by Christopher Bollyn
The Berlin Wall fell 20 years ago on November 9-10, 1989. Jewish-owned Music TV (MTV), Bono, and his band U2 will be celebrating along with millions of others the fall of the Berlin Wall while the entire world ignores its hideous cousin, the Israeli "Iron Wall" of separation.
So, why do so-called "political" singers like Bono ignore the very real suffering of millions of Palestinians and the new Berlin Wall that divides the Holy Land? Why does the music industry ignore the crisis in the Middle East, the illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the illegal occupation of Palestine by Zionist Jews who desecrate the Holy Land? Where has the music gone?
Bono, a friend of presidents Bush and Clinton, will be giving a "free" concert at the Brandenburg Gate, the famous 18th Century portal to the city of Berlin. Today, 20 years after reunification, Berlin is the most modern, clean, and civilized metropolis in the world. It is the capital of the most prosperous nation in Europe and the Number One exporter in the world. It's easy for MTV and Bono to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall 20 years later -- but if they really cared about freedom and equality for all men why don't they do a free concert in occupied-Bethlehem or Jerusalem in front of the wall of the Zionist fortress state of Israel? Why doesn't President Barack Hussein Obama II call on the Israeli leaders to tear down this wall, as President Reagan did to the Soviet leadership? Neither Obama nor Bono would dare to speak out against Israeli apartheid policies or Zionist war crimes because they are owned and controlled by the Zionist Jews who made them what they are.
This is why the music has gone into the gutter and why there is no anti-war music or resistance music today. The Zionist Jews have taken over the entire music industry, lock, stock, and barrel. It is the same with the press media, the television networks, and the film industry. The whole shebang is completely controlled by Zionist Jews. The Zionist masters own the big record labels and send the musicians they own to Israel to try and improve the image of the criminals who run the Zionist state.
Read the rest at Bollyn


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Bihar Police Admit Card 2017: The Bihar Staff Selection Commission has finished the online application process for the recruitment of Sub-inspector of Police Posts. A large number of candidates have applied in these vacancies and now they can download Bihar Police SI Hall Ticket 2017. Candidates can download Bihar Police Admit card 2017 from official website biharpolice.bih.nic.in. Applicants are advised to carry their Bihar Police Exam Call Letter 2017 at the time of examination.
- Download Bihar Police Admit Card 2017: Available Now
- Date of the Bihar Police Exam 2017: 12th July 2017
Bihar Police Admit Card 2017: Sub-Inspector Exam Call Letter
The candidates who have applied in the Bihar Police Recruitment 2017 can download the Bihar Police Admit Card 2017 from official website of Bihar Police i.e. csbc.bih.nic.in/. The steps the candidate need to follow to download the admit card is provided below:
- Log on to the official website csbc.bih.nic.in/ACards.asp
- Click on the link labeled as the post you have applied in
- Enter the details asked, it will be your application number most probably
- Save the Bihar Police Admit card and take a printout of it for future use.
The Selection of the candidates to fill up the vacancies will be based on:
- Written/Aptitude Exam
- Physical Tests
- Medical Tests
Bihar Police Constable Recruitment Exam Pattern: The question in the written exam for Bihar Police Constable Recruitment will be from the following fields:
- Civics and Sciences
During the exam the following points are to be taken care of:
- Don’t forget to carry the Bihar Police Exam Admit Card along with you
- You should also carry a government recognized ID Proof in the Examination Centre.
- Any unfair means should not be adopted in the Bihar Police Exam
Bihar Police SI Admit Card 2017:
The candidates who have applied in various posts of Bihar Police can download the Bihar Police Constable Exam Admit Card. We have updated the link of admit card. Please visit this website regularly to keep yourself updated with all the latest news and updates. Any queries are most welcomed in the comments sections below.

domain: law


DesignDC 2021: Reboot and Rebound, will take place virtually on September 21 & 22. In-person tours will take place on September 23.
Meeting the challenges of climate change, a regional housing crisis, and a strained economy has never been more urgent. To Reboot and Rebound, architects and designers have a unique and important role in shaping the future of the region.
DesignDC 2021 will give attendees the tools and solutions they need for comprehensive design strategies that integrate all aspects of resiliency to bring back the built environment stronger than ever. Join us to discover:
- Strategies for renewal to remedy the region’s social and economic challenges as we emerge from Covid-19
- Sustainable and equitable solutions to accommodate the District’s projected population growth while maintaining quality and affordability for those who need it most
- Strengthening existing neighborhoods and Main Streets to be vibrant and walkable
- Support of the Mayor’s plan to provide 36,000 new housing units by 2025, distributed through all eight wards, with 12,000 new or preserved affordable units
Questions? Contact AIA|DC at email@example.com


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text:
Head down, crystal tears of angels innocence,
You are like a hungry cat wanting food.
Can't you see by the tells I say, these hints
Pushing you aside to not feel my hurt mood.
Your kitten followers must hate me as I
Would that is why I gave leave seen as lies.
Brushing against me with my back turned pace,
You stay.... still, rivers flow down my face.
Why do you hesitate to stay around my space?
Your followers will treat me like another race.
You die inside, I can feel it like shots
Of needles given forever, all over you, dots.
Read this poem in other languages
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
Poet's Notes about The Poem
Comments about this poem (Kittens Innocence by Patrick Wan )
- Finding Gold, douglas scotney
- My Thirst, michael walkerjohn
- Musty Shadows, RoseAnn V. Shawiak
- Word Fright, michael walkerjohn
- Another Thought, RoseAnn V. Shawiak
- On Bullying, Holly Moon
- Luck's Drawl, michael walkerjohn
- No bounds, hasmukh amathalal
- Childhood Anger, RoseAnn V. Shawiak
- Red and White, michael walkerjohn
Poem of the Day
- The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost
- Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, Dylan Thomas
- Still I Rise, Maya Angelou
- Dreams, Langston Hughes
- Annabel Lee, Edgar Allan Poe
- A Dream Within A Dream, Edgar Allan Poe
- Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, Robert Frost
- Fire and Ice, Robert Frost
- If You Forget Me, Pablo Neruda
- Emmonsail's Heath in Winter, John Clare
(March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963)
(16 August 1920 – 9 March 1994)
(4 April 1928 - 28 May 2014)
Edgar Allan Poe
(19 January 1809 - 7 October 1849)
(12 July 1904 – 23 September 1973)
(30 October 1885 – 1 November 1972)
(1 February 1902 – 22 May 1967)
(27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953)
(31 October 1795 – 23 February 1821)
- Heather Burns

domain: literature


Thursday, September 08, 2016
Do you have a ticket to ride?
Transportation and Travels:
Using Fixed Route and Paratransit!
Come to this training to learn how to navigate the public transit system and how to apply for DART paratransit services. This training will build confidence for individuals with disabilities who wish to use public transportation to travel to work, appointments, or community events independently.
Webinar Training will be held on 09/19/16 at 2pm-3pm
In-Person Training will be held on 09/20/16 at 2pm-4pm
Please make reasonable accommodation requests at least one week in advance.
In-Person Training will be held at
ABLE SOUTH CAROLINA
136 Stonemark Lane, Ste. 100
Columbia, SC 29210


text:
Find your hope, then, on the ground under your feet.
Your hope of Heaven, let it rest on the ground underfoot.
The world is no better than its places. Its places at last
are no better than their people while their people
continue in them. When the people make
dark the light within them, the world darkens.


text:
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In this episode, NG tank driver rolls through a quaint town with his unstopable NewGrounds tank!
The best yet. Now I'm gonna go watch the others
keep up this saga
its pretty funny
DIE KITTY DIE!!!
I love to see another catlover like me...KILL'EM ALL hehehhe..
Best Out Of The First Five.
I've Only Seen The First Five, So I Don't Know Know If There Are Any Better Ones, But I'll Look.
Detective Nwar engages in modern nwarfare.
It's a picture that moves.
Music video for Savlonic's Broken single from their new album.
newgrounds.com — Your #1 online entertainment & artist community! All your base are belong to us.

