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The following interview between artist Josh Kline and I was conducted via email. We cover work, media, hands, and the end. 2012!
Amanda Beroza Friedman: For your current exhibition, Dignity and Self-Respect, the press release is amazing. And fatal. Is the world ending? What do the ’90s have to do with it?
Josh Kline: Someone’s world is always ending. That’s the nature of aging and death. The teenagers and twentysomethings of the ’90s, born in the ’70s and early ’80s, are finally moving into undeniable and irreversible adulthood. It’s extremely difficult to use thirtysomethings to sell youth culture.
Unlike previous generations of artists and musicians, this generation moved into early adulthood absolutely thrilled to participate in focus groups and pose for product-placement shots in exchange for sponsored drinks, complimentary magazines, unpaid jobs, and the chance to be near some reissued retro sneakers. You spill your personal problems and innermost secrets on social media and Facebook turns it into entertainment for other people and sells advertising around it. Even after the asteroid hits the Earth, some life will go on. In this vision of the future, people will continue, but perhaps as products and services instead of as human beings.
In my show at 47 Canal, a lot of the work comes out of thinking about this transition, about the transformation of creative people into mass-produced or mass-distributed goods, services, or advertising. It’s also about a generation in the process of being deprecated by the market as trend forecasters look to the tastes of the young people of today for this season’s sounds and colorways. The youth culture of the ’90s and of the 2000s are reference points for the show, but the installation’s setting is today.
ABF: Your work speaks to communication strategies. Over the last few months, the occupation movement has brought back hand signals, chanting, and the general consensus model of group governing. From where you stand, how is Occupy Wall Street doing with communication?
JK: I think Occupy Wall Street is doing an incredible job with communication. Less than four months ago the entire conversation on the news was about austerity, deficit reduction, and finding more ways to transfer more money from the poor and the middle class to “job creators.” I sometimes wonder if the Democratic Party and their supporters are throwing the game deliberately. The 99% and the 1% is an incredibly persuasive and effective argument.
ABF: Do you read Adbusters? Where do you get your news?
JK: I bought an issue once in the late ’90s and found it forgettable.
I read the news on the Internet at my desk at work while I eat lunch. Also, I’m a podcast junky. I listen to a lot of news while I work in the studio and while I cook.
ABF: What does the creative sector mean to you? How do you define hard work?
JK: I see the creative sector as the area of the economy that encompasses creative workers: artists, designers, people in advertising, filmmakers, writers, stylists, etc. – all of the people who are making a livelihood or trying to make one generating cultural products and services. For me the idea of the creative sector has become synonymous with unpaid or underpaid precarious labor and with debt-driven aspirational lifestyles.
How do you define hard work? For some people it’s thinking and worrying until your stomach hurts. For others it’s working 70-90 hours a week. Or maybe it’s an ideology with roots in Protestantism imported from Northern Europe? If you’re an Indonesian maid working 6-7 days a week in Hong Kong who gets pushed out of a window, maybe it means something completely different.
ABF: Hands are important to a maker. What was it like to make those included in “Dignity and Self-Respect” and can you talk about the process?
JK: With the Creative Hands, I wanted to physically appropriate and mass-produce the hands of creative workers, of the people who actually shape our culture. They’re the counterpoint to the show’s lone video What Would Molly Do?, which presents interviews with intern candidates. Whereas in the video I’m presenting interns as subjects, with the hands I wanted to present people successful in the roles that the potential interns aspired to reach – consultants, graphic designers, DJs, curators, studio managers, retouchers, etc. I wanted to show both ends of the commercial creative lifecycle. The hands and the objects they hold are cast in skin-colored silicone rubber – which is already a proxy for flesh. Each person is holding a tool, a piece of lifestyle technology – an iPhone, a mini-bottle of Jameson, a Blackberry, a bottle of Advil, a digital camera, etc. One hand is wearing a carpal tunnel wrist brace.
As subjects, I selected people I knew. Friends. I wanted to implicate and involve my own social network. My own hand is in there holding a bottle of Purell, representing my life as a curator and all the hands I shake. I cast my collaborator Jon Santos’s hand – he’s a celebrated graphic designer and well-known DJ. I cast the hands of a famous artist’s studio manager (who is also an artist I collaborate with and my gallerist); of Ken Miller, the former editor of Tokion; of Cynthia Leung, the head of PR at Balenciaga; of my friend Jasmine Pasquill who retouches images for the covers of major fashion magazines. I brought them in one by one, and with some expert help from other friends (Jesse Greenberg and Margaret Lee), I cast the hands, produced molds and then proceeded to produce a series of rubber sculptures. In many cases the subjects collaborated, selecting the objects in their hand or the gesture that was captured. Ken had the idea to use a mini-bottle of Jameson and Cynthia had a very specific grip in mind for the Blackberry.
ABF: What are you most excited about in 2012?
JK: Excited is probably the wrong word, but I can’t take my eyes and ears off the coverage of the Eurozone meltdown. It’s a non-stop economic cliffhanger. Spring and summer are going to be interesting times.


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Kiddies, Work and Nutririon Food Evgen
Timing is necessary. The window of Fertility is approximately 5 (five) days long. It’s best to all the time test your ovulation calendar. For a Y sperm have intercourse the day that you ovulate. However for an X sperm do it two to a few days earlier than ovulation. Timing it properly may help you naturally select your child’s gender.
Brown rice has a wide variety of important amino acids which are complemented when eaten together (not cooked collectively) with beans. In addition, it is enormously versatile and might be eaten plain or with saut?ï¿½ed or steamed greens, as a stuffing for grape leaves or vegetables, as a pilaf, in sushi or a salad or made candy and in puddings. It is wonderful with sauces particularly the best addition of soy sauce. Study to chew it slowly and benefit from the crunchy, nutty taste after which start including it to your favourite recipes.
French toast sticks with syrup – 350 energy
Over hydrating your self is simply as harmful as not drinking enough. There was a faculty of thought that encouraged ingesting large portions of water the day earlier than a race to stop triathletes dehydrating on race day. This is a flawed strategy, because if you concentrate on it, the place is the human body going to store all this extra water? All this accomplishes is that you flush out your sodium and different electrolytes, once this occurs you experience cramping, fatigue and illness, a situation generally known as hyponatremia, which is very harmful, at worst it can be life-threatening. As a rule of thumb, drink if you end up starting to feel somewhat thirsty, but do not wait too lengthy.
Late night time get togethers and cultural mixers.
The presence of fiber with grains, regulates their conversion into sugars once in the system. In the event you eat grains with high fiber content (complete grains) they’re dissolved rather more slowly than should you eat processed grains. The liver doesn’t detect an enormous surge of extra sugar in the blood stream, so doesn’t pump as much insulin into the system telling it to store away the nutrients as fats. It means that you can use the nutrients instantly. Have you ever experienced a mid-morning or mid-afternoon slump whenever you feel like taking a nap? Properly, I bet you had a excessive carbohydrate breakfast or lunch a pair hours earlier than. Your physique has saved away all of that energy you ate as fats and now you are low on power in your body to make use of. If you happen to had eaten a low carbohydrate meal, or a meal with moderate carbohydrates and many fiber, that droop would not have occurred. You’ll have ample power in your system to keep on going, and going.
Vitamin A – 23,769 IU. I have at all times been requested the query, How can I do away with my fats and build muscle at the similar time. Nonetheless, not all individuals are motivated to eat fish meat and vegies. Some meals might solely be a protein shake or nuts and so forth. High calorie meals may be your greatest friend when you do not have an entire lot of time. So, nothing has changed in your weight loss program. You’ve got been keeping it “clear.” How come you’re still not dropping pounds?

