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Inflation: is now the time to get worried?
Posted on November 19, 2021 by todayseconomic
Giving evidence in the historic setting of a wood-panelled room in the UK parliament on Monday, Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England, was facing questions from MPs concerned that the nation was going back to the bad old days of high inflation. "We are a very long way from the 1970s," Bailey scoffed, highlighting the differences to an era when inflation hit 24.2 per cent in 1975.
The central banker was lucky that none of the parliamentarians had asked whether there were lessons to be learnt from the late 1960s, when the nation first began to lose control of prices in the postwar period, an era that some economists argue is being repeated now.
Two days later, that historical parallel was amplified when the strength of new inflation figures surprised the BoE again. Prices in the UK were 4.2 per cent higher in October than a year earlier, the fastest rate of inflation for a decade, more than double the bank's target and almost twice its forecast as recently as six months ago.
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Britain is far from alone. With inflation at multi-decade highs in the US, Germany and other advanced economies, the subject has shot to the top of the economic agenda so rapidly that what was a niche concern at the start of 2021 is now at the heart of politics. "For the first time in 30 years," says Randy Kroszner, deputy dean of the Chicago Booth School of Business and a former Federal Reserve governor, "inflation has become the salient political issue."
Central bankers are facing criticism that they have lost control, politicians are blamed for a cost of living crisis and households sit at the sharp end, having to juggle higher food, fuel, energy, housing and general prices in a still uncertain economic environment.
Few parts of the world are now free from worry about inflation, says Janet Henry, global chief economist at HSBC. "Global inflation is a consequence of an unexpectedly strong rebound in global demand against a backdrop of constrained supply," she adds.
This prognosis is almost universally accepted. But as Henry swiftly acknowledges, the diagnosis of excess demand in 2021 does not reveal whether the same inflationary pressures will persist or whether they will fade away, much as they did in 2011 after a global surge in food prices.
A customer shops in a grocery store in San Francisco. Economists who worry that central banks are still underestimating the level and persistence of inflationary pressures are now calling for tighter policy © David Paul Morris/Bloomberg
That is where the real disagreements lie and central bankers, politicians and economists are increasingly forced to take sides. While the positions are not mutually exclusive, when it comes to inflation, "team transitory" is in an increasingly fierce battle with "team permanent".
Larry Summers, Treasury secretary under President Barack Obama, said this week it was "past time for 'team transitory' to stand down".
Transitory moment?
The stakes are high. If policymakers wrongly fear that high inflation is again becoming ingrained into people's normal lives, they will clamp down too hard on spending, weakening economies as they emerge from Covid-19, lowering incomes and destroying jobs. But if they fail to realise the true threat of persistent inflation, they will be forced to take tougher action later to eliminate the danger, just as happened towards the end of the 1960s with equally serious consequences.
In advanced economies, forecasts for average inflation in 2021 and for 2022 have marched higher this year as economists have been surprised by the degree of price increases.
In the US, the average inflation forecasts for 2021, compiled by Consensus Economics, began to rise sharply from 2 per cent in January to 4.5 per cent now. For 2022, the forecasts have risen from just over 2 per cent to 3.7 per cent. Similar forecast upgrades to inflation have been seen in the rest of the G7 with the exception of Japan, although they are now creeping up even there.
The case put forward by team transitory is that these spikes in inflation will soon subside because they have been caused by one-off disruptions to supply or special factors that will soon abate, leaving this episode as just an unfortunate but temporary squeeze on household incomes.
A Bank for International Settlements study this week highlighted how "pandemic-induced supply disruptions have clearly been a major cause of bottlenecks", gumming up ports, creating shortages of key components in many manufactured goods and causing labour shortages when people had to isolate as a result of the virus. The authors, Daniel Rees and Phurichai Rungcharoenkitkul, added that a "bullwhip effect" of manufacturers hoarding some of these components when they could get their hands on them had exacerbated the problem for others.
But once these bottlenecks are resolved, say the authors, prices will not continue to rise and might even reverse, limiting the period of inflation. This requires vigilance and nerve on behalf of the authorities to ensure households and companies do not expect inflation to persist and build those beliefs into their wage demands and pricing decisions. Team transitory, however, say the evidence for higher inflation expectations is weak and a small rise would, in any case, be beneficial because inflation expectations were too low pre-pandemic.
Gita Gopinath, chief economist of the IMF, says that central banks were right to be cautious about dealing with high inflation because "we want to solve a problem that we've also been fighting the past decade, which is of too low inflation".
European central bankers stress that energy prices are likely to be temporarily high as a result of a shortfall in natural gas in storage, a lack of wind this autumn and geopolitical events such as the tension between Russia and Ukraine that has threatened gas supplies this winter. Things that are largely beyond their control. And these will act as a tax on incomes, reducing demand.
Such one-off pressures have led Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, to argue against raising interest rates to deal with inflation. On Friday, she said: "We must not rush into a premature tightening when faced with passing or supply-driven inflation shocks."
Lydia Boussour, senior US economist at Oxford Economics, says that even in the US, a coming improvement in the supply of goods and labour will bear down on inflation next year. "We continue to believe the 'triple P' of pricing power, productivity and [labour force] participation will limit the risk of a price-wage inflation spiral," she says.
Permanent worry
Most economists in "team permanent" do not dismiss these arguments and accept a transitory nature of some of the price rises, but warn that the temporary factors pushing prices higher are not the only force at work.
Thomas Philippon, professor of finance at New York University Stern School of Business, says it is "only natural" for people to look first at individual price changes, but when it comes to the broader inflation, especially in the US, "it is not correct", because it does not reflect the excess demand that exists.
"When you hear 'Why should the Fed react?', 'How would that help improve supply chains?' suddenly you realise how people could get it so wrong in the 1970s," he adds, referring to the policy mistakes in history when the authorities in most countries misdiagnosed oil price shocks as transitory, allowing price rises to become the norm that everyone expected.
For team permanent, increasing concerns about the persistence of inflation stem from the sharp rebound in spending, often influenced by very large fiscal stimulus from the pandemic. This has not been met by an adequate supply of goods or labour, or sufficient damping from monetary policy, which is failing to temper demand.
Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell. 'Team permanent' has accused central bankers of making a policy error in keeping their monetary stance on an emergency footing when levels of spending have been far higher than anticipated © Richard Drew/AP
Regardless of supply bottlenecks, global demand for all goods and for components where there are shortfalls is at record levels, with supply of semiconductors, a product with severe shortages, well above 2019 levels.
Jason Furman, professor of economics at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a former adviser to Obama, warns that the supply chain arguments are "greatly overstated".
"There have been some worsening of supply chains, like in microchips. But most of what people talk about with 'supply chains' is actually a huge increase in demand that does not elicit a commensurately huge increase in supply so drives prices higher. That is what is happening with global shipping and logistics where volumes are up, just not as much as people would like them to increase," he says.
With signs that some older workers have left the labour market for good in what is becoming known as the "great resignation", these high levels of spending are adding to pressures in many countries, in moves that are unlikely to be transitory.
Felixstowe port in eastern England. The Bank for International Settlements says 'pandemic-induced supply disruptions have clearly been a major cause of bottlenecks' in supply chains © Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Team permanent has central bankers in its sights, accusing them of making a large policy error in keeping the monetary stance in their economies on emergency footing when levels of spending have been far higher than anticipated at the start of the year.
"Real consumer spending [in the US] is back to the pre-Covid trend, something that never happened after the global financial crisis," says Robin Brooks, chief economist of the Institute of International Finance, attributing the recovery to a fiscal and monetary policy response that had been "so much bigger and faster".
But he accepts the picture globally is not consistent, with the US most clearly in the spotlight for having the strongest private demand and Japan least affected.
Even if the picture is not as stark outside the US, economists who worry that central banks are still underestimating the level and persistence of inflationary pressures are now calling for tighter policy — scaling back programmes of asset purchases and earlier interest rate rises to take the policy foot off the accelerator and gently discourage spending.
Shoppers in London Covent Garden. Concerns about the persistence of inflation stem from the sharp rebound in spending, often influenced by very large fiscal stimulus from the pandemic © Jason Alden/Bloomberg
This is the cautious approach, they say, because central bank credibility in price control takes years to gain but can be lost rapidly.
Ricardo Reis, a professor at the London School of Economics, says that the key test now is "how credible and strong are the central banks' commitment to bring inflation down to target".
The outlook is uncertain, he says, but that does not excuse central bankers from the difficult decisions they have to take. With a bit of luck and skill, their analysis and their commitment to price stability will not be tested, he adds. But these are difficult times and good luck is not guaranteed.
"With some bad luck . . . central banks will continue as this year prioritising employment and financial stability over inflation, people will definitely lose trust that they are serious about keeping inflation low, wage bargains will start including cost of living adjustments, and we will move to a high inflation regime."
That would undermine the trust in the value of money, something hundreds of millions of people in advanced economies have not had to worry about for the past 30 years.


