#Chattanooga: Stop Crying, Start Becoming Enraged
#Chattanooga: Stop Crying, Start Becoming Enraged
We need to stop crying over the ‘senseless act of violence’ committed in Chattanooga on Thursday.
This was not a single act of violence. It was simply a continuation of a long war that too many in Washington fail to recognize. Stop decrying this “senseless act” and start becoming enraged!
Oh, yes, the event was shocking, leading so many of our leaders — both Republicans and Democrats — to trot out the same trite banalities hatched in their echo chambers.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter:
My thoughts and prayers – along with those of the men and women of the Department of Defense – are with the families of those killed in this senseless act of violence.
Hillary Clinton called the event “an act of senseless violence.”
Tennessee Republican Representatives Scott DesJarlais:
My thoughts and prayers are with our Tennessee community and all those affected by this senseless act of violence.
. . .and Representative Marsha Blackburn:
I am deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence.
And, on cue, President Obama attributed the deaths to the act of everybody’s favorite boogie man — the Lone Gunman:
“We know that what appears to be a lone gunman carried out these attacks.”
Then the intelligentsia entered the fray to explain away any notion we proles might have that this just might be war, the source of which is Islamism.
On Friday’s O’Reilly Factor, hosted by Eric Bolling, Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg sneered at the notion of Obama being soft on Islamic extremism: “I don’t like the term ‘Islamic extremism,’because we should use the most precise language possible to describe our adversaries. There is not just one form of Islamic terrorism, there are different groups.”
Ponder that pretzel logic he used in defense of Obama.
Then Muslim professor and author Achmed Younis showed up to deflect blame from Islam: “We are living in a time in which sickness and criminality is associated with all kinds of ideologies. It could be the ideology of American white supremacist racism or the ideologies that are sourced in Islam.”
Not necessarily Islam. Nope, could be sickness or criminality.
Who are you going to believe, Younis and Rosenberg or your lying eyes?
This is war. This is purposeful. As Mark Steyn wrote:
What happened on Thursday isn’t “senseless” at all. It shows great strategic purpose – as I’ve said so often before, including the last time unarmed soldiers were gunned down by “lone wolves.”
If you seriously think this is a senseless act of senselessly senseless violence, then you’re the one who’s senseless. This isn’t a harmless banality one can forgive in the stress of the moment. It’s part of the reason we’re losing.
Dr. Sebastian Gorka, professor at Marine Corps University and an expert on terrorism, condemned this weak-kneed reaction to the long Islamic war that too many write off as a “lone wolf” enacting “senseless acts of violence:
It is because of this feckless refusal by the Obama administration to face the bald-faced truth that the United States has now endured seven Islamic attacks over the past six years. Let’s review:
But let’s give credit to those leaders who understand and openly speak up about the threat.
Wisconsin governor and presidential candidate Scott Walker appeared on The Kelly File with these words:
We need to acknowledge that we’re at war and radical Islamic terrorism is our enemy. . .[W]e’re facing an enemy in radical Islamic terrorism that’s willing to take the fight to us.
Texas senator and also candidate Ted Cruz called the shooting “an act of war.”
“In the wake of this vicious attack on our nation we need to rid ourselves of two dangerous delusions, first and foremost that a ‘lone gunman’–as President Obama described the shooter–is somehow isolated from the larger threat of radical Islamic terrorism. In the modern world, no one acts in isolation. Through social media ISIS, al Qaida, and other groups are infiltrating our nation with impunity while our government will not even admit that radical Islamic terrorism is a problem.”
Former New York mayor Rudy Guiliani made this insight:
It also appears that various governors are stepping up to protect the military personnel of their states. Texas Governor Greg Abbott will arm National Guard personnel at military bases, as will Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin. In Indiana, Governor Mike Pence has ordered the arming of the Indiana National Guard, and Governors Rick Scott of Florida and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana have issued similar orders.
Good for those governors. But let’s be honest — President Obama will never acknowledge that the nation is at war with Islamism; he sees the world through the eyes of politics and social justice. He is so stubbornly fixed on being the opposite of our last war president — George W. Bush — that he would risk the nation’s security by playing defense with jihadis rather than offense. Islamists see this as weakness, and as a result will continue to shed American blood again, and again. As Col. Ralph Peters said on Friday’s O’Reilly Factor: “And as long as the Islamic State caliphate exists in the Middle East as an inspiration to jihadis, there are going to be more ‘lone wolves’ and larger attacks here.”


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'Love Songs' Vol. 1 and 2 available now
Listen to Paul Carrack's Love Songs Vol 1 & 2 now on Spotify.
Both volumes are available on digital platforms and will be released on CD and LP.
This new compilation aims to bring together fan favourites from the run of concerts held in recent years, including live staples such as ‘Eyes of Blue’ and ‘Satisfy My Soul’ along with classic cover versions of ‘Into The Mystic’ and ‘(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right’.
Listen to more Spotify playlists from Paul Carrack.

domain: artistic


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Clampett Studio Collections
Characters: 2: Tom and Jerry
Release Date: August 19, 2003
Edition Size: 100
Image Size: 12 field plus title card
* 1952 Academy Award ® Best Short Subject Cartoon, "Johann Mouse" marked the seventh and final Academy Award in ten years given to Tom and Jerry.
* Unusual for the typical Tom and Jerry themed cartoon, "Johann Mouse" takes place in Vienna, Austria, inside the house of Johann Strauss. Most Tom and Jerry cartoons place themselves inside a typical American suburban home.
* Equally unusual is the third character found within the short, which is music. The music motivates each cause and effect between Tom and Jerry. Similar to most cartoons, action in "Johann Mouse" takes place with musical accompaniment. But in this cartoon, it is also music which remains the main theme of the short.
* "Johann Mouse" is illustrated by Warner Bros. artist, Vince Musacchia, while the background was painted by Hector Martinez. The title card was designed by Chris Roberts. Each piece has been signed by Joe Barbera. As a tribute, the late Bill Hanna's signature has been silk-screened in gold onto the edition's acetate.

domain: library


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ERJ staff report (DS)
San Luis Potosi, Mexico -- ContiTech Vibration Control has opened a new production site in San Luis PotosÃ, Mexico. In February 2009 it will start making engine mounts for automotive original equipment needs there.
â€œTo be constructed in its entirety in several stages, the new plant will have a workforce of about 150 by 2012 and turn out up to a million engine mount systems a year,â€ said Kai Uwe FrÃ¼hauf, managing director of ContiTech Vibration Control. Through 2011 ContiTech will be investing approx. EUR 8 million in production facilities, infrastructure and information technology. This is in addition to approx. EUR 5.4 million in tool investments to be partially borne by customers. The new plant is located eight kilometers from the ContiTech Mexicana headquarters.
The parts manufactured at the factory will be predominantly supplied to General Motors (GM) NAFTA-zone plants in Mexico and the US. Upon completion, the plant will be able to equip up to 560,000 vehicles with engine mounts each year. In the first phase, conventional hydro bushings and hydromounts are to be produced in an approx. 3,800 m² area. In 2009 another 3,400 m² will be added for manufacture of plastic mounts by means of a new process. As needed, the total production area will grow to 10,200 m² by 2012.
ContiTech has been producing in Mexico already since 1997. In the meantime five company business units have established themselves in the Latin American country, where they manufacture hose lines, conveyor belts, air springs, drive belts and more. In September of this year ContiTech is slated to open still another plant, likewise in San Luis PotosÃ, in which the Benecke-Kaliko Group will be making unsupported expanded vinyl and artificial leather for the vehicle interiors.
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Press release from ContiTech

domain: economics


President Mahinda Rajapaksa Saturday commissioned another Mahaweli Zone project to provide water for drinking and agriculture to the people in the Eastern Province.
The President released the first flow of water and opened the Rambaken Oya Reservoir which was constructed at a cost of Rs. 3.97 billion to provide water for cultivation of thousands of acres of farmland and provide drinking water to the residents in the Ampara district.
The new reservoir has been built by totally utilizing the local technological talent and workforce. A 3,600 feet long and 81 feet high dam across Rambaken Oya has been constructed to retain water and in a catchment area of 130 square kilometers. The reservoir has a capacity of 56 million cubic meters.
The water released through a 6.7 kilometer long canal will help to irrigate 3,500 acres of paddy land and 1,200 acres of agricultural land.
Around 2,330 farming families will directly benefit from the multipurpose project while another 23,000 families will receive indirect benefits.
Rambaken Oya area is being developed as the 10th Mahaweli zone following the construction of the reservoir.
The project completed under the Mahinda Chintanaya national development concept will provide economic and health benefits and social welfare facilities to the community and enhances their nutritional levels.
Addressing the public after commissioning the Reservoir, President Rajapaksa said the project was commissioned to find a lasting solution to the drinking water issue and, irrigation problems.
He emphasized that the Mahinda Chintanaya national development concept was formulated to identify the problems in the rural area and to address them immediately and an array of huge development programs for public benefit are in the offing in the province.
A large number of Sri Lanka's aborigine Vedda people who will also benefit from the project participated in the ceremony. Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Irrigation & Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Eastern Province Governor Mohan Wijewickrama also were present.