domain: health


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Love is a tapestry woven with threads of uncertainty, passion, and unpredictable twists. It can lead us on a thrilling journey of self-discovery and heartache, leaving us wondering about the ultimate destination. In the midst of this beautiful chaos, one question lingers in the minds of avid readers and passionate romantics: Does Pilar end up with Felix? Join me on an exploration of their complex relationship, delving into the intricacies of their connection, the challenges they face, and the tantalizing possibilities that lie ahead.
An Unlikely Encounter
As fate would have it, Pilar and Felix’s paths crossed on a dew-kissed morning in a bustling café. Sparks flew as their eyes met, igniting a fire within them that neither could extinguish. Pilar, a free-spirited artist with an insatiable thirst for adventure, was captivated by Felix’s enigmatic aura and unyielding charm.
In their initial encounters, they danced around each other like celestial bodies in an intricate cosmic ballet. Pilar’s artistic soul found solace in Felix’s intellectual musings, and his gentle yet mysterious nature sparked her curiosity. As they shared stolen glances and exchanged brief conversations, the magnetic pull between them grew stronger, laying the foundation for a story that would test the boundaries of love itself.
The Tapestry of Obstacles
Love, however, is not without its trials and tribulations. As Pilar and Felix embarked on their journey, they soon found themselves entangled in a complex web of obstacles that threatened to tear them apart. Social differences, personal insecurities, and conflicting dreams became the thorns in their blossoming relationship.
Pilar’s bohemian spirit clashed with Felix’s rigid upbringing, leading to moments of passionate disagreement. Their love was a battleground where they fought their own demons, battling societal expectations and their own fears. In the face of adversity, they questioned whether the flame that burned so brightly between them could endure the storms that raged around them.
The Dance of Second Chances
Amidst the chaos, Pilar and Felix discovered the profound capacity of love to heal wounds and bridge chasms. Time and time again, they found solace in each other’s arms, seeking refuge from the tempestuous outside world. Their shared laughter, whispered confessions, and stolen kisses became the balm that soothed their weary souls.
In the dance of second chances, Pilar and Felix learned to embrace vulnerability and surrender to the unpredictable currents of love. They wove a delicate tapestry of forgiveness, understanding, and compromise, transcending the barriers that once threatened to tear them apart. Through their trials and triumphs, they grew individually and as a couple, discovering the transformative power of love’s redemptive touch.
A Fork in the Road
Life, however, has a peculiar way of leading us down uncharted paths when we least expect it. As Pilar and Felix journeyed together, their connection deepened, and yet, they found themselves standing at a fork in the road. Dreams and ambitions clashed, leaving them with a heart-wrenching decision to make – one that would redefine their lives forever.
Pilar, torn between her desire for artistic freedom and the stability of a conventional life, questioned whether her love for Felix could coexist with her own self-fulfillment. Felix, too, grappled with his own demons, wrestling with the fear of losing the woman who had breathed life into his world. Their hearts pulled in different directions, leaving them to face a choice that could either bind them eternally or shatter their fragile bond.
The Unpredictable Tides of Fate
As the tides of fate ebbed and flowed, Pilar and Felix found themselves engulfed in a whirlwind of events that tested the very foundations of their love. Circumstances beyond their control swept them into a tempestuous sea, challenging their commitment and resolve
Tragedy struck, leaving them both shattered and adrift. In the face of loss, they clung to each other, seeking solace and strength. It was during these moments of vulnerability that they realized the depth of their connection, their unwavering support for one another, and the unbreakable bond that had been forged through adversity.
Yet, the currents of life continued to carry them further apart. External forces, obligations, and unforeseen twists of fate conspired to keep them at arm’s length. The road ahead seemed daunting, lined with uncertainties and sacrifices. And so, they grappled with the question: Would love be enough to weather the storm, or were they destined to part ways?
A Glint of Hope
In the depths of their despair, a glimmer of hope emerged, illuminating the path they had longed to tread together. Pilar and Felix discovered that love, in its purest form, had the power to transcend boundaries and surmount any obstacle. Their unwavering belief in the strength of their connection fueled their determination to fight for what they cherished most.
With renewed resolve, they embarked on a journey of self-discovery, seeking to reconcile their individual aspirations with their shared dreams. Pilar’s artistic spirit found new avenues for expression, while Felix’s steadfast support provided her with the wings to soar. Together, they redefined the boundaries of their relationship, molding it into a union that celebrated their individuality while cherishing their togetherness.
The Unveiling of Destiny
Destiny, the ultimate weaver of tales, finally unveiled her plans for Pilar and Felix. Through the trials and tribulations they endured, they discovered that love, in its truest essence, is not confined by societal expectations or conventional norms. It is a force that defies logic, surpasses boundaries, and molds its own reality.
In a moment of revelation, Pilar and Felix recognized that their love had transcended the limitations of time, space, and circumstance. They had grown together, healed each other’s wounds, and emerged stronger than ever. In the tapestry of their intertwined lives, destiny had woven a connection that was unbreakable—a love that would endure the tests of time.
The Unending Journey
The question of whether Pilar ends up with Felix finds its answer in the journey they embark upon—a journey that transcends the confines of a definitive outcome. Their love story is a testament to the complexities of human connection, the depth of emotion, and the transformative power of love.
As they continue to navigate the winding path of life, Pilar and Felix will encounter new challenges and joys. Their love will evolve, shape-shift, and adapt, reflecting the ebb and flow of their individual journeys. Together, they will continue to rewrite the narrative of their love story, embracing the unknown, and surrendering to the magic that resides in the spaces between what is and what could be.
In conclusion, the story of Pilar and Felix is not one that can be confined to a simple answer. It is a tale of love’s resilience, of two souls entwined in a dance of passion, and of the enduring power of connection. Their journey, marked by twists and turns, will forever leave us pondering the unpredictable nature of love and the beauty that lies in the unfolding of its mysteries.

domain: artistic


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Owner says his company works hard to be positive community asset
Published 4:17 pm Monday, June 12, 2006
By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Kenneth Smith thinks his gravel and sand mining company has gotten a bad rap.
Smith said his company has followed all governmental rules for obtaining permits and operating the business and has worked hard to be a good neighbor to those around it.
He said some newspaper stories have been one-sided and paint a different, inaccurate picture.
Kenneth Smith, president of the mining business's parent company Kenneth Smith Inc., said his organization works hard to be a positive part of Niles.
The company is at the center of a legal battle between the owner of a Howard Township business and the municipality over the granting of a permit to Moose Lake Aggregate, which Smith's company owns.
Smith said his companies are in the process of constructing two lakes near the site of the sand and gravel mining business. Once completed, the bodies of water will serve as the centerpieces for a new residential community on Barron Lake Road.
Smith said a completion date could not be estimated, but added he hopes to have both lakes finished and work on getting the community started within 10 years. Progress depends on the pace of the construction business and the amount of business Moose Lake Aggregate receives. The more materials supplied by Moose Lake, the quicker the lake project can move forward, Smith said. He also added the business “is already going at a pretty good pace now.”
Kenneth Smith Inc. was founded in 1967 by Smith's grandfather, also named Kenneth. The company bought Moose Lake Aggregate in 2001 and has since increased the size of the property in Howard Township from 60 to 170 acres.
Moose Lake obtained its conditional use permit necessary to mine sand and gravel on the piece of property zoned agricultural/residential from Howard Township in July 2002. The township's board of trustees and zoning board held four public meetings before issuing the permit.
An appeal from neighboring Eckler's Produce and Greenhouse of the township's decision to issue the conditional permit was recently denied in Cass County Circuit Court by Judge Michael E. Dodge. The owners of the greenhouse, Larry and Lucyle Eckler, have voiced concerns over the mining business that operates across the street.
Larry Eckler has complained about the amount of sand and dust Moose Lake creates as well as the noise caused by the large trucks pulling in and out of the mining location.
Smith said his mining business has taken many steps to limit the amount of dust and noise coming from Moose Lake. Aside from dust suppression systems, Smith said all trucks leaving Moose Lake pass through a wheel washing system and then exit the property on a 1,500 foot paved driveway.
And, Smith said his company invested a large amount of time and hours into the process of obtaining the necessary permits to mine gravel and sand on the property zoned agricultural/residential.
Moose Lake products are being used in multiple projects across southwest Michigan, Smith said. The company's gravel is being used in the construction of the U.S. 31 bypass extension north of Berrien Springs.
Kenneth Smith Inc. is also supplying limestone for the new Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, as well as concrete for the Interstate 94 project near Paw Paw, Smith said.
Smith said the total number of employees between Kenneth Smith Inc. and Moose Lake Aggregates is now near 85.
As for the new project on Barron Lake Road, Smith said work on both lakes is well under way. Next to a six-acre lake will rest another measuring 58 acres with a depth of 42 feet. Smith added the larger of the two has already been stocked with bass, walleye and perch. Smith said the Moose Lake Aggregate business will be removed once the lakes are finished and construction on the subdivision is ready to begin.

