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Food Science & Innovation Weekly News Round-up - Dec. 30 2019
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New Partnership to Improve Water Sustainability in the Beef Supply Chain
Cargill and Nestlé Purina have partnered with the Nature Conservancy to launch a 3-year water project to improve the sustainability of the U.S. beef supply chain. The project is expected to reduce the environmental impact of row crop irrigation in Nebraska and provide a scalable irrigation solution for farmers across the United States.
Judie Bizzozero | Jun 06, 2018
More than 50 percent of water used in U.S. beef production is dedicated to irrigating the row crops that become feed for cattle. By putting first-of-its-kind, cost-effective irrigation technology in the hands of farmers, the amount of water needed for row crop irrigation is greatly reduced, as is the environmental impact of the beef supply chain. The Nebraska project enables farmers to make more informed irrigation decisions, by installing smart weather sensors in crop fields and using Internet of Things (IoT) technology on sprinklers connected to a smart phone app.
Nebraska has the largest share of irrigated acres in the United States, and the second largest cattle population. The Ogallala Aquifer, which spans most the state, provides water to nearly one-fifth of wheat, corn, cotton and cattle produced domestically and is the main water supply for people throughout the High Plains region.
Related: Video: Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co. Talks Stable Supply Chain
"By using smart weather sensor technology in row crop irrigation, this program could help save 2.4 billion gallons of irrigation water over three years, which is equivalent to roughly 7,200 households over that time period," said Hannah Birge, water and agriculture program manager at The Nature Conservancy. "The reduction of pumping also means less energy used and less labor expense for farmers."
The project uses Field to Market's FieldPrint® Platform to track progress and was initiated through the efforts of the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative, a group of leading companies and conservation organizations focused on advancing and accelerating farmer-led programs in water conservation, water quality, and soil health in key agricultural states. By engaging the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative, best practices from the Nebraska project can extend to farmers in other regions.
"Nestlé Purina believes in adding value to agricultural lands that represent our supply chain," said Diane Herndon, senior sustainability manager, Nestlé Purina. "Ranchers and farmers are doing important work to make sure that they are protecting our natural resources for future generations. We all need to continue to adapt to a changing marketplace and a changing climate, and this project helps to improve water use efficiency in irrigated row crops used as cattle feed."
"Farmers are continually innovating to bring food to the table more sustainably," said Courtney Hall, Cargill technical sustainability manager. "By working with them, and alongside The Nature Conservancy and Nestlé Purina, we're scaling these solutions around water conservation to ensure an even more sustainable future for beef."
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Sermons Preached Upon Several Occasions, Volumen1
Por Robert South
more? Hence an old malefactor in his execu tion at the gallows made no other confession but this; that he had very jocundly passed over his life in such courses; and he that would not for fifty years' pleasure endure half an hour's pain, deserved to die a worse death than himself. Questionless this man was not ignorant before, that there were such things as laws, assizes, and gallows; but had he considered and believed the terrors of another world, he might probably have found a fairer passage out of this. If there was not a minister in every parish, you would quickly find cause to increase the number of constables: and if the churches were not employed to be places to hear God's law, there would be need of them to be prisons for the breakers of the laws of men. Hence it is observable, that the tribe of Levi had not one place or portion together, like the rest of the tribes: but, because it was their office to dispense religion, they were diffused over all the tribes, that they might be continually preaching to the rest their duty to God; which is the most effectual way to dispose them to obedience to man; for he that truly fears God cannot despise the magistrate. Yea, so near is the connection between the civil state and religious, that heretofore, if you look upon well regulated civilized heathen nations, you will find the government and the priesthood united in the same person; "Anius rex idem hominum, Phœbique sacerdos," (Virg. Æn. 3. 80.) if under the true worship of God, "Melchizedeck, king of Salem, and priest of the most high God," (Hebrews, vii. 1.) And afterwards Moses, (whom, as we acknowledge a pious, so atheists themselves will confess to have been a wise prince,) he, when he took the kingly government upon himself, by his own choice, seconded by divine institution, vested the priesthood in his brother Aaron, both whose concernments were so coupled, that if nature had not, yet their religious, nay, their civil interests, would have made them brothers. And it was once the design of the emperor of Germany, Maximilian the First, to have joined the popedom and the empire together, and to have got himself chosen pope, and by that means derived the papacy to succeeding emperors. Had he effected it, doubtless there would not have been such scuffles between them and the bishop of Rome; the civil interest of the state would not have been undermined by an adverse interest, managed by the speciousand potent pretences of religion. And to see, even amongst us, how these two are united, how the former is upheld by the latter: the magistrate sometimes cannot do his own office dexterously, but by acting the minister; hence it is, that judges of assizes find it necessary in their charges to use pathetical discourses of conscience; and if it were not for the sway of this, they would often lose the
springs upon which those two move are rewards and punishments, answering the two ruling affections of man's mind, hope and fear. For, since there is a natural opposition between the judgment and the appetite, the former respecting what is honest, the latter what is pleasing; which two qualifications seldom concur in the same thing, and since, withal, man's design in every action is delight; therefore, to render things honest also practicable, they must be first represented desirable, which cannot be, but by proposing honesty clothed with pleasure; and since it presents no pleasure to the sense, it must be fetched from the apprehension of a future reward: for, questionless, duty moves not so much upon command as promise. Now, therefore, that which proposes the greatest and most suitable rewards to obedience, and the greatest terrors and punishments to disobedience, doubtless is the most likely to enforce one, and prevent the other. But it is religion that does this, which to happiness and misery joins eternity. And these, supposing the immortality of the soul, which philosophy indeed conjectures, but only religion proves, or (which is as good) persuades; I say these two things, eternal happiness and eternal misery, meeting with a persuasion that the soul is immortal, are, without controversy, of all others, the first the most desirable, and the latter the most horrible to human apprehension. Were it not for these, civil government were not able to stand before the prevailing swing of corrupt nature, which would know no honesty but advantage, no duty but in pleasure, nor any law but its own will. Were not these frequently thundered into the understandings of men, the magistrate might enact, order, and proclaim; proclamations might be hung upon walls and posts, and there they might hang, seen and despised, more like malefactors than laws: but when religion binds them upon the conscience, conscience will either persuade or terrify men into their practice. For, put the case, -a man knew, and that upon sure grounds, that he might do an advantageous murder or robbery, and not be discovered; what human laws could hinder him, which, he knows, cannot inflict any penalty, where they can make no discovery? But religion assures him, that no sin, though concealed from human eyes, can either escape God's sight in this world, or his vengeance in the other. Put the case also, that men looked upon death without fear, in which sense it is nothing, or at most very little; ceasing, while it is endured, and probably without pain, for it seizes upon the vitals, and benumbs the senses, and where there is no sense, there can be no pain; I say, if, while a man is acting his will towards sin, he should also thus act his reason to despise death, where would be the terror of the magistrate, who can neither threaten nor inflict any
best evidence in the world against malefactors, which is confession: for no man would confess and be hanged here, but to avoid being damned hereafter. Thus I have in general shewn the utter inability of the magistrate to attain the ends of government, without the aid of religion. But it may be here replied, that many are not at all moved with arguments drawn from hence, or with the happy or miserable state of the soul after death; and therefore this avails little to procure obedience, and consequently to advance government. I answer by concession, that this is true of epicures, atheists, and some pretended philosophers, who have stifled the notions of a Deity and the soul's immortality; but the unprepossessed on the one hand, and the well-disposed on the other, who both together make much the major part of the world, are very apt to be affected with a due fear of these things: and religion, accommodating itself to the generality, though not to every particular temper, sufficiently secures government, inasmuch as that stands or falls according to the behaviour of the multitude. And whatsoever conscience makes the generality obey, to that prudence will make the rest conform. Wherefore, having proved the dependence of government upon religion, I shall now demonstrate, that the safety of government depends upon the truth of religion. False religion is, in its nature, the greatest bane and destruction to government in the world. The reason is, because whatsoever is false, is also weak. Ens and verum in philosophy are the same: and so much as any religion has of falsity, it loses of strength and existence. Falsity gains authority only from ignorance, and therefore is in danger to be known; for, from being false, the next immediate step is to be known to be such. And what prejudice this would be to the civil government is apparent, if men should be awed into obedience, and affrighted from sin, by rewards and punishments, proposed to them in such a religion, which afterwards should be detected, and found a mere falsity and cheat; for if one part be but found to be false, it will make the whole suspicious. And men will then not only cast off obedience to the civil magistrate, but they will do it with disdain and rage, that they have been deceived so long, and brought to do that out of conscience, which was imposed upon them out of design for though men are often willingly deceived, yet still it must be under an opinion of being instructed; though they love the deception, yet they mortally hate it under that appearance: therefore it is no ways safe for a magistrate, who is to build his dominion upon the fears of men, to build those fears upon a false religion. It is not to be doubted, but the absurdity of Jeroboam's calves made many Israelites turn subjects to Rehoboam's government, that they might be proselytes to
his religion. Herein the weakness of the Turkish religion appears, that it urges obedience upon the promise of such absurd rewards, as, that after death they should have palaces, gardens, beautiful women, with all the luxury that could be, as if those things, that were the occasions and incentives of sin in this world, could be the rewards of holiness in the other: besides many other inventions, false and absurd, that are like so many chinks and holes to discover the rottenness of the whole fabric, when God shall be pleased to give light to discover, and open their reasons to discern them. But you will say, what government more sure and absolute than the Turkish, and yet what religion more false? Therefore, certainly government may stand sure and strong, be the religion professed never so absurd. I answer, that it may do so indeed by accident, through the strange peculiar temper and gross ignorance of a people; as we see it happens in the Turks, the best part of whose policy, supposing the absurdity of their religion, is this, that they prohibit schools of learning; for this hinders knowledge and disputes, which such a religion would not bear. But suppose we, that the learning of the western nations were as great there as here, and the Alcoran as common to them as the Bible to us, that they might have free recourse to search and examine the flaws and follies of it, and withal, that they were of as inquisitive a temper as we, and who knows, but as there are vicissitudes in the government, so there may happen the same also in the temper of a nation? If this should come to pass, where would be their religion? And then let every one judge, whether the arcana imperii and religionis would not fall together. They have begun to totter already; for Mahomet having promised to come and visit his followers, and translate them to paradise after a thousand years, this being expired, many of the Persians began to doubt and smell the cheat, till the Mufti or chief priest told them that it was a mistake in the figure, and assured them, that upon more diligent survey of the records, he found it two thousand instead of one. When this is expired, perhaps they will not be able to renew the fallacy. I say, therefore, that though this government continues firm in the exercise of a false religion, yet this is by accident, through the present genius of the people, which may change; but this does not prove, but that the nature of such a religion (of which we only now speak) tends to subvert and betray the civil power. Hence Machiavel himself, in his animadversions upon Livy, makes it appear, that the weakness of Italy, which was once so strong, was caused by the corrupt practices of the Papacy, in depraving. and misusing religion to that purpose, which he, though himself a Papist, says, could not have happened, had the Christian religion been
kept in its first and native simplicity. Thus much may suffice for the clearing of the first proposition.
The inferences from hence are two. 1. If government depends upon religion, then this shews the pestilential design of those that attempt to disjoin the civil and ecclesiastical interest, setting the latter wholly out of the tuition of the former. But it is clear that the fanatics know no other step to the magistracy, but through the ruin of the ministry. There is a great analogy between the body natural and politic, in which the ecclesiastical or spiritual part justly supplies the part of the soul; and the violent separation of this from the other, does as certainly infer death and dissolution, as the disjunction of the body and the soul in the natural; for when this once departs, it leaves the body of the commonwealth a carcass, noisome, and exposed to be devoured by birds of prey. The ministry will be one day found, according to Christ's word, "the salt of the earth," the only thing that keeps societies of men from stench and corruption. These two interests are of that nature, that it is to be feared they cannot be divided, but they will also prove opposite, and, not resting in a bare diversity, quickly rise into a contrariety: these two are to the state, what the elements of fire and water to the body, which united, compose, separated, destroy it. I am not of the Papist's opinion, who would make the spiritual above the civil state in power as well as dignity, but rather subject it to the civil; yet thus much I dare affirm, that the civil, which is superior, is upheld and kept in being by the ecclesiastical and inferior; as it is in a building, where the upper part is supported by the lower; the Church resembling the foundation, which, indeed, is the lowest part, but the most considerable. The magistracy cannot so much protect the ministry, but the ministers may do more in serving the magistrate. A taste of which truth you may take from the holy war, to which how fast and eagerly did men go, when the priest persuaded them, that whosoever died in that expedition was a martyr? Those that will not be convinced what a help this is to the magistracy, would find how considerable it is, if they should chance to clash; this would certainly eat out the other. For the magistrate cannot urge obedience upon such potent grounds, as the minister, if so disposed, can urge disobedience. As for instance, if my governor should command me to do a thing, or I must die, or forfeit my estate; and the minister steps in, and tells me, that I offend God, and ruin my soul, if I obey that command; it is easy to see a greater force in this persuasion from the advantage of its ground. And if divines once begin to curse Meroz, we shall see that Levi can use the sword as well
as Simeon; and although ministers do not handle, yet they can employ it. This shews the imprudence, as well as the danger of the civil magistrate's exasperating those that can fire men's consciences against him, and arm his enemies with religion. For I have read heretofore of some, that, having conceived an irreconcileable hatred of the civil magistrate, prevailed with men so far, that they went to resist him even out of conscience, and a full persuasion and dread upon their spirits, that, not to do it,* were to desert God, and consequently to incur damnation. Now, when men's rage is both heightened and sanctified by conscience, the war will be fierce; for what is done out of conscience, is done with the utmost activity. And then Campanella's speech to the King of Spain will be found true, Religio semper vicit, præsertim armata; which sentence deserves seriously to be considered by all governors, and timely to be understood, lest it comes to be felt.
2. If the safety of government is founded upon the truth of religion, then this shews the danger of any thing that may make even the true religion suspected to be false. To be false, and to be thought false, is all one in respect of men, who act not according to truth, but apprehension. As, on the contrary, a false religion, while apprehended true, has the force and efficacy of truth. Now there is nothing more apt to induce men to a suspicion of any religion, than frequent innovation and change; for since the object of religion, God-the subject of it, the soul of man-and the business of it, truth is always one and the same, variety and novelty is a just presumption of falsity. It argues sickness and distemper in the mind, as well as in the body, when a man is continually turning and tossing from one side to the other. The wise Romans ever dreaded the least innovation in religion: hence we find the advice of Mæcenas to Augustus Cæsar, in Dion Cassius, in the fifty-second book, where he counsels him to detest and persecute all innovators of divine worship, not only as contemners of the gods, but as the most pernicious disturbers of the state; for when men venture to make changes in things sacred, it argues great boldness with God, and this naturally imports little belief of him; which, if the people once perceive, they will take their creed also, not from the magistrate's laws, but his example. Hence in England, where religion has been still purifying, and hereupon almost always in the fire and the furnace, atheists and irreligious persons have took no small advantage from our changes. For in King Edward the Sixth's time, the divine worship was twice altered in two new liturgies. In the first of Queen Mary, the Protestant religion was persecuted
* See Sermon XII. on Prov. xii. 22.
with fire and fagot, by law and public council of the same persons who had so lately established it. Upon the coming in of Queen Elizabeth, religion was changed again, and within a few days the public council of the nation made it death for a priest to convert any man to that religion, which before with so much eagerness of zeal had been restored. So that it is observed by an author, that in the space of twelve years there were four changes about religion made in England, and that by the public council and authority of the realm, which were more than were made by any Christian state throughout the world, so soon one after another, in the space of fifteen hundred years before. Hence it is, that the enemies of God take occasion to blaspheme, and call our religion statism. And now, adding to the former those many changes that have happened since, I am afraid we shall not so easily claw off that name; nor, though we may satisfy our own consciences in what we profess, be able to repel and clear off the objections of the rational world about us, which, not being interested in our changes as we are, will not judge of them as we judge, but debate them by impartial reason, by the nature of the thing, the general practice of the Church, against which, new lights, sudden impulses of the Spirit, extraordinary calls, will be but weak arguments to prove any thing but the madness of those that use them, and that the Church must needs wither, being blasted with such inspirations. We see, therefore, how fatal and ridiculous innovations in the Church are; and, indeed, when changes are so frequent, it is not properly religion, but fashion. This, I think, we may build upon as a sure ground, that where there is continual change, there is great show of uncertainty; and uncertainty in religion is a shrewd motive, if not to deny, yet to doubt of its truth.
Thus much for the first doctrine. I proceed now to the second, namely, That the next, and most effectual way to destroy religion, is to embase the teachers and dispensers of it. In the handling of this I shall shew,
1. How the dispensers of religion, the ministers of the word, are embased or rendered vile. 2. How the embasing or vilifying them is a means to destroy religion.
1. For the first of these, the ministers and dispensers of the word are rendered base or
vile two ways,
Old Testament the same word signifies a priest, and a prince, or chief ruler: hence, though we translate it "priest of On," (Gen. xli. 45,) and "priest of Midian," (Exod. iii. 1,) and
as it is with the people so with the priest," (Isa. xxiv. 2,) Junius and Tremellius render all these places, not by sacerdos, priest, but by præses, that is, a prince, or at least a chief counsellor, or minister of state. And it is strange, that the name should be the same, when the nature of the thing is so exceeding different. The like also may be observed in other languages, that the most illustrious titles are derived from things sacred, and belonging to the worship of God. ZEBROTÓS was the title of the Christian Cæsars correspondent to the Latin Augustus, and it is derived from the same word that σέβασμα, cultus, res sacra, or sacrificium. And it is usual in our language to make sacred an epithet to majesty, there was a certain royalty in things sacred. Hence the apostle, who, I think, was no enemy to the simplicity of the Gospel, speaks of a royal priesthood, (1 Pet. ii. 9,) which shews at least, that there is no contradiction or impiety in those terms. In old time, before the placing this office only in the line of Aaron, the head of the family and the first-born offered sacrifice for the rest; that is, was their priest. And we know, that such rule and dignity belonged at first to the masters of families, that they had jus vitæ et necis, jurisdiction and power of life and death in their own family; and from hence was derived the beginning of kingly government; a king being only a civil head, or master of a politic family, the whole people; so that we see the same was the foundation of the royal and sacerdotal dignity. As for the dignity of this office among the Jews, it is so pregnantly set forth in holy writ, that it is unquestionable. Kings and priests are still mentioned together, (Lam. ii. 6,) "The Lord hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest." (Hos. v. 2,) Hear, O priests, and give ear, O house of the king." (Deut. xvii. 12,) "And the man that doth presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth there to minister before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die." Hence Paul, together with a blow, received this reprehension, (Acts, xxiii. 4,)" Revilest thou God's highpriest?" And Paul in the next verse does not defend himself, by pleading an extraordinary motion of the Spirit, or that he was sent to reform the church, and might therefore lawfully vilify the priesthood and all sacred orders but in the 5th verse he makes an excuse, and that from ignorance, the only thing that could take away the fault; namely, "that he knew not that he was the highpriest," and subjoins a reason which farther advances the truth here defended: "for it is
(1.) By divesting them of all temporal privileges and advantages, as inconsistent with their calling. It is strange, since the priest's office heretofore was always splendid, and almost regal, that it is now looked upon as a piece of religion, to make it low and sordid. So that the use of the word minister is brought down to the literal signification of it, a servant: for now to serve and to minister, servile and ministerial, are terms equivalent. But in the
word revealed. Christ was himself poor and despised, and withal has instituted such a ministry. To the first part of this plea I answer, that Christ came to suffer, yet the sufferings and miseries of Christ do not oblige all Christians to undertake the like. For the second, that the ministry of Christ was low and despised by his institution, I utterly deny. It was so, indeed, by the malice and persecution of the heathen princes; but what does this argue or infer for a low, dejected ministry in a flourishing state, which professes to encourage Christianity? But to dash this cavil, read but the practice of Christian emperors and kings all along, down from the time of Constantine, in what respect, what honour and splendour they treated the ministers: and then let our adversaries produce their puny, pitiful arguments for the contrary, against the general, clear, undoubted vogue and current of all antiquity. As for two or three little countries about us, the learned and impartial will not value their practice; in one of which places the minister has been seen, for mere want, to mend shoes on the Saturday, and been heard to preach on the Sunday. In the other place, stating the several orders of the citizens, they place their ministers after their apothecaries; that is, the physician of the soul after the drugster of the body; a fit practice for those, who, if they were to rank things as well as persons, would place their religion after their trade.
And thus much concerning the first way of debasing the ministers and ministry.
(2.) The second way is by admitting ignorant, sordid, illiterate persons to this function. This is to give the royal stamp to a piece of lead. confess, has no need of any man's parts or learning; but certainly, then, he has much less need of his ignorance and ill behaviour. It is a sad thing, when all other employments shall empty themselves into the ministry: when men shall repair to it, not for preferment, but refuge; like malefactors flying to the altar, only to save their lives; or like those of Eli's race, (1 Sam. ii. 36,) that should come crouching, and seek to be put into the priest's office that they might eat a piece of bread. Heretofore there was required splendour of parentage to recommend any one to the priesthood, as Josephus witnesses in a treatise which he wrote of his own life; where he says, to have right to deal in things sacred, was, amongst them, accounted an argument of a noble and illustrious descent. God would not accept the offals of other professions. Doubtless many rejected Christ upon this thought, that he was the carpenter's son, who would have embraced him, had they known him to have been the Son of David. The preferring undeserving persons to this great service was eminently Jeroboam's sin, and how Jeroboam's practice and offence has been
written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." To holy writ we might add the testimony of Josephus, of next authority to it in things concerning the Jews, who in sundry places of his history sets forth the dignity of the priests: and in his second book against Apion the grammarian has these words, πάντων τῶν ἀμφισβητουμένων δικασταὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς ἐτάχθησαν, the priests were constituted judges of all doubtful causes. Hence Justin also in his 36th book has this, Semper apud Judæos mos fuit, ut eosdem reges et sacerdotes haberent:" though this is false, that they were always so, yet it argues, that they were so frequently, and that the distance between them was not great. To the Jews we may join the Egyptians, the first masters of learning and philosophy. Synesius in his 57th epistle, having shewn the general practice of antiquity, ὁ πάλαι χρόνος ἤνεγκε τοὺς αὐτοὺς ἱερέας τε καὶ κριτὰς, gives an instance in the Jews and Egyptians, who for many ages ὑπὸ τῶν ἱερέων ἐβασιλεύθησαν, had no other kings but priests. Next, we may take a view of the practice of the Romans: Numa Pompilius, who civilized the fierce Romans, is reported in the first book of Livy sometimes to have performed the priest's office himself. "Tum sacerdotibus creandis animum adjecit, quanquam ipse plurima sacra obibat;" but when he made priests, he gave them a dignity almost the same with himself. And this honour continued together with the valour and prudence of that nation: for the success of the Romans did not extirpate their religion; the college of the priests being in many things exempted even from the jurisdiction of the senate, afterwards the supreme power. Hence Juvenal in his 2d Satire mentions the priesthood of Mars, as one of the most honourable places in Rome. And Julius Cæsar, who was chosen priest in his private condition, thought it not below him to continue the same office when he was created absolute governor of Rome, under the name of perpetual dictator. Add to these the practice of the Gauls mentioned by Cæsar in his 6th book, de Bello Gallico, where he says of the Druids, who were their priests, that they did judge "de omnibus ferè controversiis publicis privatisque." See also Homer in the 1st book of his Iliad representing Chryses priest of Apollo, with his golden sceptre, as well as his golden censer. But why have I produced all these examples of the heathens? Is it to make these a ground of our imitation? No, but to shew that the giving honour to the priesthood was a custom universal amongst all civilized nations. And whatsoever is universal is also natural, as not being founded upon compact, or the particular humours of men, but flowing from the native results of reason: and that which is natural neither does nor can oppose religion. But you will say, this concerns not us, who have an express rule and

