text:
VSB-TUO ›News detail
Hydrophobic hyaluronic acid-based nanofibers could find a use in biomedicine
Researchers prepared a water-insoluble nanofibrous antimicrobial material based on hyaluronic acid for the possible application in biomedicine.
Preparation of a water-insoluble nanofibrous antimicrobial material based on hyaluronic acid and the subsequent investigation of its properties for the potential use in the field of biomedicine. These were the main objectives of the researchers from the Centre of Nanotechnology at VSB - Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO) in cooperation with colleagues from Contipro. The results of more than a year of their work were published in the journal Carbohydrate Polymers.
The researchers used a hyaluronic acid derivative produced by Contipro, a company which is engaged in the research and production of this substance. While, for cosmetic purposes the high-water solubility of hyaluronic acid is favourable, for biomedical applications - such as the gradual release of drugs - this property is undesirable. Therefore, Contipro is working on modifying the polymer chain of hyaluronic acid by using different functional groups to prevent the polymer from dissolving in water. Nanofibrous mats then keep their integrity after submerging in water and water-based solutions.
"We used one of the derivatives and prepared nanofibers from it using electrospinning. We added antiseptic agents to them and investigated the different properties of the material. A study of the literature also showed that we were one of the first to develop an insoluble nanofibrous material based on hyaluronic acid without the use of toxic solvents, which is ready for further use without the usual cross-linking which is necessary in other methods. This, among other things, shortens the preparation process and does not require the use of often toxic reagents," explained Lenka Bardoňová, the lead author of the paper and PhD candidate in Nanotechnology at VSB-TUO, who is preparing her dissertation in partnership with a private company. In association with Contipro, she focused on the preparation of nanofiber mats by electrospinning in her diploma thesis, for which she was awarded third place in the Werner Siemens Prize competition last year.
The results of the research carried out could find future use in various applications. Since electrospinning uses high voltage to produce nanofibers, the researchers first investigated whether this process has any effect on the substances used. It turned out that there is no significant degradation. "We also found out that the prepared nanofibers swell in humid environments, lose their nanofibrous structure, and the mats become film-like with irregularly scattered pores. We also assessed the antimicrobial efficacy and the effect of the materials on cell viability," Bardoňová added.
However, according to the authors, the published article is not the end of the research. Currently, they are focusing on the release of active substances from nanofibrous material in order to understand the precise mechanisms behind these processes.
Created: 11. 8. 2021
Entered by: Mgr. Martina Šaradínová
Department: 9390 - Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies


text:
Q: Check whether sanitizer like AddressSanitizer is active I have several versions of a project checkout out and compiled. If I spot an error, I compare the versions to narrow the problem down. Sometimes I enable sanitizers like the AddressSanitizer. If I re-use an executable, I don't remember whether it was compiled with the sanitizers or not. If the executable works fine, I am not sure whether the bug is not there or whether I did not include the sanitizer in this build. So I have to reconfigure and rebuild to make sure I have the sanitizer included.
Is there a way to check whether an executable has been compiled with a sanitizer?

A: You need to use __has_feature(address_sanitizer), see http://clang.llvm.org/docs/AddressSanitizer.html (same for other sanitizers).

A: Address sanitizer can also be compiled statically with the -static-libasan option in GCC. Statically compiling address sanitizer is the default mode in Clang.
If you compile address sanitizer statically then it is obviously not possible to use ldd to verify if your binary is sanitized or not. In this case I use nm and check if there are sanitizer symbols in the binary:
nm -an <executable> | grep asan

A: From man ldd:

ldd prints the shared libraries required by each program or shared library specified on the command line.

As long as address sanitizer requires to link with libasan.so library (actual implementation of sanitizer) you can assume:

*

*If ldd won't print shared lib libasan.so it definitely means that address sanitizer is turned off.

*If ldd will print shared lib libasan.so it means that your linker flags includes -lasan, otherwise you`ll get unresolved symbol error during linking. Highly likely that address sanitizer is enabled, unless you have a bug in building system.

*Third option if you have bug in your building system. ldd will print libasan.so but address sanitizer will be turned off if you passed to linker -lasan , but didn't pass -fsanitize=address. It means that you linked your executable with address sanitizer but didn't include checks into your executable.
Or you can do objdump -p to see if libasan.so is needed in dymanic sections: NEEDED libasan.so.0. objdump could give the same(and more) information as ldd.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I can't believe Week 2 in The Windy City is coming to an end! I absolutely love working with the people at my internship and all that I am getting to do. I just don't understand how every single person you meet at a company can be so nice and welcoming, it is the coolest thing ever. Here are some more snaps and thoughts from the last few days!
Aside from awesome coworkers and exciting projects, work offers another bonus – a coffee bar. Now you might be thinking, "Dayna, what's so special about that? Lots of places have coffee bars. That's not that cool." Oh but my friends, you are sadly mistaken. EVERYTHING at this special bar is ONE DOLLA. Pretty sweet, right? Yeah. Especially when the offerings include lattes, smoothies, teas…basically anything you can find at a Starbucks, any size.
Thursday favorites – coffee date with my mentor, an invite to a FIFA work viewing party, and my new leopard skirt.
Last night, some of the interns and I headed over to Lincoln Park to cheer on the agency softball team. On Thursday night, several of the advertising agencies in town have softball teams that play and engage in some friendly competition. It was so much fun to meet more people from work and hang out with friends. Afterwards, the team headed over to a sports bar called Gamekeepers where we munched on what seemed to be endless wings and tater tots. I'm already looking forward to next week!
How could I not snag a picture of the beauty that came with the sunset??
Aaaannddd, today is a super special day because my handsome man turns 22! (*cue cliché Taylor Swift track*) I'm so sad to be states away from Eric today, but already have plans to treat him to some delicious Chicago deep dish pizza and a drink at The Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock when he comes to visit in a couple weeks. So Happy Birthday love, you are pretty darn wonderful and I can't wait to celebrate soon!
Such strange lighting, but I still love this pic. And the birthday boy!
Yay for the Friday! Who is ready to sleep in tomorrow?? This girl for sure. Looking forward to a little piece of home this weekend since some family friends will be visiting the city. I wonder what adventures Chi-Town will bring next. Got any cool weekend plans or Chicago suggestions? I would love to hear!
Thanks, boo! You are the best lady a guy could ever ask for!


