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A good narrator can make a mediocre book come alive. I love having a story read to me - it's a wonderful escape.
This is the second time I have listened to this story and I still find it wonderful. Nobody writes American West tales like Larry McMurray. This one weaves British visitors in and becomes tragic and wonderful at the same time. Alfred Molina is absolutely terrific at narrating. I had forgotten how good he is at making an absorbing production of the story. can't wait to listen to the rest of the trilogy.
I laughed out loud at these aristocratic "fish out of water" Brits taking on the Wild West. It's not precisely a comic novel, yet it's wry and fun, even as crises and disasters strike this ill-conceived expedition. An excellent reading enhanced the enjoyable story.
I was very disappointed with this book, overall. It did have some good moments, but by in large it was a disappointment. The Berrybender family is very unlikeable. I enjoyed the indians in the book, and their should have been more about Jim Snow.
Superb storytelling and narration. Characters so alive them jump out of the pages. I read all 4 books of the berrybender narratives 3 years ago but these audiobooks are hard to resist. Alfred Molina is amazing and Larry Mcmurtry in a literary genius. Cannot wait to start book 2. Cheers !!!!!
Big McMurtry fans I suppose
no, but won't listen to others in the series.
I've loved Molina reading The Iliad and Treasure Island... this was flat and uninteresting. Hugely disappointing
not to me.. I stopped listening after about 1 hour
Did not enjoy any of the characters, or the storyline.
The Lonesome Dove series are among my favorite books ever, and I was looking for something else from McMurtry hoping that it would capture me the same way that series had. Sadly, I could only make it halfway through this book before giving up. I guess I'm not a romantic, because as fantastic as McMurtry is at spinning tales and making compelling characters in a western setting, I found the "romantic" interchanges between Tasmin and Jim to be tedious and annoying. And as much as no characters could ever be as likable as Captains Call & McRae, there was simply *nobody* in this book I took the faintest liking to. If there can be six Fast & Furious movies, can't we have at least 10 Lonesome Doves?!?: )
I could never tell if the author was actually going for a parody or just writing for a juvenile audience.
I don't think so.


Campaigners on the Isle of Wight say they have convinced the Department for Transport to drop plans for the island’s rail service to become a self-sustaining business.
The 8.5-mile line receives £1 million a year from fares and costs £4.5m a year to run.
It had been proposed to separate the service from Ryde to Shanklin partway through the next South West Trains (SWT) franchise after 2019. Islanders feared this would be a step towards eventual closure of the line, which is in poor condition and uses 1938 London Underground rolling stock.
In 2015, then-Rail Minister Claire Perry announced the intention for the Island Line to become a “separate and self-sustaining business”. This was confirmed in June when the Invitation To Tender was published.
It stated that the franchise winner should “work with the Isle of Wight Council to secure a long-term sustainable solution for the future of the Island Line during the course of the next franchise that will enable it to become a self-sustaining business”.
- For more on this, read RAIL 808, published on August 31.


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ABOUT NON-ALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, it is an umbrella term that is characterized by the accumulation of fat within the liver and describes a range of clinical phenotypes. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive manifestation of NAFLD, a diagnosis of NASH which is confirmed by the histological presence of steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning and lobular inflammation. NASH patients have a worse prognosis and progress towards cirrhosis at a faster rate compared to those with simple steatosis. Furthermore, NASH is associated with an increased risk of mortality and the development of clinical outcomes such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The key prognostic feature of NASH is the severity of associated liver fibrosis, which is currently evaluated by liver biopsy. Fibrosis progression due to NASH is not a linear process, patients fluctuate through the many stages of the disease, exhibiting alternating phases of inflammation and fibrogenesis and reduced activity and fibrosis regression.
How many have non-alcoholic steatohepatitis?
The global prevalence of NAFLD is estimated to be around 24% and is set to increase in parallel with obesity and type II diabetes. Of those with NAFLD, 20% have the progressive subtype NASH.
How is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis treated?
At present, there is no approved therapy for the treatment of NASH. Pioglitazone and vitamin E have shown limited efficacy and are used off-label to treat patients. Over 50 compounds targeting a plethora of mechanisms are currently under investigation as a potential treatment for NASH.
How is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis diagnosed?
NAFLD and NASH are primarily diagnosed and monitored through the use of a liver biopsy. Hepatic steatosis can be determined through ultrasound; however, a diagnosis of NASH can only be confirmed through the use of a liver biopsy.
20 types of collagen have been identified in the liver, their localization reflects their function, fibrillar collagens (such as type I, III, and V collagen) are located around the portal tract and the walls of the central veins providing structural support. BM collagens, such as type IV collagen, can be found in a network within the walls of the sinusoids. Liver fibrosis is the key histological feature of NASH, the early stages of NASH-fibrosis are characterized by the development of reparative basement membrane rich collagen fibrils around hepatocytes in a “chicken-wire” pattern. The later stages of NASH-fibrosis are characterized by the development of interstitial matrix rich bridging septa and an increased risk of developing cirrhosis and clinical outcomes. By using biomarkers targeting different types of collagens within the liver, one can determine the nature of the fibrosis being formed, i.e. pro-reparative (more basement membrane matrix) or progressive (more interstitial matrix) as well as the dynamics driving disease progression.
NASH disease activity and fibrosis severity are established via histological evaluation, pathologists typically use the criteria outlined by the NASH-Clinical Research Network (CRN). An activity index is calculated through the summation of the scores given for macrovesicular steatosis, ballooning and lobular inflammation, referred to as NAFLD activity score (NAS) activity score. PRO-C3 was shown by Daniels et al (2019) to increase in a stepwise manner according to fibrosis and NAS severity in NAFLD patients demonstrating that PRO-C3 is a marker of fibrosis severity and disease activity.
Protein Fingerprint biomarkers allow pharmacodynamic profiling of novel treatments by measuring protein formation and degradation fragments directly in a serum sample.
PRO-C3, a marker of type III collagen formation, has been evaluated as a determinant of treatment efficacy in multiple clinical trials as a secondary endpoint. Harrison et al 2020 demonstrated that treatment of NASH patients with aldafermin, a FGF-19 analogue, significantly reduced the level of PRO-C3.
Harrison et al showed at AASLD 2019 that aldafermin reduced the ratio of fibrogenesis (PRO-C3) to fibrolysis (C3M, a marker of type III collagen degradation) in NASH patients.
High levels of fibrogenesis biomarkers, such as PRO-C3, are indicative of high disease activity and can be used to enrich clinical trials with patients likely to respond to therapy. Harrison et al demonstrated at EASL 2018 that patients with PRO-C3 greater than or equal to 17.5 ng/mL had a significant reduction in their PRO-C3 level due to resmetirom (a selective thyroid hormone receptor-β agonist) treatment.
Similar predictive results for Resmetirom were observed by Madrigal Pharmaceuticals at Global NASH Congress 2020 in the extension study when using a baseline level of ≥14 ng/mL PRO-C3. Consequently, PRO-C3 levels >14 ng/mL have been listed as inclusion criteria for the phase III NAFLD clinical trial MAESTRO-NAFLD1 (NCT04197479).
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or other inquiries.

domain: biology


* Prices may differ from that shown
TL-SC3171 IP surveillance camera is a versatile solution for your home and office monitoring. It watches your home, your kids, your workplace, whatever you care for most. After connecting directly to a local network using wired Ethernet connection, it can send live video to your home PC or through the Internet to a Web browser or 3G mobile phone, anywhere in the world! Even more exciting is that the TL-SC3171 features 12 IR (infrared) LEDs and an industrial mechanical ICR (IR Cut-filter Removable), providing you true day / night surveillance experience. Ultimately, the TL-SC3171 is perfect to keep an eye on your family, property, or anything important to you, bringing you peace of mind.
Did you know that more than 80% of burglary cases happen in the dead of night? With this in mind, the only viable solution to truly ensure the safety of your home or business is to have around the clock surveillance. This camera was developed in order to correct traditional inadequacies of network connected day/night cameras. This day/night camera uses all available Infrared light as a means to produce clear images in the dark and completely filters that light during the day ensuring vivid video as clear as you would see with the naked eye, both functions unavailable on traditional day/night cameras that resulted in poor image quality during both the day and the night.
|Product Description:||TP-Link TL-SC3171 - network camera|
|Device Type:||Network camera - fixed|
|Dimensions (WxDxH):||7.5 cm x 4.7 cm x 13.6 cm|
|Camera:||Colour - Day&Night - NTSC, PAL|
|Optical Sensor Type:||CMOS - 1/4"|
|Control Interface:||Alarm Inputs Qty : 1 , Alarm Outputs Qty : 1|
|Audio Support:||Yes : two-way audio capability|
|Power:||DC 12 V|
|Features:||Motion sensor, date/time stamp, progressive scanning, saturation control, brightness control, contrast control, e-mail alerts, image flip, image mirror, watchdog function, 12 infrared LEDs, infrared cut filter, Privacy mode|
|System Requirements:||Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista, Microsoft Windows 2003, Apple MacOS X 10.5|
|Environmental Parameters (operating):||0 °C - 40 °C ; 10 - 90% (non-condensing) relative humidity|


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Often times the conditions when taking a photograph limit what a photographer can do with a particular image. In this example, I used a wide angle lens which distorted my image by skewing the lines inward and I took the image on a very cloudy day. The original image did not start off looking that great. Often times, you see this type of image in the MLS with real estate agents who know a little bit about photography but not enough to take the image to the next level.
As you can see, I transformed this image from a blah image into something a little more special. It is the same exact image, and in the transformation I straightened the lines of the house, added a blue sky and brought out some detail and enhanced the photo.

