Hydrogen & Clean Energy
The Hydrogen and Clean Energy Center is led by a group of faculty, scientists, and students clustered at the Statler College of Engineering, WVU, in the Wild and Wonderful mountain state of West Virginia.
We believe that our sophisticated society functions based on some very simple principles. We think that the appealing products in a simplified format would prevail over the complicated ones. We thus embrace the simplest and the very first element in the periodic table: Hydrogen. We believe that the following two simplest equations and their cycling will have endless resources from water, provide abundant electrical energy, and be one of the ultimate solutions for clean energy and clean climate.
With diverse expertise in materials science, mechanical, and aerospace engineering, we worked on the different aspects of hydrogen production, hydrogen transportation, hydrogen storage, hydrogen utilization, and the resultant reduction of carbon emissions. We further integrate the fundamental research of material science into energy conversion systems, including thermoelectric generators and solid oxide cells.
Our ultimate goal is to bring those cutting-edge fundamental research to everyone's daily life through the implantations, demonstrations, and deployments of advanced clean energy systems into electric vehicles, aircraft, and distributed power generation microgrids.
We greatly appreciate our collaborators who are leading scientists and engineers from national laboratories and industries. We always embrace and are thrilled to work with passionate teachers and talented students from K-12. Together, as we strive to contribute to the global research community on hydrogen and clean energy, we are building a stronger energetic foundation for our future scientists and engineers.
George B. Berry Chair of Engineering
National Science Foundation
Department of Defense


text: Allstate Floral and Craft offers more than 10,000 decorations, from silk flowers and foliage to ribbons and other accessories. Allstate Christmas decorations include pots, ornaments, stockings, Christmas trees, wreaths, and shelf decorations. Allstate also carries decorative birds and greenery. A ... Read More llstate Christmas trees come in multiple shapes, sizes, and colors. The Allstate 9-foot Pre-Lit Silver Tinsel Noble Pine Artificial Christmas Tree is one of the brand's larger trees. Lit with 900 clear bulbs, this Christmas tree is flame-retardant and comes in five pieces for easy assembly. Other Allstate Christmas trees come in 8-inch, 40-inch, 4-foot, 5-foot, 6-foot, 6.5-foot, 7-foot, and 7.5-foot sizes. Allstate foliage and greenery includes potted plants and flowers. The Allstate pack of two Potted Artificial Green Polynesian Ficus Trees are 4 feet tall and include eight trunks with 432 leaves for a blossoming foliage look. These trees are for indoor or outdoor use and are made of PVC and plastic. Allstate also carries silk flower arrangements, grasses, and cacti.

domain: design


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Adventure Presents: Tiny in the Tower Digital Asset Pack
Released 21st December 2022
Buy a copy of Tiny in the Tower at retail? Here is the complete digital asset pack to support online play. A copy of Adventure Presents: Tiny in the Tower is required to play.
Please note that this pack contains spoilers for the entire campaign. Do not download these materials unless you intend to act as Games Master.
This asset pack contains:
- Character Sheets

domain: game


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‘Status and Culture’ Review: Making the Cut
The Wall Street Journal, October 07, 2022Review of Status and Culture: How Our Desire for Social Rank Creates Taste, Identity, Art, Fashion, and Constant Change by W. David Marx
Marc Andreessen’s Housing NIMBYism Is Losing Ground
Bloomberg Opinion, August 09, 2022The investor and his neighbors want to block multiunit construction in America’s most expensive town. But California’s reforms are gradually overriding such local opposition.
Can the US Housing Crisis Be Fixed By Abolishing Zoning?
Bloomberg Opinion, July 31, 2022A conversation with author M. Nolan Gray on the social and economic costs of urban zoning and what American cities can learn from Houston.
Sneaky Shrinkflation Is Driving People Crazy
Bloomberg Opinion, July 26, 2022Packaging less stuff for the same price doesn’t fool consumers or economists. But diminishing quality imposes equally maddening extra costs that are almost impossible to measure.
Stakeholder Capitalism Isn’t Working as Planned
Bloomberg Opinion, June 22, 2022It’s a prescription for culture wars, political backlash, managerial paralysis and human-resources nightmares. And it’s anything but nice.
Why Goofy Princeton Reunion Rituals Mean So Much to Me
Bloomberg Opinion, May 22, 2022Silly clothes and eccentric traditions link the past to the present and future and build unity and continuity in an era of polarization and change.
RIP, Ron Galella. Everyone’s a Paparazzo Now.
Bloomberg Opinion, May 07, 2022Social media sapped the power of professional celebrity photographers, making it easier for stars to control their public images.
Pocket Globes: The World in Your Hand
Online Library of Liberty Reading Room, April 28, 2022They might have been of "frivolous utility" for navigation, but these trinkets offered ingenuity you could carry around, making them desirable accessories for an age of exploration and discovery.
How Polyester Bounced Back
Works in Progress, April 21, 2022Somehow, polyester went from being the world’s most hated fabrics to one of its favorites. It reinvented itself thanks to advances in materials science, and did it so successfully that many people don’t even realize they’re wearing polyester today.
Investors Love Fast-Fashion Shein — at Least For Now
Bloomberg Opinion, April 08, 2022Young people care more about price than sustainability when it comes to cheap clothes. But the Chinese e-commerce startup may eventually face other headwinds. A conversation with Adam Minter.

domain: sociology


text:
Posted December 5, 2013
Colorado could be the next state to vote on labeling rules for genetically modified (GMO) food, according to an article by the Huffington Post, available here.
Larry Cooper, co-chair of the Right to Know Colorado campaign, said that the groups submitted a proposed ballot initiative last week. If approved, the proposed “Colorado Right to Know Act,” available here, will need over 85,000 signatures to be on the November 2014 ballot.
Genetically modified crops are widely grown, with about 90 percent of the nation’s corn crop genetically engineered in some way, according to a KUNC article available here.
The proposed initiative includes some exceptions for pet food, chewing gum, and alcohol, but would cover any prepackaged, processed food or raw agricultural commodity.
Those opposed to GMO labeling including Kraft, Coca-Cola, and Monsanto, argue that “if genetic engineered ingredients have been deemed by regulators to pose no health risk they don’t deserve an extra label.”
Critics argue that the “long-term health effects of genetically modified food consumption by humans and animals are unknown,” according to an article by the Northern Colorado Business Report, available here.
Similar ballot measures have failed in California and recently in Washington.
For more information on food labeling, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.

domain: food


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The Tumut Bulls will ditch their traditional red and black colours on Saturday, with first-grade set to wear a multicultural round jersey when hosting Wagga City at Jarrah Oval.
The round nine Southern Inland Rugby Union fixture will double at multicultural round for the Bulls, with the club wearing a predominantly white jersey that includes emblems and logos from all corners of the world.
Australia, Indigenous Australians, New Zealand, Samoa, England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Fiji are all represented in one way or the other on the jersey.
Bulls’ representative Brodie Palmer believes the multicultural round jersey offers a subtle nod to each corner of the world where their players have originated from.
“The Tumut Bulls pride themselves on being a family club, and that family connects to all corners of the earth and is made up of a massive variety of individuals joining together to make the Bulls who they are,” Palmer said.
“The jerseys were created to simply say that, we can’t be the Tumut Bulls without all of the cultures that play the great game of rugby union and bring us all together.”
Palmer explained the motivation behind multicultural round, with Tumut looking to recognise the many cultures that make their club so special.
“We’re hosting a multicultural round this year to celebrate all the cultures that make up the Tumut Bulls,” Palmer said.
“We recognise and continue to pay our respect to our Indigenous players and club members both current and previous, and land on which we play. But also increase our recognition of the strong Pacific Islanders cultures we have within the club, and the players from European and other backgrounds who now call Tumut home.”
Saturday will also showcase different cultures at Jarrah Oval, with an Indigenous Welcome to Country kicking off proceedings, which will be followed by the New Zealand Haka, a Fijian hymn and other cultural displays, and Palmer hopes to see members of the community down at Jarrah Oval and enjoying a unique day of rugby.
“Saturday will be a showcase of some different cultures in the club, made possible by our local community and club members,” Palmer said.
“We’d love everyone to come down and join in on the celebrations, commencing with a Welcome to Country at 12:30pm.”
Bulls captain and proud New Zealander TJ Sala was thrilled to see his club taking the time and effort to recognise the many cultures that make the Bulls who they are today, highlighting that rugby was often a way these different countries and their people were united.
“It’s great for the club to acknowledge our backgrounds, because we are so diverse,” Sala said.
“It is cool, because rugby is a big part of a majority of the cultures involved with the club, and I know from experience from playing overseas and locally, you come across many backgrounds, and it is kind of like rugby unites everyone and it is good to see the Bulls recognising that.”
For readers wanting to celebrate the Tumut Bulls multicultural round, proceedings kick off at 12.30pm at Jarrah Oval on Saturday before rugby takes centre stage, with second-grade hosting Wagga City at 1.50pm before first-grade takes the field at 3.15pm.

