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The Selected Stories of Patricia Highsmith: The Black House
by Patricia Highsmith
Finally, a break from the constant murderin'. Oh sure, people still die, but The Black House features fewer sudden blows to the head. Most of the time, the characters act with good intentions, only to have their situation spin out of control. After the unpleasantness of Slowly, Slowly in the Wind, I welcomed the change. Reserving judgement for the as-yet unread Mermaids on the Golf Course, this is so far my favorite of the short story collections.
Genuine suspense fills the plots, like in "When in Rome," where a woman decides to payback her inattentive husband by having him kidnaped by an admirer. "The Kite" talks about a boy who deals with his sister's death by making a gigantic kite in her honor, and what happens when he runs into interference. In "I Despise Your Life" (possibly a winner for interest-piquing titles), a young man tries to impress his father with his new bohemian lifestyle.
The title story, in a way, is an old-fashioned haunted house tale, even if the haunting has nothing to do with ghosts:
"There is something funny about the house," Ed Sanders said dreamily, perched on a bar stool. "It looks haunted — you know? The way that roof and the chimney tilts at the top, as if it's about to fall down on somebody." Ed saw his wife approaching, and was sorry. He was having a good time taking about the black house. It was like being in another world, like being a boy again, twelve years old perhaps, and not a thirty-nine-year-old man with a growing paunch, knowing all about life, and more than enough.
— "The Black House
Very nearly was that my favorite out of the eleven stories, but "Blow It" edged out in the lead. In that, a man tries to make the decision between two women he's been dating, each perfect in their own way, when suddenly he has an offer to buy an equally perfect house just outside of New York City. Sounds simple enough, but the way Highsmith let his inner monologue unfold was just as suspenseful as "The Black House." And perhaps since this story was a little closer to my literary neck of the woods — love and self-sabotage — I grew more attached.
If I had to pick a weak point in the book, I'd give it to "The Terrors of Basket-Weaving," though perhaps it wins for most amusing title. Still, it's blessedly short, and soon you're on to the much better "Under a Dark Angel's Eye." Unlike the previous collections I've reviewed, The Black House is likely the one that's most appealing to a wider audience — entirely compelling and complex, in an easy bite-size form.
Book # 10/52
Read as part of a 700+ page collection of stories, but this book was published on its own in 1981.
Photo by Tyson Habein
This review is part of Pajiba's Cannonball Read challenge, in which participants attempt to read and review 52 books over the course of one year. The challenge ends October 31, 2010.
Posted by Sara Habein at 3:41 PM 0 comments
Labels: Book Review, Cannonball Read, Patricia Highsmith, short stories
The Selected Stories of Patricia Highsmith: Slowly, Slowly in the Wind
Slowly, Slowly in the Wind
Here we watch the unpleasant passage of time, the mounting madness of people who perhaps did not have much sense to begin with. I wish I could tell you that these people were relatable, or even just somewhat sympathetic, but most of them aren't. With the exception of about three or four out of the twelve stories, no one is likeable or all that compelling. Still, I plodded on, curious about the next title, wondering where it would rate against the others. For the first time in this collected volume, I started to find myself skimming.
Within this book, Patricia Highsmith's prejudices become more apparent. She takes a disparaging attitude towards other races, dogs and to some degree, children. At first I wanted to take it as just another form of satire, but after getting farther into those stories, I didn't feel any sense of humor behind the writing. She's once again pointing out the various horrible ways people can act towards one another, but rarely did I feel that the reader was invited to find them silly.
All of the characters act out of apprehension, and they are often unable to cope with change. When a man's daughter runs off with a disliked neighbor's son, he kills the neighbor and makes him a scarecrow. After a man is mugged for the third time in his Brooklyn neighborhood, he stabs the black teenager the next day, thinking that it's payback for other crimes committed by "welfare people." Another man hates that no one notices his petty thievery at the local wax museum, so it escalates to murder of three of their employees, followed by an "artful" arrangement of their bodies on a set piece. The psychopathic characters aren't even interesting ones.
Still, there are a couple of bright spots. The more effective stories come when Highsmith either uses a non-human entity as the source for fear, such as in "The Pond," where vines take on a life of their own. In "Please Don't Shoot the Trees," set in a non-specified future where everyone has a personal helicopter, the area trees have started forming mysterious white blisters that shoot toxic substances, seemingly on purpose. My first thought was that maybe The Happening would have had better reviews if it had taken that approach — Nature that Nukes YOU! Well, it's a thought, anyway.
Probably the best story out of the twelve is "A Curious Suicide," in which a doctor decides to take revenge on the man who stole away the woman he loved. Yes, it's murder again, but maybe it just reminded me of the Ripley novels, since it's set in France and Switzerland, and it involves plotting around housekeeping and job schedules. For once, the person committing the crime couldn't mount a decent insanity defense.
Overall, I would not recommend this book on its own. Shoved in among four others, I suppose it was an okay way to make some progress in the back catalogue, but like the title suggests, time slowed to an unfortunate pace.
Book # 9/52
The Selected Stories of Patricia Highsmith: Little Tales of Misogyny
Little Tales of Misogyny
Now there's an attention-grabbing title. Patricia Highsmith presents seventeen different stories that circle around the label satire, but never quite claim it. Whatever her intent, she likely manages to irritate the super-feminists, happy-ending enthusiasts, and sticklers for traditional story arc.
A young man asked a father for his daughter's hand, and received it in a box — her left hand.
— "The Hand"
I can't claim any of those labels either. As in, don't treat me like I'm incapable because I'm a girl, but I will go ahead and let you change that tire if you're offering. As in, endings suit the style of the story not the will of the reader, or the most frustrating of critique groups. Those who write have heard it before: "It's just I, like, just don't get it? Like, I don't know people like this."
There's a fine line between riling others with smugness and just being a good-natured pain in the ass. It's the difference between, say, Dr. House at his best and at his worst. I decided to take Highsmith's stories more as a poke at convention rather than any serious superiority. Whether that's true or not, I don't know, but one can't control the reactions of their readers, nor should they really try. Most of the time, I found myself laughing a bit at the some of the ridiculous, abrupt endings to the stories.
The morning of her departure on the world tour, Diana stood on the sill of her attic window, raised her arms to the rising sun, and stepped out, convinced that she could fly or at least float. She fell onto a round, white-painted iron table and the red bricks of the patio. Thus poor Diana met her earthly end.
— "The Evangelist"
Highsmith takes her spare writing style to an extreme here, presenting every character in a very matter of fact way. Even the descriptions are more like an inventory list. Here are the people, here is the situation, these are their things. In a way, that's what makes the semi-satire work. Even though she became more cynical as she got older, I don't buy the argument that she wrote these stories to be hateful towards women specifically, but rather that they're her usual display of the awful ways people can behave. She doesn't endorse it, but she's not criticizing either. It is what it is. Your discomfort is your problem.
Much like The Animal-Lover's Book of Beastly Murder, it's not a collection of stories for every reader, but it's an interesting jaunt into unusual territory. I wouldn't have wanted the book to go on much longer than it did, but in my journey through Highsmith's work outside of her Ripley series, it was a title I could not resist.
Read as part of a 700+ page collection of stories, though this book was published on its own in 1974.
The Selected Short Stories of Patricia Highsmith: The Animal-Lover's Book of Beastly Murder
The Animal-Lover's Book of Beastly Murder
Angry hamsters! A carnivorous ferret! Vengeful chickens! Come one, come all, come find yourself strangely amused by all the different reasons why an animal might be driven to kill. Or perhaps they did not intend to kill the person involved, but now that it's done, what's the harm? Yes, this book just may be the anti-Marley & Me.
Patricia Highsmith's not known for her great love of the human race, so it makes sense that she'd spend an entire short story collection thinking of ways animals could vanquish with these pesky people who just get in the way. I mean, really, how is cat supposed to react when her owner's sleazy boyfriend tries to toss her off the side of the yacht? Or what about the pig who just wants to eat some of the damn truffles it is sent out to find? Come on, cut a mammal a break, man.
While reading, I felt compelled to note aloud what particular species was currently doing all the murderin'. "Hey, honey," I'd say to my husband as he tried to fall asleep. "I just finished a story called 'Eddie and the Monkey Robberies.'"
"Mmmurph," he'd say, and roll over. Fine, guess you don't need to hear about the irritable camel either.
Oddly enough, the story "Notes from a Respectable Cockroach" doesn't contain any murder, unless you count the squishing of other cockroaches. Using the dive Hotel Earle as inspiration (if you can call it that), a cockroach simply tells his tale and takes a sudden opportunity to improve his living situation. You'd think that a story about a cockroach wouldn't be interesting, and yet, it is.
The people who die tend to be cruel, having wronged the animal or another person in some way. They are all varying degrees of horrible, and the animals often come across as indifferent. You don't exactly root for them, just go along for the ride. Not every story is written from an animal's point of view, though when written from a human's point of view, the character is often only a few steps removed from the perceived villain.
Like a lot of Highsmith's work, this book isn't for everybody. Saying that I enjoyed reading it does not seem like quite the right word, but it provided good examples of the atypical short story done well. Though I read them as part of a 700+ page collection from 2001, the book was originally published on its own in 1975.
Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking
by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Small book, big ideas and questions to ponder: What drives us to do what we love? What gives us the confidence to keep going and what keeps us from starting at all? First printed in 1993, one might expect some of the concepts raised in this book to be slightly out of date, but in the two and a half hours it took me to finish it, I never once felt like I was reading a sixteen-year-old observation, nor did I feel any of it crossed the line into preachy self-help nonsense.
"Artmaking grants access to worlds that may be dangerous, sacred, forbidden, or all of the above. It grants access to worlds you may otherwise never fully engage. It may in fact be the engagement — not the art — that you seek."
Where a person is in their artistic life will determine what they get out of this book, I think. Writers, painters, sculptors, musicians, photographers — it's not really aimed at one particular field. Originally, my photographer husband purchased it and found it to be a useful reminder that "tolerance for uncertainty is the prerequisite for succeeding."