domain: news


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"Compassion Reporting: Fostering Unity Through the iPar Method" challenges media's role in societal division. Journalist Nia Jovan Andrews introduces an innovative "iPar method" to counteract biases in journalism. This 128-page book advocates for compassion and a more empathetic approach to media. Available now at major retailers.
In "Compassion Reporting," Nia draws upon her journalistic background to shed light on the significant role of the media in perpetuating divisive behaviors. The book challenges the status quo, highlighting the harmful impact of stereotypes and stigmas frequently found in news reporting.
What sets "Compassion Reporting" apart is the introduction of the innovative "iPar method." This unique writing approach is designed to counteract the biases and prejudices often present in media coverage, encouraging a more empathetic and balanced narrative. Nia believes that adopting this method can revolutionize journalism, fostering greater understanding and unity among communities.
The book offers a compelling argument for the power of compassion in healing societal divides. It serves as a wake-up call to media professionals and readers alike, urging them to consider the profound influence of the media on our perceptions and interactions with the world.
"Compassion Reporting" is not just a book; it's a call to action. It advocates for a more compassionate and empathetic approach to journalism and storytelling, with the ultimate goal of creating a more harmonious and understanding world.
Nia invites readers to explore "Compassion Reporting" and join the movement towards a more compassionate future. The book is available now at jpeology.com.
About The Author
Nia Jovan Andrews is an accomplished journalist with a passion for promoting compassion in media and society. With years of experience in the field, Nia has developed the groundbreaking "iPar method" to challenge and reshape journalism for the better.
About Publisher: Jones Publishing & Enterprises, LLC. (JP&E) is a product and corporate services boutique that houses published works, provides services in Intellectual Property Management, Licensing, and Contract Negotiations; and conducts workshops that promote business growth. We're equipped to provide business services for the expansion of business brands through licensing and consulting on registrations/intellectual property (business, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets) for start-up ideas and new businesses. Consulting on communication strategy for various project-specific content in healthcare and public health. We support teams in building out communications plans that get media interviews, published articles, and product placement.
For more information about "Compassion Reporting" and Nia's work, visit www.jpeology.com.
Nia Jovan Andrews

domain: library


02-26-20, 11:56 AM
I was helping a customer replace an older e-120 with an older but new E120. He also wanted to change the open array with a used one that wasn't discolored and relocate the array and motor. I unbolted the array, lifted it off and replaced it with the other unit also pulling the 8 pin plug, + and - wires. All power was off throughout the process, the plug was wired back up to spec. Power was turned on and every thing worked except the screen only displayed about 1/8 mile after any adjustment I was familiar with. I put the original array back on and the problem remained. He says everything worked fine with the old E120 and array and I must have damaged the radar. Is that even possible when carefully replacing the open array and plug?


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Cahill Wins Dismissal in $5.9B Securities Suit for Standard & Poor’s
A Cahill litigation team prevailed on behalf of McGraw Hill Financial, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (together, “S&P”), on claims arising from ratings S&P assigned to certain Private Label Mortgage-Backed Securities (“PLMBS”) prior to the financial crisis. Plaintiff, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, filed suit in April 2011 against S&P and multiple other defendants seeking recovery for alleged losses in connection with the Bank’s purchase of $5.9 billion dollars’ worth of PLMBS. The Complaint asserted claims for negligent misrepresentation, violation of the Massachusetts unfair trade practices statute, and common law fraud. The Court previously had dismissed the negligent misrepresentation and Massachusetts statutory claims against S&P.
On September 30, 2014, U.S. District Judge for the District of Massachusetts, George O’Toole, dismissed the remaining common law fraud claim against S&P, finding that S&P was not subject to personal jurisdiction in Massachusetts in light of the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Daimler AG v. Bauman, -- U.S. --, 134 S. Ct. 746 (2014). The dismissal was the result of a motion for reconsideration filed by S&P with regard to an earlier order by Judge O’Toole finding jurisdiction over S&P. In his reconsideration opinion, Judge O’Toole noted that “[t]he Daimler decision requires a tighter assessment of the standard than perhaps was clear from Goodyear” (Goodyear Dunlop Tires Operations, S.A. v. Brown, -- U.S. --, 131 S. Ct. 2847 (2011)) and agreed “with the rating agency defendants that under the analytical framework expressed in Daimler, it is clear that they are not subject to personal jurisdiction in Massachusetts.”
The Court also denied Plaintiff’s request that the claims against S&P be severed and transferred to New York pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1631, 1404 and 1406, in lieu of dismissal.

domain: law


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Connect with top gaming leaders in Los Angeles at GamesBeat Summit 2023 this May 22-23. Register here.
Justin.tv, a site that lets web browsers watch and publish live video streams, is recruiting additional developers to build an exclusive electronic sports live-streaming website for games like real-time strategy game Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty.
The live streaming site launched a new landing page for job-seekers, saying it wants to “be the world’s best live esports site.” Justin.tv is already widely used as a place to broadcast live streams of video game matches in games like World of Warcraft and Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty. Gamers also use other live-streaming sites like UStream to broadcast their game matches.
Electronic sports leagues, or e-sports, are already really popular internationally — particularly in countries like South Korea, where players compete for tens of thousands of dollars in prize money in massive tournaments. But the league has only grown slowly in the United States because it hasn’t achieved the same level of visibility that professional gaming has internationally. But a number of companies are doing their part to bring more attention to professional gaming.
Activision-Blizzard, the developer of Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty, cut a large chunk of content from that game and made it less graphically demanding to ensure that it would be a better vehicle for professional gamers. The company regularly holds massive tournaments at its annual conference in Anaheim, Calif. There is also a professional gaming league site called Major League Gaming that features clips from professional gaming matches and a forum where gamers can meet and schedule matches.
GamesBeat Summit 2023
Join the GamesBeat community in Los Angeles this May 22-23. You’ll hear from the brightest minds within the gaming industry to share their updates on the latest developments.
Justin.tv gives individuals a way to stream content live to the internet, whether it is from their webcams, mobile phones or wired in from a TV. The company also has iPhone and applications for phones running Google’s mobile operating system Android. Both apps let users live broadcast video streams from their phones. The company just launched a new app focused more on video-sharing than livestreaming called Socialcam.
Live streaming has become pretty popular — live stream usage jumped 650 percent in 2010 when compared to 2009. The San Francisco, Calif.-based company was part of the Y Combinator incubator program and has also received funding from Alsop Louie partners and Tim Draper — though the exact amount of money they have raised is unclear.
GamesBeat's creed when covering the game industry is "where passion meets business." What does this mean? We want to tell you how the news matters to you -- not just as a decision-maker at a game studio, but also as a fan of games. Whether you read our articles, listen to our podcasts, or watch our videos, GamesBeat will help you learn about the industry and enjoy engaging with it. Discover our Briefings.