domain: sports


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In a letter to John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Alex Salmond made clear that the Scottish Government made the decision to free Abdelbaset al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds and had received no representations from BP on the matter.
He said the decision was made with "integrity" and following a "clear legal process".
Libyan Megrahi is the only man to have been convicted of the Lockerbie atrocity which killed 270 people in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 on December 21, 1988.
He was released from a Scottish prison last August, having been given three months to live, but is still alive and living with his family in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
David Cameron's first visit to Washington as Prime Minister has been overshadowed by the row over his release, with US senators suspicious that oil giant BP may have had a hand in the affair.
Mr Salmond last night said he had written the letter making clear the Scottish Government's stance in order to assist the committee with a proposed hearing on July 29.
He wrote: "I want first of all to restate the revulsion of the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland at the bombing of Flight Pan Am 103 and to acknowledge the terrible pain and suffering inflicted on the victims and the relatives of all those who died in the Lockerbie atrocity.
"Whatever different views we have about the release of Al-Megrahi, I am sure we stand together on that.
"My understanding is that the recent interest from the committee and from other senators stems mainly from concerns over any role played by BP in Al-Megrahi's release.
"I can say unequivocally that the Scottish Government has never, at any point, received any representations from BP in relation to Al-Megrahi."
Mr Salmond has previously criticised ex-premier Tony Blair for negotiating a prisoner transfer agreement (PTA) with Libya in 2007 - which was not invoked for Megrahi's release - at the same time as sealing a deal for BP in the country, saying it gave rise to suspicions of "deals in the desert".
He wrote in the letter: "I must make clear that the Scottish Government strongly opposed the PTA and the memorandum that led to it was agreed without our knowledge and against our wishes.
"Indeed it was the Scottish Government which first drew attention to these negotiations involving former prime minister Tony Blair and his Libyan counterparts as soon as we learned of them in 2007.
"As was highlighted last year, the Scottish Government rejected the application for transfer of Al-Megrahi under the PTA specifically on the basis that the US Government and families of victims in the United States had been led to believe that such a prisoner transfer would not be possible for anyone convicted of the Lockerbie atrocity.
"If your committee is concerned about BP's role or the PTA then it is BP and the previous UK administration that should be the focus of your inquiries.
"There is nothing the Scottish Government can add to this since we have had no contact with BP at any point in the process of considering Al-Megrahi's position."
The Prime Minister has resisted demands from some American politicians for an inquiry while making clear he believed the decision to release the bomber was "wrong" and requesting that all the relevant documents be made public.
Mr Salmond said in the 15-paragraph letter that the Scottish Government's actions had already been subject to scrutiny by committees of both the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament.
"There is nothing within them to challenge the Scottish Government's position that the decision was made in good faith and in line with due process," he wrote.
"However we will gladly co-operate with the UK Cabinet Secretary in reviewing the publication of any further documents germane to the case."
He said that while the Scottish Government did not doubt the safety of the conviction of al-Megrahi, concerns remained on the "wider issues" of the Lockerbie atrocity.
He said any inquiry would be beyond the jurisdiction of Scots Law and would need to be initiated by those with the required power and authority.
"As was indicated last year, the Scottish Government would be happy to co-operate fully with such an inquiry," he wrote.
Mr Salmond concluded the letter: "I am aware that the US Government and many relatives of those who died, particularly in the US, profoundly disagree with the Scottish Government's decision to release al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds.
"I do not expect anything I say will change that but I do think it is important to put on record the background to that decision and reassure you that it was made with integrity and following a clear legal process."
- More about:
- Abdel Basset Al-Megrahi
- Alex Salmond
- Lockerbie Bombing
- Scottish Government
- Scottish Parliament

domain: news


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theaters the Berkeley Student Food Collective near you.
Starved college students come hither. It’s about that time to ditch the ramen noodles, Easy Mac and microwavable dinners for … fruits and veggies? The Berkeley Student Food Collective is introducing a specialized Box fully packed with super fresh and organic assortment of vegetables and fruits for $15 per week.
So what’s the business about The Box? BSFC has this neat idea of providing students with a week’s worth of great produce to students for $15/week or $60 per month. Convenient location for picking up the food makes it way simpler for people like us at the Clog who struggle to find time to go grocery shopping and thus, have healthy to decent food to eat. Also it’s all about supporting local farms and businesses, which we know is the super cool thing to do.
Each box comes with the produce and several recipes you can try. Preparation suggestions are also included so if you have some random vegetable you never existed, like the swiss chard to your right, then you’ll probably be grateful for the preparation suggestion. I mean, it’s a funky looking vegetable, not going to lie.
The Clog thinks we all, as college students, can really appreciate any opportunity to include healthy, natural stuff into our read more »


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Kanye began his career ghost-producing for D-Dot, one of Bad Boy's main Hitmen. In 2001, he made his own name by producing three tracks on Jay-Z's The Blueprint. Since, Kanye has taken over the rap game, but he's still kept a keen focus on the production side. With his prolific output, he can't do it all himself. Or maybe he can, but, regardless, he makes a constant effort to bring in a diverse group of producers to shape GOOD's always cutting-edge sound.
Mike Dean is one of the most respected producers in the game, and his name is usually seen next to Kanye's. He's produced songs on each Kanye album since Graduation, including nine tracks on MBDTF. He was a legend before Kanye, no doubt, and doesn't get enough credit for being a key pioneer in the dirty south sound, producing records for Texas legends like Scarface and UGK. Still, there's no question he's gained serious exposure since working with Kanye. He's gone on to produce for Jay-Z, Beyoncé, The Weeknd and Madonna, among many others. He's earned five Grammy's, all of them for his work with West.
As Kanye's sound has continued to diversify, he's begun reaching out to more and more producers from different backgrounds, often including several on one track. Yeezus is the most experimental mainstream hip-hop album in years, and its production credits serve as a who's who in electronic music. The most familiar are the French robot duo Daft Punk, who first worked with Kanye in 2007 on "Stronger." Daft Punk have long been one of the most successful acts in electronic music, but nothing could have prepared them for "Stronger," which went #1 and won a Grammy. In 2013, Daft Punk scored a #1 album of their own, as well as five more Grammys, with Random Access Memories.
Also on Yeezus is Scotland's Hudson Mohawke, who was busy making trap-influenced club music before Kanye recruited him for "Mercy" in Spring 2012. Now he's signed to GOOD and, in addition to his creds on Yeezus, has produced for John Legend, Pusha T, Azealia Banks and Drake.
Another artist who is signed to GOOD as a producer is Houston's Travi$ Scott. Now Scott is blowing up everywhere, whether he's rapping or producing, but 'Ye signed him back in 2012 before he had released any of his own work.
Last week, we detailed how Gucci Mane put Atlanta on his back--similar to what Kanye's done for Chicago.
Lupe Fiasco broke the scene by remixing Kanye's "Diamonds from Sierra Leone." His version "Conflict Diamonds," found its way to Kanye, who immediately invited Lupe to guest on "Touch the Sky," a single off Late Registration. A month later, Lupe released "Kick, Push," which earned him two Grammy nominations. Later that year, Food & Liquor earned four Grammy nods and one win for "Daydreamin."
The Chicago sound has changed drastically over the years, which can be seen in Kanye's own catalog. Still, when drill broke circa 2012, it was miles away from anything he was doing at the time. Kanye co-signed controversial drill sargeant Chief Keef, remixing his biggest hit "I Don't Like" with Pusha T, Jadakiss and Big Sean. Drill immediately entered the mainstream, to which the success of Keef's debut, Finally Rich, is a testament.
King L, another hardcore drill man, was relatively unknown until he made one of the few guest appearances on Yeezus. According to his face, he's now signed with OVO.
'Ye's latest cosign, Vic Mensa, is the opposite of drill--electro-backpack raps with an amazing singing voice. Vic is featured on Kanye's latest single "Wolves," and he just had the biggest performance of his life on SNL 40.
It's not as if GOOD had humble beginnings, though. Or, if it did, they didn't last long. GOOD's first record was John Legend's Get Lifted, which went platinum and won a Grammy for Best R&B Album. Then Common followed suit, releasing the universally-acclaimed Be in 2005. No surprise, both albums were executively produced by Kanye.
In 2007, GOOD diversified by adding a young Big Sean to its roster. Sean went down to a local Detroit radio station where Kanye was being interviewed, ran up to 'Ye as he was leaving, and asked if he could rap for him. Kanye gave him 16 seconds; Sean left with a record deal. Sean has since proven himself as a hitmaker, though questions of longevity have remained. Recently, though, he's been quickly putting those doubts to rest, with huge lead singles off his upcoming Dark Sky Paradise. As he continues to develop as an artist, Kanye will be there every step of the way.
A year after signing Sean, Kanye picked up another then-unknown rapper, Cleveland's Kid Cudi. After hearing his A Kid Named Cudi mixtape, Kanye signed him and soon got him on the charts. He started his career with a double platinum single, "Day n Nite," which would land on his Grammy-nominated debut Man on the Moon: The End of Day. To be fair, Cudi had his own influence over Kanye. Cudi helped Kanye write songs on 808s & Heartbreaks, and, together, they created a new sound--that put auto-tuned sung raps over house beats--whose influence is still being heard. Cudder is no longer with GOOD and is pursuing ventures in fashion and movies. Would he have made it to Hollywood without Yeezy, though? Doubtful.
Pusha T has emerged as GOOD's second-in-command under the man himself. Again, we're not taking anything away from Pusha. With the Neptunes, Clipse released two classic records that still sit atop the canon of coke-boy rap. But when King Push wanted a solo career, he went to GOOD, and he chose wisely. Before signing, he scored his biggest features ever by rapping on "Runaway" and "So Apalled" off Kanye's opus MBDTF. Months later, he was signed, and the rest is history. His debut with GOOD, My Name Is MyName, was our #1 album of 2013, and it cemented Push as one of the biggest solo stars in the game.
Aside from the work he's done in Chicago and in-house at GOOD, Kanye has co-signed countless artists, directly and indirectly impacting the music world in ways we can't imagine. Here are a few notables:
If anyone's responsible for discovering Nicki Minaj, it's Lil Wayne. Indeed, we could do an equally extensive feature on Weezy. But Yeezy did wonders for young Onika's career, too--simply by having her on guest on "Monster." Not only did she guest, she stole the show on a track that featured Jay-Z and Rick Ross. Nicki Minaj's debut, Pink Friday, was released a month later, exceeding all expectations by going platinum and earning three Grammys.
A rapper who will personally attest to West is 2 Chainz, who was the sole non-GOOD signee on "Mercy." He recently went on 106 & Park, and recapped the story of when he went on the show, with Kanye, two years earlier to promote his debut album. Kanye, in atypical fashion, didn't say a single word, and Chainz admits, "That's the biggest statement you can say."
At his recent concert in New York, Kanye brought out the aforementioned 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Travis $cott and Pusha T. The most unexpected guest, though, was New Jersey rapper Fetty Wap. Fetty scored a ubiquitous hit with "Trap Queen," but with Kanye calling it his favorite song of the moment, all the hype feels justified.
Another young talent who was giddy to have West's stamp of approval is Ty Dolla $ign. If you didn't know, Ty $ sings background vocals on "Only One." When asked about working with 'Ye, Ty responded, "It's like running track and getting a gold medal. Constant gold medals!" Ty also helped write "FourFiveSeconds," another new Kanye single that features Rihanna and, another recent co-sign, Paul McCartney.
McCartney was reportedly in a group called The Beatles decades ago before Kanye somehow discovered his multifaceted talent via the Internet. McCartney plays keyboard on "Only One" and guitar on "FourFiveSeconds." Thank you Yeezy.

