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Redesigning The Social Fabric.
Batko OS #11 - The world has changed, have you?
One of the most profound quotes that stuck with me over the years has been from the movie "Into the Wild”. Chris, the protagonist, rebels against society. He rejects the world to spend time by himself in the wilderness to explore the meaning of life.
“Happiness is only real when shared.”
We chase dreams. We chase a larger purpose. We chase meaning.
Dreams, purpose and meaning are different for every person.
Belonging is universal.
We crave the belonging and acceptance to a community of kindred spirits.
“Happiness is only real when shared.”
Over the centuries the world has become increasingly interwoven. Cavemen remained in the safety of their tribes. In the middle ages, the sense of community expanded to religion and kingdoms. In the 60s, commercial flying made pockets of the world accessible. In the 90s, affordable flights and the reduction of borders opened the world up to everyone.
Accessibility has provided us with the privilege to reach kindred spirits anywhere anytime.
Gabby and I met in a student accommodation’s kitchen in Stockholm. We’ve now been together for 7 years and she was the reason I moved to Australia.
Sophia and I met at a dinner at Southstart in Adelaide when neither of us could get a seat and we had a standing dinner at the bar. We now work together every day at Startmate.
You can meet your life partner on a university exchange semester, your next career at a conference or best friend by bumping into them at your local corner shop. Increased accessibility created a myriad of possible connections. Meanwhile, exponentially increasing the moments of serendipity which tie those loose threads into relationships and communities.
Relationships are the threads that make up the fabric of society.
COVID has ripped the fabric of society.
Flight and border restrictions prohibit travel and meeting new people in real life.
Event bans hinder serendipitous moments of bumping into people.
Face masks cover up facial expressions which are a crucial part of communication.
Communities have been torn.
Whether you were part of a football team, choir or book club, gatherings have stopped and you can’t meet in person any longer.
Even worse, serendipitous moments have been eradicated. There are no more in-person networking events, conferences, festivals, bump-ins at a restaurant, in the office lobby or at the water cooler.
The New World Order.
Where does that leave us?
The rip has turned our world order upside down. It’s a fundamental shift in the way we find and make connections. You can’t work the room at a networking event to make the next golf session to land a deal. You can’t bump into the love of your life at a nightclub.
Interactions largely shifted to the online world, which amplifies two interesting dynamics.
1. Intention over serendipity.
Lockdowns grounded everybody to resort to the internet for human connections. You are 100% in control where you go and what you do on the internet. Nobody is going to bump into you. You create your own luck. If you want to create relationships or be part of a community you need to be intentional about it.
If you want serendipity, you need to intentionally expose yourself to it and increase your surface area.
2. Levelled playing field.
Where previously extroverts who worked a room of strangers succeeded in building relationships, now the internet has levelled the playing field. Charisma, public speaking and social skills have taken a step back. Helpfulness, clear writing, and technical skills are the new currency of relationship building.
Commanding the attention of the crowd with your charisma doesn’t translate into Zoom. Instead, behind the scenes actions and helpfulness finally get the recognition they deserve.
Public speaking has suddenly let go of its loyal companion called stage fright. When you’re sitting on a couch in your living room talking to your laptop, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a 1:1 or hundreds of people listening. Clear writing is now more important than ever as the medium by which we are communicating has shifted away from in-person interactions.
The social skills to navigate a dinner party are now replaced with technical skills of how to troubleshoot your microphone, screen share and share files seamlessly.
Suddenly, previously underrated skillsets have taken centre stage and provided a different group of people in society an opportunity to thrive. A new social currency.
The world has given us a moment to pause.
To redefine our search for belonging and community.
To live a more intentional life.
Humans are the most adaptable species in the world.
We won’t get stopped by a mere rip in our social fabric. That fabric will mend in time. It will be different. Stronger, more colourful and in a way we previously never imagined.
Are you building the new social fabric?
Startmate alumni such as Mass Dynamics (#massgeek), Ovira (period pain), Verve Super (financial education) and Bugcrowd (hackers) are building those communities giving their customers a sense of belonging and communal identity.
We love investing in businesses which are underpinned by a die-hard community.
If that’s you, shoot me a message!
What can you do?
There are lots of other ways to be part of the weaving of the new social fabric.
You can also join online communities, such as the Startmate Accelerator as a founder and the Startmate Fellowship as an operator. OnDeck is an excellent alternative for aspiring founders, angels, as well as David Perrell’s Write of Passage for writers.
What are your hobbies, beliefs and fascinations?
Find and surround yourself with kindred spirits.


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domain: hobby


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Armin van Buuren announced he will be releasing his first single of 2018, ‘Love, Sex, and Water’ tomorrow.
This new song will definitely add a new flavor to Armin’s legendary repertoire of music. He also tapped Conrad Sewell on the vocals, creating a tropical vibe. Conrad Sewell, an Australian singer, is best known within the EDM world for his amazing vocals on Kygo‘s track ‘Firestone’.
Armin is set to have an amazing 2018 (what’s new). The Dutch legend has consistently been a Trance icon since the 1990’s and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. In fact, he’s already kicked off this year by becoming the first DJ to play upside down. Yeah you read that right.
Apart from that, Armin’s already been confirmed for the world’s biggest festivals, including Tomorrowland, Ultra Miami, & Ultra Europe. These festivals follow the highly anticipated ASOT 850 Utrecht on February 17th which is sure to be epic.
We can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store for Armin van Buuren. And what better way to kick off 2018 than with some new music.

domain: artistic


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- Protocol for Life Balance Glucosamine & Chondroitin supports joint comfort and flexibility.
- Glucosamine is a naturally occurring structural compound that is normally found in healthy cartilage, bone, and synovial fluid.
- Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is a building block for larger molecules known as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).
- GAGs are essential components of connective tissues that function to lubricate joints, absorb shock, and allow these tissues to resist pressure.
- Chondroitin is one of the major GAGs found in joint tissue that is important in maintaining structural integrity.
- The body’s production of GAGs, however, decreases with age.
- Clinical studies indicate that Glucosamine can help to maintain healthy and flexible joints, thereby supporting joint comfort.
- Chondroitin, which has also been found to support joint health, lends an additional layer of structural support.
Serving Size: 2 Tablets
Amount Per Serving ..... % Daily Value
Total Carbohydrate.... 2 g .....<1%
Sodium ..... 150 mg .....7%
(from 1,500 mg Glucosamine Potassium Sulfate Complex).....1.5 g (1500 mg).....*
Chondroitin (from Bovine Cartilage) 1.2 g (1,200 mg) *
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
*Daily value not established.
Other Ingredients: Cellulose, Stearic Acid (vegetable source) magnesium stearate (vegetable source), silica and vegetarian coating.
Contains shellfish (crab, shrimp, lobster, crayfish.
Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, corn, milk, egg, fish or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Take 2 tablets daily, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
Cautions / Interactions:
Do not use if you are allergic to shellfish. Glucosamine may interact with warfarin and some chemotherapy agents. If you are taking any of these medications, consult your medical practitioner before using this product. Warning: Persons with a known allergy to shellfish should not use this product.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to treat, mitigate, diagnose or cure any disease.

domain: chemistry


With more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership, Christine Loewe is the new executive director for the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center.
The organization in June announced the hiring of Loewe, who worked remotely as Director of Communications for the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County for the past 10 years while living in Port Angeles with her two children and husband.
Loewe has set to work to bring her expertise to help raise the visibility of the center and create new community connections, center representatives said.
“PAFAC has such incredible potential for bringing people together to create stronger connections, spark their creativity and collective ingenuity, and build new bridges of understanding across differences,” Loewe said in a press release. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to steward this organization forward as a welcoming and inclusive gathering space in partnership with two dynamic women as fellow staff members.”
Loewe’s background includes guiding international trips in multiple countries, running trail building crews with teens, and teaching outdoor education both locally and throughout the country.
Previously serving as the Teen Programs Director for the Olympic Peninsula YMCA, she engaged hundreds of local youth in outdoor adventure, community service, and leadership activities including initiating a summer service and cultural immersion trip to Capula, Mexico, for area teens.
“I look forward to infusing my outdoor education experience into this role and creating more opportunities for integrating the arts with a love of our natural surroundings,” Loewe said. “Webster’s Woods provide the perfect space for accessible integrated enrichment opportunities.”
As a 2019 nominee for Port Angeles Chamber community leader of the year, Loewe is also a dedicated local volunteer giving her time on local campaigns, the Lodging Tax Advisory Commission, as a school district volunteer supporting school gardens and SEL integration and she serves as the chair for the Olympic Peninsula YMCA Dennis Watson Memorial Fund.
“I am excited to share that our team has already set the wheels in motion for new arts enrichment opportunities, as PAFAC and the Port Angeles School District were recently awarded two arts in education grants by the Washington State Arts Commission,”Loewe said. “These grants will allow us to bring a benefit of more than $35,000 in arts integrated education into our school system next year. I look forward to helping this come together in partnership with our district next fall.”
Additionally, she volunteers with the local soccer community and “jumps in to support local events” whenever possible.
“I annually invest hundreds of hours, as I wholeheartedly believe that by supporting the inspired ideas and creativity of others, we make our community a more vibrant and connected place to live,” Loewe said. “Ultimately, place-making and community building have been recurring themes in my work and personal life and I am enthused to bring this spirit of collaboration into this role to support PAFAC in expanding its potential in these areas.”
The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center exists to honor the legacy of Esther Webster by connecting people to the arts. Annually, the center engages more than 4,500 visitors through programs, workshops and exhibits and invites more than 30,000 individuals into Webster’s Woods Sculpture Park to enjoy open air exhibits along the rugged second growth forest trails.
Since the opening of the PAFAC more than 30 years ago, the gallery has hosted more than 150 exhibitions by more than 500 artists from the Northwest and around the world.


