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Old, from 2017: Hallmarks of Alzheimer's Disease in Stem-Cell-Derived Human Neurons Transplanted into Mouse Brain
Old, from 2017: Hallmarks of Alzheimer's Disease in Stem-Cell-Derived Human Neurons Transplanted into Mouse Brain. Ira Espuny-Camacho et al. Neuron, Volume 93, ISSUE 5, P1066-1081.e8 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2017.02.001
Human-mouse chimeric model of Alzheimer's disease
PSC-derived human neurons grafted into an AD mouse
Major degeneration and loss of human neurons in chimeric AD mice
Absence of tangle pathology in degenerating human neurons in vivo
Summary: Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) provide a unique entry to study species-specific aspects of human disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, in vitro culture of neurons deprives them of their natural environment. Here we transplanted human PSC-derived cortical neuronal precursors into the brain of a murine AD model. Human neurons differentiate and integrate into the brain, express 3R/4R Tau splice forms, show abnormal phosphorylation and conformational Tau changes, and undergo neurodegeneration. Remarkably, cell death was dissociated from tangle formation in this natural 3D model of AD. Using genome-wide expression analysis, we observed upregulation of genes involved in myelination and downregulation of genes related to memory and cognition, synaptic transmission, and neuron projection. This novel chimeric model for AD displays human-specific pathological features and allows the analysis of different genetic backgrounds and mutations during the course of the disease.
Posted by Bipartisan Alliance/DC at 11:09 AM 0 comments
Until more compelling evidence emerges, however, a propensity to imitate from birth should no longer be considered an established phenomenon
Re-evaluating the neonatal imitation hypothesis. Janine Oostenbroek et al. Developmental Science, DOI: 10.1111/desc.12720
We appreciate Meltzoff et al.'s (2017) detailed commentary on our study of neonatal imitation (Oostenbroek et al., 2016) and the opportunity to clarify critical aspects of the findings. First, however, we wish to highlight that our data were collected as part of a larger longitudinal investigation, in which we set out to examine potential relations between neonatal imitation and later emerging aspects of social cognition (Suddendorf, Oostenbroek, Nielsen, & Slaughter, 2013). Our aim was not to test the veracity of the phenomenon of neonatal imitation, but to assess whether early individual differences predict later imitative and other socio-cognitive capacities, which would support the view of neonatal imitation as the foundation of social cognition (Meltzoff, 2002). When coding was finalized, it became clear that, to our surprise, the data challenged the very existence of the phenomenon whose trajectory and consequences we sought to chart.
Meltzoff et al. (2017) claim that methodological problems biased our results towards null effects. We assert that there is no compelling reason to think that any of these critiques undermine our challenge to the field. For instance, they argue that too many stimuli were used in a within-subjects design, which may have led to neonatal fatigue and disengagement. If that were the case, however, then initial trials should have elicited imitation but not later ones. We found no such order effects in any of our analyses (see Supplementary Material in Oostenbroek et al., 2016). Meltzoff et al. rightly note that infants cannot be expected to imitate behaviors that they are incapable of producing. Our data show, however, that with the exception of the 'eee' vocalizations and sad faces, infants produced all target behaviors either occasionally or regularly. [...]
The literature on neonatal imitation has a long history of post-hoc theorizing. In response to early failures to replicate the effect, for example, it was stipulated that neonates should be unfamiliar with the model's face to maintain interest during the experiment (Meltzoff & Moore, 1983a). Later, however, it was argued that infants imitate familiar faces to communicate recognition (Meltzoff, 2005; Meltzoff & Moore, 1994), and that 'imitation is not modified by which person serves as the model' (Meltzoff & Moore, 1992, p. 492). Now, Meltzoff et al. again argue that the model should be unfamiliar, even suggesting that this is the 'key' to eliciting neonatal imitation. Setting aside the obvious contradictions here, it seems untenable to claim that the 'engine and mechanism for the growth of social cognition' (Meltzoff, 2002, p. 7) would manifest itself only with unfamiliar people.
Posted by Bipartisan Alliance/DC at 8:24 AM 0 comments
Individuals with stronger social anxiety perceive their environment as hierarchically organized & their own position relatively low; positive evaluations might mean problems, so a goal could be protection by avoiding making "too good" of an impression
Malaise with praise: A narrative review of 10 years of research on the concept of Fear of Positive Evaluation in social anxiety. Julia Reichenberger, Jens Blechert. Depression and Anxiety, https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22808
Abstract: Social anxiety is characterized by a fear of being negatively evaluated by others (i.e., Fear of Negative Evaluation [FNE]). In 2008, Weeks, Heimberg, and Rodebaugh proposed Fear of Positive Evaluation (FPE) as a second cognitive component in social anxiety. The article presents an overview of FPE, its psycho‐evolutionary theoretical foundation and assessment by the Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale as well as relevant psychometric research on demographic characteristics. The relationship of FPE with a wide range of established dimensions from clinical, personality, and social psychology (i.e., self‐esteem, perfectionism, or quality of life) will be reviewed. The role of FPE for psychological comorbidities such as other anxiety disorders, depression, eating, and substance use disorders as well as for treatment of social anxiety will be discussed. Future research might address questions of causality of FPE relative to related constructs, further data on psychometric properties, as well as on its independence from FNE in longitudinal studies. In sum, FPE seems to be a valid and reliable construct that explains cognitions, emotions, and behavior related to social anxiety at subclinical and clinical levels and therefore enriches the psychometric repertoire in the fields of social psychology, personality, and clinical psychology.
A theoretical framework for FPE stems from the psycho-evolutionary model of social anxiety by Gilbert (2001, 2014) and was adapted by Weeks et al. (2008a). Accordingly, individuals with stronger social anxiety perceive their environment as hierarchically organized, and see their own position in the hierarchy as relatively low. Their ultimate goal is supposedly a stable, intermediate position and an avoidance of upward or downward shifts in the social hierarchy. This "inconspicuous" intermediate position is the result of two "regulatory forces", FNE and FPE (see Figure 1). Specifically, the upward movements in the social hierarchy, implied in positive evaluation, might attract the group's attention, prompting higher-ranking group members to compete and challenge this new "rising star." Hence, the goal of FPE could be protection from this threat by avoiding making "too good" of an impression, thereby avoiding an upward shift in social hierarchy.
Pink for Girls, Red for Boys, and Blue for Both Genders: Colour Preferences in Children and Adults
Pink for Girls, Red for Boys, and Blue for Both Genders: Colour Preferences in Children and Adults, Domicele Jonauskaite et al. Sex Roles, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11199-018-0955-z
Abstract: Colours carry social connotations like pink for girls and blue for boys. In a cross-sectional study, we investigated whether such early gender coding might be reflected in absolute colour preferences in children and adults of both genders. In two studies, participants selected their favourite (and least favourite, Study 2) colour from an unrestricted sample of colours. We tested 129 Swiss children (Study 1, 10–14 years-old, 68 boys) and 180 Swiss adults (Study 2, 17–48 years-old, 88 men). In children, we observed that girls chose pink/purple as their favourite hue more often than boys did, the most common favourite hue in girls and boys was blue, and boys chose red as their favourite more often than girls did. In adults, we observed that both genders almost never choose pink as their favourite, blue was a common favourite colour, and women were more likely to favour red than were men. In an additional study (n = 183 Swiss participants, 47 men), we tested whether liking of pink, blue, and red was related to emotion associations with these colours. Pink was associated with positive emotions to the same extent as blue and red. Women further associated more positive emotions with pink than did men. We conclude that some commonalities (blue) and gender differences (pink and red) exist in absolute colour preferences. These differences, however, cannot be fully accounted by emotional associations. We speculate about these gendered colour preferences in relation to gender stereotypes and status differences between men and women.
American adolescents positive trends in four areas: substance use, unprotected sex, crime, & hazardous driving; possible causes are the effects of public policies, closer parent–child relationships, & the social consequences of electronic media use
Arnett, J. J. (2018). Getting better all the time: Trends in risk behavior among American adolescents since 1990. Archives of Scientific Psychology, 6(1), 87-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/arc0000046
Abstract: Contrary to the negative narrative in psychology and in the American public, many trends in the risk behaviors of American adolescents have been positive in recent decades. Evidence is presented for positive trends in four areas: substance use, unprotected sex, crime, and hazardous automobile driving. A comparison of American adolescents to older Americans and to adolescents in other developed countries indicates that the pattern of positive trends is distinct to young Americans and does not apply consistently across age groups and countries. Three explanations for the positive trends are considered: the effects of public policies, closer parent–child relationships, and the social consequences of electronic media use. The most promising hypothesis is that a rise in electronic media use led to a decline in unstructured socializing, which led in turn to lower risk behavior.
Impact Statement: Contrary to the negative narrative in psychology and in the American public, many trends in the risk behaviors of American adolescents have been positive in recent decades. Evidence is presented for positive trends in four areas: substance use, unprotected sex, crime, and hazardous automobile driving. A comparison of American adolescents to older Americans and to adolescents in other developed countries indicates that the pattern of positive trends is distinct to young Americans and does not apply consistently across age groups and countries. Three explanations for the positive trends are considered: the effects of public policies, closer parent–child relationships, and the social consequences of electronic media use. The most promising hypothesis is that a rise in electronic media use led to a decline in unstructured socializing, which led in turn to lower risk behavior.
Old, from 2017: Hallmarks of Alzheimer's Disease i...
Until more compelling evidence emerges, however, a...
Individuals with stronger social anxiety perceive ...
Pink for Girls, Red for Boys, and Blue for Both Ge...
American adolescents positive trends in four areas...


