Opposite my building at work, & in front of a church, lives a bum. He likes to sleep late, this bum, & this morning I noticed that beneath the grubbiness & general filth of his blanket is a huge red & black image of Spiderman.
I almost wanted that blanket.
'Cept that would be crazy. I mean Spiderman 2 wasn't even any good.


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Kansas Declines Some Federal Sex Education Funds
By Andy Marso • Jun 28, 2016
Nicola Ochsenbein / flickr Creative Commons
Public health officials in Wyandotte County and Johnson County say they are seeking funds to continue comprehensive sexual education programs into 2018 after the state declined to renew a federal grant.
Saline County Residents Express Concerns About Lead Exposure
By Bryan Thompson • Jun 22, 2016
Saline County residents peppered state and local health officials with questions about lead exposure at a public meeting Tuesday evening in Salina. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment organized the meeting after tests by local doctors this year found elevated lead levels in the blood of 32 Saline County children — most of them from Salina.
One audience member asked during the meeting whether officials were investigating the Exide Technologies plant on Salina's southern edge, where batteries are manufactured.
Kansas 'Reconsiders' Decision To End Medicaid For Planned Parenthood Providers
Elana Gordon / KCUR/File photo
Kansas has "reconsidered" its decision to terminate the participation of 11 Planned Parenthood physicians and other medical providers in the state's Medicaid program, although it's still trying to cut off Planned Parenthood itself.
KDHE Issues Blue-Green Algae Warning for Cheney Lake, Marion Reservoir
By Abigail Beckman • Jun 10, 2016
State health officials have released warnings about two lakes in south central Kansas because of high levels of toxic blue-green algae. Blooms have been found in Cheney Lake and in Marion Reservoir.
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, both lakes are still open, but contact with the water is strongly discouraged for people, pets and livestock. Ashton Rucker with the KDHE says blue-green algae can take on a variety of different appearances.
Health Officials Concerned About Lead Exposure In Saline County Kids
By Bryan Thompson • Jun 8, 2016
Health officials are planning a public information session in Salina later this month in response to the discovery that 30 children in Saline County have elevated levels of lead in their blood.
Saline County Health Department Director Jason Tiller says the problem surfaced after several families had their children tested for lead. Anyone with more than five micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood is considered at risk.
Transgender Advocates Criticize Kansas Proposal On Birth Certificates
By Aileen LeBlanc, Stephen Koranda & Associated Press • May 12, 2016
Stephen Koranda / KPR
Update from the AP:
The Obama administration is telling public schools that they must allow transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.
The directive is in formal guidance being sent to school districts Friday by the departments of Education and Justice.
The letter does not impose any new legal requirements, but federal officials say the guidance is meant to clarify school districts' obligations to provide students with nondiscriminatory environments.
Sedgwick Co. Commissioners Accept $1.9M Grant For Health Department
By Deborah Shaar • Mar 9, 2016
Deborah Shaar / KMUW/File photo
The Sedgwick County Health Department will continue to receive state and federal money to support its local health programs and services.
Sedgwick County Commissioners voted 5-to-0 Wednesday to accept a $1.9 million grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The grant is a longstanding funding source for county health department to carry out its mission to prevent disease and promote wellness in the community.
Health Department Director Adrienne Byrne-Lutz says the grant provides the foundation for several public health programs.
New E. Coli Infection Turns Up In Johnson County
By Dan Margolies • Dec 21, 2015
NIAID, flickr Creative Commons
A Johnson County resident is the latest person to fall ill with an E. coli infection that may be linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill.
The resident reported having eaten at a Chipotle on Shawnee Mission Parkway in Shawnee, Kansas, in the week before becoming ill.
"The big thing for people to know is this was around Nov. 23 that they ate at that location," said Sara Belfry, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Report: Kansas Ranks Near Bottom In Preparedness For Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Trust for America's Health
Kansas is one of seven states that rank in the bottom tier in a newly released report measuring states' readiness to deal with infectious disease outbreaks.
Medicaid Applications Piling Up As State Works To Debug New Computer System
By Andy Marso • Dec 17, 2015
Andy Marso / KHI News
A new computer system is causing long delays in processing Medicaid applications in Kansas.
The Kansas Eligibility Enforcement System finally went live this summer after almost two years of delays and nearly $50 million in projected cost overruns.
It was supposed to streamline enrollment in Medicaid and other social service programs. But a recent audit found that the software needed many more modifications than expected.
Groups that serve Kansans with disabilities say applications that took days under the old system are now taking months.