domain: entertainment


text:
Istria´s natural beauty, the stunning shoreline and continental climate are perfect for a sophisticated holiday. Emerald-blue waters and secluded pebble shores sit effortlessly beside historic cities and natural wonders. Further inland, romantic hill top towns rich in culture and hospitality warmly embrace visitors with home-cooked cuisine – offering rustic retreats ideal for rest and relaxation.View villas in Istria
Istria’s charming, historic towns have seen much in their time. Today their unique culture and beautiful setting endears the region to holidaymakers who want to slow down, relax and really live their holiday destination. Our Istria villas offer just the place to do so. Learn more about Istria
If you're having trouble finding the ideal villa, we're here to help. You'll need somewhere that really feels like your home from home. Where everything is taken care of, so your only worries are which beach or sun lounger you’ll choose today. We've put together some of our top picks, so the villa of your dreams could be just a few clicks away.
Need some inspiration to help choose your perfect villa? Looking for a pool with a view, a villa in the centre of the action, or a property that sleeps a large group? James can recommend villas to suit you. Browse through our villas that have that specific something you're looking for.
The combination of coast and mountains in the Istrian region provide extremely varied leisure facilities. Hiking, cycling and pony trekking are popular activities through winding country lanes, rolling hills and coastal pathways. Beautiful rocky beaches line the rugged shores while underwater ancient wrecks, coral reefs and caves are inhabited by schools of colourful fish.
Waterskiing, windsurfing and tennis are all available to try, or visit the scattering of neighbouring islands and national parks to breathe in the fresh, clean country air.
Built in old stone, Istria’s main bustling summer holiday resorts on the Istrian coast are a delightful mix of narrow cobbled streets and Venetian-style houses. Picturesque squares reveal a medieval urban structure, alongside old town walls, Baroque churches and fortresses. Explore ancient Roman influences and medieval settlings - found in equal measures in Istria’s main resorts and in tiny historic hamlets scattered amongst the rolling hills. Byzantine mosaics and sculptures are widely celebrated and on display, while local pastimes are regularly practised across the region.
Plenty of small restaurants, pizzerias, café-bars and galleries line the waterfront resorts. Its calm, relaxing atmosphere is perfect for casual dining and late-night coffee drinking. Known as a region for concerts, film and culture, you’ll find evening entertainment varies between the main coastal areas - from musical events to art, sculpture and dance.
A sprinkling of cocktail bars and busier nightspots are on offer, but the discreet, social atmosphere lends itself more readily to the traditional Croatian way of life.
Local dishes are depicted by Croatia’s history, with strong Italian and Austrian influences. Expect to find freshly grilled fish, soups and stews on the coast, and pastas, wild boar and truffles further inland. Istrian hospitality has evolved into a tradition that is widely shared with visitors enjoying a villa holiday. Rural estates offer dishes prepared in the traditional style of ancient recipes - washed down with locally brewed beer and wonderful wines that you can either enjoy there or in the comfort of your own private villa. A simple sign ‘vino’ means you are passing an area rich in farms and tasting houses.
Sample truffles, or ‘black gold’, in one of the charming restaurants in the fortified, medieval town of Motuvan.
Feast at a local farm restaurant where you’ll be welcomed in for a home-cooked meal.
Explore the narrow cobbled streets of the old Roman and medieval town of Porec and climb the bell tower of the 6th century basilica for panoramic views.
Visit the lovely coastal towns of Porec, Pula or Rovinj and Take a day trip on a fast ferry to Venice.
Step back in time in the magnificent Roman amphitheatre at Pula – a complete contrast to the busy working town that surrounds it.
Take a boat tour around the Brijuni Islands.
Sample some Istrian wines at one of the vineyards cellars.
95% of 7791 customers would travel with us again.
Let's face it, when it comes to reviews you want to hear from straight from the holidaymaker's mouth! They're the ones who've been there, done that and swam in their own private pool. That's why we use independent review service Reevoo – giving you the good and the bad from genuine James Villas' customers. Honesty is the best policy after all…

domain: geography


text:
Library Director Pat Leach discusses a selection of books from the 2018 American Library Association Notable Books list.
My posting of books I’ve read from the American Library Association Notable Books list has backed up a little. I finished “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr earlier this spring, and yet it has stuck with me.
The winner of the 2015 Pulitzer Price for fiction, it follows two young people through World War II. Doerr tells the stories of a blind French girl named Marie Laure, and a brilliant young German solider, Werner Pfennig, at first separately, but then draws them close together in an artillery-racked city. Neither child has an easy life. Maure Laure, whose mother is dead, loses her sight when she is six. Werner, growing up in a German orphanage, seems destined for the life of a miner.
And yet, each is gifted. Maurie Laure’s loving father teachers her to become independent and walk around Paris on her own; his job as locksmith at the Museum of Natural History provides the perfect home for her remarkable intellectual curiosity.
Werner figures out how to repair and build radios. His homemade radio allows him and his sister to listen in on fascinating science-related transmissions from France. His natural math skills bring him to the attention of the German war machine. He works on a critical device that reveals the source of radio transmissions.
Radios play a key role in the story–in talking about this book, Doerr described how he was inspired by the wonder of cell phones, which we now take for granted, the wonder of communication virtually through the air. He weaves this into both characters, with Marie Laure and her great-uncle transmitting information to the resistance via radio, and Werner using radio technology to home in on their location to shut them down, or worse.
Anthony Doerr creates these two remarkable characters, both missing so much, and yet who have so much. The war takes one thing after another from them, until they encounter each other just once, in the heavily bombed French coastal town of St. Malo. Doerr draws a compelling background of Europe in the midst of World War II, but the novel really shines in the characters he creates.
A Library Journal reviewer said, “The novel presents two characters so interesting and sympathetic that readers will keep turning the pages hoping for an impossibly happy ending.” What I found frustrating, but entirely reasonable, are the loose ends Doerr leaves. The nature of war is that some people’s fates will never be known. The novel ends in our own time with the people who remain, carrying on even with those holes in their hearts.
I usually reflect on whether each title on the Notable Books List deserves to be called “notable.” This book more than earns the label, beginning with many fascinating parts, and shaping them into something both heartbreaking and beautiful, and whole.
I’m just now getting caught up on reviewing several books I recently finished. I had taken plenty of time reading “Year Zero: A History of 1945” by Ian Buruma, from the nonfiction part of the Notable Books list. I began it in May or so, read about three quarters of it, and set it aside until a few weekends ago, when I determined to finish it.
It’s a sweeping look at the year after the end of World War II, a time when people began making organization out of the chaos of the war. Buruma addresses various topics in three general sections, describing the situation in Europe, in Asia, and in other parts of the world impacted by the war. Some chapters are primarily how individuals adjusted–how hunger, exultation, and revenge played out. Later chapters address institutions and cultures, such as how the allied countries went about re-educating the German and Japanese people. A theme that recurs is the complexity of relationships–few people, groups, or countries were entirely “clean” in motive and behavior. This is what will stick with me from “Year Zero.”
Buruma introduces the book with the story of his Dutch father, who was kidnapped as a college student to work in a factory in Berlin. When the war ended, he nearly died of starvation, but eventually made it home. His story led Buruma to ponder all of the stories, all of the adjustments, all of the things that had to be set right.
As a reader, I found this information, and Buruma’s approach, interesting. Its drawback is that his basic idea, to explore this chaotic time in regard to several aspects, and spanning continents, keeps him from developing a strong narrative thread. The view is awfully wide, and not especially deep. Certainly he explores interesting themes, but without the strong storytelling structure that would create a more compelling book.
Even so “Year Zero” addresses an era of interest to many readers. I expect that for those who are quite familiar with the time period, Buruma’s rich information and perspective will add much to their own already-developed sense of the war’s story.
“The Skies Belong to Us: Love and Terror in the Golden Age of Hijacking” by Brendan I. Koerner continues my trek through this year’s Notable Books list.
From the nonfiction side of the list, this book uses the story of one airline hijacking event in 1972 to explore the “epidemic” of hijacking in the 1960s and 1970s, before screenings and metal detectors became part of the airport landscape.
It makes for interesting reading, how Koerner keeps the thread of the 1972 hijacking intact as he weaves in additional information. In some ways it reads like true crime, this story of Roger Holder, a black Vietnam veteran struggling with mental illness and addiction, and Cathy Kerkow, his white “hippie” girlfriend. Koerner does a fine job describing their story in the social context of the time. That story extends long after the plane they hijack lands in Algiers.
A couple of quibbles–throughout the book, Koerner refers to “stewardesses” instead of “flight attendants.” That would be the vernacular of the day, but it seemed outdated when he was writing from a contemporary viewpoint. Second, Koerner often writes as if he knew what Kerkow was thinking or feeling. Because she disappears years after the events of the story, Koerner could not have interviewed her, and none of his many notes shows a written record of her thoughts or emotions during the complicated hijacking or the chaotic period that followed.
Even so, I’ll recommend this to people who seek social history, and to those who are especially interested in the era of the 1960’s. I could see this being a strong nonfiction choice for book groups who usually read fiction. Holder and Kerkow’s story illuminates many issues of their era, a number of which remain lively and relevant.
Oh, to be in the hands of a master storyteller. That is where I spent a recent weekend, reading Edwidge Dandicat’s “Claire of the Sea Light.”
Set in the author’s native Haiti, this contemporary novel begins with Claire at seven, visiting her mother’s grave on her own birthday. Her mother died giving birth to Claire, and so this day establishes the pattern of the story, life and death side by side. Eventually her father makes the difficult decision to give Claire up to a woman in town, and that is when Claire disappears.
It is also when Dandicat’s storytelling genius emerges, backing away from the intensity of the disappearance, using each of the next six chapters to tell the story of someone whose life connects eventually to Claire. After that series of flashbacks, the story returns to Claire herself.
Dandicat’s writing includes just what it needs to, homing in on the most important details, elegantly including just what is needed, and almost nothing more.
When I started this book I knew it was about a girl’s disappearance, and I worried that it would be too dark, too intense, and too hopeless. Without stooping to cheap hopefulness, Dandicat weaves in the sea light of Claire’s name. Hope is not too bright, and despair not too dark, when they remain so close to each other.
I’ll recommend this to people who love a good story, well told. No wonder it’s on the American Library Association Notable Books List.