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The Jakarta Post
Mount Merapi, located on the border of Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces, showed increased activity on Thursday as it emitted volcanic gas, rumbled, generated minor earthquakes and sprayed ash and gravel.
The increased activity was short-lived, lasting only four minutes from 01:12 p.m. to 01:16 p.m. The alert status of one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes remained unchanged on Thursday.
'The flurry of seismic activity was merely caused by the release of volcanic gas from Mt. Merapi, which keeps lots of gas,' head of the Geological Disaster Technology Development and Research Center (BPPTKG) Yogyakarta, Subandriyo, said.
He added that the phenomenon could have been triggered by Monday's deep earthquake that occurred around 4 kilometers from the peak of Mt. Merapi and might have shifted the magma inside the volcano.
Subandriyo went on to say that thundering sounds coming from Mt. Merapi on Thursday could be heard within a 7-km radius from the volcano's peak. Ash and gravel rained down on the southern and southeastern slopes.
'We have yet to find out the height of the volcanic gas plume as clouds shrouded the volcano and limited our visibility,' Subandriyo went on.
He said that after the devastating 2010 eruptions, Mt. Merapi had often showed increased volcanic
activity. Yet, he said, that did not indicate the volcano was going to erupt anytime soon.
'The gravel was leftover from the 2010 eruptions,' Subandriyo added.
He stressed that the volcano was still safe for hikers, but he warned climbers not summit the crater. People are allowed to go as far as the Pasar Bubrah area, some 200 meters from the peak of the volcano.
Meanwhile, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho called on residents living on the slopes of Merapi to remain calm despite the increased activity.
Head of Klaten Regency Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) logistics section, Subarko Utomo, said that his agency had distributed 8,000 dust masks to affected residents in Klaten, Central Java.
Rapid response teams, he said, had also been deployed to the areas. 'I had the chance to meet with the people in the affected areas. They had gone to safer ground when we arrived,' Subarko said.
Sukiman, coordinator of Pasak Merapi radio community, said that residents had panicked and immediately headed to safer areas after hearing the thundering noises and feeling the shaking ground.
He said the people returned to their homes not long after the volcanic gas was detected, although the volcanic ash and gravel was still coming down.
Separately in Semarang, thousands of volunteers comprising military and police personnel, scouts, paramedics and Search and Rescue (SAR) team members attended a simulation to get themselves prepared should Mt. Slamet have a major eruption.
'These days, it [the volcano] erupts between one to five times a day, spewing volcanic ash. If something bad happens, we, rescuers, have to be ready to assist the affected residents,' Budiman, one of the volunteers, said.
Mt. Slamet is located in the middle of Central Java's five regencies ' Brebes, Banyumas, Purbalingga, Pemalang and Tegal.
Suherdjoko in Semarang contributed to this story
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domain: news


Olivia Rodrigo’s new album Sour is just as much of a hit as her previously released songs “drivers license” and “deja vu,” though the rest of the album has a slightly different style, like her third single released just days before Sour, “good 4 u.”
The album overall is a good mix of slower sad songs such as “happier” and faster-paced relatable ranty songs like “brutal.” I wouldn’t call the album empowering, but I do think the songs explore a wide range of emotions from nostalgia to anger and let people know they are not alone in having those feelings.
Outside of being a musician, Rodrigo is a Disney+ star who was rumored to have been dumped by fellow cast member Joshua Basset who was seen with the assumed “blonde girl” in “drivers license” Sabrina Carpenter. Regardless of if the rumors are true, Rodrigo defies some Disney stereotypes by creating music that is more independent and not much like the music other girls have put out while acting for Disney. Rodrigo captivates listeners with a wide range of notes, background music and hard-hitting lyrics that show her struggles and help listeners get through their own.
You don’t truly know Rodrigo’s music until you are driving down the backroads solo or with a few friends scream-singing along with tears running down your face. With lines like “I’m not cool and I’m not smart and I can’t even parallel park” and “she’s beautiful, she looks kind, she probably gives you butterflies,” how could anyone make it through the whole album without feeling anything or drying wet eyes?
Olivia added a lot of good songs to her library with this album, but in my opinion, none were as good as the three songs that came early, even after listening to them on repeat since their release. Regardless, if you feel like singing along to a catchy tune or having a good cry, I recommend checking out Olivia’s first full album Sour.


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Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Following a two-year renovation project, the Brokaw Theatre will once again be open. We, the folks in my town, are forever indebted to the work of the Scott and Melissa Glaze. I have included their announcement along with a piece I wrote a while back for a show!! Enjoy and see you at the movies!!
Saturday evening my theatre company presented a new and original piece, A Look Back at Angola through Radio, 1932. My friend and theatre colleague Erin White and I researched and wrote the piece. We spent hours at the Carnegie Library here in Angola going back in time and finding all the great information from 1932. We found a whiskey raid, a lost cat, a bridge party at Pokagon, the opening of the Brokaw Theatre. My Dad told me that theatres stayed open all day on Saturday so that folks could just go to the theatre and not put the heat into their homes on Saturday. The Brokaw did just that on Saturdays from 2 until after midnight. We advertised men's overhauls for 59 cents and boys for 39 cents.
By Saturday evening we had costumes of the 30's direct from my collection of Goodwill Theatre clothes. We had a wonderful time as did the crowd. It was good to help with the United Way fund raiser.
We ended with a late night cast party here at White Picket Gardens. No one really wanted to leave after such a successful evening. Finally the last car pulled away. I just let the champagne glasses and dishes wait until morning. I love putting a good show to rest!!


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For summer travel, fly nonstop from Denver to Orlando for $158 roundtrip on Southwest. If you're in central Florida and wish to visit Colorado this summer, the same price is available from Orlando to Denver.
Searching Southwest, I was able to find seats departing Denver DEN on Saturday, August 11, returning from Orlando MCO on Saturday, August 18.
Other dates are available for travel starting next week through mid-September.
Need a room in Orlando? Here's what's available from Hotelwatchdog for the mentioned dates above.

domain: travel


New Premium White T-Shirt Knit Rags, Exact Cut Pieces - 100% Cotton, Cloth Rags, Excellent for General Cleaning, Spills, Home, Staining, Polishing, Bar Mop by Nabob Wipers (White Knit, 2lb Bag)
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Brand: Nabob Wipers
Color: White Knit
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Part Number: knit-parent
Details: Cleaning chores can be laborious, especially when not done with the right tools. This is no longer an issue with Nabob Wiper’s t-shirt knit rags manufactured with 100% genuine cotton, making it tear-resistant, wear-resistant, and lint-free. Its lint-free and scratch-free nature allows one to use it on delicate surfaces without scratching or harming them. Additionally, this t-shirt rag for cleaning is exceptionally versatile. You can use it for nearly all household and garage chores, including car cleaning, toilet cleaning, staining floors, painting, cleaning spills, kitchen use, and numerous heavy-duty tasks. To cut down on additional costs, you can wash and reuse these t-shirt rags. We recommend you wash these extremely lightweight and highly absorbent cotton cleaning rags in water at temperatures below 40℃ to avoid color bleeding and increase their lifetime.
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Twitter has blocked 201 accounts with suspected Russian links responsible for spreading fake news in the 2016 US presidential election.
In a statement released by the company on Thursday, Twitter said it carried out an investigation into over 450 accounts shared by Facebook after the social network conducted a similar investigation.
Following the development, the online news and social networking service said it discovered that the accounts broke the company rules.
The company noted that a large source of spam had historically been from “Russia and other post-Soviet states,” but said it was “much trickier” tracking activity coordinated by humans.
Twitter also identified $274,000 of advertising bought in 2016 by broadcaster Russia Today “which has strong links to the Russian government.”
The company said that, over the coming months, it will be introducing new ways to detect malicious activity.
“These are not meant to be definitive solutions, we’ve been fighting against these issues for years, and as long as there are people trying to manipulate Twitter, we will be working hard to stop them,” the statement reads.
Facebook said weeks back that it sold about $100,000 in political ads purchased out of Russia that were aimed at influencing the US election.
Twitter and Facebook testified behind closed doors at a US senate intelligence committee on Thursday, as part of investigations on alleged Russian meddling with the November 8 US presidential election.


