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Critical analysis of chromosomes at pachytene and later stages of microsporogenesis in six different species of Eu-Sorghum namely S. vulgare, S. durra, S, caudatum, S. roxburghii, S. sudanense and S. virgatum and their 15 F1 hybrids were made. The hybrids involving one wild and one cultivated species showed relatively higher proportion of chromosomal abnormalities than those involving either both cultivated or both wild species. Pachytene pairing was found to be complete and apparently normal in two S. sudanense×S. durra and S. caudatum×S. roxburghii hybrids. Pachytene analysis in remaining 13 hybrids revealed the presence of some minute, though cytologically detectable, structural differences such as terminal as well as interstitial non-paired regions, small duplications and terminal deletions, and differential segments between the parental species. In spite of the existence of these meiotic irregularities in some hybrids, the subsequent stages of meiosis were quite normal leading to good seed setting. Cytogenetical mechanisms underlying species differentiation in the genus are discussed.
The large seeded and small seeded varieties of Lens culinaris were given acute and chronic exposure of gamma radiations. Their chromosomal aberrations during microsporogenesis of M1 generation were compared. In the chronic treatment, the univalents, trivalents, tetravalents, laggards and fragments registered a decreasing trend with the increasing radiation dose. Whereas, all the aberrations except univalents were found to go on increasing with the total acute dose received. The univalents here showed a depression at the highest dose. The other aberrations viz. tetravalents, multivalents, cells with clumped configurations, bridges at the anaphase/telophase, unequal pollen grains, and pollen sterility were on the increase at the corresponding higher doses. This was common in both types of treatments. The physiological effects in the case of chronic treatments was mainly attributed to the existing differences from the plants treated with the acute radiations.
Culture tissues were established from hypocotyl segments of Vicia faba. Chromosomal analysis from initiation to 1 year old culture was done. Only numerically and structural varaition in chromosomes were found without any spindle disturbances. Another significant feature was the occurrence of new chromosome complement i.e. submedian type in this culture.
The structural diversity of interphase chromatin in many distantly related plant species is described. Heterochromatin, which is visualized by a new Giemsa banding technique remains attached to a specific point on the inner side of nuclear membrane and determines a species specific orientation of chromatin. It is suggested that heterochromatin is responsible for non random arrangement of chromatin, somatic association and structural diversity of chromatin arrangement at interphase.
The cell cycle kinetics of Allium cepa meristematic cells has been studied when BrdU was incorporated into DNA at different moments of the S period. When incorporation occurred late in the S period, no delay was observed in the total duration of the interphase, while a significant delay was detected when BrdU was incorporated into DNA during early and middle S, suggesting that a relation may exist in plant cells between time of exposure to BrdU and FdU and the conclusion of the interphase. Furthermore, the high resolution power obtained by the FPG technique after BrdU incorporation into DNA allowed us to calculate the approximate amount of late replicating DNA in the S period. The results indicate that DNA replication is specially active at the end of S.
The localization of the constitutive Heterochromatin in the salivary gland chromosomes of Orthocladius bipunctellus and Cryptochironomus fridmanae was established by the C and Q banding methods. “Dark knobs” connected with the nucleoli in the chromosomes were discovered in the karyotype of the species studied, Bright constant fluorescence and an intensive C banding were observed in the zones where these “dark knobs” were located. The results obtained confirm our assumption that this a specific kind of heterochromatin-AT rich and free of non histone proteins. Heterochromatin is distributed in different bands of the polytene chromosomes of both species. It is assumed that variability in fluorescence and intensity of C banding depend on the chromosome packing.
Ninety two meiotic anaphases were critically analysed for paracentric inversions in Crotalaria sericea. All the four possible types of configurations, resulting due to the involvement of various chromatids in cross over within the inverted region, which may or may not be accompanied by cross over between centromere and inverted region, were found in this species. This is probably the first report where all types of configurations due to paracentric inversion/inversions are found in one species. The paracentric inversion/inversions seem to involve a large segment of long arm of the chromosome/chromosomes. One is tempted to conclude that paracentric inversion may not have been firmly established in the species but may be at a stage of ‘floating inversions’.
The desynaptic plant showed univalents ranging from 0 to 13 at diakinesis and metaphase I. In triploid plant 36 per cent of the cells showed eight chromosomes separating to one pole at anaphase I. The morphology, cytology and sterility studies were conducted in all the trisomics isolated. All the primary trisomics showed 6II+1III or 7II+1I at diakinesis and metaphase I. The frequency of trivalents was reduced at metaphase I. The trivalent resumed in chain of 3, V-, Y-, frying pan, S-, J- and 4-shape configurations. Based on cytomorphological distinction, the 16 trisomics were grouped in five classes as bushy, awned, slender, dark green and tiny.
Male meiosis investigated in twelve species of Vicia revealed that all the three gametic numbers (n=5, 6, 7) reported so far, in the genus, were present. Majority of them showed regular occurrence of 5, 6, 7 bivalents at diakinesis and metaphase I. The univalents, observed in some species, never exceeded two in number. The chiasma distribution was generally random and their frequency in each bivalent was dependant on the chromosome length. However, in V. hybrida, due to localization of chiasmata at distal ends in 5 out of 6 bivalents, the chiasma number was never more than two per bivalent. Highest recombination index was in V. faba and lowest in V. hybrida and in the former the terminalization occured very late. The three size classes among bivalents in PMC complements of various species and even the position of centromeres in bivalents could be clearly earmarked. The species differed markedly in overall chromosome size and on this basis they could be divided into four major groups. The distribution of chromosomes at anaphase I was normal in all the species. It is concluded that the gametic numbers of 5 and 6 are derivatives of n=7. The variation in gametic numbers, localization of chiasmata, pericentric inversions, differential chromosome size in various species and gene mutations might have played a significant role in speciation in the genus.
The karyotypes of two Malaysian murids Hapalomys longicaudatus Blyth and Pithecheir melanurus parvus Kloss are reported. Both species have a diploid number of 2n=50 and large metacentric X and large subacrocentric Y chromosomes. The differences found in the autosomal elements may be attributed to pericentric inversions. These karyotypes are also compared with those of two closely related genera, Lenothrix and Chiropodomys. The karyological differences could not be readily explained in terms of simple chromosomal mechanisms.
The karyotype of Myotis pruinosus was presented for the first time (2n=44, FN=52). The odd karyotype was characterized by having a submetacentric pair (no. 1) and a large submetacentric X-chromosome. By comparison of the G- and C-banding patterns between this species and other Myotis species examined so far, it is clear that the submetacentric pair (no. 1) has developed by pericentric inversion from the standard metacentric, and the X-chromosome is due to the result of duplicated translocation on the short arm of the standard X-chromosome of Myotis species.
Roots of V. faba were treated with 5-AU (350ppm) and colchicine (0.025%) in various combinations. Tetraploid cells, induced by colchicine, were used as a subpopulation of marked cells with which to study the effect of 5-AU on G1 cells and to determine the relative rates of recovery, from the 5-AU induced block, of cells in different phases of the cell cycle. These aspects were followed in roots given 2, 18 or up to 26 hours in 5-AU: colchicine treatments were given either immediately before or after the 5-AU treatment. Cells exposed to 5-AU in the early part of interphase recovered more rapidly than those treated at the S-G2 transition. This recovery does not appear to be due to a stimulation of cells by colchicine, since treatments with colchicine after 5-AU did not speed up the recovery of the cells. Recovery appears to be a response of the whole meristem, not just of individual cells. This suggests some form of cell-cell interaction that results in the reversal of the 5-AU blockade.
Morphologically distinct plants were noted in M2 generation of G. hirsutum varieties Acala glandless, Empire glandless, MCU-5 glandless and Laxmi and one in G. barbadense var. Giza-45. Meiosis in these plants indicated that the PMCs contained (2n=3x=39) chromosomes. From the behaviour of 3x=39 chromosomes, it is suggested that the loss of 13 chromosomes in these plants is not only from A or D genome alone but few chromosomes from both the genomes. Splitting of spindles resulting in super-reduction might have caused triploidy in these plants. The pollen grains formed showed high size variation and low fertility. Pollen germination test indicated pollen sterility. Significant differences were observed in triploids for all morphological characters when compared with their parents which might be due to the deletion of thirteen chromosomes. Thus, these characters appeared to be governed by polygenes present in both A and D genomes.
Cannabis causes the dissolution of the chromatin substances of Allium cepa cells. We were able, in this present investigation, to pursue the process of chromatin dissolution by applying cannabis for long exposure periods. Exposure to cannabis for a long treatment time dissolved the chromatin material within the nuclei, leaving only the nuclear membrane bounding an empty area. It seems that the process of dissolution of the chromatin substance is irreversible. Micronuclei can be induced in long exposure time with cannabis. Micronuclei can be considered as a test of chromosomal damage. But in short exposure treatment cannabis has not the ability to affect the chromosome structure. As far as the nuclear membrane is concerned, there does not seem to be any difference between normal and treated cells. The only unusual feature which is frequently found is deep invaginations of the membrane into the nucleoplasm. These infoldings are responsible for the irregular outline of many nuclei observed in root tips treated with cannabis.
Cytoganetical investigations were carried out in some species of Ocimum. During the course of this investigation it was found that O. canum Sims and O. americanum Linn., which have long been considered as synonym, are two distinct species. The former has 2n=24 or its aneuploid form with 2n=26 chromosomes while the latter has 2n=72 chromosomes. It is suggested that O. americanum arose as a natural hybrid between the diploid O. canum (2n=24) and the tetraploid O. basilicum (2n=48) followed by doubling of chromosomes. An experimental evidence to support this hypothesis is provided by resynthesizing O. americanum from O. canum and O. basilicum. The interrelationship and evolutionary aspects of the species are also discussed.
Morphology of pachytene chromosomes was studied in Spanish (TMV-2) and Virginia (M-13) types of groundnut. All the 20 chromosomes could be identified individually from certain diagnostic characters in addition to their total lengths and arm ratios. A simple key has been proposed for classifying the different chromosomes to facilitate their easy identification. The ‘A’ chromosomes described earlier were found to correspond to a small chromosome that was completely heterochromatic. The ‘B’ chromosomes were traced to a bivalent with 2 large heterochromatic segments in the short arm. Chromosome morphology was more or less similar in both the varieties.
Treatment with actinomycin D has been found to block the meiotic development in a large proportion of pollen mother cells in Delphinium. In the treated plants, the anthers on squashing are found to show two kinds of cells-those showing the expected meiotic activity and the others which show a mitotic kind of division. The latter group of cells seem to have taken a mitotic course rather than the expected meiotic sequence. The drug has the effect of blocking the differentiation of premeiotic mitotic cells along the expected meiotic pathway. This effect of actinomycin D has been interpreted as due to the action of this chemical in inactivating certain gene loci, which are thought to be involved in a meiotic development of the cell. These loci may be controlling the synthesis of protein molecules, and possibly of the DNA fraction, which is believed to be involved in meiotic development. Thus, enzymes like DNA polymerase may be affected in their synthesis and so also the repair replication enzymes, which have a role in genetic recombination.
Three interspecific hybrids of Abelmoschus, viz., A. esculentus×A. tetraphyllus, A. esculentus×manihot and A. esculentus×A. manihot ssp. manihot, and their colchiploids were compared for stomatal length and frequency, frequency of stomatal chloroplasts and pollen diameter. Significant increase in stomatal length and frequency of stomatal chloroplasts and significant decrease in frequency of stomata per unit area were observed in polyploids as compared to the respective F1 hybrids with no overlapping. Frequency distribution for pollen diameter of the polyploids revealed a considerable overlapping though the differences were significant. Stomatal chloroplast count can be used as a reliable technique for identifying induced polyploids in Abelmoschus species.
Two out of sixty plants raised from the seeds treated with 0.2% NMU were found to be translocation and inversion heterozygotes respectively. The plant showing reciprocal translocation was characterized by the presence of a ring of four chromosomes and five bivalents in the PMCs. Rings were mostly of open type. The plant showing paracentric inversion had one bridge and one fragment at anaphase II in most of the PMCs. Such configuration could only result when two crossovers, one inside and one outside the inversion loop were formed. It is probably the first report where NMU has successfully been used to induce reciprocal translocation and paracentric inversion.
Vicia faba seedlings with attached cotyledons were cultured in 20% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG). Under this condition the mitotic index and incorporation of thymidine into DNA of root tip cells decreased during the first 8 hours of treatment and remained lower than the control for 40 to 56 hours. After this period of time both parameters increased to near the levels of the control indicating a self-recovery response. Seedlings transferred out of PEG after 24 hours of treatment showed a recovery in mitotic index and incorporation, but not to the control levels. Those transferred after 48 or 72 hours recovered fully. PEG-stressed seedlings lacking cotyledons did not exhibit self-recovery, indicating a possible cotyledon role in this phenomenon. Roots of stressed seedlings with attached cotyledons exhibited a drop in water potential, solute potential and turgor pressure demonstrating a close relationship between cell cycle responses and the water relations of root cells.
Somatic chromosome complements of pangolin, Manis pentadactyla have been studied from both male and female specimens collected from two widely separated states of India. The 2n number is 40 (neither 42 nor 36 as reported earlier) in both sexes and the NF (determined on the basis of the number of major autosomal arms) is 64. The X is a medium sized metacentric chromosome and the Y is a small C-band positive submetacentric element. Temporary satellite association between 3, out of 4 small satellite bearing chro-mosomes has been noticed during metaphase
