Chevron's latest collaboration with Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) focuses on members of the Wayúu indigenous community in La Guajira, Colombia, one of the country's most impoverished states. The $1.5 million, five-year pediatric health care program called SAIL (Salud y Autosuficiencia Indígenas en La Guajira) aims to decrease the high morbidity and mortality rates for children and mothers in this remote area. Chevron has been producing natural gas in the area for nearly 40 years.
The Mobile Ultrasound Patrold is a project partnered by Qualcomm with the Moroccan Ministry of Health and others aiming to improve care for women in developing countries through early detection and treatment of major causes of maternal mortality by utilizing mobile technology. The project provides participating doctors and nurses with backpacks containing devices that are wirelessly connected to specialists in hospital clinics to ensure high quality diagnostics. By March 2015, a total of 575 exams including 3,108 images were wirelessly transmitted through 3G technology, with clinicians giving the ultrasounds a 98% perfect clarity rating. The use of wireless technology has reduced diagnostic reviews or second opinion times, costs of a medical diagnosis per patient, and increased medical practitioners' skills to deliver ultrasounds.
The P&G Pampers brand as part of its commitment to happy, healthy development of babies – created the Pampers Mobile Clinic Program, providing free basic health checks, health talks and products to mothers and their babies. This year, the clinics mark their 10th anniversary, reaching more than 1.8 million mothers and children in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Pakistan. Also, the Pampers UNICEF vaccine program marked another year of working to eliminate neonatal tetanus, a preventable disease that claims the life of 58,000 babies in developing countries each year.
The campaign, 1 pack = 1 vaccine, has donated more than 300 million vaccines and helped to eliminate the disease in 15 countries.
Created in 2000, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is an international organization, bringing together public and private sectors, with the shared goal of creating equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world's poorest countries. To date, Gavi has immunized more than 500 million children and saved more than 7 million lives. Since beginning its relationship with Gavi in 2001, Pfizer has helped Gavi achieve its goals by increasing access to immunizations on an accelerated, affordable and sustainable basis. Pfizer has committed to supply up to 740 million doses of PCV13 through Gavi, to countries that carry the greatest burden of pneumococcal disease. In 2014, for Gavi eligible and Gavi Graduated countries, Pfizer lowered the per dose price of PCV13 in the single dose vial (SDV) presentation from $3.50 to $3.30 and committed to maintain this price through 2025. Additionally, if and when PCV13 in the four dose, multi-dose vial (MDV) presentation has been submitted to and approved by the European Medicine Agency and pre-qualified by the World Health Organization, Pfizer has committed to a per dose price of $3.10 for Gavi eligible and Gavi Graduated countries.
In 2005, Chevron was the first oil and gas company to institute a global HIV/AIDS policy for employees. Chevron's HIV/AIDS policy focuses on delivering customized workplace- and community-based education, awareness building, prevention (including confidential counseling and testing) and treatment programs across the company's worldwide operations. In Angola and Nigeria, we implement voluntary internal prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs. Through these programs, Chevron has achieved remarkable impact: Chevron has received no reports of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among its employees or qualified dependents participating in PMTCT programs since 2005 in Angola and 2001 in Nigeria.In 2011, Chevron embarked on a mission to help prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV through partnerships with Pact, Born Free Africa (BFA) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund).
Pact: Through its partnership with Pact in the Nigerian state of Bayelsa, Chevron has established a community-based and government-supported PMTCT outreach program across the state. Key metrics of success include: 624 individuals trained on the latest state-of-the-art PMTCT approaches and techniques; 185,286 individuals have been reached with PMTCT messaging; and 46,513 pregnant women have taken HIV tests, received their results, and been counselled at health facilities.
The Global Fund: Since 2008, Chevron has partnered with The Global Fund, directing $60 million to programs in Angola, Nigeria, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Chevron is The Global Fund's inaugural Corporate Champion and one of its largest single corporate partners. Chevron's support of The Global Fund has contributed to 9.6 million lives saved.
Trachoma is the world's leading cause of infectious blindness. It is endemic in 51 countries and is responsible for the visual impairment of an estimated 2.2 million people, of whom 1.2 million are irreversibly blind. The poorest of the poor suffer most from trachoma, especially in areas that have limited access to water and sanitation. However, trachoma is treatable and preventable with a multifaceted approach known as the SAFE strategy. Recommended by the World Health Organization, the SAFE strategy is a comprehensive public health approach that combines treatment (Surgery and Antibiotics) with prevention (Facial-cleanliness and Environmental improvement). The International Trachoma Initiative (ITI), a global program Pfizer helped to establish, has been working since 1998 to eliminate blinding trachoma as a public health concern. Through the ITI, Pfizer has donated more than 450 million doses of the antibiotic Zithromax® (azithromycin), as a part of the "A" component of the SAFE strategy, to prevent and treat trachoma in support of the World Health Organization-led Global Alliance for the Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020.
Since 1983, Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) has contributed more than $70 million in grants to HIV/AIDS organizations in more than 40 countries, making the company the longest continuous corporate supporter in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In addition, LS&Co. has long supported HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs in the workplace, dating back to the early 1980s. In 2008, LS&Co. formally launched the LS&Co. HIV/AIDS Prevention Treatment and Care Program to provide innovative and interactive in-person prevention education and offer free voluntary and confidential HIV testing for employees, as well as free HIV/AIDS treatment and care for employees and dependents in need. From office to retail to factory employees, LS&Co. is ensuring access to life-saving information, testing and care for its global workforce.
The Coca-Cola Company is committed to help people get moving by supporting physical activity programs in every country where it does business. The Company supported more than 290 physical activity programs in nearly 125 countries around the world through 2013.
The P&G Safeguard Clean Hands Healthy Kids Campaign marked its 15th year of teaching hygiene to prevent childhood illness, absenteeism and even death. The program was launched in China based on global research that soap and water washing can prevent nearly 4 million children a year from dying before their 5th birthday. Today, the program is in schools across China, the Philippines, Pakistan and Mexico, reaching 4.5 million students a year. In many locations, the brand has helped build hand-washing and sanitation stations for children.
The Walt Disney Company, in 2006, became the first major media company to establish nutrition guidelines to associate our brands and characters with more nutritionally balanced foods. In 2012, Disney took another important step, becoming the first major media company to set industry leading food advertising standards in the United States. That same year Disney introduced the Mickey Check, an icon that makes it easy for consumers to identify nutritious food choices online, at retail, and at Disneyworld and Disneyland. By the end of 2015, Disney's goals is that all of its advertising on U.S. kid-focused media platforms and Disney-owned online destinations oriented to families with younger children will be with food and beverages that comply with the nutrition guidelines.
China produces more tobacco and has more smokers than any other country in the world. In recent years, Chinese officials have shown interest in regulating tobacco use, but more can be done to put sufficient policies and programs in place to curb smoking and protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke. In 2015, Pfizer Inc. granted nearly $850,000 to Georgia State University's School of Public Health to partner with Chinese health officials to expand tobacco control efforts to major cities in China. The grant supports policies, media campaigns and programs to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke, encourage smokers to quit and prevent women, children and young adults from starting smoking in China cities. It builds on tobacco control work conducted in China by a team of researchers from Georgia State University and Emory that was previously funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The program began in 2008 and has led to significant social norm changes and the development of extensive relationships with national and local public health leaders.
Smoking cigarettes causes serious disease and is an obstacle to good health. SDG 3 has a tobacco specific target: strengthening the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. In addition, SDG 3 includes a target, to reduce by 30% premature mortality from non-communicable diseases including tobacco related diseases. At Philip Morris International (PMI), we understand and respect that we have a special obligation to market our products responsibly and that our stance on the regulation and taxation of our products should be consistent with public health objectives. Despite comprehensive requirements in place to control tobacco use, the WHO estimates that there will still be close to 1 billion smokers in the foreseeable future. Smoking prevention and cessation efforts must continue, but accelerating the switch to less harmful smoke-free alternatives, holds the potential to improve the health outcomes and quality of life of those smokers who otherwise will continue smoking, and significantly contribute to the SDG 3 target of reducing premature mortality.
PMI has announced its vision of a smoke-free world and its objective is to convince all adult smokers who cannot or do not intend to quit smoking to switch to smoke-free products. PMI is spending billions on research and development and re-allocating resources towards less harmful products. By doing this, PMI aims to convert the maximum number of smokers as soon as possible and contribute to the SDG3 target. PMI acknowledges that collaboration with governments and other stakeholders is necessary to achieve this goal. PMI is also committed to marketing its alternatives to combustible cigarettes in a responsible way, i.e., only to adult smokers who want to continue using tobacco.
In 2010, LifeSpring Hospitals responded to the Business Call to Action with its commitment to expand access to affordable, high-quality maternal and child health care to low-income families throughout India. The for-profit chain of small hospitals aims to reduce pregnancy-related deaths and complications among India's working class poor in urban areas. LifeSpring's goals include opening 200 hospitals by 2015 and providing 82,000 women with high-quality maternity and reproductive health services. As of June 2010, LifeSpring Hospitals has delivered more than 7,000 babies, and its doctors have treated over 100,000 outpatient cases at the hospital chain's nine clinics. The vast majority of LifeSpring's customers fall between the cracks of the healthcare system in India. They are either too poor to benefit from private clinic care or they may not have access to any other kind of care. Therefore, LifeSpring fills an important gap by providing affordable, high-quality maternal health care to lower income women. By reducing the burden of maternal healthcare on low-income families, LifeSpring is helping to ensure that more babies are born with qualified physicians rather than at home in high-risk situations. Thereby this model contributes to the reduction of child and maternal mortality rates by increasing institutional deliveries. In addition, communities are invited to attend monthly health camps held at the hospitals to educate women and their families about proper maternal care. Pregnant women are given free medical consultations and vitamins and children receive free pediatric consultations and vaccinations.
A novel agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation is helping broaden access to Pfizer's long-acting contraceptive, Sayana® Press (medroxyprogesterone acetate), for women most in need in 69 of the world's poorest countries.
Sayana® Press combines a long-acting, reversible contraceptive with an all-in-one pre-filled, single-use, non-reusable injection. Created with this target population of women in mind, Sayana® Press eliminates the need to prepare a needle and syringe, allowing the contraceptive to be administered by health workers at home or in other low-resource, non-clinic settings.
Through this agreement and the support of a public/private sector consortium including PATH, the United Kingdom's Department for International Development, the United Nations Population Fund, and the United States Agency for International Development, Sayana® Press is being sold for one U.S. dollar per dose to qualified purchasers, who are helping enable the poorest women in these countries to have access to the contraceptive at reduced or no cost.
Sayana® Press is not approved or available in the US.
 Family Planning 2020. Available at: http://www.familyplanning2020.org/articles/4458. Accessed: September 15, 2015.
Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™ is a strategic initiative that brings wireless technology to underserved communities globally. Wireless Reach invests in projects that foster entrepreneurship, aid in public safety, enhance the delivery of health care, enrich teaching and learning and improve environmental sustainability. Mobile technologies are literally breaking down barriers – geographic, socio-economic, educational and cultural – that have historically obstructed progress in developing countries. To date, Wireless Reach has collaborated with more than 450 stakeholders on over 100 projects in 40 countries, and has benefited nearly 8 million people. The Mobilizing HERhealth program empowers women factory workers in China to better manage and improve their health via mobile technology. Developed by Business for Social Responsibility, (BSR) Qualcomm® Wireless Reach™ is the primary program funder and provides wireless expertise along with project management support. The mobile application connects women with peer health educators, providing them access to reproductive health training and other interactive health-related content. The project aligns with China's 12th Five Year Plan, which prioritizes developing affordable, accessible health care for the entire population.
In 2016, Citi helped the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) to raise $500 million through a 3-year Vaccine Bond that gave investors the opportunity to fund children's immunization programs by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This is IFFIM's third transaction in the public markets and is an example of how Citi is working to help our clients leverage the capital markets to support social and environmental progress. The proceeds of this social thematic bond will enable Gavi to protect millions of children in the world's poorest countries against preventable diseases through low-cost vaccines.
The Coca-Cola Company committed with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2010 to work together to apply business knowledge to maximize the ability to get vital medicines and medical supplies to the people who need it most. Through "Project Last Mile", The Coca-Cola Company is using the Coca-Cola system's logistic, supply chain and marketing expertise to help improve health systems across Africa in a sustainable way. Through this partnership, government agencies are learning how to more efficiently deliver vital drugs, medicines and medical supplies, how to better market the availability of these supplies, thereby creating demand, and how to maintain coolers to ensure the medicines and vaccines are stored at the correct temperatures. Project Last Mile's success is dependent on extensive collaborations between the Coca-Cola system, government, academia and other NGOs. Critical partners include the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), The Global Fund, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Collaboration with Yale University's Global Health Leadership Institute, Accenture Development Partnerships (ADP) and the Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF) is also critical to the initiative's successful execution.
In 2011, Por ti, Familia joined the Business Call to Action in its efforts to provide low-income households in Peru access to essential medicines and quality healthcare. Launched in 2009, Por ti, Familia (meaning "For You, Family") is a private-sector solution to inefficient distribution channels that restrict access to healthcare for low income communities. As a chain of primary health clinics, Por ti, Familia utilizes a hub-and-spoke model to offer comprehensive and affordable healthcare in conveniently located retail storefronts. Combining a doctor's office, pharmacy and laboratory testing services in the same location, the social enterprise has become an essential source of healthcare provision for the country's poorest, particularly in Lima. And through the establishment of an extensive network of private health centres, branded "MiDoctorcito", Por ti, Familia enables access to quality healthcare for Lima's urban low-income communities. In 2010 alone, Por ti, Familia registered 7,000 patients and since its inception has launched 5 clinics and health centres with over 40,000 registered patients. Port ti, Familia's goals for 2017 include scaling up operations to serve 270,000 patients per year, establishing 100 new health centres, and employing 1,000 people in the new centres.
HelpAge International and Pfizer have worked together since 2012 to reduce the impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among older people in Tanzania. During the first two years, the initiative focused on raising awareness among older people and health providers contributing to the Government of Tanzania's efforts to provide appropriate health services to older citizens. NCDs include a range of chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension, as well as Alzheimer's and other dementias. They are commonly thought of as "diseases of affluence," whereas, in reality, four-fifths of deaths from NCDs are in low- and middle-income countries and older people in developing countries are particularly at risk. Prevention through an active and healthy lifestyle can turn some of these debilitating diseases into manageable conditions.
The ongoing project focuses on developing health messaging through an intergenerational approach and includes the strengthening of community based initiatives such as active aging groups. These initiatives are aimed at promoting prevention and management of NCDs by practicing healthy lifestyles, while working with health providers at local and national levels to improve prevention, early diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of NCDs, as well as improving on data collection and analysis to inform appropriate policies. While the community-based activities are carried out in Morogoro, Kibaha and Songea districts, at the national level the project supports health advocacy including curriculum reform, increase access to essential NCD drugs and support to improve health information management with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Merck has various partnerships with organizations, demonstrating its support in addressing global health issues. In 2012, Merck joined six other pharmaceutical companies, along with research institutions and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to launch the TB Drug Accelerator (TBDA) partnership, which aims to speed the discovery of new treatments for tuberculosis. Partners have shared sections of their compound libraries and data in order to develop the best drug candidates. Merck is a partner in the International Partnership for Microbicides, granting IPM non-royalty-bearing, nonexclusive licenses to develop, manufacture, and distribute its ARV compounds for use as a vaginal microbicide to help protect women in developing countries. In its agreement with Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Merck contributes intellectual property to conduct early development programs for durg candidate for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) treatment. Merck also collaborates with the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) which focuses on the research and development of vaccines, along with therapeutics and diagnostics for a range of diseases. To support the fight against cervical and breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, Merck has been a partner of the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon initiative.


