“I am a feminist. “
Woah! Did you just drop the F-bomb?
‘Feminism’ is now a dirty word. It seems to have completely lost the meaning it once held. People who support gender equality (a large proportion, thankfully) are now apprehensive about using the word ‘feminist’ to describe themselves, due to being associated with the men haters. Feminism is not and, in mainstream, has never been about man-hating. Much as mainstream socialism is not about a large-scale Proletariat revolution or mainstream conservatism is not about an authoritarian dictatorship. Feminism is about equality and as such, is everybody’s fight.
Comments such as Philip Davies’ are therefore unhelpful, unjustified and completely incorrect. Davies seems to represent the corner of the Conservative party who genuinely seek to ‘conserve’ British authority and hierarchy. He seems to want a pre-equality act Britain where naturally formed inequalities, stereotypes and injustices can thrive. Surely Davies cannot fault the first feminists? The plight of the suffragettes, the drive for greater employment after WW2, and the desire for equal rights are all victories of these feminist pioneers. The movement of today is simply continuing their plight.
Emma Watson’s speech to the UN embodied everything that modern feminism should encompass: once female inequality is tackled, men’s issues will automatically start to resolve. Everybody in society is held back by stereotypes; and the way we have to work, look and act are all governed by these. Men have to be ‘strong’, ‘masculine’ and ‘dominant’. They have to work hard, form strong relationships, be successful. Women have to be ‘pretty’, ‘feminine’ and ‘subservient’. They have to look after children, do the housework, and so on. Both of these stereotypes are equally damaging and, unfortunately, very much still exist. They are in part why suicide is the number one killer of men in the UK. They are also in part why sexual harassment in the workplace is still an issue. Breaking down these stereotypes is the plight of feminism; and it should be everyone’s battle.
I polled a few students on the issue to gauge how we see feminism in our day to day lives.
One said this of feminism:
”The need for feminism is indisputable. The fact we have to ‘opt in’ to feminism is divisive and not constructive”
“Feminism is having to undo the work of hundreds, thousands of years of misogyny for women . [They] should still get more attention.”
So how to explain the ambivalence, sometimes outright disgust, at the feminist movement?
One of the key arguments seems to be that the battle is won; it’s time to move on. On the face of it, it seems legitimate. We’re debating societal expectations and cultural stereotypes. Abroad, women in Islamic countries are treated very much as second class citizens. FGM is a serious issue in sub-Saharan Africa, and in India honour killings are a normal occurrence. The thing is, the adversity women face around the globe is no longer a distant problem here in Britain. The rise of multiculturalism and immigration means that issues that may have seemed distant in the past are now in our back yard. There are around 1,200 cases of arranged marriages in Britain every year. In the past 5 years there have been 11,000 instances of ‘honour’ violence, and FGM is becoming a bigger and bigger problem. The death of Samia Shahid provides a harsh reminder of the reality of cultural misogyny in Britain.
Feminism is therefore of far greater need when addressing human rights abuses abroad and at home, rather than nitpicking on how you found a ‘for her’ deodorant in Sainsbury’s. As another student polled responded;
”Who cares what size mannequins are, when women are being denied basic human rights across the globe?”
So where does this leave us on the state of feminism in Britain today? It’s clear that the word itself has been distorted, maybe beyond repair. The very existence of anti-feminist parties such as J4MB proves there to either be a widespread misunderstanding about what being a feminist actually means, or an anti-equality motivation. The former seems much more likely. Feminism adapted after the milestones of the voting rights act and the equality act; it needs a similar transformation today.
Without a clearer emphasis on the fact that feminism represents everybody’s struggle against patriarchy and that our comparatively egalitarian society should be an example to other nations, the movement could die. There has to be more of a focus on women facing arranged marriage or death and their plight, those powerless to help themselves, rather than on blue or pink toys. Davies’ ignorance to what being a feminist actually means may expose his own lack of understanding, but it also accurately describes the problems with the feminist movement today.
Feminism does have a place in society; but it has to adapt. Without proper change, Davies’ form of anti-feminism could grow, and we could take another giant step backwards in the quest for true equality.


missing translation for 'onlineSavingsMsg'
Please login to your online account to display your discounted pricing
CBS Scientific Gradient Markers
Linear with side outlets.
$2076.02 - $2076.02
SDSmissing translation for 'documents'
- Gradient flow is controlled by a PTFE-coated valve centered between the two chambers
- The outflow channel is fitted with a male luer adapter which can be used with any needle or luer valve


text:
Stunning Window Seat Ideas Home to Z
Since the season of eighteenth century, the seats by the window seat have been connected to enhancement of the living arrangement of the American locals. The modest revealing couches were set up to stack the openings of the windows situate.
Wayfair.co.uk - Shop Furniture, Lighting, Homeware & More Online
Get 10% off on your first order!

domain: design


text:
This week's form, the cut-up method (or technique) is a type of found poetry that has its roots in the Dadaists but was popularized by William S. Burroughs. There are multiple ways to use the cut-up method, but here are the two most popular:
- The straight cut-up involves cutting words of a complete text and randomly rearranging them into a new text
- The fold-in method involves taking two linear texts with the same spacing and folding them over and next to each other so that the first half of one line folds in to the second half of the corresponding line to create a new line
While these are the two most popular ways of applying the cut-up technique, there are no rules against experimenting with other variations.
Play with poetic forms!
Poetic forms are fun poetic games, and this digital guide collects more than 100 poetic forms, including more established poetic forms (like sestinas and sonnets) and newer invented forms (like golden shovels and fibs).
Here is an example of a Cut-up Method poem:
Five House Slaughter, by Robert Lee Brewer (using Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five as a source text)
All this happened, "Poo-tee-weet?"
The war parts were talking.
One guy I knew was green and coffin-shaped,
another guy an abandoned wagon drawn by two horses.
And so on. No traffic of any kind.
I've changed all the leafing out.
I wandered out onto the shady street.
It looked a lot like Europe was over.
There, the door was unlocked.
I went back in the suburbs.
Note on method:
For the example above, I took the first half of the first 10 sentences in Slaughterhouse-Five and matched them up with the second half of the final 10 sentences in the novel. I made conscious decisions about where one half ended and the other began. Plus, I modified punctuation as I wished. So it was not completely random.
I actually used a cut-up method for my poem "Eavesdropping," published in the DMQ Review, in which I copied down overheard bits of dialogue from people while I was traveling. After writing down all this random dialogue, I cut it up into pieces and "wrote" the poem.
Anyway, it's a fun form to play around with and could make for a fun poetic activity at a workshop or open mic, whether you use books, magazines, newspapers, junk mail, or other language as your source material.

domain: artistic


text:
Trump's Truth Social app in a financial pickle
With just a modest start of six months, the platform Truth Social already owes $1.6 million.
Fox Business Network reported Thursday that Trump's social media platform, Truth Social, has halted payments to the company that hosts it, RightForge, and owes it $1.6 million.
A RightForge spokesman would not comment on the reports that Truth Social is not paying its bills.
"RightForge was on the ground floor of building Truth Social and will continue to support President Trump in his endeavors," the company stated.
Meanwhile, the parent company's merger with Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC) - a blank check company formed specifically to carry out a merger - has yet to take place, 10 months after the announcement that it would happen. This fusion is supposed to bring in fresh funding for the Trump platform.
DWAC published Thursday a call for a special shareholder meeting on September 6 at which investors will be asked to approve a 1-year delay for carrying out the merger - until Sept 8 of 2023.
However, without a favorable vote for an extension, the blank check company said it will be forced to dissolve.
Financial data published Thursday showed that as of late June, DWAC had only $3,000 in cash on hand. Truth Social bills itself as Trump's answer to platforms like Twitter, which the former President used as a political megaphone until he was ejected from it after a mob he had egged on assaulted the US Capitol in January 2021.
6 months later, in an Apple ranking of social media apps downloaded onto iPhones, it came in 30th place. The Statista database claims that Truth Social is downloaded only around 50,000 times per week, leading to a 550% increase in downloads since the Mar-a-Lago raids.
Trump's account on Truth Social currently holds 3.91 million followers, whereas on Twitter he had 79.5 million when he was booted "due to the risk of further incitement of violence."
In December, TMTG raised $1 billion from private investors and was to receive $293 million in cash through a merger with DWAC, but the latter's activities have been under scrutiny from the US Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Shares in DWAC have fallen 71% since hitting their peak in early March, and the platform's parent company, Trump Media and Technology Group, has not responded to a request for comment.

domain: economics


text:
Being able to shoot these two’s session was definitely a meant-to-be kind of thing. They are from Saskatchewan and just so happened to be in the mountains on a lil’ engagement celebration trip at the same time I was there shooting a wedding. So thanks to the patience of my wonderful man (who agreed to stay a little later into the day on the Sunday and chill in our campervan while we did the shoot) we were able to coordinate and connect to make it happen.
And I am so thankful we were able to! Their love for one another is obvious and glorious and was SUCH a joy to take part in. Brie is not only intelligent and beautiful but, in her own words, is also “the funniest person she knows” and thus had Dylan and I laughing the whole time. Their story is one from a movie (Handsome young farmer captures the attention of a beautiful city girl) and so I was (and am!) over the moon when they asked me to shoot their wedding too *insert happy cry emoji here”.
What a gift this profession is. These two will never be newly engaged again and they trusted me to capture them at that time in their life. So thank you, Brie and Dylan, for asking me and trusting me and for inviting me into these moments in your life, you are AMAZING! xxo


text:
About Mueller Range Line Dairy
Mueller Range Line Dairy is largely
involved in Dairy Farms.
Mueller Range Line Dairy operates in Wisconsin.
is involved in Dairy Farms as well as other possible related aspects and functions of Dairy Farms.
Mueller Range Line Dairy maintains its local business operations and may possibly
other local business operations outside of
operations related to Dairy Farms.
Marketing your business using a local directory
is a great addition to your existing
marketing and advertising
Other Dairy Farms businesses within 50 miles of Newton
10104 North Ave Street View

domain: food


Campus Improvement Plan
In 2001 we developed a Campus Improvement Plan that recommended a number of improvements for campus spaces, tree care and grounds maintenance procedures. W&L also called on us to carry out the renovation of four important outdoor spaces in the center of the historic Lexington, Virginia campus, including the area directly in front of the Student Commons.
Most recently, we completed a redesign of the President’s Garden, at the historic home of Robert E. Lee. The project includes a new brick terrace, large enough to accommodate a tent for entertaining, completely new plantings and a smaller terrace for serving and outdoor barbecues.