domain: artistic


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How Much Is Lindsay Lohan Worth?
Lindsay Lohan is easily one of the most famous faces in Hollywood, and her name has been in the headlines for plenty of reasons (both good and bad). According to IMDb, Lohan’s career began in 1995 on “Sesame Street.” Before that, she also appeared as a trick-or-treater on “David Letterman” in 1992. Of course, one of her most famous roles was in “The Parent Trap,” where she played the roles of both Hallie Parker and Annie James … and we’re not going to lie, we thought she was a legit twin for a while.
Lohan’s career has come with plenty of setbacks, including some very public money issues that were made known in 2012. According to TMZ, the IRS seized Lohan’s bank accounts to make up for a mound of taxes that she owed. For 2009 and 2010 alone, Lohan owed $233,904 in back taxes. She also reportedly owed even more money for taxes in 2011. Charlie Sheen starred with Lohan in “Scary Movie 5” and generously gave his co-star a $100,000 check to go toward her deficit.
At the time, Business Insider reported that Lohan earned around $2 million in 2012, but that still wasn’t enough to cover all taxes owed — yikes. TMZ also reported that the situation put Lohan “in full-on panic mode about her financial situation, and is desperately trying to make some cash to get out of the red.” Keep scrolling for details on Lohan’s current financial state.
Inside Lindsay Lohan's fortune
Though she has starred in some of the most iconic movies like “Mean Girls” and “Freaky Friday,” Lindsay Lohan does not have a net worth that is as high as one would imagine. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lohan’s fortune is valued at around $800,000, which is basically nothing in Tinseltown.
During her movie career, Lohan earned an estimated $28 million, with her most enviable stretch coming in 2005-2007. The actor netted $7.5 million for three different films during that period, including “Herbie Fully Loaded,” “Georgia Rule,” and “Just My Luck.” In addition to an acting career, Lohan also released an album titled “Speak” in December 2004. Surprisingly, it climbed up to number four on the charts. Lohan also earned $1 million to pose in Playboy.
The redhead has since left California and is currently a resident of Dubai. “There’s a certain calmness that I find [in Dubai]. There’s no paparazzi, no cameras; that’s a big deal for me,” she shared with W Magazine in 2018. When she did call California home, she lived like a Hollywood A-lister. Following a stint in rehab in 2011, PopSugar reported that the actor rented a sweet pad in Venice Beach for $7,100 a month.
Lohan also once owned a home in the celebrity-filled Hollywood Hills. According to Los Angeles Times, the property came back on the market for $2.8 million in 2018. Other famous names that once lived in the abode include Liza Minnelli and Dianna Agron.
Source: Read Full Article

domain: celebrity


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The supreme court of Burma has rejected an appeal to release Su Su Nwe, a human rights activist. A member of the National League for Democracy, Su Su Nwe was arrested in August 2005 and sentenced to eighteen months in prison. In 2004, she successfully sued local authorities in Kawmoo township over forced labor practices.
The Hong-Kong based Asian Human Rights Commission said that she was the first person to win a lawsuit against the Burmese government for its use of forced labor. Government officials countersued and charged her with making threats against them. In a written statement, the U.S. State Department says that Su Su Nwe "was sentenced on trumped up charges."
Su Su Nwe suffers from a heart condition. According to human rights groups, she was hospitalized in January for shortness of breath and anemia. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack says that the U.S. is "concerned about reports that her health is deteriorating":
"Su Su Nwe's case highlights the brutality of the Burmese regime and its disregard for democratic principles and fundamental human rights."
The U.S., says Mr. McCormack, "reaffirms its unwavering support for the right of the Burmese people to speak out against the junta and its repressive policies":
"We call on the regime to release Su Su Nwe and over one-thousand-one-hundred political prisoners it is holding and to initiate a credible and inclusive political process that empowers the Burmese people to determine their own future."
President George W. Bush recently cited Burma as one of several countries in need of freedom and reform. The people of Burma and others, said Mr. Bush will not be forgotten "because the demands of justice, and the peace of this world, require their freedom as well."
The preceding was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government.

domain: law


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We're so confident in the quality of our work that we'll refund your money in full if you are unhappy. No fuss, no hassles, and no questions asked!
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About the Painting
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This painting “Fall Woodcock Shooting” will be hand painted by a real artist. No printing or digital techniques will be used. All paintings are painted in the Ocean's Bridge art studios.
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Promising early returns: Educare implementation study data: April 2009
Preliminary findings from a study of Educare, a full-day, full-year high-quality early care and education program for at-risk children from birth to age five, that examined children's school readiness and classroom quality in 5 programs
Related resources include summaries, versions, measures (instruments), or other resources in which the current document plays a part. Research products funded by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation are related to their project records.
Promising early returns: Educare implementation study data -- January 2010

domain: literature


text:
July 10 - 12, 2020
The island of Nantucket has a unique vibration that has consistently inspired conscious living, the independent spirit and creative collaboration.
The Nantucket Yoga Festival is a community orientated celebration that brings together the very best world class yoga instructors, wellness experts and healthy living guides in a celebration of the spirit of the island. By coming together to explore ways to find a happier, healthier more peaceful way of living we can begin to affect positive change in our community and ultimately in the world around us.
We have the following Nantucket vacation rentals availability during the Nantucket Yoga Festival

domain: sociology


Type 4 safety light grid for access control, composed by an active element (emitter + receiver) and by a passive element (with retro-reflector) which needs no electrical connection.
Built-in Muting function in all the models.Ideal for palletiser applications.
=> Operating temperature from -10°C to +55°C
=> MJB connection boxes available
– 2006/42/CE Machinery Directive
– 2004/108/CE Electromagnetic
Compatibility Directive (EMC)
– 2006/95/CE Low Voltage
– IEC/EN 61496-1 Ed. 2.1 Safety
of machinery – Electro-sensitive
protective equipment- General
requirements and tests
– IEC/TS 61496-2 Ed. 2 Safety of
protective equipment –
Part 2:Particular requirements
for equipment using Active
– EN ISO 13849-1 Safety of
machinery – Safety-related
parts of control systems –
Part 1: General principles
– IEC/EN 62061 Safety of
machinery – Functional
safety of safety-related
electrical, electronic and
– IEC 61508 Functional safety
of electrical/electronic /
– UL (C+US) for USA and Canada
– ANSI / UL 1998 Software in
Janus MI TRX and MI TRXL is composed of an active element and of a passive retro-reflector element requiring no wiring.
It features dedicated connections for connecting external muting sensors of any type such as photocells, proximity sensors, limit switches, etc.
The MI series can manage the muting function in both two-way and one-way mode. Models with 2 – 3 – 4 beams provide the solution to any application problem in access control.
The Models MI TRX uses front M12 connectors for external Muting sensors. Operating logic with 2 or 4 sensors.
The models MI TRXL uses single M23 connector for external Muting sensors. Operating logic with 2 sensors.
Janus ML TRX, ML TRX G and ML TRX V, with 2 or 3 beams for detecting the presence of a person, uses an original system of horizontal arms (one for the emitter and one for the receiver) with built-in, pre-wired and pre-aligned, photoelectric muting sensors which do not require any adjustment.
The ML TRX series manages the muting function in one-way mode and is particularly suitable for protecting the outfeed gates of palletising systems.
ML TRX G models especially conceived for the palletisation of transparent materials
ML TRX V models with longer built-in muting arms available for high-speed conveyors.
Janus MT TRX, MT TRX G and MT TRX V features four horizontal arms (two for the emitter and two for the receiver) with built-in pre-wired and pre-aligned photoelectric muting sensors that do not require any adjustment.
The MT TRX series manages the muting function in two-way mode for the protection of the infeed/outfeed gates in palletising systems.
MT TRX G models especially conceived for the palletisation of transparent materials
MT TRX V models with longer built-in muting arms available for high-speed conveyors.
Janus MM TRX is a modular system with 2, 3 and 4 beams which permits to add pre-wired muting arms in order to get either a ML TRX (one way) or a MT TRX (entry/exit) model with a few simple steps.
SL TRX and ST TRX are the pre-wired muting arms and can be ordered separately.
Muting logics for models MM TRX are one-way (only exit), together with SL TRX, and two-way (entry/exit) together with SL TRX and ST TRX.
Janus MM TRX can also be used with external Muting sensors, with 2 or 4 sensors logic.
– Maximum working range: see Technical Detail Table
– Power supply 24Vcc ± 20%
– Two safe static PNP outputs with short circuit protection
– M23 connector for active element only
– Controlled output for Muting activated indicator light
– Display for auto-diagnostics of malfunctioning or faults
– Built-in user-selectable manual or automatic restart
– Additional Muting Enable safety input
– Built-in External Devices Monitoring
– User selectable maximum Muting time-out function
– Built-in Override function, with time-out
– 1 PNP output to indicate barrier status and weak signal
– Barrier status, Muting sensor and configurations indicator LEDs
– Muting sensors with retro-reflector and polarised infra-red light
Ideal for the protection of:
– Robotized areas
– Assembly lines
– Automatic industrial warehouses
– Areas through which AGV automatically guided vehicles pass