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Star Wars' JJ Abrams Addresses Fan Criticism of Latest Trilogy
Steve Goodman
Found in: JJ Abrams, Star Wars
Star Wars director JJ Abrams responds to fan criticism of the sequel trilogy's plan. He says nothing is more crucial than understanding where you're headed.
Although Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) was less polarizing than Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi (2017), many fans expected Episode IX to be a massive success.
Now that the entire Star Wars sequel trilogy has officially concluded, JJ Abrams is addressing one facet of the complaints, notably the fact that the three movies weren't always well-planned.
Watch: J.J. Abrams Reflects on Star Wars and When It's Critical to Have a Plan
Abrams, who helmed The Force Awakens (2015) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019), the first and last installments in the new trilogy, was queried by Collider whether Episodes VII to IX would have profited from carrying a clear vision since the start.
He explained,
I've been involved in a number of projects that… have ideas that begin the thing where you feel like you know where it's gonna go, and sometimes it's an actor who comes in, other times it's a relationship that as-written doesn't quite work.
The director added,
Things that you think are gonna just be so well-received just crash and burn and other things that you think like, 'Oh that's a small moment' or 'That's a one-episode character' suddenly become a hugely important part of the story.
In response to the suggestion that Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi (2017) may have thrown the trilogy, of course, Abrams said he's grown to adapt to the unforeseen.
You Might Like: Obi-Wan on Disney Plus Has Started Filming; Ewan McGregor Spills on Details in 2021!
He argued,
I feel like what I've learned… is that you have to plan things as best you can, and you always need to be able to respond to the unexpected. And the unexpected can come in all sorts of forms, and I do think that there's nothing more important than knowing where you're going.
The filmmaker emphasized the significance of devising a plan saying that if you don't have a strategy, you don't realize what you're trying to set up. You're at a loss for what to emphasize. Because you're only as good as your last arc, effect, joke, or whatever if you're not aware of the story's ultimate conclusion.
Visit BAE Magazine for more interesting news about your favorite movies.
Uncovering the Origins of the First Meme Rap Song: A Retrospective Look at the Trailblazing Tracks that Changed the Game Read More


