Japan’s central bank has become the first among G7 nations to own assets collectively worth more than the country’s entire economy, following a half-decade spending spree designed to accelerate weak price growth.
The 553.6 trillion yen (4.87 trillion dollars) of assets the Bank of Japan (BOJ) holds are worth more than five times the world’s most valuable company Apple Inc. and 25 times the market capitalisation of Japan’s most valuable company Toyota Motor Corp.
They are also bigger than the combined GDPs of five emerging markets – Turkey, Argentina, South Africa, India and Indonesia.
Central bank data released on Tuesday showed how much the BOJ has amassed over 5-1/2 years of what it calls “quantitative and qualitative” easing policy.
The BOJ has become the world’s second central bank after the Swiss National Bank and the first among Group of Seven countries to own a pool of assets bigger than the economy it is trying to stimulate.
Japan’s nominal gross domestic product for the April-June, the latest data available, was an annualised 552.8207trillion yen.
The reading for July-September, due on Wednesday, is expected to show a contraction after natural disasters.
While some analysts credit its unique policies with lifting the economy out of decades of deflationary pressures, the BOJ has had little success meeting its two per cent inflation target or reviving domestic demand and growth.
Some investors see the BOJ’s inflation target as too ambitious and one that has forced it to keep buying a massive amount of bonds and stocks even as other major central banks have started to remove crisis-era policy accommodation.
At the same time, the aggressive asset purchases in recent years now mean the BOJ owns about 45 per cent of the one quadrillion yen Japanese government bond market, crowding out banks and other investors.
“The Bank of Japan’s policy is clearly not sustainable. The BOJ would suffer losses if it would have to raise interest rates to, say, two per cent.
“Also, in case of emergencies, such as a natural disaster or a war, the BOJ won’t be able to finance government bonds any longer,” said Hidenori Suezawa, a fiscal analyst at SMBC Nikko Securities.
The BOJ’s assets started ballooning when Mr. Haruhiko Kuroda took the helm at the central bank in early 2013, vowing that such steps would boost Japan’s inflation to two per cent in two years.
That inflation target has proved elusive, barring a brief spike in prices after a sales tax hike in 2014.
Since Kuroda started the massive stimulus in early 2013, nominal GDP has grown a total of 11.0 per cent, or a quarterly average of 0.50 per cent, one of the fastest growth rates in recent history.
Kuroda’s predecessor Masaaki Shirakawa saw the economy shrink six per cent, or a quarterly average of 0.33 per cent, during his tenure, though the global financial crisis in 2008 and tsunami and nuclear disaster in 2001 are largely to blame.
But real growth under Kuroda looks less impressive, with a total of just 6.7 per cent so far, or a quarterly average of 0.31 per cent.
That falls short of the growth of 8.75 per cent, or 0.44 per cent per quarter, under Toshihiko Fukui as governor of the apex bank in 2003-2008, although he enjoyed a tailwind from brisk growth in emerging markets during that period.
Many investors think Kuroda’s aggressive easing is approaching a limit.
The BOJ has been slowing its bond purchase, with its buying falling well short of its semi-official target to increase JGB holdings by 80 trillion yen per year.
Additionally, the impact of Kuroda’s aggressive buying of stocks on valuations has been fleeting. During his first year, when the BOJ bought one trillion yen of shares, the Nikkei index .N225 rose about 20 per cent.
The central bank’s participation in financial markets has been controversial and heavily criticised by Japan’s major market participants.
BOJ, in October, said it would reduce frequency of its bond buying operations in November and aim to have government bonds traded in the secondary market longer than they currently are.


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One may seem formal, but not the least important. It concerns the relationship between the research center and one of its key partners: the Institute-Contemporary Memoirs Edition (IMEC). The first part of this book, short bedtime stories for adults comes directly from communications delivered as part of the multidisciplinary seminar – historians, literary specialists Performing Arts Film Studies or collaborating – launched Cultural History in 2007. the Seminar is hosted by IMEC, at six days per academic year, in the enchanting setting of the Abbaye d’Ardenne. The first two years of the seminar had the theme “Edit, Read and represent the story.”
According to the latest scientific discoveries, we do much more than give pleasure to our children or fill them with joy when we make them read . We also help them to expand their vocabulary and acquire language skills (such as the listening and understanding ). This will allow them to learn to communicate and their learning to read when they are older.
How to read with your child
- In general, by reading long bedtime stories yourself (a computer screen, mail, newspaper, magazine, a novel, a book of recipes, etc.).
- By establishing a reading period every day, same place and same time, at home.
- Presenting a wide range of reading material that reflects the interests of the child.
- By taking advantage of all opportunities of everyday life to show the child the usefulness of reading (reading a grocery list, show the street name, the address numbers on the house, let him go the numbers of the parking space in an apparatus transmitting the parking tickets, instructions for making popcorn in the microwave, etc.).
The book is a text entry support and especially today we see that this support has not always existed in its current form. You know it’s going to metamorphose before our eyes with the arrival of digital media. There is obviously no coincidence required between text and book. The book holder may contain less than a text (part of complete works) or much more than a text (a text assembly), or both more and less (in the case of an anthology). Other carriers, as discussed with the electronic media, contain or rather refer to a library, which obviously upsets the limits of what is ordinarily meant by the book.

domain: library


If no bootloader is available, AMiRo-OS will now shutdown the system properly.
Completely disabled debug output for now, due to incompatibility issues.
optimized the order in which tasks are performed during system startup.
slightly enhanced shell info output
Reverted recent modifications of the debug system, since the modifications were faulty.Unfortunately, the implementation now is specific to the UART driver and thus not portable.Needs to be fixed asap! =(
Optimized the #include tree
Enhanced the AMiRo-OS configuration: When AMIROOS_CFG_TESTS_ENABLE is set, the shell is enabled implicitely by AMiRo-OS.Before, this logic was handled in the aosconf.h file.
Enhanced some debug functions to improve portability.
Having a CAN driver enabled is only mandatory if SSSP is activated.
Also available in: Atom


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Wendy Bell has been waiting for a refund on an unused airline ticket since last summer. What’s the holdup? And who can help her get the missing money?
The Transportation Department’s latest high-profile fine goes against Comair for violating denied-boarding rules. It’s a big ticket: $275,000, which, while significantly less than the record fine against Spirit Airlines late last year, could be the largest enforcement action for bad bumping practices.
If you’ve ever complained about air travel — and who hasn’t? — then here’s your best chance in a generation to do something about it.
Ban peanuts? Really?
Here’s a new government rule that might surprise you: It would prohibit post-purchase price increases in air transportation or air tours by carriers and ticket agents.
Last week, we started dissecting the government’s plans to tighten the way in which airlines advertise their fares. But if you continue reading the proposed rulemaking, you’ll discover the Transportation Department wants to go further.
When you get a fare quote from an airline or online agency, you should expect to pay that price. Right?
The deeper I wade into the new airline passenger rules, the more I find myself wondering: Why do airlines have to be told to do this?
Talk is cheap. That’s the gist of the part of the latest government rulemaking that is likely to give airlines the biggest headache. Instead of just “strongly encouraging” the airlines to adopt customer service plans, the government wants them to put it in their contracts of carriage, the legal agreement between them and their customers.
From time to time, a consent order crosses my desk that’s just too funny to not write about. Like today’s ruling (PDF) against Falcon Air Express, a Miami-based airline whose claim to fame is running a wet T-shirt contest on a charter flight to Mexico.
Attention, air travelers: The government has your back.
Last week, several airlines added a $10 “miscellaneous” charge for flights on on Nov. 29, Jan. 2 and 3. — those are the peak travel days after Thanksgiving and New Years. The news sent the travel blogosphere into something of a frenzy. My colleague Janice Hough this morning predicted the “holiday surcharge” was only the beginning of a new fee orgy.
I’m on record as supporting a Passengers Bill of Rights. But today I’m changing my vote.
The Transportation Department this morning a sent a letter to Continental Airlines inquiring into the circumstances of its recent Continental/Express Jet flight 2816 extended delay. So what’s next? I asked Transportation Department spokesman Bill Mosley.
That would be JetBlue Airways, according to the latest Transportation Department figures. Flight 12 from New York to Syracuse was delayed on the tarmac 328 minutes on June 26, which makes it the tarmac delay winner of the month.
Can you think of a good reason to hold a flight on the tarmac for more than five hours? I can’t. But the passengers on Mesa Airlines flight 7262 from Washington Dulles to Rochester, NY, on May 29 may well be wondering. According to the Transportation Department, they waited 311 minutes before taking off.
Two to three billing cycles. That’s the formula answer you’ll get from a travel company when you ask how long your refund will take. But the formula doesn’t always work.
Is there a federal agency out there that doesn’t have a blog? The U.S. Transportation jumped into the blogosphere today with a site called Fast Lane that promises postings from none other than Secretary Mary Peters and other senior officials.