Age of Distraction is a thrilling new collaboration which spans across the contemporary UK progressive rock circuit. In 2023, founder member and lead writer John Cook (ex-This Winter Machine, ex-This Other Eden) recruited rising-star Charlie Bramald (Ghost of the Machine, Shadows On Mercury) on vocals, gravity-defying bassist Mark Gatland (Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, IT), and multi-instrumentalist plus producer-extraordinaire Dom Bennison (Last Motion Picture, ex-This Winter Machine) to occupy the drum stool and handle production duties.
Together, the band has created a debut album which explores the boundaries of melodic, accessible progressive rock and metal, evoking an atmosphere all of its own in the process.
This blend of contemporary progressive rock and melodic metal opens with the pensive instrumental The Uninvited which features the emotion laden piano and keys of Ruby Jones (The Exotic Ices Project) and a post apocalyptic sounding vocal overlay. It’s a powerful intro that ebbs and flows dynamically before segueing into Break My Bones that gives up a thunderous intro before Charlie’s eloquent vocal takes over. A prime example of the progressive metal/ contemporary rock sound that is all the rage now, it flows melodically but there is always a persistent edge to the song. Featuring a guitar solo from John Cook that is both emotive and stirring in equal amounts, it certainly stands out. Dom’s machine gun drums open the edgy Compromised, a track that seems to stride purposefully across your acoustic synapses like a musical invasion. I really like the feel of this song and Charlie’s stirring vocal adds real menace. More of a hard rock track that leans into the metal genre a touch, there’s real power and soul to this stylish piece of music and, once again, a rather impressive guitar solo adds the finishing touch. Protect Me begins with a slow burning, low down feel, suspenseful in tone and delivery. The vocal is delivered in a measured and earnest manner, adding to the heartfelt aura that this impressive song engenders. There is a primeval power at the core of the music as the echoing guitars leave their impression on you and just check out that ever so soulful solo! The Plea is a short, musical amuse bouche full of wistful guitars that bleed melancholy and leave a lump in your throat, it’s very clever songwriting and just adds to the story that the band are creating.
The dark, brooding wonder of Take Me Down once again features the elegant piano and keys of Ruby Jones and also the distinctive, dignified vocals of Philip Stuckey (Stuckfish) and is one of the best songs of this genre you are likely to hear this year. There’s an age old wonder to the feel of the song, a nostalgic desire evident in Richard’s voice, it is music that is epic in scope and delivered in a widescreen fashion and I’m really impressed with this track. Title track A Game Of Whispers goes hard and heavy again with a monolithic feel to the drums and guitar and Mark’s bass has an age old feel to its delivery. Charlie delivers another menacing vocal and we end up with a song that wouldn’t be out of place on a Judas Priest album. There’s a melodic power at the core of everything that this talented quartet deliver and vibrant, densely layered feel to the sound and it is no more evident than on this highly impressive piece of music. This amazing musical journey continues with the vivid and animated hard rock infused instrumental The Point Of No Return, staccato and imposing guitars combining with the immense drums to create a phenomenal wall of sound that consumes all that encounter it.
The oasis of calm that is Oceans slows the pulse and reduces the blood pleasure after the enjoyable sonic assault that preceded it. A plaintive, pensive feeling song that leaves your breath catching as you let its emotions wash over you. The stylish, wishful acoustic guitar a match for Charlie’s heartfelt vocals on what is one of the albums more contemplative moments. Another short pause on the journey, The Left Unsaid is two minutes of thought provoking music that leaves its mark on your mind as it passes through. For me, the highlight on this ever impressive piece of work is the breathtaking Sneak Attack. It’s classic progressive metal at heart but with a real contemporary edge to the delivery. Intellectual and impassioned at the same time, there’s real drama to the music and an almost theatrical delivery to Charlie’s vocal. There’s been a resurgence of keyboards in contemporary, melodic prog rock and the writing on this album just leaves room for plenty of atmosphere and plenty of keys! A stand out track on an album of imposing songs, the highlight is most definitely John’s stunning guitar solo towards the end that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. The album finishes with the uplifting My Peace, a beautiful, soaring piece of music that brought a lump to my throat (and tears to my eyes but we will ignore that bit!) and just leaves a feeling of hope and expectation in your heart.
2024 has already been a bumper year for superb releases and Age of Distraction have just added another fine album to the mix. ‘A Game Of Whispers’ is a collection of mighty fine songs that define the contemporary progressive rock and melodic metal genre and is a dramatic and profound listen from beginning to end. My recommendation is you just go out and buy it!
Shadows On Mercury is a prog rock studio project, based in West Yorkshire. It features Scott Owens on guitars, bass and programming, Charlie Bramald on vocals, and Tim Lofthouse on keyboards.It all began during the Summer of 2020 whilst the world was in lockdown, prior to the formation of Scott’s current band, Ghost Of The Machine. Unable to rehearse or play live, Scott began work in his home studio, writing and recording an album of demo tracks, that had been weaving their way around his head for months.
Once he’d laid down the guitar and bass tracks, basic synth ideas and drum programming, Scott asked his good friend Tim, from The Lowells, if he would like to put the keyboards and synths down for the project. Tim was onboard immediately, and his ideas and keyboard wizardry carried these songs to another level completely. After a few months of fine tuning the tracks, Scott knew he needed a vocalist/lyricist to complete his vision for this project. Enter Charlie, lead singer, and Scott’s bandmate in Ghost Of The Machine. Charlie instantly gripped the direction Scott wanted to go with the music, and crafted stunning lyrics that brought both the music and concept of the project to life.
Having got to know Charlie via reviewing the first Ghost Of The Machine release, I was lucky enough to get an early listen to the two singles from this impressive project, The Silence and The Flood, and it was a no brainer to give my thoughts on the debut EP, ‘Worlds Apart’.
This mini-masterpiece opens with the aforementioned The Silence, Charlie had this to say about the track, “I wrote the lyrics to The Silence based around the idea that the human race is utterly complacent about the end of the world. Nobody wants to talk about it, think about it, deal with it… as a population we’re avoiding grappling with those big concepts and questions. It’s much more comfortable to keep our attentions trained on trivial and more immediate concerns. I imagined it staying that way right up to the point that the sky is falling in above us! No panic, just… silence. Will we get what we deserve?“
Wow, what a track, the music is a perfect accompaniment to Charlie’s meaningful lyrics, it’s a dark, brooding song full of a pensive and thoughtful quality. The vocals have a musing and contemplative touch and Tim’s elegant keys and synthesisers add a questioning feel. It’s totally different to what the guys deliver in Ghost Of The Machine, more an elegant rock vibe than the harder edge progressive rock of GOTM and the amazing interplay between Scott’s guitar and Tim’s keyboards that closes out the track has to be heard to be believed, an utter monster of a track! We then move into the brilliantly brooding Calculate (Control), this indulgent piece of music has a delicious feel of dark, progressive synth wave and really gets under your skin. Charlie’s vocals are more demonstrative and Scott’s guitar is more of a conductor than the main event, leading us on the moody, mysterious journey while also getting the opportunity to burst into life in a quite an outspoken manner. The icing on the cake though are Tim’s elegant, defiant keyboards, lending this song a real air of knowing gravitas.
“The Flood is a reflection on struggling to process the guilt that led to a heartbreak, infused with bitterness and the destructive imagery of water – a recurring theme in this EP.”, says Charlie, “This person is succumbing to the flood of negative emotions but clearly they have played their own part in what happened. Perhaps with a degree more self-acceptance they’ll be able to tread water, or even reach dry land.“
The Flood is almost balladesque in its feel, a heartfelt piece of music with a wistful and sombre touch. The floating, ethereal synths work perfectly in unison with Charlie’s passionate and ardent vocal delivery. Tim’s brilliant keyboards blend some Neo-prog with Scott’s expressive & profound guitar playing. It’s a beautiful track that took me back to the heydays of sumptuous and insightful songwriting and music that actually had meaning, utterly majestic! What can I say about The King Of Broken Things, it is a wonderfully immersive song that, if it was twice as long, would have to be considered a brilliant epic. The hard, monolithic riff has soul deep at its core and Charlie delivers one of his best vocal performances yet. It’s a track that builds slowly, ever rising in power and intensity, the superb guitar being the centre-point for Charlie’s voice and Tim’s eloquent keyboards to revolve around in a quite hypnotic way and when Scott lets loose on the solo, wow, just bloody wow! This is one of the best pieces of music I have heard this year, no word of a lie and a special shout out must be made to Scott for his programmed drums that sound just like the real thing!
The album closes with the more mainstream and laid back dynamics of title track Worlds Apart, an utterly sublime song that would possibly be riding high in the charts if we were back in the more musically progressive and inclined times of the 1980’s and 1990’s. The music just seems to wash over you and hold you in its embrace with wistful, sepia tinged feel of nostalgia. Tim’s keyboards (just check out his ever so cool, funky solo) and Charlie’s vocals are key in imbuing the absorbing atmosphere on this track and those striking programmed drums stand out once again. Scott lets rip with another impassioned solo before things come to a finish with Tim’s keys playing out, it’s a sumptuous way to close out what has been a very exciting debut from a trio of highly skilled musicians.
‘Worlds Apart’ is atmospheric and a wonderful showcase for a long awaited return to the Neo-Prog elegant keyboards of the 80’s but there’s also a darker and more immersive feel in parts that adds a deliciously dark and moody edge. Shadows On Mercury have landed with a incredibly powerful statement of intent that promises much, much more, you should just go out and buy it!
‘The Navigator’, the upcoming latest album from Nova Cascade, is really rather interesting and impressive as it is, at its heart, a sincere, heartfelt tribute and celebration of the life and impact of violinist, guitarist and all round excellent musician, colleague, friend and inspirational muse Eric Bouillette, who sadly died of cancer last year after a long protracted battle. This album is based on the collective’s feelings and memories of Eric, he features throughout the album, as his magnificent violin work is on many tracks.
The album sales will raise funds in his honour and for Pancreatic Cancer UK, it is very much as one would expect, a collection of ambient progressive music with orchestrations and some vocals, flutes and guitars, all arranged and collated by DaveHilborne, who adds keyboards and sequencers to create the atmosphere. Whilst the album is a personal tribute, it is not maudlin and is rather a series of generally positive pieces, the fact being that Eric did not wish for his friends to be sad but to celebrate his existence and his skills with their music and to make the music positive where possible.
Haunting, sympathetic and beautiful at times, this is largely instrumental music although there are vocalisations to some tracks. Charlie Bramald of Ghost Of TheMachine provides the flute parts on several tracks and where there are vocals, they are performed by Dave Hilborne. He actually manages to sound not unlike FeargalSharkey, which is actually oddly effective and the style suits the track.
The music is really rather superb, Submergedis a long epic guitar solo from EricBouillette, performed over an expansive keyboard sequence and given room to stretch out and soar. This is very expressive and impressively performed, the backing support adds to the dramatic dynamism of the guitar performance, it is only a short piece but thrilling nonetheless. Other memorable and notable tracks include opener Sleeping Dogs and Safe Haven, which is hinged on some stirring piano chords and motif, sounding not unlike the early 1990’s Windham Hill label albums in places and, yes, that is a good thing, I used to love those album.
A Walk Along The Canal is a moving expressive violin part from Nina Chikvildze. Its mood is one of dignity and expression and creates a warm tone in tandem with the sensitive backing and a great guitar line from Colin, possibly my favourite track of the album, such is its simple beauty. The Navigator is a centrepiece of the album and also the longest, opening with a sixteen piece choir from Chile and Charlie’s ethereal flute tones. This is an excellent track that builds and has another epic guitar solo section, the track moves through its various parts seamlessly and is both highly effective and very memorable with standout performances from all concerned. A delicate acoustic guitar part adds dynamics and allows space for the dreamy keyboards to shimmer and shine clearly and evocatively. This is a simply stunningly well realised track, all the more impressive when you know it was all recorded remotely as the band have never met!
The Night Crossing also impresses, especially Colin’s guitar, as does The Fever Dream that continues in a similar vein. Again, this is keyboard dominated with great supporting bass from Dave Fick, who adds solidarity when required and is more subdued at other times. Any Minute Now is another excellent track with more vibrato vocals from Dave, expressing how we are taken before our time, as was the case with Eric, it is a very moving song. The Noble Lion is a shortish track but one that has lots of movement within it. Ambient type sounds prevailing alongside prominent bass notes, before a memorable piano motif appears, as do the drums, and the track builds in intensity. This carries across into the next track Submerged which takes us back to where this review began.
Return To Haven features more fluid violin from Nina and acoustic guitar sounding synth trickery from Dave. Colin’s suitably fluid electric guitar provides great counterpoint to the violin and synth and this makes for another standout track. Somewhere Between Here &Now begins to draw the album to a close with a spoken introduction from Olivia Steele. Final track, Au Revoir, performed entirely by Eric, is a touching and tender moment, deeply personal and very profound too and serves as a fitting conclusion and celebration of a life taken too soon of a person who will be deeply missed but who leaves us a legacy of emotionally enriched musical excellence.
This is an album to listen to quietly with contemplation and affirms the importance of love and the companionship of friends and that we should treasure those whilst we can. Very impressive and highly recommended.
Shadows On Mercury is a Prog Rock studio project, based in West Yorkshire with Scott Owens, Charlie Bramald & Tim Lofthouse.
It all began during the Summer of 2020 whilst the world was in lockdown, prior to the formation of Scott’s current band, Ghost Of The Machine.
Unable to rehearse or play live, Scott began work in his home studio, writing and recording an album of demo tracks, that had been weaving their way around his head for months.
After laying down the guitar and bass tracks, basic synths and drum programming, he asked his good friend Tim, from The Lowells, if he would like to put the keyboards and synths down for the project. Tim was onboard immediately, and his ideas and keyboard wizardry carried these songs, to another level completely.
After a few months of fine tuning the tracks, Scott knew he needed a vocalist/lyricist to complete his vision for this project. Enter Charlie, lead singer, and Scott’s bandmate in Ghost Of The Machine. Charlie instantly gripped the direction Scott wanted to go with the music, and crafted stunning lyrics that brought both the music and concept of the project to life.
The two tracks, The Silence and The Flood, are the results. The plan is to release a few more songs throughout the year, but Scott’s main priority is getting the 2nd Ghost album completed.
Now, as most of you know, I’m not one for reviewing single tracks but the strength of these two songs, and the fact that they are from the core of one of my favourite new bands of recent years, made me change my mind for once…
Charlie had this to say about The Silence, “I wrote the lyrics to The Silence based around the idea that the human race is utterly complacent about the end of the world. Nobody wants to talk about it, think about it, deal with it… as a population we’re avoiding grappling with those big concepts and questions. It’s much more comfortable to keep our attentions trained on trivial and more immediate concerns. I imagined it staying that way right up to the point that the sky is falling in above us! No panic, just… silence. Will we get what we deserve?”
Wow, what a track, the music is a perfect accompaniment to Charlie’s meaningful lyrics, it’s a dark, brooding song full of a pensive and thoughtful quality. The vocals have a musing and contemplative touch and Tim’s elegant keys and synthesisers add a questioning feel. It’s totally different to what the guys deliver in Ghost Of The Machine, more an elegant rock vibe than the harder edge progressive rock of GOTM and the amazing interplay between Scott’s guitar and Tim’s keyboards that closes out the track has to be heard to be believed, an utter monster of a track!
“The Flood is a reflection on struggling to process the guilt that led to a heartbreak, infused with bitterness and the destructive imagery of water – a recurring theme in this EP.”, says Charlie, “This person is succumbing to the flood of negative emotions but clearly they have played their own part in what happened. Perhaps with a degree more self-acceptance they’ll be able to tread water, or even reach dry land.”
The Flood is almost balladesque in its feel, a heartfelt piece of music with a wistful and sombre touch. The floating, ethereal synths work perfectly in unison with Charlie’s passionate and ardent vocal delivery. Tim’s brilliant keyboards blend some Neo-prog with Scott’s expressive & profound guitar playing. It’s a beautiful track that took me back to the heydays of sumptuous and insightful songwriting and music that actually had meaning.
On the strength of these two tracks, Shadows On Mercury have a very bright future in front of them, this is music of the very highest quality and I cannot wait to hear more!
You can pre-save The Silence here ahead of it’s 13th January, 2023 release:
‘Scissor Games‘ is the debut album by Ghost of the Machine, formed when the majority of This Winter Machine split with singer, Al Winter, and joined up with Charlie Bramald, previously vocalist with covers project Harmony of Spheres. This Winter Machine had built a growing reputation with their first two excellent albums, ‘The Man Who Never Was’ and ‘A Tower of Clocks’ so it was rather a risk for most of the band to embark on a new project with a younger and largely unknown vocalist, even if he had once guested with them in their This Winter Machine days. Clearly the band name harks back to their former band, but as most of them originated in that band it’s hardly surprising they chose a name referencing this heritage.
So, having cut that connection how have Ghost of the Machine shaped up on this debut?
Well, it’s a genuine pleasure to report that Ghost of the Machine have produced an outstanding debut album which clearly has influences from the band’s previous incarnation, but takes a rather different slant. ie This is not ‘Son of This Winter Machine’! The core of that band had already become a polished outfit capable of producing classy rock performances with a progressive edge. Ghost of the Machine seem adept with different sounds and styles on this album. However, they appear to be going down a largely much more ‘Prog’ direction, particularly with the remarkable bookend epic Scissors pieces… but we’ll come to that later. Charlie Bramald wrote the majority of the lyrics for this album and the rest of the band wrote the music and arrangements. He has shared that at least half the music was written before he joined them in January 2021, and most of the rest of it written by the summer of 2021. The band were very keen to ensure the album sounded right before it was put out, hence the time taken since then to get it recorded and eventually released.
Ghost of the Machine prove they can lay down a catchy and impressive rock song as Mark Hagan’s mountainous synth chords and Stuart Mcauley’s thunderous, but lithe bass line introduces the ear worm melodies and riffs of 80’s style rocker, Mountain. This rollocking, rolling song conversely carries a sad tale of unrequited love as the protagonist eventually realises he may as well have tried to love an implacable mountain:
Just another fool who thought that he could move a mountain…
…I was holding on to a heart of stone that never loved me
Now I’m letting go even though it’s killing me, It’s killing me
The tempo and atmosphere change significantly with the much more contemplative Just for Reference, focusing on the gaslighting of abuse victims. Such a sombre theme is introduced on a stark piano and keyboards from Mark Hagan, joined by a softly chiming guitar riff. These are a soft bed for Bramald’s initially melancholic vocals, which become increasingly impassioned as the song’s subject realises who they once were and sees clearly once again. It seems clear that this is an album in which the recurring theme is people finding hope and redemption in their darkest moments. In a similar vein thematically, and with a similar musical restraint, is the later song Dead to Me, with lyrics written by guitarist Graham Garbett. This is an atmospheric, melancholic song showcasing Hagan’s delicate piano playing and Bramald’s emotional singing in an apparent poetic stream of consciousness without verse or chorus. It’s clearly from the heart for Garbett, who has shared that ‘It’s about breaking free from something / someone in your past you no longer need, and the courage to take that risk no matter what the consequences’. An ethereal guitar line floats eerily above the haunting end.
The thread of redemption is also played out on the much more driven and energetic rock of January’s Child, which was one of the first songs written together by Ghost of the Machine when they formed in January 2021, hence the title. Bramald has shared it is about how: ‘January’s Child undergoes a journey of self-reflection to overcome the trauma of a difficult adolescence and grow into the person they really want to be.’ For me the jarring contrast between the upbeat feel of much of the music and the more sombre nature of the lyrics undermines the impact of this song. A more soulful piano led middle section is more engaging. However, the relentless, thumping finale and recapitulation of the opening synth riff feels rather incongruous and a little repetitive towards the end in all honesty. In an album of high-quality songs this is one piece which simply did not connect with this listener.
Mercury Risingpicks things up considerably with an 8-minute slab of melodic progressive rock with a magnificent instrumental part one, which is apparently one of drummer Andy Milner’s favourite parts of the album. Apart from the style of music we know we must be back in the ‘Legendary Land of Prog’ as this is a piece based on a poem by Roman poet Ovid about a river nymph, Larunda. Let’s face it in this day and age, a band has got to have some real balls in 2022 to put out a song based on classical mythology!!
Bramald has explained: ‘Mercury was tasked with escorting Larunda to the Underworld after Jupiter tore out her tongue for spilling his secrets. On the way, Mercury becomes infatuated with Larunda and attempts to woo the nymph. She finds herself caught between hell and a half-life, unable to speak a word of protest either way’.
I hope you were keeping up there! To be fair, Ghost of the Machine do a fine job with their very own ‘Fountain of Salmacis’, although this no copy of that Genesis classic. Garbett’s and Owen’s echoing guitars over a keyboard wash introduce a suitably heroic and evocative landscape. The keyboards and guitars combine well, like some sort of epic film theme, as the tempo and volume increase until Milner’s drums and McAuley’s bass drive this leviathan of a song headlong. Then Mercury Rising pulls back almost cinematically with a more reflective vocal soliloquy and gently lilting piano with definite echoes of one of Marillion’s greatest songs, ‘Incubus’ (you may hear that band name again!😉) A delicate guitar line ascends and the tempo increases as a point of revelation is reached. The earlier musical theme returns in a rip-roaring finale and a sinuous synth line by Hagan snakes above the mayhem, with Milner in particularly powerful form on the drums. It’s full on classy melodic Prog and a highlight of the album.
Before we come to the conclusion let’s deal with two rather large elephants in the room for some:
Firstly, the ‘schism’ in the ranks of This Winter Machine, which led to the formation of Ghost of the Machine. I do not know the details behind that split, and I will not speculate. Indeed, frankly I am going to completely ignore that elephant – let’s just take this album on face value on its own merits.
Secondly, there is the issue of the style of much of this album, particularly the epic album bookending Scissorssuite. There is ‘Progressive’ as an approach to music, and there is ‘Prog’ as a distinct musical genre. The epic Scissors pieces, along with Mercury Rising, places this album and band squarely in the ‘Prog’ category, with a capital ‘P’. Some may see that as a definite advantage and recommendation, whilst others may be wary or a little ‘sniffy’ about this adherence to a genre originated in the early 70’s and developed in the 80’s. We could have a long debate about it, obsessively inspecting our navels… or perhaps we could just enjoy the music?!
To get straight to the point, the Scissors suite is the undoubted highlight of an excellent album. Indeed, this suite could well come to be regarded as among the best pieces of ‘Prog’ in 2022. There are many Prog bands out there attempting to mimic the musical heroes of their youth, often unsuccessfully and frankly lacking sufficient spirit, skill, energy or class. Sure, the Scissors suite has distinct echoes and influences from earlier Prog generations, (and Marillion may well be consulting their lawyers if they ever hear this… but then again, the same was said of them about echoes of early Genesis back in their 80’s heyday!) HOWEVER, Ghost of the Machine really pull off such a thrilling Prog tour de force on Scissors that you simply don’t care whether you may have heard similar stuff before (you definitely have I can assure you!!). It doesn’t matter – it really is that good.
The opening salvo with the definitely 80’s Marillion-esque keyboard fanfare and towering drums, bass and guitar chords is a massive and enjoyable opening. Ghost ofthe Machine really know how to juxtapose power with subtlety, and they drop away to an interlude of Hagan and Bramald on piano and voice with McAuley’s subtle bass, which gives the lyrics and storyline room to breathe. Apparently, bassist McAuley wrote the guitar solo at the end of the first section way back in the 90’s and Graham Garbett skilfully realises that solo finally in 2022. Some things just take time.
Bramald’s outstanding lyrics and imagery on Scissorsare poetic and flowing, telling the dramatic story of how an abused woman eventually snaps and kills her abusive partner with the nearest sharp object – scissors. This is dark and thought-provoking material.
Flash a fistful of silver, you’re the rock and I play the scissors
Cutting out the pages of my life for you to rearrange
All the threads exposed, tugging on the strings my nerves unfold
I’m a plaything, I’m a captive of the Puppet King
The music and lyrical imagery are perfectly intertwined, conveying the wretched emotions and unfolding drama from different perspectives, particularly on the remarkable ‘The Puppet King’ section, which brims with menace and vanity. Bramald has shared: ‘An abuser’s victims are not just their partners. They fool everyone around them. That’s where the idea of the Puppet King came from; it’s a title this character bestowed on himself out of sheer vanity, a belief that he’s somehow godlike and above everyone – pulling the strings, if you will. But “Puppet King” regimes are also false and hollow.’
There will be inevitable and justified comparisons between Charlie Bramald’s singing and wordplay with Fish of early Marillion, but there also distinct lyrical and vocals echoes of the harder edge of early Twelfth Night with the now sadly departed Geoff Mann – as a life long Twelfth Night fan let me tell you that’s quite a compliment. Bramald’s use of recurring and double edged images and symbols is clever and insightful. Bramald even gets to play a short flute passage in the instrumental passage of The Game, which clearly harks back to Gabriel era Genesis. Graham Garbett also plays a beautifully clean guitar melody over an acoustic guitar backing in this more contemplative interlude.
The drama and pace really pick up on the following short Fighting instrumental section with Hagan building a wall of keyboards as Scott Owens launches a stratospheric guitar solo over titanic drumming from Andy Milner – it really is a stirring passage. However, the real pay-off comes with the sudden segue into the sorrowful Shamesection with Bramald’s excellent and soulful vocal alone with Hagan’s gentle piano, singing words which will go round and round your ears with their delivery and impact:
Against the strings,
I turn around and catch a glimpse
I see all the lives the Puppet King collects
I’m in a room filled with human marionettes
No-one dares to speak against a god,
I’m crying out but no-one will respond
The final Hope instrumental rises to a crescendo in a more positive way, until we are just left with Hagan’s plaintive piano.
Scissors (Reprise) concludes this epic story, starting off more contemplatively in the first section Cut, with gently undulating piano, subtle drumming and bass with tasteful guitar lines supporting a softer vocal from Bramald. Ghost of the Machine also seem to know when to pull back and convey stories and emotions more subtly. The Wake short instrumental passage features a beautifully played Mcauley bass line in a keyboard and piano setting. The final triumphant Winnersection is carried on a wave of flowing melodic progressive rock, and apparently Milner’s expressive and joyous drumming inspired the ‘Cry for Victory’ verse. A scintillating guitar solo takes off over the furious but controlled drive of the band and they sweep onwards to the finale of a truly outstanding suite (yeah, I know I say ‘outstanding’ a lot – this time it’s justified!)
Mark Hagan’s excellent piano and keyboards are key to the Scissors pieces, as they are for the whole album. Alongside him the double guitar attack of Graham Garbett and Scott Owens excel, and throughout the album the interplay between keyboards and guitars is a joy. The Mcauley and Milner rhythm section are classy and precise in their intuitive approach to underpinning the songs. These skills are captured and conveyed sonically with some very fine production from Bob Cooper. The Scissors suite shows a band in perfect unison with words and music locked together, telling such a deeply meaningful story.
‘Scissor Games‘ is a remarkable debut album. It clearly owes so much to earlier eras of Prog Rock but when it is done with this sheer amount of brio and skill, allied with powerful, impactful lyrics, then it is entirely valid and worthy as a piece of music and art. Many Prog fans will absolutely fall in love the style and emotional content of ‘Scissor Games‘ which will very probably be rightfully be regarded as one of the best debut progressive rock albums of 2022.
That’s quite enough from me, just listen to the music – Cut!
1. Scissors I. Starting Line II. The Puppet King III. The Game (Instr.) IV. Fighting (Instr.) V. Shame VI. Hope 2. Mountain 3. Just For Reference 4. January’s Child 5. Mercury Rising (Pt. 1 & Pt. 2) 6. Dead To Me 7. Scissors (Reprise) VII. Cut VIII. Wake (Instr.) IX. Winner
MUSICIANS: Charlie Bramald – Lead Vocals & Flute Graham Garbett – Guitars & Backing Vocals Mark Hagan – Piano, Keyboards & Mellotron Stuart Mcauley – Bass, Pedals & Mellotron Andy Milner – Drums Scott Owens – Guitars
This batch of lockdowns has an unexpected, pleasant side effect in that it has enabled and stimulated creativity amongst musicians. This has resulted in some marvellous, and often unexpected, pleasurable listening opportunities. Where projects that were once pipe dreams have been given a dust down and often have then come to fruition and some fabulous music has emerged as a result.
Yes finally managed to deliver their long overdue and much promised album ‘The Quest’ to complimentary reviews, Big Big Train have been busy too, releasing ‘Common Ground’, Steve Hackett has released two albums in these times and now Nova Cascade have issued their third album, ‘Back From the Brink’. The album is another mixture of ambient and progressive ideas, although it is short with a running time of just over 45 minutes, but those 45 minutes are certainly imaginative and well realised by the band.
Nova Cascade’s last album, ‘A Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows’, has paved the way for this epic new album, one that was partially inspired by events surrounding the band with Dave Hilbourne suffering from long covid, a battle which he won thankfully but at some cost to his well-being and mental health. Undeterred, Dave decided to channel these feelings into music, this may in part explain why this music is both dark at times and hopeful at other points.
This album has all been recorded remotely with Dave compiling it all into some order and there are some fabulous performances from each of the members, noteworthy of which being the guitar and violin work of Eric Bouilette of The Room and Nine Skies and the flute playing of Charlie Bramald, which really lifts to album at key points.
This album is best appreciated on headphones, I find as it’s textures can unfold gradually revealing their crafted treasures at ease.
Several tracks really stand out, firstly The Minutes After which is a graceful instrumental with some delicate acoustic guitar runs and that fabulous flute adding to the mood and lightening it up, this track is fantastically evocative and has melody a-plenty. Another song that really lifts this album is the longest piece, Back From The Brink, which encapsulates all that is good about Nova Cascade.
It has enough space for instruments to rely shine, very strong keyboards interspersed with guitar fills and a strong, but not dominating, bass part and a hauntingly evocative flute floating over gentle piano and guitar lines. Yet, somehow, this all gels together, creating music of both beauty and warmth. It is all highly impressive sounding and it’s a joy to hear this excellent piece with its great dynamics.
Between these two epics lies a while slew of shorter, but never less than interesting pieces, most notably There Is Always A Way, which manages to blend the music with the words of Neil Armstrong’s, creating a great atmosphere. Eric’s violin also adds significant class to the piece before Dave’s synthesizers are ushered to centre stage. Even then, it is the ensemble playing that is presented so vividly, it’s all about the whole sound that is being offered here.
The final vocal track, Long Winter,followsand, here again, Dave sounds very Steve Hogarth like in his wispy delivery and reminds me of some long-forgotten eighties vocalist (Fergal Sharkey perhaps?), either way, it certainly works well. This song is highly personalised as it speaks about what Dave went through with long covid, yet, despite that, it is a quietly triumphant track, to these ears at least.
The whole album is predominantly instrumental, with just three vocal performances from Dave Hilbourne on Phantom, The Hill and Long Winter.
‘Back From The Brink’ is a really fine album indeed and it is a pleasure to listen to. I would recommend this to anyone, especially if you like ambient, instrumentally driven, progressive music, as this album offers that and far far more. I’m sure you will find it an agreeable listen, I certainly did enjoy this album but I do recommend headphones for best results. It’s an aural treat for tired ears, float away into a world of tranquility and class.
What exactly is ‘A
Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows’?
According to Wikipedia (and who could doubt that source of information!) ‘A Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows’ is a website created by John Koenig that defines neologisms (that’s new words and phrases to you and me) which are designed to define emotions for which we do not yet have a descriptive term. When you hear this new album by Nova Cascade you can sense why they might decide to use that phrase to name their album. Previously describing themselves as ‘Ambient Progressive Rock’, on their promising but minimalist debut album Above All Else, Nova Cascade have developed that blueprint further with more defined pieces. but there is still an overriding sense of fragility and dreamlike visions which are hard to define.
Nova Cascade have now moved on from their peculiar origins in an online gaming chatroom out of which artists shared musical ideas, and now present a more fully formed and mature album. The sparse, organic feel which characterised ‘Above All Else’ now gives way to a more lush and layered approach but at heart they retain their more ambient and impressionistic style, with some echoes of later Talk Talk. The gorgeous cover artwork by Charlie Bramald places us in a warm, shimmering and comfortable candle-lit library, and the music conveys a sense we are sat in the glow of candle light as we hear these lush sounds which contain contrasting stories of light and darkness.
Dave Hilborne appears to lead this project with his distinctive light, breathy vocalisation and subtle synth laden soundscapes, such as the opening instrumental Unwavering. There is also a slightly harder edge on some songs, such as the bitter Rabbit Hole (with echoes of later Peter Gabriel) which features quite a percussive programmed edge and pointed lines about deceit:
‘This illusion you expertly weave,
Let’s take a trip to the far side,
Descend in a rabbit hole of deceit.’
However, even such perspectives are coated in fairly lush production with no sharp edges. Echo and Narcissus flows languidly in on a bed of keyboards and softly programmed percussion. Hilborne’s delicate vocals reflect the disappearing fragility of the legendary Echo as she wasted away until only her voice remained. Once again rather tortured lyrics are conveyed in swathes of restrained, rather gentle instrumentation, particularly the evocative violin of Eric Bouillette. Such agony rarely sounded so delicate:
And, oh, that stench in the air is your hate
Just leave me be with what’s left of my fractured soul
Nova Cascade seem to like touching on sinister or negative subjects in rather pastoral ways, such as the instrumental Apophis, which may refer to an Egyptian Pharaoh or an ancient Egyptian ‘chaotic being’ until you read the sleeves and note one small line: ‘All Eyes to the Sky in 2029…’ a quick internet search reveals that Apophis is a sizeable ‘near Earth’ Asteroid that in 2004 was thought to have a distinct possibility of striking Earth catastrophically in 2029. Readers will be pleased to hear that after re-calculations this possibility has now been deemed Zero! Nevertheless, it gives Nova Cascade the excuse to compose a suitably spacey soundscape, enhanced by Charlie Bramald’s stellar flute, which is then transformed with some more ominous synth throbs before floating off in to space again.
In contrast the nostalgic Plasticine and Paint touchingly conjures up idyllic visions and memories of childhood with Bramald’s subtle flute underlining the sense of pastoral reminiscence in a rather beautiful piece. In their previous album ‘Above All Else’ there was a sense of it being a rather ‘home made’ or even a ‘demo’ type album, which it’s organic and intuitive approach to capturing sound enhanced. Nova Cascade seem to have moved on from that rather lo-fi or sparse feel but have not lost that essence of fragility and dream like quality.
The centrepiece to the whole album is the decidedly more ambitious extended instrumental ‘A Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows’ which features the Blue Man Group drummer David Anania (indeed the album sound overall would have benefited from more use of a live drummer than programmed percussion.) It is interesting that in the sleeve notes in relation to this song Dave Hilborne has quoted a few ‘neologisms’ for hard to describe feelings, presumably from the aforementioned Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, including:
‘Sonder’ – The realization that each random
passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own
‘Kenopsia’ – The eerie, forlorn atmosphere of a
place that’s usually bustling with people but is now abandoned and quiet
Not only are those great new words I will try to use in the right context in future, but somehow the music in this imaginative and evocative piece of work conveys those intangible and almost impossible to define feelings. Hilborne paints the main canvas on keyboards alongside the ever present deft bassist Dave Fick, especially in the second half when Anania’s drums have more impact. Eric Bouillette chimes in with a subtle Steve Rothery like guitar solo in the closing stages in the most ‘progressive’ track on the album.
Nova Cascade quote the now sadly deceased Mark Hollis of Talk Talk in their sleeve notes;:
‘Before you play two notes, learn how to play one note,
y’know? And don’t play one note unless you’ve got a reason to play it’.
Such a quote tells us where Nova Cascade are coming from, and conveys their philosophy in where they want to go. This album is certainly no ‘Spirit of Eden’ by Talk Talk (and to be fair what else is? – it’s an all time classic!) but you can tell that would have been an influence, especially in the vocals. Guitars, piano, bass and guitars weave together melodically. There are times when it is beguiling and beautiful – there are other times for this listener when I just want something a little more of substance to hold on to as you drift in an ocean of ethereal , vague subtlety. Nevertheless, ‘A Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows’ is certainly a very significant step up from ‘Above All Else’ . This album would appeal to lovers of delicate, ambient soundscapes and softly pastoral sounds and images, and I have a sense that the ethereal and talented Nova Cascade will show even more development of their distinctive sound and style in the future…
… now I just need to find a word that can convey that hard to define that feeling?