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Small business owners are oftentimes the best at multitasking. To run a successful business, a person needs to be adept in management, promotion, advertising, branding, and a myriad of other business related skills. Oftentimes, small business owners make bookkeeping mistakes in the operation of their business primarily due to lack of knowledge regarding property accounting procedures or simply a lack of time.
Bookkeeping Can Be A Pitfall
While many small business owners work tirelessly to master all of the various aspects of their company, the bookkeeping can fall behind, leaving little time for thoughtful and careful record keeping. Some of the most common bookkeeping mistakes made by small business owners can be avoided with proper knowledge and awareness, which is important for the company’s success.
Staying On Top Of Expenses
Keeping track of expenses is important to proper reporting in bookkeeping, and it can also become a pitfall for many business owners. Even the most meticulous business owner can occasionally forget to save a receipt for a business related purchase. It may not seem to be all that important, but all of those purchases add up, and claiming expenses without proof of purchase can lead to real problems with the IRS.
How Your Record Expenses Matters
With that being said, how expenses are recorded is also important, so make sure the bookkeeping is done correctly, and it is one of the areas in which small business owners tend to make mistakes. How you log bigger purchases, such as office equipment, will indicate what items can be written off at the end of the year and which ones can not.
How the item is logged in the books, such as an asset that can depreciate of time, will make a difference in how that expenditure can work for or against you in the future. Which is why having a concrete bookkeeping plan of action in advance, or hiring a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can be advantageous to the business’s financial health and longevity.
Recognizing When To Use Professionals
As many small business owners are capable of meeting the demands of their company in so many different ways, they sometimes fail to realize how their company could benefit from the strategic outsourcing of certain tasks. For instance, many business owners feel they are saving money by not hiring accountants when in reality, they are costing their business more by risking improper financial reporting.
Certified Public Accountants can contract to take on as little or as much of the bookkeeping for a business, giving the owner options that will fit within any budget. Even if used only quarterly, a CPA can make sure that expenditures are logged correctly, payroll and taxes are filed appropriately, bills are maintained and other financial pieces of the business are handled as required.
If you are a small business owner and interested in how the services provided by a CPA could benefit your business, JTC CPAs can answer your questions and take care of your needs. For any small business, a healthy bottom line starts with accurate bookkeeping.

domain: economics


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is an uplifting six-week series that teaches mindful eating combined with simple yoga techniques that can transform your relationship with food.
Mindful eating is a non-diet approach to eating. It reconnects us with our body's natural wisdom. It embraces the "how" and "why" of eating rather than the "what."
Mindful eating can be a powerful antidote to the guilt and anxiety which often surrounds eating. This series promotes the union of body, mind and spirit and allows you to experience a happier, healthier body and mind.
No yoga experience necessary.
Pre-registration is required. To register, fill out the registration form (see PDF) and fax your payment to the Penny George Institute. You may also register and pay by phone by calling 763-236-5656.

domain: psychology


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Recently, Club Penguin released a sneak peek image of some items in the new Penguin Style catalog coming tonight! (The Keytar, and the Black Mask are probably not getting released)
Awesome items! Especially the Red and black shirt! If you look at the background, it looks like we're going to see the results of Coins For Change! So what do you think of these items? Let us know in the comments below!

domain: news


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CMIP5 statistically downscaled climate scenarios
Access statistically downscaled climate scenarios based on model output from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5). Statistical downscaling predictors are also available.
Data are available for download at the following resolutions:
- Temporal resolution: available at a daily scale
- Spatial resolution: approximately 10km
View and download maps of precipitation and temperature change based on a multi-model ensemble of statistically downscaled CMIP5 output.
Download temperature and precipitation data
Download statistically downscaled multi-model ensembles of modelled temperature and precipitation output in NetCDF or GeoTIFF format.
Individual statistically downscaled global climate model (GCM) temperature and precipitation output are also available for download.
Technical notes on statistical downscaling method
CMIP5 statistically downscaled climate scenarios, named the Canadian Downscaled Climate Scenarios–Univariate method from CMIP5 (CanDCS-U5), presented on CCDS are based on the Bias Correction/Constructed Analogues with Quantile mapping version 2 (BCCAQv2) procedure.
Please visit the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (PCIC) for statistically downscaled datasets based on other downscaling methods, such as the Bias-Correction Spatial Disaggregation (BCSD) and Bias Correction/Constructed Analogues with Quantile mapping reordering (BCCAQ) procedures.
Full datasets based on the BCCAQv2 procedure are also made available by PCIC.

domain: geography


I hope you’ll agree with me when I say:
Life is incomplete today without traveling and flying… Or is it?
Well, there is only ONE problem. Finding the “most comfortable mens pants for flying and traveling” isn’t easy work.
That’s why I have created a comprehensive and up-to-date guide of the most comfortable mens pants for flying (2020).
|AMAZON ESSENTIALS MEN’S CLASSIC-FIT STRETCH GOLF PANT||. Imported 98% Polyester and 2% Spandex. |
. Moist wicking performance fabric.
|COLUMBIA MEN’S RAPID RIVERS PANT, SUN PROTECTION, ACTIVE FIT||. UPF 50 sun protection.|
. 97% cotton & 3% Spandex.
|UNIONBAY MEN’S RAINIER LIGHTWEIGHT COMFORT TRAVEL TECH CHINO PANTS||. Water resistance and UPF 50 protects your body from detrimental rays. |
|HAGGAR MEN’S PREMIUM NO-IRON EXPANDABLE-WAIST PLAIN-FRONT PANT||. Prices are affordable and the quality is very fine.|
. Classical Fitting.
A variety of colors are available.
|WRANGLER AUTHENTIC MEN’S CLASSIC TWILL RELAXED FIT CARGO PANT||. 6 pockets for maximum storage.|
. Straight comfortable leg opening with loose-fitting at thighs.
|OUTDOOR RESEARCH MEN’S FERROSI PANTS||. Durable, lightweight, and breathable|
|LEE MEN’S PERFORMANCE SERIES EXTREME COMFORT STRAIGHT-FIT PANT||. Extremely comfortable fabric and stretchable waistband.|
. Availability of many colors.
. Wrinkle resistant.
|TRU-SPEC MEN’S 24-7 TACTICAL PANT||. Comfortable, long-lasting material, and elastic waistband.|
. 2 inches wide belt loop.
. Expandable and very deep pockets.
|VAN HEUSEN MEN’S SLIM-FIT STRETCH FLAT-FRONT TRAVELER PANT||. Durable|
After researching a lot and spending hours in these comfortable pants, I have shortlisted the 9 most comfortable mens pants for flying which you can buy right now.
9 Most Comfortable Mens Pants for Flying
1. AMAZON ESSENTIALS MEN’S CLASSIC-FIT STRETCH GOLF PANT
Amazon essentials men’s golf classic fit pant provides you the premium comfort. Its absorbing and stretchable fabric keeps you relax and dry.
These men’s comfortable pants are made of imported 98 percent Polyester and 2 percent Spandex. Polyester and spandex make these pants long-lasting and cozy for long traveling and flying. Moist wicking performance fabric helps to stay you dry. In addition to the current, stretchable material helps you to remain in comfort all-day. Many colors’ variety is obtainable in this pant including Black, Grey, Khaki, Navy, Olive, and Stone.
Fit is everything. Fitting depends totally on your body parts. Mostly, these pants fit at the waist and sometimes at the tights.
|Manufacturer size||Waist(in inches)||Hip(in inches)|


