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Neurotrophins (NTs) play important roles in brain growth and development. Cord blood (CB) brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations increase with gestational age but data regarding postnatal changes are limited. We measured BDNF concentrations after birth in 33 preterm infants <32-wk gestation. Serum was collected at birth (CB), at day 2, between day 6 and 10 (D6), at day 30 (D30), and at day 60 (D60). BDNF concentrations fell on D2 (p = 0.03), recovered by D6 (p = 0.10), and continued to rise thereafter at D30 (p = 0.06) and D60 (p = 0.01) compared with CB. CB BDNF concentrations positively correlated with duration of rupture of membranes (r = 0.43, p = 0.04). Antenatal steroids (ANS, p = 0.02), postnatal steroids (PNS, p = 0.04), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP, p = 0.02) were identified as significant factors in multivariate analyses. The median (25–75th interquartile range) CB BDNF concentrations were higher in infants who received a complete course ANS compared with those who received a partial course [1461 (553–2064) versus 281 (171–536) pg/mL, p = 0.04]. BDNF concentrations negatively correlated with the use of PNS at D30 (r = −0.53, p = 0.002) and at D60 (r = −0.55, p = 0.009). PNS use was associated with reduced concentrations of BDNF at D30 [733 (101–1983) versus 2224 (1677–4400) pg/mL, p = 0.004] and at D60 [1149 (288–2270) versus 2560 (1337–5166) pg/mL, p = 0.01]. BDNF concentrations on D60 in infants who developed ROP (n = 16) were lower than those who did not develop ROP (n = 7) [1417 (553–2540) versus 3593 (2620–7433) pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.005]. Our data suggests that BDNF concentrations rise beyond the first week of age. BDNF concentrations correlate with factors that influence neurodevelopment outcomes.
Neurotrophins (NTs)—nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), NT-3, and NT-4/5—are a family of growth factors that play an important role in the growth and development of central and peripheral nervous systems (1,2). NTs promote the growth, survival, proliferation, and migration of neurons; regulate neurotransmitter synthesis and secretion; and the development of synaptic plasticity. In addition, they also modulate immune cells (3–6). NTs are also protective against apoptotic neuronal loss, and exogenous BDNF administration has been shown to attenuate various forms of brain injury in both animals and humans (7–9).
BDNF is synthesized in several neuronal and glial cell populations and also expressed in several nonneural tissues, such as immune cells and the vascular endothelium, but the contribution of the latter to the circulating pool is limited (10–14). NTs cross the blood-brain barrier that is relatively immature in the preterm infants (15,16). Karege et al. (17) have shown that changes in serum BDNF concentrations are similar to changes in BDNF concentrations in the brain. In addition to its local effects in the central and peripheral nervous systems, BDNF plays important roles in several nonneural tissues (18–21). For example, exogenous BDNF administration has been shown to modulate glucagon secretion and glucose homeostasis (22). Changes in BDNF concentrations also correlate with disease course and response to therapy under various clinical conditions (6,23–26).
Prematurity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and outcomes are influenced by both antenatal and postnatal factors (27–30). Preterm brain cortical volume grows nearly 4-fold between 29 and 35 weeks of gestation and is a critical period for neuronal growth and migration. Infants born at this gestation period have been shown to have decreased cortical gray and white matter at term equivalent—secondary to apoptosis and neuronal atrophy—that impacts on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes (31–33).
There is little data regarding BDNF during this critical period of neuronal growth, especially in preterm infants. BDNF concentrations are lower in preterm infants compared with term and both are decreased compared with adults (34–36). Cord blood (CB) BDNF concentrations increase with gestational age (GA) and with use of antenatal steroids (ANS), whereas low concentrations have been associated with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (36). BDNF concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid are increased in infants with perinatal depression and meningitis (37,38). In both animal models and humans, BDNF concentrations are decreased in infections (39,40). There is little data in preterm infants regarding changes in BDNF concentrations after birth, or its relationship with factors that influence neurodevelopmental outcomes. Because ANS improve neurodevelopmental outcomes (28) and increase BDNF concentrations (36), and postnatal steroids (PNS) are detrimental to the developing brain (41), we hypothesized that BDNF concentrations would be decreased by PNS use. In this study, we measured serial BDNF concentrations from birth until discharge in preterm infants <32-wk gestation. Further, we sought to correlate BDNF concentrations with other factors, such as birth weight and gestational age, and with clinical morbidities, such as IVH, bronchopulmoary dysplasia (BPD), and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which are known to influence outcomes after premature birth.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was approved by the University of Kentucky (UK) Institutional Review Board and written informed consent was obtained from all parents. Parents were free to withdraw their infant from the study at any time during their infant's stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Study design and population.
The study was conducted prospectively over a 1-y-period at the UK NICU. Fifty infants <32 wk were enrolled. Infants with known congenital anomalies or in the absence of informed consent were excluded.
Data collection and analyses.
CB was collected aseptically at delivery as reported previously (36). Serial samples were collected on day 2 (D2), between days 6 and 10 (D6), at day 30 (D30), and at day 60 (D60) of life. At the time of medically indicated blood draw, an additional 0.5 mL blood was collected, serum separated, and stored at −80°C until analyses.
BDNF assay was determined using DuoSet ELISA kits (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) according to manufacturer's instructions. The minimum detection limit of this assay is 23.4 pg/mL (sensitivity) and there is no cross reactivity with other NTs, i.e. β-nerve growth factor, GDNF, NT-3, or NT-4 at 50 ng/mL. The interassay and intraassay coefficient of variation were 8.0 and 6.2%, respectively. Preliminary assays were done to determine ideal dilutions to achieve assay results within the standardized range. All samples were run in triplicate.
Antenatal data including maternal age, gravida, race, smoking, chorioamnionitis (42), premature rupture of membranes (ROM) (43), duration of ROM, and antenatal steroid use for lung maturation (defined as complete if two doses of betamethasone 24 h apart or four doses of dexamethasone every 12 h in a 48-h period were given before delivery, or partial or none) (44); and neonatal characteristics of birth weight, gender, and GA (45,46) were recorded. Clinical morbidities of grades of IVH (47), BPD (oxygen dependency at 36-wk postmenstrual age) (48), NEC (Bell's stage 2 or higher) (49), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (50), and sepsis (defined by positive blood culture), and the use of systemic PNS were recorded.
Descriptive analysis was used to describe changes in BDNF concentrations at different time points, and median, interquartile range, reported. Wilcoxon test was used to test the differences in BDNF concentrations between clinical outcome groups. Pearson and Spearman correlation were used to describe the relationship between BDNF concentrations at different time points and clinical outcomes. Two-way analysis of variance with contrast analyses was used to determine the changes in BDNF concentrations along time, and the difference among the time points and clinical outcomes. Multivariate analyses were carried out to determine significant clinical factors for BDNF concentration changes with time. All data were analyzed using SAS 9.0 statistical software. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. BDNF concentrations are reported as median (25–75th interquartile range).
Outcomes of enrollment.
Of the 50 infants enrolled, seven died before the end of first week of life, three gave consent only for CB collection, and four parents withdrew consent after initial samples were drawn. In three infants, serial samples could not be collected at appropriate times and therefore excluded from analyses.
CB samples were not always available as some infants were transferred after birth. In some, clinical condition (six infants on D2, five on D6), technical reasons (one on D6, one on D30), and discharge home (two on D30 and 10 on D60) precluded sample collection. We present data from patients where at least three serial samples beyond the first week of life were available (n = 33). Samples were available for CB (n = 22), D2 (n = 27), D6 (n = 27), D30 (n = 30), and D60 (n = 23).