domain: politics


Author: Amalia Bozinaki, Frontier Innnovations
In the past few years, the world has been experiencing an outstanding growth in last-mile transport following the incomparable growth of e-commerce, especially during the pandemic period. This new reality has mostly burdened the operators of the last-mile deliveries: Courier Companies & Organisations, who are obliged to fulfil consumer’s needs. Needless to mention how unprepared the Courier companies were to face the unexpected growth of both over-consumerism and consumer’s demand for home delivery. Consequently, the urgent need to counteract the fast change of urban logistics led companies to search for solutions capable of greening the last mile and optimising road transport. In this context, the GREEN-LOG project aims to accelerate the shift to sustainable and smart mobility in last mile delivery by introducing a Marketplace as a solution, which targets the link from the suppliers to the consumers in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way.
Most of you may wonder what the difference between the existing marketplaces and the one that GREEN-LOG launches is? How can a marketplace contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly urban logistics and road transport?
The GREEN-LOG marketplace is designed by taking into account two major aspects:
- The origins of LaaS (Logistics-as-a-Service) lies in its mobility counterpart: Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and
- The real transportation cost, which, in most cases, isn’t considered in the price that final consumers pay.
Thus, the marketplace takes the concept of LaaS further by (i) letting freights take centre stage and (ii) by involving the consumer as a principal actor. Concretely, the LaaS links green logistics services to direct consumer demand on an IT platform and offers the users (shippers, logistics service providers and consumers) flexibility. Moreover, using a data-driven system to efficiently create the link between the users, it increases fill rates and decreases the number of driven kilometres. The LaaS offers the opportunity to organise freight transport in a specific area and hence it can serve as an enabler for other consolidation schemes. With the development of the LaaS, GREEN-LOG marketplace puts the consumer at the forefront, directly linking the individual with logistics service providers and as a result, removes the barriers which prevent breakthroughs in on-demand logistics.
Traditionally, transportation costs are hidden from the consumers but remain an accountable metric for the service providers. Even if shippers and receivers adjust logistic services according to their preferences, without considering transportation costs; they cannot be efficiently measured by the transporters. In attempt to contribute to this change, GREEN-LOG marketplace will integrate dynamic pricing mechanisms using AI tools which not only will provide the means for shippers and receivers of goods to adjust logistics services according to their preferences and policy directions but, will also offer them the opportunity to measure and identify the hidden costs.
To sum up, undoubtedly the swiftness of e-commerce has led both logistics and consumers to a behavioural change; the former trying to reach customers’ expectations and the latter becoming more demanding in-service time. GREEN-LOG’s holistic solution focuses on contributing to a more sustainable urban LaaS, with the marketplace playing a central role.
Picture source: pikselstock/Shutterstock.com


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Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Complexity Example: Asia Stocks up and then down. US markets down then up.
So Asian market shot up initially as the debt ceiling deal was reached and today have dropped since of the United State stock performance from a “sell-off”. I put sell-off in quotes since that is an assumption and the system is too complex and too reactive so that feedback and feed forward loops are broken. We have built and rely on a system no one fully understands. My worry is about entering a long term depression. When most capital is controller by a few large mono-corporations and a small percentage of individuals we are exposed to a system crash risk. Now I cannot say for sure as fact that there will be a crash, but I believe it will happen. The solution is to start changes now. Reduce investment in the stock market and support small local business. Remove your money from large banks. Start you own small business. I do not know the full answer and this is certainly not definitive solutions, but we should at least start thinking and discussing about changing now.

domain: finance


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|Reviews for A Niente|
| Violent.Delights chapter 1 . 10/2/2006
I love this, and the message of it. It flows beautifully. Nice work. :)
| Aslan Israel chapter 1 . 9/22/2006
I could have sworn it was diminuendo or decrescendo... or maybe there's a difference.
Yours is so much more beautiful.
| skitbunny chapter 1 . 9/21/2006
Hey, creative use of wording! Interesting, and easy to read.
| braindead1345 chapter 1 . 9/21/2006
This is wondeful! shows the sadness..

domain: artistic


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Besides blaming the commercial real estate office tower crash in Baltimore City's Inner Harbor district (read: here & here & here) solely on remote work, out-of-control crime is another major issue sparking the business exodus. It's not us saying this, but large financial institutions we spoke with who dare not utter this in the public domain for fear that Democrats in City Hall would weaponize some city agency after them have told us this.
They also said one of the breaking points was a horrific incident in the summer of 2022 when 48-year-old Timothy Reynolds was shot in the back by a so-called 'squeegee boy' in the crime-ridden district at an intersection on President Street.
Reynolds, 48, grabbed a baseball bat and approached the group of teens, who were apparently harassing and extorting motorists for cash to wash their windshields. One of the teens grabbed a pistol and shot the man in the back, face, and neck. He bled out and died of his injuries. Office workers are routinely harassed by teens on the strip of roadway.
One year after motorist Timothy Reynolds was shot dead at a downtown intersection, a former squeegee kid is preparing to stand trial. The 15-year-old will stand trial for murder on July 17. https://t.co/z3KjjgTm6T pic.twitter.com/u949w72QK0— FOX Baltimore (@FOXBaltimore) July 7, 2023
One year later, the shooter, 16, Tavon Scott, was acquitted of first and second-degree murder, but jurors found him guilty of voluntary manslaughter of Reynolds. Jurors rejected the idea the killing of Reynolds was premeditated murder, even though Scott put on a face mask to hide his identity and retrieved a gun from a backpack.
Lawyers for Scott argued he acted in self-defense, while prosecutors stated Reynolds was walking away when the teen unleashed a hail of bullets at the motorist, according to The Baltimore Sun.
Besides being convicted of voluntary manslaughter, Scott was also found guilty of two gun-related crimes -- using a gun in a crime of violence and using a firearm while under age 21.
"This was not a case of self-defense. This was not a case of an accident. This was not a case of the gun going off. This was not a case of a child being frightened," said Thiru Vignarajah, an attorney for the Reynolds family leading up to the trial.
Meanwhile, The Sun said a woman juror was in tears after finding Scott guilty. She looked at the teen and mouthed: "I'm sorry."
Everyone is entitled to self-defense, but it's unjustifiable for anyone to shoot another person in the back.
Even though the jury acquitted this magical youth of murder, they still felt bad they convicted him of anything. It's increasingly difficult for juries to convict blacks for the murder of whites. Our culture demands juries sympathize more with the assailant than with the victim https://t.co/d5OL3Rrmqx pic.twitter.com/1HY38dISKZ— Scott Greer 6’2” IQ 187 (@ScottMGreer) July 27, 2023
So who created the conditions for this horrific incident to happen? Well, one possible answer is the progressives in City Hall, who have failed to enforce law and order.
And now you understand why office workers want out of the crime-ridden city.