Home » Technology » Networking » What is the WiFi Range of Your Wireless Network? Know How to Increase It?
What is the WiFi Range of Your Wireless Network? Know How to Increase It?
Range and speed mainly characterise any wifi network present commonly in different homes or offices. Multiple factors, such as radio frequency used for transmission, the wireless standard, the layout of your home or office, etc., which can influence wifi range of any network. Use this guide to pick the right wireless router for your space and ensure good Wifi range.
Wifi signals operate primarily on two radio frequency bands – 2.4GHz and 5GHz. On a general note, Wifi routers which operate on 2.4 GHz band have an indoor wifi range of 150 feet (46m) and an outdoor wifi range of 300 feet (92m).
The moment you go for Wifi router with higher frequency bands, the range or distance of wireless communication reduces significantly.
This is because high frequency requires more power for transmission. Old wireless networks such as 802.11a standard operate on 5GHz band, but the range roughly becomes one-third of the distance possible in the case of 2.4 GHz.
Wifi range of any network depends significantly on the wireless standard used by your Wifi routers. Standards such as 802.11b and 802.11g use 2.4 GHz frequency, whereas 802.11a uses 5GHz frequency.
802.11n uses both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency and range of the signal depend on which frequency is being used. The latest wireless standard is 802.11ac which uses 2.4GHz frequency and thus has a good range coupled with advanced technologies to boost your network speed.
The range of a wireless signal also depends on how your wireless antenna is oriented. When positioned vertically, the signal spreads out more in a horizontal manner. When placed horizontally, the signal will travel farther in the vertical direction.
If you find two antennas on your wireless router, orient one in a horizontal manner while the other in a vertical way. This will ensure proper coverage all around the house.
Radios signals are most reliable and reach maximum distance when used in the line of the sight. So, when using a Wifi network indoors such as in your home, it is important to avoid putting any large objects in the line of sight of the wireless signal.
This is because brick walls and metal objects dissipate the wireless signals. As the signals have trouble penetrating these objects, the Wifi range can reduce by 25% or even more.
Please make a note that as the frequency of the radio signals increases, their ability to penetrate walls reduces. This means that Wifi networks that use 5GHz frequency bands are more susceptible to obstructions that the ones that use 2.4 GHz frequency band.
One way to extend the range of your network is to use a wireless repeater. This is a small, inexpensive device that will repeat the wireless signal if kept within the range of your wireless access point.
Range extenders are useful when fewer users are working in a large space.
If you have a large number of users, adding access point is a better choice over using a range extender. This is because an extra access point will also increase the speed of the network and ensure fast internet access.
Creating a wireless mesh network is a much more expensive but reliable way of ensuring that every corner of your place has Wi-Fi access. A mesh network is created by placing radio nodes in a way to create a mesh in your home.
These nodes communicate with each other and retransmit the radio signals so that there are no Wi-Fi dead zones. A mesh network can cost more than $500. A mesh network is only recommended when your place is larger than 2000 sq. feet.
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Research at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia reaches all corners of the world. This week's In the News takes us on the road with new teen driving safety research findings. Next, we visit school cafeterias for National School Lunch Week.


https://www.facebook.com/groups/vancouveroutdoorclub/ The Vancouver Outdoor Club is a self propelled activity based club. This club is dedicated to those who love nature and would like to involve in many outdoor activities including hiking, walking, bicycling, skiing, snowshoeing, sailing, kayaking, camping, bird watching and all types of seasonal sports. This is a non-profit club and all activities are organized by volunteers within the group who offer a wide range of hikes/walks that match different fitness and experience levels. The purpose of this club is to promote fitness and healthy life-styling in Outdoor Club members and to actively support the concepts of environmental protection.