Serial changes in BDNF.
The clinical and demographic features are presented in Table 1. BDNF concentrations were 1099 (374–2035), 46 (23–347), 1857 (678–2721), 1957 (1271–2669), and 2339 (941–3425) pg/mL in CB, on D2, D6, D30, and D60, respectively.
After birth, there was a transient decline in BDNF concentrations followed by recovery between 6 and 10 d of life (Fig. 1). BDNF concentrations on D2 were significantly lower than CB (p = 0.03), and at D6, D30, and D60 (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). BDNF concentrations recovered by D6 (p = 0.10) and continued to rise at D30 (p = 0.06) and D60 (p = 0.01) compared with CB. There were no differences between D30 and D60 BDNF concentrations.
BDNF and antenatal factors.
CB BDNF concentrations correlated with duration of ROM (r = 0.43, p = 0.04). CB BDNF concentrations (but not at other time points) were significantly higher in infants who received a complete course of ANS (n = 16) compared with those (n = 6) who had received a partial course of ANS [1461 (553–2064) versus 281 (171–536) pg/mL, p = 0.04, Fig. 2]. CB was not available for the three infants who had received no ANS.
CB BDNF concentrations did not correlate with birth weight, GA, or any other antenatal or maternal factors.
BDNF and postnatal outcomes.
CB BDNF concentrations did not correlate with IVH (r = −0.19, p = 0.40) although they were lower in infants who developed IVH (n = 7) compared with those who did not develop IVH [n = 12, 694 (344–1337) versus 1473 (375–2057) pg/mL; p = 0.36]. IVH developed in 12 infants (grade I–II) with no infants with grades III or IV hemorrhage. Nine of 12 infants who developed IVH had received ANS, whereas the three infants who had not received any ANS all developed IVH.
BDNF concentrations were negatively correlated with the use of PNS (r = −0.53, p = 0.002) at D30 and at D60 (r = −0.55, p = 0.009).
In infants who received PNS (n = 7) for either hypotension or chronic lung disease, BDNF concentrations were significantly decreased at D30 and at D60 (Fig. 3). BDNF concentrations at D30 were 733 (101–1983) versus 2224 (1677–4400) pg/mL (p = 0.004) and at D60 were 1149 (288–2270) versus 2560 (1337–5166) pg/mL (p = 0.01) in infants who did and did not receive PNS, respectively.
BDNF concentrations at D60 in infants who developed ROP (n = 16) versus those who did not develop ROP (n = 7) were 1417 (553–2540) versus 3593 (2620–7433) pg/mL, respectively (p = 0.005, Fig. 4). BDNF concentrations were significantly lower in those who required surgical intervention for stage 3 or higher ROP (n = 5) compared with those with no ROP [906 (538–2489) versus 3593 (2620–7433) pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.02]. In infants with ROP, BDNF concentrations in those who required surgical intervention trended lower than those who did not require surgical intervention [906 (538–2489) versus1417 (553–2540) pg/mL, p = NS].
BDNF concentrations did not correlate with clinical outcomes of BPD, sepsis, and NEC.
To determine significant factors that affected BDNF concentrations, multivariate analyses was carried out including each of the following covariates: GA, birth weight, smoking, ANS, IVH, BPD, ROP, NEC, sepsis, and PNS. In this model, both ANS (p = 0.02) and PNS (p = 0.04) and ROP (p = 0.02) were identified as significant factors.
In this study, we have found that BDNF concentrations were correlated with factors known to be associated with deleterious developmental outcomes in preterm infants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of measured serial BDNF changes from birth until discharge in preterm infants less than 32-wk gestation.
BDNF is synthesized in several neuronal populations in central and peripheral nervous systems, vascular endothelium and immune cells (12,13,51). Endogenous fetal synthesis, maternal passage, and placenta serve as source of BDNF in the fetus, although maternal and amniotic fluid levels of BDNF fall with advancing GA (36,39,52–55). Abrupt removal of these sources could cause the sharp decline in BDNF levels after birth. The pattern of transient decline followed by rising levels is similar to that reported in term infants where BDNF concentrations fell on day 1 before rising on day 4 after birth (35), although in another study involving term and preterm infants, BDNF concentrations rose on day 1 in both groups but fell on day 4 only in preterm infants (34). In neither of these studies, BDNF concentrations were followed beyond the first week of age.
Use of ANS for pulmonary maturation are associated with improved neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants (28). CB BDNF concentrations in this study were also significantly higher in infants whose mothers received a complete course of ANS (36). ANS-mediated neuroprotection may be through increased BDNF synthesis, or alternately, neuronal maturation after ANS may result in increased BDNF concentrations (36). Our data also suggests that the influence of ANS may last beyond birth, as BDNF levels were higher after the first week of age in infants who received a complete course. There was also no correlation between CB BDNF and IVH as reported previously (36). The higher antenatal steroid use and lack of any grade III or IV IVH in this study may explain these differences.
In contrast to ANS, PNS use was associated with significant attenuation in BDNF concentrations. PNS used for treatment of chronic lung disease has declined because of their detrimental effect on cortical brain growth (41). Corticosteroids inhibit cellular proliferation in the subventricular zone, down-regulate BDNF synthesis, and decrease BDNF expression in the developing brain and after ischemic injury (56–59). BDNF expression is also attenuated in conditions of neuronal atrophy or cell death and aging (60). Because BDNF crosses the blood-brain barrier (14) and peripheral BDNF levels reflect central levels (17), lower BDNF levels associated with PNS could be a reflection of either a direct suppressive effect or neuronal apoptosis. BDNF also regulates neuronal migration (61) and Reelin expression—a metalloprotein that influences the “inside-out” layering during cortical migration (62). Similarly, BDNF is involved in synaptic development and plasticity associated with learning and memory (63). Alterations in BDNF concentrations after postnatal steroid use could therefore possibly affect migration of cortical neurons during this period of brain growth.
BDNF is expressed in the visual cortex and retina during development and plays an important role in development of visual plasticity (64,65). We noted that BDNF concentrations were decreased in infants who developed ROP and trended lower in those with more severe ROP. ROP is characterized by abnormal neovascularization in which local concentrations of VEGF play a significant role in its pathogenesis (66). Conflicting data suggest that serum VEGF concentrations may be decreased or unchanged with severe ROP (67,68). BDNF is expressed in the vascular endothelium, is involved in angiogenesis, and increases VEGF expression (69,70). The presence of BDNF in the retina and its possible role in angiogenesis suggests that BDNF may play an as yet unappreciated role in the development of ROP. It remains to be determined whether low BDNF concentrations are a marker for severe ROP.
BDNF concentrations were positively correlated with duration of ROM in our study, which to the best of our knowledge has not been reported previously. Premature ROM increases risk of infections and can be considered a form of stress for the fetus (43). Alterations in expression of neuronal markers including decreased BDNF concentrations have been reported in animals exposed to prenatal stress and infections (39,71,72). However, only four infants were diagnosed with chorioamnionitis that precluded further analyses in this study. The correlation of BDNF concentrations and duration of ROM may perhaps be related to exposure to ANS the majority of infants received before delivery.
The strengths of our study include the serial measurement of BDNF concentrations in preterm infants. Our results support strong correlation between BDNF concentrations and antenatal steroid use and postnatal factors of postnatal steroid use and severe ROP, all of which are known to influence neurodevelopmental outcomes.
In summary, BDNF concentrations rise following a transient decline after birth. BDNF concentrations were strongly correlated with several antenatal factors and postnatal outcomes that significantly impact neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. A larger study and developmental follow up of these infants would be required to further answer these questions.
brain-derived neurotrophic factor
retinopathy of prematurity
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We thank Dr. Nitin Chouthai for his technical expertise and guidance in the successful completion of this work.
Supported by NIH/NINDS grant R01 NS040592 (G.M.S.).
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Perinatal hypoxia as a risk factor for psychopathology later in life: the role of dopamine and neurotrophins

