35
- Ducks get their veteran d-man, adding Wisniewski from Columbus 12
- Lovejoy returns to Pittsburgh for Despres 50
- Wild get Stewart as Buffalo-to-Minnesota pipeline continues 53
- Jordan Leopold’s daughter may have orchestrated the Minnesota trade 17
- Wings get Zidlicky from Devils 68
- Can the Wings and Leafs work out a deal for Phaneuf? 49
- Wild beat Avs, dying seconds fight set stage for rematch (171)
- Petrovic: Chicago will ‘probably seek revenge’ for Kane injury tonight (82)
- Trade: Blackhawks acquire Vermette from Arizona for Dahlbeck, first rounder (74)
- Report: Alex Petrovic avoids discipline after injuring Patrick Kane (69)
- Trade: Rangers land Yandle, Coyotes receive Duclair, first-rounder (69)


text:
We are the newest veterinary clinic in the Eastern District of Nassau and less than five minutes drive from Paradise Island. We opened our doors in 2019 to care for your family. We believe pets enrich our lives. This inspires us every day to provide the best care for your family.
We always take our time with our appointments because we are thorough, and you deserve the correct answers. We are here to support you in your decisions for your pets, and we don’t blame you for Google searches because we know you care.
Our clinic operations and service delivery are highly automated, reducing the need for human input so that we can focus on our core duty – caring for your family!
‘We know pets do better when we care for them in an environment built around their needs – Animal Medical Group is that place.’ Dr Mark Butler, Director & Veterinarian

domain: pet


L6-20P -> L6-30R
lowen at pari.edu
Wed Mar 19 18:27:38 UTC 2014
On 03/19/2014 02:05 PM, William Herrin wrote:
> 50 watts DC. It won't electrocute you (that's AC) but it's the same
> power that makes a 40 watt bulb burning hot.
802.3af is limited to 15.4W, and 802.3at to 25.5W. The limits for Class
2 and 3 circuits are found in Chapter 9, Table 11 (A and B), of the NEC
(Table 11(B) for DC circuits, and for a power source of 30 to 60 volts a
Class 2 circuit can have, for a 44VDC supply power, up to 3.4A available
(a max nameplate rating of 100VA). For AC, Table 11(A) tells me that a
120VAC circuit, to meet Class 2, must be current-limited to 5mA.
BICSI has a good set of slides on the NEC at
More information about the NANOG


My Dell 690 at work has lots of audio devices and I couldn't figure out how to get all sound to go to the Audigy2. I found a tip about changing
to include the line
#options snd_emu10k1 index=0
and that worked but... ALSA would get hung up occasionally when a window opened. Pete suggested that I turn off ESD and I tried that, but then the Audigy2 was not detected. I found that either enabling ESD or deleting that line above would restore its function. I deleted that line and found
for how to fix it. The simple answer appears to be:
I hate the default font on Feisty. Capital J should NOT descend below the line! I followed
and got some nicer fonts.
I've been fooling with Ubuntu for just over a week now. I started with wubi, then did the standard install with a CD I made. At home on the old Dell D800 laptop it was super easy. Wireless didn't work at first but a quick Google search on
showed I had the kind of wireless card that needs some microcode. Asking for the
module fixed things right up. A work on this old Dell 690 things were made tricky by the funny interaction between the scuzzy disks and the ide disk in the bios. Murray fixed that in just a few minutes with some grub incantations.
I heard this in the publicity surrounding Ruth Graham's recent death. Wow. I really like the line "Anticipating joy is itself a joy".
Firefox is the only browser I use, so when things don't work, I get worried. We're looking at Flash as a delivery vehicle for some of our applications for people with disabilities and ran into two potential show stoppers:
Flash doesn't get focus unless you click on it with the mouse; many of our potential users don't use mice!
Flash doesn't allow access to right click; many switch interfaces generate left and right click events to signal the user pressing the mover or chooser switch.
I surfed around a bit expecting to find some quick solution and only found despair. It seems that lots of people have encountered these problems in various forms and haven't found a solution.
Gretchen pointed out these
videos at AssitiveWare
, very interesting.
Steve says check out
an open-source project with camera input.
I modified my former post
Python OpenCV wrapper using ctypes
to reflect the new version available on SourceForge. This update includes lots of constants from the .h files (thanks to Russell Warren) and a simple hack to make it work on with the differently named DLLs on Linux. The source is now in
CVS at SourceForge
Carl Griffith's 1847 Oregon Trail Sourdough Starter is great stuff! I've been using it for about 6 months now and it works flawlessly.
« Previous Page
Next Page »


