Rali Dencheff was born in 1970 in Rousse, Bulgaria. After graduating from the French Language School in her home town she continued her studies at the Fine Arts Academy in Veliko Turnovo. She graduated from the Academy with an M.F.A (honorable mention) in Painting and Aesthetics.


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Home / About SIOP / The DIP
SIOP Diversifying I-O Psychology Program
The SIOP Diversifying I-O Psychology Program is now recruiting scholars and research mentors. This phase will focus on research experience in the form of a research mentor-mentee relationship. Follow this link for important information and links to apply. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. PT February 1, 2023.
The 2022 DIP kicked off in November with a virtual conference designed to help racial and ethnic minority individuals, particularly undergrad students, learn more about I-O psychology.
The DIP Virtual Conference was held Nov. 7 and 8:
Day One focused on the I-O PhD experience. Attendees heard from distinguished speakers about what a career in I-O psychology is like, how to pursue a career in I-O psychology, and what a PhD program involves.
Day Two focused on the application process, including how to find programs that are a good fit, the application itself, interviewing, and preparing to start the program.
Daily Recordings
DIP Registration
Access The DIP Modules here
To increase diversity within the field of I-O psychology, and ultimately SIOP, by increasing the diversity of students who are applying to and accepted into funded I-O doctoral programs.
A significantly larger talent pathway of Black/African Americans, Hispanic/Latinx and Native Americans for I-O graduate education and ultimately SIOP.
For racial and ethnic minority undergraduate students
1. Raise awareness of I-O psychology
2. Provide the opportunity to learn more about graduate studies in I-O psychology
3. Help undergraduates gain the experience and qualifications needed to be more competitive to apply for funded I-O psychology doctoral programs. For example, foster undergraduate ability in research, scholarship, application, and graduate study more broadly.
4. Guide students in identifying their focal interests through direct experience and exposure to the many areas of research in I-O psychology
5. Socialize students within a supportive graduate climate that values multiple diverse perspectives
For SIOP
6. Increase and diversify the membership of SIOP
7. Demonstrate to existing members of SIOP through action, especially those in underrepresented minority and ethnic communities, a genuine commitment to equity, access, and inclusion.
This initiative was proposed by the Diversifying I-O Graduate Education Task Force, which included these members:
Dr. Enrica Ruggs, Task Force Chair, University of Memphis
Dr. Derek R. Avery, University of Houston
Dr. Jimmy Davis, RHR International
Dr. Marcus Dickson, Wayne State University
Dr. Eden B. King, Rice University
Dr. Larry R. Martinez, Portland State University
Dr. Patrick F. McKay, Temple University
Dr. Steven G. Rogelberg, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Dr. Ann Marie Ryan, Michigan State University
The task force convened to define and address the issue of racial and ethnic underrepresentation in funded doctoral programs in I-O psychology. The pipeline initiative seeks to increase awareness of I-O and strengthen the applications of racial and ethnic minority students. This program is aligned with SIOP's strategic goal to "build a diverse, inclusive, and agile SIOP that maximizes our impact through effective people, process, technology, and data infrastructure."
To learn more about The DIP, view Stephen Rogelberg's discussions with SIOP Diversity & Inclusion Officer Derek Avery, and The DIP Chair Larry Martinez, as part of the Better Together Tuesday video about the program below. Check back for more details about this exciting new program!
"The DIP" is a new diversity pathway initiative, approved by the SIOP Executive Board in April 2021. It is chaired by Dr. Larry R. Martinez of Portland State University.
The DIP Phases
Phase 1: Virtual Conference
Phase 1 of the initiative is meant to provide general awareness about I-O and increase interest in the field for a large group of racial and ethnic minority undergraduate students. We see this step as an inclusive experience that should aim to attract a wide net of students to learn more about the advantages of attending I-O funded doctoral programs. This virtual conference for approximately 50-100 students takes place each fall.
Phase 2: Research Experience
Research experience is often a critical qualification that doctoral admissions committees look for when screening applicants. We think it is important to help racial and ethnic minority students gain these experiences to not only provide increased exposure to I-O psychological research, but also to help strengthen their qualifications for graduate school. This phase will include a select group of Phase 1 participants and will take place each January.
Phase 3: SIOP Conference Immersion/University Fair
This phase provides an opportunity for program participants to expand their networks to include a larger number of people in the field of I-O who can provide guidance and encouragement throughout the application process and beyond. As more program participants go through the program and become immersed in SIOP, they will be able to build community and feel more included in SIOP at large. This phase will include a select group of Phase 1 and 2 participants and will take place each April.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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7 Best USB Audio Interfaces for Podcasters in 2021
Posted by Saad Ali | Aug 19, 2021 | Technology | 0 |
USB audio interfaces are a type of computer hardware that connect audio devices to computers. They are generally designed for their use as a recording interface. Their latency-free qualities make them an ideal choice for online DJs or podcasters who need to play software instruments or effects as they record. A USB audio interface has other uses too. To name a few, you can connect soundcards, speakers, microphones, and guitars to your laptop when you are on the road.
In this article, we're going to discuss the best USB audio interfaces for podcasters along with their specifications and features.
Let's begin.
1. Audient iD4 MkII
Audient's iD4 is one of the best USB audio interfaces for podcasters. It has excellent features including a microphone preamp, headphone amp, and high-impedance instrument input, all in the slim 2 x 5.5-inch body.
It also has a compact design, unlike other interfaces, that come with lots of knobs and buttons on the face panel. The digital mixer allows you to monitor multiple sources, control levels, and switch between them. It has two extra headphone outputs for people who want to monitor with headphones without causing feedback.
There is also a high-powered balanced output to connect professional studio monitors or amplifiers. Connecting the device to your computer is easy as it has a USB 2.0 port. Additionally, the interface has a Pro Tools|HD support that allows it to work with the high-end recording software. Audient's iD4 is compatible with Mac OS X Snow Leopard and newer operating systems as well as PCs running Windows XP or newer operating systems.
Its latency of 1 millisecond ensures that you hear your vocals in real-time when you sing or speak into the microphone.
Furthermore, it has a four-band dynamic equalizer to enhance the output. The high-pass filter is included for removing low frequencies. And there are two signal FFT meters that allow you to monitor input and output signals easily.
The audio interface is small and light enough to take anywhere you go. The frequency response of the dynamic range makes it compatible with a large variety of microphones such as condenser, ribbon, dynamic, or studio quality USB mics.
2. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 has an excellent sound quality. This interface is great for anyone who is running a podcast or recording voiceovers for YouTube videos. It comes with two mic/instrument inputs, as well as headphones and MIDI ports.
It pairs very well with the Blue Yeti Microphone and provides clear sound quality.
This USB audio interface also has several different recording options to select from, including stereo, mono, four-channel, eight-channel, as well as several others. This feature makes it very versatile and allows podcasters to overcome their limitations when it comes to recording devices.
3. Universal Audio UAD Apollo Twin MkII
The Universal Audio UAD Apollo Twin MkII is also among the top USB audio interfaces for podcasters. This interface features everything you need to make professional recordings, including mic preamps and converters.
The converters are 24-bit/192 kHz, making them the best in the industry. You can also use this interface to easily record a live performance with its two-man live setup, or broadcast content over social media and other applications.
The Apollo Twin MkII is also extremely easy to use, with a single knob and two buttons. The knob controls input levels, while the buttons control basic functions like a record. This device can be used with any DAW such as Pro Tools or GarageBand.
4. PreSonus AudioBox USB 96
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 is an affordable 2-in/4-out USB interface that offers a reliable and quality performance. This unit features plug-and-play capability, a built-in microphone, stereo inputs and outputs, 96 kHz throughput, and DSP effects such as EQ, limiter, compressor, and de-esser.
The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 is portable and compact, weighing only around 3.5 lbs. It is designed with a PCI bracket, which can be attached to the back of a computer or laptop for easy portability. It also comes with an illuminated meter display that enables you to monitor audio levels at all times.
5. Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2
The Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 is among the best USB audio interfaces for podcasters. It's the go-to device for the audio engineer looking to produce their own sound, or for any musician looking to record. The Komplete Audio 2 has an elegant and modern design that will fit into any studio setup. It also has a dual-mode input of mic/instrument which allows you to switch between recording vocals and recording instruments with ease.
Komplete Audio 2 also features vintage effects like de-esser, chorus, delay, and reverb. It works well with analog synthesizers, guitar cabinets, drum machines, and more. It also sports a built-in mixer with individual-level controls for every track and a master-level control for the main output.
The interface also has a direct monitoring feature that allows you to listen to records or your input signal in real-time, without any latency, and while the recording is under progress. The Komplete Audio 2 provides studio-grade sound quality, high-performance converters with a 105dB dynamic range and 48kHz sample rate, and super low latency.