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Jump to Main Content
An extract of Commiphora erythraea: a repellent and toxicant against ticks
- Carroll, J.F., Maradufu, A., Warthen, J.D. Jr.
- Entomologia experimentalis et applicata 1989 v.53 no.2 pp. 111-116
- Amblyomma americanum, Commiphora, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis, adults, hexane, larvae, larvicides, permethrin, ticks
- A hexane extract of the gum of an African plant, Commiphora erythraea Engler (Burseraceae), has larvicidal and repellent activity against the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.) and the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say). Adult deer ticks, Ixodes dammini Spielman, Clifford, Piesman and Corwin, were also repelled by the extract. Concentrations of 0.02 mg/cm² of the extract impregnated onto filter paper killed 96.15 (± 3.56)% of A. americanum larvae exposed to it for 24 h. A concentration of 0.16 mg/cm² was needed to kill 80.3% of D. variabilis larvae. The extract was less effective as a larvicide against A. americanum and D. variabilis than permethrin. Less than 15.5% of A. americanum larvae and adults and D. variabilis and I. dammini adults entered and remained for 2 or 3 min on areas of cloth strips treated with the extract at the rate of 0.2 mg/cm². However, 73.3 to 83.3% of the ticks tested entered and remained in areas treated with hexane. Permethrin was about 1 or 2 orders of magnitude more effective against A. americanum larvae as a repellent than the extract.

domain: chemistry


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The side that knows what it’s fighting for is going to win.
It’s not enough to know what you’re fighting against. Even with superior weaponry, the side that fights without knowing what it’s fighting for is going to meander in ambivalence, spending money and taking casualties, while the other side acts with purpose, resolve, persistence and ferocity.
This is how America was defeated in Afghanistan, and this is how the Republican Party, in recent decades, has been defeated in California.
The recall election is an opportunity to reset politics in the Golden State, and it may already have done so. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s epic failures and clueless arrogance have disgusted enough Californians to qualify a recall election of the governor for only the second time in state history, and although Newsom may hang on, the thick pile of cash he had to coerce from donors to try to keep the job is evidence that California is not a happy place right now.
Since 1911, Californians have had the power to take matters into their own hands and set things right, as voters see it. The recall election is a healthy exercise in accountability. Political power belongs not to the people who hold it, but to the people who grant it.
In California, elected officials at all levels have failed the people who delegated power to them. All the problems in the state can be fixed, but they won’t be fixed unless the political process produces a rational debate about solutions.
This is an opportunity for the Republican Party. Good people have stepped up to run for governor, and many others have stepped forward to get involved as supporters. Politics isn’t easy, and people pay a heavy personal price — especially conservatives in California — for speaking out in opposition to the Democrats in power. That so many people are willing to do it anyway should tell you how bad it is for so many people in this state right now.
It’s not a statistical error that California has lost population and a congressional seat for the first time in its history. It’s a middle-class evacuation. Families with children are fleeing to states with better schools and lower taxes. Retirees are moving away to escape the high cost of living. Businesses are leaking into other states, gradually expanding their operations outside of California and moving their headquarters, too, a message that they don’t want this state on their letterhead, or on their shoes.
Regardless of the outcome of the recall election, there is another election in 2022. The governor will be on the ballot, and so will the entire 80-member Assembly and half the state Senate. Mayors, city council members, county supervisors and school board members will be on the ballot. The entire congressional delegation will be on the ballot. The secretary of state, who runs elections, will be on the ballot, and so will the attorney general, who writes titles and summaries for ballot measures.
California Republicans who understand what they’re fighting for, not just what they’re fighting against, can win anywhere in this state, because people are hurting everywhere and they need government officials who hear them. Anyone working in GOP politics who is currently drawing a salary or fees for specializing in explaining that Republicans can’t win should go and find another job.
One of the most dispiriting things in politics is the craven cynicism of professionals who really don’t want to win, because a winner becomes an office-holder and a political power center, and that’s in the way of people who want to exploit the machinery of the party and its earnest, frustrated donors for personal gain.
Outsider candidates are a threat to the whole operation.
If everything was fine in California, a little corruption would matter a lot less. But it’s more than a little, and things are not fine.
When the recall election is over, regardless of the outcome, the current GOP candidates for governor and their supporters should start organizing to restore a two-party system in California. Coalitions win elections. Feuds do not.
In every district, in every race, a credible Republican candidate should be making the argument to voters that better policies can give this state better schools, abundant and affordable electricity and water, more housing in more places, and safe, clean streets. Better policies can shelter the homeless and provide world-class care for people suffering from severe mental illness and substance use disorder. Better policies can encourage businesses to expand in California and provide high-paying jobs that create a generous stream of public revenue to fund a generous safety net, without high tax rates. That’s something to fight for.
The Democratic political machine that runs California is a toxic brew of ruthlessness and vanity, disconnected from the problems devastating middle-class families and out-of-touch with the lives of the people who have never been to the French Laundry.
“The consequences of this election are profound,” Newsom said this week. “If they can take California, a progressive blue state, think about the impact that will have on Nancy Pelosi’s future … on the entire Biden agenda.”
They know what they’re fighting for. Power. Permanent, unquestionable power.
Know what you’re fighting for. Then fight for it.
Write Susan Shelley: firstname.lastname@example.org and follow her on Twitter: @Susan_Shelley.


text: Based on a well studied green lipped Perna viridis, the present review paper exemplified the impacts of marine pollution and toxicology in terms of a) chemicals/pollutant bioaccumulation, b) morphological and physiological responses and c) genetic polymorphism and differentiation. From the review based on Mussel Watch publications, three insights can be found. Firstly, the similar finding for both heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) studies in the marine mussels was found in which elevated or higher levels (than the normal ranges) of the two types of pollutants in the mussels collected from anthropogenic receiving inputs areas. Secondly, the morphological response (shell deformities) and physiological responses (CI, FR and mortality) of mussels are results of heavy metal pollution in the marine coastal waters. Thirdly, the changes of genetic polymorphic loci in the polluted mussels were resulted from exposure to metal polluted coastal waters. Therefore, our Mussel Watch experience can be employed to understand the effects of marine pollution and toxicology.