text:
By: Dylan Webb
On Saturday night at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre, the SFU hockey team closed out its regular season schedule on a high note with yet another defeat of one of their main rivals, the University of Victoria (UVIC) Vikes. Beating the Vikes for the fourth time this season in dominant fashion with a 5–2 win after the Vikes eliminated them from the playoffs last year was a satisfying finale of what had been a dominant second half for SFU. Despite being currently embroiled in a heated dispute regarding an ineligible player ruling that appears to have cost the Clan a shot at playoff glory, the Clan ended the regular season in peak form irrespective of their playoff fate that is to be determined and finalized in the next few days.
Before puck drop, the Clan celebrated the achievements of their graduating seniors and honoured their contributions to the success of the program in a thoughtful ceremony that allowed the players’ parents to join them on the ice preceding what would be their final game in an SFU uniform. The graduating seniors’ class included captain Brandon Tidy, Lyndon Stanwood, who was last years BC Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) MVP, as well as veteran forwards Pavlo Zerebecky, Robert Izsak, Tyler Basham, and Mak Barden. A strong effort would send the seniors off with a victory before one of the bigger crowds the team has drawn to the Bill Copeland Sports Centre this season.
Following the ceremonies, the puck dropped on the final regular season game of the year and the Clan’s dominance began in the first despite a brief hiccup to start the game. After a giveaway that resulted in an early UVIC goal, possibly related to the fact that all five graduating seniors were on the ice to start the game and they are all forwards, the Clan responded quickly with newcomer Nicholas Holowko scoring the first of his two goals on the night.
In the second, the Clan would open up a two-goal lead on Holowko’s second of the night and Zerebecky’s shorthanded marker that, assisted by Barden, was the only all-senior goal of the night. SFU would carry a 3–1 lead into the third with Zerebecky’s tallying proving to be the eventual game-winning goal.
The third period saw the team increase their two-goal lead to three and secure the victory with Ryker Moreau and Austin Adam chipping in on the score sheet. Adam finished the year with a measurable offensive uptake scoring in at least four of his last five games played. With a 5–2 final, the Clan succeeded in demonstrating that they were more deserving of playoff action than UVIC, having outshot them 39–15. Clearly, the frustration of the ongoing eligibility committee review of SFU’s roster spilled over into the game as line brawls marred the second and third period action.
In goal, Stanwood secured his league leading 16th win of the season to cap an impressive BCIHL career that saw him earn league MVP honours last season. Stanwood gave way to backup Ryan Sandrin to start the third period. Sandrin was making just his third appearance this season, as Stanwood was an absolute workhorse this season starting more games than any other netminder in the league.
Asked about the controversy surrounding the ineligible player review and its implications for playoff hockey, coach Mark Coletta emphasized his frustration on behalf of the players and fans while vowing to fight to the end to maintain SFU’s playoff hopes. “While the ruling certainly deals with an eligibility violation that was made, our frustration is with the particular application of the ruling and interpretation of the ruling with respect to points allocation in a situation like this,” he said. Netminder Sandrin echoed these sentiments, also emphasizing his sympathy for the graduating seniors that will likely see their expected shot at playoff glory evaporate with the loss of points that the eligibility committee has recommended with respect to the ineligible player fielded by SFU in eleven games this season. “It’s definitely frustrating,” he said, adding, “It is something we will have to learn from going forward into next season and beyond.”
With the regular season appearing to have concluded on a shockingly bitter note for the Clan pending a final appeal of the decision, the team now looks forward to next season and a summer of recruitment with an eye toward filling the gaping holes left by graduating seniors such as Stanwood, Tidy, Basham, Barden, and Zerebecky. The frustration of ending what had been a strong season and unbelievably dominant second half without playoff action was expressed by many of the players, especially the seniors that will not get a chance for redemption next season.
Look for another article in the sports section of The Peak in the next couple days that will further detail the ineligible player review and its implications for SFU’s playoff hopes in the next few days as details emerge and the decision is finalized.

domain: news


text:
Hmmm there seems to be a problem fetching this series right now. Last successful fetch was on January 10, 2023 10:48 ()
What now? This series will be checked again in the next day. If you believe it should be working, please verify the publisher's feed link below is valid and includes actual episode links. You can contact support to request the feed be immediately fetched.
Manage episode 344105375 series 3400073
What is Alcohol Misuse?
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that alcohol is the most frequently misused and misused substance in America.
However, those who misuse alcohol do not need to be dependent or addicted to it. A person can abuse alcohol but not drink on a regular basis. An individual may drink alcohol once per week, but not enough to be considered a misuser. But, if they drink, they can put themselves in dangerous situations or drink enough alcohol to cause problems.
Addiction refers to a chronic condition that is uncontrolled and continues to use substances, despite the dangers. Alcohol addiction is often diagnosed as an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and can also lead to a dependence on alcohol.
There are many factors that can influence the effects of alcohol on people. These include their age, health, family history, how much they drink, and how often they drink.
Alcohol Addiction Statistics
Americans misuse and abuse alcohol more than any other substance, as mentioned. In 2020, half of those aged 12 and older (13.8 million) had drank alcohol during the month. This age group also includes 10.2 percent (or 28.3 millions) who had an alcohol-related disorder in the past year.
The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 61.6 million of the 138.5 Million people who used alcohol in the last month were binge drinkers and 17.7 millions were heavy drinkers.
- 31.4% of these were young adults between 18 and 25 years old.
- 22.9% of respondents were aged 26 years or older
- 4.1% of the respondents were 12-17-year-old adolescents.
High-intensity drinking is defined as alcohol consumption at levels two to three times the binge drinking threshold based on gender. Individuals who binge drank were 70 times more likely than those who didn't to go to the emergency room for alcohol-related reasons.
Outpatient Treatment at Crescent Moon Recovery

domain: medical


On May 26, a Gazan rocket exploded in Gan Yavne, a region in Israel east of Ashdod and close to the northern border with Gaza, setting off air raid sirens in Ashdod and Lakhish. The rocket was the first mid-range rocket fired at Israel since the final ceasefire of last summer’s Israeli-Palestinian conflict went into effect on August 26, 2014. No one was physically injured, although a fifteen-year-old girl was taken to the hospital after suffering a panic attack.
The Israeli Air Force responded by attacking four targets in the southern part of Gaza early on Wednesday morning, identifying them as “terror infrastructures.” Local residents reported that they were terrorist training camps. No one was hurt, as Israel struck open and evacuated areas in an apparent sign that it wanted to avoid an escalation of violence.
The rocket attack has been blamed on the terrorist organization Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ). PIJ was created in Gaza in the 1970s with the goal of destroying Israel and creating an Islamic state in Palestine. Its leadership has traditionally been located in Syria, with smaller offices in Beirut and Tehran, and in the past, PIJ has received the majority of its funding from Iran. The attack has been reported as resulting from infighting within PIJ over the appointment of a new commander for its military wing in northern Gaza.
Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon released a statement that Hamas, the terrorist organization that currently has control over the Gaza Strip, must restrain Palestinians in order to prevent further escalation from Israel. Hamas already does exercise a great deal of control over the Palestinian people, as evidenced in the Amnesty International report released on May 27 detailing Hamas war crimes in last summer’s conflict. Hamas officials arrested the PIJ members responsible for the attack.
The attack comes one week after Iran completely withdrew its funding from PIJ, forcing the organization’s Secretary General Ramadan Shalah to leave Tehran for Beirut. Jamil Abdul-Nabi, a PIJ official in Gaza, has said that Iran cut its ties to the group after it stayed neutral in regards to Iran’s involvement in the conflict in Yemen. PIJ wants the entire Arab world to support its mission of creating a Palestinian state, which it does not believe it can do by picking sides in other conflicts in the Middle East. Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed terrorist organization, attempted to help PIJ reach an agreement with Iran but was unable to do so. PIJ is currently struggling financially after the withdrawal of support from Iran. It has been forced to shut down Palestine Today, which is the group’s main satellite television channel, and to downsize its offices. It has also not paid its members their full salaries in months.
In 2011, Iran similarly revoked the monetary and political aid it gave to Hamas. Hamas had refused to organize rallies in support of Syrian president Bashar Assad in Palestinian refugee camps in Syria following a popular uprising against him. The money Hamas is believed to have been receiving from the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood was also diminished because the Brotherhood needed the funds to support the Arab Spring revolution. Like PIJ, the organization had difficulties paying its employees. However, at the time, it was providing (and still does provide) the main governmental infrastructure for Gaza, allowing it to bring in revenue from taxes. It also receives funding from Qatar and Turkey, and today enjoys some renewed Iranian support as well.
A former senior PIJ member, Hisham Salem, recently helped create a new terrorist organization named Al-Saberoon, “The Patient Ones,” which is in complete ideological agreement with Iran. Unlike their PIJ counterparts, Al-Saberoon members have been receiving their full salaries. This new terrorist organization first appeared in the news last year when its name appeared at a funeral.
The organization was called Hesn, which means “fortification” but also serves as an acronym for Harakat as-Sabeereen Nasran li-Filastin, or “The Movement of the Patient Ones for the Liberation of Palestine.” Salem is a large advocate for Shia Islam in the mostly Sunni Gaza Strip, which brought about conflict with other PIJ officials in the past because it contributed to the Sunni-Shia fighting rather than focusing on the destruction of Israel. This organization appears to have been created by Iran, a Shia nation, in contrast to the Sunni groups it has typically supported in Gaza.
Although no statements have been released giving explicit reasons for PIJ’s attack yesterday of Israel, it may have been a desperate attempt by the group to draw in monetary support by proving that it still has military capability and a desire to destroy Israel. Iran has an interest in continued conflict between Israel and Palestine because the fighting allows Iran to extend its influence further into the Gaza Strip by aiding militant organizations. However, Israelis and Palestinians (even those that are members of terrorist organizations) have an interest in a de-escalation of violence: less fighting leads to better negotiations. Iran’s sponsorship of a new terrorist group in place of PIJ is worrisome because if Hamas is unable to control the actions of this new organization, violence could re-escalate and cause another war.
Unless PIJ is able to quickly find another state sponsor, such as Turkey and Qatar, which already support Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, PIJ’s influence in Gaza will probably be substantially diminished and Al-Saberoon’s may increase. As Hamas is currently more willing to negotiate with Israel and maintain a ceasefire, the PIJ is most likely to gain funding by presenting themselves as a more aggressive alternative. Israel’s best interests lie in maintaining peace in the Gaza Strip, because that leads to fewer rocket attacks on its own civilians. Therefore, Israel should not stop Hamas if it works to stamp out PIJ and Al-Saberoon before they are able to find more funding and increase their capabilities. Additionally it should continue to hold Hamas accountable for the actions of other terrorist organizations in Gaza.
- Mullah Mansour Named as New Taliban Emir - July 31, 2015
- Israeli Airstrikes in Syria and Lebanon Kill Hezbollah Operatives - July 30, 2015
- Man Arrested in NY for Providing Material Support to IS - July 30, 2015