text:
Bobby Petrino Reemerges On Twitter & Louisville Fans Wasted No Time Reaching Out
By Eric Huffman
Since being fired by the University of Louisville in November of 2018, former head football coach Bobby Petrino has managed to keep his name out of the spotlight.
Outside of an appearance at the Little Rock Touchdown Club in September and the occasional appearance at college football games where his son in-law coaches, Petrino has laid low for the most part.
That changed over the weekend when the 58-year-old unemployed football coach surfaced on Twitter.
Petrino sent out his first Tweet on Saturday afternoon promoting his new book, "Inside the Pocket: An In-Depth Analysis of the X's & O's".
Excited to be down here in Nashville at the #AFCA2020 Convention promoting my new book "Inside the Pocket: An In-Depth Analysis of the X's & O's".
Join me Sunday at 1pm for a Q&A session to preview the book and gain insight on building your offensive scheme to #FeedTheStuds pic.twitter.com/Btnhv1zIPP
— Bobby Petrino (@CoachBPetrino) January 11, 2020
As you might expect, it didn't take Louisville fans very long to reach out to Bobby via Twitter.
Very few responses to his first Tweet had anything to do with his book. Most of the responses were from Louisville fans who still haven't forgiven Bobby Petrino for underachieving with a Heisman trophy winner, seemingly quitting on the program and leaving Satterfield a mess to clean up.
I would rather read, "How to legally steal $14,000,000."
— Bubba Ray Lindy (@jclindeman) January 12, 2020
Can't wait to read the chapter on ignoring recruiting and how to damage relationships with every local high school in the city!
— Rob Ott (@lawyerrob1) January 12, 2020
Chapter 1: How to lose with Lamar Jackson
Chapter 2: How to get local recruits to go to your rival
Chapter 3: Actually just dont recruit at all
Chapter 4: How to run off all of your talented coaches
Chapter 5: How to steal 14 million dollars
— Craig jones (@craiguofl) January 12, 2020
Are you still besties with Jurich?
Is Nick still taking credit for Lamars success?
What did you do with the $14MM you stole?
— Tommy (@tommycat1225) January 12, 2020
You should rename it "how to get inside the pockets of a university and rob them". Hope you don't sell 1 book, and get beat up again
— Sean Hood (@Gocards713Sean) January 12, 2020
Call the police. @CoachBPetrino stole $14,000,000+ from the University of Louisville.
— Louisville Fan Man (@matchewV4) January 11, 2020
You didn't feed Tutu, Javian, or Micale last year.
— Ethan Moore (@_EthanMoore) January 11, 2020
I can't say I'm surprised…