domain: medical


With the rise of social media and female empowerment, high schools across the country have seen a spike in female participation in sports.
When junior Armelle Oliantus first arrived at Dr. Phillips High School, she saw an opportunity in athletics.
Growing up, she remembers people telling her she was fast, and from there, an interest in track was born. It was an undertaking she believed would be worth the time she devoted to it.
Fast forward three years, and Oliantus has dabbled in multiple sports — specifically track and weightlifting — and it’s all because of the inspiration she felt when she first stepped on campus.
“Lately, the girls sports have dominated more than the male sports in almost everything,” Oliantus said. “So when I first started high school and I saw that, it made me more passionate, and I had more of an urge to do it.”
More opportunities — and getting the chance to see girls show that they were just as competent in sports as the boys — led Oliantus on her path, and she is not alone.
Despite overall participation numbers declining across the country’s high schools, girls sports are thriving.
According to the annual High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations, of the 7.9 million athletes competing during the 2018-19 school year, more than 3.4 million were girls.
In general, girls sports across the board have seen an uptick in participation, with volleyball (6,225 more participants), soccer (3,623 more participants) and lacrosse (3,164 more participants) seeing the biggest jumps. Meanwhile, girls wrestling jumped 27% and now has almost 22,000 participants.
There’s no definitive answer as to what led to this jump in girls sports at the high school level, but there are a few trends that local coaches, trainers and athletes have noticed.
The rise of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram has changed the world in many ways, and that includes athletics.
Years ago, all the public could see about athletes came from television and in news articles. But now, it sees everything — including how they work out, said Micah Kurtz, director of sports performance at Windermere Prep.
The influence of social media has been prominent — especially as it relates to the growth of young female athletes looking to work out.
“People are posting their workouts, and social media gives you more of an inside look at these athletes’ (lives) like never before,” Kurtz said. “So now you’re seeing so much of their life. … More people are seeing what they are doing behind the scenes. They want to be like them, so they want to train like them.”
Instagram stands out the most for athletes such as Oliantus. There, she can see photos and videos of athletes going through their training routines and workouts.
“I literally just typed a weightlifter named Stefanie Cohen, and I looked her up, because my anatomy teacher — he does CrossFit — was telling me about (her), and I looked at her Instagram, and it was cool to me,” Oliantus said. “And now it’s like every time I go to Instagram, bodybuilders pop up, and then I’ll also look up track runners. So it’s like every time I open Instagram, the stuff I looked up comes up — I don’t even have to search for it.”
Along with social media, a big part of the rise of sports has been television — especially organizations such as ESPN. Budding athletes can stumble across a dozen-plus channels — all dedicated to sports. With such a selection, there now is far more access to sports and games than there was 15 years ago. During the 1990s, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team won two World Cups (1991, 1999) and included some of the greatest female players in the history of the sport. Still, once the tournament was done, they went back into a general obscurity.
Things have changed dramatically. The women’s team has won multiple World Cups since 2015, but now they’re in daily conversations and at the forefront of the sports world while the men’s team lags behind — why? It’s a combination of winning and exposure, and it’s in turn helped grow the girls game at the high school level, said Foundation Academy girls soccer coach James Grosshans.
“Mia Hamm — who was probably one of the best women’s soccer players — she didn’t have access to the majority of being put out there and getting her story put out there during that time,” Grosshans said. “Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Hope Solo — all of those women are huge. People are not only following their careers, they’re following their life now.”
When the Education Amendments of 1972 were passed by Congress, Title IX was among one of the statutes established.
The federal civil rights law was put into place to protect people from discrimination based on gender in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance — which includes high school and collegiate athletics.
“Now that we have things like Title IX — and Title IX might be a pain for some people — but it really protects female athletics and makes sure that we do have a somewhat, not completely, fair playing field,” Dr. Phillips girls volleyball coach Emily Loftus said.
Unlike in the past, many prominent female athletes are now vociferously sharing their concerns regarding issues such as equal pay and body shaming.
“Not everybody agrees that the (female) empowerment should be as strong as it is, but it is — in turn — affecting female athletics,” Loftus said.
There’s no denying that female athletics is in better shape now than it was 30 years ago, but it’s still not where many believe it should be, Loftus said. There’s a lot of work to be done, and one way is to continue to promote women’s athletics on the national stage by sports platforms like ESPN.
“I see more female news reporters, and we now have ESPNW as a social platform,” Loftus said. “It needs to become more common to see female athletics in the forefront, and female athletes being successful.”
Other means of promoting female athletes is just by simply having athletic departments and schools support their athletes, Loftus said. And then there’s the most basic option: inspire girls and women to just work hard and do what you have to do.
“If you want females (athletes) to get to the levels of the boys, or you want the boys to get to the levels of the girls, it’s hard work,” Oliantus said. “ I feel like if you truly want it in your heart, you should put hard work into it, and your hard work will pay off in the end.”