domain: sociology


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Two young men stand on a Crown Heights street and review the latest pamphlet of the Rebbe’s Sichos released by the Vaad. Can you identify those in the photo, where or when it was taken?
Residents of Crown Heights awoke this morning to find a package containing booklets and DVDs on their doorsteps. The envelope says it is sent by the “Israel Restoration Ministries,” but a quick glance inside affirms the source of the material: Missionaries targeting new converts to Christianity. Please be advised of the content before bringing it into your home.
Hundreds of Anash, Bochurim and women gathered in front of 770 to partake in the Levaya of Rabbi Yekutiel Rapp OBM, a well known and loved Mashpia in Tomchei Temimim – 770, who was killed in a terrible crash Tuesday evening.
On Friday, campers at Gan Yisroel-Montreal, many of them several hours away from home, posed for photos with printed messages in their hands for their parents to see.
Sunday evening in Boro Park, Rabbi Leibel Groner, secretary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, OBM, participated in the vort celebrating the engagement of the daughter of the Alexander Rebbe of Cleveland to the son of Reb Chaim Yakov Lebowitz, where he was honored with a seat at the head table.
Mordechai Brudno (Cleveland, OH) and Mushky Rubenstein (Crown Heights)
Saadya Liberow (Melbourne, Australia) and Chaya Althaus (Sydney, Australia)
“If the Lubavitcher Rebbe were alive today, he’d be active on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other forms of social media,” Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky told a crowd that gathered to mark Gimmel Tammuz in central New Jersey.
Created by Kaila Phillips, the following article appeared Sunday on Buzzfeed.com, listing 6 reasons why one should organize a Chabad Young Professionals (CYP) gathering this coming weekend.
Mendel Greenberg (Los Angeles, CA) and Dvoiri Malowany (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Malachi Moshe Rosenfeld, one of four Israelis gunned down in a terrorist shooting near the West Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel late Monday, died of his wounds, the family announced on Tuesday.
This past Shabbos over seventy people from Chabad of Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania spent an uplifting Shabbos – despite the less than perfect weather – at Camp Gan Yisroel in the Poconos.
A broad, barrel-chested man, Gabi Levinsky rose to address 150 fellow parents gathered in the cafeteria of the Wolfsohn-Tabacinic School. It was Friday night, and children ran freely around the room as Shabbat dinner stretched late into the muggy Argentine evening. With tears in his eyes, Levinsky thanked the Wolfsohn community for standing with his family following the sudden passing of their daughter a year earlier. By the time his short speech was over, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Shlomo Kaplan (Crown Heights/Tzfas) and Orit Dahan (Tekoa, Israel)
With great sadness, shock and deep pain we inform you of the tragic and sudden passing of Rabbi Yekutiel Rapp OBM, a Mashpia in Tomchei Temimim 770. He was killed in a horrific accident in Crown Heights. He was 66 years old. The Levaya will take place Tuesday, times below.
In honor of 12-13 Tammuz, the birthday and day of liberation of the Previous Rebbe, we present an inspiring story that occurred during the lifetime of his father, the Rebbe Rashab, written by renowned author Rabbi Sholom Dovber Avtzon.
On Tuesday, June 30, 2015, the day will officially be a bit longer than usual – because an extra second, or “leap” second, will be added.
A noted Mashpia, who served as a longtime Mashgiach of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim-770, was run over multiple times by a car on the corner of Empire Blvd. and Balfour Place. After frantic efforts to save his life, the man tragically passed away from his injuries.
While on a visit to Brussels, Belgium, for the launch of the “Counter Extremism Project,” former U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman and his wife Haddasah met with Rabbi Michoel Rosenblum, director of the EU Jewish Buildings and the European Synagogue – Ohel Eliezer. “My trips are never complete without meeting up with Chabad,” said Sen. Lieberman.
A horrifying incident occurred Sunday night to a young Jewish mother in Crown Heights, when she was accosted in the dark by a knife-wielding assailant, who menacingly said to her “Come with me.”
Shmuel and Draizy (nee Wilansky) Lefkowitz (Crown Heights)

domain: news


What Causes Earth’s Magnetic Field?
The leading hypothesis is that the earth’s spinning core causes the Earth’s magnetic field, but scientists are unsure about the exact mechanism by which it is created. Iron is the primary constituent of the Earth’s core, and it is able to spin because of its layered construction.
No one has ever drilled or tunneled into the core to observe its function personally, so scientists must use mathematical models to understand planet formation. Scientists believe that the core has two distinct layers. There is a solid inner core and a liquid outer core. Both components exist at very high temperatures and are exposed to very high pressures. This causes the materials to behave differently than they would at the surface.
Because the inner core is solid and has a greater density, it resists spinning as the Earth does. Instead, it remains relatively stationary while the molten iron surrounding the inner core spins with the Earth. Additionally, convection currents arising from the super-hot temperatures contribute to the liquid’s spinning motion.
As the molten iron spins around the solid, crystalized iron inside the inner core, it generates a relatively weak magnetic field. This magnetic field helps to protect the Earth from dangerous types of radiation, and it helps make life possible on the planet.
The Earth’s magnetic field resembles that of a bar magnet, with north and south poles and magnetic field lines that radiate from one pole to another. Although it is believed that the Earth’s magnetism originates from circulating electrical currents in the planet’s molten core, this part of the planet is incredibly hot; in fact, too hot to itself be magnetic. The Earth’s rotation on its axis is also related to the planet’s magnetic field, a theory that scientists link to the fact that Venus lacks a measurable magnetic field but has a molten iron core similar to that of Earth and has a different rotational period.


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Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines for Judicious Use of Antibiotics by ICMR
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines to advise hospitals in setting up Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes (AMSP) to ensure judicious use of antibiotics in healthcare facilities.
Since inappropriate use of antibiotics is rampant in India, there is an urgent need to improve antibiotic use in hospitals, which can be achieved through implementation of good AMS programmes, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Balram Bhargava said. Unfortunately, most of hospitals in India lack the structure and process of implementing AMSP, he continued.
What is AMSP?
It is hospital-based programmes dedicated to improving antibiotic use. It is helpful in improving quality of patient care and safety through increased infection cure rates, reducing treatment failures and increasing the frequency of correct prescription for therapy and prophylaxis.
Need for AMSP
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health challenge. Since inappropriate use of antibiotics is rampant in India, there is urgent need to improve antibiotic use in hospitals. The increasing consumption of antibiotics is one of key drivers of antimicrobial resistance seen in bugs. Some of the key factors driving antimicrobial resistance in our country are irrational prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics, poor regulations around sale of antibiotics, self-medication, lack of education and awareness regarding responsible use of antibiotics.
National Health Policy, 2017, terms antimicrobial resistance as one of key healthcare issues and prioritises development of guidelines regarding antibiotic use, limiting over-the-counter use of antibiotics and restricting use of antibiotics as growth promoters in livestock. It is important to use the existing drugs judiciously.
Purpose of antimicrobial stewardship program
AMS guidelines aims to provide guidance in setting up structure and processes of AMSP in healthcare institutions, discusses essential elements of antimicrobial stewardship and diagnostic stewardship and provide information on tools that can be used to measure progress.
To optimize safe and appropriate use of antibiotics to improve clinical outcomes and minimize adverse effects of antibiotics.
• To reduce health care costs without adversely impacting quality of patient care
• To reduce the incidence of antibiotic induced collateral damage
Components of antimicrobial stewardship
1. Active strategy
2. Supplemental strategy
3. Other strategies
- Information technology
- Role of Microbiology laboratory
- Monitoring of process and outcome measurement
- Comprehensive multidisciplinary antimicrobial management program
“Antimicrobial cycling” refers to the scheduled removal and substitution of a specific antimicrobial or antimicrobial class to prevent or reverse the development of antimicrobial resistance. Cycling is an attempt at controlled heterogeneity of antimicrobial use to minimize antimicrobial selection pressures.
All clinicians should perform a review of antibiotics 48 hours after prescription.
The following key questions should be checked from the available clinical and laboratory data.
• Has the patient with an infection responded to the given antibiotic?
• If so, can the patient on right antibiotic choice, dose, route of administration change the therapy to targeted antibiotic choice (deescalate) to treat the infection
• Calculate the duration of antibiotic therapy
Switch from parenteral to oral therapy
Antimicrobial therapy for patients with serious infections requiring hospitalization is generally initiated with parenteral therapy. Enhanced oral bioavailability among certain antimicrobials-such as fluoroquinolones, oxazolidinones, metronidazole, clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fluconazole, and voriconazole—allows conversion to oral therapy once a patient meets defined clinical criteria. This can decrease length of hospital stay and health care costs.
A few suggested conversion regimen - antibiotic for dosing in specific indications
Antimicrobial stewardship team
1. Medical directors
4. Infection prevention control committee
Expected threat if AMSP is not rigidly practiced
• Antibiotic resistance is the crisis that is precipitating the current push for AMSP. The impact of antimicrobial resistance is high. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year in the United States, at least 2 million people acquire serious infections with bacteria that are resistant to 1 or more of the antibiotics designed to treat those infections. At least 23 000 people die each year as a direct result of these antibiotic-resistant infections. Many more die from other conditions that were complicated by an antibiotic-resistant infection.
• Antibiotic-resistant infections add considerable and avoidable costs to the already over-burdened healthcare system. In most cases, antibiotic-resistant infections require prolonged and/or costlier treatments, extend hospital stays, necessitate additional healthcare encounters, increased morbidity, and result in greater disability and death compared with infections that are easily treatable with antibiotics.
• The most awaiting threat of AMSP includes non-acceptance of physicians strictly restricting to institution specific guidelines or national antibiotic guidelines based on local antibiogram.
• Implementation of AMSP is time-consuming and extensively labour intensive. In addition, de-escalation, redundant therapy, source controlled based debridement could be challenging in the successful implementation of AMSP.
• Non-compliance to AMS recommended antibiotic stop date among physicians would an additional challenge in implementing AMSP institutions.
Read in detail about the AMSP here: https://pxmd.co/aSqfZ