I have been working with beads for an extraordinary number of years! I started by selling loose Indian beads, supplied by the kilo, wrapped and despatched from a bedroom. This wasn't very fulfilling so I learnt to make jewellery using the beads. I now design and make jewellery with a range of beads either selfmade, commissioned or sourced from interesting suppliers worldwide. My jewellery is sold in shops and galleries throughout Britain. I also take part in exhibitions and sell my work at a selection of craft fairs and music festivals.
I have written many books on bead jewellery making, the most recent, co-authored with Xuella Arnold, is Compendium of Jewellery Making Techniques. Other recent titles are The Encyclopedia of Beading Techniques and The Encyclopedia of Wire Jewellery Techniques.
I teach bead making and bead jewellery making in arts centres around England, and, as a complete contrast, for some of the smaller cruise ships.
Another related interest is the Arkell bead collection in the Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford which I spoke about at the Istanbul International Bead & Beadwork Conference in November 2007.
Some of my designs are available through the website, so do visit the shopping page.


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Better LIT than never
Poems, essays, and other writings as well as pictures about nature (especially insects), people, science, etc.
Bukbók – Beyond Entomology and Pest Management Science
Jun Lit	Uncategorized	 September 3, 2018 November 12, 2018 4 Minutes
After the cocolisap (Aspidiotus rigidus Reyne) outbreak a few years ago, another insect species now captures the limelight. Initially, a few netizens were quick in putting the blame on government entomologists, understandably so, as the problem centers on an insect, a beetle – a weevil or snout beetle to be exact. In the midst of multi-media releases and posts from all corners, all focusing the spotlight on the lowly 2-mm long "culprit", the picture of a top-ranking government official, no less than the Secretary of Agriculture himself, demonstrating how to cook rice infested with rice weevil (https://www.facebook.com/MindaKnow2017/videos/421346601721949/) and then showing the public that he can, and he did, eat them, presents mixed feelings and thoughts to me. Maybe the Honorable Secretary did achieve in pointing out what he wanted to – that it is safe to eat weevil-infested rice. What was or were missed were the main points that sparked and continue to kindle the public outrage. With all due respect to the DA Secretary, I am putting into writing my thoughts – as an entomologist, and as an ordinary rice-eating Filipino.
Bukbók or Rice Weevil, Sitophilus oryzae – The Star of the Moment
Unlike most other insect pests, grain or stored product weevils, collectively called bukbók in the Tagalog and other Philippine languages, have been with humans in Southeast Asia since time immemorial. In general, these insects belong to any of the families under the taxonomic superfamily of weevils or snout beetles (the Curculionoidea) (All beetles are classified under the insect order Coleoptera). However, the vernacular term as a general or collective name also includes a few species that belong to the subfamily of bean weevils (Bruchinae of the leaf beetle family (the Chrysomelidae, which is under superfamily Chrysomeloidea). My mentioning of these group names is intended to emphasize the diversity of the "bukbóks" as a large group and as a small group of species allied to that infesting our staple food – rice.
The Rice Weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus). [from Wikipedia: by Olaf Leillinger – Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1550147%5D
The Rice Weevil (Bukbók ng Bigas), is known to science as Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus). [see picture here – above – that I grabbed from Wikipedia: by Olaf Leillinger – Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1550147%5D. Its closest relative in the Philippines is the corn weevil (Bukbók ng Mais), Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulky). The corn weevil is also known to occasionally attack rice and the two differ in at least seven minute characteristics, that are often difficult to discern by unfamiliar eyes. The adult rice weevils have well-developed hindwings beneath their hardened forewing and, hence, can fly. Impressively, they can live for up to two years and during its relatively long life, a mother rice weevil can lay 2-6 eggs each day, with a cumulative record (in the laboratory) of up to 300 per female. An egg is deposited singly in each rice grain within a hole drawn by the mother rice weevil using its strong mandibles. After an egg is deposited, the mother weevil plugs the hole with substances secreted from her ovipositor. The grub (C-shaped larva) develops within the grain, hollowing it out while feeding. When full-grown, the grub proceeds to the resting stage (pupa) within the rice grain. The pupal stage lasts for 4-6 days and a new adult weevil emerges, coming out of the grain within 2–4 days. Male rice weevils produce an aggregation pheromone that attracts both males and females to come closer together. The female, on the other hand, produces its sex pheromone solely to attract male weevils.
Entomologists know and have shown the solution to the rice weevil problem
The brief account in the previous section summarizes that we know the problem as far as the biological-ecological side is concerned. We have pinpointed which among the species should be the target. Entomologists have studied how the species lives and how it damages our grains. Far above these basic knowledge, pest management entomologists have recommended control strategies, from having a well dried rice after harvesting and before storage, to eliminating sources of infestation, and treating stored rice grains in every shipment and with a chemical (e.g. phosphine) that is both effective against the stored pests of rice grains and safe to humans when applied properly. In this case, Science, as physically embodied by scientists who deal with basic studies of insects (entomologists) and entomologists who have searched for solutions to this and other pest problems (pest management scientists), both in government and private sectors, has again shown that it has not been reneged on nor negligent of its responsibilities to the consuming public.
The Bukbók Problem – Beyond Science
The solution, fumigation, is available, fairly simple, and relatively economical, considering the economic costs entailed by losses due to infestation by the rice weevil and other stored product pests. Safeguarding farm produce from pests, from harvest to warehouse storage, and strict quality control of grain shipments from abroad are routine measures. The problem, therefore, although highlighted by the infestation by an insect pest species, is beyond entomology, and far above, what pest management scientists can prescribe. Only good governance, can prevent immense problems such as the present rice shortage and the infestations of our rice grains. In relation to this, the eminent Dr. Emil Q. Javier has outlined five complementary strategies for the future of our rice sector (https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/07/28/wanted-a-new-rice-industry-road-map-after-lifting-of-quantitative-restrictions/).
Lastly, while I, like most Filipino entomologists, agree that insects are generally (or mostly) edible, and that entomophagy (consuming insects for food) is something to explore not only for the thrill (in the Philippines mainly, because many other Southeast Asians have insects in their diet) but also for the nutritional quality, I believe that we deserve rice with quality much, much better and more pleasant than bukbók-"enriched". Nobody deserves to eat food that is considered low quality, if not altogether rotten; and all the more, when that food is staple and has become quite costly. Filipinos deserve much better, or rather, the best.
I know, because I am an entomologist. I am a scientist. I am Filipino.
– Ireneo L. Lit, Jr., Ph.D.
Published by Jun Lit
View all posts by Jun Lit
Published September 3, 2018 November 12, 2018
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8 thoughts on "Bukbók – Beyond Entomology and Pest Management Science"
Lita Molitas-Colting says:
Thanks junlit for explaining the bukbok to the masa….sad to note that you are not in the DE. At huwag sanang mawala ang DE na yan. keep up
Jun Lit says:
Thank you very much Manang!!!
Life of Faith says:
Very well said, Sir Jun! 🙂
Maraming salamat Faith!!!
Marius Agua says:
Excellent, sir.
Are you, in any way, from Los Banos, Laguna ??
I happen to know Tony Lit.
Maraming salamat po! Yes, I live in LB po, pero originally from Lipa. My father was the eldest sibling of Uncle Tony.
Bryan Novio says:
Thank you Sir Jun for this very factful and informative article on "bukbok". Filipinos indeed deserve the best!
Thank you din Bryan!!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Essence New Care@Home Active™ Solution for Comprehensive Mobile Senior Care
Essence, providers of connected-living technologies including award-winning independent-living solutions for seniors, recently introduced Care@Home Active™. This innovative expansion of its aging-in-place suite offers new mobility features that further enhance seniors' lifestyles and security.
Unlike traditional mPERS solutions, Care@Home Active enables seniors to move between their homes and outdoors while maintaining connectivity with their families and TeleCare Service Providers - all with just one device.
The solution brings a superior, cost-effective answer to the problem of protecting people when they leave their homes than what is available in monitored PERS solutions today.
"Seniors are increasingly demanding the ability to maintain an active, mobile lifestyle," said Yaniv Amir, President of Essence USA. "They can now do so without worrying about taking an extra device or compromising their safety."
Care@Home Active – using EP Advanced, Essence's emergency pendant and fall detector, a small, light wearable – leverages BLE (Bluetooth) connectivity to seamlessly switch from the PERS to the senior's smartphone while away from home. With studies showing a dramatic increase in use of smart phones among the senior population, Essence's technology uses that to the seniors' benefit.
Care@Home Active ensures that when a fall is detected or a panic call is triggered outside the house, the family and service provider will immediately receive the alert and the senior's location.
Its innovative use of dual-path selective communications channels in a small, wearable device with a two-year battery life allows the user to freely move in and out of the home without having to remember an extra, bulky device - and ensure that it is charged – a well-known Achilles heel of mPERS solutions today.
"Essence continues to remain at the forefront of product development for the IoT and healthcare space, launching disruptive solutions which provide great value to the seniors and an excellent user experience" says Barak Katz, GM Essence SmartCare.
Care@Home Active will be officially launched in the U.S. market at the upcoming ESX Electronic Security Expo in Nashville, where dealers and industry insiders will have the opportunity to get a demo of this new solution and see how it easily integrates into their current product offerings. Visit Essence at Booth #716.
Essence is a global IoT provider of scalable, cloud-based connected-living solutions for security, communication, and healthcare service providers. Over the past 23 years, Essence has built an impressive installed base, with more than 18 million products deployed and used by Tier-1 service providers worldwide. Essence is committed to developing and supporting solutions that both enhance partners' businesses and enable people to live fuller and better lives. Essence has won several distinguished industry awards over the past year, garnering recognition by both the consumer and business markets, including the ESX Innovation Award for Care@Home and Care@Home VPD, European Consumers Choice Award, Telecom Broadband Infovision Award, IoT Business Impact Award, and others.
Amy Kenigsberg
K2 Global Communications
amy@k2-gc.com
www.k2-gc.com
tel: +972-9-794-1681 (+2 GMT)
mobile: +972-524-761-341
U.S.: +1-913-440-4072 (+7 ET)
Mobile PERS