Male meiosis was studied in 6 diploid, 3 tetraploid and I pentaploid Rosa species. Chromosome associations at diakinesis and irregularities at anaphase and telophase were scored. Pollen fertility was also determined. The diploids and one tetraploid, R. s. pimpinellifolia showed regular meiosis and high pollen fertility. The tetraploid hybrid species, R. macrantha showed fairly irregular meiosis with only about one third of pollen fertile. Highly irregular meiosis, with 6-7 bivalents and remaining univalents, was observed both in the tetraploid R. glauca and, pentaploid R. canina. Additionally these had a very high frequency of laggards resulting in formation of more than four pollen grains per PMC thereby drastically reducing the pollen fertility.
Male meiosis was studied in ten tetraploid (2n=28) garden roses. PMCs at diakinesis possessed univalents, bivalents and / or polyvalents in various frequencies. Certain combinations of chromosome associations were characteristic to each cultivar. The chiasma frequency varied from 14.77 to 18.04 per PMC and from 1.055 to 1.284 per bivalent. Various irregularities at first and second meiotic divisions resulted in 4 to 51% of PMCs with micronuclei formations which ultimately reduced the pollen fertility. Six out of ten cultivars were related and showed inheritance of various chromosome configurations. Three out of the six related cultivars carried an extra small B chromosome. This B was inherited for three generations and its presence was associated with higher univalent frequency per PMC and subsequently pollen sterility.
Cytological data with respect to 18 monocotyledonous ornamental taxa are presented. Sanseveria hahnii (2n=40) and Haworthia limifolia var. marlothiana (2n=28) were cytologically undocumented earlier. Earlier known chromosome counts are confirmed in the remaining taxa. Anew base number x=10 is suggested for Drimiopsis. Following karyotypes are established. Gasteria armstrongii: K(2n)=14=Ast2+Cst6+Hst2+Hsm2+Ism2 Haworthia fasciata: K(2n)=14=Cst6+Dst2+Hst4+Ist2 H. limifolia var. marlothiana: K(2n)=28=Dst*2+Dst10+Est4+Ist6+Ism2+Ism*2+Jst2 H. subulata: K(2n)=14=Cst8+Hst2+Ist4 Crinum asiaticum: K(2n)=22=Asm2+Bsm4+Csm*3+Cst5+Dm2+Dsm2+Esm2+Gm2 Zephyranthes candida: K(2n)=38=Cm2+Csm5+Dm4+Dsm4+Esm1+Est2+Fsm4+Fst2+Gsm12+Gst2 Z. grandiflora: K(2n)=50=Cm1+Dsm2+Esm10+Fst7+Gm2+Gsm9+Gst12+Hm2+Hsm3+Ism2 Z. sulphurea: K(2n)=48=Bm2+Cm2+Csm4+Dsm2+Dst3+Esm2+Est2+Fm2+Fsm4+Fst11+Gsm12+Hm2 Belamcanda chinensis: K(2n)=32=Gsm2+Gst*2+Hsm8+Im4+Ism8+Ist4+Jsm4 Karyotype analysis indicate chromosomal repatterning and/or hybrid nature of most of the taxa. Role of vegetative reproduction in the preservation of new genetic combinations is discussed particularly in the genera Haworthia and Zephyranthes. Accessory chromosomes are recorded in Anthurium acaule (2n=30+2-5B). Their origin is evident from the A's with which these pair during meiosis. Cytological distinctness of Sanseveria from other genera of Agavaceae is apparent.
In the genus Indigofera L., meiosis was studied in 24 collections belonging to 23 species and karyotypes with the help of root tip mitosis were examined in 26 collections belonging to 23 species. Three species, namely I. endecephylla, I. parodiana, and I. pilosa were tetraploid. Among diploid taxa, I. parviflora had 2n=14 and other remaining collections had 2n=16. Karyotype asymmetry was assessed following the two way classification of Stebbins (1971). I. glandulosa belonging to class 2B had the most asymmetric karyotype and was therefore considered most advanced. The length of individual chromosome ranged from 3.59μ to 1.10μ. The total chromosome length varied from 26.52μ to 11.35μ in diploid collections and was 35.81μ in the solitary tetraploid collection of I. endecephylla. The chromatin volumes and nuclear volumes were also worked out and had significant linear regression on total chromatin lengths. Five diploid species (I. asperifolia, I. brevidens, I. circinella, I. cryptantha, and I. neglecta) and one tetraploid species (I. parodiana) were cytologically examined for the first time and karyotypes were worked out in 13 species for the first time.
In comparison to chromosomal breakage (CB) studies, sister chromatid exchange (SCE) is considered a more sensitive indicator of chromosomal damage. The present study answers the question as to whether or not methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM AC) exerts an effect on chromosomal breakage and sister chromatid exchange in short-term human leucocyte cultures derived from the same individuals. Only chromatid breaks were observed in a total 1168 metaphases. Statistical analyses of the data have indicated that there were no significant differences in the incidence of chromatid breaks when cultures treated with MAM AC were compared to control cultures (p>.2). However, an examination of 1020 metaphases derived from BrdU treated cultures from the same individuals revealed a significant increase in SCE with MAM AC exposure. Therefore, MAM AC has no effect on the incidence of CB, and SCE is a more sensitive indicator of chromosomal damage than CB is in this system.
Continuous light, with or without aeration, did not eliminate the midday peak of the mitotic index in root tips of diploid and triploid Allium triquetrum. However, when plants were grown in continuous darkness with aeration, the midday peak of the mitotic index was no longer evident. Aeration of the tap water in which the roots were grown increased the mitotic index in both 2X and 3X roots, indicating that a greater number of meristematic cells were dividing. Triploid root tips had a higher mitotic index than diploid root tips, partly because of an increase in the length of mitosis.
Predictions of associations among bridge and fragment elements (produced by the various crossover classes in cells heterozygous for paracentric inversions) differ for three models for the mechanism of chiasma maintenance until anaphase I. These models are: 1) that structural binding may be installed at the positions of crossover sites; 2) that telomeres may replicate or become effectively double very late (anaphase I); and 3) that generalized and persistent sister chromatid cohesiveness may exist. Results of detailed observations in maize microsporocytes from plants heterozygous for three different inversions are not readily explained by the first two models but are consistent with the third model.
The connection between mitochondria and microtubules was seen in growing cells of Micrasterias crux-melitensis. This connection was confirmed by examining serial sections with an electron microscope equipped with a sample tilting apparatus. A small hemispherical substance seened to mediate the connection of microtubules and mitochondria.
Electron-microscopical, histochemical and histophotometrical studies were given to the blue spherule present in the upper epidermal cells of rose petals exhibiting the bluing effect. The reults obtained are summarized below. 1. The observation with electron-microscope clearly demonstrated that three layers are distinguishable in the spherule, and that the parietal cytoplasmic layer which is lying along the cell wall takes the direction to the surface of the spherule running around it at the portion where the spherule is quite near to the cell wall. 2. When the intact spherules were treated with citric acid, EDTA and o-phenanthroline in the pH 3, 4 or 7, they retained the original blue color, but their blue color turned red by the reagents in pH 2 and 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (pH 1). 3. After the treatments of these reagents, iron was detected in the spherules showing blue color, but not in the spherule colored in red. 4. The complex staining of cyanin and ferric sulphate were given to the spherules decolored with 1% methanolic hydrochloric acid. The same staining features were obtained both in the Treatment 1 (decolored spherule→stained with cyanin→stained with ferric sulphate) and in the Treatment 2 (decolored spherule→stained with ferric sulphate→stained with cyanin.) 5. The absorption curves of the epidermal cells containing the blue spherule showed rather wide range of absorption from 470-680nm. 6. The relationship among anthocyanin, iron and the surface of the spherule is discussed.
Ultrastructural changes of the chloroplasts in the mesophyll cells of tomato plants which were exposed continuously to 2.0ppm ethylene up to 120hr were observed through the time course. At the same time, the effects of kinetin on the fine structure of chloroplasts were also examined. In the chloroplasts exposed to ethylene over 48hr, most of the normal membrane systems were decomposed and transformed into the macrograna. The chloroplasts exposed to ethylene for 48hr and then followed by 8 days water treatment had also macrograna in the stroma. However, the chloroplasts in the leaves undergoing natural senescence collapsed without the formation of macrograna. On the other hand, in the chloroplasts exposed to ethylene for 48hr and then followed by the incubation in kinetin solution (10mg/l) for 8 days, there were no formmtion of macrograna, and the thylakoid systems were kept with a little senescent symptom. To sum up, the ethylene exposure to tomato plants induces the formation of macrograna, plastoglobules and phytoferritin aggregates in the chloroplasts which are the significant characteristics of the chloroplast senescence. The kinetin treatment delays temporarily the chloro-plast senescence caused by ethylene exposure.
Chromosome pairing was studied in pollen mother cells (PMC) of the interspecific hybrids (2n=36) in Tagetes patula (2n=48) and T. erecta (2n=24). Among the 16 configurations of chromosomal pairing observed, the configuration with 12 bivalents plus 12 univalents was most frequently seen (30.56% of the PMC). A maximum of 15 bivalents was observed in a cell indicating some degree of intragenomal pairing in the hybrids. Trivalents and quadrivalent were present in 56.95% of the PMC, and 7.17% of the 36 chromosomes was involved in multivalent for-mation. In average, there were 10.97±0.20 univalents, 11.22±0.15 bivlants, 0.75±0.10 trivalent and 0.08±0.00 quadrivalent per cell. Laggards were very frequently seen (84.28% of the PMC). Pollen viability was 13.6% partly due to meiotic irregulatities. Seed fertility was very poor and physiological incompatibility may be considered a factor for the low fertility of the interspecific hybrids. The origin of T. patula is discussed.
An investigation is reported which was designed to determine if radiosensitivity of the G1-S and G2-M transitions of root meristem cells of Glycine max, Helianthus annuus, Pisum sativum and Vicia faba, is correlated with the number of cells in G1 and G2 in the stationary phase after 72 hrs of sucrose starvation or with their cellular DNA content. Stationary phase roots were irradiated with 137Cs gamma radiation at doses from 100R to 1000R and were compared on the basis of delay of entry into S and M, rate of S progression, total number of cells in S and M, and transition from G1 to M and G2 to M. 1) All species indicated a decrease in total cycling cells with increasing dose and a species correlation between the number of cells in G1 and G2 and radiosensitivity. 2) Most responses indicated the following order of radiosensitivity (least sensitive first)-H. annuus, G. max, P. sativum and V. faba. The sequence correlates best with stationary phase distribution and not with DNA amounts. 3) The relative sensitivity of each cycle phase was specific for each species. H. annuus, G. max and V. faba were equally sensitive in G1 and in G2. 4) An examination of irradiated G1 cells in each species indicated the absence of latent expression of damage for either G1-S or G2-M.
X-ray diffraction and freeze fracture of purified nucleohistones and nuclei of selected cell types establish a foundation for the nucleosome as a fundamental subunit of chromosomal structure. Glycerol-buffer (50% v/v) solutions at 4°C improved preservation of the giant salivary gland chromosome (Drosophila) within nuclei. Two results are achieved as observed with freeze fracture and transmission electron microscopy. 1. Where chromosomal bands and interbands unfold into nucleosomal sub-units and the nucleus is swollen. 2. Where chromosomal bands and interbands composed of nucleosomal subunits are preserved as condensed polytene chromosomes which completely fill the nucleus without detectable distortion.
Phenotypic plasticity and variations in chromosome numbers within the genera of the family Verbenaceae are known (Sharma and Mukhepadhyay 1963, Fedorov 1974). Fruits and seeds are formed sparsely off and on in most of the species of the genus Clerodendrum L. C. speciosum D' Ombrain has been considered to be a hybrid (Bailey 1949), but no cytological data have been adduced to support this contention. Whether a taxon is fully cytologically stable species or variety, heterozygous/homozygous, natural hybrid or comprised of translocated or inverted segments etc. can be clearly brought out by meiotic analysis (Stebbins 1971). Therefore, meiotic studies in commonly distributed nine species covering four genera viz. Clerodendrum L; Holmskioldia Retz; Petrea Houst, ex. Linn. and Lantana L. of the family Verbenaceae were carried out to determine their pure/hybrid nature, chromosomal behaviour during microsporogenesis and phylogenetic relationship. Meiotic pairing in six species of the genus Clerodendrum L. revealed lower frequencies of rod bivalents than ring bivalents. All most equal frequencies of rod and ring bivalents per nucleus in H. sanguinea Retz. and L. camara Linn. have been observed. In P. volubilis Jacq. Queens Wreath; rod and ring bivalents frequencies are 6.4 and 10.8 respectively. Not more than two chiasmata per bivalent have been recorded in any of the taxa investigated. Higher chiasma frequencies were seen in all the six species of Clerodendrum investigated than that of H. sanguinea, L. camara and P. volubilis. The meiotic behaviour of chromosomes stressed that each species has come to possess its own genotypic behaviour and cytological performance. No cytological configurations to indicate the hybrid nature of C. speciosum were detected. However, cryptic structural hybridity might have led to the formation of abortive pollen grains and seeds in C. speciosum.
The meristematic cells and dividing cells in Allium triquetrum root tips were counted and the mitotic index was calculated for diploid and triploid roots. The mitotic index was higher for 3X roots than for 2X roots (averages 11.82% and 10.7% respectively). The percentage of all cells that were dividing in also greater for 3X roots than for 2X roots (averages 11.97% and 10.71% respectively). There is no difference between 2X and 3X roots in the percentage of dividing cells in each phase of mitosis. It is concluded that there is a greater precentage of cells dividing in 3X root tips than in 2X root tips.
Effect of ageing of pollen grains on the behavior of the generative nucleus in Tradescantia paludosa has been studied. Pollen grains collected at 8 a. m. were allowed to stand for 7 hr at room temperature, and sown at 3 p. m. In both culture series conducted with the medium supplemented with one of either concentration of 10% or 20% sucrose, the elongation of pollen tubes was only slightly depressed by the ageing, but the mitotic activity was greatly depressed; namely, a great majority of nuclei remained in prophase. At the same time, the frequency of necrotic nuclei greatly increased, and at the end of 8hr cultivation, almost of all nuclei rushed into necrotic state before anaphase. Two different kinds of abnormal mitoses, i. e., unravelled twisted chromosomes and asynchronous condensation of chromosomal arms in the same nucleus, increased in the frequency.
C10 autotetraploid lines in two grain species of Amaranthus viz. A. caudatus and A. edulis were evaluated for their morphology and meiosis. Morphologically the C10 plants in both the species maintained the general gigantism in the determinate parts like leaves, stomata, pollen and seed as observed in C0 and C1. The meiosis was typically autoploid with quadrivalents, trivalents, bivalents and univalents. The mean quadrivalent frequency as observed at metaphase I varied from a minimum of 1.600 to maximum of 3.266 in A. caudatus while the respective figures in A. edulis were 1.400 and 2.33. The mean quadrivalent frequencies for C0 generation in the two species were 6.800±0.29 and 6.00±0.27, respectively. These figures represented statistically significant reduction over C0 and C1 data. The present results have been discussed in relation to similar or contradictory observations of earlier authors on the metaphase I associations in advanced generations of autotetraploids.
Triploids of Pennisetum typhoides (2n=14) were isolated in the progeny of the cross between autotetraploid and normal diploid. The meiotic instability in the triploid resulted in the recovery of aneuploids in their progeny. Aneuploids having chromosome number ranging from 2n=15 to 19 were observed. Among the aneuploids, trisomics (2n+1=15) were the most frequent types. Pennisetum typhoides though basically a diploid high tolerance of extrachromosome has been observed in this study.