domain: literature


Freshman pitcher Seth Martinez provided Arizona State baseball with its fourth consecutive quality start and the Sun Devils rallied to beat UNLV 5-2 Tuesday night.
Martinez of Peoria worked a season-high six innings, allowing six hits and two runs. That kept ASU close enough until it could break through against Rebels starter Kenny Oakley (3-3) for two runs in the sixth and another in the seventh. The Sun Devils added two in the eighth off reliever Brayden Torres on Tucker Esmay's two-out, bases-loaded single.
"Seth Martinez was outstanding," ASU coach Tim Esmay said. "He absolutely pounded the zone and made some pitches, didn't panic and didn't chase the scoreboard. Sometimes pitchers think they've got to be perfect, but he didn't do that. He was just confident and trusted in his stuff."
ASU (20-14, 9-6 Pac-12) completed an eight-game homestand with a 5-3 record and plays nine of its next 10 games on the road beginning Thursday at Stanford (13-16, 4-8). The non-conference win over UNLV (25-12) was important because the Rebels are No. 17 nationally in the NCAA ratings percentage index.
Freshman pitchers Eder Erives (1-0) and Hever Bueno each worked an inning of relief for ASU after sitting out last weekend due to team-rules violations. Erives pitched for the first time since suffering a shoulder strain warming up March 16.
Ryan Burr gave up a hit in the ninth but closed out the game for his seventh save and first since March 29. The sophomore is up to 19 career saves, third most in school history.
The Sun Devils manufactured a run in the seventh to take a 3-2 lead. Esmay, who replaced Drew Stankiewicz in the sixth, singled to left, advanced on a sacrifice and wild pitch and scored on Colby Woodmansee's Pac-12 leading fifth sacrifice fly to left.
Esmay said his went to his son Tucker after Stankiewicz went 0-for-2 with a strikeout because "we needed a spark. Tuck has been out. He was playing well early in the season and had a bad weekend against Tennessee, and he's been fighting to get back in ever since like everybody does in this program. It's not easy to be a coach's kid or just a kid in this program and fight for playing time, but he gave us a spark."
UNLV scored first in the fifth inning on a double by Matt McCallister and Justin Jones' two-out single to right-center. The Rebels doubled their lead in the sixth on Patrick Armstrong's fourth home run along the left-field line. ASU answered back its sixth with consecutive RBI doubles by Dalton DiNatale and Brian Serven for 2-2.
The first four innings were scoreless although the first two UNLV batters reached in the second on a single and hit batter. After a sacrifice, Martinez struck out Dylan Ellis and Trever Allen tracked down McCallister's fly to right.
ASU also threatened in the second, also starting out with a single and hit batter. Jake Peevyhouse lined to first baseman Armstrong for an unassisted double play and also made the third out on a Stankiewicz grounder.
Peevyhouse also hit into an inning-ending double play — also an issue for ASU last weekend against California — in the fourth.
ASU baseball season photos:


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I know that all of us have been inundated with an overwhelming amount of information in the past few days regarding the global coronavirus outbreak. The internet is a scary enough place to begin with, even without every news outlet in existence reporting on a global pandemic. But I know that many of us have a lot of questions, and, at least for me, it’s helpful to have answers all in one place, curated and checked by a knowledgeable source.
My dear friend Alexandra Soare is a PhD candidate in microbiology and immunology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and has worked on various research projects involving infectious diseases, such as Ebola and HIV. Her input has been incredibly valuable in helping me navigate and comprehend the huge waves of information coming at me from every direction. She has kindly offered to help answer some common questions about the coronavirus disease in the following piece for Dinner Party, using a combination of her own training and knowledge, a cache of reputable articles, and input from her colleagues and mentors, including Dr. Matthew Frieman, an expert on coronaviruses who has been featured on CNN and The Washington Post.
So, without further ado, here is our fact-checked and (hopefully) non-panic-inducing guide to the coronavirus outbreak:
What is COVID-19? Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As the name suggests, SARS-CoV-2 is related to the SARS virus that caused the 2002-2003 outbreak.
These viruses belong to the coronavirus group, which is a large group of viruses with shared biological features that are known to infect humans and other mammals. There are several strains of coronavirus that can cause respiratory tract infections in humans, but most of these infections manifest as a simple cold.
How is COVID-19 different from the flu or other coronaviruses? Dr. Akiko Iwasaki is a professor of immunobiology at Yale University, where her research is focused on viral immunity. She made this chart to compare COVID-19 to other respiratory viruses, such as the flu and other coronaviruses.
According to Dr. Iwasaki, current epidemiological data suggests that COVID-19 is more deadly and contagious than the flu. While COVID-19 and the flu have many overlapping symptoms, they come from two completely different groups of viruses. Unlike the flu, there is no pre-existing immunity to COVID-19.
As far as comparison of COVID-19 to other coronavirus diseases such as SARS and MERS, preliminary research done by Dr. Frieman and other laboratories suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infects similar cells in the respiratory tract as SARS and MERS. However, as Dr. Frieman and Dr. Iwasaki have pointed out, these are still different diseases in terms of lethality and rates of transmission. According to Dr. Stanley Perlman, a professor of microbiology at the University of Iowa, we currently do not know whether previous exposure to another coronavirus, such as SARS, MERS, or cold-causing coronaviruses, would lead to immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
What are the symptoms for COVID-19? Is it true you can have the virus and be asymptomatic? Before we get into all of this, it is important to note that researchers are working with limited amounts of data since the outbreak started in December 2019. We have not had the time to conduct rigorous scientific research to fully understand all of the risks for COVID-19, and it will be quite some time before we get a more complete picture.
What we do have is data from the China outbreak, along with additional information from other parts of the world. According to a Joint Mission that was held in February 2020 between international experts and the World Health Organization (WHO) on the China outbreak, the most common symptoms of laboratory-confirmed cases include fever, dry cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. The symptoms may appear between 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
As is the case with many viruses, it is possible for a human to carry SARS-CoV-2 and be asymptomatic. According to the WHO report, patients with mild cases recovered on average two weeks after appearance of symptoms. Patients with more severe or critical diseases recovered 3-6 weeks after appearance of symptoms.
Who is most at risk for COVID-19? While COVID-19 may present as a mild illness in most cases, there are certain populations that are at high risk for developing more severe illnesses. As we grow older, our immune system becomes less responsive, which is why individuals over 60 years old are more susceptible to severe COVID-19 and other infections. Other individuals considered at high risk include those with underlying conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, and lung disease.
That said, this is by no means a complete list of risk factors for COVID-19. As mentioned before, health experts are working with data from only a four-month window. According to Dr. Kevin Winthrop, an infectious disease epidemiologist at OHSU School of Medicine, we do not yet know whether individuals with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are more susceptible to COVID-19.
However, many immunosuppressant drugs that are used to treat autoimmune diseases are known to contribute to a higher risk or increased severity of viral infections. If you have questions about an underlying condition or medication, it is important that you contact your healthcare provider to ask about any precautions you might have to take.
Further, please note that age and pre-existing conditions are only two of multiple factors that control the severity of any pathogenic infection, not just COVID-19. Do not simply assume that because you are young and healthy, you will not get a severe form of COVID-19.
What do we do if we get the virus and have to treat it at home? Many cases of COVID-19 manifest as a mild illness that can be treated at home. If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect that you might be infected, follow these CDC guidelines. The most important thing is to stay at home to limit the spread. If you have to go to the doctor, call ahead of time and tell them that you may have COVID-19.
What is the timeline for a vaccine? The beauty of a vaccine is that it can give you long-lasting protection against a pathogen. Unfortunately, that is also why the timeline for developing a vaccine can be long and tedious. Much of the vaccine development has already been fast-tracked for COVID-19, with the first administration in a clinical trial with a human subject scheduled to begin on March 16th. However, even with this accelerated timeline, it will take many months, possibly years, to determine if this vaccine works or not.
Okay, so no vaccine in the foreseeable future. So what can I do to not get COVID-19? Without a doubt, the most important thing right now is to practice social distancing. In the off chance you aren’t familiar with the practice already, check out this article for basic guidelines and an explanation for how this is different than quarantine or self-isolation.
It may feel a bit dramatic, but limiting social interactions and self-isolating as much as possible are the best things we can do right now to stop the spread of the virus. Dr. John Drazan, a biomedical engineer and educator at Lincoln University made this excellent graphic to help explain the importance of following these guidelines as much as possible.
What we definitively know about COVID-19 is that it is a highly infectious virus that is rapidly spreading through our population. Limiting unnecessary person-to-person contact and shifting to online solutions as much as possible (e.g. working from home, taking clients virtually, chatting with friends over FaceTime or Google Hangouts) will be extremely critical in these upcoming 48 hours to slow the spread of the virus and “flatten the curve.”
The idea of “flattening the curve” is to slow down the spread as much as possible so that our healthcare system is not overwhelmed with patients. The ugly truth that this graph acknowledges is that yes, many of us will get COVID-19. Make no mistake, we were woefully unprepared for this pandemic, and when this is all over, that should be remembered the next time program funds for combatting an outbreak are cut.
But it’s not too late in preventing this from becoming a catastrophe. By having cases spread out over time, we won’t overwhelm our hospitals and end up in a situation similar to Italy, where the number of infected individuals far exceeds the capacity of their healthcare system.
Does soap really work to fight a virus as dangerous as SARS-CoV-2? After all of this bad news, it’s incredibly refreshing to say: Yes! Soap does work against SARS-CoV-2!
How you ask? Dr. Pall Thordarson, a chemistry professor at the University of New South Wales, gave an excellent explanation as to how soap and other disinfectants help against SARS-CoV-2. Basically, the SARS-CoV-2 virus particle is surrounded by a lipid (fatty) membrane. Soap contains fat-like molecules that are biologically similar to the molecules within the viral membrane. This allows soap to disrupt the membrane and causes the virus to “[fall] apart like a house of cards.”
How long should we anticipate practicing social distancing or self-isolation? Unfortunately, we don’t know. There are too many unknown variables presently to provide a conclusive answer to this question. The most prudent course of action would be to anticipate following social distancing guidelines for the foreseeable future, and to have a personal plan to take care of your mental health as you continue to adjust to unexpected disruptions to your daily life.
Hang tight, wash your hands, and stay tuned for Volume Two of this series, which will feature ideas and suggestions on how to stay healthy (and sane!) in a time of heightened collective anxiety and stress.

