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Whereas hundreds of social movements and NGOs all over the world have embraced the concept of food sovereignty, not many public authorities at the national and international level have adopted the food sovereignty paradigm as a normative basis for alternative agriculture and food policy. A common explanation of the limited role of food sovereignty in food and agriculture policy is that existing power structures are biased towards maintaining the corporatist food regime and neo-liberal thinking about food security. This article sets out to provide an alternative explanation for this limited role by critically reflecting on the debate about food sovereignty itself. The main argument is that this debate is characterized by deadlock. Two mechanisms underlying the deadlock are analyzed: confusion about the concept of sovereignty and the failure of the epistemic community to debate how to reconcile conflicting values, discourses, and institutions regarding food. To overcome this deadlock and organize meaningful debate with public authorities, it is proposed that the food sovereignty movement uses insights from legal pluralism and debates on governance and adopts the ending of “food violence” as a new objective and common frame.
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Epistemic communities consist of academics and professionals with shared beliefs on cause-and-effect relationships of normative problems and a shared set of normative and principled beliefs (Haas 1992). On the basis of these shared beliefs, they “frame collective debates, propose specific policies, or identify salient points for negotiation for politicians” (Dobusch and Quack 2008, p. 8). Haas (1992, p. 20) explains that, “The solidarity between the members of an epistemic community derives not only from their shared interests, which are based on cosmopolitan beliefs of promoting collective betterment, but also from their shared aversions, which are based on their reluctance to deal with policy agendas outside their common policy enterprise or to invoke policies based on explanations that they do not accept.”
Admittedly, human rights doctrine also includes the contentious concept of collective or group rights, such as the rights of indigenous people or ethnic minorities. Collective rights and food sovereignty are both rights of each community or nation, but indigenous or minority rights are specific to a particular group. Another difference is that rights of indigenous people or ethnic minorities comprise single rights to something, for instance to be educated, or to have access to healthcare, whereas food sovereignty is about the right of a community or nation to develop its own food and agriculture policies.
According to Holt-Giménez and Shattuck (2011), the progressive trend of the food movement is primarily composed of the middle and working classes of the global North. It employs a food justice discourse and focuses on local “foodsheds,” family farming, and good, clean, and fair food. The radical trend is primarily framed by the concept of food sovereignty, and seeks to bring about deep, structural changes to food and agriculture that may adversely affect the middle and working classes of the global North.
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The author is grateful for the inspiring debates on food law, food values and food sovereignty with Professor Francois Collart Dutilleul, head of the LASCAUX programme at Nantes University. The author also wishes to thank the LASCAUX programme and Nantes University for funding and facilitating his stay as a visiting professor at Nantes University in March and June 2011. The author is also grateful for advice of Joy Burrough on the English.
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Hospes, O. Food sovereignty: the debate, the deadlock, and a suggested detour. Agric Hum Values 31, 119–130 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-013-9449-3
- Food sovereignty
- Food values
- Food violence
- Food governance
- Reconciling conflicting values on food

domain: sociology


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Raspe studied natural science and philology at Gottingen and Leipzig and worked as a librarian for a number of universities before being appointed librarian and custodian of the Landgraf's collection of coins, gems, etc, in 1767. Raspe was elected to the Royal Society in 1769. Raspe stole from the gem collection and fled to England in 1775 to avoid prosecution. While there, he published anonymously various fantasy stories which were purported to be related by one Baron Munchausen, a baron in real life that Raspe had met in Gottingen, but hardly likely to have provided him with the tales. Raspe fled to Ireland in 1791 after becoming involved in a mining swindle, where he died three years later. The Munchausen tales were translated and expanded upon by G. A. Burger, the German poet, and published under his name in 1786 and 1788.
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Twenty twenty-three is shaping up to be a Very Queer Year. Sundance was very gay, between the new Ira Sachs film, and a documentary about the Indigo Girls, and Anne Hathaway in a lesbian drama. The talk of Cannes was Pedro Almodóvar's queer Western, Strange Way of Life, starring Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke. Summer movie season is shaping up to be very fruity, with R-rated comedies like Bottoms and Joy Ride, romantic comedies like Red, White & Royal Blue, and even an animated movie too, in Netflix's Nimona. And don't get us started on Barbie.
Movies by, about and for the community don't happen on their own — queerness on-screen is still hard-won — and so we have LGBTQ+ writers, directors, producers, and stars, many of whom wear multiple hats by necessity, to thank for contributing to and continuing to shape the state of queer cinema. In the spirit of Pride Month, A.frame is honoring 15 of those artists and creators on the rise.
Ben Aldridge / actor
Until recently, Ben Aldridge might have been best known as "Arsehole Guy" from Fleabag. Although the English actor has been working for more than a decade, his breakthrough arrived with the back-to-back releases of Spoiler Alert and Knock at the Cabin. In the former, an adaption of Michael Ausiello's memoir Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies, Aldridge plays the love interest, Kit, who is diagnosed with terminal cancer. In the latter, a horror flick from M. Night Shyamalan, he and Jonathan Groff play husbands terrorized by religious zealots. Both roles came to Aldridge shortly after coming out as gay in 2020. "The journey to pride was a long one for me," he said at the time. "I love the LGBTQ+ community and am incredibly proud and thankful to be a part of it."
Lily Gladstone / actor
Queer cinephiles — and fans of independent cinema in general — know Lily Gladstone as the lovelorn rancher smitten by Kristen Stewart's character in 2016's Certain Woman. This year has given the actor, who is of Blackfeet and Nimíipuu heritage and uses she/they pronouns, plenty more opportunities to be recognized: In Fancy Dance, the Sundance standout from queer Indigenous filmmaker Erica Tremblay, Gladstone plays a Native American woman who kidnaps her niece from her white grandparents; and in Killers of the Flower Moon, the latest drama from Martin Scorsese, they star alongside Oscar winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, playing Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman at the center of the film. When the film debuted at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Gladstone, especially, earned rave reviews.
Oliver Hermanus / director, writer
South African filmmaker Oliver Hermanus won the Queer Palme for 2011's Cannes-premiering Beauty, while 2019's Moffie, about a young man hiding his sexuality while serving in the South African military, further proclaimed him as a queer auteur to watch. Then came Living, his remake of the Akira Kurosawa 1952 classic Ikiru, which earned Oscar nominations for star Bill Nighy (Best Actor in a Leading Role) and for Kazuo Ishiguro's adapted screenplay. "All my films are portraits of individuals in particular situations, whether facing internal crises or grand themes like mortality," Hermanus tells A.frame. "I take interest in making films that allow the audience to step into someone else’s shoes and journey with them, prompting questions about what it means to be a human being." His next film will be the queer romance The History of Sound, starring Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal.
The Cast of 'Joy Ride' / actors
Stephanie Hsu (who landed on our Pride Guide last year) certainly was on the rise — towards her first Oscar nomination (Best Actress in a Supporting Role), for her performance in Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once. She returns to the big screen in a film that is likewise Asian-led, Asian-made, and the must-see movie of the summer: Joy Ride, an R-rated comedy about four friends causing chaos during a trip to China. Alongside Hsu, Joy Ride introduces nonbinary stand-up comic Sabrina Wu, in their film debut, and bisexual actress and comedian Sherry Cola (who also stars in Randall Park's directorial debut, Shortcomings). Ashley Park, a Grammy and Tony Award nominee and beloved ally, rounds out the quartet.
Matthew López / director, writer
Matthew López began his career Off-Broadway, before The Inheritance — a reimagining of Howards End set amidst the AIDS crisis — took him to the West End and then Broadway. In 2020, he became the first Latine playwright to win the Tony Award for Best Play. (He received another Tony nomination for his musical adaptation of Some Like It Hot.) López makes his film debut directing Red, White & Royal Blue, a rom-com about an affair between the president's son and a British prince. "I never imagined I'd read a book with a queer Latine character at the center," he told Glamour of Casey McQuiston's novel, which he adapted. "I think having this book in my life when I was younger might have made it a little easier." López's next project is a new take on the iconic 1992 romantic thriller starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, The Bodyguard.
Trace Lysette / actor, producer
Being cast in Transparent forever changed Trace Lysette's life. The groundbreaking series provided the actress with her breakthrough role, sure — which led to parts in movies like Hustlers and Venus as a Boy (not to mention a Cher music video) — but it was also her public coming out party. Just short of a decade later, she made history as the first trans actress to lead a movie in competition at the Venice Film Festival. Just as remarkable is her performance in Monica, a new sort of breakthrough announcing the arrival of a true leading lady. "I am open to whatever," Lysette tells A.frame of what comes next. "I welcome all of it! That's the most beautiful thing about being an actor, is that no two jobs are really the same, and you just get to keep evolving."
Hari Nef / actor
The B in LGBTQ+ could stand for Barbie this summer, as the Greta Gerwig fantasy comedy is shaping up to be one of the gayest movies of the year. The cast of Barbies and Kens includes Kate McKinnon and Alexandra Shipp, Scott Evans and Ncuti Gatwa, and Hari Nef — the latter of whom is experiencing quite the moment. The history-making trans model-turned-in-demand-actress plays Doctor Barbie. "I had big feelings about wanting to join this film," she shared on social media. "Identity politics and cinema aren't my favorite combination, but the name BARBIE looms large over every American woman. Barbie's the standard; she's The Girl; she's certainly THE doll." In addition to Barbie, Nef stars in Bad Things, director Stewart Thorndike's queer twist on The Shining, and will next portray Candy Darling in a biopic about the trans icon and Andy Warhol muse.
Elliot Page / actor, writer, producer
In 2020, Oscar nominee Elliot Page came out as trans. "I love that I am trans," he wrote in a letter. "And I love that I am queer. And the more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive." This year has seen Page release his memoir, the brutally honest and bestselling Pageboy, and he recently landed his first film since coming out in the indie drama, Close to You, which Page co-wrote with director Dominic Savage. In it, he plays Sam, who has a chance encounter with an old friend en route to a family reunion and is forced to confront long-buried memories.
Dewayne Perkins / actor, writer, producer
Dewayne Perkins first conceived of The Blackening as a sketch while performing with the improv group, 3Peat, in Chicago. He moved on to stand-up comedy and then TV — nabbing an Emmy nomination for writing on The Amber Ruffin Show — yet The Blackening lived on. Perkins turned it into a Comedy Central short five years ago, and after that went viral, adapted it as a feature — his first — with Girls Trip scribe Tracy Oliver. The horror spoof centers around a group of Black friends on a Juneteenth weekend getaway who find themselves stranded in the woods with a killer. Perkins wrote the part of Dewayne, a subversion of the "gay best friend" trope, for himself.
Bella Ramsey / actor
Bella Ramsey isn't just on the rise; at 19 years old, the nonbinary actor has become the face of a new generation. ("Being called 'they' is the most truthful thing for me," they told Vogue. "That's who I am the most.") As a tween, Ramsey broke out on the small screen playing Lyanna Mormont, the Lady of Bear Island, on HBO's Game of Thrones, and they currently star on the zeitgeist-defining The Last of Us. On the big screen, Ramsey was resplendent in the title role of Lena Dunham's Catherine Called Birdy, and will next trade Medieval times for the Renaissance, playing an aspiring playwright in the court of King Charles II in the period drama, Monstrous Beauty.
Emma Seligman / director, writer, producer
Writer and director Emma Seligman is bisexual, Jewish and gets it: All of which was made clear in their film debut, Shiva Baby, about a college student (the iconic Rachel Sennott) trapped at a funeral with her sugar daddy and ex-girlfriend. On that film, Seligman previously told A.frame, they focused on "getting over imposter syndrome, putting on your director pants, and being like, 'I've got this' — and not letting my Canadian-ness or my womanhood tell me I'm not good enough." Their follow-up, Bottoms, which they wrote with Sennott, is even more audacious: Sennott and Ayo Edebiri (herself a queer rising star) play high schoolers who start a fight club in order to hook up with cheerleaders.
D. Smith / director, editor, cinematographer, producer
A Grammy Award-winning music producer and one-time reality TV star, D. Smith makes her directorial debut with Kokomo City, an unflinching look at the lives of four trans women — Daniella Carter, Liyah Mitchell, Dominique Silver and the late Koko Da Doll — as they navigate their identities as Black women, as trans women, and as sex workers. Smith didn't just direct the documentary; she produced it, shot it herself, and edited it. (Lena Waithe executive produced.) At Sundance, Kokomo City won both the NEXT Innovator Award and NEXT Audience Award. "In real life, trans women are funny. And we're sad, and we're sexy, and we have body parts that are our body parts. It's time to embrace that," Smith said upon winning. "Enough with the fortresses that are built around us, keeping us from fully joining society."
Goran Stolevski / director, writer, editor
Goran Stolevski was born and grew up in North Macedonia before migrating to Australia in his youth, where he dreamed of becoming a filmmaker. Now, he is on the cusp of releasing three films in three years: Stolevski's feature debut was 2022's You Won't Be Alone, a folk tale about shape-shifting witches set in a 19th-century Macedonian village. He followed that with Of an Age, a tender love story set in Melbourne in 1999, about a teenage boy's first crush on his friend's older brother. ("I didn't want to write autobiographically about my life, but about the feelings of that period," Stolevski says. "In a sense, this is an emotional autobiography.") His next film is Housekeeping For Beginners, about a queer Macedonian woman who is left to begrudgingly raise her late partner's children.
Julio Torres / actor, director, writer, producer
You likely know Julio Torres for his Emmy-nominated work on Saturday Night Live — he's the writer behind unabashedly queer sketches like "The Actress" and "Wells for Boys" — or from Los Espookys, the oddball horror-comedy series he co-created. For his feature directorial debut, which Torres also wrote and stars in, he channeled his experiences as a Salvadoran immigrant into Problemista. The surrealist comedy follows Alejandro (Torres), an aspiring toy designer, as he navigates the U.S. Immigration system and eventually takes a job working for an art-world diva (Oscar winner Tilda Swinton) in order to secure his visa. Magical surrealism abounds.
Roger Ross Williams / director, writer, producer
In 2010, Roger Ross Williams made history as the first Black director to win an Oscar, for his short documentary Music by Prudence. Over the ensuing decade, the New York-based filmmaker has helmed feature-length documentaries, including 2016's Oscar-nominated Life, Animated, 2019's The Apollo, and this year's Love to Love You, Donna Summer. At age 60, Williams is making his narrative film debut with Cassandro, which tells the true story of Saúl Armendáriz (played by Gael García Bernal), a gay wrestler who achieves international stardom as the Liberace of Lucha Libre. "My own life experience as a gay, Black man has made me realize the importance of telling stories we don't usually hear," Williams says of the movie, which he also co-wrote. Cassandro premiered during the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and will be released this fall.

