Shantel: Hey Stacy, welcome to the show. We're so excited to have you!
Stacy: Thank you. Hi. Hi everyone.
Shantel: Hi. Well let's just jump right in. We are excited to learn more about your journey, How He Asked and where you're at right now.
Stacy: Yeah. Absolutely. I'm so excited to be here. Thank you for having me. I'm the founder of a marriage proposal website called, How He Asked. We are a way for couples to share their marriage proposal stories and because we have a library of over 12,000 stories, we've also become a resource for men, women who are planning their proposal. We were actually acquired by XO Group who owns The Knot, The Nest and The Bump, back in September of last year. I'm working through a really fun transition right now, from being and independent, private company to being owned by a larger really great public company.
Stacy: Yeah. Thank you. Thank you.
Shantel: Well I would love to hear a little bit more about how you got started and what inspired How He Asked specifically and what made you imagine more and step outside your comfort zone to start this.
Shantel: That's amazing. Speaking of the risk factor ... I imagine being surrounded by inspiring women was a big factor in allowing you to do that. But, did you grow up around anyone else that inspired you to imagine more and become an entrepreneur, or, was that the pivot moment for you when you joined that first company?
Stacy: Yeah. No. That was a great question. I grew up around entrepreneurs. Both of my parents have always worked for themselves. Always run their own businesses. Small family businesses that ... My parents have a roller skating rink and a bus company. They did ink cartridge or print it printer thing. My dad's family had a glass business way back when. So, I've always seen my family work for themselves. Work creatively. Take on new businesses. Set ... let other one's sale. Yes. I was exposed to entrepreneurship from birth basically. In general as I grew How He Asked I think that connecting with other entrepreneurs in phases ... In the exact phase you're in, but, then in phases and levels beyond what you think you're in or where you think your business is, is also very helpful. For me to balance of finding people who literally are trying to figure out accounting for their small business ... At the same time I talk to people who had sold five companies already was really important for me. To keep myself grounded, yet to also understand that I had this trajectory that I wanted to go down and other people had done it and they'd reached the end of the rainbow. It can be done.
Shantel: Being an entrepreneur is sometimes very lonely. Surrounding yourself with people who know things can certainly help you as you continue to grow and evolve. I want to unpack the sale a little bit. I think a lot of us either haven't been in that situation yet, or, are approaching an opportunity like that. Can you tell us about the resources or people you turn to when that conversation started to get brought up?
Stacy: Yeah. I ... The company who bought it is ... Most people know them as The Knot. Their parent company is a public company called XO Group. I worked with the organization for a few years. I'd cross paths multiple times with either editors or some of the sales team or their ad operations team and even the CEO. My husband was at a gala and someone said, "You remind me of this guy so much." It turned out that he was the CEO of The Knot. Point being I had had a relationship with them in many different ways over the years. The conversation about the acquisition came at a point where I had thought about it many times. I think they had likely thought the partnership would be a good idea. So, really I had educated myself the whole way through. How do I structure our first partnership such that it wouldn't limit me from future partnerships with them, future acquisitions, whatever it may be? I really had to open up my books and the people and my resources really early on. I just found people who had done advertising partnerships, revenue shared deals. I was close with the CEO from the company that I used to work with. I would constantly pick her brain on these types of things. I really just went to anyone who had had similar experiences in completely different businesses so that I could set myself up with the scenarios that I might face. I think one of the things that ... I think the word entrepreneur ... One of the biggest traits of an entrepreneur is that you tackle firsts and fears. I had never done what I ... Most of the things that I did with How He Asked, I had never done them before. Now, maybe when I start a second company I'll have less first. Right? I'll know how to set up ... I keep saying an accounting. It's such a pain point for me. I'll know how to set up my books from day one. I will know what legal paperwork to have in place before I start having certain conversations. So, sure. But, going back to my first business, I think a lot of the conversations, and the things we're doing are firsts for everyone. Just to be able ... And that creates fear. Right? Because if you don't know what you are doing. You automatically think fear. But, the truth is maybe you haven't done, but, someone else has done it. If you can find someone else whose done it and have them experience share with you, then you can just sort of see yourself in that situation. See someone else in that situation and just have this confidence that, "Okay. Someone else has done it. Why wouldn't I be able to do it?" Or, "I might have questions and that's okay, so did this person." I think asking for help ... Especially in really specific situations can really help alleviate ... Or at least it did for me. Alleviate a lot of those, "Oo, can I do this? Oo, am I going to mess up? Oo how do I say this?" You really just learn how to say those things. You learn what the situation might look like and you go into it.
Shantel: I think that's great. Speaking on that a little bit, did you always know you wanted to scale and sell the business? Or, be acquired? Or, was it something that evolved over time and it switched from lifestyle. And, if so, when did that moment happen for you?
Stacy: Yeah. That's a really great question. And, truthfully I went back and forth a lot on that. I enjoyed growing the business. I had a few people on my team who I really loved getting to know and really loved them supporting a business and me supporting their growth. That dependency together was really meaningful to me. But, at the same time there was a point where I knew that I didn't want to build the company past where it had been. Or, that I didn't want to take on new verticals. I knew that there would be an end point for me and for the company. Again, I knew it was my first company. I knew there'd be more. As much as I loved the brand and what my small team were building and how we were doing it, I did feel like there would be a tipping point. Truthfully the tipping point came at the perfect time. Because, the brand had tons and tons of growth which, really excited me. I felt since we had reached a level of traction out there in the market, that then I was suited to be under another umbrella company that ... The types of partnerships that we were doing with our advertisers, the types of scale that our traffic was grown into, we got up to snuff. For lack of a better word. Thankfully, we became appealing to another company. Just the maturity of our own company. And, again, the types of things that we were working on matched a lot of the same things that other bigger, larger companies work for. Really, again, I'll go back to that sweet spot word. I did go back and forth on what I cared about or what I wanted to do with the company. But, we reached this point that was perfect. I think on the other end at the table for XO Group, they had seen the same thing. So, really it was the sweet spot and seamless turning point for the company. That's when I had all the confidence in the world that this was the right decision.
Shantel: I think that's great. And, a true testament to what you've built. Kudos to you.
Stacy: Oh. Well, thank you.
Shantel: You're welcome. Is there anything looking back that you know today that you wished you would have known when you started How He Asked? Or, during the sales process?
Stacy: Yeah. Gosh. That's a good question. There are so many things. I think the biggest thing for me is that when you are building something with ... You have this drive to you and this excitement. You're feeling is like, "Just go. Just go. Keep moving, Keep moving." I would 75% continue to support that belief. But, because of my experiences there's that other chunk of me that says, "Take a minute to slow down. Make sure that you have all of your mission statement, your finances, any of your legal entity ... Have everything figured out. Take good notes on the steps that you take." One, if you ever need to go back and reference these things ... If you're selling the company. You have it on record. And, two, it really helps you understand your business better. To keep track of what worked and what didn't work. In a way that you can visually see. Because, in my case I could sit here and think through things that worked and didn't work. Or, things that I wish I did more of, or, I wish I did less of. But, in the moment right now I feel like, " Oh no. It all worked great." You sort of forget what actually happened. I think what actually happened are the lessons that can cause you to grow faster, stronger in your next phase and so on. I think what I'm trying to say is take record of more things in the beginning so that you can really use your experiences as hard learning lessons and not just memories of craziness.
Shantel: What would you think would be the biggest mistake that you've made as an entrepreneur so far?
Stacy: I think there's two things that I could have been better at. One of them was tracking. Whether that's keeping the best record of finances, or, whether it's like I was saying before, just understanding what happened to the business, why that happened when it happened and calling out learnings from that. I think being strategic and having plans around where I was and where I was going, that's something that I didn't do enough of. I think I relied a little too much on serendipity and this mentality of, "If you just do it, it will come." I believe in that. I really do. I think going forward into my next endeavor, having a solid foundation even in the early days and early months is really important. I think taking the time to say to yourself, "Hold on. Let me get things in order here. Let me write down my mission. Let me write down my values. Let me really go through some of these core parts of the business that in a year you can go back to and check yourself on." Or, in two years or in five years you can go back on it and see, "How am I doing here?" I think that foundation can be really helpful to just keep your mind on track. To keep your business, the physical business that's sellable one day, right in order. That was definitely a mistake of mine. The second mistake I think ... At a certain point you limit yourself to what you know. As an entrepreneur, as a business owner, you can very easily get consumed by what you're doing. A lot of people work from 9 to 5 at another job. They clock in, clock out for all intents and purposes. They come home and they can separate themselves. But, if I can open up my work, my line of business from anywhere and it behooves me to work harder and it behooves me to continue growing something, why wouldn't I open my laptop at 9:00 PM? Because of that, I think my mind was constantly focused on my business, my business, my business. And, yes, I sought out mentors. I listened to tons of podcasts and other inspirational speakers and motivators to get me going. But, I still kept my knowledge very limited. Very much to content, digital media and whatnot. I think that one ... I don't know if it's a mistake or just now I know and now I see the importance of it, but just learning about other industries. Figuring out what self driving cars are doing. Right? Yes it has no application to How He Asked, but, perhaps there's a technology that sparks an idea in my own idea. I think you can just never get enough of outside industry learning and even studying psychology, body language, things like that can all help you more than you know. The take away here is to don't limit yourself to just the industry that you're in and knowing everything about that, but, to also branch out.
Shantel: As an entrepreneur I think always learning and growing is extremely important. On that note, outside of podcasts and books, are there anyplace that you go to find inspiration? From a morning run? Or, do you read certain journals and articles? Where do you go for that source?
Stacy: I think two things. That's a really good question. One thing I do, or, I have been noticing helps more and more is actually just alone and quiet time for me. A lot of the ... Like I said before, you can get so in your mind and committed to the day to day of your business and making sure that everything's working that you don't take enough alone time, or, quiet time. To actually sit and let your mind unwind and let your mind ... Not unwind like just breathe in and breathe out, but, truly release all of the ideas and excitement in the things that came to you in that day. Just let go of the waste. Really, if I sit in silence, or, if ... I have a dog, I take her for a walk. I don't bring my cell phone. I don't listen to any podcast or bring any outside distractions. I just let any of the waste and thoughts and energy just leave me. Then I get left with the core "aha" moment of my day. That's where I can then plan for the next day. I think, to answer that question, it's looking inward to find some of that knowledge and that guidance. It's becoming more obvious that a lot of my intuition can lead me into a good place if I give it time to process itself. Aside from looking inwards, I would say, I do a lot of ... I'm a very social person. I love hearing other people's stories. Whether that's listening to podcasts or going to a happy hour, a meet up group or calling a friend who's an entrepreneur and hearing their stories. To me story sharing and experience sharing is ... One, it allows me to relate to other people. Two, it allows me to see the ... I don't want to say struggles. But, it just allows me to see what other people are going through. It makes me feel less alone. Especially when you have a good, humbling conversation. I think you can just get a little more out of it verse constantly turning to these inspirational podcasts, or, inspirational speakers, or TED talks that sometimes are a little less tangible. For me, I like to really bring it down to actually finding a person I can have a conversation with and hear true things to learn from them and of their experiences. Even ask the hard questions, or the questions that maybe are less glamorous. At that point I can really get to an understanding of another person and how it can potentially ... What that can mean for me and my future.
Shantel: I love the concept of experience sharing and sharing stories. Because you learn so much from someone else and what they've been through. Even if it's not totally applicable to what you're going through right in that moment.
Shantel: Let's talk about your day to day. How does it vary now verse when you owned the business outright and what does your day to day look like?
Stacy: Yeah. As I said before, my day to day when I owned it ... Yeah, I still have a lot of ownership in the company as in responsibility, accountability. I still care so much about it. But, actually owning the business it took over my whole life. Right? What is the meaning of this every single day? Will I sell it? Will I keep it? Will I grow it? What will I do with it? All of those questions surrounded my mind. Sometimes more than, "Hey how's my email inbox? Hey, did I ever get back to that advertiser with a creative idea?" Now, because I have been able to alleviate some of that entrepreneurial pressure, I can create a structure that to me it helps with some of the results and outcomes that come out of How He Asked. On top of that, because I have a larger team and more resources and I'm just exposed to more minds and more people who are invested in the company, I have just been able to stretch How He Asked imagination and the things that we can and are doing a lot more by being part of a bigger company. I think there's ... As far as How He Asked, and the tasks I have to do for How He Asked, it's maintained itself pretty steadily. But, I think some of that emotional attachment has washed itself away, but, replaced with just a whole new experience that I'm less responsible for emotionally. If that makes sense? But, I still am invested just as much in.
Shantel: In addition to extra resources and brain power, are there any tools or techniques that you use daily to stay organized and to be inspired to imagine more?
Stacy: Well, I talk to myself all the time in the mirror.
Shantel: That is quite a beast of a tool.
Stacy: But, you're not surprised are you? Again, like I said earlier, sometimes some of the things that we do or don't do in our lives are because of ... I don't want to say self talk like the negative self talk. It's actually the opposite way. Right? So sometimes I'll wake up and say, "Oh, my body's killing me for some reason. I don't want to get up. I don't want to do this. Yada, yada, yada." And, the only way to get myself out of that is to talk to myself. Right? You have to shut those thoughts down and say, "No. Today's a great day. The weather's looking wonderful. You have yoga scheduled. You have these ... So, let's go." You have to sort of talk to yourself to push yourself out. Unless you're crazy and you just wake up every morning just running out the door to everything you have to do. I'm not like that. You have to talk to yourself. When I think of talking to myself in situations like that, why wouldn't I want to also talk myself through some of the big pieces of business, or, some of the big conversations that I have to have? When I was going through the acquisition process, I'd never had even close to the level of conversation that I was having in these meetings. I don't think the word was scared, but, I had just never done it. There was a lot riding on these conversations. A lot ... there was a lot of my business that I had to express. There was a lot of myself I had to express. When I talk to myself and just tell myself, "You got this. You know your business. If you want to practice in front of the mirror with me right now, I can listen to you." You really can get a lot out that's inside of you. That helps organize some of the crazy clutter that just goes on in your mind. I'm sort of assuming that everyone has a crazy mind like me. But, if you're listening to a podcast and want to learn more about yourself, you're probably not too far from that. So the tool for me is talking to myself in the mirror. Asking myself, "What's the meaning in this?" Why do I do this? How can I create success in this situation?" So, there's that and then I make lists for myself every single day. I have a list of work items, household items, happiness items. I travel a lot so I probably have a trip to plan on the right. I really keep a lot of lists and columns. That really helps me tackle things. Whether they're like big things that I want to do or just a grocery list. Again, it keeps my mind in check when it otherwise is just running a thousand miles a minute.
Shantel: Self talk and affirmations and just positivity is important. Especially when you're faced with some of the tough things that happen in business. I think that's great.
Stacy: I agree with you. Yeah. No. I definitely agree with you. I think there are some things that ... I have a handful of those entrepreneur friends that I speak to on a regular basis and it's funny I sometimes will compare some of their tactics to mine and say, "Gosh. That person's so organized." Or, "Gosh that person's never missed a beat." Or, "I'm kind of shocked to hear they've never done that." I think the self talk part for me can help weed through the good and bad for me. If I have a conversation with someone and I feel either impressed by an idea or something just really resonates with me, then I remind myself of that. Then I can include it in my life a little bit more. Then if there's something that happened that I don't agree with or that I wouldn't add to my tool kit, in the moment, because I am speaking to someone who I respect, I might feel like, "Oh gosh. I don't do that and they do." But, then if I can talk to myself later and just decompress it all, I can say to myself, "You know what. That's not for me." Again, I think you're constantly hearing thoughts, advice, things you should do, things you shouldn't do, tools to use and whatnot. I really think that obviously explore them all, but, in the end if it works for you, you'll use it and you'll know. If it doesn't work for you, when you start to use it you just ... If it's not natural or if it doesn't actually solve the problems that you're trying to tackle, it's okay to walk away from them. Because it doesn't work for you and it worked for someone else, it's fine. I have to remind myself of those things sometimes.
Shantel: Yeah. I mean the world is polluted with a lot of things you should be doing and could be doing and I think it's great that you have that perspective and you can take a step back and think though it on your own.
Shantel: Speaking of experience sharing, what is the most valuable piece of advice you've ever received?
Stacy: Oh my goodness. I've ever received? Oh my gosh. I give a lot of advice, but, no. Oh my gosh this is so hard for me. No. I received a piece of advice ... It's not that hard actually. It was actually the first piece of advice I ever received from a boss. It was the first week at my first job in New York at a start up. I remember feeling really excited because I found something on the website that was broken, or something that read wrong or didn't connect or whatever it was. I remember running to my boss saying, "I found something, I found something. Look. Look. Look." It was a good problem to find. Yes. No one had found it. Great. But, my boss said to me in the kindest way, "Never ever, ever, ever come to me with a problem. Come to me with a solution to the problem and we'll go from there." That was really impactful. Because, first of all it guided my journey as an employee for the next two years. I felt like it really made a difference. I remember giving that piece of advice to one of my first employees. It's so funny because about a year ago I reached out to her and asked her ... I just asked her if she had any feedback on our experience together, this and that. She said the biggest pieces of advice she ever received ... Or, the best, I should say, was the same advice that I was given. Because, on her first week, which I didn't even realize, I guess she had come with a problem that wasn't solved and she said, "From then on." For me that was a really big piece of advice I received, because then I could pass it along as well. It just repeated itself in my life. Yeah. Don't come to your boss with a problem if you don't have a solution.
Shantel: I think that is powerful, powerful stuff.
Shantel: Yeah. I mean I think it empowers people. It allows people to flex thinking out of the box. I think that's great.
Stacy: I know at ... With Imagine, you guys are ... You have a big team of very creative people. I think ideas can fly left and right. Do you have that same experience of needing to walk this balance of, I want to hear what's going on in the field? But, I also want you to tell me what the solution is and not just come to me with, "Oh there's too many people doing this. What should we do? You know what I mean, I'm sure.
Shantel: I mean I'm finding that the team has amazing ideas and oftentimes they're far better than the solution that I would have come up with. I think it's finding a balance of empowering them to voice that and not be afraid to come with a different idea. Absolutely. It's important for people to feel ownership over the projects they're working on so they don't just become a cog in the wheel. I think that's great.
Stacy: Yeah. And, I think that's what I felt. That's such a good point. When he ... I didn't feel scolded when he said it to me. I actually felt respected. Because I felt like, "Oh. You don't want me to be just a whistle blower, you want me to be a problem solver." That really changed the game for me. I think creating a culture like that even for yourself or for a bigger company that you run is really important. It made a huge difference.
Shantel: Absolutely. Well, I appreciate you sharing that. What is next on the horizon for you?
Stacy: Oh gosh. Well, I am still working with How He Asked and XO Group. The most entrepreneur ... Not most, I would say a good chunk of entrepreneurs will do some sort of ... What do you call it? Like a transition of sorts and we're still going through that. I really enjoy working with them. It's giving me a whole different perspective. For me learning to bridge my excitability and, "Oo, let's do everything yesterday. With some structure and some protocol and little bit of a different hierarchy." It's actually given me exposure to something that ... My team was three or so people. We were very small and close knit and had this open forum where truthfully, anything could get done yesterday. Now, I'm moving into just seeing the mechanics of a larger organization and how successful ... How to reap success in that environment is really helpful to me. But, I also am starting a non profit. It's sort of in the works. Essentially it's a way for people to share kind, motivating, uplifting and positive things with people they care about. They sort of do it anonymously. I should use air quotes, "anonymously". When the recipient receives the message, they can read it, they see all the fields and they can likely guess who it's from. But, to really unlock who the sender was, they can either donate to a charity of their choice or they can "say it forward." Say it forward means to send something kind to someone else. Again, it's in the early stages, but, that's the general premise and I'm super excited. Other than that, I'm kind of laying low, hanging with my dog and working a big job.
Shantel: Nice. Well, I'm excited to have you back to hear more about the non profit as that gets going.
Shantel: Thank you so much for spending some time with us and talking through what makes you imagine more.
Stacy: Oh. Yeah. Absolutely. Thank you so much. Your questions were all really great, and I love being part of your journey. Thank you for having me.