South Dakota ISP battles US Copyright Group in file sharing lawsuits.
[newsimage]http://static.rankone.nl/images_posts/2010/08/jnPElM.jpg[/newsimage]ISP Midcontinent Communications will not comply with a court subpoena from Washington DC regarding a BitTorrent copyright lawsuit unless ordered to do so by a local court.
Is "hate" too strong a word to apply to describe feelings toward these scum of the Earth, sue-happy organizations?
[QUOTE=UTR;2541707]Is "hate" too strong a word to apply to describe feelings toward these scum of the Earth, sue-happy organizations?[/QUOTE] Perhaps "despise" is the word you're looking for?
There has to be a better way to use the resources that we currently have dedicated to prosecuting file-sharers.
In a somewhat related story: I flew across the country last week and watched a man strike up conversation with the family next to him. They got along so well that the man felt compelled to share his pirated copy of "Twilight" (still in theaters) with the two 8 y/o girls who were on their first flight ever. Totally made those girls' day. I just wish that I could've read the parent's thoughts on the situation, as I'm sure they know what "piracy" is, and the little ones didn't (I'm pretty certain). Do you think there was a conversation later about it being illegal, or do you think that they happily watched the movie and enjoyed it?
I'm sure they watched and enjoyed it . . . just like most of us would have.
I don't know. The word "despise" seems a little lite to me. I "despise" the way commercials are louder than the shows and I feel much stronger than this toward the RIAA and MPAA.
[QUOTE=UTR;2541977]I don't know. The word "despise" seems a little lite to me. I "despise" the way commercials are louder than the shows and I feel much stronger than this toward the RIAA and MPAA.[/QUOTE] I'd consider "despise" to be much stronger than "hate", but perhaps that's due to a cultural difference?!
I'll retract the word "hate" and just wish bad things to happen to the RIAA and MPAA. I'll keep those bad things to myself and my therapist.
Is "revulsion" the right word? - just putting it out there.
Forgive me if I'm wrong but I'm suppose to understand that if I use wireless equipment, I can't really expect privacy in those communications. That's called being "adult" or understanding that we are in a new age of technology. Or, if its on the Internet, it's out there…I don't own it any more!
However, it seems that the movie industry is throwing a legal tantrum demanding that they be allowed to keep all their "pre-computer age" rights (and collect even more in passing) while the rest of us have to adjust to fewer rights and liberties. And, we are suppose to respect this "childish" behavior by the studios as "business-like" - really? I have a hard time wrapping my brain around that one.
And, by the way, whether the couple discussed the pirated copy of Twilight or not, what is more to the point, did the kids like it enough to pressure their parents into buying them a copy? That's the unsung advantage that works for the studios which they don't care to admit. If piracy stopped "totally" - so would many of their sales - because without piracy, there's no "free" advertising going on.
You'd imagine that with all the think-tanks and creative brain-power that the entertainment industry has at their disposal, they'd find a way to manipulate piracy - to make it work for them - instead of draining their legal accounts and angering their potential customer base. For example - "Turn in a boot-legged copy and get a 20% off the legal copy with this coupon!" This is off the top of my head. Imagine what really creative people could come up with "if" the studios decided to stop trying to get "even" and just tried making profits?
Blame your politicians they are the ones that have allowed and abetted the mafariaa fight them with your votes!
I doubt the adults in wconeybeer's story above gave a crap if it was illegal or not since they shared it with their kids. If they felt strongly about it being wrong they wouldn't have included the kids in it. For all you know they traded email addys so the trading could continue on after the flight.
The studio's can't get past the fact that people will find out ways around the copyright protections. I don't see new technology like UV doing much except to "keep the honest people honest" sort of speak. The people or "hackers" as the media likes to call them are as smart or smarter that the engineers creating the hardware/ software to thwart the pirates. It will be a neverending cat and mouse game unless copyright holders can monitor every move you make on your PC anytime day or night or get the search engines or ISP's involved to filter out "offensive" search results.
I sure as hell hope that never happens. The net as we know it will officially die the day search results filtering happens on that scale.
[QUOTE=DOS_equis;2542913]I can just see all of the eBay auctions springing up right now.
Sorry - I didn't mean to alarm you with my suggestion of trading in ripped-off copies for a discount on an original! Something similar works for getting guns off the street. How I see it working is that one week the 20% discount would be for those who turned in their knock-offs. And, the next week, the general public would get the same 20% discount - so there'd be no advantage for eBay sellers, you see. It would simply allow people with knock-offs an easy way to purge their library and their conscience? Like I said, it was off the top of my head. I was hoping someone might suggest an improvement on the plan, or another idea with potential?
US Copyright Group's website (h**p://wwwcopyrightsettlementinfo) is tagged with conficker botnet and multiple redirects to anti-p2p loggers. Apparently even curiosity is spied on. Is there any legitimacy to these lawyers?
[QUOTE=emptyaddy;2544042]US Copyright Group's website (h**p://wwwcopyrightsettlementinfo) is tagged with conficker botnet [/QUOTE]this is not a legit website of the US Copyright Group, but simply some retarded spam website. I thnk, the real USCG is happy to nuke this fraudulent website.
Curious question, could the new cyberstalking laws be applied to these "copyright" groups? They sure seem to fall into this category. Are they not stalking people who download movies? What about the tactics they use, are they legal tactics to gain IP addresses? Are they hacking into someones servers to get the info? Who is watching the watchers?
Ooooh, someone has their thinking cap on…! Mighty good question? Let's hope someone with a law degree is willing to try using your notion!


Chen Weixing, the founder of ride hailing company Kuaidi Dache is planning to launch a blockchain-based ride hailing app.
Chen Weixing, the founder of Chinese ride hailing company Kuaidi Dache, is planning to launch a blockchain-based ride hailing app, China Money Network reports May 28.
Also speaking at the event, Chen said that, "Ride hailing is the first time blockchain will be tested on a social application on mass scale." Neither Chen nor Jun disclosed details regarding the project's timetable.
Kuaidi, which is now part of Didi Chuxing, merged with Didi Dache in 2016. Didi Chuxing is now worth $60 bln and is reportedly seeking an initial public offering at a higher valuation. Meituan is an on-demand local services firm that merged with review site Dianping in 2016. Meituan Dianping is now valued at $30 bln.
Earlier this month, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published a blockchain industry white paper, revealing that the domestic blockchain industry grew "exponentially" in 2017. According to the paper, 178 new blockchain startups launched in 2017.


M Truck is a truck with familiar lines. It has been designed and rigged to be as flexible as possible.
Use the base of the truck and add the accessories you like. Select the truck and click on the accessory you want and it will be placed automatically.
Open the doors and windows, raise or lower the bed and the table or even turn the TV along with many other options!


As West Africa battles with an outbreak of the deadly ebola virus, a man identified as a US citizen is reported to be undergoing testing for the virus in Ghana.
Al Jazeera America The outbreak has hit several African countries that include Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, but there have been no confirmed cases found yet in Ghana.
The man, who was believed to have visited Guinea and Sierra Leone in recent weeks, has been quarantined at the Nyaho Clinic, a private health facility in the capital, Accra, health officials there say.
Ghana's Health Ministry says it has put in place a series of "precautionary measures," and has also advised citizens to stay calm.
Staff at the clinic have also reportedly been quarantined, and provided with protective clothing.
The virus has so far killed more than 460 people since it broke out in Guinea in February, and spread within the sub region.
It is the world's deadliest outbreak to date of the fatal disease which so far has no known cure.
Meanwhile the US embassy in Accra told the Ghana press it had been informed of a suspected case of the disease involving its citizen, but would not issue any further details.
Health Ministers from some African countries ended a summit in Accra recently to figure out ways to deal with the deadly outbreak.


