text:
Estonia has fought “the most widespread cyber attacks since 2007,” it announced on Thursday, only days after dismantling Soviet monuments in a region dominated by ethnic Russians.
Killnet, a Russian hacking group, claimed responsibility for the attack on Wednesday, saying it had blocked access to more than 200 public and private Estonian institutions, including an online citizen identity system.
However, an Estonian government official said on Thursday the impact of the attack was limited.
“Yesterday, Estonia was subject to the most extensive cyber attacks it has faced since 2007”, tweeted Luukas Ilves, undersecretary for digital transformation at Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
“With some brief and minor exceptions, websites remained fully available throughout the day. The attack has gone largely unnoticed in Estonia,” he added.
Killnet, which claimed a similar attack against Lithuania in June, said it acted after a Soviet Tu-34 tank was removed from public display in the town of Narva to a museum on Tuesday.
In a DDoS attack, hackers try to flood a network with unusually high volumes of data traffic in order to paralyse it when it can no longer cope with the scale of data requested.
Estonia moved to boost cyber security in 2007 after suffering extensive attacks on public and private websites that it blamed on Russians angry at its removal of a Soviet-era statue.
The Red Army monument was moved from a Tallinn square, followed by two nights of riots by ethnic Russians.
The Estonian government on Tuesday ordered the swift removal of all public Soviet memorials in majority Russian-speaking Narva, citing rising tensions in the town and accusing Russia of trying to exploit the past to divide Estonian society.


text:
“You are a breath of fresh air in a world that can often be suffocating.” 💕
I often receive emails from people who are looking for support while struggling with a mental illness. As someone who suffered from bulimia and depression throughout my entire teenage years, I somewhat understand what people are going through, and this is very valuable when helping others. However, even though I have struggled myself and overcome my eating disorder, I still didn’t know how to best support others, and had not received any professional training. So when the opportunity to attend an Eating Disorder Support workshop with BodyWhys arose, I was so excited to attend! This workshop lasted 6 hours and we discussed different eating disorders, and how to help those suffering through facilitating support groups or running email services.
Before attending this workshop, I thought the way I replied to emails was perfectly fine. I didn’t realise that there was so many aspects I needed to improve on if I wanted to give people the support they deserved. Although this workshop was about eating disorders, the advice I am about to share can apply to any problem in any area of life.
A little wisdom I learnt:
– You don’t have to be an expert or know all the answers. In fact, ignorance can be a useful tool. It allows you to ask questions and help that person, rather than assuming you understand what they’re going through. Every person has a different experience so never generalise or categorise people.
– Ask open ended questions to keep the conversation going, such as “How are you feeling?” rather than “Do you feel good?”.
– Always create a safe and confidential space where people feel comfortable opening up to you. It can be REALLY scary for some people to share their struggles, so it’s important they don’t feel judged, and that they can trust you. You might be the only person they reach out to, so treat them with the kindness and compassion you would like to be treated with yourself.
– You don’t need to give advice or share your own experiences. We should never make it all about us if our goal is to help others. Talking can often help a person come to their own solution. There should never be “you should do this” in your conversation. Don’t tell people what to do. Different people find differe
nt things helpful (and detrimental!). If you offer advice that doesn’t work out for this person, they may never confide in you again. This burns bridges and can leave the person suffering in silence. Even the best intentioned advice that works for 99% of people, may not work for the person you are talking to. It is best to support them on their own path rather than assume you know how to fix their issues. Most people are not looking for a solution— they just need to talk through their feelings.
– Empathise don’t sympathise. Don’t bring your own opinions into other people’s issues. We all have different lives and perspectives. Make sure you are aware of this.
– Try not to make a big fuss or compliment people. If a person is progressing in their recovery, don’t use phrases such as “you are amazing!” or “congratulations”. Instead acknowledge what they are going through with phrases such as “that must have been so difficult for you. How do you feel now?”. When a person is struggling, congratulating them for moving forward can often cause a lot of stress. Even though it is done out of kindness, it can make the person feel pressure to keep giving you good news. This means if they do have a hard day or relapse, they are less likely to tell you about it, as they want to continue making you proud.
After learning this information, I have definitely changed the way I support others. I found this advice so beneficial and I hope that you do too. Remember, sometimes all you have to do is be there for a person. Be their breath of fresh air in a world that is often suffocating.

domain: sociology


text:
Fashionista contributor Long Nguyen is the co-founder/style director of Flaunt.
SEOUL, KOREA– “The weather is pretty weird today,” said a guy in front of me to his friend while we were waiting to enter the MVIO show on the first day at Seoul Fashion Week. He was right–it was nearly 74 degrees and sunny on a Friday morning late in October. I was told that it has been a strange year for weather in Seoul, as it had been in most of the world. But this conversation wasn’t meager chitchat. What the man was really concerned about, according to my interpreter/fashion student Etty Kim, was that he had on the right clothes.
Dressed in a red plaid single-breasted jacket, blue chambray shirt, light grey slim jeans, and red leather boots, the Seoul Arts University student had scored tickets to fashion week through his school. One of his friends wore a black leather bomber jacket and black crew neck t-shirt. The other had on a faded jean jacket, black shirt, black sweatshirt tied around the waist, black jeans, a black fedora and purple leather boots. The styles on display were precise and subtle without any overt statements. There was a prevailing sense of personal style and individuality that seemed to override any requisite for trends. In fact, I noticed the same prevailing sense of individual style among the late night revelers who packed the streets, nightclubs and bars in the Jeonju University and Seoul University districts and around the shopping areas.
Held at SETEC–the Seoul trade and convention center near the underground Coex Mall–Seoul Fashion Week is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. What started with 12 designers coming together to show at Central City Millenium Hall in October 2000 has now spawned an entire week of shows featuring more than 55 runways in conjunction with a trade fair for buyers. The first two days of Seoul collections were devoted solely to menswear shows, something that even Fashion Week in New York currently lacks.
Like what I saw on the streets, there’s a pervasive individuality common in each of these men’s designer shows. Overall, the men’s shows were quite strong and inventive–I would say there’s a mood here similar to Paris men’s shows a few years back when there were a great deal of energy coming from younger and more experimental designers, as well as from the bigger brands. Each of these young Korean designers seemed focus on their own work rather than being preoccupied with setting trends. That’s a good thing in this age of fast fashion when designer fashion often feels, well, less like designer fashion. (I.e. clothes with a strong point of view.)
The evidence of this individual approach was abound on the Seoul runway shows.