domain: artistic


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Agot Isidro took a swipe against the government after several months of not talking about issues.
During the 51st anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines, Agot talked about the alleged legalizing of corruption in the country.
“We not only normalize stealing, we even legalize it,” said Agot.
We not only normalize stealing, we even legalize it. #LifeInThePH
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) September 21, 2023
Netizens quickly guessed that Agot was referring to the P500-M confidential funds of the Department of Education (DepEd) which is being led by Vice President Sara Duterte.
Unlike normal funds, confidential funds have limited visibility to the eye of the Commission on Audit (COA) which is tasked to know if an agency was using the budget properly or not.
Confidential funds were often used by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to make sure that the enemy of the state would never have access to projects related to the country’s security.
That’s why many critics questioned why the DepEd asked for a P500-M confidential fund despite not being an agency handling the security of the country.
However, Duterte said that DepEd should also be given confidential fund because several schools were being used by the enemy of the state to recruit potential rebels.

domain: finance


text:
No plans for Alitalia bid: Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines said on Friday it has not submitted a bid for Italian airline Alitalia and has no intention of making one, following a report in the Italian media.india Updated: Dec 14, 2007 10:05 IST
Singapore Airlines said on Friday it has not submitted a bid for Italian airline Alitalia and has no intention of making one, following a report in the Italian media.
A report on Thursday from Italy's Radiocor news agency said two investment funds -- Quantum and Evergreen -- had teamed up with Singapore Airlines to submit an offer.
"For the information of shareholders, Singapore Airlines advises that it has not submitted a bid for Alitalia, and has no intention of doing so," an SIA statement said.
It added that SIA is not a party to any consortium seeking to buy the Italian carrier, "nor will the company be part of one."
Alitalia said Thursday it would postpone until next Tuesday its decision on which buyer it prefers to take over the loss-making company.
The choice of the partner was initially expected Thursday but reports said the Italian government was split on whether to sell Alitalia to Air France-KLM or to AP Holding, which operates Italy's second biggest airline, Air One.
The government owns 49.9 percent of Alitalia and is seeking to sell a controlling stake to a partner that can relaunch the ailing airline.
SIA is one of the world's most profitable airlines.

domain: economics


text:
Many visitors believe that Hawn State Park is the loveliest of Missouri's state parks, with forests of pine and oak, sandstone bluffs and canyons, and clear sand-bottom streams. The park's many trails, picnic areas and campground are well suited for visitors wishing to enjoy the splendor of nature; it is truly a nature lover's paradise. The 4,953-acre park preserves some of the finest areas for viewing Missouri's wide variety of natural wonders. The 2,880-acre Whispering Pine Wild Area offers excellent opportunities to backpack, bird watch or study nature. Covered with pine, oak and flowering dogwood trees, the area is home to a diverse set of plants, animals and birds. Pickle Creek, because of its high quality and pristine nature, has been designated as a state natural area. It is also one of the few places in the state where visitors can see such a wide variety of rock types exposed at the surface. Enjoy a quiet lunch at one of the many picnic tables that dot the sandy, pine-needle-covered forest floor. Hike along some of the most scenic backcountry trails in Missouri. Hawn State Park is the perfect setting for visitors eager to explore the unspoiled natural beauty of the Show-Me-State.
Firstly it's important to note that on the Whispering Pines trail you can do a 6 mile hike (North Loop), a 3.75 mile hike (South Loop), or the whole thing. We did the 6 mile recently and even though it rained the entire time it was beautiful! The trail is VERY well marked but if you miss one you can end up on a cliff like we did, very confused. It said it would take 6 hours but we did it in 4.5 hours with stops (eating lunch and taking tons of photos). It's a pretty difficult hike in some spots but so fun and so pretty! Probably my new favorite place to hike.
I hiked the north loop with my 4 year old this last weekend. We ended up at just about 6 miles, and it took us about 3.5 hours to complete, including a very leisurely lunch. There were 2 areas that required some effort, but most of the hike was simple. Beautiful scenic views. A couple of cliffs that, if you have little ones with you, you'll need to be cautious of. No bridges along the trail, so I imagine when the streams and waterfalls are full there might be some tricky crossings, but there wasn't much water flowing when we went.
My 4 year old managed the whole thing by himself. It was the hardest trail we've attempted so far with him, but definitely not "hard" to our normal standards. He did great up till the last mile, and then he was done and whiny but finished it. Definitely doable with a young child who loves being outside.
We plan to go back this next weekend and do the whole loop and stay the night. Definitely worth the trip!