The Setai, a luxury condo development rising above Wall Street, promises buyers nearly 8,500 square feet of outdoor space, including bamboo groves, a Jacuzzi and grill pits on the roof terrace.
Welcome to suburbia in the city. Outdoor space has become the latest must-have amenity for luxury condos. Lawns, roof gardens and even mini-forests are sprouting behind closed gates all around the city. In addition to the Setai, the Linden on the Upper West Side, the Miraval on the Upper East Side and the Visionaire in Battery Park City are just a few of the buildings that are setting aside thousands of square feet for the accoutrements of country living.
In other cities, such as Miami, outdoor space has been a condo staple for years. But in New York, where scarcity makes land much more expensive, developers traditionally have opted to make every square foot salable. Even workout rooms, often carved out of storage space in the basement, were often afterthoughts.
Now, developers are differentiating their buildings with outdoor amenities to appeal to status-conscious foreigners, young professionals and the growing coterie of parents choosing the city over the suburbs to raise their families.
Barefoot in the park
"Five years ago, people asked whether the kitchen had a window," says DJK Residential broker Kathryn Higgins. "Now they say, 'Only show me something with outdoor space.' "
With a new baby, Nobu Fifty Seven managing partner Richie Notar was in the market for a larger apartment. He heard about the Element, a 35-story condo rising on West 59th Street, replete with a "great lawn," a meditation garden, swimming pools and a children's playground. Those amenities helped seal his decision to buy in the building, which is still under construction.
"If you don't want to walk five blocks to the park, it's nice to be able to go downstairs in your bare feet and let the baby run around," Mr. Notar says.
By itself, the great outdoors doesn't rate premium prices. But when it is part of a larger package of amenities, including swimming pools, health clubs and wine cellars, brokers say it definitely sweetens condo values. The Setai recently started selling units at $1,300 a square foot. That's 12% over the $1,157 that the average downtown condo went for in the last quarter of 2006, according to Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers.
"It's one key ingredient to obtaining the price point they're looking for," says Miller Samuel Chief Executive Jonathan Miller.
Unlike workout rooms of the past, the new lawns and terraces are integral parts of a building, often reached through art-laden corridors and lounges. The Linden, now under construction on West 78th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway, will feature a roof garden as well as a water wall in the lobby on the way to another garden in back.
On the roof of 101 Warren St., adjacent to the building's spa, developer Edward Minskoff plans to plant a mini-forest of 101 Austrian pines designed by well-known landscape architect Thomas Balsley.
Looking for spectacular views? Try the Solaria in Riverdale, the Bronx, a luxury condo being built by Arc Development. The rooftop garden will be outfitted with a dome housing a high-powered telescope for stargazing.
At 1 Madison Park, the fourth-floor, glass-enclosed pool will overlook Madison Square Park, while the Visionaire in Battery Park City will offer a barbecue area and outdoor cabanas.
Developers are convinced the greenery will pay off. Arc Development President Joseph Korff says the alternative to the 2,500-square-foot roof garden at the Solaria — adding more space to the penthouses — wasn't nearly as attractive.
"The advantage to the building overall outweighed the ability to sell that additional space," says Mr. Korff.
With green space becoming a minimum perk in the luxury condo market, developers are already asking themselves what scarce commodity they can offer next. "Next time we'll do private tennis courts," says Edward Baquero, managing partner of Element investor Coalco New York. "Physically, we couldn't fit them in the Element; otherwise we would have."
Comments? [email protected]


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More than 30 competitors in the travel holiday rental industry are accusing Google of promoting its own services over theirs, and one of them has submitted an official complaint to the European Commission, according to a report by the Financial Times.
The timing of the accusation comes as Google is appealing a 2.4 billion euro ($2.6 billion) fine due to antitrust behavior in front of Europe’s second-highest court.
The complaint was in the form of a letter signed to 34 companies, which include Expedia, eDreams, TripAdvisor and HomeToGo, and was addressed to Margrethe Vestager, the European Union competition commissioner. The letter says Google hurt its competitors by putting its own holiday rental search box above their own.
“We see strong indications of a competitive strategy for Google to reduce us and our industry to mere content providers for the ‘one-stop-shop’ of Google’s new product,” the letter said. “[Google] features its new product in a visually-rich OneBox at the top of its general search results pages. Such favorable ranking and display secures Google’s service more user attention and clicks than any competing service may acquire, even if these are more relevant for the user’s search query.”
Google has its own searches for jobs, flights, hotels and shopping, and the companies said Google favors those results over others. So far, Google has been fined 8.2 billion euros ($8.9 billion) by the EU for such behavior.
The EU is also investigating Google over data collection practices and whether it makes it harder for competitors to enter the marketplace.
“People trust Google to give them relevant and trusted information from a diverse range of sources,” Google said. “That’s why our search results are designed to provide the most relevant information for your query, and the better the results we can provide, the more qualified leads we’re able to send to our partners. We’re currently testing a new format for specialist searches in Europe including jobs, local and travel where people might see a carousel of links to direct sites across the top of the search results. This is designed to demonstrate the range of results available.”

domain: economics


Home > News > Nation
Tuesday May 13, 2014 MYT 8:39:00 AM
Tuesday May 13, 2014 MYT 6:59:13 PM
by joseph kaos jr
Filepic: (from left) Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, Roslee Daud, and Ghazali Taib.
KUALA TERENGGANU: Bukit Besi assemblyman Roslee Daud quit Umno Tuesday morning, joining ex-Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib to become independent reps.
This is confirmed by an aide of Ahmad, who added that there would be "more to come".
Late Monday, Ahmad quit the party hours after he was replaced by Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman as Terengganu Mentri Besar.
The Kijal assemblyman was soon joined by Ghazali.
Bernama is reporting that, Bukit Besi assemblyman Roslee Daud, who is also State Rural Development, Entrepreneurship, Cooperative and Consumerism Committee chairman, faxed the news agency a letter dated May 13 on Tuesday morning which read: "Please be informed that I hereby resign from my position in the party effective immediately."
Roslee's letter was addressed to Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and was courtesy copied to the State Assembly Speaker.
Former Mentri Besar Ahmad Said is expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday.
The latest developments leave Barisan Nasional with 14 state seats, one fewer than Pakatan Rakyat's 15 in the 32-seat assembly.
However, state legal advisor Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid has insisted that the state assembly Speaker was counted as a representative of the ruling state government, giving an equation of 15:15:3.
In the 13th General Election, Barisan won 17 state seats against Pakatan Rakyat's 15, and managed to win half of the eight Parliamentary seats in the state.
Earlier on Monday, Seberang Takir assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, 49, took his oath of office before Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Syarqiyyah in Cendering here at 9.25pm.
Tags / Keywords:
Politics, Government, Terengganu state assembly, Mentri Besar, Umno, Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Rakyat, Ahmad Said
Terengganu crisis: Hand over mandate to PAS, Kit Siang urges BN
PM to attend wedding reception of ex-MB’s daughter
Ahmad Razif begins work as Terengganu MB
Dept to set up 30 more tsunami sirens in the country
Rizalman extradited to New Zealand
Soil still moving at landslide area
Man finds molar in his meal at popular place
Najib wants R&D efforts to match demand
Ebola checks at airports found wanting, say journalists
Mystery of missing Italian businessman deepens
New York and Toronto tops expensive hotels in North America
Facebook goes retro with Rooms chat app
Copyright © 1995-2014 Star Publications (M) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)


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5 Canadian instrument makers pushing music gear into weird new places
ESSENTIAL ALBUMS: 5 Canadian classics hiding under Junior Boys’ Big Black Coat
A guide to this weekend’s NBA All-Star parties and concerts in Toronto
Old music is outselling new music for the first time in history
Watch over 500 people sing “Space Oddity” at the AGO and try not to cry
Sell your records, it’s time for the reel-to-reel revival
I want to like you Kanye…
SoundCloud is in major trouble
...like David Bowie and Pusha T.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Mosquito”
Watch this video on YouTube
DIANA, “Born Again”
Foxygen, “No Destruction”
David Bowie, “The Next Day”
Pusha T, “Numbers On The Boards”
Discuss this on Facebook and Twitter
This Week’s Best MP3s: Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, Var, Thundercat, and more…
[netdump] Daft Punk tease new song in Random Access Memories trailer
Chart Attack is dedicated to sharing great music and getting to know the people who make it.
Especially lazy? Join our weekly email list and we'll send you the highlights.
Band 2 Band: Which member of Wet had a Dilbert themed Bar Mitzvah?
Top 10 Bands That Got Better After Their Lead Singer Left
Noisemakers: She-Devils perform “Come” and “Where There’s No One”
Ask A Band: Frank Turner’s advice on how to get famous
Feb 12, 2016
Apr 10, 2015
Mar 13, 2015
Mar 27, 2015
Keeping up is just a click away.