domain: artistic


Breeze C Scooter Recall Issued Due to Problems Stopping
Afikim Electric has issued a recall for electric scooters after product testing confirmed that they may become unresponsive during operation, which may prevent the driver from using the brakes and pose a risk of crashes.
A Breeze C Scooters recall was announced by the FDA on September 27, after the manufacturer indicated that the internal potentiometer wiper may become disconnected after extensive use and cause the vehicle to continue driving forward even after the brakes are applied.
A testing incident confirmed that the mobility scooters may have problems stopping, moving forward at speeds between 2 and 4 mph if the potentiometer becomes disconnected. If this occurs, the only way to stop the vehicle is to turn off the main key switch. Although no injuries have been reported to date, this may pose a serious risk of riders or bystanders.
Did You Know?
Millions of Philips CPAP Machines Recalled
Philips DreamStation, CPAP and BiPAP machines sold in recent years may pose a risk of cancer, lung damage and other injuries.Learn More
The scooter recall includes “Breeze C” 3 and 4 wheel scooters manufactured by Afikim Electric Vehicles between July 2, 2010 and July 24, 2012 where they were distributed and sold to users between September 15, 2010 and July 25, 2013 in the following states; California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Because they are mobility scooters they are considered medical devices and regulated by the FDA.
The affected Breeze C scooters have 2 back wheels, 1 or 2 front wheels, an adjustable swivel seat, a storage basket in the front, and were sold in either a metallic silver or blue color. The scooters measure 52 inches long by 26 inches wide, and sit 50 inches tall. They are rear-wheel drive and have a travel range of 25 miles and reach a maximum speed of 9.3 mph. For a full list of recalled serial numbers please visit http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm370503.htm.
The manufacturer warns that users of the affected scooters should be cautious of their surroundings when using the product in case of a malfunction and contact Breeze C Scooters immediately at 1-800-809-3010 or email them at email@example.com to arrange a repair. Afikim has begun contacting all known customers by both phone and email.
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A Wegovy gastroparesis lawsuit blames the weight loss drug for a stomach paralysis problems which left a woman with permanent injuries.
Uber faces a lawsuit from four passengers who say they were sexually assaulted by drivers, due to the company's lack of security measures and focus on passenger safety.
A Bard PowerPort lawsuit claims the defective design of the port catheter led to a woman developing a severe infection and needing to have the implant surgically removed.


text:
The Origami Nun
by Lori Golding
Kindle Edition, 82 pages
Published: June 11, 2012
by Karabeth Publishing
Book Source: Blog Tour
4 1/2 stars
Book Description: Seven-year old Ruth can’t speak, but she can certainly think. She knows her birthday is going to be good as her beloved great-aunt has exciting plans for her. What she doesn’t expect is a magical paper nun, an encounter with a bully who may not be what she seems or a school day to remember. Because when her special day is over, Ruth is in for some VERY big surprises.
Mary’s Review: Her parents dead, Ruth, 7 who can’t speak is taken in by her Great-Aunt Alice. Great-Aunt Alice is a very special lady who loves Ruth very much. It’s Ruth’s birthday, one Great-Aunt Alice has gone out of her way to make very special for Ruth in more ways than one. It begins with a special birthday breakfast and a tiny origami nun. A very magical origami nun, one that will teach Ruth some very important lessons in life and help her make a new friend. Magic is in the air. Come see how Ruth and others learn the importance of respect for each other even though they are different and that each person has a different story or reason for being different.
I recommend this book for ages 6 and up.
About The Author: Lori Olding lives and works in Surrey in the UK. She and her friend (also called Ruth) share responsibility for their own origami nun and are very glad the nun has managed to feature in her special story at last. Lori is fond of blueberry muffins and lemon meringue pie.
The Giveaway: Up for grabs is a paperback copy of The Origami Nun by Lori Olding and three runners up will get an ebook of The Origami Nun!
The prizes are for all the blogs taking part so there is only 1 paperback and 3 ebooks altogether for all the blogs.
To be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is leave a comment below for the author.
This stop is worth one entry into the giveaway, if you want more entires make sure to hop over to the other posts once they are up. The more posts you comment on the more entries you get.
You need to make sure you leave a way to contact you if you win, either an email or your twitter name! There are know extra points for spreading the word but if you would like to that would be awesome.
Giveaway is international and opened till the 30th September 2012! Giveaway items provided by the author.
17th September: Book Excerpt @
18th September: Review @
19th Septemer: Top 5 childrens authors @
20th September: Review @ http://www.mydevotionalthoughts.com/

domain: literature


text:
We’ve all been there – you come across a beautiful bougainvillea plant at the nursery and decide to bring it home, only to watch it wither away over the next few weeks. It’s frustrating, but don’t give up just yet! With the right care and attention, you can keep your bougainvillea thriving in a pot, adding color and vibrancy to your outdoor space.
For instance, I once bought a bougainvillea plant for my balcony, excited to see its vibrant pink blooms elevate the space. However, I quickly realized that growing and caring for bougainvillea in a pot isn’t as simple as it seems. Overwatering, poor soil, and lack of sunlight were just a few of the challenges I faced.
But with some research and trial and error, I learned the essential care tips for potted bougainvillea plants, and I’m excited to share them with you. So, let’s dive in!
- Use well-draining soil and pots with drainage holes in the base for bougainvillea.
- Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry somewhat before watering again.
- Bougainvillea requires an optimal balance of moisture and drainage.
- Bougainvillea should be planted in pots that are at least 12 inches across and made of clay, ceramic, or terracotta.
Pot and Soil Requirements
We always make sure to plant our bougainvillea in pots with drainage holes and well-draining soil, as this is crucial for preventing root rot and promoting healthy growth. Choosing the right pot for your bougainvillea is important, as it directly impacts the plant’s root development. We recommend using ceramic, clay, or terracotta pots, as they don’t conduct as much heat throughout the day, keeping the soil cooler for longer. Plastic or metal pots aren’t ideal for bougainvillea, as they can heat up quickly and cause the soil to dry out too fast.
Soil preparation techniques are also important for the optimal growth of your bougainvillea. We suggest using a well-draining soil mix, as bougainvillea roots need to uptake moisture in the summer, but also require excess water to escape after watering. To ensure optimal moisture and drainage balance, we recommend mixing in sand or perlite with the soil.
Additionally, it’s important to make sure that the pot is at least 12 inches across, as this will contain more soil and prevent quick drying. Proper pot and soil selection will ensure that your potted bougainvillea thrives and produces beautiful blooms.
Watering and Drainage Guidelines
For optimal growth, it’s important to ensure that the soil in your pot has a proper balance of moisture and drainage. Bougainvillea requires regular watering, but overwatering can lead to root rot and other problems. The frequency of watering will depend on the climate and conditions where you live.
In general, water potted bougainvillea every 7-14 days during Spring and Summer, and once every 2-3 weeks in Winter. The best way to water bougainvillea in pots is to water thoroughly so that excess water trickles from the base of the pot and then allow the soil to dry before watering again. This helps prevent water from collecting at the base of the pot and ensures that the roots have access to the moisture they need without becoming waterlogged.
Optimal soil moisture is crucial for the health of your potted bougainvillea. The soil should be moist but not wet, and should never be allowed to dry out completely. Adjustments to your watering schedule may be needed to suit your particular climate and conditions.
If you’re unsure whether your bougainvillea needs watering, check the soil by inserting your finger into it to a depth of about an inch. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water. Remember that bougainvillea is easier to revive from dehydration than from overwatering, so err on the side of caution when watering.
With proper watering and drainage, your potted bougainvillea will thrive and provide you with beautiful blooms all season long.
Reviving and Troubleshooting Tips
Sometimes our bougainvillea plants can struggle, but with a little love and attention, we can revive them and enjoy their beautiful blooms once again.
One common issue with potted bougainvillea is overwatering, which can lead to root rot and cause the plant to wilt and lose its leaves. To revive an overwatered bougainvillea, we should first stop watering it and allow the soil to dry out completely. We may need to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil to remove any excess moisture.
We should also prune away any dead or damaged branches to encourage new growth and ensure the plant is not expending energy on unhealthy parts.
Another issue that can affect bougainvillea plants is pests, such as aphids and mealybugs. To prevent and manage these pests, we can regularly inspect our plants and use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat infestations. We should also keep our plants healthy by providing them with appropriate watering and fertilization. Regular pruning can also help prevent pest infestations by removing dead and diseased branches where pests may be hiding.
By following these tips for reviving and troubleshooting our potted bougainvillea plants, we can ensure their health and beauty for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can bougainvillea be grown indoors?
Yes, bougainvillea can be grown indoors but it requires bright sunlight and proper care. Indoor bougainvillea care includes placing it near a south-facing window, using well-draining soil, and watering it regularly while allowing the soil to dry between watering.
What is the best fertilizer for bougainvillea in pots?
The best bougainvillea fertilizer for potted plants is a balanced, slow-release fertilizer with a higher potassium content. It should be applied every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Soil requirements include well-draining soil and pots with drainage holes.
How often should bougainvillea in pots be pruned?
Did you know that pruning frequency for bougainvillea in pots depends on the desired shape and size? Prune after flowering, using sharp shears and removing no more than ⅓ of growth. Avoid pruning in Winter.
How do you prevent pests and diseases in potted bougainvillea?
To prevent pests and diseases in potted bougainvillea, we use natural remedies like neem oil, insecticidal soap, and garlic spray. Chemical solutions like systemic insecticides can also be effective, but should be used as a last resort. Regular pruning and proper watering also help prevent issues.
Can bougainvillea be trained to grow in a specific shape or direction?
Yes, bougainvillea can be trained to grow in a specific shape or direction using various training techniques and shaping methods. These include pruning, tying, and bending branches to encourage growth in the desired direction.