domain: geography


text:
Caitlyn Jenner has talked a lot in British reality TV series, I’m a celebrity … get me out of there !, and some Kardashian / Jenner clan members are not happy with what’s being said.
The star of Keeping Up with the Kardashians dropped the bomb she had not spoken to Khloe Kardashian for many years.
The former athlete also suggested that Kylie Jenner could be pregnant with her second baby. According to Caitlyn, Kendall Jenner was ready to give up everything to become Prince Harry’s wife.
A source told TMZ and explained that Khloe was disappointed by Caitlyn’s comments because she was very present for her former stepfather.
According to Hollywood Life, Kylie and Kris Jenner take the revelation like this: “If anything, [Kylie] laughed rather. It’s just who his father is in this kind of situation. Kylie and Caitlyn have always had a very good relationship despite her family’s feelings about Caitlyn. Kylie loves her father a lot and has stayed out of the drama with the Jenners and her mother, Kris, to focus solely on her own relationship with her father. ”
Kylie, her mother and the rest of the family watched Caitlyn when she participated in another version of the show and they knew what to expect.
The boyfriend revealed, “The family was informed that she was going to do the show and Caitlyn promised that she was not going to train the family in any way while she was part of the show. The girls and Kris are very supportive of Caitlyn for the show. She is incredibly well paid and people are going to see the real person who is Caitlyn and they fully support all that. “
The person said, “What people do not realize is that Bruce created the American version of the series. Now that Caitlyn is living her real life, she wants to live this experience as a real life. Kardashian and Kris are all for that. They are really proud of her and can not wait to see how she is doing and what she is doing; it should be pretty fun.
Some say that Caitlyn is just giving the family more content for her upcoming shows.