Photo is for illustration purposes only. Actual product may be different.
Ships from our international warehouse. Please allow 3-5 weeks for delivery.
|3 - 4||$1,187.89|
|5 - 9||$1,182.21|
|10 - 24||$1,176.54|
|25 - 99||$1,170.87|
This is my first order on here and everything seems to be looking good. Tracking should be up soon. The price was cheapest in Canada which i was happy for and support answered my question in less than 24 hours. Great service
Designed for extending Wi-Fi coverage to outdoor areas, the AP 6562 provides a cost-effective means of supporting the most demanding wireless applications and large number of wireless devices. Ideal for distribution centers, hospitality, retail, and education campuses, the AP 6562 can handle the increasing number of Wi-Fi enabled devices and bandwidth heavy applications connecting to your wireless network.
The AP 6562 access point is designed to help lower the cost of deploying and operating a secure, reliable, and targeted outdoor wireless network, all powered by the WiNG 5 architecture. Choose from two models: an integrated antenna model for fast wall mounting or an external antenna model for pole mounting and remote wireless backhaul. The access point features dual 802.11n 2x2 radios with superior receive and transmit performance, a console port for configuration, and a GiGE LAN/WAN POE-enabled port for local or remote network connectivity. With it's WiNG 5 intelligence, this access point seamlessly extends your network to the outdoors with higher throughput along with direct forwarding, security, QoS services and site survivability.
|Manufacturer:||Zebra Technologies Corporation|
|Manufacturer Part Number:||AP-6562-66030-US|
|Manufacturer Website Address:||http://www.zebra.com|
|Product Model:||AP 6562|
|Product Name:||Outdoor Dual Radio 802.11a/b/g/n Mesh Wireless Access Point|
|Product Type:||Wireless Access Point|
|Wireless LAN Standard:||IEEE 802.11n|
|ISM Minimum Frequency:||2.41 GHz|
|ISM Maximum Frequency:||2.48 GHz|
|UNII Minimum Frequency:||5.18 GHz|
|UNII Maximum Frequency:||5.83 GHz|
|Antenna Gain:||3 dBi, 5 dBi, 6 dBi|
|Wireless Transmission Speed:||300 Mbit/s|
|Wireless Security:||Wireless IPS|
|Features:||Quality of Service (QoS), MIMO Technology|
|Ethernet Technology:||Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet|
|PoE (RJ-45) Port:||No|
|Audio Line Out:||No|
|Form Factor:||Wall Mountable, Pole-mountable|
|Height:||9.8" (248.9 mm)|
|Width:||9.1" (231.1 mm)|
|Depth:||2.6" (66 mm)|
|Weight (Approximate):||1.32 kg|
|Certifications & Standards:|
|Limited Warranty:||1 Year|
EnGenius EnStationAC IEEE 802.11ac 867 Mbit/s Wireless Bridge - 5 GHz - 1 x Antenna(s) - 1 x Internal Antenna(s) - MIMO Technology - 2 x Network (RJ-45) - PoE Ports - PoE - Pole-mountable, Wall Mountable - 2 Pack
Intellinet 525688 IEEE 802.11ac 1.17 Gbit/s Wireless Access Point - 2.40 GHz, 5 GHz - 4 x Antenna(s) - 4 x Internal Antenna(s) - 1 x Network (RJ-45) - PoE, AC Adapter - Ceiling Mountable, Wall Mountable
TRENDnet TEW-739APBO IEEE 802.11n 300 Mbit/s Wireless Access Point - ISM Band - 2 x Antenna(s) - 2 x External Antenna(s) - 2.5 Mile Maximum Outdoor Range - 1 x Network (RJ-45) - Pole-mountable, Wall Mountable
SonicWALL SonicPoint ACe w/o PoE Injector 24x7 Support - 2.40 GHz, 5 GHz - 6 x Antenna(s) - 6 x External Antenna(s) - MIMO Technology - 2 x Network (RJ-45) - USB - AC Adapter, PoE - Wall Mountable, Ceiling Mountable - 8 Pack
Wasp UniFi UAP-PRO IEEE 802.11n 450 Mbit/s Wireless Access Point - ISM Band - UNII Band - 5 x Antenna(s) - 400 ft Maximum Outdoor Range - 2 x Network (RJ-45) - Wall Mountable, Ceiling Mountable - 3 Pack
Over 10,000 products in stock and ready to ship.
Same-Day shipping on most orders placed before 3pm EST.
We accept North American Visa and MasterCard only.
I've ordered from PC-Canada several times over the last three years. I love how i can see the real-time stock in each of the warehouses. On my latest order, I received shipment notification 56 minutes after placing my order... now that's efficient. Prices are very good too.
Today's savvy buyers deserve an unbeatable shopping experience.


* Estimated price converted from UK retail price
Catalogue No: 0019D
Shop Product Code: 158641M
Ahoy, matey! Go on a musical treasure hunt and discover the riches of the woodwinds family. From the gentle call of the flute or clarinet to the roar of the saxophone, the woodwinds are truly a bountiful find. Discover one of the most diverse families of instruments in the world, and learn how they make all those beautiful sounds. Tune Buddies is a live action series introducing children to the instruments that make music.
Write a Review. The best reviewer each month wins 20% off their next order!
There are currently no reviews for this product.


New Report From FAIFE: "The Role of Information Technology in Defeating the Arab Regimes: Facebook 2-0 Arab Presidents"
A new article by Mahmoud Khalifa from Cairo University published by the Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE), part of the IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions). The article was published as a FAIFE Spotlight.
From the Introduction:
This article discusses how internet played main role in the January revolution of Egyptian, and how RAND foundation report expected what happened, this report was published in 2003 and discussed the relation between technology and non-democratic regimes in Middle East and North Africa.
About Gary Price
Gary Price (email@example.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.