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Woman and Sleep
When it comes to sleep women face 3 strikes over their lifespan. First during adolescence a young woman starts having menstrual cycles which can result in monthly fluctuations in sleep disturbance and daytime sleepiness/fatigue. Then a woman begins her childrearing years and the sleep disturbance is associated with pregnancy and babies/children. Finally a woman makes the transition through menopause which can last 10 years from the early 40’s to the early 50’s. During this transition one of the most common disturbances to a woman is her sleep.
So, for women, there isn’t a lot of time to sleep between the teens and the 50’s! What is important for women is that sleep disturbance can become chronic and lifelong with a significant effect on quality of life, health and mood. Addressing sleep problems at any phase of life for a woman can prove to be a tremendous preventative health and wellness intervention similar to activity/exercise and diet. The CSHP has the expertise to assess a woman’s sleep problem and determine the best approach to managing that problem over her life to prevent the documented consequences of weight gain, fatigue, mood changes and reduced quality of life.

domain: medical


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Recognised as one of Europe’s preeminent music festivals and acknowledged all over the world as Cyprus’ most important annual classical music event, the International Pharos Chamber Festival has steadily and solidly gained an unequalled reputation for the quality of its concerts as well as its enchanting atmosphere and settings. Inaugurated in 2001, the Festival has placed Cyprus on the international cultural map: it was the first festival of chamber music to have been established in Cyprus, it has so far organised over 150 unique concerts with some of the world’s leading soloists, chamber ensembles and orchestras, and it has created a special relationship with a wide audience from all over the globe, who visit the island especially to be part of this exceptionally uplifting music experience. The Festival also maintains a strong tradition of community service, making chamber music accessible for the first time to children in the surrounding rural communities.
The greatest part of the Festival takes place at the Royal Manor House in Kouklia – one of the finest surviving monuments of Frankish architecture in Cyprus and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Site of the famous sanctuary of Aphrodite, Kouklia was a city-kingdom of Cyprus and one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the ancient Greek world.
Organised between 14 May and 6 June 2019, the 19th International Pharos Chamber Music Festival welcomed to Cyprus some of the most remarkable artists on the international music scene.
The Festival opened on Tuesday 14 May 2019 at the Pharos Arts Foundation’s recital venue, The Shoe Factory, in Nicosia with a concert by the renowned Belgian ensemble Het Collectief and the celebrated soprano Katrien Baerts, who has been described as “Breathtaking” and “astoundingly beautiful” (Place de l’ Opera), with “a voice and interpretation that are nothing less than a revelation” (Trouw) and “hair-raising feats of vocal agility” (The Telegraph). Their programme consisted of an amazing blend of French chamber and vocal repertoire by Ravel, Debussy, Dutilleux and Philippe Gaubert interspersed with pieces by the Finnish Kaija Saariaho who is one of the foremost composers on the planet and one of the leading creative figures of her generation.
For its second concert at The Shoe Factory, on Wednesday 22 May 2019, the 19th International Pharos Chamber Music Festival collaborated once again with the Keyboard Charitable Trust in London, to present for the first time in Cyprus pianist Jiyeong Mun – one of the most exciting young musicians of our times and First Prize winner of the Geneva International Competition in 2014 and the Busoni International Competition 2015. Described as treading on the path of the great Martha Argerich, Jiyeong Mun delivered a formidable programme of works by Beethoven, Ravel and Chopin.
As always, the highlight of the International Pharos Chamber Music Festival was the series of chamber concerts at the Royal Manor House in Kouklia – one of the finest surviving monuments of Frankish architecture in Cyprus and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This year, the Festival encompassed four concerts, from Saturday 1 until Tuesday 4 June 2019, with some of the world’s most celebrated and finest soloists: amongst them, Alexander Ghindin – unanimously acclaimed by critics and music lovers as one of the most charismatic and original pianists of our times and winner in such prestigious competitions as the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (the youngest ever laureate), the International Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition in Brussels, and the Cleveland International Piano Competition; the sensational violinist Christel Lee – First-prize winner of the 2015 International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition in Helsinki; violinists Anna Tifu and Doriane Gable as well as pianist Olga Zado – considered amongst the leading female musicians of their generation; the return visits of the remarkable Lars Anders Tomter (described as the “Giant of the Nordic Viola”), and pianist Ashley Wass (described by Gramophone as “a thoroughbred who possesses the enviable gift to turn almost anything he plays into pure gold”), violist David Abrahamyan and cellist Alexander Chaushian. The Festival also welcomed the wonderful Cypriot soprano Zoe Nicolaidou.
The 19th International Pharos Chamber Music Festival concluded at the magical open-air venue, The Olive Grove, in Delikipos. For its final concert, on Thursday 6 June 2019, the Festival invited the brilliant Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra to team up with soloists Anna Tifu (violin), Christel Lee (violin) and Ashley Wass (piano), under the direction of conductor Yiorgos Kountouris. Surrounded by the idyllic forest of Delikipos, in an exceptional atmosphere and landscape, the audience indulged in an impressive programme that included works by Mendelssohn, Sarasate and Vitali.
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Hello gamers, so today with this full video tutorial will show you how to get Max Payne 3 Classic Multiplay...
Hello gamers, so today with this full video tutorial will show you how to get Max Payne 3 Classic Multiplayer Character Pack DLC for free on xbox 360, PS3 and PC game. This is rare exclusive downloadable Classic Multiplayer Character Pack DLC to get it for free on your hand. Visit following blog and get more information about this;
When you got your Classic Multiplayer Character Pack DLC code, visit your game Marketplace (For Xbox Use Visit Xbox Live - For PS3 Users Visit PSN - For Stream Users Visit Steam Game Stores ) and redeem the code. After that you will able to download Classic Multiplayer Character Pack DLC for free on Max Payne 3 Game.. Any more questions, you can send us a comment about it via our web site. Thank you and enjoy the game.
Max Payne 3 continues the tale of former New York City detective, Max Payne. Still haunted by the memories of his traumatic past, Max begins a new life working private security protecting a wealthy industrialist and his family in Sao Paulo, Brazil. When gangs target the family under his protection, Max is forced to fight to save his clients and clear his name, in a bid to, once and for all, rid himself of the demons that have tortured him for far too long.

domain: hobby


text: The second of Cessna’s SkyCatcher prototypes has crashed too last week. The SkyCatcher is Cessna’s attempt at building a light sports aircraft, but seems a little ill-fated so far. Fortunately this time it came down on a parachute after having spun out of control, much like the first prototype. The parachute dragged the little aircraft along after landing, causing more severe damage. NTSB Report here.


text: Moe’s Southwest Grill is a fun and engaging fast-casual restaurant serving a wide variety of fresh, made-to-order southwest fare. The first thing you’ll hear when you walk into the restaurant is an enthusiastic “Welcome to Moe’s!” It’s more than a greeting; it’s a way of life for the folks who customize each meal fresh to order right in front of the guest. While Moe’s is best known for its burritos packed with a choice of over 20 fresh, flavorful ingredients, the menu also features kid’s, vegetarian and low-calorie options. And all meals are served with free chips and salsa. Offering dine-in and catering options for fresh burritos, tacos, fajitas, and of course, nachos loaded with queso and guac. (336) 724-5920.