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domain: artistic


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Nasdaq set for worst month of 2023 as interest rates rise
Rising interest rates have hammered tech-heavy growth stocks in the last few months.
Why it matters: Tech stocks have been the key driver of this year's rally, so if they falter, the market could be set for a hiccup, or worse.
The big picture: Certain kinds of stocks are especially sensitive to changes in long-term interest rates.
- Generally speaking, these stocks tend to be companies poised to capitalize on tech trends that, while they aren't actually profitable at the moment, could potentially generate a bottom-line bonanza at some hazy point in the distant future.
- They soar when long-term rates — essentially the yield on the 10-year Treasury — fall, and tend to get clobbered when long-term rates rise.
Flashback: Earlier this year, as inflation started to ease, long-term rates fell, generating a massive rise in the share prices of giant tech companies like Nvidia and Microsoft that seem well-positioned to benefit from AI.
- The broad tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite surged more than 37% year-to-date through mid-July.
- And the S&P 500 was up almost 20%, largely on the back of massive surges in the so-called Magnificent Seven.
The other side: Other parts of the market tend to perform better with a rising rate backdrop.
- These include energy stocks, financial firms and industrial companies — sometimes known as "cyclicals" because they do better when the short-term outlook for the business cycle is bright.
The bottom line: Even so, the massive size of tech stocks means a downdraft there might have a bigger impact on the market than a rally in cyclicals can offset.
- In other words, the new record high we were starting to see on the horizon a few weeks back might have been a mirage.

domain: finance


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Happiest Minds Technologies, a next generation digital transformation, infrastructure, security and product engineering services company headquartered in Bangalore, India, Aug. 29 reported strong results for the fiscal first quarter and announced that the million meals target to Akshaya Patra has been achieved.
Reaching the landmark, or “smilestone” as the company dubs them, results in a commemoration with acts of giving, the company said in a news release.
Earlier, the company set a goal to contribute a million meals to the midday meal scheme of the Akshaya Patra Foundation before its initial public offering.
Happiest Minds has been able to achieve the million meals mark with this seventh anniversary celebration contribution and has now set a goal towards contributing an additional million meals by its IPO launch in FY'23.
The first quarter of FY19 has witnessed all round growth, the company said.
Among the new achievements included a real-time streaming platform for a large media and entertainment company; connected IoT products and services for a leading U.S. smart and sustainable water solutions provider; a next-generation network operations center for a U.S.-based telecom service provider; a data platform for a leading professional education and learning company; a security operation center for one of the largest Indian retailers; and a digital contact center modernization and service desk automation for a U.S. bank, the company announced.
"We are excited at the strong quarter results and credit goes to all the business units, CoEs, geos, practices and enabling functions for their contributions,” Happiest Minds executive chair Ashok Soota said. “Special mention goes out to the Product Engineering Services Business Unit for contributing the most cumulatively towards the Smilestones."
Added director and happiness evangelist of Happiest Minds Sharon Andrew-Rajkumar: "Our seventh anniversary smilestone is a good time to reflect on our journey and be proud of what we have created – our technologies and our culture. The Mindfulness initiative of Being Mindful and Doing Mindful has established Happiest Minds as the first Mindful IT company in the country and possibly the world. More than half of our teams have participated in Mindfulness training thus far."
Happiest Minds is on track to reach an annualized $100 million run rate by the fourth fiscal quarter. The company plans to launch its IPO in FY'23 and in the interim provide a monetization event for investors/team by FY'20, it said.


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Coronavirus RNA detected in Ljubljana hospital wastewater
Ljubljana, 16 November - The ribonucleic acid (RNA) of Sars-CoV-2 has been detected in the wastewater from Slovenia's main Covid-19 treatment facility in what researchers say could be used as an early warning system.
Researchers from the National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food (NLZOH) detected the virus's RNA in the wastewater of the Ljubljana UKC hospital's Department of Infectious Diseases.
This was after detection of the SARS-CoV RNA in the stool of both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals had been reported in previous studies and after first evidence of the traces of the virus in untreated wastewater was detected in the Netherlands.
Prompted by those studies, the NLZOH Department for Public Health Microbiology, which has been studying pathogen microorganisms in wastewaters for many years, focused on developing methods to detect the novel virus's RNA.
In early June, they launched a study in which they took samples of the wastewater from the UKC Ljubljana Department of Infectious Diseases on a daily basis for 15 days, resuming the sampling for the following 15 days.
During the sampling period, the number of hospitalized patients with Covid-19 at the facility was low, ranging from zero to four. However, even when only a single patient was hospitalised the viral RNA was detected in the hospital wastewater.
"With this approach viral RNA could be detected in a population locally even before infections spread and then targeted measures could be applied to contain the virus's spread," STA learnt from the researchers whose conclusions have recently been published in the journal Science of The Total Environment.
They say such an early warning approach could for example be used in care homes, child care facilities, hospitals or other communities where the outbreak of the disease represents a high risk.
The paper is available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969720367577.

domain: health


Steering Timing Prediction in a Driving Simulator Task
In this paper we present the preliminary results of a pioneering attempt to predict the timing of steering actions in a driving task from non-invasive EEG measurements. The experiment took place with the subjects driving a car at a constant speed on a simulated highway in a driving simulator. The EEG activity was analyzed during periods of straight driving and during lane change actions. Classifiers were built on the signals recorded over the motor areas for straight and pre-steering periods. The onset of the steering actions was detected on average 811ms before the action with a 74.6% true positive rate.
Record created on 2013-08-22, modified on 2016-08-09


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Ranking UConn Football’s 2015 OpponentsWhile expectations in East Hartford are down, here’s a look at each UConn opponent, ranked from most winnable to toughest.
UConn Women's 2015-16 Non-Conference ScheduleThe University of Connecticut women's basketball team has released its non-conference schedule for the 2015-16 season.
UConn, Notre Dame in NCAA Title Game...Again
UConn Back in Title Game After 81-58 Win Over Maryland
Joe D's Notebook: And Just Like That, It's Over
Joe D's Notebook: Wrapping Up The AAC Tournament
Joe D's Notebook: The Quarterfinals of the AAC Tournament
AAC Tournament Champions
Tonight Is Senior Night
No. 3 UConn Cruises To A 89-53 VictoryNo. 3 Connecticut beat Wisconsin-Green Bay 89-53 Sunday night in the championship game of the Gulf Coast Showcase.
UConn Women Fall Out West, Win Streak SnappedAmber Orrange made a go-ahead jumper with 1:38 left in overtime and the tying 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining in regulation, sending No. 6 Stanford to an 88-86 victory against top-ranked Connecticut to snap the Huskies' 47-game winning streak Monday night.
Two UConn Recruits Sign Letters Of IntentDefending national champion UConn has announced the signing of two recruits, including another guard from Roxbury, Massachusetts.