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Pre-delta, the university's rates of COVID-19 exploded when students returned to campus.
Photo by Courtesy of UW-Madison/Bryce Richter | The Daily Cardinal
UW-Madison to offer at-home COVID-19 tests in spring semester, close several testing sites
By Jackson Mozena
December 15, 2021 | 5:47pm CST
The University of Wisconsin-Madison will be closing several of its testing sites this spring, including Union South, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and the Holt Center. With only the University Club still offering COVID-19 testing, UW will be pivoting to offer at-home rapid tests.
Chancellor Blank announced UW-Madison's COVID-19 containment policy for the spring 2022 semester and winter break in an email to the student body sent Wednesday, highlighting the campus' high vaccination rates and low COVID cases.
"Our progress this fall gives us strong momentum for the spring semester, even as we continue to monitor the omicron variant of COVID-19," the update read. "Providing convenient, no-cost access to vaccination on campus will continue to be an important part of the university's response."
The rapid antigen tests will be able to be performed at home through the use of a nasal swab and will provide accurate results in as soon as 15 minutes, according to the chancellor. The at-home tests will not act as a substitute for unvaccinated students to use instead of PCR testing, and unvaccinated students and staff will still be expected to submit to PCR testing on a weekly basis to have access to campus.
Currently, over 95% of the students attending UW-Madison have been vaccinated for COVID-19.
The announcement also reminded students that the on-campus mask mandate will continue until Jan. 15 — at which time the necessity of the policy will be re-evaluated — and unvaccinated students will continue to be expected to test weekly for signs of the virus.
In the email, Blank explained that the choice to continue the mask mandate into winter break is designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 to other communities as students travel to return home for the break.
"The extension will help reduce health concerns during a time when many members of the campus community are traveling and when COVID-19 cases are rising again in our state and region," she said.
Testing facilities managed by the UW are scheduled to close beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 23 before resuming services on Jan. 3. Beginning on the third, all testing services will be conducted at the University Club located by 803 State St. and will require an appointment.
"Thanks to the high campus vaccination rate, we are able to serve everyone who is required to or wishes to test at one location," Blank said regarding the consolidation. She noted that testing will be available by appointment Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch and on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Information regarding off-campus testing facilities can be found on the Public Health Madison & Dane County website.
Blank also announced the university will place a pause on enforcing employee compliance with the vaccine mandate pending an injunction issued by a federal court.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
package main

import (
        "fmt"
        "os"
        goopt     "github.com/droundy/goopt"
)

func main() {
        options := cliSetup()
        os.Exit(run(options))
}

func cliSetup() *cliOptions {

        options := newCliOptions()

        var httpVerb       = goopt.StringWithLabel([]string{"-X", "--command"}, options.httpVerb,
                "COMMAND", fmt.Sprintf("HTTP verb for request: %s", HttpVerbs))
        var httpHeaders    = goopt.Strings([]string{"-H", "--header"},
                "KEY:VALUE", "Custom HTTP Headers to be sent with request (can pass multiple times)")
        var postData       = goopt.StringWithLabel([]string{"-d", "--data"}, options.postData,
                "DATA", "HTTP Data for POST")
        var timeOut        = goopt.IntWithLabel([]string{"-t", "--timeout"}, options.timeout,
                "TIMEOUT", "Timeout in seconds for request")
        var shouldRedirect = goopt.Flag([]string{"-r", "--redirect"}, []string{}, "Follow redirects", "")
        var isVerbose      = goopt.Flag([]string{"-v", "--verbose"}, []string{}, "Verbose output", "")
        var hasColor       = goopt.Flag([]string{"-c", "--color"}, []string{}, "Colored output", "")
        var isInsecureSSL  = goopt.Flag([]string{"-k", "--insecure"}, []string{}, "Allow insecure https connections", "")

        goopt.Summary = "Golang based http client program"
        goopt.Parse(nil)

        options.httpVerb = *httpVerb
        options.httpHeaders = *httpHeaders
        options.postData = *postData
        options.timeout = *timeOut
        options.verbose = *isVerbose
        options.redirect = *shouldRedirect
        options.color = *hasColor
        options.sslInsecure = *isInsecureSSL
        options.arguments = goopt.Args

        exitWithMessageIfNonZero(validateOptions(options))
        exitWithMessageIfNonZero(validateArguments(options))

        return options
}

func run(options *cliOptions) int {
        return submitRequest(options)
}

func exitWithMessageIfNonZero(code int, message string) {
        if code != 0 {
                fmt.Println(message)
                os.Exit(code)
        }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Why Use Red Light Safety Cameras?
Welcome to the CSPD police officer recruitment website. With almost 700 diverse sworn officers, the CSPD offers opportunities and excitement for those choosing to serve our community as a police officer. Since our humble beginnings in the late 1800's, the CSPD has maintained a standard of excellence that you would be proud to join.
We embrace a proactive policing or Community Oriented Policing philosophy, rather than only crime response. We seek to understand and focus on why crimes are committed and find ways to remove the conditions that are most likely to lead to criminal activity. We expect our officers to exhibit this philosophy and actively create community and police partnerships that identify problem and craft solutions.
Through a rigorous testing and qualification process, we ensure that only the most qualified individuals earn the right to wear our badge. If you feel that you have the integrity, character and abilities required to proudly wear the uniform of a Colorado Springs Police Officer, you are invited to review our qualification information.
Applications open April 1 through May 13, 2019 (for March 2020 Police Academy).
To be notified of future openings, please complete a Job Interest Card.
Police orientation sessions are conducted to explain the application process and provide some Academy and department insight. Two sessions have been scheduled; an in-person session at the Police Operations Center and a video conference. These sessions are intended to assist you by answering any questions that you may have about the application process. For more information, select the blue button below.
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A CSPD Community Service Officer assists police officers by responding to and investigating lower priority calls for service. As a result of the CSO Unit taking over these calls for service, police officers are able to respond to higher priority calls in a timely manner. CSOs do not respond to any calls for service where the incident is in-progress or the suspect is still on scene.
The Colorado Springs Police Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity organization.


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Envía un mensaje privado Identifica conexión profesional Publicaciones de este miembro
Paola Giusti-Rodriguez
Sector y Tipo de Empleo: Universidad: Catedrático Auxiliar (Assist. Profesor)
Interés Científico Principal: Ciencias biológicas, Genética o Genómica , Neurobiología, neurociencia o ciencias cognitivas
Otros Intereses: Genética o Genómica
Mis Websites
Website de Trabajo: http://cegs.csbio.unc.edu/wp/
Website Académico: http://www.unc.edu/index.htm
Website de Laboratorio: http://sullivanlab.unc.edu/
2016 - Postdoc or Clinical Fellow, Psychiatric Genomics, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
2003 - B.S., Biología (general), Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Rio Piedras
2011 - Ph.D., Cell and Developmental Biology, Harvard University
Mentoría y Empresarismo
Interés Empresarial: Interested
Me interesa proveer mentoría a: High School Students, Undergraduates, Graduate Students, Postdocs
Mi Trasfondo e Información de Proyecto
I grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in a family of non-scientists. I pursued an undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, where I engaged in research onto the structure and function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Last year I completed a Ph.D. degree with Dr. Li-Huei Tsai at MIT. My dissertation work centered on examining the independent contributions of the Cdk5 activators p35 and the proteolytically generated p25, both in the context of neurodegeneration and synaptic plasticity. More recently, I was a Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy fellow at the National Academy of Sciences where I had the opportunity to learn about the intersection between science, politics, and policy. This wonderful opportunity allowed me to explore my broad interests in science policy and to gain a greater understanding of the US scientific enterprise and issues of higher education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. I am currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Información de proyecto:
I am currently a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a junior faculty member within Dr. Patrick Sullivan's laboratory. I grew up in San Juan, PR, where I got my undergraduate degree (B.S.) in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras. I am a neuroscientist by training and in 2011 I completed a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology at Harvard University, where my research focused on mouse models of neurodegeneration and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. I came to UNC in 2012 to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Sullivan, to contribute to research on the genetic dissection of complex traits that characterize many human disorders. During this time I have employed systems biology approaches to dissect the genetic basis of antipsychotic side effects using the genetically diverse Collaborative Cross mouse population, as well as establishing extensive functional genomics approaches to interpret emerging genetic findings on psychiatric disorders. In 2016 I was awarded a K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award which has allowed me to implement genomics assays, such as chromatin conformation capture, for the in the aid of linking genetics to biological mechanisms. Ultimately, I aim to bring together my expertise across neuroscience, genetics, and genomics to advance our understanding of the molecular basis of psychiatric disorders.
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Serving a wide range of government clients and project types, our strategic approach allows us to effectively manage every institutional project type from large-scale academic mixed-use campuses, government headquarters and learning facilities design to small-scale feasibility studies. Our institutional solutions help promote the positive change and growth that shapes a nation's identity.
Up to date on trends impacting the institutional sector, especially the emphasis on a creative and knowledge-based economy that requires a lifelong upgrading of skills and critical thinking, we are aware that the pedagogy of today needs to be non-linear. The way information is broadcast and received is constantly shifting. The traditional model of institutional buildings thus has to be able to adapt to its ever-changing needs, and developing simple and flexible models that can be adaptable and elastic in how it serves to provide a usable learning environment is key.
We aim to design institutional spaces that inspire and create innovators and leaders who can resolve the multifarious challenges of the 21st century. We believe in the power of great design to shape the educational experience and to inspire human success.


