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Overview on the main cereal transcription factor family members involved in drought.
Drought is the major abiotic stress in many wheat environments, decreasing grain yields and farmer’s income. Finding ways to improve drought tolerance in wheat is therefore a global effort. Transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in drought tolerance by stimulating plant’s protective genome activities in response to heat and water limitation. TFs are specialized proteins which can bind to specific DNA elements in gene promoters and modulate gene expression in response to various external and internal stimuli. Thus TFs is a crucial part of plant signal transduction pathway mediated by signal receptors, phytohormones and other regulatory compounds. The activities of TFs are closely related to their structure, and their binding specificity is determined by the homo-/hetero-dimerization of TFs. The expression of downstream genes may produce a subset of TFs or regulate other functional proteins involved in physiological drought adaptation. Thus, the hierarchic regulations of TF activities, downstream gene expression and protein–protein interaction comprise a complex regulatory network, which participates in drought response and adaptation in cereal crops. Basic mechanisms of this regulatory network have been described, but more insight is needed to find new tools for enhancing cereals’ adaptation to drought stress.
- Abiotic stress
- regulatory networks
- transcription factors
Drought is the major environmental factor that limits crop growth and yield globally. Improving crop performance under water limiting conditions is, therefore, an important research focus of plant scientists around the world. Limited water availability evokes adaptive physiological responses regulated by changes in expression of numerous stress-responsible genes. Transcription factors (TFs) are groups of proteins that bind to specific regulatory DNA elements located in gene promoters upstream of transcription initiation sites, repressing or activating target gene expression. Intensive research in recent years has shown that temporal and spatial modulation of stress-related TFs provides an efficient way for plants to deal with unfavourable growth conditions. TFs involved in drought response were identified and characterized in various cereal species, including all major food crops such as in rice [1–4], wheat [5–8], barley [9, 10], and maize [11, 12]. Overexpression of several target genes encoding stress-responsive TFs led to improved survival rate under water limitation in transgenic plants [4, 10, 12–14].
The activities of TFs are closely related to their structure. TFs usually contain a DNA-binding domain (DBD) and a transcriptional activation domain (TAD) . The DBD enables TFs to bind with specific promoter elements of target genes, and TAD mediates regulation of the downstream gene either directly or in cooperation with other proteins. TAD usually represents a low-complexity sequence that prevents protein self-folding and facilitates protein–protein interactions (PPI). The transcriptional response to drought in cereals is controlled by a large number of TFs, which have been grouped into several different families based on their structure and binding specificity. The main TFs discussed in this article belong to the following families: the DRE-binding protein/C-repeat binding factors (DREB/CBF) [1, 13, 16, 17], the NAM/ATAF1/CUC2 (NAC) factors [18, 19], the MYB family [20, 21], the WRKY family [9, 22], the basic leucine zipper family (bZIP) [14, 23–25], and the homeodomain-leucine-zipper (HD-Zip) family [26–28].
When plants suffer water deficiency, receptors from the cell membrane/cell wall sense the extracellular stress signals and convert them into intracellular secondary messengers such as Ca2+ and inositol phosphate . How exactly the signal is transmitted toward gene activation is still poorly understood and is a subject of intensive multidisciplinary investigations. However, it is well agreed that plant hormones, especially abscisic acid (ABA), play significant role in drought stress–related transcription, in many cases through modulating phosphorylation status of transcription factors and other regulatory proteins.
The objective of this article is to review the involvement of TFs in drought response and adaptation in cereals and to illuminate the complexity of the factors and processes involved. The article is subdivided into four sections, which will (1) give examples of drought-related hierarchy in TF interactions regulated by plant hormones, (2) provide an overview of major families of cereal TFs involved in drought response, (3) overview existing data on TF target gene networks activated in response to drought, and (4) describe the homo- and hetero-dimerization in relation to TF’s activities.
2. Plant hormone crosstalk in drought relevant regulatory pathways
Phytohormones play critical roles in linking the stress-responsive signaling cascades. ABA is a key plant hormone that functions as a link between environmental stress reception and adaptive transcriptional programs such as the regulation of cellular mechanisms, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Similar to ABA, gibberellic acid (GA) and jasmonic acid (JA) play important functions in cellular stress network signaling. Different receptors have been reported to recognize and bind with these plant growth regulators in order to activate or modulate downstream responses .
Drought and ABA-mediated signals are perceived through three main pathways by different receptors (see Figure 1). The first receptor PYR/PYL/ RCARs (PYRABACTIN RESISTANCE / PYRABACTIN RESISTANCE-LIKE / REGULATORY COMPONENT OF ABA RECEPTORSPYR) binds ABA and inactivates the type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs), which leads to the accumulation of SNF1-RELATED PROTEIN KINASES (SnRK2s) . SnRK2s activate ABA-responsive TFs such as Arabidopsis AREB1, AREB2, and AREB3. These TFs regulate ABA-dependent gene expression involved in several physiological processes such as the movement of stomatal guard cells, thereby increasing the tolerance to drought . AtMYB44 is one of the TFs that negatively regulate the target genes coding PP2Cs, which leads to stomatal closure and reduced transpiration losses . Protein-coupled receptor-type G proteins (GTGs) such as GTG1/GTG2 are involved in the second ABA reception pathway, which was first reported in Arabidopsis . GTG1/GTG2 proteins are membrane-localized receptors with functions in seedling and pollen tube growth and development, acting through voltage-dependent anion channels. The third ABA receptor is the H subunit of Mg-chelatase (CHLH/ABAR), which regulates the lipid metabolism linked to drought tolerance in plants .
It was also demonstrated that ABA can increase the transcription level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) network genes . ROS are reactive oxygen–based molecules such as superoxide (O2–), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hydroxyl radical (OH–), which not only toxically damage cells through membrane peroxidation and de-esterification under environmental stresses but also trigger stress endurance in plants . For example, ABA has been shown to trigger the activity of cytosolic aldehyde oxidase and xanthine dehydrogenase, which separately produce H2O2 and O2– in drought .
The GA receptor GA INSENSITIVE DWARF1 (GID1) was reported from rice and is a homolog of the Arabidopsis GID1a/b/c . GA-responsive TFs GRAS (GA insensitive [GAI], REPRESSOR of ga1-3 [RGA], and SCARECROW [SCR]) are GA signaling repressors involved in GA-controlled plant development . Subgroup of GRAS, called DELLA proteins, can interact with GID1 and lead to DELLA protein degradation. The downstream gene of DELLA TFs encoding a RING-H2 zinc finger factor XERICO is involved in ABA and GA transduction pathways under abiotic stresses . Further, the DELLA protein RGL3 can be responsive to JA and interact with the JA regulator OsJAZ (jasmonic acid ZIM-domain protein) under drought . Thus, DELLA proteins can be considered as the interface of ABA, GA, and JA signaling pathways in response to water deficiency .
The regulation network of TFs plays an important role in stress-relevant hierarchic regulatory pathways. OsNAC10, a NAC TF, can up-regulate the downstream genes encoding AP2 and WRKY TFs involved in ROS detoxification and scavenging for drought response through the ABA synthesis pathway. The mechanisms of plant response to drought include cell wall development and cuticle formation . The promoter region of the gene OsNAC6 contains various recognition sites such as ABREs, MYBRS, MYCRS, W-boxes, and GCC boxes, which can be separately recognized by TFs AREB/ABF, MYB, MYC, WRKY, and ERF . These TFs are likely to bind to the corresponding cis-elements and co-regulate the expression of OsNAC6 that participate in the ABA induction pathway and abiotic stress response in plants. In the bZIP family, the gene encoding OsbZIP12 was also found to have MYBRS, MYCRS, and W-box motifs in its promoter region, which can be recognized by TFs MYB, MYC, and WRKY, respectively . Besides, OsNAC5 and OsbZip23 might co-regulate the expression of the downstream gene OsLEA3 since both of them enhance the transcription level of OsLEA3 . OsDREB1F might interact directly/indirectly with some bZIP family members in the ABA-dependent pathway that activate transcription of the ABA responsive genes rd29B and RAB18 . However, more in-depth studies are needed to identify these events and to explain the underlying mechanism.
3. Major families of cereal TFs involved in drought response
Transcription factors are classified into several family groups mainly based on characteristic amino acid sequences of its conserved DBDs [36, 37]. Of these, the families DREB/CBF, NAC, MYB, WRKY, bZIP, and HD-Zip are the main TFs involved in drought. Their structural features, classification, and representative family members in cereals are summarized in Table 1 and Figure 2.
3.1. DREB/CBF family
The DREB/CBF family is a member of the AP2/EREBF superfamily of TFs, responsive to several stresses including drought [3, 8]. A cDNA encoding the first identified DREB/CBF family member CBF1 was isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana and characterized by Stockinger et al. . DREB/CBF TFs possess about 60 amino acid long AP2 DBD which specifically recognizes a dehydration-responsive C-repeat (DRE/CRT) cis-element. The AP2 is a highly conserved domain of DREB family members. It contains two conserved motifs: the YRG and RAYD motifs. The YRG motif is considered to determine DNA binding and the RAYD motif, which forms an α-helix on the C-terminus, is supposed to play a role in PPI . Drought responsive DREB TFs were also found in other plant species such as Brassica napus , Triticum aestivum , Atriplex hortensis , and Oryza sativa .