domain: celebrity


text:
Our understanding of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) has evolved tremendously over the past decade. Large-scale sequencing studies have led to increased insight into the genomic landscape of CMML and clinical implications of these changes. This in turn has resulted in refined and improved risk stratification models, which to date remain versatile and subject to remodeling, as new and evolving studies continue to refine our understanding of this disease. In this article, we present an up-to-date review of CMML from a hematopathology perspective, while providing a clinically practical summary that sheds light on the constant evolution of our understanding of this disease.
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell neoplasm defined by relative (≥ 10%) and absolute (≥ 1 × 109/L) monocytosis, the presence of dysplasia in hematopoietic precursor cells, and an inherent risk for transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The overall incidence of CMML is estimated to be around 4 cases per 100,000 persons/year; it usually affects elderly patients with a median age at diagnosis of 71–73 years, a male to female ratio of ∼2.5:1, and a highly variable survival time ranging from 1 to more than 8 years.[1–4] CMML presents with a wide range of symptoms and signs, including constitutional symptoms, cytopenias manifesting as infection and/or bleeding, splenomegaly, cutaneous lesions, as well as inflammatory and autoimmune processes. The diagnosis and risk stratification of CMML relies heavily on a thorough hematopathologic assessment of peripheral blood and bone marrow findings, as well as identifying the associated cytogenetic and molecular alterations. Figure 1 provides a schematic summary of our diagnostic approach to cases of suspected CMML, which we will review in detail throughout this paper to provide the reader with a practical guide to diagnosis, subclassification, and risk stratification of CMML.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON DIAGNOSIS AND CLASSIFICATION
The French-American-British group subclassified CMML into two groups: myelodysplastic CMML (MD-CMML) (white blood cell [WBC] < 13 × 109/L) and myeloproliferative CMML (MP-CMML) (WBC ≥ 13 × 109/L).
In 2001 and 2008 the WHO (World Health Organization) classification scheme recognized CMML as a myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN), and further subclassified it into two groups: CMML-1 (peripheral blood [PB] < 5%; bone marrow [BM] < 10%) and CMML-2 (PB 6–19%; BM 10–19%) with no significant emphasis on myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative subtypes. The 2016 iteration of the WHO incorporates two distinct subclassification updates: reincorporation of the MP-CMML and MD-CMML subtypes and introduction of a novel three-tier classification system based on PB and BM blast counts. The 2016 WHO diagnostic criteria for CMML are summarized in Table 1.
The morphologic features of CMML in the BM are not unique and overlap with other myelodysplastic syndromes/myeloproliferative neoplasms (Fig. 2a–c). Myelomonocytic hyperplasia is usually present (Fig. 2a). Morphologic dysplasia involving at least one bone marrow cellular lineage (myeloid, erythroid, or megakaryocytic) is one of the criteria used by the current WHO classification scheme for establishing a diagnosis of CMML. However, it is important to note that some cases show only mild or subtle morphologic changes, thus dysplasia may be omitted as a criterion in cases that have other evidence supporting clonality, such as chromosomal alterations or somatic gene mutations (Fig. 2b, c). An accurate blast count (including monocytic blast equivalents: monoblasts and promonocytes) is necessary for subclassification. The current WHO recommends a three-tier blast-based scheme, including a novel CMML-0 category (PB < 2% and/or BM < 5%). However, from our study of a large cohort of CMMML patients (n = 629) at our institution and using the CMML-specific Prognostic Scoring System (CPSS), as well as the MD Anderson Prognostic Scoring System for risk stratification (MDAPS), we were unable to demonstrate a clear improvement in risk stratification, using the proposed three-tier blast-based system. We showed more than one-third of cases subclassified as CMML-0 were associated with higher-risk CPSS risk. The three-tier blast-based subclassification was not associated with leukemia-free survival and did not improve the prognostic power of CPPS. Identification of monoblasts and promonocytes is highly subject to expertise with high interobserver variability, adding further complexity to this subclassification scheme.[13,14] Therefore, we suggest that perhaps further complicating the blast-based subclassification may not be clearly advantageous or reproducible.
Increased mast cells (abnormal aggregates), plasmacytoid dendritic cells (mature or blastic), and eosinophils can be associated with specific genetic alterations and/or therapeutic relevance and should prompt additional evaluation. Nodular proliferations of mature plasmacytoid dendritic cells, observed in ∼20–30% of bone marrow specimens of patients with CMML, must be distinguished from blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms (BPDCNs), also known to be associated with CMML. Immunohistochemical stains for CD123 (sensitive) and TCF4 (specific) help highlight both the mature plasmacytoid dendritic cell nodules and BPDCN cells; however, they do not distinguish between the two. BPDCN tends to show blasts morphology, high Ki-67 proliferation index, and positive or negative TdT expression. A major differential diagnostic consideration of BPDCN is AML. Aberrant expression of CD56 by plasmacytoid dendritic cells is a helpful clue to suspecting a neoplastic proliferation (mature or blastic); however, it is important to note that nonneoplastic plasmacytoid dendritic cells typically contain a small subset that shows CD56 expression but these cells do not exhibit other immunophenotypic aberrancies (see more details in the flow cytomtery discussion below). It is important to consider BPDCN in the differential diagnosis of any CD123+/CD4+ neoplasm, particularly in patients with underlying CMML, because accurate classification has direct therapeutic implications.[19–21]
Significant eosinophilia in the PB or BM should prompt evaluation for rearrangements of PDGFRA, PDGFRB, FGFR1, and the PCM1-JAK2, as identification of any of these alterations would exclude a diagnosis of CMML. Among these, PDGFRB rearrangements are most likely to present with monocytosis, and although typically identifiable on routine karyotyping studies (located on 5q32), rare cryptic cases, only identifiable by FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) exist.[23,24]PDGFRA fusions are almost nearly always cryptic and only identifiable by FISH, demonstrating CHIC2 deletion. In contrast, PDGFRB and JAK2 rearrangements are typically identifiable on routine karyotype studies. Identification of these alterations has direct clinical and therapeutic implications because of the availability of targeted therapeutic agents. Imatinib has excellent efficacy in cases with PDGFRA and PDGFRB rearrangements. Of note, evolving eosinophilia upon disease progression may be a clue to secondary acquisition of these genetic alterations and should prompt further investigation.
Abnormally increased mast cells and mast cell aggregates can be a manifestation of systemic mastocytosis and is commonly associated with KIT p.D816 mutations. Mast cells can be highlighted in the BM core biopsy by using immunohistochemical stains for CD117 or mast cell tryptase. When associated with CMML (or other well-defined myeloid neoplasms), systemic mastocytosis (SM) is classified as SM with an associated hematologic neoplasm (SM-AHN). Compared with patients with CMML only, patients with SM and CMML are younger and more likely to have CBL (27 vs 13%) and KIT D816V (86 vs 1%) mutations. The co-occurrence of CMML and mastocytosis does not influence prognosis.
A small subset (∼3%) of CMMLs is associated with substantial reticulin fibrosis at initial diagnosis. These cases are associated with unique clinicopathologic features including higher WBC count with more frequent MP-CMML phenotype, higher absolute monocytosis, higher BM blast percentage, higher serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, splenomegaly, and a significantly higher frequency of JAK2 p.V617F mutations (up to 50%) and shorter overall survival. Unlike cases of MDS with fibrosis in which the frequency of TP53 mutations is high, the frequency of TP53 alterations is not increased relative to CMML without fibrosis.
Finally, it is noteworthy that the WHO classification scheme emphasizes the presence of absolute and relative monocytosis (≥ 1 × 109/L and 10%, respectively) as an essential criterion for the diagnosis of CMML. Nevertheless, a subset of MDS/MPN cases with borderline monocytosis below the WHO recommended threshold (≥ 10% PB monocytes with absolute monocyte count of 0.5–1 × 109/L), also referred to as oligomonocytic CMML, likely represent early evolving cases of MD-CMML, based on shared genetic and other clinicopathologic features.
THE ROLE OF FLOW CYTOMETRY ANALYSIS IN THE SETTING OF CHRONIC MYELOMONOCYTIC LEUKEMIA (CMML)
Flow cytometric immunophenotyping (FCI) of PB and BM is particularly helpful in establishing a diagnosis of CMML. Monocyte partitioning using PB, originally proposed by Selimoglu-Buet et al, provides a valuable diagnostic tool for distinguishing CMML from reactive monocytosis and other myeloid neoplasms. Using antibodies directed toward CD14 and CD16, PB monocytes are divided into three distinct subsets: classical monocytes (CD14+/CD16–), intermediate monocytes (CD14+/CD16+), and nonclassical monocytes (CD14–/CD16+). In healthy individuals, the classical subtype represents most monocytes. This subset is typically expanded in the setting of CMML, which provides a diagnostic clue when other myeloid neoplasms or reactive conditions are in consideration, as the expansion of classical monocytes appears to be specific to CMML. When using a ≥ 94% cutoff for classical monocytes, monocyte partitioning is able to distinguish CMML from other MDSs with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 86%. Of note, cases of MDS with expansion of classical monocytes to extent seen in CMML have better prognosis and more commonly carry SF3B1 mutations. Monocyte partitioning is also useful for differentiating CMML from other MPNs with monocytosis. A 92% classical monocyte cutoff has a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 100%, favoring CMML.
FCI of BM aspirate is used to identify abnormal myeloid progenitors and aberrant monocytes, which is particularly helpful in excluding reactive cases of monocytosis. However, FCI features are not specific for CMML, as similar alterations can be detected in other myeloid stem cell neoplasms. Similar to other myeloid stem cell neoplasms, CD34+ myeloblasts in the setting of CMML frequently exhibit an abnormal immunophenotype including increased intensity of CD13, CD34, CD117, CD123 and decreased intensify of CD38 and HLA-DR expression. Other immunophenotypic alterations include altered pattern of CD45 or side scatter; lineage infidelity as shown by aberrant expression of lymphoid markers including CD2, CD5, CD7, CD19, and CD56; and asynchronous expression of mature myelomonocytic markers such as CD15 and CD64. Maturing monocytes and granulocytes also frequently show immunophenotypic alterations (96 and 83%, respectively).
Flow cytometry also provides a useful tool in detection of aberrant plasmacytoid dendritic cells, which may be encountered in patients in the setting of CMML. Compared with normal plasmacytoid dendritic cells, neoplastic plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) show increased expression of CD56 and other immunophenotypic aberrancies. A recent study by Wang et al summarized these features and showed decreased or negative CD38 (82%), expression of CD7 (64%), loss of CD2 (81%), loss of CD303 (56%), and increased HLA-DR (69%) and decreased CD123 (78%) expression as features associated with BPDCN. Of note, they showed that reactive PDCs also consistently included a CD56+ subset, ranging from 1.3 to 20% (median 4.5%); however, these cells did not exhibit the other immunophenotypic aberrancies associated with BPDCN.
IMPACT OF CHROMOSOMAL ALTERATIONS IN CMML
Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities are detected in ∼20–30% of CMMLs,[38,39] the most common including trisomy 8, −Y, −7/del(7q), −21, and complex karyotype.[40–42] These abnormalities, although nonspecific for CMML and frequently detected in other hematopoietic neoplasms, help establish evidence for clonality. Identification of these alterations is particularly important because they can serve as a diagnostic criterion in cases that lack morphologic dysplasia; as such, if morphologic dysplasia is subtle or unidentifiable, genetic alterations can be used to confirm the neoplastic nature of the process. Various CMML-specific risk stratification schemes rely heavily on the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities for predicting outcome in patients with CMML. In the schema proposed by Such et al, a diploid karyotype and del Y are considered low risk, with a median overall survival (OS) of 33 months, whereas CMML with +8, −7/del(7q), and complex karyotype portend high risk with a median OS of 14 months. The remainder of patients belong to an intermediate-risk group with a median OS of 24 months. Of note, Tang et al have shown that patients with isolated trisomy 8 have a median OS of 22 months, similar to the intermediate-risk group, whereas patients with more than three chromosomal abnormalities have a significantly shorter OS of 8 months. The Mayo-French cytogenetic risk stratification demonstrated that all complex and monosomal karyotypes are high risk with a median OS of 3 months, whereas patients harboring der(3q) abnormality alone belong to a low-risk group, with a median OS of 41 months.
IMPACT OF GENETIC MUTATIONS IN CMML
We advocate for the routine sequencing of any suspected case of CMML. At our institution, we use an 81-gene next-generation sequencing panel enriched for genes with recurrent mutations in myeloid neoplasms. Somatic mutations have diagnostic and prognostic implications in the setting of CMML. The most commonly encountered mutations in CMML affect TET2 (60%), SRSF2 (50%),ASXL1 (40%), and genes of the RAS pathway (KRAS, NRAS, PTPN11, NF1) (30%)[45,46] Coexistence of SRSF2 and TET2 mutations in particular is highly suggestive of CMML. Other recurrent mutations involve SF3B1, U2AF1, IDH1/2, RUNX1, TP53, and SETBP1. The spectrum of these lesions seem to alter with the CMML variant: for example, SF3B1 and U2AF1 mutations are more commonly seen in the MD-CMML variant; mutations affecting the RAS pathway, RUNX1 and EZH2, on the other hand are more common in the MP-CMML variant.[48,49]SF3B1-mutated CMML (Fig. 2d) is a unique subtype with predominant dysplastic features including increased ring sideroblasts, low frequency of ASXL1 mutations, higher frequency of JAK2 p.V617F, and other concurrent splicing factor mutations and in line with other MDS with SF3B1 mutations, shows longer leukemia-free survival.TET2-mutated CMML is associated with a survival advantage especially in the context of multiple TET2 and truncating mutations. Patients with TET2mut CMML are characteristically older, more likely to have MD-CMML, have a higher number of co-occurring mutations, and tend to fall in the lower-risk categories using the molecular-based risk stratification schemes.ASXL1 mutations are associated with adverse prognosis and a shorter overall survival[52,53]; however, the adverse prognostic impact of ASXL1 mutation is partially mitigated by concurrent TET2 mutation. A summary of genes recurrently mutated in CMML and their respective frequencies and pathways involved is illustrated in Figure 3.
RISK STRATIFICATION MODELS
MDS-specific risk stratification models including the international prognostic scoring system (IPSS) and revised IPSS (IPSS-R) are of limited value in the setting of CMML. Therefore, several CMML-specific stratification models have been proposed to date.[10,11,53–56] A summary of these models and the criteria used for each is illustrated in Figure 4. The CPSS, the most commonly used prognostic model, incorporates four variables: WHO subgroups (CMML-1 and CMML-2), MDS versus MPN phenotypes, transfusion dependency, and karyotype. Recent work to integrate clinicopathologic features, cytogenetic findings, and molecular findings (ASXL1, NRAS, SETBP1, and RUNX1 status) into the CPSS has led to the creation of the modified clinical-molecular CPSS (CPSS-Mol). This prognostic system stratifies the genetic subgroups of CMML into four CPSS-Mol groups: low-risk (median OS not reached; 0% 48-month cumulative incidence of AML transformation); intermediate-1 risk (median OS, 68 months; 8% 48-month cumulative transformation incidence); intermediate-2 risk (median OS, 30 months; 24% 48-month cumulative transformation risk); and high-risk (≥ 4 points; median OS, 17 months; 52% 48-month cumulative transformation incidence).
The MDAPS has a predictive value similar to the CPSS[10,11,55,57,58]; in addition, it is a CMML-specific risk stratification scheme. The Global MDAPS, a modified risk stratification system, subgroups CMML cases into four categories: low-risk (median OS of 54 months), intermediate-1 risk (median OS of 25 months), intermediate-2 risk (median OS of 14 months), and high-risk (median OS of 6 months).
The Mayo prognostic model for CMML utilizes anemia, thrombocytopenia, absolute monocytosis, and circulating immature myeloid cells to predict for inferior OS.55 The Mayo Molecular Model is a revision to the original Mayo prognostic model with addition of ASXL1 mutations as an independent factor predicting for inferior OS. Using these factors, the Mayo Molecular Model divides CMML patients into four risk groups: low, intermediate-1, intermediate-2, and high with median OS of 97, 58, 31, and 16 months, respectively.
THERAPY AND MANAGEMENT
Detailed discussion of therapy and management for patients with CMML is beyond the scope of this review. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the only curative option and remains the treatment of choice for younger patients with higher-risk disease. However, HSCT is not without complications and therefore the need for other less aggressive therapeutic options remains valid. Hypomethylating agents including azacitidine, decitabine, and oral decitabine/cedazuridine are currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the management of CMML but are not considered curative options because although they restore hematopoiesis through epigenetic modulation in a subset of patients, they do not eliminate mutations and therefore eventual progression to acute myeloid leukemia occurs. A number of novel therapeutic options are becoming available. These agents and their mechanisms of action are discussed in detail in two recent reviews by Patnaik et al.[60,61] Targeted therapies exploiting specific genetic lesions and biologic pathways are attractive options that need to be further investigated in the setting of CMML.
The clinicopathologic presentation of CMML is heterogeneous, with variable combinations of proliferative and dysplastic features. A thorough hematopathology workup including morphologic evaluation, FCI, and assessment for chromosomal alterations and gene mutations in cases of suspected CMML is of essence for accurate diagnosis, subclassification, prognostication, and risk stratification that will ultimately lead to better patient management.
Source of Support: None. Conflict of Interest: Naveen Pemmaraju: Consulting/honorarium from Pacylex Pharmaceuticals, Incyte, Novartis, LFB Biotechnologies, Stemline, Celgene, AbbVie, MustangBio, Roche Diagnostics, Blueprint Medicines, and DAVA Oncology; research funding/clinical trials support from Affymetrix, SagerStrong Foundation, Novaris, Stemline, Samus, AbbVie, Cellectis, Daiichi Sankyo, and Plexxikon.