domain: entertainment


text:
Health Tests - Page 8
Save on Health Tests at Muscle Pain Relief Rubs, Page 8. Top brands include GREENWON, & TestCountry/ZRT Labs. Hurry! Limited time offers. Offers valid only while supplies last.
ZRT Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibodies Blood Spot Home Thyroid Testing Kit
4.7 out of 5 stars with 30 reviews
Due to state law, we can not ship this product to NY State. Thyroid peroxidase is an enzyme produced in the body that helps with the production of thyroxine (T4). Sometimes the body will attack the thyroid gland by producing thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies that prevents the thyroid gland from producing enough thyroxine leading to hypothyroidism. This is typically only seen in autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto's disease. If you your T4 levels are low, this test would be useful in helping

domain: biology


text:
Pharrell Williams managed to ruffle feathers this week after his cover on Elle UK was revealed. Williams, whose most recent notoriety came from his “Happy” song and Arby’s-style Vivienne Westwood hat, donned a Native American headdress.
Can you say “appropriation?”
Native American headdresses are a sacred part of Native culture. They’re only worn by chiefs and warriors, but of course there are those cultural appropriators who find it fashionable and ethnic chic. Many in the Native American community, and even those people who are not but know better, voiced their concerns about Elle’s cover on Twitter using the hashtag #NOThappy.
Eventually Williams decided an apology was the appropriate form of action. “I am genuinely sorry,” Williams wrote in a statement provided to Buzzfeed. “I respect and honor every kind of race, background and culture.”
You would think during the styling of the shoot someone should have known the headdress was a bad idea. But unfortunately Elle initially bragged about the styling. “We persuaded Elle Style Award-winner Pharrell to trade his Vivienne Westwood mountie hat for a Native American feather headdress in his best ever shoot,” the editors wrote. Since the cover wasn’t well received they have since changed it to, “We persuaded [Pharrell] … to collaborate with us on his best ever shoot.”
Elle UK may be a little biased for labeling it his “best,” because I’m pretty sure there are tons of people who are still scoffing at the blatant prop usage of Native American culture.
Not only are people using Twitter to voice their objection to the cover, many have taken to Facebook. A support group for a South Dakota reservation is calling for a boycott of Elle UK and Williams on its Facebook page. “You have no right to wear a headdress that is so sacred to Native people. Those headdresses are earned, and not worn to make a buck or draw attention. They have meaning and are worn by our men with pride and dignity,” wrote Gail Lichtsinn.
Maybe one day magazines and artists will realize the sacredness of Native American culture, and find a better way to appreciate and honor it, besides bastardizing it.
Yesha Callahan is editor of The Grapevine and a staff writer at The Root. Follow her on Twitter.


Richmond partner Nathan Kottkamp commented in a Bloomberg BNA article about LabMD’s motion to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the Federal Trade Commission’s data security enforcement order against the medical testing company for storing patient information on a file-sharing network.
The case is poised to become a major driver of data security practices because it reveals the FTC’s expectations regarding reasonable data security practices and, if upheld, would solidify the FTC’s authority to enforce such actions, particularly with regard to entities covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. In its motion, LabMD argues that the FTC’s order “‘would effectuate a breathtaking expansion of the FTC’s authority that the legal community and members of Congress have already called into serious question.”
In the article, Kottkamp — who advises healthcare and life sciences companies on HIPAA compliance, data breach response and other regulatory issues — said, “LabMD has a meaningful chance of being heard on a threshold issue of whether the FTC’s order should be enforced while LabMD argues the fundamental authority of the FTC to issue an order in the first place.” He added, “A stay to allow the merits of the appeal to play out would make good sense.’’
The Oct. 12 article, titled “LabMD Asks 11th Circ. To Make FTC Hold Off Data Security Enforcement During Appeal,” is available online and in the Oct. 12 print edition of Privacy Law Watch.


Aeroelastic instability and nonlinear dynamics of a wing control surface have been investigated with parametric uncertainties. The aeroelastic system has a combined nonlinearity of cubic soft spring and free-play. The system shows subcritical Hopf bifurcation in which a small amplitude Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO) jumps to an infinitely large amplitude LCO. The subcritical behavior is due to the soft spring and the amplitude of the smaller LCO is controlled by the free-play. A fifth order stiffness is used to make the large LCO amplitude finite. Such systems when modeled with parametric uncertainty shows discontinuities in the response surface along the random domain. It is difficult to model the discontinuities in the response surface accurately using conventional spectral approaches and it results in erroneous response statistics. An intelligent interpolation called integrated interpolation scheme earlier proposed by the authors using a combination of linear and proximal interpolation has been used in the present work. The scheme uses equi-probable nodes as there is equal probability of the random variable lying between any of the node intervals. The deterministic runs are made only at these node points, thus giving considerable computational advantage over standard Monte Carlo Simulations (MCS). The interpolation algorithm is applied to the response surface to capture the sharp discontinuities. Response statistics have also been compared with that of a reference Monte Carlo Simulations (MCS). As the scheme is non-intrusive it can be applied to any dimension of random domain. © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group, London.


By Sadiq Umar, Abuja.
Legendry Hausa musician, Mr. Adamu Wayya, popularly known as Danmaraya Jos, is dead.
Danmaraya Jos passed on at about 4.p.m Saturday afternoon at the age of 69 after a protracted illness.
Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mr. Ladan Salihu, announced the news of his demise on his facebook page.
“Inaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa ilaiHir raaji’un. One of Nigeria’s foremost Hausa musicians, poet, philosopher and philanthropist, Dr Adamu Danmaraya Jos has answered Allah’s call about an hour ago,” Salihu, wrote.
According to the post, “He died in Jos after a protracted illness. When I visited him two weeks ago, he spoke passionately about the Unity of the North and of one Nigeria. I remember when he insisted that my late father gave out the his (Danmaraya’s) adopted daughter’s hand in marriage some 15 years ago.
“We shared many moments. He was to me a brother and a friend. I am devastated. But I am proud he lived a very useful life, transforming society through music and silently through Islamic endeavours. May Allah grant him Aljannatul Firdaws. Amin. For the record he was a recipient of the National Honours of MON, OON and United Nations Peace Medal,” Salihu added.