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Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and is on the rise in India today. Unlike most regions of the world, in India the incidence of new cancers is higher among women than men. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in India and more women die from cervical cancer in India than anywhere else in the world. Reported rates of breast cancer are escalating in India and breast cancer is predicted to overtake cervical cancer as the most common type of cancer; it has already done so in major cities. With proper resources, cervical cancer is a curable disease if detected early and success rates for treating breast cancer, if detected early and with access to advanced medical interventions, have been remarkable. Regular screening for these cancers has, however, not been widely practiced as a basic public health measure throughout India largely due to cost factors. As a result, mortality rates associated with these cancers have been high. That is beginning to change. A concerted effort is underway on the part of the national and state governments, NGOs, and multilateral interna-tional aid organizations to roll out newly discov-ered cost-effective ways to screen women for these cancers using a combination of new techniques of visual inspection for cervical cancer, together with clinical and self-breast exam educational programs.
The success of these screening initiatives depends on whether women will opt to undergo screenings when they are made available and whether they seek and receive appropriate treat-ment when they receive a positive cancer diagno-sis. Initial responses have been uneven across and within diverse states in India and it is crucial to understand why. In the Summer of 2015, with a grant from the American Institute of Indian Studies, and with the assistance of Shibani Rathnam (SU undergraduate public health major) and Shweta Krishnan (graduate student in anthro-pology at George Washington University), I conducted research on social and cultural percep-tions and practices surrounding cervical and breast cancer screening and treatment programs in low-income communities in Tamil Nadu, South India. I will continue this work in during the 2016 summer and will expand my study to states in North India. Rather than approaching this by assuming that people do not engage in screening or treatment simply because they lack awareness, as many public health studies do, as a medical anthropologist, my study explores more broadly the meanings people give to these two forms of cancer and how people situate the screening and treatment programs for these cancers within the larger political and economic circumstances of their health and healthcare, and within the contexts of ideas and practices surrounding gender, sexuality, and women's reproductive bodies.


text:
University of Westminster (UW)
An international student community Each year we welcome hundreds of students from all over the world; talented and outgoing individuals seeking new skills, experience and knowledge. Currently we have over 22,000 students including more than 5000 students from outside the UK, from a total of almost 150 different countries! We offer a huge choice of high quality programmes, set within a diverse environment that is global and yet uniquely British - like London itself! An international award-winner! In recognition of Westminster's work in the international field, the University was awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2000 and again in 2005. The University is now unique in having won the Queen's Award twice for its international operations, and illustrates our long-term commitment and success in international work. In 2005 the University was also delighted to win the Times Higher Award for 'Best Support for Overseas Students'. Seven reasons why international students choose Westminster 1. Quality Well-known and respected around the world, offering academic exellence within a highly supportive learning enviornment. Highlights include 8 subjects rated 4 or more (out of 5*) for research. 2. Location With ten academic schools over four campuses - 3 in central London and one in Harrow -students at Westminster enjoy all the attractions of one of the most exhilarating cities in the world. 3. Employability 'Educating for professional life' since 1838, we make sure our international graduates are fully equipped to succeed in the next stage in their careers. Relevant, cutting edge courses with a practical focus are combined with superb teaching (often by industry practitioners) and a comprehensive careers service. 4. Choice One of the widest portfolios of courses offered by any British University. More than 300 Bachelor, Master and PhD degree courses - many with a specific international focus -plus Study Abroad, Exchange and EFL programs. 5. Diversity Reflecting London's cosmopolitan character, Wesminster's student body of over 23,000 includes 4000 from outside the UK - representing an amazing 160 different countries! 6. Facilities State-of-the art labs, classrooms, libraries and computing networks, as well as campus cafes, bars and extensive sporting facilities. Five central London halls of residence, as well as the Harrow hall on the Harrow Campus. 7. Support Comprehensive help and advice for international students, including a dedicated International Student Advisor, a free orientation programme and an international students society. The University also runs one of the largest Scholarships programmes in the UK.
Hyper Link:http://www.westminster.ac.uk/

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
"Ідра" () — броненосець берегової оборони однойменного типу, побудований за замовленням грецького уряду в 1888—1890 роках за проектом французького адмірала Дюпона на верфі Сен-Назер, Франція. Отримав ім'я одного з трьох основних островів — оплотів грецького флоту під час Грецької революції — острова Ідра. Відповідно, два інших корабля серії отримали імена "Псара" і "Спеце" також на честь однойменних островів.

Служба
У січні 1897 року, під командуванням капітана В. Вокоса і командувача ескадри капітана А. Райнека, "Ідра" був посланий до острова Крит разом з військовим транспортом "Мікалі", паровими канонерками "Алфіос" і "Пініос" та іншими малими кораблями, для захисту православного грецького населення острова та надання підтримки грецькому експедиційному корпусу полковника Тімолеона Вассоса, який висадився на острові.
Обмежений у своїх діях присутністю кораблів нейтральних Німеччини, Австрії, Великої Британії, Росії, Франції та Італії, Райнек не здійснив жодних істотних дій, навіть коли кораблі європейських держав стали обстрілювати критських повстанців. Це викликало обурення серед грецького населення і відставку Райнека.

Броненосець «Ідра» взяв участь в греко-турецькій війні 1897 року. Вже досить застарілий корабель взяв участь у Балканських війнах (1912—1913), зокрема у битвах з османським флотом при Еллі і при Лемносі. Броненосець взяв участь у Першій світовій війні, після закінчення якої, в листопаді 1918 року, був виведений з активного складу. З 1922 по 1929 рік корабель використовувався в якості артилерійського училища. У 1930 році був проданий на брухт.

Попередники

 Трофейний (єгипетський) вітрильний корвет. У складі флоту з 1827 року.
 Паровий канонерський човен. У складі флоту з 1881 року. Перейменований на «Амбракія» у 1889 році, аби «звільнити» ім'я для броненосця.

Наступники

 Ідра (есмінець). У складі флоту з 1933 року.
 Ідра (фрегат). У складі флоту з 1992 року.

Примітки

Література

 К. Паизис, Капитан наставник ВМФ, «Корабли Греческого Военно-морского Флота (1830—1979)» Генеральный Штаб Флота — 1979 — Κ. Παΐζη Αρχ/ρχου ΠΝ "Τα Πλοία του Ελληνικού Πολεμικού Ναυτικού (1830—1979) ΓΕΝ — 1979.

Броненосці берегової оборони типу «Ідра»
Вікіпедія:Статті з іншим значенням на Вікіданих
Кораблі, збудовані у Франції
Кораблі 1889