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Testimony Before NYS Senate Committees, on Effective Economic Development Strategies
New York's approach to economic development desperately needs a reboot. We spend billions of dollars annually on wasteful corporate subsidies and tax giveaways – in the process diverting much-needed resources from higher education, transit, health care and other investments that would advance equity and economic opportunity in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.
CDFIs community land trusts community-led development cooperatives fair housing financial justice
New York City must transform its approach to land use by directing public land to resident-controlled community land trusts (CLTs) and other community- based nonprofits that commit to a) permanent affordability of land and housing and b) meaningful tenant and community control.
Testimony before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions, on Public Banking
My testimony today will address ways in which our current financial system serves to extract wealth, and the need to strengthen and enforce laws to hold banks and other financial institutions accountable to people and communities. At the same time, we must focus on creating public banks and other institutions that are designed to build community wealth and serve the public interest.
Joint Statement of Principles on Shared Equity
The 20 undersigned organizations are pleased to respond to New York City's Shared Equity Request for Information (RFI). We believe that New York City should be a beacon for cooperative economics, advancing racial and gender equity and community-led development. Our organizations include cooperatives and community land trusts, as well as grassroots and member-led groups that have developed these and other shared equity strategies in Black, brown, and immigrant communities. Also included are organizations that provide critical financing, legal assistance, training and other support to community-led initiatives.
community land trusts community-led development cooperatives public banking
Public Banking and Shared Equity
This response to the Shared Equity RFI discusses ways in which a local public bank in NYC would advance shared equity goals, and provides context on current state and municipal policy efforts toward creating a municipal public bank in NYC. Fundamentally, we see public banking as a catalyst for cooperative and community-led development in Black, brown, and immigrant communities, including those hardest hit by the pandemic.
Community Land Trusts as Holistic Tools for Shared Equity
New York City Community Land Initiative (NYCCLI) is pleased to provide information about community land trusts as a holistic shared equity model of nonprofit and collective land ownership by a community. We understand that New York City ("NYC" or "the city") has analyzed and is providing support to CLTs through the lens of the city's existing affordable housing programs. However, this response sets out a framework of CLTs as a more comprehensive shared equity model rooted in housing, economic and social justice – one that allows the communities that are most impacted to exercise agency over land development and stewardship not for profit but for the long-term stability of their neighborhoods. That long-term stability is the key to building community wealth.
Statement in Response to NYC's FY22 Budget
The budget adopted by the Mayor and City Council today is the largest in New York City's history and restores critically-needed funding for schools, health care, and other vital services.
In Solidarity with AAPI Organizations and Communities
New Economy Project stands in solidarity with Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and condemns violence and racism directed at AAPI and all BIPOC communities. We mourn the deaths of the eight people murdered last week in Atlanta: Daoyou Feng, Hyug Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Paul Andre Michaels, Soon Chung Park, Xiaojie Tan, Delania Ashley […]


Written by bia2yes . Date of post: July 6, 2018 September 29, 2018 .
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The job scenario in India is changing by leaps and bounds today as more and more millennials are opting for freelance opportunities rather than being stuck to a traditional desk job. The availability of a plethora of online portals and dedicated freelance platforms is making this an even more lucrative option. After all, who would not prefer working on something they love from the comfort of their homes?
Freelancing enables people to leave their office cubicle behind to be their own boss and choose what they want to work on and when. However, it's not just the young generation that is benefitting from this model.
A huge pool of the retired workforce is turning towards freelancing nowadays and exploring it as a viable career option after their stint at a full-time job. The elderly come with a lifetime of experience and expertise that can make them a valuable resource for companies, especially within the startup ecosystem. While these new-age firms may lack the resources to hire a full-time, experienced professional to help them with a way forward and strategize their business plan, bringing a veteran as a freelancer can help them fill in these visible gaps in a cost effective manner. For the elderly, such an opportunity paves way to stay in touch with their skills and make the most of their retirement by working well into their golden years.
It is also a fact that most of these professionals spent a larger part of their lives working in a nine-to-five job and earning a livelihood for their families. Amidst their busy schedule, they never had the chance to pursue their passion. For the longest time, it seemed too late to do that after retirement. But with the viable freelance options of today, this route has suddenly opened up for them.
When Asis Kumar Sanyal retired from his 31-year long banking career, he took to his love for photography. In the next six years, he travelled to seven countries for work; something which he couldn't imagine as a banker. His second career as a freelance photographer also keeps him financially stable and independent.
While freelancing has become a popular choice among the retired workforce, there is another section in India which is leveraging the rapidly growing gig economy. There are many Indian housewives and stay-at-home moms who are confined to their homes despite being well-educated and skilled. For some, the reason is social constraints while others make a conscious decision to quit their full-time jobs to cater to their familial and maternal responsibilities.
Workplace challenges such as long working hours, unsuitable shifts, etc becomes a major hurdle for them in the long run. The freedom to work from home has given these women a recourse to put their degrees to good use and make the most of their potential. Instead of being totally cut off from the profession that they gave so much into, they are now pursuing a similar option, albeit in a freelance opportunity. It allows them to tick all the boxes when it comes to getting a grip on their career, fulfilling their family commitments and doing something that they love.
When Mumbai resident Veena Patwardhan quit her job as an analytical chemist and microbiologist after 25 years, she decided to pursue her passion for writing to keep her career alive. A freelance writer for 20 years now, Veena found freelancing to be the answer to her struggles of juggling her professional and personal commitments. Any woman can take a leaf out of her book and empower themselves by finding freelance opportunities in an industry of their choice and interest and work at their convenience.
The increasing popularity of smartphones is adding onto this trend. With the internet at our fingertips, anyone can now easily connect with a company that requires their services and offers them a plethora of opportunities in their preferred field. In fact, many companies are now favoring the services of a freelancer over full-time professionals for certain roles to cut down costs and get a wider range of output. This is directly helping housewives and the elderly who are ready to take up lucrative freelance offers.
The most popular choice among housewives, when it comes to freelance jobs, is content writing. Many companies outsource their content needs, and women who have a knack for writing are taking up such projects. Those who have a flair for design and technology have ample opportunities to offer freelance graphic designing services.
Online tutoring and data entry are some of the other popular choices. For the retired, freelance consulting is perhaps the most popular choice. The reason being that as a consultant, they can offer their years of experience and expertise in a particular field to benefit businesses. Many elderly people are also turning towards being freelance subject matter experts for the same reason. This is especially popular among retired teachers and professors as they can stay in touch with the subjects they love and continue to be a part of the current workforce.


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"Antisemitism is the organisation of politics against the Jews" — Ruth Wisse
Small Political Parties
Suggestion or Correction
Prominent and egregious antisemites have been allowed to remain as office holders in the Liberal Democrats for many years after allegations were made, and even after those allegations had been accepted as true by Party leaders. The case of Ashuk Ahmed, who was reselected as a Parliamentary candidate in 2015 and then again in 2017, long after he had been interviewed under caution by Bedfordshire Police, indicates a systemic failure to identify antisemitism within the Party. Prompt action can be seen to be taken in recent cases, but the fact that some have been selected internally to stand for office suggests an improvement in due diligence is required.The Liberal Democrats have adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism
Wera Hobhouse
2 incidents
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Bath
Waheed Rafiq
Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Birmingham, Hodge Hill
Baroness Tonge
17 incidents
Former Liberal Democrat Peer
Former Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Bradford East and Councilllor for Bolton and Undercliffe


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Home Companies Did corporate greed override passenger safety at Boeing?
Did corporate greed override passenger safety at Boeing?
BY DAVID ONJILI
The aviation industry, considered the safest mode of transport due to the few incidences of accidents has recently had its fair share of tragic events in late 2018 and early 2019. Specifically, the Ethiopian Airways (ET) flight 302 and Lion Air of Indonesia crash that led to a loss of 346 lives directs the spotlight to Boeing and specifically their upgraded single-aisle 737 Max planes.
"I can assure you the 737 Max will be back in the air soon. They will find a solution to the 'problem', issue an AD, (A compulsory Airworthiness Directive detailing a modification/improvement clear guideline of implementation) and after that the plane will be back in service." said Mr Dan Opata, an aeronautical engineer, admiting that a majority of airlines were struggling to break even due to high cost of fuel. Mr. Opata, like several aviation experts describes the Max planes as very fuel efficient and comfortable and that once the glitch is resolved they will be back in the air.
The 737 Max model, hailed as more fuel efficient and longer-range accounted for more than half of the 580 737 models produced in 2018
Interestingly, Boeing is alleged to have concealed vital information (flight control systems) on its Max models, which are reliably linked to the crashes. This is an illustration of corporate greed for a company that is definitely conquering the skies in airplane deliveries against her closest European based rivals, Airbus. Is the urgency to deliver planes to clients in time worth compromising the safety of passengers? The company's chief financial officer Gregory Smith had revealed that their 2019 projections were that the Max model would account for 90% of their to-be-delivered planes.
According to Natalie Kitroeff of the New York Times, in 2013 when Boeing's Dreamliner planes were grounded, the company spent $20 million (Sh2b) and some three months to fix the problem. The full effect of the grounding of the 737 Max jets is yet to be quantified and is unimaginable; an 11% drop in Boeing shares immediately after the ET Airline crash on March 10, 2019, is just a tip of the iceberg.
Airlines that have grounded the planes are now seeking compensation. According to Carter Copeland, an analyst at Melius Research, it costs around $1 million (Sh1b) to lease a replacement jet for three months. There is also fear of lawsuits by families of the plane crash victims. He however, quells fears of airlines canceling orders reason being that airlines mainly make a 20% deposit for plane orders which is usually paid over time hence it is difficult to get themselves out of these commitments without solid evidence of structural problems with the aircraft.
Boeing's plane delivery dominance
In December 2018, Boeing, according their website, had delivered 69 B737 against a total monthly delivery of 203 planes; and subsequently setting an annual record of 806 deliveries up from 763 planes in 2017.
"In a dynamic year, our production discipline and our supplier partners helped us build and deliver more airplanes than ever before to satisfy the strong demand for air travel across the globe," said Kevin McAllister, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President & CEO.
By mid 2018, Boeing was producing 52 airplanes of the 737 model in a month. The 737 Max model, hailed as more fuel efficient and longer-range accounted for more than half of the 580 737 models produced in 2018. The company achieved, if you use the list prices of the planes, 893 net orders for planes valued at $143.7 billion. Compare to 747 net orders by its major rival and European airplanes manufacturer Airbus, a drop in orders in 2018 after having a total of 1,109 net orders in 2017.
Corporate greed?
Wall Street firms Melius Research and Jefferies admit that Boing has the financial muscle to accommodate the grounding of their B737 Max planes. This isn't new in the first place, in 2013, Boeing told airlines not to fly the 787 Dreamliners when the planes' batteries were catching fires. The only worry to them is how long it may take to resolve the issue surrounding the B737 Max planes. In 2018, Boeing posted revenues of $101 billion and a $10.6 billion profit; leave alone their dominance of plane deliveries over their archrivals Airbus a illustrated above. This is against an estimated $1billion to $5billion, which might be the cost of grounding the planes
The US Government was quoted as saying that Boeing engaged in concerted actions to conceal, deny and downplay the hazards and safety concerns, in violation of federal regulations presented by the Boeing 737 Max 8's new features. Also telling was the reluctance by Boeing to ground the planes when the ET flight crashed and only acted when major airlines including China started grounding them. China, according to Reuters has a fleet of 97 Boeing Max 8 planes making it Boeing's single largest client, followed by the USA with 58 Max8 and 14 Max9 models.
As a solution to the flight control system is being worked on, lives were lost and negligence on the part of Boeing can be seen. One only hopes that corporate greed does not avail its ugly head over the safety of travelers.
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City crews work long hours in the spring to remove debris that piles up on streets over the winter. Annual street sweeping helps protect water quality by keeping sediment-filled runoff from entering City ponds and lakes.
Street sweeping is necessary for a number of reasons. It helps keep vehicles and pedestrians safe by keeping debris off the roadway, it helps keep streets well maintained and it helps protect surface water quality and the environment.
The City uses both City employees/equipment and private contractors to provide this service. Completion dates vary each year, and are dependent on weather conditions, personnel and equipment availability. All City streets are swept at least twice each year.
Sweeping of County roads is the responsibility of the Dakota County Highway Department. State highways are the responsibility of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The City may assist in sweeping operations on these other jurisdictional roadways under emergency or mutual aid conditions.