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The ugly trade of pet theft is a serious problem. It is an organized, multimillion dollar business that lurks in shadows and goes unnoticed until it strikes your community, your home, your pet.
Why would any one steal your beloved pet? Well for many reasons, unfortunately. Some of the most mainstream motivations include:
1. Selling pets to research laboratories or pet stores
2. Subject them to sadistic religious or cult acts by psychopathic individuals
3. Turn them into bait or fighters for dog-fighting rings
4. Sell them to be used as puppy mill breeders
5. Sell them as meat product to feed exotic pets or humans
6. Having their fur made into clothing and accessories. It’s hard to distinguish cat fur from rabbit or shepherd from fox!
7. To be sold or used as breeding partners for their dogs
8. Selling them for profit on various online and news media venues for pure profit
9. Crime of opportunity - “OMG its so cute I want it”
Yes. Some humans are simply sick. It is our responsibility as loving and dedicated pet owners to protect our most loyal companions. So here are on valuable tips on how to get started in that endeavor!
2. TATTOO and/or MICROCHIP all pets for positive identification (it’s best to do both). Tattoo your social security number, drivers license number (be sure to include your state) or your purebred pet’s registration number (be sure to include registry initials: AKC, UKC, CFA, etc.) inside the thigh or on the belly (ears can be torn due to injury, or cut off).
3. REGISTER all tattoos or microchips with the appropriate registry. An unregistered tattoo or microchip is useless. The person who tattoos your pet or injects the microchip should give you information on how to register it.
4. CONFINE your pets. The safest place for them when you’re not home is INDOORS. This includes cats, too!
5. PADLOCK GATES. If you must leave your dog outside in a fenced yard, at least make it difficult for others to get to him. Padlocks and chains should be placed high, so the ground can’t be used as leverage for bolt cutters.
6. Fit an alarm/bell to your gate so that you can hear visitors/trespassers enter your property.
7. Dogs that are kept tied in unfenced yards should be located OUT OF VIEW of passersby. The fence needs to be at least 6 feet high and padlocked.
8. NEVER let your dog off his chain or leash – even for a minute – if you won’t be right there to watch him the whole time! In most places it’s illegal, and it’s an open invitation for trouble!
9. Train your dog not to go out of your sight on walks. Use an extending lead if the dog does not comply. Vary your walk times and routes.
10. Don’t leave your dog tied in public places while you go in stores to shop! Depending on your county or state law this may aleady be illegal. If the dog must go shopping with make sure you only go to stores that allow the dog to enter. Otherwise leave the dog at home, NOT in a hot car!
11. If you have a doggy door. Lock it when you are not home! Let the dog do its business before you leave, let him in, lock door. Keeps it safe from snakes, wasps and bees and thieves.
12. SPAY or NEUTER all pets. This makes them less inclined to wander, and eliminates any resale value for breeding purposes.
13. If a stranger approaches you about buying or breeding to your pet, tell him the pet has been spayed or neutered, even if it hasn’t. WRITE DOWN the person’s name, address, and license plate number, and keep a close eye on your pet afterwards!
14. DO NOT put your pet’s name on his ID tag or display it on his dog house. A pet is much more likely to go to (and with) a stranger who calls him by name.
15. DO NOT talk to strangers about the value, bloodlines, training or special abilities of your pet.
16. If your pet loses its tags, get replacements right away! Remember, in order for the tags to protect your pet, your pet must be wearing the tags!
17. Slip collars (aka choke chains) are for training or walking only; pets should wear flat or rolled buckle collars for everyday use, and tags should be attached to the buckle collar. Harnesses and head-collars approved!
18. On the Road: Never leave your dog in an unattended car, even if it’s locked – Besides the obvious health risks this poses to the dog, it’s also an invitation for thieves, even if you are gone for only a moment. Leaving expensive items in the car such as a GPS unit or laptop will only encourage break-ins and possibly allow the dog to escape, even if the thieves don’t decide to steal it too.
19. During hurricane Katrina, a lot of dogs were stolen from shelters. In terms of disaster preparedness we recommend owners keep pictures of them with their pets (entire family) in multiple angles. This makes it easier to prove that dog is yours when you seek to reclaim a pet and if left at shelter it will be part of the shelter paperwork to prevent the release to unauthorized party.
20. We also recommend having pre-printed lost pet poster copies in your car and in your emergency Go-Bag as access to photocopy machines and paper may be hindered during an emergency.
22. Make sure to include your pets in your emergency preparedness plan. DO NOT LEAVE PETS BEHIND when you evacuate. Its asking for loss and/or theft.
23. DON’T BUY STOLEN PETS.
Don’t buy dogs from the internet, flea markets, or roadside vans. There is simply no way to verify where an animal purchased from any of these outlets came from.
a. Do not buy pets from pet stores. There is so much doubt, false promises and controversy surrounding the true origin of these dogs that many states are now considering banning pet sales in stores while other states are looking at regulating dealers and shops. Your main risk in getting those pets is furthering money making puppy mills! That further's animal cruelty. Look at it as for every puppy sold at a pet store, it sends the message to the puppy mill owner that the mother of that puppy must remain caged and bred some more to make more money in the most horrific conditions. That's plain animal cruelty.
b. Web sites and online classifieds are easily falsified. Consider that anyone can scam and lie online.
b. Roadside and/or flea market purchases are to be handled with extreme care and with suspicion since it is difficult to determine the pet’s true origins and true intent of seller. Cash sales from non-official sources can be hard to track in the age of throw away cell phones and identity theft impairing any legal or financial recourse.
c. The threat is not limited to the online world, keep a suspicious eye on newspaper ads. The newspaper cannot verify the accuracy of statements made in the ad!
Any animal offered for sale at reduced prices, for a “relocation” fee, or accompanied by requests for last minute shipping fees are red flags. Dog owners who truly love their animals and are unable to keep them will opt to find a loving home without compensation for re-homing the animal. Seek out reputable breeders or rescue groups. Visit the home of the breeder, meet the puppy’s mother, and see the litter of puppies. Developing a good relationship with the breeder will bring you peace of mind when purchasing. Contacting breed rescue groups can also be a safe alternative if you are looking for an adult dog. But either way ALWAYS Demand proper papers on your purebred puppy. Ask for the AKC Litter Registration Number and contact AKC customer service at 919-233-9767 to verify registration authenticity of your purebred puppy.
And last but not least there is NOTHING wrong with adopting a shelter animal! There are thousands of animal rescue groups in this country filled with animals that need a second chance at a good life with you!
There are rescue groups for every single dog breed known to man if breed is that important to you. Take a look atwww.petfinder.com to find your new furry friend.
So bottom line be careful. Always ask questions. Trust but verify. Love your companion and keep it Wag'N!
Excerpt from a Dog's Plea :
" I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands." Author Unknown

domain: pet


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Although its title suggests a cheesy jukebox musical or an endearingly lunkheaded hair-metal effort from Sweden, Celebration Rock is in fact one of 2012’s most lauded albums. What’s more, its creators, Vancouver duo Japandroids, are being anointed the worthy champions of an embattled genre.
For guitarist Brian King, the band’s appearance last month at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Paris was significant: “The day that we played, there were only two out of 25 bands that had guitars.” By contrast, he recalls attending Lollapalooza as a 12-year-old in ‘94, and noting that “hip hop was the outsider at this massive rock festival.” His conclusion? “We are the Tribe Called Quest of our generation!”
King laughs as he says this, and he and drummer David Prowse, who are refuelling with caffeine at a Toronto coffee shop on the day after one of their trademark sweat-lashed shows, balance their earnestness with a touch of self-deprecation. Truth be told, they share A Tribe Called Quest’s outsider status, but also, increasingly, the seminal rap group’s level of critical acclaim. Celebration Rock, the follow-up to Japandroids’ 2009 debut, Post-Nothing, now graces many a publication’s best-of 2012 list (No. 9 in Rolling Stone, No. 7 on Stereogum, and No. 3 in Spin, which also praises Japandroids as the band of the year).
Their cult following is growing, too: last week, they played to two capacity crowds at New York’s Webster Hall (for a total of nearly 3,000 people). An older generation appreciates their sonic lineage, which combines punk and anthemic hard rock (Anthony Bourdain, who appeared with them on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, approvingly tweeted the cover of Celebration Rock), and a younger one responds to their energy: lately they’ve been playing all-ages shows by request from teenage fans.
Their success was by no means assured from the start. King and Prowse, who share vocal duties, met as university students in Victoria and started the democratically named band in 2006 (Prowse wanted Japanese Scream and King Pleasure Droids); by the end of 2008, having self-released two EPs, they were broke, disillusioned and ready to quit. They’d recorded a debut album, which they planned as a swan song, but a last-minute deal with Toronto’s Unfamiliar Records convinced them to tour it and see where it led.
According to King, that first LP, Post-Nothing, is “a real Vancouver record — a reflection of us being stuck in one place.” Label support helped them travel, and a rave review from Pitchfork opened doors to the south.
You want to try and write one of those songs one day [that] are independent of any kind of demographic — they have a universal quality
Japandroids found the United States quicker to catch on, although they don’t blame Canada: “I think we have an American sound,” King says. He and Prowse see themselves in the lineage of Minneapolis bands such as The Replacements and Hüsker Dü, who share their commitment to tuneful noise, and The Hold Steady, with their Springsteen-esque blue-collar work ethic and essentially upbeat, open-armed aesthetic.
Last year, the band relocated to Nashville to write much of Celebration Rock — not so much because of the city’s musical importance, but because it was largely new to them. According to King, “our lives are largely based around moving around all the time,” and exploring the city as they worked allowed their music to retain a “theme of movement even though we’re supposed to be doing something very stationary.”
The lyrics are mainly about the importance of seizing the day — or more specifically, the night — and each riff-packed, shout-along-chorus-filled song sounds so huge, it’s bewildering that all were played by only two people, and mostly without overdubs.
Performing is Japandroids’ raison d’être, and backing tracks would be anathema: Prowse cites “genuine spontaneity” as an ideal. King looks up to bands like The Stooges, whose music is tightly executed but with an “element of danger that’s always hanging over every single song, where it could barrel out of control at any second.” The audience’s participation is key, and sometimes this is more difficult to achieve in the bigger venues they’ve been playing since Celebration Rock was released.
“You’re beginning to lose that ball of energy that happens when you play a smaller, really packed place,” King says. At the sold-out, 1,100-capacity Phoenix last week, he encouraged fans to join them onstage (for a maximum of 10 seconds), after which they could surf the crowd. And if the immediate response led to some harsh landings for overenthusiastically stage-diving fans, it nonetheless led to a welcome surge. According to Prowse “As soon as people started climbing up onstage, I felt 100 times more comfortable.”
And where in the past, he acknowledges, “testosterone levels at Japandroids shows were pretty astronomical,” a number of female fans stage-dived at The Phoenix, too. No doubt the band’s appeal is broadening, even back home, where Canadian critics voted Celebration Rock to the shortlist of this year’s Polaris Prize. Next up are tours in Australia and South America. Financial reward seems secondary: in fact, their all-ages shows, which minimize bar sales, are hardly money-spinners, and they keep merchandise and ticket sales low, ensuring that the most people possible can celebrate rock with them.
In the future, King muses, “You want to try and write one of those songs one day [that] are independent of any kind of demographic — they have a universal quality. It’s really hard to write one, let alone an album like that. But I think that we’re, at least in our little world, moving closer to it.”
For upcoming Canadian tour dates, including shows in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, visit japandroids.com