domain: artistic


text:
To regular Daddy Types readers, this architect couple's dilemma hits home: "My husband and I were constantly looking for furniture, clothing, and toys that would complement our modern style. Unfortunately, it was much more difficult than we
imagined." Not one to sit idly by, Tami Ngyuen Rael started designing items for her and her kids, then formed a company, Ismodern, to sell them to like-minded parents.
Targeting the woefully underserved "dry clean only" baby blanket market [???], Ismodern has launched a range of minimalist-patterned throws in beautifully colored silks and other fabrics. Each blanket is handmade and sells for $90. Custom orders are also available, in case your modern style demands your kid have, not only a blanket that costs you $8 every time he drools or spits up on it, but one that's utterly unlike anyone else's.

domain: design


text:
Upload your photos, chat, win prizes and much more
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You are the master of lion images, Peter Carol
i do so enjoy photographing flowers and dandelions and roses are definitely my favourites. i have enjoyed doing this recent series of dandelion photographs and approaching each one in a different visual way
Wonderful detail in this, so very well done Peter.
thank you peter, it was a joy to create
i agree with carol. this is another good one, p. =)
thanks c =) i'm patiently waiting for the next flowers to come to the garden so i can enjoy capturing them as well
A beautiful capture
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APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) Domestic abuse was the topic at a forum at Appleton Public Library Thursday night. As part of the library's Walk a Mile in My Shoes program, victims of domestic abuse spoke one-on-one with members of the community. It's a chance for people to ask questions and gain a better insight into serious issues.
Harbor House, a domestic abuse shelter, has been over capacity for nearly a year. One abuse survivor says sharing her story will help her and the community heal. Karen Kelley was abused most of her life. She'll share her story of survival with us at 10.


text:
Kalliope Reed Trio performs the Found Objects: On the Beach by Jenni Brandon at their benefit concert for Energize Lexington promoting local environmental activism. Kalliope Reed Trio will also perform nature-inspired works:
Found Objects: On the Beach — Jenni Brandon
Menage a Trio — Adrienne Albert
72 Miles Becky – Turro
Suite pour trio d’anches – Alexandre Tansman
The concert is on Friday, July 23, 2021, at 4:30pm PDT in Lexington, Massachusetts. This is an in-person event taking place at the Follen Community Church, 755 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420 781-862-3805. The concert features free admission, and all donations will support Energize Lexington.
The Kalliope Reed Quintet, founded in 2019, is the first professional reed quintet in New England. As a contemporary chamber ensemble and one of the first 50 reed quintets worldwide, their mission is to expand and diversify the reed quintet repertoire and to further strengthen the role of contemporary chamber music in the 21st century by presenting unique, engaging, and educational programs to communities locally and worldwide.
Persevering through the many unexpected challenges of 2020, in the last year the Kalliope Reed Quintet has commissioned 14 new works for reed quintet, arranged 12 more, presented a 6 concert online summer series, founded the Kalliope Trio, and received funding to record their first album.
Found Objects: On the Beach for oboe, clarinet, and bassoon tells of finding objects on the beach – from tumbled stones to sea glass; from driftwood to black feathers on the sand and the seashells that populate the beach as far as the eye can see. A six-movement work approximately 23 minutes in length.
Premiered by the PEN Trio (Nora Lewis-oboe, Phillip Paglialonga-clarinet, and the late Dr. Eric Van der Veer Varner-bassoon), this work is published by TrevCo Music Publishing on the new PEN Trio Collection Series!


text:
Oil up 3 percent as Brexit chances dim; gasoline surges too
By Barani Krishnan
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose 3 percent on Monday, settling higher for a second straight day, after polls showing a lower likelihood of Britain leaving the European Union while U.S. gasoline surged 5 percent in anticipation of peak summer driving demand.
Data from market intelligence firm Genscape pointing to a drawdown of 568,213 barrels at the Cushing, Oklahoma delivery base for U.S. crude futures in the week to June 17 was also supportive, said traders who saw the numbers.
A Reuters poll also showed total U.S. crude stockpiles likely fell 1.9 million barrels last week, declining for a fifth straight week.
U.S. gasoline futures RBc1 jumped 5 percent, their most in six weeks, as the rally in crude extended to refined oil products. Traders cited speculative buying in gasoline ahead of the July 4 Independence Day weekend when summer driving usually hits a high in the United States.
"Demand has been very strong year-over-year for gasoline and coupled with the peak driving season just ahead of us, we got a strong bid today that should continue in the short term," said Chris Jarvis, analyst at Caprock Risk Management in Frederick, Maryland.
Crude futures rose after three opinion polls ahead of Thursday's vote on Britain's future in the EU showed the 'Remain' camp recovering some momentum, although the overall picture was of an evenly split electorate. Traders said Britain's exit, or "Brexit," could cause economic turmoil to Europe and beyond.
The British pound climbed 2.3 percent to $1.4685 against the dollar. A weaker dollar makes commodities denominated in the greenback more attractive for other currency holders.
Brent crude futures' front-month contract, August, settled up $1.48, or 3 percent, at $50.65 a barrel. The contract has risen 7 percent since Thursday's settlement, after falling 10 percent in six previous sessions. Continued...

domain: economics


text:
It's Not About Perfect: Competing for My Country and Fighting for My Life
When she retired at age 19, Shannon Miller did so as one of the most recognizable gymnasts in the country. The winner of seven Olympic medals and the most decorated gymnast, male or female, in U.S. history, Shannon tells a story of surviving and thriving. A shy, rambunctious girl raised in Oklahoma, Shannon fell in love with gymnastics at a young age and fought her way to the top.
After watching gymnasts flip across the T.V. screen, Tina wants to do nothing but gymnastics at all hours of the day. But Tina learns that even a cartwheel is not as easy as it looks. She just can't land on her feet. Now it's time for her first gymnastics lesson. ...
The book Tina Tumbles is signed by several Olympic gymnasts.
Donated By Whimsical World

domain: library


text:
The South African Police in Jeffreys Bay moved swiftly yesterday and arrested 11 EFF members for failing to comply with a court order after they allegedly threatened Clicks employees and customers at Fountains Mall.
Several shops in the vicinity of Clicks closed their doors after the EFF barged into the Mall and attempted to chain closed the doors of the Clicks store.
Mall management tried to reason with the protesters but they refused to leave the area.
Customers of Clicks were attempting to access the store to receive their chronic medication.
The South African Police arrived and told the protesters that they were in violation of a court order and risked being arrested if they did not disperse.
The EFF said they were going nowhere and would ensure that Clicks remained closed, leaving the Police little other option but to arrest them.
The 11 protesters will appear in court today in Humansdorp.

domain: news


text:
« All Events
Open Mic Night @theBrewCabin w/ JD Nadeau
October 4, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Retro microphone on stage in restaurant. Blurred background
Join us for Open Mic Night
Hosted by JD Nadeau.
Bring your craft and show your voice, your song, your poetry & yes, your jokes but leave the karaoke at home…


text:
As of February 2021, nine sites had been designated historic landmarks by Sangamon County.
*The George Power Courthouse (Cantrall)
*The Brunk Farmstead (Rochester)
*The Lincoln-Van Buren Trail (between Rochester and Springfield)
*Sangamon Ordnance Plant water tower (Illiopolis)
*Inn of the Lamplighter swimming pool (6600 S. Sixth St., Springfield)
*Bethel Cemetery Buffalo
*Buffalo Hart Presbyterian Church
*Churchill Cemetery, also known as Bissell Cemetery orf German Hill Cemetery (Colt Road, Springfield)
*Mechanicsburg Christian Church
Original content copyright Sangamon County Historical Society. You are free to republish this content as long as credit is given to the Society. Learn how to support the Society.
ACORDING TO SANGAMON CO HISTORIC SOCIETY NATHAN DOTY 0F 1860 WAS A GREAT FRIEND OF ABERHAM LINCOLN. IS THERE ANY MORE INFO ON THAT.
OK, I found the biography below in the 1912 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois. I assume you’ve seen it? Since he was from Williamsville, you probably should try to contact the library and museum there. They are one of the more active history groups in Sangamon County.
DOTY, NATHAN who has for half a century occupied his present home in Williamsville, Ill, has for the past ten years lived retired from active life. He is a native of New York State, born March 12, 1827, son of Abraham and Hannah (Campbell) Doty, both natives of New York, the former born in 1801. The parents spent their entire lives in New York. The father was descended from Mayflower emigrant and the mother was of English descent. They were parents of eight children, and Nathan, one of seven sons, is the only survivor.
Nathan Doty received his early education in Berkshire County, Mass. He helped with the work on his father’s farm as a young man and when he left home engaged in farming on his own account. He came west in December, 1856, reaching Williams Township, Sangamon County, January 1, 1857, and there engaged in farming for a few years, then located in Williamsville, where for fifteen years he conducted a general merchandise establishment. He was for several years manager of the Council Elevator in Williamsville and for the past ten years has lived retired from active life. He has been fairly successful and has accumulated some other property besides his nice home in Williamsville. He is prominent in local affairs and one of the prominent men of his community, whose good judgment and ability is generally recognized.
The marriage of Mr. Doty occurred in Lakeville, Conn., March 18, 1853, when he was united with Katherine Shaw, born in Cannon, Conn., March 22, 1853, daughter of Hiram Shaw, a native of New York, as was his wife. Hiram was a son of John Shaw and his wife spent their entire lives in the East. Of their ten children all are deceased except two, Katherine, Mrs. Nathan Doty, and of these three sons and two daughters still survive: William, a resident of Racine, Wis.; Nathan, a painter, living in Williamsville; Charles a clerk in the offices of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, living in Joliet; Emma, wife of Charles Slaughter, a farmer of Williams Township; Julia, wife of Charles Fishburn, living on a farm near Barclay, Sangamon County. There are thirteen grandchildren in the family.
Mr. Doty is a devout member of the Methodist Church and in politics is a Republican. He was for five years Overseer of the Poor in Sangamon County and served one years as Constable, serving in each office with credit and ability. He was personally acquainted with Abraham Lincoln and has many pleasant recollections of their friendship. He has worked very hard most of his life and has been successful through earnest effort and good business judgment. His integrity and honest have never been questioned and he is held in high esteem by all who know him.