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The Holocaust as Part of Artie’s Family History
In “Maus II” by Art Spiegelman a series of three panels helps to encapsulate a continuous theme throughout the two part story. In these panels Artie and Francoise are in the car driving to assist Artie’s father who has just been left by his second wife. In the car Artie claims that “I never felt guilty about Richieu. But I did have nightmares about S.S. Men coming into my class…I wish I had been in Auschwitz with my parents so I could really know what they lived through” (16). Artie struggles with his relationship with his father, the death of his mother, his ghost-brother, and his attempt to recreate the Holocaust in a comic strip. All of these struggles connect back to his lack of common experience. He knows that due to the difference in their pasts, the difference in their upbringing, in many ways he is distanced from his family, people he cannot seem to fully understand. The series of panel mentioned before, along with the highlighted dialogue, capture Artie’s inability to connect with his family and their story due to a significant difference in their lack of shared history.
The Holocaust, to Artie, was something horrible and unfathomable that his parents experienced and lived through. This part of his family history is not an element of life that makes him connected to his parents through lineage, but creates a gap in their relationship. He often worries that he does not understand fully their experiences, as he did in the car with his wife. Artie in asking his father for his story is attempting to understand, he wants to be able to capture the survival of his father, the survival of his family, and subsequently himself, in his art. However, many times throughout the graphic novel Artie reveals his despair in failing at his task. Even after the publication of his first graphic novel on his father’s story Artie worries that he has inappropriately captured his father and that the work can never do the experience justice.
Additionally, Artie blames his father’s personality on the Holocaust. His father is stingy with money, willing to live on next to nothing. He is demanding, coarse, and judgmental. As a reason behind his personality Artie claims that his father’s past has shaped this character in him. That the Holocaust is the reason he will throw away nothing, and do nothing with money but save it. He believes that the Holocaust is the reason that his father is so surly, that surely his attitude is a product of his rough life. His father lived through a death trap, Artie can never measure up to that, and can never be as accomplished as his father. This is what Artie believes, what he thinks, what keeps him at arm’s length from his father. His lack of shared history, his inability to experience the Holocausts drives him into creating a world where his father and he cannot coexist in mutual understanding.
In the car with his wife, Artie speaks of his ghost-brother and the impact that has had on his life. Richieu was the first son, the boy that knew the Holocaust, the boy that did not survive the Holocaust. His parents cherish the picture of this son. They recall the memory their son as the perfect boy he was. This perfection plagues Arties. He feels that he is constantly competing with a ghost to gain the approval of his parents. His brother was a mere five or six when he died, allowing him to be the picture of perfection to his parents. Richieu would not have chosen the life Artie had chosen, he would have “married a rich Jew,” and known the suffering that his parents knew. Richieu is the missing generational link from Artie to his parents. He, as a son, would be able to relate to Artie and his existence before the Holocaust creates a shared history. However, his death pushes Artie further from his parents, because now Artie must face a brother he never met in order to prove himself a worthy son in the eyes of his parents. As he sees it, he can never measure up to the perfection of his ghost brother – a person who symbolizes the happiness his parents knew before the war even began.
The Holocaust is a part of Artie’s family history. That fact will always remain, but it is a part of their history that Artie cannot truly relate to. His interpretations, as he views them, are inadequate renderings of horror he will never know. Due to this view on the Holocaust, and his parents’ life experience Artie continually feels inept and disconnected from his family. His is plagued by inadequacy in his work, compared to his ghost-brother, and in his comparative life accomplishments in relation to the survival of his parents. Artie attempts to understand the event, the history, that has shaped his life, but this understanding may be something out of his reach.
Published in 1856, the novel Madame Bovary is one of the first to explore the issue of women’s disempowerment in a pointedly modern fashion. As a woman, the protagonist Emma […]
German philosopher Friedrich Engels once said “All history has been a history of class struggles between dominated classes at various stages of social development”. In all societies, each social class […]
“Then upon the mouth, which had spoken lies, moaned in pride and cried out in lust”(256). Emma Bovary’s attempts to achieve her unrealistic desires are also an attempt to break […]
Last September 15th, 2018, I went on a community service program together with my friends at the Malama Loko Ea fishpond in North Shore, Hawaii. It was the first community […]
Being Taken In How much of a role does deception play in courtship? In marriage? In Volume I of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, Henry and Mary Crawford engage in a […]
To what extent is Marxist criticism helpful in opening up potential meanings in ‘London’ by William Blake? By applying a Marxist critique to William Blake’s poem ‘London’, the reader is […]
Both plays, regardless of their context, are simply about man’s need to control instincts inherently selfish, greedy and lustful. They are not political satires. It is clear that both Pebble […]
There is an enigmatic quality to Art Spiegelman’s survival guilt, a guilt which presents itself subtly in Book I and much more palpably in Book II. This ambiguity, so to […]
Art Spiegelman (1986), a creator, author, illustrator, interviewer, and narrator uses the medium of comics to narrate the experiences of his parents, Vladek and Anja Spiegelman, Jews who’d survived the […]
In “Maus II” by Art Spiegelman a series of three panels helps to encapsulate a continuous theme throughout the two part story. In these panels Artie and Francoise are in […]