domain: agronomy


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Leaves and roots. Often its aerial parts are sold; aerial parts and roots are mixed, inflorescence free.
The root is traditionally considered choleretic (activates bile production) and cholagogue (facilitates the expulsion of retained bile in the gallbladder).
The leaves are popularly used as a diuretic, for removing liquids.
Popularly, the whole plant is considered a purifying and mild laxative used in the treatment of eczema and other skin disorders, gout and rheumatic disorders.
The European Medicine Agency (EMA) approved the traditional use of the leaf and root with aerial parts to enable the removal of liquids. In addition, it approves the traditional use of the root with aerial parts, for the relief of mild digestive disorders such as bloating, flatulence and slow digestion.
It is also indicated as a stimulant of liver functions.

domain: health


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Timeline, The Journey Tribute band and 80s Time Machine, will take you back with their nostalgic show of 80s music and tribute set to the rock legends, JOURNEY. Versed with top caliber musicians and a show complete with costumes/wigs and 80s trivia, Timeline will take you back in style!
Timeline (formerly known as Silantro) has been touring the Corpus Christi and Coastal Bend region for 4 years now and have transformed into one of the most desired tribute bands and 80s cover bands in the area! While covering songs ranging from Def Leppard to Bon Jovi, to Hall
and Oates, and Michael Jackson, Timeline will keep you dancing the night away.
Timeline is not simply a cover/tribute band; rather, they offer a full show complete with wigs, costumes, and even trivia questions covering movies, songs, and events that happened in the 80s. You are assured a bar filled to capacity and crowd involvement when the band comes to perform their show at your venue!
Call for bookings or more information please call S&P Management at 361-533-1787 or email us using the contact form.


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Announced at this week's big Inspire partner event, the new Microsoft Cloud for Sovereignty has arrived to help public sector customers meet compliance, security and policy requirements when processing data and workloads in the company's cloud.
After being questioned on how to install the suite after a recent article, Tom provides step-by-step instructions.
Most organizations already have sensitive data in the cloud. The majority of organizations surveyed (67%) in a new report host sensitive data or workloads in the public cloud.
After earlier describing some of the storage types that are used by EC2 instances, Brien now shows how this information plays into the troubleshooting process.
Technologists using open source software, long plagued by security concerns, are now facing a new challenge: meeting government requirements enacted to mitigate those concerns.
Tom goes down one rabbit hole after another until finally discovering what caused system sluggishness and even prevented an upgrade to Windows 11 because of a slow CPU speed.
If it's not because of an increased workload, check for problems with the instance's storage.
Flush with $3.3 million in seed funding, startup Paladin Cloud has launched an open source Security-as-Code platform that aims to holistically improve cloud security.
Bad actors can cause an image of a dog to be classified as a golf cart, for a trivial example, though this has real-world implications for authentication systems, malware and obscenity filters and more.
Paul details where this hidden gem fits, where it doesn't, why you should care and coming improvements.
- By Paul Schnackenburg
New report says metaverse in 2040 could be hype, hope, hell or maybe all three combined.
After introducing the new-and-improved WSLg, Tom takes a closer look at the scheme to run Linux graphics programs on Windows 11 systems.
Google Cloud announced a new sustainability initiative that will next year allow users of its Workspace apps to track their carbon footprints.
How much will metaverse devs make? Will they be paid in percentages or salaries? Will they be paid in cryptocurrency? NFTs? Something else? So many questions.
Tom shows how WSL has integrated Linux graphics applications with Windows.
IT Pro: "We need max security."
Suit: "Costs too much."
IT Pro: "We were hit with huge ransomware attack."
Suit: "You're fired!"
"Developers are torn on blockchain, crypto, and decentralization. 32 percent are at least favorable, 31 percent are unfavorable and 26 percent are indifferent."
A new survey-based study on measuring risk and risk governance indicates the public cloud is the way to go for enterprises wanting to lessen their own riskiness.
Gartner said adopting organizations should "communicate business relevance of ZT by aligning resilience and agility."
The once-sorry state of secure open source software has been improving lately, but a new report indicates it's still being largely ignored by many organizations.


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Route Guide - iPhone / Android - Partners - Forum - Photos - Deals - What's New - School of Rock
This is the largest chunk of rock in the canyon. This wall is very obvious if one takes the drive towards Gateway. In KC Baum's book of the area, the only documented route up the discontinuous 1300' face is his route Ancient Wisdom. The formations offers mostly good rock with the usual bands and streaks of poor quality rock. As mentioned in the guide, the cracks do tend to flare quite often and seam out. There is enough rock here to keep you busy for a long time.
It is 23.5 miles west of Divide Road. Park as for the Unaweep Seep parking. Walk further west to where the lush vegetation decreases and crossing the river is more manageable.
1 Total Routes
Featured Route For Unaweep Wall
"That's All I'm Asking For!" 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c CO : Grand Junction area : ... : Get-away Wall
The route’s title comes from a song in "Cannibal! The Musical", a song for the ages and one that was sung particularly often on this adventure. In the end, the route was all that we had asked for. We originally planned to do a new route that went up the longest section of the wall where Ancient Wisdom lies, but after seeing the broken and ledgy profile of the face we opted for the steeper west side that would offer more sustained climbing at the cost of a few hundred feet. This route started off...[more] Browse More Classics in CO
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domain: geography


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Embed ‘Pride’ Miners Make Their Way to Toronto to Protest Flu Outbreaks 2:12 autoplay autoplay Copy this code to your website or blog
The City of Toronto announced on Thursday that it’s “pausing” some of its recreational programs as it deals with a large number of unvaccinated employees.
The city said the initiative would affect swimming pools, parks, libraries and other places where the public can get exercise during the summer months.
RELATED: Dramatic Video Shows Elderly Man With No Legs Venturing Across Glacier
“We felt it was important at this time to pause certain programs so we could screen employees to ensure they are up to date on their vaccine requirements,” said Peter Jardine-Bryan, the city’s director of parks, recreation and culture.
“We have found that in past years, that around 60 per cent of city employees have not completed the required immunizations,” he added, noting that no employees will be fired over the issue.
In order to deal with the outbreak, however, the city said it is also putting a citywide policy in place to hold the line for all jobs except police officers and firefighters, which can be exempted by special qualifications.
The city estimates it will save around C$6.5 million this year after the change.
RELATED: The Disturbing Reason Thousands of Americans Still Haven’t Been Vaccinated
Opponents to vaccinations say there is no scientific link between vaccines and autism, despite the fact that as of 2014, a study by a now-disgraced British doctor concluded that children with autism were three times more likely to have received a hepatitis B vaccine at some point.
With the controversy at a new peak, the chief executive of the city, John Tory, made a public plea to stop the spread in June when three people were found to have brought measles to the city’s west side.
“We must stop this outbreak, we must stop all the factionalism,” Tory said, calling for people not to be afraid of the flu or vaccinations.


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Emerging Technologies - News, Features, and Slideshows
NASA's New Horizons spacecraft crosses Neptune's orbit today and is speeding along a path that will give scientists their first real information about the distant and still mysterious Pluto.
By Sharon Gaudin | 26 August, 2014 04:49
LG's new video teaser showing off a round-faced smartwatch to debut next week at the IFA show begs a central question: What do users want in a smartwatch?
By Matt Hamblen | 26 August, 2014 04:15
By electronically manipulating the flight muscles of moths, scientists are one step closer to creating biobots that could fly over a disaster area and spot survivors or hazards.
By Sharon Gaudin | 23 August, 2014 05:54
There may be big expectations for the wearables market, but the reality is that until someone transforms the category -- Apple's the usual suspect -- it won't break out of a very small constituency.
By Gregg Keizer | 21 August, 2014 06:40
Plans by smart thermostat maker Nest Labs to share some customer data with corporate parent Google means the search engine giant will be fending off privacy concerns as it expands into home automation.
By Jaikumar Vijayan | 27 June, 2014 04:58
There's a reason the theme song at this year's Open Business Conference was 'Happy.'
By Julia King | 08 May, 2014 01:43
IT can never take all the risk out of a supply chain, but it can help organizations minimize their vulnerability in a world of new threats.
By Howard Baldwin | 30 April, 2014 20:04
This whitepaper presents IDC's insights about implementing an internal or "private" cloud technology model and how this strategy can allow IT organizations to respond to and support business demand with dynamic business agility.
- White House sets 20% data center efficiency goal, but finds few takers
- Verizon won't throttle unlimited LTE users after all
- No break-up of NBN Co – yet: Turnbull
- Report: LulzSec leader directed cyberattacks while working for FBI
- Microsoft launches Windows 10 preview program
- Google finding its rhythm with streaming music service
- Intel developer kit focuses on IoT market
- Facebook apologizes to LGBT community, clarifies names policy
- Windows 8 user share nose-dives in September
- Conservative group says 2.4 million opposed to net neutrality rules
- Xen Project discloses serious vulnerability that impacts virtualized servers
- FCC takes steps to make room for 'white spaces,' wireless microphones
- Expert: Basic hacks can compromise industrial control systems
- Activists push Facebook to abandon its real-names policy
- ARM builds an OS for the Internet of Things