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Uzmaston, Boulston and Slebech is a community in Pembrokeshire, Wales, which includes the villages of Uzmaston, Boulston and Slebech, and the Haverfordwest suburb of Cartlett (an area in the western part of Haverfordwest, no longer marked on modern maps).

Formation
The community was formed in 2012 by the amalgamation of the community of Uzmaston and Boulston and the community of Slebech. It is divided into two electoral wards: Uzmaston & Boulston Ward and Slebech Ward.

Operation
There are six councillors for Uzmaston and Boulston Ward and two for Slebech Ward. Community Council meetings, which are open to the public, are held at either Uzmaston Village Hall or The Rhos Village Hall.

Population
The population at formation according to the 2011 census was 712.

Listed buildings
There are 31 listed buildings in the community, including one Grade I (Picton Castle) and three Grade II*.

History
The three principal villages of which the community is made up are all medieval or older. They appear as separate parishes (Osmaston, Boulston and Sleback) on a 1578 parish map of Pembrokeshire. While Haverfordwest (Herfordwest) is on the map, the suburb of Cartlett is not marked.

References

External links
Community Council website

Communities in Pembrokeshire

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Frank Argento paintings
Collection — Frame: 1-9
The collection consists of nine oil paintings by Rochester Institute of Technology artist and professor Frank Argento. The painting are portraits of Susan B. Anthony, John Bausch, William Burroughs, Chester Carlson, Fredrick Douglass, George Eastman, Frank Gannett, Kate Gleason, and B. Thomas Golisano. The series is called Portraits of Rochester, New York Innovators. The artist states that he was "Working from old photographs and writings about their lives, I dramatized my subjects' inner personality, their pensiveness, pride and accomplishments."
Argento, Frank (Person)
Frank Argento is an award winning artist who was born and raised in Rochester. Argento began his art career while attending Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where he received his bachelor's and master's degree in Fine Art. A multidimensional artist, working in film, television, advertising and design, Argento held an associate professorship in the Department of Visual Communications at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf/RIT. He is now Associate Professor Emeritus.
His creativity and talent have earned him more than a dozen awards for excellence in art and design. As a teacher, he shares his passion and enthusiasm for design, photography, and illustration with his students.
18 Linear Feet (9 framed paintings)
Nine oil painted portraits of noted Rochesterarians.
On loan at the Center for Urban Entrepenuership (Downtown)
RIT Art Collections
The collection was donated to RIT Archives by Frank Argento in March 2015. Accession number(s): 2015:038
All paintings in the collection measure 24 x 36 inches.
Finding aid created by Lisa Witt in July 2015.
Anthony, Susan B. (Susan Brownell)
Art in universities and colleges -- New York (State) -- Rochester
Bausch, John
Burroughs, WIlliam
Carlson, Chester Floyd
Eastman, George
Gannett, Frank E. (Frank Ernest)
Gleason, Kate
Golisano, B. Thomas
Oil paintings (visual works)
Rochester Institute of Technology -- Art collections
ART001. RIT Art Collection
RIT Art Collection
Lisa Witt
Frame: 1-9 (Graphic Materials)
RIT Art Collection https://archivesspace.rit.edu/repositories/2/resources/767 Accessed January 28, 2023.


As the longest-running agriculturally-based university in the Southern Hemisphere, Lincoln University's story begins with farming, but it certainly doesn't end there. As New Zealand's economy diversified, so have we. Lincoln University is here to enhance and enrich lives. To grow the knowledge of our students so they can shape a world that benefits from a greater understanding of the relationship between our land, the food produced from it and the ecosystems within it. With three academic faculties, one teaching division, several research centres (including the new 27,000sqm joint facility, in partnership with AgResearch, commencing build soon), and a range of corporate service units, the Lincoln University draws its students from throughout New Zealand and from over 60 countries. Lincoln University has a student roll of around 3,000 and approximately 600 staff.


Article writers may certainly attain an info overload operating with this study approach. By setting your purchase here, you get a very good article author as well as a amazing research worker folded into one. Perhaps you should write a dissertation. Whether you're writing an essay, company file, dissertation document, or perhaps a magazine article, you can't afford to devote errors.
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Did you stop you consider incorporating a particular area at which you could work with no distractions. Failing to do so can shell out the whole budget of the camera simply to find out it is worthless without some of the essential accessories and more to make investments.


Tag is a clock that can be hung everywhere to feel free. It is just like hanging a tag. The clock is made of a paper or thin wooden sheet and a single string; the operating mechanism is hidden by the rounded shape. For the wooden version we chose teak and elm. Thanks to a special process, the wooden sheet is flexible like a fabric. Because the weight is only 60 g, it's possible to hang the clock on a wall simply with masking tape.
Due to its light weight, the original clock designed like a sticky note can be hung practically everywhere, so that you won't lose track of the current time so easily.


Strands are the final products of the stranding process, where conductors or cables having a certain cross section are twisted together to form a conductor having a larger cross section. The goal is to improve mechanical properties (i.e. flexibility), vibration resistance, handling and prepare for the subsequent stranding or insulation and sheathing process.
Lay-length and twisting direction characterize the strand definition. The two possible twist directions are left-hand lay and right-hand lay, usually indicated with S and Z respectively.
Bunched Strand: Bunched strands are bundles manufactured in one step with single wires or bunched multi-wires. The structure is irregular, the lay direction could be S or Z. In this type of strand, the position of the individual wire is not clearly defined. The external surface is irregular and the diameter and roundness are not accurate. This type of strand is not suitable for thin-wall insulation process. This bunch is suitable for flexible cords, building cables, control cables etc.
Concentric Strand: This type of strand has a regular construction having a symmetric number of wires (1+6+12+18+24+30). The conductor has 7, 19, 37, 61 or 91 wires.
Concentric strands can be divided in True concentric types and Unilay types. True concentric types have different lay directions of the successive layers from interior to outer layers; Unilay types have uniform lay directions. Common features of all concentric conductors are the precision of outer layer surface and the precision of the conductor diameter. This type of strand is particularly suitable for the thin–wall insulation process that involves high-quality insulation materials.
Concentric and semi–concentric stranded conductors can be compacted with roller or dies to obtain a very smooth external surface with a minimum conductor outer diameter, thus reducing also the insulation material used in an insulating process.
With the term strand sometimes we mean an assembly of 7, 19 or 37 bunches or concentric strands in a regular construction. In this case, we are referring to Ropes Lay Bunch Stranded or Rope Lay Concentric Stranded, respectively.
At Sampsistemi, thanks to our history of technology and expertise and thanks to recent developments, we are able to provide you with a customized solution satisfying your needs. Sampsistemi Double-Twist Bunching Machine Platform is designed for reels with a flange diameter in the range of 100-1250 mm, for copper and aluminium conductor and cable laying-up. The platform is completed by a wide range of dynamic and static payoffs and various accessories (pre-twister, taping unit etc.).


text:
Q: How do you create a dynamic QueryDSL operator based on a quoted String value I have a pojo that contains a property name, logic operator as String and the value of property. What I want to accomplish is create a Predicate or Expression etc dynamically from the pojo data. Below are my code:
public class QueryParam {
    private String property = "acctType";   //can be any property of classname
    private String operator = "eqic"        //can be any logic operator !=, >, <, >=, <= etc
    private Object value;                   //will store the value of

    // getters/setters here
}

public interface CustomerRepository extends JpaRepository<Customer, Long>, QueryDslPredicateExecutor<Customer>{

}

@Service("CustomerService")
class MyCustomerServiceImpl {
    @Resource
    private CustomerRepository custRpstry;

    //if classname is Customer, property is "acctType", operator is "eqic", and value is "Corporate"
    //I want my findAll below to retrieve all Customers having acctType = "Corporate"
    List<Customer> findAll(List<QueryParam> qryParam) {
        QCustomer qcust = QCustomer.customer;

        BooleanBuilder where = new BooleanBuilder();
        for(QueryParam param : qryParam) {

            //within this block, i want a BooleanBuilder to resolve to:
            where.and(qcust.acctType.equalsIgnoreCase("Corporate"));

            something like:
            where.and(param.getClassname().param.getProperty().param.getOperator().param.getValue())
        }

        return custRpstry.findAll(where.getValue()).getContent();

    }
}

I can't figure out to formulate my BooleanBuilder especially the portion that will convert
getOperator() into .equalIgnoreCase().
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Mario

A: After combining several answers to some related questions here in so, I was able to formulate a solution that works for me.
BooleanBuilder where = new BooleanBuilder();
for(QueryParam param: qryParam) {
    //create: Expressions.predicate(Operator<Boolean> opr, StringPath sp, filter value)

    //create an Operator<Boolean>
    Operator<Boolean> opr = OperationUtils.getOperator(param.getOperator().getValue());

