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Lonicerin prevents inflammation and apoptosis in LPS-induced acute lung injury
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening condition caused by severe inflammation of lung tissues. We hypothesized that lipopolysaccharide induced acute lung inflammation and injury in mice might be controlled by lonicerin (LCR), a plant flavonoid that impacts immunity, oxidative stress, and cell proliferation. LCR reduced pathological changes including pulmonary edema, elevation of protein in bronchoalveolar lavage, inflammation, pro-inflammatory gene expression, expression of toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B, apoptosis, and significantly reduced mortality. Together, the results suggest that LCR might be a potential and effective candidate for the treatment of ALI that acts by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis.
Acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome is an inflammatory response to both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary stimuli, characterized by acute onset of new or worsening respiratory dysfunction (1,2). Despite advances in intensive care with optimal ventilation support, ALI is still a devastating condition with a high mortality rate of approximately 40% (3). Although the pathogenesis of ALI is complex, the inflammatory response and apoptosis imbalance play important roles in the progression of the condition (4-6). Thus, therapeutic strategies aimed to suppress inflammation and apoptosis might be effective.
Flavonoids are natural polyphenols present in many vegetables and fruits (7), and have attracted attention owing to their bioactivities, including anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, anti-proliferation, and anti-oxidation activities, to prevent different types of diseases (8,9). Flavonoids have been proved therapeutically effective against renal, liver, heart, and lung injuries, induced by different stimuli (10-13). Lonicerin (LCR) is a flavonoid isolated from Lonicerae Flos (14), which can regulate immunity, cell proliferation, and oxidative stress. Production of the synthetic version of lonicerin is simple, feasible, economic, and convenient for manufacturing at industrial scale (15). In mice, LCR has been proved effective in treating fungal arthritis, a common inflammatory arthropathy (16). Considering that the inflammatory response plays an essential role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI, we hypothesized that LCR will be effective in treating the condition. Literature search revealed that no published studies assessed the therapeutic role of LCR in ALI. Thus, we attempted to explore the effects of LCR on ALI and study the underlying molecular mechanisms, providing new insights into the prevention and/or treatment of ALI.
Previous reports have indicated that the pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), are important in inducing pulmonary inflammation (17, 18). Apoptosis is a process of controlled cellular death, wherein the activation of specific death-signaling pathways leads to deletion of cells (19). These death-signaling pathways can be activated in response to receptor–ligand interactions, environmental factors such as ultraviolet light and redox potential, and internal factors that are encoded in the genome (20, 21). Eventually, apoptosis leads to fragmentation of DNA, reduction in cell volume, and its phagocytosis by nearby phagocytes (22). Abnormal activation or suppression of apoptosis could lead to diseases in humans either due to early death of heathy cells or prolonged survival of unhealthy cells (23). In addition, phagocytosis of several apoptotic cells, such as neutrophils, could trigger alterations in the activation phenotype of lung macrophages (24). Furthermore, the main feature of ALI includes the destruction of alveolar epithelium and severe damage to the alveolar capillary barrier, increasing the alveolar capillary permeability to a large extent (25). Thus, targeting the inhibition of apoptosis is essential to find new therapeutic strategies.
In the present study, LCR significantly reduced LPS-induced pathological issues, pulmonary edema, and protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Hence LCR might be a new and effective candidate in treating ALI.
3. Materials and methods
3.1. Animals and treatments
Male C57BL/6 mice, 6 weeks old and weighing 18–20 g, were obtained from the Experimental Animal Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai (Shanghai, China) and provided with water ad libitum and food, and maintained in climate-controlled quarters with 12/12 h light/dark cycle under germ-free conditions at 25°C. The mice were housed for a week to adapt to the environment and then were randomly divided into five groups (n = 15 in each group): i) Control (Con) group; ii) LPS group; and iii) LCR-treated groups (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg, indicated as LCR1, LCR2, and LCR3, respectively). LCR (HPLC ≥ 98%) was purchased from Baomanbio (Shanghai, China), and was intraperitoneally injected to the respective LCR group mice, once a day at the above mentioned concentrations, for 3 consecutive days. Mice in the Con and LPS groups received an equal volume of normal saline. On the third day, three hours after LCR/saline administration, the mice were anesthetized with diethyl ether (6.5%) inhalation, and lung injury was induced in LPS and LCR group mice by administering 10 µg of LPS (in 50 µl PBS) through intranasal route. Mice in the Con group were administered 50 µl normal saline without LPS. The mice were then monitored for seven days, after which all mice were euthanized by intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital (50 mg/kg; Sigma Aldrich, USA), which was incubated at 37°C for 1 h. Just before euthanasia, using tracheal cannula, chilled PBS was introduced into the lungs three times and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected. Post euthanasia, lung tissue was also harvested for assessments. The middle lobe of the right lung was excised, the wet and dry (by incubating at 80°C for 24 h) weight of which was measured to establish the wet/dry weight ratio. The procedures were approved by the Research Ethical Committee of Huai'an First People’s Hospital, Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing, China). All procedures were in accordance with the Regulations of Experimental Animal Administration issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China.
3.2. Cells and culture
The human lung epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, purchased from American Type Culture Collection (Rockville MD, USA), were cultured in DMEM/F12, supplemented with 1% penicillin/streptomycin and 10% FBS (Hyclone, USA), and incubated at 37°C under 5% CO2 and 95% humidity. Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) were isolated from lung microvessels of male Sprague-Dawley rats by following previously reported protocol (26,27). Briefly, 150–200 g of harvested rat lung tissue was cut into 1mm2 pieces and digested using collagenase and trypsin. Post centrifugation, the obtained cells were seeded in gelatin-coated 25cm2 flasks, and cultured in DMEM containing 15% FBS, 2% endothelial cell growth supplement (ECGS 100 U/ml), and 1% penicillin/streptomycin (P/S) solution at 37°C in an incubator containing 5% CO2 and 95% humidity. The cells were then confirmed of their phenotype based on the morphology and expression of PECAM-1/CD31 (BD Biosciences, USA). Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (ScienCell, USA) were cultured in endothelial cell medium (ScienCell) containing FBS, ECGS, and P/S. For experiments, the cells (between passages 4 and 10) were grown as a monolayer and serum starved (1% serum) for 6 h before each treatment.
3.3. Cell viability analysis
Cells were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 2×104 and 3×104 cells/well and incubated for 24 h at 37°C. Cell culture media were then replaced by complete media containing the indicated concentrations (0–160 μM) of LCR and incubated for 96 h. After incubation, 10 μl of MTT (KeyGen BioTech, Nanjing, China) was administrated to cells, followed by incubation for 4 h at 37°C, as per the manufacturer’s instruction. Later, the absorbance was read at 570 nm, using a microplate reader, and the data was evaluated to assess the cell viability (%).
3.4. ELISA analysis
IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α level in the serum and BALF were assessed using ELISA kits (R&D system, USA), following manufacturer’s instructions.
3.5. Inflammatory cells infiltration in BALF
The collected BALF samples were centrifuged at 1,000 ×g for 10 min at 4°C, and the cell pellet was re-suspended in PBS. The total BALF cells were enumerated using a hemocytometer. The cells were then cytospun onto a microscope slide and stained for CD-68 positive macrophages (immunofluorescence) and Wright-Giemsa (Sigma Aldrich, USA) for cell classification. The percentage of BALF polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and macrophages (MACs) was obtained by counting the leukocytes under a light microscope (Nikon, Japan).
3.6. Flow cytometry assay
Cells were harvested after various treatments and stained using the Annexin V/PI Cell Apoptosis Detection Kit (KeyGen Biotech, China), following the manufacturer’s instructions. Data acquisition and analysis were performed using a Becton Dickinson FACS Calibur flow cytometer with Cell-Quest software. The cells in the early stages of apoptosis were Annexin V positive and propidium iodide (PI) negative, whereas those in the late stages of apoptosis were both Annexin V and PI positive.
3.7. Real time (RT)-quantitative PCR (qPCR)
Total RNA from cells and lung tissue samples was extracted using Trizol Reagent (Invitrogen, USA), as per the manufacturer’s instructions. They were quantified and subjected to reverse transcription to prepare cDNA by RevertAid First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Thermo Scientific Fermentas, USA). PCR was performed on a CFX96 Real-Time System (Bio-Rad Laboratory, USA). The primer sequences were commercially synthesized and are listed in table 1. Fold changes in the mRNA levels of the target gene relative to the endogenous cyclophilin control were calculated. Briefly, the cycle threshold (=Ct) values of each target gene were subtracted from the Ct values of the housekeeping gene cyclophilin (ΔCt). Target gene ΔΔCt was calculated as ΔCt of target gene minus ΔCt of the control. The fold change in the mRNA expression was calculated as 2−ΔΔCt.
|IL-1ß||CTT GCG CGT TGT TTG CCG CTT CG||TGG GTC GCG GGT GAT TGG ATC GT|
|TNF-α||CTG GTC TTG GTG TCT CGC TTC CTG||GGC TGG CTC AGT GAG GGT TGA CT|
|IL-6||CTA TGA CCA GGC TGC ATT CCT ATG||GTT GGC GCT GTG ATG TTA GAC T|
|GAPDH||CTG ACG AAG GAC AAT GAG TGC ACA GCG C||ATT CCA CAT CAC AAG ACT TCG CTC AGC C|
3.8. Western blotting assay
Approximately 100 mg of lung tissue was lysed with 1 ml of lysis buffer. After treatment under different conditions, the harvested cells were lysed in ice-cold lysis buffer in the presence of fresh protease inhibitor cocktail. The lysates were then centrifuged at 15,000 ×g for 15 min at 4°C to collect the supernatant. The BSA protein assay kit was used to detect the protein concentrations as per the manufacturer’s instructions (Thermo, USA). The protein extracts were separated by 10% SDS-PAGE and were then transferred to polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane (Millipore, USA). PVDF was then treated with 5% skim-fat dry milk, in 0.1% Tween-20 in Tris-buffered saline (TBS), for 2 h to block the non-specific sites on the blots. The target protein blots were detected by incubating the PVDF membrane with primary antibodies, at 4°C overnight. The primary antibodies used in our study are as follows: rabbit anti-NF-κB/p65 (1:1000, #3039, Cell Signaling Technology, USA), TLR4 (1:1000, ab13556, Abcam), MD2 (1:1000, ab24182, Abcam), caspase-3 (1:1000, ab13847, Abcam), PARP (1:1000, ab32064, Abcam), Bax (1:1000, ab32503, Abcam), Bcl-2 (1:1000, ab32124, Abcam), and GAPDH (1:2500, ab9485, Abcam). The bands on PVDF were covered by chemiluminescence with Pierce ECL Western Blotting Substrate reagents (Thermo Scientific, IL). All experiments were independently performed in triplicates.
3.9. Immunohistochemical analysis
The harvested lung tissue samples were fixed using 4% formalin, and embedded in paraffin. The tissues were then sectioned and subjected to Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) (Sigma Aldrich) staining to quantify morphological changes in the lungs. The extent of histological changes was graded from 0 (no alteration in lung structure) to 5 (severe injury of lung structure). The sections were also immunostained with primary antibodies against caspase-3 (Abcam, USA), by incubating at 4°C overnight. The cultured cells, after various treatments, were subject to immunofluorescent staining. Briefly, the cells were washed three times with chilled PBS and fixed with 3.7% (v/v) formaldehyde in PBS for 15 min. The specimens were then permeabilized for 5 min using 0.1% Triton X-100. For p-NF-κB staining, the cells were treated with mouse anti-p-NF-κB antibody (50 μg/ml) for 2 h. Then, they were stained with anti-mouse secondary antibody for 30 min, followed by washing with PBS three times. The sections were then mounted with Prolong Gold anti-fade reagent using 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (BeyoTime, Shanghai, China) for 5 min. Images were acquired by confocal laser scanning via epifluorescence microscopy (Nikon, Japan). The number of p-NF-κB-positive cells was determined per field (230 μm × 184 μm, at least five fields were chosen randomly) for each animal, following cell body recognition using Image Quant 1.43 program (NIH).
3.10. Statistical analysis
Data were expressed as mean ± SEM. Treated cells, tissues, and the corresponding controls were compared using Graph Pad PRISM (Graph Pad Software, USA) by one-way ANOVA with Dunn’s least significant difference tests. The differences between groups were considered significant at a p value of <0.05.
4.1. LCR protects mice against LPS-induced mortality
Post LPS inhalation, the survival rate and body weight of mice were recorded every 24 h. As shown in Figure 1A, the mice treated with LPS alone died within 4 days of exposing to LPS, while those pre-treated with 10 mg/kg of LCR died within 5 days. However, the mice pre-treated with 20 and 30 mg/kg of LCR survived through the study period. Simultaneously, in response to LPS treatment, all the mice progressively lost weight during the first 3 days, which was continued to fourth day in the LCR1 group mice. However, mice in LCR2 and LCR3 group gradually regained near normal weight, compared to control group mice, over the following days (Figure 1B). These results indicate that the LCR plays a protective role against LPS-induced ALI.