domain: library


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Forum List » Guru News and Commentaries|
Guru News, Stock picks and commentaries
Mason Hawkins Buys Stake in CONSOL Energy as Coal Stocks Fall
Posted by: Holly LaFon (IP Logged)
Date: June 15, 2012 04:37PM
Mason Hawkins, founder of $34 billion mutual fund firm Southeastern Asset Management, increased his position in CONSOL Energy (CNX) by 440.6 percent this week, according to GuruFocus Real Time Picks. He now owns approximately 10 percent of the coal and natural gas company. Hawkins has an established set of criteria when selecting companies to invest in, the chief of which being whether they will perform over a long-term time period.
The result of his strategy has been substantial long-term returns. Since inception in 1987 his Partners Fund returned 1257.67 percent, for the last five years (4.42 percent) and the last three years 102.9 percent. In the first quarter of 2012 he was in an up period, returning 12.91 percent.
CONSOL Energy, Hawkins’ new pick, is a Pittsburgh-based coal and natural gas producer and one of the leading diversified energy companies in the U.S. It sells its Appalachian coal to electricity generators and steelmakers worldwide. Its natural gas division has grown to engage in both exploration and production, including in the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale region.
Hawkins enjoys seeing large price dips on his high-quality companies, considering them opportunities to increase his positions with a margin of safety. This was likely the case with CONSOL Energy. It has lost almost half of its market cap in two years and opened Friday at $27.66 per share, near its 52-week low of $26.46 and off of its high of $55.02.
There have been several primary depressants on the stock price of Consol recently: a warm winter, a weak economy and low natural gas prices. Low natural gas prices, combined with perennial concerns about the environmental impact and cleanliness of coal, have caused more U.S. electric generators to switch to natural gas. These generators used over 93% of total domestic coal in the first nine months of 2011, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Coal production rose in 2011, causing a surplus that is forcing miners to slow production in 2012. U.S. coal production this year fell to below its five-year range in March, the EIA reports. CONSOL Energy experienced a surplus as well, but has already contracted all of its thermal coal for 2012, though it has idled some operations, it said in its first-quarter statement.
Despite the recent dip, there are several things about the company that might attract a long-term investor such as Hawkins. Most notably, the company is diversifying into the fossil fuel detracting from coal sales – natural gas. It has slated projects in both the Utica Shale and Marcellus Shale, where an estimated 500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas is trapped.
The company began its Utica Shale exploration of 20,000 acres in Ohio in 2011 through a strategic partnership with Hess Corporation. It is already a leading producer in the Marcellus Shale. Combined, the company has access to natural gas reserves of over 3.5 trillion cubic feet.
With the new wells CONSOL expects to drill in 2012, it has projected it will produce 160 Bcfe of natural gas for the year, an increase of nearly 12 percent, compared to pro forma production of 142.9 Bcf the previous year. Its 2013 target is 200 to 220 Bcfe after more drilling.
The quality of the company’s operations also interests Hawkins. CONSOL has a strong cash position of $1.9 billion, with $7.5 billion in long-term liabilities in debt. It generated positive cash flow for the last three years including a ten-year peak of $893 million in 2011. It has also kept wide margins. Its five-year net profit margin is 9.12 percent, comparing favorably to rival Arch Coal (ACI)’s 5.8 and near Peabody Energy (BTU)’s 10.2 percent.
CONSOL has a P/E ratio of 10.8, P/S ratio of 1.1, dividend yield of 1.8%, and annual average earnings growth of 23.3% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated Consol Energy the business predictability rank of 2.5-star.
Initially, CONSOL was a relatively small position in Hawkins’ portfolio at 0.9 percent in the first quarter before he boosted his stake. It larger move he is making into the energy sector, with several oil and gas companies now in his portfolio: He owns 13.07 percent of Chesapeake Energy (CHK), 13.42 percent of Quicksilver Resources (KWK) and .2 percent of Murphy Oil (MUR).
Hawkins commented on his diversification strategy in his first quarter letter: “Owning 18-20 companies across a number of industries provides the diversification to reduce company-specific risk and minimizes the risk of loss by limiting holdings to only the most qualified businesses, managements, and discounts. To introduce significantly more stocks would compromise the best-in-class criteria that are so crucial to preserving principal and generating excess return. We generally keep single industry exposure below 15%.”
See Mason Hawkins’ portfolio here. Also check out the Undervalued Stocks, Top Growth Companies, and High Yield stocks of Mason Hawkins.
Guru Discussed: Mason Hawkins: Current Portfolio, Stock Picks
Stocks Discussed: CNX, ACI, BTU, CHK, KWK, MUR,


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Jennifer Lopez returns to her day job this month with her new film, "The Cell," but the sometime-singer says she's still intently focused on her budding music career.
Lopez recently told MTV Radio that she's "halfway done" with her second album, and that she hopes to have the sophomore effort in stores by October. Lopez said she is once again teaming with producer Rodney Jerkins, who worked on her debut, "On The 6." The sultry singer also noted that she is acting as executive producer on the new album, and that "hopefully Puffy [Combs] will do a couple of tracks."
Lopez's foray into music has given the actress another viable career path. The singer's "On The 6" generated three strong hits ("If You Had My Love," "Waiting For Tonight," and "Feelin' So Good") and has yielded two MTV Video Music Award nominations.
MTV, seeing my videos playing, being nominated for awards last year and this year, it's amazing to me," Lopez told MTV News. "I still can't believe it sometimes, but I'm real happy about it." [RealVideo]
Speaking with MTV Radio, Lopez added, "You didn't expect that success. You pour your heart and soul out into your music. It's really a reflection of who you are as a person, as opposed to playing characters in a movie, and you just hope for the best. You hope that somebody relates to it, somebody understands it, and that they like it and that they can dance to it, so I was really pleasantly surprised by the outcome." [RealAudio]
The outcome of Lopez's next adventure in the music biz should surface this fall.
In the meantime, "The Cell" hits theaters on August 18.

domain: celebrity


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Game Of Thrones
It looks like Piracy does pay. The sales of DVD/BluRay box sets for Season 4 of “Game Of Thrones” are going crazy. Season 3 also experienced the same craziness.
Meanwhile, an album from 40 years ago is back on the charts. Led Zeppelin, who was so late to the streaming party, is now fighting for a spot on top of the charts due to their fans streaming their music.
So the recording industries response to piracy is to have a global release day on Friday. Hello, its 2015. Every day is a good day to release new music because music when done right doesn’t need a blockbuster opening day. Last week, 36 Crazyfists released their album “Time and Trauma” with first week sales of 3,500.
Yeah, high fives all round. Let’s blame piracy.
Meanwhile, ageing rockers AC/DC moved another 8,000 units as they move closer to 500,000 sales. However, sales of 500,000 does not mean that the record is popular amongst their fans. Does anyone know if it’s continually getting played? It’s not on Spotify so we can’t use any data from there.
Meanwhile, the “Rock Or Bust” clip has over 7 million views on YouTube, while “Play Ball” has over 6 million views. However, if you compare those YouTube views to Slipknot’s “The Devil and I” 26 million plus views, it’s easy to see what fans of rock and metal are listening too.
But hang on a second, the media outlets give ink to the fact that AC/DC has almost sold 500,000 copies of their album, while Slipknot is closer to the 300,000 mark. Further evidence today, that sales don’t equate to the actual popularity of the album. Listening data does.
Sales are old school and they are not coming back. In Norway, piracy is non-existent however revenues from recorded music haven’t increased. Goes to show that people never really wanted to own music, they just wanted access to it.
However if an entertainment product is done right, people will still spend their money. “American Sniper” is a perfect example of that. The movie is all over the piracy sites, and it is also approaching the $500 million mark on Box Office Returns. Compare that to the “The Expendables 3” which bombed big time. One movie hit the mark with the audiences while the other didn’t.
So when something does well, piracy is not mentioned at all as maybe a possible reason for its success, while when something does not do well, piracy is always blamed.
For musicians, piracy is exposure. Machine Head grossed $33,000 for one show in front of 850 Head Cases. If they play 100 shows with the same return, that would mean, they would have grossed $3.3 million. It sure sounds like a decent take home.
On a larger scale, Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators grossed $316,696 for a show in Dublin.
Music is all about people listening and if we listen and we like it, we will spend our dollars.