It is compatible with Mac OS X users (10.5+) though Windows XP/Vista/7 users can utilize the device by downloading NI hardware drivers. The interface also supports ASIO 2, GSIF 2, Core Audio, and WDM driver standards to use it with any audio software on your computer.
6. Rode AI-1
I needed to set up a home recording studio, and after doing some research, I found the Rode AI-1. It's been great for my podcasting needs so far.
Rode AI-1 is compact and portable, with superior sound quality. It features a switchable 20dB pad for high input signals, as well as up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution for digital audio. The interface supports a new USB bus-powered mode for easy use. The Rode AI-1 also includes a built-in headphone amp with studio EQ settings and a low latency performance mode.
It is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X computers, with drivers available for Windows XP SP2 or newer operating systems and Mac OS X 10.5 or newer versions.
7. Zoom PodTrak P4
Zoom PodTrak P4 is an ultra-compact interface. It can handle a lot of input sources and outputs simultaneously on its four channels at the same time. It also supports up to 16-track recording at resolutions of up to 24 bit and 96 kHz with a low latency of 2.25 ms. The device also has MIDI inputs and outputs. That means, it can be helpful for people who want to set it up as a MIDI interface as well as an audio interface.
It also comes with Cubase AI music production software and a powerful toolkit for non-destructive editing. The device can be used to record guitar, bass, keyboards, cello, and vocals among others. It is recommended that the artist have some sort of audio interface experience before using this product as it is quite advanced.
This interface offers a 3-year warranty. The biggest and perhaps the only limitation of this interface is that it does not support high-resolution 96k/24-bit audio. Additionally, it can only be used with Cubase AI music production software.
How to Choose The Best USB Audio Interfaces for Podcasters
The audio interface is an important piece of equipment for podcasters. It provides the connection between the computer and the various microphones and other devices. So what is a good USB audio interface for a podcaster?
First and foremost, you'll need a reliable interface that won't lead to any issues in the future. The next consideration is deciding on how many inputs you need as this will determine size and price. You'll also want to consider whether or not you need MIDI functionality. It's also worth comparing different interfaces with input and output, mic preamps, headphone amps, USB bus-powered mode, sample rate rates, driver support, features such as phantom power, and much more.
Before choosing to buy an audio interface, make sure to check its compatibility with your equipment, its price comparison with other options, and the specs such as frequency, resolution, latency, etc.
We hope you choose the best audio interface for your requirements. Happy podcasting!
Find out the best gear for your podcasting studio:
Best Podcast Microphones
Podcast Mixers
Saad Ali
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Fasting Glucose Levels in Predicting 1-Year All-Cause Mortality in Patients Who Do Not Have Diabetes and Are on Maintenance Hemodialysis
Dan-Tzu Lin-Tan, Ja-Liang Lin, Li-Hua Wang, Li-Mei Wang, Lan-Mei Huang, Lily Liu, Jeng-Yi Huang and Yen-Lin Huang
JASN August 2007, 18 (8) 2385-2391; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.2006121409
Dan-Tzu Lin-Tan
Ja-Liang Lin
Li-Hua Wang
Li-Mei Wang
Lan-Mei Huang
Jeng-Yi Huang
Yen-Lin Huang
Figures & Data Supps
Chronic inflammation and malnutrition relate to increased risks for cardiovascular death. This study compared fasting glucose levels (FGL) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) with malnutrition and inflammation in nondiabetic maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients to investigate the adverse affects and risks for mortality. In total, 693 MHD patients were enrolled in this study and followed up for 1 yr. Geographic, hematologic, biochemical, and dialysis-related data were collected. According to 1997 and 2003 definitions, all patients were classified into three groups: Diabetic, nondiabetic with IFG, and nondiabetic with normal FGL. More diabetic and nondiabetic with IFG group patients were malnourished (χ2 = 24.55, P < 0.0001) and had inflammatory changes (χ2 = 9.32, P = 0.0095) than those with normal FGL. The IFG group had higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and ferritin and lower serum albumin, creatinine levels, and normalized protein catabolic rate than the normal FGL group. Age and parameters of nutrition and inflammation were associated with FGL. Stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that FGL were negatively associated with serum albumin (P = 0.0026) and positively correlated with Log high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P = 0.0004) in nondiabetic MHD patients. In addition, after 1 yr of follow-up, Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that, after adjustment for other significant related factors, FGL (relative risk 1.049; 95% confidence interval 1.007 to 1.093; P = 0.0232) or presence of IFG (relative risk 3.798; 95% confidence interval 1.168 to 12.344; P = 0.0265) was a significant risk factor for 1-yr all-cause mortality of these patients. On the basis of these findings, basal FGL or presence of IFG, a preventive and treatable status, plays an important role in inflammation, malnutrition, and short-term mortality of nondiabetic MHD patients.
Fasting glucose levels (FGL) are important for diagnosis of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG).1 Diabetes is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in both men and women in most racial and ethnic groups.1,2 Individuals with IFG have increased risk for future diabetes and may also have increased risk for CVD.3–5 Because IFG is associated with increased CVD risk, initiating preventive interventions is important for these patients. However, the clinical significance of FGL and IFG in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients remains unclear.
According to the US Renal Data System, the annual mortality rate for MHD patients is 25%, with nearly 50% of all reported MHD patient deaths being attributed to cardiovascular complications.6 Although traditional risk factors for CVD are common in patients with ESRD, these factors alone may not explain the high prevalence of CVD.7 Clinical evidence has indicated that chronic inflammation, a nontraditional risk factor for CVD, is common in MHD patients and may cause protein-energy malnutrition and progressive atherosclerosis.8–10 Protein-energy malnutrition and inflammation, two relatively common and concurrent conditions in MHD patients, have been identified as the main cause of poor short-term survival in this population.11 Correcting malnutrition and/or inflammation has the potential to reduce rates of CVD in MHD patients. Consequently, it is important to identify correctable factors that are associated with malnutrition and/or inflammation in MHD patients. Whether FGL and IFG12 in patients who do not have diabetes and are on MHD correlates with mortality, inflammation, and/or malnutrition in these patients remains unknown.
This multicenter 1-yr longitudinal study investigated the relationship among FGL, IFG, malnutrition, and inflammation by clinically examining nondiabetic MHD patients. Moreover, this study analyzed whether FGL or IFG contributed to the mortality risk for these patients.
Characteristics of the Study Population
A total of 693 MHD patients (329 men and 364 women) with mean MHD duration of 5.7 ± 0.2 yr were enrolled for analysis. Table 1 lists the baseline clinical characteristics, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and biologic and hematologic data. Mean patient age was 55.5 ± 0.5 yr (range 14 to 92 yr). The numbers of patients with renal diseases were as follows: Diabetes 189 (27.3%), chronic glomerulonephritis 226 (32.6%), and hypertensive-related nephropathy 121 (17.5%). Table 1 also lists patient characteristics for the three subgroups. The group with diabetes (n = 189) had lower values of Kt/V and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), shorter duration of HD, higher prevalence of CVD, and higher BMI and white blood cell (WBC) counts than the other groups. Meanwhile, the normal FGL group (n = 423) were younger; had higher levels of serum albumin, creatinine, and normalized protein catabolism rate (nPCR); and had lower values of triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) than the other groups. Furthermore, the IFG group (n = 81) had higher levels of triglycerides, hsCRP, and ferritin and lower levels of serum albumin, creatinine, and nPCR than the normal FGL group. The groups did not differ in terms of gender; smoking status; presence of hypertension or viral hepatitis; values of Ca × P; and use of fistula, biocompatible membrane dialyzers, statins, and/or aspirin (data not shown). The IFG and diabetes group patients had significantly higher percentages of malnutrition (χ2 = 24.55, P < 0.0001) and inflammatory status (χ2 = 9.32, P = 0.0095) than the normal FGL group patients (Table 2).
Baseline characteristics of the study group patients who were on MHD (n = 693)a
Percentage of malnutrition and inflammation in study group patients on MHD (n = 693)a
Significant Correlations among FGL, Baseline Data, Nutrition, and Inflammation Markers in Patients Who Did Not Have Diabetes and Were on MHD
The Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated that FGL was significantly and positively correlated with age and inflammatory markers, such as hsCRP and ferritin levels, but negatively correlated with nutritional parameters, such as albumin, creatinine, and hemoglobin levels in nondiabetic MHD patients (Table 3).
Associations between FGL, nutrition, and inflammation markers in patients who did not have diabetes and were on MHD (n = 504) at the beginning of study (Spearman rank correlation coefficients)a
Significant Relations between Serum Albumin and FGL in Patients Who Did Not Have Diabetes and Were on MHD
The variables that were considered as potential covariates of serum albumin7,9–11 were age, gender, BMI, HD years, smoking status, CVD, viral hepatitis B and C, use of aspirin or statins, use of antihypertension drugs, using fistula for vascular access, biocompatible membrane dialyzers, Ca × P, iPTH, Kt/Vurea (Daugirdas), and log hsCRP. Simple linear regression analysis indicated that age, gender, smoking, BMI, previous CVD, use of a fistula, log hsCRP, CTR, and FGL were associated with serum albumin in the study patients (Table 4). After adjustment for these significant variables, stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between serum albumin levels and FGL (Table 4). A 1-mg/dl increase in FGL was associated with a 0.003-g/dl decrease in serum albumin level (P = 0.0026).
Determinants of nutrition (albumin) in patients who did not have diabetes and were on MHD (n = 504)
Significant Relationship between Log hsCRP and FGL in Patients Who Did Not Have Diabetes and Were on MHD