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Toyota's new China-only EV sedan to hit market in 2022
December 03 2021 09:18 PM
A man cycles past entrance to the headquarters of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD in Shenzhen, China. Toyota Motor Corp will launch an all-electric small sedan in China late next year, having turned to local partner BYD for key technology to finally make an affordable yet roomy runaround, according to sources.
Reuters / Beijing
Toyota Motor Corp will launch an all-electric small sedan in China late next year, having turned to local partner BYD for key technology to finally make an affordable yet roomy runaround, four sources told Reuters.
Two of the four people with knowledge of the matter described the car as an electric holy grail for Toyota which has struggled for years to come up with a small EV that is both competitive on cost in China and doesn't compromise on comfort.
The sources said the breakthrough was chiefly down to BYD's less bulky lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) Blade batteries and its lower-cost engineering know-how — a turning of the tables for a Chinese company whose popular F3 saloon was inspired by Toyota's Corolla back in 2005.
Little known outside China at the time, BYD, or "Build Your Dreams", hit the headlines in 2008 when Warren Buffett bought a 10% stake and it has since become one of the biggest manufacturers of so-called new energy vehicles in the world.
Toyota's new EV will be slightly bigger than its compact Corolla, the world's best-selling car of all time.
One source said think of it as "a Corolla with bigger back-seat section".
It will be unveiled as a concept car at the Beijing auto show in April and will then most likely be launched as the second model in Toyota's new bZ series of all-electric cars, even though it will only be on sale in China for now.
"The car was enabled by BYD battery technology," one of the sources told Reuters."It has more or less helped us resolve challenges we had faced in coming up with an affordable small electric sedan with a roomy interior."
It will be pitched below premium EVs such as Tesla's Model Y or the Nio ES6 but above the ultra-cheap Hong Guang Mini EV, which starts at just $4,500 and is now China's best-selling electric vehicle. Two of the four sources, all of whom declined to be named because they are not authorised to speak to the media, said the new Toyota would be priced competitively.
One said it would likely sell for under 200,000 yuan ($30,000), aiming for a segment of the Chinese market Tesla is expected to target with a small car within the next two years.
"We don't comment on future products," a Toyota spokesperson said. "Toyota considers battery electric vehicles as one path to help us get to carbon neutrality and is engaged in the development of all types of electrified vehicle solutions."
A BYD spokesperson declined to comment.
The fact Toyota has been compelled to turn to BYD to solve its low-cost EV conundrum shows how far the competitive balance of the global auto industry has tipped in the past decade.
When the quality of Chinese vehicles was considered below par, global automakers were not too concerned that they couldn't compete on price and left Chinese companies to control the domestic market for cheap, no-frills cars.
But times have changed.
Toyota executives started to worry back in 2015 when BYD launched its Tang plug-in hybrid, with significant improvements in styling, quality and performance.
Most worrying was that fact it was still about 30% cheaper than comparable Toyota models.
There was a critical turn of events in 2017 when Toyota's top engineering leaders, including then-executive vice president Shigeki Terashi, drove several BYD cars such as the Tang at its proving ground in Toyota City near its headquarters in Japan.
Terashi subsequently visited BYD's headquarters in Shenzhen and drove a prototype of its Han electric car.
"Their long-term quality is still a question mark, but the design and quality of these cars showed levels of maturity, yet they were much cheaper than comparable Toyota models," said one of the four sources, who participated in the test drives. "We were all kinda floored by that." Two of the sources said the BYD evaluations pushed Toyota to create its research and development (R&D) joint venture with BYD last year.
Toyota now has two dozen engineers in Shenzhen working side-by-side with about 100 BYD counterparts.
Toyota's new EV comes at a time it is under fire from environmental groups that maintain it is not committed to zero emissions.
They say Toyota is more interested in prolonging the commercial usefulness of its successful hybrid technology.
Toyota executives say they're not against battery electric vehicles (BEVs) but argue that until renewable energy becomes more widely available, they won't be a silver bullet for slashing carbon emissions.
Nevertheless, Toyota has set up division in Japan dedicated to zero-emissions cars called ZEV Factory and it is developing safer and lower-cost battery technologies, including solid-state lithium-ion cells which would significantly boost an EV's range.
While Toyota has long advocated a runaround that doesn't compromise on comfort as the best way to popularise BEVs, it has struggled to produce such a car.
One problem stems from need to stack bulky, heavy batteries under the floor, as they eat up the interior unless the roof is raised too — which is why many smaller EVs are SUVs.
In 2018, Toyota briefly explored the idea of a battery venture with BYD. That and subsequent interactions led Toyota's engineers to come across BYD's LFP Blade battery.
They described it as a game-changer as it was both cheaper and freed up space. "It's a 'scales fell from my eyes' kind of technology we initially dismissed because its design is so radically simple," one of the four sources said.
BYD officially launched its Blade battery in 2020.
LFP batteries have a lower energy density than most other lithium-ion cells but are cheaper, have a longer shelf-life, are less prone to overheating and don't use cobalt or nickel.
Tesla already uses LFP batteries in its Model 3 and Model Y in China.
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By Justin Meyers
It's somewhat funny that the HTC ThunderBolt smartphone would be released around the same time as Apple's new Thunderbolt technology. Mainly because HTC's smartphone isn't exactly something I would compare to a flash of lightning, which averages around 60,000 miles per second. But Apple's new interconnect surely deserves the Thunderbolt designation.
Last Wednesday, a leaked photo of Apple's Thunderbolt port was quickly dismissed as Photoshopped nonsense, merely showing the Mini DisplayPort with a new "thunderbolt" icon next to it. But on Thursday, during the official release of Apple's new line of MacBook Pro laptops, we were all surprised to see it was actually the real deal.
Previously known as "Light Peak" by Intel, the new Thunderbolt I/O port is designed to be the next-generation connector for peripherals, including displays, storage, and audio/video devices.
It intends to phase out popular interconnects like FireWire and USB with its astonishingly fast speed of 10 Gbps, which is 20 times faster than USB 2.0, 12 times faster than FireWire 800 and twice as fast as the upcoming USB 3.0. Apple states it's based on two fundamental technologies: PCI Express and DisplayPort. You can read more specs directly from Apple or Intel.
But since this is new technology, is there any devices out there that actually support it?
Not yet, but it's coming.
Right now, it's said that the fastest consumer hard drives (SATA) currently run at a max of about 2.5 Gbps (external transfer rate), roughly 4 times slower than Thunderbolt, so I guess we'll see just how device manufacturers intend to incorporate this new technology. Also worth noting: Intel is using copper wires instead of fiber optics. If they were using optical cables, speeds could reach up to 100 Gbps. Wow. But that's not coming anytime soon.
Below is a list of future devices that will allow you take advantage of this new Thunderbolt technology, now and in the near future (without total speculation). For the most part, it's geared towards audio and video professionals, but will make it to an everyday consumer level soon enough.
Step 1 Displays
The Thunderbolt I/O provides native support for all displays with Mini DisplayPort. It also supports displays connected via DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, and VGA through the use of existing adapters.
Basically, you can still connect your Apple LED Cinema Display, iMac and other displays to your new MacBook Pro Thunderbolt port. You can even connect two MacBook Pros together if you wanted. And eventually you'll be able to connect those displays, along with multiple high-speed devices, to that one single port.
Step 2 LaCie's Little Big Disk
The LaCie Little Big Disk aims to be the first storage device featuring Thunderbolt technology. No exact date is set for its release, but it will be available by the summer, and you'll be able to purchase it from the LaCie Online Store, Apple Store and authorized resellers.
Step 3 Promise Pegasus RAID
Promise has new 4- and 6-bay RAIDs in the works, called Pegasus R4 and R6, which "unleash the raw power of Thunderbolt technology". This is definitely something geared towards professionals, whereas regular consumers will find it nothing more than a lavish expense, though Promise mention its uses in an everyday lifestyle:
"Digital Media consumption is growing at an astonishing rate and is an important part of everyone's life. With two channels of bi-directional 10 Gb/s performance Thunderbolt technology allows you to backup your computer while editing the video of your summer vacation and listening to your favorite playlist. Fast, safe and reliable external storage is essential to protect your music, photos, videos and other valuable data. Pegasus provides massive storage space and fast performance for popular applications such as Garageband, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, Photoshop and XMBC. Backup your invaluable digital media, documents and also your entire computer or workstation to Pegasus with Time Machine in Mac OS X."
If you're a film editor or graphic designer, this is definitely something to consider, not to mention how easy it is to set up.
"Pegasus comes preconfigured out of the box. Simply unpack, connect the power cable, connect the Thunderbolt technology cable to the Thunderbolt technology port on your computer and you are ready to store music, photos, videos and documents or ingest and edit production video. Managing Pegasus is effortless with a new made for Mac OS X management software called SmartNAVI PRO."
More Coming Soon...
As of now, the above devices are the only ones who have made their releases public. But other parties have shown genuine interest. Macworld recently spoke to representatives from a few companies about their plans for Thunderbolt integration:
Step 4 Apogee Electronics
Apogee Electronics, a digital audio company hasn't announced anything yet, but have sincere enthusiasm in making their products compatible with Thunderbolt. Below are some quotes from an interview with Apogee's Sean McArthur and Lucas Van Der Mee about Thunderbolt connectivity.
McArthur: "Our catchphrase for this kind of technology is 'connectivity without compromise,' and we feel like (Thunderbolt) really breaks down a lot of barriers in the pro audio industry."
"What's really great about the Thunderbolt technology is that it kind of takes the confusion out of what is the professional connectivity standard going forward. People are looking at USB 3.0, and FireWire 800 and the PCI-E cards, but now we all know, and we can move forward swiftly with [Thunderbolt's] incredible performance."
"It makes portability a reality for really high-end systems. You could be recording with 32 or 64 channels, with a single cable connected to a laptop. That for us, is revolutionary, and we're very excited."
Van Der Mee: "What we like so much about it is the incredible bandwidth that it provides, along with this enormous simplicity, like the simplicity of FireWire and USB. But now you have this amazing bandwidth, which makes it just a fabulous solution."
Step 5 Avid
Just like Apogee, Avid has shown genuine interest and fascination with Thunderbolt technology. Avid's Max Gutnik responded to Macworld with the following statement:
"Thunderbolt provides users the kind of performance previously reserved for workstation-class computers. To have not one, but two 10Gbps, multi-protocol, and daisy chainable channels over a single cable is great for high-end audio and video solutions and will have a positive impact on the tech industry. Avid is very excited about Thunderbolt's capabilities."
Step 6 Western Digital
Also showing keen interest is Western Digital, a great candidate for the everyday techie, not just professionals. Western Digital's Heather Skinner's reaction:
"We have the tech in-house and are staging it now. Whatever the customers embrace, we want to support it, and Thunderbolt is something we're looking at and working on."
She also stated that Western Digital does not pre-announce products, so you'll just have to wait until it ships to your favorite computer store.
Step 7 AJA Video Systems
AJA Video Systems, a professional-grade video interface company, specializing in production and post-production storage devices, capture cards and conversion solutions, has also expressed desire to adapt Thunderbolt usage. CEO, John Abt had this to say:
"It's pretty amazing technology, and as an engineer I'm blown away that they came out with something like this, because it's such a huge leap forward. The bandwidth you can get over this port is so much more than anything out today. We work with very high bandwidth video, both uncompressed and compressed, so this is right down our alley."
He also told Macworld that AJA does plan to take advantage of Thunderbolt in the near future.
If you hear of any more devices planned (or implied), comment below.
Until Then...
Feast your eyes on this.
In lieu of these future devices, turn your curious minds to iFixit's teardown guide and see exactly what's going on with that wonderful Thunderbolt port inside the new MacBook Pros (in this case, a 15-inch model).
SOURCE Apple VIA Macworld
How To: Install a hard drive in a 13" MacBook Pro (2009)
How To: Install a hard drive in a 17" MacBook Pro
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 15" - Logic board removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 15" - SuperDrive removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 15"- Hard drive & battery removal
How To: Repair a MacBook 13" - Unibody glass LCD removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 13" - Fan removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 13" - Hard drive removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 13" - MagSafe board removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 13" - Speaker removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 13" - Bottom case removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Fan & heat sink removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Right speaker removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - RAM memory removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - LCD module disassembly
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Left speaker removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Airport module removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Top case removal
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Battery removal
How To: Replace a fan and hard drive in a Macbook Pro laptop
How To: Set up and use IDE / SATA to USB adapters
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" - Keyboard removal
How To: Install memory in a MacBook Pro
How To: Get your mouse to right click on a Macbook Pro
How To: Install memory in a 13" MacBook Pro (2009)
How To: Install memory in a 17" MacBook Pro laptop
How To: Upgrade your hard drive to an SSD on a MacBook Pro
How To: Add memory to a Apple MacBook Pro notebook computer
How To: Install RAM in a new MacBook Pro
How To: Repair a MacBook Air - Replace LCD display & hinges