The Monarch collection is highlighted by solid wood dowels and a refined design. The headboard is complimented by substantial case pieces that make a strong statement.
Legs are solid Walnut round dowels.


'Snooker club' is the best place to spend some leisure time for many of us. And if you are a true snooker devotee than you will get to know how important these snookers clubs are. Well, for me it is certainly refreshing, to hear about the opening of new Snooker Club. However, the availability of these snooker clubs are insufficient. Many of the snooker clubs are way too crowded and have limited number of snooker tables as compared to the cueists. In Bahria Town, we have many options for 'A' standard snooker clubs. There are more than five snooker clubs are active in Bahria Town, i.e Strickers Snooker Club, Friends Snooker, Black Snooker Club etc.
Now recently, there is another snooker club in Bahria Town that has opened by the name of 'Jimmy's Snooker Club'. The soft opening of this snooker club was held about two weeks ago. But now its been three days this snooker club has officially opened. Jimmy's Snooker Club has more than 8 snooker tables. Normally, you will find no more than 4 snooker tables in any snooker club. So, the number of snooker tables is quite sufficient so far to avoid waiting. Currently, there is no separate refreshment area or canteen in this club, but in the meantime you can get 'Coffee, Chae and Cold drinks'. Secondly, they are planing on it, to establish a proper canteen and will be available in a few days.
The price of one snooker set is Rs 120/- before discount. But due to its official opening in Bahria Town, they're now offering flat 20% discount. Furthermore, they have not decided yet when this discount offer will end.
Jimmy's Snooker Club is located at 221-B, Titanium heights, Tulip ext block sector C commercial zone. It is near to Bahria Golf & country club and honey beans restaurant.
I was never fond of this Yoga stuff and I had never been near to any Yoga center. There are many reasons behind this. Honestly, I never took interest in Yoga that why people are getting into it. For me it was one of the most boring and passionless activity for health. Because we have so many other thought-provoking options for our mental & physical health. Secondly, mostly people are engaged in other activities like joining a gym, sports clubs, jogging, exercises etc. These activities are more fascinating to all of us as compare to Yoga.
In my teens I also believed that it was only related to Indians and Hindus, I thought that it was a part of their worship. Well it is funny though, but after some time I realized that how wrong I was to think that way at some instant.
After eyeing on it, I have seen many people in all over the world who are following it in their daily routines. And I got to know that it has so many health benefits including breathing techniques, relief for body pains, mind relaxation and meditation. Moreover, there are very minimum side effects and injury chances while doing Yoga. One of the research also indicates that this is the sixth most commonly used health practice among women & men. Keeping these facts in mind Yoga trend has been adopted by many of us. People are now gradually affiliating to yoga more. Due to this there are more yoga art centers being established now.
The main reason to writing this all is that Yoga art centre is also going to open soon in Bahria town. Before this there isn't any specific yoga center for the residents of Bahria town. W.A Tai Yoga is a well known name in Pakistan for Yoga, Karate & Ninja. It first started almost 37 years ago and its first branch is located at CC block phase 4 DHA. Now, W.A Tai yoga center are going to open in sector C, they've already placed a front board, booking has opened and renovation work is in-process. The management told me it will take not more than 2 weeks to be fully operational.
4:15 Pm to 5:15 Pm.
8:00 Pm to 9:00 Pm.
Classes will only held on 3 days but above mentioned classes schedule isn't permanent it could be changed after some time accordingly. Furthermore, they haven't decided yet about the fee structure they will finalise it before opening. But the owner of this centre told me that they will set some discounts keeping in view of their official opening.
W.A Tai Yoga art centre is located at sector C, commercial area 120-A in basement.
In Bahria town Karate and martial arts classes are available for kids, men and women. Mashfitt is one of the prominent and obvious option in Bahria town for martial arts.
Mashfitt will also arrange special classes by the name of kids taekwando in summer vacations. These classes will going to start from 12th of July and will complete after one month. Here are the main objectives of this summer camp.
* Develop kids confidence and discipline.
* Develop flexibility, endurance and strength.
* Teach the conceptual and physical perspective of self defense.
* Completion of Taekwondo Yellow Belt syllabus.
Push ups competition with weight on back.
Plank with weight on back.
Burpees with weight on back.
Punches with 5 kg weight in each hand.
Venue is Superior Gaming Arena & Paintball located at Superior Gardens. Competition will start after Maghrib at 8th April, 2017.
Bahria Town management has set a small fee for the playing area in Safari Villas. They have also increased the badminton nets to accommodate more people.
This playing area is set in parking area of Safari Mall or Green Valley Super Store in Safari Villas.
Earlier it was free of cost now Bahria has start to charge a little fee for it.
Bahria Town is charging Rs. 1,000/- per month for badminton.
Tennis have a different fee, which I remember is Rs. 5,000/- per month.
If Bahria Town is charging fee then it should provide the proper environment for these games. Badminton is not an outdoor game and Tennis is not played on road. Why are you charging fee then?
Fee has only done one good that crowd has vanished. Now you don't have to wait long for your turn.
Bahria Premier League (property dealers' cricket tournament) finally ends yesterday. It was raining like cat and dog so final match didn't took place. Both teams which came in final was of Bahria Town. Management check out the average and give the points to both participant of finals. In the end Shahid Qureshi's team of Bahria win the tournament.


High school students within .6 miles of home.
Information regarding newly established bus routes for affected out-of-zone Gifted and ESL elementary school students were distributed earlier today. The Transportation Department is completing pairing drivers with routes for affected middle school Gifted students, and will send home information on Monday, August 28. Parents will receive PACE calls from principals of the Gifted and ESL middle schools explaining the update for Monday. The new routes, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 30, will include elementary and middle school students. According to Superintendent Aguillard, "We have received indications that not all high school Gifted students marked for ridership actually need transportation services, and we have begun surveying these students to determine the most accurate needs analysis." The Gifted and Transportation Departments both anticipate a deadline for surveying as September 1, upon which routes will be scheduled for only those requesting bus service.
The new routes adhere to the LPSS "School Bus Scheduling and Routing Policy," which states that bus transportation will be provided for all students living more than one mile from their home zone school. LPSS is not obligated to provide out-of-zone stop walk transportation if the services a student receives through the Gifted or ESL programs are also offered at their home zone school. Parents can contact their student's respective IEP committee, or the ESL department for more information.
As a reminder, route information can be accessed by visiting www.lpssonline.com/busstops. E-link is regularly updated to reflect bus numbers, pick-up/drop-off times, and stop locations. Parents with questions regarding their student's specific transportation services should contact their respective school. For issues accessing e-Link, parents should contact the Transportation Department at 337- 521-RIDE (7433).


Today I made some cherry jam. Looks like it turned out well. My recipe said it could take a couple of weeks to set, does that mean solid rather than liquid? Or is that how long before I can use it? The other question I have is what do I do with the last 1/2 full jar. Should it go right into the refrigerator and be used right away or will it still be preserved since I sealed it like the others. Just not sure what I should do with the 1/2 jar.
Homemade jellies and jams will never be as hard set as store bought. I have strawberry jam that 2 years old and still not set hard. But it tastes better that any store bought jam.
And a little tasting is in order.
Now you need to find some good homemade bread to go with that. YUMMMO!!!!
Thanks Pat. I was planning on using it first. May just have to make some bread tomorrow. It will be GREAT on English Muffin Bread. YUMMY!
My mom always said that last half full jar was the sampling jar. A pan of hot biscuits would be good!
Real women don't have hot flashes -- we have power surges!
I agree that half of a jar should go in the fridge for sampling.
It is in the fridge. Have yet to make bread though, it got too hot. Am going to make biscuits for dinner though so we can try it out then.
Now I'm hungry... Can you send me a biscuit with butter and jam? Or better yet... I'm beaming over.
I'm drooling lol. And I have to scaddadle out of here and get to making the cookies for the conferance tomorrow. I've been bad sitting here reading instead.
That sounds so good Triss!!