China has secured a last-minute watering down language on efforts to phase out coal power at the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. Together with India, the Chinese delegation insisted on not signing the climate pact in Glasgow until the commitments to phase out coal power and fossil fuel subsidies were watered down, the Financial Times reports. According to the report, negotiations on the issue were tense until the very end. However, the last-minute deal now struck at COP26 includes, for the first time, official commitments to reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Continue reading now
Get 30 days of free access to the Decision Brief to read these and more quality news every day.
Are you already a guest at the China.Table? Log in now


WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Two of them have significant NBA experience. One had a cup of coffee in the league last season. One is an undrafted rookie. Another drew interest from scouts based on his stellar international play.
The five players competing to be on the New Orleans Pelicans’ regular season roster are an eclectic group, beginning with six-year NBA veteran Chris Douglas (222 career games) and five-year pro Jeff Adrien (153). The quintet also includes guard Sean Kilpatrick, who appeared in four late-season games for Minnesota in 2014-15, as well as Bryce Dejean-Jones and Corey Webster.


text:
WellPoint to get new CEO
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 12, 2007
Larry Glasscock, who turned a regional health plan called Anthem into a national health insurance colossus called WellPoint, says he will retire as president and CEO of the Indianapolis-based company on June 1.
Glasscock will be succeeded by WellPoint executive vice president Angela Braly who had previously been hired by WellPoint to be CEO of its BlueCross BlueShield of Missouri subsidiary. With Braly in charge, WellPoint, ranked 38th in the Fortune 500, would become the largest publicly traded company with a female CEO.
When Glasscock became CEO in 1999, the company had about 6 million members, mostly in the Midwest. A wave of health plan consolidation boosted its membership to 34 million nationwide and made it the country's largest private health plan.
The company's name changed to WellPoint after Anthem bought California-based WellPoint Health Networks in 2004.
In a prepared statement, Glasscock cited family reasons for his desire to step down from day-to-day management of the company. He will remain as chair, a position he added in 2005.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/03/12/bibf0312.htm.

domain: economics


text:
Check out WZZM 13's One Good Thing segment, where they featured us and the Andy J. Egan Co. $100,000 Community Giveaway.
12/15/2020 MLiveGRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Community organizations have collaborated to provide boxes of fresh produce to families in the Latino community. With the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the needs and concerns of Grand Rapids residents, the issue of access to nutritious food like fresh fruits and vegetables has been raised frequently. The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM), Heartside Gleaning, the Hispanic Center of West Michigan (HCWM) and Mercy Health have collaborated to offer Heartside Gleaning’s Good Food Box (GFB) program. Full Article.
2/25/2019 Andy Egan Co. Heartside Gleaning Initiative was awarded the first $10,000 donation in Andy Egan Co.'s community giveaway. Andy Egan Go. is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary by making ten $10,000 donations to local non-profit organizations. Full article.
Spring 2018 Public Philosophy Journal The journal's first issue features an article collaboratively written by Danielle Lake, Anne Marie Fauvel, and Lisa Sisson which showcases public philosophy at work in a project aimed at addressing food ethics injustices in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Full article.
12/4/2017 Grand Valley Lanthorn Congratulationsto HGI's graduate assistant, Brooke Heidenga, and GVSU Hospitality and Tourism Management Department graduate assistant, Collin Jonkman, on winning the best poster presentation at the Grand Valley State University Laker Effect Challenge. Brooke and Collin's poster, titled the "Heartside Gleaning Initiative Cookbook Printing Project," showed how they've created a cookbook filled with healthy, produce-based recipes. Full article.
10/7/17 The Grand Rapids Press The ArtPrize Nine jurors - each of them experts in art - went for a neighborhood picnic in awarding the $200,000 juried grand prize for ArtPrize Nine. "Heartside Community Meal," an outdoor meal for 250 guests in Heartside Park on Sept. 23, was entered by Seitu Jones, a Saint Paul, Minnesota, artist who teaches urban food systems at the University of Minnesota. Full article.
6/15/17RapidGrowth MediaThis feature story goes in depth about what the Heartside Gleaning Initiative is, how it was started, and how its helping community members in the Heartside district in downtown Grand Rapids. Full story.
4/4/17 The Rapidian This articleintroduces readers to the efforts being made of the Heartside Gleaning Initiative and its impact on the Grand Rapids community, and how you can get involved in our upcoming events. Click here for the full story.
4/3/17 CCPS Community Connections, a monthly conversation with guests from GVSU's College of Community and Public Service (CCPS). On April 3rd, the topic was about the Engaged Department Initiative being implemented in departments throughout GVSU. Shelly Irwin interviewed Lisa Sisson, HGI's President and the Assistant Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Click here for the full interview
4/4/2016 CCPS Community Connections, a monthly conversation with guests from GVSU's College of Community and Public Service (CCPS). On April 4th the topic was the Heartside Gleaning Initative. Shelly Irwin interviewed Lisa Sisson, HGI's President and the Assistant Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Click here for the full interview.
3/23/2016 GVSU's 5x5 Competition HGI's President, Lisa Sisson, presented at the competition, won and received $5,000 for the organization. She competed against four other GVSU teams at the Eberhard Center.
Click here for an article about HGI's win and the overall competition.
In addition, watch a five minute video of the full presentation below:
12/2015Every meal matters: A guide for hunger relief charities A publication compiled by Amy VanFossen, RD as part of Spectrum Health's Healthier Communities, Heartside Nutrition Project. The publication highlights HGI's efforts in the third case study titled Gleaning Food Contributes to the Health of a Community.
9/14/2015Support local food: A conversation on access, growing, and the local food economy A panel discussion hosted by Urban Roots at the Wealthy Theatre. Tommie Wallace, a HGI Board Member and local resident in need of accessible, healthy food, was a panel member at the community forum. A video of the full panel discussion and an article on the local event can be accessed below.
5/28/2015 Should US follow France's lead on food donationsTV Wood 8 interviewed HGI's President, Lisa Sisson, and published an article on the work HGI and other organizations are currently doing to fight food waste and health conditions within our local communities. Both the video and article can be found here.
1/30/2015Community as Classroom Partnership Showcase 2015 The showcase provided a lively forum for exchanging ideas and engaging in conversation with a diverse array of community partners and Grand Valley faculty, staff, and students who are actively involved in community-based projects. HGI presented their current community-based teaching and research initiatives to the attendees. Below find the links to a video of the overall showcase, summary of all the showcase participants, and HGI's poster for the showcase.
7/5/2014 We seem to be hitting our stride now that we have a few weeks under our belt. We are averaging between 500 and 700 lbs of food from our collections at both markets. Next update will include a list of all those you have been generously giving to those in need. 6/7/2014 We had our first collection today! It was an incredible success with so many generous farmers at the Fulton Street and Downtown markets giving so much. We collected 130 lbs of food and brought it over to Degage Ministries to support their mission.
4/22/2014 Two of our members presented to the Downtown Market today. Pamphlets were passed out with our information and contact forms. We hope that this will be a successful partnership. Many thanks to the Market Board, Michele, and Claire for the opportunity.
4/12/2014 We held a competition for our new logo! The winner was Jeffrey Rosely, a Heartside resident and artist working with the Heartside Ministries Studio. We are so happy for his visual interpretation of our mission. The logo will be part of the core materials we present in print and digital media. Jeffrey was awarded $25 in tokens donated by the Fulton Street Farmers Market and bus tickets for transportation by two of HGI's members, Suzan Couzens and Lisa Sisson.
2/27/2014 Presentation of HGI to the Heartside Business Association
2/26/2014 Information Pamphlets available for distribution
Empowering Heartside and surrounding communities to become healthier through increased access to healthy food and nutrition education
Heartside Gleaning P.O Box 603 Ada, MI 49301 Info@HeartsideGleaning.org
Follow us on social media for the latest updates and news!