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
The time when I was Veer from Veer-Zaara… (#SachchiAdvice Contest)
September 27, 2015 by Keyur Seta Leave a Comment
I am participating in the #SachchiAdvice Contest by MaxLife in Association with BlogAdda.
I firmly believe that films are a reflection of our real lives. This also includes some larger-than-life Hindi films. The only difference is that situations are dramatized in such films for entertainment purpose, sometimes to an unbelievable extent.
But if you take away the larger-than-life elements from Bollywood films, you would be able to relate with them because the situations or challenges faced by characters remain the same. So, similarly, the phrase "Kahani Mein Twist," is also applicable in real lives. I am sure many of you must have encountered at least some major turn in your life, quite unexpectedly.
Picture: Songspk.city
Needless to say, I too have encountered such a twist, which was born out of a #SachchiAdvice. But it would be an understatement to say that that advice made a difference to my life. It simply changed my life… completely… and this is not a larger-than-life element.
The story began 15 years ago. Circa 2000. I passed 10th standard with first class. As per the silly mentality of our society, all high rankers go into Science, average ones in Commerce and low rankers in Arts. I belonged to the second category so I went into Commerce. Also because most of my friends took Commerce.
The decision turned out to be my worst ever. I soon realized I am not meant for Commerce and my interest lies in writing instead of tallying numbers. I felt like Veer Pratap Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) of Veer Zara, who visited his girlfriend's place, not knowing he would be jailed out of nowhere. I somehow passed 12th. I spent those two years like Veer spent 22 years in prison.
Despite passing HSC, I wasn't happy at all as I dreaded at the thought of continuing Commerce, which was going to be even tougher now. In other words, I thought I would have to spend more jail time like Veer. The sight of the balance sheet and those crazy numbers gave my nightmares.
But then I happened to meet one of our family friends. It was just a chance meeting that turned out to be divine intervention as it changed my life forever. I visited the middle-aged couple to hand over something on my mom's behalf. While speaking about various issues, our conversation turned towards my career plan (or the lack of it).
The couple had read some of my writings and they happened to like them a lot. So, when I said I am having a pathetic time in Commerce, they not only suggested that I should switch over to Arts but also urged me to do so. In the words of the uncle, "Tum yeh baniyagiri mein kahan chale gaye?"
Picture: Vissicomp.com
In the present day, although I might not be greatly successful, I have made an identity for myself in the field of writing. But it surely wouldn't have happened without the advice of those two people. After returning home from that fateful meeting, I thought about it long, discussed with my parents and finally went ahead and changed my stream to Arts.
From then onwards, study was no longer study for me as I felt completely at home with theories. It was more like a knowledge-gaining process that I greatly enjoyed. I used to look forward to studying in the morning. I can't recall this happening ever before. This increased my interest and skills and writing. It became my biggest or, rather, only professional skill.
Today as I look back, I am utterly scared to even think of what would have happened to me had I not implemented that #SachchiAdvice and switched over to arts. You wouldn't be reading this blog post for sure.
Finally, it won't be wrong to say that the couple turned out to be Samiya Siddiqui for me. She was Veer's lawyer in the film (played by Rani Mukerji), who helped him come out of jail and get reunited with Zaara. These two individuals did the same for me.
By now, you must have guessed that Zaara symbolizes my interest in writing, from which I got estranged during those years in Commerce. Today I am the happy Veer Pratap Singh seen during the end credits of the film, although definitely not that old.
Filed Under: Bollywood, Humour Tagged With: personal experience story, real experience, real experience of students, real life short stories, real life stories
Review: Das Capital: Gulamo Ki Rajdhani
Directors: Rajen Kothari and Dayal Nihalani
Producers: Mukti Entertainment
Writer: Shaiwal
Cast: Yashpal Sharma, Pratibha Sharma
Music: Amod Bhat
Rating: * * * ½
Corruption has had a long standing relationship with Hindi cinema. But most of these films are about a 'hero' taking on a mighty corrupt politician. This is where directors Rajen Kothari and Dayal Nihalni's Das Capital: Gulamo Ki Rajdhani differs. Although the film centers around the common theme of corruption, it provides a mature and realistic take on the issue in an honest manner and leaves behind few serious questions.
The film is based in the early 1980s in the interiors of Bihar. Purshottam Ram (Yashpal Sharma) is an Accountant working in a government office. He lives with his wife (Pratibha Sharma) and two kids. In Ram's office, like other government offices, corruption is a way of life. Wanting to lead a proper life with his family, Ram has no other choice but to merge in the system. However, the system itself haunts him later on.
Normally, a Hindi film of this subject focuses on the corrupt practices by politicians. But Das Capital brings to light the corruption practiced at the most micro level in government offices. It gives you a mild shock when you realize that corruption is not only accepted but is also an unwritten rule.
But the film isn't a serious affair despite such a theme. It maintains a light-hearted mode for a majority of its duration. There is constant use of situational and dark humor, which gets you in splits on few occasions. In spite of this, you easily get involved in the world of the protagonist and feel sympathy for him.
The only issue here is the change of mood. As a lot of humor is served to the audience, the drastic change to tragedy later on generates inconsistency. Thankfully, the honesty through which the story is narrated keeps disappointment at bay.
Despite the low cost of production, the technical aspects appear sound. Chandan Goswami's camerawork and Mangesh Dhakde's background score succeed in generating the desired effect. Amod Bhat composed songs go well with the region in question.
In such performance-oriented films, it is vital that the actors rise to the occasion and this is exactly what happens here. As expected from an artist like him, Yashpal Sharma perfectly molds himself as Purshottam Ram. In the role of Yashpal's wife, Pratibha Sharma is praiseworthy too, especially when it comes to displaying pain.
Jameel Khan, as Ram's boss, is fully believable. K K Raina and Ravi Jhankal also show their goodness. In a cameo, Pratik Kothari is superb while playing a difficult character of a psychotic youngster. Rajpal Yadav leaves behind a solid impression despite a one-scene role.
Overall: Das Capital: Gulamo Ki Rajdhani is a well-made realistic saga that does justice to its subject.
Filed Under: Bollywood, Socio/Political Tagged With: das capital gulamo ki rajdhani, das capital gulamo ki rajdhani review, das capital hindi movie, das capital review
Where are these religious groups when Ganeshotsav is insulted?
September 21, 2015 by Keyur Seta 3 Comments
I became aware about the existence of various pro-Hindu groups around a decade ago. Interestingly, I got enlightened about them only because of their opposition to certain Hindi films, which, according to them, hurt their religious sentiments. In fact, if you look back closely, you will realize that almost all their protests have only been against films and, at times, books.
Picture: Pravin M Parab on Flickr
Now, let us focus on a harsh and disturbing reality regarding one of the most important Hindu festivals. People staying in Mumbai even since few years would know how the Hindu festival of Ganeshotsav is grossly insulted each year. A single experience at Mumbai's Ganesh Visarjan is also enough to realize this.
The following scenes are witnessed each year during the festival:-
– Liquor consumption during Visarjan is not new in Mumbai. You will find a lot of these over-enthusiastic 'devotees' dancing during Visarjan high on daaru.
– Eve-teasing of girls/ women during Visarjan with vulgar terms or slogans is also on display while bringing the idol and also during immersion. I have heard harrowing experiences of my own friends.
– There has been uproar against playing of sleazy item numbers during the festival; sometimes right beside the Ganesh idol. But this has had no effect on the organizers. Songs like 'Sheila Ki Jawani', 'Munni Badnaam', 'Fevicol Se', 'Baby Doll', and some even worse continue making rounds each year.
– Firecrackers worth thousands are burst during Visarjan, which hugely increases the level of air pollution. Roads always appear hazy during some big Visarjan. This also has numerous health hazards.
Picture: Bloggr.in
– Noise pollution is the major turn off for residents of Mumbai. In fact, the term 'noise pollution' is too mild to describe the menace caused. Plus, the commotion with super loud DJ music moves at a snail's pace, which adds to the agony. Torture caused towards infants, aged, ill, heart patients, students and animals is ignored by these so-called devotees of the Lord.
The above-mentioned activities take place right in the open. So, it is impossible for the members of these pro-Hindu groups to not know about it. This brings a lot of uncomfortable questions for them.
Why there hasn't been a single agitation against the shameful insult of the Hindu festival? Leave alone protest, why nobody from your 'religious' groups has not even spoken against this ever? Have you ever thought about the real intention of Lokmanya Tilak behind starting this festival? On the other hand, ardent members and followers of your groups literally go up in arms while demanding bans on harmless films, sometimes even resorting to violence.
Are your religious sentiments only limited to objecting Hindi films? The fact that you are not coming out against these shoddy practices in the name of a Hindu festival defeats the very purpose of your existence.
Filed Under: Environment, Mumbai, Socio/Political Tagged With: Ganesh immersion pollution, Ganesh visarjan 2015, Ganesh visarjan item numbers, Ganesh visarjan pollution, pollution after Ganesh visarjan
Netaji Files: Never too late to rewrite history & repay our debts
After studying History in school, me, and many others, believed that the highest credit for India's freedom should go to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. But as I grew up and read various books on revolutionaries like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, etc., doubts started cropping up in my mind on whether we were taught real history in school.
Later on, with the advent of the internet, I found more information on these uncelebrated great figures. Naturally, this further increased my doubts. Why a man who succeeded in the mammoth task of creating a huge army, called Azad Hind Fauj, and frightening the British was given such minor footage in History books? Why was there just a small paragraph about Bhagat Singh and his group's activities and that too with false information, which made them look like criminals?
Picture: Theindianawaaz.com
But yesterday, on September 18, 2015, all doubts were put to rest after Mamata Bannerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, declassified 64 secret files related to Subhash Chandra Bose. Now, it is clear that the entire nation in the post-independence era is been fed with false and fabricated version of Indian History.
Read more about the files HERE.