Fall Guys returns to the surface after its free-to-play launch on June 21. The bright battle royale achieved a massive popularity spike on Twitch with the help of show tournaments featuring top content creators.
The adorable little beans are back! After months-long of a stagnant player base, Fall Guys decided to switch its game to free-to-play (f2p) and introduce the game to more platforms. This turns out to be the ultimate game-changer as it immediately skyrocketed to the top of Twitch.
Fall Guys is exploding on Twitch, again
Any Twitch regulars would remember the Fall Guys fever that rained on the platform two years ago. The battle royale developed by Mediatonic became a beacon of entertainment in the midst of the pandemic in 2020, but it gradually lost its hype. In early 2022, it hovered at around 6k to 8k average monthly players on Steam.
On June 21, 2022, Mediatonic decided to launch Fall Guys Free to Play and introduce the game to Xbox and Nintendo Switch. This caused a massive spike in its player base and it even celebrated a 50 million players milestone just recently. Alongside the surge of players, it also found an equivalent level of rising on Twitch.
Only two weeks after the big change, Fall Guys rises to the top of Twitch once again. According to Streams Charts, it was the 5th most-watched category on Twitch (28.35 million Hours Watched) from 21 June to 05 July. The game even made it ahead of big titles like CSGO, Apex Legends, and Fortnite.
Fall Guys’ growth on Twitch after f2p launch include:
- Hours Watched: From 4.8 million to 28.7 million (about a 500% increase)
- Peak Viewers: From 224K to 417K
- Channels stream: From 350 to 7.1K
The game has yet to reach the all-time milestone that it achieved during its peak in 2020. Nevertheless, it has only been two weeks since its f2p debut. We have yet to see if it can cross its record of 708,865 Peak Viewers or if its hype falters.
Twitch Rivals featuring ibai and xQc help push the momentum
A week after the f2p launch, Twitch Rivals presented a couple of Fall Guys show tournaments for North America, Brazil, and Europe. These tournaments featured top content creators that helped increase the game's exposure tremendously. Popular streamer, Amar, also organized an invitational for the game which helped grow its viewership. Here is a quick summary of the Twitch Rivals Fall Guys viewership across all three regions as well as the Amar Bruch Invitational.
Amar Bruch Inv.
Hours Watched (HW)
Peak Viewers (PV)
Average Viewers (AV)
The EU Twitch Rivals saw Ibai “ibai” Llanos Garatea leading the numbers with 187K HW and 81.5K PV. For the NA Twitch Rivals, Félix “xQc” Lengyel is responsible for almost 50% of the viewership with 314K HW and 81K PV.
Fall Guys is still on a roll with consistent high viewership now. To see more stats for Fall Guys on Twitch, you can go to Streams Charts.


SHARKS STRUGGLE AGAINST CANUCKS
The San Jose Sharks failed to win at home for the second straight game, bested by another nautical themed team in the Vancouver Canucks. The San Jose Sharks, who dropped their first ever game against the Seattle Kraken, looked more out of sync in the 5-2 loss against Vancouver. Even worse, the loss added more fuel to a growing trend amongst the fan base that are beginning to blame the team's inability to play winning hockey on their alternate jersey.
Whether this new fascination of "breaking up" with the Stealth jersey is just a means to direct overall frustration with the franchise towards, or if it grows from an overwhelming desire for the return of the Heritage jersey, is yet to be concluded. Regardless on how fans feel about the threads, it cannot be ignored that the Sharks are 0-5 this season while wearing Black and Teal.
The only highs in the game that featured many lows for Sharks fans was the debut of Jayden Halbgewachs and Timo Meier scoring his 100th career NHL goal. Outside of Timo Time for the 100th time, Halbgewachs was the only player exhibiting any flair on the ice. As for the rest of the team, the lack of offense and mediocre goaltending was uninspiring. The Canucks will return to the Tank on Tuesday, following a 4 day weekend for Los Tiburones. Fans can only hope the Sharks show up too.


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Thursday, April 14, 2011
An Angel Runs Away
An Angel Runs Away is #45 in the Camfield series and was published in May 1987 by Jove for Barbara Cartland. Ula Forde is rescued by the Marquis of Raventhorpe, the man who helps her get away from her uncle and cousin. She doesn't know, though, if he wants to use her as an instrument of revenge?
This is an interesting cover of our couple in an attic space. Our heroine wears a native costume and the hero has arrived to comfort her. I think it may be a haven because of the books there. There is actually a lot of detail in this cover, which is unusual for this unknown artist.


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When Rebeca Sosa took over as chairwoman of the Miami-Dade County Commission two years ago, she 'eliminated the lunch break and bumped employee-appreciation ceremonies off the main agend.
The result: Commission meetings that once reliably stretched to the dinner hour and beyond instead finished by the afternoon under Sosa.
"You did what you said would do," Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz told Sosa Thursday during her last meeting as chair. "We got out early most meetings. I think we broke all the records."
In January, Commisisoner Jean Monestime takes over as the panel's first Haitian-American chair. Chairs serve for two years, and are elected by the 13-member panel. The first change may come to the commission's committee system.
When Sosa took over for then-commissioner Joe Martinez in late 2012, she expanded the panels from six to eight (and celebrated employee milestones at those sessions). Monestime is said to be considering a return to six committees in order to have fewer meetings and more commissioners on each panel. A recent Finance Committee meeting, with a $570 million property-tax allocation for Miami Beach on the agenda, was cancelled for lack of a quorum.
Monestime has the authority to set up the committees and name chairs, and he plans to announce the new set-up in January.
"You've led this body with such grace," Monestime told Sosa. "I'm happy I was able to sit here and watch how fluidly you've allowed these meetings to go forward."
Commissioner Javier Souto described Sosa as a task-master with a gentle touch. "She brought the whip," Souto said, "with the Vaseline."
Sosa called her election as chair "an incredible privilege." "I have been honored and blessed," she said.
She thanked the commission offices that fall under the chair's authority, and credited her fellow commissioners with cooperating in the new meeting regime.
"Whatever changes we made," she said, "we did it together."


Onkyo Integra A-810 Amplifier
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Motegi MotoGP: Lorenzo confident he can beat Pedrosa
|By Matt Beer||Friday, October 12th 2012, 08:33 GMT|
Jorge Lorenzo is confident he can beat Dani Pedrosa to victory in the Japanese Grand Prix despite the Honda's practice form.
You have viewed over 15 free stories this month. Why stop there? Click here to find out how to continue reading.