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Strengthening Japan's Fishing Economy through Fueling Engineering
Oct 15, 2016 | Fueling, Fueling Construction, Maintenance & Repair
With 32 military bases in Okinawa, Japan, and the need for fuel for military ships and aircraft, the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Government of Japan (GOJ) and Pond are working together to provide a solution that will save costs, time, allow larger ships to come through port, and allow locals to reclaim fishing areas in the region.
The History of Mooring The history of mooring in the oil and gas industry started in the late fifties with loading/unloading terminals using single buoy mooring systems. The Single Point Mooring System (SPMS) is a floating buoy anchored offshore. The buoy facilities loading/unloading of liquid cargo such as petroleum products to/from tanker ships. A boat landing space on the buoy deck provides access to the buoy for setting up connections and securing ships. Single point moorings are capable of handling extra-large vessels in a better capacity than certain loading docks and anchor systems due to their ability to rotate and move with the ship as the wind or sea currents turn the vessel. A ship can simply be connected to the buoy using a series of lines and connectors. This allows the vessel to pull up to the mooring to load/unload materials and doesn't require ships to come to the port and thus save fuel and time.
Less Prone To Fishtailing A SPMS consists of a single integrated mooring and fuel transfer buoy. The SPMS buoy is secured to the seafloor with one to twelve anchor chains and anchors. The ship moors to the buoy using a hawser (large nylon rope). The vessel weathervanes under the action of forces such as wind or sea currents, which reduces the mooring load. This type of mooring requires much less room than a ship at anchor because the pivot point is much closer to the vessel. A vessel at a mooring buoy is much less prone to fishtailing (oscillating at the ship anchor connection point) than a ship at anchor. The design of this new SPMS includes six chains and anchors, and will be an upgrade to the existing SPMS that is equipped with four anchors chains and anchors.
The Vessels and The Buoy Tanker ships moor at SPMS buoys by connections made at the bow of the tanker. Fuel is transferred between the tanker ships and the SPM buoy through floating flexible hose strings connected between the vessels and the buoy. A typical SPMS includes two floating hose strings. SPMS buoys include a mooring swivel and a fuel transfer swivel. The mooring swivel allows the upper section of the buoy, connected to the tanker ship, to rotate around a stationary base. The mooring swivel also allows the tanker ship to swing freely around the SPMS
buoy in response to changes in the environment.
Typhoons and Tsunamis: The Potential Wrath of Mother Nature As you can imagine, there is a lot to consider when designing a system that deals with large ships, water and the potential wrath of Mother Nature. In Japan there is also concern for typhoons and tsunamis. The rules set by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) require design for adverse weather conditions up to a 100-year recurrence interval. To comply with this requirement additional wave and hydrodynamic modeling efforts to compensate for the lack of available historic water level or wave data at the SPMS buoy location inside Kin Bay, Okinawa where conducted. 100-year typhoon wind speeds were estimated for Kin Bay based on the IBTrACS database. All typhoons passing within 100 km of the site were included in an extreme value analysis to obtain a conservative estimate of the 100-year wind speed. A 100-year significant wave height offshore of Okinawa was obtained from a recent scientific publication. A peak wave period of 12 seconds was assumed for this wave height, a relatively long period for waves that are actively being generated in a typhoon. A dynamic analysis of the system was conducted and included evaluations against adverse weather events such storms, wind gusts and tsunamis. The system design loads were developed to accommodate loadings from all of these types of events.
Anchor Chains and Underwater Hoses The Government of Japan is participating in the project by supplying and installing the anchor chains and the underwater hoses which will be used with the SPMS buoy. Therefore, it is imperative that Pond's designs and specifications include guidelines and equipment that are compatible with what the GOJ is installing. Coordination with GOJ and DLA is integral to ensure that this project is organized effectively.
Overall, the benefits of adding this new SPMS will allow larger vessels to anchor away from the shore more frequently, allowing them to save time by not docking near land. This new SPMS will also allow the decommissioning of an existing three-legged mooring that is closer to shore and occupies a valuable fishing area that can be returned to the GOJ. This new SPMS will allow the return of desired fishing waters back to the Government of Japan while allowing the U.S. to maintain its mission capabilities.
Optimizing Performance and Resiliency at Lake Sequalitchew
Julian Ramirez Promoted to Vice President of Construction Services
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Pond Expands Presence in Nashville, Tennessee and the Southeast
Pond Selected to Advance the Boeing Cecil Airport Facility
Pond's "Uncovering Tank Bottom Corrosion" Featured in Storage Terminals Magazine!
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Capers Home of West Seattle hosts local jeweler Alizah Olivas.
Alizah's collection features semi-precious stones, mixed metals in a single piece, and chains embellished with semi-precious stones. For this trunk show, Alizah will have everything from rings to bracelets to necklaces available for purchase. She makes all her jewelry by hand, and each piece is uniquely different. Her jewelry is the perfect gift this holiday season.
CAPERS is the home entertaining and gift shop in the West Seattle Junction that features locally sourced, eco-friendly, and fairly-traded products to make your house a home. Owner Lisa Myers and staf, dedicate both time and resources to help those in the neighborhood who are less fortunate.
1 Reply to "Alizah Olivas Trunk Show at Capers"


A fast and easy refreshing summer beverage to make those 90 degree days a little more bearable! The basil syrup and lemon juice can be adjusted in the recipe if you prefer it sweeter or more tart.
Fill a 16 oz glass about half way with ice. Pour simple syrup and lemon juice over ice. Top off with sparkling water and lightly stir. Add lemon slices and a sprig of fresh basil.
Heat water and sugar in a pot until simmering. Add basil leaves, turn off the heat and infuse for 15 minutes. Strain out the basil leaves and reserve in the refrigerator.


I love to solve problems, and I find the human body fascinating. I became a personal trainer first, but I never knew how to deal with all of my clients' sore knees, backs, and shoulders. I needed more education about the body and how it worked. Massage Therapy gave me the tools I needed to not only work the body out, but also to treat and prevent injuries. I graduated in 2006, and I still love every minute!
You want to resolve your pain, maintain your muscles, and prevent future injuries.
I like to help you understand what is going on with your body, and why it is happening. Helping you gain clarity and insight into your body's language not only empowers you in your own body, but it also helps you prevent future injury and pain.
That pain-free is absolutely possible. As well, massage doesn't have to hurt to work. In order for muscles to release, there has to be oxygen flowing, and one must be able to relax. If the pressure on the muscle is too intense, it's counter-productive. My goal for my clients is to have them be a little tender after a massage… not feel like a truck ran them over.


Since the beginning in the Garden of Eden, man has wanted to dominate and lead other men.
Today, mankind follows the example of Cain as well as the Serpent. The Serpent did not want the man and the woman to listen to and obey God. Instead, the Serpent wanted them to listen to him. God told Adam one thing and the Serpent told the woman (Eve) something different from what Adam told her (what God told him).
Thus, the Serpent was acting as a "go-between" man and God, misinforming, misleading, deceiving, and lying to Adam and Eve. Thus, today, religion – a creation of Satan – is serving the same purpose: It teaches and tells mankind something different from what the Most High God has told mankind through His Son. Religion REALLY makes those who are within her to listen to her. Religion is acting as a "go-between" demanding that mankind listens to it.
Preference is to the religious organization one is affiliated with and they think this makes them followers of Christ.
Listen to this audio presentation as it explains how subtle religion has brought all of mankind within captivity to itself to where very few in the world are REALLY obeying God and listening to Christ.


Photovoltaic system controller designed for use powering photovoltaic/hybrid system.
The controller is a MPR-9400 that automates the power flow of the System to properly charge/discharge the batteries and provide power to the load equipment.
The System can be accessed locally and remotely with the MPRCOMM software.
Why is Invoice Tracking Hybrid better than all other IT solutions ?
The protection of the computer and stored files against undesirable access is more and more important.
The new generation cards CP-4800DX Deluxe based on the H.
Privacy Protect - System Privacy Shield is a computer tracks clean tool, this tool will protect your privacy by cleaning all tracks on your computer(including internet and system activities). .


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Moedermelk is melk die bij mensen door de moeder wordt gemaakt om haar kind te voeden. Voor pasgeborenen is het de belangrijkste bron van voedingsstoffen, omdat ze geen ander voedsel kunnen verteren. Daarnaast speelt moedermelk een grote rol bij de afweer van een baby, aangezien het eigen afweersysteem nog niet goed op gang is gekomen. Moedermelk wordt geproduceerd door de melkklieren in de borsten.