text:
Q: pbuffer vs fbo in egl offscreen rendering I'm very confused at egl pbuffer surface. In my opinion, a pbuffer surface is a platform independent surface, just like the windows surface or the pixmap surface. Things drawn to that surface, although not visible, should be able to be read back.
the answer to this question seems to confirm my understanding:
Difference from eglCreatePbufferSurface and eglCreatePixmapSurface with OpenGL ES(EGL)
however, my experiment shows that I need to create a fbo buffer in addition to using pbuffer surface.
this code seems to work for me, it creates a pbuffer surface and then a fbo.
#include <GLES2/gl2.h>
#include <EGL/egl.h>

int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
    EGLint ai32ContextAttribs[] = { EGL_CONTEXT_CLIENT_VERSION, 2,
                                                     EGL_NONE };
    // Step 1 - Get the default display.
    EGLDisplay eglDisplay = eglGetDisplay((EGLNativeDisplayType)0);
    // Step 2 - Initialize EGL.
    eglInitialize(eglDisplay, 0, 0);
    // Step 3 - Make OpenGL ES the current API.
    eglBindAPI(EGL_OPENGL_ES_API);
    // Step 4 - Specify the required configuration attributes.
    EGLint pi32ConfigAttribs[5];
    pi32ConfigAttribs[0] = EGL_SURFACE_TYPE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[1] = EGL_WINDOW_BIT;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[2] = EGL_RENDERABLE_TYPE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[3] = EGL_OPENGL_ES2_BIT;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[4] = EGL_NONE;
    // Step 5 - Find a config that matches all requirements.
    int iConfigs;
    EGLConfig eglConfig;
    eglChooseConfig(eglDisplay, pi32ConfigAttribs, &eglConfig, 1, &iConfigs);

    if (iConfigs != 1)
    {
        printf("Error: eglChooseConfig(): config not found.\n");
        exit(-1);
    }

    // Step 6 - Create a surface to draw to.
    EGLSurface eglSurface;
    eglSurface = eglCreatePbufferSurface(eglDisplay, eglConfig, NULL);

    // Step 7 - Create a context.
    EGLContext eglContext;
    eglContext = eglCreateContext(eglDisplay, eglConfig, NULL, ai32ContextAttribs);

    // Step 8 - Bind the context to the current thread
    eglMakeCurrent(eglDisplay, eglSurface, eglSurface, eglContext);

    GLuint fboId = 0;
    GLuint renderBufferWidth = 1920;
    GLuint renderBufferHeight = 1080;

    // Step 9 - create a framebuffer object
    glGenFramebuffers(1, &fboId);
    glBindFramebuffer(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, fboId);

    GLuint renderBuffer;
    glGenRenderbuffers(1, &renderBuffer);
    glBindRenderbuffer(GL_RENDERBUFFER, renderBuffer);

    glRenderbufferStorage(GL_RENDERBUFFER, GL_RGB565, renderBufferWidth, renderBufferHeight);
    glFramebufferRenderbuffer(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, GL_COLOR_ATTACHMENT0, GL_RENDERBUFFER, renderBuffer);

    GLuint depthRenderbuffer;
    glGenRenderbuffers(1, &depthRenderbuffer);
    glBindRenderbuffer(GL_RENDERBUFFER, depthRenderbuffer);
    glRenderbufferStorage(GL_RENDERBUFFER, GL_DEPTH_COMPONENT16, renderBufferWidth, renderBufferHeight);
    glFramebufferRenderbuffer(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, GL_DEPTH_ATTACHMENT, GL_RENDERBUFFER, depthRenderbuffer);

    // Step 10 - check FBO status
    GLenum status = glCheckFramebufferStatus(GL_FRAMEBUFFER);
    if(status != GL_FRAMEBUFFER_COMPLETE)
    {
        printf("Problem with OpenGL framebuffer after specifying color render buffer: \n%x\n", status);
    }
    else
    {
        printf("FBO creation succedded\n");
    }

    int size = 4 * renderBufferHeight * renderBufferWidth;
    unsigned char *data2 = new unsigned char[size];
    // Step 11 - clear the screen in Red and read it back
    glClearColor(1.0,0.0,0.0,1.0);
    glClear(GL_COLOR_BUFFER_BIT);
    eglSwapBuffers( eglDisplay, eglSurface);
    glReadPixels(0,0,renderBufferWidth,renderBufferHeight,GL_RGBA, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE, data2);

   ... save data2 to image ...
}

However if I remove the fbo, and try to draw to the pbuffer directly, I will see a segmentation fault immediately after calling glClear() function:
#include <GLES2/gl2.h>
#include <EGL/egl.h>

int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
    EGLint ai32ContextAttribs[] = { EGL_CONTEXT_CLIENT_VERSION, 2,
                                                     EGL_NONE };
    // Step 1 - Get the default display.
    EGLDisplay eglDisplay = eglGetDisplay((EGLNativeDisplayType)0);
    // Step 2 - Initialize EGL.
    eglInitialize(eglDisplay, 0, 0);
    // Step 3 - Make OpenGL ES the current API.
    eglBindAPI(EGL_OPENGL_ES_API);
    // Step 4 - Specify the required configuration attributes.
    EGLint pi32ConfigAttribs[5];
    pi32ConfigAttribs[0] = EGL_SURFACE_TYPE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[1] = EGL_WINDOW_BIT;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[2] = EGL_RENDERABLE_TYPE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[3] = EGL_OPENGL_ES2_BIT;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[4] = EGL_NONE;
    // Step 5 - Find a config that matches all requirements.
    int iConfigs;
    EGLConfig eglConfig;
    eglChooseConfig(eglDisplay, pi32ConfigAttribs, &eglConfig, 1, &iConfigs);

    if (iConfigs != 1)
    {
        printf("Error: eglChooseConfig(): config not found.\n");
        exit(-1);
    }

     // Step 6 - Create a surface to draw to.
     EGLSurface eglSurface;
     eglSurface = eglCreatePbufferSurface(eglDisplay, eglConfig, NULL);

     // Step 7 - Create a context.
     EGLContext eglContext;
     eglContext = eglCreateContext(eglDisplay, eglConfig, NULL, ai32ContextAttribs);

     // Step 8 - Bind the context to the current thread
     eglMakeCurrent(eglDisplay, eglSurface, eglSurface, eglContext);

     int size = 4 * renderBufferHeight * renderBufferWidth;
     unsigned char *data2 = new unsigned char[size];
     // Step 11 - clear the screen in Red and read it back
     glClearColor(1.0,0.0,0.0,1.0);
     glClear(GL_COLOR_BUFFER_BIT);
     eglSwapBuffers(    eglDisplay, eglSurface);
     glReadPixels(0,0,renderBufferWidth,renderBufferHeight,GL_RGBA, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE, data2);

     ... save data2 to image ...
}

My environment is ubuntu 14 with intel graphics/mesa.
Do you know why I saw the segmentation fault? (I checked the eglcontext, which seems to be created successfully.) Can you confirm that fbo is needed with pbuffer surface?
EDIT: as pointed out by Reto, my problem is because of missing attributes.
after setting those attributes, I was able to make things work with opengl es 2 context. However, I still have issues with the desktop opengl context.
Instead of reading back a red image, with the desktop opengl context, I could only get a transparent image. here is my current code:
#include <QCoreApplication>
#include <QDebug>
#include <QImage>
#include <GL/gl.h>
#include <EGL/egl.h>
#include <QElapsedTimer>

int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
    // Step 1 - Get the default display.
    EGLDisplay eglDisplay = eglGetDisplay((EGLNativeDisplayType)0);

    // Step 2 - Initialize EGL.
    eglInitialize(eglDisplay, 0, 0);

    // Step 3 - Make OpenGL ES the current API.
    eglBindAPI(EGL_OPENGL_API);

    // Step 4 - Specify the required configuration attributes.
    EGLint pi32ConfigAttribs[5];
    pi32ConfigAttribs[0] = EGL_SURFACE_TYPE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[1] = EGL_PBUFFER_BIT;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[2] = EGL_RENDERABLE_TYPE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[3] = EGL_OPENGL_BIT;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[4] = EGL_CONFORMANT;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[5] = EGL_OPENGL_BIT;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[6] = EGL_COLOR_BUFFER_TYPE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[7] = EGL_RGB_BUFFER;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[8] = EGL_LUMINANCE_SIZE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[9] = 0;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[10] = EGL_RED_SIZE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[11] = 8;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[12] = EGL_GREEN_SIZE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[13] = 8;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[14] = EGL_BLUE_SIZE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[15] = 8;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[16] = EGL_ALPHA_SIZE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[17] = 8;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[18] = EGL_DEPTH_SIZE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[19] = 8;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[20] = EGL_LEVEL;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[21] = 0;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[22] = EGL_BUFFER_SIZE;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[23] = 24;
    pi32ConfigAttribs[24] = EGL_NONE;
    // Step 5 - Find a config that matches all requirements.
    int iConfigs;
    EGLConfig eglConfig;
    eglChooseConfig(eglDisplay, pi32ConfigAttribs, &eglConfig, 1, &iConfigs);
    qDebug() << "egl error" << eglGetError();

    if (iConfigs != 1)
    {
        printf("Error: eglChooseConfig(): config not found.\n");
        exit(-1);
    }

    EGLint pbufferAttribs[5];
    pbufferAttribs[0] = EGL_WIDTH;
    pbufferAttribs[1] = 1920;
    pbufferAttribs[2] = EGL_HEIGHT;
    pbufferAttribs[3] = 1080;
    pbufferAttribs[4] = EGL_NONE;

    // Step 6 - Create a surface to draw to.
    EGLSurface eglSurface;
    eglSurface = eglCreatePbufferSurface(eglDisplay, eglConfig, pbufferAttribs);
    qDebug() << "egl error" << eglGetError();

    if (eglSurface == EGL_NO_SURFACE)
    {
        qDebug() << "surface issue";
    }

    // Step 7 - Create a context.
    EGLContext eglContext;
    eglContext = eglCreateContext(eglDisplay, eglConfig, NULL, NULL);
    qDebug() << "egl error" << eglGetError();

    if (eglContext == EGL_NO_CONTEXT)
    {
         qDebug() << "context issue";
    }