domain: medical


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Lake Elmo Regional Park Reserve is like an emerald isle tucked away in the upscale community of Woodbury Minnesota. We decided to spend four days there to visit family before heading to the Wisconsin Dells. We had no idea how much we would enjoy our stay here. Continue reading
A picture is worth a thousand words. The saying couldn’t be more true than when you are looking at Devils Tower. The pictures are beautiful but it is the feeling that comes over you when you view this towering rock against a crystal clear blue sky. You have to be here to really get it! It is awesome with the columns rising up to the sky. There is also a peaceful feeling that washes over you as you gaze at it form all directions. Continue reading
Kickin’ back and relaxing in a town that once ran wild! Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Buffalo Bill and Calamity Jane were just a few that passed through to spend a night just like us….once upon a time. The quaint little town of Buffalo Wyoming is steeped in history. Stroll the historic streets and you can see bits and pieces of it every where you look. Continue reading
Who knew this little speck on our road map heading east would turn out to be such a hoot? In fact, for a town of just over 3000 people, this place is really hot – boiling hot in fact! Continue reading
We came, we saw, we fell in love! Part of the way through our trip across country we stopped for 5 days at the Star Valley Ranch Resort, but that wasn’t enough! Continue reading
As we pull into Idaho on I 84, we see an exit for Chicken Dinner Road and it cracks us up! There has to be a story behind that, right? You bet there is! We got the scoop in the most interesting way while sipping some great wine in Idaho Wine Country! You heard me right! Idaho is producing some really good wines. It pays to get out and explore! You never know what you will learn. Continue reading
Florence, Oregon holds so many happy childhood memories for me! I have been talking about it for years, telling David “We have to go there! You will love it!” And so we have and it is as wonderful as I remembered. Seeing places my parents took us to and a few that we did not see. The magic starts with where we are camping, in the forest, at the Elks RV Park! Who knew? Continue reading
Part of the adventure is driving to a new place, rounding the corner and waiting to see where you have landed. We have mostly been very lucky when the next stop reveals it’s self. Harvest Hosts has not let us down with the spots they have selected to be included as RV boondock camping at the many vineyards, farms and cheese producers across the country. Melrose Vineyards is lovely, peaceful and breathtaking from the minute you drive onto the property! Continue reading
So you thought you knew how to pronounce Almonds, huh? Michele tells us why they don’t call them Almonds around here!
If you ever visit the Central Valley region of California, you will find out it is California’s single most productive agricultural region and one of the largest in the world.
Besides Walnuts and Pistachios, they produce huge crops of Almonds. But you might be surprised to know the locals don’t call them Almonds! At one of the many Harvest Hosts locations, we get the scoop on this visiting an Almond orchard at Vista Ranch & Cellars.

domain: geography


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Irritated, painful or sensitive teeth may indicate an underlying problem that needs prompt care, if you have these symptoms see your dentist. Always follow advice from a dental professional or physician. Read Disclaimer
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text: Soulard! A fun quaint neighborhood built in the 1800's with party tendencies. There are lots of bars and restaurants within one block. The house was built in 1890 and has character for miles. Lots of exposed brick on the inside, tall ceilings and original hardwood floors. There is a private courtyard just outside your entrance, with plenty of seating, a fire-pit and gas BBQ. The queen bed is very comfortable. We have been hosting for years in CA and people seem to like what we are doing!

domain: travel


A systematic review of 16 different studies looked at the link between muscle-strengthening exercises and the overall death risk.
Good news for gym-goers, all that weightlifting is not only making your muscles bigger but also helping you live longer. According to a study published in British Journal of Sports Medicine, 30 to 60 minutes of muscle-strengthening exercises every week can lead to a 10-17% lower death risk.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends adults perform muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week. These include weightlifting, working with resistance bands, and other forms of resistance training. Although previous studies have found a link between muscle-strengthening activities and lower mortality, the exact duration of these exercises remain unclear. Now, for the first time, researchers have conducted a systematic review of multiple studies comprising of adults that underwent monitoring for at least 2 years.
As part of their review, the study authors analyzed 16 studies; the earliest dating to 2012. The participants ranged in age from 18 to 97 years and included both men and women. Moreover, all studies included aerobic or other physical activity, along with muscle-strengthening activities.
Build Muscles, Live Longer
According to the results, muscle strengthening led to a 10-17% lower risk of all-cause mortality, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer. However, no association was present for a lower risk of specific cancers, including those of kidney, bladder, colon, or pancreas. Furthermore, the analysis revealed the greatest risk reduction at the 60 minutes per week mark. Therefore, the study authors concluded that 30-60 minutes/week of muscle-strengthening exercise caused the maximum reduction in death risk.
A joint analysis of aerobic exercise and muscle-strengthening activity also revealed a reduced risk of death from any cause. The risk of death from heart diseases was 46% lower, 28% lower risk from cancer, and 40% lower risk of death from any cause.
However, the results come with a few limitations. The studies used for the review were observational studies and not clinical trials. Furthermore, since a majority of the participants belonged to the U.S., results are not widely applicable. It is important to note, that the risk of death depends on a wide variety of factors ranging from one’s genetic makeup to their diet. All of which was not taken into consideration in the studies.
Muscle-strengthening activities are associated with lower risk and mortality in major non-communicable diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies, British Journal of Sports Medicine (2022). DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-105061


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A war of words has erupted over a grand plan to plant a tree alley in Lurline Street from the Katoomba CBD to the Three Sisters, with council concerns over funding dismissed by the Treeline Lurline Group.
The federal government announced last month that it would provide a $4 million grant to the project.
But the council said the project would likely cost $25 million and feared $4 million would only cover the undergrounding of power lines along a single block of the road.
Mayor Mark Greenhill feared taxpayers would be left to fund the rest of the project.
“If the council begins this work in partnership with the Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and the Treeline Lurline Committee, but the federal government does not commit additional funding to the project, then there will be immense pressure for the council and Blue Mountains taxpayers are funding the rest of it.”
He said the council would need assurances that the federal government would commit to providing the remaining funding.
Mark Jarvis, president of the Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and Community which successfully applied for the grant, and chair of the Treeline Lurline task force, Jessica Lawn, said the mayor’s position was “very disappointing”.
They said it looked like he was backtracking on the council’s already pledged support for the project.
“Indeed, such an all-or-nothing position appears to be designed to undermine a project of great benefit to both the community and the council which has recently attracted significant Commonwealth funding and does not require a dime from the council.”
They said projects were frequently completed in sections, citing the Grand Cliff Top Walk, Greater Blue Mountains Trail and Wentworth Falls Lake as typical examples of council infrastructure projects that are “funded and undertaken in manageable stages through to a combination of state and federal grants.
“None of these projects have an initial commitment from the government for full funding and the council has never requested such a commitment as a pre-condition for the start of the project. Experience shows that the successful completion of a stage of a project leads to other grants.”
Cr Greenhill said under the grant scheme the project had to be delivered by March 2024 and “that may not be enough time”.
But Mr Jarvis said Liberal Senator Marise Payne’s office had assured him the deadline could be extended.
The mayor also pointed to recent unexpected calls for council resources, with significant funds to be used to repair roads and other infrastructure damaged by storms and flooding.
He said the council still supported the project but needed ‘clear acknowledgment in writing, there is no expectation that we will pay the difference’.