domain: food


In the realm of computer technology, two fundamental components play pivotal roles in shaping the functionality and capability of modern computing devices: hardware and software. These two entities are the yin and yang of the digital world, working in tandem to deliver the computing experiences we have grown accustomed to in our daily lives. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve deep into the differences, interdependencies, and significance of hardware and software.
Understanding the Basics
Before we delve into the intricacies of hardware and software, it is essential to establish a basic understanding of these concepts.
Hardware: Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer or any electronic device. It encompasses all tangible parts, including the central processing unit (CPU), memory modules, storage devices (e.g., hard drives and solid-state drives), input and output devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, monitor), and various other peripherals (e.g., printers, graphics cards). These physical components are what you can see and touch when you look at your computer.
Software: Software, on the other hand, represents the intangible instructions and programs that govern the operation of hardware. It includes the operating system, applications, utilities, and programming code that enable computers to perform specific tasks. Unlike hardware, software is not something you can physically touch; instead, it exists in the form of digital data that gets processed by the hardware.
The Hardware-Software Relationship
The interplay between hardware and software is at the core of computing technology. They are inherently interdependent, each reliant on the other to fulfill their respective roles and functions. To understand this relationship better, let’s examine how hardware and software interact:
Hardware as the Backbone
Hardware serves as the foundation upon which software operates. Without hardware, software has no platform to execute its commands. The CPU, for instance, is the “brain” of the computer, responsible for executing instructions fetched from software. Memory modules (RAM) provide the workspace where software can temporarily store data and instructions for quick access by the CPU.
Storage devices, such as hard drives and SSDs, are essential for storing software, data, and files. Input devices like keyboards and mice allow users to interact with software, providing input that software can process. Output devices like monitors and printers display or produce the results of software operations.
In essence, hardware is the physical infrastructure that enables software to function. Without hardware, software is just a set of digital instructions with no means of execution.
Software as the Enabler
Software, on the other hand, breathes life into hardware. It provides the instructions that tell hardware components what to do. When you launch a word processing application, for example, it’s the software that instructs the CPU to create a new document, the memory to allocate space for it, and the display to render the interface.
Operating systems, like Windows, macOS, and Linux, are a critical layer of software that manages and coordinates hardware resources. They provide a user-friendly interface and enable users to interact with hardware through various applications.
Without software, even the most powerful hardware is essentially inert. It’s akin to having a state-of-the-art kitchen (hardware) without any recipes or chefs (software) to prepare a delicious meal.
Key Differences Between Hardware and Software
Now that we’ve established their interdependence, let’s dive deeper into the key differences between hardware and software:
Nature and Tangibility
Hardware: Hardware is physical and tangible. You can see, touch, and physically interact with hardware components. For instance, you can touch your computer’s keyboard or monitor, and you can physically upgrade hardware components like adding more RAM or replacing a hard drive.
Software: Software, on the other hand, is intangible. It exists as digital data stored on hardware, usually in the form of binary code (0s and 1s). You can’t touch or interact with software in the same way you do with hardware; it’s something you interact with through a user interface or command line.
Hardware: Hardware provides the raw processing power, storage, and input/output capabilities of a computer. It performs tasks at the physical level, such as electrical circuitry, data storage, and mechanical movements (e.g., spinning a hard drive).
Software: Software defines how hardware should function. It consists of programs and instructions that tell hardware what specific tasks to perform. Software can range from simple commands like opening a file to complex operations like rendering 3D graphics or running artificial intelligence algorithms.
Flexibility and Upgradability
Hardware: Hardware is relatively fixed and less flexible compared to software. Upgrading hardware often involves physically replacing components, which can be costly and time-consuming. For instance, upgrading RAM or switching to a faster CPU requires hardware changes.
Software: Software is highly flexible and can be easily updated or modified without changing the underlying hardware. You can update software by downloading patches or new versions. This flexibility allows software to evolve rapidly in response to changing needs and technologies.
Lifespan and Durability
Hardware: Hardware components have a finite lifespan and can wear out over time. Mechanical components, like hard drives, can fail due to wear and tear. The durability of hardware varies depending on factors like quality, usage, and maintenance.
Software: Software doesn’t “wear out” in the same way hardware does. It can become outdated or incompatible with newer hardware or operating systems, but it doesn’t degrade with use. Software can be preserved indefinitely as long as it’s stored correctly.
Examples of Hardware and Software
To illustrate the concepts of hardware and software, let’s look at some common examples:
- CPU (Central Processing Unit): The CPU is a hardware component that performs calculations and executes instructions. It’s the “brain” of the computer.
- Memory (RAM): RAM is hardware that provides temporary storage for data and instructions that the CPU needs to access quickly.
- Hard Drive (HDD/SSD): These storage devices are hardware components used to store data and software.
- Monitor: The monitor is a hardware output device that displays visual information.
- Keyboard and Mouse: Input devices like keyboards and mice are hardware components that allow users to interact with computers.
- Motherboard: The motherboard is the main circuit board of a computer, connecting all hardware components.
- Operating System (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux): An operating system is software that manages hardware resources and provides a user interface for interacting with the computer.
- Microsoft Word: Microsoft Word is a word processing software used for creating and editing documents.
- Google Chrome: Google Chrome is a web browser software used for accessing websites and online content.
- Adobe Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop is image editing software used for graphic design and photo manipulation.
- Video Games (e.g., Minecraft, Fortnite): Video games are software applications that run on hardware and provide interactive entertainment experiences.
- Antivirus Software (e.g., Norton, McAfee): Antivirus software is designed to protect the computer from malware and viruses.
The Role of Firmware
In addition to hardware and software, it’s important to mention firmware. Firmware is a unique category that falls between hardware and software. It refers to the embedded software that is permanently stored in hardware devices. Firmware controls the basic functions and settings of devices like routers, printers, and game consoles. Unlike regular software, firmware is not typically updated or modified by users.
In the ever-evolving world of computer technology, hardware and software remain the cornerstones upon which the digital age is built. Understanding their differences and their symbiotic relationship is essential for anyone seeking to navigate the complex and dynamic landscape of modern computing.
Hardware provides the physical infrastructure and capabilities, while software provides the instructions and intelligence to harness that potential. Together, they have shaped our world, from the smallest handheld devices to the most powerful supercomputers, and continue to drive innovation and progress in the digital era.
As technology advances, the line between hardware and software may blur further with the advent of concepts like virtualization and cloud computing, but the fundamental distinction between the tangible and the intangible, the physical and the digital, will remain at the heart of computer technology. It is this duality that continues to inspire creativity, drive technological breakthroughs, and shape the future of computing.


Marty Stuart Gets His Own TV Show
Country music's quintessential renaissance man Marty Stuart brings his unique brand of sparkle and twang to TV screens this fall when 'The Marty Stuart Show,' premieres on cable outlet RFD-TV. Production on the weekly music series begins in Nashville in September, with each 30-minute episode featuring Stuart's band, the Fabulous Superlatives, along with his wife, Grand Ole Opry star Connie Smith. Radio personality and country music historian Eddie Stubbs will serve as Stuart's sidekick.
"This show is about authenticity," says Stuart, who also acts as producer of the series. "From the artists who visit us in the studio every week to the people watching at home in America who enjoy watching 'The Porter Wagoner Show,' [and] 'The Wilburn Brothers.'"
RFD-TV is a rural lifestyle network available in 40 million homes nationwide. The RFD-TV line-up includes 'Imus In the Morning,' 'Crook & Chase,' 'Big Joe's Polka Show' and 'Ralph Emery Live.' The network's Sunday night lineup will also feature the return of the classic country music variety series 'Hee Haw.'
Also due from Marty Stuart this fall is his second photography book, 'Country Music: The Masters,' due in stores November 11. The 342-page collection includes Stuart's personal photos of friends including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Ray Charles and more. Marty's long-time friend, Oscar-winning screenwriter, actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton penned the book's foreword.


Why going au naturale could save you
Written by Tamarra Kemsley
You may not work as a welder or miner, but exposure to the heavy metal cadmium is no longer limited to those occupations. Cadmium is most frequently found in batteries and cigarette smoke, but it’s slowly becoming part of everyday items. It’s well established that exposure can lead to adverse health effects such as kidney and lung conditions. However, two new studies link the metal to breast cancer, citing its estrogen-like properties as the likely reason. Rates vary depending on the kind of exposure.
Ways We are Exposed to Cadmium Food
In a study published March 2012 in the journal Cancer Research, Swedish researchers examined the relationship between cadmium-containing diets and breast cancer. In all, nearly 56,000 women were tracked for just over 12 years. Those whose diets were high in cadmium showed a 21 percent incident rate in terms of developing breast cancer. Foods to watch out for: seaweed, fish and other seafood such as crab and — hate to say it — chocolate.
A second study presented last month at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology shows that low doses of cadmium still put women at risk for breast cancer if exposed to it over a long period of time. One form of chronic exposure to cadmium is jewelry which can shed its metals with wear and thereby be ingested. In 2011, 26 companies, including Forever21 Inc., Gap Inc. and Target Corp., were brought to trial by a California environmental group concerned about the rate of cadmium in the stores’ products — particularly jewelry. The result was a 0.03 percent cap in store products.
After examining 49 makeup products, researchers from Environmental Defence in Canada revealed that 51 percent of the products contain cadmium. Lead was present in 96 percent of the products. In neither case were these ingredients listed on the label. Just some of the brands found guilty were Clinique, Laura Mercier, MAC, Sephora and L’Oreal.
In a lot of ways, cadmium is essentially ubiquitous in American culture — invading what we eat and what we wear. Ultimately, the best way to stay safe is the same way doctors have been advising for years: eat your vegetables (women with diets high in grains and veggies had lower instances of cancer) and go as organic and au naturale as possible. And maybe suggest to your man that he bring home 100 percent silver and gold instead of chocolate next Valentine’s Day.


