text:
Only show content I have access to (13)
Language and Linguistics (1)
Animal Science (2)
Microscopy and Microanalysis (2)
Acta Neuropsychiatrica (1)
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care (1)
Protein Science (1)
Symposium - International Astronomical Union (1)
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology (1)
Brazilian Society for Microscopy and Microanalysis (SBMM) (2)
Health Technology Assessment International (1)
Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology (1)
The Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (1)
Notification data and criteria during a large Q-fever epidemic reassessed
D. A. T. Hanssen, G. Morroy, M. M. A. de Lange, C. C. H. Wielders, W. van der Hoek, F. Dijkstra, P. M. Schneeberger
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 May 2019, e191
From 2007 to 2010, the largest reported Q-fever epidemic occurred in the Netherlands with 4026 notified laboratory-confirmed cases. During the course of the epidemic, health-seeking behaviour changed and awareness among health professionals increased. Changes in laboratory workflows were implemented. The aim of this study was to analyse how these changes instigated adjustments of notification criteria and how these adjustments affected the monitoring and interpretation of the epidemic. We used the articles on laboratory procedures related to the epidemic and a description of the changes that were made to the notification criteria. We compared the output of a regional laboratory with notifications to the regional Public Health Service and the national register of infectious diseases. We compared the international notification criteria for acute Q-fever. Screening with ELISA IgM phase II and PCR was added to the diagnostic workflow. In the course of the epidemic, serology often revealed a positive IgG/IgM result although cases were not infected recently. With increasing background seroprevalence, the presence of IgM antibodies can only be suggestive for acute Q-fever and has to be confirmed either by seroconversion of IgG or a positive PCR result. Differences in sero-epidemiology make it unlikely that full harmonisation of notification criteria between countries is feasible.
Multi-criteria evaluation of dairy cattle feed resources and animal characteristics for nutritive and environmental impacts
H. J. van Lingen, J. G. Fadel, A. Bannink, J. Dijkstra, J. M. Tricarico, D. Pacheco, D. P. Casper, E. Kebreab
Journal: animal / Volume 12 / Issue s2 / December 2018
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 August 2018, pp. s310-s320
On-farm nutrition and management interventions to reduce enteric CH4 (eCH4) emission, the most abundant greenhouse gas from cattle, may also affect volatile solids and N excretion. The objective was to jointly quantify eCH4 emissions, digestible volatile solids (dVS) excretion and N excretion from dairy cattle, based on dietary variables and animal characteristics, and to evaluate relationships between these emissions and excreta. Univariate and Bayesian multivariate mixed-effects models fitted to 520 individual North American dairy cow records indicated dry matter (DM) intake and dietary ADF and CP to be the main predictors for production of eCH4 emissions and dVS and N excreta (g/day). Yields (g/kg DM intake) of eCH4 emissions and dVS and N excreta were best predicted by dietary ADF, dietary CP, milk yield and milk fat content. Intensities (g/kg fat- and protein-corrected milk) of eCH4, dVS and N excreta were best predicted by dietary ADF, dietary CP, days in milk and BW. A K-fold cross-validation indicated that eCH4 and urinary N variables had larger root mean square prediction error (RMSPE; % of observed mean) than dVS, fecal N and total N production (on average 24.3% and 26.5% v. 16.7%, 15.5% and 16.2%, respectively), whereas intensity variables had larger RMSPE than production and yields (29.4%, 14.7% and 14.6%, respectively). Univariate and multivariate equations performed relatively similar (18.8% v. 19.3% RMSPE). Mutual correlations indicated a trade-off for eCH4v. dVS yield. The multivariate model indicated a trade-off between eCH4 and dVS v. total N production, yield and intensity induced by dietary CP content.
The role of perceived barriers in explaining socio-economic status differences in adherence to the fruit, vegetable and fish guidelines in older adults: a mediation study
S Coosje Dijkstra, Judith E Neter, Maartje M van Stralen, Dirk L Knol, Ingeborg A Brouwer, Martijn Huisman, Marjolein Visser
Journal: Public Health Nutrition / Volume 18 / Issue 5 / April 2015
We aimed to identify barriers for meeting the fruit, vegetable and fish guidelines in older Dutch adults and to investigate socio-economic status (SES) differences in these barriers. Furthermore, we examined the mediating role of these barriers in the association between SES and adherence to these guidelines.
Cross-sectional.
Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), the Netherlands.
We used data from 1057 community-dwelling adults, aged 55–85 years. SES was measured by level of education and household income. An FFQ was used to assess dietary intake and barriers were measured with a self-reported lifestyle questionnaire.
Overall, 48·9 % of the respondents perceived a barrier to adhere to the fruit guideline, 40·0 % for the vegetable and 51·1 % for the fish guideline. The most frequently perceived barriers to meet the guidelines were the high price of fruit and fish and a poor appetite for vegetables. Lower-SES groups met the guidelines less often and perceived more barriers. The association between income and adherence to the fruit guideline was mediated by 'perceiving any barrier to meet the fruit guideline' and the barrier 'dislike fruit'. The association between income and adherence to the fish guideline was mediated by 'perceiving any barrier to meet the fish guideline' and the barrier 'fish is expensive'.
Perceived barriers for meeting the dietary guidelines are common in older adults, especially in lower-SES groups. These barriers and in particular disliking and cost concerns explained the lower adherence to the guidelines for fruit and fish in lower-income groups in older adults.
Estimating enteric methane emissions from Chilean beef fattening systems using a mechanistic model
R. A. ARIAS, A. CATRILEO, R. LARRAÍN, R. VERA, A. VELÁSQUEZ, M. TONEATTI, J. FRANCE, J. DIJKSTRA, E. KEBREAB
A mechanistic model (COWPOLL) was used to estimate enteric methane (CH4) emissions from beef production systems in Chile. The results expressed as a proportion of gross energy intake (GEI) were compared with enteric fermentation data reported in the last Chilean greenhouse gases inventory, which utilized an earlier the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Tier 2 approach. The simulation analysis was based on information from feedstuffs, dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) of steers raised and finished at two research facilities located in Central and Southern Chile, as well as three simulated scenarios for grass-based finishing systems in Southern Chile. Data for feedlot production systems in the central region were assessed by considering steers fed a forage : concentrate ratio of 23 : 77 using maize silage and wheat straw as roughage sources during the stages of backgrounding and fattening. Average DMI were 7·3±0·62 and 9·2±0·55 kg/day per steer for backgrounding and fattening, respectively, whereas ADG were 1·1±0·22 and 1·3±0·37 kg/day for backgrounding and fattening. For the Southern Chilean fattening production systems, the forage : concentrate ratio was 56 : 44 with ryegrass pasture as the sole forage source. In this case, average DMI was 9·97±0·51 and ADG was 1·1±0·24 kg/day per steer. Two of the grass-based scenarios used the same initial BW information as that used for the Central and Southern Chilean systems, but feedlot diets were replaced by ryegrass pasture. The third grass-based scenario used an initial BW of 390 kg. In all the grass-based scenarios an ADG of 0·90 kg/day, with maximum DMI estimated as a proportion of BW (0·01 of NDF, kg/kg BW), was assumed. The results of the simulation analysis showed that emission factors (Y m; fraction of GEI) ranged from 0·062 to 0·079 of GEI. Smaller values were associated with finishing systems that included a lower proportion of forage in the diet due to higher propionate production, which serves as a sink for hydrogen in the rumen. Cattle finished in feedlot systems had an average of 0·062 of GEI lost as CH4, whereas grass-based cattle had losses of 0·079 of GEI. Enteric CH4 emissions for the systems using grass-based and concentrate diets were 261 and 159 g/kg weight gain, respectively. The Chilean CH4 inventory employs a fixed Y m of 0·060 to estimate enteric fermentation for all cattle. This value is lower than the average Y m obtained in the current simulation analysis (0·071 of GEI), which results in underestimation of enteric CH4 emissions from beef cattle. However, these results need to be checked against field measurements of CH4 emissions. Implementation of mechanistic models in the preparation of national greenhouse gas inventories is feasible if appropriate information is provided, allowing dietary characteristics and regional particularities to be taken into consideration.
Variation in phosphorus content of milk from dairy cattle as affected by differences in milk composition
G. KLOP, J. L. ELLIS, M. C. BLOK, G. G. BRANDSMA, A. BANNINK, J. DIJKSTRA
Journal: The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 152 / Issue 5 / October 2014
In view of environmental concerns with regard to phosphorus (P) pollution and the expected global P scarcity, there is increasing interest in improving P utilization in dairy cattle. In high-producing dairy cows, P requirements for milk production comprise a significant fraction of total dietary P requirements. Although variation in P content of milk can affect the efficiency of P utilization for milk production (i.e. the fraction of ingested P that is incorporated in milk), this variation is poorly understood. It was hypothesized that the P content of milk is related to both milk protein and milk lactose content, but not necessarily to milk fat content. Three existing experiments comprising individual animal data on milk yield and fat, protein, lactose and P content of milk (in total 278 observations from 121 cows) were analysed to evaluate this hypothesis using a mixed model analysis. The models including the effects of both protein and lactose content of milk yielded better prediction of milk P content in terms of root-mean-square prediction error (RMSPE) and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) statistics than models with only protein included as prediction variable; however, estimates of effect sizes varied between studies. The inclusion of milk fat content in equations already including protein and lactose did not further improve prediction of milk P content. Equations developed to describe the relationship between milk protein and lactose contents (g/kg) and milk P content (g/kg) were: (Expt 1) P in milk=−0·44(±0·179)+0·0253(±0·00300)×milk protein+0·0133(±0·00382)×milk lactose (RMSPE: 5·2%; CCC: 0·71); (Expt 2) P in milk=−0·26 (±0·347)+0·0174(±0·00328)×milk protein+0·0143 (±0·00611)×milk lactose (RMSPE: 6·3%; CCC: 0·40); and (Expt 3) P in milk=−0·36(±0·255)+0·0131(±0·00230)×milk protein+0·0193(±0·00490)×milk lactose (RMSPE: 6·5%; CCC: 0·55). Analysis of the three experiments combined, treating study as a random effect, resulted in the following equation to describe the same relationship as in the individual study equations: P in milk=−0·64(±0·168)+0·0223(±0·00236)×milk protein+0·0191(±0·00316)×milk lactose (RMSPE: 6·2%; CCC: 0·61). Although significant relationships between milk protein, milk lactose and milk P were found, a considerable portion of the observed variation remained unexplained, implying that factors other than milk composition may affect the P content of milk. The equations developed may be used to replace current fixed milk P contents assumed in P requirement systems for cattle.