domain: news


text: Extrapulmonary involvement can occur in isolation or along with a pulmonary focus as in the case of patients with disseminated tuberculosis (TB). The recent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic has resulted in changing epidemiology and has once again brought extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) into focus. EPTB constitutes about 15 to 20 per cent of all cases of tuberculosis in immunocompetent patients and accounts for more than 50 per cent of the cases in HIV-positive individuals. Lymph nodes are the most common site of involvement followed by pleural effusion and virtually every site of the body can be affected. Since the clinical presentation of EPTB is atypical, tissue samples for the confirmation of diagnostic can sometimes be difficult to procure, and the conventional diagnostic methods have a poor yield, the diagnosis is often delayed. Availability of computerised tomographic scan, magnetic resonance imaging laparoscopy, endoscopy have tremendously helped in anatomical localisation of EPTB. The disease usually responds to standard antituberculosis drug treatment. Biopsy and/or surgery is required to procure tissue samples for diagnosis and for managing complications. Further research is required for evolving the most suitable treatment regimens, optimal duration of treatment and safety when used with highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART).

domain: medical


text:
Russian Arctic National Park to set up reserve area on Novaya ZemlyaSociety & Culture August 21, 9:36
Iranian president calls defending nuclear deal top priorityWorld August 21, 8:20
US guided-missile destroyer collides with merchant vessel in SingaporeMilitary & Defense August 21, 8:02
Russian military aviation stamps out terrorists en-route to Syria’s Deir ez-ZorMilitary & Defense August 21, 6:47
Putin visits international jazz festival in Crimea’s KoktebelSociety & Culture August 21, 2:31
Putin says he cares little about his style but tries to look elegantSociety & Culture August 20, 23:41
Militants launch shell on exhibition complex near Damascus — mediaWorld August 20, 15:27
Cardinal Parolin: Dialogue of Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches to help them feel unitySociety & Culture August 20, 8:27
Polina Dibrova, mother of three, wins Mrs. Russia 2017 beauty pageantSociety & Culture August 20, 4:41
MOSCOW, September 22. /TASS/. Alternative energy and use of renewable energy sources is a promising area of interaction with Japan, Russia’s First Deputy Energy Minister Alexey Teksler said after the meeting of the Russian-Japanese intergovernmental commission on trade and economic issues.
"Installation was completed and the startup process of the first wind energy unit in Kamchatka Region was initiated in 2015. This is the joint project of Russia’s RAO Energy System of East and Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization. A construction project of liquefied hydrogen facility in Magadan Region is also considered," Teksler said.
Japan’s companies are acting not merely as consumers of Russian raw materials but also as investors and equipment suppliers, Teksler added. "A range of major energy project is successfully implemented, including Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2, where Japan’s companies hold equity interests. Novatek is cooperating with Japanese companies in the sphere of implementing construction projects of liquefied natural gas production on Yamal and Gydan peninsulas and on the issue of supplying LNG produced by these projects to the Japan’s market," the first deputy minister of energy said.