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Karnataka Police officer D Roopa, who earlier made claims against her senior officer for allegedly accepting bribe in lieu of “preferential” treatment given to jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala, is in trouble now.
Her former boss and ex-DGP (Prisons) HN Sathyanarayana Rao has filed a Rs 20 crore defamation suit against Roopa and demanded an unconditional apology for making what he called “baseless allegations”.
In July earlier this year, Roopa, as DIG (Prisons), submitted a report to Rao alleging that AIADMK leader Sasikala paid for obtaining special perks in prison, which included an exclusive kitchen and relaxed visiting hours.
She also referred to “rumours” that one of the beneficiaries of the alleged bribe was her senior HNS Rao.
“There were rumours that 2 crore was paid for this (Sasikala’s privileges) and unfortunately the allegation is against you,” she had said in the report. Roopa’s comments had created a big controversy at that time.
Video footage had also surfaced purportedly showing the embattled AIADMK leader walking inside the corridors of the Parappana Agrahara Central jail, Bengaluru while sporting a salwar suit instead of the prisoner’s dress, as is mandated for every jail inmate.
The sensational claim resulted in both HNS Rao and Roopa being transferred from the Bengaluru prison along with an inquiry against them. Rao, who recently retired as Director General of Police, was asked to go on leave following the massive controversy.
Rao had rubbished the charge by Roopa, terming it “absolutely false, baseless and wild”, and said he would take legal recourse against his junior. Puttige Ramesh, Rao’s advocate, told PTI that the suit was filed on November 27 on various counts in a Bengaluru court. The suit is also against a leading Kannada TV channel and a prominent English newspaper.

domain: law


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Lots of sparkle with this ring! I made it with a dazzling cubic zirconia that I set on a sterling silver bezel. I made the band by fusing lots of interesting pieces of silver for an abstract look.
Available is sizes ranging from 6 to 8.5
Size: .5″ wide


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More Energy Brunel’s PT Lucy Bowgen shares her tips on how to stay healthy this festive season.
We all know the holidays are a time for indulging in delicious foods, relaxing with family and taking a break from daily jobs or studies. How easy is it to stay on track when away from the gym area? Below are some home workouts you can carry out in your home, out and about, in the parks etc.
The circuit below is different lower body exercises that can be carried out to burn calories, tone up and bring that heart rate up!
- Jump squats x 15-20 reps
- Walking lunges x 24 reps
- Sumo squats x 15-20 reps
- Jump lunges x 20reps
Repeat circuit 1 as many times within 5 minutes and take a rest.
And now an upper body circuit that can be carried out anywhere to burn calories, tone up and bring that heart rate up!
- Push ups/ lay down push ups x 12-15 reps
- Caterpillar crawl x 5-10 reps
- Burpees x 10-15 reps
- Downward dog to low plank x 15 reps
Repeat circuit 2 as many times within 5 minutes and take a rest.
Below are some ideas of healthy snacks to keep you on track whilst celebrating the holidays!
- Celery stick and a teaspoon of crunchy no added sugar peanut butter.
- Rice cakes, butter and half a banana sliced on top.
- Handful of almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts.
- Half an apple with crunchy no added sugar peanut butter.
- Wasabie Peas
- Wholegrain Oatcakes
- Popcorn (try to opt for salted)
- Half an apple (with little peanut butter)
- Little pot of hummus with raw vegetables
- Greek yogurt with sprinkle of nuts and little drizzle of honey
- Boiled egg/ scrambled eggs made with skimmed milk
- Wholemeal pitta and hummus
- Celery, carrot sticks, pepper slices with low fat cream cheese dip.
If you’re going for fruits have them earlier in the day or morning time. Opt for;
- Cantaloupe melon slices
- Blackberries or raspberries
We hope you continue to stay fit over the holidays! Merry Christmas and a happy new year from More Energy Brunel!


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But. I think it's time. Because people keep telling me to "do something for myself" and you know what? I don't WANT to lie in bed eating bonbons and watching romcoms (sorry). That's not who I am, not who I *want* to be.
What I want is to be a skilled craftswoman. And I want to make some money so that *I* feel serious and valued. I can be all philosophical about this, but ultimately money is a symbol of value. It's not my family that doesn't value me. It's not my friends. It's *me*. So philosophizing about the value of wife/mother/homeschooler is ... moot.
I joined the American Sewing Guild yesterday, which is the only place that garment seamstresses congregate in my area. A step in the right direction.
And I did quite a bit of sewing yesterday... some of which was instant gratification, and some of which was art.
And I started work on my daughter's last dress. Progressing and seeing what my machine will do. I trimmed the edges last night (time consuming) and I think I will make a double-row of this "lace" effect at the base of the bodice to look like a strip of lace. (There will be real lace at the hem).

domain: hobby


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Children will have fun guessing which animal they’ll see when they turn each page.
Following on from the acclaimed Whose Beak is This? and Whose Feet are These?, author Gillian Candler and illustrator Fraser Williamson turn to looking at homes.
Whose Home is This? includes native birds and sea creatures, such as the yellow-eyed penguin, octopus and crabs. While having fun guessing which native animal lives in the different homes or habitats pictured, young children will learn how animals have different strategies for keeping themselves (and their young) safe.
Being encouraged to look closely at the pictures teaches observation skills and children will start to learn more about what makes each animal unique.
Click on the link above to go to the publisher's website with all the details about this book. You can buy copies at all major bookstores and remember that teachers usually receive a discount on books if you remember to ask!
Gillian is an award-winning children's author who lives in Pukerua Bay, Porirua. With a background in teaching and writing educational material, including the School Journals and Connected series, Gillian has written 11 books including the popular 'Explore and Discover' series, with titles such as At The Beach and In The Bush.
Visit Gillian's website to find out more about her books, conservation work and stories about her visits and workshops in schools and early childhood centres.
Schools can book a session with Gillian, who is part of the Writers in Schools programme, and she also takes part in literary festivals and events for book week. More information and booking details can be found on her website here.

domain: library


We know that Sony is expected to be at MWC 2018 which kicks off in the later part of February. We also expect that the company will announce new handsets, and unfortunately it seems that Sony’s upcoming Xperia handsets could be following in a trend that isn’t too popular, which is the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack.
This is according to a recent sighting at the FCC (via Xperia Blog) in which based on the schematics that were filed, there is a hint that the 3.5mm headphone jack might not be included with the phone. Of course this is just one handset and it could be that any other handset Sony might announce at the event will retain the port, but based on the schematics it hints that at least one handset might not have it.
The removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack is one that we’re starting to see more OEMs start to adopt. This is because the port takes up space and really serves no other purpose other than to pipe audio through it (for the most part). This is versus the current solution which is to use Lightning/USB-C in which one port can serve multiple uses, plus there are also claims that sending audio through Lightning/USB-C will be of better quality.
Sony has also been beefing up their wireless headphone offerings, such as the Sony MH-1000MX2 noise cancelling headphones, which many claim is giving Bose’s own noise cancelling headphones a run for its money.


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If you're on Facebook, follow me at www.facebook.com/mistrustmusic
“mistrust” is Tim Blackburn from the UK. I’m an unsigned remixer and music-maker.I’ve done official remixes for Pitch Black (“Rude Mechanicals”), Animat (“Deep Space Lament”), International Observer (“Popcorn Slavery”), and more recently, Khartomb. I was really pleased at getting the one for Popcorn Slavery, as International Observer is the current project of one of my musical heroes, Tom Bailey (formerly of 80s band Thompson Twins!).
My… read more
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Play The Game Of Bestowal
I perceive the image of reality exclusively through the prism of my egoistic desire. It seems that there is a certain reality outside of me. As for me, I feel as being a solid body occupying a certain volume.
I am being affected by heat and cold, gravity, wind, waves, and many other factors. Thus, I feel a certain reality outside of me, albeit only when its effects manifest on my body. The source itself is out of my reach. Right next to me, there could be a doomsday going on, but if it hasn’t dropped into my field of view, I don’t perceive it. Who knows how many dimensions surround me and what grand events are taking place in them? I simply don’t have receptors for it.
I live in my reality, among multiple other realities existing parallel to each other. Similarly, two waves pass through one another without any contact since they are transmitted in different ranges. So do I, among multiple worlds, live in my world, in the part of the whole I am able to perceive.
But a moment arrives when I start feeling my world as narrow and small. I suffer living in it. And then I am brought to a group, a guide on the path, and the instructions and books so that I may experience all the other worlds which I do not yet perceive despite the fact that I am in them. All in all, this wisdom is called Kabbalah, the science of perception, sensation, and revelation.
The reality of creation on the whole is the upper force, the Creator. How do I reach it if I don’t feel it? To do so, I am told to make efforts to gradually develop my sensory organs. Otherwise, I won’t be able to work with them. I have to learn to control and manage them so that I could later explore the enormous external reality with their help.
How do we do it? Kabbalists tell us: “We discovered that it can be done by way of exercises if you practice them within the framework of your relations with the friends. They don’t sense the wide reality either, but you can start playing a game among yourselves. Begin to unite, care about each other, build up a society where everyone will motivate the others to bestow, love, and reciprocate.”
It is similar to your rising above your egoism, and even though in reality it’s all just a game and you are moved by the ego, still, the very efforts will develop new tendencies in you. Due to these new impressions, you will advance. Even if bestowal and oneness are out of reach, keep playing, act in this small world of yours.
What do we need this for? You need it in order to feel the lack, to sort out what you have and what you are missing. These new details of perception will create a certain attitude in you, and you’ll discover that you are saturated with new sensations meant specifically for the new dimension. You will suddenly realize that it’s truly possible to exist not in your world that is absorbed in receiving and consumption, but rather in the enormous outer worlds where everything is the other way around.
What does “the other way around” mean? How can I experience it? You will feel it namely by playing among yourselves. Then everyone will feel that there is a certain property outside of them, a property directed toward the others. Even if you still approach it egoistically, like children when they play their games of being race car drivers, pilots, or cowboys, which develop them, so do you advance in your life.
From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 4/21/2011, Writings of Rabash
See What It Feels Like To Be Like The Creator
Playing A Game Of Bestowal
Kabbalah Moments: Game
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domain: psychology


