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Plan staff blog on our work with children across the world.
Signs of hope in Guinea's Ebola epicentre
Ebola cases are starting to fall in Gueckedou, Guinea, as health messages make an impact, blogs Plan Programme Unit Manager, Gbaka Sandouno.
27 September 2014: The current situation in Gueckedou is not as alarming as it was 2 months ago. Out of the 49 Ebola confirmed patients presently at the treatment centre here, there are only 5 cases from Gueckedou, 39 from Macenta, 2 from Nzerekore, 2 from Kérouané and 1 from Beyla.
In Gueckedou, the cases are from 2 main communities – a few months ago 9 out of the 10 main communities were severely affected by Ebola. We are grateful to say that the situation is subsiding.
Youth group power
In fact, even the main challenges we were facing, such as hostilities from villagers, and their doubts over the existence of the virus, have been solved. Religious leaders, women's associations and youth groups got involved, and have all helped in raising awareness about the virus.
Now, people are scared of catching Ebola. The proof is that all the usual handshaking, marriage ceremonies, intensive market attendance and social gatherings - which used to be part of life here - are now considerably reduced.
Whoever gets ill now in any part of Gueckedou, rural or urban, is left alone until the specialised health worker comes to take him or her to the nearest health centre. The Ebola hotline number 115, on a green card, is given to everyone close by, as soon as such a case is noted.
Children affected
On the streets, life is relatively normal, although economic activities have been reduced due to the closure of the borders with Liberia and Sierra Leone, and the limitations on movement of people from one community to the other.
Stores, garages and offices are operating relatively well. Besides hawkers, marketeers and other traders, you also see traffic running normally.
But children are affected, either by being infected, losing parents or being traced as contacts. The fragile food security provoked by Ebola is also having a negative effect on children, as is the postponement of their school classes.
Recovering from Ebola
I attend meetings every morning with Ebola-cured patients. I have not met all of them, but I know that the recovered patients of Gueckedou - about 42 now - have formed an association. The president of the association, who was the first patient to recover from the virus, is called Mr Saa Sabas Temessadouno.
These recovered patients play such an important role in convincing those who did not believe in the existence of Ebola that it does exist. Of course, they also convince the majority who think Ebola has no cure that they can recover from it. They are living proof that people can survive from Ebola!
Radio campaigns
The group has been doing local radio campaigns telling how they were infected, then how they were taken to the Ebola treatment centre and have survived. Because of this, a lot of Ebola patients now declare themselves and are willing to be at the centre, and we are noting a considerable number of patients who are recovering.
At the beginning, I was very careful about meeting Ebola patients, and very worried about the outcome, but due to information and training obtained on what Ebola is and how to avoid it, I feel that Ebola can be contained. The threat can be won, especially if the population as a whole works together.
Steps are being taken to prevent people from catching the virus. Training sessions organised by religious people, community leaders, teachers and staff of various international non-governmental organisations on Ebola, as well as intensive awareness-raising carried out through local radio, civil society organisations, children and youth groups - are all helping people to avoid catching the disease.
Taps and washing facilities installed in every public and some private areas are also helping. Avoiding traditional practices relating to burials, social gatherings and social movement are helping as well.
Health messages are getting through
In Gueckedou as a whole, every village has been reached as part of awareness-raising work and messages are being passed on to people all the time.
Health workers are now working closely with local authorities and all are now welcomed by the villagers. Even the hygiene kits that were rejected a few months back by villagers are now being requested by the same people!
It's worth mentioning that although this situation has improved here in Gueckedou, in other prefectures like Macenta and Nzerekore, it remains a huge challenge.
From giving institutional support to the health authorities to raising awareness through radio or civil society, Plan International is actively involved in anti-Ebola efforts.
We are providing hand washing facilities in public places and helping to trace contacts, and helping to provide the necessary funds to make things happen.
Please support Plan's emergency Ebola appeal
Read more about Plan's work in Guinea
Girls CHARGE – tackling the issues that keep girls out of school
26 September 2014: This week in New York, Plan International announced its part in a groundbreaking effort spearheaded by The Clinton Global Foundation's 'No Ceilings' Initiative and the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution.
This concerted effort, entitled Girls CHARGE (Collaborative Harnessing Ambition and Resources for Global Education), brings together more than 20 organisations that are dedicating their expertise, resources and broad-based reach to ensure that millions of girls across the world are able to transition into and complete secondary education in the next 5 years.
Getting girls into secondary education
The focus of this initiative on secondary education is unique and an important departure from focusing solely on primary education. Understanding and supporting girls to make this transition from primary to secondary education lies at the heart of Plan's global Because I am a Girl campaign.
We welcome therefore the leadership of former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard on girls' education, particularly highlighting the issues currently denying millions of adolescent girls around the world their right to an education.
Gender-based violence
For girls to go to and stay in school and reach their full potential, schools must offer both a safe learning environment and a rich learning experience. And this must span a minimum of 9 years, providing girls with a strong foundation from which they can transition into tertiary or higher education.