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Inhibition of Aldose Reductase by Gentiana lutea Extracts
Accumulation of intracellular sorbitol due to increased aldose reductase (ALR2) activity has been implicated in the development of various secondary complications of diabetes. Thus, ALR2 inhibition could be an effective strategy in the prevention or delay of certain diabetic complications. Gentiana lutea grows naturally in the central and southern areas of Europe. Its roots are commonly consumed as a beverage in some European countries and are also known to have medicinal properties. The water, ethanol, methanol, and ether extracts of the roots of G. lutea were subjected to in vitro bioassay to evaluate their inhibitory activity on the ALR2. While the ether and methanol extracts showed greater inhibitory activities against both rat lens and human ALR2, the water and ethanol extracts showed moderate inhibitory activities. Moreover, the ether and methanol extracts of G. lutea roots significantly and dose-dependently inhibited sorbitol accumulation in human erythrocytes under high glucose conditions. Molecular docking studies with the constituents commonly present in the roots of G. lutea indicate that a secoiridoid glycoside, amarogentin, may be a potential inhibitor of ALR2. This is the first paper that shows G. lutea extracts exhibit inhibitory activity towards ALR2 and these results suggest that Gentiana or its constituents might be useful to prevent or treat diabetic complications.
According to the latest WHO estimates, currently approximately 200 million people all over the world are suffering from diabetes. This may increase to at least 350 million by the year 2025, which could have a severe impact on human health . Prolonged exposure to chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes can lead to various complications affecting the cardiovascular, renal, neurological, and visual systems . Although mechanisms leading to diabetic complications are not completely understood, many biochemical pathways associated with hyperglycemia have been implicated . Among these, the polyol pathway has been extensively studied .
Aldose reductase (ALR2; EC: 188.8.131.52) belongs to aldo-keto reductases (AKR) super family. It is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the polyol pathway where it reduces glucose to sorbitol utilizing NADPH as a cofactor. Subsequently, sorbitol dehydrogenase catalyzes the conversion of sorbitol to fructose, thus constituting the polyol pathway . Accumulation of sorbitol leads to osmotic swelling, changes in membrane permeability, and also oxidative stress culminating in tissue injury . Experimental animal models suggest that the inhibition of ALR2 could be effective in prevention of certain complications . A number of ALR2 inhibitors (ARI) have been developed for diabetic complications; however, none of them has achieved worldwide use because of limited efficacy or undesirable side effects [6–9]. Largely, two chemical classes of ARI have been tested in phase III trials. While carboxylic acid inhibitors (zopolrestat, ponalrestat, and tolrestat) have shown poor tissue permeability and are not very potent in vivo, spiroimide (spirohydantoin) inhibitors such as sorbinil penetrate tissues more efficiently but many have been associated with skin reactions and liver toxicity [4, 7, 8, 10]. Thus, there is a need for developing and evaluating new ARI considering efficacy, selectivity, and safety issues. We have previously reported, using in vitro, ex vivo, and in animal models, that some common dietary sources such as spices, fruits and vegetables have the ARI potential [11–15].
Gentiana lutea, commonly known as bitter wort, is a plant belonging to the family Gentianaceae, which grows in the grassy alpine and subalpine pastures, usually on calcareous soils native to the mountains of central and southern Europe . The roots of G. lutea are commonly consumed as a beverage in some of the European countries and are also known to have medicinal properties due to the presence of bitter glycosides. However, so far ARI potential of any of the extracts of Gentiana has not been reported. Therefore, in the present study we have assessed the ARI potential of various extracts of G. lutea and report that secoiridoid glycosides and xanthone principles of G. lutea may be the potent inhibitors of ALR2. Further, these results are supported by molecular docking studies. We also investigated the effects of these extracts on intracellular sorbitol accumulation in red blood cells (RBC) under ex vivo high glucose conditions which reinforce the ARI potential of Gentiana.
2. Materials and Methods
Ammonium sulphate, D-glucose, DL-glyceraldehyde, dimethylsulfoxide, EDTA, glycine, lithium sulphate, 2-mercaptoethanol, methyl orange, NADPH, NADP, perchloric acid, sorbitol, sorbitol dehydrogenase, sucrose, and Tris-HCl were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO). All other chemicals and solvents were of analytical grade and were obtained from local companies.
2.2. Preparation of G. lutea Extracts
G. lutea roots used for ethanol, methanol, ether, and water extracts preparation were purchased from “Dr. Josif Pancic”, Institute of Medicinal Plant Research Belgrade, Serbia. Five grams of dried G. lutea roots were powdered and extracted with 100 mL of methanol, ethanol or ether, at room temperature, for 48 h, with occasional shaking. After filtering, the extracts were dried using a rotary evaporator (Buchi R-210/215) at 30–35°C, with yield of 37.8% of crude extract for methanol, 4.63% for ether, 31.76% for ethanol and 18.33% for water. The stock solutions containing 50 mg/mL methanol, 50 mg/mL ethanol, 100 mg/mL water and 40 mg/mL ether extracts were prepared immediately before use.
2.3. Separation and Characterization of Extracts from G. lutea
Chromatographic separations of the extracts were performed using a BEH C18 column (1.7 μm, 100 × 2.1 mm) on a Waters Acquity UPLC system, equipped with UV visible detector. Running of extracts was performed in gradient with mobile phase consisting of solvent (a) trifluoroacetic acid (0.1% v/v in water) and (b) acetonitrile/methanol mixture (85 : 15, v/v). The eluent flow rate was 0.3 mL min−1, the injection volume was 10 μL and detection was at 250 nm. MALDI-TOF mass spectra of UPLC fractions were acquired on a Voyager Biospectrometry DEPro Workstation (Perseptive Biosystems, Framingham, MA, USA). The system utilizes a 20 Hz pulsed nitrogen laser emitting at 337 nm.
2.4. Preparation of Rat Lens ALR2
Crude ALR2 was prepared from rat lens as described previously . Lenses were homogenized in 9 volumes of 100 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 6.2. The homogenate was centrifuged at 15,000 ×g for 30 min at 4°C and the resulting supernatant was used as the source of ALR2.
2.5. Expression and Purification of Recombinant Human ALR2
Recombinant human ALR2 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified from bacterial cultures essentially as described previously [14, 17] with a minor modification. Chromatography over AffiGel Blue (Bio-Rad) affinity matrix was used in final purification step.
2.6. Aldose Reductase (ALR2) Assay
ALR2 activity was assayed as described previously . The assay mixture in 1 mL contained 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 6.2, 0.4 M lithium sulphate, 5 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 10 mM DL-glyceraldehyde, 0.1 mM NADPH, and enzyme preparation (rat lens or recombinant enzyme). Appropriate blanks were employed for corrections. The assay mixture was incubated at 37°C and the reaction was initiated by the addition of NADPH at 37°C. The change in the absorbance at 340 nm due to NADPH oxidation was followed in a spectrophotometer (Lamda-35, Perkin-Elmer, Shelton, USA).
2.7. Inhibition Studies
For inhibition studies concentrated stocks of G. lutea extracts were prepared in water/DMSO. Various concentrations of these extracts were added to the ALR2 assay mixture and incubated for 5 min before initiating the reaction by NADPH as described above. The percent inhibition with test compounds was calculated considering the ALR2 activity in the absence of inhibitor as 100%. The concentration of each test sample giving 50% inhibition (IC50) was determined by nonlinear regression analysis of log concentration of extract versus percentage inhibition.
2.8. Molecular Docking
Molecular docking was done by discovery (Discover 2.7) package from (Biosystems Technologies, San Diego, CA, USA), on an O2 (R12000) Workstation (Silicon Graphics, Mountain View, CA, USA) and GOLD 3.1 (Genetic Optimized for Ligand Docking). All ligands were minimized and least energy conformations were taken for docking studies. Crystal structure of ALR2 was downloaded from Brookhaven data bank (PDB: 1PWM) and protein structure minimized by using charmM force field. All water molecules were removed. Docking was done by discovery ligandfit module in a protein-created sphere of about 12 Å around the active site. After docking, poses were viewed by DS Viewer and PoseView (Biosolve IT) and LigandScout.
2.9. In Vitro Incubation of RBC
Five mL blood was collected from healthy male volunteers on overnight fasting in heparinized tubes. The study protocols were approved by Institutional Ethics Committee. Red blood cells were separated by centrifugation and washed thrice with isotonic saline. Washed RBC were suspended in Kreb’s-ringer bicarbonate buffer, pH 7.4 (preequilibrated with 5% CO2) and incubated at 37°C in presence of 5% CO2 for 3 h under normal (5.5 mM) and high glucose (55 mM) conditions [13, 14]. The effect of G. lutea extracts on sorbitol accumulation was evaluated by incubating RBC with different concentrations of extracts.
2.10. Estimation of Sorbitol in RBC
At the end of the incubation period, RBC was homogenized in 9 volumes of 0.8 M perchloric acid. The homogenate was centrifuged at 5,000 ×g at 4°C for 10 min and the pH of the supernatant was adjusted to 3.5 with 0.5 M potassium carbonate. The sorbitol content of the supernatant was measured by fluorometric method as described previously  using a spectrofluorometer (Jasco-FP 6500, Japan).
3.1. Characterization of the Extracts from G. lutea
The UPLC chromatogram indicated the presence of at least 10 compounds in methanol extract (Figure 1). Partial characterization of the methanol extract was performed using MALDI-TOF, after its separation and fractionation by UPLC. MALDI-TOF analysis of methanol extract indicated the possible presence of the following compounds: gentisin, bellidifolin-8-O-glucoside, demethylbellidifolin-8-O-glucoside, isovitexin, swertiamarin, amarogentin, and gentiopicroside (Table 1). Water extracts were also analyzed by MS and this confirms the presence of the above-mentioned compounds characteristic of G. lutea. There was no evidence of swertisin and demethylbellidifolin presence in the methanol extract of G. lutea. Gentiopicroside is further quantified using UPLC-TUV chromatography (retention time 3.31 min) which revealed that its portion in G. lutea methanol extract was 7.79%. This result is in accordance with previously published data [19, 20]. However, the other important bitter component, amarogentin, was detected only in traces using MALDI-TOF, since it is present in lower amount (0.025–0.4%) in the cortex of the root [19, 20].
3.2. Inhibition of ALR2 by G. lutea Extracts
All the four extracts of G. lutea were tested for their ALR2 inhibitory potential. The representative inhibition curves of rat and human recombinant ALR2 are presented in Figure 2, and the corresponding IC50 values of all the extracts are also presented in Table 2. Out of these, while aqueous and ethanol extracts of G. lutea moderately inhibited, the methanol and ether extracts significantly inhibited rat lens ALR2 and the recombinant ALR2 (Table 2). The methanol and ether extracts inhibited rat lens ALR2 with an IC50 value of 112 μg and 79 μg (Figure 2(a)), respectively. In case of human recombinant ALR2, methanol and ether extract showed an IC50 value of 23 μg (Figure 2(b)) and 36 μg, respectively.
3.3. Docking Studies
Further, molecular docking studies were carried out with commonly known constituents of G. lutea (Table 3). For this, thirteen different compounds selected from various reported studies were used [21–25] which include some compounds identified from our own analysis. Among the thirteen compounds, it was observed that amarogentin showed the highest dock score and possibly interacts with active site residues His-110, Trp-111, Leu-300, and Leu-301. It forms hydrogen bond with Trp-20, His-110, and Leu-300 and hydrophobic interactions with Trp-219. Based on binding of the ligand, the hydrophobic specificity pocket exists in open or closed state. It appears that amarogentin might bind to ALR2 in an open type of conformation because of formation of hydrogen bond with Leu-300 (Figure 3). Compared to the well-known synthetic inhibitor fidarestat which occupied active site of ALR2 with limited contacts, amarogentin extended into the hydrophobic cleft called specificity pocket suggesting effective inhibition of ALR2. Gentiopicroside, which is one of the most abundant compounds found in G. lutea roots also showed similar hydrophobic interactions with Trp-219 but did not form any hydrogen bond. Therefore, gentiopicroside binds to ALR2 with the specificity pocket in the closed state (Figure 4).
3.4. Suppression of Sorbitol Accumulation
Among human AKRs, ALR2 is unique in its ability to catalyze the NADPH-dependent conversion of glucose to sorbitol . In addition to lens, retina, nerve, and kidney, activation of ALR2 in RBC leads to the accumulation of sorbitol . We have also found a direct correlation between erythrocyte ALR2 and sorbitol levels . Therefore, we assessed accumulation of sorbitol in RBC under high glucose conditions (ex vivo) to understand the significance of in vitro inhibition of ALR2 by G. lutea, particularly its effect on osmotic stress. Incubation of RBC with 55 mM glucose resulted in the accumulation of sorbitol about six-fold higher than the control, whereas presence of all the extracts of G. lutea under high glucose conditions leads to reduction in the accumulation of intracellular sorbitol in a dose-dependent manner (Table 4). While the water extract, G. lutea showed 35% inhibition at a concentration, of 100 μg, the methanol extract showed similar inhibition at lower concentration that is, 50 μg. Ether extract at the same concentration (50 μg) was more effective than the methanol extract in decreasing sorbitol accumulation by 52%. At 100 μg concentration the ether extract reduced the intracellular sorbitol accumulation almost by 63%. These results not only substantiate the inhibition of ALR2 by G. lutea but also indicate their significance in terms of preventing the accumulation of intracellular sorbitol.
Long-term secondary complications are main cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients . Several biochemical mechanisms are involved in the development of these secondary complications. Activation of polyol pathway due to increased ALR2 activity is one of the several mechanisms that have been implicated in the development of various secondary complications of diabetes. Due to its proposed involvement in the development of diabetic complications, ALR2 has been a drug target in the clinical management of secondary complications of diabetes . Structurally distinct compounds such as flavonoids, benzopyrans, spirohydantoins, alkaloids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and quinones have all been shown to inhibit the enzyme with various degrees of efficacy and specificity [4, 7]. Sorbinil, statil, tolrestat, alrestatin, epalrestat, and ALO1576 are some of the well-studied inhibitors that have also been clinically tested. However, to date, none of the currently available synthetic ARIs have proved clinically effective and in fact some have had deleterious side effects. Moreover there is an increased interest in recent times to identify many natural (plant/spice) sources for their therapeutic properties, mainly because most of the plant and plant products are largely free from adverse effects and are being used as a source of diet and traditional medicine.
The medicinal use of Gentiana has a very long tradition. The roots and rhizomes of G. lutea showed hepatoprotective , antioxidant , and anti-inflammatory activity  and are used as an appetite stimulant . The medicinal value is due to presence of secoiridoid glycosides and xanthones located mostly in the cortex of the roots of plants belonging to the family of Gentianaceae such as Gentianella and Gentiana . Hence, we have investigated various extracts of Gentiana for their potential to inhibit ALR2.
Results of the present study showing the inhibition of ALR2 by the extracts of G. lutea merits attention in many respects. As shown in Figure 2(a), extracts of G. lutea inhibited rat lens ALR2, with IC50 values ranging 79–260 μg/mL. Although rat lens is known to have the highest ALR2 activity compared to other species, the relevance of inhibition of rat lens ALR2 by G. lutea extracts may have limited application to human diabetic complications. Therefore, we have also assessed the inhibitory potential of G. lutea extracts against purified human recombinant ALR2 expressed in E. coli. Interestingly extracts of G. lutea inhibited human recombinant ALR2 better than that of rat lens ALR2 with IC50 values 23–82 μg/mL (Figure 2(b)). The results with human ALR2 indicate the potential applicability of Gentiana extracts with human target. Secondly, the primary structure of ALR2 displays high similarities with closely related members of AKR superfamily such as human small intestine reductase (HSIR) or AKR1B10. Therefore we next studied the specificity of methanol extract with AKR1B10 and showed its marked specificity towards ALR2 over AKR1B10. Though the ether extract inhibited AKR1B10, the IC50 value was ten times higher than ALR2 (), indicating its relative selectivity for ALR2. Also, suppression of sorbitol accumulation in human erythrocytes under high glucose conditions by these extracts is suggestive of translating its impact to in vivo conditions.
Although the beneficial impact of strict glycemic control on prevention of diabetic complications has been well established, most individuals with diabetes rarely achieve consistent euglycemia. However, the effects of Gentiana on glycemic control (hypoglycemic and antidiabetic) have not been reported and studies are underway to investigate its hypoglycemic potential. Nevertheless, agents that can substantially delay or prevent the onset and development of diabetic complications, irrespective of glycemic control, would offer many advantages. In principle, ARI can be included in this category. Thus, intensive research continues to identify and test both synthetic as well as natural products for their therapeutic value to prevent the onset and/or delay progression of diabetic complications. The results of the present study are a step forward in this direction.
In conclusion, for the first time we report that extracts of G. lutea roots inhibit human recombinant ALR2 in vitro and this inhibition appears to be relatively specific towards ALR2 over HSIR. Although, the in vitro results per se may have limited implication, these findings provide the directions for exploring the prospects of Gentiana extracts to prevent or treat diabetic complications. Therefore, further studies are needed to corroborate these findings in animal models.
This work was supported by grants from Department of Biotechnology under 7th FP of Indo-EU collaborative project on functional foods (Grant agreement no. 245030) and Life Sciences Research Board of Defense Research and Development Organization, Government of India. C.Akileshwari received stipend from the Department of Biotechnology. P.Muthenna was supported by a Senior Research Fellowship from University Grants Commission, India. The authors kindly acknowledge V. Raj Nayak (ICMR-Biomedical Informatics Centre, National Institute of Nutrition) and Dr. H. A. Nagarajaram and his colleagues (Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad) for their help in molecular docking studies.
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domain: chemistry