Inspired by the Chicago Merchandise Mart, noted Dallas real estate developer Trammell Crow introduced the shopping center concept to Dallas in 1953. Crow commissioned architect Jacob Anderson and landscape architects Arthur and Marie Berger to develop the concept for his revolutionary Decorative Center Dallas.
Located in the heart of the Dallas Design District, the seven-acre facility is constructed in the courtyard style with a Modernist arcade connecting the storefronts oriented around a parking lot. Entrances to the parking lot are marked by fifteen-foot tall brick panels embellished with a five-foot tall shelf that streams a continuous cascade of water onto river stones. Sculptor Anna Debska’s bronze Fighting Stallions is sited in a grassy expanse just beyond the main entrance. Breaking from the convention of wide, uniformly-spaced, rectilinear parking areas, the Bergers designed landscaped islands composed of ornamental sculpture and curvilinear bump-outs to soften the rectilinear form of the surrounding shopping center. Uniting the landscape and the architecture, a series of repeating low, sandy yellow brick walls circumscribe public open space and surround grassy lawns planted with live oaks. At the center of the cruciform parking lot, a grove of oaks provides the setting for benches and Francois Stahly’s marble obelisk Maiandros installed in a bed of flowers. Tucked into pockets of the shopping center, discrete minimal gardens feature crape myrtles, Japanese maples, boxwood, jasmine, gravel, and stone. A few pedestrian entrances connect the interior landscape to the street and provide access to the landscaped heart of the Decorative Center.


SONIA RYKIEL KIDS – PINK PANTS
This outfit is from the finest collection of the brand and it’ll suit your dashing and funky personality. Rock the party by turning to these luxury pink pants by Sonia Rykiel. Pair these pants with your favorite t-shirt.
100 % Cotton, 100 % Cotton, Lining 100 % Cotton, 100 % Cotton, Trimming 95 % Cotton, Trimming 5 % Elastan
8Y, 10Y, 12Y, 14Y


text:
Capitol Hill Team has talked to a number of people who have been in
high level Hill meetings where leaders of both Parties have expressed a
desire during this time of economic turmoil to sneak through
giant increases of H-1B visas for foreign tech workers, H-2B visas for
foreign laborers, green cards for permanent foreign nurses and a
five-year visa for 12-20 million illegal foreign workers and their
dependents. (hat tip Mary Chamberlain)
Some House Democrats are having behind-the-scenes
discussions about creating a special visa for illegal aliens they
believe will enjoy considerable Republican support. Under the plan,
illegal aliens who can prove they have jobs, pay a fine, and pass a
criminal background check will receive the gift of legal status for 5
years. The plan is designed to attract pro-business Republicans and
those who backed the McCain-Kennedy amnesty bill by also increasing the
number of visas issued for technical, temporary and agricultural
Their plan appears to be to create a bi-partisan alternative to the bi-partisan
SAVE Act (Secure America with Verification Enforcement), which focuses on reducing illegal immigration instead of rewarding it.
Rep. Heath Shuler’s (D-N.C.) SAVE Act now has 144 bipartisan signers
in the House and Senate. The SAVE Act will require all employers to use
the electronic verification system to keep illegal aliens out of U.S.
jobs. NumbersUSA believes that this legislation is just the vehicle to
give us a chance to actually pass immigration legislation through a
Democratic-controlled Congress that could significantly improve the
lives of most Americans. "It's the one [immigration] bill that will
pass this Congress," said Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus
Chairman Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) in an interview with The Hill. "We
have to make this about illegal employment and crack down on employers."
Click here to view list of signers and to read more information about the SAVE Act.
ELECTION 2008: View ratings in 16 immigration categories at NumbersUSA President Roy Beck's Presidential Grid.
**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration
(CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link
to learn more. Afterwards, email brianbonner90-at-gmail-dot-com and let
us know at what level you would like to participate.
Technorati Tags: news, politics, illegal aliens, illegal immigration, border security, illegal alien amnesty

domain: law


text:
Orr to row boat to Anglia
Rovers right back Bradley Orr is to join Ipswich Town on a short term loan until the end of January.
Orr has been dropped under new manager Henning Berg in favour of youngster Adam Henley, who since being introduced has looked very impressive, leaving the former Bristol City and QPR man facing a spell on the bench.
His noticeable sulk on the sidelines prior to the Crystal Palace game is unlikely to have gone down well either.
Berg's insistence on bringing a new style to Rovers play seems to have clocked Orr as a casualty - with his imminent departure likely to be a fairly popular move amongst certain sections of the Ewood fan base who still haven't forgotten his notorious 'Steve Kean' interview back in May.


text:
There are a lot of foods that I wanted to eat and wanted to try to cook,
but it seems like I grew up being a spoiled child,
and until now, at the age of 21, I didn’t even know how to cook a superb main dish!
Yeah! FML! I only know how to fry simple foods like hotdog and egg ^___^
Going back to the topic. Here are the foods that I wanted to try…
Morcon is a Filipino meat roll stuffed with sausage or hotdogs, carrots, pickles, cheese, and egg. This is considered as a holiday dish and is usually served during Christmas (Noche Buena) and New Year’s eve (Media Noche).
Our family used to have these on our dining table during those holidays!
But sometimes, my cousin would love to cook this even on normal days ^__^
It is a common dish in some parts of the USA. Tuna casserole is convenient to the extent that it may be prepared using no fresh ingredients.
This one is always present whenever one of our very close relative
is celebrating his/her birthday!
It is a Chinese dish, consisting of meats (often chicken, fish, beef, shrimp or pork) and eggs, cooked quickly with vegetables.
I’m not a vegetarian! REALLY! But when I tasted this one! Seriously, I have the guts to say,
that finally! I can eat leafy things!
But on this dish only >___<


text:
How to Play ROMs on Your Nintendo 3DS: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Nintendo 3DS is a popular handheld gaming device that allows players to enjoy a vast library of games. While the device itself is great, some players may want to expand their gaming options by playing ROMs. ROMs are digital copies of games that can be played on emulators, and they can offer players access to titles that may not be available on the 3DS. If you're interested in playing ROMs on your 3DS, here's how to do it.
Step 1: Prepare your 3DS To play ROMs on your 3DS, you'll need to make sure that it's compatible with homebrew software. Homebrew software is software that's developed by the gaming community and allows users to do things that the manufacturer may not have intended. One popular option for enabling homebrew on the 3DS is to use a custom firmware called Luma3DS. To install Luma3DS, you'll need to follow the instructions on the official website and make sure that your 3DS is compatible.
Step 2: Get an emulator Once you have homebrew enabled on your 3DS, you'll need to get an emulator that's compatible with the device. One popular option is Citra, which is a Nintendo 3DS emulator that's available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Citra is free to download and use, and it can run a wide variety of 3DS games. To get started with Citra, simply download it from the official website and follow the installation instructions.
Step 3: Find ROMs With homebrew and an emulator installed, the next step is to find some ROMs to play. While there are many websites that offer ROMs for download, it's important to remember that downloading copyrighted material without permission is illegal. To play ROMs legally, you'll need to have a digital or physical copy of the game that you own. Once you have a copy of the game, you can use a tool like GodMode9 to create a decrypted version of the ROM, which can then be played on the emulator.
Step 4: Play the ROM Once you have a decrypted ROM file, simply open Citra and select the game you want to play. The emulator should automatically detect the ROM and start the game. From there, you can play the game just as you would on a regular 3DS. Keep in mind that performance may vary depending on your computer's hardware, and some games may not be fully compatible with the emulator.