Cyanoacrylates or instant adhesives are available in the market for a wide range of applications, but the most common one is making repairs. If applied on a damaged area, it induces properties that make it possible for the two parts to cure. In cases where the damage is deep, several layers of adhesive accelerator and the adhesive may be used to achieve a complete repair. Most of the times, the repair is cost effective and fast, considering the fact that the part regains its original strength
Why do we need an accelerator?
The adhesive accelerator is formulated from an active species dispersed in solvents like acetone and isopropyl alcohol. These active species form the base that has the capacity to begin a cure on the cyanoacrylate or instant adhesive. The adhesive accelerator is normally applied on the substrates that are to be bonded before applying the adhesive, so as to minimize the cure time. It is normally applied on one surface while the instant Adhesive is applied on the mating surface to keep the adhesive from curing on the accelerator before the two surfaces are actually mated. It is also possible to have the accelerator sprayed over the instant adhesive in unconfined drops. This is a widely used technique when tacking wires on printed circuit boards


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At 20 weeks pregnant, Lindsey Dennis and her husband were told the child she was carrying would not live due to a fatal diagnosis. Later, in another stunning blow, they were told the same news with her second pregnancy. They chose to celebrate both lives alongside a community, both local and online, of hundreds of thousands as she carried each child to term only to bury them 14 months apart from each other.
Through the crushing of their hopes and dreams, they came to know the kind of resurrection hope that can rise from the grave. This experience of infant loss revealed to Dennis how sorrow and suffering are instruments in the hands of God to forge in us a greater joy and hope than one can ever know. This kind of joy can only be discovered when we walk through the deep pain of burying our most precious dreams.
Buried Dreams offers an uplifting perspective, sharing how devastating loss of personal dreams can give way to unimaginable hope and how death can give way to life. Framing her own story of staggering loss and soaring hope with biblical perspective, Dennis highlights that we can never plan for the unexpected turns of this life that sometimes lead to great personal suffering, but we can reach for the One who is there with us in the loss.
- Lindsey R. Dennis
- Publication Date:
- Abingdon Press
- Life Challenges