In other words, do what you do, see what happens. Some artists will succeed before you (that 9-year-old prodigy), some will never be appreciated until they are long gone (F. Scott Fitzgerald), but the personal satisfaction one derives from their art should not be wrapped up in the fear of approval.
"The real question about acceptance is not whether your work will be viewed as art, but whether it will be viewed as your art."
It's hard not think of people like Bob Dylan or Lady Gaga while reading, or really anyone else who doesn't fit an expected mold. They're the sort who seem to come from their own planet, their own universe, and maybe initially, it's hard to see what the big deal is. It might be hard to see the art in the performance. The thing is, whether you "get it" or not is not going to change them. You like it or you don't, but they'll just keep on being who they are. It does take a fearlessness to be able to do that. Certainly not everyone can all of the time. If all art is autobiographical, it takes bravery to expose yourself to the potential criticism of others.
Reading this made me think more of music than books, despite wanting to be in the business of writing them. For me, they are so intertwined with one another. Maybe I'm constantly trying to put the feelings I get from music into a language I speak — the story behind the music, the process of creating something out of the echos in your mind. Even if I'm not writing about musicians, the characters are all passionate about something that isn't going to pay the bills. Or perhaps they once felt that way, and now they wonder how to find that spark again. Either way, I like writing about the process — how the inside affects the outside.
Years ago, when I was in middle and high school, I used to be much more fearless about my work. Hell, I'd hand a friend a very first-draft section of a story, written during history class. (History class was a very productive time for me.) "Read what I did today," I'd say, not at all nervous by the reception. I wrote short stories, poems, made strange birthday and Christmas cards, all without revision. "Oh, just excuse the typos," I said, presenting someone with a binder full of papers. It wasn't that I'd convinced myself I was some genius. I certainly felt capable, above-average, but it was more that I trusted my friends to get what I meant, despite the imperfections. And the thing was, they did. They enjoyed what I wrote, asked when I'd have more for them to read, and I used up a lot of printer ink.
The confidence began to erode, I think, once I got out of practice. I didn't write as often, had a handful of personal issues going on, and I found myself dropping out of college feeling like I was nowhere near the right headspace to write much of anything. I started and stopped a few projects, but it took a long time, a bit more than four years, before anything started to stick again.
Though I'm not the type to make serious New Year's Resolutions, last year, I bothered. "I'm going to be more brave," I said. What that meant, I didn't know. I didn't want to be too specific, thinking that leaving it open-ended would leave the greatest chance for success. And I think I have succeeded. My husband and I started an online monthly arts magazine, where I have a music column talking about whatever I want. I finished a third draft of a novel, let some people read it, then wrote a fourth and final (for now) draft, and let people read that one. I took on this Cannonball Read challenge, I wrote another 50,000 words for National Novel Writing Month. I decided to be more present. By staying in practice, by doing exactly what I want to do, not only have I enjoyed the positive response, but I'm just happy to have my brain working again. I can do this, you know?
"We tell the stories we have to tell, stories of the things that draw us in — and why should any of us have more than a handful of those? The only work really worth doing — the only work you can do convincingly — is the work that focuses on the things you care about. To not focus on those issues is to deny the constants in your life."
And that's it, really. I don't need to have a million and one ideas if I just write from a place of honesty. If I feel strongly about something, it will come through. People who would never go fly-fishing still liked A River Runs Through It. Americans who don't know a damn thing about soccer enjoyed Fever Pitch. The best kinds of books, the best songs — the best anything, really — takes the personal and makes it feel universal. We recognize that these stories aren't about the techniques, the actions, but the emotions behind them.
We're all proud, we're all apprehensive. We suffer from fits of loneliness, and we're all in love with something. One mistake informs the next success. If this book accomplishes anything, it's a great reminder that being true to yourself doesn't have to be a cliche. Whatever our definition of success is, we make the decisions.
This review also appeared on RiVerSpeAK on Decemeber 22, 2009
Labels: Book Review, Cannonball Read, David Bayles and Ted Orland
Citizen Vince by Jess Walter
Citizen Vince
by Jess Walter
"The people are funny... they live in this perfect place, but it's all they know, so they all assume it's gotta be better somewhere else."
Even if I did not live near the same city as Jess Walter, even if I'd never heard of this book, the two pages of blurbs alone would have compelled me to pick it up. Two of my favorite writers, Nick Hornby and Sarah Vowell, sing its praises, but perhaps the Washington Post Book World sums up the novel best: "You just have to read it."
After you read this review, get thee to your preferred bookseller and drop the fifteen bucks. I mean it. Then buy one for a friend. You know you were stuck on a present for them anyway. Why not make it a fantastic story full of humor, heartbreak, and redemption?
Shuffled off to Spokane, Washington, as part of the Witness Protection Program, Vince Camden spends his mornings working at a donut shop and his nights selling stolen credit cards to his poker buddies. It's 1980 — just days before the presidential election, and Vince can't quite shake the not-so-paranoid feeling that someone from his old life is after him.
Even from the perspective of an outsider, Walter writes with great affection for his home city, but does not shy away from pointing out Spokane's quirks. As someone who lives in the area, the ways in which the city still has not changed made me laugh:
"In this town, five guys drive to a tavern in five cars, have a beer, then get in their five cars and drive three blocks to the next tavern. It's not just wasteful. It's uncivilized."
And while we may not still have a zoo (unless you count the Cat Tales sanctuary north of town), I couldn't agree more with the line, "Our lousy zoo is emblematic of a city and a region afraid to succeed." Swap out the zoo with any of the following — bus system, light rail, North-South freeway, year-round farmer's market — and that about describes the glacial pace Spokane has at times when it comes to public improvement. Yes, the past five years have had leaps forward in food, culture and the occasional bike lane painted, but the hesitancy lingers.
Still, this is not a novel about Spokane's progress, and the political portions are merely a subplot. At its core, Citizen Vince is a story about a man trying to find his place in a new life, wondering what remains of himself after all that has changed. Walter's writing is some of the best out there, filled with the sort of passages that make me feel like a hack, but also wanting to get to work.
"Jesus, it'd be nice if there were someplace to dump all those things that you've felt and seen, like taking the film out of a camera. That's why people write books and stories, no doubt, to leave some impression behind, to share a sense of the beauty and pain."
I'm not the type to well up over the books I read, but damn — That's it. We write to leave our fingerprints on the world and to pay tribute to all that came before. Like Vince, we're searching for answers, community, and maybe, a dash of immortality.
See also my review of the recent Jess Walter/Sherman Alexie reading at Auntie's Bookstore, over at SPOKE(a)N(e) Magazine.
Labels: Book Review, Cannonball Read, Jess Walter
Excerpt from the currently untitled NaNo '09
Lee had the night off, and along with Roshaunda, we were going out. A band called Werebears had a gig inside an abandoned storefront, and they'd rented the space out for the night. A friend's birthday party or something. Roshaunda probably knew, and we'd heard that one of the breweries and the Dry Fly guys were manning the bar. Though I did not know the band's music outside of the blurbs I'd read, I needed a good time. The cold weather had gnawed at my edges with more persistence than usual, and I didn't need another person telling me to find a sense of humor. I needed to soak in all the good feelings I could get before I had spend Christmas in Malibu.
When I stepped onto my front porch, Lee and Roshaunda had just parked the truck in the space across the street. They didn't live together, but lived in the same building and seem to alternate who spent the night at the other's place. Friends learned long ago not to question the logic or financial smartness behind their setup. I just figured Lee preferred having an escape route, even if it was one only an apartment floor away. And anyway, it wasn't my business.
After hellos and the obligatory admiring of Roshaunda's rather mod red and white dress, we drove back into downtown so as not to make her walk far. "Don't you look dashing this evening," she said and put one manicured nail to my shirt. She'd dusted some gold flecked powder over her dark cheekbones. "All Mr. Rock n Roll and dangerous with your long black hair."
My hair barely hits my collar. "Dashing, that's me."
"Baby, you make him uneasy when you say stuff like that," Lee said. "Compliments give him, like, hives."
"Shut up, Lee." I laughed. "Thank you, Roshaunda. Tell your friends."
At ten minutes to nine, we arrived to a full venue. Somewhat predictably, the show didn't appear to be anywhere close to starting, but a DJ had the crowd enjoying the wait, playing a mashup of "Electric Avenue" and "A Town Called Malice." The bass rattled the windows up front and Lee paused outside the door for a cigarette.
Roshaunda made a face. "Ugh, baby, I told you to get your fix before we left so you could brush your teeth. I don't want to smell that breath all night."
Lee shrugged. "Sorry. Go on and get a drink."
"Shit, I'm going to have to be drunk, aren't I?" She looked at me. "You keepin' him company?"
I nodded, and she gave us an exasperated sigh before going inside. Lee apologized to me again. "You shouldn't be breathing this stuff in, Dom. Go get a drink too."
"Don't worry about it," I said.
"Nah, if you end up with a third round that's lung cancer, I don't want you knocking down my door."
"If I end up with a third round, Lee, they're going to have to put me out of my misery."
"Don't say shit like that."
"Sorry. I'm trying to be more upbeat tonight, but it's not happening yet." I looked around at the other smokers, all exiled to the outdoors. Some smoked with gloves on, others removed just the one, while others had the red, dry hands of those who never bothered with gloves at all. A group of people waited to cross the street just behind them, and one man with dark hair wore a familiar grey wool coat. An old flutter rose from the back of my brain and I swallowed.
"Coupla vodka sodas and we'll have you sorted right out," Lee said through an exhale.
"Right," I watched the man approach and squinted his face into focus. My glasses need replacing.
"I know she hates it, and I'm trying to quit, but if I don't have this now, I'm just going to be thinking about it all night and I don't want to get all moody and shit."
"You don't have to justify it to me," I said. The man walked closer and loosened his scarf with one long finger. I lost track of what Lee said next and wondered what my hair looked like. Before I talked myself out of it, I called out, "Michael, hey."
His eyes shifted our direction, also squinting before brightening with recognition — Thank God. "Dominic! Wow, it's been forever," he said and held out an arm. We shared an awkward hug and he smelled fantastic. "How are you?"