domain: hobby


text:
African American men have higher blood pressure levels and consequentially higher prevalence of hypertension compared to men from other ethnic groups in the United States. Socio-familial factors in childhood have been found to play an important role in hypertension, but few studies have examined this relationship among African American men. We investigated whether childhood family living arrangements are independently associated with mean blood pressure and hypertension in a cross-sectional sample of 515 unrelated African American male participants aged 20 years and older enrolled in the Howard University Family Study between 2001 and 2008. African American men who lived with both parents compared to the reference group of men who never lived with both parents during their lifetime had lower systolic blood pressure [−4.4 mmHg (95% Confidence Interval: −7.84, −0.96)], pulse pressure [−3.9 mmHg (95% Confidence Interval: −6.28, −1.51)] and mean arterial blood pressure [−2.0 mmHg (95% Confidence Interval: −4.44, 0.51)]. This protective effect was more pronounced among men who lived with both parents for 1 to 12 years of their lives; they had decreased systolic blood pressure [−6.5 mmHg, (95% Confidence Interval: −10.99, −1.95)], pulse pressure [−5.4 mmHg, (95% Confidence Interval: −8.48, −2.28)], mean arterial pressure [−3.3 mmHg, (95% Confidence Interval: −6.56, 0.00)], and a 46% decreased odds of developing hypertension (OR = 0.54; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.30, 0.99). No statistically significant associations were found for diastolic blood pressure. These results provide preliminary evidence that childhood family structure exerts a long-term influence on blood pressure among African American men.
Blood Pressure; Hypertension; African Americans; Family Characteristics; Social Environment
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is more prevalent in African Americans than in Europeans. However, little is known about the genetic risk in African Americans despite the recent identification of more than 70 T2D loci primarily by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in individuals of European ancestry. In order to investigate the genetic architecture of T2D in African Americans, the MEta-analysis of type 2 DIabetes in African Americans (MEDIA) Consortium examined 17 GWAS on T2D comprising 8,284 cases and 15,543 controls in African Americans in stage 1 analysis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) association analysis was conducted in each study under the additive model after adjustment for age, sex, study site, and principal components. Meta-analysis of approximately 2.6 million genotyped and imputed SNPs in all studies was conducted using an inverse variance-weighted fixed effect model. Replications were performed to follow up 21 loci in up to 6,061 cases and 5,483 controls in African Americans, and 8,130 cases and 38,987 controls of European ancestry. We identified three known loci (TCF7L2, HMGA2 and KCNQ1) and two novel loci (HLA-B and INS-IGF2) at genome-wide significance (4.15×10−94
Despite the higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in African Americans than in Europeans, recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were examined primarily in individuals of European ancestry. In this study, we performed meta-analysis of 17 GWAS in 8,284 cases and 15,543 controls to explore the genetic architecture of T2D in African Americans. Following replication in additional 6,061 cases and 5,483 controls in African Americans, and 8,130 cases and 38,987 controls of European ancestry, we identified two novel and three previous reported T2D loci reaching genome-wide significance. We also examined 158 loci previously reported to be associated with T2D or regulating glucose homeostasis. While 56% of these loci were shared between African Americans and the other populations, the strongest associations in African Americans are often found in nearby single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) instead of the original SNPs reported in other populations due to differential genetic architecture across populations. Our results highlight the importance of performing genetic studies in non-European populations to fine map the causal genetic variants.
Cardiovascular diseases, principally ischaemic heart disease and stroke, are the leading causes of global mortality and morbidity. Together with other non-communicable diseases, they account for more than 60% of global deaths and pose major social, economic and developmental challenges worldwide. In Africa, there is now compelling evidence that the major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are on the rise, and so are the related fatal and non-fatal sequelae, which occur at significantly younger ages than seen in high-income countries. In order to tackle this rising burden of CVD, the H3Africa Cardiovascular Working Group will hold an inaugural workshop on 30 May 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. The primary workshop objectives are to enhance our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of the common major CVDs in Africa and strengthen collaborations among the H3Africa teams and other researchers using novel genomic and epidemiological tools to contribute to reducing the burden of CVD on the continent.
cardiovascular diseases; H3Africa; Africa; genomics; epidemiology
Studies on informed consent to medical research conducted in low or middle-income settings have increased, including empirical investigations of consent to genetic research. We investigated voluntary participation and comprehension of informed consent among women involved in a genetic epidemiological study on breast cancer in an urban setting of Nigeria comparing women in the case and control groups.
Surveys were administered in face-to-face interviews with 215 participants following their enrollment in the genetic study (106 patients, 109 controls). Audio-taped in-depth interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of 17 (8%) women who completed the survey.
The majority of all participants reported being told that participation in the genetic study was voluntary (97%), that they did not feel pressured to participate in the study (99%), and that they could withdraw from the study (81%). The majority of the breast cancer patients (83%) compared to 58% of women in the control group reported that the study purpose was to learn about the genetic inheritance of breast cancer (OR 3.44; 95% CI =1.66, 7.14, p value = 0.001). Most participants reported being told about study procedures (95%) and study benefits (98%). Sixty-eight percent of the patients, compared to 47% of the control group reported being told about study risks (p-value <0.001). Of the 165 married women, 19% reported asking permission from their husbands to enroll in the breast cancer study; no one sought permission from local elders. In-depth interviews highlight the use of persuasion and negotiation between a wife and her husband regarding study participation.
The global expansion of genetic and genomic research highlights our need to understand informed consent practices for studies in ethnically diverse cultural environments such as Africa. Quantitative and qualitative empirical investigations of the informed consent process for genetic and genomic research will further our knowledge of complex issues associated with communication of information, comprehension, decisional authority and voluntary participation. In the future, the development and testing of innovative strategies to promote voluntary participation and comprehension of the goals of genomic research will contribute to our understanding of strategies that enhance the consent process.
Informed consent; Genetic epidemiological research; Breast cancer; Nigeria
Although a considerable proportion of serum lipids loci identified in European ancestry individuals (EA) replicate in African Americans (AA), interethnic differences in the distribution of serum lipids suggest that some genetic determinants differ by ethnicity. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of five lipid candidate genes to identify variants with ethnicity-specific effects. We sequenced ABCA1, LCAT, LPL, PON1, and SERPINE1 in 48 AA individuals with extreme serum lipid concentrations (high HDLC/low TG or low HDLC/high TG). Identified variants were genotyped in the full population-based sample of AA (n = 1694) and tested for an association with serum lipids. rs328 (LPL) and correlated variants were associated with higher HDLC and lower TG. Interestingly, a stronger effect was observed on a “European” vs. “African” genetic background at this locus. To investigate this effect, we evaluated the region among West Africans (WA). For TG, the effect size among WA was the same in AA with only African local ancestry (2–3% lower TG), while the larger association among AA with local European ancestry matched previous reports in EA (10%). For HDLC, there was no association with rs328 in AA with only African local ancestry or in WA, while the association among AA with European local ancestry was much greater than what has been observed for EA (15 vs. ∼5 mg/dl), suggesting an interaction with an environmental or genetic factor that differs by ethnicity. Beyond this ancestry effect, the importance of African ancestry-focused, sequence-based work was also highlighted by serum lipid associations of variants that were in higher frequency (or present only) among those of African ancestry. By beginning our study with the sequence variation present in AA individuals, investigating local ancestry effects, and seeking replication in WA, we were able to comprehensively evaluate the role of a set of candidate genes in serum lipids in AA.
Most of the work on the genetic epidemiology of serum lipids in African Americans (AA) has focused on replicating findings that were identified in European ancestry individuals. While this can be very informative about the generalizability of lipids loci across populations, African ancestry-specific variation will be missed using this approach. Our aim was to comprehensively evaluate five lipid candidate genes in an AA population, from the identification of variants of interest to population-level analysis of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and triglycerides (TG). We sequenced five genes in individuals with extreme lipids (n = 48) drawn from a population-based study of AA. The variants identified were genotyped in 1,694 AA and analyzed. Notable among the findings were the observation of ancestry specific effect for several variants in the LPL gene among these admixed individuals, with a greater effect observed among those with European ancestry in this region. These associations were further elucidated by replication in West Africans. By beginning with the sequence variation present among AA, investigating ancestry effects, and seeking replication in West Africans, we were able to comprehensively evaluate these candidate genes with a focus on African ancestry individuals.
Background: Compared with European Americans, African Americans (AAs) exhibit lower levels of the cardio-metabolically protective adiponectin even after accounting for adiposity measures. Because few studies have examined in AA the association between adiponectin and genetic admixture, a dense panel of ancestry informative markers (AIMs) was used to estimate the individual proportions of European ancestry (PEA) for the AAs enrolled in a large community-based cohort, the Jackson Heart Study (JHS). We tested the hypothesis that plasma adiponectin and PEA are directly associated and assessed the interaction with a series of cardio-metabolic risk factors.
Methods: Plasma specimens from 1439 JHS participants were analyzed by ELISA for adiponectin levels. Using pseudo-ancestral population genotype data from the HapMap Consortium, PEA was estimated with a panel of up to 1447 genome-wide preselected AIMs by a maximum likelihood approach. Interaction assessment, stepwise linear and cubic multivariable-adjusted regression models were used to analyze the cross-sectional association between adiponectin and PEA.
Results: Among the study participants (62% women; mean age 48 ± 12 years), the median (interquartile range) of PEA was 15.8 (9.3)%. Body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.04) and insulin resistance (p = 0.0001) modified the association between adiponectin and PEA. Adiponectin was directly and linearly associated with PEA (β = 0.62 ± 0.28, p = 0.03) among non-obese (n = 673) and insulin sensitive participants (n = 1141; β = 0.74 ± 0.23, p = 0.001), but not among those obese or with insulin resistance. No threshold point effect was detected for non-obese participants.
Conclusions: In a large AA population, the individual proportion of European ancestry was linearly and directly associated with plasma adiponectin among non-obese and non insulin-resistant participants, pointing to the interaction of genetic and metabolic factors influencing adiponectin levels.
cohort study; adiponectin; individual European ancestry; minorities; African Americans; obesity; insulin resistance
The rs2046210 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 6q25.1 region was identified in a breast cancer genome-wide association study of Chinese women. The SNP has been replicated in European ancestry populations, but replication efforts have failed in African ancestry populations. We evaluated a total of 13 tagging SNPs in the linkage disequilibrium block around rs2046210 in a case-control study of breast cancer nested within the Black Women’s Health Study, which included 1191 cases and 1941 controls. Replication of initial significant findings was carried out in 665 cases and 821 controls of African ancestry from the Women’s Circle of Health Study (WCHS). No significant association was found for rs2046210 in univariate analysis. A new SNP, rs2046211, was significantly associated with reduced risk of breast cancer and was replicated in data from WCHS. In joint analyses that included both SNPs, the rs2046210-A allele was associated with increased risk of breast cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02–1.28], and the rs2046211-G allele was associated with reduced risk (OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.67–0.95). Haplotype analysis confirmed these results and showed that the rs2046210-A allele is present in high-risk (rs2046211-C/rs2046210-A) and low-risk (rs2046211-G/rs2046210-A) haplotypes. Our results confirm the importance of 6q25.1 as a breast cancer susceptibility region. We replicated the rs2046210 association, after accounting for the haplotype background that included rs2046211 in African–American women, and we report the presence of a novel signal that is tagged by rs2046211.
Most genome-wide association scans (GWAS) have been carried out in European ancestry populations; no risk variants for breast cancer have been identified solely from African ancestry GWAS data. Few GWAS hits have replicated in African ancestry populations.
In a nested case-control study of breast cancer in the Black Women’s Health Study (1,199 cases/1,948 controls), we evaluated index SNPs in 21 loci from GWAS of European or Asian ancestry populations, overall, in subtypes defined by estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor status (ER+/PR+, n=336; ER−/PR−, n=229), and in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC, N=81). To evaluate the contribution of genetic factors to population differences in breast cancer subtype, we also examined global percent African ancestry.
Index SNPs in five loci were replicated, including three associated with ER−/PR− breast cancer (TERT rs10069690 in 5p15.33, rs704010 in 10q22.3, and rs8170 in 19p13.11): per allele odds ratios were 1.29 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–1.59), p=0.02, 1.52 (95% CI 1.12–2.08), p=0.01, and 1.30 (95% CI 1.01–1.68), p=0.04, respectively. Stronger associations were observed for TNBC. Furthermore, cases in the highest quintile of percent African ancestry were three times more likely to have TNBC than ER+/PR+ cancer.
These findings provide the first confirmation of the TNBC SNP rs8170 in an African ancestry population, and independent confirmation of the TERT ER− SNP. Further, the risk of developing ER− breast cancer, particularly TNBC, increased with increasing proportion of global African ancestry.
The findings demonstrate the importance of genetic factors in the disproportionately high occurrence of TNBC in African American women.
breast carcinoma; triple-negative; genetic susceptibility; GWAS replication; African-American; SNPs
Although an increasing number of hypertension-associated genetic variants is being reported, replication of these findings in independent studies has been challenging. Several genes in a human chromosome 1q linkage region have been reported to be associated with hypertension. We examined polymorphisms in three of these genes (ATP1B1, RGS5 and SELE) in relation to hypertension and blood pressure in a cohort of African–Americans.
We genotyped 87 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the ATP1B1, RGS5 and SELE genes in a well characterized cohort of 968 African–Americans and performed a case–control study to identify susceptibility alleles for hypertension and blood pressure regulation. Single SNP and haplotype association testing was done under an additive genetic model with adjustment for age, sex, BMI and ancestry-by-genotype (principal components).
A total of 12 SNPs showed nominal association with hypertension and/or blood pressure. The strongest signal for hypertension was for rs2815272 in the RGS5 gene (P = 9.3 × 10–3). For SBP, rs3917420 in the SELE gene (P = 9.0 × 10–4) and rs4657251 in the RGS5 gene (P = 9.7 × 10–3) were the top hits. Effect size for each of these variants was approximately 2–3 mmHg. A five-SNP haplotype in the SELE gene also showed significant association with SBP after correction for multiple testing (P < 0.01).