Many reported drought-inducible cereal DREBs were shown to be regulators improving stress endurance. In wheat, the gene TaDREB1  was induced by drought, salt, and cold. The transgenic barely containing TaDREB2 and TaDREB3  showed improved tolerance in drought and low temperature conditions. In rice, 13 transcriptional factors including seven DREB1 types (OsDREB1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, and 1G) and six DREB2 types (OsDREB2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and OsAB14)  were isolated and analyzed. The overexpression of OsDREB1A  and OsDREB1F  resulted in transgenic Arabidopsis and rice plants with higher tolerance to salt, drought, and low temperature. OsDREB1G, 2A, and 2B were identified to be strong candidates in drought responsive pathways, while OsDREB1E could slightly improve the drought survival rate in transgenic rice [44, 45]. In different wheat cultivars, TaDREB1 was demonstrated to be inducible by drought, salt, low temperature, and ABA . TaDREB2 and TaDREB3 significantly improved frost and drought tolerance in transgenic barley and wheat . In maize, ZmDREB1A , –2A , and ZmDREB2.7  contributed to drought tolerance. In barley, the gene HvDREB1  was induced by drought, salt, and low temperature, while the constitutive expression of HvCBF4  increased the survival rate of transgenic rice under drought.
3.2. NAC family
The NAM/ATAF/CUC (NAC) TFs contain a unique feature, a conserved N-terminus DBD and a dissimilar C-terminus regulatory domain, and they are spread across the plant kingdom . The name NAC is an abbreviation of three genes designated as no apical meristem (NAM), Arabidopsis transcription activation factor (ATAF), and cup-shaped cotyledon (CUC), which encode proteins containing homologous sequences as the NAC domain [49, 50]. NAM isolated from petunia by Souer et al.  was the first gene demonstrated to encode a NAC protein, followed by the gene CUC2 from Arabidopsis . Mutation of both genes resulted in the absence of apical shoot meristems  and led to floral abnormalities such as the alteration of petal primordia positions during the development stage. These evidences show that the TFs NAM and CUC play important roles in shoot apical meristem formation and determine the organ primordia positions in the floral meristem [49, 50]. But in relation to abiotic stress, the wheat genes TaNAC2  and TaNAC69  were strongly expressed under water deficiency and salinity. TaNAC67 was found to decrease the cell membrane instability, preventing water loss and enhancing other physiological processes that were considered to be responsive to drought, low temperature, and salt stress . In maize, ZmNAC052, Zma000584, Zma006493, Zma001259z , and ZmSNAC1 showed increased transcription levels under water deficiency, indicating their potential role in drought tolerance regulation. In rice, SNAC1 , OsNAC5 , –6 , –9 , and –10  altered the root structure for plant adaptation during drought. Further, the overexpression of OsNAC045  and OsNAC52  induced ABA sensitivity and conferred drought resistance in transgenic rice and transgenic Arabidopsis, respectively.
3.3. MYBs family
MYB is a group of ancient TFs found in viruses  and eukaryotes such as plants, animals, and fungi . The first gene (c1) identified to encode MYB in plants was from Zea Mays . MYB TFs contain a conserved DBD called MYB domain characterized by one to three imperfect repeated amino acid sequences (R1, R2, and R3). Each repeat sequence has around 50–53 amino acids which form three α-helixes . These three α-helices form a helix-turn-helix structure when interacting with DNA. The MYB TFs are mostly classified into three classes according to the number of the MYB domain repeats: R1-MYB, R2R3-MYB , and R1R2R3-MYB . These TFs participate in responses to dehydration, salt, cold, and drought [20, 68, 69]. In maize, the ZmMYB-R1 was induced by ABA, drought, low temperature, high salt, and heat . The overexpression of rice genes OsMYB3R-2 , OsMYB4 , and OsMYB48-1  improved the adaptive response to drought and other stresses in transgenic plants. In wheat, TaMYB3R1  and TaMYB30-B  were found to be potentially involved in drought adaptation.
3.4. WRKY family
WRKY proteins belong to the superfamily WRKY-GCM1 of zinc finger TFs . They exist in numerous plant species  and were reported to be involved in several biotic and abiotic stress responses and developmental processes such as embryogenesis and leaf senescence . WRKY family members contain a highly conserved WRKY domain with 60 amino acids comprised of two motifs. One is the conserved WRKYGQK motif on the N-terminus and the other one is a zinc-finger-like motif on the C-terminus . There are three main groups in the WRKY family according to the different number of WRKY domains and the variable structure of the zinc-finger-like motif . Group I has two WRKY domains, whereas groups II and III have one WRKY domain. The zinc finger motifs of the WRKY domain in groups I and II are the same, but different in group III . The group II has been divided into five subgroups by Eulgem et al. , designated as IIa, IIb, IIc, IId, and IIe, according to the conserved motifs outside the WRKY domain. Within these five subgroups, Zhang et al.  distinguished another three new groups (2_a+2_b, 2_c, 2_d+2_e). Several drought-related WRKY TFs were found in rice, wheat, and barley [78–80]. In rice, OsWRKY3, –4, –8, –18, –22, –24, –42, –50, –53, –78, –84, –96, and –100 were found to be co-expressed in drought and cold stress, and some of them were even expressed in different organs of flooded plants . OsWRKY11 was identified to be involved in drought and heat response . OsWRKY45 was found to be sensitive to ABA and considered to play a role in stomatal closure to improve drought and salt tolerance . In barely, HvWRKY38 was shown to have a function in drought and cold response . In wheat, the overexpression of TaWRKY2, –19 , and –10  led to improved drought and salt adaptation in transgenic plants.
3.5. bZIP family
The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family is another big group of TFs involved in diverse functions such as hormone and sugar signaling and organ development . bZIP proteins commonly have a basic region for DNA binding and a conserved leucine zipper motif . These TFs specifically bind to a DNA sequence with a core cis-element ACGT-like TACGTA (A-box), GACGTC (C-box), CACGTG (G-box), and an ABA-responsive element (ABRE) . Some bZIP members were identified to participate in transducing ABA-dependent stress signals and were named as ABRE binding proteins (AREBs) or ABRE binding factors (ABFs) . Numerous bZIP proteins were demonstrated or predicted to be involved in abiotic stress response in cereal plants, e.g., 89 in rice , 171 in maize , and 141 in barley . They were classified into 11 groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, S, and U according to the phylogenetic trees and DNA binding motif  in maize, rice, and barely. The overexpression of several cereal bZIP TFs was identified to be in response to drought stress. In barley, 11 HvbZIP members were identified to be down- or up-regulated by drought . In maize, ZmbZIP37, -17, and -112 showed high expression levels in drought stress conditions [88, 89] and the overexpression of ZmbZIP72 enhanced the drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis . In rice, OsbZIP12 , -16 , -23, -45 , -71 , and -72  play a positive role in drought tolerance through ABA signal, while OsbZIP52  and -46  were suggested to be a negative regulator in water deficiency. In wheat, the gene encoding TabZIP60 was highly induced by salt, cold, and ABA, and the overexpression of TabZIP60 enhanced the drought and frost tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis .
3.6. HD-Zip family
The homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-Zip) family is a group of proteins that are unique to the plant kingdom. All members of the HD-Zip family contain the combination of homeodomain (HD)  with a following leucine zipper (Zip or LZ). HD is a conserved protein domain containing a 60 amino acids sequence, which is present in all eukaryotic species . HD is a folded structure with three helices, which are responsible for the specific protein-DNA interactions . HD-Zip family proteins have been classified into HD-Zip I, HD-Zip II, HD-Zip III, and HD-Zip IV [96–100] according to different domain structure and functions. According to Chan et al. , HD-Zip I TFs have less conserved motifs than HD-Zip II, and the sequences of HD-Zip I outside the HD-Zip domain are quite different, whereas HD-Zip II TFs have several common sequences outside the HD-Zip domain. The HD-Zip III TFs have four additional amino acids on the conjunction of HD and LZ compared with other three subfamilies . HD-Zip I TFs contain no lipid/sterol-binding domain, designated StAR-related lipid transfer (START) domain, which was found in HD-Zip III and HD-Zip IV TFs . Hence, the special structural feature of HD-Zip I TFs is the presence of HD and leucine zipper and the absence of common sequences outside the HD-Zip domain .
In rice, the HD-Zip I subfamily has 14 members: Oshox4-6, Oshox8, Oshox12-14, Oshox16, and Oshox20-25 . Three of them, OsHOX6, OsHOX22 and OsHOX24, are homologs of the ABA and abiotic stress-inducible genes AtHB7 and AtHB12 in Arabidopsis . OsHOX22 and OsHOX24 have been identified to be involved in drought, cold, and ABA response. OsHOX22 is strongly activated by high salinity and ABA, but it is weakly induced by frost . Zhang et al.  found that the insertion of T-DNA into the OsHOX22 promoter region led to a decreased gene expression level of OsHOX22 and reduced ABA content, but improved drought and salt endurance of rice seedlings. The authors believe that OsHOX22 is a negative regulator for stress response by regulating an ABA-mediated signal transduction pathway and ABA biosynthesis . The OsHOX24 promoter has shown strong activation by water deficiency and high salinity . According to the results of Agalou et al. , OsHOX22 and OsHOX24 can be induced by drought in drought-sensitive and drought-resistant cultivars, whereas OsHOX6 can only be induced in drought sensitive cultivars. Although the role of OsHOX6 and OsHOX24 TFs is still not clear, the homologs of these TFs, AtHB7 and AtHB12, have been found to be involved in ABA modulation by regulating the protein phosphatase 2C activation and an ABA receptor gene activity . In short, TFs Oshox6, –22, and –24 are responsive to dry conditions, similarly as the ATHB7 and ATHB12, and their involvement in drought response might have relevance for ABA synthesis regulation .
In maize, the HD-Zip TF Zmhdz10 was found to play an important role in drought response , and in wheat, only two HD-Zip TFs, TaHDZipI-1 and TaHDZipI-2, were reported so far . However, there is no information about the function of wheat HD-Zip proteins in drought response.
4. TFs target gene network activated in response to drought
TFs are involved in target gene network regulation through their DBD interaction with different gene promoter cis-elements mediated by ABA-dependent or ABA-independent signal transduction pathway (see Figure 3).