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Due to long-term temperature increase inthe climate system of our planet, scientists have long been developing various methods to prevent catastrophic consequences. Fortunately, the problem of global warming excites not only scientists, but also the majority of people who are not indifferent to our planet. One of them was a team of Canadian graduates of technical universities who decided to help the planet by planting a billion trees on it by 2028 with the help of modern drones.
Can drones help with global warming?
According to an article published on the portalNewatlas.com, a team of Canadian alumni, has created a special project to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of the planet. An ambitious project called Flash Forest is planned to be implemented by 2028, with a billion trees planted using unmanned aerial vehicles and specially designed seeds that have an accelerated germination process. The team calculated that this technology allows you to grow trees 10 times faster, reducing the cost of the planting process by about 80% compared to traditional methods of growing trees.
Flash Forest project technology knownbased on the use of a heavy lifting drone, which is equipped with a pneumatic firing device, allowing the mechanism to insert the landing stems into the soil to a suitable depth. Each seedling of the tree contains at least three previously sprouted seeds, mycorrhiza, fertilizers and additional ingredients necessary for the full growth of the plant.
After landing in the ground, the team will trackthe growth process of new plants, periodically providing seedlings with nitrogen and other nutrients using a sprayer. An additional cartographic drone will be used to track the growth process. During the project, the team plans to plant eight different plant species to create a healthy and healthy ecosystem, and to plant enough trees to offset carbon emissions in North America.
See also: Audi introduced the SUV without headlights. Flying drones illuminate his path.
The main objective of the project is compensationcarbon emissions to the extent necessary to have a significant and measurable impact on climate change over the next decade. Thanks to close cooperation with forestry experts, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for multispectral analysis makes it possible to find ideal places for landing, as well as to reveal valuable data on the health status of the ecosystem.
The team notes that the protesters are alreadymanaged to land eight hardwood and conifers in southern Ontario. The manufacturability of the project is capable of planting almost any tree species, which can also be used by larger potential investors. Let's discuss the possible consequences of using the technology together in our Telegram chat.

domain: agronomy


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Tame the Wild Dragon and Win Big with Fiery Wins!
Wild Dragon: Tame the Wild Dragon and Win Big with Fiery Wins!
Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating adventure and tame the wild dragon? If you have a passion for excitement and a desire to win big, then Wild Dragon is the game for you. This thrilling slot machine game will transport you to a world filled with fire-breathing dragons, hidden treasures, and the chance to walk away with massive winnings.
As you enter the realm of Wild Dragon, you will be greeted by stunning graphics and captivating sound effects that will immerse you in the game. The reels are adorned with symbols that perfectly capture the essence of this mythical creature, including dragon eggs, fiery breath, and fearsome dragons themselves. With each spin, you will feel the adrenaline rush through your veins as you anticipate the possibility of landing a winning combination.
But what sets Wild Dragon apart from other slot machine games is its unique bonus features. The wild symbol, represented by the majestic dragon, has the power to substitute for any other symbol on the reels, increasing your chances of hitting a winning combination. And if you’re lucky enough to land three or more scatter symbols, you will trigger the free spins feature, where the real excitement begins.
During the free spins feature, the wild dragon becomes even more powerful. Not only does it substitute for other symbols, but it also expands to cover the entire reel, creating even more opportunities for big wins. With each spin, the anticipation builds as you watch the reels spin and hope for the dragon to make its appearance. And when it does, you can be sure that fiery wins are on their way.
But winning big in Wild Dragon is not just about luck. It’s also about strategy and knowing when to take risks. The game offers a gamble feature, where you can choose to double your winnings by correctly guessing the color of a hidden card. This adds an extra layer of excitement and allows you to take control of your destiny. Will you play it safe and collect your winnings, or will you take a chance and go for the double?
No matter what path you choose, one thing is certain – Wild Dragon offers an unforgettable gaming experience. The combination of stunning visuals, immersive sound effects, and exciting bonus features will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager for the next spin. And with the potential for massive winnings, the thrill of taming the wild dragon is unmatched.
So, if you’re ready to embark on an adventure like no other, it’s time to tame the wild dragon and win big with fiery wins. Let the reels spin, watch the dragon come to life, and feel the rush of excitement as you land winning combinations. With Wild Dragon, the possibilities are endless, and the rewards are waiting to be claimed. Are you ready to take on the challenge?

domain: game


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Burundi: Ngozi, Ruhororo: young people condemned to celibacy
The construction of houses by young boys who wish to marry is no longer permitted in the Ruhororo site since 2014.
There are hundreds, these young boys of the site in age or having exceeded the legal age to marry, here 21 years. They can not, however, bring women away from a marital home. In rural areas, a young mature boy must build a house for his marriage in the family property. He can then ask for a girl’s hand and start her own home. According to administrator Mamerte Birukundi, it is currently formally prohibited to build new houses in the site of the displaced people of Ruhororo. Only the rehabilitation of existing houses is allowed.
The measure dates from the publication of the report of an ad hoc commission set up by the governor of the province of Ngozi to study the problem of the site of the displaced people of Ruhororo and the surrounding hills for a lasting solution. The conclusions of the commission recommended, among other things, the suspension of the authorization to build new houses in the walls of the Ruhororo site. They were challenged by 566 signatories who were nationals of the site.
Discontent among young people
Among them, C. R, a young man over 26 years. He testified: “I planned to found my home more than two years ago. It remains like a utopia because I do not have a house. Yet there is a place in the plot of our family at the site. But the administration forbade these young people to erect new constructions.
A father of a family in a bistro at the site of the displaced in Ruhororo describes the situation as serious: “Our children no longer have the right to marry. “. Rather, it proposes that this measure be lifted for the benefit of young people and their families.
The other consequence is the proliferation of cases of pregnancies among young girls and babies without legal fathers. This is the observation of Claudine Niyonzima, a teacher living on the site: “Unable to have husbands, girls have no choice but to give birth to their parents. ”
For the administrator Mamerte Birukundi, no law, decision or administrative measure prohibit marriage to these young men. But since the report of the ad hoc committee has been endorsed and accepted by the provincial authority, it is applicable pending its revision. Mrs Mamerte said, however, that a new dialogue was envisaged in the near future and the question could be asked in its entirety.
It should be noted that the displaced people of Ruhororo have more than 10,000 inhabitants. It was born after the socio-political crisis of 1993. It is subject to security turbulences which often turn into conflicts that can result in physical violence. The last ones date back to 2016, with the administration and the youth accusing each other of causing the disruption of the security of the site and the surrounding hills.

domain: sociology


Renault is undergoing a renaissance. A new boss at the wheel, a pruning of the range and the imminent arrival of retro models from the brand's 1980s heyday.
While we wait for the return of the Renault 5, the French carmaker is introducing a new all-electric Megane to do battle with the likes of the VW ID.3 and Nissan Leaf. What Renault has delivered has a very real chance of overtaking its opponents.
For the fifth generation, the Megane has morphed its all-electric version into a quasi-family crossover. The fact the production car looks almost identical to the concept version is a testament to the new regime in place at the company.
Renault's look has been overhauled in recent years under the guidance of acclaimed Dutch designer Laurens van den Acker. Van den Acker previously revamped Mazda in the 2010s and gave it a stylish family look; now he is practising his magic at the French car brand. And he has poached some top-end talent in the last few years, namely the former design boss at Peugeot, Gilles Vidal, and former Seat designer Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos. In the world of car design, Renault is starting to equate to PSG for its teamsheet of design talent.
This Megane is the first car in the Renault-Nissan Alliance to use its new CMF-EV platform, developed for its next fleet of electric cars (next up is Nissan's new Ariya). Two battery options are offered: 40kWh or 60kWh promising ranges of 300km or 470km respectively.
While others, like the ID.3, feature larger battery packs (the VW has a choice of 58kWh or 77kWh) the German rival does weigh in at roughly half a tonne heavier than its Renault rival. And when it comes to maximising range, weight really matters.
That’s why Renault has opted to use aluminium across the car, delivering a curb weight of 1.6 tonnes for the 60kWh version. Every element was put on a diet, and even the electric motor is 10 per cent lighter than the one found in the company’s little Zoe city car.
The ability to rapid charge is all the rage these days, and while this Renault can't quite match the times of a Porsche, Tesla or Kia/Hyundai, it can take up to to 130kW, with the company giving a time of 30 minutes to charge up the battery from from 15 to 80 per cent.
Our test car was powered by the 60kWh battery pack promising a range of up to 470km, though in real-world conditions engineers are saying its probably closer to 450km.
Power output of 218hp on the 60kWh version is hefty for a hatchback, even if it’s got some crossover creases, but it needs that sort of load-lugging ability for this Megane weighs in at 1.7 tonnes.
It’s perhaps not as pacy as you might expect, with a 0-100km/h time of 7.4 seconds unlikely to cause any concerns to Tesla owners, while a top speed of 160km/h means it will not be hurtling towards the horizon on the furthest overtaking lane of the German autobahns. Yet it’s nippy enough where it matters: for overtaking and weaving its way on national roads.
The new Megane is as soft and pliable as most French cars, and the ride is comfortable, even when shod with 20-inch alloys, something that can’t be said of other larger EVs launched recently.
Push the Megane into a bend and this front-wheel drive EV tends towards understeer – a typical trait of regular family hatchbacks. It’s easy to get the ESP lights flickering as well, though it does seem more dynamic on the road than either the Leaf or ID.3.
Renault’s engineers claim to have overhauled the power-steering system, delivering crisper responses and it shows out on the road. Unlike many mainstream French cars renowned for their relatively woolly steering feel, the Megane is impressively accurate and engaging. It’s all the more impressive for delivering its power through the front wheels yet avoiding any evident torque steer.
While the Megane looks quite like a chunky crossover, the five-seat interior is more in keeping with a regular hatchback. That’s because for all the muscular styling touches, the Megane E-Tech electric only stands 5cm higher than the regular hatch, and is actually shorter than it. There’s a decent boot round the back, bigger than the one on the outgoing regular Megane.
The big news in the interior is the massive leap in terms of the dash, featuring a dash-dominating 12-inch touchscreen on the central console that's nestled next to the 12.3-inch dial display for the driver. The system is powered by Google Tech, which means it deploys that firm's maps, apps and voice assistant. The good news is that it claims to be seven times faster and more reactive than Renault's current system.
What we have here is a car that looks better than the VW ID.3, is sharper to drive, better looking and seemingly more intuitively laid out. It also seems remarkably well put together.
It’s exciting times for Renault, but the real highlight will be the arrival of the new-generation Renault 5. If this electric Megane is a marker of what’s to come, then Renault have some very good days ahead.
Renault Megane E-Tech Electric EV60: the lowdown
- Power: 218hp electric motor powered from a 60kWh battery pack
- 0-100km/h: 7.4 seconds
- Range: 470km
- Price: TBA
- Verdict: Stylish family crossover will have its German rivals on the run.