Diet effects on urine composition of cattle and N2O emissions
J. Dijkstra, O. Oenema, J. W. van Groenigen, J. W. Spek, A. M. van Vuuren, A. Bannink
Journal: animal / Volume 7 / Issue s2 / June 2013
Ruminant production contributes to emissions of nitrogen (N) to the environment, principally ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O) and di-nitrogen (N2) to air, nitrate (NO3−) to groundwater and particulate N to surface waters. Variation in dietary N intake will particularly affect excretion of urinary N, which is much more vulnerable to losses than is faecal N. Our objective is to review dietary effects on the level and form of N excreted in cattle urine, as well as its consequences for emissions of N2O. The quantity of N excreted in urine varies widely. Urinary N excretion, in particular that of urea N, is decreased upon reduction of dietary N intake or an increase in the supply of energy to the rumen microorganisms and to the host animal itself. Most of the N in urine (from 50% to well over 90%) is present in the form of urea. Other nitrogenous components include purine derivatives (PD), hippuric acid, creatine and creatinine. Excretion of PD is related to rumen microbial protein synthesis, and that of hippuric acid to dietary concentration of degradable phenolic acids. The N concentration of cattle urine ranges from 3 to 20 g/l. High-dietary mineral levels increase urine volume and lead to reduced urinary N concentration as well as reduced urea concentration in plasma and milk. In lactating dairy cattle, variation in urine volume affects the relationship between milk urea and urinary N excretion, which hampers the use of milk urea as an accurate indicator of urinary N excretion. Following its deposition in pastures or in animal houses, ubiquitous microorganisms in soil and waters transform urinary N components into ammonium (NH4+), and thereafter into NO3− and ultimately in N2 accompanied with the release of N2O. Urinary hippuric acid, creatine and creatinine decompose more slowly than urea. Hippuric acid may act as a natural inhibitor of N2O emissions, but inhibition conditions have not been defined properly yet. Environmental and soil conditions at the site of urine deposition or manure application strongly influence N2O release. Major dietary strategies to mitigating N2O emission from cattle operations include reducing dietary N content or increasing energy content, and increasing dietary mineral content to increase urine volume. For further reduction of N2O emission, an integrated animal nutrition and excreta management approach is required.
Technical options for the mitigation of direct methane and nitrous oxide emissions from livestock: a review
P. J. Gerber, A. N. Hristov, B. Henderson, H. Makkar, J. Oh, C. Lee, R. Meinen, F. Montes, T. Ott, J. Firkins, A. Rotz, C. Dell, A. T. Adesogan, W. Z. Yang, J. M. Tricarico, E. Kebreab, G. Waghorn, J. Dijkstra, S. Oosting
Although livestock production accounts for a sizeable share of global greenhouse gas emissions, numerous technical options have been identified to mitigate these emissions. In this review, a subset of these options, which have proven to be effective, are discussed. These include measures to reduce CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation by ruminants, the largest single emission source from the global livestock sector, and for reducing CH4 and N2O emissions from manure. A unique feature of this review is the high level of attention given to interactions between mitigation options and productivity. Among the feed supplement options for lowering enteric emissions, dietary lipids, nitrates and ionophores are identified as the most effective. Forage quality, feed processing and precision feeding have the best prospects among the various available feed and feed management measures. With regard to manure, dietary measures that reduce the amount of N excreted (e.g. better matching of dietary protein to animal needs), shift N excretion from urine to faeces (e.g. tannin inclusion at low levels) and reduce the amount of fermentable organic matter excreted are recommended. Among the many 'end-of-pipe' measures available for manure management, approaches that capture and/or process CH4 emissions during storage (e.g. anaerobic digestion, biofiltration, composting), as well as subsurface injection of manure, are among the most encouraging options flagged in this section of the review. The importance of a multiple gas perspective is critical when assessing mitigation potentials, because most of the options reviewed show strong interactions among sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The paper reviews current knowledge on potential pollution swapping, whereby the reduction of one GHG or emission source leads to unintended increases in another.
Effects of short- and long-chain fatty acids on the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase and other lipogenic genes in bovine mammary epithelial cells
A. A. A. Jacobs, J. Dijkstra, J. S. Liesman, M. J. VandeHaar, A. L. Lock, A. M. van Vuuren, W. H. Hendriks, J. van Baal
Journal: animal / Volume 7 / Issue 9 / September 2013
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) in the bovine mammary gland introduces a cis-double bond at the Δ9 position in a wide range of fatty acids (FA). Several long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) inhibit expression of SCD, but information on the effect of short-chain fatty acids on mammary SCD expression is scarce. We used a bovine mammary cell line (MAC-T) to assess the effect of acetic acid (Ac) and β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) in comparison with the effect of various long-chain fatty acids on the mRNA expression of the lipogenic enzymes SCD, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACACA), fatty acid synthase (FASN) and their associated gene regulatory proteins sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1), insulin-induced gene 1 protein (INSIG1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA)and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARD) by quantitative real-time PCR. MAC-T cells were treated for 12 h without FA additions (CON) or with either 5 mM Ac, 5 mM BHBA, a combination of 5 mM Ac + 5 mM BHBA, 100 μM C16:0, 100 μM C18:0, 100 μM C18:1 cis-9, 100 μM C18:1 trans-11, 100 μM C18:2 cis-9,12 or 100 μM C18:3 cis-9,12,15. Compared with control, mRNA expression of SCD1 was increased by Ac (+61%) and reduced by C18:1 cis-9 (−61%), C18:2 cis-9,12 (−84%) and C18:3 cis-9,12,15 (−88%). In contrast to native bovine mammary gland tissue, MAC-T cells did not express SCD5. Expression of ACACA was increased by Ac (+44%) and reduced by C18:2 cis-9,12 (−48%) and C18:3 cis-9,12,15 (−49%). Compared with control, FASN expression was not significantly affected by the treatments. The mRNA level of SREBF1 was not affected by Ac or BHBA, but was reduced by C18:1 cis-9 (−44%), C18:1 trans-11 (−42%), C18:2 cis-9,12 (−62%) and C18:3 cis-9,12,15 (−68%) compared with control. Expression of INSIG1 was downregulated by C18:0 (−37%), C18:1 cis-9 (−63%), C18:1 trans-11 (−53%), C18:2 cis-9,12 (−81%) and C18:3 cis-9,12,15 (−91%). Both PPARA and PPARD expression were not significantly affected by the treatments. Our results show that Ac upregulated mRNA expression of SCD1 and ACACA in MAC-T cells. The opposite effect of the PUFA C18:2 cis-9,12 and C18:3 cis-9,12,15 on the these genes and the failure of Ac to mimic the PUFA-inhibited SREBF1 and INSIG1 mRNA expression, suggest that Ac can stimulate mammary lipogenesis via a transcriptional regulatory mechanism different from PUFA.
δ13C as a marker to study digesta passage kinetics in ruminants: a combined in vivo and in vitro study
W. F. Pellikaan, M. W. A. Verstegen, S. Tamminga, J. Dijkstra, W. H. Hendriks
Journal: animal / Volume 7 / Issue 5 / May 2013
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2012, pp. 754-767
The aim of the current study was to explore the use of the tracer 13C as an internal marker to assess feed fraction-specific digesta passage kinetics through the digestive tract of dairy cows. Knowledge on feed-specific fractional passage rates is essential to improve estimations on the extent of rumen degradation and microbial protein efficiency; however, this information is largely lacking. An in vivo and in vitro experiment was conducted with grass silages (Lolium perenne L.) that were enriched with 13C by growing the grass under elevated 13CO2 conditions. In a crossover design, two dairy cows received pulse doses of two 13C-enriched grass silages and chromium-mordanted neutral detergent fibre (Cr-NDF) into the rumen. The two 13C-enriched grass silages used differed in digestibility and were grown under identical field conditions as the bulk silages fed to the animals. Faecal excretion patterns of 13C-enriched dry matter (13C-DM), neutral detergent fibre (13C-NDF) and Cr-NDF were established, and a nonlinear multicompartmental model was used to determine their rumen passage kinetics. In addition, the 13C-enriched silages were incubated in rumen liquid in an in vitro batch culture system at different time intervals to determine the effect of fermentation on 13C-enrichment in the residue. The in vitro study showed that the 13C : 12C ratios in DM and NDF residues remained stable from 24 h of incubation onwards. In addition, in vitro fractional degradation rates for 12C in the DM and NDF did not differ from those of 13C, indicating that fermentative degradation does not affect the 13C : 12C ratio in the DM nor in the NDF fraction of the residue. Model fits to the faecal excretion curves showed a significant difference in fractional rumen passage rates between Cr-NDF, 13C-DM and 13C-NDF (P ⩽ 0.025). Silage type had no clear effect on rumen passage kinetics (P ⩾ 0.081). Moreover, it showed that peak enrichments for 13C-DM and 13C-NDF in faeces were reached at 30.7 and 41.7 h post dosing, respectively. This is well after the time (24 h) when the 13C : 12C ratios of the in vitro unfermented residues have reached stable enrichment level. Fractional rate constants for particle passage from the rumen are estimated from the descending slope of faecal excretion curves. The present study shows that the decline in 13C : 12C ratio after peak enrichment is not affected by fermentative degradation and therefore can be used to assess feed component-specific fractional passage rates.