Most DREB family members such as OsDREB1A  and TaDREB1  were found to be activated in ABA-independent pathways. They can enhance the stress tolerance by activating the expression of downstream genes such as late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) genes driven by DRE/CRT cis-element. LEA genes, such as COR15A and rd29A (Cor78), are also designated as dehydrins (DHNs) or cold-responsive (COR) genes. Their expression products participate in cells protection from stresses by enhancing the membrane stability and correction of protein folding . However, recent studies showed that some members of DREB also participate in ABA-dependent pathways. Wang et al.  found that the overexpression of OsDREB1F in transgenic rice results in the expression of ABA-induced genes rd29B and RAB18, whose promoters only contain an AREB element that cannot be recognized by DREB TFs. So far, there is no explanation on illuminating the way for OsDREB1F activating the expression of these two genes. The hypothesis is that OsDREB1F might interact with bZIP family members that can bind with an AREB element and modulate the transcription of rd29B and RAB18 . The same is true for ZmDREB2A  and the mechanism is still not clear. Besides, ZmDREB2A was identified to activate some downstream genes encoding detoxification enzymes that can protect cells from ROS. However, these genes do not contain a DRE/CRT element. Hence, it is possible that ZmDREB2A indirectly affects these genes’ expression . Besides, DREBs in different species might have different preference in regulating the expression of downstream genes with different core elements in their promoters. The rice OsDREB1A, e.g., prefers to interact with the CRT/DRE core element GCCGAC of genes such as cor15A, rd29A, and rd17 instead of core element ACCGAC, while the Arabidopsis DREB1A and maize ZmDREB1A have equal competition for recognizing core element GCCGAC and core element ACCGAC in the downstream genes [1, 11].
In the WRKY family, more than 10 TFs isolated from rice were found to co-express under drought and cold stresses, but the downstream genes were still not determined . TaWRKY44 from wheat was identified to recognize the core element (TTGACC/TTAACC) in the promoter region of downstream genes and up-regulate genes encoding antioxidant enzymes such as NtSOD, stress-defensive proteins such as NtERD10C, and lipid-transfer proteins such as NtLTP1 to increase plants survival rate in drought. Thus, TF TaWRKY44 participates in regulating antioxidant enzyme activity and decreasing the ROS levels in order to prevent oxidative damage in plant cells .
Members of the MYB family regulate the expression level of different target genes involved in the ABA-dependent and independent pathways. The overexpression of OsMYB48-1 was found to regulate genes such as OsPP2C68, RAB21, and OsNCED4, respectively, involving in ABA early signaling, late response, and the ABA synthesis pathway, contributing to increased drought tolerance under water deficiency . In transgenic Arabidopsis, the overexpression of OsMYB3R-2 increased the expression level of the downstream genes DREB2A, COR15A, and RCI2A and enhanced the plants adaptation to abiotic stresses . Besides, TaMYB30-B was found to induce the expression of stress inducible genes rd29A and ERD1, involved in the ABA-independent pathway .
Members of the bZIP family were also found to regulate downstream gene transcription through the ABA-dependent and independent pathway. OsbZIP52 was suggested to bind to G-box cis-elements and down-regulate genes such as OsLEA3 and OsTPP that can improve drought or cold tolerance in rice via the ABA-independent pathway . The expression of downstream genes LEA3 and Rab16 was activated by the transcription factor OsbZIP12 under water deficiency mediated by the ABA synthesis pathway .
Most TFs in the NAC family participate in the ABA synthesis pathway. OsNAC5 and OsNAC6 can recognize a core sequence (CACG) of the downstream gene OsLEA3 and regulate the gene expression that changed root structure and resulted in higher drought tolerance through the ABA signaling pathway . OsNAC6 also participates in up-regulating the transcription of genes encoding peroxidase, which can catalyze a series of oxidative reactions . Some TFs even participate in both ABA-dependent and independent pathways. For example, TaNAC67 was found to up-regulate 10 abiotic stress responsive genes such as rd29A and rd29B, which were separately related to ABA-independent and -dependent pathways and four ABA synthesis/responsive genes such as ABI1 , thereby improving stress tolerance in plants.
5. Homo- and hetero-dimerization of TFs
Homo- and hetero-dimerization of TFs plays an important role in certain cases and is considered as a pre-requisite for binding of DNA cis-elements. Formation of homo- and hetero-dimers plays a further function in modulating the DNA-binding specificity of TFs. Inability to form a dimeric complex may absolutely abolish the DNA binding ability of certain classes of TFs. The high complexity in the selection of hetero-dimerization partners and inability of some TFs to homo-dimerize but hetero-dimerize suggests that homo- and hetero-dimerization of TFs are not random processes, but that specific interactions between monomeric TFs forms are preferred. Hence, dimerization is likely to fulfill specific functions in gene regulation.
The dimerization ability of NAC proteins has been localized to the NAC domain [112, 113]. The residues in the highly conserved NAC domain are involved in the dimer contact and consist of hydrophobic interactions, a twisted anti parallel β-sheet sandwiched between two helices and two prominent salt bridges formed by the conserved arginine and glutamate [114, 115]. Experimental data suggest that NAC TFs are capable of forming both homo- and hetero-dimers. The NAC domain of NAC1  and ANACO19 [113, 114] were shown to form homo-dimers. The NAC domains of OsNAC5 were shown to interact with the NAC domains of OsNAC5, OsNAC6, and SNAC1, generating both homo- and hetero-dimeric complexes. BnNAC14, a Brassica napus NAC protein, was shown to form hetero-dimers with BnNAC5-8, BnNAC485, and BnNAC3, but not homo-dimers. Mutational and deletion studies suggested that conserved NAC domains, in particular, the amino acids in close proximity to both the amino and carboxy-terminals, are necessary for mediating the formation of homo- or hetero-dimers [106, 112, 117].
Dimerization of the bZIP class of TFs is mediated by leucine zipper motifs, i.e., non-canonical repeats of leucine or other hydrophobic amino acid residues creating an amphipathic α-helix. The electrostatic attraction and repulsion of the polar residues situated next to the hydrophobic residues enables the formation and stabilization of dimers [118, 119]. Homo-dimeric rice OsbZIP71 is capable of exchanging its subunit to form hetero-dimers with members of the Group-C, in particular, with OsbZIP15, OsbZIP20, OsbZIP33, and OsbZIP88, suggesting a possible role of hetero-dimerization in efficient binding to cis-elements on promoters of target genes . A member of Group-A, the G-box-binding factor AtGBF4, interacts with the Group-G AtGBF1 and the Group-H AtGBF2. Similarly, the members of Arabidopsis Group-E, bZIP34 and bZIP61, form hetero-dimers with bZIP51 of Group-I and bZIP43 of Group-S, but none of these TFs belonging to Groups E and I can form homo-dimers due to electrostatic violations in the leucine zipper regions [15, 120, 121]. These data suggest that dimerization between members of within and between groups of bZIP TFs is highly specific and acts as a crucial mechanism to modulate the affinity for cis-elements and function of TFs.
In HD-Zips, the leucine zipper that is immediately downstream of the helical domain enables dimerization of HD-Zip TFs, which is a pre-requisite for DNA binding. The HD-Zip leucine zipper is a canonical repeat of leucine amino acid at every seventh residue creating an amphipathic α-helix, which forms a coiled coil structure during dimerization. Formation of hydrophobic interface and complementary charge interactions by the residues present in the coiled coil structure permit or inhibit the formation of dimers from monomeric HD-Zip TFs . In-vitro studies have shown that dimerization of HD-Zip is a pre-requisite for DNA binding, and it is assumed that members of HD-Zip Class I and Class II families form hetero-dimers exclusively with other members of their own family [105, 122–124].
Though there is clear evidence for homo- and hetero-dimerization of WRKY proteins, the extent to which they form a functional dimer is unknown and yet to be determined. Of the seven WRKY subclasses, interaction between members of four WRKY class TFs have been experimentally demonstrated. In Group IIa WRKY TFs, dimerization is mediated by a canonical leucine zipper sequence, whereas in members belonging to other Group II and Group III subclasses, presence of leucine/isoleucine/valine residues at approximate seven-residue intervals at their N-termini form an amphipathic alpha helices similar to the secondary structure of a basic leucine zipper and mediate dimerization . It is suggested that these potential leucine zipper sequences might mediate the formation of homo- and hetero-dimers within and between members of different subclasses of WRKY TFs. For example, Arabidopsis WRKY TFs belonging to the Group IIa, AtWRKY 18, AtWRKY40, and AtWRKY60, form homo- and hetero-dimers . Similarly AtWRKY30 interacted with AtWRKY53, AtWRKY54, and AtWRKY70 and formed hetero-dimers through leucine zipper motifs present at the N-termini of the subclass of WRKY TFs . Interaction between different subclasses was observed in rice. OsWRKY71, a Group IIa WRKY TF, interacted not only with itself, but also with a Group IId WRKY protein, OsWRKY51 . Formation of homo- and hetero-dimer complexes between different WRKY TFs can have positive or negative effects on their DNA binding activities.
Formation of homo- and hetero-dimers offers an additional large combinatorial flexibility in the regulation of transcription. Performing an accurate analysis and developing a deeper understanding of roles of TFs in various biological processes will require the knowledge of other interacting partners, downstream genes, and location of expression in plant organs along with mechanism of homo- and hetero-dimerization of particular TFs. Thus, it may prove difficult to attempt to make informative conclusions about the roles of specific TFs on the basis of their singular overexpression without this level of knowledge.
TFs play a vital role in regulating gene transcription through different signal pathways to enable plants to adapt to harsh environments and abiotic stresses such as drought. Those TFs can recognize and interact with specific cis-elements of target genes via DBDs. Some TFs can up-/down-regulate downstream gene transcription, which encodes a subset of TFs integrated in plant hormone signaling pathways, forming a complex hierarchic regulatory network. ABA, JA, and GA, the main plant hormones, act as key regulators in balancing plant growth and abiotic stress response. TFs, as the node of the cellular stress network and growth process, function as the interface of different phytohormone signal transduction pathways. A further layer of complexity is the formation of homo- and hetero-dimers, playing an important role in regulating DNA-binding specificity of TFs. These networks of signal pathways are regulating the activity of stress response TFs and other stress-relative genes, which in turn modulate physiological functions, such as stomatal movement, cuticle formation, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, to limit water loss and adapt to drought conditions. However, the hierarchy of TF interactions, the downstream genes’ network, the interaction mechanism of the signal transduction pathways, and the protein–protein dimerization are not fully explored and still need more effort to be understood. More knowledge about plant protection system in hostile environments will help to find new tools for enhancing the plants to adaptat to abiotic stresses.