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Israeli settlers 'poison, steal' Palestinian olive harvests
Israeli settlers have reportedly stolen harvests of Palestinian farmers as they were picking olives to mark the start of the harvesting season across the West Bank.
Israeli settlers stole olives from Palestinian land in the Qalqiliya village of Jit in the occupied West Bank.
The settlers were from the illegal Kedumim settlement.
According to Palestinian Authority-run Wafa News Agency, landowners from Jit went to harvest their olives after they managed to get Israeli permits to access their own land.
When they arrived to tend to the harvested olives, they realised that a large amount of the fully grown trees were poisoned after being sprayed with toxic chemicals.
Olives were found spoiled, dry and unsafe to eat, they said.
A landowner said that he had also found sewage water being pumped from a settler's mobile home into his land.
Attacks on Palestinian farmers have been frequent over the past few weeks as the olive harvesting season begins.
On Friday, settlers reportedly attacked a group of Palestinians as they picked olives in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.
The settlers - from the illegal settlement of Maon, built close to Yatta town - attacked farmers while they were harvesting their olives in the Masafer Yatta area.
One of the farmers was a woman and all of the workers suffered injuries.
On Thursday, a similar incident took place in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus.

domain: agronomy


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If you want to purchase a gun, you have several options to choose from. Learn more about the main types of guns by clicking here.
Keyword(s): types of guns
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Are you interested in learning about the types of firearms available?
Owning a gun may be something you have pondered. Guns can provide safety and protection and even as a fun hobby.
But you should be familiar with the different types of guns and ensure you only buy what you can handle. It can feel overwhelming if you’re interested in buying a gun but need to know what you want.
Here, we’ll discuss the common gun categories and types you can own. Read on to learn about the common types of guns.
Handguns: Most Popular Varieties
Handguns are among the most popular gun options, and several types are available. The three most common handguns are revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, and derringers.
Revolvers are typically the oldest type of handgun and have a cylinder that holds up to six rounds of ammunition. Semi-automatic pistols have a magazine that holds shells and use an automatic firing mechanism.
Derringers are small and usually used for concealed carry. They typically carry fewer rounds and are less powerful than other handguns.
Bulk 9mm ammo is a popular choice for all these types of guns since it is usually the most cost-effective and widely available type.
Rifles: Exploring the Different Kinds
Rifles are the most popular type of gun used for hunting and shooting competitions. Rifles can have different calibers and lengths of barrels depending on what they are used for.
Bolt-action, lever-action, semi-automatic, and burst-fire are common rifles. Bolt-action rifles are the oldest type of rifle. The user must manually move the bolt back and forth to chamber a round. Lever-action rifles have a lever under the barrel that, when pulled, moves the bolt and lets you shoot again faster. Semi-automatic rifles use the energy from the cartridge firing to cycle the bolt and chamber the next round. This makes them a great choice for self-defense.
Burst fire rifles are another type of semi-automatic rifle that fires multiple rounds when the trigger is pulled. This makes them good for shooting at more than one target simultaneously.
Shotguns: The Many Different Styles
There are many different shotguns, such as single-barrel, lever-action, pump-action, semi-automatic, and double-barrel guns. For example, single-barrel shotguns are good for shooting clay pigeons or hunting small games.
Shotguns with lever or pump actions can be made for hunting big game or even home defense. Semi-automatic shotguns are good for shooting sporting clays and are also often used by police and the military.
Shotguns with two barrels, like the classic side-by-side or the more modern over-and-under, are strong and reliable, and they can be used for different kinds of shooting.
Machine Guns: The Workhorse of Guns
Machine guns are considered more powerful than other types of firearms. These are designed to shoot multiple rounds in succession with just one pull of the trigger.
They have a large ammo capacity and a high rate of fire. They are used by the military and law enforcement because of their ability to inflict massive damage.
Knowing the Many Types of Guns Makes A Difference
Guns can come in many shapes and sizes, from a simple revolver to a stunt machine gun from the movies. Educating yourself on the different types of guns and their uses is essential to ensure your safety when handling one.
We encourage you to learn more about guns and gun safety through reputable sources to understand them better.
Check out our other blog posts for more lifestyle and outdoor tips.


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What are the differences Between Organic and Conventional
The main difference between organic and conventional food products are of course the chemicals involved during production and processing. The conventional food production practices involve the use of a number of chemicals which have a devastating effect on the environment, while the residues of these chemicals in food products have dubious effects on human health. All food products on the market including those that contain residues of pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones and other types of chemicals that are used during production and processing are said to be safe. There are no reports about people getting ill from eating conventionally grown food. Therefore, Organic food is more expensive than those are conventionally produced. Since production costs of conventional farming are low, farmers will be able to produce more crops and as a result, meet the growing demand for food supply. With the effects of global warming which include natural calamities, drought and the like, food production becomes low.
The paper, published on June 2019 in the journal Environmental Research Letters, was written by Michael Clark, a University of Minnesota graduate student who researches the environmental and health impacts of dietary changes, and David Tilman, an ecology professor at the university.
The researchers compared the impact of conventional versus organic farming in five areas: land use; greenhouse gas emissions; energy use; acidification potential (the increase of acidity in the ecosystem, which can impede plant growth); and eutrophication potential (increases here can impact the environment by increasing algal blooms and aquatic dead zones).
And organic farming came up short, according to the study: Per unit of food produced, organic systems had higher land use and eutrophication potential, tended to have higher acidification potential, did not offer benefits in GHGs, but had lower energy use.
One of the more significant problems facing organic farms is a pronounced yield gap – particularly when it comes to row crops – compared to conventional farming. Organic farms required 25 to 110 percent more land to make up for that gap, according to the study. And while organic farms tend to use less energy (15 percent lower), that doesn’t translate into significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions (4 percent lower).
Energy use is lower in organic systems because of organic’s reduced reliance on energy-intensive synthetic fertilizer and pesticide inputs. GHG emissions are similar in organic and conventional systems because of the trade-off between the application of synthetic fertilizer in conventional systems and the use of manure in organic systems.