A PENSIONER desperately misses her family after being unable to see them after Stagecoach axed the x76 service.
The direct route from Cumnock to Glasgow let 79-year-old Isabel Muir meet up with her family who live in Helensburgh.
Now she has been left isolated from loved ones, with the bus company refusing to reinstate the service.
Isabel was left gutted when the connections became a 'horrendous hassle' which meant she couldn'tlink up with the city centre.
But stagecoach still insist there wasn't a high enough demand to keep the life-changing service on the road.
Isabel said: "It is such a mess I relied on the bus very much, it was a real luxury.
"My family live in Helensburgh and so Glasgow was a great meeting point for us all to get together. Now it is really hard to see them.
"Not having the bus has affected my whole life.
"I just don't see the need to cancel it because it was alway so busy.
"I don't get out to the city anymore its just a horrendous hassle even trying to without the x76.
"It was so easy, comfortable, and definitely worth while. I was so good seeing my family often because they could meet me easily.
"Now I'm older it is hard to see them and they have to travel all the way to Cumnock for a visit which is much less frequent.
"I don't get to see them nearly as much. It is a massive problem in my life.
"I didn't even get to go Christmas shopping in Glasgow this year which I love doing.
Stagecoach said the connecting ser vice at K ilmarnock is more appropriate.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach West Scotland advised: "In September 2018, passengers were given the opportunity to provide feedback regarding the changes to the X76 via a questionnaire, this was conducted over a period of two weeks to gather a fair representation of peak travel habits and off peak travel habits.
"Customers on board were asked if they travelled on the 76 or 50 service to Kilmarnock to then travel on board the X76 to Glasgow, 86% customers on board who completed the survey stated that they did not use either the 76 or 50 service. In addition, the new X76 service received a weighted average of 4.23 out of 5 when asked to rate the service.
"This combined with the analysis carried out over a period of 18 months prior to the service changes confirms that a change of bus at Kilmarnock Bus Station remains the most appropriate service."
If you want to bring the bus back make a formal complaint to Stagecaoch to show you care! call them here - 01563 525192.


text:
Goings-On
Is Everyone An Instructional Designer?
Educational Technology, Instructional Design Free-for-all
By Jon Kruithof
Am I an instructional designer? I work in educational technology, talk to people about using tools and help people design better learning, but does that make me an instructional designer? Educational technology is a place that can often drive pedagogical change, and it's strange how often it goes unacknowledged as an accomplice in converting people to better pedagogy. How often do you as an instructional designer have a conversation about a piece of technology that forces the person you're working with to rethink what they're doing, and how they're doing it? It may not be the great revelatory exclamation of "Oh my, this is going to change my life!" – but sometimes drastically, sometimes subtly, a change is made.
EdTech forces change.
It's change that is opted into, by selecting the tool or technology, but it is change nonetheless. I can hear the counter arguments; "that's not change, it's choice!" I'd counter, that it's a choice to change. Often in the adoption of a new tool, you have an opportunity to make large scale changes; most people don't do that, but they make a smaller, incremental change. Sometimes change stops there. Sometimes, it pushes further, changing assessment strategies, approaches to instruction, facilitation techniques. That's where you (or I) are able to help.
My role has been traditionally to help people with the how of things; how to set up a gradebook in the LMS, how to use classroom response tools to do things in the classroom – and early on I realized that lots of people really were looking for how-to, but never thought much about the why they were doing things. Sometimes the answer to why was simply, "the department asked me to go online" – but the people who did think about the why ended up much more satisfied. Looking to help in a more productive way I've become somewhat annoying in consultations, asking things like "why are you doing this?" and "what do you hope to accomplish with this change?" Those questions are less about technical details, and more about design of learning. It's been interesting to note how instructional design intersects with media development, technical support, systems administration and of course, teaching. Each of those intersections can be opportunities to talk about how that particular learning experience can be improved. Creating a video? Why, what can that help you accomplish? The questions open up a rich conversation filled with the proverbial box of chocolates. In some ways, that make me, a (looking at my work badge) Learning Technologies Analyst, an Instructional Designer.
It's unfortunate, that I didn't know that until six or seven years ago. Honestly, it would've made my early career make a lot more sense. So those of you who are working in educational technology, supporting the use of a tool and putting in tickets to bug vendors to fix things, you might be an Instructional Designer.
Jon Kruithof is a Learning Technologies Analyst at McMaster University
October 28, 2018 /1 Comment/by IDIGadmin
https://idigontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/iDigLogo2-01-1030x246.png 0 0 IDIGadmin https://idigontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/iDigLogo2-01-1030x246.png IDIGadmin2018-10-28 23:04:022019-02-25 15:03:42Is Everyone An Instructional Designer?
A Look Back for the Future: OEO & TESS
Instructional Designer Soft Skills
Interactive Remixing of an Open Textbook
Connecting My Design Dots: Design Thinking for Instructional Designers
Join IDIG
IDIG was made possible through funding
gratefully received from eCampusOntario
Instructional Design Free-for-all (10)
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In this technical note, we address the comments on the energy estimates for Magnetoelectric Spin-orbit (MESO) Logic, a new logic device proposed by the authors. We provide an analytical derivation of the switching energy, and support it with time-domain circuit simulations using a self-consistent ferroelectric (FE) compact model. While the energy to charge a capacitor is dissipated in the interconnect and transistor resistance, we note that the energy to switch a capacitor and a FE is independent of the interconnect resistance value to the first order. Also device design can mitigate the parasitic energy losses. We further show the circuit simulations for a sub 10 aJ switching operation of a MESO logic device comprehending: a) Energy stored in multiferroic; b) Energy dissipation in the resistance of the interconnect, Ric ; c) Energy dissipation in the inverse spin-orbit coupling (ISOC) spin to charge converter Risoc; d) Supply, ground resistance, and transistor losses. We also identify the requirements for the resistivity of the spin-orbit coupling materials and address the effect of internal resistance of the spin to charge conversion layer. We provide the material parameter space where MESO (with a fan-out of 1 and interconnect) achieves sub 10 aJ switching energy with path for scaling via ferroelectric/magnetoelectric/spin-orbit materials development.
Scalable energy-efficient magnetoelectric spin-orbit logic.


text:
Q: Domain MX lookup shows My IP 0.0.0.0 My domain name is "beatzhost.com". I have setup my DNS server for mail server. I am using "http://www.mxtoolbox.com" to lookup DNS entries. My all entries are OK eventhough i am getting MX lookup result as 0.0.0.0.
I want it to be my Domain IP. Operating System is Cent OS 5.

A: Looks ok to me:
$dig -t mx beatzhost.com

; <<>> DiG 9.7.3-P3 <<>> -t mx beatzhost.com
;; global options: +cmd
;; Got answer:
;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NOERROR, id: 36069
;; flags: qr rd ra; QUERY: 1, ANSWER: 1, AUTHORITY: 3, ADDITIONAL: 2

;; QUESTION SECTION:
;beatzhost.com.         IN  MX

;; ANSWER SECTION:
beatzhost.com.      14400   IN  MX  0 smtp.beatzhost.com.

;; AUTHORITY SECTION:
beatzhost.com.      86400   IN  NS  ns2.beatzhost.com.
beatzhost.com.      86400   IN  NS  host.beatzhost.com.
beatzhost.com.      86400   IN  NS  ns1.beatzhost.com.

;; ADDITIONAL SECTION:
smtp.beatzhost.com. 14400   IN  A   175.100.168.123
host.beatzhost.com. 14400   IN  A   175.100.168.123

;; Query time: 418 msec
;; SERVER: 10.6.23.4#53(10.6.23.4)
;; WHEN: Sun Dec 11 05:16:05 2011
;; MSG SIZE  rcvd: 139

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


NO WAR, NO SANCTIONS ON IRAN! CLEAR THE MIDDLE EAST OF ALL NUCLEAR WEAPONS!
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© 2018 U.S. Peace Council. All rights reserved.