text:
ART AS A STUDY OF AESTHETICALLY INFORMATION IMAGE
It is proved that aesthetic information is not identical with semantic or scientific information.
Semantic information should be understood as new knowledge (message, experience in the process of aesthetic perception) about the object. It can be expressed by objective methods in a certain system of knowledge.
In contrast, aesthetic information is new about the artist who conveys certain semantic information. Aesthetic information expresses the artist's relationship to the object he is reproducing.
It is considered that cognition is not only a description of an object and a process of transmission and processing of information. Cognition is also the application of methods of thinking and logical operations to identify, reflect an object and create an "image of reality" in the human mind. The study of their detection in science is the subject of the logic of scientific knowledge. However, human use of methods of thinking and logical operations in science and art are different. The logic of the aesthetic relation is still a great mystery, although in all the processes that take place in art, one can see a kind of discovery of the methods of logical thinking and mediation.
Thus, art as a study takes place within its individual types and genres, as happened, for example, with abstractionism in painting and music, which for almost a century experimented with the influence of various mixtures and relationships of color and sound on human perception; moreover, the Impressionist artists themselves often stated that the purpose of their work was to influence people through art and that the world around them was nothing but a combination of sounds, colors, light lines and shadows.
Art as research can be manifested clearly in any single process that takes place in art, but in a process that determines the work of an artist. Leonardo la Vinci had a holistic nature, but he often became a scientist only when he conducted his art studies with research accuracy and scrupulousness.
In the latter case, art is especially clearly transformed into its opposite - into science. The artist becomes a research scientist. He seeks to reproduce and study the process in art in more detail, and on the way to this goal he slowly deviates from the methods of artistic research, replacing them with the means and methods of scientific research.
The article investigates an attempt to apply information theory to the study of art as cognition. The division of information into semantic and aesthetic is applied.
The research function of art as its special side is revealed, and aesthetic cognition in this case is a part of aesthetic relation, where art as cognition is only a separate side of art as a kind of human activity.
2. Yu. A. Gusev. Some features of modeling artistic thinking. - M .: MEI, 1968.
3. Art. Lemm. Model of culture. "Questions of Philosophy", 1968. - № 8.
4. History of aesthetics. Monuments of world aesthetic thought. - T. III. - M .: "Art", 1967.
5. K. Marx and F. Engels on art. - T. 1. - M .: «Iskusstvo», 1967.
6. LG Yuldashev. Aesthetic sense and works of art. - M.: "Thought", 1969.
7. Ikonnikov AV Art, environment, time. - Moscow: "Soviet artist", 1985.
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• The authors reserve the right to authorship of their work and give the magazine the right to first publish this work under the terms of license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (with the Designation of Authorship - Non-Commercial - Without Derivatives 4.0 International), which allows others to freely distribute the published work with a mandatory reference to the authors of the original work and the first publication of the work in this magazine.
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Persuasion star Mia McKenna-Bruce takes the digital cover of DSCENE Magazine‘s September 2022 edition lensed by celebrity photographer Joseph Sinclair at John Parkinson Agency using Leica. In charge of styling was Emily Evans at The ONLY Agency, assisted by Sabrina Di Giulio. Beauty is work of hair stylist Davide Barbieri at Caren Agency, and makeup artist Jacinta Spencer at The ONLY Agency. Photo assistance by Tom Appleton.
For the cover Mia is wearing coat and earrings from DOLCE&GABBANA.
Photographer Joseph Sinclair at John Parkinson Agency using Leica.
Stylist Emily Evans at The ONLY Agency
Makeup Artist Jacinta Spencer at The ONLY Agency
Hair Stylist Davide Barbieri at Caren Agency
Talent Mia McKenna-Bruce – @mia_mbruce
Photography Assistant Tom Appleton
Styling assistant Sabrina Di Giulio
Special thanks to Rev’d David Green at St Mary-the-Virgin, West Malling