By Jeanette Altarriba, Carmit Altman, Panos Athanasopoulos, Fraibet Aveledo, Kathleen Bardovi-Harlig, James Bartolotti, Alex Bijsterveld, Marc Brysbaert, Ton Dijkstra, Wouter Duyck, Mira Goral, Femke Haga, Judith F. Kroll, Ludmila Isurin, Kyle Levesque, Viorica Marian, Sandra Martin-Chang, Loraine Obler, Xiaoping Pu, Robert W. Schrauf, Teresa M. Signorelli, Ida Sprinkhuizen-Kuyper, David Stringer, Arnaud Szmalec, Pavel Trofimovich, Chi-Shing Tse, Janet G. Van Hell, Joel Walters
Edited by Jeanette Altarriba, University at Albany, State University of New York, Ludmila Isurin, Ohio State University
Book: Memory, Language, and Bilingualism
Published online: 05 November 2012
Print publication: 01 November 2012, pp x-xii
Effects of different fat sources, technological forms and characteristics of the basal diet on milk fatty acid profile in lactating dairy cows – a meta-analysis
A. STERK, A. M. VAN VUUREN, W. H. HENDRIKS, J. DIJKSTRA
Journal: The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 150 / Issue 4 / August 2012
A meta-analysis was conducted to study milk fatty acid (FA) profile in dairy cows in response to changes in dietary nutrient composition in relation to supplementation of fat sources, their technological form, addition of fish oil and main forage type in the basal diet. Data comprised 151 treatment means from 50 experiments, which were included in the database when diet composition, nutrient composition, FA composition, dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield, milk composition and milk FA profile were reported. Mixed model regression analysis including a random experiment effect and unequal variances among experiments was used. Least squares means were obtained for the different fat sources (unsupplemented, rapeseed, soybean+sunflower, linseed, or fish oil), technological form including addition of fish oil (oil, seed, protected and added fish oil), and main forage type (lucerne silage, barley silage, maize silage, grass silage, maize silage combined with haylage, or haylage) in the basal diet. Results showed that the technological form of supplemental rapeseed, soybean, sunflower, or linseed significantly influenced the effect of dietary nutrient composition on milk fat content and milk FA profile resulting in significant differences between technological forms within the different fat sources. Protected rapeseed and linseed increased C18:2n6 and C18:3n3 proportions in milk fat, respectively, whereas soybean and sunflower seed increased transfer efficiencies for C18:2n6 and C18:3n3 and their proportions in milk fat. Soybean, sunflower, or linseed supplied as oil increased trans-11-C18:1 proportions in milk fat, whereas the addition of fish oil to a diet containing soybean or sunflower decreased C18:0 and cis-9-C18:1 proportions in milk fat. The main forage type in the diet also significantly influenced the effect of dietary nutrient composition on milk fat content and milk FA profile, resulting in significant differences between main forage types in the diet within the different fat sources. Maize silage as the main forage type increased trans-11-C18:1 in unsupplemented diets or diets supplemented with a source of soybean or sunflower. For rapeseed supplemented diets, barley silage increased transfer efficiency and milk fat proportion of C18:2n6, whereas grass silage increased proportion of C18:3n3 in milk fat. For soybean or sunflower supplemented diets, haylage increased proportions of saturated FA, cis-9-C18:1 and C18:2n6, whereas the combination of maize silage and haylage increased transfer efficiency and milk fat proportion of C18:3n3. For linseed supplemented diets, grass silage as the main forage type resulted in the highest C18:3n3 proportion, whereas cis-9-C18:1 proportion was comparable for grass silage, lucerne silage and maize silage as the main forage type. This meta-analysis confirmed that the effect of dietary nutrient composition on several milk FA proportions depends on the type and form of fat supplementation, addition of fish oil, and main forage type in the basal diet.
Comprehensive Comparison of Various Techniques for the Analysis of Elemental Distributions in Thin Films
D. Abou-Ras, R. Caballero, C.-H. Fischer, C.A. Kaufmann, I. Lauermann, R. Mainz, H. Mönig, A. Schöpke, C. Stephan, C. Streeck, S. Schorr, A. Eicke, M. Döbeli, B. Gade, J. Hinrichs, T. Nunney, H. Dijkstra, V. Hoffmann, D. Klemm, V. Efimova, A. Bergmaier, G. Dollinger, T. Wirth, W. Unger, A.A. Rockett, A. Perez-Rodriguez, J. Alvarez-Garcia, V. Izquierdo-Roca, T. Schmid, P.-P. Choi, M. Müller, F. Bertram, J. Christen, H. Khatri, R.W. Collins, S. Marsillac, I. Kötschau
Journal: Microscopy and Microanalysis / Volume 17 / Issue 5 / October 2011
The present work shows results on elemental distribution analyses in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films for solar cells performed by use of wavelength-dispersive and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) in a scanning electron microscope, EDX in a transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron, angle-dependent soft X-ray emission, secondary ion-mass (SIMS), time-of-flight SIMS, sputtered neutral mass, glow-discharge optical emission and glow-discharge mass, Auger electron, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, by use of scanning Auger electron microscopy, Raman depth profiling, and Raman mapping, as well as by use of elastic recoil detection analysis, grazing-incidence X-ray and electron backscatter diffraction, and grazing-incidence X-ray fluorescence analysis. The Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films used for the present comparison were produced during the same identical deposition run and exhibit thicknesses of about 2 μm. The analysis techniques were compared with respect to their spatial and depth resolutions, measuring speeds, availabilities, and detection limits.
Antibiotic therapy for acute Q fever in The Netherlands in 2007 and 2008 and its relation to hospitalization
F. DIJKSTRA, J. RIPHAGEN-DALHUISEN, N. WIJERS, E. HAK, M. A. B. VAN DER SANDE, G. MORROY, P. M. SCHNEEBERGER, B. SCHIMMER, D. W. NOTERMANS, W. VAN DER HOEK
Journal: Epidemiology & Infection / Volume 139 / Issue 9 / September 2011
Data about the effectiveness of different antibiotic regimens for the treatment of acute Q fever from clinical studies is scarce. We analysed the antibiotic treatment regimens of acute Q fever patients in 2007 and 2008 in The Netherlands and assessed whether hospitalization after a minimum of 2 days antibiotic therapy was related to the initial antibiotic therapy. Clinical data on antibiotic treatment and risk factors of acute Q fever patients were obtained from general practitioner medical records and self-reported by patients. For the 438 study patients, doxycycline was the most commonly prescribed initial antibiotic in both study years. After adjustments for confounding factors, doxycycline (200 mg/day), moxifloxacin, as well as other possibly effective antibiotics [including other new fluoroquinolones and doxycycline (100 mg/day)] showed significant lower risks for hospitalization compared to β-lactam antibiotics and azithromycin (reference group), with the lowest risk for doxycycline (200 mg/day) (odds ratio 0·04, 95% confidence interval 0·01–0·22). These data support current guidelines that recommend doxycycline as the first choice antibiotic for treating acute Q fever.
Update of the Dutch protein evaluation system for ruminants: the DVE/OEB2010 system
G. VAN DUINKERKEN, M. C. BLOK, A. BANNINK, J. W. CONE, J. DIJKSTRA, A. M. VAN VUUREN, S. TAMMINGA
Journal: The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 149 / Issue 3 / June 2011
In the current Dutch protein evaluation system (the DVE/OEB1991 system), two characteristics are calculated for each feed: true protein digested in the intestine (DVE) and the rumen degradable protein balance (OEB). Of these, DVE represents the protein value of a feed, while OEB is the difference between the potential microbial protein synthesis (MPS) on the basis of available rumen degradable protein and that on the basis of available rumen degradable energy. DVE can be separated into three components: (i) feed crude protein undegraded in the rumen but digested in the small intestine, (ii) microbial true protein synthesized in the rumen and digested in the small intestine, and (iii) endogenous protein lost in the digestive processes.
Based on new research findings, the DVE/OEB1991 system has recently been updated to the DVE/OEB2010 system. More detail and differentiation is included concerning the representation of chemical components in feed, the rumen degradation characteristics of these components, the efficiency of MPS and the fractional passage rates. For each chemical component, the soluble, washout, potentially degradable and truly non-degradable fractions are defined with separate fractional degradation rates. Similarly, fractional passage rates for each of these fractions were identified and partly expressed as a function of fractional degradation rate. Efficiency of MPS is related to the various fractions of the chemical components and their associated fractional passage rates. Only minor changes were made with respect to the amount of DVE required for maintenance and production purposes of the animal. Differences from other current protein evaluation systems, viz. the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein system and the Feed into Milk system, are discussed.
Effects of bite size and duration of oral processing on retro-nasal aroma release – features contributing to meal termination
Rianne M. A. J. Ruijschop, Nicolien Zijlstra, Alexandra E. M. Boelrijk, Annereinou Dijkstra, Maurits J. M. Burgering, Cees de Graaf, Margriet S. Westerterp-Plantenga
Journal: British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 105 / Issue 2 / 28 January 2011
Print publication: 28 January 2011
The brain response to a retro-nasally sensed food odour signals the perception of food and it is suggested to be related to satiation. It is hypothesised that consuming food either in multiple small bite sizes or with a longer durations of oral processing may evoke substantial oral processing per gram consumed and an increase in transit time in the oral cavity. This is expected to result in a higher cumulative retro-nasal aroma stimulation, which in turn may lead to increased feelings of satiation and decreased food intake. Using real-time atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation-MS, in vivo retro-nasal aroma release was assessed for twenty-one young, healthy and normal-weight subjects consuming dark chocolate-flavoured custard. Subjects were exposed to both free or fixed bite size (5 and 15 g) and durations of oral processing before swallowing (3 and 9 s) in a cross-over design. For a fixed amount of dark chocolate-flavoured custard, consumption in multiple small bite sizes resulted in a significantly higher cumulative extent of retro-nasal aroma release per gram consumed compared with a smaller amount of large bite sizes. In addition, a longer duration of oral processing tended to result in a higher cumulative extent of retro-nasal aroma release per gram consumed compared with a short duration of oral processing. An interaction effect of bite size and duration of oral processing was not observed. In conclusion, decreasing bite size or increasing duration of oral processing led to a higher cumulative retro-nasal aroma stimulation per gram consumed. Hence, adapting bite size or duration of oral processing indicates that meal termination can be accelerated by increasing the extent of retro-nasal aroma release and, subsequently, the satiation.
In search of hidden Q-fever outbreaks: linking syndromic hospital clusters to infected goat farms
C. C. VAN DEN WIJNGAARD, F. DIJKSTRA, W. VAN PELT, L. VAN ASTEN, M. KRETZSCHMAR, B. SCHIMMER, N. J. D. NAGELKERKE, P. VELLEMA, G. A. DONKER, M. P. G. KOOPMANS
Journal: Epidemiology & Infection / Volume 139 / Issue 1 / January 2011
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 May 2010, pp. 19-26
Large Q-fever outbreaks were reported in The Netherlands from May 2007 to 2009, with dairy-goat farms as the putative source. Since Q-fever outbreaks at such farms were first reported in 2005, we explored whether there was evidence of human outbreaks before May 2007. Space–time scan statistics were used to look for clusters of lower-respiratory infections (LRIs), hepatitis, and/or endocarditis in hospitalizations, 2005–2007. We assessed whether these were plausibly caused by Q fever, using patients' age, discharge diagnoses, indications for other causes, and overlap with reported Q fever in goats/humans. For seven detected LRI clusters and one hepatitis cluster, we considered Q fever a plausible cause. One of these clusters reflected the recognized May 2007 outbreak. Real-time syndromic surveillance would have detected four of the other clusters in 2007, one in 2006 and two in 2005, which might have resulted in detection of Q-fever outbreaks up to 2 years earlier.