I first fell in love with Mandana's writing after reading a bunch of short stories by her in an anthology published by Unisun Publishers sometime back. Among the stories in the book, Mandana's beautiful words and stories stood out.I promptly copied a few passages that I found riveting into my book I keep for chronicling memorable writing i come across. And then ...boom.. Tiger Hills happened and she got catapulted into literary stardom.I have been wanting to read this book ever since i attended her book's launch in Chennai, and when I found a copy in my library ,I promptly picked it up. Set in Coorg, Tiger hills is the gut-wrenchingly sad tale that chronicles the lives and times of Devi, the fiery Coorg, Devanna ,her childhood companion, Machaiah, the famed Tiger-killer and their children. The book sprawls languorously across vast time periods (1800's to second world war) and is a beautiful essay in complex human emotions.
A saga of unhappiness is unleashed in the lives of the protagonists ,because of circumstances that are not under their control, really. Mandana's writing is magic:it is like perfectly tempered liquid chocolate waiting to crystallize into perfectly formed chocolate chunks. Coorg's gorgeous topography comes alive in her descriptions.Though a tad slow towards the end( the reason I had to reduce the rating to 4 stars from five I had initially planned on giving it), I enjoyed reading the book immensely. Devi has to be one of the strongest heroines I've encountered in a book in the recent times.Mandana has carefully sculpted her personality,making everything "grey" and not just simple black and white. I loved how Coorgi traditions and folk stories were woven beautifully into the narrative.
Tiger hills is a literary triumph, a celebration of meandering plot and lush words : an absolutely stunning debut novel. Highly recommended to all lovers of historical fiction.
I had read the book last year and had enjoyed it..Coorg has been on my to visit places since!
Jyoti..It is a beautiful book, na? Heading over to read your review.
I want to read this one soon. Thanks for reminding me about this book.
Vibha..Do read it! pure awesome!
Hi Bhargavi..I am yet to read Tiger Hills. Have heard lots about it. It sounds good. Great review.
Hey Rachna..Thanks for dropping by..Its a beautiful book !
I have recently finished this and also loved it, my review is already written and I hope to post it soon.
Lindy .. Good to see you here ! Hope you had a good break.. Do post the review soon..