Patients with thyroid cancers refractory to radioiodine (RAI) treatment show a limited response to various therapeutic options and a low survival rate. The recent use of multikinase inhibitors has also met limited success. An alternative approach relies on drugs that induce cell differentiation, as the ensuing increased expression of the cotransporter for sodium and iodine (NIS) may partially restore sensitivity to radioiodine. The inhibition of the ERK1/2 pathway has shown some efficacy in this context. Aggressive thyroid tumors overexpress the isoform-A of the insulin receptor (IR-A) and its ligand IGF-2; this IGF-2/IR-A loop is associated with de-differentiation and stem-like phenotype, resembling RAI-refractory tumors. Importantly, IR-A has been shown to be positively modulated by the non-integrin collagen receptor DDR1 in human breast cancer. Using undifferentiated human thyroid cancer cells, we now evaluated the effects of DDR1 on IGF-2/IR-A loop and on markers of cell differentiation and stemness. DDR1 silencing or downregulation caused significant reduction of IR-A and IGF-2 expression, and concomitant increased levels of differentiation markers (NIS, Tg, TSH, TPO). Conversely, markers of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (Vimentin, Snail-2, Zeb1, Zeb2 and N-Cadherin) and stemness (OCT-4, SOX-2, ABCG2 and Nanog) decreased. These effects were collagen independent. In contrast, overexpression of either DDR1 or its kinase-inactive variant K618A DDR1-induced changes suggestive of less differentiated and stem-like phenotype. Collagen stimulation was uneffective. In conclusion, in poorly differentiated thyroid cancer, DDR1 silencing or downregulation blocks the IGF-2/IR-A autocrine loop and induces cellular differentiation. These results may open novel therapeutic approaches for thyroid cancer.
Table 1S. Histotype and molecular characterization of the human thyroid cancer cell lines studied.
Supplemental Figure 1: Effect of collagen and of KD mutant K618A DDR1 on IR expression (A) Relative quantification of DDR1 and IR mRNAs in cells stimulated by collagen. SW1736 and 8505C cells were transiently transfected with a pool of four scramble siRNAs or a pool of four siRNA oligos against DDR1 and stimulated with collagen IV (10µg/ml) for 48h. qRT-PCR analysis for DDR1 and IR mRNA expression were performed as described in Methods.
Supplemental Figure 2: Effect of collagen and of KD mutant K618A DDR1 on IGF-2 expression. (A-B) Relative quantification of IGF-2 mRNA. SW1736 and 8505C cells were transiently transfected with a pool of four scramble siRNAs or a pool of four siRNA oligos against DDR1 and stimulated with collagen IV (10µg/ml) for 48h (A). Alternatively, cells were transiently transfected with either a constitutive empty (pCMV6-EV) or the human DDR1 (pCMV6-DDR1) or the mutant K618A DDR1 expressing vectors (B). qRT-PCR analysis for DDR1 and IR mRNA expression were performed as described in Methods. Cells were analyzed for IGF-2 mRNA expression by qRT-PCR analysis. (A-B) ns, p > 0.05; *0.01 < p < 0.05; **0.001 < p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
Supplemental Figure 3: Expression of differentiation and stemness markers in cells silenced for DDR1 and stimulated with collagen. (A-B) Relative quantification of differentiation and stemness markers. SW1736 and 8505C cells were transiently transfected with a pool of four scramble siRNAs or a pool of four siRNA oligos against DDR1 and stimulated with collagen IV (10µg/ml) for 48h. Cells were analyzed for differentiation (A) and stemness (B) markers by qRT-PCR analysis. (A-B) ns, p > 0.05; *0.01 < p < 0.05; **0.001 < p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
Supplemental Figure 4: Expression of differentiation and stemness markers in cells expressing the KD mutant K618A DDR1. (A-B) Relative quantification of differentiation and stemness markers. SW1736 and 8505C cells were transiently transfected with either a constitutive empty (pCMV6-EV) or the human DDR1 (pCMV6-DDR1) or the mutant K618A DDR1 expressing vectors. Cells were analyzed for differentiation (A) and stemness (B) markers by qRT-PCR analysis. (A-B) *0.01 < p < 0.05; **0.001 < p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
Supplemental Figure 5: Collagen stimulation does not affect IR, IGF-2 and markers of differentiation, EMT and stemness (A-C) Effect of collagen stimulation on the expression of IR, IGF-2, and markers of thyroid-specific differentiation, EMT, and stemness. SW1736 and 8505C cells were stimulated with collagen IV (10µg/ml) for 48h. Cells were analyzed for DDR1, IR, and IGF-2 (A), differentiation (B) and stemness (C) markers by qRT-PCR analysis. (A-C) ns, p > 0.05.
Supplemental Figure 6: DDR1 inhibitors affect the IR-A/IGF-2 loop in thyroid cancer cells. (A) DDR1 and IR expression in cells treated with DDR-IN-1 and 7RH. SW1736 and 8505C cells were treated with DDR1 inhibitors DDR-IN-1 and 7RH for 72h at the indicated concentrations, and DDR1 and IR expression were evaluated by western blot analysis. Blots are representative of three independent experiments. The histograms represent the mean±SEM of densitometric analysis of three independent experiments after normalization against tubulin. (B) Relative quantification of DDR1, IR, and IGF-2 mRNAs in cells treated with DDR1 inhibitors. SW1736 and 8505C cells were treated with DDR1 inhibitors DDR-IN-1 and 7RH for 72h at the indicated concentrations, and DDR1, IR, IGF- mRNA levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR analysis. Values were normalized using human β-actin as housekeeping control gene. (A-B) *0.01 < p < 0.05; **0.001 < p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
Supplemental Figure 7: Collagen does not influence the effects of DDR1 inhibitors. (A-C) Effect of collagen stimulation in cells treated with the combination of DDR-IN-1 and NVP-AEW541. SW1736 and 8505C cells were treated with inhibitors of DDR1 (DDR-IN-1) and IR/IGF-1R (AEW541) at the indicated concentrations, with or without stimulation with collagen IV (10µg/ml), for 48h. Cells were analyzed for DDR1, IR, and IGF-2 (A), differentiation (B) and stemness (C) markers by qRT-PCR analysis. (A-C) *0.01 < p < 0.05; **0.001 < p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
Supplemental Figure 8: IGF-2 induces DDR1 upregulation in thyroid cancer cells. (A-B) Dose-response of DDR1 expression after IGF-2. 8505C and SW1736 cells were starved for 24 h, and then stimulated with IGF-2 at the indicated doses for 24h. Western blot for DDR1 protein expression (a) and qRT-PCR analysis (b) for DDR1 mRNA expression were performed as described in Methods. Each blot is representative of three independent experiments. Values shown in graphs are mean ± SEM of three separate experiments. (A-B) ns, p > 0.05; *0.01 < p < 0.05; **0.001 < p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
DDR1 and IR expression in thyroid cells and human thyroid tissue specimens. (A) DDR1 and IR protein expression in various cells. Human thyroid cancer cell lines (SW1736, C643, Hth74, FF1, 8505C, BcPap, TPC1, 4A1) and normal primary cell cultures (NPC) were analyzed by western immunoblot for DDR1 and IR expression using specific polyclonal antibodies, as indicated. Tubulin antibody was used as control for protein loading. A representative blot of three independent experiments is shown. Histograms represent the mean ± s.e.m. of DDR1 and IR densitometric analysis after normalization against tubulin. (B) DDR1 and IR protein expression in human thyroid specimens. Specimens from human thyroid cancer (C) and the contralateral normal thyroid tissue (N) were analyzed for DDR1 and IR expression levels by western immunoblot, as described in (A). A representative blot of three independent experiments is shown. Histograms represent the mean ± s.e.m. of densitometric analysis after normalization against tubulin. (C) qRT-PCR analysis of DDR1 and IR mRNA in cell lines and NPCs. Human DDR1 and IR mRNA levels were evaluated in all human cell lines shown in (A). NPCs is a mean of five specimens. Normalization was done using human β-ACTIN as housekeeping control gene. Data are presented as the mean ± s.e.m. (error bars) from three independent experiments. (D) qRT-PCR analysis of DDR1 and IR mRNA in human thyroid specimens. Human DDR1 and IR mRNA levels were evaluated in all specimens shown in (B). Normalization was done using human β-ACTIN as housekeeping control gene. Data are presented as the mean ± s.e.m. (error bars) from three independent experiments. (A, B, C and D) ns, P > 0.05; *0.01 < P < 0.05; **0.001 < P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
mRNA expression levels of IR isoforms in cultured thyroid cells and human thyroid specimens. (A) IR isoform transcripts in cell lines and NPCs. IR isoform (IR-A and IR-B) transcripts were obtained from thyroid cancer cell lines (SW1736, C643, Hth74, FF1, 8505C, BcPap, TPC1, 4A1) and normal primary cultures from five patients (NPCs). mRNA from IGF-1R-deficient mouse fibroblasts transfected with the human IR-A (R-/IR-A) and IR-B (R-/IR-B), expressing 50% of each IR isoforms, were used as positive controls (IR-A/IR-B). Products of PCR amplification were resolved on a 2.5% agarose gel. Images of the PCR product from IR-B (Ex+11) and IR-A (Ex−11) are 167 and 131 bp, respectively. Graphical representation of PCR analysis indicates the percentage of IR-A mRNA. The percentage of IR-A mRNA was calculated as follows: densitometric value of band IR-A/densitometric value of IR-A + IR-B bands. Scanning densitometry was performed using ImageJ software. All results are expressed as means ± s.e. of three independent experiments. (B) IR isoforms transcripts in human thyroid specimens. IR isoform (IR-A and IR-B) transcripts were evaluated in cancer tissues and the contralateral normal tissues of six patients. Results are means ± s.e. of three independent experiments. *0.01 < P < 0.05; **0.001 < P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
IGFs expression in cultured cells and human specimens. (A and B) mRNA expression of IGF-2 and IGF-1 in thyroid cancer cell lines. PCR analysis of IGF-2 and IGF-1 mRNA were evaluated in SW1736, C643, Hth74, FF1, 8505C, BcPap, TPC1, 4A1 thyroid cells. MCF7/IGF-2 and SK-N-MC cells were used as positive control for IGF-2 and IGF-1, respectively. S9 was used as housekeeping control gene. A representative of three independent experiments is shown. (C) IGF-2 detection in conditioned medium of thyroid cells. IGF-2 protein levels were detected, by ELISA (see 'Methods' section), in cell conditioned medium after 72 h of incubation in serum-free medium. Diluted conditioned medium (1:7) from MCF7 transfected with IGF-2 was used as positive control (MCF7/IGF2 (1:7)). Data are presented as the mean ± s.e.m. (error bars) from three independent experiments. (D) IGF-2 mRNA expression in human thyroid specimens. qRT-PCR analysis of IGF-2 mRNA was evaluated in cancer tissues of six patients and in contralateral normal tissues as control. Normalization was done using human β-ACTIN as housekeeping control gene. Data are presented as the mean ± s.e.m. (error bars) from three independent experiments. **0.001 < P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
DDR1 affects IR expression levels. (A) Western blot after DDR1 silencing. SW1736, 8505C, Hth74 and TPC1 thyroid cancer cell lines were transiently transfected with either a pool of four scramble siRNAs or a pool of four siRNA oligos against DDR1. After 48 h, cells were lysed and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with the indicated primary antibodies. Tubulin was used as control for protein loading. Blot is representative of three independent experiments. Histograms represent the mean ± s.e.m. of DDR1 and IR densitometric analysis after normalization against tubulin. (B) qRT-PCR after DDR1 silencing. In DDR1-silenced cells (siDDR1), IR mRNA levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR analysis and values were normalized using human β-ACTIN as housekeeping control gene. In parallel, DDR1 mRNA was evaluated by qRT-PCR to confirm DDR1 silencing. (C) Western blot after collagen stimulation. SW1736 and 8505C cells were transiently transfected with either a constitutive empty (pCMV6-EV) or a human DDR1 (pCMV6-DDR1) expressing vectors. After 24 h cells were stimulated with 10 µg/mL collagen IV for 48 h. Cells were then lysed and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with the indicated primary antibodies. Tubulin was used as control for protein loading. Blot is representative of three independent experiments. Histograms represent the mean ± s.e.m. of densitometric values after normalization against tubulin. (D) Western blot after DDR1 overexpression. Thyroid cancer cell lines were transiently transfected with either a constitutive empty (pCMV6-EV) or a human DDR1 (pCMV6-DDR1) expressing vectors. After 48 h, cells were lysed and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with the indicated primary antibodies. Tubulin was used as control for protein loading. Blot is representative of three independent experiments. Histograms represent the mean ± s.e.m. of densitometric analysis after normalization against tubulin. (E) qRT-PCR after DDR1 overexpression. In DDR1-transfected cell lines, IR mRNA levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR analysis and values were normalized using human β-ACTIN as housekeeping control gene. DDR1 overexpression was confirmed measuring DDR1 mRNA by qRT-PCR. (F) Thyroid cancer cells were transiently transfected with either a constitutive empty (pCMV6-EV) or the human DDR1 (pCMV6-DDR1) or the mutant K618A DDR1 expressing vectors. After 48 h, cells were lysed and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with the indicated primary antibodies. Tubulin was used as control for protein loading. Blot is representative of three independent experiments. Histograms represent the mean ± s.e.m. of densitometric values after normalization against tubulin. (G) IR isoforms transcripts after DDR1 silencing. IR isoform (IR-A and IR-B) transcripts were evaluated in all four thyroid cancer cell lines after DDR1 silencing, as described in (A). (H) qRT-PCR expression of IGF-2 after DDR1 silencing. IGF-2 transcript was evaluated in six cell lines. Normalization was done using human β-ACTIN as housekeeping control gene. Data are presented as the mean ± s.e.m. (error bars) from three independent experiments. (A, B, C, D, E and F) *0.01 < P < 0.05; **0.001 < P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
DDR1 silencing or overexpression affects downstream signaling in human thyroid cancer cells. (A) Downstream signaling after DDR1 silencing. SW1736, 8505C, Hth74 and TPC1 thyroid cancer cells were transiently transfected with a pool of four scramble siRNAs or a pool of four siRNA oligos against DDR1. After 48 h cells were lysed and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with the indicated primary antibodies. Tubulin was used as control for protein loading. The top panels show representative blots of three experiments. The histograms represent the mean ± s.e.m. of densitometric analysis of three independent experiments after normalization of each phospho-protein against the total non-phosphorylated form and then against tubulin. (B) Downstream signaling after DDR1 overexpression. Thyroid cancer cells were transiently transfected with plasmids encoding either an empty (pCMV6-EV) or a human DDR1 cDNA-expressing vector (pCMV6-DDR1). After 48 h the downstream signaling was assessed as in (A). Blots are representative of three independent experiments. The histograms represent the mean ± s.e.m. of densitometric analysis of three independent experiments after normalization of each phosphor proteins the total non-phosphorylated form and then against tubulin. (A and B) *0.01 < P < 0.05; **0.001 < P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
DDR1 affects IR promoter activity. (A) DDR1 silencing is associated with reduced activity of the IR promoter. 8505C and SW1736 cells were transiently transfected either with a pool of four scramble siRNAs or a pool of four siRNA oligos against DDR1. After 24 h cells were transfected with a luciferase construct containing a fragment of the IR promoter. 48 h later cells were lysed and luciferase activity measured. tGFP was cotransfected for normalization of transfected DNA content. (B) DDR1 silencing modulates IR-dependent transcription factors. In thyroid cancer cells silenced for DDR1, Sp1 and HMGA1 mRNA levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR. (A and B) **0.001 < P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
DDR1 affects several splicing factors. DDR1 silencing modulates the splicing factors involved in Ex-11 skipping. SW1736, 8505C, Hth74 and TPC1 thyroid cancer cells were transiently transfected with a pool of four scramble or four siRNA oligos against DDR1. After 48 h splicing factors mRNA levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR analysis. Values were normalized using human β-ACTIN as housekeeping control gene. *0.01 < P < 0.05; **0.001 < P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
DDR1 silencing affects the biological effects of thyroid cancer cells. (A) Cell proliferation after either DDR1 silencing or DDR1 overexpression. Thyroid cancer cells were transiently transfected with a pool of four scramble siRNAs or of four siRNA oligos against DDR1 (left). Alternatively cells were transiently transfected with plasmids encoding either the empty vector (pCMV6-EV) or the human DDR1 cDNA (pCMV6-DDR1) (right). Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. Values are expressed as percentages of untreated scramble-transfected cells (basal) and represent the mean ± s.e.m. of three independent experiments in triplicate. (B) Cell invasion after either DDR1 silencing or DDR1 overexpression. For invasion assay, 48 h after transfection cells were removed from plates with 0.01% trypsin and seeded on polycarbonate filters coated with 25 μg/mL fibronectin. Cells were allowed to migrate for 6 h. Values are expressed as percentages of empty vector-transfected cells (basal) and represent the mean ± s.e.m. of three independent experiments in triplicate. (C) Cell proliferation and invasion after collagen stimulation. SW1736 and 8505C cancer cells were transiently transfected with a pool of four scramble siRNAs or of four siRNA oligos against DDR1. After 24 h they were stimulated with collagen IV for 48 h. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay (left). For invasion assay, 48 h after transfection cells were removed from plates with 0.01% trypsin and seeded on polycarbonate filters coated with 10 μg/mL collagen IV. Cells were allowed to migrate for 6 h (right). (D) Thyroid-specific differentiation, EMT, and stemness markers in cells silenced for DDR1 expression. After DDR1 silencing cells showed a significant increase of thyroid cell differentiation markers and two key transcription factors (left). DDR1 silencing caused also a significant decrease of several markers associated with EMT (middle) and of cell stemness markers (right). (A, B, C and D) ns, P > 0.05; *0.01 < P < 0.05; **0.001 < P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
DDR1 inhibitor affects the IR-A/IGF-2 loop in thyroid cancer cells. (A) Western blot in DDR-IN-1 treated cells. SW1736 and 8505C cells were treated with DDR-IN-1 for 72 h at a concentration of 10 µM. DDR1, pDDR1, and IR expression were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Blots are representative of three independent experiments. The histograms represent the mean ± s.e.m. of densitometric analysis of three independent experiments after normalization against tubulin. (B) Relative quantification of DDR1, IR, and IGF-2 mRNAs. IR, and IGF-2 mRNA levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR analysis in thyroid cancer cells treated with DDR1 inhibitor. Values were normalized using human β-ACTIN as housekeeping control gene. (C) IR isoform transcripts. PCR products were resolved in a 2.5% agarose gel. Images of the PCR product from IR-B (Ex-11) and IR-A (Ex-11) are 167 and 131 bp, respectively. (D) Efficacy of the combination of DDR-IN-1 and the dual IR/IGF-1R inhibitor (AEW541). 8505C and SW1736 cells were incubated with the combined treatment for 72 h. The combination of DDR-IN-1 with NVP-AEW541 gave additive effects in both cell proliferation and invasion assays of thyroid cancer cells. (E) Effect of collagen in cells treated with the combination of DDR-IN-1 and NVP-AEW541. SW1736 and 8505C cells were treated with the DDR1 inhibitor DDR-IN-1 and the IR/IGF-1R inhibitor NVP-AEW541 (AEW541) at the indicated concentrations, in the presence or absence of collagen IV (10 µg/mL), for 48 h. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. (A, B, C, D and E) ns, P > 0.05; *0.01 < P < 0.05; **0.001 < P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.
The crosstalk between the IGF-2/IR-A loop and DDR1 is more relevant in thyrospheres from cancer cells. (A) Relative quantification of DDR1, IR, and IGF-2 mRNAs in cell monolayer compared to thyrospheres. RNA levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR analysis and values were normalized using human β-ACTIN as housekeeping control gene. The experiment shown is representative of three independent experiments. Values are mean ± s.e.m. of three separate experiments. (B) IR isoforms transcripts in cell monolayer (M) compared to thyrospheres (S). IR isoform (IR-A and IR-B) transcripts were evaluated in thyrospheres derived from thyroid cancer cells, as described in Methods. (C, D and E) Effect of DDR-IN-1, NVP-AEW541 and vemurafenib on DDR1, IR and IGF-2 expression in thyrospheres. 8505C cells were grown as thyrospheres in the presence or absence of collagen IV (10 µg/mL), and exposed to DDR1-IN-1 (10 µM), NVP-AEW541 (AEW541) (1 µM), and vemurafenib (1 µM) either as single agents or in combination. Cells were analyzed for DDR1, IR and IGF-2 (C), differentiation markers (D), and stemness markers (E) expression. All the effects described in (C), (D), and (E) were not influenced by the presence of collagen. (A, B, C, D and E) *0.01 < P < 0.05; **0.001 < P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test.