    // Step 8 - Bind the context to the current thread
    bool result = eglMakeCurrent(eglDisplay, eglSurface, eglSurface, eglContext);

    if (!result)
    {
        qDebug() << "make current error" << eglGetError();
    }
    qDebug() << "egl error" << eglGetError();

    GLuint renderBufferWidth = 1920;
    GLuint renderBufferHeight = 1080;

    QElapsedTimer benchmarkTimer;
    int size = 4 * renderBufferHeight * renderBufferWidth;
    unsigned char *data2 = new unsigned char[size];
    int i = 0;
    benchmarkTimer.start();
    while(i<1000)
    {
        glClearColor(1.0,0.0,0.0,1.0);
        glClear(GL_COLOR_BUFFER_BIT);
        eglSwapBuffers( eglDisplay, eglSurface);
        glReadPixels(0,0,renderBufferWidth,renderBufferHeight,GL_RGBA, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE, data2);
        ++i;
    }
    qDebug() << "fps" << 1000.0*1000.0/benchmarkTimer.elapsed();

    QImage saveImage(data2, renderBufferWidth, renderBufferHeight, QImage::Format_RGBA8888_Premultiplied);
    saveImage.save("haha.png");
    QCoreApplication a(argc, argv);
    qDebug() << "done";
    return a.exec();
}

A: There are a couple of problems in this code:

*

*The EGL_SURFACE_TYPE specified in the config attributes is wrong:
pi32ConfigAttribs[0] = EGL_SURFACE_TYPE;
pi32ConfigAttribs[1] = EGL_WINDOW_BIT;

To render to a PBuffer, this needs to use the matching value:
pi32ConfigAttribs[0] = EGL_SURFACE_TYPE;
pi32ConfigAttribs[1] = EGL_PBUFFER_BIT;

*No size is specified for the PBuffer. While the man page suggests that it's legal to create a PBuffer without specifying a size, the defaults for width and height are 0. I can't imagine that anything good will happen when trying to render to a surface of size 0 times 0. To specify a size:
EGLint pbufferAttribs[5];
pbufferAttribs[0] = EGL_WIDTH;
pbufferAttribs[1] = DesiredWidthOfPBuffer;
pbufferAttribs[2] = EGL_HEIGHT;
pbufferAttribs[3] = DesiredHeightOfPBuffer;
pbufferAttribs[4] = EGL_NONE;
eglSurface = eglCreatePbufferSurface(eglDisplay, eglConfig, pbufferAttribs);

My answer to this question has complete code to create a context and PBuffer surface for two different versions of EGL: GLES10.glGetIntegerv returns 0 in Lollipop only. The code uses the Java bindings, but it should be easy to adapt.

A: Why you are doing eglSwapBuffers before glReadPixels?
Presumably eglSwapBuffers has no effect on PBufferSurface (since it is not double-buffer surface) but if it is you would try to read pixels from undefined buffer, with undefined result..