The variables7,9–11 that were considered as potential covariates of inflammation were age, gender, BMI, HD years, smoking status, CVD, viral hepatitis B and C, aspirin or statins drugs, antihypertension drugs, using a fistula for vascular access, biocompatible membrane dialyzers, Ca × P, iPTH, and Kt/Vurea (Daugirdas). Simple linear regression analysis indicated that age, smoking, BMI, previous CVD, Kt/Vurea (Daugirdas), CTR, and FGL were associated with log hsCRP in these patients (Table 5). After adjustment for these significant variables, stepwise multiple linear regression analysis identified a significant correlation between log hsCRP levels and FGL (P = 0.0004; Table 5).
Determinants of inflammation (Log hsCRP) in patients who did not have diabetes and were on MHD (n = 504)
Cox Regression Multivariate Analysis for 1-Yr Mortality in MHD Patients
At the end of the 12-mo observation period, the following data were obtained: 23 (12.2%) patients in the diabetic group, eight (9.9%) patients in the IFG group, and 10 (2.4%) patients in the normal FGL group died during the 1-yr follow-up. None of IFG group with sugar <110 died. A total of 606 patients completed the 1-yr follow-up. During this period, 34 patients were transferred to other outpatient hemodialysis units, 12 patients received kidney transplantation, and 41 patients died. Among these patients, 35 (72.9%) died of CVD, five (12.2%) died of infection, and one died of hepatoma. Cox multivariate regression analysis revealed that—after adjustment for other significant related factors—presence of abnormal CTR (>50%) and FGL were significant risk factors for 1-yr mortality of patients who did not have diabetes and were on MHD (Table 6). Similarly, instead of FGL, presence of IFG is a significant risk factor (relative risk 3.798, 95% confidence interval 1.168 to 12.344; P = 0.0265) for 1-yr mortality in these patients after adjustment of related significant factors. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for all MHD patients showed that diabetic and nondiabetic IFG group patients had higher mortality than those in the normal FGL group (Log rank test, χ2 = 11.48, P = 0.0007; Figure 1). At the study end, four (4.9%) of 81 patients with IFG had developed diabetes.
The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that diabetic and nondiabetic IFG group patients had a higher 1-yr mortality rate than that of the nondiabetic normal FGL group (Log rank test, χ2 = 11.48, P = 0.0007).
Cox regression analysis of the overall risk for all-cause 1-yr mortality, according to baseline prognostic factors, in patients who did not have diabetes and were on MHDa
The analytical results showed that, similar to MHD patients with diabetes, MHD patients without diabetes and with IFG had higher levels of inflammatory markers, including hsCRP and ferritin, and lower levels of nutritional markers, such as serum albumin, creatinine, and nPCR, than MHD patients without diabetes and with normal FGL. A significantly larger percentage of the IFG and diabetic group patients had malnutrition and inflammation than did the normal FGL group patients. In addition, FGL are positively associated with inflammatory markers but negatively correlated with nutritional parameters in the Spearman analysis. After adjustment for significantly related variables, stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that FGL is negatively correlated with serum albumin levels but positively associated with log hsCRP in MHD patients without diabetes. A 1-mg/dl increase in FGL was associated with a 0.003-g/dl decrease in serum albumin level (P = 0.0026). All of these findings indicate that FGL influences nutritional and inflammatory status in MHD patients without diabetes and that IFG is associated with malnutrition and inflammation in such patients.
Similar to the findings of this investigation of MHD patients without diabetes, some previous studies13,14 reported a strong association between hsCRP levels and FGL and that hyperglycemia influences plasma TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-18 in individuals without diabetes. Cases of IFG may result from insulin resistance.15 In a survey of 1008 individuals without diabetes,16 hsCRP, fibrinogen, and WBC counts were found to be associated with insulin resistance. The finding is also supported by the Women's Health Study,17 which found hsCRP to be independently associated with fasting hyperinsulinemia in women without diabetes. Because few studies mention the relationship between hyperglycemia and malnutrition in individuals without diabetes and chronic inflammation is a common cause of malnutrition in MHD patients,8–10 the negative association between FGL and serum albumin identified here may result from hyperglycemia-induced inflammatory changes or oxidative stresses causing malnutrition in MHD patients without diabetes.
At the end of the 12-mo observation period, the 1-yr mortality rates for MHD patients with diabetes (12.2%) and MHD patients without diabetes and with IFG (9.9%) were similar, but the rate for the MHD patients without diabetes and with normal FGL was just 2.2%. The main cause of death was CVD in these patients. Cox hazard multivariate analysis demonstrated that basal FGL or the presence of IFG was a significant independent risk factor for predicting 1-yr all-cause mortality in MHD patients without diabetes after adjustment of other related factors. Because IFG may induce subclinical inflammation and chronic inflammation, which in turn may cause protein-energy malnutrition and progressive atherosclerosis, protein-energy malnutrition and inflammation have been identified as the main cause of poor short-term survival in MHD patients8–11; therefore, it is not surprising that basal FGL or the presence of IFG independently predicts the short-term mortality of MHD patients without diabetes in this investigation.
Although hyperglycemia can cause oxidative stress and inflammatory changes and is an established risk factor for CVD in patients with diabetes,1,2 the prognostic significance of IFG for macrovascular complications remains unclear.18,19 Because this study defines IFG as an FGL between 105 and 125 mg/dl and none of the IFG group with sugar <110 died, the findings of this investigation are supported by other studies.20–22 A clinical study20 in 1998 surveyed 20-yr mortality in 17,285 working men who did not have diabetes and were aged 44 to 55 yr. Regarding death from CVD and coronary heart disease (CHD), men with abnormal fasting glucose distributions had higher risk for death from CHD, with age-adjusted hazard ratios for CHD of 2.7. During 2001, a total of 11,853 patients with established CHD, comprising 1258 patients without diabetes and with IFG, were followed up over 7.7 yr. IFG was identified as a consistent predictor of increased all-cause mortality with a hazard ratio of 1.39.21 Furthermore, among 2763 postmenopausal women who had established CHD and were followed up for 6.8 yr, 218 women with IFG according to the 1997 definition (FGL 110 to 125 mg/dl) had significantly increased risk for any CHD events, whereas the 698 women with IFG according to 2003 definition (FGL 100 to 125 mg/dl) had no such increased risk.22 These findings are similar to the analytical results of this investigation and suggest that IFG is also a risk factor for macrovascular complications. Because excess mortality risk of the presence of IFG was demonstrated within 1 yr in this study, there seems to be an urgent need for preventive actions such as smoking cessation, obesity reduction, and so forth for MHD patients who do not have diabetes and have IFG and seem to face a significant survival risk compared with patients without diabetes and with CHD.
The finding that basal FGL or the presence of IFG can predict short-term mortality in MHD patients without diabetes is important because hyperglycemia is treatable. Good glycemic control has been demonstrated to reduce the risk for microvascular complications, but equivalent evidence is lacking for CVD risk reduction.23 However, the Study to Prevent Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (STOP-NIDDM) found that acarbose can reduce the risk for any cardiovascular event by 49% compared with the placebo.23 Whether good glycemic control is beneficial for MHD patients without diabetes and with IFG requires further assessment.
At the end of 1-yr of follow-up, Four (4.9%) of 81 patients with IFG had developed diabetes. The results are similar to a previous study24 that analyzed six prospective studies and demonstrated the incidence rates of type 2 diabetes among patients with impaired glucose tolerance ranging from 3.6 to 8.7 per 100 person-years. Further studies are needed to clarify the risk factors that influence the progression from IFG to overt diabetes in MHD patients without diabetes and with IFG.
This study has some limitations. Two-hour postchallenge glucose levels were not checked; therefore, we could not compare the strength of the association of IFG with impaired glucose tolerance for mortality. In addition, the baseline prevalence of diabetes was probably underestimated, and some patients with diabetes were misclassified as having IFG. Although this may have biased the study results and increased mortality risk in the IFG group, strict selection criteria were used and three FGL checks were performed at 1-mo intervals to determine whether the study patients had IFG or diabetes, thereby minimizing the bias that resulted from this problem.
This study showed that FGL influences nutritional and inflammatory status in MHD patients without diabetes and that IFG is associated with malnutrition and inflammation in these patients. Furthermore, basal FGL or the presence of IFG independently predicts 1-yr mortality of MHD patients without diabetes. The analytical results of this investigation are important for MHD patients without diabetes because IFG is a preventive and treatable condition and correcting hyperglycemia has the potential to reduce short-term mortality in these patients. Further study is required to confirm this observation and hypothesis.
CONCISE METHODS
All study patients came from three HD centers: Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals (CGMH) in Taipei, Lin-Kou, and Toayuan. All MHD patients were enrolled, after exclusion of those with malignancies and obvious infectious diseases, as well as those who were hospitalized or underwent surgery or renal transplantation during the 3 mo before the study. Patients who were currently using FG-elevating drugs, such as postmenopausal replacement hormones, steroids, thyroid hormone; who could not tolerate fasting time; or who had been receiving regular HD for <6 mo were also excluded. This longitudinal observational study enrolled a total of 693 patients. Most HD patients had been undergoing 4 h of HD three times per week. HD for these patients used single-use hollow-fiber dialyzers equipped with modified cellulose-based polyamide or polysulfone membranes. The dialysate used was a standard ionic composition, and a bicarbonate-based buffer was used in all cases. Presence of diabetes and CVD, including cerebrovascular disease, coronary arterial disease, congestive heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease, were recorded. Smoking behavior and use of drugs that effect inflammatory properties, such as statins and aspirin, were also recorded. This clinical study followed the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of CGMH, Taipei.