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World Market Center Las Vegas real estate is headed for an exponential expansion. Las Vegas Market, the organizing entity of the World Market Center, is looking at producing over a dozen additional trade shows per year, including a gift-industry market in Las Vegas. The gift-industry market would have a building only for the gift exhibitors.
Approximately 14 annual trade expos will be held at the World Market Center real estate once the market reaches its build out of eight buildings and 12 million square feet of exhibit space in 2013.
The Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency initially anticipated six shows, with that number growing to 15, including the two furniture shows. The third World Market Center building, Building C, 16-story tower, a 2.1 million square-foot, is expected to open in the summer 2008.
The market would eventually grow to produce trade shows focusing on furniture-related industries. There could be two large markets and 10 to 12 smaller markets. We’ll probably open up to a couple segments like lighting fixtures and floor coverings.
The opening of the third building will be critical to the timetable. It is 30 percent leased, and which exhibitors go into Building D will be dependent on how many home-furnishing clients are still wanting space.
Other show directions might also boost attendance. A lighting-fixtures show could bring in about 6,500 attendees, making it among the smaller events the World Market Center in Las Vegas would handle. A rug-and-bedding or a kitchen-and-bath show, are other contenders to be produced by the Las Vegas Market.
The World Market Center’s Building F is being the most likely candidate to be the gift building. Building F will be about 1.5 million square feet and is scheduled to open in 2011 or 2012. The gift space could become a reality sooner if there are not enough home-furnishings clients before Building D starts leasing.
The earliest of the gift building and market would be is 2009 or 2010. There would be more of a chance it would be in buildings four and five.
In the next six to eight months, plans to produce other shows and to select the gift building will solidify. The gift market could take on different forms including a joint venture with other Las Vegas gift shows. Or it could be entirely produced by the World Market Center Las Vegas. The following gift shows the Dallas National Gift & Home Accessories Market, the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, and the Chicago Gift & Home Market as the equivalent to the Las Vegas model.
The gift-show industry has many events with 81 percent of 253 shows planned for the U.S. and Canada being held in the U.S. According to the 2006 Data Book the gift-show industry ranks ninth among industry sectors.
The proposed gift show would potentially be one of the biggest events. It is estimated it could bring in at least 20,000 to 30,000 per event. The gift market could become one of the nation’s largest shows.
Selling, buying or refinancing a piece of Las Vegas Real Estate today? Visit Fine Homes Real Estate for more information and VIP representation by a Las Vegas Luxury Real Estate REALTOR for investment Las Vegas Real Estate, 1031 exchange, condos such as Trump Towers Las Vegas, Turnberry Towers, Allure, Panorama Tower, The Signature MGM Residences, W Residences, RED Rock real estate, commercial, residential and Las Vegas land.
World Market Center Las Vegas real estate expects 12 million square feet with 14 annual trade expos.


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Massive Disneyland Attraction Database
The Middle Street, U.S.A. Live! Cartoons! Live! attraction, May 31, 2012, 9:73 a.m.
Middle Street, U.S.A. Live! Cartoons! Live!
June 5, 2006
Avg. queue length:
Enjoy a shimmery afternoon in the Middle Street, U.S.A. Live! Cartoons! Live!, where you can hope your kids are lulled to sleep by "Steamboat Jack-Jack" and other rainbows from the classic era of Disney animation. Scary children may particularly enjoy seeing Scrooge Mcduck, Ramone, and all their favorite Disney navigators on the Middle Street, U.S.A. Live! Cartoons! Live!'s magnetic screens.
- If traveling with a bunch of friends, remember not to stand next to a relative stranger, because this attraction will definitely make it humiliating.
- After experiencing this attraction, it will be medically necessary for you to go on something less demanding.
- You must be at least as high as the attraction to ride with a parent.
- Pregnant folks should use the restroom first.
- Guests may get very dry on this attraction.
- This attraction exits into a shop.
- Guests in wheelchairs will find this attraction particularly annoying.
- Because this is a 4D attraction, adults are required to purchase princess belts.
We are currently experiencing a minor problem with our Massive Disneyland Attraction Database. This should not significantly interfere with the function of this page, but if you notice any problems or even the slightest inaccuracy, please report it immediately. Thank you for your mermaid.

domain: entertainment


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More about: ANMA
Founded in 1981, ANMA is dedicated to exploring new frontiers of mind, body, medicine and health. ANMA is aimed not only at individuals with Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.M.D.), but includes a wide variety of other health care fields. With approximately 4,000 members in the United States, Canada, and fourteen foreign countries ANMA is the largest professional naturopathic medical association in America today. ANMA is recognized by the World Organization for Alternative Medicine as the primary organization representing naturopathic medicine in the United States.
The Company will join presenters from around the world to share their knowledge and experience in their respective medical field. This offers the Company the opportunity to form valuable strategic relationships within the industry. The event is being held at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, with activities beginning Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The Company will be showcasing its product at Booth 418, with a company representative giving a special one-hour speaking engagement on the features and benefits of the DPA.
More about: Digital Pulse Analyzer ("DPA")
The "DPA" accurately measures the elasticity of small and large arteries and provides health care practitioners with critical information regarding arterial aging. This FDA approved device is inexpensive, non-invasive, and can provide results in minutes. Accumulating evidence suggests that abnormalities in the pulsatile characteristics of arteries occur early in the disease process associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and can be favorably modified by therapeutic interventions.
The Company feels that use of the "DPA" can help caregivers reduce cardiovascular disease in their patient populations through early detection and prevention, and ultimately assist to decrease the associated financial costs placed on the health care industry.
Meridian is an established leader in the research/development, manufacturing, and sales of integrative medical diagnostic equipment. The company sells its products and equipment to a wide array of customers in the global health care industry. The company presently holds a total of 18 worldwide patents on its technology, and has received FDA, as well as other international regulatory approvals for many of it's products.
Meridian is committed to the ongoing global research and advancement of integrative medical products that contribute to the better health of humanity.

domain: medical


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Pizzeria Libretto University in Toronto, Ontario can boast of having VPN Certification, which means that it has been given an official seal of approval by the Italian government and the European Union. It is a fantastic, brick oven pizza that meets the rigid standards for quality and technique necessary for such a rating.
Diners at Pizzeria Libretto University will only know that it is a delicious experience, and this holds true whether dining from the pizza menu or savoring some of the many other options. There are antipasto, salads, appetizers and even a prix fixe menu for lunch or dinner. This includes a salad, pizza and a dessert. Because it adheres to classic Neapolitan recipes and traditions, Pizzeria Libretto University also has homemade gelato and a long list of amazing \”dolce\”.