My heart just fell out of my chest and landed on the sidewalk here, Michael, but I'm great. Really. "Oh, I'm good, good. Just, uh, you know, been writing and stuff. Trying to keep warm."
He smiled. "Well, you won't do it out here."
"Ah, you may have a point there," I said. Lee cleared his throat. "Oh, this is my friend Lee. His girlfriend knows whoever's birthday it is."
I know, I know, way to make sure to mention the girlfriend.
Lee held out his hand and they shook. "I'm his friendly neighborhood bartender," he said.
"Michael and I went to college together," I said. "We were in the dorms the first two years."
Lee's eyebrows raised my direction for a moment before he nodded at Michael. "Ah. The old bunk mate. That's cool."
Ten years since I'd last seen him, and he still looked great. Older, of course, though better off than me. He had the kind of blue eyes that made people forget what they were saying mid-sentence, and it took the first few months of school to keep my thoughts in order. Now, skills rusty, I had to put in much more effort. "Dominic was the tidy one," he said to Lee.
"I believe it," Lee said. He pressed out his cigarette against the brick wall. "I'll let you two catch up. Roshaunda's going to be pissed if I don't get inside soon."
Lee can tell when I'm all stupid with desire. "What are you doing in town?" I said.
"My grandmother died about a month ago, so I'm helping my sister sort out her house and stuff."
"I'm so sorry. Were you close?"
He frowned. "Oh, I don't know. She still recognized me at the end, so I must have made an impression."
"Still, that's rough." I pressed my hands into my jacket pockets.
"Harder on my sister, really. She was taking care of her. I just want to help her out, and she's got two kids now, so."
I tried to remember his sister's name, but couldn't. Something with an S? I'd only met her once when she came down to Pullman with some friends for a basketball game. "How long are you staying?"
"Through Christmas, I guess. See how long it takes. The woman accumulated a lot of junk over ninety-two years, and we've got an auction place in the Valley handling the art and some other stuff in storage." He sighed and smiled again. "I'm sorry, here we are out on a Saturday night and I'm Debbie Downer."
That made me laugh. "Well hell, you're in good company. Not two seconds before you walked up, Lee was giving me a hard time." I glanced through the window, where I could see the two of them sitting near the end of the makeshift bar. Roshaunda was drinking a martini. "Are you still living in... San Francisco, was it?"
He nodded. "I am."
"Must be, uh, warm?"
"It seemed like a good idea at the time," he said. "Veronica and I busted up about a year after, but I had a job and, you know..."
"May as well make something of it."
"That's right." He stared at me, and his arm started to extend again before he drew it back and cleared his throat. "You look good, by the way. I heard about you getting sick again, but I never found out if you'd recovered. So... it's good to see you."
Hearing that pleased me to an embarrassing degree. "Got my hair back, can't complain."
"Still. I should have called or something."
"You're all right. I was looked after. You had your own shit going on." The weird thing about having some sort of personal misfortune is how often you end up consoling the people you tell, rather than other way around.
"Well, thanks. I did, I guess." He tilted his head towards the door. "Should we stop freezing out here and go get a drink?"
One of those brave/masochistic moments. I poked at this a little before putting it up, and may continue to do so. NaNoWriMo novels: A giant hunk of marble that isn't anywhere close to art. Or even nice countertops.
Labels: Fiction
The Selected Stories of Patricia Highsmith: The Bl...
The Selected Stories of Patricia Highsmith: Slowly...
The Selected Stories of Patricia Highsmith: Little...
The Selected Short Stories of Patricia Highsmith: ...


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Hype House: How old is Nikita Dragun and who is she dating?
Hype House has officially kicked off on Netflix, giving viewers a glimpse into the lives of some of the world's most famous TikTok stars.
Stars including Nikita Dragun, Chase Hudson, Thomas Petrou, Alex Warren, and Kovur Annon are among the stars letting viewers into their lives in the new reality show.
Consisting of 10 episodes, the series follows the group of friends, who have millions of TikTok followers between them.
One stand-out star has been Nikita Dragun.
Boasting a following of more than 14million on TikTok, nine million on Instagram, and three million on YouTube, it's safe to say people are a little fascinated by her and her life.
How old is Nikita Dragun?
Hype House is on Netflix now (Picture: Hype House/Instagram)
Nikita is 25, with the first video on her YouTube channel being from 2014, when she was 18.
She's known for her for her beauty videos, and has also spoken openly about her transition as a transgender woman, after coming out in her teens.
Who is Nikita Dragun dating?
Nikita is currently thought to be single, but has had some public romances.
She's previously enjoyed a fling with Too Hot To Handle star Harry Jowsey, and has been linked to TikTok star Chase Stobbe.
She was also forced to deny that she was dating TikTok star Alejandro Rosario, telling a follower: 'You don't need to create a false narrative just to get likes on your comment. We are just friends.'
Hype House is out on Netflix now.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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MainAll NewsInside Israel'We cannot play into the hands of Hamas'
'We cannot play into the hands of Hamas'
Hamas says Israel is negotiating for release of soldiers, Goldin family says no official news, pushes gov't to turn the tables on Hamas.
Uzi Baruch, 08/07/17 21:22
Hadar Goldin with his family
Courtesy of the Goldin family
The family of fallen IDF soldier Hadar Goldin spoke on Saturday night about the reports that Israel is negotiating a prisoner swap with Hamas.
Hadar and his fellow soldier Oron Shaul fell in 2014's Operation Protective Edge. Their bodies are still being held by Hamas.
"For the past three years, we have experienced much suffering and disappointment with regards to our requests that Hamas return Hadar to Israel and to our family," they said. "As a family, we have not received any official notifications regarding negotiations with Hamas, and we continue to pray for Hadar's return."
"We continue to do our best to convince the Israeli government to change the equation. We want the government to turn holding Israeli soldiers and civilians from a treasure to a burden for Hamas. As a family, we receive our information only from official Israeli sources.
"We cannot play into Hamas' hands and into its system of misinformation."
Earlier on Saturday, Hamas sources said the terror organization was very close to an "information deal" with Israel, in which Israel would free convicted terrorists from prison - including some of those recaptured after they were released in the "Shalit deal."
Hamas also said that other than the Shalit deal terrorists, any deal would include releasing female and child terrorists, as well as imprisoned Hamas officials. In return, Hamas would give Israel information on the two Israeli soldiers in its hands.
According to Hamas, such a deal would accelerate a deal in which Goldin and Oron would be released.
The Hamas officials also said that during the second stage of the deal, Hamas would insist Israel free Fatah official Marwan Barghouti and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Secretary-General Ahmed Saadat.
Tags:Hamas, Marwan Barghouti, Shalit deal, Ahmed Saadat, Op. Protective Edge, Hadar Goldin, Oron Shaul, Shalit Deal terrorists


"Any cheese ball recipe can be turned into the shape of a turkey for a festive appetizer for your Thanksgiving dinner. All you need is some creativity!"
Mix cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, and dressing mix together in a large bowl. Form into a large ball. Roll in chopped pecans to coat surface. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
Arrange a row of whole-wheat crackers in the back of the cheese ball for the turkey tail feathers. Stick pecans evenly into the cheese ball for the body.
Cut out 2 strips of red bell pepper for the head and neck. Cut out 2 "eyes" from the black olive using a small pastry tip. Place 2 small dollops of cream cheese on one of the 2 bell pepper strips for the turkey head and stick the black olive circles into it as pupils. Cut a small triangular slice out of the yellow zucchini for the turkey beak and stick to the red pepper with cream cheese. Stick the undecorated red bell pepper strip on the front of the cheese ball. Stick the red bell pepper stick with the face into the top of the cheese ball for the head.
You can make this recipe ahead of time. Assemble the turkey with the pecan "feathers" and store in the refrigerator, loosely wrapped in plastic. Add cracker tail feathers and the turkey head and neck just before serving.
This was really fun, and I am not even remotely good at crafty things.
I have made this... I am a fan of cheese balls and this was fun to make.. took a bit but fun.. As for flavor it was good not as good a a crab cheese ball. My company very much enjoyed it..
Love the recipe but added dried cranberries and apricot with honey and did not use the ranch mix.
Very flavorful and easy to make!


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BIDEN'S ODE TO NANTUCKET
N Top Ten
DREAMLAND STORYTELLING 2020
WINTER WHIMSY
KILLER INSTINCTS
Foggy Sheet
OFF THE BEATEN PATH: KENYA
OFF THE BEATEN PATH: FIJI
OFF THE BEATEN PATH: NEW ZEALAND
MELANIE GOWEN: CENTERLOFT
MELANIE GOWEN: TIME & TIDE COTTAGE
LEE REAL ESTATE: 42 EASTON STREET
People July 31, 2020 July 31, 2020
by Nantucket Magazine
Photography By: Cheryl Richards
A quick chat with event planner extraordinaire AJ Williams.
N MAGAZINE: How did Nantucket first enter your life?
WILLIAMS: I've been coming here since I was sixteen. Our family fell in love with the beauty and the preservation of the island. Our first stay was at the Jared Coffin House. We rode bikes and went to the beach. Nantucket was the first place I heard the word "awesome." Now we are building a home here.
N MAGAZINE: What's one thing most people don't know about you?
WILLIAMS: Here are three: I was a semifinalist on Master Chef, I was a runner-up at both Miss Mass Teen USA and Miss USA, and I was born on the island of Jamaica.
N MAGAZINE: What are the three most critical elements of throwing a successful event?
WILLIAMS: Creating energy, an experience at every stage of the event, and being flexible.
N MAGAZINE: You've worked with some bold names over the years. Who was most memorable?
WILLIAMS: I loved working with Anthony Anderson, Queen Latifah, Common, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Michael McDonald and Don Felder of the Eagles—but I was most honored to work with President Bill Clinton. We worked very hard to secure his appearance and with only a month's notice. We share the same birthday and I knew he loved the cannoli from Mike's Pastry. To keep him at the event longer, I bought him a dozen. He stayed thirty minutes longer as a result.