Patients who met the inclusion criteria were classified into three groups according to their FGL, which were checked at least three times at 1-mo intervals. All values had to be within the classification of the IFG and normal FGL ranges, based on the 1997 and 2003 definitions.12 The three patient classification groups were as follows: The nondiabetic with normal FGL group (fasting glucose <105 mg/dl; n = 423), the nondiabetic with IFG group (fasting glucose <126 and ≥105 mg/dl; n = 81), and the diabetic group (twice subsequent fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dl or diabetes was diagnosed by a physician in the history; n = 189). All patients were followed up for 1 yr, and mortality during this period was the primary end point.
Laboratory, Nutritional, and Inflammatory Parameters
Laboratory data for each patient were obtained within a few days of the clinical examination during stable outpatient HD sessions to minimize any effects of acute events. Blood samples were drawn from the arterial end of the vascular access immediately before initiation of a 2-d interval HD, centrifuged, and stored at −70°C until they were used in assays.
Serum albumin, creatinine levels, transferrin saturation, nPCR, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were assayed and recorded as nutritional markers. Moreover, WBC and hemoglobin were measured as the hematologic indicators. This study used both serum ferritin and hsCRP as inflammation markers. Serum hsCRP concentrations were measured using immunonephelometry (Nanopia CRP; Daiichi, Tokyo. Japan). The lowest detection limit was <0.15 mg/L. All other markers were measured using standard laboratory approaches with an automatic analyzer. nPCR in HD patients was calculated via validated equations and normalized to actual body weight.25 Dialysis clearance of urea was expressed as Kt/Vurea, using the method described by Daugirdas26 in HD patients. Serum calcium, phosphate, and iPTH were also detected. Corrected calcium = serum calcium (mg/dl) + [0.8(4.0 − serum albumin [g/dl])].
Definition of Malnutrition and Inflammation
To determine whether FGL reflects the inflammation and/or malnutrition status of MHD patients, this work investigated serum albumin and hsCRP levels in different population subgroups on the basis of the absence or presence of malnutrition and inflammation. The presence of inflammation in MHD patients was defined as an hsCRP level >3 mg/dl, a level that is correlated with raised cardiovascular risk in the general population.27 This work defined albumin levels <3.6 g/dl (<36 g/L) as a state of malnutrition, levels that represent the 10th percentile of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.28,29
Unless otherwise stated, continuous variables are expressed as means ± SEM, and categorical variables are expressed as numbers or percentages for each item. Comparisons among the three study groups of patients were analyzed via one-way ANOVA using Bonferroni test for post hoc analysis. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to detect significant differences among non-normally distributed variables, and logarithmic conversion was conducted for hsCRP levels. The χ2 test was used for categorical variables, including gender, smoking status, CVD, and the presence of malnutrition and inflammation. Moreover, Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to assess the relations between variables. To identify factors that were associated with inflammation and nutrition, this investigation used multiple linear regression models with backward stepwise procedures for biochemical and demographic variables,7,9–11 such as age, gender, BMI, HD years, smoking status, CVD, viral hepatitis B and C, use of aspirin or statins, use of antihypertension drugs, using fistula for vascular access, biocompatible membrane dialyzers, Ca × P, iPTH, and Kt/Vurea (Daugirdas). The Cox proportional hazards model was applied to determine the significance of variables for predicting 1-yr mortality (the primary end point). This model included all of the variables that were identified in the literature7,9–11 as related to HD mortality. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. All statistical calculations were performed using StatView 2.0 for Windows (SAS Institute, Cary, NC).
We appreciate the help provided by the HD staff of Taipei, Lin-Kou, and Toayuan CGMH.
Lim SC, Tai ES, Tan BY, Chew SK, Tan CE: Cardiovascular risk profile in individuals with borderline glycemia: The effect of the 1997 American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria and the 1998 World Health Organization Provisional Report. Diabetes Care 23 : 278 –282, 2000
Davidson MB, Landsman PB, Alexander CM: Lowering the criterion for impaired fasting glucose will not provide clinical benefit. Diabetes Care 26 : 3329 –3330, 2003
Glucose tolerance and mortality: Comparison of WHO and American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria. The DECODE study group. European Diabetes Epidemiology Group. Diabetes Epidemiology: Collaborative analysis of diagnostic criteria in Europe. Lancet 354 : 617 –621, 1999
Levitan EB, Song Y, Ford ES, Liu S: Is nondiabetic hyperglycemia a risk factor for cardiovascular disease? A meta-analysis of prospective studies. Arch Intern Med 164 : 2147 –2155, 2004
Khaw KT, Wareham N, Bingham S, Luben R, Welch A, Day N: Association of hemoglobin A1c with cardiovascular disease and mortality in adults: The European prospective investigation into cancer in Norfolk. Ann Intern Med 141 : 413 –420, 2004
US Renal Data System: Patient mortality and survival. Am J Kidney Dis 32[Suppl 1] : S69 –S80, 1998
Wanner C, Metzger T: C-reactive protein a marker for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in haemodialysis patients. Nephrol Dial Transplant 178[Suppl 8] : S29 –S32, 2002
Pecoits-Filho R, Nordfors L, Lindholm B, Hoff CM, Schalling M, Stenvinkel P: Genetic approaches in the clinical investigation of complex disorders: Malnutrition, inflammation, and atherosclerosis (MIA) as a prototype. Kidney Int 84[Suppl] : S162 –S167, 2003
Pupim LB, Caglar K, Hakim RM, Shyr Y, Ikizler TA: Uremic malnutrition is a predictor of death independent of inflammatory status. Kidney Int 66 : 2054 –2060, 2004
Kalantar-Zadeh K, Block G, Humphreys MH, Kopple JD: Reverse epidemiology of cardiovascular risk factors in maintenance dialysis patients. Kidney Int 63 : 793 –808, 2003
Kalantar-Zadeh K: Recent advances in understanding the malnutrition-inflammation-cachexia syndrome in chronic kidney disease patients: What is next? Semin Dial 18 : 365 –369, 2005
Genuth S, Alberti KG, Bennett P, Buse J, Defronzo R, Kahn R, Kitzmiller J, Knowler WC, Lebovitz H, Lernmark A, Nathan D, Palmer J, Rizza R, Saudek C, Shaw J, Steffes M, Stern M, Tuomilehto J, Zimmet P; Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus: Follow-up report on the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care 26 : 3160 –3167, 2003
Festa A, D'Agostino R Jr, Tracy RP, Haffner SM: C-reactive protein is more strongly related to post-glucose load glucose than to fasting glucose in non-diabetic subjects: The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study. Diabet Med 19 : 939 –943, 2002
Esposito K, Nappo F, Marfella R, Giugliano G, Giugliano F, Ciotola M, Quagliaro L, Ceriello A, Giugliano D: Inflammatory cytokine concentrations are acutely increased by hyperglycemia in humans: Role of oxidative stress. Circulation 106 : 2067 –2072, 2002
Festa A, Hanley AJ, Tracy RP, D'Agostino R Jr, Haffner SM: Inflammation in the prediabetic state is related to increased insulin resistance rather than decreased insulin secretion. Circulation 108 : 1822 –1830, 2003
Festa A, D'Agostino R Jr, Howard G, Mykkanen L, Tracy RP, Haffner SM: Chronic subclinical inflammation as part of the insulin resistance syndrome: The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS). Circulation 102 : 42 –47, 2000
Pradhan AD, Cook NR, Buring JE, Manson JE, Ridker PM: C-reactive protein is independently associated with fasting insulin in nondiabetic women. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 23 : 650 –655, 2003
De Michele M, Panico S, Celentano E, Covetti G, Intrieri M, Zarrilli F, Sacchetti L, Tang R, Bond MG, Rubba P: Association of impaired glucose homeostasis with preclinical carotid atherosclerosis in women: Impact of the new American Diabetes Association criteria. Metabolism 51 : 52 –56, 2002
DECODE Study Group, the European Diabetes Epidemiology Group: Glucose tolerance and cardiovascular mortality: Comparison of fasting and 2-hour diagnostic criteria. Arch Intern Med 161 : 397 –405, 2001
Balkau B, Shipley M, Jarrett RJ, Pyorala K, Pyorala M, Forhan A, Eschwege E: High blood glucose concentration is a risk factor for mortality in middle-aged nondiabetic men: 20-year follow-up in the Whitehall Study, the Paris Prospective Study, and the Helsinki Policemen Study. Diabetes Care 21 : 360 –367, 1998
Fisman EZ, Motro M, Tenenbaum A, Boyko V, Mandelzweig L, Behar S: Impaired fasting glucose concentrations in nondiabetic patients with ischemic heart disease: a marker for a worse prognosis. Am Heart J 141 : 485 –490, 2001
Kanaya AM, Herrington D, Vittinghoff E, Lin F, Bittner V, Cauley JA, Hulley S, Barrett-Connor E: Impaired fasting glucose and cardiovascular outcomes in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease. Ann Intern Med 142 : 813 –820, 2005
Bavenholm PN, Efendic S: Postprandial hyperglycaemia and vascular damage: The benefits of acarbose. Diabetes Vasc Dis Res 3 : 72 –79, 2006
Edelstein SL, Knowler WC, Bain RP, Andres R, Barrett-Connor EL, Dowse GK, Haffner SM, Pettitt DJ, Sorkin JD, Muller DC, Collins VR, Hamman RF: Predictors of progression from impaired glucose tolerance to NIDDM: An analysis of six prospective studies. Diabetes 46 : 701 –710, 1997
Sargent JA: Control of dialysis by a single-pool urea model: The National Cooperative Dialysis Study. Kidney Int 13[Suppl l] : S19 –S25, 1983
Daugirdas JT: The post:pre-dialysis plasma urea nitrogen ratio to estimate Kt/V and nPCR: Mathematical modeling. Int J Artif Organs 12 : 411 –419, 1989
Yeh ET, Willerson JT: Coming of age of C-reactive protein: Using inflammation markers in cardiology. Circulation 107 : 370 –371, 2003
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/nhanes/nh3data.htm. Accessed July 16, 2003
Kalantar-Zadeh K, Ikizler TA, Block G, Avram MM, Kopple JD: Malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome in dialysis patients: Causes and consequences. Am J Kidney Dis 42 : 864 –881, 2003
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Kidney Histopathology Can Predict Kidney Function in ANCA-Associated Vasculitides with Acute Kidney Injury Treated with Plasma Exchanges
The Trifecta Study: Comparing Plasma Levels of Donor-derived Cell-Free DNA with the Molecular Phenotype of Kidney Transplant Biopsies
Mycophenolate Mofetil after Rituximab for Childhood-Onset Complicated Frequently-Relapsing or Steroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome
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Emerging Biomarkers for Evaluating Cardiovascular Risk in the Chronic Kidney Disease Patient: How Do New Pieces Fit into the Uremic Puzzle?