The Pink/Grey Polka Dot minky blanket is a double sided plush minky that is silky soft. Perfect for swaddling baby, going for a walk on cool days, or playing on the floor for tummy time.
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text:
Nebraska universities win robotic surgery grant
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Army has provided $1.4 million for more University of Nebraska research into remote-controlled robotic surgery.
University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers have been working since 2008 with the U.S. Army's Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program to develop miniature robotic technology. The goal is to enable surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures for wounded soldiers who immediately can't be evacuated.
Dr. Dmitry Oleynikov is director of the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery and the Center for Advanced Surgical Technology at the medical center, and he says minirobots have the capability to provide basic diagnosis and triage of internal injuries. They would be inserted into patients and be controlled by surgeons elsewhere.
He says the technology may be applied in civilian settings and rural environments.

domain: medical


text:
Adventures Into Terror #13
"The Man Who Talked To Rats!"
Art: Manny Stallman
While the city sleeps, one restless soul wanders along the waterfront...
His thoughts are on how he could possibly get his hands on the
inheritance. Paul Crandall's train of thought is interrupted when he
hears a voice coming from the alley... The rats have come from faraway,
just to learn that there are as many cats in the city. As the full moon
hovers above him, Crandall can only stare, as the baldheaded man in the
green tunic smiles at his friends.
Paul Crandall continues to watch, fascinated and repulsed by this strange
sight. The rats are hanging on the strange man's every word, but their
attention soon shifts towards the uninvited guest standing in the
alleyway. The passerby is about to get devoured by the rats, for having
witnessed their meeting with their friend.
The baldheaded man in the green tunic will do nothing, but watch as his
friends have their fun with the unexpected guest. Since the deed will be
done by the rats, it will not be seen as murder. Crandall sees the
hunger in their eyes, as they close in on him, and wait for their friend
to give the word. In desperation, he tries to strike up a business deal
for his own life. He tells the strange man about his rich uncle, how if
the rats are sent to kill him, Crandall will be able to pay him any fee
Find this to be a fair deal, the baldheaded man in the green tunic asks
to see where Paul Crandall's uncle lives. After wiping the damp sweat
from his brow, the ambitious nephew takes him to the estate. The bedroom
is in the third room from the left on the second floor, and the uncle is
the sole occupant. The strange man in the green tunic reminds Paul
Crandall that they've agreed on any fee. All he wants is his inheritance
and the estate. They will meet later after the deed is done. Now, the
man who talks to rats is alone on the estate grounds... His friends know
what they must do. At the bidding of their friend... the hairy vermin
make their way through the windows. Minutes pass, and the night's
silence is broken by the screams of an elderly man... EEEYAAAAAEEEEE
Two weeks later, the uncle is buried, and Paul Crandall receives his
inheritance. The estate and three million dollars are now his alone. He
considers himself lucky to have run into the guy in the alley. If he
hadn't, Paul would still be broke. KNOCK! KNOCK! Turning from the fire
place, he heads to the door, and opens it. The man who talks to rats has
come for his fee. Since he has done his part, Crandall is eager to pay
for the deed. Not interested in money or valuables or a mansion... all
the baldheaded man in the green tunic wants is... food for his friends!
EEEYEEEAAAA The rats leap in droves towards their next living repast.
Paul Crandall wanted a way to get out of the rat race, but he went down a
blind alley, instead.
As drawn by the artist, Crandall resembles Bela Lugosi, while the
baldheaded man in the green tunic looks like Boris Karloff.
The nephew gets away from a rat strike by striking up a bargain with
their friend, but strikes out in the end.
When Paul Crandall asks who is at his door, his visitor identifies
himself as "the man who talks to rats."
This may not seem as strange as being "the man who talks to ants" or the
man who talks to horses."
Still, I don't see this guy joining up with any groups... with the
possible exception of the Rat Patrol.
"The Man Who Writes To Reviews!"

domain: literature


text:
19-year-old Nara Stepanyan has been making carpets for five years. She made her hobby a source of income. Nara lives in the village of Aghavnavank, Tavush region and imagines her future life in the village. Through her activities, she intends to develop her village.
Favorite hobby as a source of income
Nara says she suddenly had the idea that she could turn her hobby into a business and generate income from it: “In the beginning, I sewed carpets simply because I loved them. Once I showed it to my teacher and she offered to sell my work. It was only then that I realized that I could make money with my hobby. I had never thought about it before, ”she says.
According to Nara, when their village began to arouse interest among tourists, she decided to set up a small table in the area of the monastery and start selling her works.
As Nara says, despite the difficulties, if something is done with love, it will succeed: “I think if I do it with great love and strengthen my skills, I will achieve the desired result. A job started with love cannot fail, you just have to be persistent and do what no one else does,” she says.
Cooperation with the Women’s Fund Armenia
Nara mentions that she has long intended to have a small house, where she will work on carpets, as well as conduct theoretical and practical courses for those who are interested in it.
“When locals and tourists became interested in my work, I decided to expand my table or build a roof to protect it from the rain. During that time, my cousin sent me a call from the Fund that it was providing financial support to teenage girls. I applied, but I did not think they would select me,” says Nara with a smile.
According to the young carpet weaver, in addition to financial support, the Fund helped her in many other ways. “Cooperation and communication with the Fund have become a source of motivation for me. WFA helped me to see and think wider, not limit myself to what I have. The Fund also helped me to dream big” she says.
Favorite hobby as a way to activate rural life
Nara has far-reaching goals to activate life in her village through her hobby and make it a favorite, useful place for tourists: “There is a church in our village, everyone comes here for the church, but I would also like people to come, for example, to make a carpet in my small house. In other villages too people have to do what others don’t. We have to do things that no one else has done,” she says.
Nara is thinking about adding a social component to her work. “I’m sure I will do more in the future. Now I am studying decorative applied arts at YSU Ijevan branch, and at the same time I am taking business classes to develop my skills, so that in the future I can develop and grow my business, which may help to create new jobs in our village,” she says.
Challenges of the inner and outer world
“I am an introverted person, I often avoid meeting new people. I think it bothers me a lot, both in my work and in my daily life. But I have decided that I must go out of my comfort zone. Now I have registered for business courses,” she says.
According to Nara, she had many difficulties during the program. The construction of the house was delayed due to external circumstances. “When we started building the house, the war started. Then many relatives died, and until recently we learned about new names. It’s difficult to deal with this at the same time,” Nara says.
Nara’s family helps her build the house. In 2022, it will open its doors to visitors.
According to Nara, society often looks at her work with contempt. “There are people who do not feel normal about the fact that I can stand somewhere outside and sell my work. They will not do such a thing, they think, that they are higher than that. No matter how much you ignore those opinions, they still affect you. But in any case, I do not allow them to rule me. Every time I come home and think, “No, that’s my job, I’ve made a job for myself and I’m very happy,” Nara says.
Now Nara’s dream is to travel, both in Armenia and abroad. She wants to discover new worlds, cultures, and at the same time show the world Armenian culture through the carpets that she weaves.
Interview by Yelena Sargsyan