domain: news


text:
US 6660608 B1
A CMOS device (10) having p-channel and n-channel transistors with aluminum implanted gates (20). When making the device (10), aluminum is non-selectively implanted to form a source and drain for the n-channel transistor and to reduce the resistivity of the gates (20). The aluminum diffuses through an upper polysilicon layer (22) of the gate, thereby reducing its resistivity, but does not diffuse through a lower oxide layer (24) of the gate, thereby preventing penetration problems. Thereafter, a compensating implant (e.g., phosphorus or arsenic) is selectively implanted to overcompensate the boron previously implanted in the p-type tub.
1. A method of making a CMOS device having a p-channel transistor and an n-channel transistor, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a substrate having an n-type tub in which the p-channel transistor is to be formed and a p-type tub in which the n-channel transistor is to be formed;
forming a transistor gate disposed over each tub and each gate including an upper polysilicon level and a lower oxide level; and
non-selectively implanting aluminum into:
both of the tubs, the aluminum providing dopant species for a source region and a drain region of the p-channel transistor and being present in a source region and a drain region of the n-channel transistor; and
both of the upper polysilicon levels of the gates to reduce the resistivity of the upper polysilicon levels of each of the gates.
2. A method as set forth in
3. A method as set forth in
4. A method as set forth in
5. A method as set forth in
6. A method as set forth in
7. A method as set forth in
8. A method as set forth in
9. A method as set forth in
10. A method as set forth in
11. A method as set forth in
12. A method as set forth in
covering the substrate with a field oxide layer;
selectively etching the field oxide layer to form windows exposing a portion of each of the p-tub and n-tub;
conforming a gate oxide layer over the field oxide and the exposed p-tub and n-tub portions;
conforming a polysilicon layer over the gate oxide layer;
etching the polysilicon layer to form the upper polysilicon levels of the gates; and
etching the gate oxide layer to form the lower oxide levels of the gates.
13. A method as set forth in
This invention relates generally to a method for making a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS).
A CMOS device employs both n-channel and p-channel transistors to form logic elements. A common CMOS device comprises a silicon substrate having p-type and n-type regions (tubs) that define isolated active areas and transistor gates connected to form the input for the device. In a conventional method for making a CMOS device, boron is non-selectively implanted (e.g., without masks) to form sources/drains and to reduce the resistivity of the gates. With this implantation, the boron dose should be such that it diffuses to the bottom of an upper polysilicon level of the gate to prevent depletion effects. At the same time, it is undesirable for the boron to reach a lower oxide level of the gate oxide, as it will diffuse therethrough into the substrate and cause boron penetration problems. Accordingly, the boron-implantation step must balance these objectives and also the objectives necessary for the desired doping of the source/drains.
The present invention provides a CMOS fabrication process wherein the boron implanting step is replaced or supplemented by an aluminum implanting step. Aluminum diffuses faster than boron and thus reaches the bottom of the polysilicon more quickly, helping to prevent depletion effects. Also, aluminum also does not diffuse through oxide thereby essentially eliminating any substrate penetration problems.
More particularly, the present invention provides a method of making a CMOS device having p-channel and n-channel transistors. The method comprises the step of implanting aluminum to form a source and drain for the n-channel transistor in the p-type tub and to reduce the resistivity of the gates. The aluminum-implanting step can comprise, for example, depositing about 1×1014 to about 5×1014 aluminum atoms per square centimeter deposited at an energy of about 100 KeV and thereafter heating the substrate to a temperature of about 1100° C. to about 1200° C. for about 70 to about 90 minutes. Also, a compensating implant (e.g., phosphorus or arsenic) can be implanted over just the p-type tub to overcompensate the aluminum previously implanted therein.
The method can additionally include a supplemental boron implanting step performed after the aluminum implanting step. Such a supplemental boron-implanting step might be necessary or desired if a higher than industrial available dosage of aluminum is required for a desired doping effect. Morever, irrespective of these considerations, an initial aluminum implant is believed to form a sort of shield at the bottom of the gate's polysilicon layer thereby preventing boron penetration through its oxide layer during a subsequent boron implant.
These and other features of the invention are fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and drawings set forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a CMOS device according to the present invention.
FIGS. 2a-2 e are schematic views of a method of making the CMOS device according to the present invention.
FIGS. 3a-3 e are schematic views of gate forming steps.
Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, a CMOS device 10 according to the present invention is shown. The illustrated CMOS device 10 comprises a heavily doped silicon substrate 12 having an upper v-epitaxy layer 14 with n-type and p-type tubs 16 and 18 that define isolated active areas of the device 10. Gates 20 for the p-channel and n-channel transistors include an upper polysilicon layer 22 and a lower gate oxide layer 24. Non-etched regions 26 of a thermal (or field) oxide layer extend between and from each of the tubs 16/18 and non-etched regions 28 of a phosphorous glass layer extend over and around the thermal oxide regions 26 and also the gates 20. The CMOS device 10 further comprises metal contacts 30 to the drain and source junctions and a silicon-nitride layer 32 that seals the device and provides mechanical scratch protection. According to the present invention, the gates 20 are implanted with aluminum instead of, or in addition to, boron.
Referring now to FIGS. 2a-2 e, a method for making the CMOS device 10 according to the present invention is shown. Initially, a mask having an upper Si3N4 layer 50 and a thin lower SiO2 layer 52 is provided which covers the p-tub region of the v-epitaxy layer 14 and exposes the n-tub region so that phosphorus can be implanted as the n-tub dopant. (FIG. 2a.) After selective oxidizing over the n-tub region to form a thicker (relative to layer 52) SiO2 layer 54, the nitride is stripped and boron is implanted to form the p-tub region. (FIG. 2b.) The boron enters the silicon through the thin oxide layer 52 but is masked from the n-tub region by the thicker oxide layer 54. All oxides are then stripped and the two tubs 16 and 18 are driven in using conventional techniques. (FIG. 2c.) Before or after the formation of the gates 20 and the field oxide sections 26 (and before or after threshold adjustment implants) aluminum is implanted non-selectively across both of the regions 16 and 18 using conventional techniques. (FIG. 2d.) Phosphorus or arsenic is selectively implanted into the n-channel source/drain regions at a higher dose, so that it overcompensates the aluminum. (FIG. 2e.) Thereafter, the metal contacts 30 are formed by aluminum metallization and dry etching techniques and the silicon nitride layer 32 is plasma-deposited to provide the CMOS device 10 shown in FIG. 1.
Details of the formation of the gates 20 are shown in FIGS. 3a-3 e. First, the SiO2 layers 52 and 54 (FIG. 2c) are selectively etched to form the field oxide sections 26. (FIG. 3a.) The sections 26 are then covered with a thin oxide layer 60 and a polysilicon layer 62 is deposited thereon. (FIGS. 3b and 3 c.) The polysilicon layer 62 is patterned and etched to form the upper layers 22 of the gates 20. (FIG. 3d). The regions of the thin oxide layer 60 not covered by the polysilicon layer 22 are then etched away with the remaining covered sections forming the lower layers 24 of the gates 20. (FIG. 3e.)
During the aluminum implantation step (FIG. 2d), the aluminum diffuses through the upper polysilicon level 22 of the gates 20 and desirably reduces the relatively high resistivity of the polysilicon. Aluminum diffuses faster than boron and thus will reach the bottom of the polysilicon layer more quickly, helping to prevent depletion effects. Aluminum also does not diffuse through oxide, thereby eliminating the under-the-gate substrate penetration problems that often occur with boron implants.
The aluminum dose is selected to provide the doping required by the process being implemented and the energy is selected to ensure that the bulk of the aluminum ions penetrate into the silicon to a desired depth. For example, about 1×1014 to about 1×1015 aluminum atoms per square centimeter deposited at an energy of about 100 KeV would be suitable implanting parameters. After the implant, the substrate is heated to a temperature (e.g., about 1100° C. to about 12000° C. for a sufficient amount of time (e.g., about 70 to about 90 minutes) so that the aluminum will diffuse rapidly to the desired depth and dominate the implanted regions.
A supplemental boron implanting step can be incorporated into the method of the present invention, as may be necessary or desired in certain situations. For example, if the maximum usable dose of aluminum is about 1×1014 to about 1×1015 aluminum atoms per square centimeter, and this will not provide the desired doping effect, the balance can be provided with boron. Also, lower doses of aluminum might be necessary to prevent aluminum oxide formation and subsequent leakage. Morever, irrespective of maximum dosage considerations, an initial aluminum implant will form a sort of shield at the bottom of the gate's polysilicon layer 22 thereby helping to prevent boron penetration through the oxide layer 24. This allows a degree of freedom during implantation in that it easier to avoid depletion effects if they do not have to be counterbalanced against penetration problems.
One can now appreciate that the present invention provides a CMOS fabrication process wherein the boron implanting step is replaced or supplemented by an aluminum implanting step, thereby preventing depletion effects within the gates and eliminating substrate penetration problems below the gate. Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiment, it is apparent that certain alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all such alterations and modifications and is limited only by the following claims.

domain: chemistry


Sullivan's Alaska fundraiser ... with moose
Biggest electric bus company, maker of Juneau's lemon on wheels, goes Chapter 11
Good morning from Somewhere in Alaska!
Thanks for being an adventurous reader, a lover of Alaska, and a subscriber to Must Read Alaska. If you like getting this newsletter, please support it! And check www.mustreadalaska.com for more news throughout the day. Read on…
Sen. Dan Sullivan fundraiser
Alaska Sen. Dan and Julie Sullivan were greeted by 200 friends and fans at a fundraiser on the Hillside on Tuesday. Everyone from the legendary Perry Green to the talented Amanda Coyne attended. Moose grazed on the back acre.
Morning Consult Pro, in their “by subscription only section,” reveals polling from every state, and we have the raw data for you.
Maria Cantwell fundraiser
A secretive fundraiser for Washington U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell took place in downtown Anchorage at Ginger in the back room on Tuesday. Cantwell was a big opponent of the North Slope Willow Project, saying in March: “Willow is not just about protecting the fragile Arctic and one of the world’s last great intact ecosystems, it’s about trying to stop runaway global warming from burdening future generations.” But yet, she flew all the way to Anchorage for a fundraiser with a big carbon footprint.
Chris Tuck fundraiser
About 100 people attended the fundraiser for Chris Tuck for Mayor at the Firetap Alehouse on Tuesday. Spotted: Les Gara, Elvi Gray-Jackson. But not Scott Kendall.
Who knows where Rep. Mary Peltola has gotten off to, but her committee, the House Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, is meeting in Alaska. We hear she is somewhere off the grid, out of the country, or out of touch. Whatever the case, but she is putting the Recess into August Recess.
This is to bring resources, after at least eight structures have been condemned along the Mighty Mendenhall.
This is social credit scoring coming to America: One of the most famous doctors who challenged the Covid narrative has lost his banking privileges at the biggest bank in America, one that had no problem keeping Jeffrey Epstein’s bank account open after he was thrown in jail for pedophilia and trafficking.
A variety of issues popped up during the February special election that the mayor and Assembly said needed to be addressed.
President Biden got all mixed up in his Arizona speech, as he designated a new national monument and eliminated the main source of uranium in America.
There is a special place in hell for this guy, but first he will face sentencing in January.
The court sent the case back to a district judge for review, because of the likely unconstitutionality of the regulation by ATF, which is requiring people to register those accessory braces if they are attached to guns. (I’ll write later today on the ghost gun ruling).
Cold spring meant the Interior fire season arrived late and it probably won’t last long, but there are some structures that are in the vicinity of one sizzler.
He was from Metlakatka and he joined the Navy SEALS, which is no small feat. Read about this American patriot from Alaska, who died in 2019 but lives on.
Drone conference today in Anchorage
“Global Autonomous Systems Conference, Trailblazing Autonomous Paths for a New World Economy.” The Universithy of Alaska’s drone conference takes place Aug. 9-11 at the Dena’ina Convention Center. Information here.
Filed for office
Kesslyn Tench filed for Denali Borough mayor
Rep. Dan Ortiz of Ketchikan filed for reelection
This day in history
Aug. 9, 1945, Nagasaki, Japan is destroyed when the USA dropped the atomic bomb called Fat Man. Thirty-five thousand people were killed outright, more dying later of the effects.
The flight satellite data shows the helicopter made one stop before crashing into the lake east of Wainwright. Photos of crash site but no details yet on cause.
All the government you can afford in this era of electrification. Proterra made a lemon for Juneau, and a lot of other customers didn’t have any luck with those buses either. Now, the company is Chapter 11. Good luck getting parts.
Jesse Watters: “Taxpayers were funding Proterra, America’s biggest electric bus company, and now the money’s missing. The whole thing was a political pump and dump scheme and top Democrats were all involved.”
U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason tells Alaska “Nyet” for moving ahead on permitting on the Coastal Plain.
They’re burning the carbon to fly north. Summertime fishing-for-votes tour continues as the Biden Administration gets in all its trips to Alaska before fall.
First stop: Identity Inc. The Biden Administration is fixated on how to transgender more youth, and Rachel Levine is the dude for the job.
Craig Compeau is a prankster extraordinaire. The owner of Compeau's, a Fairbanks powersports dealer of off-road vehicles and snow machines, Compeau pulled a great practical joke this week on Fairbanks Mayor David Pruhs. It involves a peregrine falcon, or three, to be exact.
In The Daily Caller, a defense of the shooting sports.
Her legal skills are poor but she is, at least, consistently wrong.
The property belonged to the State of Alaska for years, then was transferred to the City and Borough of Juneau. The renters pay a fraction of the cost to keep it going. What to do next?
Alaska oil: $88.57
Henry Hub gas: $2.73
Alaska North Slope Production: 395,444
Permanent Fund (principal and earnings reserve): $79,017,100,000
Must Read Alaska LLC | 200 W. 34th Ave. #220, Anchorage, AK 99503