The Persephone Rings are available in three center stone options; Rutile Quartz, Moonstone, or Garnet. The center stone has symbolic meaning as an egg shape representing a pomegranate seed. The center stone is accompanied by two rose cut obsidian stones on each side. An everyday piece that is easy to wear and stacks well with any Evil Pawn Jewelry stack ring. Never losing its darker metal silver look and never to tarnish. A lost wax cast creation hand polished with love. The setting is a solid hypoallergenic stainless steel foundation. Adjustable to sizes 4.5 to 12. Crystals have been charged with winter moonwater. Comes in gift box.


Photograph prints, negatives and color transparencies documenting early modern American artists and the contemporary artist Richard Lindner.
The papers of Una Hanbury measure 5.3 linear feet and date from 1910 to 1994, with the bulk of the material from 1966 to 1990. The collection documents the sculptor's career and the dispersal of her estate through business records, project files, subject files, printed material, and photographs. There is also a small amount of material relating to her personal life including correspondence with friends and family and photographs from various stages of her life.
The papers of New York-based curator and art consultant Richard D. Marshall measure 15.8 linear feet and date from 1969-2014. The interviews, exhibitions and research files, client files, other professional files, printed material, photographic material of artwork, and electronic records primarily reflect Marshall's work outside his role at the Whitney Museum. The exhibition and research files make up the bulk of the collection and document his independent curatorial and writing projects on artists Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alexander Calder, Robert Mapplethorpe, Jack Pierson, and Ed Ruscha, as well as his role in building the Lever House Art Collection. Sound and video recordings are also found in the collection, primarily with interviews and exhibition and research material.
The papers of art historian and writer Peter Howard Selz measure 31.5 linear feet and date from 1929 to 2018, with the bulk of the materials from 1950 to 2005. The papers document Selz's long career via correspondence, writings, professional files, project files, membership and association records, artists' research files, exhibition files, personal business records, printed materials, and nine scrapbooks.


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Q: Web Part connection Server Render in combination JS link not working I am using a connection with filter to a list view webpart of a Task list. (SPO) This didn't work because of a known MS issue. (see: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/troubleshoot/web-parts/list-view-web-part-not-filter-values)
I have to check "Server Render" in the Web Part settings and the filter does work.
However I also use a JS link reference in this view. This doesn't work anymore when I check "Server Render".
Is it possible to have both work? Or isn't this possible?

A: It's impossible to have both this work since JS Link is Client-Side Rendering.
Similar issue for your reference:enter link description here

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


How do I delete multiple contacts from IPhone 5S at one time ?
I have a new I phone 5S how can I delete multiple contacts at one time since I have 1,252 business contacts and need to delete some old ones.
Re: How do I delete multiple contacts from IPhone 5S at one time ?
How and where do you have these backed up? Ex. I have VZW and an app called backup assistant which stores all contacts on Verizon's server. If i log in to VZW and go to manage contacts. Select all the ones you wish to delete and then do so. Save your changes and log out. Go back toyour phone, Open this app and hit the sync button. In minutes you will have done what you wanted to do.
Now should you not have Verizon and have them backed up to your iCloud acct. Log into iCloud and do basically the same thing to delete via WIFI on both and then log out of iCloud and they should be gone from your phone.


Find error or want add more details informations for "Pink Ink"? - Contact us!
Pink Ink full data: finance, accounts, vacancies. Download bank accounts, tenders, credit history, taxes and fees Pink Ink.
Pink Ink is Australian proprietary company. This firm was registered on 2014-11-11 and was issued with the 304702758 ACN. Its Australian Business Number is 37968444856. Since 2014-11-11, the company is headquartered in Queensland. The previous headquarters were located in Worf St Tweed Heads QLD 2485. Pink Ink was registered for the GST on 2014-11-11. In total the company used 1 trading name. Category of Pink Ink is a Ladies Wear: Retail. We found 0 trademarks that mention this company.


Mr Sim Tze Wei and Mdm Ow Siew Yen are a mother and son duo selling fresh chicken in Tiong Bahru market. This stall is popular for stocking chickens that are bigger and fatter than the typical ones we find in other markets. This prominent stall has a modest beginning.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Clean Up Australia Day // Find A Clean Up Event Near You!
Yasmin is a teacher and photographer living on the mid north coast of NSW, Australia. When she's not out camping, hiking or taking photos, she can be found teaching the next generation to be creative and environmentally aware.


It looks like the final lineup of '2018 Idol Star Athletics Championship' underwent some changes.
On January 9, MBC revealed the full list of participants divided into 'Men' and 'Women' categories. The lineup featured popular K-Pop idol stars like BTOB, VIXX, Seventeen, NU'EST W, MONSTA X, ASTRO, NCT Dream, UP10TION, Snuper, KNK, Victon, IMFACT, ONF, The East Light, Romeo, Golden Child, MVP, MXM, The Boyz, BLK, IN2IT, Rainz, Top Secret, and MYTEEN.
As for girl groups: TWICE, Red Velvet, G-Friend, Lovelyz, LABOUM, Oh My Girl, DIA, Cosmic Girls, Gugudan, April, PRISTIN, Weki Meki, Dream Catcher, CLC, Momoland.
The list also including solo and rookie artists, such as Berry Good, Baby Boo, Favorite, H.U.B., GATE9, S.I.S., BUSTERS, Hashtag, Minseo, Kriesha Chu, Yuseol, ELRIS, and 1NB.
Unfortunately, top groups like BTS, EXO, and Wanna One were not included.
Meanwhile, the Lunar New Year special of '2018 ISAC' will be held on January 15 at Goyang Gymnasium. Jun Hyun Moo, Super Junior's Leeteuk, and A Pink's Bomi will be acting as MCs.
That's one impressive lineup nonetheless!