Glass table lamps for living room – Do you have a small living room and give you the feeling that you do not have the space to move? Finding a suitable distribution of this space of the house is fundamental for you to feel relaxed and comfortable, as well as to choose colors, furniture and complements that produce the sense of spaciousness. Among the large number of tables of different shapes, colors, materials and sizes should pay attention to the one that fits the most optimally in the interior of the room. Different styles, materials, designs and decorative elements can reflect the personality of the owner. Therefore, you need to pay attention to how the table will look like in the living room.
With a few simple tricks you will achieve that your salon is perceived greater. Use glass table lamps for living room. Thanks to their transparency, they will practically go unnoticed. The mirrors will help you multiply the feeling of spaciousness: horizontally on the sofa or leaning directly on the floor, on one side, behind the side table, you can enjoy the desired visual effect. In the small halls, the auxiliary tables become the great allies to have surfaces of support easy to transfer. In many cases, especially in the narrower rooms, you can substitute the classic coffee table, more fashionable furniture, by a composition of several side tables.
The living room is decorated in gray and purple colors and glass table lamps for living room has become a gift from heaven on the inside. Bright decorative elements of the living room combined with a glass table made by your mood. Great choices for tables will be an excellent addition to the living room atmosphere. You should also pay attention to Tables. Made with your own hands, which will transform the interior. It also uses tables with wheels s or the traditional nest tables, which you can also find in its more contemporary version, to accompany the whole. They take up little space and are useful.


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Faculty & Departments > Directory > Craig L Symonds
Craig L. Symonds, Ph.D.
Professor John B. Hattendorf Center for Maritime Historical Research
Craig L. Symonds is the Ernest J. King Distinguished Professor of Maritime History at the Naval War College and Professor Emeritus at the U.S Naval Academy, where he taught for thirty years and served as a department chair. He is the author or editor of twenty-nine books, including "The Battle of Midway," "Operation Neptune" and "World War II at Sea: A Global History," all published by Oxford University Press. He is a recipient of the Roosevelt Prize, the Lincoln Prize, the Morison Prize and the Dudley W. Knox Medal for Lifetime Achievement.
craig.symonds@usnwc.edu
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Material and external links contained herein are made available for the purpose of peer review and discussion and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Naval War College, Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.