    //create a StringPath to a class' property
    Path<User> entityPath = Expressions.path(Customer.class, "customer");
    Path<String> propPath = Expressions.path(String.class, entityPath, param.getProperty());

    //create Predicate expression
    Predicate predicate = Expressions.predicate(opr, propPath, Expressions.constant(param.getValue()));
    where.and(predicate);
}

list = repository.findAll(where.getValue(), pageReq).getContent();

My OperationUtils.java
public class OperationUtils {

    public static com.mysema.query.types.Operator<Boolean> getOperator(String key) {
        Map<String, com.mysema.query.types.Operator<Boolean>> operators = ImmutableMap.<String, com.mysema.query.types.Operator<Boolean>>builder()
                  .put(Operator.EQ.getValue()   ,Ops.EQ)
                  .put(Operator.NE.getValue()   ,Ops.NE)
                  .put(Operator.GT.getValue()   ,Ops.GT)
                  .put(Operator.GTE.getValue()  ,Ops.GOE)
                  .put(Operator.LT.getValue()   ,Ops.LT)
                  .put(Operator.LTE.getValue()  ,Ops.LOE)
                  .build();

        return operators.get(key);
    }
}

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Looking for a summer adventure? Look no further. Try to fly like superman at the Slide for Life in Davao del Sur.
The Slide for Life is the Philippines' longest zip-line located at Camp Zabros, which is two hours away from Davao City. A zip-line consists of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline and are designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to traverse from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable, usually made of stainless steel, by holding on or attaching to the freely moving pulley. The ride costs 150 pesos per run. Via YouTube.


Our dedicated board supports Sierra Nevada Journeys' mission in a multitude of ways. In addition to their time, knowledge and expertise, we are very proud to be a recognized 100 percent board giving organization.
If you are interested in applying for a position on our board, please contact the CEO of Sierra Nevada Journeys, Eaton Dunkelberger at 775-355-1688 or eatond@sierranevadajourneys.org.


text:
Home NEWS INTERNATIONAL
Baume & Mercier Geres up for film festival
James Buttery
Richard Gere and Baume & Mercier CEO Alain Zimmerman, Centre, at the American Embassy in Rome this week.
Baume & Mercier will be walking up the red carpet tomorrow, when the 62nd TaorminaFilmFest gets underway.
The brand is the main partner of the week-long Sicilian film festival, which Richard Gere is overseeing this year as honorary president.
The Swiss watch brand has created a limited edition Clifton model to mark the occasion that will be awarded to the winner of the Clifton Taormina Award.
This model has been designed to celebrate the art of film – the 39 mm 18K red gold case is enhanced by the sapphire case back adorned with the festival's logo, while the design of its minute track is reminiscent of a film reel. It will be produced in a series of 62 pieces to celebrate the 62nd edition of the Festival and will be available from June 2016, exclusively in Italy.
Alain Zimmermann, chief executive officer of Baume & Mercier, will present an award to six international figures: Harvey Keitel, Jeremy Renner, Ambra Angiolini, Claudio Santamaria e Alessandro Preziosi. Male actors will receive the Clifton Taormina Award watch, our classical round range, while the actresses will receive the Promesse Taormina Award and will be given a watch from the Promesse collection, our last feminine launch.
The first Clifton Taormina Award limited edition watch was presented by Zimmermann to Gere, this week during the premiere of "Time Out of Mind" at the American Embassy in Rome on 8 June. The watch will be put up for auction in Taormina tomorrow, during the opening night of the Festival. The proceeds will go to the FIO. Psd Foundation on behalf of the "Housing First" project and the #HomelessZero campaign.
alain zimmerman
charity auction
Taormina film festival
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European cities launch ambitious effort to reduce embodied carbon with grant from Laudes Foundation
Effort dramatically increases uptake of bio-based materials, advocating city, national and EU-level policy adoption.
Type: News
Today, the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA) announced an ambitious new effort to reduce embodied carbon and increase the uptake of bio-based materials in Europe's built environment. The launch illustrates the cutting edge of decarbonization efforts across Europe's leading green cities.
This initiative – funded by a 2 million euro grant from the Laudes Foundation – will foster the rapid and widespread adoption of low-carbon building materials and policies across city and national governments in Europe. The project will be implemented in partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Eurocities and Bionova.
As part of its three-year campaign, CNCA's vanguard cities aim to establish this work as a model for other regions around the world. The campaign will support up to 20 cities across Europe -- including CNCA member cities Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Glasgow, Hamburg, Helsinki, London, Oslo, and Stockholm -- that are ready to adopt ambitious embodied carbon and bio-based material policies and advocate for national-level policy adoption. CNCA will also build a coalition of cities, national governments, and industry that will advocate for EU-level policy adoption.
"Buildings and construction contribute 39% of global carbon emissions," noted CNCA Director Johanna Partin. "The new construction projected to accompany global population growth is equal to building one New York City every month for the next 40 years. If this new construction is built with business-as-usual standards, the embodied carbon generated from it will equal more than six years' worth of global fuel combustion emissions. If we want to mitigate further climate breakdown, dramatic embodied carbon reduction and increased use of bio-based materials will be essential in this fight."
Current projects to address embodied carbon and emissions-heavy building materials are focused primarily on materials research/development and methodologies for measuring and reporting on embodied emissions. To make a significant dent in reducing emissions from building materials, however, the adoption of smart policies for regulating them at the local, national and EU levels will be required.
"The greenhouse gas emissions from buildings in Stockholm are very low thanks to the district heating system using mainly renewable energy," said Stockholm Mayor Anna König Jerlmyr. "We now turn to the embodied carbon in building material, and we have for several years developed ways to calculate that. The next step is to set actual requirements for use in our city development projects, which would put pressure on the developers to use more climate-friendly building material. Using wood as building material is one important way forward."
"For climate goals to be met, local, national and European policymakers need to adopt policies that reduce embodied carbon in construction to incentivize the adoption of low-carbon building materials like wood," said Leslie Johnston, CEO, Laudes Foundation. "Laudes Foundation is thrilled to play a critical role in catalyzing this important agenda through its partnership with the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance's coalition of public-sector representatives from key European cities."
"By 2050 Amsterdam is a thriving city where everyone can prosper, while respecting the earth and the boundaries of our planet," said Amsterdam Deputy Mayor Marieke van Doorninck. "By that time, our city will run completely on sustainable energy and we will have reduced our local emissions to zero and will have a fully circular economy. Our current consumption levels are depleting raw materials and causing significant CO2 emissions elsewhere. If we want nature and greenery to recover, we need to rethink the way we produce and consume. That means taking embodied carbon emissions in all types of products into account, ranging from building materials, to electronics, to clothing. To accelerate this, all of Amsterdam's invitations to tender in the built environment will have to be fully circular in 2023, as well as all renovations by 2025. The procurement procedures will be fully circular as well. We aim to achieve this in the first 10% of projects in 2021."
"To set the buildings and construction sector on track to meet the Paris Agreement goals, we need to understand the built environment as a system in which all actors have a role and responsibility to reduce emissions across the full life cycle of built assets," said Roland Hunziker, Director, Sustainable Buildings & Cities at WBCSD. "Each actor, from material manufacturers to construction companies, architects, developers, investors, owners and end-users, can act in concertation with others. Carbon performance needs to become an integral part of the assessment during every transaction all along the value chain and cities are uniquely placed to demand this and integrate carbon performance into procurement and regulations."
"Finding our way to climate neutrality means rethinking all aspects of how we design, make, use, recycle or dispose," said Anna Lisa Boni, Secretary General of Eurocities. "The built environment has a carbon heavy value chain, but many cities throughout Europe are already at the vanguard of making change possible. They are using their public procurement power to drive markets towards new ideas such as zero-emissions construction sites, renovating public buildings to reduce energy bills while improving health, comfort and wellbeing, and pushing for more renewable energy production. Now we need to share these ideas, and connect the dots between different, successful, initiatives to ensure that today's vanguard cities help lead the way for all cities to become healthier, greener places to live in."
"The vast majority of construction, and associated embodied carbon is driven by cities," said Panu Pasanen, CEO of Bionova Ltd, a firm of embodied carbon experts. "Land use and regulatory powers make cities essential shapers of low carbon construction. Bionova is proud to partner with CNCA to speed up this transformation."
For more information, please contact Julia Mitic.
About Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance
The Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance is a collaboration of leading global cities achieving carbon neutrality in the next 10-20 years — the most aggressive GHG reduction targets undertaken anywhere by any city. While it is possible for cities to achieve their interim carbon reduction targets through incremental improvements to existing systems, achieving carbon neutrality requires radical, transformative changes to core city systems. CNCA's mission is to mobilize transformative climate action in cities in order to achieve prosperity, social equity, resilience and better quality of life for all on a thriving planet.
About Laudes Foundation
Laudes Foundation is an independent foundation joining the growing movement to accelerate the transition to a climate-positive and inclusive global economy. Responding to the dual crises of climate breakdown and inequality, Laudes supports brave action that inspires and challenges industry to harness its power for good. Part of the Brenninkmeijer family enterprise, Laudes builds on six generations of entrepreneurship and philanthropy, working collaboratively to both influence finance and capital markets and transform industry with a focus on the built environment and fashion.
Tags: Cities & Mobility | Sustainable Cities | Transforming the Built Environment | Decarbonization
WBCSD news articles and insights may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Privacy Policy. All Content must be featured with due credits.
New reports propose common measures for circularity and cost-effective material decarbonization in the automotive industry
Thomas Deloison & Christoph Wolff | 18 Dec 2020
The circular economy could forever change how cars are made – here's how
Building sector emissions hit record high, but low-carbon pandemic recovery can help transform sector
WBCSD and global leaders call for historic Built Environment Day at COP26
WBCSD Communications | 19 Nov 2020
Daimler Sustainability Dialogue 2020: World and Company in transformation
Roland Hunziker & Bill Sisson | 29 Oct 2020
The construction sector can pave the way for a green economic recovery
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
MAISON DE LA PAIX
Chemin Eugène-Rigot, 2B
CH-1211, Geneva 1
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Video: Reviewing 'Guardians of the Galaxy' — there's a talking tree and raccoon!
VIDEO: James reviews Marvel off-beat space opera "Guardians of the Galaxy," starring a bunch of misfit including a talking tree and raccoon. Sounds great, right? It's better — and funnier — than you think. Read his full review here.
TGK Editor James A. Molnar — also film editor of Toledo Free Press — stops by WTOL-11's "Your Day" in Toledo every Friday morning and talks about the latest movies at the box office. On the Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, segment, he reviews Marvel off-beat space opera "Guardians of the Galaxy," starring a bunch of misfit including a talking tree and raccoon. Sounds great, right? It's better — and funnier — than you think. Read his full review here.
He also chats what else is coming out in theaters, including "A Most Wanted Man" and "Get On Up."
The Gold Knight - Latest Academy Awards news and insight: Video: Reviewing 'Guardians of the Galaxy' — there's a talking tree and raccoon!