Elk Grove Police received a call around 6 pm Monday night regarding individuals observed trying break into a home in 10100 block of Van Brocklin Way. When officers arrived they observed a vehicle leaving the area. They conducted a vehicle stop. There were four teens in the car, one was 18 and the others were juveniles. The driver of the vehicle, a 17 year old from Elk Grove was ID'd by a witness as being one of the two trying to gain access to the home. The driver was on probation. Another teen was from Elk Grove and a teen and the 18 year old, Jakari Jenkins, were from Sacramento. Jenkins was arrested and taken to the county jail. The teens were taken to juvenile hall.


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IAIS on Basel III: Insurance is Different from Banking
Life Health > Life Insurance > Term Insurance
September 15, 2010 at 08:00 PM Share & Print
The head of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors IAIS) says regulators must consider the long-term nature of the liabilities that insurers face when developing standards for insurance supervision.
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Basel, Switzerland, a group that serves with the IAIS on the world Financial Stability Board, Basel, has drawn attention to international financial services standards efforts by releasing the Basel III bank capital standards.
In jurisdictions that adopt the standards, banks would have to increase the ratio of common equity to risk-adjusted assets to 7%, up from a minimum of 2% today. Banks also would have to limit the value of investments in deferred tax assets, mortgage servicing rights, and stakes in insurers and other financial institutions to 15% of the common equity included in capital-to-assets ratio calculations.
IAIS Secretary General Yoshihiro Kawai says the IAIS commends the Basel Committee on the introduction of capital reforms and a global liquidity standard for banks.
The IAIS will assess the implications of the reforms for insurance supervision, Kawai says.
"It is important to emphasise the differences in the insurance business model," Kawai says. "Unlike in the banking sector, the risks specific to the insurance sector are also significantly related to the liability side of the balance sheet, whereby adequate technical provisions
have to be established for liabilities running over a longer term than in banking. Requirements for adequate longer term matching of assets and liabilities are also crucial. These requirements are complemented by capital adequacy requirements that enable the insurer to absorb unforeseen losses."
The IAIS seeks to promote "effective and transparent supervision of insurance markets through global, sustainable and coherent supervisory principles, standards and guidance, while minimising opportunities for regulatory arbitrage," Kawai says. " Where there are particular products or corporate structures causing risk on a cross-sector basis, cross-sector coordination initiatives will be proactively promoted to find appropriate solutions."
The IAIS is commited to working with other regulatory groups, through the Joint Forum at the Financial Stability Board, "to addressing regulatory arbitrage in the context of conglomerates and cross-sectoral issues," Kawai says.


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Thousands of Covid fines issued in West Yorkshire - including dozens for holding large gatherings
Sisters are UK's first identical twins to have live transplant
Sisters Annemarie Atha and Geraldine Rowing became the first identical twins to undergo a live liver transplant in the UK.
By Joseph Keith
Tuesday, 11th November 2014, 2:44 pm
Identical twins Geraldine Rowing (left) and Annemarie Atha, Pictured at the Bexley Wing, St James Hospital, Leeds..Geraldine (left) recieved a liver from her sister Annemarie....SH1002015c..10th November 2014 Picture by Simon Hulme
But the sisters did not even realise they were identical until one of them needed the surgery.
Ms Atha, 48, said she did not think twice about donating part of her liver to her twin sister Geraldine Rowing, after her doctor recommended a transplant.
Ms Rowing's liver had been damaged by cancer a few years earlier.
Ms Atha said: "It was an added bonus to find out that, despite everything we had always been told by our mother, we were genetically identical."
Finding the perfect donor, so close to home, meant her sister did not need to take a cocktail of drugs, which are usually mandatory, to stop her body rejecting the new organ.
Ms Rowing, said: "I would just like to say thank you very much Annemarie, from the bottom of my heart."
She mentioned to her doctor that she was a non-identical twin and he suggested doing tests - which revealed the sisters were genetically identical, despite not looking exactly the same.
Ms Atha said: "Mum always said that because there were two placentas when we were born that we weren't identical, so we've grown up believing we were not.
"But the doctors said 'you're identical enough to do the transplant'."
The sisters, from Rothwell, underwent the operation in April and Ms Rowing said she is now feeling much better.
She said: "I'm feeling better by the day,"
Ms Rowing said not having to take immuno-suppressant drugs has made a real difference to her.
Consultant liver surgeon Raj Prasad, who performed the operation, said live liver transplants - where a living person donates part of their organ for the operation - are becoming more common.
He said the benefits of identical twins having the operation was massive because Ms Rowing didn't have to take the additional drugs, which would have increased her risk of further cancer.
He said: "It's an absolutely massive advantage which is God or nature's gift. It's a dream."


Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We commit to pursue a more intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ, for His glory, by devoting ourselves to prayer, the study of God's Word, the pursuit of holiness, and life in this Christ-centered community of faith, hope, and love. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, we will follow His example by caring for one another in every way – spiritually, emotionally, and physically. We will invest ourselves in the lives of others, and will open up our own lives for others to invest in us. God will be the centerpiece of our friendships, relationships, and marriages, and we commit to rearing our children to be disciples of Christ. We will walk together through all seasons of life, no matter what struggles or victories may come our way. And, as the need will surely arise, we will resolve conflict according to the biblical model established by Christ and practiced by the early church. We will work together to fulfill the mission and vision of this church, as defined by Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8, by maintaining unity in our personal and corporate devotions, actively using our spiritual gifts, abilities, and passions in ministry, being faithful in our attendance, participation, and giving, and by supporting the leadership of this church. Should we move from this place, as soon as possible we will unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.