domain: medical


text:
SFJ protests against AAP Punjab convener Gurpreet Ghuggi in California
US-based radical organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) protested against Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab convener and film actor Gurpreet Ghuggi at Tracy, California, on Wednesday, calling him “anti-Sikh”.punjab Updated: Sep 16, 2016 10:12 IST
US-based radical organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) protested against Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab convener and film actor Gurpreet Ghuggi at Tracy, California, on Wednesday, calling him “anti-Sikh”.
The protesters claim that Ghuggi was on the team of artistes that then-Punjab-DGP (director general of police) KPS Gill assembled in the 1990s to perform in the state’s villages “to divert public attention from police excesses against Sikhs” (during militancy).
“Ghuggi also hurt Sikh sentiments by comparing his party leaders from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to the Panj Pyaras (five beloved ones of the Guru),” SFJ legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun told HT over telephone on Thursday. “Why did the AAP make a comedian its Punjab convener when it has a more able leader in (senior lawyer) Harvinder Singh Phoolka?”
Pannun claimed that Ghuggi had said in a public address in Amritsar on September 4 that: “If first of the Panj Pyaras came from Lahore, the second was from Uttar Pradesh, and Guru Gobind Singh didn’t question why he was from outside Punjab.”
The SFJ said Ghuggi had earlier praised Punjab Police on national television, crediting it with “paving the way for cultural performances in the 1990s by controlling terrorism”. “The protest against Ghuggi is a wake-up call to the AAP that, so far, had the backing of Khalistan supporters in the US and Canada,” said Pannun.
Reportedly, sensing trouble, Ghuggi has sought an apology but the SFJ has rejected it as “lame, before a thin gathering”.
SFJ international policy director Amardeep Singh Purewal said since Ghuggi failed to tender unconditional apology to radical-Sarbat-Khalsa-appointed (parallel) “jathedar” (and Beant Singh assassination convict) Jagtar Singh Hawara, they will “mobilise Sikhs to confront him across America with protests”.
Speaking on the SFJ’s losing credibility for opposing all leaders coming to North America from Punjab, Pannun said: “We oppose only those who support anti-Sikh tirade in India.”
Ghuggi said the protesters were only a handful of people, against the 1,500 who had come to listen to him on weeklong tour to the US. He said he hasn’t sought apology but only “clarified certain things”, asking the American Punjabis to ignore rabble rousers. “If the people’s sentiments are hurt due to misinformation spread against me, I am ready to seek apology,” he said. On Friday, he will address Punjabis in California’s Fresno town and then leave for New York.
First Published: Sep 16, 2016 10:11 IST

domain: politics


text:
In Moscow 37-year-old doctor Tatiana Freidlin infected with coronavirus, gave birth to a premature baby and died 11 days after caesarean section. This was reported by the husband of the deceased Victor Freidlin in an interview with “Moskovsky Komsomolets”.
Freidlin, said that his wife had held the post of anaesthetist in the Clinical center of the University named after Sechenov. During the epidemic she was at home and cared for two children, not working in the so-called red zone.
How Freidlin and her husband had contracted the coronavirus, is unclear. Wife got sick almost simultaneously, and later Victor test for coronavirus, showed negative results. The man said that his wife as the doctor realized the seriousness of the disease and were afraid of infection. Thus two children Tatyana not contracted the infection, the third child was also born healthy.
She was hospitalized on April 25 and immediately hooked up to artificial lung ventilation (ALV). More than ten days the woman was in intensive care. The treatment she received transfusions of plasma with antibodies, but it did not help. On April 29 the woman has a caesarean section, the baby was born two months premature. His mother never regained consciousness after the surgery. She died on 9 may and until the day of death, was on a ventilator. The husband turned to her colleagues — they provided support, called the hospital and advised the doctors.
Doctors said Freidline, if not pregnancy, then the probability of survival of Tatiana would be 95 percent. Due to the caesarean section, her immune system plummeted. The baby is lying in the intensive care box. The woman was buried in a closed coffin, was there one Victor. Colleague Tatyana told reporters that she did not tell anyone about hospitalization.
In Russia in recent days has revealed 8926 cases of infection with coronavirus in 81 region. Recovered 2836 persons recorded 91 deaths. The country was 290 678 cases of infection in all regions 2722 and mortality 70 209 cases of recovery.


Arrests made in downtown burglaries
Published 11:39 am Friday, March 16, 2018
Suspects have been charged or are awaiting charges in connection to two downtown burglaries reported on Jan. 13, according to Capt. Tim Whitt, spokesman for the Franklin Police Department.
Liberty Coin at 217 N. Main St., and B&B Cleaners at 301 N. Franklin St., were both burglarized with property stolen.
Investigation has led to the following people being charged:
• A 12-year-old Suffolk male is charged with the burglary of Liberty Coin’s. The suspect has been placed in Chesapeake Juvenile Services.
• Ahmod Tyshun Coner, 20, of 730 Cameron St., Franklin, has been charged with burglary of B&B Cleaners and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Coner was remanded to Western Tidewater Regional Jail.
• A 17-year-old male from Franklin. Petitions are on file for the burglary of B&B Cleaners.
• Dekwate Keitron Lankford, 25, of 25107 Oak Trail, Apt. D, Courtland, has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Lankford is in Western Tidewater Regional Jail.
• Keivate Detron Lankford, 24, of 317 Bruce St., Franklin, has a warrant on file for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.