De meest voorkomende manier waarop een kind moedermelk binnen krijgt, is direct aan de borst. De melk kan echter ook afgekolfd worden en in een flesje aan het kind worden gegeven. Het kan ook voorkomen dat het kind moedermelk krijgt van een andere vrouw. Een vrouw die andere kinderen borstvoeding geeft als beroep heet een min. Het kan echter ook donormelk zijn, bijvoorbeeld van een vrouw uit de familie of vriendenkring of via een moedermelkbank.

Melkproductie

Het begin van de melkproductie
De productie van melk komt al in de vijfde maand van de zwangerschap op gang. De secretie ervan wordt alleen geremd door de hormonen progesteron en de oestrogenen. Deze hormonen remmen namelijk de werking van prolactine, het hormoon dat juist voor de secretie van melk zorgt.

Tijdens de zwangerschap
De ontwikkeling van de borsten tijdens de zwangerschap, maakt de borsten klaar voor de melkproductie. De placenta produceert veel oestrogenen tijdens de zwangerschap. Oestrogenen zorgen voor de ontwikkeling van de melkklieren en de melkkanaaltjes. Ook het vetgehalte in de borsten wordt groter. Ook progesteron speelt een rol bij de volledige ontwikkeling en versterkt het effect van de oestrogenen.

Na de geboorte
De melkproductie komt vervolgens echt op gang na de bevalling. De remmende werking van progesteron valt dan namelijk weg, omdat de placenta uit het lichaam wordt verwijderd. Voor de geboorte komen er slechts enkele milliliters melk uit de borsten, maar erna komt er veel meer uit. De eerste melk die dan wordt geproduceerd heet colostrum. De maximale hoeveelheid van colostrum die geproduceerd kan worden is slechts 1% van de hoeveelheid moedermelk die er gewoonlijk wordt geproduceerd. In de tweede en derde week na de bevalling verandert de samenstelling geleidelijk.

In de weken na de geboorte van de baby regelen hormonen dat er normale melk, die dun, waterig en zoet is, wordt geproduceerd in plaats van colostrum. Het groeihormoon, cortisol, parathyreoïdhormoon en insuline zorgen ervoor dat de nodige aminozuren, vetzuren, glucose en calcium worden geleverd.

Het basale prolactinegehalte daalt na de bevalling naar het 'normale' gehalte, namelijk dat van voor de zwangerschap. Maar elke keer als de baby wordt gevoed, stimuleren signalen uit de tepel de hypofyse waardoor 10 tot 20 keer meer dan de normale hoeveelheid prolactine wordt geproduceerd. Dit effect duurt ongeveer een uur, maar zorgt ervoor dat de melkklieren melk blijven produceren. Als dit mechanisme namelijk ontbreekt, zal er na ongeveer een week geen melk meer geproduceerd worden. De productie van melk kan jaren doorgaan als het kind borstvoeding blijft krijgen. De totale productie neemt echter vaak af na zes a zeven maanden omdat dan meestal met de introductie van vast voedsel wordt gestart waardoor de baby minder moedermelk nodig heeft en dus ook minder (vaak) wil drinken.

Hormonale regeling
De lactatie bestaat uit twee fasen: de melkproductie door de alveolaire cellen en de melksecretie. De melkproductie is een continu proces. De secretie en productie door alveolaire cellen vindt tegelijkertijd plaats. Maar beide processen worden afzonderlijk geregeld.

Bij melkproductie door cellen is prolactine, dat door de adenohypofyse wordt afgegeven, van groot belang. Bij de secretie is oxytocine, dat juist door de neurohypofyse wordt afgegeven, belangrijk.

Regulatie van prolactine
De adenohypofyse wordt gestimuleerd om prolactine af te geven aan het bloed door verschillende hormonen, waaronder TRH, vasopressine en angiotensine. Deze hormonen blijven in het bloed nadat ze zijn afgegeven en zorgen zo in principe voor een constante stimulus. De secretie van PIH (Prolactin-Inhibiting hormone, waarvan er wordt uitgegaan dat het hetzelfde als dopamine is) gaat dit echter tegen. Dit effect kan echter (tijdelijk) worden opgeheven door de toeschietreflex.

Toeschietreflex

Er wordt constant melk geproduceerd in de melkklieren, maar die kan niet makkelijk in de melkkanaaltjes komen. Als de baby aan de borst zit, krijgt hij de eerste 30 tot 60 seconden vrijwel geen melk.

De sensoren rond de tepel merken het epitheel van de bovenlip van het kind op. Bij de aanraking van de tepelhof door de lippen van de zuigeling gaan impulsen vanuit de sensoren rond de tepel naar de hypofyse via het ruggenmerg en de hersenstam naar de hypothalamus. Hierdoor wordt de afscheiding van prolactine, oxytocine en ACTH gestimuleerd en die van gonadotrofinen, de geslachtshormonen, geremd. Hierbij is er dus sprake van een neurale afferente ('aanvoerende') en hormonale efferente ('afvoerende') weg (gezien vanuit de hersenen).

De oxytocine in het bloed stimuleert in de borsten de myoepitheliale cellen, die om de alveoli heen liggen. Hierdoor zullen ze samentrekken en de melk zal in de kanaaltjes komen. De druk die hierbij wordt geleverd is ongeveer 10 tot 20 mm Hg. Pas dan krijgt het kind daadwerkelijk melk. De toeschietreflex treedt dan in beide borsten op, niet alleen in de borst waaruit de baby drinkt.

Soms kan de toeschietreflex ook optreden als de moeder de baby aanraakt of bij het horen van huilen, dit kan ook van een andere baby zijn. De emotionele signalen zijn dan genoeg om de toeschietreflex op gang te brengen. Ook kan dit gebeuren bij een orgasme, omdat dan oxytocine vrijkomt.

Menstruele cyclus
Bij de meeste moeders gaat de menstruele cyclus na de geboorte van het kind niet verder tot na een eerste paar weken na het stoppen van de lactatie. De signalen die uit de borsten naar de hypothalamus gaan zorgen ervoor dat de productie van gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) wordt geremd. Dit kan zowel door de signalen zelf als door de hierop volgende aanmaak van prolactine komen. De remming van GnRH zorgt er dan voor dat de productie van de hormonen LH (luteïniserend hormoon) en FSH (follikel stimulerend hormoon) wordt geremd.
Bij sommige moeders, vooral moeders die weinig borstvoeding geven, wordt er genoeg LH en FSH geproduceerd na een aantal maanden. Hierdoor komt de menstruele cyclus weer op gang.

Kunstmatige lactatie
De melkproductie kan ook kunstmatig op gang worden gebracht. Dit kan zowel met medicijnen als door het stimuleren van de tepels. Hiervoor hoeft de vrouw niet zwanger te zijn geweest of eerder borstvoeding gegeven te hebben. Vrouwen die eerder borstvoeding gegeven hebben kunnen opnieuw (makkelijker) lacteren, dit heet dan relactatie.

Melkproductie door stimuleren van de tepels kan gebeuren door zowel meerdere malen per dag masseren (handmatig 'kolven'), zuigen aan de borst of 'kolven' met een borstkolf. Hierdoor worden de melkklieren op dezelfde manier gestimuleerd als bij het geven van borstvoeding aan een kind. De hormonen zorgen dan voor de ontwikkeling van de melkklieren zodat er melk gemaakt wordt. Er is geen verschil in samenstelling van moedermelk geproduceerd door natuurlijke of kunstmatige lactatie. Als de melkproductie eenmaal op gang is, is de gemaakte hoeveelheid melk afhankelijk van de vraag naar melk.

De melkproductie kan om verschillende redenen kunstmatig op gang worden gebracht. Zo kan het nodig zijn om een geadopteerd kind borstvoeding te kunnen geven. Het kan ook om seksuele redenen tot stand worden gebracht (erotische lactatie), bijvoorbeeld in een adult nursing Relationship. De lacterende vrouw kan namelijk een plezierig gevoel krijgen als iemand aan de borst drinkt en kan dus iemand anders dan een kind in een seksuele context borstvoeden. Degene die wordt gevoed kan het ook opwindend vinden om moedermelk direct uit de borst of afgekolfde melk te drinken. Dit kan ook een reden zijn voor een al dan niet lacterende vrouw iemand anders dan haar kind haar melk te laten drinken.

Samenstelling van moedermelk

Colostrum
Colostrum is de melk die tijdens de zwangerschap uit de borsten komt en de melk die de eerste paar dagen wordt geproduceerd. Het is meestal gelig van kleur en is vrij dun. Deze melk bevat lactose en eiwitten, maar vrijwel geen vet. Colostrum bevat daarnaast veel mineralen en de vetoplosbare vitaminen A en E en immunoglobulinen, voornamelijk van het type IgA, die de pasgeborene tegen infecties beschermen zolang het eigen immuunsysteem nog niet goed genoeg is ontwikkeld. Vitamine D en K dienen gesupplementeerd te worden.

'Normale' melk

Deze melk wordt na 3 tot 4 dagen na de geboorte pas gemaakt. Deze melk is dun (minder dun dan colostrum), waterig en zoet, door het hoge lactosegehalte. Meestal komt eerst waterige melk uit de borst. Deze melk bevat weinig vet en veel koolhydraten en wordt voormelk genoemd. Voormelk is dorstlessend. De melk wordt geleidelijk aan vetter en dikker. Deze melk heet achtermelk en is hongerstillend.

Het gehalte aan de verschillende voedingsstoffen van moedermelk varieert echter sterk per individuele moeder, en hangt af van de voedselinname van de moeder, en van het tijdstip van de dag waarop gezoogd wordt. Ook verandert de samenstelling over een periode van een aantal weken of maanden dat er borstvoeding wordt gegeven.