The secret documents/ letters strongly indicate that Netaji didn't die in the plane crash in 1945. But the most infuriating revelation was how Netaji was snooped by our own government. I have read some theories that Nehru was certain Netaji is alive. Hence, if he had returned, Nehru's popularity would have seriously declined. After yesterday's revelation, this theory appears true to me. It has helped us join the dots.
It is utterly disgraceful that one of the greatest freedom fighters and his family members were snooped upon by their own government, as if they are wanted criminals. This also explains that all these decades, we have been taught only what the Gandhis and Nehru wanted us to learn – the shamefully fabricated version of History.
So, first and the foremost, we should revamp our school and college History text books ASAP! Injustice has been done the likes of Netaji, Bhagat Singh and other such revolutionaries. The least we could do now is to give them the rightful place they deserve in our History. It is never too late to repay their humongous debts over us.
Mamata's act has also put pressure on the Central Government to declassify more files on Netaji. Let's hope they do it soon.
And yes, we should also stop celebrating November 14 as Children's Day. We don't want our children to follow people with such mindsets.
Here is the summary of the declassified Netaji files: (Click to enlarge the image)
Picture: Times of India
Filed Under: National, Socio/Political Tagged With: Netaji files, Netaji files declassified, Subhash chandra bose declassified files, Subhash chandra bose files
How to contribute towards Nana Patekar's cause for farmers?
Nana Patekar has turned out to be a Godsend angel for Indian farmers, who are forced to end their lives due to rising debts and draught. This year alone has seen more than 600 farmer suicides. He started off his mission by paying Rs 15 thousand each to families of around 60 farmers.
Now, he has started a full-fledged mission to help the poor and needy farmers through his foundation called Naam. He has been ably supported by fellow actor Makarand Anaspure and recently Akshay Kumar, who has donated Rs 90 lakh for the farmers' families.
Picture: Indiawest.com
While this also proves the amazing humanistic quality of these actors, it also points out the terrible attitude of those ruling us. It is the responsibility of our governments to be there for our farmers during such dire circumstances. It is not possible to believe that they lack funds. They are spending thousands of crores on statues but not ready to spend even half the amount on those who are providing us with food.
There is also no lack of water as we all saw how the government of Maharashtra released 1000 cubic meters of water for Kumbh Mela's Shahi Snan. If you feel making statues and pleasing religious fanatics is more important than dying farmers, you don't even qualify for an admission in IIN.
This whole issue also brings to light the selfishness of the super-rich and wealthy of India. We have been witnessing mindless spending of money for personal enjoyment, which lasts just for few moments. This is a new benchmark of selfishness, which doesn't let you feel even a bit for the dying farmers.
With the situation as it is, it is absolutely clear that we, the common citizens of India, must come forward to serve our annadatas. Nana and Anaspure have shown us the way. Let us follow it by contributing whatever possible towards this super noble cause.
You can contribute in the following way:-
Send in your amount to "NAM Foundation"
SBI Current account no. 35226127148
IFSC Code no. SBIN0006319
SWIFT Code no. SBININBB238
Filed Under: National, Socio/Political Tagged With: How contribute Nana Patekar foundation, Nana patekar farmers, Nana patekar foundation, Nana Patekar Naam foundation
Book Review: The Rozabal Line – Theological roller-coaster
Author: Ashwin Sanghi
Publishers: Westland Ltd.
Genre: Theological Thriller
Original Price: Rs. 295 (Reduced rates on Flipkart & Amazon.)
Even before the halfway stage in The Rozabal Line, you realize that Ashwin Sanghi's knowledge about various religions, conspiracy theories related to some religions and other global issues is simply outstanding. This coupled with his amazing writing and storytelling skills make The Rozabal Line a roller-coaster theological saga, despite some glaring issues.
Picture: Flipkart
The story takes place across continents and time zones. In 2006, Father Vincent Sinclair, an American Priest, starts seeing weird visions after a tragic incident. His aunt Martha helps him decode them through her knowledge of Indian spiritualism and mysticism. Swakilki, a young and beautiful Japanese woman, has been serially killing people across the world. She is following the orders of Alberto Cardinal Valerio, head of Crux Decussata Permuta in Vatican City.
The Lashkar-e-Talatashar, an arm of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has vowed to create havoc in the world. Ghalib, their leader, and his 12 subordinates have planned something dangerously sinister in the year 2012. Their fate has striking resemblance with Jesus Christ and his 12 Apostles. How these unrelated characters cross paths forms the rest of the story. The book also explores the theory of Jesus' connection with India.
Like all good thrillers, The Rozabal Line keeps you hooked from the very first page. As the story moves back and forth, from the period of B.C to 2012, it not only increases your excitement but it also gets you in awe of Sanghi's vision, imagination and knowledge. To narrate your tale in 100 different time zones and various places is a mammoth task for anyone. Plus, Sanghi's smart mixture of rich and simple language adds to the goodness.
Reincarnation is a major ingredient in the story. But it should be noted how the author has presented that aspect in a practical and mature manner. In fact, after going through the reincarnation process mentioned here, you might laugh at how Bollywood has presented this subject.
But The Rozabal Line is far from being truly superlative. Although the climax provides a spiritually enlightening feeling, you realize that various subplots, characters and incidents were unnecessary. Even the basic aim of the tale appears unclear. There is an overdose of information, which is confusing and difficult to keep track, especially since the focus keeps moving through these many time zones. It makes us feel as if the author wanted to flaunt his terrific knowledge.
Having said this, there are enough reasons to grab The Rozabal Line if you are a lover of thriller novels.
Filed Under: Literature, Spiritual Tagged With: The Rozabal line Ashwin Sanghi, The Rozabal line book review, The Rozabal Line review, The Rozabal line story
Dialogues: Welcome Back
September 9, 2015 by Keyur Seta Leave a Comment
The dialogues of Welcome Back are the biggest reason for the film's success at the box office (along with the graveyard scene). The Anees Bazmee movie has acquired the status of a laugh-riot due to the whacky, witty and crazy lines by dialogue writer Raaj Shandilya.
The movie also stands out from other mindless entertainers because it includes a list veteran artists like Naseeruddin Shah, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Paresh Rawal and Dimple Kapadia. It is quite a sight to see them perform some crazy antics.
Here are some memorable/ famous/ best dialogues from Welcome Back:
(Note: Some dialogues in this post are contributed by dialogue writer Raaj Shandilya himself.)
– JOHN: Mobile uska. Sim aapun ka. Tu beech mein missed call dene wala kaun?
– ANIL (Majnu): Aapki sharafat ke chakkar mein main kayde mein hoon, warna ab tak mere khud ke do-chaar Al-Qaede hote.
– DIMPLE: Yeh humari beti hai. NASEER: Humari?? DIMPLE: Matlab, meri beti hai. NASEER: Wohi main sochun ki hum toh kayin dino se shikaar pe nahin gaye toh bandook kisne chala di?
Picture: Bookmyshow.com
– NASEER: Mazaak tha!
– ANIL: Is tarah bolte the mazaak tha, mazaak tha, jaise humne kabhi zindagi mein chutkule sune hi nahin.
– ANIL: Ise dekho. Yeh baith ta hai toh lagta hai kala sofa hai.
– NANA (Uday Bhai): Kya khilone hain. Humare bachchon ke liye aise hi khareedenge. ANIL: Arre pehle shaadi toh hone do!
– NANA: Yaad rakhna, Gun aur gun ki spelling same hai.
– NANA: Bhagwan ka diya hua sab kuchh… ANIL: Arre bandh karo yeh tumhara sann untalis ka dialogue.
– ANIL: Aapka apna beta, aapne bataya bhi nahin. PARESH: Arre batane ka kya matlab hai? Mera toh chacha bhi hai, mera mama bhi hai, uske bare mein maine kabhi bhi aapko bataya?
– PARESH: Tera baap yahan chhod ke gaya tha, ya teri ma rakh ke gayi thi?
– ANIL: Logon ki ma-behan hoti hai. Aapki toh baap-behan ho gayi hai.
– RAJPAL YADAV: Ek radio ke peechhe do log fit nahin honge.
– ANIL: Bhoot Shetty, Srivastava kuch nahin dekhte. Jiski game bajani ho baja daalte hain.
– PARESH: Jab maine chunaav mein vote dala hi nahin, toh mukhyamantri mera kaise ho gaya?
(Please feel free to add more in the comments section.)
Filed Under: Bollywood, Humour Tagged With: Welcome back dialogues, Welcome back dialogues list, Welcome back dialogues lyrics, Welcome back funny dialogues, Welcome back nana patekar anil kapoor
Review: The Path Of Zarathustra
Director: Oorvazi Irani
Writer: Farrukh Dhondy
Producers: Oorvazi Irani and Sorab Irani
Cast: Oorvazi Irani, Tom Alter, Rushad Rana, Darius Shroff
Music: Vasuda Sharma
Genre: Mystical/ Drama
The new-age contemporary Indian films have now started achieving international standards. But along with technicalities, this has also to do with the bold intention of the filmmakers. Both these aspects are taken care of honestly in debutant Oorvazi Irani's The Path Of Zarathustra (English film). The end result is a moving and enlightening saga for the lovers of unconventional cinema.
The film is an inner and outer journey of a Parsi lady, Oorvazi (Oorvazi Irani). She has been staying with her grandfather (Tom Alter) at his remote village since the age of 15. She has no problems for being cut-off from the world. After prolonged illness, her grandfather passes away but not before handing her a book, he had been writing since long, and instructing her to unfold its mystery.
Picture: TPOZ Facebook page
To fulfill his wish, Oorvazi needs to relocate to her maasi's place in Mumbai. Once in Mumbai, Perseus (Rushad Rana) with whom she shares an unusual bond, re-enters her life. The book takes Oorvazi on a quest related to the dwindling numbers of the Parsi community. What exactly lies in the book? Will she fulfill the last wish of her beloved grandfather?
The Path Of Zarathustra makes its visual appeal loud and clear right from the first frame itself. The entire film is a pictorial spectacle born out of some artistic camerawork (Subhadeep Dey) and perfect production designing (Pooja Shetty). These plusses make it difficult to believe that it is made on a shoestring budget. But overall, it is the honest and mature handling of a sensitive subject by the director that achieves the end result.
The main aim here is to provide the history and information of Parsis and highlight the fact that their community is on the verge of extinction. It fulfills it without becoming a history class, thanks to the intriguing and mystical element in the tale and treatment.
The final twist related to the book, however, might not impress many for being too simplistic. Apart from this, the overall philosophical content won't appeal to the average moviegoer. It is more suited to the festival audience.
The actors rise to the occasion, as is the need in such performance-oriented films. Oorvazi Irani blends herself completely in the mode of the protagonist. In other words, she brings a difficult character alive.
Tom Alter, the acting veteran, leaves a solid impact in a cameo. Rushad Rana provides a fine act too. There are good supporting acts or cameos from Pheroza Modi, Firdausi Jussawala, Darius Shroff, Shishir Sharma and Vivek Tondon.
Overall: The Path Of Zarathustra is a finely crafted new-age film. It is worth watching for those who are eager to watch something hatke.
Picture: TPOZ official website
Filed Under: Bollywood Tagged With: oorvazi irani, path of zarathustra film review, the path of zarathustra movie, The path of zarathustra review