domain: economics


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Lung volumes related to physical activity, physical fitness, aerobic capacity and body mass index in students
Daugavpils University, Daugavpils, Latvia
The aim of this study was to estimate the correlation between the function parameters of the respiratory system and the amount of physical activity, body mass index and aerobic and physical fitness in Daugavpils University students. The study involved a group of 191 students of both sexes from Daugavpils University aged 20–36 years.
Students (n = 191, 123 females and 68 males, mean age 24.02 ± 0.24 years) underwent measurement of anthropometric values (height, weight), physical (PWC170 index) and aerobic fitness (predicted VO2max), spirometry (tidal volume, breathing frequency (BF), minute ventilation (MV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV) and vital capacity (VC) and filled in International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
Both MV and VC were directly and statistically significantly associated with aerobic fitness, physical fitness and amount of physical activity. Vigorous PA independently was directly and statistically significantly associated with physical fitness and aerobic fitness. After adjusting for sex, BF was inversely and statistically significantly associated with physical activity amount in female. Both female and male had inverse and statistically significant association of BMI and relative VO2max.
Reduced lung volumes were associated with lower aerobic fitness, lower physical fitness and lower amount of weekly physical activity. Healthier body mass index was associated with higher aerobic fitness (relative VO2max) in both female and male.
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences 2016
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).


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Welcome to Red Butterfly Sanctuary
This exclusive collection of waist beads are limited quantities of no more than 3 strands in lengths of 50”-60”. Sizes will be listed in the product description.
Our carefully curated selection includes both guided journals and blank-lined journals, each...
Join our email list for exclusive offers and the latest news.

domain: hobby


Research made by Cyborgcare
Electric scooters have rapidly emerged as a convenient and eco-friendly mode of transportation in urban environments. These compact, battery-powered vehicles offer a range of benefits, including reduced pollution, decreased traffic congestion, and increased accessibility. In this post, we'll delve into the world of electric scooters, exploring their technology, advantages, challenges, and impact on urban mobility.
Technology Behind Electric Scooters:
Electric scooters are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which provide the energy needed to drive an electric motor. Most scooters are designed for short-distance travel and have a top speed ranging from 15 to 25 miles per hour. They typically feature a simple throttle mechanism, allowing riders to control their speed easily. Many models also incorporate regenerative braking systems that help extend battery life by converting kinetic energy back into stored energy when slowing down.
Advantages of Electric Scooters:
1. Eco-Friendly: Electric scooters produce zero tailpipe emissions, contributing to cleaner air and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
2. Convenience: Electric scooters are compact and lightweight, making them ideal for navigating through traffic and finding parking in crowded urban areas.
3. Affordability: The cost of using electric scooters is significantly lower than owning a car or even using rideshare services for short distances.
4. Last-Mile Connectivity: Electric scooters fill the gap in transportation options for the "last mile" of a journey, connecting commuters to public transit stations and their final destinations.
5. Reduced Congestion: As electric scooters take up less space on the road, they help alleviate traffic congestion in congested urban areas.
Challenges and Considerations:
1. Safety: The rapid adoption of electric scooters has raised concerns about rider safety. Accidents can occur due to factors like uneven road surfaces, lack of proper infrastructure, and collisions with pedestrians or other vehicles.
2. Regulations: Many cities are grappling with how to regulate the use of electric scooters, addressing issues such as parking, speed limits, and rider behavior.
3. Infrastructure: A lack of designated lanes or paths for electric scooters can lead to conflicts with pedestrians and vehicles. Developing proper infrastructure is crucial for their safe integration into urban landscapes.
4. Battery Life and Charging: The range of electric scooters is limited by battery capacity. Charging infrastructure needs to be expanded to ensure riders can easily find charging stations and maintain the scooters' availability.
Impact on Urban Mobility:
Electric scooters have the potential to revolutionize urban mobility by providing an efficient, sustainable, and flexible transportation option. Their adoption could lead to reduced traffic congestion, decreased pollution, and a shift away from car ownership in densely populated areas. However, realizing these benefits requires a collaborative effort among city planners, transportation companies, and the public to address challenges and establish a well-regulated and integrated system.
In conclusion, electric scooters are transforming the way people move around cities, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional transportation modes. Their convenience, affordability, and potential to reduce congestion make them an exciting addition to the urban mobility landscape. As cities continue to evolve and adapt to new transportation options, electric scooters are likely to play a significant role in shaping the future of urban mobility.


Different per- and poly-fluorinated chemical substances (PFCs) were 1st systematically investigated in North Canal Basin, Beijing, China. statistical outcomes agreed with one another, and daily home consumption, fire-fighting items and related sectors had been identified as resources 147388-83-8 supplier of PFCs in this area. Furthermore, two structure ratios had been suggested through the strategy to tell apart the effect of nonpoint resource, and the results shows that great disparities can be found in compositional information between nonpoint resource and others. Overall, the results showed that this comprehensive analysis method Rabbit Polyclonal to Collagen V alpha2 has great potential for source apportionment in surface water and other environmental 147388-83-8 supplier compartments. 147388-83-8 supplier Per- and poly-fluorinated compounds (PFCs), including perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCAs), sulfonates (PFSAs) and various precursors, have been applied to industrial and household products for decades1,2. PFCs have been widely used in industry as surfactants, lubricants, fire retardants, paper and textile treatment3,4,5. They are water-soluble, bioaccumulative and persistent in the environment6. PFCs have been ubiquitously detected in abiotic and biotic media, including surface and ground water, sediments, aquatic microorganisms, human bloodstream and breast dairy7,8,9,10. Furthermore, some PFCs have already been discovered to possess subchronic and severe toxicity as peroxisome proliferators, distance junction and intercellular conversation inhibitor3,11,12,13,14. Therefore, lengthy period contact with PFCs would cause potential risk to human being ecosystem15 and becoming,16. Lately, much attention continues to be paid to PFCs in aqueous conditions. PFCs air pollution in surface drinking water continues to be reported internationally17,18,19,20,21. Generally, perfluorooctanoic acidity (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) had been the most recognized and focused perfluorinated substances in surface drinking water. The focus of the particular level could possibly be reached by each chemical substance of many hundred ng/L in river basin5,22,23,24,25. The 147388-83-8 supplier contaminants level often surpasses the recommended specifications of PFCs for normal water suggested by condition of NJ (0.04?g/L for PFOA26) as well as the German NORMAL WATER Commission (0.1?g/L for PFOA plus PFOS27). Past studies showed that occurrence of PFCs was strongly correlated with population density and highly influenced by urban activities28,29,30. It is also interesting to note that higher PFCs loads in surface water have been observed during wet-weather31,32. Generally, PFCs input into the aqueous environment occurs via four routes: (1) discharge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP); (2) influx of runoff contaminated by nonpoint source; (3) atmospheric deposition of oxidized precursors; (4) seepage and illegal discharge. Significant variances were observed between the profiles of different sources33,34,35. Although quantification of PFCs in water environment has been successfully explored and applied, source identification can still be a challenging task, because PFCs were widely used and they were dispersed and underwent complex transformation. In some cases, it was handled by analyzing specific composition of all possible sources29,33. In other complicated environment system, the sources of PFCs were able to be traced by studying their spatial and temporal distribution and the ratios of discrete components. Xu Occurrence and source apportionment of Per- and poly-fluorinated compounds (PFCs) in North Canal Basin, Beijing. Sci. Rep. 6, 36683; doi: 10.1038/srep36683 (2016). Publishers note: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Supplementary Material Supplementary Information:Click here to view.(767K, pdf) Acknowledgments This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21577075), Tsinghua University Initiative Scientific Research Program (20131089193), and Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (IRT1261). Footnotes Author Contributions Z.-Y.Z. and B.W. designed the experiments; Z.-Y.Z., B.W., W.W. and W.-C.L. performed the experiments; Z.-Y.Z. and B.W. analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. J.H., S.-B.D. and Y.-J.W. contributed to and edited the manuscript. G.Y. supervised the project. All the authors have reviewed this manuscript..