4.2. LCR attenuates LPS-induced inflammatory and histochemical changes in mice lungs
In response to LPS-induced ALI, mice exhibited severe infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung alveolar spaces and interstitium. However, the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells significantly declined in response to LCR pre-treatment, in a dose-dependent manner. Further, LCR also alleviated LPS-induced histochemical alterations in mice lungs (Figure 2A and B). In addition, we also measured the wet/dry weight ratio of the mice lung tissues, as an indicator of lung edema. As suggested in Figure 2C, LPS-induced a severe lung edema in mice, as evidenced by the increased lung wet/dry weight ratio, which was significantly reduced by LCR pre-treatment.
4.3. LCR inhibits the inflammatory infiltration in BALF of LPS-treated mice
The protein concentration in BALF represents the alveolar-capillary barrier damage. CD68 positive macrophages, a hallmark of inflammatory infiltration, were assessed using immunofluorescence analysis (28), which indicated that LCR markedly suppressed macrophage infiltration in LPS-exposed mice lungs, in a dose dependent manner (Figure 3A). Further, LCR pre-treatment also attenuated the LPS-induced alveolar-capillary barrier damage, in dose dependent manner, as evidenced by a significant reduction in the total protein concentration in BALF of respective group mice (Figure 3B). LPS exposure resulted in an increased influx of total cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and macrophages, which significantly reduced after LCR administration (Figure 3C). Furthermore, increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, were observed in BALF of LPS exposed mice, which was otherwise found significantly lowered in the BALF of LCR pre-treated mice (Figure 3D). Thus, the data above indicated that the LCR could suppress the LPS-induced inflammatory infiltration in mice lungs.
4.4. LCR suppresses inflammatory response in LPS-exposed mice
We further investigated the anti-inflammatory role of LCR in LPS-exposed mice. In LPS exposed mice, we found that the serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β was dramatically increased, which was otherwise significantly attenuated by LCR pre-treatment, in a dose dependent manner (Figure 4A). Additionally, LCR pre-treatment also diminished the LPS-induced increased mRNA levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, in mice lung tissue samples (Figure 4B). The TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway plays an important role in inducing inflammation. As shown in Figure 4C, western blot analysis revealed that the LPS-induced dramatically-increased expression of TLR4, MD2, and p-NF-κB were significantly reduced by LCR pre-treatment, in a dose dependent manner. The above data substantiates the LCR exhibited protection against LPS-induced ALI in mice, by inhibiting inflammation through inactivation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.
4.5. LCR alleviates apoptosis in LPS-exposed mice lungs
Cellular apoptosis has been reported to occur in LPS-induced ALI (24,29), and caspase-3/PARP plays an essential role in triggering such apoptosis (30). Western blot analysis indicated that the LPS could considerably induce caspase-3 and PARP cleavage in mice lungs, which was significantly attenuated by LCR pre-treatment (Figure 5A). Furthermore, the effect of LPS on Bax and Bcl-2 expression in mice lungs was also mitigated by LCR pre-treatment (Figure 5B). Immunohistochemical analysis further confirmed the inhibitory role of LCR in regulating active caspase-3 activity level by LPS (Figure 5C). Taken together, the results indicate that the LCR mediated reduction in LPS-induced ALI is also associated with inhibition of cellular apoptosis, in mice.
4.6. LCR reduced LPS-induced inflammatory response, in vitro
To further confirm the anti-inflammatory role of LCR in ALI, an in vitro study was conducted. First, the cell viability was measured using MTT analysis, to calculate the cytotoxicity of LCR on lung epithelial and microvascular cells. At the assessed concentrations, LCR did not affect the viability of BEAS-2B cells and PMVECs, in vitro (data not shown). BEAS-2B cells were pre-treated with LCR at the indicated doses for 24 h, followed by LPS stimulation for further 2 h. All the cells were then harvested for further study. As shown in Figure 6A, RT-qPCR analysis indicated that the gene levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, were significantly elevated in the LPS-treated cells, while, LCR pre-treatment regulated this elevation in a dose-dependent manner. Further, the LPS-induced increased cellular expression of TLR4, MD2, and p-NF-κB, which are known to lead and participate in inflammatory response (29), was also dose-dependently regulated by LCR (Figure 6B). Finally, immunofluorescence analysis showed that the LCR pre-treatment led to significant reduction in the number of p-NF-κB expressing cells compared to LPS alone treated cells (Figure 6C). Together, the findings suggest that LCR has anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced ALI, in vitro.
4.7. LCR blocks apoptosis in LPS-treated cells, in vitro
To further assess the effects of LCR on the regulation of apoptosis in vitro, the respective changes in the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP in BEAS-2B cells were measured using western blot analysis. Figure 7A indicated that LPS led to increased expression of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP, which were notably regulated by LCR pre-treatment. Further, similar to in vivo results, LCR also reversed the effect of LPS on Bax and Bcl-2 expression in BEAS-2B cells (Figure 7B). Thus, LCR pre-treatment could block the LPS-induced activation of apoptosis pathway. Additionally, flow cytometry further confirmed our findings that LCR could suppress LPS-induced apoptosis in lung epithelial cells, in vitro (Figure 7C).
ALI is an inflammatory response to both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary stimuli, characterized by acute onset of respiratory dysfunction (1, 2). Even though there has been progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the disease, no therapies have been shown to improve mortality to date. Here we explored the effects of LCR in LPS-induced ALI murine models and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in ALI progression. Our study indicated that LCR could protect mice from LPS-induced mortality, especially at higher concentrations. Furthermore, LCR exhibited a significantly protective effect on the mice lungs, as evidenced by the observed histological changes. Further, the LPS-induced increased infiltration of inflammatory cells was also suppressed by LCR, accompanied with reduction in secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, the inflammatory response observed in LPS-exposed mice and in lung epithelial cells was also suppressed by LCR, as evidenced by down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines and inactivated TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Apoptosis was found induced by LPS, confirming that LPS could induce cell death to aggravate lung injury. Of note, in such condition, LCR could suppress apoptosis by blocking caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. Therefore, LCR could be a novel flavonoid with therapeutic potential to attenuate ALI. However, further research is still required to comprehensively reveal the underlying molecular mechanism by which LCR prevents ALI and to assess whether it could be combined with other drugs or natural compounds to enhance their efficacy.
Macrophages are reported to be the major inflammatory and immune effector cells (31-33). They play an essential role in regulating inflammatory responses when stimulated with pathogens (34, 35). Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are essential components of the host defense and innate immune systems (36). As described previously, increased number of PMNs at the sites of inflammation could attenuate organ integrity because PMNs, in large numbers, have the potential to further weaken the injured tissue (37, 38). In the current study, we found that LPS treatment could induce homing of macrophages and PMNs in the lungs and accelerate the injury. Interestingly, pre-treatment with LCR was found to attenuate this effect, revealing its protective role against ALI.
NF-κB, a key player in the modulation of inflammatory and immune responses, plays an essential role in regulating the transcription of several inflammatory factors and cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and TNF-α (39, 40). Local production of cytokines in lung tissues, in response to infectious or inflammatory stimuli, could also attract immune cells to the inflammatory sites, resulting in pulmonary injury (41, 42). In unstimulated cells, the Rel protein dimers, which are mainly composed of p65 and p50 subunits, are normally sequestered in the cytosol as an inactive complex via binding to inhibitor κB-α (IκB-α) (43). Subsequent degradation of IκB-α, via activation of inhibitor κB kinase, will phosphorylate NF-κB. The resulting free NF-κB is then translocated into the nucleus, where it binds to the κB-binding sites in the promoter regions of the targeting genes and results in the transcription of pro-inflammatory mediators (44, 45). Myeloid differentiation 2 (MD2) is a co-receptor that physically associates with TLR4 on the cell surface and regulates the interaction between LPS and TLR4 (46). TLR4 was suggested to be a crucial sensing receptor for bacterial LPS (47). Activation of TLR4 by LPS results in the activation of the IκB-α/NF-κB pathway, contributing to the over-production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (48). Consistent with the findings of previous studies, we found that the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, in BALF, serum, and lung tissues was dramatically increased by LPS, confirming the inflammation. However, LCR pre-treatment could attenuate the production of these pro-inflammatory cytokines by regulating the expression of TLR4, MD2, and p-NF-κB, under both in vivo and in vitro conditions, indicating that LCR can block LPS-induced inflammation through NF-κB inactivation.
The mechanisms responsible for epithelial cell apoptosis in ALI are far from being understood. According to a study conducted previously, the alveolar epithelium of patients who die of lung injury contains cells that display evidence of DNA fragmentation (49). Further, alveolar pneumocytes from humans with diffuse alveolar damage exhibit up-regulation of , which is a analog, that promotes apoptosis (50, 51). In murine models of pulmonary fibrosis and LPS-induced lung injury, apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells has been reported (52). Bcl-2 is a potent suppressor of apoptosis. It can stabilize the mitochondrial membrane and inhibit the release of cytochrome-c. Subsequently, cytochrome-c can bind to caspase-9, which results in the activation of caspase-3 (53). Caspases are known as cysteine proteases and are synthesized as inactive proenzymes (54). In our study, apoptosis was evident in lung tissue samples of LPS-exposed mice, as evidenced by enhanced caspase-3 and PARP cleavage as well as increased expression of Bax. However, pre-treating with LCR could reduce caspase-3 and PARP cleavage and Bax expression, while also improving Bcl-2 expression. Similar results were also observed in our in vitro experiment using human lung epithelial cells. These data suggest that LCR could improve LPS-induced ALI by suppressing the apoptotic response.
In conclusion, our study indicated that pre-treatment with LCR could alleviate LPS-induced ALI in mice, as evidenced through improved histologic alterations, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects that were dependent on the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB and caspase-3/PARP pathways, respectively. This resulted in improved survival of mice against LPS induced ALI and thus, LCR might be an effective and promising candidate to protect lungs against this mortal condition.
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From the Series
Interested in responsive architecture, much of David Adjaye’s work questions new modes of construction and life. At Design Indaba Conference 2013 he gave insight into the fundamental principles of his practice Adjaye Associates.
In 2000 Ghanaian-born architect Adjaye formed his design practice Adjaye Associates, which is dedicated to extensive research manifested in publications, experiments in product, furniture and emotive design, the evolution of residential typologies, and public buildings in their widest form.
Adjaye Associates’ central concern is the way in which architecture now has to respond to the changing world, the responsibility to the public realm, and how the act of making matters and shapes the lives of people inhabiting the space, says Adjaye.
Believing that geography plays a fundamental role in architecture, Adjaye spent 11 years in Africa documenting the continent’s architecture in order to get a sense of what the continent needs today. As geography, culture and place are inextricably linked, Adjaye proposed to move away from political architecture towards a geographical one showcasing how geography and place binds inhabitants; “I want to move away from South African architecture or Ghanaian architecture to forest, mountain and desert architecture”, he explained.
As natural disasters are happening more frequently around the world, Adjaye suggests that if architecture is relevant to its geographical position it can adequately respond to the fragile ecology. Giving an example of new architectural typologies in the form of flood-proof houses in New Orleans, he highlighted how design and architecture is required alongside mechanisations to create responsive structures that are more than just homes and enclosures.
I like to take on housing projects that question new modes of life and construction in order to express humanity and create a place that is human, says Adjaye.
Adjaye further gave insight into five projects his practice has undertaken: The Sunken House, a zero-carbon structure that is completely prefabricated in a factory. Carriage House, a home that uses the urban planning of New York City as its inspiration. Francis Gregory Library, a powerful and emotive space that binds light, space and structure. Moscow School of Management, his biggest project to date. Smithsonian in Washington, a museum that will represent African-American history and finish Charles L’Enfant’s master plan 200 years after is proposal.