text:
The staging system of remnant gastric cancer (RGC) has not yet been established, with the current staging being based on the guidelines for primary gastric cancer. Often, surgeries for RGC fail to achieve the > 15 lymph nodes needed for TNM staging. Compared with the pN staging system, lymph node ratio (NR) may be more accurate for RGC staging and prognosis prediction. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 208 patients who underwent R0 gastrectomy with curative intent and who have ≤ 15 retrieved lymph nodes (RLNs) for RGC between 2000 and 2014. The patients were divided into four groups on the basis of the NR cutoffs: rN0: 0; rN1: > 0 and ≤ 1/6; rN2: > 1/6 and ≤ 1/2; and rN3: > 1/2. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates for rN0, rN1, rN2, and rN3 were 84.3%, 64.7%, 31.5%, and 12.7%, respectively. Multivariable analyses revealed that tumor size (p = 0.005), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.023), and NR (p < 0.001), but not pN stage (p = 0.682), were independent factors for OS. When the RLN count is ≤ 15, the NR is superior to pN as an important and independent prognostic index of RGC, thus predicting the prognosis of RGC patients more accurately.
Remnant gastric cancer (RGC) is an unusual but important type of gastric cancer (GC) comprising malignant tumors in the remnant stomach after subtotal distal gastrectomy, regardless of whether the initial disease is benign or malignant as well as the duration between the initial operation and diagnosis1. RGC is rare, accounting for only approximately 1–8% of all GC cases2, but its incidence has been rising owing to the increase in early GC incidence, which, in turn, is due to improvements in medical examination and the prolonged survival of patients with primary GC3,4. Despite its difference from other GC types, RGC staging is still based on the TNM staging system of GC. However, a retrieved lymph node (RLN) count of ≤ 15 may lead to false staging and affect treatment plans and prognosis. Furthermore, most RGC patients are in the advanced stage because of the lack of specific symptoms during the early stage, which leads to a lower radical resection rate and poor prognosis5. The metastatic lymph node (LN) ratio (NR) is reported to be more suitable for primary GC staging compared to a positive LN count, especially when the RLN is low6. This study aimed to develop a more accurate staging system for RGC. We hypothesize that NR would be more exact than the UICC/AJCC pN stage (8th edition) for RGC staging, which we validated through a retrospective analysis.
Written informed consent was obtained from all the patients. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University and all experiments were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. We established a retrospectively maintained database of all patients with RGC who underwent surgery at the Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University between January 2000 and December 2014. Of them, we evaluated 243 patients who underwent radical (R0) surgery (with D2 lymphadenectomy) for RGC. However, only 7 of these patients had lymph node metastases > 15, and considering that this number of cases is too small to be representative, we finally excluded them. Surgery had been performed in all patients using an open approach, with the second surgery being total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis. None of the patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. All of the study participants were followed up through telephone or written communications until death or end of the study period (December 31, 2015). We declared that the informed consent from patients has been obtained prior to our study. As some patients invovled in our study died during the follow up, we obtained the informed consent from their guardians.
The median and mean follow-up periods were 60 and 83.15 months (range 1–346 months), respectively. In total, 11 patients were lost to follow-up, and 17 died during the postoperative period. Finally, 208 patients were included in the analysis. Postoperative chemotherapy regimens included 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus cisplatin, 5-FU plus mitomycin and epirubicin, 5-FU plus leucovorin and cisplatin, 5-FU plus cisplatin and epirubicin, and cisplatin plus oxaliplatin.
Data of the following variables were collected: (1) gender (male or female); (2) age (≤ 60 or > 60 years); (3) tumor size (≤ 4 cm or > 4 cm); (4) macroscopic serosal classification (normal, reactive, nodular, tendonoid, and color-diffused type); (5) Borrmann type (Borrmann 1, 2, 3, and 4); (6) depth of tumor invasion according to the 8th UICC/AJCC (T1, T2, T3, T4a, or T4b); (7) Lauren’s classification (intestinal or diffuse); (8) histology (differentiated or undifferentiated); (9) lymphovascular invasion; (10) number of positive LNs according to the 8th UICC/AJCC (N0, N1, N2, or N3); (11) NR (0, 0–1/6, 1/6–1/2, > 1/2); and (12) postoperative adjuvant therapy.
Retrieved lymph node categories
The best cut-off approach was used to determine LN ratio categories, with patient survival (log-rank statistic) as the dependent variable. Accordingly, 1/6 and 1/2 were identified as the best cutoff for discriminating differential prognoses in RGC patients. Thus, patients were divided into four groups: rN0, NR = 0; rN1, > 0 and ≤ 1/6; rN2, > 1/6 and ≤ 1/2; and rN3, > 1/2. Cases in which the retrieved LN was 0 were considered as N0 and NR = 0.
All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 20.0. We used the Kaplan–Meier method to determine overall survival (OS) and the log-rank test for comparison. Cox’s proportional hazard model (forward-stepwise method) was used for the multivariate analysis to determine the independent factors for prognosis prediction. We divided the multivariate analysis into two steps. In step 1, we analyzed all significantly important prognostic factors using multivariate analysis, with the exception of the revised NR stage. In step 2, we performed multivariate analysis with consideration of all significantly important prognostic factors, including the revised NR stage. Two-tailed p-values and differences were considered significant at p < 0.05.
Clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors
The clinicopathological characteristics of the 208 patients are summarized in Table 1. The NR distribution was as follows: rN0, 108 patients (36.6%); rN1, 51 patients (17.3%); rN2, 73 patients (24.7%); rN3, 63 patients (21.4%). Univariate analysis showed that tumor size (≤ 4 cm vs. > 4 cm, p < 0.001), Borrmann type (high vs. low, p < 0.001), histology (differentiated vs. undifferentiated, p = 0.011), Lauren classification (intestinal vs. diffused, p = 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (positive vs. negative, p < 0.001), pT stage (early vs. advanced, p < 0.001), pN stage (early vs. advanced, p < 0.001), NR (high vs. low, p < 0.001), and postoperative adjuvant therapy (yes vs. no, p = 0.031), but not gender, age, and macroscopic serosal classification, (p = 0.113, 0.393, and 0.084, respectively), were significantly correlated with OS after curative surgery (Table 2). The mean survival of each pN stage was 131.34 ± 6.49, 73.14 ± 7.25, 36.37 ± 3.72, and 25.7 ± 5.78 months, whereas the mean survival for each NR stage was 131.34 ± 6.49, 91.35 ± 9.48, 46.96 ± 5.65, and 33.33 ± 2.36 months, respectively.
To determine which is more accurate between pN stage and NR stage as a prognostic index for the OS of RGC patients, we conducted a two-step multivariate analysis of prognosis. In step 1, we performed a multivariate analysis of all the important prognostic factors (tumor size, Borrmann type, histology, Lauren classification, lymphovascular invasion, pT stage, pN stage, postoperative adjuvant therapy), except for NR staging. We found that tumor size (p = 0.007), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.002), and pN stage (p < 0.001) were independent factors predicting prognosis (Table 2). However, NR stage was superior to pN stage (UICC/AJCC) as an independent prognostic indicator (Table 2), as determined in step 2 of the analysis. Moreover, pT stage was remarkably not an independent prognostic index for RGC patients, according to our analysis.
We further calculated the migration among the different stages according to the new NR stages. We found that 25 and 5 cases of pN1 were re-divided into rN2 and rN3, and 33 cases of pN2 were re-divided into rN3, respectively (Table 3A). Migration of the corresponding modified TNM stage using NR (mTNM-NR) staging was also observed, as shown in Table 3B.
As shown in Fig. 1, there was a significant difference in prognosis between pN and NR stages among the RGC patients. According to the analysis, there was no significant difference between pN2 and pN3 (p = 0.511), but there was a significant difference between rN2 and rN3 (p = 0.034) in their predictive capability for the prognosis of RGC patients. In addition, we presented the Kaplan–Meier curves based on the TNM staging (UICC/AJCC 8th edition) and mTNM-NR staging system as shown in Fig. 2.
We further analyzed the correlation between NR and other clinicopathologic features. As shown in Table 4, there was significant positive correlation between NR and the following parameters: tumor size (p = 0.000), Borrmann type (p = 0.000), macroscopic serosal classification (p = 0.002), lauren’s classification (0.009), and pT stage (0.000). And a negative correlation was shown between NR and histology (p = 0.007), lymphovascular invasion (0.003).
Characteristic of lymph nodes metastasis
The total number of lymph nodes retrieved was 1152, of which 426 were metastases. We present the distribution and basic statistics of the total retrieved LN numbers with metastatic LN numbers in Table 5.
While RGC has been extensively studied, its staging system is yet to be established. Therefore, RGC staging generally follows the TNM staging of primary GC1,7. In the 8th UICC/AJCC TNM staging system, the amount of metastatic LNs is used to determine the LN stage, and the number of RLNs must be > 15 to arrive at a more accurate LN staging. However, this appears to be inappropriate for RGC where RLNs can be < 16, particularly in the case of radical lymphadenectomy for initial malignant disease8. Previous studies have shown that LN metastasis is an independent risk factor in RGC local recurrence. Moreover, complete resection and LN dissection are key to successful radical gastrectomy for RGC. Thus, appropriate LN staging can accurately indicate patient prognosis, guiding further treatment. By contrast, inadequate LN dissection can lead to residual cancer cells, which results in a higher recurrence rate after surgery. Ultimately, it remains unclear whether the 8th UICC/AJCC pN staging can accurately assess the prognosis of RGC patients.
NR is the ratio of the amount of positive LN to that of the RLN. Despite the same number of metastases, cases with higher RLN and thus lower NR have better prognosis9. Due to the common occurrence of low RLN cases during RGC resection, we hypothesized that NR was more accurate than the present pN stage, which was confirmed by our results. The NR classification system stratifies each stage better; in our analysis, we used a multiple Cox regression model to select the NR stage as a substitute for the pN stage. In addition, lymphovascular invasion and tumor size were also proven to be independent risk indexes for prognosis.
The NR system has obvious advantages and attractive prospects for clinical application in RGC. Dapeng et al. showed that NR plays a role as an independent prognostic factor after radical operation for GC10. Lee et al. also suggested that among patients with stage IIIA GC, the prognosis differed between those with RLN ≤ 15 and > 1511. Ichikura’s study found that the amount of positive LNs is closely related to the RLN12. Both a low and exceedingly high RLN may lead to inaccurate staging, leading to inaccurate assessments of patient prognosis. Therefore, some researchers suggested using the LN metastasis rate for LN staging as it can reflect both the amount of dissected LN and positive LN13. On the other hand, there is no consensus on the prognostic value of NR in RGC patients.