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Reportedly, Barclays has reformed its equity focus to Europe, away from the U.S. and budding markets for 2020. In its recently published 2020 prospect, the British bank stated it anticipates European equities to bring further gains, fixing a target for the Stoxx 600 of 430 by 2020, which is up by 6%. The surge is projected to be very mild than in 2019, and Barclays analysts acknowledged a late-stage business set, overbought technical and standardized valuations as possible perils to European stock performance. The report also projected: a blend of light localizing, an advancing macroeconomic setting & financial circumstances, a moderate earnings revival, and striking valuations point to an annex of the present equity bull market.
In the strategy report, Emmanuel Cau, Head of European Equity Strategy at Barclays, wrote, “Europe has slightly underperformed the U.S. cumulatively, but has closed some of the performance breaches recently. For 2020, we think that the U.S. and Europe equities present broadly similar benefits, but we see the stability of risks around our positive macro scenario dependable with a planned preference for Europe versus the U.S. We see existing European equity valuations more attractive than the U.S.”
Speaking of 2020 outlook, recently charts showed stocks will encounter pressure throughout most of the first quarter of 2020. Following enjoying weeks of record highs, financiers should be prepared for consequences if the stock market turns repulsive. Wall Street can experience some pressure in the upcoming few months since stocks relapse to more striking levels, CNBC’s Jim Cramer stated. He said, “The charts by stock trader Larry Williams indicate that the market’s vitality is turning to bearish from bullish, at least for an upcoming couple of months.” The S&P 500 has congregated almost 10% from early August. The technical analysis from Williams suggests it might be ridging as financier sentiment takes a turn.


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The region’s premier summer music festival is just two months away. Tickets are now on sale for Solstice! The Cleveland Museum of Art invites the community to celebrate summer’s long days and hot nights at Solstice on Saturday, June 30 from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Thinker: A CMA Blog
this week at cma film museum conservation guest artists Caravaggio treasures of heaven Exhibition Education textiles visitors behind the scenes playlists African Art The Cleveland Museum of Art art Contemporary Art Collection Paul Gauguin: Paris university circle birthday exhibitions five things happening this week Special Exhibition this week at the cma Parade the Circle #get2knowcaravaggio performing arts Events interview Video Cleveland community arts wari podcast Photography Gauguin music curator international

domain: entertainment


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A total of 17 hopefuls to occupy the peace seats of three departments of the Colombian Caribbean coast gave up their candidacies after denouncing a lack of political guarantees, ahead of the legislative elections that will be held next Sunday.
They denounce massacre and murder of social leaders in Colombia
Several candidates for peace seats in the departments of Cesar, Magdalena and La Guajira held a protest in front of the National Registry of Civil Status in Valledupar, the capital of Cesar.
In that site they chained themselves and denounced that they were forced to resign, since there are no guarantees for their political participation, according to a report by teleSUR correspondent in Colombia, Hernán Tobar.
One of the former candidates, María Fonseca, said at the protest that “the government did not give us guarantees to be able to participate” in the legislative elections, which will take place the following Sunday.
One of the banners displayed by the protesters read: “We have been used to legitimize an electoral process for victimizers.”
The dissatisfied assured that the public resources destined for the development of their campaigns did not arrive and said that to obtain them they required a policy that they could not fulfill due to the scarcity of economic resources as victims.
They also argued that they were put to compete with electoral machinery to which their perpetrators belong.
Another former candidate, Luis Fernández Lara, stated: “They put us in competition with a son of the biggest killer in the Colombian Caribbean, the son of (alias) Jorge 40 (Rodrigo Tovar Pupo), who was the person who committed the most massacres in this region. of the country and today he is aspiring to one of these seats”.
In the special constituencies for peace, 403 candidates were registered in 213 lists to compete for one of the 16 peace seats in the House of Representatives.
Colombian analysts, including Jorge Rojas, blamed the government of President Iván Duque for this situation, which not only disregarded the 2016 peace agreements, but also did not give the victims of violence the opportunity to make themselves visible in the political arena. .


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Ingredients for asparagus:
Carefully peel the white asparagus and cut crosswise on 2 sides. Trim dry ends from white and green asparagus
Combine the maple syrup, salt and lemon juice in a bowl. Roll the asparagus in it and massage the marinade into the cracks.
Place the asparagus on a preheated charcoal grill. Turn every 4-7 minutes depending on the heat.
Ingredients for the vegetable salad:
Boil the potatoes in salted water for about 20 minutes, then drain and let cool. Chop the vegetables and the pear.
Halve the potatoes and gently grill everything.
Mix the egg yolk, tsuyu sauce, maple syrup and mustard in a tall bowl using a hand blender. Slowly add the oil until you have a hollandaise mayonnaise. Season to taste with lemon juice and finely minced garlic.
Cut potatoes and vegetables into small pieces and mix with mayonnaise.
Ingredients for chops:
Salt the chops on both sides and place them on the grill. Turn it over after about 10 minutes and let it rest for another 10 minutes. Repeat this process up to three times depending on the thickness.

domain: food


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Life is all about taking chances and hoping for the best. The picture above is the best visualization for this, once the fish leaves it's bowl it does not know whether or not it will make it into the next bowl, but still tries. I wish that I could have the ability to take more chances in life and risk it all. It is harder than it seems to put yourself into a situation that you know very little about and even less about how to navigate through it.
I may talk about this risk taking in a general sense but the it applies to all facets of life; school, work, and romance all require some risk taking in order for one to make it through. I truly believe that most people are fearful of the consequences and subsequent embarrassment of failure to take a lot of chances in life. I know this because I have been there on multiple occasions and still fight my fear on a daily basis. It is incredibly hard to put yourself out there and not have doubt in oneself.
This culture is absolutely horrible in fostering peoples' ability to express themselves without fear or criticism from others. I think if people try to do something that is different or difficult they are mocked until they either have taken on a thicker skin or quit due to mounting pressure. It is as if the people doing the criticizing are jealous of those taking risks because they can't do it themselves.
My point is that we all need to take risks in life, that is how we grow as an individual. We can't let others stop us midway or before we take the first steps. It is important to each one of us that we know the pains of hardship and even failure so that we can look forward to and cherish the good times.So go out there and take a chance on something.