Traditional Media Isn’t Dead Yet, Despite Increased Competition from Digital Media
SMBs reported using an average of 7.6 different media to advertise or promote their businesses, according to BIA/Kelsey’s Local Commerce Monitor, Wave 17™, down from 8.4 in Wave 16. 30% of the SMBs surveyed reported using broadcast and 57% use directories and 65% use print/outdoor media to promote their business.
Of the different media used for advertising and promotion that BIA/Kelsey tracks in the LCM survey, only two of the traditional media crack SMB’s top 10 most used media for advertising and promotion: newspapers and direct mail. The rest of the top 10 are filled with digital media.
In the chart below, I looked at eight of the traditional media from LCM. Newspapers and direct mail, the only two of the traditional media to crack the Top 10 most used media list, fall first and second among traditional media. Radio comes in third, with TV and outdoor bringing up the rear for usage.
But how do SMBs perceive the return on their investment for time spent in advertising or promoting themselves on traditional media? The traditional media with the highest usage, newspapers, had the lowest perceived ROI, while the ones with lower usage: TV, cable and outdoor, had the highest ROI among the traditional media.
TV had the highest perceived ROI among the traditional media, with 50% of SMBs rating it as either excellent (10-19 times return on that investment) or extraordinary (over 20 times the return), while only 13.7% of SMBs surveyed reporting using TV to advertise or promote their business.
Newspapers, which had the highest usage among the traditional media, had the lowest perceived ROI, with 26% of SMBs reporting returns as excellent or extraordinary.
Radio had the third highest usage among SMBs for advertising/promotion. But advertisers who used radio as part of their advertising mix reported being pleased with the results, as 36% rated the perceived ROI of radio advertising as either excellent or extraordinary.
For the first time in several survey waves, SMBs indicated that they are actually decreasing the number of media used to advertise or promote their business. The implication: media must deliver concrete ROI or risk losing business traction. Digital media penetration with SMBs has increased, as many of these solutions generate concrete leads and offer trackable ROI metrics.
Traditional media are far from obsolete, however, as the data suggests, and many are still well-regarded. However, for newspapers in particular, and all traditional media, as SMBs enjoy more digital options and demand clear value from their advertising spend, the need to produce clear ROI is stronger than ever.
More information about LCM and custom renderings of the data can be found here.
This Post Has 8 Comments
Really bad journalism- what the hell is an SMB?
Juli, SMB is acronym for Small and Medium size Businesses.
What struck me through this entire article was the multiple mentions of Perceived ROI.
Perceived ROI? What about real ROI?
For any and all media. They should all have to justify themselves.
If they are not working- be it due to inadequate creative or poor
placement- change them. But you’ll only learn that by trial
Did you TEST using radio?
Spend maybe $5,000 for a couple of weeks of airtime
and it generated $10,000 in sales. That’s a Good ROI.
It’s actual, measurable and defined. Not perceived.
How about a fabulous Magazine campaign, with a
1-800# or a QR code or a drive to a website so you can measure
the response. Invest $25,000 for a 2 month campaign and
watch and monitor the actual results you get.
Not so long ago we completed a very smart On-Line campaign with a 10 second video spot appearing as a Voken on relevant sites with the ad disappearing into a Big Box which triggered a link to the client website.
Excellent stuff. But as we discovered, 3 or 4 sites Blew the doors off in responses, leading one to believe that On-Line was the new Holy Grail.
But in the next breath, there were equally 3 mediocre sites and 4 which were lower than whale dung.
There are just so many components which go into a successful campaign, that to pin the success or disappointment on any media – traditional or new- does a disservice to many disciplines.
The Digital bandwagon is certainly getting very crowded as I fear too many advertisers are abandoning hard working, profit generating campaigns
in Traditional media Mixes (newspapers, radio, television, outdoor, magazines) in favour of ‘On-Line’ because that’s where all the action is.
Hmm? Action…well there is certainly a lot of Activity via On-Line.
That I am composing and you’re reading this far tells me Digital Communication is here to stay. That doesn’t mean I forsake all the other media predecessors.
The Media Mix has evolved to have more elements in the mix certainly. But as long as they are working and can justify their investment and they deliver the client message with efficiency, timeliness, and accuracy, then I see no reason to discard all of my media tools which deliver results.
Recently one colleague commented that these media tools of the 50’s and 60’s and 70’s are being tossed aside because advertisers want to look cool and current and sexy with today’s tools. Fair enough. But I’d wager most advertisers would prefer to appear out of date but still making money, than to look ‘cool’ but be broke.
I lifted the next few paragraphs from Media Spike #26 in my series of 57.
Traditional Media – you know the kind, Radio and Television, and that printed stuff like Newspapers and Magazines- all Toast. Oh and don’t even get me started on Outdoor. They are all going the way of the dinosaur.
Such dire warnings have been sounding for the past decade and longer.
Perhaps instead of the Chicken Little panic button, we acknowledge the evolution of media vehicles,the changes in technology, the proliferation of Social Media channels, and the changes in consumer tastes, demands, and capabilities.
There is no question the ‘Internet’ has long ago eclipsed ‘in its infancy stage’ and now is a major player in local and global communications.
What disturbs me is the sudden desperate abandonment of the tried and true and successful media en masse in favour of a multi-faceted vehicle which is spinning off madly in all directions.
History is littered with ‘the next thing’ which was supposed to cannibalize everything that preceded it.
A brief timeline:
When Johannes Gutenburg made his first Printing Press in 1450, it revolutionized communication as multiple copies of news and information could be spread faster. Newspapers would begin to arrive in earnest through the next century.
When Samuel Morse sent the first Telegraph in 1844, traditionalists of the day feared all print messages would be lost to this newfangled wirelesss technology that relied on dots and dashes.
When Mr. Marconi had Transatlantic signal success in 1901 with what would become Radio, pundits at that time feared print and telegraph would be rendered obsolete.
Electronic television was first successfully demonstrated in San Francisco on Sept. 7, 1927. The system was designed by Philo Taylor Farnsworth, a 21-year-old inventor who had lived in a house without electricity until he was 14. But full-scale commercial television broadcasting did not begin in the United States until 1947.
The mid 1950’s- deemed the Golden Age of Television, became the foundation for advertisers and networks to ultimately reach a nearly global audience. The prevailing attitude became one of scoffing
at all those archaic pioneer media who came before them.
Sitting in the weeds was the development of technology that would lead to the launch of the Personal Computer as mass-market consumer electronic device in 1977.
Clearly this new device was going to obliterate everything in its path and there would soon be no need for print as we’d have a paperless office. Certainly no need for magazines and TV’s and radios since the ‘Personal’ computer was the composite of all these vehicles and more.
Today, more than 550 years since Mr. Gutenburg’s printing press success, you can still print a copy of this page, or thousands of others right on your own desk. Or simply store it digitally forever….until the next technological revolution.
(If you’d like a peek at other Media Spikes in the series, click this link-Thank you)( http://firstimpressionsmedia.ca/do-you-ever-stop-.html)
Perceived Return on Investment?
I would sooner ‘know’ the Return on Investment by constant and proper tracking methods. On-line is not the only measurable media. Certainly it is very quick, but it is not exclusive to being measured and tracked to see how well it’s performing.
Too many small and medium size businesses are hesitant to experiment and learn what works and why. They flit from one to another without giving their media carriers a chance to shine, and their audience to know where to find them.
Thank you for this Soapbox. It has been my privilege.
I can contest to this. I have gone back to Radio ads to help promote my real estate services.
I don’t think traditional media is experiencing a downfall just yet, as it will probably take a few more years to really diminish the power it has had for decades.
I don’t think that collapse of traditional media is straight forward as people get information from digital media is deeply while from traditional media it is up to the mark and point to point on topics.
In some of the businesses, worked much better than anything else. We still use Radio advertising for some of our clients. It’s not as powerful as it used to be in the past. Traditional media still has some years to go.
In now a days we have to use Radio advertising for reputed companies because if u want to increase your revenue you have to work on all marketing platforms.