Evaluation of a mechanistic lactation model using cow, goat and sheep data
J. DIJKSTRA, S. LOPEZ, A. BANNINK, M. S. DHANOA, E. KEBREAB, N. E. ODONGO, M. H. FATHI NASRI, U. K. BEHERA, D. HERNANDEZ-FERRER, J. FRANCE
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 January 2010, pp. 249-262
A mechanistic lactation model, based on a theory of mammary cell proliferation and cell death, was studied and compared to the equation of Wood (1967). Lactation curves of British Holstein Friesian cows (176 curves), Spanish Churra sheep (40 curves) and Spanish Murciano–Granadina goats (30 curves) were used for model evaluation. Both models were fitted in their original form using non-linear least squares estimation. The parameters were compared among species and among parity groups within species.
In general, both models provided highly significant fits to lactation data and described the data accurately. The mechanistic model performed well against Wood's 1967 equation (hereafter referred to as Wood's equation), resulting in smaller residual mean square values in more than two-thirds of the datasets investigated, and producing parameter estimates that allowed appropriate comparisons and noticeable trends attributed to shape. Using Akaike or Bayesian information criteria, goodness-of-fit with the mechanistic model was superior to that with Wood's equation for the cow lactation curves, with no significant differences between models when fitted to goat or sheep lactation curves. The rate parameters of the mechanistic model, representing specific proliferation rate of mammary secretory cells at parturition, decay associated with reduction in cell proliferation capacity with time and specific death rate of mammary secretory cells, were smaller for primiparous than for multiparous cows. Greater lactation persistency of cows compared to goats and sheep, and decrease in persistency with parity, were shown to be represented by different values of the specific secretory cell death rate parameter in the mechanistic model. The plausible biological interpretation and fitting properties of the mechanistic model enable it to be used in complex models of whole-cow digestion and metabolism and as a tool in selection programmes and by dairy producers for management decisions.
Simulating the effects of grassland management and grass ensiling on methane emission from lactating cows
A. BANNINK, M. C. J. SMITS, E. KEBREAB, J. A. N. MILLS, J. L. ELLIS, A. KLOP, J. FRANCE, J. DIJKSTRA
Journal: The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 148 / Issue 1 / February 2010
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 December 2009, pp. 55-72
A dynamic, mechanistic model of enteric fermentation was used to investigate the effect of type and quality of grass forage, dry matter intake (DMI) and proportion of concentrates in dietary dry matter (DM) on variation in methane (CH4) emission from enteric fermentation in dairy cows. The model represents substrate degradation and microbial fermentation processes in rumen and hindgut and, in particular, the effects of type of substrate fermented and of pH on the production of individual volatile fatty acids and CH4 as end-products of fermentation. Effects of type and quality of fresh and ensiled grass were evaluated by distinguishing two N fertilization rates of grassland and two stages of grass maturity. Simulation results indicated a strong impact of the amount and type of grass consumed on CH4 emission, with a maximum difference (across all forage types and all levels of DMI) of 49 and 77% in g CH4/kg fat and protein corrected milk (FCM) for diets with a proportion of concentrates in dietary DM of 0·1 and 0·4, respectively (values ranging from 10·2 to 19·5 g CH4/kg FCM). The lowest emission was established for early cut, high fertilized grass silage (GS) and high fertilized grass herbage (GH). The highest emission was found for late cut, low-fertilized GS. The N fertilization rate had the largest impact, followed by stage of grass maturity at harvesting and by the distinction between GH and GS. Emission expressed in g CH4/kg FCM declined on average 14% with an increase of DMI from 14 to 18 kg/day for grass forage diets with a proportion of concentrates of 0·1, and on average 29% with an increase of DMI from 14 to 23 kg/day for diets with a proportion of concentrates of 0·4. Simulation results indicated that a high proportion of concentrates in dietary DM may lead to a further reduction of CH4 emission per kg FCM mainly as a result of a higher DMI and milk yield, in comparison to low concentrate diets. Simulation results were evaluated against independent data obtained at three different laboratories in indirect calorimetry trials with cows consuming GH mainly. The model predicted the average of observed values reasonably, but systematic deviations remained between individual laboratories and root mean squared prediction error was a proportion of 0·12 of the observed mean. Both observed and predicted emission expressed in g CH4/kg DM intake decreased upon an increase in dietary N:organic matter (OM) ratio. The model reproduced reasonably well the variation in measured CH4 emission in cattle sheds on Dutch dairy farms and indicated that on average a fraction of 0·28 of the total emissions must have originated from manure under these circumstances.
Long time trends in influenza-like illness and associated determinants in The Netherlands
F. DIJKSTRA, G. A. DONKER, B. WILBRINK, A. B. VAN GAGELDONK-LAFEBER, M. A. B. VAN DER SANDE
Journal: Epidemiology & Infection / Volume 137 / Issue 4 / April 2009
We analysed long-term epidemiological trends in influenza-like illness (ILI) in The Netherlands and used an ecological analysis to estimate its relationship with age, influenza vaccination, and virological aspects. This study used data from weekly ILI consultation reports from sentinel general practitioners (1986/1987 to 2006/2007), virological data from sentinel ILI patients (1992/1993 to 2006/2007), and data for influenza vaccine uptake (1991–2005). The incidence of ILI consultations, although varying during the study period, was estimated to decrease in the total population by 12·2/10 000 persons each season (95% CI 8·6–15·9). Uptake of influenza vaccination in people aged ⩾65 years (elderly) increased from 28% in 1991 to >70% since 1997. ILI incidence in the elderly declined by 1·7/10 000 persons (P=0·05) per percentage vaccine uptake per season. The decline in ILI incidence over the last 20 years could be related to the increased vaccine uptake. However, insufficient data were present to assess the impact of other potential contributing factors, such as diminished fitness of influenza viruses and changes in consulting behaviour.
By Graham Allan, Donna M. Allen, Irwin Altman, Arthur Aron, Donald H. Baucom, Steven R. H. Beach, Ellen Berscheid, Rosemary Blieszner, Jeffrey Boase, Tyfany M. J. Boettcher, Barbara B. Brown, Abraham P. Buunk, Lorne Campbell, Daniel J. Canary, Rodney Cate, John P. Caughlin, Mahnaz Charania, Jennie Y. Chen, F. Scott Christopher, Jennifer A. Clarke, Marilyn Coleman, W. Andrew Collins, Michael K. Coolsen, Nathan R. Cottle, Carolyn E. Cutrona, Marianne Dainton, Valerian J. Derlega, Lisa M. Diamond, Pieternel Dijkstra, Steve Duck, Pearl A. Dykstra, Norman B. Epstein, Beverley Fehr, Frank D. Fincham, Helen E. Fisher, Julie Fitness, Garth J. O. Fletcher, Myron D. Friesen, Lawrence Ganong, Kelli A. Gardner, Jenny de Jong Gierveld, Robin Goodwin, Christine R. Gray, Kathryn Greene, David W. Harris, Willard W. Hartup, John H. Harvey, Kathi L. Heffner, Ted L. Huston, William J. Ickes, Emily A. Impett, Michael P. Johnson, Deborah J. Jones, Deborah A. Kashy, Janice K. Kiecolt‐Glaser, Jeffrey L. Kirchner, Brighid M. Kleinman, Galena H. Kline, Mark L. Knapp, Ascan Koerner, Jean‐Philippe Laurenceau, Kim Leon, Timothy J. Loving, Stephanie D. Madsen, Howard J. Markman, Alicia Mathews, Mario Mikulincer, Patricia Noller, Nickola C. Overall, Letitia Anne Peplau, Daniel Perlman, Sally Planalp, Urmila Pillay, Nicole D. Pleasant, Caryl E. Rusbult, Barbara R. Sarason, Irwin G. Sarason, Phillip R. Shaver, Alan L. Sillars, Jeffry A. Simpson, Susan Sprecher, Susan Stanton, Greg Strong, Catherine A. Surra, Anita L. Vangelisti, C. Arthur VanLear, Theo van Tilburg, Barry Wellman, Amy Wenzel, Carol M. Werner, Adam R. West, Sarah W. Whitton, Heike A. Winterheld
Edited by Anita L. Vangelisti, University of Texas, Austin, Daniel Perlman, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Book: The Cambridge Handbook of Personal Relationships
Print publication: 05 June 2006, pp xvii-xxii


text:
absolutely-fabulous
Alex Perry Bags David Jones, Jokes About Drug Use in the Fashion World at 'Ab Fab' Movie Premiere
Zanda Wilson July 31st, 2016
"We judge, but we get judged as well. We're also inappropriate and there's inappropriate behaviour that runs rife in the fashion industry."
Is Kim Kardashian Appearing in the New AbFab Movie?
Jihan Forbes September 1st, 2015
Sweetie, darling!
Grab a Cocktail: The 'Absolutely Fabulous' Film Starts Shooting This Fall!
Samantha Robinson July 31st, 2015
All of our old favourites will be reuniting for the film, written by Jennifer Saunders.
8 Unforgettable Model Cameos from TV and Film
Jihan Forbes March 4th, 2015
Showing their range as true thespians.