N MAGAZINE: How do you think events will be different in the wake of the coronavirus?
WILLIAMS: Events will be different for a while. Charity events are already coming back and weddings will come back fast when restrictions are lifted. We have implemented strategies and safety measures to encourage behaviors that reduce the spread of diseases among staff and attendees. Some practices we will keep moving forward to protect everyone.
N MAGAZINE: Are there specific changes you foresee?
WILLIAMS: We are glamorizing the new reality with curated food stations/bars with decorated barriers instead of buffets, and branded Plexiglass walls in front of registration. Packaged food items and cocktails with lids will be integrated for a while, but we see that as an opportunity to make it fun—brand- ed masks with fun or mission-focused messaging and adding items like maracas or small percussions to engage audiences that are distanced. The key here is flexibility, unity and making it fun!
N MAGAZINE: How have you evolved your business amid social distancing requirements?
WILLIAMS: We are providing more intimate and well-curated events for our social and nonprofit clients to best engage audiences. Our live and online (hybrid) events planned for fall/winter are popular because the virtual experience is interactive and a true two-way experience. Guests receive a fun, branded "Party in a Box" with tools to use for social distancing. Virtual events miss the impact of engagement, and engagement is so essential for the events I plan, especially for fund- raising and mission-focused content.
N MAGAZINE: One of your biggest clients is the Museum of African American History. Why is that institution so important, especially today?
WILLIAMS: The Museum of African American History (both Boston and Nantucket) is one of my favorite clients. We have so much Black history on Nantucket. African Americans settled here from the beginning, in the 1700s. The Nantucket museum has preserved the original buildings, making this island more unique. Visitors come away with the knowledge that all Americans, regardless of race, are shaped in profound ways by the African American experience. Black history is American history. To grow beyond the past, the larger community needs to recognize and learn its history.
N MAGAZINE: Are there specific parts of this history on Nantucket that you find most inspiring?
WILLIAMS: A few years ago, over thirty thousand artifacts were discovered eight feet underground on Nantucket and are on display. The site showcases the African Meeting House, a church built in 1826 and the home of a seafaring Boston family—it was originally built by Seneca Boston and inherited by her son, a whaling captain named Absalom Boston. Florence Higginbotham, an African American woman, purchased the property in the early 20th century, keeping its ownership in the Black community. Florence would invite everyone into her home as she stood daily at the five corners of the intersection with a plate of cookies, greeting folks that passed. That's a hidden part of Nantucket history. The museum brings it out of the shadow, providing a new understanding of the diversity of the Nantucket community. It's a place everyone should visit.
N MAGAZINE: If you could change one thing about Nantucket what would it be?
WILLIAMS: What's to change? We have the best sunset on the East Coast, beautiful beaches you can drive on, amazing restaurants. It's my favorite place to be during a storm. The energy socially here is contagious anywhere you go. Can't beat the thrill of driving down Milestone in the fog! We have N Magazine. I could go on and on. Mmmmmm, I wouldn't change a thing, unless you can bring The Bean back.
AJ Williams, Event Planning, Events
Nantucket Magazine
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The cost of rebuilds are not cheap, if your Nailhead is still running well but you are worried about it being dependable because it has never been rebuilt here are some things you can do. The first thing I would do is replace the old plastic covered aluminum cam sprocket used on the 60's Nailheads with a new 3 piece steel timing set. With age, mileage and heat the plastic will start cracking and falling off the sprocket allowing the timing chain to jump. If you think it may have been replaced pull the fuel pump and stick a magnet in the hole, check the cam sprocket, if it sticks it has a steel sprocket already. The Nailhead is an interference engine, what that means is the valves will collide with the pistons if valve timing is off. This does a lot of damage, bent valves and push rods and broken rockers, sometimes even damages pistons. The other thing is sludge in the oil pan for old fuel and oil additives from the past 50 years. Pull the pan and clean it along with the oil pump pick up. We have also seen many original oil pumps where the idler gear shaft and worked it's way up and hitting the crank counter weight so that should be repaired (See "Oiling problems").
IMPORTANT.. ..Put the engine back together and tighten the damper/balancer bolt to 220 lbs! DO NOT skip this step or you will split your damper hub and ruin your crank shaft! This is only on 1957 and later, the earlier Nails had a smaller bolt and torque requirement. FYI the water manifold must be removed to remove the timing cover, slide the water manifold UPWARD not outward or you will break the timing cover or the water manifold, there is a by-pass tube in the bottom of the water manifold that fits into the top of the timing cover. Lastly and very important you DO NOT need hardened seats for todays fuel in the Nailhead but you DO need Zinc in the oil so be sure you are using oils that have it. I would list some brands but they keep changing amounts of zinc so do your own research here..


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NHL: Vegas Golden Knights @ Detroit Red Wings preview
bet365 News Team Dec 02 2022
Two much-improved teams go head-to-head on Sunday as the Vegas Golden Knights travel to the Detroit Red Wings for the first meeting between the pair this season.
Despite losing their last two, the Red Wings are 11-6-5 and sit fourth in the competitive Atlantic Division.
The Golden Knights are also looking to bounce back from defeat after losing 4-3 to Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday. The defeat was their third in four games, but their 17-7-1 record still tops the Pacific Division.
Detroit are 7-3-3 at home and Vegas 10-2-1 on the road.
Strong start for bolstered Wings
With a new coach in Derek Lalonde and a significantly bolstered line-up, the Red Wings are currently +265 to end a six-year drought from the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Early signs have been promising with former assistant Tampa Bay Lightning coach Lalonde leading Detroit to their best start through 20 games since 2010/11 (14-4-2 and 30 points) making him +1400 odds to win the Jack Adams coach of the year award.
The Red Wings enter the game with Vegas 16th in goal-scoring (3.23 per-game) which is a solid improvement over last season's 2.80 average which was 25th in the league.
Their goals against have also improved dramatically going from 3.80 (30th) last season to 3.09 in the current campaign (14th).
Detroit relied too heaving on rookie Lucas Raymond for offence last season, but Detroit's off-season additions have lessened the load on him and significantly deepened the Red Wings' line-up.
Dominik Kubalík, signed as a free agent from the Chicago Blackhawk, sits second on the team for points with 22 (nine goals, 13 assists) and David Perron, 34, signed from St. Louis Blues is fourth with 17 (seven goals, 10 assists).
Raymond, just 20, is fifth with 14 points (six goals, eight assists).
Vegas match-up tough for Red Wings
Detroit's improved depth will face a stern test as they come up against one of the NHL's early powerhouses, the Golden Knights.
With much improved health, Vegas have put last season's disappointment of missing the playoffs for the first time in their short history behind them and quickly re-established themselves as a serious contender for the Stanley Cup, which they are +850 to win.
The Golden Knights have eight players with 16 points or more in comparison to the Red Wings who have just four players with as many.
Vegas are averaging 3.42 goals-per-game (ninth) and 2.63 goals-against (seventh).
Captain battle
An intriguing battle will commence between two captains and centremen who are at the top of their game.
Both 26 years-old, Jack Eichel leads Vegas with 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) and Dylan Larkin has the most points for Detroit with 25 (nine goals, 16 assists).
The pair will likely meet a lot on the face-off dot where Larkin holds an advantage with a 57.9%-win rate compared to Eichel's 42.8%.
Overall, though, Vegas go into the game faring better with a 53.1%-win team rate (7th in the NHL) and Detroit 47.5% (24th).
NHL: Highest points scorers in NHL history
Goalie competition
Logan Thompson made an NHL career-high 43 saves in Vegas' last game against the Penguins on Friday, which was just his 34th start in the league.
With number-one Robin Lehner ruled out for the season, Thompson and 26-year-old Aidan Hill, acquired from the San Jose Sharks, have provided solid goaltending and whoever starts against the Red Wings will give them a chance to win.
Thompson - +600 to win the Calder Trophy - is 12-4-0 with a .921 save-percentage and 2.44 goals-against-average (GAA), while Hill is 5-2-1 with a .903 save-percentage and 2.74 GAA.
The Red Wings have also enjoyed consistency in net with Ville Husso, 27, acquired from St. Louis Blues, going 9-3-3 with a .912 save-percentage and 2.58 GAA.
His addition has been an important one with Alex Nedeljkovic, 26, who started the majority of games last season (20-24-9, .901 save percentage) struggling early with a 2-3-1 record, .880 save percentage and 3.97 GAA.
Nedeljkovic started in Detroit's last outing and made 30 saves in a 5-4 shoot-out defeat to the Buffalo Sabres, indicating Husso will get the nod against the Golden Knights.
Vegas hopeful of Pietrangelo return
Golden Knights' superstar defenceman Alex Pietrangelo has missed the last two games due to personal reasons, but they are hopeful of his return on Sunday.
It would be a major boost to Vegas as Pietrangelo has excelled in his third season with the team sitting second for points with 21 (three goals, 18 assists) and tied for seventh in scoring among NHL defencemen.
To the contrary, the Red Wings suffered a major blow when they were forced to put top-line forward Tyler Bertuzzi on injured reserve due to a hand injury following their last game against the Sabres.
It's the second injury that Bertuzzi has sustained this season which has limited him to nine games and four points (one goal, three assists).
The 27-year-old was second on the Red Wings for points (62) and goals (30) last season and will be a significant miss for Lalonde's side.
Discover more from the world's favorite online betting brand
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NHL NHL: Highest points scorers in NHL history NHL: Highest points scorers in NHL history bet365 News Team Nov 30 2022


If you have been looking for an excuse to neglect all of your responsibilities and take a day that solely revolves around enjoying yourself, then Aug. 15 is your day. These relaxation quotes for National Relaxation Day explain exactly why taking a break from time to time is not only a nice thing to do for yourself, but a vital thing to do for yourself.
In today's hustling and bustling world, it can be difficult to find the time to simply relax. That being said, what if I told you that relaxing protects your heart, boosts your memory, and lowers your stroke risk? You might be able to fit it into your schedule then, right? There are so many health benefits of relaxation, and the truth of the matter is that you'll actually improve your productivity and life quality by allowing yourself the time to sit back and do nothing.