We all know a beautiful frock can be improved with matching accessories and the same can be said for a wedding dress.
There you are in your beautiful white gown and what could be finer than having your maids dressed in outfits that not only look fantastic, but can match almost any budget.
And if you are looking for something that is a little bit different, dresses that add class and glamour, plus they can be worn again at a variety of events and parties over the coming years, then look no further than Lady V!
You'll find patterns, styles and colours to match almost any theme you could imagine, but don't take our word for it. Below is a selection of our lovely ladies who have turned their big day into a vibrant feast of colour.
Aoife Blight from Penryn who dressed her maids in two different shades of Hepburns.
"This photo was taken at my 50's inspired wedding on 26th April this year and we chose your Hepburn dresses and petticoats for my bridesmaids Mel and Ange. (including a red on under my dress) The dresses fitted perfectly, reasonably priced and super comfortable. So thank you Lady V Vintage for being apart of our special day."
The polka dot dresses Suzie Flood Kenny from Dublin used when she was tying the knot.
Rebekah Wright writes: "Had the best time being bridesmaid for my sister, this is a photo of me (right) & the other bridesmaid (Katie, left) jumping for joy!!
As you can see these dresses are striking and the messages brides send us tell about the praise and comments guests give about the outfits.
The dresses bring a party atmosphere to your big occasion and also make it look a million dollars.
Above are the polka dot dresses Suzie Flood Kenny from Dublin used when she was tying the knot. This fab photo was taken by Katie Farrell Photography in Glengarriff, Co Cork, Ireland.
So what is it about these dresses that will make you jump for joy? Is it the style? The colours? The prices? Or just the feeling you get when you are wearing them?
As Rebekah Wright writes: "Had the best time being bridesmaid for my sister, this is a photo of me (right) & the other bridesmaid (Katie, left) jumping for joy!! The beautiful back drop is Culzean Castle in Ayrshire."
There is a wide variety of dresses available at Lady V, there are classic patterns that we always have in stock, or there are some that are special editions, never to be seen again. All range from sizes 8 to 32.
If you are looking to add some extra colour and style with your bridesmaid dresses then click here for the Lady Vintage look.
Great post, thanks for share the valuable information related to bridesmaid dresses.