Research shows that to get the greatest return from turbines, whether onshore or offshore, the bigger the turbine, the better. Wind turbines have proven to produce reliable and pollution-free energy, and as technology innovates, the cost of developing and manufacturing them will only become more affordable.
Motor brushes are consumables, which means there is significant wear and tear over time and will need to be replaced. While proper wind turbine operation and maintenance requires moderate wear, excessive wear can create carbon dust in the slip ring cabinet, reducing internal isolation.
Also, a useful tip to keep in mind is that motor brushes that are evenly worn indicate good performance.
Since reliability is critical in wind applications that generate electricity for industrial tasks and homes, businesses and schools, it is important to work closely with your engineers and parts manufacturers to determine the best motor brush materials. Two common options include: Copper carbon brushes are very common and affordable. They can be used for up to two years, but due to the high amount of carbon dust, they need a lot of maintenance. On the other hand, silver motor brushes are more expensive, but cleaner, can withstand harsh weather, and can be used for up to five years.
Slip ring compatibility and design is another component to consider. Although there is wear, your motor brush must maintain a stable surface finish to avoid overtime affecting the performance of the brush. Due to the high cost of repair or replacement of wind turbine electromechanical brushes and slip rings, it is important to consider how the size, location, use (affecting operating temperature) and potential performance of the wind turbine will affect the quality and maintenance level of the components you choose.
Our Qianye precision constant force motor brush spring provides constant pressure for the brush, makes the motor run longer, and enables your design to obtain accurate pressure in the whole life cycle of the motor. Using Qianye’s motor brush spring, you will prolong the running time of the motor or generator.
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Constant torque springs are essential components in various applications, including medical devices, automotive systems, and industrial equipment. These springs are designed to provide a constant amount of torque or rotational force over a specific range of motion, offering a reliable and predictable source of energy for different applications. To understand the mechanics of a constant torque spring, it is essential...
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2022 Volkswagen Golf R Will Drift into Your Dreams with 235Kw
Is a classic hot hatch formula complete with a six-speed manual is worth waiting for? I’ve converted the US horsepower and torque numbers into “Australian’ specifications for this read into the 2022 VW Golf R
- 2022 Volkswagen Golf R will produce 235Kw and 420Nm of torque, 20Kw over previous Golf R
- Volkswagen Golf R will be the most powerful production Golf
- Six-speed manual standard with turbo 2.0 TSI inline-four, seven-speed DSG optional?
The announcement of the new Volkswagen Golf R has been kept well hidden from right-hand drive markets and particularly here in the land down under. I’m pleased to be able to provide this much information courtesy of autoweek.com. My fervent hope is that we’ll see it in 2021 rather than waiting until 2022.
Story courtesy of Jay Ramey
“Not every halo car needs to be a supercar, and that VW’s Golf R exists is a minor miracle in itself, given just how much the hot hatch market has shrunk in the U.S. and even in Europe. And the latest Golf R’s debut once again reflects Wolfsburg’s commitment to its enthusiasts, even if the latest hot hatch is now almost without rivals in its own unique niche. Being the most powerful production Golf ever is merely icing on the cake.
What will the Golf R offer when it lands stateside?
For starters, 235Kw and 420Nm of torque, numbers requiring a V8 underhood not that long ago. That’s more than the first-gen Audi A8 served up with a 4.2-liter eight-cylinder underhood, lest we forget, and it’s a 20Kw bump over the outgoing Golf R. The result is a 4.7-second 0 to 100 launch time and an electronically limited top speed of 250 kph, though we have a feeling that without a governor the Golf pulls well past that mark.
Doing the work underhood is a turbocharged 1,984-cc four-cylinder TSI engine. In addition to serving up 20 extra horses over the outgoing model it offers ?? extra Nm of torque, on tap from 2,100 to 5,350 rpm. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, as you would expect, while a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic is optional, controlled by paddles on the steering wheel.
Keeping that V8-like power in check is a full time job, one the Golf R accomplishes with 4Motion all-wheel drive spiced up with torque vectoring. This system serves up selective wheel torque control on the rear axle, with the new rear differential distributing power between the rear and front axles, and also among the two rear wheels.
“The differential from the 4Motion drive system normally transfers the power in a 50:50 ratio via a multi-plate clutch to the left and the right-hand rear wheels, even when the differential lets them rotate at different speeds when cornering,” Volkswagen notes. “The new 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring, however, can also distribute the torque variably between both rear wheels, with up to 100 per cent able to be directed to the wheel on the outside of the bend.”
Perhaps a more impressive figure than the 4.7-second sprint time, the new Golf R has managed to shave 17 seconds off the previous model’s Nordschleife lap time. So it’s more than just a quick launcher — handling at the limit is where the Golf should dazzle. And VW test drivers told us it already dazzled them on the ‘ring.
What’s more, the DCC adaptive damping system and the electronic differential locks now talk to each other, thanks to a Vehicle Dynamics Manager (VDM) system. The result is optimal agility and traction in all types of driving, especially at the limit, with a multi-strut setup up front and a multi-link suspension in the rear. Volkswagen points out that the anti-roll bar and spring rates have been increased by 10 per cent compared to the outgoing model.
“The Vehicle Dynamics Manager also enables exact calculation of optimal clutch control for the selective wheel torque control function to further optimize the agility and stability of the Golf R,” Volkswagen explains. “In parallel to this, targeted braking intervention on the vehicle side on the inside of a bend further reduces understeer in the transition and limit ranges. Traction is improved by increased locking in the selective wheel torque control, and vehicle handling is slightly more biased towards the rear.”
Of course, impressive grip is a big part of any Golf R, but it’s not the only part. A Drift Mode is also available, for track use only VW cautions.
On the inside, the Golf R features a configurable Digital Cockpit instrument panel and a 10-inch Discover Pro touchscreen display. The Golf R’s instrument panel is tailored to this model, of course, offering several layouts controlled by steering-wheel-mounted buttons, in addition to offering a 3D look with numerical fields, Volkswagen calls the R-View, featuring a horizontal rev counter at the top location of the display.
Volkswagen has also reworked the R’s interior, serving up sport seats with Nappa leather seating surfaces, and carbon-look elements in the side sections. The heated, multifunction leather steering with haptic buttons features blue contrast stitching, as well as a dedicated R button for selecting driving profiles. Pressing it forcefully also activates the Race profile.
In keeping with tradition, the Golf R also looks fast. It wears a unique front bumper with a motorsport-style splitter as well as enlarged air intake grilles. And the grille itself has a blue crossbar that’s actually an LED strip, lighting up and linking the two headlights together and acting as the hatch’s daytime running lights. Sitting 0.8 inches lower than the standard Golf, the R also wears 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels in a design specific to this model, shod in summer performance tires. Unique side skirts further set the R apart from base Golf hatches, as do blue brake calipers and chrome mirror caps projecting the R logo onto the pavement. The rear bumper, meanwhile, features a high-gloss black diffuser also unique to this model, housing twin chrome-plated tailpipes.
There are just three exterior colors on the menu: the signature Lapiz Blue Metallic, in addition to Deep Black Pearl Effect and Pure White. (Ed. At least for the USA – hopefully we’ll get a better pallet)
When will we see and hear the Golf R’s exhaust growl?
Not for a while, unfortunately. The car goes go on sale stateside in the second half of 2021 as a 2022 model. Pricing will be announced closer to the start of sales. Still, that gives Wolfsburg fanatics some time to save up.
Hello. I’m Bob Aldons, the owner and editor of The Car Guy.
The Car Guy is an independently owned car review website. I’m currently testing cars for Mazda, Nissan, Kia, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Renault, Subaru, and Hyundai. Through Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport I’m also writing about the 2020 Formula 1 season
I’m not paid by any car company for my opinion and my companies don’t receive advertising revenue to say nice things about them. I call it as I see it.
However, I also own a new car brokerage company – Car Business. Being able to review new cars gives me an opportunity to provide accurate information on these brands. If you’re in the market for Any New Car Cheaper, contact me at Car Business and see how I go about saving you some serious money.
Perhaps you think that you can do the job of buying a new car yourself? If you’re after any advice at all, give me a call and ask me any question that you need to be answered.
Related Links: Kia Seltos S


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World oil prices on Friday afternoon are already declining by more than 4% against the background of a widespread rejection of risk after the news about the coronavirus disease of US President Donald Trump, according to trading data.
The price of December futures for Brent North sea oil mix was down by 4.37% to $ 39.14 per barrel, while the price of November WTI futures was down by 4.49% to $ 36.98 per barrel.
Pressure on the mood of global investors on Friday is exerted by news from the United States, where Trump and his wife have confirmed coronavirus. This has increased concerns about the outlook for the world’s largest economy, with the country’s presidential election looming in November.
“There was already a downward trend in the market, and this event added to the uncertainty, forcing people to give up risk,” said Lachlan Shaw, head of research in the commodity sector at National Australia Bank.