Home field: Lasell Field. Grass field, 171 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville.
Brain trust: Coach: Ken LaChapelle (35th season, 278-85-6 career). Assistants: Matt Gauthier (defensive coordinator), Jeff LaChapelle, Steve Falconer; John Demagian, Al Richards, Dave Mills, Mitch Krouner.
Returning starters: 7 (4 offense, 3 defense).
Captains: Sr. DE Matt Rice, Sr. QB Thomas Murphy, Sr. FB/LB Greg O’Donnell.
Top players: Sr. WR/DB Evan Mackintosh, Sr. G/DT Joe Orphin, Sr. G Zack Henneman, Sr. LT Logan Bernard, Sr. C John O’Brien, RT Nate Calfa, Sr. RB Colby Brochu.
Out with the old: The Rams graduated five of their six Division 2A all-stars — TE Casey Hippert, WR Ben Richards, DL John Perro, LB Sean Clarke and DB Matt Consigli.
In with the new: Sr. WR/DB Corey Pryor, Sr. WR-DB Sean Kinahan, Jr. TE/DE Harrison Murphy, So. RB/SS Jake Ryan, So. CB Matt Phelan, So. SE/LB Danny Clasby.
When the Rams have the ball: Spread offense. … Scored 368 points, second-most in Division 2A. … Look for returning all-star Murphy (nearly 2,000 passing yards) to excel again in his senior year after emerging as one of the top QBs in a storied Northbridge history. … Mackintosh should be his top target.
When their opponents have the ball: 4-3 defensive look. … Allowed 139 points last year, second-fewest in Division 2A. … O’Donnell should pick up the slack left by the departure of Hippert. … Orphin will solidify the defensive line.
In the trenches: LaChapelle is a big fan of his hulking offensive line, with Orphin and Henneman at guard, Bernard and Calfa at tackle and O’Brien at center. “It’s one of the bigger lines we’ve had,” LaChapelle said. “It’s one of those areas we can do really well in.”
One to watch: The success of the Rams will depend on Murphy — “We have to feel pretty good about our offense when we have that threat coming back,” LaChapelle said — but watch out for Brochu, who could surprise a few people at running back this season. “He’s one of those players that we’re anxious to see how he’s going to respond, but there’s a lot of potential,” LaChapelle said.
The quote: “We have some potential, but we’re inexperienced,” LaChapelle said. “We have seven juniors, so we’re counting on our 15 seniors. If we can win two or three games early, it would boost us tremendously.”
Sept. 9…Millbury, 7
Sept. 17…at Leicester, 7
Sept. 24…Lunenburg, 7
Oct. 1…Nipmuc, 7
Oct. 8…at Auburn, 7
Oct. 15…Tantasqua, 7
Oct. 22…Burncoat, 7
Oct. 29…at Quabbin, 7
Nov. 5…at Shepherd Hill, 7
Nov. 12…Bartlett, 7
Nov. 25…Uxbridge, 10:15
Key game: Oct. 8 at Auburn. It’s pretty simple. This game pits the two best teams in Division 2A against one another. The winner of this game most likely will wind up with the league title.
Northbridge 34…Millbury 0
Northbridge 35…Leicester 7
Northbridge 28…Lunenburg 0
Northbridge 28…Nipmuc 21
Auburn 16…Northbridge 7
Northbridge 42…Tantasqua 3
Burncoat 26…Northbridge 19
Northbridge 34…Quabbin 0
Northbridge 35…Shepherd Hill 7
Northbridge 36…Bartlett 14
Northbridge 33…Uxbridge 27
Northbridge 30…Uxbridge 7
David Prouty 11…Northbridge 7
Jim’s take: The Rams should have no problem filling the holes left by graduation, and they’ll be fighting with Auburn for the league title. Murphy should be among the top slingers in Central Mass., and Brochu could find time to shine behind a strong offensive line.
Follow the Rams’ every game this fall


The International Open Source Hydrogen On Demand Builders Network.
Gardening is a hobby for some while a social contribution towards the environment for a few. While the ones belonging to the former group hardly get time to maintain their garden due to their busy work schedules, the ones belonging to the latter category want to be consistent in their approach of helping the environment using third-party services. This is where you need services offered through an online search for local gardeners near me Cornwall.
When you initiate your search, you will get a number of companies offering gardening services. For most of the people, gardening services are confined to planting trees and watering them for proper growth. If you too think that way, you are mistaken.
There are people who are willing to plant trees and have their own garden in the premises. However, they don’t know where and how to start the process. One of the rarely known gardening facilities is the consultancy services offered to customers. If you want any assistance for installing a full-fledged garden in your home or office surroundings, you can connect with the representatives who are experts of gardening or horticulture and hence can help you have elegant greenery in your yard.
When it comes to taking care of a lawn, you instantly jump to the mowing part. Well, the lawn development part is not confined to that only but of course, it is an important part of the lawn development amenities offered. The professionals visit your place with all the required equipment to trim your lawn grasses. In addition, they will also recommend some ways of improvement, in case they find it necessary.
If you have a specific requirement for the seed of a particular plant, the seed collection services of gardening service providers can assist. They collect and preserve the seeds of many vegetables, herbs, and flowers that can be grown throughout the year. The rate of germination of these seeds is high. The best part is that the gardening-related companies do not only sell the seeds but also help you have the favourable environment for their growth.
Along with the services mentioned above, there are some service providers, if not all, that allow you to purchase garden kits from them. In fact, they also use fertilizers and pesticides to maintain a healthy environment in your garden for plants and trees to grow in. There are some construction companies that offer gardening and residential painting services Cornwall besides the architectural amenities.


text: High polygonal high detailed wristwatch Q&Q MMW1-301. File format - 3ds Max 8 Scale - 1:1 Objects - 49 Materials, lights and rendering – Vray 1.5 RC2 Vertices - 141878 Faces - 135224 All materials, textures and HDRI map are included. In a file of archive there is file Readme and 3 pictures - circuits in a format “png” with the description of parameters of animation. This model animated. Look a videofile preview 320x240, low quality.

domain: design


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Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons Wall Art
This image is a staff pick
What a sight - The Ballon Festival in Cappadocia, Turkey.
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Bold ancient French architecture, for a long time, Hanoi Cathedral is an ideal place for visitors from all over to visit. For Christians, the Cathedral is a great altar to attend Mass and pray.
St. Joseph Cathedral is located in the heart of Hanoi city
The Cathedral is open to visitors daily
St. Joseph's Cathedral, also known as Hanoi Cathedral, is a unique architectural work associated with the people of the capital over the centuries. The Church is a place of religious activities for Christians and is a popular tourist attraction in Hanoi.
If you have the opportunity to tour Ha Noi , do not miss the opportunity to visit the Cathedral.
The church is a place of religious activities for Catholics
According to some records, the site for the old Cathedral was where Bao Thien Pagoda was located. The temple was built in the Ly dynasty. It is known that Bao Thien Tu is a famous national throne of Dai Viet capital during the dynasties from Ly - Tran - Le - Nguyen.
By the end of the 18th century, Bao Thien pagoda was destroyed and the pagoda foundation became the market land of Dai Viet people at that time. After that, the government transferred to the Catholic Church to build it into a church.
The facade of St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi today
Initially, the church was built temporarily with wood to serve religious activities for parishioners. By 1884 the church began to build more spacious with terracotta bricks. Despite many difficulties during the construction process, the church was still completed on Christmas Eve in 1888.
Although it is officially known as the Cathedral of St. Joseph, people and visitors are still familiar with it as the Cathedral . Perhaps because of the scale and uniqueness of the architecture of the Church that makes people think of this name.
St. Joseph's Cathedral left an impression on visitors with its beautiful architecture
Through many ups and downs of history, St. Joseph Cathedral is considered a "witness" witnessing the "changing flesh" of Hanoi during the past 3 centuries. Although many modern works have sprung up, St. Joseph Cathedral is still an architectural work that makes a special mark on the hearts of Hanoi people and tourists from near and far.
The couple takes a wedding photo at the St. Joseph's Cathedral
St. Joseph's Cathedral is designed in the style of medieval European Gothic architecture. This is a very popular architecture in the 12th century in European Renaissance.
In general, the Cathedral looks like Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the Catholic church representing the Gothic architectural style in France. The main materials used to build the church are terracotta bricks and mulch paper.
In general, the church is about 65m long, 21m wide, and two bell towers 32m high. With such a height enough for visitors to see the splendor and majesty of this cathedral. On the top of the church there is a stone cross, below is a clock and a holy statue, creating a highlight for the church's architecture.
St. Joseph Cathedral is one of the first ancient French architectural works built in Hanoi
From the outside, the church looks very old, with layers of changed lime and moss-covered roof. However, when entering the large door inside the church, visitors will be surprised to see the magnificent and magnificent architectural features that have not been changed over time.
According to the travel experience of some visitors, you must go to the church to feel the magnificence of this work.
The sanctuary inside the church is beautifully decorated
Entering the church, the first attraction is probably the Holy Palace. The sanctuary in the church is decorated in the traditional folk art style, simple but eye-catching. In the middle of the sanctuary is a statue of St. Joseph holding Jesus, the sides and around the sanctuary are the altar of Our Lady and many other holy statues.
Below the basilica are benches with kneeling tables to serve the laypeople during Mass. With a spacious space, St. Joseph Cathedral can accommodate up to thousands of people. On major holidays such as Christmas (Christmas), St. Joseph Cathedral attracts a large number of parishioners and visitors.
The Cathedral attracts many visitors during Christmas
In the hall in the church, there is a large door, the two sides of the tower have two small doors for convenience for parishioners and visitors. The doors and all windows in the church are curled up according to Gothique art. Inside the rolling doors there are pictures of beautiful stained-glass Saints.
The church also had a valuable set of western bells (about 20,000 French francs at that time), consisting of four small bells and one large bell. Next to it is a large clock mounted in the front of the church. The clock has an engraved alarm, alarm, and a bell system linked to 5 bells hanging on the tower.
When one comes to a place that hears the bell ringing, one can know that there is a parish
Church bells are intended to inform Christians of the start of the Mass, baptism, marriage or death etc. Unlike the sound and style of ringing a temple bell, a church bell has a fast, slow beat depending on different notification purposes.
Outside the church there is a small square, where the metal statue of Our Lady is located. Beneath the statue of Our Lady is a incense burner for people to light incense to pray, surrounded by many green pots. The fence around the monument is Catholic with motifs created from the shape of a cross.
Small square in front of the Cathedral
St. Joseph's Cathedral is a special destination, attracting locals and visitors from near and far. The neighborhood around the church has long been a familiar gathering spot for young people and tourists. Just giving yourself an ideal seat, enjoying a drink while watching the ancient church, visitors can also find their soul extraordinarily comfortable.
The students at nearby schools also often gather to play football and play in front of the church. Couples and couples about to get married often choose the location around the church as a place for dating and wedding photography.
The students play soccer in front of the Cathedral
With its unique and ancient architecture, St. Joseph's Cathedral always has a strange attraction to many visitors when arriving in Hanoi. Coming here, visitors not only can see a beautiful architecture but also learn how Catholics live.