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


So you made a short documentary – now what? Who's going to pay you for it? Or, you have a great idea for a short – who can you get to pay you to make it?
DOCNYC's "All About the Short" day of panels included discussions of content, style, and new platform possibilities, but the audiences displayed the most hunger for information surrounding how to get paid for short documentaries. The second panel of the day ("Who's Buying?") focused on this issue, although the subject was also raised during the general panel. People are clearly interested in how to leverage this new zeitgeist of short filmmaking and what options exist for funding.
"Who's Buying?,"moderated by director/producer Trish Dalton, presented the perspectives of folks in the corporate, online sphere – Sarah Lash (Acquisitions) and Jed Weintrob (VP Production) for Conde Nast and Dan Silver (Director of Development) and Andrew Jenks (filmmaker) for ESPN.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on 21 November, 2014 by docuphile.


Together with Giacomo Conterno, Luciano Sandrone's Barolo is now one of the most prized and sought after wines from Piedmont. Sandrone is a master winemaker and has some of the most legendary plots in Barolo; including Cannubi Boschis which he bought in 1977 from savings he earned working his teen years in the famous Marchesi di Barolo.
Sandrone is considered one of the leading lights in the modernist movement of Barolo winemaking. He employs acute green harvests heavily restricting yields, ages his wine shorter than tradition dictates and employs extended maceration. However, he also embodies traditional values, perfectly synthesising old and new like Paolo Scavino; straddling the dichotomy of tradition and modernism with supreme precision. One of the tenents of traditional Barolo is that the final blend should come from multiple vineyards, with each vineyard providing something different such as aromatics, rich fruit and structure. It was only in the sixties that Prunotto and Vietti first bottled from single vineyards making this en vogue.
Sandrone again comes to the fore here remaining true to tradition and it is within this paradigm that his Le Vigne is now his most sought after wine. It is fascinating that his single vineyard Cannubi Boschis has established his greatness, but that in recent years it is his blend of multiple vineyards, Le Vigne, that is now one of the greatest Barolos in the world, scoring 100 points from Galloni in 2010. In recent years Sandrone has been including more grapes from Serralunga, a region known for the oldest most compact soils in the Barolo zone.


Our bodies have over ten million million (1013) living cells which must work in co-operation for us to live and grow. To co-operate they must communicate. The brain, spinal cord, nerves, sense organs and receptors are the vital parts of the human nervous system that facilitate communication between our cells. In this lesson we will look at the formation and function of the nervous system.
How is our nervous system formed?
The central nervous system (CNS) begins to form halfway into the embryonic period, 28 days after conception. The development of the central nervous system is the first major event in the formation of organs in the developing embryo.
The nervous system develops from the ectoderm , the outer of the three germ layers. The skeletal system develops from themesoderm , the middle of the germ layers, with the cranium and vertebrae forming a protective cover around the brain and spinal cord.
The brain is the main command centre sending and receiving signals to and from all parts of the body, storing information and giving us the amazing ability of self-awareness, i.e. consciousness.
The spinal cord is a complex dual carriageway. Information passes rapidly between the brain and almost all the organs of the body.
Signals are conducted along specialised cells called neurons. There are three types of neuron; sensory neurons , motor neurons and interneurons. The neurons do not connect directly with one another; there is a small gap between them, called the synaptic cleft .
The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system.
The spinal cord connects the brain to all the sense organs.
Neurons are specialised cells to transfer information signals.
Motor neurons carry signals to the central nervous system.
Interneurons carry signals from the central nervous system.
Signals are transferred to target cells by diffusion of chemicals.
Some motor and sensory neurons may be about a metre in length.
The axon is the time-saving feature for rapid information transfer.
A refl ex arc is a long signal pathway involved in slow responses.
There are 33 vertebrae and 33 pairs of spinal nerves.
All organs below the head connect to the brain by the spinal cord.


text:
ASEAN can help India meet its growing energy demand
In this photograph released by the Indian Press Information Bureau on January 25, 2018, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) poses for a photograph with ASEAN heads of state at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. (AFP Photo/PIB/Handout)
India's rapid economic development is fuelling rising energy demand in the country. A recent report by financial holding company Nomura reveals that India's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to show a 7.7 percent growth in the first quarter of the year, exceeding projections stated in other similar reports. Despite industrial output falling to a five-month low in March, it is possible that India will likely record a growth rate greater than the seven percent figure predicted by the World Bank in January.
As economic activity intensifies, energy demand will see a spike. With one of the largest populations in the world, India is the fourth-largest consumer of energy globally, behind the United States (US), China and Russia. According to the 2016 British Petroleum (BP) energy outlook, energy demand in India is set to soar at a rate of 4.2 percent per annum into 2035 – faster than other major economies in the world.
In order to sustain its economic growth, India must be able to adequately meet these rising energy demands. At the moment, hydrocarbons are the main source of energy for the country. This fact was reiterated by Ajay Sawhney, additional secretary for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, who added that hydrocarbons are set to remain an important source of energy on the subcontinent for decades to come.
The country is currently sitting on an estimated 54 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves and 96 trillion cubic feet of shale gas reserves. However, India still remains a net importer of crude oil. To overcome this, the Indian government has launched a two-pronged response via its Make In India initiative.
Source: Make In India
The first initiative is to offer foreign investment opportunities for oil and gas exploration to tap into untouched hydrocarbon reserves. The government is also currently looking at extending the country's gas pipelines for another 15,000 km in a bid to enhance oil security. Besides that, it also aims to boost investment in its refineries as India is a net exporter of petroleum products.
The government's second thrust is to develop homegrown renewable energy sources, which are vital to accommodating growing electricity demand in the country. Renewables currently contribute 14.7 percent of the total installed capacity in India, and Modi's government is bent on achieving the ambitious target of 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power by 2022.
Southeast Asia's role
Southeast Asia is home to some of the largest players in the international oil and gas sector such as Malaysia's Petronas, Indonesia's Pertamina and Thailand's PTT. The renewable energy sector is also booming with large conglomerates such as Thailand's B. Grimm Power and the Philippines' UPC Renewables investing in large projects across the region.
Oil-exporting member states like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are all well experienced in the sector and should seize this opportunity to invest in hydrocarbon exploration and production in India. Meanwhile, countries like Singapore and the Philippines are hubs for private and state entities which have heavily invested in domestic solar and wind power generation, respectively. Herein lies an opportunity to expand their investment outlooks.
From a government-to-government point of view, there is much for ASEAN to take away from India's invitation for them to invest in its energy sector. India offers plenty of foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities in the energy sector under the automatic route, where FDI is permitted without prior approval from the Indian government or its central bank.
Furthermore, the ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting on Cooperation in Renewable Energy was held for the first time last year. That meeting showed that India and ASEAN share similar goals in terms of clean energy, and as such, increased cooperation would be greatly beneficial to both parties. ASEAN could help India reach its target of 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power by 2022 through investments, while India could help ASEAN to further develop its renewable energy infrastructure.
Make In India,
ASEAN,