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- Collapse of Germline piRNAs in the Absence of Argonaute3 Reveals Somatic piRNAs in Flies
Cell, Volume 137, Issue 3, 1 May 2009, Pages 509-521
Chengjian Li, Vasily V. Vagin, Soohyun Lee, Jia Xu, Shengmei Ma, Hualin Xi, Hervé Seitz, Michael D. Horwich, Monika Syrzycka, Barry M. Honda, Ellen L.W. Kittler, Maria L. Zapp, Carla Klattenhoff, Nadine Schulz, William E. Theurkauf, Zhiping Weng and Phillip D. Zamore
SummaryPiwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) silence transposons in animal germ cells. piRNAs are thought to derive from long transcripts spanning transposon-rich genomic loci and to direct an autoamplification loop in which an antisense piRNA, bound to Aubergine or Piwi protein, triggers production of a sense piRNA bound to the PIWI protein Argonaute3 (Ago3). In turn, the new piRNA is envisioned to produce a second antisense piRNA. Here, we describe strong loss-of-function mutations in ago3, allowing a direct genetic test of this model. We find that Ago3 acts to amplify piRNA pools and to enforce on them an antisense bias, increasing the number of piRNAs that can act to silence transposons. We also detect a second, Ago3-independent piRNA pathway centered on Piwi. Transposons targeted by this second pathway often reside in the flamenco locus, which is expressed in somatic ovarian follicle cells, suggesting a role for piRNAs beyond the germline.
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- Heterotypic piRNA Ping-Pong Requires Qin, a Protein with Both E3 Ligase and Tudor Domains
Molecular Cell, Volume 44, Issue 4, 18 November 2011, Pages 572-584
Zhao Zhang, Jia Xu, Birgit S. Koppetsch, Jie Wang, Cindy Tipping, Shengmei Ma, Zhiping Weng, William E. Theurkauf and Phillip D. Zamore
SummarypiRNAs guide PIWI proteins to silence transposons in animal germ cells. Reciprocal cycles of piRNA-directed RNA cleavage—catalyzed by the PIWI proteins Aubergine (Aub) and Argonaute3 (Ago3) in Drosophila melanogaster—expand the population of antisense piRNAs in response to transposon expression, a process called the Ping-Pong cycle. Heterotypic Ping-Pong between Aub and Ago3 ensures that antisense piRNAs predominate. We show that qin, a piRNA pathway gene whose protein product contains both E3 ligase and Tudor domains, colocalizes with Aub and Ago3 in nuage, a perinuclear structure implicated in transposon silencing. In qin mutants, less Ago3 binds Aub, futile Aub:Aub homotypic Ping-Pong prevails, antisense piRNAs decrease, many families of mobile genetic elements are reactivated, and DNA damage accumulates in nurse cells and oocytes. We propose that Qin enforces heterotypic Ping-Pong between Aub and Ago3, ensuring that transposons are silenced and maintaining the integrity of the germline genome.
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- Specialized piRNA Pathways Act in Germline and Somatic Tissues of the Drosophila Ovary
Cell, Volume 137, Issue 3, 1 May 2009, Pages 522-535
Colin D. Malone, Julius Brennecke, Monica Dus, Alexander Stark, W. Richard McCombie, Ravi Sachidanandam and Gregory J. Hannon
SummaryIn Drosophila gonads, Piwi proteins and associated piRNAs collaborate with additional factors to form a small RNA-based immune system that silences mobile elements. Here, we analyzed nine Drosophila piRNA pathway mutants for their impacts on both small RNA populations and the subcellular localization patterns of Piwi proteins. We find that distinct piRNA pathways with differing components function in ovarian germ and somatic cells. In the soma, Piwi acts singularly with the conserved flamenco piRNA cluster to enforce silencing of retroviral elements that may propagate by infecting neighboring germ cells. In the germline, silencing programs encoded within piRNA clusters are optimized via a slicer-dependent amplification loop to suppress a broad spectrum of elements. The classes of transposons targeted by germline and somatic piRNA clusters, though not the precise elements, are conserved among Drosophilids, demonstrating that the architecture of piRNA clusters has coevolved with the transposons that they are tasked to control.
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Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Molecular Cell, Volume 47, Issue 6, 954-969, 16 August 2012
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The Cochaperone Shutdown Defines a Group of Biogenesis Factors Essential for All piRNA Populations in Drosophila
1 Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Dr. Bohrgasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
2 Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029, USA
Highlights► The cochaperone Shutdown is an essential piRNA biogenesis factor ► Primary and secondary piRNA biogenesis feed into a common biogenesis step ► Piwi and Aub, but not AGO3 are loaded with primary piRNAs
- In animal gonads, PIWI proteins and their bound 23–30 nt piRNAs guard genome integrity by the sequence specific silencing of transposons. Two branches of piRNA biogenesis, namely primary processing and ping-pong amplification, have been proposed. Despite an overall conceptual understanding of piRNA biogenesis, identity and/or function of the involved players are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate an essential role for the female sterility gene shutdown in piRNA biology. Shutdown, an evolutionarily conserved cochaperone collaborates with Hsp90 during piRNA biogenesis, potentially at the loading step of RNAs into PIWI proteins. We demonstrate that Shutdown is essential for both primary and secondary piRNA populations in Drosophila. An extension of our study to previously described piRNA pathway members revealed three distinct groups of biogenesis factors. Together with data on how PIWI proteins are wired into primary and secondary processing, we propose a unified model for piRNA biogenesis.