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Green Picks and Opportunities of the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
August 1, 2018 Announcements, Creative Carbon Scotland, Fringe, Open Calls
This post comes from Creative Carbon Scotland
"All the world's a stage" and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is arguably one the most well-known stages of them all. With thousands of productions and hundreds of venues putting on tens of thousands of performances over a three-week period, it's one of the world's biggest cultural events – and somewhere where sustainability, climate change and environmental impact is being tackled in a variety of ways.
Here's our summary of sustainability activity at the Fringe:
Strategic Engagement by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe society are the guardians of the festival, providing leadership, co-ordination and support for the many that participate. In 2018 they launched their 'Fringe Blueprint': a statement of intent of their work until 2022 (their 75thanniversary!).
One of their 8 key commitments was to "A Green Fringe: to reduce the festival's carbon footprint and champion initiatives that limit our impact on the environment", with ideas around paper reduction, adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and embedding sustainability into the designs for a new headquarters. With this long-term high-level demonstration of their commitment to sustainability, we're excited to support them as a green festival!
Practical Support for Venues and Companies
We know that sustainable practice can be new for the local, national and international venues and companies producing shows at the festival, so we work with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society to create and promote toolkits to advise how to increase the sustainability of everything from show design to promotion! Current handbooks and advice can be found on the EdFringe website, including:
The Sustainability Toolkit for Venues
The Sustainability Toolkit for Companies
Our Green Arts Initiative supports Scottish-based venues, companies, agencies and other cultural organisations to reduce their environmental impact and increase their sustainability. As of this year, all Edinburgh Festival Fringe venues who are members of the Green Arts Initiative have a 'badge' on their EdFringe.com listing. Check out examples including Assembly Hall, Pleasance Courtyard and Greenside!
Other Campaigns and Initiatives
The Fringe Swap Shop
Hosted at Fringe Central on the last three days of the festival, this initiative encourages companies to donate good-quality props, costumes and materials which would otherwise be discarded at the end of a show run – enabling them to be reused or recycled! With a 'bring what you have; take what you want' approach, anyone is able to collect items during the Swap Shop, and we have a case study on how it works!
The Fringe Food Bank
Run by comedian Simon Caine, and a variety of partners and venues, this initiative encourages participating companies to donate leftover food and period products before they leave Edinburgh, with the supplies redistributed to the local community in need.
The #SustainableFringe campaign
New for 2018, this campaign seeks to encourage 'performers, punters ad planners' to take on three challenges for a more sustainable Edinburgh Festival Fringe experience.
Shows and Performances
One of the unusual things about the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is its uncurated nature: any company wishing to put on a show is able to do so, and there is no artistic director. Of course, with over 3,500 shows across a huge range of genres, it can be difficult to choose what to see, and know how to identify productions with environmental or sustainability content. However, each year there are productions with themes of climate change, sustainability and nature.
Here at Creative Carbon Scotland we've identified our first pick of the shows on offer this year!
Anya Anastasia: The Executioners 1 – 26 Aug / 8pm / Gilded Balloon Teviot
"Award-winning musical-comedy maverick Anya Anastasia brandishes her razor-sharp satirical wit…attacks on ecological screwups, techno obsessives and self-congratulatory slacktivist keyboard warriors."
The Adventures of Sam Swallow 2 – 27 Aug / 11.45am / C Venues – C Too
A new play for children and families about the beauty of nature and our need to protect it, brought to life through music, dance and puppetry.
The Garden of Delight 31 Jul – 19 Aug (not 15, 16, 17) / 2pm / Duddingston Kirk Manse Gardens
"We have a simple environmental message: look after our world before people destroy it forever. The children journey back in time with Tumshie the jester joining the inhabitants of the garden with music and singing along the way."
Luke Rollason's Planet Earth 2 – 26 (not 15) / 2.30pm / Monkey Barrel Comedy Club
Set in a future where our worst predictions came true – following ecological collapse, thousands of endangered species are extinct, including the BBC. But one plucky (and unpaid) intern isn't giving up, and right on programming schedule, we're getting series three.
Lucy Porter: Pass It On 1 – 26 Aug (not 13, 20) / 5.30pm / Pleasance Courtyard
Musings on what we receive from our ancestors and what we pass on to future generations. Lucy's inherited dodgy knees and global warming from her parents, but can she leave a better legacy for her children?
Matt Winning: Climate Strange 2-26 Aug (not 13) / 5pm / Just the Tonic at The Mash House
Dr Matt Winning is thinking about starting a family but wonders if he should. A show about why our knowledge about climate change doesn't necessarily match our actions.
Dance, Physical Theatre and Circus
The Grey Life 19 – 27 Aug / 7.10pm / C Venues – C Royale
"Open the window, take a breath – outside it's grey. The world is polluted. We produce, we consume, we waste and we are never satisfied. How does our globalised world work?" A documentary-dance-theatre-film.
Sustainability at the Fringe Reception 2 Aug / 3pm / Fringe Central
We're a bit biased on this one: we're hosting it! Taking place at Fringe Central (the home of support for participants) it's a celebration of the community of practitioners and venues practising sustainability at the Fringe.
Nàdar / Prakriti 3 – 27 Aug/ 10am -6pm Tu/Th/Fri/Sat; 2pm – 6pm Wed / Edinburgh Printmakers
Through new print commissions, Ravi Agarwal responds to current conversations about rural and urban sustainability and the various challenges posed to nature in Scotland and India. Partnership support from the John Muir Trust. We're running a Green Tease discussion around this exhibition in July.
Reuse, Reinvent, Reimagine Opening party 10 Aug / 7pm / Gallery 23
This art exhibition highlights the inability of humankind to effectively cope with the disposal of the vast amounts of household and industrial waste and the destruction of the natural world for profit.
Go Wild on the National Cycle Network Photo Exhibition 6-31 Aug / 8am – 7pm / Lochrin Basin
The National Cycle Network (NCN) is a series of traffic-free paths and quiet, on-road cycling and walking routes that connect to every major town and city in Scotland. A collection of photographs curated by active travel charity, Sustrans.
Music, Musicals and Opera
The Great Song Cycle, Song Cycle 13 – 18 Aug / 12.05pm / theSpace @ Surgeons Hall
A musical memoir about one woman's solo bicycle/music tour 1,254 miles down the west coast of the USA.
World in Progress 13 – 25 (not 19) / 10.20pm / theSpace on North Bridge
A brand-new musical song-cycle that explores our ever-changing relationship with the earth.
The Man Who Planted Trees 20 – 27 Aug / 2.30pm / Scottish Storytelling Centre
Multi award-winning adaptation of Jean Giono's classic environmental tale by Edinburgh-based Puppet State Theatre Company. A previous winner of the Edinburgh Fringe Sustainable Practice Award.
Solarplexus: An Alternative Energy Play 3 – 27 Aug (not 13, 20) / 7.35pm / Zoo Carteris
Corporate surveillance and conspiracies abound in this hyper-speed piece of sustainable sci-fi theatre from NYC.
Bottled Up 3 – 18 Aug (not 12) / Times vary / theSpace on North Bridge
This funny solo show explores eco-anxiety, our dependency on plastics in day-to-day life and considers the irony of living in a world of plenty.
The Handlebards (Twelfth Night and Romeo and Juliet) 22 – 26 Aug / 1pm / Assembly George Square Gardens
The HandleBards have cycled 1,500 miles from London to Edinburgh, carrying on the back of their bikes all of the set, props and costumes necessary to perform Shakespeare. A previous winner of the Edinburgh Fringe Sustainable Practice Award.
If you want to browse your own sustainability selection, take a look on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website (or use their app!). We're also always open to new recommendations, so get in touch or submit your event listing if you have a show to share!
Not just the Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is only one of the major Edinburgh Festivals and it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to international cultural leadership on environmental sustainability. Take a look at the members of our Green Arts Initiative and our member case studies to find out more.
The post Green Picks and Opportunities of the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe appeared first on Creative Carbon Scotland.
Creative Carbon Scotland is a partnership of arts organisations working to put culture at the heart of a sustainable Scotland. We believe cultural and creative organisations have a significant influencing power to help shape a sustainable Scotland for the 21st century.
In 2011 we worked with partners Festivals Edinburgh, the Federation of Scottish Threatre and Scottish Contemporary Art Network to support over thirty arts organisations to operate more sustainably.
We are now building on these achievements and working with over 70 cultural organisations across Scotland in various key areas including carbon management, behavioural change and advocacy for sustainable practice in the arts.
Our work with cultural organisations is the first step towards a wider change. Cultural organisations can influence public behaviour and attitudes about climate change through:
Changing their own behaviour;
Communicating with their audiences;
Engaging the public's emotions, values and ideas.
Go to Creative Carbon Scotland
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Association between interleukin 1β and interleukin 10 concentrations: a cross-sectional study in young adolescents in Taiwan
Jung-Su Chang1,
Chun-Chao Chang2,3,
Eve Yiwen Chien1,
Sean S-H Lin1,
Tsai Cheng-Shiuan4,
Chyi-Huey Bai5 &
Kuo-Ching Chao2,3
In adults, low circulating interleukin 10 (IL10) has been associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, studies investigating IL10 in overweight and obese children have yielded conflicting results. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with serum IL10 concentration in young Chinese adolescents.
Young adolescents (n=325) ages 13.33±1.10 years were recruited into the cross-sectional study from 2010 to 2011. Parameters of obesity, individual components of MetS, iron status and serum IL10 were evaluated.
Compared with their normal weight counterparts, overweight adolescents had lower serum IL10 but higher TNFα, nitric oxide (NO) and IL1β concentrations (all p<0.05). Obese adolescents had increased IL1β but decreased hepcidin concentration compared with normal weight (p<0.01 and p<0.05; respectively). A strong inverse relationship (p<0.0001) was found between IL10 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL1β). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed serum IL1β was significantly correlated with IL10 (β=−0.156, p<0.0001). When overweight and obese adolescents were assessed separately from normal weight, only IL1β was inversely associated with serum IL10 (β=−0.231, p=0.0009). The association between IL10 and IL1β was weaker in adolescents with normal weight (β=−0.157, p=0.0002), after adjusting for gender, TNFα, IFNγ and NO.
Our study confirmed that low IL10 concentration is associated with overweight and obesity in young adolescents. We also demonstrated for the first time that pro-inflammatory cytokine IL1β is independently associated with IL10. A decline in IL10 concentration in overweight and obese adolescents may further contribute to the IL1β-mediated inflammatory environment associated with obesity.
Interleukin 10 (IL10) plays a central role in regulating immune response and limiting inflammation. IL10 suppresses inflammation through various mechanisms including inhibition of the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL12 and TNFα via suppression of p65 NF-kB and c-rel activity in macrophages [1]. IL-10 is also important in down-regulation of the release of reactive oxygen species and nitrogen intermediates; regulation of antigen presentation capacity and immune tolerance [2]; and suppression of proliferative and cytotoxic T cell responses [3].
There is growing evidence linking IL10 to obesity [4], metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease [5]. In adults, low circulating IL10 has been associated with obesity [6], cardiovascular disease [7–9] and type 2 diabetes [5, 10–12]. Clinical significance of circulating IL10 concentrations have been demonstrated in acute coronary syndrome [8, 9] and insulin resistance [5, 10–12]. The balance of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines is an important determinant of atherosclerotic plaque instability. IL10 expression has been found within human atherosclerotic plaques [13]. Smith et al. studied 95 patients with angina and related coronary artery disease and observed significantly lower serum IL10 concentrations in patients with unstable angina compared with those with stable angina [9]. Heeeschen et al. investigated the prognostic impact of C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL10 in patients with acute coronary syndrome and reported elevated IL10 concentrations were strongly associated with prognosis of acute coronary syndromes [8]. The predictive value of IL10 was independent of myocardial necrosis but significantly interacted with CRP concentration, suggesting the importance of the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines as a major determinant of patient's outcome in acute coronary syndromes [8].
IL10 also plays a protective role against the development of insulin resistance. Plasma IL10 concentrations were positively correlated with insulin sensitivity in young healthy adults (r=0.37, p=0.00023) [11]. Forte et al. performed the grade-of-membership analysis in 490 type 2 diabetic and 349 control subjects of Italian Caucasians [14]. The authors reported 74.4% of subjects negative for IL-10 -824 T allele were diabetic patients characterized by vascular damages, suggesting that IL10 -597A/-824 T/-1087A negative subjects are more prone to the major type 2 diabetic vascular damages [14].
Studies investigating IL10 in children and young adolescents with obesity have yielded conflicting results [15–18]. According to a study by Gozal and colleagues, obese children with obstructive sleep apnea had low plasma IL10 concentration [17]. In a study including 70 severely obese and 30 normal weight children aged 11.46±3.42 years old, Calcaterra and colleagues reported that serum IL10 concentrations were higher in severely obese children compared to normal weight [16]. Tam et al. reported no differences in IL10 concentration between normal and overweight children at 8 years old; however, at 15 years old, serum IL10 was elevated in overweight and obese girls when compared to normal weight girls of same age [18]. These data suggest that effects of obesity on IL10 serum concentration vary with age, sex and obesity-related complications. Additionally, the possible association between IL10 and iron status has also been highlighted in some studies. For instance, patients receiving high doses of IL10 developed hyperferritinemia [19] whereas iron supplementation in IL10- knock out mouse increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production in high iron diet group compared with chow diet [20].
In adults, IL10 plays a protective role against the development of obesity-related declines in health. However, the effect of obesity on IL10 concentration in children is not clear. We therefore measured IL10 concentration and investigated the factors associated with IL10 homeostasis in young adolescents. The variables analyzed included: 1) anthropometry; 2) individual components of metabolic syndrome; 3) pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress markers; and 4) iron parameters.
This cross-sectional study involved young adolescents from 2 junior high schools located in Taipei and New Taipei City, Taiwan. From September 2010 to November 2011, 340 subjects (ages 13.33±1.10 years, 182 boys and 158 girls) were enrolled in the study. Exclusion criteria were as follows: individuals with missing data for clinical biochemistry and anthropometry (n=14) and individuals with abnormal serum ferritin concentration (>500 ng/ml) (n=1). A total of 325 adolescents were included in the analysis. Informed parental consent was obtained for enrollment into the study. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Taipei Medical University (201204011).
Data was collected from the subjects by the same medical staff from the Taipei Medical University Hospital using the same methods and tools. Children were advised not to drink or eat after midnight or exercise 24 hours prior to data collection. On the morning of the study, fasted children who were free of medical conditions were admitted to the school-based health center. Body weight, height, waist circumference,% body fat and blood pressure measurements were obtained by standard methods as described elsewhere [21]. Waist circumference was measured at the midpoint between the lower edge of the rib cage and the top of the iliac crest [22]. Age-sex specific cut off point for body mass index (BMI) was used to define overweight and obesity in adolescent according to guidelines of the Department of Health in Taiwan [23, 24]. BMI was calculated as mass (Kg)/[height(m)]2. Subjects with BMI greater than 85th percentile of age-sex-specific value were grouped as overweight while those with BMI greater than 95th percentile were classified as obese. Percentage of body fat was estimated by bioelectrical impedance method (Omron Body Fat Analyzer HBF-306).