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Propylene – The dominant alternate fuel gas widely used in the U.S heavy metal fabrication and demolition industry. Coastal provides Propylene in a variety of cylinder sizes as well as bulk onsite tanks for fab shop applications as well as offshore racks and oxy-fuel packages. Cylinder sizes range from 10 to 435 pounds. Coastal also has available bulk storage tanks ranging from 1,000 and 2,000 gallon horizontal tanks to 1,900 to 3,990 gallon vertical tanks.
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Forklift Service -to power your forklifts. Coastal offers both on-site cylinder filling and a cylinder exchange program.
Bulk Service & Installation – Bulk installations can be extremely cost-effective by optimizing storage space and reducing your cylinder handling. Coastal can customize an installation that best fits your requirements. Coastal can provide the state required steps involved with bulk installations such as site surveys and detailed site plans. Coastal has available a wide variety of bulk tanks ranging from horizontal 500 & 1000 gallon tanks as well as vertical 1990 & 3990 gallon tanks.


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ACTED supported agricultural cooperatives and micro businesses to foster sustainable growth and livelihood.
In Jordan, 25% of the population depend on agriculture as a source of livelihoods, particularly Syrian refugees whose work permits are, in majority, issued in this sector. However, its expansion is limited by scarce support services, technical and financial capacities and seasonal fluctuations in income.
To address these challeges, ACTED fostered innovative agricultural practices and business management support to improve livelihood opportunities and resilience for approximatively 1,350 vulnerable Jordanian and Syrian-refugee farmers.
With ACTED’s support, 897 farmers implemented innovative agricultural practices
ACTED reinforced capacities of 9 agricultural cooperatives:
ACTED helped start and scale up 248 agricultural microbusinesses:
ACTED’s intervention helped Kufor Sume grow its yearly turnover from 6,000 to 13,000 JDs between 2019 and 2021 and provide efficient agriculture development services to 4,245 annual beneficiaries such as:
August 2021, ACTED selected Kufor Sume’s proposed business solution designed to diversify market access for its members. Through ACTED’s suppport, the cooperative rented an heritage Jordanian house and rehabilitated it into a restaurant and a local shop. The solution is an opportunity for farmers to expand their market access by buying ingredients from local farmers.
The house also serves as an handicrafts training centre which are sold in the shop. In June 2022, 74 individuals, both Syrian refugees and Jordanians benefited from the solution.
Aeade Al-Badia cooperative provides water and agricultural services for its 1,845 annual beneficiaries as well as the surrounding community to promote inclusive livelihood development. Under ACTED’s intervention, the cooperative contributed to:
In August 2021, ACTED selected Aeade Al-Badia’s proposed business solution, designed to facilitate access to bazars for its members. Thanks to ACTED’s contribution, the cooperative acquired a refrigerated truck to increase farmers’ access to bazars in Amman and the rest of Jordan. Aeade Al-Badia also signed a cooperation agreement Jordan’s #1 Bazars coordinator.
In June 2022, 361 individuals Syrian refugees and Jordanians, signed agreements with Aeade Al-Badia to benefit from the solution.
Ahlam, a Jordanian woman, has been running her beekeeping business in Irbid since 2018. Her husband had an accident in 2019 that prevented him from working. Thanks to ACTED’s intervention, Ahlam was able to strengthen her business and financially support her household on her own throughout her husband’s incapacity.
My project was only an idea, but I decided to implement it after participating in the field schools. The project provided me with work opportunities, I was a housewife and now I can support my children and my husband.
Thanks to the field school trainings and dialogues in Peer Support Groups carried out under the project, Ahlam enhanced her beekeeping skills and business knowledge. Through ACTED’s financial support, she managed to buy 11 beehives and produced 250 kilograms of honey.
Fouza, a Jordanian woman, first started wheat farming to bake and sell bread in Mafraq. However, with ACTED’s support she chose to develop hydrophonics agriculture instead as it is less water-consuming.
With ACTED’s fiancial contribution, Fouza managed to buy some livestock and launch a small perma-garden to support her family’s food intake.
Fouza is now looking into expanding her business into experiential tourism. With ACTED’s help, she has successfully enlisted her farm on Sawwah digital app, a travel booking platform that promotes local travel experience.
Nadia, a 56 year-old Jordanian woman, had never worked before getting involved with ACTED. Supporting her 12 kids, she is now one of the 5 members of a shared hydrophonics microbusiness in Mafraq.
Thanks to ACTED’s grant, the business first started with food processing activities such as pickles and jams production. Through the trainings and field days, Nadia was encouraged to adopt hydrophonics technique after witnessing firsthand the success of the farms that had implemented it and the amount of water it saves. Nadia’s business also benefited from the support of ACTED’s engineer to overcome challenges with the fertiliser production.
We learned from each other and did research online to develop the project. Every day, we work and cook together to develop our products.
Six microbusinesses supported in Balqa and Mafraq have started to sell azolla surplus to local famers, thus ensuring access to a new source of income. Azolla farming has helped farmers raise chickens at lower costs by reducing the monthly livestock feeding expenses by 80% to 90%.
After witnessing the financial benefits from azolla production, farmers have already begun to spread their knwoledge and teach their friends and neighbours on how to replicate this approach.
Azolla is a new agricultural crop that did not previously exist in the area, it is easy and profitable with low production costs.
Suha, a 39 year-old woman is one of the 4 members of a women-led confectionery microbusiness from Irbid. A housewife before ACTED’s intervention, Suha chose the food processing sector as she has always had a talent for baking back in Syria. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly challenging for her business, thanks to ACTED’s mentoring and coaching, Suha and her partners kept their activity running.
I bettered myself and grew more with ACTED, I'm proud that I worked in this project.
Through ACTED’s support, Suha’s microbusiness gained access to new markets. In 2021, she had the opportunity to participate in 2 Bazars to showcase and sell her products. One of her fondest memories under this project was when she attended the Bazar at the Amercian Embassy in Amman.
Kifaya is a Jordanian woman who is now a member of a baked goods microbusiness in Irbid, shared by 7 women and 1 man, and launched under ACTED’s intervention. Kifaya has 5 children, and thanks to the income generated from her business, she is now able to support her 2 eldest children who are attending university.
Moreover, ACTED’s support helped her expand her market size by participating in Bazars both in Amman and Irbid. She participated for 3 days in the Olive Oil Festival in Amman where she earned approximatively 2,500 JDs (€3,543) by selling her products. She also took part in the Irbid Pomegranate Festival where she made around 1,500 JDs (€2,126). Thanks to her participation, Kifaya has now developed a regular pool of customers in Amman.
Moving forward, ACTED is building upon its best practices and expertise to expand its support to vulnerable Jordanians and Syrian refugees from recovery to long-term resilience. ACTED’s long-term agricultural programming (2022-2025) revolves around the following approaches:
Through its Flagship Programme, THRIVE (Towards Holistic Resilience in Vulnerable Environments), ACTED is committeed to regenerate agricultural ecosystems.
Integrated approach based on livelihoods, market viability and social cohesion to improve soil health and crop productivity in (semi-)arid agricultural rangelands, thereby leading to increased income generation. THRIVE is alignes with SDGs, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).
This programmatic strategy is based on 3 components: soil regeneration, financial empowerment of local farmers and populations as well as support to sustainable agricultural and economic development. This is currently implemented across 7 countries in Africa and the Middle East, including Jordan, where is supports approximatively 311,232 beneficiaries.
With continued financial support from BPRM (2021 to 2023), ACTED will build on the previous programme to enable diversification and sustanability of year-round income streams, particularly through food processing and artisanal livelihoods, while also promoting integrated farming techniques.
ACTED is building upon its best practices and expertise to expand its support to vulnerable Jordanians and Syrian refugees from recovery to long-term resilience.
With continued financial support from donors, ACTED will build on the previous programme to enable diversification and sustainability of year-round income streams, creating further work opportunities for refugees and vulnerable Jordanians in the agricultural sector.
ACTED will also utilise its global flagship, THRIVE, which promotes efficient land management and sustainable water resource management for improved soil health and crop productivity, and therefore enhanced income generation.