domain: agronomy


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MVT stands for Moisture Vapour Transmission. It measures how much condensation the rug lets through.
Rip-stop makes the rug more durable, as a stronger thread has been woven into it. Choose a rug with rip-stop if your horse likes to chew on its rugs.
It’s important that the rug isn’t too large. It should fit the length of the horse’s back, which is measured from the mane to the base of the tail. Here are some suggestions for finding the right rug size for your horse:
Falabella: 65–75 cm Mini Shetland: 85 cm Shetland Pony: 95 cm A/B Pony: 105 cm B/C Pony: 115 cm C/D Pony: 125–130 cm Full: 145 cm X-full: 155 cm XX-full: 165 cm


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In a divided government like we have seen in Washington since 2011, it is obviously difficult to get things done. Both parties represent constituencies with deeply different ideologies. As representatives of our states and districts, we in Congress reflect that divide and defend the beliefs our constituents hold dear while doing our best to effectively govern.
Admittedly, divided government offers us too few opportunities to work together to find consensus on problems. That is why it is so disappointing that the Senate was not able to complete work this year on patent litigation reform to crack down on patent trolls that stifle innovation in every industry throughout our economy.
In December 2013 the House of Representatives passed the Innovation Act with the support of 195 Republicans, 130 Democrats, and strong support from the president.
As vice chairman of the Intellectual Property Subcommittee, I worked with Republicans and Democrats, including some of the most conservative and liberal members of the House, to advance the bill through the Judiciary Committee and to educate others in Congress about the challenges patent trolls present to everyone from Silicon Valley innovators to the small businesses I represent in Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley. In May, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pulled the rug out from under us. Despite our efforts to move a measure that in all likelihood would have passed, Reid signaled that he would not allow it to be debated on the floor .
Trial lawyers, pharmaceutical manufactures and universities have been rightfully blamed as the entrenched interests that killed the bill while the tech community has been dubbed “D.C.’s biggest loser.” And patent trolls are permitted to continue to suppress the innovation economy, and line their pockets with the proceeds from junk lawsuits.
This failure was a great disappointment to many of us. I’m a Star Wars fan, though, and I cannot forget the words of Obi-Wan when he said, “You can’t win, Vader. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”
In this case our rebel alliance does not lack for power in public policy debates. The reforms we propose are common sense and central to the basic needs of a competitive economy.
The innovation community is spreading beyond its traditional bases. This growth and buy-in from a diverse set of business interests is an indicator that now is the time to champion serious patent litigation reforms.
From the nation’s largest retailers to local coffee shops, the beneficiaries of technologies that have emanated from places like Silicon Valley are feeling the negative effects of litigation brought by patent trolls. While Washington is most certainly divided, it should not reject one of the most vital reforms that will enhance, protect and sustain a pioneering 21st century economy.
In the 113th Congress, there has not been a bigger disappointment to me than the failure to enact the Innovation Act. I am convinced that 2015, and the beginning of the next Congress, will offer new opportunities to advance these proposals and many other goals critical to the ongoing success of America’s innovation economy.
U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, representings Pennsylvania’s 10th District, will discuss cyber-security and patent protection at the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday. He wrote this for this newspaper.

domain: law


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Williamstown Lake Dam Cost-Benefit Analysis
Client: Grant and Peddleton counties, Kentucky
JFA performed cost-benefit analysis on 32 construction project alternatives for a dam at Williamstown Lake in Grant County, KY. The analysis involved using engineering estimates for the costs of dam construction and operation over a 50 year time period. The report conformed to water resource benefit estimation methodologies set by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

domain: geography


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Heart of Brooklyn 789 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY11238 Founded in 2001, Heart of Brooklyn is a non-profit partnership between the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn…More Children’s Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Public Library, Prospect Park and Prospect Park Zoo. The organization is dedicated to promoting local tourism, bettering neighborhoods and increasing the visibility of local cultural and artistic institutions. Heart of Brooklyn's website contains upcoming event information.
Central Library 10 Grand Army Plz, Brooklyn, NY11238 Built in 1941, the Central Library is the primary reference center for the Brooklyn Public Library system. The building,…More a historical landmark, is shaped like an open book, with the large, gold-accented entrance as the book's spine. Inside, Brooklyn residents can take advantage of the library's substantial collection: it houses over one million books, magazines and multimedia materials, and includes a foreign language center, a resource center for job seekers and a performance space. The library hosts many lectures, panels and classes every month.
Open Book Cafe by Mambo 10 Grand Army Plz, Brooklyn, NY11238 This cafe counter in the lobby (and in warm weather on the steps) of the Brooklyn Public Library's Grand Army Plaza…More branch serves breakfast fare such as coffee, croissants, muffins and eggs on a roll. Lunch/dinner items such as sandwiches, salads, hamburgers, and hot dogs are also available, along with desserts such as cookies, ice cream and Rice Krispies Treats. There are tables and chairs for patrons.

domain: library


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Sports bra medium support with textures contrast and binding details. Waistline fit.
Exterior: 87% Poliamida 13% Spandex
Interior: 78% Poliéster 22% Elastano
Due to the aesthetics of the fabric used to produce this product, we hereby declare that there won’t be two products of this style looking equal, all the products produced in this fabric will be exclusively different. CLAW declares that the differences are intentional and this style will always be different. The fabric graphics won’t be always the same even though the style is.

domain: design


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Turn Japan’s best secret spots into dream destinations
Hot springs, mysterious, etc.
Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, etc.
April, July, etc.
Search using current location
*For use while in Japan.*Search by Current Location can only be used when location-based services are turned on.
Meiji Jingu Gaien
This park was built to convey the Meiji Emperor and Empress' achievements to future generations. There are sports facilities such as a baseball stadium (Jingu Stadium), a golf range, and an ice skating rink, but a major highlight is the row of Ginkgo biloba trees that spans around 300 meters. These trees, numbering to about 146 and standing at 9-meter intervals, spread from Aoyama-dori entrance to Gaien Central Square. They have also been around for more than 100 years. Different sceneries can be enjoyed in every season: yellow leaves in autumn, budding flowers in spring, green leaves in summer, and bare trees in winter.
1-1 Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-0013
5 minutes on foot from Toei-Oedo Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line-Aoyama Ichome Station
Open larger map


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This is a sponsored post. I was compensated for my time. All opinions are my own. Thank you to the sponsor for sponsoring this post!
When it comes to decorating my house, I take the kids into consideration. I enjoy having fun items around my house that the kids and their friends can appreciate when they are at the house. I think that aside from decorating the entry, kitchen and living areas in my house, I enjoy decorating my kids rooms. Finding interesting and creative prints to put up on their walls not only makes the room more enticing, but it also brings the room to life, and my kids rooms are a very important area for me when it comes to bringing the room to life. With Wyatt now turning 1 and him sharing a room with Robert who is 5, I have found that decorating with fun prints to be ideal. I had been searching for new ideas recently, ways to bring the world of a 1 year old and a 5 year old together in one room, that will make the room whole and enjoyable for both boys. Well my search for ideas came to a very pleasing end when I was introduced to Art Kandy. At Art Kandy I found art prints that represent some of our favorite story time books from when I was a child and from which I enjoy sharing with my own kids!
I am absolutely in love with the prints I have come across from Art Kandy. When I saw a print from one of my all time favorite bedtime story books, I knew that I had found the right site. For each of my kids, when they were born, I bought them the book, “Goodnight Moon“. This was a book that my own mom had read to my sister and I when we were younger, one that to this day, I know by heart, so when I saw the print on Art Kandy, I knew that the print would be perfect for putting in my kids playroom or the boys bedroom!
I literally found myself feeling like a child when I went to the Art Kandy site. I mean, when I was going through all of the amazing prints, I was remembering stories and characters that I adored when I was a kid, and seeing all of these prints made me remember stories that I just had to share with my kids, so they could feel the same passion about them. Also so, when I put these prints up in their rooms and play area, they can look to the prints and remember those stories every time. I found Art Kandy to be a site that I can not only find great prints to decorate with, but when I was there and I found myself reconnecting with my inner child, I realized that Art Kandy was a site that I needed to share with everyone! Not only are there amazing character prints for children, but there are also prints for adults too, that will go with any theme you have in your home! So, if you are one who is looking to add some more art to your walls that is fun, or if you are looking to reconnect with your own inner child, then head on over to Art Kandy today and find yourself getting lost in all of the great prints you will find there!
Well to help ignite that passion for the prints over at Art Kandy, the wonderful people from Art Kandy would like to give one of my readers a print of their own, a $500 value! The winner will get to choose from one of the 3 prints pictured below!
This is a sponsored post, I was paid for this post. All opinions are my own. Thank you to the PR company for sponsoring this post and providing the prize for the giveaway!