text:
justin maurer
L.A. Drugz live at San Pedro's finest dive, Harold's Place, on Friday Dec 2nd
If you dare, venture out this Friday evening December 2nd for a riotous occasion in San Pedro's favorite dive, Harold's Place. Performing rock 'n roll music played from the gut and shot from the hip are: Sick Secrets (Seattle), White Murder, L.A. Drugz, Los Headaches (Mexico City), and Cochinas. There will be an impossibly cheap door entrance fee as well as strong drink and good company. Harold's is proud of its decor: deer heads on the wall, beer-stained pool tables, and an impressive array of Budweiser football helmets dangling precariously from the ceiling. Harold's is situated on 1908 South Pacific Avenue San Pedro, CA 90731-5530 (at 19th, across from the liquor stores and 7-11, just down the street from Angelito's taco truck).
Here's some back story on San Pedro.
My uncle's friend Ed Gupta, a long time Los Angeles resident has warned me multiple times about avoiding the port town of San Pedro, California.
"You don't want to go to San Pedro, the Croatian sailors will kick your fuckin' ass!"
Perhaps he was warning me to watch out for Pegleg.
Joe "Pegleg" Morgan, was ex-godfather of the Mexican Mafia prison gang. "Croatian Joe" spent years in San Pedro. He was the link between the Mexican Mafia and West Coast Italian crime lords in the 1970s.
San Pedro was named for St. Peter of Alexandria, a Fourth Century bishop in Alexandria, Egypt.
The Tongva (Gabrielino) Indians called the San Pedro area Chaaw. I like calling it St. Petersburg.
Spaniard Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo "discovered" the area in 1542, and it soon became the main port of the Los Angeles area. All imported goods that were brought in by ship arrived in the port of San Pedro/L.A. and was transported by horse and wagon to the ranchos and settlements of Southern California.
Charles Bukowski lived there in his twilight years, moving to Pedro from his East Hollywood/Los Feliz digs.
"San Pedro is real quiet. It used to be a seaport full of whorehouses and bars. I like the quietness. They ask you how you're doing, they really want to know."
Unique punk bands like the Reactionaries, the Minutemen, F.Y.P., Toys That Kill, and the Jag Offs all hailed from Pedro.
San Pedro is a dimension of its own. It's like being transported to 1974. Generally Pedro locals are a bit xenophobic, wary of outsiders, especially if the outsider is from a more affluent area of L.A. Locals are even suspicious of people hailing from the neighboring South Bay city of Long Beach, half-jokingly referring to it as "wrong beach." If there is a working class city in Los Angeles county, San Pedro is it. Pedro is home to Mexican families, military families, Croatians, Italians, troublemaking juvenile delinquents, and guys with baseball hats and missing teeth.
Some great films were shot in Pedro including: Raging Bull, Chinatown, To Live and Die in L.A.,The Naked Gun, The Hunt for Red October, Boyz n the Hood, The Big Lebowski, and Fight Club.
Twenty-Eighth Street in San Pedro, between Gaffey Street and Peck Avenue, is the steepest section of public roadway in Los Angeles. For about 50 feet (15 m), the street climbs at a 33.3% angle, although the rest of the street is less steep.
Prominent authors: Louis Adamic and Richard Armour hailed from Pedro as well as actors Patrick Muldoon (Starship Troopers), Sharon Tate (murdered by the Manson Family), and D. L. Hughley, who graduated from San Pedro High School.
Prominent musicians from Pedro: John Bettis (the Godfather III theme song), Minutemen ( Mike Watt, George Hurley, D. Boon), and Krist Novoselic (Croatian-American Nirvana bassist) grew up Pedro before moving to Aberdeen, WA.
For fans of "Mad Men":
In "Mad Men" Season 2, Episode 12 -, scenes are shot in San Pedro near Point Fermin and Cabrillo Beach. The first wife of Don Draper, Anna Draper, is said to live in the area.
"Don disembarks from a bus at San Pedro, pauses to look around in a picturesque manner, and heads on his way."
"It appears that Don and Anna lived for a time in the San Pedro area of L.A."
See you in St. Petersburg Friday night at Harold's Place!
← Welcome!
L.A. Drugz, house party in Echo Park, LA tonight! →
"Justin Maurer's stories are filled with humor, horror and human insight. A strong new voice."
– Dan Fante
"Clean and pure sentences written by an unclean and impure man. You can laugh and feel joy reading these stories. Go ahead. It's okay."
– Scott McClanahan
"Justin Maurer's Seventeen Television is filled with profound and high-octane moments written with a heart-on-his-sleeve sincerity."
– Chloe Caldwell
"Maurer sculpts very rich characters and depicts absurd situations in hysterical terms. An extremely clever and sincere writer."
– MaximumRocknRoll
"Justin Maurer has a real gift for storytelling…an expertly conversational feel."
– The Portland Mercury
"Stuff like Justin's turning up once every few blue moons is like a little reassuring pat on the back that says there are actually people out there who can still write great short fiction."
– Vice UK