Need more reasons to relax? These 13 quotes will inspire you in the relaxation department. From ways to relax to reasons why it's so important for your overall health, you'll learn quite a bit from reading over these words of wisdom. Take it all in and then chill. You need it.


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Jordan Edwards's Family Sues the Officer Accused of Killing Him
A lawsuit accuses Roy Oliver, who was fired last week, of using excessive and deadly force on the job in the April shooting of the Texas teen.
Aria Bendix
Supporters attend a vigil for Jordan Edwards in Balch Springs, Texas.Tony Gutierrez / AP
The family of Jordan Edwards, the 15-year-old high-school student who was fatally shot last month, is suing the city of Balch Springs, Texas, its local police department, and the man held responsible for the shooting, former Balch Springs police officer Roy Oliver. The lawsuit, filed Friday at Federal District Court in Dallas, alleges that Oliver used excessive and deadly force on the job, and that the department failed to properly train the officer and ignored his aggressive behavior.
The incident in question occurred on April 29, when Oliver and his fellow officers responded to a report of underage drinking at a house party in the Dallas suburb of Balch Springs. Footage from the officers' body cams showed Oliver firing his rifle into a vehicle as it was leaving the scene. At the time, Edwards was in the front passenger seat of the car and suffered a gunshot wound to the head. He was eventually taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Balch Springs Police Department announced that Oliver had been fired for violating departmental policies. On Friday, the Dallas County District Attorney's Office issued a warrant for Oliver's arrest, charging him with murder. At the time, the Edwards family thanked those involved for making "commendable strides toward justice," but hinted at the "long road ahead."
Friday's lawsuit indeed marks the beginning of what portends to be a lengthy judicial process. While video footage was enough to convince Balch Springs Police Chief Jonathan Haber that the shooting was improper, there is still the issue of the department's role in the case. In an initial statement the day after the shooting, Haber reported that Oliver shot at Edwards's car as it was "aggressively" reversing toward him and his fellow officers. A day later, Haber revealed that he "misspoke," and that the vehicle was in fact driving away from the officers. At the time, Haber accepted responsibility for the error.
According to the lawsuit, Haber and his department "failed to provide adequate training to Oliver on appropriate methods and techniques to control situations similar to" last month's shooting. This insufficient training "resulted in the death of Edwards," the lawsuit reads. The lawsuit also alleges that the department ignored Oliver's "pattern of escalating encounters with the public."
In 2013, the Dallas County District Attorney's Office filed a complaint against Oliver for inappropriate conduct while serving as a witness in a drunk-driving case. According to personnel records obtained by the Associated Press, the prosecutor's office had difficulty getting Oliver to attend the trial. During his testimony, Oliver reportedly used language so vulgar that an assistant district attorney asked an intern to leave the room. Former Balch Springs Police Chief Ed Morris reported that an email from one of the prosecutors described Oliver as a "scary person to have in our workroom."
As a result of the incident, Oliver was suspended for 16 hours and ordered to take anger-management courses, as well as training courses on courtroom demeanor and testimony. Oliver fulfilled his suspension by forfeiting two sick days. According to the lawsuit, Balch Springs officials were aware of Oliver's "erratic behavior," but "did nothing to protect Edwards and others from the harm they suffered."
Despite his behavior as a witness, Oliver did not receive any disciplinary action for his performance on the job during his six years with the Balch Springs Police Department. He was once reprimanded for being "disrespectful to a civilian on a call," but an evaluation later described his behavior as an "isolated incident." While off duty on April 16, 2017, Oliver was also accused of pulling out his handgun after he was reportedly rear-ended in an automobile accident. As a dispatcher, however, Oliver received an award for "meritorious conduct."
There are many reasons why the police handling of the Edwards case has attracted criticism. Not only was the car in which Edwards was riding reportedly free from alcohol, but there seems to be no evidence that Edwards and his fellow passengers were drinking. In addition, none of the passengers in the car were found armed. While most police experts agree that officers with probable cause can order citizens to get out of their vehicles, the Supreme Court has ruled that officers cannot fire on fleeing suspects who do not pose a serious threat. According to the lawsuit, Edwards, his brothers, and his friends "fear[ed] for their lives" as they fled the scene.
Even with evidence on their side, an Edwards family attorney, Jasmine Crockett, said the family is "still nervous and expecting to be disappointed." While it has become increasingly common in the U.S. to prosecute police offers involved in a shooting, convictions of murder or manslaughter are less likely. "That's what we expect from our system time and time again," Crockett told the AP. The Edwards family is seeking monetary damages, though the lawsuit does not specify an amount. As of this writing, the date of a hearing has yet to be announced.
Jordan Edwards suit (PDF)
Jordan Edwards suit (Text)
Aria Bendix is a frequent contributor to The Atlantic, and a former editorial fellow at CityLab. Her work has appeared on Bustle and The Harvard Crimson.


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Interpretive Writer
Crossings: The Gist
Published June 6, 2015 by A.J.B. Johnston
Here below is an advance peek — available nowhere else in the world at this point — of the copy that will be going into catalogs and web sites to describe my third novel, Crossings. That book is to come into the world in September 2015.
"Thomas Pichon seems forever at a crossroads, often choosing the path of least resistance, or the one most tempting. In this, the third Thomas Pichon novel, his life remains more complicated than he wishes. He encounters highwaymen on a country road, succumbs to a tempting tryst in the spa town of Bath, squanders a new love back in London and begins to long for the higher social station he once enjoyed.
Returning to Paris, Thomas's work life initially stalls, but a new lover offers help. He is given the best position he has ever had, one that requires him to go overseas. The crossing is a voyage neither he nor anyone aboard will soon forget."
That copy came from the Cape Breton University Press, but I have to say it sums up the 80,000 words of action pretty well.
No Response to "Crossings: The Gist"
The official website of writer A.J.B. Johnston. Web hosting and maintenance by Troy Poirier.


It's 20:48 in Carmel, USA right now.
I-95 Southbound Near Milepoint 177.2 A view of the current traffic.
Newport, Maine: I-95 NB Northbound Milepoint 159.1, 11.2 miles away.
Bangor, Maine: I-95 Southbound Near Kenduskeag Avenue Bridge, 13.4 miles away.
Orono, Maine: I-95 Southbound near Milepoint 191, 19.5 miles away.
Waterville, Maine: I-95 Southbound Near Milepoint 128.2, 33.2 miles away.
Waterville, Maine: Waterville Senior High School, 33.2 miles away.
Ellsworth, Maine: Ellsworth Waterfront Park, 35.6 miles away.
Sidney, Maine: I-95 Southbound Near Milepoint 119.2, 40.7 miles away.
Lamoine, Maine: Lamoine Beach Rd., 42 miles away.


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Q: Is redering jinja2 template variables as js template literal unsafe? Is redering jinja2 template variables as js template literal unsafe?
Lets say some python app returns some string or data and we receive it in js block.
For example:
<script>
var items = `{{somedata}}`;
</script>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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News tagged with space mission
Related topics: international space station · space · china · nasa
Space Coast bustling with 4 crew launches on tap from SpaceX, Boeing
Before summer, 14 more humans could launch from U.S. soil as SpaceX has three missions set to lift off from Kennedy Space Center on Crew Dragons while Boeing looks to send its CST-100 Starliner up to the International Space ...
Columbia disaster that scuttled the space shuttle
America may now be aiming to put astronauts back on the Moon, but for years the United States turned its back on manned missions after the Columbia space shuttle disaster.
NASA's Webb Telescope receives top space foundation award
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope team has been selected to receive the 2023 John L. "Jack" Swigert, Jr., Award for Space Exploration, a top award from the Space Foundation. This annual award honors a space agency, company, ...
Spaceflight is the use of space technology to achieve the flight of spacecraft into and through outer space.
Spaceflight is used in space exploration, and also in commercial activities like space tourism and satellite telecommunications. Additional non-commercial uses of spaceflight include space observatories, reconnaissance satellites and other earth observation satellites.
A spaceflight typically begins with a rocket launch, which provides the initial thrust to overcome the force of gravity and propels the spacecraft from the surface of the Earth. Once in space, the motion of a spacecraft -- both when unpropelled and when under propulsion -- is covered by the area of study called astrodynamics. Some spacecraft remain in space indefinitely, some disintegrate during atmospheric reentry, and others reach a planetary or lunar surface for landing or impact.


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January 22, 2022 1.7°C
Search on for a new CAO
Posted on November 25, 2021 by Maple Creek
GARY SCHLAGETER
RCMP staffing shortage
Public health orders extended to Feb. 28
Bullseye! Maple Creek to host Youth Provincials (unless Omicron variant intervenes)
JASPER NOTES: Starting the new year with some breathing space
Young talent shines
After a turbulent period, the Town of Maple Creek is again looking for a chief administrative officer.
Town Council has decided not to renew Gary Schlageter's contract as CAO, 15 months after he officially started the job.
The CAO's contract comes up for renewal every year.
Michelle McKenzie, the Mayor, said Schlageter was not seen as "quite the right fit" for the job.
She described Schlageter as a "brilliant" and "exceptional" young man, who had the potential to be an outstanding administrator. However, Council did not believe that he possessed enough experience at this stage in his career to help fulfill its vision for Maple Creek.
"We feel we are moving forward," McKenzie said. "We want someone with at least five years' municipal experience."
As administrative head of the municipality, the CAO is responsible for the day-to-day operations, which include managing staff, getting materials ready for Council meetings, preparing budgets, organizing office resources, and establishing a succession plan. The CAO reports to Council, providing leadership and direction, not only to Council members, but to employees of the Town.
When a decision is made, the CAO is expected to ensure that Council's wishes are implemented.
The Town has now advertised the CAO job on its Facebook page.
The application deadline is 4pm on Wednesday, December 8.
The ad says that preference will be given to an applicant with five years or more relevant municipal experience.