City Within the City acknowledges cities and urban areas as a prevalent way of life for a large portion of the world's population today. Approaching cities not as mere statistical entities, this exhibition examines the issues that arise from regarding them as agglomerations of people established over time. As such, they can be experienced as sites of reciprocal action between built environments — historically, geographically and administratively determined — where human subjectivities appear in constant physical, psychological and intellectual reconfiguration.
This first version of City Within the City presented at Artsonje Center, reflects Seoul's urban structure. The dynamic metropolis Seoul has become bears traces from the impact of industrialization, the devastation of the Korean War, reconstruction under postwar and Cold War regimes, and its emergence as a world presence due to economic growth. These complex factors influence the dynamics specific to the commercial and industrialized zones of Seoul. Increasingly contained within these governmentally and politically demarcated areas, what possibilities for creativity, transgression and resistance exist for the human body, imagination and memory?
City Within the City charts the remembered, fictional, expected and resisted cities as they are publicly and privately negotiated by the individual. Questioning the consequences of and presenting alternatives to formal governmental configurations of city development, several works in the exhibition provide resources and open platforms to reconsider urban spaces as increasingly active sites for creative investigation and transgression.
The works featuring in City Within the City adopt parallel and tangential ways to address different points of friction, misalignments, and moments open to re-imagining existing circumstances. Through this process, the exhibition offers itself as a site for widening the possibilities for engagement with the cities within our cities.
City Within the City @ Gertrude Contemporary, Melbourne :: August 17-September 22, 2012 :: 200 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065 Australia.