domain: literature


The Audiencia Nacional magistrate sent a rogatory letter to the US also to interrogate former counterintelligence chief William Evanina
A judge of the Spanish Audiencia Nacional, Santiago Pedraz, sent a letter rogatory to the United States to be able to question the former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, about the alleged existence of a plan to kidnap and kill the founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, while he was a refugee in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.
According to the document, which was viewed by the Europa Press agency, the Spanish judge asks to be able to question Pompeo, as former director of the CIA, a position he held from January 2018 to April 2018 when Donald Trump appointed him head of the US diplomacy, and William Evanina, former head of American counterintelligence.
The Spanish judiciary moved in response to a complaint by Assange’s lawyers who refer to statements in which Evanina allegedly admitted that “American intelligence had access to rooms in the Ecuadorian embassy, to recordings of conversations within the diplomatic mission, the calendar of visits and the documents of all visitors “as part of his plans which included the” assassination or kidnapping “of Assange.
Last September, Yahoo News revealed the existence of a CIA plan, dated 2017, to kidnap Assange from the embassy, where he had fled in 2012 to escape extradition to the US, in response to intelligence reports highlighting the risk of an attempted escape from the London diplomatic headquarters.
The Wikileaks founder had obtained political asylum from the government of Rafael Korea, but his situation had become more precarious after the election in 2017 of Lenin Moreno who then withdrew his international protection in 2019 allowing his arrest by the British authorities. .
Thus began a long legal battle for extradition to the US – where Assange is accused of espionage for the thousands of confidential documents on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan published in 2010 – which ended on April 20 with the confirmation of ‘High Court says yes to transfer to the US. However, this decision is now awaiting ratification by the government.
Assange’s lawyers turned to the Spanish judiciary because, according to their reconstructions, Evanina referred to a security company “based in Spain, as part of the plot” as being in charge of the security of the Ecuadorian embassy in London. . And they stressed that they considered the “testimony” of Pompeo and the intelligence officer necessary to ascertain the facts.


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Decades ago, Trading Advisor Glenn Neely experienced a light-bulb moment: "Trading is like a river." This voila moment led him to develop and continually refine an entirely unique and revolutionary trading concept: Neely River Trading technology.
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domain: finance


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Before I dive into just what girls find attractive in guys, letвЂ™s cover one thing first.
Since there is a positive change between being truly a вЂњnice manвЂќ and being truly a вЂњbad child.вЂќ
It does not simply influence females.
It influences company lovers, household, buddies, and individuals from all walks of life.
ItвЂ™s like economic schemes where both women and men use the bait.
TheyвЂ™ll put up with so much sh-t because they canвЂ™t stop dreaming by what might be.
Cash dreams aside; with regards to relationships, the reality is you donвЂ™t need to offer a dream that is forged.
You merely need to be a salesman and offer yourself. Put simply, be genuine.
ItвЂ™s ok to market a white lie every on occasion; all guys get it done, and thus do females.
But once it comes down for your requirements, this product, you canвЂ™t sell everything you donвЂ™t have even.
LetвЂ™s face it, while being in a manipulative relationship will bring you that which you want,(and thereвЂ™s no doubt about any of it), in the event that you canвЂ™t mentally manage an unhealthy relationship, it’s going to tear you apart in the long run. This really is real specially once you understand that you’ve got nothing to offer, plus the customer (your significant other) will probably be crazy and angry.
Sooner or later, your love life shall be broken and certainly will crumble on downwards.
Now, you can find truthful expectations females want from guys, and additionally they all vary a deal that is great.
LetвЂ™s speak about them.
Once you take a good look at this list below, comprehend some ladies might be ok using this and that, while other females might want the precise reverse.
Some males like big boobs, other people like tiny boobs. Women can be really no various; most of us are picky about something. And much more than often, we accept tiny tradeoffs, because negotiating with reason is merely the way the world works.
Be when you look at the minute today if you notice a appealing woman nearby.
By simply being in a relationship, youвЂ™re going to develop yourself as an individual. Regardless of what your entails that are past.
The Science Behind the Attraction
While intimate attraction is unquestionably complicated, technology has some very compelling understanding of the traits and habits which make women more interested in a guy.
For instance, Australian researchers found that mindful men received higher reviews of attractiveness from ladies. These were in a position to perceive their emotions and feelings without the need to respond to them; they noticed alterations in their human anatomy and had been proficient at locating the expressed words to spell it out their feelings. We were holding all statements within the research as talked by these вЂњmindful guys.вЂќ
So while men are usually more drawn to physically attractive women, the women were more drawn to mindful guys.
Your dating photo on line also has too much to do together with your degree of attractiveness also. In accordance with a study carried out in 2016 in the University of Ca, Berkeley, Stanford University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Northwestern University, females had been more interested in guys whom exhibited more expansive gestures.
Whenever landing on dating profile photos, women can be prone to skipping on the pictures of males who are huddled or have their arms crossed. Alternatively, they have been hunting for those expansive poses, such as for instance them trying for something or having their hands extended.
One example that is last of and attraction was at a 2011 research by the University of British Columbia. Inside their study, they unearthed that women preferred a manifestation of pride for a face that is manвЂ™s other facial expressions such as for example pity, neutrality, and pleasure. Interestingly sufficient, the least attractive facial phrase when it comes to ladies ended up being the main one showing delight. This simply would go to demonstrate precisely how different each girl is in terms of the rating degree for men. Therefore, along with this in your mind, letвЂ™s have a closer consider exactly what girls find appealing about guys. But keep in mind, it will absolutely differ based on whom it really is.

domain: psychology


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Okada is a professional R&D and manufacturing company specializing in comprehensive cutting center machines. We are dedicated to providing high-quality CNC machine tools and core functional components, including Rotary tables, tool magazines, spindles, and more.