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text:
Militants Move Freely in US-Controlled Zone in Syria - Russian Security Council
© AP Photo / Hammurabi's Justice News
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Militants are moving freely near the US base in Syria's al-Tanf region, while UN humanitarian convoys cannot reach the area, Alexander Venediktov, the assistant to the secretary of the Russian Security Council, told Sputnik.
"The situation when the United States is virtually occupying a 55-kilometer [34-mile] zone around At Tanf on the Syrian-Jordanian border without the consent of the Syrian government, is bewildering. This zone includes the infamous Rukban refugee camp, where militants from illegal armed groups are freely moving near the US Armed Forces," Venediktov said.
At the same time, Venediktov stressed that the access to the zone was closed for UN humanitarian convoys, which were trying to reach the refugee camp from Syrian territory.
"It remains a mystery how this corresponds to Washington's anti-terrorism goals in Syria," he noted.
Speaking further on the Syrian issue, Venediktov said terrorists in the Arab Republic had moved from major combat operations to tactics of guerrilla warfare.
"The Islamic State terrorist group [Daesh] on Syrian territory has suffered extensive damage. In these conditions, terrorists moved from large-scale military operations to tactics of guerrilla war," Venediktov said.
He added that other militant groups, including Jabhat al-Nusra in the Idlib province and Ahrar al-Sham in Eastern Ghouta, continued to conduct armed resistance to Syrian government forces.
On US Support of Syrian Kurds
According to the official, external interference, such as the creation by the United States of about 20 military bases in Syrian Kurdistan, hinders bringing peace and stability to Syria.
"The return of peace and stability to Syria is hampered by continued external interference in the Syrian crisis. For example, on the territory controlled by the people's self-defense units of Kurdistan, about 20 US military bases have been created," Venediktov said.
Thus, by supplying Syrian Kurdish forces with sophisticated weapons, the United States virtually provoked Turkish authorities into launching a military operation in Syria's Afrin.
"The Kurds are literally being pumped with advanced weaponry. The deliveries of sophisticated weapons and encouragement of separatist sentiments among the Kurds have in fact provoked Turkey into carrying out the military operation in Syria's northern Afrin region," Venediktov said.
The Turkish Armed Forces have been carrying out the Operation Olive Branch since January 20, after Washington had announced that it would start training a 30,000-strong border security forces, comprised of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which Ankara considers affiliates of the Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey.
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militants, Russian Security Council, Turkey, Syria, United States
14:17US Wants to Keep 'Strong' Ties WIth Turkey Despite Booting Ankara From F-35 Programme Over S-400 Row