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Ultimate Town Car is an established leader in servicing the Central...read more
Ultimate Town Car is an established leader in servicing the Central Florida, including Orlando attractions and Port Canaveral with affordable, reliable and comfortable luxury car and limousine transportation, specializing in Orlando airport and Walt Disney World Resort shuttle services. Whether you’re a business traveler, or with a family or large group, we’re able to provide you with personalized service and individualized care. Although based in Orlando, Ultimate Town Car will service any address in Central Florida, including all attractions, cruise terminals and even popular tourist destinations such as SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios Resorts, Kissimmee, or Amtrak. We are also available for proms, weddings, birthdays or a special night out.

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One to Watch: Belarusian model Sabina Lobova
Will Leonardo DiCaprio hit back at Sony for criticisms in leaked 'emails'?
Lady Gaga's new album to surprise fans
Victoria Justice creates intrigue with 'dark side' in "Eye Candy" trailer
Blake Lively reveals her plans for Christmas
Emily Blunt reveals how she prepared for Into the Woods
Sophie Tweed-Simmons amazes in Monroe-Mini dress for new clothing line
Louis Tomlinson in war of words with Catfish & the Bottlemen
Margot Robbie and Will Smith star in the new Focus trailer
Girl of the Day: Dutch model Dorith Mous
Russell Crowe gives his views on the problem with actresses in Hollywood
Britt Robertson and Scott Eastwood in new The Longest Ride trailer
Bradley Cooper never met Chris Kyle before shooting American Sniper
Mike Colter officially cast as Luke Cage for A.K.A. Jessica Jones
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domain: entertainment


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Since the beginning of human progress, shots in the dark played utilizing a dice are existed, nearly. Extremely later, while riding web, I notice online casino games and innumerous players are partaking for chances. It is extremely fascinating that the historical backdrop of craps is unquestionably momentous. The primary dice were maybe made of the bones of creatures, ivory, or wood, oak for example. It is known to us that roman officers tossed pigs nails in a game named Bones over 2000 years back. We consider this as an early form of craps, which has since formed into the game we see today. In the Center East, the Bedouins took on a game like Bones. They tossed bones in replication of the old roman game. They referred to their little shapes as lazar. Afterward, in the development of individuals across Europe in the medieval times,
It crossed the Mediterranean and was absolved by the French named chance or risk. During the vast conflicts among France and Britain in the thirteenth and fourteenth hundreds of years, the English cavaliers shipped the game to Britain as a round of chance. The game showed up on English soil and the minor segments of the general game turned out to be notable as Crabs, and throughout the long term the language was misshaped and created. At last, it became famous by the name Craps. Today, Craps is the most popular casino game all over the planet. Regarded casinos present their players craps tables that are normally encircled by players. The round of craps is often creating and changing, this gives craps a specific intricacy that is not laid out with other FAFA191 casino games, aside from maybe except for poker. Then again, the round of craps, it in no way, shape or form loses its advantaged position. There is on the other hand, an alternate fantasy concerning the beginnings of craps, to be specific that the game was designed in New Orleans in 1813. The creator was Bernard Mandeville. As far as he might be concerned, Europe has uncovered the marvel of craps.
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domain: game