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» This Changed My Practice » Seeking collateral information when clinical practice guidelines deliver strong recommendations for drug therapies on the basis of a single clinical trial
By Cait O'Sullivan on May 31, 2017
Cait SE O'Sullivan, PharmD (biography, no disclosures)
What I did before
I used to be too easily persuaded about the benefits and harms of a drug therapy on the basis of single randomized controlled trial.
What changed my practice
A 2014 analysis tested the durability of strong recommendations across American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) clinical practice guidelines [1]. Across 11 ACC/AHA guidelines, researchers identified 619 strong recommendations which according to the ACC/AHA indicates that a "procedure/treatment should be performed/administered". In subsequent guideline updates, 80% of these recommendations were retained while 20% were downgraded, reversed or entirely omitted. The accompanying editorial affected me: "these omissions were usually unexplained: the recommendations simply disappeared" [2]. Recommendations were more likely to be downgraded, reversed or omitted if they were supported by opinion, observational data, or a single randomized controlled trial as compared to recommendations supported by multiple trials [1].
During a 2016 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee meeting which considered the addition of a cardiovascular mortality risk reduction claim for the glucose lowering medication empagliflozin, an FDA Director explained [3]: "The scientific basis for requiring two studies is grounded in the fact that chance, biases, biologic variability, generalizability issues for other factors inherent to the single positive trial, could lead to an erroneous conclusion that the drug is effective when in fact it is not" [4].
What I do now
Using an example: The 2016 Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS)'s Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in the Adult includes this recommendation: "We recommend ezetimibe as second-line therapy to lower LDL-C levels in patients with clinical CVD if targets are not reached with maximally tolerated statin therapy (Strong Recommendation; High-Quality Evidence)" [5]. The CCS reports applying the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology [6]. Using this framework, the CCS's ezetimibe recommendation denotes the following:
Strong Recommendation6
For patients: Most individuals in this situation would want the recommended course of action and only a small proportion would not.
For clinicians: Most individuals should receive the recommended course of action.
High Quality Evidence6 We are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect.
As supportive evidence, the CCS guideline references a randomized controlled trial: "Ezetimibe added to statin therapy after acute coronary syndromes" (IMPROVE-IT trial) [7]. The guideline explains: "This is the first time that a nonstatin, when combined with a statin in high-risk patients, resulted in a significant (albeit relatively small) reduction in clinical events (NNT = 70)" [5].
When I identify strong drug therapy recommendations of particular relevance to my practice scope, I seek collateral information and there are two resources I routinely incorporate into my literature search. I start with the Cochrane Library and then check to see whether a FDA advisory committee has weighed in on key issues.
Search the Cochrane Library for a systematic reviewThe Institute of Medicine's 2011 Standards for Developing Trustworthy Clinical Practice Guidelines emphasize: "To be trustworthy, guidelines should be based on a systematic review of the existing evidence" [8]. A search for "ezetimibe" in the Cochrane Library identifies a relevant systematic review: "Ezetimibe for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality events" [9].Link to Cochrane Library: http://www.cochranelibrary.com/.This review is currently at the protocol stage however I can see in the publicly-accessible protocol that the authors have explicitly specified their outcomes of interest [9]. I can expect the review to clearly report the effects of ezetimibe on each of these outcomes as well as the quality of the evidence. This would add clarity to the CCS's statement that the addition of ezetimibe results in a "reduction in clinical events" [5]. The review's main results, conclusions, and plain language summary will be accessible without a subscription whereas access to the full review generally warrants a subscription (e.g., through university or health authority libraries). Access is also available to registrants of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.
Search for a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee meeting For newly approved drugs or new indications, the FDA database can yield a wealth of publicly-accessible information particularly if an advisory committee meeting has been convened as part of the regulatory review [10]. This stands in contrast to Health Canada's drug database [11]. A now-retired FDA medical team leader advised when I asked about locating these meeting materials systematically: "Google it". Indeed, a search "fda meeting materials ezetimibe IMPROVE- IT" quickly identifies that the FDA convened an Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs advisory committee on December 14, 2015. Using these two details: 1. the specific committee; 2. the meeting date, the relevant FDA advisory committee can be selected with links to various meeting materials [12].Link to U.S. Food & Drug Administration Human Drug Advisory Committees: https://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/default.htm.For a quick snapshot of the committee's deliberations, the minutes include a synopsis of the discussions and vote … a short read: approximately 3 pages of content [13].Link to the Minutes: https://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/EndocrinologicandMetabolicDrugsAdvisoryCommittee/UCM484885.pdf.Four discussion questions address the efficacy and safety results, subgroup analyses, and methodological limitations of the IMPROVE-IT trial. They also consider whether evidence from the specific clinical setting of the IMPROVE-IT trial (recent acute coronary syndrome) could be extrapolated to persons with stable coronary heart disease. There was a single voting question: "Do the efficacy and safety data from the IMPROVE-IT trial provide substantial evidence to support approval of a claim that adding ezetimibe to statin therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular events?" [13].
In apparent contrast to the CCS's strong recommendation, the FDA's advisory committee voted in the majority against a cardiovascular risk reduction claim for ezetimibe when added to statin therapy. The committee included patient representatives as well as experts in cardiology, epidemiology, endocrinology, and statistics. Click on the link to the minutes to quickly view an account of the five YES votes and ten NO votes.For readers with time and curiosity, the FDA meeting materials also include: briefing information developed separately by FDA medical reviewers and the drug sponsor, a transcript of the committee meeting (including who voted how and why), and the FDA and the drug sponsor's presentation slides [14-16].
With little practice, Cochrane review summaries and FDA advisory committee minutes can be accessed efficiently. These two resources may not address every new medication or expanded indication, but when they do, they add important texture to my comprehension beyond that provided by clinical practice guidelines. While exploring the hundreds of pages of FDA advisory committee meeting materials in its entirety is impractical for most clinicians, it is reasonable for us to ask our academic and clinical leaders to have invested in this additional work.
Acknowledgements: Linda Brown (MSc), Ruth Campbell (BScPh), Tom Perry (MD), Aaron Tejani (PharmD) for their constructive peer reviews.
"What is Cochrane evidence and how can it help you?" http://www.cochrane.org/what-is-cochrane-evidence
Neuman MD, Goldstein JN, Cirullo MA, Schwartz JS. Durability of class I American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical practice guideline recommendations. JAMA. 2014;311(20):2092-2100. (View) DOI: 10.1001/jama.2014.4949
Shekelle P. Updating practice guidelines. JAMA 2014;311(20):2072-2073. (Request from CPSBC or view with UBC) DOI: 10.1001/jama.2014.4950
2016 Meeting materials, endocrinologic and metabolic drugs advisory committee. USA Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/EndocrinologicandMetabolicDrugsAdvisoryCommittee/ucm491062.htm. Updated May 25, 2017. Accessed May 31, 2017. (View)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Endocrinologic and metabolic drugs advisory committee (EMDAC) meeting [Transcript]. https://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/EndocrinologicandMetabolicDrugsAdvisoryCommittee/UCM522096.pdf. June 28, 2016. Accessed May 31, 2017. (View)
Anderson T, Gregoire J, Pearson G, Barry A, Couture P, Dawes M, et al. 2016 Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in the adult. Can. J. Cardiol. 2016;32(11):1263-1282. (Request from CPSBC or view with UBC) DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2016.07.510
The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group. GRADE Handbook. http://gdt.guidelinedevelopment.org/app/handbook/handbook.html. Updated October 2013. Accessed May 31, 2017. (View)
Cannon C, Blazing M, Guigliano R, et al. Ezetimibe added to statin therapy after acute coronary syndromes. N. Engl. J. Med. 2015;372(25):2387-2397. (View) DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1410489
Clinical Practice Guidelines We Can Trust. Institute of Medicine. http://iom.nationalacademies.org/Reports/2011/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines-We-Can-Trust.aspx. Published March 23, 2011. Accessed May 31, 2017. (View)
Zhan S, Xia P, Tang M, Liu F, Shu M, Wu X. Ezetimibe for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality events (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD012502. (View) DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012502.
Drugs@FDA: FDA Approved Drug Products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf. Accessed May 31, 2017. (View)
Habibi R, Lexchin J. Quality and Quantity of Information in Summary Basis of Decision Documents Issued by Health Canada: e92038. PLoS One. 2014;9. (View) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092038
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Summary Minutes of the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee (EMDAC) Meeting. https://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/EndocrinologicandMetabolicDrugsAdvisoryCommittee/UCM484885.pdf. December 14, 2015. Accessed May 31, 2017. (View)
Briefing information for the December 14, 2015 meeting of the endocrinologic and metabolic drugs advisory committee (EMDAC). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/EndocrinologicandMetabolicDrugsAdvisoryCommittee/ucm476504.htm. December 14, 2015. Accessed May 31, 2017. (View)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Endocrinologic and metabolic drugs advisory committee (EMDAC) meeting [Transcript]. https://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/EndocrinologicandMetabolicDrugsAdvisoryCommittee/UCM484886.pdf. December 14, 2015. Accessed May 31, 2017. (View)
Slides for the December 14, 2015 meeting of the endocrinologic and metabolic drugs advisory committee (EMDAC) USA Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/EndocrinologicandMetabolicDrugsAdvisoryCommittee/ucm478548.htm. Updated December 21, 2015. Accessed May 31, 2017. (View)
5 responses to "Seeking collateral information when clinical practice guidelines deliver strong recommendations for drug therapies on the basis of a single clinical trial"
Karen MacDonell May 31, 2017 at 2:25 pm Permalink
For BC physicians, a free source for Cochrane Library content including full text systemic reviews is the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC library's subscription to Evidence Based Medicine Reviews. Go to the bottom of the library's Database webpage: https://www.cpsbc.ca/library/search-materials/databases
Brett Broster May 31, 2017 at 9:49 pm Permalink
I think Cochrane is a great second source, but personally I would be less trusting of the FDA. Sad as it is to say, so many bodies in the US these days are heavily influenced by lobbying and I am skeptical that the FDA would be immune to this. Having said that, the principle of checking a couple other reliable sources is still a good one to follow.
Derrick D Moore June 2, 2017 at 2:39 am Permalink
I second Brett.
Cochrane yes! But the FDA? They unleash these drugs with little data in the first place, then make it hard to find their revisions in the unlikely case they happen (absent deaths), as the article alludes to. "Google it"?
Check out: http://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j1680
"Postapproval studies of drugs initially approved by the FDA on the basis of limited evidence: systematic review"
Results: Between 2005 and 2012 the FDA approved 117 novel drugs for 123 indications on the basis of a single pivotal trial, pivotal trials that used surrogate markers of disease, or both (single surrogate trials).
Conclusions: The quantity and quality of postapproval clinical evidence varied substantially for novel drugs first approved by the FDA on the basis of limited evidence, with few controlled studies published after approval that confirmed efficacy using clinical outcomes for the original FDA approved indication.
Duncan Etches June 2, 2017 at 10:28 am Permalink
Excellent advice. The limitation is doing this at point of care.
Cait O'Sullivan (PharmD) June 6, 2017 at 1:19 pm Permalink
Thank you, Brett Broster and Derrick Moore, for submitting comments regarding the quality and quantity of evidence used to support drug approval. In my view, that is why there is value in exploring U.S. FDA regulatory materials which provide access to the evidence considered at the time of approval of a new drug therapy or new drug-therapy indication.
Using another recent example:
In February 2016, the Canadian Diabetes Association (recently rebranded Diabetes Canada) Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee delivered this recommendation: "In people with clinical cardiovascular disease in whom glycemic targets are not met, an SGLT2 inhibitor with demonstrated cardiovascular benefit should be added to antihyperglycemic therapy to reduce the risk for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (Grade A, Level 1A for empagliflozin)" [1]. The guideline's reference is a single randomized controlled trial (EMPA-REG OUTCOME) published in the New England Journal of Medicine [2]. It was June 2016 when the FDA convened an advisory committee to review this claim and meeting materials became publically accessible then [3]. These materials include: a 152 page FDA medical review and 135 presentation slides; a 138 page drug sponsor review and 134 presentation slides; a 375 page meeting transcript. For clinicians, the short 8 page minutes can provide a starting point when considering exploring the materials further. The minutes include the vote on this question "Based on data in the briefing materials and presentations at today's meeting, do you believe the EMPA-REG OUTCOME study results provide substantial evidence to establish that empagliflozin reduces cardiovascular mortality in the population studied?" YES votes = 12; NO votes = 11. This communicates to me that the evidence is not as straightforward as represented in the guideline.
FDA materials generally provide more detail than the published version of a clinical trial but, unfortunately, systematic reviewers may not review these documents [3]. This deficiency recently became clearer when a cross-sectional analysis reported that research misconduct identified by the FDA rarely makes its way into the peer-reviewed literature [4]. This further informs changes in my practice which includes seeking diverse viewpoints and sources of information before reaching strong conclusions. I have described two diverse resources that I include in my search and I agree completely with Duncan Etches that delving this deeply is not possible at the point of care. Given this, a quick check of the reference list when reading (or when being detailed on) guidelines that make strong drug-therapy recommendations is a starting point …to see if they have.
1.	Diabetes Canada. Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee. Pharmacologic Management of Type 2 Diabetes: February 2016 Interim Update. [Internet]. http://guidelines.diabetes.ca/browse/chapter13_feb-2016
2.	Zinman B et al. Empaglifozin, cardiovascular outcomes, and mortality in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med 2015;373:2117-28.
3.	U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee. June 28, 2016 Meeting of the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee. [Internet].https://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/Drugs/EndocrinologicandMetabolicDrugsAdvisoryCommittee/ucm491062.htm
4.	Turner E. How to access and process FDA drug approval packages for use in research. BMJ 2013;347:f5992. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24126858


When Kyoto resident Clifford Brown was in Kagoshima on vacation this spring, he noticed something familiar in the swirl of volcanic ash in the sky. He noticed Yoshi.
On his Flickr page, Brown recently uploaded the photo and titled it, "Yoshi Volcano", adding that it depicts a "Yoshi shaped eruption from Sakurajima".
Sakurajima or "Sakura Island" is an active volcano that was previously an island, but became conjoined with the Kagoshima mainland after an eruption in 1914. Today, the volcano is continuously active, and the area surrounding the volcano is populated with hot springs.
"I lived in Kyoto and went for a holiday to Kagoshima with the girlfriend and we went over to Sakurajima and got covered in a horrendous amount of ash," Brown wrote on his Flickr page. "Beautiful place and the natural hot spring footbaths were amazing!"
Last year, Yoshi was spotted on a drink carton. In the cannot-be-unseen category, that character sure gets around.
You Cannot Unsee Yoshi. I Promise.
Have a look at the full image in the link below.