As the search for Schlageter's replacement continues, Kerrie Chabot, the chief executive officer, will be acting CAO.
At the last two Council meetings, Schlageter has been absent, reportedly on leave. Chabot has stood in for him.
Schlageter officially started as CAO on September 1, 2020. The position had been vacant for several months since Diane Moss left the job in the spring.
Between 15 and 20 people had applied for the job; that number was reportedly whittled down to four. Schlageter was seen as an outstanding candidate, known for doing everything by the book.
A Maple Creek resident, Schlageter hails originally from Ponteix, Saskatchewan, attending Ponteix High School before studying at the University of Regina. He went on to become administrator of the Rural Municipality of Reno.
He and his wife, Kimberlee, who has been a teacher at Sidney Street School, have three children. They moved from Leoville, Saskatchewan, and have lived in Maple Creek for about eight years.
The Town of Maple Creek has experienced a challenging time over the last 18 months. Relationships with sectors of the business community became strained, first over a proposed business licensing bylaw – the issue predated Schlageter becoming CAO – and then over tax increases that came to light in spring this year.
Some businesses were hit by increases of up to 40 to 65 per cent. Among those affected was Richardson Pioneer elevator.
Although the uniform mill rate was kept at 13, the mill rate factors were changed.
Residential went up from 0.607 to 0.609, while multi-residential (manors, duplexes, apartment blocks etc.) increased from 2.13 to 2.3. The other factors were: commercial, 3 (from 2.13); and agriculture, 2.3 (from 2.13).
Meanwhile, the base tax for all property classes remained at $1,050.
Last month, Council released a 2021 commercial tax rebate policy; eligible commercially assessed properties will receive rebates on their 2021 taxes, which could run into many thousands of dollars.
In early October there was more controversy when municipal employees faced the possibility of being locked out of their workplace as contract talks between the Town and union leaders stalled. The issue was resolved without a lockout.
Another issue that came to the fore this month related to acts of volunteerism on Town property. Speaking at a Town Council meeting, former councillor Ellaine Hawrylak said she had been told that community-minded activities like pulling dead flowers out of a pot or picking garbage off the sidewalks were not allowed on Town property without permission.
Hawrylak said she found the restriction offensive.
Schlageter's tenure as CAO also saw an election in November 2020, which resulted in four new councillors.
Speaking last Thursday, McKenzie said the inexperience of the new Council meant there was an even greater need for an experienced CAO.
The CAO's job, she said, was extremely challenging, and involved dealing with many moving parts. Not only did the administrator have a responsibility of Mayor and Council, but also to five department managers.
"It is not an 8am-4pm, or 9am-4pm job," she said. "There is a lot to it."
McKenzie said the aim was to have a new CAO in place by January 1, 2022.
Over the last eight years, there has been a high turnover of CAOs at the Town of Maple Creek.
Prior to Moss's tenure, Don McLeod did the job between 2016 and 2018. Before that, Michele A. Schmidt was CAO, starting in March, 2013.
Mark Caswell was the administrator between 2004 and 2013.
Get More Maple Creek News →
© 2022 Maple Creek News And Alta Newspaper Group Limited Partnership.


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Crisis Corps Sends Volunteers to Malawi
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 25, 2002—The Crisis Corps will send its first group of volunteers to Malawi, southern Africa, today for a cholera prevention initiative. A total of ten Crisis Corps volunteers will be working on five- to six-month assignments with this project.
UNICEF and the Government of Malawi have requested Crisis Corps volunteers to aid them in their efforts to address cholera outbreaks. Though a cholera outbreak in Malawi often occurs on an annual basis, it is typically small-scale and limited to the rainy season from October to December. The cholera outbreak of 2001-2002 was Malawi's worst recorded cholera epidemic in over 25 years. The Ministry of Health reported over 33,000 cases of cholera and 926 deaths throughout the country. This year's outbreak is expected to be much worse due to the country's food crisis coupled with the poor health of Malawians due to chronic malnutrition, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.
The volunteers will be working closely with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF to undertake a range of activities aimed at preventing, detecting, and responding quickly to the expected cholera epidemic. The volunteers will work with their Ministry of Health counterparts in ten districts to visit health clinics and provide information, training, and support in the areas of cholera prevention and outbreaks.
The Crisis Corps is an innovative Peace Corps program that utilizes returned Peace Corps volunteers to provide short-term assistance in disaster relief and humanitarian response efforts. The program was established in 1996. To date, more than 485 Crisis Corps volunteers have served in 31 countries. Currently, Crisis Corps has Volunteers working in six African countries in the areas of drought relief, HIV/AIDS education, and assistance to refugees, and internally displaced persons.
Since 1961, more than 165,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps, working in such diverse fields as education, health and HIV/AIDS education, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.


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Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences (11)
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine (7)
Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation (11)
Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) (7)
Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology (3)
Applied Probability Trust (2)
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Study Group (1)
An airframe/inlet integrated full-waverider vehicle design using as upgraded aerodynamic method
F. Ding, J. Liu, W. Huang, C. Peng, S. Chen
With the aims of overcoming the limitations of the existing basic flow model derived from an axisymmetric generating body and extending the aerodynamic design method of the airframe/inlet integrated waverider vehicle, this study develops an upgraded basic flow model derived from an axisymmetric shock wave. It then upgrades the design method for airframe/inlet integration of an air-breathing hypersonic waverider vehicle, which is termed the 'full-waverider vehicle' in this study. In this paper, first, the design principle and method for the upgraded full-waverider vehicle derived from an axisymmetric basic shock wave are described in detail. Second, an upgraded basic flow model that accounts for both internal and external flows is derived from an axisymmetric basic shock wave by use of both the streamline tracing method and the method of characteristics (MOC). Third, the upgraded full-waverider vehicle is developed from the upgraded basic flow model by the streamline tracing method. Fourth, the design theories and methodologies of both the upgraded basic flow model and the upgraded full-waverider vehicle are validated by a numerical computation method. Finally, the aerodynamic performances and viscous effects of both the upgraded basic flow model and the upgraded full-waverider vehicle are analysed by numerical computation. The obtained results show that the upgraded basic flow model and aerodynamic design method are effective for the design of the airframe/inlet integration of an air-breathing hypersonic waverider vehicle.
Influence of green light illumination at night on biological characteristics of the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
K.-N. Kim, Y.-C. Jo, Z.-J. Huang, Hye-Seng Song, K.-H. Ryu, Q.-Y. Huang, C.-L. Lei
The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata is an important crop pest in eastern Asia. Nocturnal insects, including nocturnal moths, have phototactic behavior to an artificial light source. Phototactic behavior in insects is species-specific in response to different wavelengths of light sources. Our previous study showed that green (520 nm) light emitting diode (LED) light resulted in a significantly higher phototactic behavior in M. separata moths compared to the other wavelength LED lights. The goal of the present study is to investigate the influence of green light illumination on biological characteristics of different developmental stages in M. separata. Our results revealed that when different developmental stages of M. separata were exposed to the green light illumination in a dark period, several biological characteristics in all developmental stages except for egg stage were positively changed, but those of F1 generation M. separata which are next generation of the adults exposed to the green light did not significantly change compared with the control level. These findings suggest that green light illumination at night (or dark period) has a positive effect on the development and longevity of M. separata.
P.068 Abnormal fatty acid metabolism is a feature of spinal muscular atrophy
M Deguise, A Beauvais, G Baranello, C Pileggi, C Mastella, A Tierney, L Chehade, A Leone, R De Amicis, A Battezzati, Y De Repentigny, J Warman Chardon, HJ McMillan, M Llavero-Hurtado, Y Huang, NL Courtney, AJ Mole, D Lamont, A Atrih, S Kubinski, P Claus, LM Murray, TM Wishart, M Bowerman, TH Gillingwater, TH Gillingwater, M Harper, S Bertoli, SH Parson, R Kothary
Journal: Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Volume 46 / Issue s1 / June 2019
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2019, p. S32
Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a children's neuromuscular disorder. Although motor neuron loss is a major feature of the disease, we have identified fatty acid abnormalities in SMA patients and in preclinical animal models, suggesting metabolic perturbation is also an important component of SMA. Methods: Biochemical, histological, proteomic, and high resolution respirometry were used. Results: SMA patients are more susceptible to dyslipidemia than the average population as determined by a standard lipid profile in a cohort of 72 pediatric patients. As well, we observed a non-alcoholic liver disease phenotype in apreclinical mouse model. Denervation alone was not sufficient to induce liver steatosis, as a mouse model of ALS, did not develop fatty liver. Hyperglucagonemia in Smn2B/-mice could explain the hepatic steatosis by increasing plasma substrate availability via glycogen depletion and peripheral lipolysis. Proteomic analysis identified mitochondrion and lipid metabolism as major clusters. Alterations in mitochondrial function were revealed by high-resolution respirometry. Finally, low-fat diets led to increased survival in Smn2B/-mice. Conclusions: These results provide strong evidence for lipid metabolism defects in SMA. Further investigation will be required to establish the primary mechanism of these alterations and understand how they lead to additional co-morbidities in SMA patients.
A novel dual-band filter based on single-cavity CTSRR-loaded triangular substrate-integrated waveguide
Q. F. Geng, H. J. Guo, Y. Y. Zhu, W. Huang, S. S. Deng, T. Yang
Journal: International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies , First View
In this paper, a novel single-cavity triangular substrate-integrated waveguide (TSIW) dual-band filter loading a complementary triangular split ring resonator (CTSRR) is proposed, which has three transmission zeros (TZs) in the stopband in total. The dual-band response is achieved by the CTSRR and the degenerate modes of the TSIW cavity. In order to control the TZs, we propose two adjustment techniques, shift feeding technique and adding via perturbation. In addition, the CTSRR etched on the surface can produce a new TZ in the upper first-passband. Finally, a dual-band filter with three TZs is simulated, fabricated, and measured. There is a good agreement between the simulated results and measured ones.