The City of West Hollywood is getting the word out about upcoming electrical utility upgrade work that will take place during the next several weeks on Robertson Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. The project has been contracted by Southern California Edison (SCE) and Time Warner/Charter Communications and will be completed by VCI Construction.
From today until the end of October, crews will work to install an underground electric utility system so that the power pole-based systems can be removed. This will help improve and modernize electrical utility systems and beautify the area in advance of upcoming improvements to West Hollywood Park.
Construction work is scheduled to minimize the impact to local businesses and residents and traffic flow. Work will be conducted during at night each week from Sunday night through Friday morning, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and Robertson Boulevard will remain open to traffic. No work will take place on Friday or Saturday nights.
During the night, there will lanes will be closed on Robertson Boulevard; most work will take place in the parking lane and southbound lane, so there may be slight traffic delays. Businesses that are normally open at night will be accessible during construction.
During daytime, construction areas will be covered and plated to allow for full use of Robertson Boulevard.
Each day, contractors will post temporary no-parking signs in the vicinity of the construction area. The City of West Hollywood asks that everyone observe the dates and times on posted signs so that construction can proceed in a timely manner and reduce the impact on the community.
The California Public Utilities Commission sets policies for the conversion of power lines from overhead to underground. Southern California Edison supports such projects because of the substantial resulting aesthetic benefits to local communities. The West Hollywood City Council designated this section of Robertson Boulevard for this utility work, and the project is being done at no cost to the City of West Hollywood or property owners.
For more information about work to move electric utilities underground on Robertson Boulevard, please contact representatives of VCI Construction. During daytime hours, call Chris Droge at (951) 830-7866; during nighttime hours, call Paul Graham at (760) 983-9526.
For additional information, contact Donn Uyeno, the City of West Hollywood’s senior civil engineer, at (323) 848-6457 or at email@example.com. For people who are deaf or hearing impaired, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.


A better world
The rules of engagement change when we see our organization as living beings brought to life to create goods and services that bring value to those they serve. Rather than the limited view of life as a machine, we draw from the well of deeper wisdom of how life functions. We apply the universal understanding of man’s body and soul to our previous, inaccurate, model of the “cold, lifeless corporation.”
Is it any wonder that organizations struggle to implement any real changes in business? When the Context field boundaries are set to that of the machine paradigm, no matter what we say or do, we will operate as if we are running a machine.
When we take on the Context of a Living Organization®, suddenly our organization springs to life. We move from life as a set of tasks for the sole purpose of producing to life as creation. We are no longer simply a component in a massively complex machine; we become a contributing member of an interdependent set of relationships. We move from doing what we know we can do to doing that which creates the future we sense is possible and desire to create. We learn to cherish and nurture our organizations, to honor their purpose and marvel at their creation. We commit ourselves more completely and deeply to their survival, growth and lasting legacy.
We increase our ability to guide our organizations when we learn to work with the energies that flow throughout them and tap into the appropriate field for each challenge we face. We create responsive interaction of the organization with its environment; when the environment changes, the organization changes naturally in response. Instead of predict and control, we learn how to sense and respond.
When every individual (the living cells of the corporate body) is infused with the right Context for making decisions, then like our bodies when driving a car, they will collectively respond in appropriate alignment and make the right decisions. This is how all organisms live and thrive and The Living Organization® model simply reflects how natural living organisms operate.
Every organization exists to do more than make money, increase market share, or be the best in their field. The do more than just sell goods or services to customers. They make a difference. They have a Soulful Purpose™.
Evolution, a force of nature that is at times dormant, asserts itself when a species or a system no longer fits its current environment. It asserts itself by creating a crisis that forces the system to adapt to the new environment or die. A similar call to adapt and change has brought us to a critical point in our evolutionary development. The choices we make now will determine the future of business and society.


Roger Biwandu’s trio lifted the roof off the Lantern as they played a sell out set with James Brown legend Pee Wee Ellis. Funded by the Bordeaux Bristol Association, the trio also played as the house band each night for the Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival. BBP chairman Dave Johnson attended the event with friends and set up an info stall to tell people about the 70th anniversary celebrations and the work of the Bristol Bordeaux Partnership. They managed to have a beer with the musicians afterwards and were very impressed both by the Bordeaux artists’ talent but also Pee Wee’s love of Pieminister Pies.
Bordeaux Jazz Trio shine with Pee Wee Ellis


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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is showing traits which Iraq’s Saddam Hussein had previously put on display.
How to deal with the problem of violence in children and adolescents.
Turkey’s anger over possible Saudi role in Khashoggi disappearance rings hollow.
The fate of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi threatens to upend the fundaments of fault lines in the Middle East.
A Saudi journalist’s disappearance challenges fragile Middle Eastern pragmatism.
Presidents Donald Trump and Hassan Rouhani risk fueling a conflict that could escalate out of hand.
Trump’s “deal of the century” for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may well put an end to any prospect of a two-state solution.
New report questions Saudi Arabia’s utility for Britain.
Russia is indeed at war with the Western alliance, one that it has unilaterally unleashed.


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If your tastes run to psychological thrillers filled with chills, plot twists, and rising body counts, you’ll want to pick up RIVER OF ASHES from Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor.
This novel shows us that an idyllic Louisiana river town can harbor dark secrets. The story revolves around Beau Devereaux, the only child of a powerful family. He is popular and admired, but he is not who he appears to be. Unlike most thrillers, the lead character here is no hero, although he would consider himself one.
“His ego could never let him see himself in any other light,” says Weis. “He’s narcissistic to a fault. At a cocktail party, he would present himself as the intelligent, handsome, and well-mannered young man who is the golden boy of St. Benedict. But that’s not the real Beau. It’s a mask. The sadistic monster lurking beneath is every parent’s nightmare. With psychopathic tendencies and a love for inflicting pain, he is the boy next door gone horribly wrong.”
So Beau might present as the perfect pupil and president of the student council, but the authors call him a classic “never judge a book by its cover” character. How bad is he? Well, murder is the ultimate act of violence, but Beau goes beyond that—he revels in inflicting pain.
“Control in all things is his motto, and he wields that control not only in how he presents himself to the world, but on the unsuspecting young women he lures to his hideaway in the cells behind the remains of the abandoned abbey,” Weis says. “The secluded setting allows Beau to carry out his deeds without interruption. It isn’t the killing that satisfies him. It’s the control he has over his victims. The further he can make them bend to his will, the more obsessed he becomes. Eventually, he goes too far and discovers the rush of killing.”
What makes the story truly chilling is the fact that Beau does everything with a smile—and right under the nose of his family and the residents of his small town. This kind of psychological thriller is very difficult to do well. Why did Weis and Astor choose this particular genre? The characters, of course.
“You can write compelling characters in this genre with all the bent and twisted psychological foibles that make for a great villain,” Weis says. “Thrillers also make the psychology of a character—the why they did what they did—an essential element. You don’t have that depth of motivation in other genres, such as romance. Readers can understand the desire to find someone to love. We all want that. But the desire to kill, maim, torture, and humiliate victims is beyond many of us. That’s what makes this genre so compelling.”
Of course, true villainy would never go unopposed. But no superhero arises to stop Beau in his tracks. Instead, the women Beau hurts seek their revenge.
“It seems fitting that those injured the most oppose Beau,” Weis says. “It was also an important element of the story—victims can have control over their tormentor in the end. Readers and writers also find that satisfying. We want that in life and sometimes don’t get it, but to be able to offer that sweet ending in a novel is poetic justice.”
Reviewers agree that this book gives us a skin-crawling story. But what is the secret to writing a story that will creep people out? The authors say you must first write characters that draw readers in, and you do that by giving them someone they love to hate.
As Weis says, “Beau is diabolical, but he also represents most young women’s ideal man. They find themselves attracted and, as the story develops, are later repulsed by his actions. The attraction makes what the character does to others reprehensible.”
Some readers might ask how people could not see through his charade, but if you think about it, similar people in real life do fool us in this way. And the right setting helps sustain the atmosphere. In this case, Weis is familiar with the setting—she’s from Louisiana, and St. Benedict is literally in her backyard.
“I cross the Bogue Falaya every day to get to the town of Covington,” she says, “and I pass The Abbey, where an actual seminary school sits on the banks of the river. Every place described in the book is real. The setting is another character in this book and a necessary one. The river, The Abbey, and the town of St. Benedict bring to life the creep factor that makes this story so compelling. There’s no other place with so much atmosphere as the bayous and back roads of Southeastern Louisiana. It’s a unique place, and if I was going to write a Southern Gothic thriller, I had to set it in the location I know best.”
This work is very atmospheric, the kind of thing the writer has to get their head and heart into. It’s hard to picture how two different people can set a tone like that together. However, judging from their previous work, both Weis and Astor are pretty twisted storytellers. So that was a good start.
“We had the same goal for this series, which made collaboration much easier,” Weis says. “We saw the same evil tendencies in Beau and wanted to push the boundaries to get readers into an uncomfortable zone. Luke laid the groundwork by creating intimidating characters and the heinous actions that set Beau on a path to destruction. I added the St. Benedict setting and developed the world while adding my personal experience in dealing with sexual abuse victims and mental illness to the story.”
It was clearly a harmonious relationship, and we hope it will continue to grow as they develop the series. If you love stories that prompt you to leave the lights on while reading, RIVER OF ASHES is your chance to get in on the ground floor of what promises to be an exciting roller coaster of a ride.
Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is an IPPY award-winning author, advanced practice registered nurse, and wildlife rehabber who was born and raised in the French Quarter. She has taught at major universities and worked with victims of sexual assault, abuse, and mental illness in a clinical setting at many New Orleans area hospitals. She is a member of the International Thriller Writers Organization and Horror Writers Association.
To learn more about the author and her work, please visit her website.
Lucas Astor is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but next door behind a smiling face. Astor currently lives outside of Nashville, TN.