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Bigg Boss OTT 2: Ranveer Singh will not be hosting digital edition of Salman Khan’s show, says report
There were rumours that the makers of Bigg Boss OTT 2 have brought Ranveer Singh on board as the host. However, a recent media report has dismissed the speculation stating that Ranveer is busy with film commitments at the moment.
1Bigg Boss OTT 2: Ranveer Singh will not be hosting digital edition of Salman Khan’s show, says report
2Raju Srivastava health update: After undergoing angioplasty, the comedian ‘is responding to clinical treatment’
3Blackpink members look intense in second set of title posters for upcoming track, Pink Venom – see pics
4Arjun Kapoor shares why he took so long to reveal his relationship with Malaika Arora: 'It has to be...'
Breaking news: TMC leader Anubrata Mondal arrested by CBI in cattle smuggling case
Stop lowering dignity of PM's post: Rahul Gandhi slams Narendra Modi over black magic remark against Congress
Mahesh Nandurkar: Select stocks within the Tech space look attractive
Raju Srivastava health update: After undergoing angioplasty, the comedian ‘is responding to clinical treatment’
Nick Kyrgios defeats top-ranked Daniil Medvedev at Montreal Masters, Alcaraz ousted
Are you taking painkillers the wrong way? These tricks can help make them work faster
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Mukesh Khanna equates 'girls asking for sex' to prostitutes, DCW seeks FIR against him