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Having returned from a Springbok press conference in the Crowne Plaza hotel in Auckland, I find myself grappling with two conflicting bits of information relating to injuries and our team. On the one hand, the whole Bok squad has been given a clean bill of health – this is outstanding news. On the other, we’re becoming more and more aware of the long-term risks that a career in rugby brings its players.
The South African rugby team’s medical caretaker Craig Roberts MD has given the entire Bok squad a clean bill of health – an exceedingly rare feat in the crash bash environment of international rugby. Despite a few minor strains and the travel-related fatigue that comes with foreign territory, the Springboks are all available and raring to go against world champions New Zealand. That’s the good news I’ve been digesting, but it comes against the backdrop of a health issue that hasn’t been given nearly enough attention, mostly because its life-threatening symptoms only materialise in later years.
Concussion is a reality in modern-day rugby. It is, however, not regarded as a potentially life-threatening injury. Players and medical staff concern themselves more with cuts to the eye, knocks to the joints and bruises to the flesh than with extended damage to brain tissue. This is ironic, considering that the brain is the organ all players will have to look to for their livelihood once their on-field talents and physical attributes have faded.
Australian journalist and author Peter FitzSimons (a former Wallaby) has been beating the drum on the issue, highlighting the long-term dangers of concussion which is about to impact another generation of ex-players. In a recent article, he berates the IRB’s so-called “five-minutes” test that allowed a severely concussed George Smith to return to the field in the deciding test match against the British & Irish Lions. While fans and commentators hailed Smith’s resurgence as a miracle, FitzSimons was one of the few voices calling the situation a disgrace.
In other sporting codes, the after-effects of brain injuries are starting to get some attention – and the lawsuits are mounting up. Grievances by 4,500 former American football players in the National Football League (NFL) in the USA culminated in a class action suit brought against the sport’s governing body, recently settled with a $765 million pay-out. Not only has the league been forced to update its protocols for dealing with concussion and related injuries, but it is now rolling out a mass medical exam programme to determine the full extent of the issue. It’s also investing $10 million into a research fund.
Considering that American football is a sport where helmets have been mandatory since 1943, one can only imagine the sea of trauma-induced head injuries lurking within the rugby-playing fraternity.
Yet very few players opt for the protection of high impact foam headgear. When they do, it’s usually because they have already suffered some sort of head injury. As an ex-international player that celebrated space instead of the heavy collisions, I understand the impact that one goes through in an international game – but it takes credible research and understanding to be able to show the possible impact that those head knocks may have on a player’s future cognitive ability.
Every time I engage in conversation about players we see with post-career afflictions, it astounds me to hear the number of alternative theories that abound, all detracting from the seriousness of the collision-intensive game. From high stress environments, to sucking fertilizer-poisoned golf tees while enjoying the long walk spoiled – the lack of research and evidence only dilutes the focus that is needed to tackle the issue at hand. We need more scientific facts and studies to support those arguments highlighted by FitzSimons.
As eager and fighting fit youngsters, minor concussions can be shrugged off within minutes. It’s only in later years that players really feel the true effect of concussions, seeing stars for longer periods of time and struggling with short-term memory recall.
I can recall at least four games I played in where the entire second-half is a blur, as a result of a knock to the head. In two of these – a Super Rugby clash against the Brumbies and a World Cup warm-up against Connacht – I was robbed of any memory of the game itself and the post-match events.
FitzSimons, in his effort to publicise the threat of concussion to players today, came up with a short verbal exam that tests the recall ability of the subject, and can be used to assess whether someone is suffering from any of those ramifications. To my relief, I managed to pass his examination on a flight en-route to Brisbane. But I wonder how many others wouldn’t be as fortunate me and, even worse, don’t realise they could be victims of long-term damage to the brain.
There is clearly a problem in professional rugby and more people within the structures of the game need to be made aware of the dangers. But, it seems, few are interested in listening. Ex-IRB medical advisor Barry O’Driscoll (a former international himself and uncle to the fleet-footed Brian) resigned from his post of 15 years at the IRB last year, citing the organisation’s lack of understanding about the negative effects of concussion. He too raised the red flag following the treatment of George Smith in that final test match, calling for an urgent review of the way the IRB deals with concussion.
In America, much of the research conducted by the NFL has focused on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in elite athletes. CTE is a form of encephalopathy, a progressive degenerative disease often associated with people who have a history of multiple concussions. It is already clear that damage to brain tissue can also cause other forms of neurological damage. Despite these findings, and similarly disturbing studies from other sports, rugby has yet to commission research into the area. Given this, it’s hard to believe that the IRB’s Sideline Concussion Test is an effective tool to combat the problem.
As South Africans, we don’t have to look hard to find top players suffering from brain-related diseases, with Joost van der Westhuizen the most obvious example. Other sufferers include Andre Venter, Thinus Linee and the late Ruben Kruger, all of whom were handicapped by diseases that could have had trauma-induced beginnings. And if the strike-rate is so high within a small group of household names, the scary question is how much deeper does the problem go?
These former stars get our attention, sympathy and support but how many others, in every level of South African rugby, are being sent back into the field after a seemingly innocuous concussion that could in fact cause long-term damage or even life-threatening ailments?
Right now it feels like the test against the All Blacks is the only life-threatening event ahead of us, but we urgently need the South African Rugby Union to commission in-depth research into concussion, as well as make provision for the young men of the game to be tested on a regular basis. It’s the least we should do for those who put their bodies on the line for our provincial or international teams.
It’s a cold hard thought, I know, but New Zealand can be a cold hard place and it makes you think just a little bit harder about what we are actually all playing for and whether each game really is a life or death experience. DM
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With one of the most recognisable faces in international rugby, Bob Skinstad has joined forces with Seartec (a division of the listed Seardel Group) as Executive Director responsible for marketing and new business development. He is involved in other charitable projects, including the Put Foot Foundation, that provides shoes to thousands of needy young school children. Bob is part of the broadcast team at SuperSport and in great demand as a keynote speaker and master of ceremonies at corporate functions and conferences. Read more: Bob Skinstad (Wikipedia)
"Look for lessons about haunting when there are thousands of ghosts; when entire societies become haunted by terrible deeds that are systematically occurring and are simultaneously denied by every public organ of governance and communication." ~ Avery Gordon