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Open Access This article is
- freely available
Medicina 2019, 55(5), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55050181
Hepatoprotective Actions of Ascorbic Acid, Alpha Lipoic Acid and Silymarin or Their Combination Against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Petra, P.O. Box 961343, Amman 11196, Jordan
University of Petra Pharmaceutical Center (UPPC), University of Petra, P.O. Box 961343, Amman 11196, Jordan
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Madaba, P.O. Box 2882, Madaba 11821, Jordan
Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +962-795565027
Current Address: College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C9, Canada.
Received: 28 December 2018 / Accepted: 14 May 2019 / Published: 21 May 2019
Background and objectives: Ascorbic acid, alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and silymarin are well-known antioxidants that have hepatoprotective effects. This study aims to investigate the effects of these three compounds combined with attenuating drug-induced oxidative stress and cellular damage, taking acetaminophen (APAP)-induced toxicity in rats as a model both in vivo and in vitro. Materials and Methods: Freshly cultured primary rat hepatocytes were treated with ascorbic acid, ALA, silymarin and their combination, both with and without the addition of APAP to evaluate their in vitro impact on cell proliferation and mitochondrial activity. In vivo study was performed on rats supplemented with the test compounds or their combination for one week followed by two toxic doses of APAP. Results: Selected liver function tests and oxidative stress markers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were detected. The in vivo results showed that all three pretreatment compounds and their combination prevented elevation of SOD and GSSG serum levels indicating a diminished burden of oxidative stress. Moreover, ascorbic acid, ALA and silymarin in combination reduced serum levels of liver enzymes; however, silymarin markedly maintained levels of all parameters to normal ranges. Silymarin either alone or combined with ascorbic acid and ALA protected cultured rat hepatocytes and increased cellular metabolic activity. The subjected agents were capable of significantly inhibiting the presence of oxidative stress induced by APAP toxicity and the best result for protection was seen with the use of silymarin. Conclusions: The measured liver function tests may suggest an augmented hepatoprotection of the combination preparation than when compared individually.
Keywords:acetaminophen; ascorbic acid; silymarin; hepatoprotection; hepatotoxicity; hepatocytes; oxidative stress
Acetaminophen (paracetamol or N-acetyl-p-aminophenol) (APAP) is a derivative of para-aminophenol. It is widely used as a safe analgesic and antipyretic drug . APAP is metabolized in the liver to excretable glucuronide and sulphate conjugates. However, high doses of APAP can cause hepatotoxicity mainly due to the formation of a highly reactive metabolite, namely N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), that is formed by the action of hepatic enzyme cytochrome P-450 . NAPQI is initially detoxified by conjugation with reduced glutathione (GSH) to form mercapturic acid and excess of oxidized GSH (GSSG). When the rate of NAPQI formation exceeds the rate of its detoxification by GSH, it starts to covalently bind to mitochondrial proteins. This covalent binding initiates hepatic cell necrosis, accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Inflammation reaction in the hepatocytes is often associated with over production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play an important role in acute liver injury . Despite varied clinical presentation of APAP hepatotoxicity, N-acetylcysteine remains the mainstay therapy, followed by the use of liver transplantation. Herein, compounds reducing the susceptibility of patients from suffering unintentional or suicidal APAP toxicity is of interest.
Ascorbic acid, or “vitamin C”, is a widely known vitamin abundant in different kinds of fruits and vegetables and is available as an OTC supplement . Ascorbic acid plays an important physiological role in cells as a reducing agent, antioxidant and free radical scavenger . A strong functional inter-dependence between GSH and ascorbic acid has been reported in vivo, as it has been noted to increase GSH levels in the liver and muscle [6,7].
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), also known as thioactic acid, is a cofactor found in a number of multi-enzyme complexes. Supplementation of ALA has been utilized in hepatic disorders, imbalance of redox status such as ischemia-reperfusion, polyneuropathy, diabetes and hypertension . Moreover, ALA is involved in the synthesis of other cellular antioxidants like ascorbic acid, vitamin E and glutathione activation [9,10].
Silymarin is a flavonoid extracted from the seed of Silybum marianum Gaetrn (milk thistle plant) which is a member of the aster family (Asteraceae). Silybin and Silychristin have been identified as its other active constituents. Owing to the plant’s antioxidant role, its seeds have been used to treat a range of liver and gallbladder disorders .
To assess the activity of ascorbic acid, ALA and silymarin as hepatoprotectives, several markers have been chosen to be tested in the current research. Both albumin, a major protein synthesized by hepatocytes, and cholesterol that is mainly metabolized by the liver can give an insight into how well the liver is functioning. Moreover, serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidized glutathione (GSSH) levels can all serve as indicators of liver function and oxidative stress.
While several investigations reported ascorbic acid, ALA and silymarin’s actions on the liver independently; however, no previous research shed light on the hepatoprotective effect of their combination. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to evaluate the in vivo and in vitro hepatoprotective actions of oil-in-water emulsions of ascorbic acid, ALA and silymarin, both independently and in combination.
2. Materials and Methods
Adult male Sprague Dawley rats with an average weight of 220 ± 20 g were acclimatized at the Animal House of the University of Petra, Amman, Jordan. Rats were housed under controlled conditions such as temperature (22–24 °C), humidity (55–65%), and photoperiod cycles (12 h light/12 h dark). Rats were fasted overnight (for 18 to 22 h) with water offered ad libitum, unless otherwise stated. All experiments were performed in accordance with the University of Petra Institutional Guidelines on Animal Use, which adopts the guidelines of the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Association. The protocols for the animal study were revised and approved (approval number: 2-16/2/2016, date: 16 February 2016) by the Research Committee at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Petra (Amman, Jordan).
2.2. Materials and Chemicals
Ascorbic acid, alpha lipoic acid, silymarin, fetal bovine serum (FBS), streptomycin, penicillin, RPMI-1640 medium and olive oil were all purchased from Sigma Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA). Magnesium chloride and EDTA were obtained from Merck (Darmstadt, Germany). HBSS (Ca2+ and Mg2+ free) and HBSS (with Ca2+ and Mg2+) were obtained from Invitrogen (Carlsbad, CA, USA). Collagenase II and l-glutamine were purchased from Gibco BRL (Gaithersburg, MD, USA). Furthermore, Tween 80 and DMSO were obtained from Scharlan Chemie S.A. (Barcelona, Spain), while Tris base was purchased from Promega, (Madison, WI, USA) and TACS® MTT kit was purchased from Trevigen (Helgerman Court, Gaithersburg, MD, USA). Pharmaceutical grade APAP was a kind gift from the Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Co. PLC (JPM) Amman, Jordan. Isoflurane was supplied from Hikma pharmaceuticals, Amman, Jordan. SOD and MDA ELISA kits were purchased from MyBioSource (San Diego, CA, USA), and Glutathione ELISA kit was purchased from Sigma Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA).
2.3. Preparation of Emulsions
Tween 80 was used as the emulsifying agent while 99% olive oil was used as the constituent of the oily phase. The blank emulsion was prepared by adding tween 80 to olive oil then adding the mixture to water. ALA and Silymarin were dissolved into the oily phase whereas Ascorbic acid was added to water. Primary emulsion was prepared using 10% olive oil according to the following formula: 4 olive oil, 2 distilled water, and 1 emulsifying agent (Tween 80); then completing the volume up to 100% with distilled water .
2.4. In Vivo Experimental Protocol
A total of 48 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were weighed, randomly divided into six groups (n = 8), and numbered for identification. Group one and two were orally administered an oil in water (o/w) emulsion and served both as the control groups with and without APAP, respectively. Group three, four and five were orally administered with 500, 100 and 200 mg/kg of ascorbic acid  ALA  and silymarin , respectively. Whereas group six received a combination of the three compounds at same doses formulated as emulsions. The emulsions were administered to all groups on daily basis at the same time for eight days. Groups 2–6 were given a high dose of APAP (2800 mg/kg) at the 7th and 8th day to induce hepatotoxicity .
2.5. Blood Sampling and Testing
On the ninth day, 24 h post last toxic APAP dose, [17,18,19] all rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation, and blood samples were withdrawn by cardiac puncture, collected in sterile plain centrifugation tubes and left at room temperature for 15 min to clot completely. After that, serum was obtained by centrifugation at 6000 rpm for 10 min at room temperature and kept at −20 °C until further testing. Serum liver function biomarkers, namely ALT, ALP, AST, total albumin and cholesterol, were tested by Almahabba Laboratory (Madaba, Jordan). Oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, MDA and GSSG) were assessed, using ELISA kits, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
2.6. Preparation of Perfusion Buffers and Culture Medium
All perfusion buffers were freshly prepared according to Al Shaker et al. (2017) using sterile technique and kept warm in a water bath at 37 °C prior use. Perfusion buffer I was prepared by adding 0.9 mM MgCl2, 0.5 mM EDTA, and 0.5 mM Tris base, to 0.5 L Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS, without Ca2+ and Mg2+) . Perfusion buffer II was prepared by adding 0.5 mM Tris base to 0.5 L HBSS (with Ca2+ and Mg2+). 1000 IU of collagenase II was added to perfusion buffer II and used after 30 min of preparation. RPMI medium was prepared by the addition of 5% FBS, 100 IU/mL penicillin and 100 mg/mL of streptomycin to RPMI 1640 medium .
2.7. Surgical Protocol and Liver Perfusion
A liver perfusion system was utilized to deliver collagenase into the rat liver as described by Alshaker et al. (2017) . The rat was anaesthetized by isoflurane at a concentration of 5% for induction and 2.5% for maintenance (Kent Scientific Corporation, Torrington, CT, USA). A midline longitudinal incision was made to expose the liver and the portal vein. An 18-gauge catheter (Becton Dickinson, NJ, USA) was inserted into the portal vein and infusion was initiated with perfusion buffer I pre-warmed to 37 °C at a flow rate of 10 mL/min. Once the liver blanched to a light-brown color and all lobes began to swell, circulation was switched to perfusion with buffer II including collagenase II at 25 mL/min until the liver became mushy and pale. The liver was later dissected and placed in a sterile stoppered beaker with buffer II plus collagenase II and transferred to a sterile cell culture hood.
2.8. Hepatocytes Isolation and Culturing
Within the cell culture hood, and under laminar flow, liver cells were dispersed gently and aseptically using cell scrapers in a petri dish containing buffer II plus collagenase II . Cell suspension was then dispensed into centrifugation tube and washed three times at 100 rpm for 3 min at 4 °C, 200 rpm for 10 min at 4 °C and finally at 200 rpm for 10 min at 15 °C. Cells were counted under light microscope using a hemocytometer, cultured in a concentration of 0.05 × 106 cell/well in a 96 well plate and allowed to recover and grow in a sterile CO2 incubator at 37 °C prior to the day of experiment .
2.9. Cells Treatment and MTT Assay
Ascorbic acid (0.5 mM)  and APAP (10 mM)  were prepared by suspending them in RPMI medium. ALA (2 mM) and Silymarin (4 mM) were both prepared in a minimum quantity of DMSO before RPMI medium addition. Isolated rat hepatocytes were treated with the freshly prepared suspensions and incubated for 3 h. Later, APAP suspension was added to designated wells and incubated for further 48 h in a sterile CO2 incubator. After incubation, MTT assay was carried out to assess the mitochondrial and cellular metabolic activity, which can reflect cell viability .
2.10. Data Analysis
Data are presented as the mean ± Standard Error of the Mean (SEM). Statistical comparisons were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test for multiple comparisons using SPSS statistical software version 21 (IBM corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
3.1. Alteration in Serum Liver Enzyme Levels
Administration of toxic APAP doses to the rats significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP compared to the control group Table 1. Groups treated with Ascorbic acid, ALA and Silymarin reported a significant preservation in levels of ALT and AST while only Ascorbic acid and ALA treated groups showed significantly retained levels of ALP in comparison to APAP treated group. The combination preparation significantly maintained serum levels of ALT, AST in comparison to APAP group and ALP serum level comparable to those of the control group. The effect of APAP and the tested preparations on serum cholesterol and albumin levels was insignificant (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, both Ascorbic acid and combination groups showed a slight effect on maintaining albumin serum levels when compared to both APAP and control groups.
3.2. Superoxide Dismutase and Malondialdehyde Determinations