domain: literature


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I play keys in Alt-Country-Rock outfit The Medicine Show and our album is out on iTunes here…
and our shiny new website here -http://www.themedicineshow.net
Don’t forget you can also here the fab Buenos Bastardes EP with me drumming at
with track Wheal Jane written by me.
Lastly and by no means least check out album “Rhythm over Key” by DJ Saffrolla with Keys, Percussion and co-writes by me at
Here for absolutely no reason is a moody pic of me from 1863…

domain: entertainment


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What is in this article?:
- Seeding rate, planting date keys to soybean profits
- Wild card in production costs
- Save $20 per acre
• The wild card for soybean production costs and for making money growing beans is the seed.
• More technology means more cost to farmers, so in some varieties with specific stacked traits the cost of soybean seed could exceed 50 percent of the total production costs.
• Choosing the optimum soybean planting date will allow growers to reduce seed per acre without sacrificing yield.
Wild card in production costs
The wild card for soybean production costs and for making money growing beans is the seed. In 2011, genetic trait-loaded soybean seed are expected to make up nearly half the total cost of production. More technology means more cost to farmers, so in some varieties with specific stacked traits the cost of seed could exceed 50 percent of the total production costs.
For example, the base price of one company’s Roundup Ready 2 Yield seed is $44.88 a bag for the lowest cost seed. The highest cost RR2 seed is $51.92 per bag. How high the final cost of soybean seed goes depends on what’s added to the seed, both genetically and conventionally.
Roundup Ready seed, by comparison, ranges from $37.22 to $42.19 a bag. Conventional seed with no genetic traits included sell for $30.80 per bag. Conventional insecticide and fungicide seed treatment will likely inch upward
Taking care of these high cost seed is critical to making money growing soybeans in the Southeast. Last year average yields in South Carolina were only 25 bushels per acres. In North Carolina and Virginia yields were about 10 bushels per acre higher.
Clemson University Agronomist Pawel Wiatrak says choosing the optimum soybean planting date will allow growers to reduce seed per acre without sacrificing yield.
His three-year research on evaluation of seeding rates in soybeans (across maturity Groups IV-VII) showed that seeding rates of soybeans can be reduced from high rates of 137,500 seed per acre to 82,500 seed per acre without a significant yield loss if soybeans are planted under optimum planting conditions by June 5.
The caveat, Wiatrak says, is planting date. Highest yields across all maturity groups planted in South Carolina, he notes, were observed for soybeans planted from early May to May 20. In his research, soybeans planted after May 20 began losing yield at a rapid pace.
“Based on estimated yield loss, for each day of delayed planting the yield decreased by about 0.4 bushels per acre for soybean planting between May 20 and June 5, 0.3 bushels per acre for planting between June 5 and June 16, and 0.6 bushels per acre for planting between June 16 and July 2,” says the Clemson researcher.
The yield loss each year will depend on variety, location, availability of moisture and nutrients, and other planting and weather factors.

domain: agronomy


It might seem like it’s a little late for spring cleaning, especially if you haven’t quite gotten around to brush hogging that back lot or to rip up that new garden plot. It’s never too late to make sure your tractor is up to snuff, including having a well-stocked toolbox. Fortunately, most of what that you’d likely need in your tractor toolbox are things that you already have in your garage.
Back to Basics: DIY Garage to Tractor Toolbox
If there is one constant in tractor operation, then it’s vibration. Things are bound to get loose after a long time in the field. Loose components can suddenly become lost components, so a good set of wrenches and sockets can come in handy to take care of the problem before it gets out of hand. For larger bolts, if you don’t already have huge sockets, then channel-lock pliers are a good addition to your toolbox. Vise-Grip pliers and a couple different screwdrivers can also come in handy, depending on your needs.
Many tractor accessories, such as mowers or rakes, have rotating parts. Anything from tall grass to a stray piece of barbed wire can get tangled up in the works. Pry bars, diagonal cutters, needle-nose pliers and a good knife all come in handy to remove foreign objects from rotating parts so they can work smoothly again. If extracting wire, don’t forget leather gloves and eye protection in case something lashes out at you under pressure.
If something doesn’t move but should, you need a lubricant. If something moves, but shouldn’t, you need something to hold it still. No tractor toolbox should be without a can of spray oil and a roll of duct tape, not to mention a roll of mechanic’s wire. Some spray lubes, such as WD-40, are exceptional at degumming that carburetor or fuel filter that’s been sitting idle all winter.
Other essential tools you should consider could include a sledgehammer, come-along, heavy-duty transport chain, extra nuts and bolts and a fire extinguisher.
Don’t Forget the Operator!
With high summer here, operator health is another concern needs to be addressed. While you may not put these things in your tractor toolbox, consider having them somewhere on your tractor. Water bottles keep you hydrated, and sunblock protects your skin; both of these are suggested to prevent heatstroke.
Just in case, always have a first-aid kit on board, because even a minor cut can become infected. If things really go wrong, then consider duct tape and superglue as part of your first aid kit. The same thing that keeps your stuff together can keep you together.
Pro Tip: ALWAYS shut down power equipment before attempting to tighten bolts, remove foreign objects or make any other adjustments. It may seem like “it’ll just take a moment” to fix, but one false move could make that “moment” last a lifetime.
Of course, this is just a basic list of things that you should include on any tractor outing. Depending on what you’re doing, it might make sense to pack a universal V-belt, extra clevis pins, other spare parts or a bastard file. Taking a few minutes to organize your tractor toolbox, right now, could save you hours and headaches, later on, particularly if something breaks down in the field.
Check out all the tools & equipment
Photo courtesy of Flickr
Ben has been taking things apart since he was 5, and putting them back together again since he was 8. After dabbling in DIY repairs at home and on the farm, he found his calling in the CGCC Automobile Repair program. After he held his ASE CMAT for 10 years, Ben decided he needed a change. Now, he writes on automotive topics across the web and around the world, including new automotive technology, transportation legislation, emissions, fuel economy and auto repair.


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Explore the urban and authentic Florence trought this walking tour to the discovery of the street art and food of the Oltrarno.
An evening stroll to discover the forbidden Florence and intriguing and curious stories of women and men, Madonnas and Gentlemen.
Come with us to discover the special powers of the best Renaissance artists into a fun walking tour for families with children. Meet Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Donatello and Dante and listen to their stories!
What better way to start the day than visiting one of the most stunning museum in all Florence?
This tour is designed for all you early birds who wants to visit Florence’s most famous museum, avoiding the long lines and the messy crowds.
Start the day with a beautiful visit to the former residence of the Medici Family and its impressive art collection floowed by an energetic italian breakfast!
Visit the Uffizi Gallery with your children: take your time to admire the Birth of Venus with our professional guide, while another kid-friendly guide takes care of your children and guides them into an artistic adventure!
Walking tour of Florence + Academy + Uffizi Gallery
The tour begins with a visit to the Academy Gallery, well known all over the world for Michelangelo's masterpieces that lies here...
This half day tour will make you ride through Florence out into the Tuscan hills with a visit to a Renaissance villa winery for wine and olive oil wine tasting.
This is an easy and pleasant bike ride in the Tuscan Hills in the surroundings of Florence with a visit to a private estate winery with a delicious lunch and wine and olive oil tasting.
This tour is for all bike enthusiasts, and will allow you to ride part of the 2013 World Cycling Championship route.
This is a no-frills tour for who wants to experience the fun of driving a vintage Fiat 500 at a reasonable cost. You will spend two hours of real fun with us!
This tour will allow you to cruise around in the picturesque Tuscan landscape in a legendary car: the original vintage Fiat 500!

domain: artistic


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Sources tell Media Newser Philippines that Nepomuceno, who was recently named new co-anchor of Daybreak, has decided to give up his post on 9TV-CNN Philippines to join Manny Pangilinan's latest media venture, Bloomberg Philippines.
"Bloomberg is offering Rod something that is hard for him to refuse," one of our sources said. "CNN Philippines just can't match that offer."
Nepomuceno was instrumental to the success of two of 9TV's current affairs programs, Legal HD and Opposing Views. He was also an occasional substitute anchor on Daybreak — during the Amelyn Veloso and Claire Celdran era — and anchor to some of the network's special coverage including the 2013 midterm elections, where he earned rave reviews.
With his departure, we heard that Anthony Pangilinan will take over his spot on a temporary basis, though it might turn into a permanent role if he clicks with viewers according to our sources.
If you have news tips, be sure to let us know by sending us a private message on our Facebook page: medianewserphilippines or by using our tip box, click here.