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By Lisa Nagele-Piazza, J.D., SHRM-SCP, May 5, 2021
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is officially withdrawing the prior administration’s independent-contractor rule, which would have made it easier for businesses to classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees.
“The department believes that the rule is inconsistent with the [Fair Labor Standards Act’s] FLSA’s text and purpose and would have a confusing and disruptive effect on workers and businesses alike due to its departure from longstanding judicial precedent,” according to the DOL’s announcement on May 5.
Under the FLSA, employees are entitled to minimum wage, overtime pay and other benefits. Independent contractors are not entitled to such benefits, but they generally have more flexibility to set their own schedules and work for multiple companies.
For Now: No New Rule. Employers shouldn’t expect a new independent-contractor rule any time soon. “We are going back to the decades-old analysis and we really feel that this is the space where we can best protect workers,” said Jessica Looman, principal deputy administrator for the DOL Wage and Hour Division, on a call with reporters. “When it comes to digital workers … we want to make sure that we continue to look at their needs, how they are interacting with their individual employers and whether or not they have the protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act.”
Economic-Realty Test. The DOL has traditionally analyzed a number of factors to consider whether a worker is an independent contractor or employee and looked at “the totality of the circumstances.” The withdrawn rule would have applied a more-limited economic-reality test to determine whether workers are independent contractors or employees and would have primarily considered the following factors:
- The nature and degree of control over the work.
- The worker’s opportunity for profit or loss based on initiative and investment.
Three other factors would have served as guideposts in determining employment status:
- The amount of skill required for the work.
- The degree of permanence of the working relationship between the worker and the potential employer.
- Whether the work is part of an integrated unit of production (or the individual works under circumstances analogous to a production line).
“The rule’s prioritization of two ‘core factors’ for determining employee status under the FLSA would have undermined the longstanding balancing approach of the economic realities test and court decisions requiring a review of the totality of the circumstances related to the employment relationship,” according to the DOL’s announcement withdrawing the rule.
The ‘ABC’ Test. Although the DOL doesn’t plan to issue a new rule any time soon, President Joe Biden has said he supports an “ABC” test similar to California’s independent-contractor rule. With some exceptions, California requires all three of the following factors to be met for a worker to be properly classified as an independent contractor:
- The worker is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work.
- The worker performs tasks that are outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business.
- The worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation or business of the same nature as the work performed for the hiring entity.
Other states, such as Illinois, Massachusetts and New Jersey, apply a similarly stringent independent-contractor test.
Labor Secretary Discusses Gig Workers. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh recently said many gig workers should be classified as employees. Walsh said the DOL would have conversations with companies that employ gig workers to make sure their workers have access to consistent wages, sick time, health care and “all of the things that an average employee in America can access.” He added that gig-worker companies “are making profits and revenue, and I’m not [going to] begrudge anyone for that because that’s what we’re about in America … but we also want to make sure that success trickles down to the worker.”

domain: economics


Everton have reportedly moved ahead of Arsenal by arranging discussions over hiring former Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian boss has just become available after his sacking from the Serie A giants this week, and it makes sense that several big clubs might now be interested in securing his services.
Carlo Ancelotti has won almost all there is to succeed in the game, having enjoyed success in several different leagues, while also picking up three Champions League titles in spells with AC Real Madrid and Milan.
Arsenal may have to get a move on if they desire him, though, with Carlo Ancelotti’s agent said to have met with Everton for discussions in London, according to the Sun.
It remains to be seen if the 60-year-old will accept an offer to take over at Goodison Park, with Arsenal the more prominent name more in keeping with the long list of super-clubs he’s managed throughout his career.
The Sun add, however, that Carlo Ancelotti currently feels like Everton want him more than Arsenal, so the Toffees could have a chance of clinching this new appointment.
The Merseyside Reds outfit are searching for a replacement for the recently-sacked Marco Silva, while the Gunners need a replacement after the recent dismissal of Unai Emery.


The ground-breaking bearings aim to improve health and safety for food and drinks manufacturers by lowering the risk of bacteria in hard to clean areas using innovative sealing systems, high performing bearing grease and completely sealed units.
The components are 100% recyclable and the bearings improve energy efficiency by reducing the need for hot water to remove environmental waste.
The new Food Line bearings do not require relubrication or the need to clean excess bearing grease, which can lead to production downtime. With less cleaning required, it is expected bearing lifespans will be lengthened.
Antifriction became an authorised distributor for SKF in 2004 and currently offers the Swedish giants complete portfolio of bearings, seals, lubrication systems, maintenance products and training courses. Antifriction will stock the new ball bearings from February.
Antifriction will distribute the Food Line range through its 10 depots across the UK. It has been under-going a long-term programme to upgrade facilities, which includes expanded warehouses in Bolton and Birmingham in 2018. New sites near Heathrow Airport and Ellesmere Port, close to Liverpool, have been added to give greater national coverage and reduce delivery times.
Victoria van Camp, CTO and president, innovation and business development at SKF comments: ‘The problem is traditional relubrication, wash-downs, and dry cleaning of bearings can create hidden areas where contaminants thrive, such as airborne droplets, wastewater or contaminated grease.
‘Eliminating these food-safety threats requires a different approach to hygienic design, and that’s what the Food Line ball bearings are designed to deliver.’
Andrew Fleming, managing director of Antifriction, comments: ‘SKF has built a reputation for quality products over a hundred years. It continues to innovate and these latest products will undoubtedly improve the effectiveness of food and drinks manufacturers which value the highest standards of health, safety and energy efficiency.’


Promoters Should Also Organize Music Concerts Suitable For Children - Iretiola Doyle
Burna Boy held millions of fans captive at his #BurnaLive concert at the Eko Convention Centre on Wednesday, December 26.
Artistes like Davido, Wizkid, 2Baba, Wande Coal and Duncan Mighty performed at the event.
But Nollywood actress, Iretiola Doyle who attended the concert complained on Twitter about how Burna Boy showed up 5 hours after the concert was meant to start.
The concert began by 7 pm but the ‘YE’ crooner did not enter the venue till 2 am.
She therefore urged promoters to hold versions of these concerts that are suitable for children younger than 18.
See her tweets below:
Finally is there a promoter looking to make a killing? Recognise that a lot of the fans are young teens. Put on PG versions of these concerts designed especially for them that really run between 7pm and midnight. I'm a parent trying to indulge some of kids interests.Hep me??— Iretiola Doyle (@IretiolaDoyle) December 27, 2018
Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family.


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The huge influx of undocumented minors coming into the U.S. includes pregnant minors, many of whom have given birth in the United States.
In 2013, 50 children were born to mothers in U.S. custody, technically making them American citizens, Buzzfeed reports.
Deportations are occurring, but the wait time means that many of these girls have no choice but to give birth in the country, complicating the process of deporting the newly born American citizen.
The number of undocumented minors traveling to the U.S. is rapidly increasing, heightening the likelihood of pregnant undocumented minors entering the country. (RELATED: Gallup: Obama’s Border Meltdown Is Nation’s Top Problem)
“Children born to unaccompanied minors in HHS’ custody are kept with their mothers and placed into foster homes together until they can be reunified with family/sponsors,” reports Ken Wolfe, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman.
Most undocumented immigrants are boys, and as of July 21, there were only three undocumented minors under the age of five in custody.
Currently, there are over 800 undocumented minors at Nogales Placement Center, a processing center in Arizona.

domain: news


US: Autoliv presented its extended 77 GHz radar at the International Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2017 in Las Vegas. The 77 GHz radar enables object detections all around the car. The 77 GHz radar family is being extended from the corner radars currently in production to forward-looking and highly innovative satellite radars, enabling radar-based object detections all around the car.
In the 2017 model, one premium OEM utilizes the first radar-based non-reversible safety measure for critical side impact scenarios that triggers before the actual impact, enabled by Autoliv’s high-performance front corner radar products. By rapidly inflating the front-seat bolster, it can move you further from an intrusion and help reduce the forces of impact, saving lives and severe injuries.
Also See: Autoliv’s Active Safety solutions
Autoliv is one of the leading automotive radar system suppliers, with about seven million sensors delivered in 2016, providing high-resolution radar systems for the ever-increasing standards of the global 5-star NCAP car safety programs and supporting highly automated driving capability.
“With the highest distance resolution 77GHz radar in production today, Autoliv also has a leading design for future distributed radar architectures, that support better accuracy in separating objects close to each other, seamless tracking of objects around the car,” says Dr. Alan Jenkins, Director of Radar Technology at Autoliv.
Historically, Autoliv was the first and only supplier to deploy radar-based parking in a serial application project using only radar sensors, and is developing an efficient solution that combines safety features and comfort features in a scalable architecture.


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On Saturday 15th June my dad and I attended a day time event to celebrate 5000 liver transplants at QEHB. We spent the day sat in talks delivered by Doctors and Specialist Nurses. They were all brilliant and very interesting. I had chance to say hello to the Doctors and Nurses who have looked after […]Read More 16.06.19 – 5000th liver party
Holiday vibes! I’m currently on a flight with two other friends to Marbella for my sisters 30th. I’ve had mixed emotions on the lead up to it because of my anxiety and lack of good self esteem. I can’t help judging my body after all it’s gone through with the scars and very skinny frame. […]Read More 30.05.19 – Holiday Packing
I went for a check up last week at QEHB. It was all over and done with quite quick actually. I saw a Medical Dr I had never met before. He was great and understood my need for further advice with my pain, so he suggested he write a letter to my GP for a […]Read More 19.05.2019 – Holiday Planning
I haven’t blogged for a while because I’ve been feeling a little emotional over the past couple of weeks. I’ve been struggling with managing my ‘nerve pain’ which affects every aspect of life. I’m doing my best to keep going and have been seeking help and advice. My GP has increased the dosage of pain […]Read More 08.05.19 – London
Last weekend was spent at home ‘relaxing’ and recharging for this week. It’s not easy for me to relax, sit down and just stop. I find it quite challenging as my mind is constantly thinking about so much. Distraction is my best method of avoiding overthinking. Questions go through my head like, ‘Am I enough?’, […]Read More 25.02.19 – My Mind Wonders..
I’m feeling lazy this week. I’ve got no motivation and on my days off I’m waking up mid morning. Oops! I hope my dad doesn’t read this! I can’t shake the idea from my head that he’s training for the London marathon at his age, so that’s making me feel even more lazy. I’m not […]Read More 16.01.19 – Lazy Bones


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In my neighborhood, there are almost thirty Jewish synagogues. These congregations include Reformed, Orthodox, and Hasidic Judaism. And, of course, our city is full of secular Jews who have long left any traditional form of their faith. So, on any given Sunday, there is a possibility of having a small handful of folks who identify themselves with any of the above Jewish traditions present in our church service.
Just as having divorced individuals present will affect the way you preach a sermon on marriage, having Jews in your service will affect the way you preach the gospel. In fact, it's likely to make it more biblical.
Continue reading A Hopeful Offense.