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A lot of people would say that if you get a pet dog they really should be portion of the family and reside inside. I wholeheartedly agree. But sometimes that is just not probable. If you find yourself in this predicament what can you do?
A fantastic source for getting pet welcoming rental houses can be observed via the USHumane Society.
Buying an enclosure is just one alternative
Now times they come in all sizes. You could also establish one particular working with cyclone fence. If you opt for this choice I would endorse placing it on a slab of cement. Not only does this keep the enclosure flooring dry it also prevails them from digging beneath. I also suggest a roof. This shields your doggy from the components and also retains them from leaping more than. If you have bought an enclosure they typically arrive with a leading. You can create a address with wooden, plastic or no matter what is effective for you. This will also aid secure them from the sunshine. I advise using wood for the reason that they can not pull this as a result of the fence and chew it up. Getting a lock on the enclosure is a should mainly because most canine will discover how to open the latch by observing you.
Right after you have your enclosure all set up and prepared for your pet dog it's time for decorating. For massive canines I recommend a bucket of h2o put within an old tire. This also is effective for a meals bowl. If the h2o bucket is stored stuffed at all occasions it generally will not get tipped about. Other factors that you could want to put in the enclosure incorporate: puppy residence, doggy bed and toys. The 1 thing to don’t forget is that most canine will chew when they are bored. If you do not want it chewed I would not place it in the enclosure. But they need to have something to entertain on their own with like tennis balls, kong toys or some thing created to be chewed. Getting locked up does create stress for most canine and if you do not have some thing in there for them to play with or chew they sometimes start chewing on their own.
An additional factor to look at with this option is placement of the enclosure. If you are living in a wind prone location you may possibly want to take into account placing the enclosure on the aspect of the household where the wind is typically blocked. If you reside wherever it snows you may want to set it significantly sufficient absent from the house so the snow from the roof does not slide on it. Wherever you location it make confident that there is some region of the enclosure that is shaded from the sunlight at all moments. Even even though the enclosure has a roof or deal with there may perhaps be no shade in the early early morning or late afternoon when the temperature is normally the hottest. Attaching wooden, in a smaller location, to the east and west sides is a answer and along with the leading will give shade at all situations. Just make certain that the shaded area is big enough for your dog or pet dogs. As very long as your puppy has shade, h2o, food items and shelter they should be great outside. But use prevalent sense. If you have a grayhound and you transfer to Alaska, your canine need to live inside or in a heated atmosphere. If you have a Malamute and stay in the Mojave desert, you have a real obstacle retaining your pet from over heating outside the house. And recall, no pet really should be locked in an enclosure, given h2o and food stuff but no attention and no liberty. If you obtain you stating, “He's a good pet dog, I just can not look to uncover time for him with my career” then either it is time to come across a new house for him or develop time.
Invisible fence is a yet another instrument. Your puppy has the flexibility to roam and play within the specified spot. Most collars emit a warning sound when the pet gets much too close to the perimeter. Through proper schooling it can be pretty efficient. The negatives to this are that any one can go into your yard and take your pet. Other puppies also have the flexibility to arrive into your yard. If you have a puppy that is leaping around your fence or heading less than your fence this may well be a way to prevent that, making use of both of those a conventional fence and an invisible fence. It's vital to know that you must not just set up an invisible fence and let your dog loose while you go buying or to work. With out correct training you could end up with a doggy that thinks he must just run “genuinely fast” even though staying zapped by the fence.
If your pet is older with a coronary heart situation I would do my investigate about a product, particularly if he is a little breed. And I have seen very motivated puppies, motivated by cats, who have just run appropriate through the perimeter fence (really speedy). This is an additional issue to consider.
This is a terrific choice if you can let your puppy stay in the garage with a doggie doorway to the exterior. Staying capable to go in the garage is good for an out of doors dog since of the defense from the components. You just have to make absolutely sure that your doggy can not escape your home. Doggie doors give your dog solutions and a small a lot more independence. They can select if they want to go bask in the solar or lay on the great concrete flooring. You can obtain pet doorways at most pet retail retailers.
Operate Strains and Tethers
Individually I consider that placing a puppy on a operate line is an accident waiting around to take place. Particularly if you have more than one puppy on individual lines. Canine can bounce over fences, pet houses and factors you would not even imagine about and get harm or worse. Chaining a puppy to a thing is a different incident waiting around to occur. Ample mentioned.
You should get into consideration that all canines are different in size, tolerance, and intellect. Some significant puppies can remain at the rear of a two foot fence and under no circumstances test to escape. Some smaller canine can remain driving a 6 foot fence and determine out a way in excess of the best. If you have your doggy spayed or neutered they have fewer motivation to go roaming. If you make the time at the home additional exciting than running amok away from the household your pet dog is additional probable to stick all-around.
If you leave your canine unattended they should not be wearing a choke collar.
They can get caught inside of a kennel, outdoors on a tree or stuck to a drinking water sprinkler. Even if you believe your assets is protected, they can uncover one thing to get stuck on and potentially choke.
Resource by Katherine Durr