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May 13, 1999 Film » Screens
Sunny, and Cher
World War II gets the whimsical treatment in the annoying Tea With Mussolini.
By Jean Oppenheimer
Even English actresses of a certain age have a difficult time finding good roles, so it's understandable that Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Joan Plowright might jump at the chance to star in Tea With Mussolini, Franco Zeffirelli's new film about a group of English expatriates living in Florence during the 1930s, who willfully ignore the ominous war clouds gathering over Europe. Based on the Italian director's own childhood, the picture is a bit precious, even frivolous--especially after such visceral experiences as Saving Private Ryan--but it is clearly intended as a sweetly nostalgic memory piece in which the true horrors of the period are assiduously avoided.
Written by Zeffirelli and British playwright/novelist John Mortimer (TV's Rumpole of the Bailey), Tea With Mussolini is actually a coming-of-age story about a young, illegitimate Italian boy named Luca Innocenti, whose mother has died and who is not officially acknowledged by his father. The boy (played as a seven-year-old by newcomer Charlie Lucas and at seventeen by Baird Wallace, also making his feature debut) is adopted by a clan of strong-willed, eccentric Englishwomen known around Florence as the "Scorpioni" for their sharp tongues and abrasive manner.
The group includes the sensible and determined Mary Wallace (Plowright), who works part-time as a secretary to Luca's father, and who enlists the other women in her scheme to save the boy from an orphanage; the imperious Lady Hester Random (Smith); and Arabella Delancey (Dench), a passionate advocate of all things artistic. Although they have chosen to leave England and live in Florence, the women remain obstinately British: refusing to learn Italian, insisting upon tea every afternoon, and demanding a certain formal civility from everyone they encounter. Apolitical in the extreme, they also ignore the tensions rising in Europe.
The group also includes two Americans: Elsa Morganthal (Cher), a wealthy adventuress who was a friend of Luca's mother, and Georgie Rockwell (Lily Tomlin), an openly lesbian archeologist. An inveterate snob, Lady Hester looks down on Americans, sniffing disdainfully, "It's amazing. They can even vulgarize ice cream."
The widow of a British envoy, Lady Hester has deluded herself into thinking that she has a special relationship with Mussolini. (The pivotal scene involving Hester taking tea with the dictator was inspired by a true incident in which Violet Trefusis, the colorful English intellectual who lived for many years in a villa outside Florence, actually did meet the dictator.) The episode serves as a metaphor for the rampant illusion among the expatriates that the war would not touch them.
But the narcissism behind their refusal to see what clearly was going on in the world makes the film irritating in a way that Zeffirelli clearly did not intend. The war presented here is a sanitized version; nothing truly terrible happens to anyone. Even Elsa, who is Jewish, is blithely unaware of what is going on in Germany and the danger she faces. This lack of attentiveness makes the women look silly and petty, while the few war-related sequences, such as scenes of Lucas and Lady Hester's nephew in the Italian Underground, don't seem the least bit authentic.
The film might have worked better if it had unfolded more through Luca's eyes. Zeffirelli apparently intended this to be the case--he is the Luca character and actually lived much of the story--but he hasn't pulled it off. Tea With Mussolini doesn't come close to John Boorman's captivating Hope and Glory, which managed to address the terrible destructiveness and misery of the war as well as the magical adventure it offered its young protagonist.
Tea With Mussolini.
Directed by Franco Zeffirelli. Written by John Mortimer and Zeffirelli. Starring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright, Cher, and Lily Tomlin.
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Sun., Jan. 23 and Wed., Jan. 26
19th Annual Standing Rock International Shorts Festival @ The Kent Stage
Sat., March 5
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First Saturday of every month


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Although it's often the last thing a person thinks of when starting an event, the portable toilet is actually the most important part of any sizable get together, as the good times wouldn't last too long if people couldn't relieve themselves. It's beneficial to have a bit of a education on portable toilets before making an important decision. In order to prevent long lines or issues, you'll need to ensure you have a basic knowledge of the selections of portable toilets available to you.
Going with a reliable portable toilet company is first step to having a successful event. You'll want to go with a rental company who has a great selection of inventory and has a rapid customer service team. Ask your portable toilet company about how rapidly they can react in case there is an issue with any of their stalls during your gathering, since no one wants to have their attendees exit prematurely due to a problem. You'll have a wide range of porta potty choices to choose from, so you won't have any issues locating the size or numbers that you'll require to host your occasion.
Your basic porta potty will be made of plastic, feature a single stall and will come with toilet paper along with some sort of hand sanitizer . If cost is an issue, you can actually use an outside washing station where people can wash their hands after, which will save you the extra money of having to rent stalls with internal wash bins. As you probably already know, porta potties don't have any plumbing, but rather they use chemicals to contain waste and are disposed of afterwards . If you are using your portable toilets for an extended period they will need regular emptying as well as being serviced to keep them fresh.
Most porta potty rental services will gather information such as your crowd size and length of your event before giving you an accurate price estimate. The price of your portable toilet rental will be determined by the amount of time you are using the renatals for, number of units rented and any additional amenity selections you've decided to take. The good aspect about renting portable toilets is that you have the choice to customize the toilets to match your individual requirements.
If you're selectin a portable toilet you'll want to consider an array of options. The type of event you're planning will help you determine the amount of toilets and the length of time you'll need them for. Remember that the portable toilets will take some time to set up and break down, so you'll need to factor that into your preparation to prevent delays to your event. Handicap access is also something you want to make sure not to overlook, and it's always a smart idea to have an accessible portable toilet at larger events.
Another point you'll want to think about is the type of cleaning services that are going to be available throughout your event. Refill materials will include things like hand sanitizer, toilet paper and more paper products when guests are washing their hands. Be sure to ask about additional toilet paper and other amenities with your toilet rental company, since it can be extremely embarrassing if your guests need to come up and you tell you about them or find themselves in a poor situation.
Considering the kind of portable toilet you choose and the length of time you'll be renting them for, your price could be anywhere from on the low end to 0 if you are in a more expensive area. To avoid any hidden charges, you need to find out the exact count instead of renting more portable toilets than you'll require. Select the portable restroom rental agency that is close to the occasion's location as it can end up saving you some more bucks. Costs of portable toilets can to increase during wedding season, in the Spring or Summer months, so that's something to consider when making your choice. It is advised to book the portable toilets ahead of time during the slower season to get lower rates. There's a lot of vendors offering restroom rental options near your event, but as long as you ask the best questions and have an advance knowledge of the different selections, you can ensure you're getting the best prices.