domain: sociology


text:
Tumblr’s year-end trend round-ups capture what movies, shows, and video games users on the platform buzzed about the most. While 2020 has been a weird year, some of the top ranking video games, video game characters, and anime and manga are basically a given, a few unexpected additions on the list reveal a year in which people craved connection and nostalgia.
It is perhaps no surprise that Animal Crossing: New Horizons tops the gaming list. The cozy, feel-good game came out right as the world bunkered down for the coronavirus pandemic. Tumblr’s trend expert Amanda Brennan tells Polygon that Animal Crossing’s approachability — as well as the social connection involved — really made it a perfect game for a year turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Animal Crossing has really transcended the traditional gaming community to see people who might not have ever picked up a video game just be like, Oh, I’m interested in this, because it’s a way that I can connect, I can make this island,” Brennan explains.
Taking the number two spot on the games list is Among Us. The straightforward hidden role game has a very vibrant community on Tumblr. It’s another approachable game that’s easy to get into — and because Among Us is such a blank slate, people create whole universes around the simple characters and plot, with fan art and comics.
“That is just the beauty of why people come to Tumblr to build their head cannons and build the worlds that they want to see,” says Brennan.
Overwatch, which dominated the list in previous years, took a hard fall. But Brennan says that has less to do with the fandom faltering and more to do with the fact that the surge of other games — especially games with a focus on creation, like Minecraft and Sims 4, as well as familiar older games that offer replayability.
“I think this year specifically is people just looking for comfort and nostalgia and replaying games because they know what’s going to happen,” said Brennan. “You know what the storyline is, you’re looking for that anchor to keep you together — especially with character-driven games.”
The top 2020 games, according to Tumblr users
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Among Us
- Pokemon Sword And Shield
- Sims 4
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses
- Persona 5
When it comes to the mobile, games with a focus on love and romance always trend on Tumblr — and this year Obey Me! Shall We Date?, an otome game where players can romance a choice of hot demons, took the crown.
“Who wouldn’t want a hot demon sliding into their DMs?” says Brennan.
Brennan says that Tumblr users are drawn to story-driven, character-focused mobile games, though amidst those more plot-heavy titles comes endless runner, Cookie Run. The vibrant graphics of Cookie Run — as well as the cute character designs — help it reach the same heights as Obey Me, Choices, and the Arcana.
The top 2020 mobile games, according to Tumblr users
- Obey Me! Shall We Date?
- Twisted Wonderland
- The Arcana — A Story of Mystery and Romance
- Cookie Run
- Mystic Messenger
- Fire Emblem Heroes
- Ikemen Vampire
- Azur Lane
Two romanceable characters from Obey Me! led the list of most popular video game characters, with nostalgic figures like Tom Nook, Link, and Sans rounding it out. In a time when people might not be getting a lot of real life romantic interaction, why not try a dating sim?
The top 2020 characters, according to Tumblr users
- Obey Me Lucifer
- Obey Me Mammon
- Tom Nook
- Cloud Strife
- Arthur Morgan
Is it any surprise that out of the Animal Crossing villagers Raymond took the crown? Certainly not on Tumblr.
“It’s the glasses,” Brennan says. “There’s something about that broody glasses nerdy but also, cleaned up... it’s exactly what Tumblr likes.”
The top Animal Crossing villagers, according to Tumblr
Tumblr’s top anime and manga don’t come as huge surprises. Boku no Hero Academia reigns supreme (again), while other popular shows with new seasons — like Haikyuu!! and Fruits Basket — snagged spots on the list. Mo Dao Zu Shi, the animated series based on the novel that popular Chinese television series The Untamed is based on, also ranks.
Perhaps most surprisingly is 19 Days, a Chinese webcomic about four teen boys. Tumblr brand designer Jasmine Ho explains that the fandom is centered on two main ships.
“We typically include Chinese webcomics on our anime list because both stylistically and fandom-wise, they’re most similar to manga,” she says.

domain: entertainment


text: Exquisite and luxurious is just a few ways to describe this bracelet. Created of regal blue tigers eye beads surrounding a one-of-a-kind South sea pearl detailed with not only sterling silver roundels, but also featuring 14KT gold and Sapphire roundels as well. 8mm tiger's eye. 8mm tiger's eye. 12mm south sea pearl.

domain: artistic


text:
After years of fits and starts, solar power is shedding its reputation as technology for hippies. With energy costs at record levels, and oil at a 12 month high, the economics of solar power have never looked brighter. The cost of installing solar panels has quietly fallen by half over the past 15 years, cutting the cost of a system that can power a typical home to about $30,000 for a state of the art version or half that for a basic but 100% reliable version. Analysts expect the cost to drop more rapidly over the next few years. Throw in tax breaks and other incentives, and the systems often can pay for themselves within a decade. In New Jersey, hardly a sunshine state, residential installations rose 56 percent last year, to more than 7,400. That’s admittedly a tiny number, but it’s a big leap from 2000, when all of 339 households switched. “Solar is now on a good sustained growth curve,” says Larry Sherwood, a researcher with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
The solar surge has been spurred by everything from government subsidies to improvements in photovoltaic panels, the basic building blocks that convert sunlight to electricity. But sunpower still faces hurdles. Those tax breaks and subsidies, for example, can be confusing — and they can run out, as New Jersey’s recently did. Since residential solar power is so new, experienced contractors can be hard to find. And while today’s PV panels are relatively unobtrusive, they still spark neighborhood quarrels over everything from building codes to tree pruning. All that said, the technology pays dividends both tangible (lower bills) and intangible (the joy of reducing greenhouse gases) — and homeowners who have taken the solar plunge mostly say they’re satisfied. Below, the ins and outs of creating a sun-powered home.
INSTALLING SOLAR GEAR
Ted Flanigan, an environmental consultant in Glendale, Calif., knows more about solar power than the average consumer. So he was all the more surprised at the range of estimates he got when he solicited bids for a home installation. You need more than just solar panels – there is the mountings and fixings, the cable leading to an inverter which monitors the system, stops the batteries overcharging and turns the power into the correct voltage. Oh yes, and those expensive batteries so you have somewhere to store the power. Some installers factored tax credits into their estimates, and some didn’t. One contractor tried to sell him a 4-kilowatt system — for an extra $7,500 — even though Flanigan knew, based on his electric bills, that it would provide more power than he needed.
Complaints about installers are, in fact, rising as inexperienced contractors enter the field. Last year the Better Business Bureau logged 105 such complaints, an increase of 34 percent over 2005. (One encouraging sign: Complaints aren’t rising as fast as installations are.) To bypass the duds, look for installers who have been approved by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners; they have to pass a four-hour exam and have at least one year of experience in the field. However, their prices will be significantly higher. The ost important factor for an installer is they are based near you, so can return easily to fix things when they go wrong, as they will from time to time.
Setup costs can mount for homes that need renovations to support a solar array. An old house may need to upgrade the fuse box, for instance, which could add $1,500 to the tab. The biggest issue is usually the roof: Though the panels themselves are light, an older roof could give out before the panels start to fail, or the frame-mounts could cause leaks. Peter Adomeit, a law professor in West Hartford, Conn., decided to replace his 28-year-old roof — at a cost of $11,000 — before installing a solar array. Still, he anticipates saving money in the long run. “I intend to retire in this house,” he says, “and I don’t want to pay $600 electric bills in 20 years.”
Going solar may mean sacrificing some greenery. Even a ribbon of shade during peak solar hours, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., can reduce the panels’ efficiency. Richard Wellbrock, a homeowner in Watchung, N.J., had to chop down four beloved oak trees to make way for his panels. For many that is not an acceptable trade-off. If the trees aren’t on your property, you may need approval from local authorities or (worse) your neighbors. And even a solar-friendly town can throw up a zoning roadblock. Cydney Crampton, a financial adviser in Pacifica, Calif., had to pay $500 for an engineering report to satisfy the city that her roof could support solar panels. Then the city said the panels’ height violated building code limits — by 1 foot. “It was a ridiculous hurdle,” she says.
THE COST OF SOLAR
Eager to motivate homeowners to save energy, the federal government offers a solar tax credit worth up to $2,000. But the big savings come from financial incentives from state governments and utilities, with the best deals adding up to as much as $15,000 for a typical home system. (The Web site dsireusa.org shows what’s available in your state.) Utilities also play other roles in making solar pay. In the old days, homeowners had to store solar energy in a bank of batteries the size of a small closet that cost up to $7,000. Now most new systems hook up to the electric grid, and households receive credit for the wattage they generate, a practice called “net metering” that’s now available in 41 states. If you produce more than you consume, some utilities will even buy the surplus. The “solar-estimator” at findsolar.com, a Web site run by solar advocates and the Department of Energy, uses factors like these to help consumers figure out how quickly a solar power system can pay off.
The jury’s still out on whether solar power makes your home more valuable, but there are some promising signs. According to a study by ICF Consulting, every $1 reduction in annual fuel bills increases a home’s resale value by $10 to $25. Based on that math, Crampton figures her $28,000 system, installed this year, has already increased the value of her million-dollar home by a little over $20,000. And while a solar array near the end of its lifespan might hurt resale value, most solar homeowners are decades away from having to worry about that.
LIVING WITH SOLAR
Since 1999 some 25,000 American households have adopted solar power, and most give the technology high marks. It helps that the hardware has become more durable. The panels are engineered to withstand 50-mile-per-hour hailstones, and manufacturers now warranty them for 20 to 25 years against defects and power losses. One Achilles heel has been the inverter, the electrical box that converts solar energy into AC power. Inverters used to be covered by warranty for only five years and when they failed cost several thousand dollars to replace. New ones come with a guarantee of 10 years.
If folks are disappointed in solar power, it’s often because they get complacent about energy usage, says Mike Keesee, head of residential solar for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. He points out that all the common-sense energy-efficiency tactics — upgrading your insulation, turning off lights, unplugging consumer-electronics devices — go a long way toward making the investment pay off. “Installing solar panels without conservation is like turning the heat on with the windows open,” says Blair May, a solar installer in Waldoboro, Maine. Improve your home’s energy efficiency, in other words, and you’ll profit even more from the sun.
More Bright Ideas for powering your home
Solar panels aren’t the only way to go green. Here are a few other ambitious ways to tap the energy of the earth, wind and sun.
GET POWER FROM THE GROUND: Geothermal heat pumps use a network of pipes buried a few feet under your yard to tap the earth’s relatively constant subsurface temperature, generating cool air in summer and warm air in winter. A typical system costs $7,500 and can cut annual utility bills by 30 to 60 percent. Payback period: two to 10 years.
SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEMS actually generate more power for the buck than solar electricity systems, as rooftop panels transfer the sun’s heat to a water tank. Prices range from $3,500 to $5,500, and homeowners can save up to 85 percent on their hot-water costs. Payback period: three to five years.
HARNESS THE WIND POWER: Farmers and ranchers now earn extra cash with wind turbines. To join them you’ll need a tower that’s at least 35 feet tall — no small obstacle, given most towns’ zoning rules. Prices start at $15,000. If that sounds too daunting, some utilities let you indirectly purchase wind power by paying extra to subsidize wind farms. Payback for a home turbine: at least 15 years.
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2分快3官方网站_Cap on number of visitors for Prince Kung's Mansion Museum
A cap will be set for the number of daily visitors to Prince Kung's Mansion Museum in Beijing during the upcoming National Day holidays.
From Oct 2 to Oct 7 (the museum will be closed on Oct 1), 32,000 visits are allowed into the museum every day. All the entry tickets will be sold through its official website through reservation with ID card with an exception for foreign nationals using passports, it was announced on Friday.
According to Feng Naien, the director of the administration of the museum, overcrowding had brought huge pressure on the institution. So, a quota for daily visits will help ensure safety.
The Prince Kung's Mansion receives about 4 million visits every year. And in July and August alone there were 1.4 million visits to the museum, up 25 percent compared with the same duration last year.
Prince Kung's Mansion is one of the most important Qing Dynasty(1644-1911) princes' residences. It witnessed many key historic events during that dynasty, and is rated as a AAAAA-level attraction, the highest rating for a tourist destination in China.