These findings provide additional support for the genetic role of ATP1B1, RGS5 and SELE in hypertension and blood pressure regulation.
African–Americans; candidate gene; haplotype; hypertension; single nucleotide polymorphism
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 36 loci associated with body mass index (BMI), predominantly in populations of European ancestry. We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the association of >3.2 million SNPs with BMI in 39,144 men and women of African ancestry, and followed up the most significant associations in an additional 32,268 individuals of African ancestry. We identified one novel locus at 5q33 (GALNT10, rs7708584, p=3.4×10−11) and another at 7p15 when combined with data from the Giant consortium (MIR148A/NFE2L3, rs10261878, p=1.2×10−10). We also found suggestive evidence of an association at a third locus at 6q16 in the African ancestry sample (KLHL32, rs974417, p=6.9×10−8). Thirty-two of the 36 previously established BMI variants displayed directionally consistent effect estimates in our GWAS (binomial p=9.7×10−7), of which five reached genome-wide significance. These findings provide strong support for shared BMI loci across populations as well as for the utility of studying ancestrally diverse populations.
Insulin resistance (IR) is a key determinant of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and other metabolic disorders. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) was designed to shed light on the genetic basis of fasting insulin (FI) and IR in 927 non-diabetic African Americans. 5 396 838 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were tested for associations with FI or IR with adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, hypertension status and first two principal components. Genotyped SNPs (n = 12) with P < 5 × 10−6 in African Americans were carried forward for de novo genotyping in 570 non-diabetic West Africans. We replicated SNPs in or near SC4MOL and TCERG1L in West Africans. The meta-analysis of 1497 African Americans and West Africans yielded genome-wide significant associations for SNPs in the SC4MOL gene: rs17046216 (P = 1.7 × 10−8 and 2.9 × 10−8 for FI and IR, respectively); and near the TCERG1L gene with rs7077836 as the top scoring (P = 7.5 × 10−9 and 4.9 × 10−10 for FI and IR, respectively). In silico replication in the MAGIC study (n = 37 037) showed weak but significant association (adjusted P-value of 0.0097) for rs34602777 in the MYO5A gene. In addition, we replicated previous GWAS findings for IR and FI in Europeans for GCKR, and for variants in four T2D loci (FTO, IRS1, KLF14 and PPARG) which exert their action via IR. In summary, variants in/near SC4MOL, and TCERG1L were associated with FI and IR in this cohort of African Americans and were replicated in West Africans. SC4MOL is under-expressed in an animal model of T2D and plays a key role in lipid biosynthesis, with implications for the regulation of energy metabolism, obesity and dyslipidemia. TCERG1L is associated with plasma adiponectin, a key modulator of obesity, inflammation, IR and diabetes.
Gene copy number (GCN) changes are common characteristics of many genetic diseases. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a new technology widely used today to screen the GCN changes in mutant cells with high resolution genome-wide. Statistical methods for analyzing such CGH data have been evolving. Existing methods are either frequentist’s, or full Bayesian. The former often has computational advantage, while the latter can incorporate prior information into the model, but could be misleading when one does not have sound prior information. In an attempt to take full advantages of both approaches, we develop a Bayesian-frequentist hybrid approach, in which a subset of the model parameters is inferred by the Bayesian method, while the rest parameters by the frequentist’s. This new hybrid approach provides advantages over those of the Bayesian or frequentist’s method used alone. This is especially the case when sound prior information is available on part of the parameters, and the sample size is relatively small. Spatial dependence and false discovery rate are also discussed, and the parameter estimation is efficient. As an illustration, we used the proposed hybrid approach to analyze a real CGH data.
Bayesian; Gene copy number; Frequentist; Hybrid model; prior information
A report on the meeting 'Why we can't wait: conference to eliminate health disparities in genomic medicine', Miami, Florida, USA, 31 May to 1 June 2012.
Genomics; genomic medicine; health disparity; minority health; genetic awareness; pharmacogenomics complex diseases; community outreach; international collaboration
Central obesity, measured by waist circumference (WC) or waist-hip ratio (WHR), is a marker of body fat distribution. Although obesity disproportionately affects minority populations, few studies have conducted genome-wide association study (GWAS) of fat distribution among those of predominantly African ancestry (AA). We performed GWAS of WC and WHR, adjusted and unadjusted for BMI, in up to 33,591 and 27,350 AA individuals, respectively. We identified loci associated with fat distribution in AA individuals using meta-analyses of GWA results for WC and WHR (stage 1). Overall, 25 SNPs with single genomic control (GC)-corrected p-values<5.0×10−6 were followed-up (stage 2) in AA with WC and with WHR. Additionally, we interrogated genomic regions of previously identified European ancestry (EA) WHR loci among AA. In joint analysis of association results including both Stage 1 and 2 cohorts, 2 SNPs demonstrated association, rs2075064 at LHX2, p = 2.24×10−8 for WC-adjusted-for-BMI, and rs6931262 at RREB1, p = 2.48×10−8 for WHR-adjusted-for-BMI. However, neither signal was genome-wide significant after double GC-correction (LHX2: p = 6.5×10−8; RREB1: p = 5.7×10−8). Six of fourteen previously reported loci for waist in EA populations were significant (p<0.05 divided by the number of independent SNPs within the region) in AA studied here (TBX15-WARS2, GRB14, ADAMTS9, LY86, RSPO3, ITPR2-SSPN). Further, we observed associations with metabolic traits: rs13389219 at GRB14 associated with HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting insulin, and rs13060013 at ADAMTS9 with HDL-cholesterol and fasting insulin. Finally, we observed nominal evidence for sexual dimorphism, with stronger results in AA women at the GRB14 locus (p for interaction = 0.02). In conclusion, we identified two suggestive loci associated with fat distribution in AA populations in addition to confirming 6 loci previously identified in populations of EA. These findings reinforce the concept that there are fat distribution loci that are independent of generalized adiposity.
Central obesity is a marker of body fat distribution and is known to have a genetic underpinning. Few studies have reported genome-wide association study (GWAS) results among individuals of predominantly African ancestry (AA). We performed a collaborative meta-analysis in order to identify genetic loci associated with body fat distribution in AA individuals using waist circumference (WC) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) as measures of fat distribution, with and without adjustment for body mass index (BMI). We uncovered 2 genetic loci potentially associated with fat distribution: LHX2 in association with WC-adjusted-for-BMI and at RREB1 for WHR-adjusted-for-BMI. Six of fourteen previously reported loci for waist in EA populations were significant in AA studied here (TBX15-WARS2, GRB14, ADAMTS9, LY86, RSPO3, ITPR2-SSPN). These findings reinforce the concept that there are loci for body fat distribution that are independent of generalized adiposity.
C-reactive protein (CRP) largely has been studied in white non-Hispanic cohorts. There is limited information on CRP’s range of values, heritability and relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in African Americans. We sought to evaluate the distribution, clinical correlates, heritability and genetic linkage of log-transformed CRP in participants of the middle-aged to elderly African American community-based Jackson Heart Study. The distribution and correlates of CRP were analyzed for the entire study cohort who underwent the first examination (2001–2004). Heritability was estimated for the family cohort nested within the larger Jackson Heart Study (246 families, n=1,317). The relation between CRP and CVD risk factors were tested with multivariable stepwise regression analyses. Heritability was estimated using a variance components method. Linkage analysis was performed using the multipoint variance components approach. The study sample consisted of 4,919 participants (mean age 55±13 years, 63% women); median CRP concentration was 2.7 mg/L. In stepwise models traditional risk factors explained 23.8% of CRP’s variability, with body mass index (BMI, partial R2=13.6%) explaining 57.1% of the variability of CRP due to traditional risk factors. The heritability of CRP (adjusted for age, sex and BMI) was 0.45. The strongest linkage evidence for CRP was observed on chromosome 11 (11p13–11p11.2) with a logarithm of odds score of 2.72. In conclusion, in this large population-based cohort of African Americans, circulating CRP concentration was heritable and associated with several traditional cardiovascular risk factors, particularly BMI.
C-reactive protein; risk factors; genetics; heritability; blood pressure; cholesterol; body mass index; African Americans
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant protein produced primarily by the liver. Circulating CRP levels are influenced by genetic and non-genetic factors, including infection and obesity. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) provide an unbiased approach towards identifying loci influencing CRP levels. None of the six GWAS for CRP levels has been conducted in an African ancestry population. The present study aims to: (i) identify genetic variants that influence serum CRP in African Americans (AA) using a genome-wide association approach and replicate these findings in West Africans (WA), (ii) assess transferability of major signals for CRP reported in European ancestry populations (EA) to AA and (iii) use the weak linkage disequilibrium (LD) structure characteristic of African ancestry populations to fine-map the previously reported CRP locus. The discovery cohort comprised 837 unrelated AA, with the replication of significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) assessed in 486 WA. The association analysis was conducted with 2 366 856 genotyped and imputed SNPs under an additive genetic model with adjustment for appropriate covariates. Genome-wide and replication significances were set at P < 5 × 10−8 and P < 0.05, respectively. Ten SNPs in (CRP pseudogene-1) CRPP1 and CRP genes were associated with serum CRP (P = 2.4 × 10−09 to 4.3 × 10−11). All but one of the top-scoring SNPs associated with CRP in AA were successfully replicated in WA. CRP signals previously identified in EA samples were transferable to AAs, and we were able to fine-map this signal, reducing the region of interest from the 25 kb of LD around the locus in the HapMap CEU sample to only 8 kb in our AA sample.
High risk HPV (hrHPV) infection is a necessary cause of cervical cancer but the host genetic determinants of infection are poorly understood. We enrolled 267 women who presented to our cervical cancer screening program in Abuja, Nigeria between April 2012 and August 2012. We collected information on demographic characteristics, risk factors of cervical cancer and obtained samples of blood and cervical exfoliated cells from all participants. We used Roche Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test® to characterize the prevalent HPV according to manufacturer's instruction; Sequenom Mass Array to test 21 SNPs in genes/regions previously associated with hrHPV and regression models to examine independent factors associated with HPV infection. We considered a p<0.05 as significant because this is a replication study. There were 65 women with and 202 women without hrHPV infection. Under the allelic model, we found significant association between two SNPs, rs2305809 on RPS19 and rs2342700 on TYMS, and prevalent hrHPV infection. Multivariate analysis of hrHPV risk adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, age of menarche, age at sexual debut, lifetime total number of sexual partners and the total number of pregnancies as covariates, yielded a p-value of 0.071 and 0.010 for rs2305809 and rs2342700, respectively. Our findings in this unique population suggest that a number of genetic risk variants for hrHPV are shared with other population groups. Definitive studies with larger sample sizes and using genome wide approaches are needed to understand the genetic architecture of hrHPV risk in multiple populations.
Interleukins (ILs) are key mediators of the immune response and inflammatory process. Plasma levels of IL-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-6 are associated with metabolic conditions, show large inter-individual variations, and are under strong genetic control. Therefore, elucidation of the genetic variants that influence levels of these ILs provides useful insights into mechanisms of immune response and pathogenesis of diseases. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of IL-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-6 levels in 707 non-diabetic African Americans using 5,396,780 imputed and directly genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with adjustment for gender, age, and body mass index. IL-10 levels showed genome-wide significant associations (p<5×10−8) with eight SNPs, the most significant of which was rs5743185 in thePMS1 gene (p=2.30×10−10). We tested replication of SNPs that showed genome-wide significance in 425 non-diabetic individuals from West Africa, and successfully replicated SNP rs17365948 in the YWHAZ gene (p=0.02). IL-1Ra levels showed suggestive associations with two SNPs in the ASB3 gene (p=2.55×10−7), 10 SNPs in the IL-1 gene family (IL1F5, IL1F8, IL1F10, and IL1Ra, p=1.04×10−6 to 1.75×10−6), and 23 SNPs near the IL1A gene (p=1.22×10−6 to 1.63×10−6). We also successfully replicated rs4251961 (p=0.009); this SNP was reported to be associated with IL-1Ra levels in a candidate gene study of Europeans. IL-6 levels showed genome-wide significant association with one SNP (RP11-314E23.1; chr6:133397598; p=8.63×10−9). To our knowledge, this is the first GWAS on IL-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-6 levels. Follow-up of these findings may provide valuable insight into the pathobiology of IL actions and dysregulations in inflammation and human diseases.
interleukin; interleukin-10; interleukin-1Ra; interleukin-6; genome-wide association study; African American
Genomic science and associated technologies are providing scientists and clinicians with novel insights that are transforming the delivery of healthcare and the overall well-being of society. However, these insights inform us that historical population sampling approaches for investigating rare and common genetic variations are not representative of the complex ancestral backgrounds of today's patients. In order for personalized medicine to be meaningful and applicable to the global populations, we will need to know how common and rare genetic variants found in different parts of the world influence health and drug response. This article demonstrates the importance of increasing ethnic and racial diversity among participants in genomic research, highlights areas of opportunity for improving our understanding of genomic diversity among populations, and provides examples of successful models that help to resolve these concerns.
diversity; ethnicity; genomic medicine; global populations; personalized medicine
It has been suggested that adiponectin may offer protection against the adverse health effects of obesity. In this study, we determined the prevalence of paradoxically high adiponectin or paradoxical hyperadiponectinemia (PHA) among obese African Americans and investigated its relationship with the metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotype.
Total adiponectin and metabolic markers including fasting glucose, insulin, serum lipids and obesity measures were determined in 822 unrelated participants from the Howard University Family Study (HUFS). Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between MHO phenotype and PHA while adjusting for relevant covariates.
Overall, men had significantly lower adiponectin levels than women. However, adiponectin level was associated with obesity measures, glucose, insulin and insulin resistance index in both men and women. Equal proportion of the obese male and female subjects (19.2%; 66/343) had PHA; these obese individuals with PHA had a healthier metabolic profile including higher HDL-cholesterol, lower insulin levels and smaller waist circumference and insulin levels compared to those without PHA. Also, 28% (96/343) of the study participants met the criteria of MHO phenotype. Interestingly, 42% (28/66) of the obese individuals with PHA also had the MHO phenotype. Finally, the MHO phenotype was associated with PHA in both men and women.
These findings confirm the presence of MHO in African Americans and demonstrate the association of PHA with the MHO phenotype. In all, our findings along with other published results provide evidence for a more systematic investigation of the mechanisms underlying the protective function of adiponectin and its potential therapeutic applications in human metabolic disorders.
Obesity; paradoxical hyperadiponectinemia (PHA); metabolically healthy obese phenotype (MHO)