text:
I remember watching Code Lyoko when I was a lot younger. Loved the show, and I also love what you've done with the soundtrack. Really nice. ^^
why thank you (:
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MANY home buyers heading over Gladesville Bridge from the inner west start looking for property in Hunters Hill but end up setting their sites on Gladesville.
The sleeper suburb that has Victoria Rd as its main artery and Parramatta River at one border has often been overlooked as a Sydney real estate hot spot.
But in the past 12 months it has been on a trajectory of double-digit growth of 18 per cent in its house price median. A respectable seven per cent median was achieved for apartments.
While neighbouring suburbs have recently experienced slowdowns, Gladesville, 10km from the CBD, is holding firm.
This year Gladesville’s median house sale price ticked over into the $2 millions, reaching $2.1 million.
The apartment median has moved up to $750,000.
REA economist Nerida Conisbee said while Gladesville had experienced strong median price growth in the past year it still offered good value compared to neighbouring Hunters Hill, which had a median of $2.85 million for houses.
“It has done well in terms of positive growth in a market where prices are declining,” Ms Conisbee said.
More from news
“The data supports Gladesville as a desirable place to live and people always want to be close to the water and have water views.”
RELATED: UNIT BLOCKS A GOOD FIT FOR INVESTORS
Neil Robson, of Ray White Gladesville and Ryde, described Gladesville as a satellite suburb to the inner west suburbs of Drummoyne, Balmain, Rozelle, Leichhardt and Lilyfield.
“You get land parcels twice the size of the inner west and homes twice the size for similar prices,” he said.
Mr Robson said the environment and culture were similar to what buyers from the inner west were leaving behind and more variety was on offer compared to Hunters Hill, which was predominantly houses and tended to attract families.
Mr Robson said Gladesville’s “vast collage” of properties, including apartments, townhouses and premium houses, appealed to people from all walks of life.
Adrian Fiorenza, of Mint360property, said Gladesville reminded him of what Kensington in southeastern Sydney was like 10 years ago.
“Victoria Rd, Gladesville, is a lot like Anzac Pde used to be,” Mr Fiorenza, an agent for the Breeze Gladesville apartment development, said. “There’s a lot of strip shops with top shop accommodation but slowly you are starting to see the new apartments bringing new people.
“Gladesville is a sleeping giant. It’s only a matter of time before people catch on that it’s only 10km from the CBD.”


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SANFORD, Fl. (CBS) The neighborhood watchman accused of fatally shooting an unarmed Florida teen is back in jail just minutes before his deadline Sunday, June 3.
George Zimmerman, who is charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, was ordered by a judge on Friday to return to jail.
Zimmerman met with deputies around 1:25 p.m. in a business parking lot at Lake Mary Blvd and Interstate 4. He was then transported in a white van by deputies to the jail and arrived there at 1:45 p.m. with his attorney Mark O’Mara.
The Seminole County Sheriff Donald F. Eslinger, says Zimmerman will be held in administrative confinement, single cell arrangement.
O'Mara spoke to the media after Zimmerman was taken to the jail and said he will file a motion for a bond hearing on Monday, June 4. O'Mara says he hasn't decided if Zimmerman will testify at next bond hearing.
On Friday a judge revoked his bond. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester said that Zimmerman and his wife, Shellie, misled the court about how much money they had available when his bond was set for $150,000 dollars in April.
Prosecutors claim Zimmerman had $135,000 dollars available that had been raised by a website he set up.
The deadline for his surrender was 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

domain: law


text:
First Responders Honored at USA Health Gala
Posted on October 12, 2018
Sixty local first responders, including health care professionals, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency operators and others, received medals and were recognized Thursday during the gala “A Night Honoring Heroes” for their life-saving efforts.
More than 700 people attended the event at the Mobile Convention Center that highlighted the courage and dedication of those who help patients survive after a traumatic injury. “A Night Honoring Heroes” raises funds for the Fanny Meisler Trauma Center, the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center, at University Hospital, formerly USA Medical Center.
During the evening, videos were shown featuring two area patients who suffered traumatic injuries, Jordan Holifield and Robert Jones, and those who cared for them.
USA Health University Hospital is the only area hospital that has an in-house, around-the-clock trauma team, which includes specialized surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, respiratory therapists and others. Working together, they utilize the resources of all medical specialties for a patient’s benefit, greatly improving the chance of survival.
“This evening allows us to acknowledge the mission and purpose of the first responders, nurses, doctors and health care professionals who are central to the trauma service at University Hospital,” USA Foundation President John McMillan said. “We are thankful for their commitment, selfless service and compassion in providing life-giving care.”
Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle and his wife, Dee Dee McCarron-Perciavalle, served as community co-chairs. McCarron-Perciavalle had a personal experience with the treatment at University Hospital. Her son, A.J. McCarron, was treated at the hospital after a serious personal watercraft accident in his childhood.
“As a mother, having a child receive life-saving care at the Medical Center, following a traumatic accident, is something for which I am forever grateful,” McCarron-Perciavalle said.
University Hospital also serves as a key component for economic development efforts in the region. Without its Level 1 Trauma Center and Arnold Luterman Regional Burn Center, the area would not be able to support existing large manufacturing and chemical companies or attract new ones.
“When a life-changing trauma occurs, a team of heroes springs into action for a patient. From police, firefighters and EMS crews to health care professionals throughout the hospital, they stand ready to offer this vital service,” said USA Vice President of Medical Affairs and Dean of the College of Medicine Dr. John Marymont. “This event was created to honor them as the heroes they truly are.”
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domain: health


Attention Trainers! Important Notice Regarding Training Approval
Posted Wednesday, August 3, 2016 by Shelly Nye
Please be advised that The Nevada Registry is in the process of creating a new and improved training approval system with changes slated to roll out in January 2017. As a result, the following changes are in effect as of September 1, 2016:
- 2017 training dates will not be approved. Please do not submit requests for any training occurring in 2017 as they will be denied.
- The Nevada Registry will not register any NEW trainers until the criteria for trainers has been established. Only currently registered trainers may submit training for approval through the end of the year.
- All trainers will be required to re-qualify once new trainer criteria has been established.
A plan is currently being developed to ensure that training will be available to help ECE professionals meet their professional development needs during the transition from the old to the new and improved system. Trainers will be notified (mid-late December) when the trainer approval application process is available and when the new system is ready to accept training requests for the 2017 calendar year. Until then, all other standard training approval policies and procedures remain in effect.
Be sure to check your email and the Registry blog regularly for updates and opportunities to provide input throughout this process!


text: Jeffrey Osborne is one of the greatest balladeers in r&b history. Who can ever forget his amazing performance on 80s standards like "On the Wings of Love," "We're Going All the Way," and "You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song)." After leaving his first band L.T.D. he teamed with the legendary producer George Duke to become one of the most successful singer of the 80s with additional hits like "Stay With Me Tonight" and "The Borderlines." By the 90s he took a step back, but has never gone away and even released a new album this year called Worth It All. We discuss the stories behind many of his biggest hits, what it was like working with George, why he became a vegan, and what he's up to today. He's one of the best there's ever been!

domain: artistic


*** LATE-NIGHT SHOW***
Tuesday, April 27th, 2021
[1:00AM ’til 5:00AM+]
*Technically Wednesday morning, Apr 28th*
at ONE EYED JACKS (Toulouse St., New Orleans)
BOOM BOOM ROOM PRESENTS:
** YAK ATTACK **with Surprise Special Star Guests...
Dave Dernovsek - Keys
Rowan Cobb - Bass
Nick Werth - Drums
Yak Attack is a live electronica power trio from Portland Oregon. ... The band draws on influences from a wide spectrum of electronica, such as house, drum and bass, and breakbeat, along with elements of jam, funk, and jazz.
ROPEADOPE records released their debut album in 2019.
This band is just plain BAD-AZZ!
∞Live-looping meets House meets Breakbeat meets Electro-funK meets Drum&Bass meets Trip Hop∞
Come get down to this LATE-NIGHT dance party... Think Sound Tribe Sector 9 and you get a glimpse into what a raucous and electric good time this show will be at One Eyed Jacks in New Orleans.
*** Starting immediately after Dragon Smoke ends. ***
If you have tickets to Dragon Smoke, your wrist band is good to stay on and party til dawn with YAK ATTACK!
GET YOUR TIX to this show here NOW in advance.
TIX will also be available at the door of OEJ (on night of the show - after 8pm til 5am) .
MORE ABOUT THE YAKS:
Yak Attack has been selling out local and regional shows and has developed a reputation as "the region's go to late night act" in the summer festival and afterparty circuit. Fresh off a round of touring supporting jamtronica heavyweights STS9 and Sunsquabi, the band has also shared the stage with established or up-and-coming acts such as Fruition, Turkuaz, TAUK, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and The Magic Beans. After releasing "Safety Third" on Ropeadope records in 2018, the band is currently recording their fourth full-length album, and about to embark on a packed festival schedule including national events such as Camp Bisco and Jazzfest.
DON'T MISS IT!
This is YAK ATTACK "2nd Annual" LATE-NIGHT SPECTACULAR bringing its Electric-Live-Cosmic dance party to ONE EYED JACKS in New Orleans 2020.
Dave Dernovsek / Rowan Cobb / Nick Werth