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|Biodiversity Heritage Library. TheEncyclopedia of Life maintains a free digital library, called the Biodiversity Heritage Library located at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/.|
|This is a rich repository, containing the full-text of over 40,000 titles of importance to the field of systematic biology; it contains many types of publications, including periodicals. The emphasis is on materials of historical importance.|
To locate the full-text of a particular periodical, enter a portion of the
title in the Search facility.
There are links to the Biodiversity Heritage Library from a number of history pages in the Repertorium Veterrimarum Societatum Litterariarum (Inventory of the Oldest Scholarly Societies), including the following history pages:

domain: biology


text: Research on exothermic reactor operation has been based mostly on the classic two-state continuous stirred tank reactor model, implicitly assuming that the cooling jacket temperature dynamics are negligible. In this case, the cooling jacket temperature is the manipulated input instead of the cooling jacket flow rate for feedback control of reactor temperature. Adding a cooling jacket energy balance results in much more complex behavior than a simple lag effect. A stabilizing inner-loop cascade controller is assumed in the two-state CSTR model, because the three-state model incorporating cooling jacket temperature dynamics may be open-loop unstable when the two-state model is open-loop stable. The influence of design parameters on the multiplicity behavior of a three-state model is considered. Elementary catastrophe theory is used to study the effect of process parameters such as the cooling jacket flow rate, heat-transfer coefficient, heat of reaction, and cooling jacket feed temperature on the steady-state multiplicity of the three-state model. This multiplicity analysis is particularly relevant for control because the primary bifurcation parameter is the cooling jacket flow rate, the manipulated input for feedback control in the three-state model. This multiplicity analysis guides improvements in process design and/or operation to eliminate difficult operating regions associated with steady-state multiplicities; the presence of multiple steady states results in safety and operation problems due to ignition/extinction phenomena. Reactor scale-up affects the presence of these infeasible reactor operating regions. Certain design parameter changes that remove multiplicities in the two-state model cannot remove multiplicities in the three-state model.


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MANILA—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) disowns the recent fault in the printing of official ballots for the May polls.
Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said the inadvertent deletion of the name of the political party, People’s Reform Party (PRP) of presidential aspirant, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, can be blamed on Smartmatic.
“It is the supplier of the ballot faces,” the poll body official said.
He was asked if Smartmatic will be held accountable, Bautista answered, “Why focus on cases? I want to focus first on making sure that things are done. To me, fault finding will lead us nowhere. What’s important is we have solutions.”
With this, Bautista said they were already preparing to resume the printing of the official ballots, starting with the ballots for the overseas absentee voting (OAV) to be followed by the ones that will be used in the May 9 polls.
The Comelec is looking to finish the printing of the 56,772,230 ballots by April 25.
The NPO will be printing a total of 54,363,844 official ballots for local voters and another 1,189,350 overseas voters; as well as another 281,316 for the Pre-Election Logical Accuracy Test (PreLAT), and 937,720 for the Final Testing and Sealing.
On Monday, the printing of the ballots stopped at the National Printing Office (NPO) after learning that name of the political party was missing, it should be placed after Santiago’s name.

domain: politics


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May 11, 2011 •
New Lobbying Rules Clarify Previously Vague Provisions
The office of the Secretary of State has released an amended version of the Rules Concerning Lobbyist Regulation, 8 CCR 1505-8. The newly amended rules now include an expanded definition of the term “bona fide personal emergency” to be used in conjunction with determining whether a professional lobbyist or lobbyist firm will be granted a waiver or reduction of an imposed fine, as well as provisions for the suspension, revocation, or other action concerning a lobbyist’s certificate of registration.
The amended rules also include additional guidance to be used by a professional lobbyist for a not-for-profit organization seeking a waiver of the filing fee for the professional lobbyist registration statement.
Finally, amendments were made concerning electronic filing of registration and disclosure statements, noting any statement presented for manual filing with the Secretary of State will not be accepted, but a computer terminal will now be made available in the main office to allow lobbyists to electronically file.
May 4, 2011 •
New Rules Clarify Requests for Waiver or Reduction of Campaign Finance Penalties
The office of the Secretary of State has released an amended version of the Rules Concerning Campaign and Political Finance, 8 CCR 1505-6.
The amended version has added guidelines concerning requests for a waiver or reduction of campaign finance penalties.
Requests must state the reason for the delinquency, as well as provide an explanation including all relevant factors relating to the delinquency and any mitigating circumstances.
Further, for waiver requests applying to more than one penalty, the guidelines will be applied separately to each penalty in chronological order using the single request as the basis for each.
Photo of downtown Denver by David Shankbone on Wikipedia.
April 12, 2011 •
Colorado Independent Ethics Commission Releases Position Statement on Adjusted Gift Limit
The Independent Ethics Commission released Position Statement 11-01 on Friday, April 8, 2011. In this statement, the Commission adjusted the limit on gifts to public officials and employees in the state of Colorado to $53 per calendar year, up from $50.
Pursuant to Article XXIX section 3(6), which was part of the 2006 voter-approved Amendment 41, the limit is to be adjusted based upon inflation every four years. This is the first such adjustment required.
Photo of downtown Denver by 33mhz on Wikipedia.
December 9, 2010 •
Colorado Supreme Court to Make Decision in Regards to Campaign Finance
The Colorado Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case brought by Colorado Ethics Watch concerning the so-called “magic words” required of political ads. Colorado Ethics Watch filed the complaint against Senate Majority Fund and Colorado Leadership Fund after the two 527 political organizations ran campaign ads supporting state legislative candidates in the 2008 election but did not register as political committees or submit independent expenditure disclosures for the ads.
An Administrative Law Judge determined, and the Colorado Court of Appeals agreed, registration and reporting were not required because the ads did not contain terms such as “vote for” or “defeat.” It is expected the case will be briefed in early 2011, with oral arguments taking place in the spring.
Seal of the State of Colorado by Svgalbertian on Wikipedia.
November 15, 2010 •
Federal Appellate Court Finds Colorado Campaign Finance Limits on Small Groups Unconstitutional
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals determined Colorado’s voter-approved campaign reporting requirement for small groups promoting ballot initiatives to be unconstitutional. The case stems from a challenge by a group of homeowners who failed to register as an issue committee upon becoming a group of two or more persons and accepting or making contributions or expenditures in excess of $200. Six homeowners had raised and spent less than $1,000 fighting a ballot question concerning the annexation of their subdivision, Parker North, into the town of Parker, Colorado.
Plaintiff’s attorney Steve Simpson, a member of the Arlington, Virginia-based Institute for Justice, has stated this case is the first ruling in the nation wherein reporting requirements for issue committees have been linked to the First Amendment and deemed unconstitutional. Simpson also added the decision in this case signals a split with another appellate court, causing the case to be ripe for appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court.
You can read the full text of the opinion here.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.