Lu et al. reported that the tumor size may be more hierarchical than the pN (7th UICC) stage system in RGC14. Similarly, we found that tumor size is an independent risk factor of prognosis. RGC is complicated to manage because of its diversity, and the initial operation significantly influences the second operation. Most researchers stipulate that initial gastrectomy alters the lymph flow from the remnant stomach and LN metastasis due to reconstruction and adhesion, leading to the occurrence of RGC15,16. Several authors have reported that the risk of RGC was higher after Billroth II reconstruction. Gandolfi et al. found that Billroth II was the most commonly used approach (95%) for reconstruction during the initial surgery of RGC patients17. With respect to the type of surgical anastomosis, it was reported that compared with Billroth I, Billroth II surgery increased the risk of RGC by four times18. Xiang et al. found that RGC mostly occurred at the anastomotic sites, and that LN metastasis of the jejunal mesentery and mesenteric root was universal, particularly in patients who underwent Billroth II anastomoses16. In addition, our results demonstrate that T stage was not an independent prognostic factor for patients with RGC. We speculated that RCG is characterized by alterations in the normal anatomic lymphatic flow of the stomach and its association with the surrounding tissue. Adhesion after primary operation may influence the progression of cancer and the infiltration of surrounding organs, especially for RGC at the anastomosis site. In our study, we enrolled 208 RGC cases, there were mainly cases with the depth of invasion at T2 (n = 35, 16.8%), T3 (n = 103, 49.5%) and T4 (n = 62, 29.8%). Only 8 cases were T1 stage (3.9%). Alberto et al.19 reported that RGC with pT1 stage had lower rate of lymph node metastasis. Once the depth of invasion was T2 or above, the rate of LN metastasis increased significantly. The lymph node dissection for RGC should be extended beyond the initial operation. A high incidence of LN metastasis in the No. 10–14, 20, 110, 111 was found in the patients who had previously undergone gastric reconstruction. All the regional lymph nodes around the stomach that were not cleared in initial operation should be dissected. The LN metastasis rate was 42.9%, 34.2%, 15.9%, 29.2% and 37.2% in No. 10, 11, 12, 14 and 20 in our study. Therefore, it is not at all surprised that N categories replaced T categories being an independent risk factor for prognosis of RGC. In addition, the small sample size may contribute this result. We also observed LN metastasis of the jejunal mesentery during RGC surgeries (n = 2). However, this needs to be further validated and analyzed in future research.
In contrast to our findings, some studies reported that only pT and pN are the prognostic factors of RGC. Nakagawa et al. performed a similar study but obtained a contrasting conclusion, stating that NR was not better to pN (7th UICC)4. The contrasting findings may be attributed to the different NR cut-off points and the eligibility criteria between the current study and that by Nakagawa et al. In Nakagawa’s study, the NR cut-offs were 0; > 0, ≤ 0.1; > 0.1, ≤ 0.4; and < 0.4. When Marchet analyzed the clinical data of 1853 patients with gastric cancer, NR was divided into 0%, 1–9%, 10–25%, and > 25%20. Satio et al. divided NR stages into 0%, > 5%, 5–10%, 10–20%, 20–30%, and > 30%, and found that NR was an independent prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer; however, the number of positive LNs was not an independent factor21. Bando et al.22 studied 650 GC patients who had > 15 LN dissections after operation. Their NR staging was divided into 0%, < 10%, 10–25%, and > 25%, and they found that NR staging was more effective than the JGCA LN staging. Moreover, Sun et al. identified the following best-fit cut-off values: rN0: 0%; rN1: 1–20%; rN2: 21–50% and rN3: > 50%, proving the advantage of NR stage in minimizing stage migration for GC patients with insufficient number or level of retrieved LNs23. Furthermore, few scholars have elaborated on the method of dividing NR staging nodes. There is no international consensus; hence, further research is needed to determine the appropriate staging nodes. In our study, we identified the NR stages as rN0: 0; rN1: > 0 and ≤ 1/6; rN2: > 1/6 and ≤ 1/2; and rN3: > 1/2.
Moreover, a significant portion of patients included in our study underwent Billroth I and Roux-Y during the initial surgical reconstruction (n = 41, 21%). However, we only focused on those who underwent Billroth II. In addition, we included cases with RLN ≤ 15, and excluded the very few cases with RLN > 16. By contrast, Nakagawa et al. included both cases of RLN ≤ 15 and > 15. One study showed that if the number of RLN after radical gastrectomy was > 15, then the prognostic value of NR for patients with GC was worse than that of N stage24, supporting our findings that NR stage can predict the prognosis of RGC patients more accurately than pN stage.
Our study has some limitations. First, it spanned a relatively long period of 15 years. Continuous improvements in surgical instrumentation and chemotherapy regimens may have affected the outcomes. We also evaluated a specific sample population, and thus, our findings need to be further validated in other types of RGC patients and cohorts, particularly in the Western population. Because the number of cases with RLN > 15 is too small to be representative, our study included only samples with ≤ 15 RLN. This may limit the possibility of the NR staging system being developed as a standard staging system in clinical practice, and our findings should hence be verified by further big data studies. We suggest that for RGC with RLN > 15, the original pN stage (8th edition) can be used.
In conclusion, the metastatic LN ratio is an independent prognostic index for patients with RGC. When the amount of RLN is ≤ 15, the NR stage can more accurately predict the prognosis of patients with RGC than the pN stage, facilitating the selection of better treatment options.
At present, the datasets generated during and analyzed during the current study are being used in another research; hence, these are not publicly available but could be available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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This research was supported by Department of Surgical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, which provided the data used in our analyses. This study was supported by the Key Research and Development Program for Scientific Innovation of Shenyang City(19-112-4-104) and Millions of Leading Engineering Talents Program(XLYC1905004). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, preparation or publish of the manuscript.
The authors declare no competing interests.
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Wang, H., Qi, H., Liu, X. et al. Positive lymph node ratio is an index in predicting prognosis for remnant gastric cancer with insufficient retrieved lymph node in R0 resection. Sci Rep 11, 2022 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81663-0
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This is a discussion on Interesting Malfunction within the Defensive Carry Guns forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; Not sure what to think of this one.
I was testing a box of Federal HST .45 230gr +P in my G30SF. Didn't expect any ...
Post By 10thmtn
April 22nd, 2012 12:40 PM
Not sure what to think of this one.
I was testing a box of Federal HST .45 230gr +P in my G30SF. Didn't expect any problems concerning the ammo in my gun. However, at the end of one mag, the last round didn't feed. Was it a FTF... not really. The round was never stripped off the mag... because the slide locked back. It wasn't jammed back, but the slide stop caught it, like it was empty. This is how I found it... exactly
It wasn't touching the feed ramp. So it wasn't jammed. The slide just locked back... When I pulled the slide off the release to chamber it from that position, it didn't chamber. I couldn't get it to duplicate after multiple attempts. The rounds feed great. The recoil is pretty harsh with the 230gr +P HST rounds
My thought is, the magazine spring is weak, and under the recoil of these HST rounds, the round was bumped forward and the tip of the bullet touched the slide release where the magazine usually engages it, causing the slide to lock back. And typical for it to happen on the last round, where the spring pressure is at it's weakest. Also, the palm of my hand, the fat fleshy part of your thumb ever so slightly touches the release. I don't think that was a contributing factor, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
Think it's a safe bet calling this a magazine issue? HST is expensive and hard to find. I don't think ammo was the issue. I'd hate to have to buy more boxes to test it :(
I haven't kept tack of the round count, but I'm sure it's 3000+. Some of the mags have been kept loaded for a long time, which shouldn't matter.
April 22nd, 2012 02:12 PM
After some thought, I've been looking at my grip. When the gun recoils, it naturally flips up. When the muzzle flips up, the rear of the gun flips down. With any pressure on the slide release from my palm, the release is pushed upwards into the slide causing it to lock back.
I know there are after market extended slide release. I don't want one. I never have as I don't have a need for them. I had a problem once with my grip keeping the slide from locking on an empty mag because my thumb was resting on the release... (I since changed my grip). But are they any with a stiffer spring, requiring my force to engage it? My palm hardly rests on the release, but with recoil, I can see how it could cause this issue.
I've searched online and found others with the same problem. However, there problems were more consistent and ended up being a broken spring or pin. Nothing on mine is broken and everything works fine. I took the slide release out an inspected it. Thinking a stiffer spring on the release itself could help.
If this wasn't a carry gun, I couldn't care less. If this is a self-produced failure, then I admit fault. If it's mag related, easy fix. Slide release, again easy fix. With this being an inconsistent problem (only happened once), It's hard to find the cause. It's either a fluke and nothing is wrong, or it's the beginning of a problem.
April 22nd, 2012 02:27 PM
I was about to suggest that your grip may be the cause, i.e., that inadvertent thumb location may be applying force to the slide release lever. Sometimes the support hand nudges the strong-hand thumb into doing things it shouldn't.
If you can, have a friend video you shooting and focus on your grip during the shot... that might be revealing. Meanwhile, I think replacing the slide release spring is a good idea given the round count and your penchant for robust loads.
One last thought - possibly the bullet shape itself is responsible for hitting the slide release. Without running to the safe to examine my G23, I'll just add that on 1911s sometimes certain bullet profiles can hit the slide release tab while feeding. Compare the shape of your problem ammo with some regular 230 FMJ and see if the HST stuff has a fatter profile closer to the nose of the bullet. If that's the case, then either judicious re-profiling of the slide lock tab or just changing ammo would be the cure.
AZCDL Life Member
NRA Patron Member
NROI Chief Range Officer
April 22nd, 2012 02:31 PM
Do you shoot thumbs up, or thumbs curled down?
I always shoot thumbs curled down, to keep them away from things like slide release levers.
For the life of me, I cannot understand why so many folks seem to want to shoot with their thumbs up, facing forward. I want all my digits well away from levers and things that move with great force and speed. Call me crazy I guess...
The number of people killed because they didn't have "enough gun" is dwarfed by those who had none at all. Get a gun you will always carry, and add more capability as you grow.
April 22nd, 2012 03:08 PM
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Ever wanted to see your photos on a t-shirt? Oxygen and Status Magazine are holding a photographic t-shirt design contest! Be one of four winners to have your designs printed on limited edition Oxygen tees and get featured in Status Magazine’s April 2011 editorial issue. The four winners will also nab a Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Phone, and other fabulous prizes.
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Video: The Impact of National Institute of Justice’s Solving Cold Cases with DNA Program
Practitioners from across the criminal justice system speak to the impact of NIJ's Solving Cold Cases with DNA grant program.
Speaking in this video:
- Chuck Heurich, Senior Physical Scientist, National Institute of Justice
- Erin Kimmerle, Forensic Anthropologist, University of South Florida
- Sally Wolter, Detective Sergeant, Michigan State Police Department
- Lou Eliopouls, NCIS Forensic Sciences Unit Supervisor
- Ted Hunt, Former Chief Trial Attorney, Jackson County, Mo.
- Thomas McAndrew, Lehigh Valley District Attorney's Homicide Task Force
- Mitch Morrissey, Former District Attorney, Denver, Co.
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Date Created: July 15, 2019