Dynamic recrystallization initiated by direct grain reorientation at high-angle grain boundary in α-titanium
Hao Wang, Qili L. Bao, Gang Zhou, J.K. Qiu, Yi Yang, Y.J. Ma, Chunguang G. Bai, Dongsheng S. Xu, David Rugg, Aijun J. Huang, Qing-Miao Hu, J.F. Lei, Rui Yang
Employing atomic-scale simulations, the response of a high-angle grain boundary (GB), the soft/hard GB, against external loading was systematically investigated. Under tensile loading close to the hard orientation, strain-induced dynamic recrystallization was observed to initiate through direct soft-to-hard grain reorientation, which was triggered by stress mismatch, inhibited by surface tension from the soft-hard GB, and proceeded by interface ledges. Such grain reorientation corresponds with expansion and contraction of the hard grain along and perpendicular to the loading direction, respectively, accompanied by local atomic shuffling, providing relatively large normal strain of 8.3% with activation energy of 0.04 eV per atom. Tensile strain and residual dislocations on the hard/soft GB facilitate the initiation of dynamic recrystallization by lowering the energy barrier and the critical stress for grain reorientation, respectively.
Interface effects on self-forming rechargeable Li/I2-based solid state batteries
Alyson Abraham, Mikaela R. Dunkin, Jianping Huang, Bingjie Zhang, Kenneth J. Takeuchi, Esther S. Takeuchi, Amy C. Marschilok
Journal: MRS Communications / Volume 9 / Issue 2 / June 2019
Solid state batteries are an emerging alternative to traditional liquid electrolyte cells that provide potential for safe and high-energy density power sources. This report describes a self-forming, solid state battery based on the Li/I2 couple using an LiI-rich LiI(3-hydroxypropionitrile)2 electrolyte (LiI–LiI(HPN)2). As the negative and positive active materials are generated in situ, the solid electrolyte–current collector interfaces play a critical role in determining the electrochemical response of the battery. Herein, we report the investigation of solid electrolyte–current collector interfaces with a self-forming LiI–LiI(HPN)2 solid electrolyte and the role of varying interface design in reducing resistance during cycling.
Characterization of Structural Inhomogeneities in GaAs/AIGaAs Superlattices
P. C. Huang, S. R. Stock, A. Torabi, C. J. Summers
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 March 2019, pp. 67-74
Thin films containing periodic chemical or strain modulation (e.g. artificial superlattices or SL) are often characterized nondestructively by X-ray double-axis diffractometry. The satellite peaks from the modulated structure allow analysis of layer structure, elemental concentration and strain profile. This paper focuses on the effect of layer uniformity on the rocking curves of (001) GaAs/AlxGa1-xAsSL. Double-axis diffractometry for results from MBE samples with 800 Å SL periods and x=0.35 are compared for GaAs/AlGaAs layer thicknesses of 350/450, 400/400 and 450/350 Å. Symmetric (004) and asymmetric (315) diffraction planes are used to measure parallel and perpendicular misfit strains, layer periodicity and aluminum concentration. A modified kinematical scattering model, correcting for absorption and extinction, is used to calculate the satellite peak intensities and spacings. The relative thicknesses of GaAs and AlGaAs and the aluminum elemental concentration are optimized by matching with experimental results. The effect of nonuniform layer thickness on SL peak intensities is also investigated. The experimental results, the modified kinematical scattering calculations and dynamical theory agree closely for the 3-4 /zm thickness layers studied.
Associations of dietary intake with cardiometabolic risk in a multi-ethnic cohort: a longitudinal analysis of the Determinants of Adolescence, now young Adults, Social well-being and Health (DASH) study
Louise M. Goff, Peiyuan Huang, Maria J. Silva, Claire Bordoli, Elli Z. Enayat, Oarabile R. Molaodi, Aidan Cassidy, Maria Maynard, Seeromanie Harding
Journal: British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 121 / Issue 9 / 14 May 2019
Unfavourable dietary habits, such as skipping breakfast, are common among ethnic minority children and may contribute to inequalities in cardiometabolic disease. We conducted a longitudinal follow-up of a subsample of the UK multi-ethnic Determinants of Adolescent Social well-being and Health cohort, which represents the main UK ethnic groups and is now aged 21–23 years. We aimed to describe longitudinal patterns of dietary intake and investigate their impact on cardiometabolic risk in young adulthood. Participants completed a dietary behaviour questionnaire and a 24 h dietary intake recall; anthropometry, blood pressure, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol and HbA1c were measured. The cohort consisted of 107 White British, 102 Black Caribbean, 132 Black African, 98 Indian, 111 Bangladeshi/Pakistani and 115 other/mixed ethnicity. Unhealthful dietary behaviours such as skipping breakfast and low intake of fruits and vegetables were common (56, 57 and 63 %, respectively). Rates of skipping breakfast and low fruit and vegetable consumption were highest among Black African and Black Caribbean participants. BMI and cholesterol levels at 21–23 years were higher among those who regularly skipped breakfast at 11–13 years (BMI 1·41 (95 % CI 0·57, 2·26), P=0·001; cholesterol 0·15 (95 % CI –0·01, 0·31), P=0·063) and at 21–23 years (BMI 1·05 (95 % CI 0·22, 1·89), P=0·014; cholesterol 0·22 (95 % CI 0·06, 0·37), P=0·007). Childhood breakfast skipping is more common in certain ethnic groups and is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in young adulthood. Our findings highlight the importance of targeting interventions to improve dietary behaviours such as breakfast consumption at specific population groups.
Correlative Atom Probe Tomography and Transmission Electron Microscopy Analysis of Grain Boundaries in Thermally Grown Alumina Scale
Ivan Povstugar, Juliane Weber, Dmitry Naumenko, Taihong Huang, Martina Klinkenberg, Willem J. Quadakkers
Journal: Microscopy and Microanalysis / Volume 25 / Issue 1 / February 2019
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 February 2019, pp. 11-20
We employed correlative atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to analyze the alumina scale thermally grown on the oxide dispersion-strengthened alloy MA956. Segregation of Ti and Y and associated variation in metal/oxygen stoichiometry at the grain boundaries and triple junctions of alumina were quantified and discussed with respect to the oxidation behavior of the alloy, in particular, to the formation of cation vacancies. Correlative TEM analysis was helpful to avoid building pragmatically well-looking but substantially incorrect APT reconstructions, which can result in erroneous quantification of segregating species, and highlights the need to consider ionic volumes and detection efficiency in the reconstruction routine. We also demonstrate a cost-efficient, robust, and easy-handling setup for correlative analysis based solely on commercially available components, which can be used with all conventional TEM tools without the need to modify the specimen holder assembly.
Prevalence and risk factors of anaemia in hospitalised HIV-infected patients in southeast China: a retrospective study
J. L. Lai, Y. H. Chen, Y. M. Liu, J. J. Yuan, J. Lin, A. Q. Huang, H. H. Ye
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 January 2019, e81
The association between opportunistic infection (OI) and anaemia among HIV-infected patients remains to be studied. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia in hospitalised HIV-infected patients to reveal the association between OI and anaemia. We conducted a retrospective study of HIV-positive hospitalised patients from June 2016 to December 2017 in Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University. Patients' information on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were carefully collected. The comparison of anaemia prevalence between groups was conducted with χ2 test. A logistic regression model was carried out to analyse the predictors of anaemia. The total prevalence of anaemia in hospitalised HIV-infected patients was 55.15%. The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anaemia was 41.42%, 11.08% and 2.64%, respectively. Predictors independently associated with anaemia were: CD4 counts <50 cells/μl (odds ratio (OR): 6.376, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.916–21.215, P = 0.003), CD4 counts 50–199 cells/μl (OR: 6.303, 95% CI = 1.874–21.203, P = 0.003), co-infection with tuberculosis (TB) (OR: 2.703, 95% CI = 1.349–5.414, P = 0.005) or Penicillium marneffei (PM) (OR: 7.162, 95% CI = 3.147–15.299, P < 0.001). In Fujian, China, more than half inpatients with HIV were anaemic, but severe anaemia is infrequent. Lower CD4 counts, co-infection with TB or PM were independent risk factors for anaemia. Chinese HIV patients especially with TB, PM infection and low CD4 level should be routinely detected for anaemia to improve therapy.
MeV bremsstrahlung X rays from intense laser interaction with solid foils
S. Palaniyappan, D. C. Gautier, B. J. Tobias, J. C. Fernandez, J. Mendez, T. Burris-Mog, C. K. Huang, A. Favalli, J. F. Hunter, M. E. Espy, D. W. Schmidt, R. O. Nelson, A. Sefkow, T. Shimada, R. P. Johnson
Journal: Laser and Particle Beams / Volume 36 / Issue 4 / December 2018
Laser-based compact MeV X-ray sources are useful for a variety of applications such as radiography and active interrogation of nuclear materials. MeV X rays are typically generated by impinging the intense laser onto ~mm-thick high-Z foil. Here, we have characterized such a MeV X-ray source from 120 TW (80 J, 650 fs) laser interaction with a 1 mm-thick tantalum foil. Our measurements show X-ray temperature of 2.5 MeV, flux of 3 × 1012 photons/sr/shot, beam divergence of ~0.1 sr, conversion efficiency of ~1%, that is, ~1 J of MeV X rays out of 80 J incident laser, and source size of 80 m. Our measurement also shows that MeV X-ray yield and temperature is largely insensitive to nanosecond laser contrasts up to 10−5. Also, preliminary measurements of similar MeV X-ray source using a double-foil scheme, where the laser-driven hot electrons from a thin foil undergoing relativistic transparency impinging onto a second high-Z converter foil separated by 50–400 m, show MeV X-ray yield more than an order of magnitude lower compared with the single-foil results.