text:
❖ La Escanda ❖ | Sep. 20 - Mares Tour II: Icónica de Duarte | Comments welcome
Oh they are so pretty and I think Eric will care for them really well!
Aw, such beauties! Good luck with them, Eric
It was the best decision to buy these two black beauties!
I am so exited to welcome them soon! Also Jaleo is exited to meet his new friends!
Claire von Hohenfeld
Oh I feel you you never wanna part with them because they are so cute, but on the other hand you want to send them into loving homes
They are very beautiful!
They are both stunning! I'm sure Eric will take good care of them
@Emilia-Fox @Fernanda-Luchetta @Thea-Radmer @Jill-Hendricks thank youu!! I'm sure Eric will make a good job with them!
@Eric-Sobeck thank you soo mucho for trust in me and my horses, and also in Andalusian breed!!
@Claire-von-Hohenfeld that's absolutely truth!! I love all my horses, but if I keep them my game wouldn't want to work hahaha
@Irene-Duarte thank you Irene... I know you have some new beauties too
[ July/03 ]
''Not a new new look''
Caramelo is an old friend in this forum, is'nt necessary to make introductions But since I came back here, he was on my to do list waiting for his confo and coat update. And here's finally posing for his new profile picture Caramelo is standing at the (also) new main entrance yard of the Students House
that has just finished building.
Caramelo The Spanish horses return to the load haha
What a stunning boy
Oh my, what a handsome boy.
[ July/05 ]
This golden boy loves to play freely on the outdoors arena during the summer morning. Good and warm weather, birds singing and beauty Andalusians mates, today I cant' ask for more!!
What a gorgeous boy! I love his coat, and your editing is
@Fernanda-Luchetta I always feel flattered with your words. Really thanks dear
He's very beautiful!
[ August/06 ]
A Walk in the Wood
''Just relax yourself ''
Time is comming. Some of our beloved stallion and mares are closely to earn their 5th Title. This means this guys are next to the retiremen... for my displeasure. But ''Retirement'' means too that new guys are comming to the stud!! One of the last newest members is YE Aureo X, a stunning young buckskin PRE stallion imported by @Eowyn-Vance on the last Secret Santa's Season, isn't he misteriously pretty?? The fist time I shaw him I couldn't not fall in love with his coat
Althoug he started with his fist competitions, Aureo is still younger for having a rigurous training routine so, well, he spends most time running around , here and there xD!
What a handsome stallion! He looks super sweet, I also really like your editing, the mane and tail are super realisitic
Look at that beautiful boy!
How handsome! and those mane as well
[ August/09 ]
The Best Views
''The Sultan's paradise''
This weekend we have traveled to the beautiful city of Granada (in south Spain) with some of our horses because we were invited to participate in a historic/horse show organized by some friends. I couldn't travel to Granada and not go for a walk around the marvelous sights this city have, so I decide to take out YE Greco III from his box and go there. Of course, I became speechless with the vews of the great Alhambra, a beautiful antique palace builded during the Nazarí Dinasty betwen the XIII and XV century.
To be honest, that was an unforgetable experience.

domain: hobby


SKF Slewing Bearings
4 200 :20181221 SKF Slewing Bearings :PDF :4 : 11:36:14 :17 200 www.doc88.com9099132029067.html
：2016413  SKF Cylindrical roller thrust bearings 81105 TN are suitable for arrangements that have to support heavy axial loads, these bearingsbbs.fobshanghai.com/thread 64964
SKF single row full complement cylindrical roller bearings consist of NCF design and NJG design. They are used to locate the shaft axially in one direction and eventually to accomwww.linkedin.com LinkedIn
SKF NN3012KTNSPW33 FAG NN301,, CYLINDRICAL ROLLER BEARINGS TAPERED BORE ABEC #5 PRECISION detail.1688.co
,,SKF thrust ball bearings are made to Normal tolerances as standard.,SKF thrust ball bearings are made to Normal tolerances a
220 1500 :201925 SKFangularcontactballbearings–yourkeytolongerservicelifeContents1Productinformation.3Diversityandquality.3Whyspecifyangularcontactballbearings?.3Whyswww.doc88.com3824861380246.html
SKF AXK0821TN，8mm。:, and bearings with centring spigot, >> baike.so.com/doc/24862694 25801614.ht 360
European screw profile and FAG or SKF heavy duty bearings.
,,European screw profile and FAG or SKF heavy duty bearings.,European screw profile and FAG or SKF heavy duty bearings.


The SuperKEKB electron-positron collider at the KEK laboratory in Japan aims to achieve a maximum luminosity 50x higher than its predecessors KEKB and PEPII, positioning the Belle II experiment at the forefront of searches for non-standard-model physics in the next decade. High collision intensity implies high beam-induced radiation, which can damage essential Belle II sub-detectors and SuperKEKB components. Twenty-eight diamond sensors, read-out by purpose-built electronics, are installed on the beam-pipe to measure radiation and prevent damage. The sensors operate as solid-state ionization chambers, providing measurements of pA to mA currents, which are proportional to the radiation-dose rates, to monitor instantaneous radiation, record integrated radiation, and trigger beam aborts. This talk introduces the system features and discusses in detail the 2018-2019 operations and performance in early Belle II data taking.


text:
I had the pleasure of joining psychologist Dr. Stan Steindl on his “Compassion in a T-shirt” series recently. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe to Stan’s channel while you’re there. Here’s the video:
“What is compassion if it doesn’t include all sentient beings?” – new YouTube conversation
Posted in Interview, Video and tagged Compassion on a T-shirt, Dr. Stan Steindl, Ethics, Naturalism, Philosophy, Psychology, Sentience, Sentientism, Vegan.

domain: psychology


text:
So, it’s pretty awesome to have really good-looking friends who are willing to be your subjects when you feel like shooting a particular kind of session. It’s also pretty cool when those good-looking friends start dating each other. These two fabulous people have been dear friends of mine for quite some time, but just started dating at the beginning of the year (and how cute of a couple do they make?!). When they both happened to be in town in March, they agreed to collaborate on a more editorial/lifestyle sort of session. I wanted to make their outfits and style elements almost as much a part of the shoot as them, to be somewhat of a hybrid between standard portraiture and a style shoot. I think mixing those elements along with a more editorial feel is my happy place. We definitely had a great time, and I love how it turned out. Excited to be sharing it with you all today! Hope you enjoy!
I mean, really. Aren’t they the cutest? And isn’t their style fantastic? Such a truly fun session. Thanks for being great models, guys!