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PITTSBURGH, PA (October 8, 2018) The City of Pittsburgh, Office of Mayor William Peduto is proud to share that for the second year in a row the City scored 100 on the Human Rights Commission Municipal Equality Index Scorecard (MEI). The 2018 MEI scorecard graded the City on clear criteria, non-discrimination laws, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ equality.
A few examples of areas MEI scored cities on include the offering of transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits, providing services to LGBTQ youth and elderly, an LGBTQ police liaison, and non-discrimination in City employment. While the final score cannot exceed 100 the city has a total of 11 bonus points it received.
The MEI rates municipalities of varying sizes from across the United States, this year they rated 506 cities including Pittsburgh. As the City of Pittsburgh forges forward, it is initiatives like this that help keep us accountable and transparent and are paramount to making a city for all. In less than three years we have improved our score and have been able to make significant improvements. Understanding that there is more work that needs to be done the city uses this information to make recommendations and changes within Pittsburgh to bring about an environment of equity for all.


By Allison Maynard, Communications Associate
Our chapter is comprised of many of the best leaders in the sustainability field and we are always excited to see what new strides they have made in their work. Their ingenuity and tireless commitment to sustainability are what make our chapter such a wonderful community of professionals. Mass Save tackles sustainability through energy saving programs. It is an initiative sponsored by Massachusetts’ gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers. They work closely to provide a wide range of energy efficiency services to help residents and businesses manage energy use and related costs.
Mass Save believes everyone has a role to play in creating more energy efficient communities and that when we make smart energy choices, we can manage our energy costs, enhance the value and comfort of our homes and businesses, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Whether you’re a renter, homeowner, or business, they have lots of ways to help you save energy and money.
They also support education in the Boston area, and are providing Energy Code Training sessions for code officials, builders, subcontractors, and design professionals to learn more specifics about Massachusetts residential and commercial Energy Codes. The Code topics that will be included are Envelope and Building Science, HVAC and Indoor Air Quality, and Mechanical Provisions. If you are interested, you can register for these sessions here.


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McALESTER, Okla. (AP) - The latest on the confusion over Oklahoma's supply of lethal-injection drugs, which prompted Gov. Mary Fallin to issue a last-minute execution stay for Richard Glossip
The Oklahoma Board of Corrections is meeting one day after Gov. Mary Fallin issued a last-minute execution stay because the Department of Corrections did not have the correct lethal injection drugs.
The board will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday in McAlester. Department Director Robert Patton has been tight-lipped on why officials had potassium acetate instead of potassium chloride for Richard Glossip's execution, which had been scheduled for Wednesday.
Fallin granted a 37-day stay for Glossip so the state can determine whether potassium acetate can be used or if potassium chloride is available.
Fallin's office says the corrections department received the drugs Wednesday.
A court filing says the state told Glossip's attorneys it had "sufficient drugs" to carry out three upcoming executions. An Aug. 11 letter from Assistant Attorney General John Hadden didn't say whether the department physically possessed the drugs at the time.
(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.)


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NEW YORK -- Continuation of certain antipsychotics with weight-gain risk throughout pregnancy was tied to an elevated risk of gestational diabetes, researchers reported here.
Continuing on quetiapine (relative risk 1.28, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.62) or olanzapine (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.29) was defined as two or more dispenses during the first 140 days of pregnancy, according to the study by Yoonyoung Park, ScD, of Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, and colleagues.
However, pregnant women who continued on other atypical antipsychotics did not show any significant increased risk for gestational diabetes in an adjusted model:
- Aripiprazole: RR 0.82 (95% CI 0.50 to 1.33)
- Ziprasidone: RR 0.76 (95% CI 0.29 to 2.00)
- Risperidone: RR 1.09 (95% CI 0.70 to 1.70)
The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association and published simultaneously online in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Park told MedPage Today that the team wasn't particularly surprised to discover that olanzapine (Zyprexa) was tied to the highest risk for gestational diabetes out of all the antipsychotics measured, since that drug's association with weight gain is well recognized. That's been an issue for quetiapine (Seroquel) as well.
The study analysis included a total of 1,543,334 pregnancies in mothers without diabetes enrolled in Medicaid. All were administered at least one prescription dispensed for an antipsychotic drug within the 3 months prior to pregnancy. Among the cohort, the most common antipsychotic drug the individuals were treated with was quetiapine (n=4,533), followed by aripiprazole (n=1,924), risperidone (n=1,824), olanzapine (n=1,425), and ziprasidone (n=673).
Fewer women continued on medication through pregnancy -- accounting for 19.7% to 34.0% of pregnancies included -- compared with those who discontinued. Those who continued on medication through pregnancy tended to be older and had slightly more use of other psychotropic treatments.
Compared with women who discontinued medication, those who continued had a wider absolute risk range for gestational diabetes (4.2%-12.0% versus 3.8%-4.7%).
A dose-response subanalysis showed that a higher cumulative dose of olanzapine was associated with a rising increased risk for gestational diabetes. This dose-dependent relationship, not seen with other antipsychotics, was seen until the cumulative dose reached approximately 700 mg, after which it then plateaued.
One limitation to the study, which may have confounded the findings, Park and colleagues noted, was a lack of data regarding obesity status and other lifestyle factors, along with the severity of psychiatric illness and the indication for the specific antipsychotic medication used.
Park recommended that patients and providers maintain an open dialogue when it comes to continuing, discontinuing, or even switching treatment during pregnancy. "For women who are already on high-risk antipsychotics, such as olanzapine, it may be worth having a conversation about potentially switching or discontinuing medication with their psychiatrists or physicians, carefully weighing the risk of adverse events with the benefit of continuing the treatment and maintaining the treatment efficacy."
The study was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.
Park reported a financial relationship with Optum. Other co-authors reported financial relationships with a large number of pharmaceutical companies.
American Journal of Psychiatry
Source Reference: Park Y, et al "Continuation of atypical antipsychotic medication during early pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes" Am J Psychiatry 2018; DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17040393.