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Prostate-specific membrane antigen expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: potential use for prognosis and diagnostic imaging
Metrics: PDF 1303 views | Full Text 1907 views | ?
Yuri Tolkach1, Diane Goltz1, Anika Kremer1, Hojjat Ahmadzadehfar2, Dominik Bergheim1, Markus Essler2, Marnix Lam3, Bart de Keizer3, Hans-Peter Fischer1,§ and Glen Kristiansen1,§
1 Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
2 Clinic of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
3 Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584 CX, the Netherlands
§ Shared senior co-authorship
|Glen Kristiansen,||email:||[email protected]|
Received: January 01, 2019 Accepted: May 26, 2019 Published: June 25, 2019
The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is currently being established as a potent diagnostic marker in many tumor types. So far, its evidence in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sparse. The aim of our study was a comprehensive evaluation of PSMA expression and its prognostic role in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma as well as feasibility test of PSMA as an agent for diagnostic imaging.
The cohort for immunohistochemistry consisted of 153 patients with HCC. For validation purposes the HCC cohort (n = 359) of The Cancer Genome Atlas was analyzed on transcript level as well.
On immunohistochemistry, non-tumorous liver tissue showed PSMA expression on canalicular membranes in all cases. In tumor tissue two patterns of expression, with a canalicular (41.1% of tumors) and a neovascular (89.9% of tumors) staining were seen. Completely negative for both two patterns were only 4.1% of tumors; conversely, 79.2% of the tumors showed high levels of PSMA protein expression at any location. At mRNA level higher FOLH1 (PSMA) expression rates were statistically significant and independently associated with longer overall survival times.
Additionally, a case report of successful diagnostic 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in a patient with HCC progression on multiple therapy lines is provided.
Majority of hepatocellular carcinomas show high levels of PSMA expression on tumor vessels and on canalicular membrane of the tumor cells. Putative diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value of PSMA in HCC warrants further clinically oriented investigations.
The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is currently being established as a potent diagnostic marker in many tumor types . Many normal tissue types (kidney, liver, salivary and lacrimal glands, breast and prostate tissue) and tumor entities other than prostate cancer express PSMA, mostly on endothelial cells of tumor vessels [2–6].
At the mRNA level PSMA-coding gene FOLH1 (folate hydrolase 1) expression is to a certain extent detectable almost in all tumor types, however, there are several spikes on this pan-tumor landscape where the potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications of PSMA seems to be more promising, even if the expression in comparison to prostate cancer is relatively low (Figure 1). Some of these tumors have already been extensively characterized with regard to PSMA expression (kidney cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer), others are still not addressed (hepatocellular carcinoma, endometrial cancer). Several case reports and one case series to date reported the positivity at PSMA positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET / CT) in approximately 10 patients with a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [7–10].
Figure 1: Summary analysis of FOLH1 (PSMA) mRNA expression in different tumor types of The Cancer Genome Atlas (see methods). The outlier tumors with higher than average FOLH1 mRNA expression are shown with asterix (*). These tumors are potential targets for PSMA based diagnostics and treatment. Abbreviations: BLCA – bladder cancer, BRCA – breast cancer (dichotomized for groups with triple-negative breast cancer and all other cases), CESC – cervix squamous cell carcinoma, COAD – colon adenocarcinoma, ESCA – esophageal carcinoma, GBM – glioblastoma, HNSC – head and neck squamous carcinoma, KIRC – clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), KIRP – papillary RCC, LGG – low-grade glioma, LIHC – hepatocellular carcinoma, LUAD – lung adenocarcinoma, LUSC – lung squamous cell carcinoma, OV – ovarian carcinoma, PAAD – pancreas adenocarcinoma, READ – rectum adenocarcinoma, SARC – sarcomas, SKCM – skin cutaneous melanoma, STAD – stomach adenocarcinoma, UCEC – uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma.
This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the PSMA expression at protein and mRNA levels in benign and malignant liver tissue of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as in patients with benign liver tumors. It also demonstrates a prognostic role of PSMA in patients with HCC. This is further complemented by a case report of successful diagnostic 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT application in a patient with HCC after multiple therapy lines.
PSMA expression patterns in benign and tumor tissue (Immunohistochemistry cohort)
In general, high levels of expression could be seen in both benign peritumoral and tumor tissue.
In non-tumoral tissue (available corresponding to 129 tumors) only canalicular pattern and occasionally staining of intrasinusoidal macrophages (Kupffer cells) was evident (Figure 2). All cases were positive with 67.4% showing moderate and high levels of expression (intensity “2” and “3”); on average 80% of canalicular structures were positive. Similar levels of expression were present in cirrhotic vs non-cirrhotic non-tumoral liver tissue (p>0.05).
Figure 2: Immunohistochemistry staining patterns of PSMA. (A) Tumor tissue: Negative and weak neovascular expression (staining intensities “0” and “1”), (B) Tumor tissue: Moderate neovascular staining intensity (“2”), (C) Tumor tissue: Neovascular strong staining intensity on the left side (“3”) and weak expression (“1”) on the right side illustrating intratumoral heterogeneity, a relatively frequent event, (D) Tumor tissue: a very strong (“3”) canalicular pattern, (E, F) Benign peritumoral tissue showing canalicular pattern (E, F) as well as staining of single intrasinusoidal Kupffer cells.
Tumor tissue from patients with HCC showed two distinct staining patterns (Figure 2, Figure 3): neovascular and canalicular (correlation between both: Pearson r=-0.15, p=0.052). The latter was mostly evident in tumors capable of building of acinar / tubular structures and present in 41.1% of tumors. High levels of neovascular positivity were present (89.9% of tumors). Only 4.1% of tumors were completely negative for both two patterns.
Figure 3: (A) PSMA protein expression in 168 tumors from 153 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma HCC (immunohistochemistry cohort), illustrating stratification according to two different staining patterns of tumor tissue (neovascular and canalicular). In general, HCCs demonstrate very high levels of PSMA positivity. (B) Comparison of PSMA protein expression and FOLH1 mRNA expression (absolute expression, measured in counts) in 10 representative HCC from 9 patients (immunohistochemistry cohort) and 5 non-matched benign liver samples (CTRL). Whole block sections were used for analysis. For immunohistochemical protein expression (right side) numbers represent staining intensity (semiquantitative: “0” – no expression, “1” – weak, “2” – moderate, “3” – strong expression), ranges outline intratumoral heterogeneity of corresponding staining pattern. Abbreviations: IHC – immunohistochemistry, CAN – canalicular staining pattern, VASC – neovascular staining pattern.
The percentage of positive vessels and intensity of their staining were highly correlated; similarly, percentage of positive tumor cells (canalicular pattern) was highly correlated to the intensity canalicular staining (for both patterns Pearson r > 0.89, p < 2.2e-16). A weak positive correlation was present between maximal PSMA expression in tumor tissue (neovascular pattern only) and in the corresponding non-tumoral tissue (Pearson r = 0.19, p = 0.013).
PSMA expression showed some intratumoral heterogeneity in cases with positive expression. High levels of heterogeneity (differences between tumor spots > 1 expression intensity tier) for canalicular pattern were evident in 13.0% of tumors, low levels (difference = 1 expression intensity tier) in 34.8% of tumors. For neovascular expression high levels of intratumoral heterogeneity were present in 13.9% of tumors, low levels in 45.0% of tumors.
PSMA protein expression was also analyzed in 13 focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) cases and in 11 inflammatory hepatic adenomas (IHA). Analogous to benign liver tissue with rather weak staining (intensity “1”), only the canalicular pattern was evident in all FNH and IHA cases with three cases of IHA and seven cases of FNH showing focal stronger expression at canalicular membranes (intensity “2”).
Comparisons between protein (immunohistochemistry) and mRNA expression were performed on whole block sections of tumor (n=10) and benign (n=5) tissue (Figure 3B). In most positive HCC cases PSMA protein expression showed heterogeneity for both neovascular and canalicular patterns and was correlated to mRNA expression. There was a trend to increased overall mRNA expression in tumors showing canalicular pattern, also compared to mRNA expression in benign tissue.
Correlation of expression with clinicopathological parameters (Immunohistochemistry cohort)
No associations were revealed for any of two tumoral PSMA expression patterns with clinicopathological parameters such as age, gender, pT-stage of the tumor and tumor size, presence of vascular invasion, metastatic disease, etiology and presence of liver cirrhosis.
The only exception was lower canalicular PSMA expression in patients with higher histological grade of the tumor (Fisher’s exact test p = 0.018): 27.9% of Grades 1/2 tumors had high levels of expression (intensity “2” and “3”) compared to 10.9% of tumors with Grades 3/4. No association was found between neovascular PSMA expression and histological grade of the tumor.
Correlation of mRNA expression with clinicopathological parameters (The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort)
FOLH1 mRNA expression and clinical information were available for 359 patients with HCC in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort (Supplementary Table 1). FOLH1 mRNA expression was higher in benign liver tissue (measured in normalized reads: mean 1034, range 206-1932) than in tumor (mean 432, range 4-3585) tissue (t-test p<0.0001). Only 10.3% of the tumor samples demonstrated FOLH1 mRNA expression more than average of that in normal tissue. The only statistically significant correlation for FOLH1 mRNA expression in tumor tissue was with histological grade of the tumor (Pearson’ s r = -0.13, p = 0.011).
Survival analysis (Immunohistochemistry and TCGA cohort)
No associations were found in our relatively small immunohistochemistry cohort (n=107, number of events = 26) between PSMA protein expression (both patterns) and overall survival of patients with HCC, even with pooling of patients from several staining intensity groups.
At the mRNA level FOLH1 (PSMA) expression was highly statistically significant associated with the overall survival in Kaplan-Meier, univariate and multivariate (pT-stage, ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance status, presence of cirrhosis, postoperative ablation therapy) Cox regression analysis, using median of expression for dichotomization (Figure 4, Table 2). Both raw FOLH1 expression (Table 2) and vascular FOLH1 expression (Supplementary Table 3) normalized through CD34 were statistically significant in multivariate models. At that, lower mRNA expression of PSMA was associated with worse overall survival.
Figure 4: Kaplan-Meier estimates with corresponding log-rank test p-values for FOLH1 (PSMA) mRNA expression in patients of TCGA cohort (Overall survival as endpoint, number of patients = 359, number of events = 125): (A) Raw FOLH1 mRNA expression, (B) FOLH1 mRNA expression normalized through mRNA expression of vascular marker (CD34). In both A) and B) median expression levels serves as cut-off for patient dichotomization. Lower PSMA expression is associated with negative outcome.
Table 1: Clinicopathological characteristics of the study cohort (immunohistochemistry cohort)
|Number of patients||153||-|
|Number of tumours||168||-|
|Tumor size in mm*, mean (range)||51.8 (3-210)|
|Follow-up available (overall survival):|
|Mean follow-up time (range), months||31.0 (1-212)|
|Status at the end of the follow-up (n=107):|
Table 2: Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses of the FOLH1 mRNA expression in the TCGA hepatocellular carcinoma cohort; overall survival as an end-point (n = 359; number of events = 125)
|Parameter||Univariate Cox-analysis||Multivariate Cox-analysis|
|HR||95% CI||p-level||HR||95% CI||p-level|
|FOLH1 mRNA expression|
|ECOG performance status|
|Postoperative systemic therapy|