In vergelijking met koeienmelk zijn de verschillen in gehalte aan lactose, eiwitten en mineralen opmerkelijk. Moedermelk bevat anderhalf keer zoveel lactose (melksuiker) als koemelk. Koemelk bevat twee tot drie keer zo veel eiwitten als moedermelk en heeft een hoger gehalte aan calcium en fosfor.

De koolhydraten in moedermelk zijn voornamelijk lactose (melksuiker). Sommige op lactose gebaseerde oligosachariden komen ook voor. Moedermelkvet bestaat voornamelijk uit triglyceriden van palmitinezuur en oliezuur (O-P-O triglyceriden), naast een grote hoeveelheid lipiden met onderlinge bindingen. Deze vetten zijn goed voor de gezondheid.

De eiwitten in de melk bestaan uit caseïne, α-lactalbumine, lactoferrine, IgA, lysozym en albumine. In zure omgevingen, zoals de maag, ontvouwt α-lactalbumine en bindt aan oliezuur. Ze vormen een complex genaamd HAMLET dat een dodende werking heeft op kankercellen. Er wordt van uitgegaan dat dit een beschermende werking heeft tegen kanker in baby's.

Behalve voedingsstoffen, mineralen en vitaminen bevat moedermelk antilichaampjes en verschillende soorten witte bloedcellen, zoals neutrofielen en macrofagen die zorgen voor bescherming tegen infecties. Sommige daarvan doden bacteriën die dodelijke infecties kunnen veroorzaken in pasgeboren baby's. In het bijzonder zijn antilichamen en macrofagen belangrijk die escherichia colibacteriën doden. Deze bacteriën kunnen dodelijke diarree (door dehydratatie) veroorzaken bij baby's.

Kort na de bevalling kunnen vrouwen tot 600 mL per dag produceren. Later produceren vrouwen gemiddeld 800 tot 1100 mL melk per dag. Op het hoogtepunt van de lactatieperiode kan er tot 1,5 liter geproduceerd worden en bij tweelingen soms nog meer. Er is zelfs melkproductie tot wel 5L aangetoond. De melkproductie hangt af van hoeveel melk de baby tijdens het zogen drinkt en hoe vaak en hoe veel melk de moeder afkolft. De melkproductie kost veel energie van de moeder, ongeveer 650 tot 750 kilocalorieën per liter geproduceerde melk. De samenstelling en de calorische waarde kunnen variëren, afhankelijk van het dieet en andere factoren, zoals hoe vol de borsten zitten.

Uit onderzoek is gebleken dat moederborsten vier keer meer melk zouden kunnen produceren dan een moeder gemiddeld aanmaakt. Omdat moedermelk niet nodig is in zulke grote hoeveelheden wordt er minder geproduceerd.

Sommige voedingsstoffen komen, vanuit het moederlichaam, in relatief grote hoeveelheden in de melk terecht, bijvoorbeeld dagelijks 50 gram vet en 100 gram lactose, die in het moederlichaam uit glucose worden aangemaakt. Ook komt dagelijks 2 tot 3 gram calciumfosfaat vanuit de moeder in de moedermelk terecht. Tenzij de moeder grote hoeveelheden melk drinkt en genoeg vitamine D binnenkrijgt, zal de afvoer vanuit de mammae van calcium en fosfaat veel groter zijn dan haar eigen inname. Om toch voldoende calcium en fosfaat voor de melk te verkrijgen gaan de bijschildklieren vergroten en worden de botten van de moeder gedecalcificeerd. Tijdens de zwangerschap vormt dit geen groot probleem, maar tijdens de lactatieperiode kan dit de gezondheid van de moeder nadelig gaan beïnvloeden.

Eiwitten
Zoals hierboven staat bevat moedermelk veel verschillende eiwitten. Deze hebben allemaal verschillende functies voor kinderen.

Caseïne
β-Caseïne is de voornaamste caseïne in moedermelk. Het kan calciumionen aan zich binden en draagt waarschijnlijk bij aan de grote hoeveelheid calcium in de melk. Daarnaast komt ook κ-caseïne voor in de moedermelk. Er is aangetoond dat κ-caseïne de bacterie Helicobacter pylori tegenwerkt. Deze bacterie komt voornamelijk voor bij jonge kinderen. Een derde vorm, αs1-caseïne, is in lage concentraties aangetoond, maar de functie ervan in moedermelk is onbekend.

α-Lactalbumine
α-Lactalbumine bindt calcium- en zinkionen aan zich. Deze hoeveelheid is echter klein, maar het heeft mogelijk een positieve invloed op de opname van mineralen. Dit effect is aangetoond met α-lactalbumine van koeienmelk, maar nog niet in het melk van mensen.

Daarnaast kan het ook een antimicrobiële (anti-pathogene) functie hebben. Drie polypeptideketens van α-lactalbumine hebben antimicrobiële activiteit vertoond tegen de bacteriën Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Streptococci en Candida albicans.

Immunoglobulinen
De meest voorkomende immunoglobuline in moedermelk is IgA (>90% van de totale immunoglobulinen in de melk). De concentratie hiervan is vrij hoog, namelijk 1 tot 2 g/L in het vroege stadium van de lactatie en tot wel twee jaar later 0,5 tot 1 g/L. IgA antilichamen tegen E. coli, V. cholerae, H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae, C. difficile en Salmonella zijn aangetoond in moedermelk.

Lactoferrine
Een ander belangrijk eiwit is lactoferrine. Het kan twee ijzerionen aan zich binden en is medeverantwoordelijk voor de hoeveelheid ijzer in moedermelk. Het stimuleert ook de opname van ijzer in de darmen van de zuigeling. Dit komt door receptoren voor menselijk lactoferrine.

Lactoferrine heeft ook antimicrobiële werking. Het werkt bacteriostatisch (niet dodend, maar remmend) tegen ijzerafhankelijke bacteriën. Er is ook een bacteriocide (dodende) functie aangetoond tegen sommige bacteriën (niet ijzerafhankelijk).

Mogelijk is de binding van lactoferrine aan de receptoren in de darmen de oorzaak van het vrijkomen van cytokinen. Van lactoferrine is bekend dat het de aanmaak van cytokinen als TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8 en stikstofmonoxide.

Lysozym
Lysozym komt in relatief hoge concentraties voor in moedermelk. Dit enzym kan grampositieve bacteriën doden door de buitenste wand ervan af te breken. In vitro (in reageerbuizen) is ook aangetoond dat lysozym in combinatie met lactoferrine gramnegatieve bacteriën kan doden.

Haptocorrine
In melk van mensen is haptocorrine vrijwel de enige stof waar vitamine B12 aan is gebonden. Daarnaast heeft het vermoedelijk een remmende werking op de groei van bacteriën.

Groeifactoren
Verschillende soorten groeifactoren, waaronder verschillende vormen van IGF (insulineachtige groeifactoren) en epidermale groeifactor (EGF), zijn aangetoond in moedermelk. Deze groeifactoren zorgen voor groei van bepaalde celsoorten, met name in het verteringssysteem.

Prebiotische componenten
De microbiële flora bij kinderen die borstvoeding krijgen is anders dan kinderen die flesvoeding krijgen. Verschillende ziekteverwekkende bacteriën, zoals E. coli, Bacteroides, Campylobacter en Streptococci, komen in mindere mate voor, maar meer lichaamseigen bacteriën, bijvoorbeeld Lactobacilli en Bifidobacteria. Deze bacteriën remmen de groei van ziekteverwekkende bacteriën door de pH in de darmen te verlagen (zuurder te maken). In moedermelk komt een stof voor die hiervoor zorgt. De precieze samenstelling van deze stof is nog niet bekend.

Afkolven

Moedermelk kan afgekolfd worden om verschillende redenen. Bijvoorbeeld omdat het kind niet kan of wil drinken aan de borst. Ook kan het zijn om een voorraad aan te leggen of omdat de moeder niet altijd bij het kind is en op deze manier borstvoeding wil geven.

Er zijn verschillende manieren om melk af te kolven namelijk:
 Met de hand
 Met een handkolf
 Met een elektrische kolfapparaat

Met de hand
Met de hand afkolven wordt meestal toegepast als er niet zo veel behoefte is aan kolven. Met de hand wordt gekolfd door met de duim en de andere vingers om de areola te plaatsen en te drukken (naar de ribbenkast toe). Vervolgens de vingers naar de tepel toe bewegen. Door de toeschietreflex zal er eerst geen melk uit komen. Ook in de eerste paar dagen na de bevalling zal er niet veel (colostrum) uit komen.

Met een borstkolf
Moeders die wat vaker melk afkolven gebruiken meestal een borstkolf. Een handkolf wordt meestal gebruikt bij af en toe kolven en het elektrisch kolfapparaat bij regelmatig afkolven.

Bewaren van moedermelk
Moedermelk is net als de meeste andere voedingsmiddelen beperkt houdbaar. Hieronder staat in welke omstandigheden de melk hoelang bewaard mag worden.

Medicatie en moedermelk
Sommige medicijnen kunnen een bepaalde invloed hebben op de moedermelk. Sommige remmen of stimuleren de productie ervan, andere komen in de melk terecht en kunnen zo een negatieve invloed hebben op het kind.

Classificatie van riskante medicatie
Medicijnen kunnen geclassificeerd worden voor gebruik bij moeders die borstvoeding geven. Ze worden ingedeeld in vijf categorieën op basis van risico's voor moeder en kind bij gebruik door moeders die borstvoeding geven.