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Georgie York, once the costar of America's favorite television sitcom, has been publicly abandoned by her famous husband, her film career has tanked, her father is driving her crazy, and her public image as a spunky heroine is taking a serious beating.
What should a down-on-her-luck actress do? Not go to Vegas . . . not run into her detestable former costar, dreamboat-from-hell Bramwell Shepard . . . and not get caught up in an ugly incident that leads to a calamitous elopement. Before she knows it, Georgie has a fake marriage, a fake husband, and maybe (or not) a fake sex life.
It's a paparazzi free-for-all, and Georgie's nonsupporting cast doesn't help. There's Bram's punk-nightmare housekeeper, Georgie's own pushy parent, a suck-up agent, an icy studio head with a private agenda, and her ex-husband's new wife, who can't get enough of doing good deeds and saving the world. As for Georgie's leading man, Bram's giving the performance of his life, but he's never cared about anyone except himself, and it's not exactly clear why.
Two enemies find themselves working without a script in a town where the spotlight shines bright . . . and where the strongest emotions can wear startling disguises.
©2009 Susan Elizabeth Phillips; (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers
I have read all of Susan's books. This is not her best. I think Anna Fields might be whats missing. Narration can change the book. This one is still a good listen, but dont even think you will laugh like you did with Natural Born Charmer......
I have been an audible member sinc 2001. Fiction is my preferance. A good narrator can make or break any book
The book was ok, the story was ok. My favorite SEP book is Ain't She Sweet, followed by Kiss and Angel
I am a big fan of SEP but Julia Gibson is one of my least favorite narrators anyway. I don't think she does not do men well, as her voice is just too high and she does not have enough variation in her female voices to handle the number of people in the book. she also lacks the nuances of delivering the humor and personality of the characters I have grown to love in the SEP books. I have listened to over 300 books and often a narrator will help me choose my next book
I hope the SEP crew read these reviews, I would recommend Joyce Bean for her next book. If Julia narrates the next one, I will not be getting it on audible.
I loved this book, in fact I have listened to it many times since I downloaded it in January. I just read the other reviews and I was shocked to see how many people didn't like it. I have been a fan of SEP since I listened to her first recorded book IT HAD TO BE YOU. I have loved them all. I've listened to them all more than once, but WIDFL might be my favorite. I listened to it when I first purchased it and enjoyed it very much. I've left it on my i-pod, and take it to bed with me every night to listen to until I fall asleep. I loved the story, the characters Georgie and Bram, and the secondary characters. As far as SEP using the concept of the Brangelina/Aniston breakup, who cares? Writers do that sort of thing all the time. Did you ever watch Law & Order? Most of their stories are ripped from the headlines. Lastly the narrator...no one could ever replace Anna Fields/Kate Fleming. She was great. But I thought Julia Gibson did a very good job and I enjoyed her narration.
Anna Fields brought sarcasm, humor and different voices to each of SEPs books. This reader is hard to follow and makes the book uninteresting. I'll eventually finish it, but I <sigh> before I hit play.
She should really find a better reader.
I've enjoyed most of SEP's books, but this one lacked the humor that I was expecting. Maybe it was the narrator. She added a whine to the characters that drove me nuts. If SEP uses the same narrator for her next book, I will definitely pass. This was one of my least favorite books from SEP. The characters didn't seem to be all that likeable. To me, the book dragged on and on until everything ended in a rush. I'll still buy her next book, but without the anticipation I usually have.
I see that alot of people hated this book. I must admit, it was out of SEPs ordinary storylines and was a bit stretched. It had a Jackie Collins-esque feeling but if you like that type of novel, you'll like this one. Don't be afraid to download this book, just don't expect the feeling you get with Anna Fields fantastic narrations. The bad news, I'm no longer anticipating SEP's next book; previously, I downloaded all of her books without first reading the reviews. Now its a must, sorry Susan.
After reading "Match Me if You Can," "Natural Born Charmer," and "Ain't She Sweet" this was a let-down. Not very interesting. Rather blah the whole time and the narrator sounds a little bit like a computer for a lot of it. I wouldn't buy it again.
I have been counting the months, no the days, in anticipation of this book. Last time I did this was for Harry Potter's last book. This story is inspired by Jennifer Aniston's break up with Brad Pitt, no doubt. In SEP's book, Jennifer or Georgie gets her happy ending (this is an SEP book, so the happy ending is a given) with a hollywood bad boy that does not come without his own baggage and problems. I enjoyed tremendously the SARS incident and the characters of Jade (Angie) and Lance (Brad). They are as naive, self centered and silly as I would have imagined them to be. The only reason I give it 4 stars is that I could not connect with the main characters as I usually do with SEP's books. Georgie and Bram were sometimes quite mean to each other which tainted the comic atmosphere for me. The sexually charged banter was replaced sometimes with demeaning comments and resentment. Compared to any romantic novel out there, this would rank as 5 stars for me. Yet this novel comes on the heels of Natural Born Charmer and Match Me If You Can, so I expected more. I truly loved the banter between the housekeeper and the Personal Assistant which is typical SEP for me. I echo Mrs Phillips words about Kate Fleming who is a big loss to audiobook listeners, but appreciated the choice of Julia Gibson who did a good job despite of having big shoes to fill. You won't regret this book, but it is not SEP's best.
I enjoyed the earlier books from SEP, but unfortunately this was long winded and not really that interesting. I listened to the end, but more to see if anything exciting happened. It didn't. I hope the next one whenever it comes brings back the old pizzaz and sassy characters.
Literally could not stop listening to this fabulous and entertaining story. Once again, Susan Elizabeth Phillips has created characters who can make you laugh and then cry within minutes. Her romantic comedy is unmatched because the heroine is someone you love and understand. When she hurts, the reader hurts. One of the best things about Ms. Phillips' books is there is always a happy ending and you feel so good when the end comes, although, I always want more when it is over!
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We love wrap tops, and this next one is super cute. The Milk Wrap Top by Rory Beca is a sleeveless wrap blouse with a shimmery floral pattern throughout. There's a V-neck and a contrasting black tie at the waist that ties at the side, keeping the wrap secure. It would look great with your favorite pair of jeans!
December 10, 2007
This next top would be perfect for showing off a small waist. The Wrap Sweater by Karoo by Mark Eisen is a 100% cashmere wrap sweater. It has a tie belt at the waist and ruched short sleeves. Wear alone or with a cute simple shirt underneath.
November 6, 2007
Here's a cute wrap for winter. The Tawyn Top by Velvet has an open V-neck, a side tie, rolled hem, and relaxed long sleeves. It's perfect for layering, and it's available in black and currant.
November 4, 2007
The Buddy Wrap Top by Diane von Furstenberg is a little different than other wraps because it crosses in the back instead of the front. Because of this there is a V at the back. This top also has a cowl neck, a tie at the waist, sheer organza banding at the cuffs, and long sleeves. It is 100% silk and semi-sheer as well.
October 30, 2007
Here is a fun print that you will have a blast wearing. The V Neck Wrap Top by Nieves Lavi has a button closure and tie at the waist, ruching and banding at the cuffs, long sleeves and is 100% silk. And we love the paisley print, especially since it's made up of some great fall colors!
October 9, 2007
Normally the Shirt Snob isn't a huge fan of lots of big ruffles, but they seem to work in this case. The Ruffled Blouse by Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent has layered ruffle trim at the deep V-neck, a single jeweled button at the front, a tie at the waist, elastic banding and ruching at the waist and cuffs, and 3/4 length sleeves.
October 4, 2007
We know we've said recently that we are a little sick of T-Bags' prints, but we still like this next top, the Print Front Wrap Top. We've never seen a wrap from them (at least that we remember), so it's a new way to wear the prints if you like them. This top has a shawl collar, a keyhole at the back, deep V-neck, wrap detail at the front, ruching at the cuffs, and long sleeves. It's available in two prints.
September 26, 2007
Even though it's still pretty warm where the Shirt Snob resides, we can't help but get excited for winter when we find something as cozy looking as the Boucle Wrap Hoodie by Free People. This cardigan wraps with an extra long tie and a hood. It's made out of a wool, angora, and acrylic mixture, and it's available in five colors: wine, teal, black, ivory, and mocha. It's also quite short, so it'd look great with your longer tops.
September 19, 2007
We told you about the Bishop Sleeve Top by Rachel Pally last month, and now it's also available in a cute print. The Print Bishop Sleeve Wrap Top has a tie at the waist, 3/4 length sleeves, and ribbed banding at the edges. We really like the print, as the stripes are actually made up of dots which you can see when you take a closer look.
September 18, 2007
If you want a bold print for the work place instead of for a night out, the Jill Wrap Top by Diane von Furstenberg might be a good option. This shirt has a tie at the waist, a fold over collar, banding at the split cuffs and 3/4 length sleeves. It's also 100% silk. We think this is a good one for work because of its toned down colors. It'd look great with a black suit.