Ab Fab Items Up for Grabs to Aid The Prince's Trust
Samantha Robinson October 24th, 2012
Amongst us fashion lovers, the British actress Joanna Lumley is probably best known for her role as Patsy in the cult comedy Absolutely Fabulous, which follows the lives of two crazy fashion industry insiders. Now, as many of us used to watch the show and laugh at Eddy's overly fashion-forward, or perhaps more fittingly, fashion disasters, […]
'Absolutely Fabulous' Heads to the Olympics with Guest Star Stella McCartney
Samantha Robinson July 19th, 2012
Although it's a fictional comedy show which peaked during the nineties, the British hit Absolutely Fabulous, which pokes fun at fashion industry insiders, is still a firm favourite amongst not only the general British public but also those working within the fashion industry. Fans include Kate Moss and Stella McCartney, who have both previously jumped […]
Kate Moss, Stella McCartney and More Appear in a Special Episode of Absolutely Fabulous (Forum Buzz)
Chrissy Makkas March 23rd, 2012
In an episode airing today, March 23, Kate Moss and fellow guest stars Stella McCartney, former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, and athletes Colin Jackson and Linford Christie appear in a one-off special of Absolutely Fabulous in support of the UK's Sport Relief 2012 campaign. Needless to say, seeing Kate on Absolutely Fabulous is going to […]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Great Recession Accelerated Long-Term Decline of Employer Health Coverage
Job Loss Biggest Driver of 10-Percentage-Point Drop in Employer Coverage from 2007 to 2010;Apart from Job Loss, Fewer Firms Offering and Workers Taking Up Coverage—Rising Costs Likely Cause
Alwyn Cassil
NIHCR Research Brief No. 8
Between 2007 and 2010, the share of U.S. children and working-age adults with employer-sponsored health insurance dropped 10 percentage points from 63.6 percent to 53.5 percent, according to a new national study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) for the nonpartisan, nonprofit National Institute for Health Care Reform (NIHCR).
The enormous loss of employment—the proportion of people younger than 65 with no workers in the family jumped 10 percentage points to 31.6 percent in 2010—was the key driver of the decline in employer health coverage, accounting for about three-quarters of the drop since 2007, according to findings from HSC's 2010 Health Tracking Household Survey, a nationally representative survey with information on 13,595 nonelderly people.
However, well before the start of the Great Recession in December 2007, a steady decline of employer health coverage was underway with fewer firms offering coverage and fewer workers taking up coverage—likely because of rising health care costs, the study found. While overshadowed by the massive employment loss, declines in access and take up each explain more than 10 percent of the total drop in employer coverage between 2007 and 2010, according to the study.
"What's happened to employer-sponsored health insurance in recent years is akin to an acute illness aggravating a chronic condition," said Chapin White, Ph.D., an HSC senior researcher, and coauthor of the study with HSC Senior Fellow James D. Reschovsky, Ph.D. "The acute illness—the sluggish economy and weak employment situation—likely will resolve at some point, but the underlying chronic condition—rising health care costs—likely will persist."
The core threat to employer health coverage is health care costs increasing faster than wages, which makes employer coverage unaffordable for a larger share of the workforce, particularly low-wage workers. For example, among children and working-age adults with incomes below 200 percent of poverty—$44,100 for a family of four in 2010—the proportion with employer coverage dropped from 42 percent in 2001 to 24 percent in 2010, according to the study.
The study's findings are detailed in a new NIHCR Research Brief—The Great Recession Accelerated Long-Term Decline of Employer Health Coverage—available here.
The HSC 2010 Health Tracking Household Survey, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, for the first time included a cell phone sample to account for the growing number of households without a landline phone. Response rates were 45 percent for the landline sample and 29 percent for the cell phone sample.
Along with lower-income people, the decline in employer coverage disproportionately affected young adults, people with a high school education or less, and people employed in small firms. Key findings include:
Among young adults aged 18 to 27, the share in a working family dropped from 70 percent in 2007 to just more than 50 percent in 2010, and the share enrolled in employer-sponsored health insurance dropped from 43 percent to 31 percent.
For people in families headed by someone with a high school education or less, the share in working families dropped by 16 percentage points to slightly more than half, and the share with employer health coverage declined from 47 percent to 36 percent between 2007 and 2010.
Among working families, only those employed by small firms fewer than 100 workers experienced a statistically significant decline in employer health coverage between 2007 and 2010, from 51 percent to 45 percent. Declines in both the offer rate and the take-up rate contributed to the overall decline in coverage for workers in small firms.
While there has been vigorous debate about the effects of national health reform on employer-sponsored insurance, the study findings indicate that the debate often misses a key point—employer-sponsored insurance likely will continue to erode with or without health reform, especially for lower-income families and those employed by small firms.
The health reform law specifically targets the people—young adults, low-wage workers and those employed by small firms—who are falling out of employer-sponsored insurance and provides an alternative place for them to get health coverage.
The National Institute for Health Care Reform (NIHCR) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created by the International Union, UAW; Chrysler Group LLC; Ford Motor Company; and General Motors. Between 2009 and 2013, NIHCR contracted with the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) to conduct high-quality, objective research and policy analyses of the organization, financing and delivery of health care in the United States. HSC ceased operations on Dec. 31, 2013, after merging with Mathematica Policy Research, which assumed the HSC contract to complete NIHCR projects.


When will I receive a movement alert?
Movement alerts are notifications sent from your SPOT device to your contact list indicating your device or asset is in motion. Tracking mode must be enabled on your device.
In order to receive a movement alert, the feature must be enabled from your SPOT account device settings page. After enabling Movement Alerts, you are given the option to select your Movement Alert rate. The available Movement Alert rates are: 30 minutes, 1 hour, 4 hours, 12 hours. The rate determines the amount of time the device must be stationary before a Movement Alert is sent. After movement has been detected, the alert message sent, your SPOT device will resume tracking mode.


text:
Bayer shareholder meeting draws protests, pleas from cancer patients
Print Email Share Tweet LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Telegram
Posted: May 1, 2020 by Carey Gillam
The Bayer AG annual shareholders' meeting got underway Tuesday in Germany, drawing the attention of not only investors and analysts but also activists, lawyers and cancer patients who want to see Bayer make amends for alleged misdeeds by Monsanto, which Bayer bought two years ago.
The meeting was to be an in-person event in Bonn, Germany but due to fears about large gatherings that could spread the Covid-19 virus, Bayer instead is hosting a video webcast of the meeting.
On Monday the company announced a "good start to 2020," reporting higher sales and profits through all divisions driven in part by strong demand within its Consumer Health division related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The shareholders' meeting comes as Bayer is facing legal claims in the United States brought by roughly 52,500 plaintiffs alleging that exposure to Monsanto's glyphosate-based herbicides such as Roundup caused them or their loved ones to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). They allege Monsanto was aware of the risks and should have warned consumers but instead sought to manipulate the scientific record and regulators.
Three trials have been held to date and Bayer lost all three as juries awarded more than $2 billion to four plaintiffs, though trial judges later reduced the awards. The trial losses angered investors and pushed share prices to the lowest levels in roughly seven years, erasing more than 40 percent of Bayer's market value at one point. Some investors called for Bayer CEO Werner Baumann to be ousted for championing the Monsanto acquisition, which closed in June of 2018 just as the first trial was getting underway.
Bayer and plaintiffs' attorneys have been engaged in settlement talks for the last year and appeared close to a deal that would resolve a majority of the claims before the onset of Covid-19.
Virus-related government closures, including of U.S. courthouses, have eliminated the possibility of additional trials in the near future, and Bayer has seized on its fresh leverage to walk back some of its negotiated settlements, according to sources close to the talks.
Bayer said Monday it will "continue to consider a solution only if it is financially reasonable and puts in place a mechanism to resolve potential future claims efficiently. Against the background of a looming recession and looking at, in part, considerable liquidity challenges, this applies now more than ever."
Despite the lack of an in-person meeting, several individuals and organizations are hoping to make their criticisms of the company known. One group representing beekeepers said it was running online ads redirecting people searching for Bayer AGM on Google to an online stream featuring beekeepers talking about the impacts of Bayer's pesticides on bees.
Several people involved in the Roundup litigation also spoke out.
"It's time for the Bayer board of directors to step up and do what is right," said Thomas Bolger, a 68-year-old man from Texas who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 after using Roundup since 1982. Bolger recorded a video message to Bayer, detailing his ordeal with cancer.
Robyndee Laumbach, a 50-year-old Texas woman who said her work in cotton genetics exposed her repeatedly to Roundup, also made a video message for Bayer. "Cancer is bad, any which way you look at it. I'm completely damaged and scarred and I will be for the remainder of my life," she said.
Both Laumbach and Bolger are among the people suing Monsanto.
Roundup litigation plaintiff Michelle Taranto also made a video message on behalf of her husband to share with Bayer. Rose said her husband will soon be entering his third round of treatments "that will hopefully save his life." She asked Bayer to stop selling Roundup.
"Our lives have been diminished to endless hospital visits, countless painful treatments and expensive scary hospital stays," Taranto said.
Maine Christmas tree farm operator Jim Hayes made a video message describing being diagnosed with Stage 4 NHL in 2016 after using Roundup on his farm for years. Hayes said he went through six rounds of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant before being declared in remission. He now fears his cancer will return.
"I love my life. I love my family. I trusted the product. Clearly it is not safe for everyone to use," Hayes said.
One Roundup litigation plaintiff who only wanted to be identified by his first name, Chuck, also made a video message for Bayer.
"I believe Bayer should be doing everything in their power to fix the problem that Monsanto and their product Roundup has caused thousands of individuals like myself who thought we were just using a harmless weed killer," he said. "Although my cancer is incurable, Bayer can prevent future people from developing this horrible disease by taking this product Roundup off the shelf now. Bayer should also be accountable for everyone that now has to deal with this horrible disease every day."
Tagged Bayer cancer Food glyphosate health herbicides Jim Hayes Michelle Taranto Monsanto pesticides Robyndee Laumbach RoundUp science Thomas Bolger weed killer
Questions for the Bayer Shareholder Meeting, by Carey Gillam
Appeals court focused on damages question ahead of Johnson v. Monsanto hearing


We have been speaking these days about how to raise your small business marketing and advertising with Instagram. Contrary to what many persons continue to imagine, Instagram just isn't just a fun app exactly where you can post food stuff, getaway and relatives pictures.
Instagram has come to be a impressive brand name-building, viewers-setting up and content material-advertising software for firms. It has above two hundred million energetic monthly members sharing 60 million photographs and one.6 billion likes for each day.
A notice of caution: there are plenty of people out there who promise to develop your Instagram followers by the 1000's, but beware. Most of them use phony accounts developed by bots to inflate your numbers.
These types of followers have zero value. In truth, they can even be perilous, wanting to steal your password or shots or infect you with a virus.
According to the info safety enterprise Imperva, these lousy bots account for 28.nine per cent of bots on Instagram.