domain: entertainment


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The report will tell the young mother’s own story, explain her
dreams and aspirations, provide information about her support system,
her relationship with the father of her children, her criminal history
and mental-health issues.
Most importantly, though, it will outline the young mother’s plan for her own rehabilitation, counselling and programming.
she wants to attend parenting classes, or Alcoholics Anonymous, or
perhaps she has a certain psychologist she trusts. If she has committed
a crime, she will map out a concrete, achievable action that will
repair the harm caused by the offence.
The Just-Us Girls report
will allow the young mother to advocate for herself and, in the months
that follow, she has a mentor to call for support.
Your donation helps Prison Fellowship International repair the harm caused by crime by emphasizing accountability, forgiveness, and making amends for prisoners and those affected by their actions. When victims, offenders, and community members meet to decide how to do that, the results are transformational.Donate Now

domain: law


On Jan. 9, the driver of a Honda Accord was killed in a crash in South Carolina after being hit by fragments of a ruptured Takata airbag inflator.It was the 19th fatal accident involving defective Takata airbag inflators in the United States and the 28th worldwide since 2009.
Known as the "death airbag" in the industry because of its frequent deaths, takata is now bankrupt, and automakers around the world have repeatedly recalled related models, but its "death airbag" is still a threat to many owners.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a new investigation into about 30 million vehicles made between 2001 and 2019 by more than two dozen automakers, according to a government document,The cars were fitted with potentially defective airbags made by Japan's Takata Corp.
NHTSA on Friday began an engineering analysis of the vehicles. Carmakers have been alerted to the investigation, which has not been made public and is not expected to be formally announced until Monday.
The investigation involved Honda, Ford, Toyota, General Motors, Nissan, Subaru, Tesla, Ferrari, Mazda, Daimler, BMW, Chrysler (now part of Stellantis), Porsche, Jaguar Land Rover, and others.
NHTSA said in the filing that the 30 million vehicles include those that were built with airbag inflators and some that were replaced as part of a previous recall repair.
Air bag, takata gas generator containing ammonium nitrate agent (with and without desiccant). The gas generating agent is not perfect in moisture-proof, under the influence of temperature and humidity changes repeatedly, the gas generating agent may deteriorate.
In the process of air bag opening, excessive pressure may be generated inside the gas generator, and abnormal damage of the gas generator may occur, resulting in debris flying out and injuring the occupants of the vehicle.


Fri, 25 Jul 2014 02:20:01 GMT BY GARY ESTWICK
Special to The Advocate
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Eat your heart out, Andy Reid.
Sean Payton added another distinction to his NFL coaching moxy Thursday when he completed the team’s CrossFit-style physical, albeit with an admitted share of trouble on the course.
Thu, 24 Jul 2014 06:06:34 GMT BY NICK UNDERHILL
LEWISBURG, W.Va. — A group of children, all dressed in football gear, stood among the crowd of 60 or so people at the Greenbrier Valley Airport holding various signs and pictures welcoming the New Orleans Saints to town.
This small town, which boasts only...
Thu, 24 Jul 2014 06:06:34 GMTBY GUERRY SMITH
Special to The AdvocateWhen Tripp Fayard heard the Saints were considering holding 2014 training camp at a West Virginia resort rather than their own Metairie facility, his initial reaction was less than po...


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Another important issue as you get older is the risk of detiorating cognitive function. Dementia may be linked to dental health is three ways. Firstly as we have just explored, losing teeth will lead to poorer nutrition, and a healthy diet is important for brain health. Secondly the bacteria and inflammatory factors involved in gum disease that enter the bloodstream may have an effect on the brain. Thirdly it may be that the increased blood flow to the brain during chewing helps to keep the brain healthy. In fact Researchers at the Bayor College of Medicine found that students who chewed gum regularly got better scores on maths tests than those who did not. Conversely a team of Swedish researchers found people who had a problem chewing hard foods had an increased risk of dementia.
However, if you are unfortunate enough to lose teeth help is at hand. Dental implants provide a fantastic solution, and allow you to chew, crunch and gnash your way through any foods you would eat with your own teeth.
But even better is to keep your teeth strong and healthy from the start. So dig out that floss from the back of the cupboard and remember to come and see the dentist and hygienist every 6 months.
Happy smiling everyone!

domain: biology


Technically it refers to a family of standards for mobile telecommunications as defined by the International Telecommunication Union which includes GSM, EDGE, UMTS, and CDMA as well as DECT and WiMax. Services include wide-area wireless voice telephone, video calls, and wireless data. Compared to second-generation services, 3G allows simultaneous use of speech and data services and higher data transfer rates.
NetLingo Classification: Net Technology
Subscribe to Word & Acronym of the Day - Email this Definition to a Friend


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Man, this one took me so long to finish it. When it comes to paint in this way, I take my time to think how the shades will be in the art.
Anyway, I don’t know about you, dudes, but I like drawing Big Mac in sexy situations. And I ship these three characters: Big Mac, Sugar Belle and Cheerilee.
It was going to be one fanart, but when I was drawing it, new ideas pop out in my head. So, here it is!
Done in Paint Tool Sai and Photoshop (to make the shadows darker).
If you want to see the art uncensored: click here in this link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/27889831
All my NSFW arts and fanarts are free to watch in my other websites like Hentai-Foundry and Pixiv. But, if you like my art, support me on Patreon! Every dollar you put will help me to keep making art.
Thank you all for your support. And as always, let’s make something awesome!
Preview (Website, MailerLite, DeviantArt, Facebook, Twitter)
Why is Apple Bloom so surprised, Swettie Belle so amazed, and Scootaloo so proud of? Do you want to know? Become a patron to find out why so you can see the NSFW version of this fanart.
Join my Newsletter to get the lastest news about my art and comics.

domain: hobby


It’s an age-old question: how long does a planning appeal take?
Still waiting for your appeal decision? You’re not the only one! Progress on planning appeals is still slow and may even be getting worse.
Every year, the government publishes detailed statistics on planning appeals, including how long – on average – planning appeals have taken to reach a decision.
Annual statistics (July 2022) reveal decisions on planning appeals slower than ever
Their most recent annual report in July 2022 indicates that decisions are currently taking longer than at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reveals the average time to decide an appeal case in June 2022 was 27 weeks, whilst more complex cases – including enforcement appeals, heritage appeals and appeals determined by a Hearing or Public Inquiry – took considerably longer. These average timings are up by around 3 weeks on 2021 and by around 5 weeks on 2019 – 2020.
Of course, these timings are only averages and many of our own appeal cases are taking even longer than this.
Our current “record” is 52 weeks without a decision and this standard appeal concerns a single dwelling in Essex only.
Appeals slowed down dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic (and its lockdowns) as the Inspectorate’s workforce reduced, offices were closed and site visits postponed, etc.
However, it has now been more than 6 months since all COVID-19-related restrictions were lifted in the UK and the government has increased its staff of Planning Inspectors by more than 50 since 2021.
It is of some concern, therefore, that we now seem to be further from a return to normal progress on planning appeals than we were at the start of the year.
A return to normal appeal timings may be a way off yet
Planning Direct is keeping a close eye on the government’s monthly appeals statistics and remains hopeful that the backlog of cases will begin to clear – and timings on appeal decisions will return to normal – sooner rather than later. The festive season is sure to throw another spanner in the works, however, as will any forthcoming Planning Bills.
The moral of the story is this: if you’re thinking of appealing a planning decision, you should act as quickly as possible as you’re almost certain to face delays further down the line.
If you require assistance with a planning appeal, contact us today using the button below. Our initial advice is always free of charge.
You can also find more helpful information on planning appeals – including what they are, what you need to submit and how much they cost – using the button below.
Got a head for statistics? Access the Planning Inspectorate’s full statistical release for 2022 (planning appeals) using the button below.