With the rise in the use of mobile technology, it has become even easier to watch over your lab whenever you are away from it. Panasonic’s LabAlert system is at the forefront of advanced laboratory monitoring systems, offering an easy setup, affordable pricing, infinite scalability, and an intuitive user interface. It allows you to instantly monitor sensitive parameters, such as your freezer’s temperature or your incubator’s CO2 levels.
Setup is quick and simple. A small battery-operated, wireless sensor is attached to every unit you want to monitor. These probes communicate through receivers which relay data through a single receiver connected to your internet, either via Ethernet or WiFi connection. Your account data is then transmitted continuously to a secure hosted platform. No software or computer is required to set up or run the app-based system. A locally-hosted, software-based solution is also available.
There are many lab monitoring solutions, but what makes LabAlert unique are the several advantages it brings over its competitors. LabAlert features customizable alerts, local and remote platforms, secure data storage, and visibility from any location.
With customizable alerts, find out exactly when something goes wrong with real-time notifications sent right to your phone, laptop or tablet. Alerts are easily customizable to meet the demands of your lab. Adjust alert triggers based on specific temperature ranges, humidity levels, CO2 concentrations and more. Alert recipients and delivery methods can be adjusted as well. Customizations are done within the user interface and can be adjusted at any time.
LabAlert’s flexibility also allows for infinite scalability. Acquire a setup package of any size and add additional sensors to your setup at any time depending on your needs. Furthermore, keep watch over units from multiple locations at once. LabAlert can be easily configured in different locations to synchronize together under one account, so you’re able to easily monitor all your equipment together. Whether you need to cover multiple floors, buildings, or states, LabAlert has you covered.
In addition, all remotely hosted data is securely transmitted and stored at all times, using encrypted communications. The servers are continuously archived and backed up to alternate remote locations, so your data is secured and protected at all times. LabAlert also lets you collect all FDA required data in a simple 21 CFR Part 11 package, allowing you to cut down on cumbersome manual data recording processes, and neatly store your data so that it’s accessible at any time.


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Kathie Lee & Hoda: End-Of-Summer Vacation Deals
If you’re looking to fit in a family vacation but haven’t made any plans, now is actually the perfect time to make some, because Jeanenne Tornatore from Orbitz came to the rescue with five end-of-summer vacation deals. With some schools starting as early as mid-August, demand for vacations starts to drop rapidly, so getting a deal really isn’t that difficult at this stage in the game.
Today Show: New Orleans Travel Deals
New Orleans is in the midst of festival season, so if you can stand the heat, you can travel there for their Satchmo Summer Fest and other great city-wide events. For $586 per person, you can get round trip airfare and five nights at the Saint Hotel, which is right in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It would cost you $555 to book the Saint Hotel by itself, if that gives you an idea of just how much you’re saving.
Kathie Lee & Hoda: Park City Travel Deals
If you want some picturesque mountain views and some top-rated golf courses on your vacation, Park City, Utah is the perfect place for you. The mountain towns in the area are about to go into their off season for the fall, so rates in this area will be dropping fast.
The four-star Sun Dial Lodge at the Canyons Rest is currently booking guests for $117 per night on average in the month of August.
Today Show: St. Petersburg Florida Travel Deals
If Florida is more your thing, St. Petersburg and Clearwater are great places to go right now. This will work even better for you since the beach vacation season was back in June and earlier on in July, meaning the beaches won’t be nearly as crowded. For $700 per person, you can get round-trip airfare and five nights at the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort and Spa.
Kathie Lee & Hoda: St. Maarten Travel Deals
If you want to get tropical, you can hit up St. Maarten in the Caribbean and its gorgeous beaches. Since this part of the world is deep into hurricane season, the going rates will be down. If you happen to see some rainy days, there are plenty of indoor activities that you can do as well. The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa can be your home for a few days at only $169 per night.
Today Show: Dublin Travel Deals
If you really want to get out of the country, you can also try out Dublin, Ireland. If you take off from New York, you can get round trip airfare, car rental, and five nights at the Radisson Blue St. Helen’s Hotel for $1,433 per person.

domain: travel


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MassDiGI at Becker College has been awarded a five-year. $583,000 grant that will help build up the state's video game infrastructure, Congressman Jim McGovern announced Thursday.
"The work MassDiGI does in leveraging our state's strengths in higher education, technology, innovation and creativity continues to stand out," Congressman McGovern said. "This EDA grant will give MassDiGI the chance to level up their ability to have an even greater impact. I've seen their work firsthand and I'm excited for what the next five years will bring."
The Economic Development Administration is a bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The new federal funding will support MassDiGI's ongoing efforts to promote entrepreneurship, academic cooperation and economic development, according to a release from McGovern's office.
Established in April 2011, Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI) is the result of creative collaboration among academia, industry, and government, aimed at nurturing the growth of the game industry cluster in the region. In addition to classes and internship offerings, MassDiGI works to help strengthen the area's games sector, advising on everything from strategy and marketing to financing and hiring.