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The Appellate Practice Group, headed by the Solicitor, manages all appellate matters before state and federal appellate courts.
The Collections Practice Group is responsible for collecting money owed to the Mayor and City Council, which can involve bankruptcy, real estate, enforcement of money judgments, and tax sales.
The Contracts Practice Group approves most contracts entered into by the Mayor and City Council because the Charter requires that contracts be approved for form and legal sufficiency by a member of the Law Department. The Practice Group also provides transactional legal advice on construction, health, intellectual property, and procurement.
The Corporate Real Estate Practice Group handles a wide range of financial and real estate acquisition and disposition matters, including bond transactions, easements, title work.
The Labor and Employment Practice Group handles legal aspects of all employment matters for the Mayor and City Council, including formulation of and training on human resource related policies and procedures. The Practice Group represents the Mayor and City Council in various venues, including before the Equal Opportunity Commission, the Baltimore Community Relations Commission, the Maryland Commission on Human Relations, the Civil Service Commission and the Office of Administrative Hearings.
The Legal Advice and Opinions Practice Group provides advice on a wide range of matters impacting the Mayor and City Council, including opinions on the interpretation of city, state and federal laws and regulations. The Practice Group reviews the form and legal sufficiency of bills before the City Council, reviews legislation introduced in the Maryland General Assembly and gives advice on responding to Public Information Act requests.
The Litigation and Claims Practice Group is the largest practice group in the Law Department. It handles both the claims and lawsuits involving the Mayor and City Council. The Central Bureau of Investigation within this Practice Group investigates and sometimes adjusts or attempts to settle claims brought against the Mayor and City Council.
The Public Safety Practice Group provides representation and advice on a wide range of matters concerning emergency management, public safety, police administration and organization, and related areas of statutory and constitutional law. Within this group, the Office of Police Legal Affairs provides a full array of services to the Police Department of Baltimore City, including but not limited to representation of the Department and officers in state and federal courts, prosecution of internal disciplinary charges against individual officers, contracting in matters of public safety, and implementation of reforms mandated by the 2017 federal court consent decree.
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Log in via RCEM
Inadvertent cannulation of the C6 transverse foramen during central venous catheterisation
Images in emergency medicine
N Barua1,
W Adams2,
L Pobereskin1,
S Waddy3
Department of Neurosurgery, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
Department of Neuroradiology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
Correspondence to Mr Neil Barua , Department of Neurosurgery, Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth PL6 8DH; neilbarua{at}doctors.org.uk
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/emj.2008.066472
A 37-year-old man on warfarin presented to the emergency department with reduced conscious level following a fall. A computed tomography scan of the brain revealed an acute subdural haematoma. Before transfer to a neurosurgical unit, …
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Emergency Medicine Journal 2009; 26 687-687 Published Online First: 22 Sep 2009. doi: 10.1136/emj.2009.082875
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UWINHEALTH
Home » Health News » Do moderate drinkers need to worry about booze?
Do moderate drinkers need to worry about booze?
A cheeky red, a buttery chardonnay, an organic G&T … Whichever way you drink it, alcohol remains the recreational drug of choice for many Australians.
We're drinking less of it than we used to – the lowest levels in more than 50 years, according to the most recent Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
In fact, only six per cent of nearly 2000 Australians polled by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education in 2018 reported that they drank every day. Most said they were "moderate drinkers" (having nine or fewer standard drinks per week); half said they drank one or two drinks in a single session; and a third said they drank between three and five.
And yet … we do hear a lot about the harm that alcohol continues to cause. More harm, overall in Australia, than 22 illicit drugs including heroin and ice, according to another recent study.
So, really, how concerned should we be? Do merely moderate drinkers have any reason to worry about booze? What difference does a pinot or two at the end of the day really make? Come to think of it, isn't a tipple of red good for you?
Two standard drinks a day will put you at low risk of developing an alcohol-related disease or injury. Credit:Simon Schluter
Many countries have guidelines around "safe-enough" drinking levels. In the UK, men and women are advised to drink no more than seven pints of beer a week. In the US, dietary guidelines recommend limiting drinking to one drink a day for women, two for men. In Spain, the standard for men is four drinks a day and two for women.
In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends that healthy men and women should drink no more than two standard drinks on any day.
What they mean is that two drinks – that's 20 grams or 25ml of pure ethyl alcohol – will put you at low risk, but not no risk, of developing an alcohol-related disease and/or of being injured over your lifetime.
The guidelines, released back in 2009, are being revised and will be released to the public for feedback this year. The previous advice, from 2001, was the same for women but allowed men four standard drinks a day.
Times change and scientific evidence evolves. Is our yardstick for "safe-enough" drinking about to change again?
The National Health and Medical Research Council, which sets the guidelines, won't say yet.
What will two drinks a day put you at low risk of, exactly?
First, the bad news. Alcohol is classed as a known human carcinogen by the United Nations International Agency for Research on Cancer; it's on a long, A-Z list that starts with acetaldehyde, which your liver produces when it breaks down alcohol, and ends with X- and gamma radiation. Drinking alcohol, says the international agency, increases your risk of developing mouth, pharyngeal, laryngeal, oesophageal, colorectal, liver and, for women, breast cancers.
This is backed by an analysis of 527 studies published between 1956 and 2012 and documenting a total of nearly half-a-million cancer cases. The analysis, in the British Journal of Cancer, adds more sad news: there is accumulating evidence that drinking booze is associated with pancreatic and prostate cancers and melanoma.
Drinking alcohol has also been found to contribute to dementia and to escalate learning and cognitive difficulties in people who already have them.
"Alcohol is closely related to around 60 different diagnoses," says the World Health Organisation, "and for almost all there is a close dose-response relationship, so the more you drink, the higher your risk of disease. Less is better."
The analysis of half a million cancer cases found that heavy drinkers were five times more likely to develop mouth, throat and oesophagus cancers than non- or occasional drinkers, and twice as likely to develop liver cancer.
But – brace yourself – moderate and even light drinkers were not exempt. Light drinking was associated with cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, oesophagus and, in women, breast. Colorectal and laryngeal (voice box) cancer came into the picture with moderate drinking, defined as between 12.5 grams and 50 grams a day – so including two-glass-a-day drinkers.
A study of the burden created by alcohol use in 195 countries between 1990 and 2016 reiterates that moderate drinking carries risks. The lead author of the study, Dr Max Griswold, says "based off our study, two standard drinks [as a guideline] is too high."
"At most, our study would recommend zero to one standard drinks a day, so the same as the Netherlands – with an emphasis on zero."
Chin chin: standard measures for drinks. Credit:Simon Schluter
Should women drink less than men?
Yes. "The current guidelines don't distinguish between men and women but my understanding is that women are more sensitive to the long-term effects of alcohol," says Turning Point's clinical director, Dr Matthew Frei.
Studies show that women actually produce smaller quantities of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which is released in the liver and breaks down alcohol in the body.
Women also tend to have higher levels of body fat and lower levels of body water than men, which also influences alcohol absorption rates and amount, as fat retains alcohol. So the rule of thumb that it takes the body about an hour to break down a drink may apply differently to women just as it varies depending on a man's build and metabolism.
Women are faster to experience alcohol-induced liver disease and damage to their hearts and nerves as well as their brains. And the American Cancer Society says women who have two or three alcoholic drinks per day have a 20 per cent higher risk of breast cancer compared to non-drinkers, one reason being that alcohol increases oestrogen and androgen levels.
The Australian guidelines say that with heavier drinking, the risk of disease ramps up more quickly for women while the risk of injury ramps up more quickly for men. But "at low levels of alcohol consumption, there is little difference between the risk of alcohol-related harm for men and women, both over a lifetime and on a single drinking occasion".
But "when writing the guidelines," says Dr Frei, "I think a decision was made to lump men and women together in order to establish an easy-to-remember number. Two drinks are easier to recall than one-and-a-half (for women)."
Some cancers are associated with drinking alcohol. Credit:Simon Schluter
Where's the good news? Isn't alcohol good for you in small doses?
Not really. Well, there is evidence that small amounts of alcohol can be good for the heart and circulatory system (and even protect against type 2 diabetes and gallstones).
Some studies show that moderate consumption can reduce the risk of heart attack, ischemic (clot-caused) stroke, peripheral vascular disease, sudden cardiac death and death from all cardiovascular causes by 25 to 40 per cent.
But even if you could target alcohol to specific organs of the body for specific purposes, the harms to other parts of the body remain clear.
"What many people don't realise is that alcohol affects virtually every organ system in the body," says Associate Professor Yvonne Bonomo, an addiction medicine specialist and lead researcher for the St Vincent's Hospital national study.
"It can affect liver function, eventually leading to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver); affect the actual heart muscle and cause heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat); increase blood pressure and even increase the chance of brain injury."
"When you weigh up the risk versus any potential benefits," says Associate Professor Bonomo, "the risks outweigh the benefits."
It's not often talked about but the wheels can fall off – in an instant or over a lifetime – when you've been drinking. Credit:Simon Schluter
Seriously, how can an occasional bottle of chardonnay hurt?
It may not but there are a host of less-talked-about unforseen consequences that come with even occasional drinking.
Most people are not alcoholics – most of the alcohol in Australia is consumed by one-fifth of our population, according to a 2016 report by FARE.
But Sam Biondo, executive officer of the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, can number off the alcohol-related scenarios involving "moderate" drinkers that end up being life-changing, whether because they are corrosive over time or sudden and traumatic.
"Take women who are pregnant. If they don't know they're pregnant, people can find themselves consuming more alcohol than they should, which could lead to complications for the unborn child," Mr Biondo says.
"Then there's people who are normally quite peaceful and law-abiding who get themselves into king-hit scenarios after bingeing.
"Personal relationships get put under pressure, and then there's the family violence that occurs."
In its pre-budget 2017-18 submission to Treasury, FARE said while 15 Australians die of alcohol-related causes every day, a further 430 are hospitalised because of booze. That's 430 people who end up in A&E after having a drink.
"These figures understate the significant impact that some individuals' alcohol use has on others," says Mr Biondo, "including violence on our streets and in our homes, vandalism, road traffic accidents, child maltreatment and neglect, and lost productivity in the workplace."
Mr Biondo says it's not enough to just blame the consumer, and points to "direct marketing of alcohol across a whole range of mediums to target consumers and make a profit".
"We perpetually target and blame the victim, which is often dressed up in language commenting on their inability to moderate their behaviour. But where is the conversation about different parties' social responsibilities?
"It's not just those using alcohol, but those placing it in front of us who are constantly normalising drinking in Australia."
Recent revelations that the alcohol industry is helping the government form its new national alcohol strategy could be seen as a case in point.
What would a doctor do?
"Doctors are human, and different doctors will have different approaches to alcohol," Associate Professor Bonomo says. "Some won't drink at all, and others are more philosophical about it; they know the risk and will choose to drink in moderation."
The World Health Organisation takes a different tack.
"This might not be the answer people want to hear," says Dr Lars Møller, programme manager of alcohol and illicit drugs at the World Health Organisation in Europe, "but there is no safe level for drinking alcohol.
"Of course, there is lower-risk drinking, but WHO does not set particular limits, because the evidence shows that the ideal situation for health is to not drink at all."
If you'd like some expert background on an issue or a news event, drop us a line at [email protected] or [email protected]
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Home Lifestyle Bhumi Pednekar all set to host the Star Screen Awards this year
Bhumi Pednekar all set to host the Star Screen Awards this year
Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar, who has impressed us with her performance in films like Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Shubh Mangal Savdhan has added one more feather of success to her hat. The actress has been finalized as the host for the upcoming Star Screen Awards. The star-studded event is expected to happen January in 2018. A source told to a leading entertainment portal, "Bhumi is one of the most exciting young talents in Bollywood. Her choice of films reflects the brand thought of Star which is Nayi Soch. She has done standout roles which have become commercial blockbusters and she has also garnered incredible critical acclaim with her choices. She was the perfect fit for the host of Star Screen Awards."
The source also added, "Bhumi Pednekar is on a dream run and that's because of her talent, her dedication and professionalism. She is hugely sought after this award season. While at Star Screen Awards she is hosting the entire event, in Zee Cine Awards, she will be performing! For a young talent who is just three films old, this is a big achievement."
On the work front, Bhumi Pednekar is currently prepping for Sone Chidaiya. The actress will be seen opposite Sushant Singh Rajput. The film has a great ensemble of actors besides these two. Veterans like Ashutosh Rana, Manoj Bajpayee and Ranvir Shorey are also a part of the film. It is set in the 1970s, in the Chambal belt which was famous for its dreaded dacoits. The film is directed by Abhishek Chaubey who previously helmed movies like Udta Punjab, Ishiqiya and Dedh Ishqiya. Sone Chidaiya is produced by Ronnie Screwvala and is the first collaboration between Abhishek Chaubey and Sushant Singh Rajput.
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POP 2000 Tour
POP 2000 Tour Hosted by Lance Bass of *NSYNC With Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, O-Town, Ryan Cabrera and LFO Relive the music of the post-Y2K era! POP 2000 Tour features the decade's biggest songs...