The finest way to create your Instagram followers is by being reliable to your brand name and your audience.
It's terrific to use your organization name as a hashtag, but you want to imagine over and above that.
By applying participating, relevant hashtags, you can be identified in Instagram queries and with any luck , create up followers on Instagram.
Instagram is all about images, so quite a few folks consider of the caption as an afterthought.
Do not neglect the image caption! You can deliver engagement and boost sharing by using descriptive words that will have interaction, inspire and entertain your followers.
• Use thoughts in your caption. Compose your query at the beginning of the article so that people today see it 1st.
• Get individual with your post.
If you enjoyed this write-up and you would like to obtain additional info relating to buy instagram follower kindly check out our own site.
Explain to a story about oneself, or how your product aided or motivated anyone else.
• Request people today to tag some others. Asking men and women to tag 3 of their finest close friends or tagging anyone they are grateful for brings other prospective followers into the equation.
They generate breathtaking Instagram Stories with instructive captions to teach the person on the plight of animals all over the environment.
Remember when it arrives to making use of Instagram posts to get followers, it's all about being authentic. Don't use queries in every single write-up or notify a own tale that isn't legitimate.
1 of the finest approaches to develop your Instagram followers is to get to know your neighbours!
Whether you're creating Instagram advertisements or want to encourage your function in a specific space, you can see what is likely on near you by going to the search site and clicking on the Destinations tab.
Form in the place to see the geotagged posts for that region. Then take a look at pertinent and recent tagged posts – not those of competing companies, naturally – and go away a remark or even an emoji and comply with the human being if you like what you see. Hopefully, this will be the begin of an organic and natural interaction.
For case in point, if you present everyday living coaching solutions, you could type in your place adopted by "business people." Area entrepreneurs may perhaps be searching for much more do the job and lifestyle equilibrium or aid with existence goals or vocation issues.
Similarly, if you have a bodily area that persons have checked into on Instagram, remark on these posters' images to make positive they're conscious of your Instagram presence, and then observe them.
These are some of the finest methods to build Instagram followers the suitable way: no bots, no shortcuts, just attempted and legitimate strategies to engage with your viewers and change them into followers!
Susan Friesen, founder of the award-profitable net improvement and electronic internet marketing business eVision Media, is a World-wide-web Specialist, Organization & Advertising Advisor, and Social Media Advisor. She performs with business people who battle with obtaining the lack of knowledge, ability and support desired to produce their online business enterprise presence.


Discussion in 'Apple Watch' started by jpcesar, Sep 10, 2015.
Just realized the classic buckle black leather band was discontinued.
The new black leather band have the inside in brown and slightly rounded edges around the holes that join the watch. I wonder if I can exchange the band with a brown one since the watch is just 1 month old.
Surprisingly if I go to my recent orders, the watch pictured already has the brown inside and it was not the one I ordered. Weird.
They replaced their image assets to reflect the redesign—it shouldn't be surprising.
Don't exchange it. It will be a collector's item.
Colored throughout looks better. Notice how Apple is now afraid to show it in marketing pics and why they're only showing the less distracting brown Hermes bands.


The Nature Power 12V 400 Watt Wind Turbine harnesses the energy of wind to create clean, renewable energy for your home, cabin, farm, work sites or anywhere standard power is to expensive or not available. This wind generator is used to charge 12 volt batteries and mounts on any 1.5 inch Schedule 40 pole. Constructed from lightweight, weatherproof cast aluminum and marine grade paint coating, this renewable energy generator can withstand the harshest of environments. The unit can begin generating power with at a low 7 mph wind and reaches maximum power of 400 watts or 27 amps at 28mph. Built in cut-out system prevents from going over the rated output and being damaged. The carbon fiber composite blades ensure low wind noise. Blade Diameter (in.): 46, Blade. Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 26 x 42 x 42, Assembly Required: Yes. Mounting Pole not included.


This lovely Cape Cod style two bedroom/ three bath condominium is located in an amazing location on Balboa Peninsula. The condo is located upon a silent street just steps from the Bay, a block from the beach, close the Balboa Island Ferry and many of Newport Beachs finest restaurants. This house offers hardwood flooring, granite countertops in the kitchen, and an approach floor plan . The oversized active area includes a marble fireplace, plantation shutters and an eating area which opens to the outdoor patio. A beautiful powder room in addition to is located upon the main floor. Upstairs you will find a double master suite later than upgraded en suite bathrooms, including marble countertops. An attached oversized two car epoxy coated garage later laundry area completes this lovely seashore home! These condos are rarely on the promote and this house is absolute for a second home or investment. Furniture may be purchased as well to create it upset in ready for tenants.
A delightful Spanish Colonial style house just 5 houses to the sought after 36th Street beach. An ideal location central to shopping, dining and all the ocean and recess has to offer. Property is a delightful three bank account duplex considering a 2 bed, 1.5 bath unit upon the first floor, with Double French doors initiation onto the front patio thats subsequently a private retreat, as it is surrounded by greenery and lovely flowering bougainvillea bushes. The larger, main active unit is on the second and third floors. The second floor has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a animated room in imitation of vaulted cathedral ceilings, and a kitchen and intimates room when pretty wood beamed ceilings. Double French doors edit to the belly balcony overlooking the 38th Street Park. The third floor is get into vent currently used as an office and den which opens onto a roof deck, next partial ocean views. This make public has the potential to be used as an new bedroom or a impressive entertainment area. alive in one unit and earn further pension renting out the other. The house was very rebuilt in 1997. This is a truly fabulous one of a kind property you will fall in adore with!
Gorgeous custom built 5 bedroom pool home, Craig Hampton designed, prime port Street location, inner loop and three houses from the greenbelt. Stainless kitchen like viking, sub-zero right of entry to the relations room. outside FPL in the backyard for relaxing and entertaining. Agents, call your existing port View clients to revolutionize their current home and location!


text:
"After the Fire," Seton Hall dorm fire victims visit Trinity
Kendra Derrig|September 12, 2017
Trinity students, faculty and staff gather in Laurie Auditorium for a screening of the film about fire safety. Photo by Chloe Sonnier
A crowd of about 100 students gathered in Laurie Auditorium on Tuesday, Sept. 5, to watch Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons present their documentary, "After the Fire: A True Story of Heroes and Cowards."
Llanos and Simons are burn victims from the Seton Hall University dormitory fire that occurred on Jan. 19, 2000. The fire, a product of arson, killed three of their classmates. Their documentary follows their recovery from major burns, as well as the arson investigation. Llanos and Simons' mission in touring the country and sharing their story is to prevent such tragedies through education on fire safety.
"We do this presentation somewhere between 220 and 250 times per year. It's difficult to talk about the most difficult time of our lives, but it's something that we are passionate about because we don't want it to happen on any other campus. We want people to realize the importance of fire safety, especially with the young adults who think they are invincible," Simons said.
Shawn Simons, one of the victims of the Seton Hall dorm fire, speaks about his experience. Photo by Chloe Sonnier
The majority of student attendants were first-year students and members of Residential Life, such as Ari Fletcher, a resident assistant in Witt-Winn residence hall.
"I want to learn more about what happens when people actually have fire crises because I'm an RA, and I want to learn how real people have dealt with these things," Fletcher said.
This is the second year Llanos and Simons have visited Trinity. Their presentation was discovered by Paul Chapa, chief of the Trinity University Police Department, at a campus law enforcement conference in Montreal in 2014.
"Llanos and Simons' presentation was so compelling to me that I knew that this was a presentation that we had to bring to Trinity. Based on my experiences here, when fire alarms go off, students may not evacuate as quickly as they need to. If their story just impacted one Trinity student who knew when that alarm went off, it was time to get out of there, then we just saved that one life," Chapa said.
Students at Trinity are no stranger to 5 a.m. fire alarms. Ivan Pendergast, crisis management team coordinator, asserts that even though you may think the alarm is misfiring, you need to get out quickly as possible.
"Our fire alarms sometimes go off a little more than we want them to. They're not malfunctions, they're undesired alarms where somebody burnt the popcorn, or somebody boiled too much water in the kitchenette," Pendergast said. "They are very sensitive, and they will go off quickly. In any instance when you're sitting in your room and you hear the fire alarm, get out, because that's when the fire is going to be at its smallest. That's when the greatest possibility of getting out unscathed and unharmed is going to be, and every moment that you delay inside the building increases the danger."
Besides increased fire safety awareness through Llanos and Simons' presentation, the university is taking steps to increase knowledge through training programs. On the day of the "After the Fire" presentation, students were given hands-on fire extinguisher training.
"On Tuesday, in front of Witt Reception, we had firefighters from the San Antonio Fire Department partner with environmental health and safety in training students on how to use a real fire extinguisher and extinguish an actual fire. In the short span of two hours we had over 71 students participate. It was well-received. This is just a small step in getting students to understand the basics of fire and life safety," said Ozzie Crespo, director of environmental health and safety.
Students test out a fire extinguisher at a fire safety demonstration held on campus. Photo by Chloe Sonnier
In addition, Crespo's department has added fire safety training programs to Residential Life training.
"We provided a smoke-filled room demonstration for the RAs. We filled up a room with smoke, and by doing that, we gave them the experience of walking through a smoke-filled room. This was the first year we did that. I hope that's something that will continue. We got pretty good feedback, and hopefully we can extend it out to staff and other students, as well," Crespo said.
Chapa wanted to leave students with a piece of advice.
"The Trinity University Police Department is here to provide students with a safe and secure environment. Though we have a responsibility to respond, the students have a responsibility for their safety as well, so we want to partner with them to address these situations, and hopefully through that partnership, we can save lives," Chapa said.
More information about fire safety and procedure at Trinity can be found at inside.trinity.edu/environmental-health-safety.
Unidentified individuals knock on student doors
Tigers Against Aramark continue push for contract repeal
University takes action on inclusion goals
University holding virtual graduation
Professors adapt to the new normal for spring
Faculty, staff avoid health pledge violations
Search for dean of students begins
Previously, on SGA: Cause for Alarm in Calvert Hall
News brief: 11/6
Students contend with uncertainty of election


text:
News	Health & Medicine
Manipulating nerve cells makes mice 'see' something that's not there
For the first time, researchers have used optogenetics to create a specific visual perception
SNIFFING AROUND A laboratory mouse checks out a device that helps deliver light to specific nerve cells in the brain, activating them in a way that creates a perception.