domain: literature


text:
Lazy Chair - oak
Fabric: One leg in lacquer - light blue
Dimensions: W44 x D45 x H72 cm
Inspired by collapsing 'thumb toy' figurines, a playful chair crafted from solid hand-turned wood components. Solid Wood.
Originally made as a whimsical showstopper, viewers walked towards the 'Lazy' chair only for it to collapse like a 'thumb toy' before reassembling itself. Our 'sit-able' version retains the playfulness of the original.
In solid oak with blue-grey accent.


text:
Defense Secretary Robert Gates will announce on Monday his much anticipated recommendations for spending the Pentagon's $534 billion dollar base budget.
Lawmakers and manufacturers across the country are eager to learn which major weapons systems will be trimmed from next year's budget.
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters Friday to be prepared for a "very specific, very detailed" briefing Monday.
When asked if he believes it is the president's intention is to gauge the public's reaction before approving controversial budgetary decisions, Morrell said that was not the rationale behind this new procedure, but "that may be one of the results of this".
Gates will make final decisions about the budget this weekend and brief lawmakers by phone on Monday morning, Morrell said. Gates will release the details later on Monday.

domain: finance


text:
With a girlfriend, I stayed here in June 2011. [Easy Jet holidays] Firstly we were greeted by the young woman [in national dress] who runs this hotel but is not the owner. We were given tea and snack while we waited for the manager to arrive.
The setting of this Riad is great. With a nice open courtyard and lots of natural vegetation all around.
The room was wonderful. Very nice and clean. The shower was good. This is a small very personal location. The main door from the street is locked and you need to ring a bell to get in. The bedrooms are not locked and really this felt the natural thing in this setting. The bedrooms are on the first floor. The stairway from the ground to the second floor is adorned with wonderful photographs of local people and scene. On the second floor there is an open balcony, where you can relax in the shade or in the sunshine. There was often a gentle breeze up there during our stay.
There is a small indoor pool on the ground floor. Very refreshing for a dip, but the water is very cold and perhaps comes from the Atlas mountains.
The breakfast [which was included] was different each day and good. Not buffet style but individually prepared by the people who run the Riad. However I can’t say the same for dinner. We ordered dinner one evening and we were disappointed with this. The ‘chef’ was the man from the hotel and we thought that he should stick to looking after the hotel and not cooking dinners.
This is a hidden gem in Marrakesh and I intend to stay here again if I come to this city.
This hotel is well located if you do not mind a little walking. It is only a 15 – 20 minute walk to the main square and souks. You need a taxi from the airport to get near the hotel. Because the Riad is in a narrow ally, you need to walk a short distance from where the taxi drops you. To get to the hotel, you will need a ‘guide’ who will be on hand where the taxi drops you. He will carry your luggage on a cart and you should give him no more than 20 dirhams.
- Reservation Options:
- TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Otel, Priceline, Prestigia, Orbitz, Travelocity, getaroom.com, HotelQuickly, Cancelon and TripOnline SA so you can book your Riad Sable Chaud reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.
- Also Known As:
- Riad Sable Chaud Hotel Marrakech