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Mississippi group honors fictional man in ‘Ode to Billy Joe’
Published 8:16 am Monday, June 7, 2021
(AP) A group of Mississippi residents gathered on a sleepy, dusty Delta day to remember the fictional Billy Joe McAllister where — as the 1967 hit song had it — he ended his life when he jumped off the Tallahatchie bridge.
The Greenwood Commonwealth reported that members of the society calling themselves the June Bugs held a ceremony Thursday and talked about Billy Joe as if they knew him. The group included Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker and Bill Luckett, an attorney and blues club owner who once ran for Mississippi governor as a Democrat.
They unveiled a tombstone at a spot called the Tallahatchie Flats.
“Ode to Billy Joe” was written and recorded by Bobbie Gentry, who lived part of her life in Greenwood.
Wicker quoted from the lyrics Thursday, speaking of the fictional character as if he had been real.
“People said, ‘Billy Joe never had a lick of sense,’ but I never believed that,” the senator said.
Luckett dressed as a pope and spoke about the possibility that Billy Joe committed some sins, including taking his own life by leaping into the Tallahatchie. Luckett announced that he “grants, conveys and bestows and publicly pronounces a special dispensation” for Billy Joe.
People sang “Wade in the Water,” and a tombstone for McAllister was unveiled with the phrase: “He loved the river even unto death.”
An Episcopal priest read a list of Mississippi authors and musicians who were also being memorialized, including William Faulkner and Muddy Waters.

domain: news


text:
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Jazz in Downtown Boise
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Baby Come Back By Player | KrisPicks
This song came up in our chat conversation at work today. I found this really well done video that J.R. Ramos put together on YouTube. I just had to share it. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. This song has some really great Pop Rock hooks and running the lead guitar through a Leslie cabinet is cool too. I bought the vinyl 45 back in the 70's when this song came out. I still have it somewhere… Keep pickin'!
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NSC Writing Specialist Hannah Guenthoer
HI! I am Hannah Guenthoer. I am a sophomore working towards my Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice to one day be a Victim advocate for anyone that has been victimized whether it is a “criminal” or an unfortunate victim off the street. I love problem solving, discussions, and creativity whether it is in writing, art or a personality. Nevada State has opened my eyes to diversity, and the power of a mind. As a new Writing Specialist, I am excited to create great discussions with not only students but with faculty, and other peer workers.


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Flood planning for parts of Burlington and Oakville topic of online forum
Flooding, and what it means to Burlington and Oakville residents will be the topic of an online public forum tonight (June 6).
Presented by Conservation Halton, the forum will be the publics’ first opportunity to learn about the agency’s updated flood hazard mapping for creeks that flow through east Burlington and southwest Oakville. The creeks include Appleby, Shoreacres, Tuck and Sheldon.
According to Conservation Halton, the updating of the mapping system assists with flood planning and forecasting as well as developing warning systems for those who live near water systems during extreme weather situations.
During the online session Conservation Halton staff will talk about the update work that is being carried out and the public will be able to ask questions.
After the forum takes place conservation staff will review public feedback and make further revisions to the study if necessary.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and you can register for the online session through this link.
More information about the plan you can visit Conservation Halton Mapping and Studies.
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domain: geography


text:
UEFA Confirm They’ll Monitor Coronavirus Situation
European football’s governing body UEFA have confirmed in an official statement via their official website that they will continue to monitor the situation when it comes to the Coronavirus outbreak in Italy.
Inter’s Europa League round of 32 second leg match at home to Ludogorets is to be played behind closed doors tomorrow as a result of the outbreak and is the latest match in Italy to have been affected as several games in the past few days have been postponed.
As of this morning, there are a total of 357 confirmed cases of the virus in Italy and there have been a total of 12 deaths due to it.
A number of northern towns in the country remain in complete lock down as the Italian government try to limit the spread of the virus which originated in Wuhan, China.
In their statement, UEFA have confirmed that other than Inter’s match with Ludogorets, no other matches have been affected.
“Following the decisions of the Italian authorities, the UEFA Europa League match between FC Internazionale Milano and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad will be played behind closed doors at the Stadio San Siro in Milan on Thursday 27 February 2020,” it starts.
“All other UEFA matches scheduled this week will go ahead as planned and at this time there are no restrictions for attending supporters.
“UEFA will continue to closely monitor the situation regarding Covid-19 and to liaise with relevant authorities in this respect.”

domain: sports


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*For example, an Airstream International Signature 27FB would need a Medium Skirt Kit at it’s 27′.
Our engineers double check every order to make sure you’ve got the right set for your trailer.
Not sure? Call the RV skirting experts at 833-475-4787 to speak with with one of our RV Skirting engineers.
Every kit comes with the following:
Our heavy duty RV Skirt carry and storage bag
800W electric air pump that inflates and deflates your camper skirting system
Skirt tubes – these tubes are the core of the AirSkirts system
Skirt patches (purchase PVC cement at your local hardware store in the unlikely event of a puncture)
Foam material (used if your RV has sharp edges or screws underneath)
If you have a 2-axle or greater trailer, you may also wish to add a Tire Wedge set. For two-axle trailers with an enclosed wheel well add two tire wedges for the bottom of each wheel set. For exposed wheels, add four tire wedges to insulate the top and bottom of each tire set.
With AirSkirts RV skirting has never been easier – just choose the right kit – we guarantee it will fit.


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How to find the cheapest flight from Singapore City Airport (SIN) to Kentucky
Related info for your journey
From Singapore City Airport to Kentucky
How popular is this flight route?
Within the past month, 26 users have taken a look at flights from Singapore Changi to Kentucky.
Which airlines flying from Singapore Changi to Kentucky have flexible changes due to COVID-19?
American Airlines is one of the carriers that may have flexible change policies. You can use our site to filter for other airlines that may also have this kind of flexibility.
What are the cheapest flights from Singapore City Airport to Kentucky?
Looking for the cheapest flight from Singapore City Airport to Kentucky? While on average our users pay S$ 1,785, our data indicates the cheapest price to be S$ 1,627. The most popular route (Singapore Changi - Lexington Blue Grass), is priced around S$ 1,691.


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Joe Lucas, executive vice president for the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma, said that more than 150 horses perished in the tornados that hit Moore and the Oklahoma City area. That count includes all breeds.
The Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association have jointly announced the creation of a benevolence account for horsemen impacted by the storms.
More than 100 horses are thought to have perished in the massive tornado that hit the Moore, Okla., area May 20 in addition to the human lives that were lost in the disaster.
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The 2021/22 being the 4th edition of golden city awards Night date have been revealed by the organizers on their social media walls
The awards took few weeks in preparation towards the biggest night which is happening on the 25th of June at the Roman parish hall Tarkwa
The annual event will witness deserving hardworking entertainment and media personalities being honored on the night.
The nominees were voted upon for some weeks and was put into two categories (public and digital voting)which will guide organizers and their board decide the winner of a category with no partiality
There are several expensive packages attached in Winning any of the categories,we may see items such as fridges ,television sets ,routers ,recording and promotional deals etc
There will be exclusive performances from highlife and afrobeat stars Qwesi Flex,Vinswag,Black Metal and other surprising artiste
Tickets will be sold at the front door .


Harrison Luna arrived on Love Island USA as a surprise for the women after many were upset over how specific castmates had treated them.
The hunky cast member showed up to the villa on Day 4 wearing a fancy suit and mask for the masquerade party.
He’s the third Bombshell to arrive in Fiji during Season 5, joining Hannah Wright and Carmen Kocourek.
In addition to being handsome and charming, Harrison also had a noticeable accent, and it was revealed that he wasn’t from the United States like the rest of his castmates.
He wasn’t coupled up during his debut episode, but that’s likely to change as several ladies were interested in the newest man.
Here’s what we know about Harison on Love Island, including his job, age, height, interests, and more.
Who is Harrison Luna on Love Island USA?
Harrison is a 26-year-old diamond dealer from Adelaide, South Australia. Early on, he informed the cast that he trades gold and diamonds, which he is passionate about.
The stunning Bombshell walked into the villa during Episode 4 dressed like he was appearing on The Bachelor or Bachelorette.
He also told his castmates they now have a connection if they need any jewelry later on. Harrison also revealed he’d held various jobs before becoming a diamond dealer, including shirtless serving and driving.
Upon his arrival, he mentioned his dreamgirl is “bubbly, intellectual,” and can have a “bit of banter” with him. He said his “biggest turn-on is confidence” and “when a girl goes for what she wants.”
He also revealed that he’s 6-foot-4 and brings “the presence and everything else that comes with it.”
Did Harrison develop an early romantic connection?
Harrison got to know the rest of his castmates during their outdoor masquerade party, which included a game called Unmask the Truth. A fact describing one of the cast members was read, and the person whose turn it was had to kiss who they thought it was about.
Jasmine chose to kiss Harrison for her turn, although the clue wasn’t about him. Based on the footage and castmates’ reactions, their kiss also lasted quite a while.
For Harrison’s card, it ended up being that he’d lost his virginity in a threesome. It was Kay Kay’s turn, and she correctly kissed him, also as a way to get back at her man for kissing another woman during the game.
During the game, he also said in a confessional interview that he felt Jasmine’s fact about how she got revenge on her ex was a “red flag.”
However, Harrison began getting to know Jasmine as they had a private chat away from the masquerade party. Jasmine said meeting this new man happened at the right moment, as she’d been feeling upset over losing her guy Victor to Bombshell Carmen in the previous episode.
She admitted she felt a lot of attraction to the newest guy at the villa, and he was just the type she’d been hoping for on Love Island. It remains to be seen if Harrison will feel that same vibe or go for a different woman in Fiji.
Where to find Harrison on social media
Fans can follow Harrison at the handle @harrisonluna for his official Instagram page. He currently boasts over 36,000 followers and has nearly 600 posts.
Those include many photos of him dressed up, down, or shirtless. Harrison indicates in his bio that he’s interested in gold, diamonds, and fitness.
While Harrison has plenty of photos on his IG to make everyone swoon, he also revealed potential interests, including travel, playing billiards, and enjoying sports.
Several photos on Harrison’s IG also show him with a woman, Ashley Bright, who he’d been with several years before Love Island USA. Ashley doesn’t appear in any recent posts on his page from the past year or so.
Viewers will be watching to see if Harrison finds an ideal romantic connection with one of the gorgeous women during his stay at the villa on Love Island USA 5!
Love Island USA airs Thursdays-Tuesdays at 9/8c on Peacock.