The main south-facing wall is clad with photovoltaic cells to convert daylight into electricity, providing up to 50% of tbe building's lighting needs. Solar panels reduce the need for boilers to heat water. Rainwater harvesting provides flushing water for the toilets.
Extensive exploitation of natural light, with high-level, two-storey feature window looking towards Manchester City Centre.
BMS (Building Management System): fresh air supply, air temperature and electric lighting are controlled automatically in response to changes in external temperature and internal environment.
Escalator and passenger lift access to main public library.
Thermal mass - exposed polished concrete absorbs heat into the structure.
Wide doorways and corridors for ease of travel through building.
Baby changing facilities adjacent to children's library.
- Access Point: free access to City Council services via dedicated web-based interface and freephone.


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What to make of the US Election Forecasts
Steve Fisher / November 8, 2016 /	896
Alexander Ewing 2016-11-08
The majority of forecasts point to Hilary Clinton winning tomorrow's US presidential election. Several of the poll, market and expert forecasts with probabilities for who will win are helpfully summarised by the New York Times here. The polls-based predictions are all, apart from one, pretty confident that Clinton will win. At the time of writing, Drew Linzer's model at Daily Kos puts the probability of a Clinton win at 87%, HuffPost has 98% and Sam Wang at the Princeton Election Consortium estimate is as high as 99%. The New York Times' own model is slightly less confident, on 84%. The exception is Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight model which puts Clinton's chances at just 67%.
The lower probability for Clinton in the FiveThirtyEight model is partly (by comparison with most but not all models) due to 538 having a smaller estimate of her likely lead in votes. By comparison with HuffPost, for instance, this is because FiveThirtyEight put more weight on more recent polls that haven't been so great for Clinton in wake of the FBI announcement last week of further investigations into her emails.
But the discrepancy is mostly due to the FiveThirtyEight model allowing for more uncertainty. So 538 have a higher probability of a Clinton landslide than other models as well as a higher probability of a triumphant Trump.
There have been some, shall we say, robust discussions of these issues, see here, here, here here, and especially here and here. Personally I think the FiveThirtyEight team are right to allow for more uncertainty in their model. Nate Silver put his case well in his Saturday update which said,
And it's important to remember that the outcomes in each state are correlated with one another, so that if Clinton underperforms her polls in Wisconsin (for instance), she'll probably also do so in Minnesota. Forecasts that don't account for these correlations are liable to be overconfident about the outcome. It isn't hard to find examples of candidates who systematically beat their polls in almost every competitive state, as President Obama did in 2012 and as Republican candidates for governor and senator did in 2014.
And that's before accounting for some of the factors that the model doesn't consider: the disagreement in the polls, the unusual nature of Trump's candidacy and the demographic changes it is producing, Clinton's superior turnout operation, the possibility of "shy Trump" voters, the fact that the news cycle is still somewhat fluid headed into the final weekend, the declining response rates to polls, and the substantial number of high-profile polling misses around the world over the past few years. We think this is a good year for a forecast that calls for more caution and prudence."
That last sentence still raises intriguing questions about how to calibrate and justify the level of uncertainty.
For most of the last few weeks betting and prediction markets seem to have been roughly half way between the FiveThirtyEight caution and the more confident poll-based forecasters, arguably tracking changes in 538 more closely. Since yesterday's FBI null-findings announcement. The markets became more confident for Hilary. At the time of writing PredictIt has the probability of a Clinton win at 81% and Predictwise says 89%. The poll based forecasts will, presumably, include polling from before yesterday's announcement and so they may not adequately reflect the consequences of that information. The markets are supposed to.
Not only markets but polls of citizen expectations have also shown that most Americans expect Clinton to win. As the following is from the New York Times/CBS News polls here shows, the ratio of those expecting Clinton instead of Trump to win has been about 5/3.
A citizen forecast by Andreas Murr, Mary Stegmueller, and Michael Lewis-Beck hereshows that such surveys have a good track record in identifying who will go on to win, and based on previous experience this year's citizen forecast survey figures suggest a comfortable win for Hilary. For instance, the most recent poll in the table above suggests at least a 6-point popular vote share lead.
Pollyvote helpfully summarizes and combines a huge variety of different forecasts and provides explanations of the component methods. They confidently predict a Clinton win with a 5-point popular vote lead and 323 electoral college votes.
In the Pollyvote mix are some forecasts for Trump, including some of the traditional academic ones. Two classics, Alan Abramowitz's Time for change model based on incumbency and growth rate, and Helmut Norpoth's Primary model both suggest Trump will win. These are forecasts from some way out and what they mainly tell us is that it is hard for a party to keep hold of the White House when they've been there for the last two-terms, and particularly when economic growth is below the 3 per cent the US public appear to expect (see here).
An electoral-cycle cycle based forecasting model did much better than the polls in Britain in 2015, but so too did citizen forecasts (see here). In the US this year these two approaches point in different directions. The PollyVote combined forecast, averaging across forecast types, appears to have a good track record for US presidential elections, and their analysis suggests that citizen forecasts and prediction markets typically outperform the polls in the US. Maybe it will continue to work very well, but my experience trying to replicate the combined forecast method with Rosie Shorrocks for the Brexit referendum showed that all the forecasts can end up pointing in the wrong direction.
Forecasts for the House of Representatives
Even though polls have consistently had the Democrats ahead on the generic congressional vote (albeit currently only by 1.4 points) few are expecting the Democrats to win a majority. This is because of the district boundaries and patterns of incumbency mean that House elections are biased towards the Republicans and they are relatively unresponsive to changes in party support, e.g. as discussed hereand here. If the polls are right then there is likely to be about a 3.6 point swing from the Republicans to the Democrats since 2014. Based on 2014 seat change to vote swing ratios, this would mean around 13 seats reverting from Republican to Democrat, undoing the 2014 GOP gains on 2012. This would leave the Republicans on 234 with a comfortable majority over 201 for the Democrats. This calculation does not properly take into account the effects of first-time incumbency in the seats Republicans won back in 2012. So there's a good chance even fewer seats will change hands. On the other hand, my back of the envelope calculation produces a similar to most current forecasts (e.g. here, here and here) and to the average of some earlier academic forecasts, summarised here. PredictIt has probability of the Republicans continuing to control the House at 93% which seems quite low to me under the circumstances.
Senate Forecasts
The race to control the Senate is apparently the most competitive of the three this year. It is currently split 54 Republican 44 Democrat with two Democrat caucasing independents. Just as the poll-based forecasters differed on the presidential election, so there are corresponding differences for those predicting the outcome of the Senate elections. Part of that linkage is that forecasts of which party controls the Senate have to incorporate probabilities for the party of the Vice-President, since that post holder breaks ties. So a team with a higher probability of a Democratic president is likely to have a higher probability of Democratic control of the senate since a 50:50 outcome on seats is reasonably likely this year. But also the methods again differ according to how much uncertainty they allow. Senate forecasts are summarized by the New York Times here, with the screenshot of the Democratic control probabilities below.
Presumably (I haven't checked) polling errors for presidential, house and senate elections are correlated and so if the polls have substantially underestimated Trump they are likely to also have have underestimated the Republicans for the Senate and House. This means that there must be a noticeable chance the Republicans will win control of win all three branches of government. PredictIt currently puts that probability of undivided government under the Republicans at 16%, higher than the probability of undivided Democrat government, which is 7%. Clearly continued divided government seems most likely.
This post originally appeared on my blog, Elections Etc.