Sean Quirin, James Marshel, Cephra Raja and K. Deisseroth/Stanford Univ.
By Laura Sanders
Aiming laser lights into mice's brains can make them "see" lines that aren't actually there. The results, described online July 18 in Science, represent the first time scientists have created a specific visual perception with laboratory trickery.
The work is "technically amazing," says neuroscientist and psychiatrist Conor Liston at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. "I think every neuroscientist in this area will look at this with great interest." The ability to monitor and control precise collections of nerve cells, or neurons, could help unravel big questions, including how certain groups of neurons create experiences.
The experiment used optogenetics, a technique in which laser light activates neurons in the brain (SN: 1/30/10, p. 18). The neurons are genetically tweaked to carry a protein that prompts them to send a signal in response to the light.
When optogenetics first debuted about 15 years ago, everyone was hoping to achieve this level of precise control over perception, and the behaviors that follow, says Karl Deisseroth, a neuroscientist and psychiatrist who pioneered the technique. "It's exciting to get to this point," says Deisseroth, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Stanford University.
Deisseroth and his colleagues first monitored neurons in the brains of mice that were viewing either horizontal or vertical lines. Each mouse had been trained to lick water from a spout in front of it when it saw the orientation of lines it had been trained on.
The researchers then set out to artificially evoke the same vision of the lines. Initially, the mice were shown very faint real lines. When the lines became so faint that the mice floundered, optogenetic stimulation improved their performance. Then the researchers tested the mice in total darkness, with no visual input whatsoever, and found that a perception of the lines could be created solely with lasers. Stimulating about 20 of the neurons that responded to the real sight caused mice to correctly "see" the right vision, and lick as a result.
This progression of positive results created "a slowly building crescendo of, 'Oh my gosh, this is actually working!'" Deisseroth says.
These artificially stimulated neurons kicked off cascades of other neurons firing in a way that suggested the visual part of the brain was responding as it normally would to a real sight.
A few key advances led to the experiment's success, Deisseroth says: Precise lasers that were carefully controlled by liquid crystals, and the discovery of a new light-responsive protein, called ChRmine. Even dim light can activate this protein, a helpful trait because too much light can damage the brain.
Similar approaches could let scientists create other sorts of perceptions, such as smells, touches and tastes, Deisseroth says. The method may also let researchers control ensembles of neurons that are involved in more complex brain tasks, too. "You could easily imagine using similar tools to study memory, for example," Liston says.
A version of this article appears in the August 17, 2019 issue of Science News.
J.M. Marshel et al. Cortical layer–specific critical dynamics triggering perception. Science. Published online July 18, 2019. Doi: 10.1126/science.aaw5202 (2019).
About Laura Sanders
Laura Sanders is the neuroscience writer. She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Southern California.
An AI used art to control monkeys' brain cells
By Maria Temming May 2, 2019
How to rewire the eye
By Tina Hesman Saey May 15, 2015
Mice watching film noir show the surprising complexity of vision cells
By Laura Sanders December 16, 2019
More Stories from Science News on Health & Medicine
Exploding cancer cells can cause serious side effects in CAR-T cell therapies
A new drug lowers levels of a protein related to 'bad' cholesterol
By Aimee Cunningham January 16, 2020
Microbes slowed by one drug can rapidly develop resistance to another
What we know — and don't know — about a new virus causing pneumonia in China
Global progress in combating child malnutrition masks problem spots
By Sujata Gupta January 8, 2020
Electric scooter injuries rose 222 percent in 4 years in the U.S.
By Laura Sanders January 8, 2020


JNN 10 Nov 2014 Lahore : Renowned Pakistani Shia leader, Allama Ghulam Raza Naqvi, founder and the Leader of Sipah e Muhammad Pakistan ( SMP ) has been discharged from a prison in the eastern province of Punjab, where he spent 18 years behind the bars without any conviction against him, Media reports.
The former leader of Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan was released from the Camp Jail in the metropolitan city of Lahore on Friday, after the anti-terrorism court of Pakistan on October 27 ordered his Immediate Release.
He further noted that the ongoing tensions between Shia and Sunni Muslim communities in Pakistan have their roots outside the South Asian country.
Naqvi added that Takfiri groups operating inside Pakistan are being funded by Western and some Middle Eastern Governments seeking to sow seeds of discord and division among Muslims.
Naqvi was detained in 1996, and former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Banned his Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan group on August 14, 2001.
Pro-Taliban groups have launched a violent campaign against Shia Muslims. According to local sources, Terrorists affiliated to Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorist groups have killed thousands of Shia Muslims in the country.
The killing of Shias in Pakistan has sparked international outrage, with rights groups and regional countries expressing concern over the ongoing carnage. Still, those behind the violence are rarely caught And if even apprehended By LEAs then they are not convicted and punished, even after their confessions of Killing of Dozens of Shias , Due to the Loopholes in the Pakistani Law and secondly , due to the threats to the Judiciary from the Terrorist Organizations. Due to which Pakistan have come on the verge of collapse economically and Integrally.
Shia Muslims in Pakistan are of the clear view that Only Unbiased Army Action against the Terrorism, on the Pattern of Swat Operation is the Only Solution to the ingrown foreign sponsored terrorism. And the Immediate corrective steps should be taken to re align the Foreign Policy is much needed in the Back ground of the facts collected by the Intelligence agencies and the Criminals apprehended during the Ongoing terrorist activities .
This entry was posted in Asia Pacific and tagged Allama Ghulam Raza Naqvi, Jail, pakistan, Sipah e Muhammad Pakistan. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
Master Planning and Sustainable Urban Development
Chemical & Life Science
Manufacturing & Technology
Government & Municipals
Highways & Intelligent Transport Systems
Ports & Industrial Infrastructure
Rail & Urban Transport
Water & Utilities
Community Involvement: Shelter
Stories from the Shelter Program
World Cities Day Award
Peter Oosterveer
Sarah Kuijlaars
Staff Directors
Global Sustainability Policy
Human Rights and Labor Rights Policy
Purchasing Principles
Tax Principles
Arcadis Blog
Bas Bollinger
Meeting the challenge of urban...
Meeting the challenge of urban connectivity through High Speed Rail
The UK population is projected to grow by an additional 10 million in the next 25 years, meaning that the 21st century trend towards rapidly increasing levels of urbanization is here to stay. However, the successful development of our urban areas and wider regions depends on an efficient transportation infrastructure, with rail an increasingly important element.
Global Leader Rail & Urban Transport +31 6 27 06 04 14 Ask me a question
Recent projections suggest global rail travel will double by 2050, and as a result rail track kilometers will need to increase by roughly 30% above 2010 levels. This means that many countries – not least of which the UK – are placing rail infrastructure at the center of their transportation strategies.
As an effective and environmentally responsible means of moving large numbers of people and heavy loads, a well-operating network can be a major differentiator amongst cities vying to attract employers, employees and new residents. High quality, resilient transport networks mean more jobs, greater investment and a more productive workforce. It also brings more options for work and living within easy reach of even more people, all of which contributes to their quality of life.
This has been recognized at a global level. We see this in our work supporting the delivery of High Speed Rail in California where, by 2029, a new $68 billion system will run from San Francisco to the Los Angeles basin in 2 hours and 40 minutes at speeds up to 220 miles per hour. This will connect the mega-regions of the state, contribute to economic development, create jobs and preserve agricultural and protected lands.
High speed rail is clearly an important part of the picture when it comes to connecting cities and linking urban hubs. In the UK, there are a number of train operators already running high speed services, but the challenge now is to ensure that the nation is delivering the track capacity to support faster trains running at speeds of up to 250kph. This will help to increase passenger capacity and deliver a faster, more frequent and higher quality service nationwide.
Furthermore, investment in national infrastructure will support the UK in reaching out to global trading markets. In turn, this will help drive the investment that these and future critical programs will require, fostering longer-term growth, prosperity and opportunities for all, as well as re-setting the balance between government and private investment, and healing regional divides.
There is a lot that we can learn from the implementation of high speed travel worldwide. Leading the way was the impact of our work on the high speed network in Continental Europe. The expansion of both the French and the German high speed network highlighted the benefits that can be derived from better connections and services, in turn generating demand for further expansion and facilitating a sound business case for further investment.
We experienced this with successful public-private partnership projects like the South Europe Atlantique line, extending an additional 300 km to link Paris to Bordeaux. Similarly for the east line from Paris to Strasbourg, reaching out to Germany, and from Paris to Dijon.
Another interesting experience is of course the HSL South line, connecting Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels and Paris. Guaranteeing the smooth crossing of borders brings significant impact in terms of prosperity and access to markets, as well as enabling people to travel much more easily for work and pleasure. This is certainly something we've seen in the UK with High Speed 1, connecting London and Paris.
However, connecting cities and linking urban hubs via rail is only part of the solution. It is equally important to guarantee the highest quality and safety standards, while reducing environmental impacts by providing a sustainable alternative to travelling by air or car.
Drawing on such comparisons, Chris Pike, our Development Director for Infrastructure in the UK, said:
"In the UK, spreading growth regionally through high speed travel linking the entire network is a similarly ambitious challenge. HS2 will already connect to Birmingham International Airport and Manchester Airport so it would logically follow that the option of connecting HS2 to Heathrow via Old Oak Common would complete a strong network of airports and high speed rail links. Connecting Heathrow to the North and Midlands will underpin the Northern Powerhouse agenda and has the potential to act as a catalyst for growth across the entire country."
Experience shows how achievable this ambition can be. Our role providing multi-disciplinary construction management helped the 1,000 km long-Wuhan to Guangzhou Railway PDL (Passenger Dedicated Line) to successfully open just 4.5 years after construction started. Being part of the Chinese long distance PDL network has given the region a major boost both in terms of mobility and local economic impact.
However, the need for continuous improvement should not be underestimated. This is what we see in our current work on further improving HS1. Ongoing technical improvements and innovations can help to provide more attractive future services, for example, enabling the TGV trainset on the French east line to recently beat its world record with a speed of 574.8 kph. This could not have been achieved without a perfect quality track and bedding formation that was perfectly aligned with all systems.