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Classic Color Dye 4 Pack
Get Suckered's Color Dye 4 Pack
Grab a pack of these super vivid food grade color dyes and add some color to your creations! Use these dyes for anything from baking to beverages. These dyes are extra concentrated and a little goes a long way, so please use sparingly.
Each color dye pack includes 4, 3.7ml drams:
1 x Red
1 x Blue
1 x Yellow
1 x Green
Isomalt is a sugar substitute, a type of sugar alcohol used primarily for its ...
Enhance any of our sour flavors with the help of our Sour Drops! These concentrated d...

domain: hobby


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Sometimes I read a book because it looks interesting.
Sometimes I read a book because it’s by a favorite author.
Sometimes I read a book because the title intrigues me.
And sometimes I read a book because I want to seem fancy and intellectual.
That’s why I read this book. The cover is based of a Vincent van Gogh painting. That’s pretty fancy and intellectual, I thought.
The author is from Sicily and resides in both London and Sicily. That’s pretty fancy and intellectual, I thought.
The story is about a simple almond-picker-turned housemaid who has some mysterious connection to the Sicilian mafia, which is only discovered after her death. That’s pretty fancy and intellectual, I thought.
So I checked it out, so I could be all fancy and intellectual, too. And I carried it around with me for a few weeks: to doctor’s visits, to coffee shops and friendly lunches, to the pool and the gym, so I, too, could look fancy and intellectual, all the while secretly hoping someone would ask about my book so I could talk about it and sound fancy and intellectual.
But for all that fancy-ness and intellectual-ness, I was disappointed. There were too many characters, which I guess is understandable if you’re all fancy with the Sicilian mafia. The plot line was at points too complicated and too simplistic, which I guess happens when you’re all intellectual with the Sicilian upper crust. The moment of truth when the mystery is uncovered was nearly anti-climactic, which is completely unexpected in a book that appears to be fancy and intellectual.
Ah, well, at least I can tell people I’ve read the book, making me appear to be the fancy intellectual I long to be. And no one has to know the difference.