domain: agronomy


Hellas Verona vs Fiorentina Predictions & Tips
Italian Serie A
Wednesday, 22 Dec 2021 17:30
Our Prediction Verdict
Best Bet: Fiorentina to win or draw @1.36
Correct Score Tip: 1:2 (Correct Score) @10.50
See our selected correct score correct scores
Home win: 2.97
Away win: 2.32
Over 2.5 goals: 1.67
Under 2.5 goals: 2.21
Reason For Hellas Verona vs Fiorentina Betting Tips
Key points Hellas Verona - Fiorentina
Conclusion Hellas Verona - Fiorentina
While Igor Tudor has lost just four of his 15 league matches in charge of Verona, his team have won just one of their last six games in all competitions, after a 1-0 loss at Torino on Saturday. Both teams have scored in nine of Verona’s last 11 Serie A games, in which Tudor’s side have kept just one clean sheet.
Indeed, Verona have entertained throughout the Croatian’s time at the helm, with 64 goals being scored in their 18 league games so far this season. However, a leaky defence looks likely to limit their ambitions; only six Serie A clubs, the majority of them relegation candidates, have conceded more goals.
Wednesday’s opponents Fiorentina came from 2-0 down to draw with Sassuolo on Saturday, and should have won the match based on the balance of play. They’re unbeaten in four league games, scoring 12 goals during that run. Despite winning just one of their last five away matches, Vincenzo Italiano’s Viola have won at difficult grounds this term, counting Atalanta, Bologna and Udinese amongst their scalps on the road.
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Summer Brooke & The Mountain Faith Band at the 2017 Milan Bluegrass Festival – photo © Bill Warren
Wednesday saw preliminary festivities at the 20th annual Milan Bluegrass Festival at the KC Campground in Milan, Michigan. The Southeast Michigan Bluegrass Music Association hosted a jam and a potluck. All agreed that bluegrassers know how to cook and how to eat! Mark Gaynier, campground owner and festival promoter, hosted an open stage session in the evening.
The stage show kicked off Thursday afternoon with Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper. Michael is a multi-time winner of IBMA’s Fiddle Player of the Year. Summer Brooke and the Mountain Faith Band followed. They are one of the top-flight young bands in bluegrass music. Festival standby Nothin’ Fancy then returned to the Milan stage. Their solid music and antics always keep the audience on the edge of its seats. The Becky Buller Band brought the great harmonies of the band to the KC stage for the second year.
The Southeast Michigan Bluegrass Music Association added two more members to the 2017 Hall of Honor. Brian Paige accepted induction on his father’s behalf. Ralph Paige was unable to attend the induction. Also Bill and Pam Warren were inducted by association vice president John Bayerl.
The Lonesome River Band closed out the days entertainment. Sammy Shelor always presents a great show with his great band.
Friday and Saturday bring more great bands to the festival stage. They include the likes of Breaking Grass, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, Flatt Lonesome, Russell Moore an IIIrd Tyme Out, Volume Five, The Grascals, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, and a special appearance by the legendary Gene Watson.


Plan presented for Green Energy Park makeover
Jackson County got its first glimpse at what a reinvigorated Green Energy Park campus might look like when a preliminary master plan was presented during a county commission meeting Tuesday, Jan. 22.
“It’s a beautiful concept,” said Chairman Brian McMahan as Gary Warner, landscape architect and Parks and Recreation Director for the firm WithersRavenel, wrapped up his presentation.
The master plan proposes developing the 19-acre property in two sections. The northern section, located atop the old county landfill, would be redeveloped into a walking path with a dog park, art installations and a pollinator garden. The southern section, where the Green Energy Park artist studios are now located, would be transformed into a multi-purpose campus featuring an animal shelter, innovation center and event space, in addition to existing artisan facilities.
The plan has a substantial amount of engineering work behind it, with crews analyzing soil borings from 10 sites on the property. While test sites on the uphill portion of the property yielded the typical result of hitting rock after 15 to 20 feet, five sites further downhill had more unusual results.
“We drilled and we drilled and we drilled, and we stopped drilling at 50 feet, and we had nothing but dirt and sand, which was really surprising,” said Warner.
That provides some solid opportunity for the landfill portion of the project, which is capped with a layer of dirt about 4 feet deep. Any opportunity to increase that cap would improve the safety and flexibility of the site — when topsoil is excavated for development on the Green Energy Park side of the property, said Warner, it can be relocated to the old landfill to provide additional cover.
“There is lots of excess topsoil, which we could put on top of the landfill,” he said. “Solid Waste was very happy about that idea.”
Despite the good news from the soil borings, the site would be a challenging one to develop. In addition to the environmental constraints created by the old landfill, the property’s slope could cause issues. There’s an elevation difference of roughly 80 feet between the road and the recycling center at the top of the property.
“We have some topographic challenges out here in terms of how we get people out there, how we move vehicles around, how we build buildings,” said Warner.
The old landfill is currently a grass-covered meadow offering “tremendous” mountain views, said Warner. The plan would be to tie in the art-focused mission of the Green Energy Park — which fuels glassblowing, pottery and blacksmithing studios in part using methane from the landfill — to the walking path by having artists display a rotating roster of pieces along the way. The area could also hold a dog park that would be substantially larger than the tiny one currently in place at Mark Watson Park. Due to the danger of roots penetrating the landfill cap, no trees could be planted, but wildflowers would be fair game.
Redeveloping the south side of the property would aim to accomplish multiple goals. The county has long needed a new animal shelter to replace the decrepit building on Airport Road, and the existing 17,000-square-foot concrete pad on the property could easily house such a facility, said Warner. The shelter would also have a nearby open space to walk and run the animals.
The plan includes a new event plaza as well as a grassy area that could serve as event space or overflow parking. The existing recycling center at the top of the hill would be relocated to a separate entrance right off Haywood Road so that traffic would not have to pass through campus.
Perhaps most notably, the campus would house a 13,000-square-foot innovation center to be operated through a partnership with Western Carolina University. The center would feature a “maker’s space” where students and community members could combine art with engineering and design to develop new creations, and it would also be used for college classes, community outreach and K-12 education.
The whole endeavor came about from a study a pair of WCU professors completed last year at the behest of the county and the university. Interim Chancellor Alison Morrison-Shetlar had been interested in using the Green Energy Park property as a joint campus of WCU and the county, and the two organizations partnered to have Wendy Cagle, director of WCU’s Small Business and Technology Center, and Yue Hillon, associate professor in the College of Business, explore the possibilities there.
In a joint meeting between Jackson County and Dillsboro elected officials last year, Hillon and Cagle presented their findings, which pointed to the innovation center concept. It would serve a need in the university and in the community, they said, and if a new animal shelter were built on the same campus that facility could benefit from college students in need of service learning opportunities.
Under the concept, the partnership would operate in much the same way as Jackson County’s relationship with its K-12 and community college organizations — the county would fund buildings and capital improvements, while the university would pay for staff, supplies, equipment, programming and other operational expenses for the innovation center.
WCU, Jackson County and Dillsboro officials alike were in favor of the initial concept, with commissioners voting unanimously in June 2018 to spend $45,000 for the master plan from WithersRavenel.
“There is a lot of engineering data that’s behind the plan itself,” said County Manager Don Adams Jan. 22. “As stated at the beginning, this is a challenging site. We have multiple levels, they have the quantities of earth that need to be moved. From the borings they know what kind of earth they need to be moved, so at this point we’re formulating an estimated cost.”
Those estimates were not available for the master plan presentation Jan. 22, but Adams expects to present them to commissioners at their next work session, slated for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the Jackson County Justice and Administration Center.
Once those numbers are known, commissioners can start breaking down the costs, gathering input from the public and making concrete decisions about how to proceed.


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Sometimes I just want to make the ultimate bbq snack. And what’s better than grilled chicken?Smoked and grilled chicken drumsticks in a creamy cheese sauce that you can easily adjust to your own taste.
- 1 part raw cane sugar
- ½ part fine salt
- ¼ part garlic powder
- ¼ part onion powder
- ⅛ part mustard powder
- ⅛ part chipotle
- ⅛ part black pepper
- 25 gram butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 300 ml milk
- 400 gram grated cheese
- 2 piece jalapenos
- 1 kg chicken drumsticks
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- Mix the ingredients for the dry rub and keep 2 tbsp aside. Put 2 tbsp of the dry rub in a bowl and pour in the olive oil.
- Put the drumsticks in the bowl and mix it up so all the meat is covered with de dry rub marinade.
- Fire up your grill to a temperature of 160°C/320°F with a chunk of smoke wood.
- Put the drumsticks on the outside of the grates and close the lid. Let them sit for one hour and flip halfway through.
- Take the drumsticks out and put on a pan. Melt the butter and stir in the flour till it browns. This is called a roux.
- Ad the 300 ml of milk and stir it till you have a smooth consistency. Then put in 300 grams of the grated cheese and let it melt while stirring.
- Deseed the jalapeños en slice them fine. Put them in the cheese sauce and bring it to taste with a little black pepper.
- Pour the sauce in a cast-iron skillet and stick the grilled drumsticks in the sauce. Top it off with the rest of the grated cheese and the 2 tbsp of dry rub you set aside.
- Put it back in the grill and let it reheat at a temperature of 200°C/392°F.
Calories: 907kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 56gFat: 71gSaturated Fat: 30gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 26gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 277mgSodium: 946mgPotassium: 588mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1432IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 820mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Big thanks to Kamado Joe for sponsoring this post.
Please return the favor by visiting their website.

domain: food