domain: pet


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Police: Man called out of work drunk, tried to rob workplace
OAKWOOD, Ga. — Police in Georgia say a man called out of his Steak ‘n Shake job because he was “intoxicated,” then showed up anyway and demanded money while holding a co-worker at gunpoint.
The Gainesville Times reports 20-year-old Kentarias Gowans, of Flowery Branch, is charged with offenses including aggravated assault. Oakwood Police investigator Todd Templeton says Gowans called out on Thanksgiving, went to the restaurant that night, held a gun to a co-worker’s head and demanded money.
Police say responding officers arrived to see employees running from the business, which had customers at the time. Police say an apparently still intoxicated Gowans briefly raised the gun at officers before dropping it. He was arrested after a brief struggle during which a stun gun was used.
It’s unclear if Gowans has a lawyer.
Stories that may interest you
A large explosion at an apparent industrial building in Houston left rubble scattered in the area, damaged homes and was felt for miles away
Thousands have rallied in Baghdad to demand American troops leave the country, though their numbers fell short of the “million-man” march called for by an influential Shiite cleric
Cybersecurity experts say there are many questions still unanswered from an investigation commissioned by Jeff Bezos that concluded the billionaire's phone was likely hacked after receiving a video file with malicious spyware from the WhatsApp account of Saudi Arabia's crown prince


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Photo by Heather Hambor
“Asheville, N.C.’s Jon Stickley has been playing in bluegrass bands for years, and is known as a progressive and adventurous flatpicker, but his musical roots and influences range widely to include rap, grunge, punk and more. When he teamed up with fiddler Lyndsay Pruett and drummer Patrick Armitage — originally as a lighthearted side project — the end result is a wonderfully unique sound that defies easy categorization. “Point To Point,” from the Jon Stickley Trio’s new album Lost At Last, is an original composition that captures the group’s fiery virtuosity perfectly.”
ASHEVILLE — Jon Stickley Trio is making waves with the independent and fan-funded release of their 2nd album, Lost at Last, on October 6, 2015. The originality and sheer energy of this genre-bending ensemble serves as a welcome wake up call for those who experience it. With roots in gypsy jazz, bluegrass, and hip-hop in an “exhilarating all-acoustic swirl” (Acoustic Guitar Magazine), Jon Stickley Trio combines Jon Stickley’s rapid-fire flatpicking guitar with the sultry and wild, yet refined, melodies of Lyndsay Pruett on violin set over the deep groove of Patrick Armitage on drums. The three have fused their collective styles into a repertoire of exciting and innovative original music along with some captivating covers. Lost at Last was recorded in the band’s hometown of Asheville, NC at the iconic Echo Mountain Studios under the watchful eye of producer Dave King (The Bad Plus).
The New York Times’ Nate Chinen writes “… there’s hardy cohesion among the players — no less on the Gypsy standard ‘Valse de Wasso’ than on ‘Darth Radar’ a turbocharged original with a ska upbeat and a shredding melody. And when Mr. Stickley and friends turn to bluegrass, as on ‘The High Road,’ by Tim O’Brien, they sound both respectful and free.” Premier Guitar Magazine also took note of “Darth Radar,” with Jason Shadrick calling it, “a rapid-fire take that moves from a serious ska beat to burning surf-style runs that would make Dick Dale proud.” Jon hosted a lesson at Premier Guitar’s website on one of his favorite techniques which uses the guitar’s natural harmonics to create a melody.
Lost at Last garnered the attention of NPR’s World Cafe to invite them to be part of their “Sense of Place” series in which XPN Radio (out of Philadelphia) brought their crew, including longtime host David Dye, to The Grey Eagle in Asheville in February 2016 for a sold out evening of entertainment including Jon Stickley Trio.
NPR Music featured “Point to Point” off Lost at Last on their program Heavy Rotation with Folk Alley’s Linda Fahey writing, “Jon Stickley has been playing in bluegrass bands for years, and is known as a progressive and adventurous flatpicker, but his musical roots and influences range widely to include rap, grunge, punk and more… [It’s] a wonderfully unique sound that defies easy categorization.”
Over the course of this album the trio has produced two “official” music videos. “Point to Point” recently was awarded three prizes at the 2016 Music Video Asheville including Judges Choice, People’s Choice and Best Soundtrack. Folk Alley premiered the video for “Rice Dream,” writing “Jon Stickley’s guitar harmonics and Lyndsay Pruett’s violin harmonics twine seamlessly together, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere and the end result is a bit unnerving in its intensity.”
Asheville-area NPR affiliate, WNCW, consistently sings praise of Jon Stickley Trio. The band placed #13 in WNCW’s Top 100 of 2015. Music Director and Morning Host Martin Anderson says, “Asheville has a force to be reckoned with in the tight three-piece perfection of the Jon Stickley Trio. It’s pretty incredible how closely the three play with their unique blend of Appalachian, jazz, maybe even prog-rock styles.” The Trio also placed in a couple of the WNCW Staff Top Ten Picks of 2015.
In December 2015, Jon Stickley Trio made an appearance on Nashville’s Music City Roots. “I made a point to get a long interview in with the Jon Stickley Trio before the show, because their debut album Lost At Last has had a big impact on me and my music geek friends. There’s a ton of thought and skill here, but the music also glides and grooves in ways that anyone can relate to,” says the show co-host and journalist Craig Havighurst. He goes on, “Stickley is a super-resourceful acoustic guitarist who uses the instrument in many surprising ways and whose timing is just flawless. Fiddler Lyndsay Pruett puts deep thought into her flowing solos, plus she adds little flourishes and sudden stops that elevate the music. Drummer Patrick Armitage studied for six years with Dave King, the astonishing drummer with The Bad Plus, and it shows in his phrasing and decisiveness.”
During their Music City Roots performance the Trio played three songs and received three standing ovations from packed audience. They also played a new song that will be on their forthcoming record coming out in the Fall of 2016 entitled “Echo Location.”
Prior to that performance and bringing at all full circle, Jon Stickley Trio returned to the setting of where Lost at Last was recorded, Echo Mountain Recording Studios, and performed for almost two hours for a live webcast on IAMAVL.com’s “Echo Sessions.”