The Voivodeship Administrative Court in Warsaw in its judgment of 13 September 2010 case file VI SA/Wa 922/10 ruled on three important factors of the design law. The VAC held that the "overall impression" refers to the design as a whole, and not to its individual characteristics. It is therefore a general effect, the general feeling that is caused by compared designs on an informed user – whether it is a different impression, or the same. The informed user is a person well informed and having a good understanding and knowledge in this field, who is using certain items or groups of items, with knowledge about this products which is more practical or theoretical than the average user and having more abilities to perceive the characteristics of the object then the average user, and being infromed in the state of industrial design in the given field and being capable of distinguishing the available designs. The scope of creative freedom is determined by the functional characteristics of the object and the earlier state of designs. The oriented user must have a sufficient knowledge to assess the scope of creative freedom and be able to see even relatively small differences, important for the designs of low creative freedom.
This judgment concerned the industrial design "Uchwyt meblowy" (in English: furniture handle), Rp-10794. The judgment is not yet final. A cassation complaint may be filed to the Supreme Administrative Court. See also "Polish regulations on industrial designs" and "Polish case law on industrial designs".
Categories: Art. 102 IPL | Art. 103 IPL | Art. 104 IPL | Art. 105 IPL | industrial designs | informed user | invalidation of a right in registration | Polish Act on Industrial Property Law | Voivodeship Administrative Court.
The Voivodeship Administrative Court in Warsaw in its judgment of 13 September 2010 case file VI SA/Wa 921/10 ruled on three important factors of the design law. The VAC held that the "overall impression" refers to the design as a whole, and not to its individual characteristics. It is therefore a general effect, the general feeling that is caused by compared designs on an informed user – whether it is a different impression, or the same. The informed user is a person well informed and having a good understanding and knowledge in this field, who is using certain items or groups of items, with knowledge about this products which is more practical or theoretical than the average user and having more abilities to perceive the characteristics of the object then the average user, and being infromed in the state of industrial design in the given field and being capable of distinguishing the available designs. The scope of creative freedom is determined by the functional characteristics of the object and the earlier state of designs. The oriented user must have a sufficient knowledge to assess the scope of creative freedom and be able to see even relatively small differences, important for the designs of low creative freedom.
This judgment concerned the industrial design "Uchwyt meblowy" (in English: furniture handle), Rp-10801. The judgment is not yet final. A cassation complaint may be filed to the Supreme Administrative Court. See also "Polish regulations on industrial designs" and "Polish case law on industrial designs".
The Voivodeship Administrative Court in Warsaw in its judgment of 23 June 2010 case file VI SA/Wa 505/10 held that as the informed user should be considered a person who orders from the manufacturer a set of advertising pads to promote his or her own business and to distribute such pads to places of their use. This is undoubtedly a model of an informed user, and so a hypothetical user who physically does non-exist, who uses the product continuously, so it is not the average consumer neither professional. From his or her point of view, the Polish Patent Office shall assess the overall impression on users of a given design and opposed designs. Nevertheless, it is the informed user who compares industrial designs. The scope of creative freedom in developing the design, is determined by the functional characteristics of the object and the earlier designs.
This judgment concerned the industrial design "Podstawka reklamowa świecąca Star light" (in English: flashing advertising pad Star light), Rp-11754. See also "Polish regulations on industrial designs" and "Polish case law on industrial designs".
Categories: Art. 102 IPL | Art. 103 IPL | Art. 104 IPL | Art. 105 IPL | Art. 107 §3 APC | Art. 26 IPL | Art. 7 APC | Art. 77 APC | industrial designs | informed user | invalidation of a right in registration | novelty of an industrial design | Polish Act on Industrial Property Law | Polish Administrative Proceedings Code | Voivodeship Administrative Court.
The Voivodeship Administrative Court in Warsaw in its judgment of 4 December 2009 case file VI SA/Wa 1706/09 held that there is no doubt that only the specialist is qualified to comment on the general impression that questioned designs produced on an informed user, as this specialist is also deemed as the informed user within the meaning of Article 104 of the Polish Act of 30 June 2000 on Industrial Property Law – IPL – (in Polish: ustawa Prawo własności przemysłowej), published in Journal of Laws (Dziennik Ustaw) of 2001 No 49, item 508, consolidated text of 13 June 2003, Journal of Laws (Dziennik Ustaw) No 119, item 1117, with subsequent amendments.
The Court also noted that in the assessment of evidence and proper application of the rule of law provided in Article 104 the IPL, the concept of "informed user", "general impression" and "degree of creative freedom in developing the design", which have not beed defined by the legislature, had to explained by the PPO and the Court. In the opinion of the Court, the essential arguments of the Supreme Court's judgment of 23 October 2007 case file II CSK 302/07 could be applied to this case case. See "Industrial design case, II CSK 302/07".
This judgment concerned the industrial design "Kanapa tapicerowana rozkładana" (in English: upholstered sofa bed) Rp-11355. See also "Polish regulations on industrial designs" and "Polish case law on industrial designs".
Categories: Art. 102 IPL | Art. 104 IPL | Art. 105 IPL | Art. 132(2)(ii) IPL | Art. 24 IPL | informed user | invalidation of a right in registration | Voivodeship Administrative Court.
I have to write about another important judgment I forgot to report two years ago. This time it is the judgment of the Supreme Court – Civil Chamber of 23 October 2007, case file II CSK 302/07, published in the Jurisprudence of the Polish Courts (in Polish: Orzecznictwo Sądów Polskich) of 2009, No 6, p. 451, together with the gloss by Maria Poźniak-Niedzielska at p. 455.
Some readres may be confused with regard to different courts deciding the same subject matter – in this case – designs and I need to explain that the administrative proceedings in designs' cases, in general, concerns all decisions made or orders issued by the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland (the PPO takes decisions on granting, refusal to grant of a right in registration for an industrial design etc.) which are liable to complaint lodged to the Voivodeship Administrative Court (VAC) in Warsaw. Judgments made by the VAC may be a subject of a cassation complaint filed before the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC). However, cases with regard to infringement of a right in registration granted for an industrial design are decided in civil law proceedings. That was the reason the aforementioned case was decided at the last stage by the Supreme Court. See "Administrative, civil and criminal proceedings in trade mark cases in Poland".
The Supreme Court had to give the interpretion of provisions of Article 104 and 105 of the Polish Act of 30 June 2000 on Industrial Property Law – IPL – (in Polish: ustawa Prawo własności przemysłowej), published in Journal of Laws (Dziennik Ustaw) of 2001 No 49, item 508, consolidated text on 13 June 2003, Journal of Laws (Dziennik Ustaw) No 119, item 1117, with subsequent amendments.
1. For an industrial design a right in registration may be granted.
2. The right in registration shall confer the exclusive right to exploit the industrial design for profit or for professional purposes throughout the territory of the Republic of Poland.
3. The holder shall enjoy the right to prevent any third party from making, offering, putting on the market, importing, exporting or using a product in which the design is incorporated or to which it is applied, or stocking such a product for those purposes.
4. The right conferred by the registration of an industrial design shall include any design which does not produce on the informed user a different overall impression. Article 104(2) shall apply accordingly.
5. The right conferred by the registration of an industrial design shall be limited to the kind of products, in respect of which the protection has been applied for.
6. Subject to Article 111, the term of a right in registration shall be 25 years counted from the date of filing of an industrial design application with the Patent Office, the said term being divided into 5-year periods.
The SC held that the examination whether there was any infringement of the registered industrial design requires a comprehensive comparison of designs from the perspective of the person using (on a permanent basis) these items, which belong to specific group of goods, a person being oriented/informed in designs that originate from the creative freedom and to examine/assess whether the overall impression produced by the questioned design on such a person differs or not from the general impression caused by the registered design.
Legal commentators stressed the fact that the concept of "informed user" (oriented) was implemented in the IPL following the adjustment of Polish law to protection standards that exist within the EU law. The person being an informed user is a newcomer in the pantheon of fictional characters of industrial property rights, functioning as a certain pattern. In article 26(1) of the IPL already exists such character called "a person skilled in the art".
1. An invention shall be considered as involving an inventive step if, having regard to the state of the art, it is not obvious to a person skilled in the art.
The Polish commentators also noted and commented on foregin judgments such as Procter & Gamble Company v Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Ltd.,  EWCA Civ 936 and Woodhouse UK Plc v Architectural Lighting. Systems t/a Aquila Design and Urbis Lighting Ltd.  ECPCC (Designs) 25,  RPC 1 and OHIM Invalidity Division's decisions such as Eredu S Coop v Arrmet SRL, ICD 24, 27 April 2004 and Honda Motor Company Ltd v Kwang Yang Motor Company Ltd, ICD 1006, 30 August 2006.
Categories: appearance of the whole or a part of a product | Art. 104 IPL | Art. 105 IPL | EU law | industrial designs | informed user | infringement of registered industrial design | Polish Act on Industrial Property Law | Polish courts | Polish law | Polish Supreme Court.
The Voivodeship Administrative Court in Warsaw in its judgment of 10 June 2008 case file VI SA/Wa 543/08 wrongly named the design rights calling it "the right of protection", although the proper legal terminology is "the right in registration" according to Article 105 of the Polish Act of 30 June 2000 on Industrial Property Law – IPL – (in Polish: ustawa Prawo własności przemysłowej), published in Journal of Laws (Dziennik Ustaw) of 2001 No 49, item 508, consolidated text on 13 June 2003, Journal of Laws (Dziennik Ustaw) No 119, item 1117, with subsequent amendments.
Categories: Art. 105 IPL | industrial designs | Polish Act on Industrial Property Law | Polish courts | Polish law | Polish Patent Office | Voivodeship Administrative Court.


This article explains how to run the Command Prompt in Windows 10 with a user or administrator privileges.
To run the Command Prompt with the privileges assigned to your current user account click Command Prompt.
To run the Command Prompt with administrative privileges click Command Prompt (Admin).
3. To launch the Command Prompt with the privileges of your current user account click on the Command Prompt shortcut.
To run the Command Prompt with administrative privileges right-click the Command Prompt shortcut and select Run as administrator.
1. Hold down the SHIFT key and right-click on an empty space.
2. In the advanced context menu click Open command window here.
3. Type %windir%\system32\cmd.exe and click Next.
4. Type Command Prompt and click Finish.
A. Right-click the shortcut and go to Properties.
B. On the Shortcut tab click Advanced.
C. Check Run as administrator and click OK.
D. Click on the OK button in the shortcut properties window.