Ideas matter, but deep relationships are what transforms a vision into a reality. Bawden Capital benefits from a global network of deep personal and professional relationships with top-tier investment bankers, commodity principals, top homeland security officials, venture capitalists, and Fortune 500 company executives. The scope and depth of our network often leads to strong synergies and valuable opportunities for Bawden Capital and our partners.
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Gilliland, Maria Deborah (2016) Great expectations: exploring the hopes and experiences of international business students in the United Kingdom. Doctoral thesis, Keele University.
The number of international students coming to the UK to study has increased significantly over the past decade and while much has been written about their recruitment and retention, the development of a deeper understanding of the international student experience is often overlooked.
This thesis does two things; first it critically analyses the policy context and international student experience literature from a theoretical perspective concerned with transitional capital. Secondly, it offers an insight into the diversity of these experiences from the perspective of a particular cohort of international business students at a post 1992 UK university. Drawing on interviews with twelve students at the start and towards the end of their study, it explores how they are negotiating the transaction of different forms of capital during their time in the UK.
The study finds some diversity among this group, but also a consistently complex process of reprioritisation of different forms of capital, with some clear points of imaginative transition and consistent reference to the importance of family expectation and inter-student relations.
perspective needs to be revised to take account of the diverse reality and complexity of the international student experience.


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»Entertainment»George Lucas to Release American Graffiti Special Edition Featuring Actual Graffiti
George Lucas to Release American Graffiti Special Edition Featuring Actual Graffiti
Posted by thepoetscane on September 1, 2015 in Entertainment, Latest News, World
Serial film remixer George Lucas has once again pissed about with one of his films. Speaking by skype from his secret ranch on the moon (or is it?), he said:
"I've always felt that I couldn't do what I wanted with American Graffiti, which was have lots of scenes of people spraying graffiti on things. Back in 1973 I couldn't afford spray-paint, so I've gone back digitally and put in dozens of completely necessary cgi scenes of Ron Howard and Richard Dreyfuss spraying gang tags on walls."
Surprisingly, there has been very little backlash against the new version, because most George Lucas fans were completely unaware he'd directed anything other than Star Wars.
"Wait, what?" Said one bewildered fan.
"So you're saying there's no spaceships or aliens in it at all?" said another.
Journalists who have seen a preview of the film say it now makes absolutely no sense, with the new scenes filmed in ultra-TX HD, and put to jazz music. In one particularly odd scene, Ron Howard has a spray can fight with a street thug. Howard doesn't spray first. There is also a scene in which Dreyfuss accidentally opens the Ark of the Covenant, officially making American Graffiti part of the Indiana Jones canon. From now on, its new title is: Indiana Jones 7.2: The Graffiti of the Americas.
"It's like he hasn't even seen his own film," said one perplexed reviewer at Cannes.
The reviewer has since mysteriously disappeared, and we would like to take this opportunity to state that we believe the film totally works. The new scenes are necessary, and genuinely add to the film's message of something to do with graffiti. It is a masterpiece.
Tags: American Graffiti, George Lucas, Indiana Jones, Star Wars Permalink
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One comment on "George Lucas to Release American Graffiti Special Edition Featuring Actual Graffiti"
scepticpoet December 15, 2015 at 17:43	Reply
Reblogged this on The Sceptical Poet and commented:
As the new film nearly arrives, George Lucas feels left out…