domain: artistic


The next meth? Flesh-rotting street drug from Russia shows up in U.S.
Details here. Excerpts:
A flesh-eating drug has hit U.S. streets after first being discovered in Russia a decade ago.
, Russian for "crocodile," is a street drug used as a cheap substitute for heroin. The drug is referred to as "krokodil" because it causes sores, tissue damage and rough, scale-like appearance on the skin, ABC NEWS reported.
Two cases involving the drug that surfaced at the Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix are alarming anti-drug advocates and medical personnel who fear use of krokodil ...Krokodil is made up of several ingredients easily accessed at home improvement stores and pharmacies. The base of the drug is usually codeine. Pure codeine is extracted from its pill form and adulterated with chemicals to create a liquid substance that is later injected into the veins. The types of chemicals used by manufacturers vary.
"Some of the chemicals they've used are very dangerous," LoVecchio said. "They've used things like hydrochloric acid. Some have used paint thinners, gasoline and other stuff that includes phosphorous."
The acidity of the chemicals causes the body's fat and skin to "burn off and die," LoVecchio said.


text:
The good news on Food Stamps? The number of people receiving food stamps hasn't increased at all over the past year. The bad news? There are still almost 50 million people in the U.S. who receive foods stamps, and the government is spending almost $80 billion per year on this program.
The top chart shows annual data for the food stamp program, while the bottom chart shows monthly data which go back only to late 2008, with the latest datapoint being October of last year. This really puts the good and bad in perspective. This program started out with humble origins, but has now morphed—as do almost all government entitlement programs—to something that touches the lives of 1 out of every 7 Americans.
Fortunately, and despite the government's best efforts to continue expanding the rolls of food stamp recipients, it looks like things are no longer getting worse. Although it's a national tragedy that this program has spun so far out of control (consider the likelihood of massive fraud, not to mention the perverse incentives created), it is nevertheless a relief to see that it appears to have reached its limits for the time being. That's small comfort, but a positive sign on the margin.
See more details on the history of the program in my post, over a year ago, here.

domain: sociology


text:
NOT-EQUAL: EXPLORING SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY
We have launched Not-Equal, a three-year £1.2m UK Research and Innovation Network+ project on Social Justice and the Digital Economy.
Not-Equal aims to bring together and resource collaborations between academia, industry, government and civil society to explore and develop innovative responses to issues of social justice in technology design and implementation.
The project will explore current issues around the ethics of technology, algorithm bias, and how to create fairer working conditions in the platform economy.
Led by Newcastle University, in collaboration with Royal Holloway University of London, the University of Sussex and Swansea University, Not-Equal includes funding calls for collaborative projects and offers support for events and activities (symposia, workshops, hackathons, design sprints).
We wish to support transnational collaborations as well as give exposure to initiatives and projects that tackle the societal challenges that digital innovation presents today and make our digital society work for social justice.
Not-Equal already has more than 30 partners including Google, the BBC, and the National Innovation Centre for Ageing based at Newcastle University, as well as the Trade Unions Congress and organisations such as Citizens Advice and Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East (VONNE).
It aims to build sustainable networks across academic communities, such as social scientists collaborating with tech designers, partners from industry and civil society to build on areas of interest and foster new collaborations.
Challenges for Network+
This will be supported through an open commissioning process and activities that will fund projects that address the critical challenges the Network+ has so far identified.
The challenges mirror conversations happening publicly around the gig economy, issues around algorithms bias, and digital security.
Algorithmic Social Justice
Algorithmic bias and the implications of using algorithms to make decisions has been making the news recently. However, when used correctly algorithms can have a positive effect from saving time, money and spotting problems that humans would not.
How can computers and their underlying algorithms help make the decisions that affect us all, fairer?
Not-Equal has already ran a number of events looking at how we can navigate the potential risks and opportunities when it comes to algorithm service delivery.
Digital Security for All
Computers and applications should safeguard and protect the interests of everyone. As more of our private data is uploaded online from our shopping habits to healthcare data – questions are arising about whether this data is being used in an ethical way?
There are fears around data breaches, including the recent Cambridge Analytica breach, which have brought up issues around the use of data in the political sphere to the forefront of many discussions.
What digital security models can ensure the safeguarding of all of us in this digital society?
Fairer Futures for Businesses and Workforce
Technology has irreversibly changed the way people work, and the rise of the gig economy is raising issues around workers rights, sick pay and working hours. How can we ensure fair opportunities and working conditions for all related to the future of work in our digital society?
For more information or to collaborate with the Network visit our website
Does the use of personas within design processes prevent meaningful participation?
Looking at the design considerations for developing a digital directory for domestic violence services in the North of England.
Working with participants in Brixton, London and Pallion, Sunderland, this study aims to better understand under what conditions smart city technologies can benefit city residents.

domain: design


text:
I’m Carmen. I am a wedding and portrait photographer with my husband by my side. We love to capture those special moments that live on forever in an heirloom album, beautifully framed images. We aim to capture your raw and authentic moments that make for the best memories. We are a family team based out of Belton, Texas, and we love to travel. Not only am I a wife to a fantastic man, Jake; I’m a mom to three awesome kiddos.
Capturing people’s life through my viewfinder is magical. I love how unique each of my couples is and seeing what makes them who they are, which is why photography has been a part of my life since high school (18 years). What started out as a school project, turned into a professional passion in 2012. I provide light, bright, and airy fine art photographs that are full of detail and rich in creamy colors.
We’d love to connect with our couples and get to know you in a more meaningful way. Let’s connect!
-Carmen & Jake
Limited availability - act fast!
Oops! It looks like you're not signed in. For the best experience, we recommend logging in or creating an account. Please fill out the form below to receive more information about available dates.