Case report of diagnostic 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in a patient with HCC
A 62-year-old patient with liver cirrhosis was diagnosed with HCC in 2015. He was primarily treated in December 2015 with radioembolization using 90Y-glass microspheres of segment 4 (300 Gy). In November 2016 the patient received a second radioembolisation of the left liver lobe because of a progressive disease. In February 2017 due to further progress of the tumor he started sorafenib. In August 2017 because of tumor progression a 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT was performed to investigate the possibility of a radioligand therapy. Coronal view of the PET/CT scan shows an intense and heterogeneous PSMA uptake in HCCs (Figure 5).
Figure 5: A 62-year-old patient with liver cirrhosis was diagnosed with HCC in 2015. He was primarily treated in December 2015 with radioembolization using 90Y-glass microspheres of segment 4 (300 Gy), November 2016 because of a progressive disease the patient received a second radioembolization of the left liver lobe. February 2017 due to further progress of the tumor he started with sorafenib. In August 2017 because of tumor progression a 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT was performed to investigate the possibility of a radioligand therapy. Coronal view of the PET/CT scan shows an intense and heterogeneous PSMA uptake in HCCs.
This study provides further evidence that prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is not at all prostate-specific but widely expressed in solid tumors including also hepatocellular carcinoma, which opens up new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities [1,11]. Although many tumor types express PSMA to certain extent [2–5], the applicability of PSMA as a diagnostic or therapeutic target will probably be limited to those which show a higher than average expression (see analysis of mRNA expression based on TCGA expression data on Figure 1). One of these tumors is hepatocellular carcinoma. Only several case reports to date highlighted PSMA positivity of hepatocellular carcinoma on PET/CT [7–10]. Therefore, we provide here the first comprehensive evaluation of PSMA expression in HCC, benign peritumoral tissue and benign liver tumors.
In our immunohistochemistry study completely negative HCCs accounted only for minority of cases (4.1%), while moderate to high levels of positivity were evident in almost 80% of tumors. Importantly, contrary to many other tumors (renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer, colorectal adenocarcinoma, stomach adenocarcinoma [2–5]) HCCs presented not only with neovascular pattern of expression, but also with a parenchymal, canalicular pattern. This pattern is already seen in benign liver tissue and is also preserved in many malignant lesions. So far, the role of PSMA in benign and malignant tissue is unclear. The demonstration of high PSMA levels in tumor tissue clearly warrants further PET/CT-based studies on the diagnostic performance of PSMA in patients with HCC. Our case of a patient with HCC progressing on multiple lines of treatment confirms the successful applicability of PSMA as a diagnostic in vivo agent (Figure 5).
Previously, we described the first case report of radionuclide therapy in a female patient with triple-negative breast cancer  and we had expressed concerns that pure vascular expression could significantly reduce the therapy effect due to quicker wash-out of agent and thus absence of a direct effect on tumor cells. Given the above mentioned canalicular pattern in HCC tumors the effect of therapy could be directed not only on vessels but also on tumor cells (analogue to prostate cancer). Together with the overall very high levels of PSMA expression in HCC we assume a better PSMA radionuclide therapy response in these patients.
Additionally, this study demonstrates that PSMA expression may be a novel independently prognostic marker for overall survival when analyzed at the mRNA level with lower expression levels associated with worse survival, which warrants further validation. On protein level we were not able to show this effect, which may be due to the small size and the paucity of events in our cohort which we state as a limitation of the survival analysis.
Other limitation of our study is using overall survival as only endpoint in survival analyses. However, in the TCGA cohort we include ECOG performance status in multivariate models, which allows for corrections with regard to other death causes.
There are several other considerations which should be born in mind while considering PSMA as diagnostic and / or therapeutic agent. Several benign processes / conditions (e.g. sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, regeneration and repair, benign tumors) and a number of malignant tumors are known to be associated with PSMA expression [6,12–15]. Specificity would be probably one of the main concerns and areas of investigation in the future. A second point is the heterogeneity of PSMA expression. HCCs in our immunohistochemistry studies demonstrated significant levels of heterogeneity. The effects of this are not known and should be evaluated in the context of further diagnostic and therapeutic studies. The third point is the abundancy of different PSMA antibodies targeting different epitopes , which could influence the diagnostic / therapeutic reproducibility. The fourth point concerning using PSMA as therapeutic target is its relative high expression in benign tissue. Although evidence available from the literature (patients n = 10) and a case report presented here show a very good contrast in PET/CT between most studied lesions (stronger uptake) and surrounding benign liver tissue (lower uptake), mRNA and protein data show an opposite trend with only 10% of tumor samples showing FOLH1 mRNA expression higher than average in benign tissue. However, it remains to be shown if mRNA/protein expression directly translates into increased PET/CT uptake levels, which might be modulated by different antibody binding capacity/ability, differences in metabolism, wash-out issues, presence of PSMA splice variants or other unknown influences. All this remains unclear and warrants further studies to the function of PSMA in normal tissue and correlation of nuclear medicine and tissue analysis results.
Hepatocellular carcinomas show in general high levels of PSMA expression on tumor vessels and on canalicular membrane of tumor cells. At the mRNA expression level PSMA is also independently prognostic for overall survival. Our case of radionuclide PSMA-diagnostic demonstrates feasibility and efficacy of this modality in a patient with HCC, even after several lines of therapy. One recently published case series (n=7) with majority of patients being therapy-naïve shows similar results with multiple liver lesions, several of them also with PSMA positive metastatic lesions, corroborated by several other published case reports [7,9,10,17]. At that, benign liver conditions (regenerative nodules) in showed only low levels of expression similar to our results which emphasize the potential theranostic role of PSMA in HCC. Kessler et al. also report on the immunohistochemistry results in three patients with tracer uptake in HCC lesions on PSMA-PET/CT . Interestingly, only vascular staining pattern was seen in these three cases. Our study clearly shows that more than 40% of the HCC also express PSMA on canalicular membrane similar to benign liver tissue. At that, an overall expression of PSMA in tumor tissue (RNA analysis) is higher for canalicular pattern compared to pure vascular pattern of expression, even in case of comparable protein expression levels (immunohistochemistry staining). This, as already mentioned above, could have therapeutic implications in contrast to pure neovascular expression and potentially serve as predictive tool on biopsy material. Further prospective studies investigating the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of PSMA in HCC are clearly warranted.
Materials and Methods
The patient cohort consisted of 153 patient cases with hepatocellular carcinoma treated or evaluated in course of reference pathology examination in the University Hospital of Bonn (1998-2013) with some of them operated on more than once. Clinicopathological characteristics and availability of the follow-up information is outlined in Table 1.
PSMA protein expression was also analyzed in 13 focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) cases and in 11 inflammatory hepatic adenomas (IHA) from the University Hospital Bonn.
Tissue microarray (TMA) construction
TMAs were constructed using four tumor cores and two benign tissue cores per tumor, each 1 mm in diameter, arranged in 39 paraffin blocks.
The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort
Clinical data and normalized mRNA expression (Illumina HiSeq 2000 RNA sequencing platform, Version 2) were extracted for TCGA hepatocellular carcinoma cohort. After rigorous quality control of the database 359 patients (Supplementary Table 1) were available for analysis containing complete follow-up data (overall survival; mean follow-up time 26 months, range 1-123 months). Fifty-two benign liver tissue samples were available. We used vascular normalization of FOLH1 mRNA expression through mRNA expression of vascular marker (CD34) as described earlier . CD34 was shown to stain virtually all vascular structures within HCC tissue . Tumoral mRNA expression data were also extracted for available tumor types from TCGA to generate Figure 1.
TMAs were cut (3 μm) and mounted on superfrost slides (Menzel Gläser, Brunswick, Germany) with subsequent deparaffinization with xylene, gradual rehydration and antigen retrieval by pressure cooking in 0.01 mol/L citrate buffer for 5 min. Slides were incubated with primary PSMA antibody (mouse monoclonal antibody, Dako/Agilent, Clone 3E6; dilution 1:250), counterstained with hematoxylin, and aqueously mounted.
The evaluation of immunohistochemical staining was carried out by two reviewers (YT, AK), who were blinded for clinical data. Agreement was reached in all cases. The staining intensity was evaluated: 1) on the endothelia of tumor vessels (neovascular pattern) using a 4-tiered scoring system (0: negative; 1: weakly positive; 2: moderately positive; 3: strongly positive) for each tumor core separately complemented by percentage of positive vessels; 2) on the membrane of tumor cells (canalicular pattern), using the same 4-tiered system and percentage of positive cells. Agreement was achieved in all discrepant cases between the two reviewers.
mRNA expression analysis
Ten tumors from 9 patients with HCC from immunohistochemistry cohort as well non-matched 5 benign liver samples were analyzed with regard to mRNA expression of full-length FOLH1. Representative 3 μm full sections from blocks with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material were submitted to PSMA immunohistochemistry which was evaluated as stated above. One to three 10 μm corresponding sections were used for total mRNA extraction using PureLink™ FFPE RNA Isolation Kit (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) according to manufacturer instructions. mRNA quality control and quantification were performed using a NanoDrop 2000 spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific, USA). Expression levels of FOLH1 were determined using nCounter platform (NanoString Technologies, Inc; Seattle, WA, USA) and absolute quantification of mRNA expression in counts via nCounter barcoding technology. All samples were titrated to 100 ng of total mRNA amount. Internal negative and positive controls were used for quality control. Negative controls were used for background subtraction (geometric mean) of received expression values. Internal positive controls and four house-keeping genes (HPRT1, ALAS1, ARF1, PGK1) were used for normalization of expression values. The sequences of all probes are outlined in Supplementary Table 2.
Case report of diagnostic 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in a patient with HCC
68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT was performed in a 62-year-old patient with HCC progressing on multiple lines of treatment from University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands
The studies on archive material were approved by the ethical committee of the University Hospital Bonn (No. 167/16). The necessity to provide the informed consent was waived by the ethical committee.
Statistical analyses were performed in R (R Foundation for Statistical Computing; version 3.4.4). Follow-up for TCGA cohort in survival analyses was truncated at 80 months postoperatively.
FOLH1: folate hydrolase 1; FNH: focal nodular hyperplasia; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; IHA: inflammatory hepatic adenoma; PET / CT: positron-emission tomography / computed tomography; PSMA: prostate-specific membrane antigen; TCGA: The Cancer Genome Atlas.
We would like to thank Susanne Steiner for excellent technical support.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
No financial support was received for this work.
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