domain: news


Climate change in Florida
The effects of Climate change in Florida is attributable to man-made increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Floridians are experiencing increased flooding due to sea level rise, and are concerned about the possibility of more frequent or more intense hurricanes.
The state has been described as America's " ground zero" for climate change, global warming and sea level rise, because "the majority of its population and economy is concentrated along low-elevation oceanfront."
Florida residents think climate change is happening at higher rates than the national average. However, only a slim majority agree it is anthropogenic in nature.   Some communities in Florida have begun implementing climate change mitigation approaches; however, statewide initiatives have been hampered by the politicization of climate change in the United States, focusing on resilience rather than full scale mitigation and adaptation.
Flooding during high tides occurs in Miami Beach. The city is spending $500M on elevated roadways, seawalls, and pumping systems, as part of its Sea Level Rise Strategy.     GIS mapping of areas subject to flooding during high tides, storm surges, and major storm events is available.
A "Sea Level Scenario Sketch Planning Tool is used by the Florida Department of Transportation, MPOs, local governments, and regional planning agencies to assess potential impacts of sea level rise (SLR) on transportation facilities."
A 2018 Florida International University study says that sea level rise will inundate the mangroves of the Florida Everglades.  The stored carbon in the Everglades has been valued at between $2 billion and $3.4 billion.    "As the ocean pushes westward and north into the Everglades and the Biscayne Aquifer," the water supply of Miami will be impacted.    The loss of mangroves and wetlands due to sea level rise will also impact commercial fisheries.
A 2017 study by Cornell University researchers says "nearly two million Floridians will be forced from their homes by 2100 because of climate-induced rising seas."
A change in hurricane frequency or intensity is of concern for Floridians. The Climate Change Center at Florida State University and Climate.gov say the science is inconclusive regarding hurricane frequency or intensity. However, rainfall rates will increase according to most climate models, and the storm surge associated with hurricanes will increase with rising sea levels.
After Hurricane Irma in 2017, which occurred just weeks after Hurricane Harvey, Governor Rick Scott did not attribute the possible changes in hurricane patterns to climate change.
A category 5 hurricane is of most concern in the Tampa Bay area, and climate related sea level rise of as little as six inches would exacerbate its impact.
Governor Charlie Crist signed several executive orders related to climate change upon taking office. These executive orders included tailpipe emission limits for cars sold in Florida, called for reductions in the state's greenhouse gas emissions, and mandated a minimum of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020 for Florida's electric utilities. The Public Service Commission rejected six new coal-fired power plants under Crist.
Governor Rick Scott "denied the idea of anthropogenic global warming" during his first election in 2010.  Use of the term "climate change" was discouraged during his administration. He also eliminated mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and appointed climate skeptics to posts such as the Public Service Commission.   Scott vetoed $750,000 budgeted for pumping water out of Miami Beach, on the grounds that the money didn't provide "a clear statewide return for the investment,"  and did not reply directly when asked if he would support efforts to protect Miami's water supply.  Scott was sued by a group of children aged 10-20 for his positions on climate.
Governor Ron DeSantis established an Office of Resiliency and Coastal Protection.  DeSantis was noted for actually speaking the word "climate change" in his statement: “This idea of – quote – ‘climate change’ has become politicized. My environmental policy is just to try to do things that benefit Floridians.”  However, DeSantis has not make climate mitigation, renewable energy, or greenhouse gas reduction a policy priority.   In January 2020, DeSantis was given a D grade by the Sierra Club of Florida "for his work on environmental protection and sustainability."
Florida's Republican candidates in local, state, and national office have emphasized risk mitigation and resilience for dealing with climate-related impacts, rather than climate mitigation efforts to prevent climate change.
By contrast, South Florida Republicans, such as Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez, Representative Carlos Curbelo, and former Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, have said that "man-made climate change is real and needs to be taken seriously."
The Florida Department of Transportation has studied how to use greenhouse gas calculation tools as part of the transportation planning processes, and analyzes transportation infrastructure for impacts of sea level rise.
Mangroves are threatened in the Everglades, due to sea level rise.  However, the range of mangroves is extending northwards as storms spread the mangrove seed-like propagules. There has been no hard freeze that kills mangroves in Northeast Florida for 30 years.
Mangroves are especially important for carbon sequestration, and have been referred to as " blue carbon." The stored carbon in the mangroves of the Everglades has been estimated to be worth between $2 billion and $3.4 billion.
Mangroves are also useful for flood control and storm protection. At the Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve, mangroves create a flood barrier during storms, thereby protecting trees. Mangroves also produce soil, which helps maintain the height of the coastline.
In 2017, the real estate website Zillow wrote that if climate predictions were correct, by 2100 "One in eight Florida homes would be under water, accounting for nearly half of the lost housing value nationwide." This calculation was based on comparing NOAA maps for a 6 foot sea level rise with the Zillow database of homes.
Real estate website Curbed has presented a table with impacted cities in Florida, homes at risk, and dollar estimates. Curbed has estimated that "Roughly 64,000 homes—including 12,000 in Miami Beach, a nexus of real estate investment—will face chronic flooding," and has described how changes are needed in National Flood Insurance Program.  AP cites data from climate risk analytics firm Jupiter Intelligence indicating that "extreme flooding could go from affecting 5% to 86% of Miami-Dade’s residential real estate supply by 2030."
A 2018 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, titled: Underwater: Rising Seas, Chronic Floods, and the Implications for US Coastal Real Estate stated that Florida is the state with the most homes at risk from climate change: "about 1 million homes (more than 10% of the state's current residential properties)."
Officials in the Florida Keys found that it would take 75 million dollars to save three miles of road serving about two dozen homes. A December 2019 New York Times article describing the decisions facing Monroe County was titled, "Florida Keys Deliver a Hard Message: As Seas Rise, Some Places Can’t Be Saved."  Some small islands in the Keys may disappear altogether.
Climate gentrification is increasing real estate values in parts of Miami that are at higher elevation, and decreasing values in lower-elevation areas.  By 2017, two poor black neighborhoods of Miami which are located on higher ground, Little Haiti and Liberty City, started becoming more attractive to investors.    Home prices appreciated more slowly in 2018 in Miami Beach and lower-lying areas of Miami-Dade County.
One flood assessment company describes the South Florida housing market as being kept afloat by “systemic fraudulent nondisclosure” of flood risks to property.   A bill passed by the US House of Representatives to require real estate agents to disclose flood risks had not made it through the Senate as of February 2019.
Florida's climate change education standard states: "Identify, analyze, and relate the internal (earth system) and external (astronomical) conditions that contribute to global climate change.” The standard falls short of the Next Generation Science Standards, which have been adopted by 20 states and the District of Columbia. The human-caused elements of climate change and role of human activity are treated "as an aside," according to a leader with the Alliance for Climate Education.
Miami-Dade County has built seawalls,  implemented an Urban CO2 Reduction Plan,  and participates in the South Florida Regional Climate Compact.  Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has pledged to make the city carbon neutral by 2050.
Sarasota's Climate Adaption and Mitigation Center has been funded to work on "a curated database of peer-reviewed science to inform decision-making in academia, government and the private sector."
In Broward County's Oakland Park, drainage installed with a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant prevented damage to 400 homes during Hurricane Irma.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, along with WLRN Public Media, have formed a collaboration to cover climate change issues. The collaboration provides news and feature coverage, and a website created by its editorial boards titled: The Invading Sea, Florida and the Climate Crisis.
The Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact is a partnership between Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties. Its goal is "to work collaboratively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, implement adaptation strategies, and build climate resilience."
The Florida Center for Environmental Studies at Florida Atlantic University has formed a Integrative Collaborative on Climate and Energy (ICCE) focused on issues of climate adaptation in Florida's urban and natural systems. Partners include the Florida Climate Initiative, the University of South Florida, and various government agencies.
Miami has been described as “ground zero” for climate change and sea level rise."  The Miami-Dade County Office of Resilence has implemented climate programs and a Climate Action Plan,   and there is a Sea Level Rise Committee.  Protecting the water supply and the Biscayne Aquifer is a priority.
- Environment of Florida
- Climate change in the United States
- List of U.S. states and territories by carbon dioxide emissions
- The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board (2017-09-08). "Editorial: Gov. Scott's Irma leadership undercut by his climate denial". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- Bagley, Katharine (2014-03-13). "Climate Change Showdown in Florida Governor's Race". InsideClimate News. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- Grunwald, Michael (April 22, 2014). "Spending Earth Day at Ground Zero for Climate Change In America". Time. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- Editorials (August 1, 2015). "Ground Zero for climate change". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- Urdaneta, Diego (April 22, 2014). "Florida is 'Ground Zero' for sea level rise". phys.org. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- Morse, Hannah. "Florida is climate change 'ground zero.' But it lacks buzz ahead of presidential debate". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- "U.S. Public Views on Climate and Energy". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- "April 2020 Results : Florida Climate Resilience Survey April 2020". Center for Environmental Studies. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- Harris, Alex (November 27, 2018). "Federal report says what Florida already knows — climate change is affecting us now". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- Ruggeri, Amanda (3 April 2017). "Miami's fight against rising seas". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Sea Level Rise Strategy". Miami Dade County Office of Resilience. 2020. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- Ariza, Mario Alejandro (2020). Disposable city : Miami's future on the shores of climate catastrophe (First ed.). New York, NY: Bold Type Books. p. 4. ISBN 978-1-5417-8846-6. OCLC 1123233347.
- "Miami-Dade County Flood Zones GIS Tool".
- Filosa, Gwen (November 27, 2018). "The latest battle against sea level rise? Raising one mile of road". Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- Planning–Office of Policy Planning. "Development of Geospatial Framework to Support Robust Analysis of Transportation Infrastructure to Climate Impacts" (PDF). Florida Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Turner, Jim (2019-10-15). "Florida Republican lawmakers focus on climate change". WPTV. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Milman, Oliver (2018-05-02). "Everglades under threat as Florida's mangroves face death by rising sea level". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Everglades mangroves' carbon storage capacity worth billions". www.nsf.gov. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Jerath, Meenakshi; Bhat, Mahadev; Rivera-Monroy, Victor H.; Castañeda-Moya, Edward; Simard, Marc; Twilley, Robert R. (2016-12-01). "The role of economic, policy, and ecological factors in estimating the value of carbon stocks in Everglades mangrove forests, South Florida, USA". Environmental Science & Policy. 66: 160–169. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2016.09.005. ISSN 1462-9011.
- "Everglades Mangroves' Carbon Storage Capacity Worth Billions". ECO Magazine. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Miami-Dade County - Environment - Impact on South Florida". www.miamidade.gov. Aug 9, 2013. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Cabrera, Pamela (2018). "The Vulnerability of Potable Water with Climate Change in Miami-Dade". Harvard Graduate School of Design. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Miami Will Be Underwater Soon. Its Drinking Water Could Go First. The city has another serious water problem". www.bloomberg.com. August 29, 2018. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Climate Change Basics for the Southeast USA (from AgroClimate)". Florida Climate Center, Florida State University. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- "Could climate change make Atlantic hurricanes worse?". NOAA Climate.gov. May 29, 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- Caputo, Marc (2017-09-14). "Florida governor remains unsure about climate change after Hurricane Irma". Politico - Politico Florida. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- "Is Climate Change Fueling More Intense, Stalling Hurricanes?". WUSF News. September 6, 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "A Devastating Stall by Hurricane Dorian". earthobservatory.nasa.gov. 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Miller, Kimberly. "Hurricane Dorian: Why a warming planet may mean more Dorian-like storms". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Resnick, Brian (2019-09-11). "26 feet of water: What the worst-case hurricane scenario looks like for Tampa Bay". Vox. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- "Overview of Florida's Climate Change Preparations". Georgetown Climate Center. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Bolstad, Erika (March 15, 2016). "Florida Republicans Demand Climate Change Solutions". Scientific American. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- Wright, Pam (2018-04-17). "Florida Kids Sue Gov. Rick Scott For Not Doing More to Stop Climate Change". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- Green, Amy (April 30, 2019). "In Florida, A New Governor Speaks The Words, 'Climate Change'". www.wlrn.org. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Bruggers, James (2019-01-28). "In Florida, a New Governor Shifts Gears on Environment, and Maybe Climate Change". InsideClimate News. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Cassels, Laura (2020-01-15). "'Greener' GOP still stalling on clean energy and climate change in FL". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Florida's GOP Has A Change Of Heart About Climate Change". Health News Florida, WUSF. Oct 21, 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Ritchie, Bruce (January 23, 2020). "As Trump heads to Doral, Florida Republicans send a message on climate change". Politico. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- University of South Florida, Florida Department of Transportation (November 2010). "Developing a Framework for a Toolkit for Carbon Footprint That Integrates Transit (CFIT) : Final Report" (PDF). Florida Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Milman, Oliver (2018-05-02). "Everglades under threat as Florida's mangroves face death by rising sea level". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- Gonzalez, Evelyn (November 15, 2016). "Everglades mangroves worth billions in fight against climate change". phys.org. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- Rivers, Brendan (2019-08-29). "Mangroves, Climate Change And Hurricanes". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
- "Climate Change and Housing: Will a Rising Tide Sink All Homes?". Zillow Research. 2017-06-02. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Sisson, Patrick (2018-10-16). "Climate change and the coming coastal real estate crash". Curbed. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Nelson, Tim (January 23, 2020). "Two New Reports Explain Just How Susceptible Florida Real Estate Will Be to Climate Change". Architectural Digest. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
- "Underwater". Union of Concerned Scientists. June 18, 2018. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Flavelle, Christopher; Mazzei, Patricia (2019-12-04). "Florida Keys Deliver a Hard Message: As Seas Rise, Some Places Can't Be Saved". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
- "Global Warming Impact Zones | U.S. Florida". Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, US Senate. 2020-02-25. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
- Olick, Diana (August 29, 2019). "Rising Risks: 'Climate gentrification' is changing Miami real estate values – for better and worse". CNBC. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Luscombe, Richard (2017-08-29). "How climate change could turn US real estate prices upside down". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Stewart, Ian; Garcia-Navarro, Lulu (March 31, 2019). "Building For An Uncertain Future: Miami Residents Adapt To The Changing Climate". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- Morris, David Z (April 21, 2018). "Climate Change Is Already Depressing the Price of Flood-Prone Real Estate". Fortune. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Bergman, Megan Mayhew (2019-02-15). "Florida is drowning. Condos are still being built. Can't humans see the writing on the wall?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Flavelle, Christopher (December 29, 2017). "South Florida's Real Estate Reckoning Could Be Closer Than You Think. Hurricane Irma showed just how vulnerable South Florida—and some of the nation's most expensive real estate—is to climate change". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Sabella, Giuseppe (November 2, 2019). "Climate change puts Florida at risk. Public schools not teaching it the right way, experts say". Bradenton Herald. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Garcia-Navarro, Lulu (March 24, 2019). "Adapting To Climate Change In Miami". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- Miami-Dade County - Environment (2020). "Urban CO2 Reduction Plan". www.miamidade.gov. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact". Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Task Force". City of Pensacola, Florida Official Website. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Robinson, Kevin (January 17, 2017). "City task force tackling climate change". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Baucum, Joseph (June 1, 2017). "Pensacola climate change task force meets to curb local global warming impact". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Peters, Xander. "Florida will bear the brunt of climate change. Why do we keep voting for lawmakers without a plan?". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Climate Adaption and Mitigation Center Receives Tax-Exempt Status". Sarasota Magazine. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Bird, Chris (January 17, 2020). "Chris Bird: Living with climate change in North Central Florida". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Florida Mitigation Projects Prove Successful". FEMA.gov. March 14, 2018. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- Castillo, Jessica M (2020). "The City Beautiful Confronts Climate Change | Climate Change - a special report from the University of Miami". University of Miami. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- "About Us". The Invading Sea. 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- ""It's just become daily news": Six Florida newsrooms are teaming up to cover climate change". Nieman Lab. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
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- "Climate Change - a special report from the University of Miami". Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Miami-Dade County Climate Programs". www8.miamidade.gov. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- "Climate Action Plan" (PDF). Miami Dade County.
- Ariza, Mario Alejandro (2020). Disposable city : Miami's future on the shores of climate catastrophe (First ed.). New York, NY: Bold Type Books. pp. 255–260. ISBN 978-1-5417-8846-6. OCLC 1123233347.
- Carter, L.; A. Terando; K. Dow; K. Hiers; K.E. Kunkel; A. Lascurain; D. Marcy; M. Osland; P. Schramm (2018). "Southeast". In Reidmiller, D.R.; C.W. Avery; D.R. Easterling; K.E. Kunkel; K.L.M. Lewis; T.K. Maycock; B.C. Stewart (eds.). Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II (Report). Washington, DC, USA: U.S. Global Change Research Program. pp. 872–940. doi: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH19. -- this chapter of the National Climate Assessment covers Southeast states (Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana).
- Ariza, Mario Alejandro (2020). Disposable city : Miami's future on the shores of climate catastrophe (First ed.). New York, NY: Bold Type Books. ISBN 978-1-5417-8846-6. OCLC 1123233347.
- Florida Climate Institute
- The Invading Sea, Florida and the Climate Crisis
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- United States Environmental Protection Agency / National Park Service / US Fish and Wildlife Service. "Climate Change and the Everglades - Case Study" (PDF).
- Miami-Dade County Flood Zones GIS Tool