text:
By knowing the speed of your embroidery machine, you can find out how long it will take to embroider a design.
To use the embroidery calculator, click on the number of stitches in the product description.
Size: 95.0x178.0 mm (3.74x7.01 "), Stitches: 24485
Formats: .pes, .pec, .hus, .vip, .dst, .exp, .sew, .dat, .vp3, jef
The Christmas Elf carries gift machine embroidery design is a delightful way to add holiday cheer to your embroidery projects. This design features a cute little elf carrying a sack of presents over. The design is perfect for embellishing towels, tablecloths, or even clothing. Machine embroidery is a great way to personalize your holiday decorations and gifts. With the Christmas Elf's skills in machine embroidery design, you can add a personalized touch to any project. Machine embroidery is a versatile and easy way to add decoration to your home this holiday season.
This design has been tested and reviewed to ensure top quality. Test stitch the design, or portions of it, before stitching it onto your final item, as results may vary depending on fabric and stabilizer combination.
Please don't sell or trade the embroidery file.
of customers recommend
Christmas Elf carries gifts Machine Embroidery Design
the kids loved it


text:
Fresh off appearing on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Sadie Sink appears on Wednesday’s edition of the lead-out series.
Indeed, Sink is a guest on the January 18 “Late Night With Seth Meyers.”
In addition to the interview with the “Stranger Things” and “The Whale” star, Wednesday’s “Late Night” features a chat with George Lopez.
The episode will begin airing at 12:35AM ET/PT on NBC. Prior to the broadcast, the network shared a collection of photos from Wednesday’s taping. That “first-look” follows.

domain: celebrity


text:
Come on in! Join Pinterest today...it only takes like a second or so.
This is really good banana bread and very easy!
In the oven right now!! The only thing I didn't find is if you should spray the pans???
I do...it releases the loaf more easily.
Thank you Nancy! I didn't spray them but will definitely next time. They came out intact with a little cajoling :)
Buttermilk Banana Bread Recipe on twopeasandtheirpo... The BEST banana bread ever! You will never make another recipe! @Maria Canavello Mrasek (Two Peas and Their Pod)
Banana Bread Pancakes on chef-in-training.com ...These are SO good! Pancakes merge with Banana Bread to create something SO good!
Homemade Subway Bread Recipe - say what?! It is SO good too!
Best Banana Bread
Trisha Yearwood's Chocolate Pound Cake
Chocolate Banana Bread

domain: food


text:
Top Israeli Journalist Exposes ‘Industry of Lies’ in International and Local Media (VIDEO)
A veteran Israeli investigative journalist, known for decades of hard hitting local reporting, now says, “Enough!” to what he calls an “industry of lies” in the international and local press obsessively defaming and demonizing Israel.
“They have simply gone mad,” Ben-Dror Yemini said in a no-holds barred interview with Israel’s Channel 2 News, aired over the weekend, in the run up to the English-language publication of his account, “Industry of Lies.”
Internationally respected for his non-partisan reports for the local Maariv daily, as well as a host of other news outlets over the years, Yemini said that, in light of the grotesque development of a rising Islamic State and other brutal jihadists, that the narrow focus and near-exclusive blame on Israel for the state of the middle east “…is exploding in our faces today.”
“The monster is not Israel, the monster is not the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” charges Yemini, listing far-lesser covered killing fields across the middle east and Africa.
“There is no connection between the thousands killed each month throughout the world because of jihad, in Nigeria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen – certainly Iraq and Syria – and Israel,” he stressed to the interviewer.
But as to his own politics, Yemini stressed, he’s no right-winger by any standards, calls the settlement enterprise as no less than “disastrous for Zionism,” and supports a “two-state” solution for settling the conflict with the Arabs.
However, he points out, comparatively, that “every territory we left was taken over by radical Islam,” he noted. “Does it mean we should make the same mistake in Judea and Samaria; in the West Bank? No.” But “does it mean we should continue with settlements? Absolutely not.”
Watch the interview:


text:
Sounds of Reunion
Mr. Hector Jimenez
Conductor, Sounds of Reunion
Hector Jimenez, also known as Hector Gabriel, is a worship leader, recording artist, culture coach, and professor from Southern California. Spending his days at California Baptist University teaching young worship leaders, writing and recording music, and his weekends with local churches; his calling is to encourage the heart, inspire hope, spark change, and promote unity through music, teaching, writing, and relationships.
Hector is a husband of ten years and father or four daughters. When he’s not working, he enjoys traveling with his family, playing basketball, and still creating music.