 L1: Medicijn is door een groot aantal lacterende moeders ingenomen en er zijn geen indicaties van bijwerkingen voor het kind.
 L2: Het medicijn is toegediend aan relatief weinig moeders en leidde niet tot afname in de gezondheid van het kind. Eventuele risico's zijn zo klein dat ze te verwaarlozen zijn.
 L3: Er is geen onderzoek gedaan naar eventuele bijwerkingen bij moeders die borstvoeding geven, maar bijwerkingen zijn mogelijk. Als er onderzoek is gedaan, waren er lichte bijwerking met geen gevaar voor het leven van het kind. Het medicijn moet alleen gebruikt worden als de voordelen zwaarder wegen dan de nadelen.
 L4: Er is bewezen dat het medicijn bijwerkingen kan hebben op het kind of op de melkproductie van de moeder. Gebruik is alleen in sommige gevallen aangeraden.
 L5: Er zijn bewezen significante bijwerkingen. Het medicijn hoort niet te worden voorgeschreven aan moeders die borstvoeding geven.

Ongewenste stoffen in de moedermelk
De stoffen in bepaalde medicijnen kunnen in de melk terechtkomen. Welke stoffen in de melk terecht kunnen komen, hangen af van bepaalde factoren:

 Concentratie van de stof in het plasma van de moeder
 Moleculair gewicht van de stof (lichte stoffen komen makkelijker in de melk)
 Mate waarin de stof aan sommige eiwitten bindt (stoffen die niet of weinig aan eiwitten binden komen makkelijker in de melk)
 Vetgehalte van de melk (vetoplosbare stoffen komen makkelijker in de melk bij een hoger vetgehalte)

Passieve diffusie
Stoffen komen meestal in de melk terecht door middel van passief transport door te diffunderen. Stoffen gaan namelijk van de plek met de hoogste concentratie naar een plek met een lage concentratie. In de eerste periode na de bevalling zijn de melkproducerende cellen het meest poreus, maar de geproduceerde hoeveelheid colostrum is meestal weinig. Hierdoor is de werking van eventuele ongewenste stoffen in de melk minimaal.

Meestal diffunderen stoffen uit medicijnen de melk weer uit. Als de stoffen in het plasma van de moeder worden afgebroken, neemt de concentratie af. De stoffen gaan dan weer het plasma in. Dit kan dus gecompenseerd worden door geen borstvoeding te geven wanneer de concentratie van een stof hoog is in het plasma. Bij medicijnen met een lange halveringstijd (tijd waarna de helft van de totale hoeveelheid stof is afgebroken) kan dit meestal niet.

Ion trapping
'Ion trapping' vindt bij zwakke basen plaats. De moedermelk (pH 7,2) is iets minder basisch dan plasma (pH 7,4) en hierdoor kunnen sommige zwakke basen sterker gepolariseerd raken. Ze kunnen hierdoor niet meer terug diffunderen en komen vast te zitten in de melk. Omgekeerd kunnen sommige zwakke zuren niet terug diffunderen naar de melk toe.

Moleculair gewicht
De grootte van de moleculen van een stof kan ervoor zorgen dat het moeilijker door de celmembraan kan diffunderen. Over het algemeen geldt hoe groter de stof, hoe minder ervan in de moedermelk. Bij een grootte van 500 tot 800 dalton is het al vrij moeilijk voor de stof om in de moedermelk terecht te komen en bij meer dan 1000 dalton is die hoeveelheid zelfs te verwaarlozen.

Vetoplosbaarheid
Stoffen die goed in vet kunnen oplossen, kunnen makkelijker in de moedermelk terechtkomen. Dit kan gebeuren in de melk producerende cellen, waar de stof dan oplost in vetten die de cel nog uit moeten. Het kan ook gebeuren nadat de stof al in de melk is terechtgekomen, waarna het oplost in het vet in de melk en daar vast komt te zitten.

Melk/plasma ratio
De melk/plasma ratio (kortweg M/P) is soms handig om vooraf te bepalen hoeveel van een stof in de melk terechtkomt. Deze ratio verschilt erg van het moment waarop de moedermelk uit de borst komt. Hierom wordt meestal de M/P op het moment vlak na toediening gehanteerd. Een hoge M/P duidt op makkelijke diffusie naar de melk en een lage M/P op relatief moeilijke diffusie naar de moedermelk. De M/P zegt echter nauwelijks iets over de concentratie van de stof in de moedermelk. Die hangt voornamelijk af van de concentratie in het plasma van de moeder.

Concentratie in het plasma
De concentratie van een stof in het plasma van de moeder is een van de belangrijkste (kinetische) factoren die bepalen hoeveel van een stof in de moedermelk terechtkomt. De concentratie wordt bepaald door de dosering van een medicijn, de halveringstijd, de verdeling van de stof in het lichaam, de beschikbare hoeveelheid en de mate waarin het aan eiwitten bindt. Over het algemeen geldt hoe hoger de concentratie in het plasma, hoe hoger de druk om de stof naar de moedermelk te diffunderen.

Beschikbare hoeveelheid van de stof
De beschikbare hoeveelheid speelt een rol bij de toename van de concentratie in het plasma. Voordat de stof in het plasma terechtkomt kan het al deels afgebroken worden of niet worden doorgelaten tot het plasma. De wijze van toediening is hierbij belangrijk. De uiteindelijke concentratie in het plasma (vlak na toediening) verschilt bij oraal, rectaal, intraveneus, intramusculair of subcutaan toedienen.

Remming van de melkproductie
De hoeveelheid melk die wordt geproduceerd is belangrijk voor de groei van het kind. Als de productie van moedermelk wordt geremd, kan het een negatieve invloed hebben op de groei. Van bepaalde soorten medicijnen is bekend dat ze de melkproductie remmen, namelijk ergot-alkaloïden, bijvoorbeeld bromocriptine en cabergoline, oestrogenen, progestagenen, pseudo-efedrine en in mindere mate alcohol.

De werking van medicatie met oestrogeen kan per individu verschillen. Bij sommige vrouwen is er nauwelijks invloed op de melkproductie, bij anderen juist heel erg. Een afname in de melkproductie kan ook relatief langzaam verlopen. Hierbij merkt de vrouw meestal niets aan de hoeveelheid melk die wordt geproduceerd. De meest gevoelige periode is in de na de bevalling, voordat de melkproductie volledig op gang is gekomen. Meestal wordt daarom geadviseerd zo lang mogelijk te wachten met het beginnen van anticonceptiemiddelen.

Ergot-alkaloïden remmen de secretie van prolactine (en uiteindelijk dus ook van de melkproductie).

Zie ook
 Flesvoeding
 Borsten

Externe links
 Moedermelk Netwerk - Site met informatie over borstvoeding in het algemeen en informatie over donormelk.
 Kenniscentrum Borstvoeding
 eMedicine over moedermelk en lactatie (productie van moedermelk)