Tags:DataDonald TrumpHillary Clintonmethodologypolitical sciencePollingUS Elections
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Steve is an Associate Professor in Political Sociology and the Fellow and Tutor in Politics at Trinity College, University of Oxford.
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Dr. Laura Hopkins, professor of oncology and gynecology at USask's College of Medicine, and provincial lead for gynecologic oncology. (Photo: Submitted)
USask researchers, Ovarian Cancer Canada and Province of Saskatchewan team up to improve testing and treatment options
A University of Saskatchewan (USask) project will create the province's only tumour bank and—for the first time in Canada—offer ovarian cancer patients testing to learn if biologic drugs can control their illness.
Dr. Laura Hopkins, professor of oncology and gynecology at USask's College of Medicine, and provincial lead for gynecologic oncology, was awarded $709,500 to establish the tumour testing and ovarian cancer drug prediction program, with $250,000 of the funds slated for the tumour bank.
"Finding new ways to fight cancer is a vitally important way Saskatchewan is providing research the world needs," said USask Vice-President Research Baljit Singh. "We are grateful for the innovation and ingenuity shown by these scientists as they support women in their battle against ovarian cancer."
The project is one of four proposals by USask researchers awarded a total $837,000 over three years. The Saskatchewan government provided the funding through Ovarian Cancer Canada's OvCAN research initiative.
"Last year's budget included $1 million to support ovarian cancer treatment, research and clinical trials in Saskatchewan," Minister of Health Paul Merriman said. "It's rewarding to know that we are leading the way in Canada. This funding will help to improve outcomes for women with ovarian cancer right here in our province, once the tumour bank is established and testing is made available."
Hopkins, who is laying the foundation for academic research in gynecological oncology in Saskatchewan, said an ovarian cancer tumour bank—with samples linked to clinical data such as chemotherapy history and disease outcomes of anonymized patients—is essential for future research. Most ovarian cancers are only diagnosed in late stages and outcomes are generally fatal, she said, but treatment advances over the past decade are keeping women alive longer.
"It's mostly immuno-oncology agents to activate immune system, and there are some biologics that affect how a tumour thrives or doesn't thrive in a person," she said.
Biologics, which can cost about $120,000 per patient annually, are effective in maintaining patients in remission following surgery and chemotherapy, she said, but they don't work for everyone.
"There are biomarkers—little signals—that we can identify on tumour specimens that predict whether the person will respond or not to a given biologic," Hopkins said.
However, broad criteria are currently used to identify women eligible for treatment with a biologic, with the treatment having no impact on about one-third of these patients.
Since many biologics are toxic, selecting only those who benefit from these drugs will spare other patients wasted time and health complications, while also saving the health system a great deal of costs, she said. More than half of Saskatchewan's $87 million drug budget is for cancer drugs, she said, and the addition of biologics is ballooning the cost.
Currently, her team is testing two biologics from a promising new class of drugs called PARP inhibitors that have been approved in Canada. The goal is to see which is best for maintaining eligible patients in remission.
"Outcomes for women living with ovarian cancer have not significantly improved in decades. And so it is with great urgency that we are ushering through research to make the greatest impact in the shortest span of time," says Tania Vrionis, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada. "This work is an important milestone on the path to personalized care that could bring us steps further to ensuring every woman living with ovarian cancer receives treatment that works for them."
Hopkins' project involves all six Saskatchewan gynecology oncologists as co-investigators, as well as collaborations with two pathologists, other USask scientists, cancer experts at the University of British Columbia, and quality of life specialists in Australia and California. The group aims to make precision medicine the key for ovarian cancer patients.
She is working with USask professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, Dr. John DeCoteau (MD), to develop gene panel tumour tests for biomarkers, eliminating the need for sending samples for testing in the United States at a cost of $4,000 each. Eventually, such a testing facility at USask could be expanded to serve all of Canada, Hopkins said.
"If this is successful, this kind of project can go across other sites, for breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and other cancers. We can't afford not to implement precision medicine," she said.
Dr. Mary Kinloch (MD), USask associate professor and division head of anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine, is leading establishment of the tumour bank. She and Hopkins have recruited a specialist in tumour bank operations from Montreal and are ready to start asking patients for permission to collect their surplus diagnostic tumour tissue in the bank. Hopkins is hopeful that the tumour testing part of the project can start by January 2022.
"We will be the first to implement this type of precision medicine in Canada. Hopefully we can make a business case across the three-year duration of the grant so that we can continue the precision medicine approach," she said.
More projects awarded
Dr. Shaina Lee, assistant professor in oncology and gynecology at the college, and clinician at ABCC. (Photo: Submitted)
Dr. Maryam Al-Hayki, assistant professor in oncology and gynecology at the College of Medicine, and clinician at Regina's Allan Blair Cancer Centre (ABCC) in Regina, was awarded $102,000 for research on the efficacy of iron infusions instead of blood transfusions to treat anemia that's prevalent in up to 90 per cent of ovarian cancer patients.
International guidelines recommend decreasing the use of blood transfusions generally because of the risks of adverse effects such as infections. Al-Hayki is studying factors, including how long it takes for ovarian cancer patients to reach target hemoglobin levels through iron infusions instead of blood transfusions, so that doctors can maintain hemoglobin levels required for cancer treatment.
Around 120 patients receive chemotherapy annually in Saskatchewan, with about 95 eligible for the study. In all, about 200 patients in Saskatchewan will be involved over the three years, with the study expanded next year to other centres, starting with Calgary.
Dr. Shaina Lee, assistant professor in oncology and gynecology at the college, and clinician at ABCC, was awarded $22,000 for a qualitative study of ovarian cancer patients' experience with the disease and care they receive and its impact.
Lee also received $4,000 to create an educational video on "opportunistic salpingectomy"—the removal of fallopian tubes during a caesarean section and other gynecological surgery—that can be performed to prevent ovarian cancer, but isn't widely offered or performed by Saskatchewan's 60 or so obstetrician/gynecologists (OB-GYNs) during Caesarean section.
She said goal is to help these specialists be comfortable with performing salpingectomies on patients during Caesarean section who give informed consent. Studies show that the most common form of ovarian cancer—high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma—originates in the fallopian tubes. Lee will conduct an online survey of OB-GYNs six months after presenting the video to gauge their response and report the findings.
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Home Business Veteran Lexington Restaurant Pro Bringing New Concept to Chevy Chase
Veteran Lexington Restaurant Pro Bringing New Concept to Chevy Chase
Kuni and Carol Toyoda
With the concept "everyday dining people crave," Bella Café and Grille is set to open in late May or early June in the former Le Matin Bakery at 890 East High Street, according to Kuni Toyoda. Toyoda is a veteran in Lexington's restaurant scene, having previously developed Bella Notte, Smashing Tomato, Crust (now known as Bella Forno) and Fazoli's restaurant concepts.
Bella Café and Grille will be a small restaurant and bar with 66 seats, he said.
"It will be casual, everyday dining with a polished approach in quality, service and ambiance," he said. "We will have the same menu for lunch and dinner with a limited menu, but with broader appeal." He hinted that Sunday brunch is also being considered.
With the help of former Le Matin Bakery owners Abbas and Debbie Larian, who retired and closed their longstanding restaurant last August, Toyoda said the bakery's baguette and other items will be incorporated into the new restaurant's menu, along with selections of reasonably priced, quality wine. The building's exterior will remain relatively unchanged.
Though the menu hasn't been finalized, Toyoda said it will likely feature freshly ground hamburgers, French fries, sandwiches, salads and fresh pasta—all made from scratch, in-house.
"It is a very small restaurant, but I hope people in the neighborhood and Lexington will enjoy the very casual yet very rewarding dining experience," he said.
Business Business Lexington