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Jesse McCartney To Star In The Last Airbender
Lisa Hiser
-It's official. Jesse McCartney has been cast alongside Jackson Rathbone in M. Night Shyamalan's movie version of The Last Airbender. He's been in rumors and talks to play "Zuko" so it looks like it's happened. Jesse had to postpone some of his shows due to filming the movie. According to his official website:
Unfortunately, due to a change in the production schedule of Jesse's film, The Last Airbender, the following shows have had to be postponed:
March 3rd – Atlanta
March 4th – Tampa
March 5th – Orlando
March 10th – San Diego
We're very sorry for any inconvenience or disappointment this may have caused. These shows will be rescheduled to future dates soon. We will let you know as soon as there is any information, so be sure to check the site often for updates!
Congrats Jesse! The movie is set to hit theaters next year. According to IMDB.com, the story follows the adventures of the successor to a long line of Avatars who must put aside his irresponsible ways and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water, Earth and Air nations.
What do you think about Jesse taking on the role of Zuko?
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Lisa is the founder & executive producer of Shine On Media. A self-proclaimed lover of all things nerdy, you'll usually catch her at the movie theater, watching TV or napping. Sometimes dubbed "Human iMDb" by associates.
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I learned how to make a fun yarn lei with a drinking straw and I thought I would share with you. Leis in Hawaii are made with flowers, shells, feathers, or other items from nature and are worn by men and women for hula or occasions. I needed a lei I could use for hula when I can't get a real lei. I think it could be a new fashion accessory for me!
Making one lei takes about an hour or a little longer. The lei should be 32 – 36 inches in length. The grosgrain ribbon should be 18 inches longer. Grosgrain is better than satin because the yarn will "grab" the grosgrain. I cut one end at a slant and then just keep the rest on the spool to cut when I'm done. If you want to cut both ends, you need to tie a knot in the ribbon 9 inches from the end to keep the yarn from sliding off.
You will need a wide drinking straw, about 9 inches long, such as the ones at fast food places or movie theaters. Fold the ribbon in half lengthwise and push it into the straw. Keep pushing until it is all the way through the straw. Fold over about a half inch and tape to the straw.
Find the ends of the two skeins of yarn. You can use two coordinating colors or two of the same color. Tie the end of each yarn around the straw. It should be tight but still be able to slide the knot along the straw.
Push the two knots to the bottom of the straw, opposite where the ribbon is taped. Wrap the yarn around the straw towards the tape end in a spiral.
Once the straw is full of yarn, gently push the yarn down to the end. You should have made 2 or 3 inches of lei!
Repeat the wrapping and pushing. Now some of the yarn should be pushed off the straw onto the ribbon. I find it helps to always keep some of the "pushed" yarn on the very bottom of the straw. Repeat to make the desired length.
As you work, gently work on the yarn on the ribbon to keep it evenly spaced and thick.
Tie the ribbons together in a bow, ask someone you love to put the yarn lei on you, and enjoy!
I made 3 yarn lei to go with my pa'u skirt (hula skirt): pink with white, pink with green, and green with white. I love how they feel!
Hey Jodie, I hope you get a chance to try the one-straw lei. It's an easy craft with a big payoff!
Your Lei is Beautiful! I love the red and green eyelash together.It matches your outfit perfectly. I would really like to try to make one of these.. I will pin it on my Crafts Board.. Hopefully I can make one as nice as yours. Thank You for sharing your awesome Craft with us..
Hey Cathy, Thanks for reading. I hope you can find two colors you like together. I made green/pink, pink/white, and green/white.
That turned out really lovely.
Hey Melissa, Thank you. I've made 3 so far. It's fun, so I think I'll start making them for my friends!
Hey, that's pretty neat! My niece loves crafts like this. I need to give this a try with her.
Hey Tamra, Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have good luck making this lei. It feels so great on your neck!
What a fun activity to do when my niece visits. She'll love this.
Hey Barrie, Thanks for reading. I hope you find some cute colors to try!
Super fun and so pretty!! Way more resilient and less itchy that the cheapy plastic ones we typically use!
Hey Amber, I hope you try this lei! It is like wearing something cuddly on your neck. I just love mine and I'm going to make some more!


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Q: Strange build error on Travis, local tests in tox work I have a strange error on Travis, the builds of https://travis-ci.org/edoburu/django-fluent-blogs fail in Django 1.7 and lower with:
from django.utils.six import python_2_unicode_compatible

ImportError: cannot import name 'python_2_unicode_compatible'

This is importable for every Django version the build tests against, and somehow only works for Django 1.8. Running tests locally with tox works.
Any idea's why this happens?

A: Try with django.utils.encoding:
from django.utils.encoding import python_2_unicode_compatible

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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A bishop testifies on immigration as president seeks to change asylum
Asylum seeker Antonia Portillo Cruz speaks on the phone in Tijuana, Mexico, April 25, 2019, before crossing to the U.S. to appear in front of an immigration judge. During an April 30 hearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security, Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso, Texas, spoke of his border community's response assisting asylum-seeking families who have been released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (CNS/Andres Martinez Casares, Reuters)
Washington — May 1, 2019
In a memo released late on April 29, President Donald Trump ordered changes for how refugees may apply for asylum to the U.S., requesting an application fee from asylum-seekers and denying them permission to work depending on how the applicant entered the country. Though the changes are not immediate, he gave administration officials 90 days to work on new regulations.
In the memo addressed to the U.S. Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security, Trump said "that the immigration and asylum system is in crisis as a consequence of the mass migration of aliens across our southern border." He makes mention of caravans and large groups that travel with children.
"The extensive resources required to process and care for these individuals pulls U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel away from securing our nation's borders," he wrote. "Additionally, illicit organizations benefit financially by smuggling illegal aliens into the United States and encouraging abuse of our asylum procedures. This strategic exploitation of our nation's humanitarian programs undermines our nation's security and sovereignty."
In addition to the fees and eliminating work permits for those who entered the country illegally, the president called for all asylum applications to be ruled on within 180 days of filing. He said the purpose of the new norms is "to strengthen asylum procedures to safeguard our system against rampant abuse of our asylum process."
Hours after the memo was published, Bishop Mark Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso, Texas, testified April 30 during a hearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation and Operations in Washington. He spoke of his and other border communities' response in helping families seeking asylum who have been released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Places such as Annunciation House in the El Paso area and centers run by Catholic charitable organizations, dioceses and other groups in the border communities of McAllen, Texas, as well as Tucson, Arizona, provide families and other individuals seeking asylum with a hot meal, a change of clothes, help with arranging travel plans en route to family or friends in the United States, he explained.
While their work, strength and compassion has been exceptional, Seitz said the government "has a responsibility to care for people who are arriving with credible claims for asylum and a responsibility to assist anyone in desperate need within our borders."
"It is an honor for the church and for Christians in general to serve these vulnerable people," he said, according to a prepared statement. "We do not begrudge the opportunity, but our resources and our volunteers are being significantly strained by the scope and duration of the high arrival numbers. The church and other humanitarian service providers and the local communities along the border are key partners in this effort and need to be recognized by our federal government as such."
He said the Trump administration's policies show "concerning" effects on the vulnerable populations of children and families at the border.
"There are serious concerns about the mistreatment families receive along the dangerous migration journey and, sometimes, at the hands of U.S. Border Patrol," he said. "I worry that with the continued dehumanizing rhetoric regarding immigrants and refugees, a culture of disrespect and corresponding negative policies for those who come seeking refuge has begun to take form. To this end, my brother bishops and I remain deeply troubled by the administration's recent efforts to curtail the ability of asylum-seekers arriving at the U.S./Mexico border to seek protection." He highlighted the administration's attempt to bar individuals from being able to claim asylum if they entered the U.S. through the southern border without going through an official port of entry and the "Remain in Mexico" policy, which sends certain asylum-seekers to Mexico to wait while their cases are being adjudicated in the U.S. immigration court system.
"As my brother bishops along the border between Texas and Northern Mexico have noted, these policies harm our immigrant brothers and sisters in need," he said.
He particularly urged the administration to "rethink" the "Remain in Mexico" policy because it forces vulnerable people to wait in uncertain and dangerous conditions in Mexico and "poses grave safety, humanitarian and due process concerns," he said.
Seitz urged Congress and the administration to look at the causes of migration and to look to support the struggling nations that immigrants are coming from, not withholding economic aid but investing in anti-gang and anti-corruption programs to help vulnerable families and children, as well as fund initiatives to promote human rights in the sending countries.
"Our nation has had a long and proud history of providing humane treatment to and due process for asylum-seekers," he said. "I urge us to reject policies and proposals that would abandon this tradition, and I ask our government to remember that those fleeing to our border are not the 'other' but fellow children of God."