This week flooding and storms were again in the news as Fiji was struck by a devastating cyclone, destroying crops and communities and spurring calls for emergency humanitarian relief.
While emergency relief is important and needed, slower-moving disasters often pass unnoticed. This is most apparent in Haiti, where more than a year of persistent drought has lead to failing harvests and amounting hunger. The UN recently reported that more that 60 percent of Haiti's spring harvest will fail this year, and that more than four million people will lack access to affordable and nutritious food.
For some areas of the country, the drought has been even worse, spanning over five years and resulting in the most severe food insecurity in the last thirty years. These highly impacted areas include virtually all of the communities in which Plant With Purpose works. As a result of the El Nino weather pattern the drought conditions are predicted to continue through 2016.
How is Plant With Purpose responding? As difficult as the current conditions are, they are yet another confirmation of Plant With Purpose's strategy of helping farmers diversify their crops and sources of income, so that they are less vulnerable to droughts, floods, and other natural disasters. The cash savings that farmers accumulate in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) serve as a vitally important safety net, enabling farmers accumulate the savings needed to buy food when they need to.
These savings groups also teach farmers skills that will help them maintain adequate food in low-water conditions, including raising rabbits, planting more drought-resistant crops, composting, and soil conservation. Tree planting is another important component in this strategy, as healthy watersheds are needed to avoid flooding and help capture water in the ground where it can feed the wells and rivers which people depend on. These strategies are paying off in Haiti, where farmers reported a 26 percent reduction in the time spent walking to get water for their families.
Finally, Plant With Purpose has made some program adjustments this year that will help farmers cope with future droughts, including increasing the number of family cisterns being built to provide water through times of drought. While we can't control the weather we can anticipate times of drought and collaborate with farmers to help them prepare. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside hard-working farmers, even as we pray for the drought to end.


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Effects of grassland abandonment, restoration and management on butterflies and vascular plants
Erik Öckinger
Anna K Eriksson
Publication/Series: Biological Conservation
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2006.06.009
In English When semi-natural pastures are abandoned, specialized grassland species are lost as a consequence of succession. As a counter-measure, previously abandoned grasslands may be restored by clearing shrubs and trees and re-introducing grazing livestock. In order to examine the effects of this type of habitat restoration, we compared species richness of plants and of specialized plants thought to be dependent on continuous management and species richness and abundance of butterflies and red-listed butterflies in 12 sets of matched continuously managed, abandoned and restored grassland in southern Sweden. We found no differences in species richness or abundance between the three grassland types. There were, however, some negative effects of abandonment. The number of management-dependent plants decreased with increasing cover of trees and shrubs, and in restored sites species richness of all groups decreased with increasing cover of trees and shrubs before restoration. Also the present management significantly affected both butterflies and plants. Species richness of both groups increased with increasing vegetation height and differed between sites depending on the species of grazers, with negative effects of sheep compared to cattle or horses. Our study indicates that for grassland management to be efficient, the restoration actions should mainly be directed towards sites where the post-abandonment succession has not proceeded too far.
Semi-natural pastures
Species richness


A 34-year-old 'high flying' 2004 Queen's BSc Geography graduate, Connaire McGreevy, who also has a 2013 Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development from the University, is turning heads locally with his third major business honour in just over six months.
Mr McGreevy picked up his latest accolade for Business Person of the Year at the eighth annual Aer Lingus Viscount Awards which are organised in association with Ulster Business.
The Co Down entrepreneur joined over 70 leading businessmen and women for the Awards gala dinner and ceremony which took place recently (May 24) in the Institute of Directors on Pall Mall in London.
Commenting on his most recent achievement, Mr McGreevy, who is the MD of CTS Projects and Mourne Mountains Brewery (and director of Warrenpoint Football Club), said: "I'm delighted to win this award, to be honoured amongst the best of NI businesses at such a prestigious ceremony is truly overwhelming. Although it's an individual award, the business successes would simply not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the fantastic teams I have at both CTS Projects and the brewery."
CTS Projects, a heating and renewable energy installation firm founded by Mr McGreevy in 2006, now employs 70 staff. The Mourne Mountains Brewery Limited, a micro-brewery producing a range of fine artisan beers, was established in January 2015.
In April, Mr McGreevy picked up the Belfast Telegraph Young Business Person of the Year 2016 at a black-tie event attended by almost 500 of Northern Ireland's brightest and best in the Culloden Hotel. The Belfast Telegraph Business Awards are organised in association with British Airways.
And at the UTV Business Eye Awards last year (run in association with Flybe), Connaire won the Young Business Personality of the Year.
General inquiries to Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Queen's Development and Alumni Relations Office, Queen's University Belfast, tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.