Detected serum levels of SOD and MDA in treated rats are illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 2, respectively. APAP significantly increased both serum SOD (p < 0.01) and MDA (p < 0.05) levels compared to the control group. Treating rats with ascorbic acid, ALA, silymarin and their combination preparation preserved serum levels of SOD when compared to APAP group (p < 0.05) and restored SOD levels to an extent equivalent to the control group. On the other hand, it was found that serum levels of MDA in rats pretreated with ascorbic acid, ALA, silymarin or their combination lowered APAP-induced MDA elevation found statistically insignificant (p > 0.05).
3.3. Glutathione Serum Levels
Levels of GSSG were significantly increased in APAP group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with ascorbic acid, ALA, silymarin and their combination showed a significantly attenuated APAP-induced increase in levels of GSSG, maintaining it to levels equivalent to control group levels (Figure 3).
3.4. In Vitro Cell Proliferation
In vitro testing was carried out on freshly cultured hepatocytes using MTT assay. The percentage of cell survival significantly decreased in cells incubated with APAP at a concentration of 10 mM (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Silymarin and combination-treated cell groups showed a threefold increase in mitochondrial activity among other preparations with over 350% ± 48%; nonetheless, an increase in mitochondrial activity was observed when cells were pretreated with either silymarin or the combination prior to APAP (p < 0.05). Ascorbic acid and ALA had minor influence in terms of cell survival compared to untreated cells (Figure 4).
The current work focused on evaluating the individual and combined hepatoprotective effects of ascorbic acid, ALA and silymarin using in vivo and in vitro models of APAP induced hepatotoxicity.
As previously demonstrated, in vivo administration of two toxic doses of APAP (2800 mg/kg) was found capable of inducing hepatic damage in rats . Such dose would be expected to inflict more damage on mice due to their susceptibility to APAP-induced injury unlike rats that normally show more resistance [26,27].
Albumin levels insignificantly decreased in all groups when compared to control levels reflecting potential hepatocyte impairment in albumin synthesis due to APAP toxicity. Moreover, liver damage can cause the hepatocytes to lose their ability to metabolize cholesterol and usually results in cholesterol accumulation intracellularly, thus elevating serum cholesterol levels, as shown previously by Korkmaz et al. (2010) and Arguello et al. (2015), who reported elevation of cholesterol serum levels in liver injury [28,29]. However, the effect of ascorbic acid, ALA, silymarin and their combination in raising serum cholesterol levels was slight and statistically insignificant.
Increased levels of AST, ALT and ALP can be indicative of cellular leakage and loss of functional integrity of hepatocyte cell membrane. This hepatocellular leakage caused these enzymes to leak out of the liver into the circulation. Serum ALT levels is considered more specific to the liver and a better parameter to evaluate the extent of liver injury . In addition, elevated serum ALP levels is indicative of increased biliary pressure. Overall, significant increase in AST, ALT and ALP levels in APAP group is indicative of liver damage and cell necrosis that might be attributed to the accumulation of APAP toxic metabolite, namely NAPQI [11,31].
Ascorbic acid, ALA, silymarin and their combination were able to significantly reduce ALT and AST values in the APAP-injured animals to a level equivalent to the control group. This suggests that these compounds can prevent the effect of APAP damage and restore normal hepatocyte functions by antagonizing the toxic effect of ROS . The most considerable effect in serum ALT, AST and ALP levels was seen in the group pretreated with the combination suggesting that the combined effect of ascorbic acid, ALA and dilymarin can further enhance the restoration of normal liver functions compared to treatment with either compounds alone. Enhanced effect of combined administration was also reported by Zoheir et al. (2014) and Sabiu et al. (2015), who used multiple antioxidant therapy to restore normal hepatocyte function [11,32].
Increased levels of SOD after APAP treatment is considered a biomarker of oxidative stress and injury; as reported, SOD initiates a cascade of lipid peroxidation and further generation of reactive species . In the current investigation, ascorbic acid, ALA, silymarin and their combination showed significant influence in keeping SOD levels close to norm. Furthermore, the restoration of SOD levels to normal ranges through pretreatment with mentioned antioxidant chemicals presents their capacity in reducing the oxidative burden on the liver. GSSG levels were found increased upon treatment with APAP confirming the uptake of antioxidant GSH, and significantly depleting GSH through its oxidation yielding to high levels of GSSG . GSSG levels in groups pretreated with ascorbic acid, ALA and dilymarin were comparable to levels of control group indicating their capability in countering ROS.
Having known that MDA is one of the end by-products of lipid peroxidation which serves as another major biomarker for oxidative stress, APAP significantly increased the levels of serum MDA which indicates the infiltration of free radicals in the tissues and lipid peroxidation. While ascorbic acid, ALA, silymarin and their combination have shown decreased levels of serum MDA, this decrease was not considered significant. Korkmaz et al. (2010) used ascorbic acid in a 50-day administration to achieve a counteracting effect against lipid peroxidation in liver-induced oxidative stress . Hence, it is possible that these compounds need more time to exert their protective effect on the liver against lipid peroxidation which is translated by the levels of serum MDA.
Treating primary cultured rat hepatocytes with 10 mM APAP resulted in about 45 ± 6% reduction in cell proliferation and metabolic activity. This served as a model for evaluating the hepatoprotective actions of ascorbic acid, ALA, silymarin and their combination. An increase in the mitochondrial activity was highest in silymarin and combination treated cells and significantly higher than both APAP and control cells (Figure 4). It has been recently reported by de Oliveira et al. (2015) that Silymarin is active as an antioxidant in liver cells undergoing oxidative stress similar to that induced by APAP . However, the considerable increase in the mitochondrial activity signal in cells pretreated with silymarin, assessed by MTT assay detecting reduced pyridine nucleotides, namely NADPH, that represent mitochondrial function, is accounted to the influence of silymarin on the mitochondria. Silymarin is reported to enhance NADPH levels, redox homeostasis and reduce downstream effects in toxin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, [36,37,38] and that is resembled in Figure 4 through its positive influence on cells pretreated with silymarin prior to APAP administration. While ascorbic acid presented enhanced mitochondrial activity in cultured cells by about 16%, as described in Figure 4, such increase was not considered statistically significant. Furthermore, ALA did not noticeably alter cell survival percentages when incubated with primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Hence, it can be concluded that the combination group effect was mainly attributed to the presence of silymarin, and since the hepatoprotective actions of ascorbic acid and ALA is well documented in the literature, such low effects might be enhanced by dose adjustments or prolonged exposure time in order to obtain a noticeable effect in vitro . On the other hand, ALA had positive and significant results against APAP toxicity in vivo but it did not show significant results in vitro. This might be attributed to the fact that ALA needs specific in vivo conditions to produce its metabolite, namely dihydrolipoic acid, which has been also reported to be hepatoprotective .
Pretreatment with anti-oxidative agents, namely ascorbic acid, ALA and silymarin, showed significant in vivo and in vitro influence in inhibiting the occurrence of hepatic injury induced by APAP. As presented, results showed their capacity in maintaining SOD, GSH and MDA levels to levels approximately equivalent to that of the control group. All pretreatments were capable of attenuating the insult on liver functions differently; moreover, the combination treatment showed a significant effect in containing the liver enzymes with normal ranges. Despite the significant role of Silymarin and the combination in enhancing cell viability in vitro, the capability of other agents seemed insignificant. That raises the potential additive effect of silymarin when used concomitantly with other antioxidant or hepatoprotective agents. Such protection might be attributed to the reduction of APAP-induced ROS hepatotoxicity, as evident by decreased serum levels of SOD and GSSG.
In conclusion, ascorbic acid, ALA, silymarin and their combination proved to be active as hepatoprotectants both in vivo and in vitro. Due to their different actions, the combined administration of the three agents in vitro may show superiority in enhancing antioxidative effect and hepatoprotection when compared to individual administration. However, all three compounds and their combination presented similar capability in providing hepatoprotective effects and maintaining SOD, GSH and MDA levels to within normal range. As for future implications, the current investigation suggests a possible application of the tested compound in protecting the liver of people susceptible for APAP toxicity during pain and fever management.
Conceptualization, N.A.Q.; Methodology, A.M.A., M.B., T.M.A., A.A.A.K. and N.A.Q.; Formal Analysis, O.G., A.M.A., M.B., B.Y.G. and N.A.Q.; Investigation, A.M.A., M.B. and N.A.Q.; Data Curation, O.G., A.M.A., M.B. and B.Y.G.; Writing—Original Draft Preparation, A.M.A. and M.B.; Writing—Review and Editing, A.A.A.K., N.A.Q., T.M.A. and B.Y.G.; Supervision, N.A.Q.; Project Administration, N.A.Q.; Funding Acquisition, N.A.Q.
This research was funded by the Deanship of Scientific research, University of Petra, Amman, Jordan. Grant number 3/4/2016 and 9/4/2017.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Figure 1. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. SOD levels in rats intoxicated with two doses of acetaminophen (APAP) (2800 mg/kg) or intoxicated post treatment with ascorbic acid (500 mg/kg), alpha lipoic acid (ALA) (100 mg/kg), silymarin (200 mg/kg) and their combination emulsion for eight days. Each data bar represents the mean ± SEM. ** p < 0.05; # p > 0.05.
Figure 2. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. MDA levels in rats intoxicated with two dosed of APAP (2800 mg/kg) alone or intoxicated post treatment with ascorbic acid (500 mg/kg), ALA (100 mg/kg), silymarin (200 mg/kg) and their combination emulsion for eight days. Each data bar represents the mean ± SEM. * p < 0.05 compared to control group; # p > 0.05.
Figure 3. Serum glutathione (GSH) levels. Serum GSH levels of rats intoxicated with two dosed of APAP (2800 mg/kg) alone or intoxicated post treatment with ascorbic acid (500 mg/kg), ALA (100 mg/kg), silymarin (200 mg/kg) and their combination emulsion for eight days. Each data bar represents the mean ± SEM. ** p < 0.01; # p > 0.05.
Figure 4. Percentage of mitochondrial activity. Percentage of mitochondrial activity of isolated rat hepatocytes incubated with and without intoxication with 10 mM APAP. The hepatocytes were pretreated with ascorbic acid, ALA, silymarin or their combination emulsion for 3 h prior the addition of APAP to induce cytotoxicity. Each data point represents the mean ± SEM (n = 6). ** p < 0.01, # p > 0.05 compared to control group.
Table 1. Selected liver function biomarkers determinations in rat serum.
|Treatment (n = 8)||ALT a||AST a||ALP a||Albumin b||Cholesterol c|
|Control||55 ± 6.5 **||190 ± 29 **||150 ± 58||4.6 ± 0.4 #||90 ± 4.2 #|
|APAP||3100 ± 703 **||2570 ± 241 **||449 ± 82 $||3.2 ± 0.2||110 ± 8.3|
|Ascorbic acid + APAP||1278 ± 259||1008 ± 221||263 ± 32||2.5 ± 0.2||82 ± 8.5|
|ALA + APAP||807 ± 204||787 ± 191||195 ± 19||2.9 ± 0.1||102 ± 8.6|
|SIL + APAP||890 ± 126||916 ± 165||304 ± 57||3.1 ± 0.1||112 ± 9.3|
|Combination + APAP||609 ± 230||617 ± 173||148 ± 24||2.6 ± 0.1||88 ± 4.4|
a U/L, b g/dL, c mg/dL. ** p < 0.01 compared to other groups. $ p < 0.05 compared to control. # p > 0.05 compared to other groups.
© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Beautiful Waterfront Colonial
1476 Holly Point Road
Built in 1969 this Williamsburg Colonial house is situated in the historic district of Norfolk’s Winona, located on the Lafayette River and within a 10-15 minute drive of Naval Station Norfolk, Fleet Forces Command, NATO, Marine Forces Command, and the Joint Forces Staff College. Convenient to both Downtown and Mid-Town tunnels connecting to Portsmouth Naval Hospital, as well as Coast Guard and Joint Staff installations in Portsmouth and Suffolk. Large formal living and dining rooms allow for gracious entertaining as well as a large paver patio leading to a large fenced yard and pier. The eat in kitchen is currently being updated. Five bedrooms and two full bathrooms are on the second floor. A full bath, fireplace and laundry room are on the first floor. 2 zone air conditioning and efficient heat pump for use in both summer and winter. There is ample storage with attics in the home and garage, as well as numerous closets and cabinet space. Winona neighborhood highlights include some of the best water views in Norfolk, with common waterfront space and access to the Lafayette River for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Sidewalks lined with Crepe Myrtles make this active neighborhood perfect for walking, jogging, and biking. A dog park and playground provide additional opportunities to meet neighbors. There are also great views of Downtown Norfolk's firework displays. Easy access to Old Dominion University Constant Convocation Center for Monarch sporting events and major concerts. Old Dominion Foreman Field (football stadium) also conveniently accessible. This house is zoned for Maury High School, The Academy for Discovery at Lakewood and Willard Model Elementary. Additional school choices include Larchmont Elementary, Saint Patrick's, Christ the King, Norfolk Christian, and Norfolk Collegiate private schools. This tucked away home located on a quiet culdesac gives you a private feel convenient to the local bases and city. We are willing to discount rent on a 2+ year lease!