For the UK, learning from key growth economies by coalescing research and development will open up and extend our infrastructure opportunities. We need to raise our ambitions to support the creation of High Speed rail and use it as a wealth creator to attract significant inward investment in the future. High Speed Rail is one of the most important enablers driving the future growth, development and prosperity of the UK nation.
urban connectivity mobility mode high speed rail smart cities transportation
Share this page via
We are 27,000 people active in 70 countries. Find our office locations here.
Arcadis is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment for all our employees.
Rewarding work for people passionate about making a difference. Improve lives. Start with yours.
© 2019 Chamber of Commerce Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Trade Registry no. 09051284 VAT: NL 0062.92.227.B.01 Cookies Terms of Use Privacy


You can further support the cause at this year's Race for a Cure on October 6—early bird registration ends July 31.
The Average yearly cost of childcare for an infant: $8,495. The average hourly cost of adult daycare: $39. The average cost of transportation per year: $9,000. Now try adding in the cost of breast cancer treatment.
This is the reality for many Houstonians facing cancer: mounting miscellaneous bills that insurance won't cover. This spring, Susan G. Komen, the breast cancer awareness foundation behind your pink water bottle and all those ribbons, established a grant program to help those fighting breast cancer to finance the extra costs associated with treatment.
The North American Association of Central Cancer Registries reports that nine cases of breast cancer are diagnosed every day in the Komen Houston seven-county service area; over 586 people in that region will die from breast cancer this year, according to the CDC.
"Once people are diagnosed with breast cancer, there's definitely financial barriers, and we're trying to eliminate those barriers so men and women can continue their care … in a timely manner. This treatment assistance program will help with that," said Ginny Kirklin, Senior Director of Community Programs and Partnerships with Komen.
Part of Komen's "Bold Goal" to halve breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by 2026, the Treatment Assistance Program provides up to a $300 annual grant to those struggling to pay their side bills during cancer treatment. Kirklin says it's a start, and it can be particularly helpful with paying for transportation to treatment and frequent medical appointments—with Houston's underdeveloped public transportation system, many Houstonians without cars find it difficult to get to their doctors. The $300, Kirklin says, can go a long way toward a cab or Uber.
The program was founded and financed by Dr. Ray and Anne Meyn. Both faced cancer, and Ray was a cancer researcher before his death in 2017. They bequeathed $25,000, which Komen says can help around 70 people. To date, it's helped 25 in Houston and another 10 around the country.
"[The Meyns] both understand the financial hardship [cancer survivors face]," Kirklin said.
In thank-you notes to Komen, patients have praised the program—one wrote that the financial assistance helped her purchase lymphedema garments used to combat swelling during treatment.
To receive the grant, patients must call Komen's hotline to discuss eligibility, which is dependent on income. Patients with insurance can still receive assistance. An oncology social worker will assess patient needs, and the check comes after.
Another major fundraiser for the organization is Komen's annual Race for the Cure, which will take place on October 6 this year. 2017 was an off year for the fundraiser due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey, but Komen reps hope this year's race will meet the $1 million goal.
Today (Tuesday, July 31) marks the last day to take advantage of early bird registration—signing up early gets you a discount on fees.
Breast cancer patients interested in the program can call the Komen hotline at 1-877-GO-KOMEN for more information.
Have You Seen These Pink Bikes Around the City?


text:
Mexican Immigration Scholar Gilberto Cárdenas to Visit Syracuse Dec. 1
Notre Dame professor boasts world's largest private collection of Latino art
Nov 29, 2016 — Article by: Rob Enslin
Gilberto Cárdenas
A leading scholar of Mexican immigration, who is also the owner of the world's largest private collection of Latino art, is making a rare visit to Syracuse University.
Gilberto Cárdenas, professor of sociology and executive director of the Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture, will discuss "Visualizing Mexican Migration: Historical Context and Contemporary Flows" on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 4 p.m. at La Casita Cultural Center (109 Otisco St., Syracuse).
The multimedia event, which is followed by a reception, is free and open to the public. For more information, call La Casita at 315.443.2151.
Cárdenas' presentation is sponsored by the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs in the Maxwell School, as well as the Latino-Latin American Studies Program and La Casita, both in A&S.
Earlier in the day at noon, Cárdenas will participate in "The Spanish Table," in which attendees practice their Spanish conversation and learn about Latin American and Caribbean culture. From 12:30-2 p.m., he will deliver a lecture titled "Art and Mexican Migration." Both events take place in 341 Eggers, and are free and open to the public.
Cárdenas also will visit classes taught by Myrna García Calderón, associate professor of Spanish in A&S, and Rafael Fernández de Castro Medina, professor of public administration and international affairs in Maxwell.
Cárdenas has devoted his career to studying the tension between Latino art and politics, as depicted in this etching by José Antonio Aguirre.
Tere Paniagua '82, executive director of the Office of Cultural Engagement for the Hispanic Community in A&S, is excited about Cárdenas' visit. "He will address the aesthetics of Latino art and culture," she says. "Much of what he has to say is underscored by the fact that many Latino artists are also social activists, particularly in the United States."
Cárdenas understands the tension between art and politics—something he has studied for more than 40 years. In that time, he has quarterbacked a series of scholarly projects focusing on immigration; race and ethnic relations; and historical, comparative and visual sociology. They have spawned four major books, including "La Causa: Civil Rights and the Quest for Equality in the Midwest" (Arte Público Press, 2004), which he co-edited, and dozens of related monographs, articles and chapters.
Cárdenas' private collection includes this painting by Sam Coronado.
The East Los Angeles native also boasts the world's largest private collection of Latino art. His interest in collecting and exhibiting art took hold in the late '60s, against the background of the heated Chicano Movement. Cárdenas' passion eventually grew to encompass photography, and continued unabated during graduate studies at Notre Dame and early faculty appointments at Colorado College, the University of Michigan and the University of California, Berkeley.
It was during a 24-year stint at the University of Texas at Austin that Cárdenas established and owned Galería sin Fronteras Inc., a commercial art gallery dedicated solely to Chicano (Mexican-American) and Latino artists. He also founded and served as executive producer of National Public Radio's "Latino U.S.A.," currently the longest-running Latino-focused program on U.S. public media.
Since 1999, Cárdenas has occupied multiple positions at Notre Dame. Prior to taking over the Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture in 2012, he served as founding director of the university's Institute for Latino Studies and as Notre Dame's assistant provost. He also has held the Julian Samora Chair in Latino Studies, and is a full sociology professor.
Cárdenas has spent the past 20 years overseeing the Inter-University Program for Latino Research, a national consortium of 25 member centers and institutes. He has been thrice-named to the Hispanic Business magazine's "100 Most Influential Hispanics" list, and has been twice-appointed to serve on U.S. Presidential Commissions.


Okay, we've picked full week and now must book a place to sleep. Are choices seriously are a hotel, a condo, a suite (with kitchen), a house (across the Rt. 90 bridge in Ocean Pines), or a campsite.
Most would think that Vegas property meant a person need to were generating a resort casino for enormous. This just isn't true. Buying property, earning a homeowners title and afterwards it becoming a landlord is an efficient way which individuals are seeing quick turnaround on their investments in Vegas.
The connected with sales in Malaga Cove increased with a significant percentage over 2008, however, are still less than half of the peak sales years of 2002 and 2003. In 2008, sales had dropped to 1 / 4 of peak rates with only 10 sales of single family homes rent temecula all four. The median sales price here, however, dropped by 14 percent from sales prices in 2008.
What's surprising is purely do a few that despite it becoming such a frequent tourist spot and having such a nice climate, slow-moving the software estate fairly inexpensive. The houses for sale in San Jose associated with apartments, condos, luxury condos, lofts, studios, stand alone home for example.
At 1 am this morning Dekalb Police were investigating a double shooting rrn which two men were shot at the Covington Glen apartments on Thickett Way near Decautr. According to police, demise with one of the many victims and the second victim in critical condition.
If you average how many of sales for air filter 12 months and divide that figure into cash advances of current active listings, the effect can be called how many of Months of Inventory (MOI). Within a balanced market, the MOI is between 3.5 and 4.5 long months. Currently, the MOI in Austin publication rack at top.8 months, which favors home loan. The average days on market for single-family homes to market has dropped slightly to 73 short days.
While the schools around the condo may not add to some enjoyment, per se, these people an essential consideration. That is especially true if in order to young children who have years of school left to venture to. In addition to the level of education they'll receive, consider location. What is the school bus route permit anyone pick them up inside morning, or will you need to drive him or her? And how close is university to your condo? If you'll have to waste a boat load of time every day bringing your kids to and from school, you may choose to keep in search of.


The Bottle Shop will showcase the best specialty beers (750 ml and 22 oz. bottles only) and attendees will be able to learn about and sample the beer in a relaxed retail-style setting.
For centuries Farmhouse Cider making has been a tradition celebrated by farmers in the English and French countryside. Strawman combines a distinct blend of juices from traditional culinary and bittersweet apples, which is then aged on oak. The result is a full-flavored, complex, and balanced cider with wine-like characteristics, rounded out by apple and citrus notes. Its lingering, earthy finish is an homage to the origins of this unique cider. 10% ABV.
Inspired by the tradition of Ice Ciders in Quebec, Iceman uses the process of freezing the juice from culinary and bittersweet apples to produce a rich, complex and unique cider with a crisp apple taste and notes of caramel and toffee. This cider is sweet but not cloying. The addition of oak-aging yields a smooth and pleasing vanilla character. The result is a perfectly balanced, full-flavored cider that delights the palate with clean apple notes and a lingering toffee finish. 10% ABV.
Inspired by the festive nature of slightly sweet demi-sec champagnes and sparkling wines, The Muse is a bubbly, effervescent cider made from traditional culinary and bittersweet apples and aged on French oak. The cider is sweet upfront with a juicy apple aroma and bright acidity, and slightly drying on the finish with a lingering sweet apple note. The French oak adds a subtle wood impression, imparting notes of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and hints of vanilla. 7.7% ABV.
ABV: 6.5% IBU: 30 Tasting Notes: Well balanced; bready, malty character up front; floral tea-like hop finish Awards: Silver Medal, 2012 United States Open Beer Championship.
The harmonious blend of mead and beer, known as a Braggot, takes us back to medieval times, dating back as far as the 12th century. To capture that floral honey essence we used a combination of three unique honeys, along with the complexity of the hops, and the addition of chamomile to create this unique Braggot. This whimsical brew has a floral and slightly tart sweetness that gives way to a much awaited honey finish.