domain: travel


text:
It has been all about the response of late for the Pittsburgh Penguins and visiting St. Louis Blues heading into their meeting Saturday.
Pittsburgh reeled off five consecutive victories late last month, then stumbled through a 4-1 loss last Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That was followed Tuesday by a 3-2 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes that left the Penguins fuming over what they thought was a blatant missed penalty call in overtime, which led to the Hurricanes' winning goal.
Pittsburgh then fell behind 2-0 on Thursday against Vegas, one of the top teams in the NHL. But before the Penguins let things get away, they responded with a highly-competitive 4-3 win over the Golden Knights.
The Penguins came back to tie the game against Vegas, falling behind again early in the third period, pulling even once more before winning it in an inspiring way.
The game-winning goal midway through the third period came from winger Kasperi Kapanen, who had not scored in 13 consecutive games and had struggled to the point of being a healthy scratch for a stretch.
"He's trying to play the game the right way," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "He's trying to leverage his speed as best he can.
"Obviously, we're thrilled for him that he got rewarded."
That wasn't the only point of inspiration for Pittsburgh, which was playing its first game since it was revealed that top defenseman Kris Letang will be out indefinitely after having a stroke. It was Letang's second stroke in eight years.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said thoughts of Letang helped push the team to the win.
"I think you see the way the guys competed and rallied," Crosby said. "I'd like to think we have a lot of effort every night, but it seemed there was a little bit more urgency and desperation."
The Blues were soaring with a seven-game winning streak into the week of Thanksgiving, but that rush of victories has faded with losses in four of five games.
The slide includes a 6-4 loss at home Thursday against Carolina that included plenty of ups and downs. St. Louis went up 2-0 early in the second period, gave up three goals in a span of 1:04, tied it, then fell behind by two. They pulled within 5-4 with under a minute remaining then gave up an empty-netter.
That is how it has been of late for the Blues.
"We're competitive," Blues center Robert Thomas said. "We're in every game. ... Games like (the one against Carolina) are going to happen."
Games like that have been too frequent for St. Louis' taste. In the first three losses since the five-game win streak, St. Louis was outscored by a combined 15-5. The lone victory in the last five games came in a 5-4 overtime decision last Saturday against the Florida Panthers.
"It seems like anytime we lose a game, it's usually five to 10 minutes where we give up a few chances that ultimately lead to goals," St. Louis defenseman Torey Klug said. "That's what we've got to clean up.
"It's up to us to learn from those mistakes sooner (rather) than later. Otherwise, we're going to keep falling behind. We've got to make an adjustment there."
A recent bright spot offensively for the Blues has been forward Jordan Kyrou, who has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) over the past 10 games.
--Field Level Media


text:
- This event has passed.
Candle & Cocktail Making – Halloween Edition
26 October @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm£43
Join us for a Halloween Edition of Candle & Cocktail Making – 2 workshops in one!
Your host Ella from Ella’s Magical Garden will be guiding you through candle making and in true Zero Waste style – you will pour into an upcycled jar and any leftover wax will be made into a Halloween special wax melt for your burner!
During the workshop you will be able to learn basics about candle making; how to choose the right wicks, waxes and oils, as well as use your creativity by adding your own colour and fragrance to make something special for your own home or as a gift.
You will be able to make a scented (or unscented) candle in a upcycled jar and decorate it with autumnal flowers, leaves & spices!
Whilst you wait for your candle to set, we will teach you how to make a fantastic autumnal cocktail from pumpkin waste in the second part of the workshop!
Learn the technique of infusing – great for releasing flavours from surplus! Then experience the art of shaking, pouring and garnishing to make your own Halloween Waste Not Pumpkin cocktail to drink – one of KILO ZIRO’s seasonal favourites!
What can you expect from the workshop:
- Duration approximately 2 hours of learning and creativity – 2 workshops in one!
- A handmade scented candle in a upcycled jar (150ml) and Halloween wax melt to take home with you – we encourage you to bring your own upcycled jar (size 150ml or less)!
- A printed instruction about basic candle making
- Complimentary snack – crisps or peanuts
- A delicious Halloween cocktail to make and enjoy (non-alcoholic mocktail are available on request) – make an evening of it, KILO ZIRO will be open for drinks and food too!
Your experienced host Ella Petrova created her brand Ella’s Magical Garden back in 2017. Back then she was struggling to find beautiful scented candles that didn’t contain harsh chemicals and would be safe to use in a household with young children. She started experimenting with plant based waxes and high quality vegan friendly scented oils. The positive reviews from customers lead to creating the nature loving brand that Ella’s Magical Garden is today which we proudly stock @thecleankilo our zero waste shop, every Christmas!
26.10.23 – 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Click the link below to book tickets!


text:
Shirley Weder (nee Woods)
Upon completion of her studies in 1951, Shirley was offered a student teaching position by then MBC Headmistress, Mrs Drewe and, whilst teaching Year 3 in 1952-53, she studied at night in order to complete her Senior Certificate, before commencing further studies at Kelvin Grove Teachers’ College.
Shirley has maintained active links with the MBC community. She has been a member of the Old Girls’ Association (OGA) for more than 30 years, was for several years the OGA representative to the College Board of Governors and served as a Committee Member on the OGA Executive. In her capacity as the OGA representative to the College Board of Governors she helped to establish the College Heritage Committee, which assisted in the promotion of awareness of College history, the richness of the school’s traditions and the achievements of its community.
Shirley is a long-term supporter of Rotary International and she has worked as a volunteer with Rotary’s Donations in Kind projects, sorting through items of clothing, furniture, medical equipment and other materials to dispatch to developing countries and areas in crisis. On a number of occasions, she has been instrumental in raising awareness about such projects with MBC students and staff and encouraging our involvement in bringing items to school for collection by Rotary. In this way, she has helped to provide a means for students to acquire the attributes of caring and service to the community which are endorsed as qualities of an MBC graduate.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Shirley’s husband worked with Mobil Oil in Zambia, a developing nation in Africa. During this six year posting, Shirley took up volunteer work in Zambian communities, teaching English, Social Education and working to develop school libraries. Shirley and her husband have also worked as members of Rotary’s projects in the Solomon Islands, another developing nation, where she established a library in an area within the Malatai region.
In 2006/07, Shirley and her husband travelled to the Solomon Islands as members of a Rotary aid team. Shirley helped set up school libraries and other educational and community projects and continues to provide this support through the “Kits for Kids” Program. Another area in which Mrs Weder has contributed to the work of Rotary in the community is in its annual commitment to local Australia Day Citizenship ceremonies.
Shirley’s commitment to assisting young people and their wider communities can also be seen in her involvement as a volunteer with the Isolated Students’ Education scheme, through which she has cared for younger children in remote rural communities in Australia, in order to provide respite for their parents in times of hardships such as drought, or the need to travel to settle older children at boarding school or to attend medical treatment.
Shirley’s involvement in the wider community both here and overseas demonstrates that she has upheld the ethos within the College Song with sincerity and, indeed, she has dedicated her hands and skills to service, as the words of the College Hymn exhort us to do.
Shirley was awarded the Moreton Bay College Medal in 2007.
New to MBC?
Do you have a story for our newsletter?
How can we make the website and newsletter better for you?
Handy email addresses
Secondary School Absentees
Primary School Absentees

domain: library


text:
[POSTPONED] Amerks Reading Power Play
Join this special online event with the Rochester Amerks hockey team and get an opportunity to win prizes! Amerks players will read some stories, show off hockey equipment, and do a Q & A with participants. Registration is REQUIRED through the Amerks and can be found HERE.
Want a chance to win tickets to an Amerks game? Kids can stop by the Parma Library and fill out a Hat Trick form with three books they've recently read to enter. The contest runs through January 24th.
- Monday, January 17, 2022
- 6:30pm - 7:30pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Parma Public Library


text:
Johann Baptist Czjzek Edler von Smidaich (1841–1925)
Johann Baptist Čžjžek Edler von Smidaich was one of the leading entrepreneurs in the Habsburg Empire with interests in several major industries as well as in finance.
His father was the geologist Johann Baptist Čžjžek (1806-55), who compiled the first geological map of Bohemia. He studied chemistry at Horni Slavkov (Schlaggerwald) in western Bohemia and in 1867 in partnership with his cousin Georg Haas von Hasenfels (1861-1914) took over the Paulus-Porzellan porcelian works, established in Slavkov in 1793 by Johann Georg Paulus which prospered under the management of Johann Georg Lippers (d 1843) and Wenzel Haas (1772-1830). By 1867 the company was known as Haas und Lippert, and subsequently as Haas und Čžjžek. The quality of its porcelain was high and its customers included the Emperor, the Pope and many aristocrats. In 1872 Hass and Čžjžek purchased the porcelain works of Portheim und Sohne at Chadau (now Chodov, in the Czech Republic), and the two factories between them employed more than a thousand people. Their porcelain was skilfully marked through outlets in Paris, Vienna and Budapest.
Čžjžek left the porcelain company in 1875 after disagreements with his relations. He had already developed interests in textiles. He purchased the Fritsch textile company, which had six factories and subsequently diversified into mechanical engineering, establishing, with his Ignác Šustala (1822-1901), Straudinger Waggenfabrik AG based in Māhren, Moravia. The company produced a variety of engineering products, and later evolved into the Tatra motor vehicle firm, but was chiefly notable for building what is generally recognised as the first multiple unit passenger train (Triebwagenzug) to run on a European railway. Čžjžek was involved in banking, having been a founder of the Wiener Bankverein (Vienna union of banks) in 1869. He made a world tour in 1898 to promote the Empire’s exports and was subsequently knighted. He was also a substantial landowner but both he and his companies suffered severe losses in the years after the First World War, and he did not live to see the subsequent prosperity of Czech industry.