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From Albany, New York, State Champs have been a well-known name in the pop punk music scene for many years after forming in 2010. The band have released three full-length albums – the most recent being in 2018, but have since released an array of singles and covers over the years.
Now, they have released their latest single: Everybody But You.
The song sticks to the State Champ’s musical style, which, though it has evolved over the years has always been recognisable as the band’s sound. Any fans of the band will instantly love the ranting anger of the lyrics, whilst remaining catchy and good fun. Furthermore, the track also features Neck Deep’s frontman Ben Barlow who, aside from being another extremely well known vocalist in the scene, has been friends with State Champs for many years. The bands have toured together in the past and sang together at shows, but have not collabed on a track until now. Fans are already enjoying the collaboration as it already has half a million streams on Spotify.
The band have also shared a music video for the song that sees them throwing a house party as told in the song’s lyrics and humorously includes Ben Barlow singing his part of the song through a video call on a phone.
Watch the video below:


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The Denmark Technical College Alumni & Student Ensemble performed African American genres, ranging from Negro spirituals to contemporary gospel to jazz standards to classic R&B, all used to educate, expose, and entertain during Black History Month. The 10 voices, in select groupings, were featured on six Black History Month programs.
Gospel Live was held on Feb. 8 at Midlands Technical College’s Harbison Theater. There, the full ensemble joined other choirs from South Carolina historically black colleges and universities to offer an evening of gospel music. Denmark Technical College performed a praise medley of six selections that included “Battle of Jericho,” arranged by Moses Hogan; “Anthem of Praise” by Richard Smallwood; and “For Every Mountain” by Kurt Carr. The choristers received high acclaim from the standing-room-only audience. All ensembles ended the rousing evening with mass choir renditions of “Prayer of Jabez (Bless Me),” arranged by Donald Lawrence and “God is Great” by John Lakin.
The Bamberg County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held its annual Calendar Tea on Feb. 2, at which Denmark Tech’s recently named president, Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr., was the speaker. Both vocal and instrumental music were contributed by choir members Ashley Jordan and Velik Davis, respectively. Selections included Tamela Mann’s “Take Me to the King,” composed by Kirk Franklin, and the traditional civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome.”
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Jordan and Davis represented the college at two performances on Feb. 27, joined by Myron Brooker and Naviree Johnson. These four members of the Alumni & Student Ensemble joined Director of Choral Activities Dr. Yvette McDaniel to provide the entire Black History Month program for the Bamberg Disabilities and Special Needs Board’s clients. McDaniel traced African-American music from the Negro spiritual to present day hip hop, pointing out various uses for major genres. These included songs that signaled escape for the enslaved as well as Motown selections used for presidential campaigns. This 10 a.m. performance was followed by a 1 p.m. performance during Vance-Providence Elementary School’s Black History Month program. The speaker for the occasion was Shante Sumpter, news anchor for WACH Fox 57. Brooker, a former teacher at the school, was featured on Donnie McClurkin’s “Stand.” McClurkin is a South Carolina native and an award-winning gospel legend.
Jordan, Davis, Brooker and Johnson traveled to St. George on Feb. 28. Williams Memorial Elementary School held two Black History Month assembly programs on which Denmark Technical College was featured. At both the 8:30 and 10 a.m. programs, McDaniel gave brief histories of the uses of African American music, and the performers sang and played selections ranging from the Negro spiritual “I’ve Been ‘Buked” to the Motown classic “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” It was a special time for McDaniel, whose father was a music teacher and highly acclaimed choir director at Williams Memorial before and through integration in the 1960s and ‘70s. Comments were made to the young performers, thanking them for their unique contributions. One community leader stated, “This was a Black History program with substance.”
The Denmark Technical College Alumni & Student Ensemble will continue to offer music ranging from Latin Renaissance motets to contemporary gospel and R&B. The unique ensemble serves the college as its official ambassadors. The history of the choral program is rich and these choristers desire to continue its legacy. For further information, contact Dr. Yvette McDaniel at email@example.com or 803-793-5259.
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