text:
Unraveling how PTEN deficiency can lead to autism
November 19, 2019 November 19, 2019 Ana Rodríguez 0 Comments antisense oligonucleotide, Autism, autism spectrum disorders, mTOR, PTEN, Research
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects 1 in 59 children in the U.S. Mutations in specific genes, such as PTEN, can explain many autism cases, but there are currently no effective treatment options for those affected by this condition. At Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Mauro Costa-Mattioli and his colleagues are investigating how learning and memory disorders, such as autism, affect the brain during development. In particular, they are interested in identifying the molecular pathways that are primarily altered in these disorders and finding ways to restore them.
Researchers have uncovered dozens of genes that, like PTEN, heighten the risk for autism spectrum disorders. Credit: Darryl Leja/National Human Genome Research Institute.
"Children with mutations in PTEN, which stands for phosphatase and tensin homolog, present with autism, macrocephaly (an abnormally large skull), intellectual disability and epilepsy," said Costa-Mattioli, professor of neuroscience and Cullen Foundation Endowed Chair at Baylor. "PTEN is associated with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, which includes two distinct molecular complexes — mTORC1 and mTORC2 — each one regulating different cellular functions."
Dr. Mauro Costa-Mattioli
"Based largely on experiments with the drug rapamycin, it was widely believed that dysregulation of mTORC1 was responsible for the condition," said Dr. Chien-Ju Chen, who was a graduate student in the Costa-Mattioli lab during this project. "However, we suspected that this was not the entire story because mTORC2 activity was also dysregulated in individuals with mutations in PTEN."
Mouse model reveals unexpected results
The researchers worked with a model of this condition in which mice were genetically engineered to lack PTEN specifically in neurons, the nerve cells of the brain. PTEN-deficient mice present with macrocephaly, seizures, shorter lifespan, alterations in social behaviors as well as memory problems similar to those observed in patients with autism spectrum disorders.
The investigators used molecular genetics techniques to independently suppress mTORC1 and mTORC2 and determined how individual silencing of these complexes affected the neurological alterations.
The results were quite surprising because they went against the traditional view of the field," said Costa-Mattioli, who also is director of the Memory and Brain Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine.
The researchers found that genetically silencing the mTORC1 complex in PTEN-deficiency mice only resulted in restoration of the size of the brain. It did not affect survival, the behavioral alterations or even the number seizures. Unexpectedly, genetically silencing mTORC2 complex activity resulted in prolonged lifespan, suppressed seizures, restoration of long-term memory and reduced autism spectrum disorder-like behaviors in the mice.
A promising strategy reverses symptoms in mice
Dr. Chien-Ju Chen
Currently, there is no drug that could specifically inhibit mTORC2. So, thinking of possible future clinical applications of these findings, the researchers developed an antisense oligonucleotide, a molecule that silenced the activity of mTORC2 by preventing the synthesis of one of its defining components.
"Amazingly, when we administered a single injection of the antisense oligonucleotide, we were able to reverse the abnormal behaviors and reduce seizures in PTEN-deficient mice," Chen said.
These findings are important because research efforts have mainly been focused on developing drugs to modulate mTORC1.
The current findings show that, mTORC2, not mTORC1, is the major driver of the behavioral and other neurological alterations in PTEN-deficient mice, suggesting that modulation of mTORC2 activity is a promising therapeutic approach.
"For other conditions, like spinal muscular atrophy, anti-sense oligonucleotides have successfully been translated into the clinic. This opens the possibility that either this or drug-based therapeutic modulation of mTORC2 activity also could be developed into a promising strategy to treat neurological disorders in which mTORC2 activity is dysregulated," Costa-Mattioli said.
Finally, mTOR signaling also is altered in other neurological disorders, including epilepsy, tuberous sclerosis, Fragile X syndrome and Alzheimer disease. Future experiments should determine whether mTORC2 also is the main mTOR complex implicated in these disorders.
Find the study in the journal Nature Medicine.
Other contributors to this work include Chien-Ju Chen, Martina Sgritta, Jacqunae Mays, Hongyi Zhou, Rocco Lucero, Jin Park, I-Ching Wang, Jun Hyoung Park, Benny Abraham Kaipparettu, Loredana Stoica, Paymaan Jafar-Nejad, Frank Rigo, Jeannie Chin and Jeffrey L. Noebels.
Financial support was provided by the following grants: NIMH 096816, Department of Defense AR120254, Sammons Enterprises, NINDS NS29709 and NS085171.
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Microprose developed third-person tactical shooter coming to XBLA and Steam on February 6th.
Special Forces: Team X (STX) is a team centric 3rd Person cover based shooter, featuring brutal firefights between elite squads of special force operatives. STX takes place in tomorrow's world, one that is infested with conflicts amongst the geo-political power brokers. A world in which conventional warfare is dead, diplomacy is an affront to the hidden agenda of national objectives, and global strategy is accomplished using clandestine military power.
Initially revealed at by G4 at Gamescom in July, it has since won two show awards at the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle in August for "Best Surprise Reveal" and runner up for "Best Shooter".
Created by world renowned independent developer Zombie Studios, STX puts you in the role of an elite soldier in a Special Forces squad. The game features a unique map selection system, enabling players to shape the battlefield by selecting individual environmental pieces, resulting in over 100 combinations of combat zone. STX allows players to vault, mantle and traverse through the environment with the game's intuitive cover and clambering system.
Featuring exclusively licensed weapons including Kalashnikov, Colt, Famas, Sig Sauer and Mossberg. Each weapon offers a large variety of upgrades and all are fully customizable.
STX supports asymmetric game play with 2-4 teams and 5 frenetic game types. Cooperative play between team members is richly rewarded, giving small coordinated teams an advantage in the battle. Players also can choose to take dogs into the firefight with them. Use the dogs of war to guard your back or eliminate the enemy.


text:
The Enlightened Marriage
by Jed Diamond (Author) and Keith Sellon-Wright (Narrator)
Love and marriage are two of the greatest gifts life has to offer, yet too many marriages fail because couples don't fully understand the five stages of relationships. Because most of us have had hurtful experiences in past relationships, often going back to childhood, we develop an inaccurate love map that causes us to get off track when the stresses of life increase.
For more than forty years, Jed Diamond has been helping couples repair even the most damaged relationships… (more)
For more than forty years, Jed Diamond has been helping couples repair even the most damaged relationships and reweave the broken strands of marriage. In The Enlightened Marriage, Dr. Diamond will help you get through stage three--disillusionment, without losing your love,understand that when your partner says, "I love you, but I'm not in love with you anymore," it is not the end, but the beginning of stage four--real lasting love,learn why healing childhood wounds is the greatest gift of love you can give and receive from your partner,recognize and address the midlife stresses of "manopause," irritable male syndrome, and male-type depression, andfollow your calling in stage five to make a real difference in the world.
Non-Fiction Health & fitness Daily Living Family Relationships Marriage Love & Romance
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing (August 22, 2016)
Duration: 91:0 hours
Daily Living >
Family Relationships >


Today we are joined by Leslie Nolan, an entrepreneur, visionary artist and motivational speaker.
She's founded Leslie Nolan Design - an award winning graphics studio in practice for over thirty years - where she now works with creative entrepreneurs who have lost their mojo or inspiration and helps them reclaim their power so they can find the courage to create their Greatest Work.
Through the magic of painting she helps clients uncover their true genius so they can stand empowered and shine.
She mentors and shares her knowledge, giving workshops, visiting schools and colleges, teaching privately and assisting online educational programs to a world-wide audience.
Leslie's is also a Contemporary Symbolist, whose visionary paintings have been showcased at The United Nations World Conference for Women Against Violence.
I've asked her to join us here today to talk about tapping into our inspiration, motivation, learning about ourselves and uncovering our true genius..


The late 19th century saw Texas industry expanding west. The railroads were laid and towns were springing up everywhere. That quintessential Texas opportunity was knocking once again. One railroad entrepreneur gave one aspiring town builder the idea to layout a new town near the Big Bend called…what else…Progress City. He surveyed, he platted, and he sold. He sold thousands of lots. Deeds were filed and taxes were charged and paid. The problem was…it never existed. Hear the story of Progress City in the latest episode of Wise About Texas.


This book is the first to identify and review the new field of study, sociology and complexity science—or SACS for short. SACS is comprised of five cutting-edge areas of research: computational sociology, the British-based School of Complexity (BBC), complex social network analysis (CSNA), sociocybernetics and the Luhmann School of Complexity (LSC). Together, these five areas represent the latest development in complexity science and sociological systems thinking, offering researchers a powerful, new set of tools for addressing the growing complexity of sociological inquiry.
This book also showcases a new method for modeling social systems, called the SACS Toolkit. The SACS Toolkit comes with a theoretical framework (social complexity theory), procedural algorithm (assemblage) and recommended toolset for modeling social systems (qualitatively, historically or numerically) from the ground-up. In fact, this book uses the SACS Toolkit to review the new field of SACS.
The third feature of this book is its compendium of maps, graphs and figures—all located in one chapter. Demonstrating the visual ingenuity of complexity science method, this compendium provides a picture-book tour of the new field of SACS.
Finally, this book comes with a companion website—an internet resource for exploring the new science of complexity and its intersection with sociology; and for downloading the maps (in color) used in this book. Useful for teachers, students and researchers, this book articulates a possible future for social scientific inquiry in the 21st century.
1.Dept. SociologyKent State University, AshtabulaAshtabulaU.S.A.


The LOIC can be controlled centrally by an administrator in an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channel, a type of computer chat room, which can seize control of a network of computers whose combined power is used in a DDoS attack.... 12/01/2016�� Watch video�� All videos and tutorials are for informational and educational purposes only. They have been produced using our own routers, servers, websites and other resources, and do not contain any illegal activity.
12/01/2016�� Watch video�� All videos and tutorials are for informational and educational purposes only. They have been produced using our own routers, servers, websites and other resources, and do not contain any illegal activity.
Taking down your site in protest is somewhat extreme, but it clearly raises attention. There may be other, more peaceful reasons for taking down a website, maintenance, upgrade and so on.
Earlier this week a number of high-profile gaming services were taken down by distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS) that used a technique not seen before.