The next-generation of mobile racing.
Today you begin your racing legacy, as you enter Asphalt 9: Legends. Fulfill your fantasies as you drive iconic sports cars around beautiful, dynamic environments.
The high-speed action is brought to life by the custom-built Jet Engine that enables stunning visuals and a true sense of rubber meeting tarmac. This, combined with the innovative Touch Drive controls and multiplayer features, ensure that A9 is forging itself a new destiny.
Mobile racing fans know that Asphalt is synonymous with fulfilling driving fantasies. Since the original Asphalt Urban GT, the series' goal has been to give car fans the opportunity to take the wheel of their dream machines. Asphalt 9: Legends has taken this philosophy to heart.
Every one of the cars selected by the A9 team is exceptional. Using a rigorous selection process - with an eye to bleeding edge technology, performance, design, rarity, and fame – there isn't a single ride that doesn't impress.
Even the first car you unlock, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, is an instantly recognizable icon of racing. With five classes (D, C, B, A, and S), you quickly find yourself taking to the track in machines that range from the exotic McLaren P1 to the conceptual Lamborghini Terzo Millennio.
You can see a full list of Asphalt 9: Legends in our article!
There are a total of 49 cars. Some are from the franchise's classic manufacturers, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti, BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes. These are joined by some new additions to the Asphalt series, including Exotic Rides, Pininfarina, and VLF.
Asphalt 9: Legends ensures that all car fans can enjoy its accelerating action. To give players of all ages and skills the opportunity to experience the thrill of taking the checkered flag, the team has provided multiple control options to make this the most accessible Asphalt ever.
The initial control scheme you experience in Asphalt 9: Legends is Touch Drive. This is a system that keeps your car on the racing line. You choose when to break, drift, and boost, but your general course is set. Then, at numerous points on each track, you can select your route. For example, you may have to choose between taking a side road, swerving to collect Nitro, or hitting a ramp.
It is a control system that is more accessible to newcomers who want to enjoy the thrill of speed. There are benefits for Asphalt alumni too. Touch Drive provides a great tool to learn tracks and to play more casually while on the move or watching your favorite show.
Asphalt 9 also includes two classic manual controls schemes - either tilt or tap. These provide extra moment-to-moment control. This extra autonomy allows you to make use of more cunning maneuvers, such as last-moment overtakes or something more… aggressive.
To really get the most from your supercar you must master the four varieties of Nitro. Each of these provides a different variety of speed boost. A single tap on the right of the screen activates the basic Nitro (providing your tank has charge). This gives a moderate boost that slowly burns through your tank, edging you towards your top speed. Tap the screen a second time and you'll activate the level two Nitro - this is faster but doesn't last as long.
A double tap can be made more effective with the Perfect Nitro. This is unleashed by performing your second tap as the Nitro passes through the blue zone on the meter. Executing this offers a longer, stronger burn.
Finally, there is the Shock Wave. Double tap with a full Nitro tank and this will activate, aggressively rocketing you forward.
Of course, to use your Nitro you must make sure it is charged. By driving through collectibles on the track you can top-up your tank a little. But it is by performing stunts that you really fill your meter. Leap from ramps to perform barrel rolls and unleash 360 Flat Spins at any point with a double tap of your break to quickly receive more speed-juice.
Managing when to use each of these Nitros, and making sure your tank is constantly charged by performing stunts and drifts, is essential to becoming a Legend.
You perform these incredible stunts in seven stunning locations across the globe. Travel from the fog covered lochs of Scotland to the sands of Cairo, visiting Shanghai, the US Midwest, San Francisco, Rome, and the Himalayas along the way.
Every environment feels distinct, reflecting the topography and features it is known for in real-life. But this is not simply a case of a desert or city track. No, each one of these seven sprawling environments is constantly changing. Over the space of a few minutes in the US Midwest area, you can find yourself speeding through a mine, then onto breathtaking canyons, before smashing onto a more modern railroad. And this diversity is present in every location.
10 tracks are found in each environment, a total of 70 tracks! Some of these are quick, 30-second races to help you move through the early stages while learning the ins-and-outs. But these quickly grow longer, really putting you to the test in the later parts of the My Career and Multiplayer modes.
You experience all of these varied tracks in three different game types through the My Career mode. Take on other cars in Races, beat the clock in Time Trials, and look to evade security forces as they attempt to slow you down in Hunted.
But it is A9's Multiplayer that bring many racers to the track. And there is a lot to be excited about for you competitive types. Especially as you can now race anywhere, with the real-time versus action playable via 3G and 4G, as well as Wi-Fi.
Once in a race, there is even more to appreciate. Asphalt 9: Legends matchmaking system groups players using their real skill. Each win sees you move up or down, depending on your result. Based on your rank, you are placed in a league which dictates the cars you can race and the opponents you face! This ensures that you should always find yourself experiencing a good and fair challenge in PvP.
Clubs is another feature that allows you to enjoy A9 with other players online - only this time in a cooperative way. By creating or joining a club, you and your friends can communicate easily in-game and race together for rewards.
You can also check out your skills with the versatile replay feature. At the end of every race, you can easily watch your performance in the most dramatic fashion possible by taking control of a range of cinematic, free-range, and in-game cameras.
This feature offers multiple functions. First, it's great for content creators looking to make videos to show their skills to the world. Designed to allow YouTubers and other creators the opportunity to make cinematic videos of their victories, the HUD automatically vanishes. Focus on the racing action from any angle you choose, with no onscreen distractions.
Replays can also help players of all skills improve their game. Thanks to the feature's ease of access, you can quickly jump into your last race. From there, watch the route your opponent took to beat you to the finish so you can use their tactics in your next race.
Hit the track in Asphalt 9: Legends today. Download and play the next evolution of mobile arcade racing, right now, on iOS, Android, and Windows. Also, be sure to join the A9 community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.