It was 8:49 on Tuesday evening when an email notification came across my phone. I was watching a movie but decided I’d see what the email had to say. It was from a colleague regarding an article in the Architectural Record. The article by Cathleen McGuigan (editor-in-chief of Architectural Record) was about a preliminary draft of an executive order rewriting the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture (a document written by the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and issued in 1962 that mandates Federal architecture standards). According to Architectural Record, the new Guiding Principles will be rewritten and will be called “Making Federal Buildings Beautiful Again.”1
“Is this real life?” I caught myself asking aloud.
The original Guiding Principles outlined that federal buildings “must provide visual testimony to the dignity, enterprise, vigor, and stability of the American government,” and that, “an official style must be avoided.”2 According to Sarah Dodge, AIA Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Relationships, in an email requesting action, “the draft circulating for consideration by White House officials would officially designate “classical” architecture as the preferred style for federal courthouses, federal public buildings in the [Capitol] region, and all other federal public building whose cost exceeds $50 million dollars.” She goes on to say that the drafted document, “specifically prohibits the use of “Brutalist” architecture or its derivatives.”
Whether or not this order comes to fruition is yet to be seen; but it poses some concerning questions about the role of the designer and the standards imposed on them by the government. The AIA has responded quickly. They issued the following statement in the article, “The AIA strongly opposes uniform style mandates for federal architecture. Architecture should be designed for the specific communities that it serves, reflecting our rich nation’s diverse places, thought, culture and climates. Architects are committed to honoring our past as well as reflecting our future progress, protecting the freedom of though and expression that are essential to democracy.”
Concerned? Act Now
Click here to email President Trump (Link from AIA)
Let’s Talk About This
While I am still forming thoughts on this topic, it is important to shed some light on the potential issue as soon as possible and use this platform to start the conversation:
- Should the government dictate style guidelines to designers of federal buildings?
- How do these revised guidelines impact the hiring process of architectural firms?
- What does this mean for the architecture profession?
- Where do we draw the line? Will federal buildings be the only type of building with style restrictions?
Please use the comments section below to tell us your thoughts.
- Architectural Record: Will the White House Order New Federal Architecture To Be Classical?
- GSA Design Guiding Principles
- Image: Wikipedia Commons Jpeg
Since graduating from Kansas State in 2012, Liz has gained experience from a variety of fields within the building industry. From drafting at a metal building manufacturer to working at architecture firms to assisting a real estate broker/developer, she has always had a passion for influencing the built environment. As a designer at Schemmer, Liz enjoys learning new things and refining her skills with help from other licensed professionals. She is pursuing an architectural license and hopes to continue to shape the spaces and places around her in a positive way.


text:
A disappointed Andy Murray said he was determined to rise back up the rankings to give himself a better chance in future Grand Slams after making his earliest ever exit from Wimbledon on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old two times Wimbledon champion, a former world number one currently ranked 52nd, bowed out in the second round after a four set defeat to big-serving American John Isner, the 20th seed.
"I could have had a good run here," he told reporters. "One of the reasons why improving your ranking and trying to get seeded is important, (is to) avoid playing top players and dangerous guys like that early in tournaments.
"It's one of those matches that, had I got through, who knows what would have happened," added the Scot. "It's frustrating for different reasons."
Murray recognised he had not served well in the opening two sets, Isner had given him few opportunities and a few points had made a big difference.
He said, however, that he had felt in a good place physically -- unlike last year when he went out in the third round.
Asked about the future, Murray said he would try to keep playing as long as he felt good.
"It's extremely difficult with the problems I've had with my body in the last few years to make long-term predictions about how I'm going to be even in a few weeks' time, never mind in a year's time," he added.
"If physically I'm in a good place, yeah, I will continue to play. But it's not easy to keep my body in optimal condition to compete at the highest level."
Wimbledon does not carry ranking points this year after deciding to ban players from Russia and Belarus due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
There are 32 seeds in the men's draw.
Murray said he wanted to be in a seeded position by the time of the U.S. Open, or failing that by next year's Australian Open.
- IND vs AUS Live Score, Hockey 3rd Test: India looks to fight back after two losses; Lineups out; Match to start soon
- Europa League 2023-24: Benfica cancels away tickets for Marseille clash
- RR vs GT Dream11 Prediction, IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans predicted playing XI, fantasy team, squads
- RR vs GT IPL 2024 Live Streaming Info: When and where to watch Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans match today
- FIDE Women’s Candidates 2024, Round 5: Humpy holds Goryachkina; Vaishali keeps Anna at bay on an all-draw day


Focal KIT N0.7 UTOPIA 3-WAY
The N°7 is a 3-way kit designed around a very innovative ultra compact midrange, a tiny three-inch speaker called 3 W2. The unique characteristic of this 3″ mid is that it plays from 200 Hz upwards. Most three-way kits cross to the midrange speaker at 400 to 600 Hz which means that there is a crossover point in the middle of the frequencies used by most human voices, which causes some strange effects, for example a singers voice switches between speakers halfway through a note. If you can mount this Focal 3″ and the Be tweeters above dashboard level, you will achieve staging and imaging unmatched by any other brand of speakers. This kit will require expert and customised installation in most cars but is a breakthrough in what is achievable in car audio.
These three kits come with the Crossblock stereo filter, which controls and harmonizes the driver units. Thanks to no less than 4480 combinations of electrical adjustments, the Crossblock will allow the user to reveal the full extent of the Utopia Be performance. These systems are perfect for serious competitors and passionate audiophiles who like to control and adjust every aspect of the systems performance.
component speaker system includes two 6-3/4″ woofers, two 3″ midrange speakers, 2 tweeters, 1 external crossover, and 2 woofer grilles
foam and glass fiber composite sandwich 6-3/4″ woofer and 3″ midrange speaker cones
1″ Beryllium inverted-dome tweeter
3-way external “parametric” crossover with 4480 combinations of settings
power range: 15-100 watts RMS (200 watts peak power)
frequency response: 55-40,000 Hz
sensitivity: 89 dB @ 2.83 V
top-mount depth: 2-7/8″
luxury aluminum carrying case