Borstvoeding
Melk naar diersoort
Lichaamsvocht
Borst

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Northern Botswana is home to some of the most striking and magnificent trees found in Africa! Our Botswana safari expert James H reveals the top 5 unique trees and where to find them.
Firstly I would like to say that this blog should turn out to be a bit more fun than the title sounds, even if some of my colleagues may beg to differ.
It is amazing how my interests on safari have changed and developed. I remember loving the mechanical aspects of the experience at first. The flights, the transfers, and the game drive vehicles. Then I started to really look out for the biggest animals and the predators. After this phase came rare animals, and subsequently I became a bit of a birder, which opens up a whole world of diversity of sightings on a bird watching safari. More recently I have developed a fascination with the all-encompassing environment and vegetation.
Trees really are fascinating, from the initial awe of seeing a towering monster-size tree, which dwarfs the largest of land mammals, to spotting firsthand the wildlife that these trees attract and learning what local peoples use the trees for, either practically or medicinally. There are also many superstitions! Northern Botswana is home to some of the most striking and magnificent trees found in Africa, and I believe that you don't have to be a tree nerd like me to find them at least a little bit interesting. I briefly studied Latin at school, and tried to learn Setswana to a point. However, I'm not particularly good at remembering complicated plant names, so I have settled on using my favourite title for each tree, which happens to be the most common name.
I have to thank Veronica Roodt for putting together the excellent book Trees & Shrubs of the Okavango Delta. This is just one work among the great variety of books and maps she has compiled, and an easy-to-read source of information for this blog.
This is one of the most impressive trees that normally grow supremely straight and tall. The dark-green crown of leaves and uniform stem make for an imposing sight. The bark resembles the skin of a crocodile and the leaves are also leathery. Due to the straightness and height of this tree, it has been a favourite species to fell and craft into a mokoro. The mokoro is the famous vessel used to navigate the narrow, shallow floodplains and waterways of the Okavango. In an effort to conserve jackalberry trees (and other species), the camps in northern Botswana now use fibreglass replicas – these deliver a very similar experience without damaging the local ecosystem through human destruction of these marvellous, towering trees.
In the Okavango Delta and Linyanti areas with permanent water courses, jackalberries can grow in excess of 25 metres tall and they often grow on termite colonies. The name jackalberry is thought to have originated for two reasons. Firstly jackals, omnivores as they are, love the fruit. The seeds are regularly found in their droppings. And secondly the fruit is small and elusive, just like the diminutive jackal.
The high sugar content of the fruit makes it a favourite with local peoples for brewing beer and making a highly potent brandy!
It is believed that, if a member of a Southern African tribe has eaten the fruit of the jackalberry and then leaves their country, they could become possessed by spirits.
This has to be one of the most recognisable trees in northern Botswana. If it is not laden with huge sausage-shaped fruit then it is normally covered in large red cup-shaped flowers. Fruits can weigh a whopping 4 kilograms each, and therefore spending prolonged time underneath the canopy of this species is pretty risky!
Whenever I see these trees I feel transported back to almost Jurassic times. Especially when the tallest animal in the world comes along to snack on said sausages, as witnessed on my recent visit to Shinde Camp!
An ointment made from the sausage tree seeds is commercially sold as a skin cancer cure.
Known symptoms of eating the fruit, especially when it's green, include the swelling of the male organs!
The Peter's epauletted fruit bat is the most likely pollinator.
Hanging a sausage tree fruit in your hut will protect you from whirlwinds!
This is one of the most impressive trees found in Botswana, and with its deeply fluted trunk, bright orange bark, and dense fruit clusters, it is one of the more recognisable species. If you are ever in Maun, there is a beautiful specimen alongside the Thamalakane river next to a famous riverside hangout.
This really is an amazing tree because of its huge nutritional value. Therefore I urge you to spend some time close to a sycamore fig. Hundreds of creatures feed upon and live in the tree.
The stem is formed of flattened buttresses that reinforce the tree, making it impossible for elephants to uproot.
The latex exuded by the tree is so sticky that it is used to trap small birds. The latex can be smeared onto a small twig to set a trap.
Figs are pollinated by parasitic wasps. Not only that, a specific species of wasp will pollinate only a specific species of fig.
No list of trees of northern Botswana would be complete without the real fan palm, one of the most distinctive sights during the day and at sunset a striking silhouette within the Delta landscape. The real fan palm is the kind of tree that you might expect rather to find on the coast. And that is because this palm thrives in areas with a shallow brackish water table, which is why they occur at the edges of sand islands and around pans.
There are many of this species to be seen in the Makgadikgadi pans surrounding Jack's Camp, San Camp, and Camp Kalahari. This is suspected to be due to elephants propagating the seeds when visiting the area en route from the Okavango. The Linyanti also has huge numbers of palm trees. In this area, they enhance many of the views at camps such as DumaTau, Zarafa, Selinda, and Kings Pool.
The famous Botswana basket-ware is made from the leaves of this tree.
Using traditional techniques, it is possible to tap the sap, and an average-sized tree produces as much as 60 litres of refreshing and only slightly intoxicating ginger beer. If it is left to ferment, it becomes potent! Sadly, as you can imagine, the tree doesn't last too long after using this technique.
Wild fire is a real fan palm's best friend, as it stimulates germination and does no lasting damage to mature trees!
Lastly we have the baobab, undoubtedly one of Earth's most impressive trees. Composed of 40–75 per cent water, it behaves like a succulent. There are some magnificent specimens and baobab groups in Botswana that have stood the test of time. Some trees are predicted to have lived for several thousands of years. Known as 'the tree of life', the baobab is of huge nutritional importance and helps to support a large variety of animals. The heartwood of the baobab commonly dies off, after which the inner surface heals, creating a hollow trunk that can collect and store water. This storage of water has obvious benefits for animals during the dry season.
Bee swarms establish hives in the trunk's crevices, and the tree also attracts leopard, genet, and nesting birds including rollers, hornbills, parrots, and barn owls.
Sadly the largest and oldest baobabs are disappearing at an alarming rate. It was recently reported that 9 out of 13 of Africa's oldest specimens (1,100–2,500 years old) have died in the last decade, attributed either directly or indirectly to climate change. Through conservation of their ecosystems and close monitoring of their health, we have the best chance of preserving one of nature's most impressive sights!
Baobab fruit pulp yields six times more vitamin C than an orange, 50 per cent more calcium than spinach, and plenty of flavour to liven up any dish!
Some of these hollow trunks are so large that they have been used by man as storage facilities, dwellings, a bar, and a fully fitted western-style toilet. And in Kasane, north-eastern Botswana, one found within the police station's grounds was used as a jail!
The honeyguide bird, the only known bird that is able to digest beeswax, has evolved a unique symbiotic relationship with man, which often plays out around the baobab. Honeyguides chirp and dive-bomb bees' nests with the aim of leading us to their food source. Since they are not physically equipped to open the hive, they rely upon humans to do this for them.
To find out more on where you can spot these unique trees on your Botswana safari, just get in touch with a member of the YZ team.
James H is a professional pilot and safari specialist, and he has an in-depth knowledge of Botswana and South Africa.


I decorated a roof tile for this weeks challenge over at Just For Fun. This weeks challenge is "Anything but a card". For full details of the challenge, the DT's inspirational pieces and all the fab entries click on the Just For Fun logo on the side bar.
While Freddie is away I raided his shed and found some roofing tiles. I know there are some I am not supposed to use and I am hoping this isn't one of them! lol! I had so much fun making this.
I used some relief paste for the roses.
This is where the idea for this came from.
This was also a bit of an experiment. I want to use some of these as lamp shades for some lights on the wall. They need to be cut in half really but I am not allowed to use the angle grinder! I was happy how it turned out but I think it needs something in towards the top right hand corner. I'll have a think about it.
I am off to get ready to watch Downton Abbey. I have not done any shopping this week so I have pinched all of the dried bananas out of Freddie's museli for a TV feast!
Hi Valerie. Always great to hear from you. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments.
Hi Paula. The square pattern is a mask and I painted the leaves. I hope he won't be as well! lol! Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. They are very much appreciated.
Hi Sandra. Always great to hear from you. Hope all is well. That's a good idea of yours. It does need something. I will deny all knowledge of the bannana chips if he does! lol! Enjoy DA. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments.
Hi Florence,love your tile,hope you don't get into trouble with Freddie lol. We are fan's of Downton Abbey waiting for it to come on, time to make a cuppa.
Hi Janet, Fingers crossed! lol! Enjoy your cuppa and DA. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. Always great to hear from you.
This tile is wonderful! If you weren't meant to use it, Freddie can incorporate it into the roof!
Hi Lucy. Now thats an idea! lol! You always make me giggle! Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. They are truly appreciated.
Hi Alison, Hot chocolate and muffins sounds just wonderful!! Do you fancy a swap for my looted banana chips! lol! Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. Always great to hear from you.
HI Florence , well you know if I was you I would put a flower in the top right hand corner but then again I always do that ! What a fabulous idea I could just imagine a while roof tiled like that . Simple beautiful and inspirational. Enjoy your bananas and tv !
Hi Marie. You may be on to something there! What about a small rose coming down in the opposite direction! Mmmm! Another one to think about. Thank you for stopping by and your lovely comments. Always great to hear from you.
Hi Yvonne, Lovely to hear from you. Hope all is well with you. Thank you for visit and for your kind words. They are very much appreciated.
Wow! This is so different, and beautiful. Your roses are perfect – well done you.
Hi Ann. Lovely to hear from you. Hope you are well. Thank you for stopping by and for your very kind words.
Hi Florence! Your roses are perfect! So realistic! You are so talented! Careful, don't show Freddie that tile, he will want you to do the rest of them for the roof of your house, it is so beautiful! LOL!!
LISA! How are you? Always lovely to hear from you. I am sure Freddie would! lol! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. They are very much appreciated.
Hi Cecilia, A bit like in Handsel and Gretel you mean! lol! Would that make us the couple Grimm! ha ha. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. Always great to hear from you.
Hi Von, You beat me to it! Funny enough I was thinking earlier if I am in trouble I am blaming YOU! ha ha! Oh! I've got the giggles now. Great to hear from you. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments.
Hi Suze. Always great to hear from you. Thank you for your visit and your lovely comments. You are very kind.
This is absolutely stunning and would look incredible as a shade for a wall light. Am still chuckling – Freddie is going to come back and found the house ripped apart and the cupboard bare!!
Hi T, We had to stop off at the supermarket on the way home from airport. Phew! Now have food in the house! lol! Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. They are very much appreciated.
This is fabulous Florence and what a great idea, I would never have thought of using decorating a roof tile.
Hi Hazel. Hope all is well. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. Always great to hear from you.
Absolutely gorgeous Florence and I can see what you mean about them turning into light fittings. I can imagine them with cherubs on in the bedroom and ….. oh the mind is running away now that I have seen your beautiful creation. Hope you enjoyed the banana flakes (I pick them out too).
Hi Neet. Cherubs! Now thats an idea. Now my mind is running away now! lol! The banana flakes were yummy! He's not noticed yet either. Always lovely to hear from you. Thank you for your visit and your valued comments.
Hi Zoe, This was a usuful exercise to go through. I just need to make them out of terracotta tiles which are lighter in weight and cut them to the correct size but I will make a pair for the bedroom. Watch this space as they say! lol! Always great to hear from you. Thank you for popping in and for your lovely comments.
Hi June. Hope all is well with you. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. Always great to hear from you.
Hi Florence, What a great project. I love your roof tile its gorgeous, i visualise the whole roof being painted like this by the time Freddie gets back.
Hi Jaqi. Thank you for passing on to me your blog award. I am very flattered that you should think of me. It is a joy to follow your blog and see all of your inspiring ideas. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. Have a great week.
Florence you never cease to amaze me with your inventive ideas. Love the tile – so unusual and a brilliant idea.
Hi Sally, Hope all is well with you. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. Always great to hear from you.
Wow!! That's Fab!!I think they'd look gorgeous dotted among the roof tiles!
Hi Dawn. Great to hear from you. I am so pleased you stopped by. For some reason my subscriptions are not picking up your posts and I hadn't realised. I wouldn't want to miss any of your beautiful creations. Thank you for your visit and your lovely comments.
The most wonderful idea to alter this tile and what stunning results.
Hi Lynne. Hope all is well. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments. I bet there is a power surge on a Sunday night with everyone tuning in to DA. Always great to hear from you.


The beta 2 version of the Trading Station/Marketscope 2015-R2 is available for public testing.
this is a very nice update to Tradestation. The watchlistoption is very nice. Would be could if you could choose the different watchlists directly from the marketscope charts in the pulldown menus.
One feature that I really missing with Marketscope is the ability to change an entry order in the chart with the stop and limit withouth confirming with Ok or Enter. Ninjatrader has this ability and its very helpfull.
Thank you for these suggestions. I added them to the wish-list.