domain: law


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With this paper, Hispacoop wants to investigate, from the food sector's point of view, how consumers' behaviors generate considerable impacts on the planet and which actions can be carried out to minimize their environmental footprint. Nowadays, consumers are increasingly aware of how they can reduce their environmental impact and they are changing their behaviors toward more sustainable and informed decisions, but there is still much to be done: the cost of living is increasing and the price represents a barrier to sustainable food production and consumption. Therefore, this problem affects a large slice of the population that cannot afford the shift toward a green lifestyle.
This paper includes opinions and reflections of relevant experts in the field and aims to look at the topic from different perspectives: from food production to distribution, but also from normative to nutritional aspects.
The publication is part of the Project "Environmental impact of food", funded by the Ministry of Consumption of Spain, with the support and collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain. On behalf of all Spanish consumer co-operatives, Hispacoop publishes this publication as a call for a full commitment to sustainability by promoting innovations and new business opportunities.
Read the full paper

domain: agronomy


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IVC Filter Lawsuit Attorneys At Wright & Schulte LLC Are Representing Clients Who Have Experienced Dislocation, Fracture And Migration Of IVC Filters.
IVC filter lawsuit filings continue against Cook Medical with a complaint filed on behalf of a Pennsylvania man who alleges his IVC filter fractured and became embedded in his heart. The lawsuit joins over 500 IVC filter complaints filed nationwide after people started suffering from punctured organs or blood clots allegedly due to Cook Medical’s Celect IVC filter and Günther Tulip IVC filters breaking, tilting, migrating or perforating the heart, lungs and inferior vena cava (IVC).
“The fracturing of Cook Medical’s IVC filters is a common allegation found in IVC filter complaints filed against the company,” says Wright & Schulte LLC, which is investigating potential IVC lawsuit claims.The IVC Filter Lawsuit Attorneys at Wright & Schulte LLC are currently offering free legal evaluations to those who believe they or their loved ones may have sustained injuries from IVC filters implanted to prevent blood clots. To learn more, please contact the IVC Lawsuit Attorneys at Wright & Schulte today by calling 1-800-399-0795 or through yourlegalhelp.com.
According to the complaint, a retrievable Cook Celect IVC filter was implanted in the plaintiff in June 2012 and his doctor said that follow-up medical care was not needed. However, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised doctors to remove IVC filters between 29 and 54 days or when the risk of blood clots subside. The complaint said that the filter tilted and one of the filter’s arms broke and migrated to his heart. The plaintiff had to undergo surgery in December 2015 to remove the medical device. The IVC filter lawsuit contended the plaintiff’s doctor, who is also named as a defendant, failed to remove the filter as per the FDA’s recommendation. (Case No. 2016-SU-140671, Court of Common Pleas, County of York, Pennsylvania)
Retrievable IVC filters are small, spider-like medical devices implanted in the inferior vena cava, a major vein that carries blood from the lower part of the body to the heart. The filters have struts or “legs” that capture blood clots to prevent them from reaching the lungs and causing a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. Since 2010, the FDA has issued two warnings about IVC filters after receiving reports of IVC filters, moving from the original position of implantation, tilting, breaking and puncturing the vena cava, heart and other organs. The FDA indicated that problems with IVC filters occur because the devices remain implanted longer than necessary.
Cook’s Celect and Günther Tulip IVC filters are prone to puncture the vena cava within 71 days after being implanted, according to a study published in April 2012 in the Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology. Researchers found at least one component had punctured the IVC wall in 86 percent of the cases observed.
[ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21448771, April 2012]
Cook Medical IVC Filter Lawsuits
In addition to IVC filings in state courts, federal Cook Medical IVC lawsuits have been centralized in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana for coordinated pretrial proceedings. (In Re: Cook Medical, Inc., IVC Filters Marketing, Sales Practices And Product Liability Litigation – MDL No. 2570) Cook Medical is not the only IVC filter manufacturer facing lawsuits. IVC filter lawsuits are also being filed against C.R. Bard over the company’s Recovery and G2 filters. Cases filed in federal court against Bard have been consolidated in the U.S. District Court, District of Arizona (In Re: Bard IVC Filter Lawsuit Litigation – MDL No. 2641) According to court documents, the IVC filter lawsuits allege that Cook Medical and Bard hid the health risks associated with their devices from the public.
About Wright & Schulte LLC And IVC Filter Lawsuits
Wright & Schulte LLC, an experienced personal injury firm, is dedicated to the belief that America’s legal system should work for the people. Every day, the attorneys of Wright & Schulte LLC stand up for the rights of people who have been injured or wronged and fight tirelessly to ensure that even the world’s most powerful corporations take responsibility for their actions. If you’re looking for a law firm that will guarantee the aggressive and personal representation you deserve, please do not hesitate to contact Wright & Schulte LLC today. Free IVC filter lawsuit case evaluations are available through yourlegalhelp.com or by calling 1-800-399-0795.
Wright & Schulte LLC
865 S. Dixie Dr.
Vandalia, Ohio 45377


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A faith-based disaster relief organization is dedicating nearly $100,000 to displaced Puerto Ricans currently living in the region.
Lutheran Congregational Services in Ambler, Montgomery County, announced this week a $98,670 grant to help Puerto Ricans who moved to the area since Hurricane Maria ravaged the island in September.
Lutheran Disaster Response-Evangelical Lutheran Church in America awarded the grant to LCS to provide long-term support to Puerto Ricans with needs ranging from finding a place to live to learning English, according to Julia Menzo, director of community outreach for LCS.
“We are coordinating with various agencies and organizations in places like Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley and Reading,” Menzo said. “Our work will be to help them identify those displaced Puerto Ricans at greatest risk and help coordinate services.”
LCS aims to get volunteers and employ people to assist in work that local groups, churches and organizations are already doing.
“Sometimes that will be as simple as resource referral but it can also be a full recovery plan to help them make good decisions for their family’s future,” Menzo said.
The LCS will be working with the Red Cross, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and others.
Participating organizations will use a shared online network to prevent duplication of services, according to Menzo.
The most pressing issues are permanent or long-term housing, employment and learning English, Menzo said.
Certain families currently or will soon need help finding places to live as their FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Assistance expires.
Michael Toledo, CEO and president of the Daniel Torres Hispanic Center in Reading, said the center appreciates any and all assistance it can get in the effort to help families.
Toledo agreed that finding housing and jobs are the biggest challenges facing Puerto Rican families in the Reading area.
The Hispanic Center hosted a resource fair last month in which more than 300 people – many of whom were from the island – looked for jobs, housing and other resources.
“We get a list from FEMA each week of people who will need shelter,” Toledo said Tuesday as he was on his way to Washington to advocate for Puerto Rican disaster relief. “Also finding work that can provide for a family and for someone who may not speak English are needed.”
Toledo and Menzo said they hope their organizations can work together in coming weeks.
The LCS will also use grant funds for a summer camp for children who have experienced trauma or drastic change, such as those who uprooted from the island.
Camp Noah will be hosted at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Reading Aug. 13 through Aug. 17 and will accommodate up to 50 kids, according to Menzo.
LCS is making connections with the Reading School District to make families aware and the camp is also looking for volunteers who can effectively communicate with the children.
“We hope to get 50 percent of the volunteers to be Spanish-speaking,” Menzo said. “We want the volunteers to be as culturally appropriate as possible.”


Mike George asks readers' questions about Baikal shotguns
Q: I have acquired an over-under shotgun which was sold as a Baikal but the barrels are stamped T03 and the recoil pad has a ‘T’ logo. Is it actually a Baikal?
A: I had an interesting telephone conversation with this reader, who told me that what he had initially read as TO3 was, in fact, TOZ; what looks like a figure 3 in the Cyrillic alphabet being, in fact, a Z.
The gun isn’t a Baikal at all, but a TOZ, which stands for Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod, which is Russia’s world-famous Tula armoury.
Considering over a million have been made, it is surprising we haven’t seen more of them in Western Europe although I can’t ever recall any being imported into the UK.
The reader told me that the gun doesn’t hinge on conventional pins, but on semi-circular grooves in the action walls which engage with semi-circular projections on the lumps and barrel sides.
The only other gun working on this principle that I have ever come across is the Swedish-built Flodman.
Interesting Russian guns
In fact, there are many interesting guns made in Russia we don’t see over here. On a visit to Moscow in the final years of the Soviet Union I was shown some beautifully crafted guns, not quite up to London ‘best’ standards, but very near.
Sadly, when I went out to shoot with my Russian hosts I was loaned a well-worn Baikal semi-auto – perhaps a reflection on what they thought of my shooting!
Selective triggers on Baikal shotguns – a problem
Q: I’ve inherited a Baikal shotgun with a selective trigger but I can’t get it to work. Can you advise?
A: There are two best-kept secrets about Baikal over-under shotguns: one is how to get one to fire top barrel first, and the other is how to turn off the ejectors.
- To get the gun to fire top barrel first, you push the trigger forwards until you hear a tiny click.
- It then fires top barrel first for that pair of shots only, and needs to be reset if you want to fire top barrel first again.
- To turn off the ejectors, you locate what looks like a pair of small grub screw heads in the knuckles, and turn them through 90 degrees.
The reason, like the guns themselves, is simple. Baikal shotguns were – and still are – cheap and reliable. In…
Considering a Baikal shotgun? Mike George explains why the Russian-built shotgun is one of his top ten guns produced during…
Baikal shotguns are inexpensive BUT reliable A new over-and-under would be about £617 A new side-by-side would set you back…
If every gun had a feature like this, we might spend more time shooting and less time groping around the countryside on our hands and knees picking up cartridge cases.