Makita Phillips, NSBE's National Leadership Institute chair for 2013–14, looks for ways to keep things cool in a hot area of STEM research. A mechanical engineering Ph.D. candidate at North Carolina State University, she works with a multidisciplinary team, in the Materials Science and Engineering department, to detect and avoid "quench behavior" in superconductors.
The field of nuclear engineering in the U.S. had 19,100 jobs in 2010 and was projected to see an "average" growth of 10 percent in that number by 2020, this according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. For those with the skills and good fortune to land one of those jobs, the financial landscape is rosy: the median pay for nuclear engineers three years ago was a hefty $99,920 per year.
Years before they entered the same Ivy League university, joined NSBE and embarked on engineering paths, Brittney Exline and Kevin Holmes were bright, young prodigies.
During his current Fulbright tenure at the University of Birmingham, in England, Johnson is focused on developing a robot tutor for young students.
Kayla Mackey, 11, is a member of the Bridgeport/Access NSBE Jr. Chapter in Bridgeport, Ct.
Electrical engineering and math major Brandon Baker (third row, third from left) with other members of NSBE Fort Valley State University's 2013–14 Chapter Executive Board. Baker is the starting center on Fort Valley State's football team.
The age-old saying, "Mighty oaks from small acorns grow," can aptly describe these three NSBE members. They have transformed themselves from NSBE Jr. members-at-large to leaders of one of the world's best student-governed organizations.


Heavy duty wheels with quality handle for easy carrying.
PVC protector carrying side for corners protection.
Fiber Sheet gives extra strength in Base.
Heavy duty nylon tapes give extra reinforcement to Bag.
Close with high quality zips for long lasting and better durability.
Balancing between wheels and handle gives perfect carrying comfort.


You're tired of singers, comedians & drag queens?
and your customers spent Lots of Money?
...then look no further, and book Harrizon the Hypnotist today!
Harrizon is a fully trained and insured Comedy Stage Hypnotist & Psychological Illusionist, and as Camp as a Row of Pink Tents.
With 24 years experience in the entertainment industry, he is the only choice for your venue or party. It doesn't matter if you are Gay or Straight, Harrizon isn't fussy... but you should be when booking an entertainer.
When you book Harrizon the Hypnotist, almost anything can happen...and often does. His unique style of humour, and amazing skills, along with the particpants' own imaginations will leave everyone laughing, and talking about the show (and more importantly - YOUR VENUE) for a very long time.
Available for Birthdays, Coming Out Parties, Weddings, Civil Ceremonies, Gay Pride Events, Pubs, Clubs & More!
Every show is tailored to the client's needs, the venue, and the audience & participants on the night. You are not booking a 'Show in a Box' - unlike singers, musicians, comedians and drag queens, Harrizon's act is fresh, dynamic, adaptable and different every single time - Guaranteed!
Harrizon is available to book either as a solo performer, or in his brand new, and totally original double act with the 'Bernard Manning & Roy Chubby Brown of Hypnosis' - International Celebrity & TV Star - Jonathan Royle. Ideal for straight venues, Ladies Only nights, Comedy Clubs etc.


How To Make Your Local Area Stand Out!
With just over a week left to enter the 'Best Kept' Town, Village and Housing Area category, we thought it would be helpful if we gave everyone an insight into how to impress the judges and make your local area stand out.
Although the official closing date for Town, Village and Housing Area entries is next Friday 24th April, judging is not due to commence until later this summer. Meaning any eager volunteers have plenty of time to demonstrate their civic pride and to spruce up the local area.
Is there advertising present? If yes, where it is situated and how is it maintained?
Is there strong evidence of community and business participation, if so, how have local residents and employees demonstrated their civic pride?
In 2014, we received some outstanding entries and we'd like to see even more this year! We've listed some quotes from our judges, explaining how last year's winners really stood out!
"The best way to describe this village is a "show piece" where well-presented villages are concerned!
If you think your local town, villages or housing area could do with a tidy up and want to get involved please call us on 02890 403681 or email niamenity@btconnect.com.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on April 16, 2015 by Best Kept.
Last weekend saw the clocks jump forward an hour, officially marking the start of British Summer Time. The prospect of brighter nights and hopefully some dryer weather will, no doubt, encourage people to get outdoors for longer, more enjoyable walks with their four-legged friends. With this in mind, we felt it would be beneficial to remind everyone of the importance of being an eco-friendly dog walker and how volunteers can get involved to help keep our local areas free from dog fouling.
Dog fouling is a serious issue in our communities with primary school children and footballers being the most at risk. Dog fouling which has been on the ground for two weeks or more starts to develop worms which can cause toxacara canis, roundworm, salmonella and E-coli which can result in pneumonia, asthma and blindness.
In the UK, 52% of households have a pet with around 7 million being dog owners. Northern Ireland has a great dog licencing system, meaning each dog can be traced back to their owner through a microchip. But the area we are still struggling to overcome is dog fouling, it is a bug bearer to many community groups and can be found everywhere from our pavements to local parks and greenways.
To overcome this problem, we are encouraging community groups to get involved and help promote eco-friendly dog walking in our local areas. By simply making sure parks and greenways display dog fouling signage and contain an adequate number of bins for dog owners to dispose of the poo. Volunteers, who are also dog owners, may also wish to carry additional doggie bags to distribute to other dog walkers if requested and make sure, as a community, our beloved pets are leaving only paw prints!
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on April 1, 2015 by Best Kept.
One of the most common problems community volunteers face is 'Graffiti.' In some areas 'street art' can be a colourful addition to the culture of an area and Northern Ireland has a strong tradition of mural painting. However, in many areas graffiti simply irritates residents and makes the place look untidy. With only a month until the deadline for entries to the Open+Direct Insurance 'Best Kept' awards for towns, villages and residential area categories, we thought it would be a good idea to share our knowledge on how to remove graffiti.
With this in mind it is essential that you identify the surface type before attempting to remove the graffiti. Brick, stone, concrete, metal, wood, glass and plexi-glass are just some of the materials that you may find defaced in your local area. Each of these surface areas have a different texture and require different forms of treatment for removing graffiti. We have outlined a few essential tips to help you on your quest of tidying up your community of unwanted graffiti.
It's easier to apply graffiti than to remove it! This will become all too familiar once you start working on it. The more recent the graffiti the easier it will be to remove. Don't be afraid to put some elbow grease into it.
For metal surfaces such as steel doors, mailboxes and lampposts, a liquid graffiti removal solvent, like De-Solv-it Graffiti Cleaner, works best. You will also require some light duty steel wool and a small spray bottle of solvent to allow you to scrub away the paint. We would also recommend a liquid cleaning product to wash down the area after the graffiti has been removed.
When removing graffiti from a brick surface, we would recommend using a biodegradable emulsifier which should minimise the impact on the surface. This will still most likely leave a mark but should fade over time.
Some areas covered in graffiti can be easily improved by simply painting over the affected and surrounding area. This treatment is ideal on surfaces such as wood, garage doors and some wall surfaces.
Graffiti on glass can be removed using paint thinner and a cloth. Please dispose of the cloth responsibly after use.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on March 18, 2015 by Best Kept.
With the 'Best Kept' Schools entry deadline fast approaching (13th March), we thought it would be a nice idea to give everyone a heads up on what impressed the judges in 2014.
Our judges will soon be out and about, visiting schools across the province, looking for clear signs of pupil and staff involvement in the scheme. It is pivotal that any participating school has a high level of cleanliness, demonstrating a strong sense of pride in their school/ environment/ premises/ grounds. Litter picking is a key area of the Open+Direct Insurance 'Best Kept' awards and we will be making sure to note down any evidence of recycling measures in place and sufficient levels of waste bins.
We are also keenly interested in any of the school's ongoing bio-diversity projects and efforts made to teach the younger generation about vegetable production, wildflowers, birds or insects. So make sure to point out any potential award winning projects on the day!
This entry was posted in News and tagged best kept awards, judges, open+direct insurance, schools, top tips on March 2, 2015 by Best Kept.
Last week marked the start of the search for Northern Ireland's 'Best Kept' towns, villages, housing areas, schools and health care facilities. Each year we are always enthused by the level of support the awards receive from individuals giving up their personal time to volunteer in their local area.
With this in mind, and the hopes of increasing the number of volunteers in each area to drive competitiveness and keep our country looking its best, we decided to help everyone out with an initial essential tools checklist.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on February 11, 2015 by Best Kept.
The search has now started for Northern Ireland's best presented healthcare facilities, schools, housing areas, towns and villages as we launched the 2015 Open+Direct Insurance 'Best Kept' Awards.
The 'Best Kept' Awards, which have been running for almost 60 years, aim to highlight and recognise outstanding community spirit and the dedication of individuals who volunteer their time to improve their environmental surroundings.
The 2015 competition was formally launched at Hillmount Garden Centre, Gilnahirk by our Chairman, Doreen Muskett MBE; Terry A'Hearn, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency; John Laverty, Retail Network Manager for Open+Direct Insurance and UTV's Joe Mahon, who is a patron of the awards.
As usual, the judging panel will be paying particular interest to floral displays, grass roots environmental projects and an absence of litter and graffiti in the area with clear evidence of community participation. The first category to be judged will be the 'Best Kept School' Awards which have an entry deadline of 15th March, 2015 and will be judged in April.
John Laverty, Doreen Muskett and a pupil for last year's Best Kept School.
This entry was posted in News and tagged best kept awards, hillmount garden centre, launch, open+direct insurance on February 6, 2015 by Best Kept.