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined based on the modified International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria for 10-<16 years old children and adolescents [25]. Individuals with the presence of ≧3 criteria listed below were classified as MetS: (1) waist circumference: ≥90 cm for boys and ≥80 cm for girls; (2) triglyceride (TG): ≥150 mg/dL; (3) fasting plasma glucose (FPG): ≥100 mg/dL; (4) high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL): <40 mg/dL for boys and < 50 mg/dL for girls; and (5) systolic blood pressure (SBP)≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP)≥85 mmHg.
Blood biochemistry examination
Fasting blood samples were collected in vacuum tubes containing either EDTA or lithium heparin. All blood samples were separated into red blood cells and serum and stored at −80°C until analysis. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL, HDL and TG were determined by an autoanalyzer (Hitachi 737, USA). Fasting plasma glucose concentration was detected using a glucose oxidase method (YSI 203 glucose analyzer, Yellow Springs Instruments, Yellow Springs, OH). Serum ferritin was measured using a commercially available electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and was quantitated by the Roche Modular P800. Serum iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were measured by ferrozine-based colorimetric method. Percentage transferrin saturation (% TS) was calculated by serum iron/TIBC × 100%. Serum hepcidin was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DRG International Inc; Marburg). The assay dynamic range is between 2.5 ng/ml-140 ng/ml. Definitions of abnormal biochemistry blood lipid, glucose profiles [26] and iron status [27] are described elsewhere. Cytokines concentrations (IL1β, TNFα, IL10, IFNγ) were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay kit (Procarta Cytokine Assay Kit; Affymetrix, Inc., USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Nitric oxide (NO) concentration in the serum was determined by Griess reagent system. The coefficients of variation (CV) for normal weight and overweight/obese adolescents were: IL1β (36.1% v.s. 36.4%), TNFα (41.2% v.s. 48.9%), IL10 (26.9% v.s. 28.9%), IFNγ (36.4% v.s 30.8%) and NO (89.5% v.s. 86.3%).
Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Analysis Systems software (SAS version 9.22; SAS Institute, Inc). Normally distributed data were presented as means ± standard error of mean (SEM). Differences between groups were analyzed by the unpaired t-test. Chi-square or Fisher's Exact Test were used for comparison of proportions. Variables not normally distributed were natural log-transformed to achieve a normal distribution but untransformed values were used for reporting results. The association between serum IL10 concentration and clinical and blood biochemistry parameters were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. A multivariate linear regression model was used to examine the relationship between the dependent variable (serum IL10) and potential variables. The P value was p<0.05 except for the analysis in Table 1 where a value of p<0.0023 was used based on Bonferroni correction for multi-comparisons.
Table 1 Clinical and biochemical characteristics of young adolescents according to IL10 tertiles (n=325, boys=175 and girls=150)
Participant characteristics
A total of 325 children were entered in this study. 231 children were classified as normal body weight while 94 children were diagnosed as overweight or obese. Table 2 shows clinical and biochemical characteristics of study subjects according to nutritional status. The prevalence of overweight was 13.5% (19.67% for boys and 18.30% for girls) and obesity was 15.4% (23.77% for boys and 19.26% for girls). Children with high triglyceride concentration were 5.5% (4.0% for boys and 7.3% for girls) while 21.5% had low HDL (7.43% for boys and 38% for girls). About 12% of children had elevated fasting glucose concentration (15.4% for boys and 8% for girls). Only one male adolescent had fasting plasma glucose concentration >126 mg/dl. Five girls were diagnosed with MetS, which was 1.58% of all the subjects.
Table 2 Clinical and biochemical characteristics of children according to nutritional status
Altered cytokine profiles in overweight and obese adolescents
Compared with their normal weight counterparts, overweight adolescents had lower serum IL10 but higher TNFα, NO and IL1β concentrations (all p<0.05; Table 2). Obese adolescents had increased IL1β but decreased hepcidin concentration compared with the respective concentration in normal weight adolescents (p<0.01 and p<0.05; respectively). There were no differences in circulating IFNγ between the two groups. No sex differences were found in cytokine profiles except IL1β. Overweight/obese boys and girls had significantly higher serum IL1β concentration compared with respective normal weight boys and girls (boys: 1.19±0.05 v.s. 1.0±0.03 pg/ml; p<0.05; girls: 1.17±0.06 v.s. 0.94±0.03 pg/ml; p<0.01) (data not shown).
We grouped the individuals according to the IL10 concentration to investigate the potential confounding variables that are associated with IL10 concentration. The clinical characteristics of the study adolescents in relation to tertile groups of IL10 are shown in Table 1. An inverse correlation was found between BMI and IL10 tertiles but it did not reach statistical significance (Table 1). Furthermore, no correlation was found between IL10 terriles and the individual components of metabolic syndrome. IL10 tertiles were positively correlated with transferrin saturation (p=0.0167) and serum hepcidin (p<0.0001) but inversely correlated with serum total iron binding capacity (TIBC) (p=0.011). Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα, IL1β and NO were inversely correlated with IL10 tertiles (all p<0.0001).
Significant correlation between pro-inflammatory cytokines and IL10 concentration
We next performed correlation analysis to identify the possible variables that were associated with IL10. Pearson's correlations between log serum IL10 and selected laboratory parameters are shown in Table 3. After adjusting for gender, IL10 was inversely correlated with log serum TIBC (r=−0.137; p=0.013) and positively correlated with log-transferrin saturation (r=0.131; p=0.018) and log-hepcidin (r=0.271; p<0.0001). Furthermore, strong inverse correlations were found between IL10 and IL1β (r=−0.328, P<0.0001), IL10 and TNFα (r=−0.209, P=0.0001), IL10 and NO (r=−0.28668, P<0.0001), and between IL10 and IFNγ (r=−0.139, P=0.012) (Table 3). We next separated overweight and obese adolescents from normal weight. All cytokines investigated continued to have strong inverse correlations with IL10 in normal weight adolescents [IFNγ (r=−0.253), TNFα (r=−0.1773), IL1β (r=−0.347), NO (r=−0.311); all p<0.0001]. However, only IL1β was significantly correlated with IL10 in overweight and obese adolescents (r=−0.376, P<0.0001) (data not shown).
Table 3 Pearson's rank correlation coefficient and partial r of log-transformed serum IL10 with selected anthropometric, iron status, individual components of MetS and inflammatory indicators analyzed in all subjects (n=325)
IL1β Is independently correlated with IL10 concentration
We next performed multiple linear regression analysis to predict variants that were independently associated with IL10 concentration. Thus, serum IL10 was entered as dependent variable. The independent covariates included anthropometry indices (% body fat, BMI, waist circumference), blood glucose and lipid profile (SBP/DBP, total cholesterol, TG, HDL, LDL, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR index), iron parameters (serum iron, serum TIBC, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, hepcidin) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1β, TNFα, IFNγ, NO). The initial linear regression analysis showed no correlation between IL10 concentration and anthropometry indices, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profiles. Therefore, only iron parameters (serum iron, serum TIBC, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, hepcidin) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1β, TNFα, IFNγ, NO) were selected for multivariate analyses.
IL1β was independently associated with IL10 (β=−0.157, p<0.0001), after adjusting for gender, serum TIBC, transferrin saturation, NO, TNFα, IFNγ and NO (Table 4; pooled, Multivariate model: B). When overweight/obese adolescents were assessed separately from normal weight, only IL1β was inversely associated with serum IL10 (β=−0.231, p=0.0009) (Table 4; overweight and obese, Model D). The association between IL10 and IL1β became weaker in adolescents with normal weight (β=−0.157, p=0.0002), after further controlling for gender, NO, TNFα, IFNγ and NO (Table 4; pooled, Multivariate model: C). The relationship between IL10 and IL1β appears to differ in the normal weight and overweight/obese children. All students were from the first year junior high school, so there was very little variation in age. The correlation between IL10 and IL1β was similar between girls and boys (R2=0.110 v.s. R2=0.0908) and between overweight/obese and normal weight (R2=0.113 v.s. R2=0.0912). However, the correlation between IL10 and IL1β in normal weight girls differed from those of overweight/obese girls (R2=0.0858 v.s. R2=0.212; respectively) and between normal weight and overweight/obese boys (R2=0.0903 v.s. R2=0.0492; respectively) (Figure 1). These data indicate that IL1β is independently correlated with IL10 homeostasis and this association is more pronounced in girls who are overweight or obese.
Correlation between IL10 and IL1β stratified by gender and BMI in 340 subjects (182 boys and 158 girls). Pearson's correlation coefficient correlation between IL10 and IL1β in normal weight boys (A), overweight/obese boys (B), normal weight girls (C) and (D) overweight/obese girls.
Table 4 Linear regression analyses of predictors of serum IL10 in young adolescents
In the present study, we confirmed that young adolescents who are overweight and obese had decreased circulating IL10 concentration and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL1β and NO. Our study also found that pro-inflammatory cytokine IL1β and IL10 are independently associated. A decline in serum IL10 concentration in overweight and obese adolescents may further contribute to the IL1β-mediated inflammatory environment associated with obesity. IL1β has been associated with the destruction of the insulin-producing beta cell [28]. Administration of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to IL1β improved glycemic control and beta cell function in type 2 diabetic patients [29]. Our study showed IL10 concentration was neither correlated with blood glucose homeostasis variables nor blood lipid profiles. This is partially explained by the low prevalence rate of MetS in the study subjects. IL10 plays a critical role in limiting inflammation and a switch in anti- and pro-inflammatory balance towards pro-inflammatory state in overweight and obese adolescents may promote the progression of normal glucose tolerance to insulin resistance in adulthood [30]. The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes is complex, involving the interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors. Therefore, a longitudinal follow up study on obese children and adolescents is needed to clarify the role of IL10 in the progression of type 2 diabetes and MetS.
The association between IL10 and IL1β was more pronounced in girls who are overweight or obese. Both overweight/obese boys and girls had elevated serum IL1β concentrations. However, correlations between IL10 and IL1β concentrations were greater in overweight/obese girls (R2=0.212) than boys (R2=0.049). Corcoran et al. investigated the effect of estrogen and testosterone on the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in macrophages obtained from patients with coronary heart disease [31]. The authors showed testosterone reduced the expression of TNFα and IL1β; by contrast, estrogen did not have these adverse effects [31]. In our study, serum IL1β concentrations were similarly increased in both overweight/obese boys and girls. This suggests that the difference between the two groups is less likely to be explained by the effect of sex hormones on IL1β. Adipose tissues derived adiponectin is a potential mediator of IL10 [32]. Adiponectin concentrations are inversely correlated with waist circumference, BMI and total body fat [33]. We found that overweight/obese boys had slightly higher waist circumference than overweight/obese girls (84.7±3.2 cm v.s. 81.1±2.7 cm; p=0.06). Although it did not reach statistical significance, overweight/obese boys had slightly lower IL10 concentrations when compared with overweight/obese girls. This contributed to a lower ratio of IL10/ IL1β in overweight/obese boys than girls (8.77±0.65 v.s. 9.93±0.86; p=0.35). We hypothesize that adiponectin concentrations may contribute to the gender difference in IL10 and IL1β association in overweight/obese adolescents.
Interleukins (ILs) are key mediators of the innate immune response and inflammatory process. So far, 11 members of the IL1 family have been identified including IL1α, IL1β and IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1Ra) [28]. Circulating IL1β and IL1Ra are elevated in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes [34]. Short-term IL1α treatment transiently causes insulin resistance at insulin receptor substrate 1 level in 3T3L1 adipocytes [35]. IL1Ra is regarded as anti-inflammatory cytokine but it does not directly elicit an anti-inflammatory response. It binds tightly to IL1α and IL1β receptor on the cell surface, hence blocking the activity of either IL1α or IL1β. A recent report showed 13 weeks of IL1Ra therapy improved glycemic control and the function of the insulin-producing beta cell in patients with type 2 diabetes [34].
In this study, we also observed a positive relationship between IL10 and iron status. Associations between obesity and poor iron status have recently been described in White and Hispanic children [36, 37]. However, we found no difference in iron status between normal body weight and overweight/obese adolescents (data not shown). The relationship between IL10 and iron metabolism is poorly understood. Patients with Crohn's disease receiving higher doses of IL10 developed anemia and a dose-dependent increase of serum ferritin concentration [19]. The authors suggested that hyperferritinemia may result from direct stimulation of ferritin translation by IL10 via the suppression of the binding affinity of iron regulatory proteins to the 5'-untranslated region of ferritin mRNA in human monocytic cells [19]. Macrophages play a key role in the iron homeostasis. Through erythrophagocytosis of senescent red blood cells, macrophages recycle and redistribute heme iron to the plasma. Chau et al. showed IL10 triggers expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) via the p38 MAPK pathway and IL10-HO1 pathways are critical for the protection against LPS-induced septic shock in mice [38]. These data suggest that abnormal high concentration of IL10 may limit iron bioavailability to erythroid progenitor cells; whilst, defective IL10 production may impair HO1 mediated anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant responses. Nevertheless, the consequences of defective IL10 synthesis and erythrogenesis in overweight and obese adolescents need to be further investigated in a longitudinal study.
There are several limitations in our study. The cross-sectional nature of the current study and the relative small sample size are one of the limitations. Further, the inverse correlation between serum IL10 and pro-inflammatory cytokines may be casual and related to IL10 polymorphisms. IL-10 secretion is tightly controlled and under a stringent genetic regulation with 75% of heritability [39]. The three polymorphisms -1082G/A, -819C/T, and -592C/A in the IL10 promoter region were reported to influence IL10 transcription. A promoter polymorphism (−592C/A) was associated with lower circulating IL-10 levels and an increased risk for obesity and insulin resistance in Italian people [40]. However, this association was not confirmed in the Chinese population [41]. Another limitation is that we could not confirm which IL10-producing cells are affected in obese children.
In conclusion, given the increasing numbers of obese children in the population, it is critical to investigate the factors associated with the obesity-related declines in health. Our study confirmed that low IL10 concentration is associated with overweight and obesity in young adolescents. A decline in serum IL10 concentration in overweight and obese adolescents may further contribute to the IL1β-mediated inflammatory environment associated with obesity.
IL10:
MetS:
SF:
Serum ferritin
TS:
Transferrin saturation
TIBC:
Total iron binding capacity
Low density lipoprotein cholesterol
High density lipoprotein cholesterol
Triglyceride
Standard error of mean
PBMC:
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells
HO-1:
Heme oxygenase 1
FPG:
Fasting plasma glucose concentration
IL1Ra:
IL1 receptor antagonist.
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We appreciate the participation of all the subjects in this study. We thank the staff from the Taipei Medical Hospital and University for their technical assistance. Dr. Jung-Su Chang was supported by grant 101TMU-TMUH-04.
School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, R.O.C, Taiwan
Jung-Su Chang, Eve Yiwen Chien & Sean S-H Lin
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, R.O.C, Taiwan
Chun-Chao Chang & Kuo-Ching Chao
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110, R.O.C, Taiwan
School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, R.O.C, Taiwan
Tsai Cheng-Shiuan
Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, R.O.C, Taiwan
Chyi-Huey Bai
Jung-Su Chang
Chun-Chao Chang
Eve Yiwen Chien
Sean S-H Lin
Kuo-Ching Chao
Correspondence to Kuo-Ching Chao.
All authors declare that they have not received support (financial and nonfinancial) from any companies for the submitted work; no authors have any relationship with companies that may have an interest in the submitted work; their spouses, partners, or children.
JSC conceptualized and designed the study, drafted the initial manuscript, and approved the final manuscript CCC and EYC contributed to the study design, data acquisition and initial data analysis. SSL conducted preparation and examination of cytokines. CST carried out the iron biochemistry analysis and CHB supervised the data collection and statistical analysis. KCC critically reviewed the manuscript and approved the final manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Chang, JS., Chang, CC., Chien, E.Y. et al. Association between interleukin 1β and interleukin 10 concentrations: a cross-sectional study in young adolescents in Taiwan. BMC Pediatr 13, 123 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-13-123
IL1β
Overweight and obese adolescents