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The Des Moines Downtown Chamber held its first Des Moines Culture Connection Crawl Thursday, September 13, from 4:30-6:30pm. Participants boarded a bus at 4:30pm at Principal Park and traveled to three mystery spots downtown and sampled the drink, cuisines, arts and culture unique to the East Village, Core/Riverwalk, and Western Gateway business districts.
During the course of the event, sixteen downtown businesses and organizations were featured as mystery stop experiences including the start and end points at Principal Park. The East Village stop was at LifeServe Blood Center with food from Capital Pub & Hot Dog, beverages from Gong Fu Tea, and arts and culture demonstrated by Gateway Dance Theatre. The Core/Riverwalk district mystery stop was at the 4th Street Condos. Appetizers and wine were provided by Sbrocco with arts and culture provided through an art display of John Phillip Davis and a chemistry demonstration by the Science Center of Iowa. The Western Gateway was highlighted with a stop at the Temple for Performing Arts and a sneak-peek into its nearly complete remodel. In the Grand Ballroom of the Temple, Sophia Ahmad, from the Des Moines Symphony, entertained with a piano performance, drinks were available through the Embassy Club, and appetizers were provided by Proof. Guests enjoyed juice, dessert, and sandwiches from Natural Thirst and a demonstration from the Des Moines Public Library, as well as a coffee and dessert bar from Starbucks.
Supporting Sponsors of the Des Moines Culture Connection Crawl are Nationwide and The Principal Financial Group®. Media Sponsor is the Business Record. Event Sponsors include CenturyLink, Davis Brown Law Firm, Operation Downtown, Iowa Events Center, Meredith Corporation, and Bankers Trust.
The Downtown Chamber would like to thank all of the participating businesses, organizations, and individuals who came together to create this one-of-a-kind event. The night was full of surprises and excitement for what combinations will emerge at the next Des Moines Culture Connection Crawl!


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This incredible 40-minute video by Rogue Scientist shows Dr. John Campbell’s compelling transformation from a man who trusted his academic and scientific colleagues in 2020, to a man who felt immensely bemused and betrayed by...
Veronica Smith: Young woman suffers from painful brain inflammation after taking Moderna covid “vaccine”0
Veronica says she was released from OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) Hospital; they did not believe she was having any issues and provided no treatment, referring her for neurological examination, which she has not...
Adrian received his covid shot on May 24th and died in his sleep on July 12th from a cardiac arrest — just seven weeks later. He had no known health issues. Reference https://www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/home-grown-music-conductor-adrian-tan-dies-in-his-sleep-aged-44 https://theviolinchannel.com/conductor-adrian-tan-has-died-aged-44-obituary/ https://www.facebook.com/adrian.ck.tan...
Care Worker Talija Raffone describes her horrific experience of severe side effects from the covid “vaccine” (interview with Tami Jane)0
Reference https://thecovidworld.com/jacob-clynick-13-year-old-dies-3-days-after-receiving-second-dose-of-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine/ https://thecovidblog.com/2021/06/21/jacob-clynick-13-year-old-michigan-boy-develops-myocarditis-dead-three-days-after-second-experimental-pfizer-mrna-shot/
Western Australian Police Officer Chantal (37) was hospitalised from a stroke after receiving Pfizer covid “vaccine”0


Langley Federal Credit Union attributes Symitar selection to vast integration potential
$2.3 billion credit union selects Episys as strategic long-term partner for added connectivity, customization opportunity
SAN DIEGO, CA (May 23, 2017) — Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ:JKHY) is a leading provider of technology solutions and payment processing services primarily for the financial services industry. Its Symitar® division announced today that Langley Federal Credit Union has selected the Symitar Episys® core system for in-house processing.
Newport News, Va.-based Langley Federal Credit Union was growing at a rate that required more system and process automation, greater operational efficiency, and additional flexibility from its core partner. The credit union consulted with its peer group and found that Symitar’s reputation for service and integration capabilities were unmatched.
Deb Vollmer, senior vice president of Langley Federal Credit Union, said, “We need to know that when our credit union is looking for best-in-class solutions to supplement or enhance current offerings, our core provider will support that. Symitar has mastered third-party integrations to Episys. With this system, our credit union will have a vast choice of integrated vendors, and we can trust that connections can be built where they don’t yet exist.”
Vollmer is also excited about the opportunities available with PowerOn®, stating, “The ability to adapt and customize the core to our specific requirements can give us the freedom to create and configure workflows that best fit our needs.”
PowerOn uses open, common programming protocols within the solution for maximum flexibility. All changes are made within the structure and protection of the core system, but independent of the core code. The credit union also selected to implement Symitar’s Advanced Reporting for Credit Unions™ for business intelligence and analytics, Episys Data Store™ for near real-time analysis and reporting, and jhaEnterprise Workflow™ for automated multi-step business processes. Together, these solutions will simplify operations as well as streamline data usage, management, and reporting.
Ted Bilke, president of Symitar, said, “Langley Federal Credit Union understands that with Episys, they can find the best complementary solutions for the credit union without limitation, while continuing to push the boundaries of what their core can also do. The core system must be flexible and supportive of changing industry influences and banking preferences, something we are excited to partner with Langley on in the years to come.”
Symitar, a division of Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. ® , is the leading provider of integrated computer systems for credit unions of all sizes. Symitar has been selected as the primary technology partner by more than 725 credit unions, serving as a single source for integrated, enterprise-wide automation and as a single point of contact and support. Additional information is available at www.symitar.com.


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Political intrigue at the highest levels of government.
“. . . this novel clicks. . . the senator and the beautiful insider come across as complicated, sometimes contradictory and often unpredictable people, just like you and me. They give "Toxin" an edge on much of the thriller competition.”
-- Henry Levins, St. Louis Post Dispatch
“. . . Midden has jam packed this book with action and events that read like something out of the morning paper. The characters are believable and the tension builds as they discover the depth of the conspiracy. This is a fantastic and intriguing volume.”
-- Barry Hunter, The Baryon Review
Jake Telemarck is a junior senator from Wisconsin who enjoys his position as a moderate, common-sense legislator. His life is moving along nicely until he receives a phone call from Isadore Hathaway, the daughter of a famed but deceased US senator. Isadore arranges a clandestine meeting with Jake to tell him about a plot by a group of fanatical right-wing evangelicals (the Bookeepers) who plan to destroy US democracy and replace it with a theological oligarchy. She wants him to kill these men.
Jake is taken aback at first and refuses to get involved. Isadore bolsters his motivation by telling him that he has been targeted by this group as a potential obstacle to their plan. In addition, he realizes that Isadore has discovered a part of his past that had long been buried. When in the military, he was part of a secret group of assassins.
Jake refuses to get involved until parts of Isadore’s scenario start to come true. Despite his vow to himself never to harm another person, he agrees to help Isadore stop these men. But the rebellion is deeper and more entrenched than he believed, and events conspire to put Isadore and Jake—as well as the US government—on the defensive.


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The licensing program at Ohio State University looks to be a little top heavy.
The university has about 120 licensed apparel manufacturers, but its five largest licensees accounted for nearly a third of all revenue generated from Buckeye trademarks printed on T-shirts, jerseys, mugs and other merchandise.
Four out of those five largest licensees generated more revenue in the fiscal year ended June 30 than they did the previous year. That’s unusual this year at Ohio State. The university that has called its program the most lucrative collegiate licensing operation in the country says its royalty revenue was down about 5 percent to $8.9 million.
A big chunk of that came from its biggest overall licensee, which turned in about $1.07 million. It’s second-largest licensee generated more than $770,000, and that was down significantly from the prior year.
Experts say the Buckeyes’ 6-7 record on the gridiron last year was the biggest factor in the decline, but a tattoos-for-memorabilia scandal that cost the team its coach, a post-season appearance and several scholarships likely was a factor as well. Of course, things are looking up for the Buckeyes — they hired new head football coach Urban Meyer, who is generating some buzz in the retail sector.
Click the slideshow to see a list of Ohio State’s five largest licensees.