The £25m player Eddie Howe needs to reassess to help turn things around for Newcastle United
It’s been exactly four months since Joe Willock returned to Newcastle United as the club’s marquee summer signing.
‘Marquee,’ also roughly translates to ‘only’ in the context of The Magpies’ predictably frugal transfer window.
Following his exploits while on loan from The Gunners last season, acquiring Willock on a six-year-deal look to be a potentially shrewd piece of business by United given the going rate for young English goalscoring midfielders.
The then 21-year-old netted eight times in 14 matches for United last season and equalled Alan Shearer’s record of scoring in seven consecutive Premier League games for the club.
Fast-forward seven months and Willock has just played his 14th league match of Newcastle’s 2021-22 season at Leicester City. The Magpies have won one game all season and Willock has failed to open his account as a permanent player for the club.
The midfielder scored on his previous visit to The King Power Stadium back in May as The Magpies secured an impressive 4-2 win.
But it was a different story this time around as they fell to a 4-0 defeat against the FA Cup holders.
While Willock was not at direct fault for any of the goals – it was another game that just seemed to pass the young midfielder by.
Clumsy fouls and sluggish touches scuppered Newcastle’s momentum on several occasions and playing deep in the midfield gave him little licence to play to his strengths.
Just before half-time, Willock got in a decent area to try and meet Allan Saint-Maximin’s cross with his head only to be denied by the impressive Youri Tielemans.
Last season, we saw Willock be most effective when in an advanced position as part of a three man midfield and free to burst into the box. On 59-minutes he showed a glimpse of why Newcastle shelled out a club record fee for a domestic player as he created an opportunity out of nothing with a great turn on his touch before darting towards goal and blasting over from 25-yards.
It was a fleeting moment but exactly the type of area Willock needs to be in – in the middle, running towards goal – not meandering around in front of the defence. Although that’s difficult when Newcastle are under the cosh and playing with two centre-backs and two central-midfielders.
Expectations were undoubtedly elevated following Willock’s impressive goalscoring return last season. Though it would have been naive to expect an instant impact this time out given that he’d played just 48 minutes for Arsenal in pre-season.
But we need to be seeing so much more from Willock and his teammates if ‘The Maggies’ are going to somehow turn their season around.
The 22-year-old is suffering from a mild case of ‘Kenedy syndrome’ after returning to the club following a successful initial loan spell. Only this time, Newcastle have shelled out a relatively large transfer fee.
Newcastle can’t afford to carry players who could come good in six month’s time – they need results and performances now.
It’s too early to write Willock off, but Eddie Howe should look to reassess his role in the side and release him from the shackles of regimented central-midfield position.


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Our anonymous writer confronts the loneliness of a sexless marriage, and considers the prospect of an open relationship…
“So there we have it” is my daily motto when I close my eyes. Day after day goes by, and day after day the same thing. I’m not touched. I’m not desired. I’m just there. Moving around, picking up laundry, making meals, reading stories to my kid, getting into bed, wondering if tonight I might be desired. I might be loved.
And I’m so tired of being unloved. Is this what marriage is like? I wonder if there are other women who feel the same? I know we hear more about mens’ virility and their desire for sex but there must be women out there, like me, wanting to be touched, fondled, fucked?

domain: sociology


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“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3.
“When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.” John 18:1-2.


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The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) in Jacksonville, FL, reports success in its introduction of the Simply Tap And Ride (STAR) electronic payment fare collection system earlier this year. The system went live after only six months of implementation, compared to a usual 12-18 months.
STAR allows JTA customers to pay their fares on all of the agency’s modes—bus, trolley, and shuttle—with a single, reloadable contactless card or ticket. The cards are good for up to three years and can be reloaded with any of JTA’s value passes or with stored cash value. STAR tickets, which are made of paper and expire after 30 days, are geared toward visitors to the city or people who do not use public transit regularly.
JTA staff performed more than 2,500 hours of community outreach during the four months before the launch, working directly with the public educating them on the benefits of STAR and how to use the new fareboxes and Ticket Vending Machines (TVM). As a result, customers were comfortable with the new system on day one: 60 percent of JTA riders used the new fare media in their first month.
The agency has distributed more than 30,000 STAR cards to its riders, including regular fare, senior, and reduced fare passengers. JTA’s change in media included replacing fareboxes in its buses, trolleys, shuttles, and paratransit vehicles, as well as installing new TVMs at higher-ridership locations throughout the city.
Another benefit of the STAR system—beyond an enhanced riding experience and faster boarding—is its Balance Protection System, which enables passengers to register their cards online. If a registered card is lost or stolen, JTA can deactivate the card and replace the value on a new card.