Elmers Multipurpose apray adhesive for targets?
I saw this at the local ACE Hardware for $5.99, half the price of the 3M stuff. Anyone used it for targets? Is it similar to 3M?
Re: Elmers Multipurpose apray adhesive for targets?
Staples are way cheaper and you use staples at matches. I like to keep consistent.
As far as I know staples are not mandated in the rules? We used spray adhesive in Hi Power at Perry sometimes for recenters.
High high power targets are glued not stapled to try to preserve the backer for as long as possible. The exception, of course being hospital targets which may wind up having centers stapled on due to time constraints. A number of people keep a can of spray in thei kits for high power.
But in a 2700 most of the cardboard will have a fist sized hole in the center at the end of the day and won't be reused for matches. In that case you glue the b6 or b8 to the cardboard and then staple on centers. It is faster and keeps things moving. Remember a bullseye match will fire 270 rounds in less time than an Across the Course high power match will fire 80.
We never replaced the repair center during our HP matches. We use black or tan pasters during the match and then put on a new repair center using wallpaper paste after the match is over. If needed sometimes we add a thin sheet of card stock over the center under the repair patch.
When I first started HP I was told all you have to know what to do is remember your elevations, be able to count/add and last but not least hang wallpaper.
We recenter when they need it usually after 40 rounds for larger matches and of course between yard lines. At walk and paste we put on a new center after each stage.
I'm interested in how this stuff works.
My experience with 3M 77 is just not good. Comes loose after a few days about half the time. Can't seem to predict what makes it stay stuck and what makes it act like a spray-on version of the Post-it (tm) Notes adhesive.
But if this stuff works as good as 3M 77 stuff, I'll be all over paying less for the same erratic performance. There are so many times when the convenience is totally worth it. As it is, I'm paying a premium price for convenience and unpredictable holding power.
Odd thing it, the stuff seems to work fine everywhere else except for keeping cardboard together.
In this day and age...how come no one has made a peel-and-stick center?
Wobbley wrote: In this day and age...how come no one has made a peel-and-stick center?
At least not in any official competition target configuration (in this decade*)?
I would recommend not legal or at least practical for competitions, since small errors in placement go so far wrong so quickly. But yeah, a 9-10-X ring black sticky would be great. I'd still be happy to black paster the 8-ring.