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Q: Java Spring: Overwriting placeholder behavior to return 'foo' Working with Java Spring, how can I overwrite the default behavior of the property-placeholders to return 'foo' for any property?
The current path I'm going down is to extend PropertySource as follows:
public class FooPropertySource extends PropertySource<Object> {
    private static final String DEFAULT_NAME = "foo";

    public FooPropertySource() {
        super(DEFAULT_NAME, null);
    }

    @Override
    public Object getProperty(String name) {
        return "foo";
    }
}

At this point, I have two questions:
A) What do I do with my application Context XML file? As of now, I've defined this as a bean...That's about it.
B) Do I have to do anything in code to load other beans from my application context, such that they will use the FooPropertySource?
Thanks

A: You will have to register this PropertySource to be added to your application context. If you manually starting up your application context, you can do this:
    ClassPathXmlApplicationContext ctx = new ClassPathXmlApplicationContext();
    ctx.setConfigLocation("applicationContext.xml");
    ctx.getEnvironment().getPropertySources().addLast(new FooPropertySource());
    ctx.refresh();

If you are doing this in a web environment, you will have to register a custom ApplicationContextInitializer to intercept the application context before it is refreshed to inject in your PropertySource:
public class CustomInitializer implements ApplicationContextInitializer<ConfigurableWebApplicationContext> {
    public void initialize(ConfigurableWebApplicationContext ctx) {
        ctx.getEnvironment().getPropertySources().addLast(new FooPropertySource());
    }
}

More details here


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namespace blink {

IndexedDBKeyRange::IndexedDBKeyRange() = default;

IndexedDBKeyRange::IndexedDBKeyRange(const blink::IndexedDBKey& lower,
                                     const blink::IndexedDBKey& upper,
                                     bool lower_open,
                                     bool upper_open)
    : lower_(lower),
      upper_(upper),
      lower_open_(lower_open),
      upper_open_(upper_open) {}

IndexedDBKeyRange::IndexedDBKeyRange(const blink::IndexedDBKey& key)
    : lower_(key), upper_(key) {}

IndexedDBKeyRange::IndexedDBKeyRange(const IndexedDBKeyRange& other) = default;
IndexedDBKeyRange::~IndexedDBKeyRange() = default;
IndexedDBKeyRange& IndexedDBKeyRange::operator=(
    const IndexedDBKeyRange& other) = default;

bool IndexedDBKeyRange::IsOnlyKey() const {
  if (lower_open_ || upper_open_)
    return false;
  if (IsEmpty())
    return false;

  return lower_.Equals(upper_);
}

bool IndexedDBKeyRange::IsEmpty() const {
  return !lower_.IsValid() && !upper_.IsValid();
}