Comparison of genotype imputation strategies using a combined reference panel for chicken population
S. Ye, X. Yuan, S. Huang, H. Zhang, Z. Chen, J. Li, X. Zhang, Z. Zhang
Using whole-genome sequence (WGS) data are supposed to be optimal for genome-wide association studies and genomic predictions. However, sequencing thousands of individuals of interest is expensive. Imputation from single nucleotide polymorphisms panels to WGS data is an attractive approach to obtain highly reliable WGS data at low cost. Here, we conducted a genotype imputation study with a combined reference panel in yellow-feather dwarf broiler population. The combined reference panel was assembled by sequencing 24 key individuals of a yellow-feather dwarf broiler population (internal reference panel) and WGS data from 311 chickens in public databases (external reference panel). Three scenarios were investigated to determine how different factors affect the accuracy of imputation from 600 K array data to WGS data, including: genotype imputation with internal, external and combined reference panels; the number of internal reference individuals in the combined reference panel; and different reference sizes and selection strategies of an external reference panel. Results showed that imputation accuracy from 600 K to WGS data were 0.834±0.012, 0.920±0.007 and 0.982±0.003 for the internal, external and combined reference panels, respectively. Increasing the reference size from 50 to 250 improved the accuracy of genotype imputation from 0.848 to 0.974 for the combined reference panel and from 0.647 to 0.917 for the external reference panel. The selection strategies for the external reference panel had no impact on the accuracy of imputation using the combined reference panel. However, if only an external reference panel with reference size >50 was used, the selection strategy of minimizing the average distance to the closest leaf had the greatest imputation accuracy compared with other methods. Generally, using a combined reference panel provided greater imputation accuracy, especially for low-frequency variants. In conclusion, the optimal imputation strategy with a combined reference panel should comprehensively consider genetic diversity of the study population, availability and properties of external reference panels, sequencing and computing costs, and frequency of imputed variants. This work sheds light on how to design and execute genotype imputation with a combined external reference panel in a livestock population.
Revisiting the spore assemblages from the Lower Devonian Posongchong Formation of Wenshan, Yunnan Province, southwestern China
B. Cascales-Miñana, J. Z. Xue, G. Rial, P. Gerrienne, P. Huang, P. Steemans
Journal: Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh / Volume 108 / Issue 4 / February 2019
The Lower Devonian Posongchong Formation (Wenshan, Yunnan Province, southwestern China) consists of a series of continental deposits with an outstanding plant megafossil diversity. More than 20 years ago, this formation was interpreted as 'Siegenian' (∼Pragian) in age based on palynology. However, such interpretation needs further evidence because of the known differences between the dispersed spore assemblages from South China and Euramerica/northwestern Gondwana. Here, we present new dispersed spore assemblages recently recovered from the Posongchong Formation. The isolated spore diversity is highly diverse, with 18 genera and 32 species. The recognised taxa include, among others, Ambitisporites avitus, Aneurospora conica, Aneurospora posongchongensis sp. nov., Aneurospora xujiachongensis, Apiculiretusispora plicata, Archaeozonotriletes chulus, Concentricosisporites agradabilis, Dibolisporites echinaceus, Emphanisporites rotatus, Gneudnaspora divellomedia, Latosporites ovalis, Retusotriletes triangulatus, Tetrahedraletes medinensis and Verrucosporites polygonalis, with Aneurospora and Retusotriletes being the most abundant forms. The known Posongchong palynoflora (previous spore data included) suggests that the Posongchong Formation assemblages can be correlated with the Pragian interval of the polygonalis–wetteldorfensis Oppel Zone (PoW). This age determination is supported by the presence of index species of PoW, such as Verrucosporites polygonalis, Dictyotriletes subgranifer and Camarozonotriletes parvus (sensu Steemans, 1989), the latter being known only from the Pragian of Belgium and Germany. Recent advances in the study of the marine faunas in the overlying sequences also indicate a Pragian age for the Posongchong Formation. This new investigation of the Posongchong palynoflora highlights differences of abundance at species level between the Gondwanan–Laurussian floras during the Early Devonian.
The effect of an infographic promotion on research dissemination and readership: A randomized controlled trial
Simon Huang, Lynsey J. Martin, Calvin H. Yeh, Alvin Chin, Heather Murray, William B. Sanderson, Rohit Mohindra, Teresa M. Chan, Brent Thoma
Journal: Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine / Volume 20 / Issue 6 / November 2018
Journals use social media to increase the awareness of their publications. Infographics show research findings in a concise and visually appealing manner, well suited for dissemination on social media platforms. We hypothesized that infographic abstracts promoted on social media would increase the dissemination and online readership of the parent research articles.
Twenty-four articles were chosen from the six issues of CJEM published between July 2016 and June 2017 and randomized to infographic or control groups. All articles were disseminated through the journal's social media accounts (Twitter and Facebook). Control articles were promoted using a screen capture image of each article's abstract on the journal's social media accounts. Infographic articles were promoted similarly using a visual infographic. Infographics were also published and promoted on the CanadiEM.org's website and social media channels. Abstract views, full-text views, and the change in Altmetric score were compared between groups using unpaired two-tailed t-tests.
There were no significant differences in the groups at baseline. Abstract views (mean, 95% CI) were higher in the infographics (379, 287-471) than the control group (176, 136-215, p<0.001). Mean change in Altmetric scores was higher in the infographics (26, 18-34) than in the control group (3, 2-4, p<0.0001). There was no difference in full-text views between the infographics (50, 0-101) and control groups (25, 18-32).
The promotion of CJEM articles using infographics on social media and the CanadiEM.org website increased Altmetric scores and abstract views. Infographics may have a role in increasing awareness of medical literature.
Global cities and cultural diversity: challenges and opportunities for young people's nutrition
Nutrition Society Summer Meeting 2017
Seeromanie Harding, Christelle Elia, Peiyuan Huang, Chelsea Atherton, Kyla Covey, Gemma O'Donnell, Elizabeth Cole, Manal Almughamisi, Ursula M. Read, Alexandru Dregan, Trevor George, Ingrid Wolfe, J. Kennedy Cruickshank, Maria Maynard, Louise M. Goff, Majella O'Keeffe
Childhood obesity is a common concern across global cities and threatens sustainable urban development. Initiatives to improve nutrition and encourage physical exercise are promising but are yet to exert significant influence on prevention. Childhood obesity in London is associated with distinct ethnic and socio-economic patterns. Ethnic inequalities in health-related behaviour endure, underpinned by inequalities in employment, housing, access to welfare services, and discrimination. Addressing these growing concerns requires a clearer understanding of the socio-cultural, environmental and economic contexts of urban living that promote obesity. We explore opportunities for prevention using asset based-approaches to nutritional health and well-being, with a particular focus on adolescents from diverse ethnic backgrounds living in London. We focus on the important role that community engagement and multi-sectoral partnership play in improving the nutritional outcomes of London's children. London's children and adolescents grow up in the rich cultural mix of a global city where local streets are characterised by diversity in ethnicities, languages, religions, foods, and customs, creating complex and fluid identities. Growing up with such everyday diversity we argue can enhance the quality of life for London's children and strengthen their social capital. The Determinants of young Adult Social well-being and Health longitudinal study of about 6500 of London's young people demonstrated the positive impact of cultural diversity. Born to parents from over a hundred countries and exposed to multi-lingual households and religious practices, they demonstrated strong psychological resilience and sense of pride from cultural straddling, despite material disadvantage and discrimination. Supporting the potential contribution of such socio-cultural assets is in keeping with the values of social justice and equitable and sustainable development. Our work signals the importance of community engagement and multisectoral partnerships, involving, for example, schools and faith-based organisations, to improve the nutrition of London's children.
In-site pollen record from the Dadiwan archaeological site and the human-environment relationship during Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 3
Wei Peng, Xiaozhong Huang, Dongju Zhang, Michael J. Storozum, Fahu Chen
Climatic change that affects biological productivity is often argued to be a primary force influencing human activities during the glacial period. To test this assumption, we combine in-site pollen, paleoclimatic, and archaeological data from the Dadiwan site and nearby areas on the western Loess Plateau (WLP) that date to Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 3. Our comparison of multiple datasets suggests that regional human activities increased when the vegetation around the Dadiwan area shifted from forest steppe in the early MIS 3 (59–46.7 ka) to steppe in the middle to late MIS 3 (46.7–29.5 ka). Our results indicate that regional human activities increased again during the late MIS 3 when the amount of precipitation was higher, as indicated by the lower Artemisia proportion. We suggest that increased precipitation on the WLP enhanced the above-ground biomass production and may be responsible for an increase in human activity and population in this region.
2 - Authoritarian Successor Parties in South Korea and Taiwan
from Part I - Why Do Authoritarian Successor Parties Exist (and Often Win Elections)?
By T. J. Cheng, Teh-fu Huang
Edited by James Loxton, University of Sydney, Scott Mainwaring, Harvard University, Massachusetts
Book: Life after Dictatorship
Print publication: 13 September 2018, pp 84-112
Maternal infection during pregnancy and type 1 diabetes mellitus in offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Y. Yue, Y. Tang, J. Tang, J. Shi, T. Zhu, J. Huang, X. Qiu, Y. Zeng, W. Li, Y. Qu, D. Mu
Previous studies have demonstrated that type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) could be triggered by an early childhood infection. Whether maternal infection during pregnancy is associated with T1DM in offspring is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to study the association using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eighteen studies including 4304 cases and 25 846 participants were enrolled in this meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were synthesised using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of associations. Overall, the pooled analysis yielded a statistically significant association between maternal infection during pregnancy and childhood T1DM (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.07–1.62). Furthermore, six studies that tested maternal enterovirus infection showed a pooled OR of 1.54 (95% CI 1.05–2.27). Heterogeneity from different studies was evident (I2 = 70.1%, P < 0.001) and was mainly attributable to the different study designs, ascertaining methods and sample size among different studies. This study provides evidence for an association between maternal infection during pregnancy and childhood T1DM.
Chapter 6 - The Associations of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Secondary Mental and Physical Health Disorders
from Section 3 - Epidemiology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
By Ronald C. Kessler, Peter de Jonge, Yueqin Huang, John J. McGrath, Elie G. Karam, Kate Scott
Edited by Evelyn J. Bromet, State University of New York, Stony Brook, Elie G. Karam, Karestan C. Koenen, Harvard University, Massachusetts, Dan J. Stein, University of Cape Town
Book: Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Print publication: 09 August 2018, pp 110-127