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AMMAN - Netflix’s production of the first Arabic original series from the Middle East “Jinn,” an adult supernatural drama about magical genies in the ancient city of Petra, stirred controversy and elicited sarcasm in Jordan’s mostly conservative society.
The series was filmed in Jordan starring young Jordanian playing students whose lives were disrupted by a jinn, which they must stop before it destroys the world. In Arabic mythology, a jinn is a supernatural spirit below the level of angels and devils.
Despite its fictional depiction, the production explores the lives of teenagers who join forces to fight the jinn.
Jordanians were shocked by “bold” scenes considered taboo featuring students cursing, kissing in a school bus, being in a relationship, drinking alcohol and smoking. Many condemned the series and criticised the government for allowing it to air.
Jordan TV director Mohammed Amir, who did not work on the project, said he was surprised by the reaction that “Jinn” stirred.
“Definitely, some scenes were a bit daring but, at the end, this is all acting,” he said. “Many people watch Arab and foreign movies that have bolder scenes. I believe that it was a good move that Netflix filmed in Jordan and used Jordanian actors.”
“Sometimes you wonder how people focus on one scene and forget the whole episode and by that they exaggerate things and this is a disappointment to everyone working in the film industry,” he added.
The Jordanian Syndicates Council denounced the work, saying “Jinn” does not reflect the values of the Jordanian society and called for tougher government control.
The Reform Parliamentary Bloc in parliament lambasted the government over the series, which they said “distorts the image of Jordan, its people and its inherent values” and called for “punishing all those who contributed to the disgraceful work.”
“Everyone is entitled to have his own opinion but let us not exaggerate things and focus on the experience itself,” Amir said. “Jordan has hosted the filming of famous movies before and it was good for the country.”
Netflix MENA issued a statement on Twitter calling the attack on its first Jordanian production “a wave of bullying against the cast and staff of the series.” It said it would “not tolerate any of the abusive behaviours and insults to the staff.”
“Jinn” premiered in more than 190 countries, dubbed in six languages and subtitled in even more languages.
Jordan is no stranger to having its locations featured on film and has been the cradle of several big Hollywood productions that used the country’s Mars-like terrain and the facilities provided by the Royal Film Commission, which aims to develop an internationally competitive Jordanian film industry.
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989), “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (2009), “The Martian” (2015) and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2017) are among movies that were filmed in Jordan. Scenes of Disney’s big-budget “Aladdin,” starring Will Smith, were filmed in Jordan’s Wadi Rum.
The Royal Film Commission issued a statement pointing out that its role is to facilitate and encourage local productions and attract foreign productions in general. It said, “Jinn” is shown on Netflix, which is available in 90 countries, but it is not broadcast on an open platform and the series is fictional, not a documentary.
“I am sure many people who started this campaign have not seen the whole series and only watched the scenes that were circulated on social media and they built their opinion based on a couple of scenes that can be found anywhere,” said viewer Rami Jazrawi.
“We should not turn a blind eye on things that already exist in our society.”
In addition to the criticism was sarcasm on social media with users joking and retweeting humorous photos depicting a notable scene from the five-episode series. Others encouraged users to post their opinion.
“Really, I can easily say that many people in our society have such a great sense of humour, especially making fun of one particular scene in which the actress asks her friend to take it slowly while he was kissing her and this became a hit everywhere. “So now whenever people hear the term ‘slowly, slowly,’ they start laughing,” said Aya Thabeet, 23
“In my opinion, I think they could have deleted these scenes, cut out the bad words and just make it a normal supernatural TV series so people can move on with their life,” she added.
The Arab Weekly tried to contact the director and actors of “Jinn” without success. Netflix MENA declined to make a comment.
Roufan Nahhas, based in Jordan, has been covering cultural issues in Jordan for more than two decades.
This article was originally published in The Arab Weekly.

domain: artistic


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You have prepared Makke di Roti te Sarson da Saag for the New Year Party at your place, but are lost about what to make for dessert. Well, what better than Gajar ka Halwa? Made with practically no hard work and yummier than anything on this planet, this North Indian favorite dessert is sheer bliss for the tastebuds. I make my Gajar ka Halwa in a cooking time of 15 minutes flat, without compromising a bit on the taste. Try this recipe and begin your New Year on a delightfully sweet note. Here’s the recipe:
5 large carrots
1 cup whole milk
100 grams khoya (grated) or 200 ml condensed milk
2 tablespoons ghee
1 teaspoon cardamom powder
10-12 whole cashew nuts
1 tablespoon raisins
150 grams sugar
Peel the carrots and steam them on high flame for 3 minutes. This will make grating the carrots easier. Grate the carrots and keep aside. Boil the milk and keep aside.
In a thick bottomed pan, heat 1 tablespoon ghee and add the grated carrots. Fry for 5 minutes. Pour in the hot milk and stir. Cook on high flame and keep stirring occasionally. Cook till the milk thickens. Now mix the cardamom powder, cashew nuts, raisins and stir. Add khoya/condensed milk and mix well. Mix in the sugar. Cook till the Halwa acquires a thick texture. At this point, add a tablespoon of ghee and stir well. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve hot.
Eat, drink and be merry! 🙂
PS: Sugar interferes with the cooking process. So make it a point to add sugar after the carrots are well cooked.

domain: food


Wolf, legislative leaders tap the well-connected for big salaries as oversight board members
Such appointments certainly aren’t new. But reformers were quick to call the trend, at best, discouraging to citizens, and at worst, feeding widespread and record low distrust in all levels of government.
Pa. Republicans are playing a dangerous game with Trump over election results | Wednesday Morning Coffee
In the absence of proof of fraud, the Pa. GOP needs to think long and hard about this dangerous dance with the Trump White House.
#BlackLivesMatter rally in Harrisburg: ‘We will get police reform in the state of Pennsylvania’
On the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol, marchers called on lawmakers to pass police reform bills that have lingered in committee for months.
Senate panel asks Commonwealth Court to force Wolf to release waivers
The petition filed Monday would force Wolf to comply with the subpoena a Senate committee issued last month, seeking details about the 42,000-plus requests for business waivers
DePasquale announces audit, Senate serves subpoena as pressure increases to open up Wolf’s waiver
The move forces Gov. Tom Wolf to shed light on how his administration decided which businesses could open and which would remain closed to prevent the spread of the disease.
Pa. Senate panel to consider motion to subpoena Wolf waiver documents | Thursday Morning Coffee
Good Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Frustrated by what they say is a lack of transparency in the way the Wolf administration awarded waivers that have allowed non-essential businesses to keep operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, a state Senate panel is slated to vote today on subpoenas to force the release of those documents. In a statement released […]
If at first you don’t succeed: Dem Shanna Danielson talks about her Pa. Senate run | 2020 Women Speak Up
In honor of Women’s History Month and the centennial of the 19th Amendment this year, the Capital-Star decided to follow up with the many women running for public office across the state. Each week, look for a short Q&A with these women and learn a bit more about them and why they are running for […]
Pa. Senate bill aims to give extra help to vets who get into trouble with the law
Legislation sponsored by Sens. Mike Regan, R-York, and Doug Mastriano, R-Adams, would allow Pennsylvania’s veteran courts, which offer special adjudication and sentencing for military veterans, to take jurisdiction of cases from neighboring counties.
A Pa. state senator got the green light to start a school safety nonprofit — but can’t mention his day job
Protect PA Schools will collect donations to help private and public schools get security upgrades, personnel, and consulting.
Armed teachers in Pa.’s schools? Groups on both sides of the gun debate say Senate bill would allow it
It could result in arming teachers. Gov. Tom Wolf has said he'll veto any such measure.
House, Senate committees approve ‘PA GI Bill’ providing college grants for state National Guard families
The bills 'honor the sacrifice' of Pa. Guardsmen and their families, lawmakers said
Sen. Mike Regan: I’m still making up my mind on legalizing recreational cannabis | Opinion
If I am going to be opposed, it is going to be an educated decision – not one based on emotion.