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Steve is a hard one to shop for. He is the guy that buys himself whatever he needs, unless it is sock and underwear, which do not seem like very thoughtful, sexy or loving gift ideas for a wife to give her husband as an anniversary gift. Socks and underwear are birthday gifts- DuH!
With my renewed blog-stalking addiction, I found a cute idea for a simple and kind of cheap anniversary gift from A Toddler and A Teenager blog. I have found my new favorite thing! We both used Leo Reynold's flicker website to cut and paste the letters and numbers that I needed and applied them to a PowerPoint slide. When you are done instead of saving it as a PowerPoint you save as a jpeg. Now you are ready to upload to wherever you print your photos (I sent mine to Costco), I printed a 5x7, 8x10, and 11x14 (I wasn't sure what size would look the best). Ultimately, I used the 11x14 which actually measure 9x12.
I think it came out pretty great! I think Steve was impressed with my talent.


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Gracious Elegance - Troon Village, North Scottsdale
This distinguished home is set in the mountains of North Scottsdale, with magnificent mountain and city light views. The atmosphere of quiet elegance graces the entire home, from the formal dining room adorned with crystal chandelier to the stately fireplace and sitting area. Each room enjoys a wonderful view of desert, city lights or the majestic mountains that surround it.
Interior Designer: Paula Den Boer Designs
Photographer: Dino Tonn Photography


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Best dog walkers in Vinegar Hill
One of the most dog friendly neighborhoods in New York. Instantly book and meet an exceptional dog walker in Vinegar Hill today.
Each walker with Wag! has been through a comprehensive screening, including a background check and competency quiz.
Fully insured dog walkers
Services booked on the Wag! platform may be protected with up to $1M property damage protection.
400K+ Pet Caregivers with Wag! have a trusted record of experience with over 12 million pet care services, including Sitting, Walking, Boarding & Training, across 5,300+ cities in all 50 U.S. states.
Top dog walkers in Vinegar Hill
Wag! Walkers know Vinegar Hill
Vinegar Hill is a charming little neighborhood in Brooklyn that sits on the East River Waterfront next to DUMBO. This tiny neighborhood includes only several blocks and the beautiful grounds of the Commandant's House. There is access to many parks from this neighborhood, and walking along the cobblestone streets can be very appealing. This is a highly populated but historic area of Brooklyn. Two or three-story buildings primarily made of brick rest flush with each other along beautiful cobblestone roads.
There is no divider between the rather wide sidewalk and the road, but the cobblestone deters traffic from driving too quickly along these roads, so you can feel a level of comfort walking your dog along the cobblestone areas of this neighborhood. Where cobblestone ends, streets tend to be narrow with no divider between sidewalk and street, so these areas are not quite as comfortable to walk on with your dog. To get a relief from the city streets, you can head towards the nearby Trinity Park and Bridge Park. There is also a lovely park on the water not far from Vinegar Hill called John Street Park and another one that connects to that called Main Street park.
What is the terrain like in Vinegar Hill?
The primarily cobblestone streets of Vinegar Hill are charming to walk along with your dog, especially since traffic tends to go slowly on the cobblestone. Your dog may enjoy the diverse experience of walking on the cobblestone, but many dogs prefer to stick to the sidewalks. Sidewalks are relatively wide but do not have any divider between them and road, so you may want to keep your dog on a close leash on the streets of Vinegar Hill despite the slower traffic.
For a more diverse walking experience, you can visit several parks that are near Vinegar Hill. Several blocks from Vinegar Hill, on the water, you can find John Street Park and the neighboring Main Street park that goes underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. This is a unique walking experience, both because of the waterside views and the beautiful view of the Manhattan Bridge. Your dog will love exploring the natural grassy area and lovely rocky shoreline, while you take in the gorgeous views and rest on the provided benches.
How many greenways are there in Vinegar Hill?
Vinegar Hill is lucky enough to be near several beautiful parks. The waterside John Street and Main Park that runs underneath the Brooklyn Bridge provide you opportunities to explore the waterside with your dog, while wide grassy areas allow you to enjoy throwing a ball with Fido while appreciating the breezes coming off the water. The grassy area slopes up gently from the water so the higher you go on the hill the better the breeze becomes. Lots of interesting areas to explore are provided, like a garden around a rocky area you and your dog can enjoy. Your dog will benefit from jumping around on the rocky outcroppings and getting some exercise and energy out. You will both love walking along the path that borders the water, and you can even go down to the shoreline and enjoy the charming little Pebble Beach
If you would rather head inland, you can find a lovely place to explore with your dog in the Cadman Plaza Park and Trinity Park. Cadman Plaza Park offers lots of tree cover around its well-maintained trails and wide grassy areas so that you can choose either to walk with your dog on a loose leash, bicycle, or rollerblade with your dog or just throw a ball around in the grassy spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dog walk cost in Vinegar Hill, New York?
How do I find and choose a dog walker in Vinegar Hill, New York?
How long does a dog walk last in Vinegar Hill, New York?
How to book a dog walk in Vinegar Hill, New York?
Is hiring a dog walker in Vinegar Hill, New York safe?
How to hire a dog walker in Vinegar Hill, New York?
How much do dog walkers charge in Vinegar Hill, New York?

domain: geography


text:
Collected by Frank Matheson
Rua do Padrão 100, 4150-557 Porto, Portugal
In the Foz district, a privileged district that attracts several innovative spots and a more urban clientele, there is a restaurant that shows the coolest side of Porto: Cafeína. Inside a restored house of the early twentieth century, you will...
Rua da Fábrica 27, 4000-196 Porto, Portugal
Looks like we're in Berlin, or in any other cosmopolitan city where here and there pops up innovative alternative spots that reflect the less mainstream local culture, with connection to the arts and much closer to the people, locals and visitors....
Tv. de Cedofeita 24, 4050-157 Porto, Portugal
It’s in a narrow building of a narrow street nearby the trendiest district to go out in Porto, that we find RUA (“street”), a restaurant/bar that serves mostly tapas and snacks from the middle of the afternoon on, having a mood changing from a...
Rua Santa Catarina 112, 4000-442 Porto, Portugal
The Rua Santa Caterina is the most important shopping street in Oporto. It is a pedestrian street which is closed to traffic. Along the Rua Caterina you will find the Mercado Bolhao which is a lively market with many shops to delight the market...
Terreiro da Sé, 4050-573 Porto, Portugal
If you are looking for a great view over the city, consider visiting Porto Cathedral, or Sé do Porto. Its long history and stunning architecture, make it a must see location to visit. When I climbed to the top of the hill where the Cathedral is...
R. da Galeria de Paris 67, 4050-284 Porto, Portugal
A cute restaurant in one of the nicest streets in Porto, Rua da Galeria de Paris, named after the street. The restaurant is quite low key, buffet style. You just need to grab a plate and choose your dish from a selection over the counter....
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