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States with the worst drivers
Several blocks in Grandview, Mo., are surrounded by police as a search warrant is executed in connection with the news that a highway shootings suspect is in custody.
Erika is no longer a tropical storm, but could still bring heavy rains and spark flooding as it heads to Florida from the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center said Saturday.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott urged residents to remain vigilant even though E...
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Printable PDF of the letter below here.
June 14, 2018
To the Attention of: Alberta Teacher’s Association
Re: Advocating to Make Vaccines Mandatory in Alberta
Dear Members of the Alberta Teacher’s Association
I am writing in response to your recent efforts to advocate for mandatory vaccinations in Alberta. While I trust these efforts are well intended, they are seriously misguided for a number of reasons.
1. Violation of Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Currently all vaccines in Canada are voluntary. It is imperative they remain voluntary as vaccination is an invasive medical treatment with known unintended adverse effects including permanent disability and death. In Canada we uphold the medical ethic that “where there is risk, there must be choice”.
Any effort to make vaccinations mandatory in Canada would be a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter protects us from government actions that violate our rights and freedoms including the freedom of conscience and religion and the legal right to security of the person. Mandating vaccines is a clear and serious violation of these rights and freedoms.
Mandating vaccines would also violate the medical ethic of informed consent, the Nuremberg Code, and the Universal Declaration of Bioethics and Human Rights – Article 6 – Consent, to which Canada is a signatory.
“Any preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic medical intervention is only to be carried out with the prior, free and informed consent of the person concerned, based on adequate information. The consent should, where appropriate, be expressed and may be withdrawn by the person concerned at any time and for any reason without disadvantage or prejudice.”
Health Canada declared in 1997:
“Unlike some countries, immunization is not mandatory in Canada; it cannot be made mandatory because of the Canadian Constitution . . . legislation and regulations must not be interpreted to imply compulsory immunization.”
-Immunization in Canada, Volume: 23S4, May 1997
2. Lack of Long Term Safety
The more important issue with regard to vaccination is the lack of evidence of the safety of the current vaccine program. The recommended vaccine schedule has never been proven to be safe in large, long-term clinical trials. While vaccines are licensed individually, their safety is not proven in the real world way in which vaccines are given – multiple vaccines at once.
Currently, the practice of monitoring the safety and effectiveness of vaccines does not follow standard science based protocols. As a result there is a lack of solid scientific evidence of vaccine safety, effectiveness and necessity.
Lack of Scientific Evidence
The lack of evidence includes the following:
- There are no long-term clinical trials that prove the safety of the current vaccine schedule.
- Most effectiveness trials are limited to the measurement of anti-bodies in the blood rather than producing verifiable evidence that the vaccine actually prevented the targeted disease.
- No safety trials exist that determine the safety of giving multiple vaccinations at once.
- No large safety trials using an unvaccinated population as the control group have proven that vaccines are safe and effective.
- The current vaccine schedule has never been tested for safety in the real world way in which the schedule is implemented.
- No clinical proof exists to support the claim that vaccines are responsible for the decline in mortality, let alone the claim of millions of lives saved.
- There are no biological studies that show injecting mercury is safe in any amount.
- No clinical trials have been conducted to establish the safety of using aluminum in vaccines.
Lack of a Neutral Placebo
Most vaccine safety trials use control groups consisting of other vaccinated populations or placebos containing aluminum. These are not true placebos. Vaccine safety trials that are conducted without a neutral placebo cannot determine if a product is safe. None of the vaccines on the current Canadian childhood vaccination schedule were tested against a neutral placebo.
The failure of the vaccine industry to use a neutral placebo undermines the integrity of Federal health agency claims that vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. Until true vaccinated vs. unvaccinated research is conducted any claims of vaccine safety and effectiveness is an assumption and not scientifically proven. Further, many pre-licensure trials do not include patient populations most at risk of serious adverse events. This is not responsible science. In fact, this is not science.
Vaccines given in the combination schedules recommended for our children today have never been tested for safety, which makes the current practice a medical experiment. The medical practice of vaccination is an uncontrolled experiment upon our infants and children.
Vaccine safety “science” is not recognizable as science anymore.
~ James Lyons-Weiler, Ph.D.
Mr. Timothy Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in health law and policy at the University of Alberta states –
“If they are science-based, step up and be science-based. If they’re not science-based, make that explicit, and then society can have an interesting discussion about whether we should have these philosophies … as part of our health-care system.”
Unfortunately, this standard of scientific oversight is not required with the practice of vaccination. We believe it should be.
The Real Epidemic
We are currently experiencing an epidemic in our communities and it is not measles, mumps, or chicken pox. It is autism, learning disabilities, ADHD and other neurological and immunological system disorders. Autism now affects more than 1 in 45 children in Canada and is projected to affect 1 in 2 children by 2030. The impact of autism on society is catastrophic.
The members of the Alberta Teacher’s Association ought to be more aware than most of the alarming increase in the number of children with serious and chronic neurological and immunological health conditions. Thirty years ago the amount of autism, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, life threatening allergies and juvenile diabetes was virtually non-existent. Today every classroom has children with chronic and serious health conditions and the incidence of these health conditions is growing at an alarming rate. This significant increase in neurological and immunological disabilities has occurred at the same time the number of vaccines administered to our children has more than doubled.
3. Vaccines Contain Neurotoxins
Vaccines contain known neurotoxins. Vaccine producers use mercury (thimerosal) in the manufacture of some vaccines and as a preservative in multi-dose vials. Mercury is the most toxic substance known that is not radioactive. There is no evidence injected mercury is safe in any amount.
Aluminum is used in many vaccines as an adjuvant. The neurotoxicity of aluminum is well documented, affecting memory, cognition, psychomotor control and damage to the brain when the aluminum passes through the blood brain barrier. The amount of aluminum used in vaccines regularly exceeds the maximum amount permitted by the FDA. The science of aluminum adjuvant neurotoxicity is well described here: http://vaccinepapers.org/
Researchers are now discovering that aluminum adjuvants in vaccines can be transported into the brain and provoke ongoing chronic brain inflammation. With the 2018 Alberta vaccination schedule high quantities of aluminum are injected into an infant’s fragile micro-environment during these highly sensitive early years of brain formation.
Mercury and aluminum work synergistically such that their impact is significantly greater when given close together. Both of these neurotoxins are known to cause permanent neurological damage in children and adults.
4. Vaccine – Autism Relationship
While the Center for Disease Control and Health Canada issue statements in an attempt to reassure health consumers that there is no relationship between vaccines and autism, the scientific evidence of a relationship is compelling and disturbing. The members of the Alberta Teacher’s Association may not be aware of the following:
- A report in the Pace Environmental Law Review Journal reviewed 83 cases of vaccine-induced brain injury that resulted in an autism diagnosis, which were compensated by the U.S. Federal Vaccine Injury Compensation system https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/pelr/vol28/iss2/6
- There are now more than 146 independent studies that show a relationship between vaccines and autism.
- William Thompson, a Senior Scientist with the Vaccine Safety Division of the CDC, and the lead statistician and co-author of the 2004 CDC study that is used by vaccine proponents to deny a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, took whistleblower status in 2014 to reveal CDC scientists colluded to commit scientific fraud in order to obscure the link between the MMR vaccine and autism.Dr. Thompson claims the federal agency ordered him and his colleagues to destroy study findings that confirmed a link between the MMR vaccine and autism, prompting U.S. Representative Bill Posey to call for a Congressional investigation of MMR research fraud: https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4546421/rep-bill-posey-calling-investigation-cdcs-mmr-reasearch-fraudThis alarming disclosure is the basis of the 2016 documentary Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe. The media, to its discredit, has actively tried to censor this film, refused to inform the public of this significant disclosure, and has failed to advocate for a full investigation of Thompson’s claims.
- Award-winning journalist, Sharyl Attkisson investigated the vaccine-autism link and compiled an extensive list of studies that show a vaccine-autism link. (What the News Isn’t Saying About Vaccine-Autism Studies – updated November 27, 2016). https://sharylattkisson.com/what-the-news-isnt-saying-about-vaccine-autism-studies Attkisson concluded –
“The body of evidence on both sides is open to interpretation.
People have every right to disbelieve the studies on one side.
But it is disingenuous to pretend they do not exist.”
- Bernadine Healy, the former head of the National Institutes of Health, stated that the vaccine-autism link is not a “myth”. Dr. Healy disclosed that her colleagues at the Institute of Medicine did not wish to investigate the possible link between vaccines and autism because they feared the impact it would have on the vaccination program. This failure to fully investigate the vaccine-autism link is politics, not science.
There is an abundance of evidence that a vaccine-autism link exists. Asking for vaccines to be mandated without compelling and irrefutable evidence that vaccines are safe is unethical and immoral. There is no evidence that the total health outcomes of vaccinated children are better than unvaccinated children. The absence of this evidence is irresponsible and indicates vaccination is ideology rather than evidence-based medicine.
5. Misguided Concern About Measles
The impetus for lobbying efforts to mandate vaccines is often explained due to the minor increase in incidences of measles. While measles is highly contagious and inconvenient, it is a benign childhood illness in Canada. The mortality of measles in healthy children is virtually zero. During the ten-year period of 2004 – 2015 the CDC reported zero deaths attributed to measles in the US. At the same time VAERS reported 108 deaths linked to adverse reaction to the measles vaccine. A child is significantly more at risk of dying from the measles vaccine than dying due to contracting measles.
It is now recognized that childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, chicken pox and influenza prime and develop an infant’s immune response. By precluding our infants and children from natural exposure to these infectious agents, an infant’s immune system fails to develop into a strong and robust system able to mount a vigorous response to infection and provide life long protection and good health. Measles infection is shown to contribute to the prevention of cancer and coronary heart disease and the measles virus is now being used to treat some cancers.
6. Use of Aborted Fetal Tissue
The members of the Alberta Teacher’s Association may not be aware that many live virus vaccines are cultured in aborted fetal tissue. https://cogforlife.org/wp-content/uploads/vaccineListOrigFormat.pdf Many Albertans take a strong stance on the morality of abortion. To mandate the injection of aborted fetal matter into one’s children is a serious violation of personal principles and values.
7. Mandating Undermines Self Determination
What I valued most about my education was the encouragement and training I was given to be a strong and independent thinker. I was taught that it is my human responsibility to think for myself and to take ownership of my God-given capacity to think and act.
To remove individual choice from the practice of injecting known toxins, animal DNA, and foreign substances into one’s body and the bodies of our children and grandchildren is a violation of our rights as independent, free-thinking and sovereign beings.
8. Individual Variables Systematically Ignored
The vaccine industry and the media have a tendency to present vaccines as if they are one drug rather than a number of distinct and different drugs. Vaccines vary by safety, effectiveness and necessity. They also vary by manufacturer, ingredients and manufacturing process. Stating, “all vaccines are safe and effective” is like saying, “all prescription drugs are safe and effective”. Such statements are without merit.
Vaccines need to be evaluated on a vaccine-by-vaccine basis to evaluate their safety, effectiveness and necessity for each individual. Vaccine dosage is not calibrated by age, weight, immune response, gender, genetics, medical or family history, or other variables used to discern safe levels of a medical intervention. In no other area of medicine are individual variables systematically ignored. It is difficult to have confidence in a program that ignores individual patient consideration.
9. When Vaccine Mandates Are Needed
Vaccine mandates should only be considered if:
1) A disease has a high rate of mortality.
2) The disease is highly contagious.
3) The vaccine is proven to be safe.
4) The vaccine is effective in preventing transmission.
None of the current vaccines and their related diseases meets these criteria. There is no medically justified rational for mandated vaccination in Alberta.
Educators as Advocates
It is my wish that rather than advocate for the erosion of our rights and freedoms, the Alberta education system act as a buffer and a refuge for the increasing persecution of those families wishing to vaccinate selectively, delay or avoid vaccines entirely. It would also be my wish the Alberta School members be strong advocates for protecting our sovereignty, our freedom of conscience and religion, and our legal right to security of the person.
It is my hope the members of the Alberta Teacher’s Association re-consider their decision of advocating for the erosion of choice pertaining to vaccinations in Alberta and instead be advocates for truth, freedom and democracy.
I do this work in honour of my vaccine injured son.
Ted Kuntz, Parent of a Vaccine Injured Child
Vice President, Vaccine Choice Canada
Greg A Jeffery, President
Jenny L Regal, Vice President
Jason C Schilling, Vice President
H Mark Ramsankar, Past President
Dennis E Theobald, Executive Secretary
Kathy A Hoehn
Kent W Kinsman
G Michelle Glavine
Jere M Geiger
Elaine M Willette-Larsen
Robert J Twerdoclib
Don M Brookwell
Nancy L Ball
Darrin A Bauer
Markiana J Cyncar-Hryschuk
Peter F MacKay
Heather D McCaig
Katherine D Pritchard
Archived from our Take Action page – May 2018 with further details of the vote above:
The Alberta Teacher’s Association – Annual Representative Assembly (ARA2018) – on the long weekend in May 2018 approved resolutions including urging the Alberta Government to require mandatory vaccinations, without personal or religious exemptions.
Ted Kuntz has written a letter to the Alberta Teachers’ Association Executive (see above). Alberta parents and concerned citizens can use this letter as a template to write to the executive of the Association. Please send a copy to your MLA and Member of Parliament A list with contact information is linked below.
2-18/18 (Current Directive)
Edmonton Public Teachers
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alberta Teachers’ Association urge the Government of Alberta to require mandatory vaccinations, with no personal or religious exemptions, for all K–12 students attending schools in Alberta which receive public funds.
2-19/18 (Current Directive)
Edmonton Public Teachers
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alberta Teachers’ Association urge the Government of Alberta to provide on-site, voluntary influenza vaccinations to all teachers, school staff and students, at no cost [to teachers or school boards].
List of and contact info for Provincial Executive Council (PEC).
Find your Alberta MLA contact information here: http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_home
Find your Member of Parliament here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/parliamentarians/en/constituencies/FindMP
ARA affirms importance of united teaching profession
“Mandatory vaccination also discussed
Delegates also thoroughly discussed a resolution (2-18) calling for the government to require mandatory vaccinations, with no personal or religious exemptions, for all students attending schools receiving public funds.
Delegates spoke to the need to ensure that immunization coverage stayed large enough to provide benefit for students or staff who have compromised immunity or are medically unable to be vaccinated.
‘Take the courageous step to say this is the right thing to do,’ said one teacher. ‘I believe in a safe and a caring school and as long as we let people opt out of vaccinations, it is not a safe school, no matter how much we care.’
Others thought the objectives of the motion could be achieved by other means.
‘Persuasion, appeal to people’s values and education are less coercive means of promoting vaccine compliance,’ argued one delegate. ‘This method is more in line with how I believe the Association needs to move forward should they wish to become involved in the highly contentious vaccine debate.’
The resolution passed.”

domain: medical


NASA sends unmanned aircraft to spy on hurricanes.
Satellites revolutionized scientists' ability to study hurricanes, providing valuable insights into what makes a storm tick. But detailed observations are limited to times when a satellite’s orbit crosses a hurricane's path. To combat this issue, NASA is experimenting with putting the same types of instruments that fly on satellites aboard unmanned aerial vehicles. In 2007 NASA acquired two Global Hawk aircraft originally designed for military use. The remote-controlled planes have since been equipped with tools for surveying storms. The planes can fly above a storm for hours on end, allowing scientists to make measurements over long periods of time. The data they collect will improve our understanding of how storms evolve. Watch the video to see how the aircraft's scanning radar system detects hot towers—columns of clouds and rising warm air that power hurricanes.