You'll have to transfer this 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport SL NAV to your nearest carsense before you can take it for a spin! Use this form and a CarSense representative will contact you to confirm the details. Or, call us at (844) 820-5165.


This is what the arrogant priest said in the National Assembly on Wednesday during a debate on a motion by Churchill Gill the elected member for Baie St. Anne. Wavel Ramkalawan was trying to seduce the electorates on Praslin most particularly the inhabitants of Baie St. Anne. He stated that his father was the first baby to be born in 1927 at the newly built clinic on Praslin, "I have Praslin blood in me", he said. He also stated that his father was supposed to be on the ill-fated Mary Jane, if he hadn't been late to catch the boat, which left without him. "I was meant to be born", he insinuated that it was a miracle through God's intervention that his father was not onboard the Mary Jane.
In analyzing this statement by Wavel, it is clear that he is setting himself apart from mere mortals like us. And that his existence on Earth is as a result of the direct intervention of the creator; which makes him a prophet or a king for that matter. This was the thinking of people like Idi Amin Dada, Adolf Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Mao Tse-Tung, Genghis Khan and the likes….
It is the mark of a very dangerous individual, a person who should never inherit presidential powers. You have been warned!!!


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Tag: Rick James
Multi-Part Harmonies And Seductive Grooves – The Magic Of The Temptations
When it comes to vocal groups, I can't think of a more compelling example than The Temptations. Their perfect multi-part harmonies have impressed me from the very first moment I heard them sometime during my early teenage years. I was reminded of The Temptations' mighty singing while listening to a Christmas playlist yesterday that includes their beautiful rendition of Silent Night. Since I'm a huge fan of great harmony vocals, I decided a tribute post was an order.
The story of The Temptations began in Detroit in 1960 when members of two other vocal bands formed a group called The Elgins: Otis Williams, Elbridge "Al" Bryant and Melvin Franklin of Otis Williams & the Distants, and Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams who came from a group called The Primes. Following an audition in March 1961, an impressed Berry Gordy signed the group to Motown imprint Miracle Records. However, there was one problem. The name Elgins was already taken by another band. According to Wikipedia, Miracle Records employee Billy Mitchell, songwriter Mickey Stevenson, Otis Williams and Paul Williams came up with the idea to call the group The Temptations.
In April 1961, the group released their debut single Oh, Mother of Mine. Co-written by Otis Williams and Mickey Stevenson, who also produced the track, the tune was not successful. Neither were the following seven singles The Temptations released. In January 1964, Al Bryant was replaced by David Ruffin, marking the start of "The Classic Five" era that would turn the group into superstars. In the meantime, Smokey Robinson had become their producer, and it was one of his tunes that became the group's first no. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B Singles charts: My Girl, released in December 1964. Every time I hear that song, I got sunshine, no matter how cloudy my day may be. By the way, that cool bass intro is played by the amazing James Jamerson. Feel free to snip and groove along!
While it would take The Temptations another four and a half years before scoring their second double no. 1 on the Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts, they released plenty of other hits in the meantime, many of which topped the Hot R&B Singles. Here's one of my favorites: Get Ready, another tune written and produced by Smokey Robinson. I was going to feature an audio clip of the track but couldn't resist using the below footage instead, which was captured during a TV appearance in 1966. The song appeared in February that year. Even though none of the singing and music are live, just watching the dance choreography of these guys and the female backing dancers is priceless!
And then the era of The Classic Five came to an end after success and fame apparently had gotten to David Ruffin's head. His behavior led to friction with the other members of the group, and The Temptations ended up firing him on June 27, 1968. The very next day, he was replaced by Dennis Edwards, a former member of The Contours. The new line-up became what some called the group's "second classic line-up." But more changes were in store.
Norman Whitfield took over as producer, and The Temptations started adopting a more edgy sound, influenced by contemporaries like Sly & The Family Stone and Funkadelic. The group's four-year psychedelic soul period kicked off with their ninth studio album Cloud Nine from February 1969. The record climbed to no. 4 on the Billboard 200 and brought the group their first Grammy Award in the category Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental. Here's Run Away Child, Running Wild, a co-write by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong. A shorter version of the tune was also released separately as a single and became another no. 1 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. Here's the full album version. That's one hell of a hot funky tune!
Even though The Temptations had come a long way from their oftentimes romantic songs that marked their early years, the group did not entirely abandon sweet ballads. Here's one of the most beautiful in my opinion, released in January 1971: Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me). Evidently, the public liked it as well. The song became the group's third and last to top both the Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts. Interestingly, it was written by the same guys who penned Runaway Child, Running Wild. Perhaps appropriately, the track also appeared on an album called Sky's The Limit. Damn, these guys could harmonize – it's pure perfection and actually no imagination!
Writing about The Temptations' psychedelic soul era wouldn't be complete without including another epic tune: Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, another Whitfield-Barrett gem. Initially, it was recorded and released as a single in May 1972 by another Motown act called The Undisputed Truth – something I had not known until I did some research for this post. While their original is pretty cool, I still prefer The Temptations' version. Interestingly, it hit no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 but "only" peaked at no. 5 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. Here it is in its full 12-minute glory!
By the time of the release of 1990 in December 1973, The Temptations had become tired of psychedelic soul and wanted to move back to their more upbeat style and lyrics of the '60s. The album turned out to be the final record produced by Whitfield. January 1975 saw the release of the group's next studio album A Song For You. Wikipedia lists a hodge-podge of producers, including Berry Gordy, Jeffrey Bowen, James Anthony Carmichael, Suzy Wendy Ikeda, Clayton Ivey and Terry Woodford. The record was the group's last to top the Billboard Hot R&B LPs chart. It also featured their two last no. 1 singles on the Hot R&B Singles chart, Happy People and Shakey Ground. Here's the latter, a nice groovy tune co-written by Jeffrey Bowen, Alphonso Boyd and Funkadelic guitarist Eddie Hazel, who also played lead guitar on the track.
Following A Song For You, success dried up. After the release of The Temptations Do The Temptations in August 1976, the group left Motown and signed with Atlantic Records. That didn't change their trajectory, and after two albums, they returned to Motown in 1980. Two years later, they reunited with co-founder Eddie Kendricks and "Classic Five" era member David Ruffin for a tour, during which they recorded a studio album appropriately titled Reunion. Released in April 1982, the record marked a comeback of sorts, peaking at no. 2 on the Hot R&B LPs and a respectable no. 37 on the Billboard 200. Here's opener Standing On The Top, a funk tune written and produced by Rick James, who also contributed vocals and clavinet.
While success has largely eluded them since Reunion, The Temptations have released 17 additional studio albums. The most recent, All The Time, appeared in 2018. Here's Stay With Me, a cover of the beautiful pop soul tune by English songwriter and vocalist Sam Smith. In fact, when I heard this version for the first time, I thought it was Smith together with The Temptations, but apparently it's not. The tune is credited to Smith, James Napier and William Phillips, as well as Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, following a legal settlement. After the song's release, Petty's published had noticed a similarity to I Won't Back Down and reached out to Smith's team.
Altogether, The Temptations have had an impressive 14 chart-toppers on the Hot R&B LPs, including eight in a row between March 1965 and February 1969 – I suspect this must be a record. The group also scored 14 no. 1 hits on the Hot R&B Singles chart and topped the Hot 100 chart four times. In 1989, The Temptations (Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Otis Williams and Paul Williams) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone has ranked them at no. 68 on their list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
The Temptations are active to this day, with Otis Williams remaining as the only original founding member. The other current line-up includes Ron Tyson (since 1983), Terry Weeks (since 1997) and Willie Green (since 2016). Next year, the group will embark on a tour through the U.S., U.K. and Germany to celebrate their 60th anniversary. This includes two dates in May in my area. My wife and I saw The Temptations once in the early 2000s at The Apollo in New York City, together with The Four Tops. We both remember it as a great show, so we're thinking to catch them again. The current tour schedule is here.
Sources: Wikipedia; Temptations website; YouTube
Author christiansmusicmusingsPosted on December 26, 2019 Categories OtherTags 1990, A Song For You, Alphonso Boyd, Barrett Strong, Berry Gordy, Billy Mitchell, Clayton Ivey, Dennis Edwards, Eddie Hazel, Eddie Kendricks, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Funkadelic, Get Ready, Happy People, I Won't Back Down, James Anthony Carmichael, James Jamerson, James Napier, Jeff Lynne, Jeffrey Bowen, Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), Led Zeppelin, Melvin Franklin, Mickey Stevenson, Motown, My Girl, Norman Whitfield, Otis Williams, Otis Williams & the Distants, Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, Paul Williams, Psychedelic Soul, R&B, Reunion, Rick James, Ron Tyson, Run Away Child Running Wild, Sam Smith, Shakey Ground, Sky's The Limit, Sly & The Family Stone, Smokey Robinson, Soul, Standing On The Top, Stay With Me, Suzy Wendy Ikeda, Terry Weeks, Terry Woodford, The Contours, The Elgins, The Four Tops, the Primes, The Temptations, The Temptations Do The Temptations, The Temptations Sing Smokey, The Undisputed Truth, Tom Petty, William Phillips4 Comments on Multi-Part Harmonies And Seductive Grooves – The Magic Of The Temptations