}  // namespace blink

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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What is Spelt Flour? An Alternative to Wheat Flour
What is spelt flour? It is similar to regular (wheat) flour, but different. In fact, there are many spelt health benefits that you cannot get from wheat flour. The most commonly used flour is made out of wheat grain, but that does not mean that it is healthy. Wheat flour is the main ingredient of white bread, rolls, pizza dough, and just about every other baked good. But at Healthy Hildegard we believe that the spelt vs. wheat discussion is one worth having.
Spelt flour is the same thing in form, but made from spelt grain. So, the best way to answer the question "what is spelt flour?" is to first get familiar with the grain that defines the flour: spelt.
What is Spelt?
Spelt (Triticum Spelta) is an ancient cereal grain in the wheat family. It is similar to wheat in many ways. Spelt, however, is an entirely different species with different qualities. Qualities that were noticed by Hildegard of Bingen.
Spelt Flour Infographic
Where Does Spelt Come From?
The story of spelt flour begins with one of the oldest cultivated grains, dating back thousands of years.
Spelt is often called an "ancient grain." In fact, spelt was one of the first grains to be ground into flour and used to bake bread, so bread owes part of its history to the spelt bread that came before it.
The Spelt Plant Ready for Harvest
The spelt grain – sometimes called "berry," is the seed of the spelt plant, which is a naturally evolved hybrid of ancient prairie grasses. The seed or grain is what is used to produce spelt flour.
Spelt grows in similar conditions as that of wheat, but is much hardier, thriving in a variety of soil conditions and is less demanding of nutrients. It is also much more competitive against weeds and is winter hardy, though some wheat varieties have been bred to be hardier to cold, called "winter wheat." Spelt can be planted in autumn and harvested mid-summer. It grows like wheat but can be much taller than wheat – and unlike wheat, spelt grain remains in its hull through harvesting.
For this reason, spelt is known as a hulled or "covered" grain, meaning that the seed is protected by a tough, inedible outer layer that covers the grain until it is mechanically removed. The process of separating, blending, and grinding the spelt grain into spelt flour is called milling.
The difficulty involved in removing the hull is part of why modern wheat, with its more fragile outer layer, quickly replaced spelt and other hulled grains in domesticated agriculture.
For a comprehensive overview of spelt, read our post: What is Spelt?
How is Spelt Flour Made?
After the grain is harvested and the grains are separated from the remaining parts of the plant, the spelt grains are sent by truck or rail car to a flour mill where the grains are made into flour through a multi-step milling process.
The spelt grains are tested, inspected, and graded for quality and to ensure that the batch of spelt has desirable characteristics. The spelt is then cleaned and mechanically separated from other seeds, debris, and foreign objects.
The grains are then sent through a system of cooled steel rollers that crush the grain into its various parts. The process of grinding, sifting, and blending is repeated until the desired consistency is achieved. The end result is what we call flour.
Flour is the powdery result of grinding raw grains (like spelt or wheat), but can also be produced from other sources like seeds, nuts, chickpeas, lentils, and potatoes. Flour is the main ingredient in bread and many other baked goods. So, what is spelt flour? It is flour made out of spelt. But what what else makes spelt flour different from regular wheat flour? Let's take a look.
How is Spelt Flour Different from Traditional Wheat Flour?
Now that we covered what spelt is and how it is processed to make spelt flour, let's look at the most important part of the question "what is spelt flour?": How spelt flour differs from traditional wheat flour. First, a bit more about the grain that becomes flour.
The whole spelt (and wheat) grain kernel consists of three primary parts: bran, germ, and endosperm.
Spelt grain
Each part of the spelt grain contains its own unique nutrients and attributes. When the whole grain is milled into flour, the entire kernel is milled, thus the bran, germ, and endosperm contribute their nutrients and qualities, which is why spelt flour is the most naturally nutritious flour.
Spelt flour is almost always produced from the whole spelt grain. Wheat flour, however, is predominantly milled to produce more commercially appealing flour derived from only part of the wheat grain. In fact, this is why spelt flour retain its nutritional value better than that of traditional flour.
Most wheat flour producers will separate the endosperm from its germ and bran during the milling process. This type of milling results in a finer texture and longer shelf life. The downside of this additional processing, called refining, is that it reduces the nutrient quality.
In fact, the reduction of nutrients created by refining whole grains is so substantial that the nutritional value of un-enriched white flour is minimal. Specifically, the refined flour contains only one-quarter of the fiber and three-quarters of the protein found in the whole-wheat grain. Furthermore, 17 key nutrients are lost in the process, according to a study by the Whole Grains Council.
Enriched Flour
In order to replace what was lost through refining, vitamins and minerals are added back into the flour. Typically, these additives consist of the B vitamins of riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, and folic acid. Iron is also added with some producers including calcium.
Most western governments, the USA included, require some form of enrichment specifications and/or labeling requirements. This refined flour is then called enriched or fortified flour, which accounts for an estimated 95% of all wheat flour milled in the US. Thus this is the form of common wheat flour that makes up the majority of flour consumed.
While we prefer whole, natural forms of nutrients (like those that come from nutritious spelt flour), enriched flours are often fortified at levels that exceed the pre-processed levels. With the improved shelf life, these flours have been instrumental in eliminating nutrition-deficit diseases throughout the world.
Spelt Flour is a Whole Grain Flour
Back to the question that is so often searched online — "what is spelt flour?" Spelt flour is almost always milled as a whole grain, so there is no need for enrichment. It is also rarely bleached because part of the appeal of spelt flour is its naturally darker color. Spelt flour is also rarely used commercially in processed foods that focus on visual appeal. Essentially, spelt flour is the unrefined cousin of wheat.
Many spelt mills produce spelt flour using what is called stone milling. This is an ancient process that utilizes natural stone surfaces, better known as milestones, to grind the grain into flour. Stone mills were the first industrialized grain mills. The mills replaced the stone and pestle, though many cultures continue to utilize this technique.
The early stone mills produced a finer and more consistent flour than could be achieved by hand. As a result, these mills were a boom to the local economy. They were also a sign of wealth and status. Prior to electricity, stone mills relied on draft animals, water wheels, or raw human force to turn the stones. The resources required to develop a stone mill were well out of reach for most people.
Modern Flour Milling
Millstones today are really just larger, more efficient, versions of the old stone mills. Most millstones are still sourced from burrstone, which is a textured, porous, and extremely strong sandstone or limestone.
To preserve the freshness of spelt as it is milled to become spelt flour and to minimize friction, the rotating or rolling stone surfaces are cooled as they grind the grain. Stone milling is a popular method of milling for ancient and heirloom grains like spelt as it involves minimal processing, resulting in the most natural and nutritious flour possible.
Stone milling also tends to produce a slightly coarser texture than modern industrial milling, which can present positive attributes or challenges depending on how you intend to use the flour.
Old Water Mill in Germany
If you want to taste the answer to "what is spelt flour?", see our spelt flour recipes for the many ways you can enjoy the taste and nutritional benefits of whole grain spelt flour.
Spelt Flour was an Important Part of a Medieval Diet
The increasing notoriety of Hildegard of Bingen has helped spelt regain much of the popularity it lost due to the advent of modern wheat cultivation.
During the Middle Ages, spelt or "dinkel" as it is called in Germany where Hildegard lived, was a common grain. Even so, Hildegard of Bingen believed spelt to have healthy, even healing properties.
Unlike wheat, spelt has never been hybridized or genetically modified from its original form, though spelt qualities can vary depending on where it is grown. So unlike modern industrialized grains, spelt is still very much like it was when Hildegard of Bingen recommended it as part of her healthy medieval diet.
For more about Hildegard of Bingen and spelt, see our post Hildegard and spelt.
What is Spelt Flour? a Healthy Alternative to Wheat Flour
Spelt flour has also become increasingly popular because it is a good alternative to wheat flour. Those who cannot tolerate the gluten in wheat flour may tolerate spelt flour. Spelt does contain gluten, so people with moderate to severe gluten allergies or celiac disease need to avoid it as they would wheat. People with mild sensitivities, however, may find spelt flour to be a healthy alternative to wheat flour.
Homemade spelt flour bread
For more details, see our post about spelt and gluten: Is Spelt Gluten Free?.
What is Spelt Flour? Delicious and Nutritious
Most importantly, spelt flour is gaining popularity because it tastes great. Spelt adds a pleasant, slightly sweet and nutty flavor to your favorite recipes. Plus you'll get the nutritional benefits of whole grain flour without the complexity or compromise that often comes with gluten free flour blends.
Like many of the heirloom grains making a comeback, spelt flour is popular because it has a strong nutritional profile. And for many people – even those without gluten sensitivity, spelt can be easier to digest than wheat.
The hulled aspect of the spelt grain also means it is subjected to fewer pesticides during cultivation. Hulled grains like spelt are also better protected from contaminants throughout the harvesting process. Spelt is an heirloom grain, which means there is a much lower risk of exposure to genetically modified varieties.
We hope we have answered your question, "what is spelt flour?" For more about the benefits of spelt, read our post on the 8 soundbites on spelt benefits.
What is Spelt? An Alternative to Wheat
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text:
package com.blogspot.nurkiewicz.onion.ns;

import com.blogspot.nurkiewicz.onion.Converter;
import com.blogspot.nurkiewicz.onion.ReaderFactoryBean;
import com.blogspot.nurkiewicz.onion.ns.xml.XmlConverter;
import org.springframework.beans.factory.support.AbstractBeanDefinition;
import org.springframework.beans.factory.support.BeanDefinitionBuilder;
import org.springframework.beans.factory.xml.AbstractBeanDefinitionParser;
import org.springframework.beans.factory.xml.ParserContext;
import org.w3c.dom.Element;

public class ConverterBeanDefinitionParser extends AbstractBeanDefinitionParser {

	protected AbstractBeanDefinition parseInternal(Element converterElement, ParserContext parserContext) {
		XmlConverter converter = JaxbHelper.unmarshal(converterElement);
		final String format = converter.getFormat();
		register(converterBeanDefinition(format, converter.isLenient()), format + "Converter", parserContext);
		register(readerBeanDef(format), format + "Reader", parserContext);
		return null;
	}

	private void register(AbstractBeanDefinition def, String name, ParserContext parserContext) {
		parserContext.getRegistry().registerBeanDefinition(name, def);
	}

	private AbstractBeanDefinition readerBeanDef(String format) {
		return BeanDefinitionBuilder.
				rootBeanDefinition(ReaderFactoryBean.class).
				addPropertyValue("format", format).
				getBeanDefinition();
	}

	private AbstractBeanDefinition converterBeanDefinition(String format, boolean lenient) {
		AbstractBeanDefinition converterBeanDef = BeanDefinitionBuilder.
				rootBeanDefinition(Converter.class.getName()).
				addConstructorArgValue(format + ".xml").
				addConstructorArgValue(lenient).
				addPropertyReference("reader", format + "Reader").
				getBeanDefinition();
		converterBeanDef.setFactoryBeanName("convertersFactory");
		converterBeanDef.setFactoryMethodName("build");
		return converterBeanDef;
	}
}


Unless you follow me on twitter, I kept this a little under wraps. Towards the end of 2017 I noticed a call out by Templar Publishing for a new competition. Called the Templar Illustration Prize, the competition was open to both students and professionals.
The brief was to design a book cover and story board on the theme of dragons. I entered my piece back in March 2018, and to my great surprise I made the final 10! Unfortunately, I didn't make it through to the last 3, but the knowledge that I may just have story potential for children's books, inside me is motivating. I honestly didn't think my entry would ever make it as far as it did.
In honour of my time in the competition coming to an end, I thought I would share my cover design and a favourite spread with you.
Thank you Templar Publishing for the competition and support.
At this early point, I really thought I couldn't continue with my submission. I found it very difficult to illustrate and design a dragon. Some of these are mortifying, but I wanted to share so you can see the process.
Design development on the iPad Pro.