domain: design


text:
The latter has long been a prominent and much-criticized feature of American politics. Redistricting is a deeply political process, with incumbents actively seeking to minimize the risk to themselves (via bipartisan gerrymanders) or to gain additional seats for their party (via partisan gerrymanders). But several recent developments have lent a new urgency to this issue and precipitated the most serious effort to reform redistricting processes in many years.
Decline in Competitive Seats
One recent development is the sharp decline in the number of competitive seats in the House and in most state legislatures. While during the last quarter century the average number of marginal House seats, i.e., those decided within the range of 55 to 45 percent, has been a historically low 58 (13 percent of all seats), the number plummeted after the most recent round of redistricting, reaching 27--6 percent of seats--in 2004. Only four House incumbents were defeated by challengers in the 2002 general election, the smallest number in American history. Two years later only seven incumbents were defeated. Less than 50 of the 435 seats were seriously contested in 2002, many fewer than the number of targets in 1972, 1982 and 1992, the first elections after the previous rounds of redistricting. The number of House seats with a real contest shrank to three dozen in 2004.
The same pattern is evident in state legislative races. A prime illustration of this phenomenon is to be found in the largest state, California, where every incumbent seeking reelection won and not a single seat changed party hands in the 2004 congressional and state legislative elections.
In addition to the decline in competition, American politics today is characterized by a growing ideological polarization between the two major political parties. A healthy degree of party unity among Democrats and Republicans has deteriorated into bitter partisan warfare. With the number of moderates in legislative bodies declining, the possibilities of bipartisan negotiation and compromise diminish. Many observers and participants believe redistricting fuels this polarization, by creating safe seats in which incumbents have strong incentives to reflect the views of their party's most extreme supporters--i.e., those active in primary elections--and little reason to reach out to swing voters.
Role of National Party Leaders
A third development behind the surge of interest in redistricting reform is the more aggressive actions by national party leaders to orchestrate partisan gerrymanders in the states. With the parties at virtual parity and the ideological gulf between them never greater, the stakes of majority control of Congress are extremely high. Norms that once constrained the behavior of party leaders have collapsed.
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's infamous but successful mid-decade partisan gerrymander in Texas (which cost the Democrats six seats, twice the national gain realized by the Republicans in 2004) has set off a potential redistricting arms race. While the Colorado Republican effort to adopt a second post-2000 redistricting plan was nixed by the state Supreme Court, the party seems to have succeeded in Georgia, if newly drawn maps are precleared by the Justice Department and upheld by the courts. Democrats are considering retaliatory actions in a number of states newly under their political control, including New Mexico, Illinois and Louisiana.
Redistricting reform cannot by itself reverse these trends toward declining electoral competition, increasing ideological polarization between the parties, and smash-mouth partisan manipulation of the electoral rules of the game.
The country is evenly divided between the two parties. Most voters have sorted themselves into a party by their ideological views, and their decisions on where to reside have promoted a geographical segregation of like-minded citizens--conservatives to the exurbs, liberals to cities. Further-more, partisan attachments powerfully shape political perceptions, beliefs and values, and incumbents enjoy advantages well beyond the way in which their districts are configured. All of these forces will continue to shape our politics no matter what initiatives are taken to improve the process. Redistricting reform is no panacea, but it is a start.
Most states redraw congressional district boundaries through the normal legislative process, constrained by standards set by Congress, the courts, and state constitutions and statutes. Congress requires states to draw single-member districts. The courts insist that all districts within states be of equal population and that minority votes not be diluted. Most states have put redistricting standards in their constitutions or statutes: contiguity, compactness, adherence to political and geographical boundaries, and respect for communities of interest are the most common. However, these state standards suffer from ambiguity, conflict with other standards, and the absence of effective enforcement mechanisms. They have not been a serious constraint on the politicians drawing the maps.
Three Options for Reform
Those seeking to reduce the partisan and incumbent manipulation of the redistricting process have three broad options.
The first is to persuade Congress to adopt additional standards for redistricting by the states. The most prominent proposal would prohibit more than a single round of congressional redistricting after the decennial apportionment. As long as Rep. Tom Delay, the chief architect of the Texas redistricting plan, remains majority leader, this idea is likely to go nowhere. The interesting question is how a Democratic majority in Congress might react to it.
A second option for reformers is to convince the courts to find gerrymandered plans unconstitutional. In Davis v. Bademer (1986) the Supreme Court ruled that partisan gerrymandering is justiciable under the Equal Protection Clause. However, by setting a high threshold for successful challengers ("evidence of continued frustration of the will of a majority of the voters or effective denial to a minority of voters of a fair chance to influence the political process"), the Court rendered this standard ineffectual. Only one successful partisan gerrymandering claim--in a judicial election--has been litigated under the Bandemer ruling.
Last year the Court returned to this question by considering a case brought by Pennsylvania Democrats. Its decision in Vieth v. Jubelirer (2004) appears to have maintained the status quo. While all nine justices acknowledged that partisan gerrymandering could be unconstitutional, in rejecting the challenge the majority despaired of finding workable standards for determining when it was. Litigation challenging the Texas mid-decade redistricting plan continues, but the federal courts do not appear a promising venue for reform. Prospects for countering anti-competitive bipartisan plans are even bleaker. In past decisions, the Court has explicitly sanctioned the protection of incumbency as a legitimate redistricting objective.
The third and clearly most promising avenue of reform is to change the process by which states draw legislative maps. Often facing entrenched opposition in state legislatures, reformers are increasingly turning to the initiative process to establish independent, nonpartisan redistricting commissions.
Six states--Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Jersey and Washington--already invest commissions with a first and final authority for congressional redistricting. Another, Indiana, uses a commission as a backup if the normal legislative process fails to produce a plan. Two other states, Maine and Connecticut, use commissions in an advisory capacity: their plans must be approved by the legislature before taking effect. One state, Iowa, delegates authority for drafting redistricting plans to a nonpartisan legislative support staff agency, which operates under a "veil of ignorance" with respect to the addresses of incumbents, partisan affiliation of voters and previous election results. However, the Iowa legislature retains the authority to put its own mark on the ultimate plan.
LWVUS: The national Board has affirmed that all Leagues may take action under the LWVUS positions relating to redistricting, "Apportionment," "Citizen's Right to Vote," and "Congress," and should work to achieve three goals consistent with those positions:
1. Congressional districts and government legislative bodies should be apportioned substantially on population ("one person, one vote");
2. Redistricting should not dilute the effective representation of minority citizens; and
3. Efforts that attempt or result in partisan gerrymandering should be opposed.
Leagues that do not now have a position may employ the LWVUS positions immediately, develop their own positions consistent with the overall League goals, or engage in a concurrence process to adopt another League's position. The LWVUS will advocate for reform and support Leagues working on redistricting issues by sharing information, developing League expertise, and consulting with Leagues on advocacy, public education, and media outreach. The LWVUS is ready to assist you and would like to hear what your League is doing, intends to do or wants to do on redistricting issues. Contact the LWVUS Grassroots Lobbyist Angela Canterbury: email@example.com.
Model for Reform
Arizona has become a prototype for current reformers. The state's independent redistricting commission was established by popular initiative in 2000. Four members (two from each party) are appointed by state legislative leaders from a pool approved by a judicial appointments panel. The four appointees then select a fifth member (drawn from a comparable pool but not affiliated with either party) to serve as chair. Commission maps are approved by majority vote and are not subject to review by the legislature or veto by the governor. The commission is given explicit standards and procedures to follow in drawing redistricting plans. Importantly, these include favoring competitive districts and not identifying or considering the place of residence of incumbents or candidates.
Efforts to adopt some variation of the Arizona system are underway in a number of states. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed investing redistricting authority in a panel of retired judges. If he fails to reach agreement with the Democratic legislature, the Governor will lead an effort to place an initiative on the ballot later this year.
A number of organizations, including the Center for Governmental Studies, Demos and Common Cause, have issued guidelines for how redistricting commissions should be structured, members selected, and operating standards and procedures established. The devil is often in the details. Critics have expressed concerns with draft California initiative language, on grounds that it authorizes a second, mid-decade redistricting plan and that its provisions to ensure partisan fairness and competitiveness may be inadequate.
In other states, nonprofit organizations and unions are taking the lead to draft and qualify initiatives for state ballots. The League of Women Voters at the state level has been active, too (see p. 7). Twenty-four states allow citizen initiatives on their ballots, and efforts are underway in Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts and Ohio to adopt redistricting commissions. In states without a provision for popular initiative, reformers must navigate the normal state legislative process to alter the redistricting process.
Incumbent officeholders and party leaders can be expected to oppose these efforts, since they are wary of changes that might diminish their individual reelection prospects or remove from their arsenal a weapon that might help them achieve or maintain majority control. But these self-interested calculations could lead to other preferences, depending on the particular political circumstances in each individual state. In some states, one party or the other may well conclude that they would fare better with a redistricting commission than with the status quo.
Conditions have improved for a major reconsideration of the manner in which legislative boundaries are redrawn. Success depends very much on the level of sustained interest and engagement by citizens across the country, including members of the League of Women Voters.
RELATED ARTICLE: Leagues in Action on Redistricting