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The statins form a class of hypolipidemic agents. They are used as pharmaceuticals to lower cholesterol levels in patients at risk for cardiovascular disease because of hypercholesterolemia.
The statins are (brand names in countries other than the US can be different):
Statins are the most potent cholesterol-lowering agents, lowering LDL-cholesterol (so-called "bad cholesterol") by 30–50%. However, they are less effective than the fibrates in reducing triglycerides and raising HDL-cholesterol ("good cholesterol"). As up to 50% of all circulating cholesterol originates in the diet, statins are theoretically only prescribed after dietary intervention has not had the desired effect. In practice, the yield of dieting is small, and many doctors omit this step altogether.
The statins play an important role in primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. There is ongoing research into other areas where statins appear to have an effect: inflammation, dementia, and neoplasm (tumors).
There are two groups of statins:
Of the groups, the former appears to be more effective in reducing LDL, but there is no clear explanation behind this phenomenon.
Mode of action
The HMG-CoA reductase pathway
Statins act by competitively inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, an enzyme of the HMG-CoA reductase pathway, the body's metabolic pathway for the synthesis of cholesterol.
Although statins inhibit endogenous cholesterol synthesis, their action goes further than that. By reducing intracellular cholesterol levels, liver cells upregulate expression of the LDL receptor, leading to increased clearance of Low-Density Lipoprotein from the bloodstream. This mechanism was clarified by Dr Michael S. Brown and Dr Joseph L. Goldstein, who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work in 1985.
Non-cholesterol related actions
Statins exhibit action beyond lipid-lowering activity in the prevention of atherosclerosis. There are four proposed mechanisms by which statins are thought to prevent cardiovascular disease (all are the subject of a large body of biomedical research):
- Improving endothelial function
- Modulate inflammatory responses
- Maintain plaque stability
- Prevent thrombus formation
While many patients develop muscle cramps and gastrointestinal upset on statin therapy, these usually resolve on temporarily lowering the dose. Liver enzyme derangements may occur, which generally return to normal after briefly discontinuing the drug. Some report headaches. Other side-effects are rare.
A main safety concern is rhabdomyolysis, the pathological breakdown of skeletal muscle leading to acute renal failure when muscle breakdown products damage the kidney. A 2004 study (Graham et al) found that if 10,000 patients are treated for one year, 0.44 of those will develop this side-effect. This is similar for all commonly used statins. Cerivastatin, which was withdrawn in 2001, had a much higher incidence (more than 10x higher). Combining any statin with a fibrate, another category of lipid-lowering drugs, increased the risks for rhabdomyolysis to almost 6.0 per 10,000 person-years.
Routine monitoring of liver enzymes and creatine kinase has now been abandoned by most physicians, although this is still considered prudent in those on high-dose statins or those on statin/fibrate combinations, and mandatory in muscle cramps or deterioration in renal function.
Research into inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase were commenced in 1971 by Dr Akira Endo and Dr Masao Kuroda of Tokyo, Japan (Endo 1992). This team reasoned that certain microorganisms may produce inhibitors of the enzyme to defend themselves against other organisms, as mevalonate is a precursor of many substances required by organisms for the maintenance of their cell wall (ergosterol) or cytoskeleton (isoprenoids).
The first agent to be isolated was mevastatin (ML-236B), a molecule produced by Penicillium citrinum . The pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. showed an interest in the Japanese research in 1976, and isolated lovastatin (mevinolin, MK803), the first statin to be commercially marketed, from the mold Aspergillus terreus .
- Endo A. The discovery and development of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. J Lipid Res 1992;33:1569-82. PMID 1464741.
- Furberg CD. Natural statins and stroke risk. Circulation 1999;99:185-188. PMID 9892578.
- Graham DJ, Staffa JA, Shatin D, Andrade SE, Schech SD, La Grenade L, Gurwitz JH, Chan KA, Goodman MJ, Platt R. Incidence of hospitalized rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with lipid-lowering drugs. JAMA 2004;292:2585-90. PMID 15572716.

domain: chemistry


MARIVELES, Bataan — Isinagawa ngayong Lunes ng umaga ang panunumpa sa tungkulin o oath taking ceremonies nila Mariveles Vice Mayor Angelito Rubia at ng pitong myembro ng Sangguniang Bayan sa Romalaine’s ..
MARIVELES, Bataan – Municipal officials of this industrial town is optimistic of the looming renovation of the historic town, which was one of the two starting points of infamous Death March in the province ..
MARIVELES, Bataan – The Local Government Unit of Mariveles headed by Mayor Ace Jello “AJ” Concepcion initially started to install 35 LED streetlights in Barangay Batangas II Proper here. The LGU project ..
BALANGA CITY – Last Wednesday, July 4, 2018, the delegation of Bataan headed by Governor Abet Garcia along with Mayors Francis Garcia of Balanga City, Gila Garcia of Dinalupihan, Ace Jello Concepcion ..
BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Mayor Ace Jello Concepcion of the industrial town of Mariveles in Southern Bataan is meticulously eyeing for a comprehensive infrastructure, housing and shelter development ..
MARIVELES, Bataan – A new commercial and office building was formally opened Monday afternoon at the Freeport Area of Bataan here. The formal rites were led by Miss Lilia Tamayo, president of Tamayo ..


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Tuesday 1:00 PM
Operator Precon - Potable
Selecting the Correct Chemical for the Right Treatment Application
This program will discuss the process of selecting the correct chemical for the treatment application. We will look at the perspectives of an engineer, an operator, and a supplier as we examine the process in determining the correct chemical use for the application. We will use examples to illustrate the thinking that goes into the evaluation of choosing the correct chemical.
Geza Ehrentreu - Viking Chemical Company
Geza is currently the Vice President of Operations and the Vice President of Water Resources for Viking Chemical Company located in Rockford, IL. He has been in the chemical distribution business in Illinois for 36 years. As part of his operations role, he coordinate the chemical safety training for the Viking Chemical staff and has provided safety training to Viking Chemical customers, both municipal and industrial for the same time frame. He serves as a member of Viking's Chlorine Response team and is a Hazwoper trained responder as well as a trainer.
Jack Kusek - McClure Engineering Associates
John Kusek lives in Spring Valley and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Bradley University. He has worked in the engineering field for 35 years, the past 24 years with McClure Engineering. Municipal engineering consumes much of his duties, with a focus in water and waste water treatment in central Illinois and eastern Iowa.
Ron Erickson is the Chief Water Plant Operator for the Village of Park Forest with over 35 years experience in the water works field. He is responsible for the supervision of a 5 MGD lime-soda ash treatment plant which includes aeration, softening, recarbination, filtration, chemical feed, and on site sodium hypochlorite generation. Ron has a Class A Water Operators License, is a member of ISAWWA, AWWA, APWA, and served as president of the South Suburban Water Works Association. He has chaired the Section’s Membership Committee, has been the recipient of the Diamond Pin Award, Top Recruiter Award, and hosted the 2008 Visitation Day. He has also been a course instructor, at The University of Wisconsin, College of Engineering, and Joliet Junior College.


I think my phone ate some of my photos from our afternoon adventure into the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, but luckily the gators didn’t eat us!
We’re working hard to collect our stamps for our National Wildlife Refuge Blue Goose Passport Program Stamp Book, and we ALWAYS love checking out the wildlife wherever we may be traveling!
Here, you can see all kinds of swamp life, including alligators, snakes, fish, birds, and of course, the Sandhill Cranes!
It’s a quick stop off of Interstate 10 if you are passing through Southern Mississippi, perhaps on your way to or from New Orleans, Louisiana, or Mobile, Alabama, or even the Florida Panhandle.
Get up close and personal with Native Wildlife of Southern Mississippi!
But, not too close!
Are you familiar with the National Wildlife Refuge Blue Goose Passport Program?
Learn more about it HERE!
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