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Celebs by countryUSA
Rose Byrne mini bio:
Mary Rose Byrne is an American actress born on January 10, 1980 in Texas, U.S. She is highly popular for her work in the TV industry, and earned great reputation for her acting skills. Her current primary roles include – Samantha Shaw in Person of Interest, the lead role of female protagonist in Life, and recurring artist roles in TV serials like The L Word, and Alias. Throughout her career, she accepted various types of roles in TV serials and crime dramas.
Along with the TV career, she also holds a number of movie projects in her filmography. The number of films she has acted in is not huge, but her choice of great roles made the selection diverse in multiple genres. Some of her most commercially successful movies are - Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, Rush Hour 3, I Don't Know How She Does It, Shades of Ray, Bullet to the Head, and For Your Consideration.
Rose Byrne images:
Other related Actress:
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Hal Holbrook Date / 2014-11-27 06:16:02 On the evening of Friday, Hal Holbrook, as Mark Twain, would go before the viewers for the 2,298th time. The one-man show of iconic actor, "Mark Twain Tonight...
Jennifer Carpenter Date / 2014-11-27 05:57:17 Earlier star of Dexter under their actual name Jennifer Carpenter is moving to work jointly with the managerial producer of Dexter Sara Colleton, in making a new series below the name Death Class for the NBC...
Meg White Date / 2014-11-26 06:14:06 The White Stripes performed their last concert. The double come back to the stage along with Meg White drummer on guitar, for last Late Night show of Conan O'Brien later two years, and after two years that established their hole in a shock statement which cited a "countless of reasons, but generally to conserve what is stunning and special regarding the band and have it wait that way...


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Here of late I have music going most of the day- if I’m not watching shows or reading. As soon as all the boys in my house are off to school and work, the music gets switched on. My tempo and the music are aligned depending on the chore. Beastie Boys got dusted off this past week to get me through cleaning the floors. It takes me 3 layers of cleaning to give the floors a polished sheen in this house. That pain in the bum NEEDS Beastie Boys. General chores—making the beds, starting laundry, sweeping and tidying up I’m usually harmonizing, dueting, helping back up singers to Dr. Dog, The Shins, St. Vincent, The Grateful Dead and many more. These same dudes accompany me on my walks and in the little grocery store in the hopes that no Lithuanian/Russian/Polish person will try to talk to me. Had it happen, don’t dig it.
Recently our elder son introduced us to Spotify. We pay a small monthly fee and are able to download to our phones or computers whatever we come up with in the search field. It is awesome! My husband and I had a fun beer soaked evening listening to old almost forgotten favorites using Spotify. Took us straight back to the nineties and beyond. I love that when I listen to The Killers I am transported back to sitting beside my sister in her truck, singing together and acting a fool. In my opinion music connects us all and is a wonderful way to enliven my day and kick up my step.


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Options are limited for the thousands who call Dadaab home. Only a few months ago, one of the patients in the mental health programme run by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) committed suicide after his request to be resettled in a third country was rejected. This tragic story is symptomatic of a place where hundreds of thousands of people are trapped, and where they live with little hope for a better tomorrow.
Refugees are today stuck in these camps in the semi-arid land bordering Somalia. They need travel authorisations to go anywhere else in the country, including to receive medical care. People in Dadaab remain nearly 100 percent dependent on humanitarian aid. A lucky few receive financial support from relatives living elsewhere, but for the majority, self-reliance is a pipe dream.
Living on emergency humanitarian aid generally means surviving on, if you are lucky, just 20 litres of water per day. It means living in a shelter made of plastic sheeting. It also means receiving a monthly food ration which may be cut without warning because of problems with funding or supply – both of which are subject to the “generosity” of the international community and to other humanitarian crises around the world, which absorb a portion of the aid budget and stocks available globally.
For a refugee, what are the possible ways out? In theory they have three choices: to return voluntarily to their country of origin; to be relocated to a third country; or to be allowed to settle in the country where they first found asylum. In reality, very few refugees in Dadaab apply for voluntary repatriation, because of on-going war in Somalia. Many of the camps’ residents were born in Dadaab and have children who have little, if any, attachment to Somalia. Out of all those who apply for relocation to a third country, just a few dozen each month receive permission to do so.
As for settling permanently in Kenya, for the refugees, the only option on the table is to remain inside the camps. Dadaab, intended to be a temporary solution, has become all too permanent.
This is an extract of an opinion piece which was originally published in the Daily Nation, Kenya. (19 June 2015)

domain: sociology


Today, Monday August 6, 2012 marks the 2 year Blogiversary of FashionStyleDetroit.com. Two years ago I had no idea what this blog would turn into. All I wanted to do was blog about fashion and two years later i’m still going strong. Blogging has allowed me to express myself in a creative way through pictures and words. I’ve learned new things and met a lot of people through it all. I just was to say “THANK YOU” for those that took time to read, follow, comment and share my blog. THANK YOU!
In honor of my two year Blogiversary i’m doing my first giveaway!
Stay Tuned for some great goodies this week!!!!


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MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS -- MetroHealth has announced plans to build a $23 million
ambulatory health center at the intersection of Interstate 71 and Pearl Road.
Trustees met today to approve the purchase of a 10-acre parcel at the southwest corner of the intersection. Construction will begin in early 2012 and is expected to last 12-16 months.
The 57,600-square-foot facility will replace the current 9,000 square-foot MetroHealth satellite in Strongsville, and will be a prototype for additional health centers, said Mark Moran, chief executive officer and president of MetroHealth.
“More healthcare is being delivered in outpatient centers today and MetroHealth is continuing to meet its mission of providing access to high-quality, affordable health care for all residents of Cuyahoga County,” Moran said. “This is the first step in the expansion of our ambulatory network.”
The MetroHealth Middleburg Heights Health Center will serve about 60,000 patient visits in the first year, with the capacity of 113,000 visits annually, and is expected to bring about 60 new jobs to the city. That number could increase over time, said Dr. William Lewis, chief of clinical cardiology at MetroHealth, and chairman of the market development campaign.
The facility will house six full-time primary-care practices along with specialties such as cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, ophthalmology and others, along with imaging, laboratory and other services.
“That means 95 percent of what a patient needs will be available right in the community,” Lewis said. The Middleburg location was chosen for its accessibility, convenience, and visibility.
“We will provide high-quality, efficient care that is patient-centric,” Lewis said. “This is the future of health care.”
Physicians have been involved with the planning of the building since the beginning, Lewis said. The new building will be “community-focused and welcoming,” with internal corridors that will “mimic the Cuyahoga River.”
“I am very thankful for the MetroHealth administration and trustees, and for the vision they are sharing. This is a revolutionary way to do health care,” Lewis said.
MetroHealth began planning the project two years ago. Mayor Gary Starr said Metrohealth first approached the city with the possibility of such a facility in 2007.
The property was sold to MetroHealth by Tom Bohlander, developer of Sunnyside Honda, Starr said.
“I welcome MetroHealth System to the city of Middleburg Heights. This will be a positive and significant business development for the city,” Starr said.
He said the city has become a major heath care corridor for northeast Ohio, with more than 1.2 million square feet of medical facilities.


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Highly-praised new album features girl choristers
Johann Christoph Pepusch: Chandos Anthems
In April 2023, Canterbury Cathedral’s girl choristers joined the period instrument ensemble, The Harmonious Society of Tickle-Fiddle Gentlemen, and a lineup of outstanding professional soloists, to make an album of previously unrecorded music by Johann Christoph Pepusch, who was a contemporary and colleague of Handel.
Released on the Accent label in November 2023, the album was featured on BBC Radio 3’s Record Review and Record Review Extra on 21 January 2024 (from 6 minutes).
The album has also been selected as an Editor’s Choice in the January edition of Gramophone Magazine, and has been long listed for the prestigious Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik in the Alte Musik category.
The photograph on this page was taken on the day of the recording, at the church of St Mary the Virgin in Bishopsbourne, just outside Canterbury.


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In recent years our Nation has experienced painful acts of violence and terrorism. Following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center it has become clear that there are those outside as well as inside our borders who wish to harm us. Indeed, the majority of terrorist acts perpetrated in the United States have been home-grown. This recent history clearly reveals a pressing need to protect our citizens.
It is an important responsibility of our President and government leaders to protect the safety of the American people. It is reasonable for the new Administration to conduct a review of the current refugee vetting procedures, especially from nations where domestic unrest and instability make it difficult to conduct reliable background checks. However, our response to past and present evils must also strive to be consistent with our deeply cherished American values of welcoming refugees and immigrants that is part of the very fabric of our history and national identity.
While recognizing how essential it is that prudent measures are taken to protect the safety of American citizens, we cannot remain indifferent to the plight of refugees, many of them children, who are fleeing from war-torn nations, drug cartels, war-lords who build-up child armies, and other horrific conditions. Even a temporary suspension of our refugee programs may place many innocent lives at risk. This is why it is incumbent upon the Administration to put in place as soon as possible an improved vetting process that protects the safety of American citizens while at the same time being compassionate and generous in welcoming refugees from the very places where their lives are most at risk.
With regard to our immigration policies, there is broad consensus that undocumented immigrants who are members of gangs, involved with drug cartels and/or violent criminals should be deported. However, it is not true or just to characterize the majority of undocumented immigrants as violent criminals. The mass deportation of the vast majority of undocumented immigrants, who work hard and contribute positively to American society, will result in chaos and unrest in our communities as well as a human rights nightmare with families torn apart, children separated from parents and young people expelled from the only nation they have known.
We support measures that secure our borders, stop the flow of illegal drugs, and protect the safety of American citizens. We also applaud efforts to reform immigration laws to better serve citizens and immigrants alike. At the same time, we call upon the President to make clear, as recent statements seem to imply, that it is not his intention to increase deportations of undocumented immigrants who are hardworking and have not committed serious crimes. We urge the President and Congress to exercise their leadership, in addition to securing our borders, to develop generous and prudent immigration laws and policies that are as accommodating as possible to the individuals who wish to earn citizenship or to work legally in our country.
We are eager to assist the Administration with the re-settlement of refugees and the welcoming of immigrants. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, Vice President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, reflects the concern of a great many bishops in our nation in his statement that “our Christian mission is clear – we are called to hear the cry of the poor and we are called to open our doors to the stranger who knocks, and to seek the face of Christ who comes to us in the immigrant and refugee.”
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann
Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
Most Reverend John B. Brungardt
Bishop of Dodge City
Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger
Bishop of Salina
Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme
Bishop of Wichita