It's official; Medtronic sales jobs are the most wanted jobs going into 2014. Known for its strong sales force and cutting edge technology, Medtronic is no stranger to the Best Places to Work list. But what makes Medtronic so appealing to those seeking medical device sales jobs?
For more about Medtronic and the benefits that come with Medtronic sales jobs, visit the Medtronic Careers website.


The wakeup call in March is one of the most rewarding and anticipated aspects of living in a four season location. The mailman delivers countless seed and perennial catalogues. I imagine just how glorious my gardens will be when the 600 bulbs I planted last fall and in previous falls begin their yearly show. And yes, I do need a bulb intervention as I have been told by countless friends and family members. But, that is for another blog.
How can I ready my yard and gardens for spring? That is the focus for March. First, I like to make sure I have all of the tools I will need. That includes my trusty Felco #2 pruner, a hand saw and a tarp to carry everything I did not cleanup last fall and the fertilizer I prefer to use to give my plants an initial boost.
Since the turf will need some, not a lot of repair. I measure out how many square feet of damage will need attention. By having that information, I can then estimate what I will need when the weather is warm enough to seed. Next, I notice that a few of the smaller evergreens need some shaping. Were I to prune them earlier, damage could occur from the bright winter sun. So it is beneficial to lightly shape them, reducing the height and thinning each plant so light can get to the inner branches. Walking up the driveway, I notice just how the salt needed to control the ice on the slope has browned the Maney junipers. The timing is perfect to cut that out. If I don't like the result, it might be time to remove and replace them.
Deciduous shrub sand trees (the ones that lose their leaves in fall) need a review. Major crossing, diseased, or dead branches should also be removed. I like to have a certified arborist tour the yard with me, since I won't be doing any climbing with a chainsaw. This is the spring I will be reducing the size of the burning bush I planted four years ago. It is the height I want, just not the width. I will be removing 1/3 of the oldest branches with a very sharp saw. I wear thick gloves because I don't need to visit the hospital for stitches, again. My family reminds me of that adventure yearly.
The winter protection we added to the azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese maples, and hydrangeas can also be put away. The swelling buds of those favorite shrubs prompt a smile. The color this spring is going to be electrifying.
Lastly, I clean up any debris in the beds I missed last fall and fertilize my plants. We have a two bin compost. On warm weather days, they both smell like spring. Any debris I pick up will just add to the black gold that is produced by composting. I have even been known to pick up neighbor's bagged leaves to add to our bins. The soil additive we get from the compost is free and better than many store bought products.
All I have to do is beat Tom to the finished compost. I think this is the year I get to use all of the bounty!


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DU Home » Latest Threads » Forums & Groups » Main » General Discussion (Forum) » 'It Is a Trap': Far-Right...
Wed Jan 13, 2021, 12:42 PM
Wicked Blue (2,041 posts)
'It Is a Trap': Far-Right Freaks Out About Rallies It's Organized
Kelly Weill
ReporterPro-Trump activists who promoted the Jan. 6 protests that turned into the fatal Capitol riot are trying to distance themselves from future unrest as politicians and law-enforcement officials prepare for further violence ahead of the inauguration.
Extremism experts have focused on Jan. 17, as well as Inauguration Day and the days surrounding it, as potential flashpoints for violence. One Inauguration Day threat includes a "Million Militia March" that encourages armed Trump supporters to descend on D.C. A flyer circulating online that calls for an "armed march on Capitol Hill and all state capitols" on Jan. 17 has been cited as proof of the protest, although it's not clear where the flyer originated or how much traction it's gained on the right.
Capitol Police officials are taking no chances this time around. They briefed House Democrats late Monday about a series of potential threats including plans for the "largest armed protest ever to take place on American soil" and an alleged plot to either block Democrats from reaching the Capitol or kill them outright so that Republicans could take over the government.
Democrats were also warned about a more general threat for violence against politicians and police, according to a person familiar with the briefing, which was first reported by HuffPost and confirmed by The Daily Beast.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/it-is-a-trap-far-right-freaks-out-about-rallies-theyve-organized?ref=home


The port city of GhentThe couple, named only as Joey D and Kimberly A, gave some of the windfall they discovered in an old Singer sewing machine to people who had helped them in the past. Prosecutors recognized the couple was acting out of generosity, but said that did not authorize them to distribute the cash.
"They shared the money as well-wishers. But of course you cannot hand out money that is not yours. And the people who took the money should have known that Joey and Kimberley could not have come by such sums of money in a normal way," the public prosecutor told the court, according to the Guardian.
The abandoned house had formerly been occupied by a wealthy widow, according to local media, and the couple was tipped off by other squatters about the possibility of finding lucrative items.
The nine friends who received money from Joey and Kimberly are also being prosecuted, and the widow's son, who owns the blighted house, is trying to reclaim the cash.
Sofie Vermeir, Kimberly's lawyer, told the court her client saw the money as an opportunity to better the course of her life. "They wanted to buy a house, because they know all too well that such shelter is the start of a normal life," the Guardian reported her as saying.
Joey's lawyer, Jesse van den Broeck, argued that the couple were "honest finders" and should be allowed to keep the money.
The windfall was discovered during a drug raid on the property of a friend with whom the couple was staying. Officers found 1.5kg of amphetamine and more than 1,000 pills, according to the Guardian, as well as some $60,000 in cash on Joey.
The couple is also facing charges of drugs possession.
The prosecution is seeking 18-month suspended prison sentences for the two, as a well as a $7,000 fine from each of them. A judge is expected to give a decision in two weeks.
Most homeless shelters in Belgium's capital of Brussels are occupied and, according to the BBC, tents are forbidden. Last year, NGOs in Brussels launched a campaign to hand out portable, cardboard tents to the homeless, which police said they will tolerate.