text:
EA Digital Illusions CE AB (Proprietary)
Mirror's Edge is a video game developed by Electronic Arts Digital Illusions CE or DICE. This game was first released in November 2008. Mirror's Edge is a first person action-adventure video game where players explore their environment, perform actions, and combat in a first person perspective. Compared to other first person shooter video games that focus on weapon use, Mirror's Edge features free running as its main gameplay element. Free Running, or also known as "Parkour" is a physical training discipline that involves moving from one place to another while avoiding or clearing obstacles using special moves. Free running involves moving around and above physical barriers such as fences, walls, posts, vertical drops, as well as traversing tight spaces and heights. This discipline incorporates special moves such as vaulting, jumping, sliding, and wall running. Mirror's Edge focuses on parkour skills in order to explore the environment and accomplish game objectives. The video game also emphasizes hand-to-hand combat instead of weapons combat in order to disarm and incapacitate enemies. However, in several situations in the game, players would be allowed to use firearms.
Mirror's Edge is set in a dystopian, futuristic society that is controlled by a totalitarian government. The game's protagonist is Faith Connors, a runner whose sister gets involved in government conspiracy. Runners are special couriers that relay secret information outlawed by the government. These runners use their free-running skills in order to evade the authorities and find routes that are free from surveillance. In addition to free running, Mirror's Edge also presents other gameplay features such as "runner vision" and "reaction time". Runner vision allows players to identify ledges, pipes, doors, and other physical structures that can be used for combat or escape. These structures are colored bright red in the game screen. Reaction time is a skill that allows players to view their environment in slow motion giving them more time to perform actions in critical situations. This skill can be replenished by performing fluid free-running moves.