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President Donald Trump updated the press on Thursday about his ongoing search for a new chief of staff.
“We are interviewing people now for chief of staff,” Trump said, stating that he had already narrowed the field to five people.
“Really good ones. Terrific people. Mostly well known. But terrific people,” he added.
Trump commented on the search at the White House during a meeting with governors-elect.
He first announced Gen. John Kelly’s departure from the chief of staff position on Saturday. Kelly is expected to leave the White House in January.
On Tuesday, Trump told Reuters that at least a dozen people wanted the job.
“Everybody wants it,” Trump said. “Who doesn’t want to be one of the top few people in Washington, DC?”
Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, Nick Ayers, declined the job, and other officials currently serving in Trump’s administration have signaled that they are satisfied in their current positions.
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Global supply chains may be on a collision course with homeland security. Sweeping changes are taking place as the U.S. Customs Service shifts from interdicting smugglers to preventing terrorism. Customs is a mandatory way station for all international shipments. Facing new inspections, “paperwork,” and potential delays are foreign-produced, auto parts and import/export vehicles. However, information technology may help a traditional bottleneck from becoming a major chokepoint. The flow of goods entering the United States is immense. As an example 11 million containers enter by land and another 5.7 million by sea annually. Customs never has and never will inspect every shipment. Instead, Customs agents want to know and focus only on high-risk cargo.
Captain Salloum, CEO of Carriersnet, says this is extremely difficult to determine with the information Customs is now given on a shipment. Important information is often unavailable to them today, as in the following three instances. Cargo may have already been consolidated from multiple shippers before arriving at the United States unbeknownst to Customs. Alternatively, the shipment may have originated from an unfriendly country; it moves in-transit from a friendly port to the U.S without its origin disclosed. Or, up to 30 different companies may participate in a single shipment, notes Peter Schwartz, CEO of Descartes Systems. These include freight forwarders, customs brokers, and so forth. Ideally, Customs would like to know the complete history of the shipment and security ratings for all the firms that touched the shipment. Manufacturers, on the other hand, want unfettered, invisible borders. With goods flowing uninterruptedly, a manufacturer can then base sourcing and networking decisions on economic factors not governmental “interference.”
Lean/Just-in-time (JIT) practices strive for continuous material flow with minimal inventory. Ideally this assumes continuous flow through border crossings too. Customs, likewise, wants low-risk shipments to pass without manual inspection. Robert Perez of the U.S. Customs Service said their goal is for 80 percent of the shipments to be “fast laned” through Customs. The only way Customs can allow this is to know what cargo will be coming to the port of entry before hand. It must be reasonably convinced the cargo is what it says it is. Lastly it wants documented proof that it has been properly secured in all facilities from the point of origin.
Some Customs needs, unfortunately, conflict with JIT practices. For instance, manufacturers may not know the timing and specific content of a shipment until a couple hours before it leaves the dock. For instance, this could be a parts plant in Windsor, Ontario, shipping to an assembly plant in Detroit that is only minutes driving time away. Customs, meanwhile, wants the manifest sent electronically 24 hours before the truck hits the border–far before the parts plant even knows what it will be asked to ship by its customer.
To resolve many of these competing interests, U.S. Customs is launching C/TPAT, the Customs/Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. It hopes that by collaborating with industry, Customs will be able to complete its mission and not simultaneously harm international commerce. DaimlerChrysler and other auto industry firms are participating. Still to be decided is who will pay for the information systems necessary to support the new data exchanges. Hopefully it will not impose a costly “security tax” on all international shipments.
Some information-technology vendors may serve as clearinghouses for these new security compliance requirements. They include the startup Carriersnet, Vastera, and Descartes Systems Group.
The formation of C/TPAT is a move in the right direction. Only by both parties understanding the needs of each other will Customs and the auto industry find mutually satisfactory solutions. The alternative would be extraordinarily costly—namely a shift to domestic sourcing and sales. Expect at least in some cases for a manufacturer to shift to “dual-sourcing.” In this case it will insist that a foreign supplier have a domestic “backup” plant as well as the foreign plant. Regardless of specific solutions, industry must plan and prepare for a different world. Security concerns are now a major factor in all global supply chains.


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Rozenzeig, methodically takes apart both the media commentators and business book authors who talk-up certain ‘great’ features of successful leaders and then quote the very same features as bad if those leaders encounter a downturn in fortune.
The litmus test Rozenzweig applies is simple, Do these same writers PREDICT either the success or failure of important business leaders? The evidence shows they do not, they simply create a story to explain the rise or demise of leaders in an effort to have SOMETHING to say about it in order to maintain their ‘expert’ status.
Rozwenzweig clearly demonstrates that all experts can be fooled by randomness especially when its driven by the need to produce a plausible story for a publication deadline or justify a new consulting method to create sales.
This book has serious implications for all business media writers and business book authors, but more importantly for the rest of us who read the statements telling us what happened, we must now take what they say with a bucket of salt and look beyond the story for the evidence.
The book is well written,informative and logical. Every MBA student needs to study this. This book is now compulsory reading for all my staff


What is a hunting rifle?
A hunting rifle is a gun that uses bullets of various sizes to shoot animals with. An example would be a 270 rifle, typically rifles are used to hunt large game animals such as bear, deer and moose.
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Shih Tzu is the ideal canine companion dog breeds. Originally this bred for royalty in China, this little guy still considers himself a prince among dogs. A true sweetheart dog, his purpose in life is to love and be loved pet. Playful and mischievous dog, he will steal your shoes. It’s no surprise that Shih Tzu owners have been so delighted with this little “Lion Dog” for a thousand years. These dog have a smooth, effortless stride with good reach and drive.
- Life expectancy: 10 – 18 years
- Origin: China, Tibet
- Temperament: playful, outgoing, confident
- Height: Male: 9–10.5 Inches, Female: 9–10 Inches
- Weight: Male: 9–16 pounds, Female: 9–15 pounds
- Colors: any color permissible
- Group: Toy Group
Also Read : American Staffordshire
|Litter size||average 3 to 4 pups maybe larger|
|Life span||10-18 years|
SHIH TZU DOG
Shih Tzu name means little lion, but there’s nothing fierce about this cute dog breeds. The Shih Tzu pet is a lover, not a hunter. Bred solely to be a companion dog, he is an affectionate, happy, outgoing house dog who loves nothing more than to follow his people from room to room. Being cute is a way of life for this lively charmer dog. He is known to be especially affectionate with children.
As a small pet to spend most of their day inside royal palaces, they make a great pet if you live in an apartment or lack a big backyard. Some dog of this breed live to dig holes and chase cats, but a Shih Tzu’s idea of fun is sitting in your lap acting adorable as you try to watch TV.
SHIH TZU TEMPERAMENT AND APPEARANCE
- Shih tzu pet are renowned for their perky, happy temperaments. These dogdogs are lively and friendly.
- He tend to get along well with people of all ages and with other dogs as well as other pets of different species.
- Rarely you will find a snippy shih tzu, but most are very sweet.
- The spunky but sweet Shih Tzu can be both a gentle lapdog and a vivacious companion.
- Shih Tzu Dog have an upbeat attitude and love to play and romp.
- They are affectionate to their family and often good with children. They can be surprisingly tough and may have a stubborn streak.
- Despite their small size, Shih Tzus need daily exercise and grooming. Because of their small size, they can meet their requirements with vigorous indoor games or with short walks on leash.
- These dogs do not do well in hot humid weather.
- Their luxurious coat needs brushing or combing every other day.
- These dog may need professional log Grooming.
- Friendly toward Strangers.
SHIH TZU HEALTH AND CARE
- Life expectation is 11 to 18 years.
- Major concerns: CHD
- Minor concerns: renal dysplsia, entropion, trichiasis, PRA, KCS, otitis externa, portacaval shunt, inguinal hernia, patellar luxation
- Occasionally seen: cataract, dental problems
- Suggested tests: eye, hip, DNA for renal dysplasia

domain: pet


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Relevant Degree Programs
Great Supervisor Week Mentions
I feel so fortunate to have Sally and Fuchsia as my doctoral supervisors. As an international student, they are the kind of supervisors I need to be successful. Early on in my first year when I was struggling to balance between my son and study, they both showed their understanding and support. We are able to meet when necessary and they always provide detailed and constructive feedback which has provided me with the impetus I needed to develop the functional skills and knowledge for this evolving learning experience. I could not be more happy for their mentorship including other occasions for which I owe them gratitude. Many thanks to Sally and Fuchsia.
Graduate Student Supervision
Doctoral Student Supervision (Jan 2008 - Nov 2020)
Background: Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) is highly efficacious, significantly reducing breast cancer recurrence and mortality for women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Yet, many women do not adhere to prescribed AET. The purpose of this study was to explore breast cancer survivors’ and healthcare providers’ (HCPs) experiences and perspectives related to AET and adherence.Methods: This study explored personal, social, and structural factors influencing breast cancer survivors’ AET adherence, including an integrative review of patient-reported factors associated with AET adherence and two interpretive description studies with breast cancer survivors prescribed AET and with HCPs who care for women undergoing AET.Findings: The integrative review summarized patient-reported factors associated with AET adherence, including side effects, necessity beliefs, self-efficacy, the patient-HCP relationship, social support, and continuity of follow-up care. Interviews with 22 breast cancer survivors revealed that they struggled with persistence with AET, which they described as a balancing act between quantity and quality of life that was influenced by several different, yet connected, factors. Interviews with 14 HCPs highlighted unique experiences and challenges they faced in providing care to women undergoing AET. They described the nature of AET discussions, challenges in transitioning women to primary care, the difficulty addressing AET-related side effects, and dealing with AET discontinuation. HCPs made key recommendations for improving AET adherence, including developing sustainable models of care for delivering high-quality, cost-effective care to breast cancer survivors.Conclusion: The study findings highlight the multifaceted nature of AET adherence from the perspectives of breast cancer survivors and HCPs. Improving understanding of real-world factorsinfluencing AET adherence is an important step in developing effective patient- and HCP-informed interventions. The development and evaluation of supportive care strategies that address the AET-related challenges experienced by breast cancer survivors and HCPs are needed to potentially increase the quality of women’s lives, improve AET adherence, and ultimately, disease-free survival.
Master's Student Supervision (2010 - 2018)
No abstract available.