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Animal Aid
Sample letter to the editor
The scale of animal use at Porton Down
Porton Down's own data shows the extent of the experiments conducted there. The experiments involve thousands of animals, of many different species, each year. Species vary from monkeys to mice.
Animal 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Primate 68 193 67 57 116 73
Pig 88 108 100 58 27 26
Guinea pig 652 447 323 116 236 126
Rat 37 68 223 124 199 240
Mouse 8801 5641 3411 2894 2167 3400
Rabbit 76 4
Total 9582 9798 8830 6461 4124 3249 2745 3865
The figures above are obtained from different sources, so some details are not available.
Porton Down's website describes how they carry out 'research to ensure that the UK's military and wider public benefit from the latest technical and scientific developments'. Porton Down is the home of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), which is the address listed in most of the scientific papers describing animal experiments at Porton Down.
According to their website, the UK's chemical and biological weapons programme closed in the 1950s and since then, Porton Down has 'been active in developing effective countermeasures to the constantly evolving threat posed by chemical and biological weapons. To help develop effective medical countermeasures and to test systems, we produce very small quantities of chemical and biological agents.'
Chemical weapons – how they work and when and where they were used
Name Mode of action When used Where
Sarin Nerve agent March 1988 Iran-Iraq war, used in Halabja, killing 5,000, and on the Japanese subway, by members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult, killing 13 and injuring thousands (March '95)
VX Nerve agent 1994 Osaka, by members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult, to kill a former cult member.
Copyright © Animal Aid 2020


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SEE IT: 'SNL' debuts NYC Mayor Adams, played by Chris Redd, to brag about swagger
A fatal shooting at a Brooklyn party on Nov. 22, 2020
Why jurors in Kate Steinle trial found suspect not guilty of murder, manslaughter
By Jessica Schladebeck
An alternate juror in the Kate Steinle murder trial surprised by public backlash at its conclusion is attempting to explain "why the jury was right to make the decision that it did."
Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, a Mexican immigrant who had been deported five times from the United States, earlier this month was cleared on first and second-degree murder charges as well as a count of manslaughter in the death of 32-year-old Steinle, who was fatally shot while walking with her father on a pier July 1, 2015.
Kate Steinle was shot to death on July 1, 2015. (Facebook)
The fatal incident sparked an intense debate on national immigration at the time, with President Trump citing the shooting for stricter policy during his campaign for the White House.
Trump later called the verdict in the case "disgraceful," while scores of others — including Donald Trump Jr. and Attorney General Jeff Sessions — offered criticisms of their own.
In an essay for Politico, alternate juror Phil Van Stockum — who did not get a vote and is not a lawyer — strived to explain the case's outcome to those who reacted with "surprise, confusion and derision."
A disgraceful verdict in the Kate Steinle case! No wonder the people of our Country are so angry with Illegal Immigration.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2017
Murder Charges
Garcia Zarate's defense team repeatedly pushed back against the murder charges leveled against him. Van Stockum wrote by the end of the trial, "it seemed clear to me that the evidence didn't support the requirements of premeditation or malice aforethought (intentional recklessness or killing) for murder charges."
He also noted that jurors were informed Garcia Zarate had no record nor apparent motive in the shooting.
"After having heard the evidence, I agreed with the defense's opinion that murder charges shouldn't have been brought," Van Stockum wrote in the Politico piece. "The evidence didn't show that Garcia Zarate intended to kill anyone."
San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon has since defended his office's handling of the case, saying "we felt, and we still do, that we had evidence of a murder case."
Accidental Shooting
Jose Ines Garcia Zarate (r.) is led into the courtroom by San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi (l.) and Assistant DA Diana Garciaor (c.) for his arraignment. (Michael Macor/AP)
The alternate juror from San Francisco also emphasized evidence in the case indicated Steinle was shot by mistake.
Van Stockum noted the weapon used was a Sauer P239 pistol, a backup emergency weapon used by law enforcement, which has "a light trigger mode and no safety." He added jurors requested to handle the weapon during deliberations, but the judge turned them down.
He also pointed out the shot fired while Garcia Zarate was seated in a chair "hit the ground 12 feet in front of him before ricocheting a further 78 feet to hit Steinle."
The facts, he said, provide for a "reasonable interpretation" which "favors the defendant: He found the gun at the seat, picked it up out of curiosity and accidentally caused it to fire" before dumping it in the water out of fear. He said jurors were forced to favor this interpretation due to "the presumption of innocence, as stated in the jury instructions."
"Brandishing" accusations
Van Stockum also acknowledged much of the public's confusion however, stemmed from Garcia Zarate's acquittal on the manslaughter charge.
"It does seem to me personally that manslaughter is the appropriate charge for Steinle's killing," he wrote. "However given the evidence and the law presented in this trial, it is clear to me that the jury made the right decision."
He said manslaughter was defined for the jury as having two key elements: "1) A crime was committed in the act that caused the death; (2) The defendant acted with 'criminal negligence.'"
The jurors were unable to select the crime referenced in the first key point. Rather than consider his illegally possessing a firearm — which they later found him guilty — as the crime, prosecutors instead designated it to be "brandishing" a firearm.
"No witnesses ever saw the defendant holding a gun, much less brandishing it," Van Stockum wrote. "Given that baffling choice by the prosecution, the manslaughter charge was a nonstarter for the jury."
kate steinle


In introducing its Charity Tick, the ACNC aims to offer the public a sense of confidence in the authenticity and trustworthiness of nonprofits explains Susan Pascoe.
At the end of November, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) will be launching the Charity Tick – a simple way for registered charities to visually display their authenticity and trustworthiness, and help the public feel confident they are donating to a registered charity.
There are a number of benefits of registration with the ACNC. In addition to being able to access generous Commonwealth charity tax concessions, registered charities benefit from the credibility that comes with a listing on the ACNC Charity Register.
Our 2015 Public Trust and Confidence research showed that support of charities is closely entwined with trust and that charities are the third most trusted group in Australia (behind doctors and the police). Importantly, when the ACNC's role as the charity regulator was explained to research survey respondents, their trust in Australia's charities grew significantly. This shows that registration with the ACNC can positively impact an organisation's trust among members of the public.
This increase in trust is derived from the fact that there is a regulatory body keeping watch over the sector, finding those that do the wrong thing, and taking action to ensure that all charities operate with integrity and good practice.
Another factor is the increased transparency and accountability that has come with the obligations of maintaining charity status with the ACNC.
Registered charities are required to report yearly to the ACNC via an Annual Information Statement (including, for medium and large charities, an audited or reviewed financial report). Much of this information is published on the Charity Register at acnc.gov.au – a free, searchable database available to donors.
The Charity Register has been searched over 1.6 million times since the ACNC was established in December 2012, showing that it is indeed a valuable resource for those looking to donate their time or money. While awareness of the Charity Register is growing and will continue to do so, some charities may wish to highlight their registration with the ACNC in other ways.
The ACNC Charity Tick was designed at the request of a number of Australia's registered charities as a small, visually appealing logo that can be used across a number of formats. The Charity Tick uses the ACNC's existing colour scheme and incorporates the 'ribbon of hope', a key aspect associated with the ACNC's logo.
By referencing the ACNC's own logo and the trust that is held in it, the Charity Tick indicates to donors that they can have confidence and trust in the charity, knowing it is registered with and regulated by the ACNC.
Charities will be able to use the Charity Tick on their website, at events, on their social media accounts and posts, on letterheads and on other marketing materials.
A similar concept already exists in Scotland, and in the United Kingdom and New Zealand charities have a unique 'charity number' that can be used when fundraising. In these jurisdictions charities have benefited from being able to easily show that they are registered with the national regulator while undertaking fundraising activities.
We see the benefit of the Charity Tick as two-fold: registered charities can display their charity registration status in a simple way and donors can instantly be confident that they are giving to a registered (and regulated) charity.
The Charity Tick is now available for charities to download in the Charity Portal. To support the launch of the Charity Tick, the ACNC will undertake a mainstream promotional campaign to raise awareness of the tick with the public.
Over time, we hope the Charity Tick will become synonymous with a charity that is well governed, reputable and worthy of the public's donations.
Susan is the inaugural Commissioner Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Previously Susan was a Commissioner at the State Services Authority in Victoria, a Commissioner on the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission and the President of the Australian College of Educators.