domain: history


text:
Made possible by funding from the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts
The IWO Flute Quartet
Sydney Carlson, Leonard Garrison, Jennifer Rhyne, Paul Taub
Flute Music of Harvey Sollberger, 1958-2015
Friday, March 24, 7:30 pm at the University of Iowa Recital Hall
|| download program ||
II. Largo; Andante; Allegro quasi Hindemith
The IWO Flute Quartet, named after the members' home states of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, was formed in 2011 by four leading Pacific Northwest Flutists. Its purpose is to provide excellent performances of the best repertoire for four flutes with special emphasis on new music. The group has performed throughout the northwest and at two National Flute Association Conventions.
Sydney Carlson is Professor of Flute at Portland State University, a member of the Portland Opera Orchestra, and a frequent performer with the Oregon Symphony and Oregon Ballet Theater Orchestra. Ms. Carlson has performed in Mexico, Europe and China. She holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, East Carolina University and the University of Houston. She has recorded on the Mark, Delos, Albany, CIEM, and Urtext Digital labels.
Leonard Garrison is Associate Professor of Flute and Associate Director of the Lionel Hampton School of Music at the University of Idaho and former President of the National Flute Association. He performs in the Northwest Wind Quintet, the Walla Walla Symphony, and The Scott/Garrison Duo and teaches at the Red Lodge Music Festival in Montana and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan.
Jennifer Rhyne serves as Assistant Professor at Pacific Lutheran University where she teaches flute, directs the Sølvvinden Flute Ensemble, and performs with the Camas Woodwind Quintet. She is also a member of the Tacoma Symphony. Rhyne previously taught at Fort Hays State University in Kansas. She holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory, the University of Michigan, and Stony Brook University.
Paul Taub is Professor of Music at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and flutist and Executive Director of the Seattle Chamber Players. Secretary of the National Flute Association, he has also served on the Board of Chamber Music America. He has toured extensively in Eastern Europe with SCP, and has recorded on Periplum, New Albion, New World, Mode and CRI. His CD, Edge: Flute Music from the Periphery of Europe was released in 2011.
was written while I was a graduate student at Columbia University. It was inspired after an evening in New York City spent reading flute ensemble music with Betty Bang (no Mather at that time), Samuel Baron and my soon-to-be-wife, Sophie Schultz. High on our list of favorites was the early 19th century composer Friederich Kuhlau's “Grand Quartet” for flutes. (Kuhlau is now a mostly-forgotten composer, but is well-known to flutists; he was admired by Beethoven who dedicated a canon, “Kuhl Nicht Lau” to him.) My goal, perhaps offbeat at the time but kind of amusing now, was to channel Kuhlau into the Twentieth Century. Accordingly, the piece is dedicated to him, although behind the scenes and pulling some of the strings – influence/stealing, see “Two Pieces for Two Flutes” notes - is a more recent composer with the initials E.C.C. — Harvey Sollberger
for flute and alto flute (1989) dates from the time of my landing in Italy as Resident Composer at the American Academy in Rome. My studio was in the chapel of the ancient Villa Aurelia, hence the title. If the piece seems chirpy and exuberant, that's how I felt in those days. So “rooted” is the music in its time and place that listeners will hear at its close the tune I would hear intoned every hour on the hour by the bells of a nearby church. Another less ancient Roman recollection also slips in at the end. “AE” is dedicated to my former student, Lauren Weiss, with whom I first performed it in the Villa Aurelia on November 3, 1989. — Harvey Sollberger
Two Pieces for Two Flutes
was written while I was a student at the University of Iowa, and is dedicated to my teacher (then and still), Betty Bang Mather. We first performed it on one of Betty's recitals at the university. Like many an early piece, it fairly shamelessly displays its influences (perhaps what we call a composer's “maturity” is, in fact, merely his/her ever greater skill at concealing what he's/she's stolen from others). I won't tip my hand too much, but the fast section of the second piece is marked “Allegro quasi Hindemith.” At least I knew who I was stealing from. — Harvey Sollberger
Hara for solo alto flute
is another piece dedicated to my teacher, Betty Bang Mather (on average I try to slip in a dedication to Betty every decade or so). Very much influenced by the music and playing techniques of the Japanese shakuhachi, “Hara” translates many of them into alto flute language, along with some of the fruits of the then-current European and American exploration of extended techniques. According to books I read at the time, “hara” was a very basic traditional Japanese concept rooted in the belly and signifying strength, fortitude, “guts.” When I played it in Japan in 1986 none of the Japanese composers and musicians I encountered were familiar with the concept and, in fact, found it bewildering. Was it just SO Japanese that they didn't want to discuss it with a foreigner, or were my Western sources misled? An open question. Betty performed “Hara” in 1992 at the National Flute Association Convention in Los Angeles, and most recently, her student Laura Konig performed it at the 2012 NFA Convention in Las Vegas. — Harvey Sollberger
Second Grand Quartet for Sixteen Flutes
was composed for the IWO Flute Quartet who premiered it at the 2015 National Flute Association Convention in Washington, D.C. At the request of the members of the Quartet, I wrote it so that each player performs not just on flute but on piccolo, alto flute and bass flute, as well; the piece, in fact – and you won't notice this, nor need you – employs every possible combination of the four different types of flute used. Beyond this “SGQfSF” is similar to several of the Variable Form pieces I've written since 2011 in that it is composed as a kind of circle which can be entered and left (started and finished) at any of a number of fixed points. The Variable Form idea, itself, grows out of my desire to find or create a kind of musical continuity that “forgets itself as it goes along;” a kind of amnesiac music that floats and unfolds cloud-like within a perpetual present moment. I 'll admit I've fallen off the wagon a few times in this piece – in the immortal words of the great Pewee Herman, “I meant to do that” – in creating several cross-references across the music's broad span. Old habits die hard. All this means (I think) is that you shouldn't listen here for some sort of teleological unfolding leading to a resolution that ties everything together, or that adds-up-up like a master accountant's balance sheet. I like music that's a little off-balance, even a little “off.” That's what I'm reaching for, I think. — Harvey Sollberger


text:
Leftists Turn on Rachel Maddow for Latest Anti-Trump Tirade
Is the Left’s admonishment of Rachel Maddow a sign of the times?
Has President Trump turned the Left on itself?
Some think so.
Rachel Maddow is one of the most overrated news anchors on the planet. Yet, the Left love her, or at least pretend to. What choice do they have?
Between Lawrence O’Donnell and Al Sharpton, there isn’t a whole lot to fall back on.
Others notwithstanding, I find Maddow equally irritating, her staccato delivery, painful. Maddow tells little story, and provides only daily “bad theater”.
Sadly, Maddow is too stupid to be embarrassed by her dismal storyboarding. Her dyed-in-the-wool hatred of President Trump and Conservatives allows her no room to look objectively at the issues.
Remember Maddow’s rush to judgment on Donald Trump’s taxes?
As most of America, perhaps the world knows by now, Maddow teased that she had President Trump’s 2005 taxes. Maddow’s intent was to prove that Trump didn’t pay his taxes.
This became a Leftist mantra, “Trump never paid taxes.” Interestingly, Trump never bothered to acknowledge the accusation. Thus Maddow joined the witch hunt.
What we've got is from 2005… the President's 1040 form… details to come tonight 9PM ET, MSNBC.
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) March 15, 2017
Maddow spent most of her day setting the narrative for the story. And then Maddow found out why Trump is the ringmaster.
In a move that would make P. T. Barnum smile, President Trump scooped Maddow, releasing his taxes beforehand.
— davidshepardson (@davidshepardson) March 15, 2017
The Fun Begins as Maddow Unravels
Scoop notwithstanding, the real fallout had only begun.
As it turns out, despite the ability to not pay taxes due to earlier losses, Donald Trump in 2005 had paid taxes. A lot of taxes. $38 MILLION in taxes.
Allow me to spare you the details, except to say that Maddow spent almost the entire show stalling. She’d been scooped, AND her narrative was blown.
If only there had been a way to tie Trump to RUSSIA!
Ironically, Maddow didn’t even acknowledge that Trump paid $38 million in taxes. Nor did she explain that he could have avoided the tax burden due to his $916 million loss in 1995, an exemption he could use for up to 18 years.
And as if this snafu wasn’t bad enough, Maddow jumps the shark once again!
As FOX News reported,
MSNBC star Rachel Maddow’s latest anti-Trump conspiracy theory was so outlandish that even the dependably liberal HuffPost criticized it as “so flimsy that it could be debunked by a quick glance at a map.”
On Thursday evening, “The Rachel Maddow Show” opened with a somber 25-minute diatribe that attempted to connect the tragic ambush attack that killed four American soldiers in Niger to the latest version of President Trump’s proposed travel ban, which included the nation of Chad. Maddow essentially claimed that the inclusion of Chad, which recently pulled its troops out of Niger, in the revised travel ban resulted in extremist attacks such as the one that left four Americans dead.
The HuffPost, which is so anti-Trump that it refused to even cover him in the political section during the early stages of his campaign, published a story headlined, “What the hell was this Rachel Maddow segment?” The MSNBC host proclaimed that Chad’s pullout from Niger “had an immediate effect in emboldening ISIS attacks,” but the HuffPost easily shot down her theory.
Colby College Department of Government assistant professor Laura Seay told the HuffPost that “any expert” would have said Maddow’s conspiracy theory was “crazy” and the pullout of Chadian troops isn’t necessarily related to the Trump’s travel ban.
“Everybody that I know is appalled by this. I would like to think that Maddow’s researchers are more responsible,” Seay told the HuffPost.
While Maddow rushes to judgment on the death of four people in Niger, she was all too willing to give Hillary Clinton a pass on Benghazi.
And for those thinking it, you can bet that Maddow would gladly bash Trump on Benghazi and give Clinton a pass on Niger, if the situations reversed.


9119 Centreville Road
Easton, Maryland 21601
Web Address: www.brinstrument.com
Description: B/R Instrument Corp manufactures lab scale distillation equipment for various applications including ASTM D1160, D2892 and D5236. We specialize in mini and micro spinning band distillation systems. We also manufacture fractional distillation systems for High Purity solvent recycling of GPC solvents such as TCB and HFIP.