Arizona: After years of work, the League achieved redistricting reform in 2000 and the creation of the Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission. Now the League has joined the Commission in defending its proposal. While the case works its way through the courts, Leaguers continue to monitor all Commission meetings and attend court hearings. The League successfully lobbied the legislature for additional funding for the Commission, whose funds had been depleted by the legal battle.
California: The League is working to reform redistricting in California where the Governor has endorsed proposed legislation to reform the process. Competing bills and campaigns for ballot initiatives are already underway in case legislation is not passed. The League supports two measures for redistricting by independent commission, and has offered to endorse the bill supported by the Governor if a provision requiring redistricting immediately following adoption of the measure is removed. The League has been working in coalition and consulting with the LWVUS on working with the Governor, the legislature and coalition partners to advance the criteria in the state League's position on redistricting: an independent, diverse citizens' commission to draw the lines for congressional, state senate, state assembly and Board of Equalization districts; an open process with information readily available to the public and opportunities for public comment at all stages; fair criteria for drawing district lines; and no provision for "mid-decade redistricting," i.e., for drawing new lines before the 2010 census. The League believes there could be the political and popular will necessary to achieve a less partisan, fairer, inclusive redistricting process for 2010.
Colorado: In the 1970s, the League led a citizen's initiative to establish an independent reapportionment commission on state legislative districts that was approved by voters. The League believes that the commission has worked well and is committed to establishing a similar independent commission for U.S. congressional districts. The post-2000 Census congressional redistricting plan resulted in a gerrymandered map that the court overturned. Since then, the League has worked in a coalition to create an independent commission for the federal districts. Instead of placing an initiative on a crowded 2004 ballot, the coalition decided to work with the legislature to pass a constitutional amendment for approval by the voters.
Florida: The League has formed a coalition, the Committee for Fair Elections, to put redistricting reform on the 2006 ballot. It will gather signatures for a constitutional amendment to form an independent commission and set standards on redistricting. The League expects a long campaign, but it has a longstanding commitment to redistricting reform. Previous efforts failed for lack of funding; this time the coalition has significant funding.
Idaho: In 1994, the Idaho constitution was amended to create an independent commission on redistricting based largely on the League's position. Despite failure to get proposed legislation on the ballot after its studies in 1986, the League succeeded in raising awareness among lawmakers and the public. It provided an alternative to the partisan legislative fight that led to proposed redistricting plans that were repeatedly contested in court. After a struggle over the 1990 redistricting, the legislative leadership turned to the League for help. The result is a commission that operates independent of the legislature, listens to constituencies, and delivers more competitive districts that meet the standards of the Supreme Court of Idaho.
Maine: The League's board has recommended to members for consideration at convention that this year the League form a coalition to work on achieving a nonpartisan commission for redistricting. Using LWVUS redistricting-related positions, the board recommends that redistricting reform by the 2010 Census be made a Maine League priority initiative. The hope is to use the successful Clean Elections model to improve Maine's elections process and lend momentum to nationwide reform efforts.
Maryland: Maryland's constitutional structure gives the governor responsibility for drawing up redistricting plans. After the last census, the redistricting plan produced districts that were not compact and barely contiguous; the courts threw it out. After completing its All About Redistricting: A 2004 Study, the League adopted a position on redistricting by a nonpartisan appointed commission. Since this requires a constitutional amendment, the League is working on introducing and passing legislation in 2005.
Massachusetts: In the last seven years, Massachusetts has ranked 49th of the 50 states in electoral competitiveness. While redistricting reform has long been a League priority, recently prospects improved with established popular support and more legislative advocates. Last year, the League worked to pass the non-binding "Fair Districts for Fair Elections" initiative by more than 67 percent in all districts where it was on the ballot. It called on state representatives to support a state constitutional amendment to create an independent redistricting commission, subject to strict guidelines for public participation, nonpartisanship, retaining the integrity of existing communities, and respecting the voting rights of minorities. Now the League is urging legislators to join the 55 cosponsors of the Independent Redistricting Commission constitutional amendment, filed on behalf of the League and its Fair Districts Coalition. Redistricting reform could make the ballot by 2008.
Texas: For over two decades, the League has supported the formation of a redistricting commission with the initial responsibility of formulating a redistricting plan designating boundaries for congressional districts and state House and Senate districts. The League supported the post-2000 census redistricting process by testifying and helping to educate legislators on the League's positions. When the legislature called multiple special sessions on redistricting to redraw the districts already upheld by the courts, the League voiced opposition, noting that a valid plan existed. The Leagues statewide testified at public hearings and advocated for the de-politicization of redistricting. The state approved the second redistricting plan and used it in the 2004 elections. The League perseveres in its fight to reform redistricting in Texas!
Utah: The League continues work on redistricting reform, one of its top 10 priorities. This year, League member, former LWVUS Board member, and state legislator Roz McGee again introduced a bill to create a bipartisan redistricting task force. The bill failed, but Rep. McGee will continue to work for passage.
Wisconsin: Legislation was recently introduced asking the nonpartisan Joint Legislative Council to develop a new redistricting system similar to Iowa's. The League supports this proposal as a first step.
Thomas E. Mann is W. Averell Harriman Chair and Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institution.
Illustration by Diane Fenster
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|Date:||Jun 1, 2005|
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Dementia with Lewy bodies – SNCA, SNCB, GBA and APOE genes
Dementia with Lewy bodies, or diffuse Lewy body disease, is a disorder of the nervous system characterized by: decreased intellectual abilities; parkinsonism; visual hallucinations; behavioural fluctuations; and sleep disorders. Other signs associated with this process include orthostatic hypotension, syncope, decreased sense of smell, increased saliva production, incontinence or constipation. It generally affects older adults, and in most cases it develops between 50 and 85 years old. The life expectancy of affected people can vary, although they generally survive between 5 and 7 years after their diagnosis.
Mutations in the SNCA gene (synuclein alpha) or in the SNCB gene (synuclein beta), lead to the development of this disease, while mutations in the GBA (glucosylceramidase beta) and APOE (apolipoprotein E) genes increase the risk of develop the condition, but they are not a direct cause.
The SNCA gene, located on the long arm of chromosome 4 (4q22.1) encodes the alpha-synuclein protein. Although the role of alpha-synuclein is not fully known, studies suggest that it plays an important role in maintaining an adequate supply of synaptic vesicles at presynaptic terminals. Alpha-synuclein can also play a role in the movement of microtubules and help regulate the release of dopamine, a fundamental neurotransmitter to control the onset and arrest of voluntary and involuntary movements. SNCA gene mutations result in the synthesis of an alpha-synuclein protein with an abnormal form. The deformed proteins are grouped, forming the main component of Lewy bodies. These groups of proteins are present in neurons throughout the brain, and over time, the loss of neurons affected by these Lewy bodies increasingly deteriorates both intellectual and motor functions and the regulation of emotion, leading to signs. and symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies. At least six mutations in the SNCA gene that cause dementia with Lewy bodies have been identified.
The SNCB gene, located on the long arm of chromosome 5 (5q35.2), encodes the beta-synuclein protein. Beta-synuclein is probably involved in synaptic plasticity, a process that allows neurons to change and adapt over time, which is necessary for learning and memory. In addition, beta-synuclein can also prevent harmful accumulation of alpha-synuclein in neurons. At least two mutations in the SNCB gene have been described in individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies. The mutations described result in the synthesis of a protein with altered function. A decrease in functional beta-synuclein probably results in the accumulation of alpha-synuclein and in the formation of Lewy bodies.
The GBA gene, located on the long arm of chromosome 1 (1q22), encodes beta-glucocerebrosidase, an enzyme found in lysosomes throughout the body. Lysosomes use digestive enzymes to break down toxic substances, digest bacteria that invade the cell and recycle worn cell components. Beta glucocerebrosidase is an enzyme that helps break down glucocerebraside molecules into a simpler fat molecule. Mutations in a copy of the GBA gene result in the synthesis of an altered beta-glucocerebrosidase enzyme, which can interfere with the function of lysosomes and the normal breakdown of the alpha-synuclein protein, which increases the risk that these proteins accumulate and form Lewy bodies.
The APOE gene, located on the long arm of chromosome 19 (19q13.32), encodes the apolipoprotein E protein, which binds to lipids to form lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are responsible for assembling cholesterol and other fats and transporting them through the bloodstream. Maintaining normal cholesterol levels is essential for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. There are at least three slightly different versions of the APOE gene (e2, e3 and e4). The e4 version of the APOE gene may increase the risk of developing dementia with Lewy bodies. People who inherit a copy of the APOE e4 allele are more likely to develop dementia with Lewy bodies. Although it is not clear how the APOE e4 allele contributes to the development of this disease, it is believed that apolipoprotein E encoded from the e4 allele can disrupt the transport of the alpha-synuclein protein inside and outside the cells. When alpha-synuclein gets trapped inside or outside the cells, it accumulates in groups, forming Lewy bodies. Some people with the APOE e4 allele develop Alzheimer's disease, while others develop dementia with Lewy bodies.
When dementia with Lewy bodies is due to mutations of the SNCA or SNCB gene, it is inherited with an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to express the process. In these cases, an affected person usually has an affected parent. People with a mutation in a copy of the GBA gene or a copy of the APOE allele inherit an increased risk of developing the disease, not the disease itself. This higher risk is inherited with an autosomal dominant pattern.
Tests performed in IVAMI: in IVAMI we perform the detection of mutations associated with dementia with Lewy bodies, by means of the complete PCR amplification of the exons of the SNCA, SNCB, GBA and APOE genes, respectively, and their subsequent sequencing.
Recommended samples non-coagulated blood obtained with EDTA for separation of blood leukocytes, or a card with a dried blood sample (IVAMI can mail the card to deposit the blood sample).

domain: biology