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A Commitment to Gruesomeness
This year is the twenty-seventh year of legal abortion, and the only thing that appears to have changed in the debate is the addition of newer and more gruesome abortion procedures. At the top of the list is partial birth abortion.
The first legislative debate on partial birth abortion took place back in 1995 when Representative Charles Canady introduced a bill to ban this unknown procedure. Congressional testimony revealed that a fetus was delivered feet first, up to the head, so that the skull could be pierced and the brain suctioned out.
Canady’s bill was a response to a paper delivered by Martin Haskell, a doctor from Dayton, Ohio, at the National Abortion Federation. At the time, reaction to Haskell’s practice ran high in Ohio and eventually nationwide. The state of Ohio became the first state to prohibit the procedure and Canady’s bill began to focus the issue on a national level.
Who would have predicted that such a long and protracted battle would take place over the last five years? And perhaps that shows how extreme the abortion lobby has become by its willingness to defend any abortion procedure no matter how far advanced the pregnancy might be. It also demonstrates the judiciary’s willingness to defend abortion at every turn.
Although Charles Canady’s bill was passed by both the House (288 to 139) and Senate (54 to 44), it was vetoed by President Clinton in April of 1996. Meanwhile, pro-life advocates were turning their energies to state legislatures. Partial birth abortion bans spread like wildfire through the legislatures. Today nearly three out of every five state legislatures have passed a ban, and some of these bans have been passed over gubernatorial vetoes. Unfortunately, liberal judges in various judicial jurisdictions have overturned many of these bans, alleging that they are vague or could threaten the life of the mother.
Congress has also reconsidered the issue again. Senator Rick Santorum reintroduced the ban in January 1997. A month later the newspaper American Medical News published an interview with Ron Fitzsimmons, executive director of the National Coalition of Abortion Providers. He admitted that he lied on national television regarding the number of partial birth abortions performed and the reasons for them. This was a stunning revelation that thousands of such abortions had been performed and usually for no medical indications. The momentum for a ban on partial birth abortions seemed to be growing. And the bill again passed both houses of Congress with a larger margin. But the Senate vote (64 to 36) was still not quite large enough to ensure an override of the expected veto by President Clinton.
Currently Congress is considering the issue again. And there are many political commentators who wonder if the margin may grow again since this is an election year. Also, as we will discuss in more detail, the Supreme Court seemed poised to act on the issue as well. While that does not insure that a federal ban on partial birth abortion will pass this year, it does raise the stakes over this controversial and gruesome procedure. Will Congress or the courts eventually ban this procedure? That seems more likely now than at any time in the past. Certainly the next few months will tell. But how will that take place?
The Current Climate
Publicity over the partial birth abortion procedure has helped build momentum. During the debate in October of 1999, Senator Rick Santorum and Senator Barbara Boxer engaged in the following exchange.
Santorum: But, again, what you are suggesting is if the baby’s toe is inside the mother, you can, in fact, kill that baby.
Boxer: Absolutely not.
Santorum: Okay. So if the baby’s toe is in, you can’t kill the baby. How about if the baby’s foot is in?
Boxer: You are the one who is making these statements.
Santorum: We are trying to draw a line here.
Boxer: I am not answering these questions.
Santorum: If the head is inside the mother, you can kill the baby.
Discussion and dialogue like this has helped solidify and bolster public opposition to partial birth abortion. Democratic Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan has called this procedure “near-infanticide.” Opinion polls show that he is not alone in his assessment. Even citizens and politicians who are sympathetic to abortion rights are repulsed by partial birth abortion.
Throughout this year the battle against partial birth abortion will be fought on two fronts: Congress and the courts. Pro-life advocates point out that vote counts in the Senate show they are getting very close to a veto-proof margin. Key senators forced to vote on this measure during an election year might make the difference.
Meanwhile, federal courts have forced the Supreme Court to deliberate on the issue. This fall federal judges in Wisconsin and Illinois found the partial birth abortion bans in their states to be constitutional. Before the laws could be implemented, Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens issued a stay that holds the two state laws in limbo until the high court disposes of the appeals.
Legal experts say that the order is written in such a way as to force the court to directly consider the constitutionality of partial birth abortions, or else the court must leave these state laws in place. In either case, this appears to be a pro-life victory.
Last summer in Arizona, an abortionist was performing a partial birth abortion on what he thought was a twenty-three week old. Suddenly he realized the baby was actually thirty-seven weeks old. He stopped the abortion and delivered the baby. The police said that, “At this point it doesn’t appear that anybody will be charged with anything.” The reason? Nothing illegal was done.
President Clinton continues to veto congressional bans on this procedure, and judges continue to overturn state bans on this procedure. But it appears that in the year 2000 that is about to change.
The Biblical Perspective
Before we continue this discussion I wanted to focus on the biblical perspective of abortion. A key passage in this discussion is Psalm 139, where David reflected on God’s sovereignty in his life.
The psalm opens with the acknowledgment that God is omniscient; He knows what the psalmist, David, is doing. God is aware of David’s thoughts before he expresses them. Wherever David might go, he could not escape from God, whether he traveled to heaven or ventured into Sheol. God is in the remotest part of the sea and even in the darkness. David then contemplated the origin of his life and confessed that God was there forming him in the womb.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Here David wrote of God’s relationship with him while he was growing and developing before birth. The Bible does not speak of fetal life as mere biochemistry. This is not a piece of protoplasm that became David. This was David already being cared for by God while in the womb.
Verse 13 speaks of God as the Master Craftsman, weaving and fashioning David into a living person. In verses 14-15 David reflected on the fact that he was a product of God’s creative work within his mother’s womb, and he praised God for how wonderfully God had woven him together.
David drew a parallel between his development in the womb and Adam’s creation from the earth. Using figurative language in verse 15, he referred to his life before birth when “I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.” This poetic allusion hearkens back to Genesis 2:7, which says that Adam was made from the dust of the earth.
David also noted that “thine eyes have seen my unformed substance.” This shows that God knew David even before he was known to others. The term translated “unformed substance” derives from the verb “to roll up.” When David was forming as a fetus, God’s care and compassion were already extended to him. The reference to “God’s eyes” is an Old Testament term connoting divine oversight of God in the life of an individual or a group of people.
While there are certainly other passages in the Old and New Testament that speak to the sanctity of human life, I believe that Psalm 139 is sufficient to show why Christians must oppose abortion, especially partial birth abortion. The unborn baby is a human being that God cares for. It should not be sacrificed in the womb for convenience or even for fetal parts that might improve the medical condition of another person. The unborn must be protected at every stage of development.
Partial birth abortion is a controversial and gruesome procedure. It is also against the will of God. Christians must speak out against the horror of this procedure and do whatever they can to make the procedure illegal.
Fetal Tissue Trafficking
I would like to turn our focus to a related issue: the traffic of fetal tissue parts. In the fall of 1999, a pro-life group by the name of Life Dynamics published their two-year investigation of the traffic of fetal body parts. They produced copies of brochures, protocols, and price lists that document the interstate commerce of fetal body parts. One brochure touts “the freshest tissue available.” A price list provides a grim picture of the trafficking in cannibalized body parts: eyes are $50 to $75 depending on the age of the fetus, skin is $100, a spinal cord is $325.
The investigation provided new insight into why the fight against partial birth abortion has been so tough. Partial birth abortion, after all, is a difficult procedure that involves turning the fetus in the womb and removing it feet first. This complicates the abortion and therefore poses more risk to the mother. So why do abortionists do it? Fetal tissue parts. Quite simply, if you want an intact brain, spinal cord, or limbs, partial birth abortion will provide that in ways that other abortion techniques will not.
Essentially scientists who need human body parts for research have found a loophole in the federal law that prohibits the sale of body parts. Abortion clinics provide these companies with whole or dismembered aborted fetuses for a service fee. This is listed as a “site fee” which is “rental on the space” that a body parts company employee occupies within the clinic. The company can, therefore, argue that they are donating the parts, but charging reasonable costs for retrieval which the federal law does allow. As long as the retrieval fees are higher than the site fee, they can make a profit.
Just one look at the “Fees for Services Schedule” can be chilling. Prices for every conceivable body part are listed. But it’s important to notice that an intact embryonic cadaver costs $600. Why should there be a retrieval fee for that? Why not just list the cost of shipping? This discrepancy illustrates how the body parts companies are trying to circumvent the law.
Gene Rudd, an obstetrician and member of the Christian Medical and Dental Society’s Bioethics Commission, said: “It’s the inevitable logical progression of a society that, like Darwin, believes we came from nothing. . . . This is the inevitable slide down the slippery slope.” He is appalled by this “death for profit” scheme that takes the weakest of the species to satisfy our desires.
Apparently women who come into an abortion clinic are asked to sign a document allowing the clinic to donate their aborted baby to research. No fetus may be used without permission. Then the clinic receives orders (usually from their fax machine) for parts that will be retrieved and shipped. Many of the protocols require that the specimens be obtained within minutes after the abortion and frozen or preserved.
Life Dynamics’ two year investigation clearly documents what many of us suspected all along. The fight against partial birth abortion was so tough because a lot of money and fetal tissue was a stake. This procedure has little to do with providing women with choice and everything to do with the interstate trafficking of fetal body parts.
A technician identified as “Kelly” came to Life Dynamics with this story of the traffic of fetal body parts.
The doctor walked into the lab and set a steel pan on the table. “Got you some good specimens,” he said. “Twins.” The technician looked down at a pair of perfectly formed 24-week-old fetuses moving and gasping for air. Except for a few nicks from the surgical tongs that had pulled them out, they seemed uninjured. “There’s something wrong here,” the technician stammered. “They are moving. I don’t do this.”
She watched the doctor take a bottle of sterile water and fill the pan until the water ran over the babies’ mouths and noses. Then she left the room. “I would not watch those fetuses moving,” she recalls. “That’s when I decided it was wrong.”
Back in the fall of 1999, Life Dynamics published its two-year investigation of the traffic of fetal body parts. They produced copies of brochures, protocols, and price lists that document the interstate commerce of fetal body parts.
I believe their investigation provided new insight into why the fight against partial birth abortion has been so tough. This procedure provides fetal tissue parts that are intact and thus available to research labs for a profit. And these are respected, tax-funded laboratories pursuing laudable goals like treating diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.
“Kelly” says that it was her job to go to abortion clinics to procure tissue “donations.” She would get a generated list each day of what tissue researchers needed and then look at the particular patient charts to determine where the specimens would be obtained. She would look for the most perfect specimens to give the researchers “the best value that we could sell for.”
Fetuses ranged in age from seven weeks to 30 weeks and beyond. Typically, “Kelly” harvested tissue from 30 to 40 “late” fetuses each week. These are delivered using the partial birth abortion procedure.
“Kelly” and others like her would harvest eyes, livers, brains, thymuses, and especially cardiac blood. Then they would pack and freeze the tissue and send them out by standard couriers (UPS, FedEx) to the research laboratories requesting the material. Life Dynamics has produced copies of forms for fetal parts from researchers. They contain the names of researchers, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and more.
Proponents of the research argue that the goal justifies the means. After all, these babies would have been aborted anyway. Why not use the discarded parts to further science and improve the quality of living of others? Christopher Hook, a fellow with the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity calls this exploitation of the unborn “too high a price regardless of the supposed benefit. We can never feel comfortable with identifying a group of our brothers and sisters who can be exploited for the good of the whole.” He believes that, “Once we have crossed that line, we have betrayed our covenant with one another as a society and certainly the covenant of medicine.”
This is the sad legacy of partial birth abortion and the international traffic of fetal body parts. Christians must stand up against this gruesome practice and reassert the sanctity of human life and work for the banning of these procedures.
© 2000 Probe Ministries International

domain: law