Yet one of the biggest and most intractable challenges girls face in school is gender-based violence. In fact, research shows that the levels of violence in schools, from peers and teachers, can be much higher than they are in wider society.
Schools are meant to be safe havens for children where they are supported and nurtured, where their minds are expanded and their passions ignited. And yet in many parts of the world, school can be a place to fear.
Supporting 150,000 girls in school
That is why Plan International has joined forces with the Clinton Global Initiative Girl CHARGE commitment. Over the next 5 years Plan will support 150,000 girls in 785 schools in South East Asia to create a learning environment free from school-related gender-based violence where girls and boys are free to learn and play.
The Promoting Equality and Safety in Schools programme aims to develop a zero tolerance approach in schools to all forms of violence and ensure these schools can become models of success that will be admired and eventually replicated by other countries in the region.
We know what is possible when the rights of girls are truly protected. This commitment raises the ambition of what we can do together to make that a reality for all girls.
Read the Girls CHARGE announcement on Plan USA's website
Join Plan's Because I am a Girl campaign
Life after the lockdown in Sierra Leone
Days after Sierra Leone enforced a 3-day curfew to fight the Ebola outbreak, Kamanda - one of Plan's global youth advisory members – reflects on the impact it's had on people living in his community in the north of the country.
From 19 to 21 September in Sierra Leone, we had to stay inside our homes; to sit and pray with our families for relief from the Ebola outbreak.
Nobody could move from one street to the other, with the exception of the response officials, and volunteers and health personnel educating residents about how to stop this deadly pestilence from eating into the fabric of our dear and beloved developing country.
Imprisoned at home
You can't imagine how difficult it is to sit and lie down in one place without moving from your house, street or community. This is really 3 days imprisonment but crucial in saving the lives of residents of this country from the agony of Ebola.
My family of 27 sat at home listening to radio programmes, ate food (though there was little), prayed, played cards and sometimes watched movies using the computer given to me by Plan. On the third day, health workers came to tell us about signs and symptoms, prevention and control of Ebola - and soap was given to us for frequent washing of hands.
In some villages, people took to their heels into the bush. Some of my family in their village - my mum, step-mums and brothers - ran into the bush because they were misinformed that health officials would come to inject them, put the Ebola virus in their blood, and take away sick people to mix them with Ebola infected people.
But when they called me on the mobile, I allayed their fears by explaining to them the essence of the 3 days and what is expected of them towards combating the pestilence.
Hunger and thirst
As a journalist of our local radio station, Radio Bankasoka, a colleague and I were assigned to monitor what happened over the 3 days in the district.
People adhered to the President of Sierra Leone's declaration that they should stay at home. But many were not happy because they were not guaranteed food or water. Many poor families went through all 3 days hungry and thirsty.
Even in the absence of Ebola, affording a meal a day is difficult for poor, extended families, let alone for 3 consecutive days. Household heads that were suspected of having Ebola were held and quarantined.
The sharpest thing that pricks my heart now is that children, especially those whose parents are victims, are suffering with no support. For example, in Gbom Samba community, 3 children lost their parents. In other communities, you could see children lie down on the ground hopelessly as a result of hunger.
Hospitals are empty
Tears ran from my eyes when I heard the report from my local radio station about 35 people dying of Ebola within the district. What could happen in a month, a year? It's really awful.
People have abandoned the health centres with the fear that they will be given the Ebola virus and perceived as Ebola victims. They have lost confidence in the local health personnel. Even pregnant women and mothers of children under-5 no longer visit health centres. The government hospitals and other health centres are empty.
As of now, 81 houses have been quarantined in my district but security measures for the quarantined homes and treatment and holding centres are not strong.
For example in Borrp community, only 1 military person and 1 police officer are securing 5 quarantined houses of 31 people. I witnessed this in one of the chiefdoms in my district, and interviewed the health officer in charge.
Food is scarce in quarantined homes and treatment centres. Suspected Ebola victims continue to escape from these homes or centres spreading the disease countrywide.
An Ebola victim who escaped from a detention centre yesterday night explained to my colleague, while eating biscuits hungrily: "Food is not given to me since I was put into that place and I'm hungry; I need food right now."
No one dared to touch him. The authorities were called, but the victim took to his heels and went into hiding. This is risky.
What will happen next?
Many suspected cases and Ebola victims have been traced, held and quarantined. I'm hoping there will be an absolute decrease of this deadly pestilence within the next 21 days and give us some freedom.
But I expect more deaths in treatment and holding centres and quarantined homes because victims of Ebola and suspected cases get no or hardly any medical attention and little or no food.
Children and poor people will continue to die of hunger and Ebola because they are vulnerable at this point in time.
We need foreign technical experts on Ebola brought into the treatment and holding centres,as residents no longer have trust in the local health personnel and have abandoned the hospitals.
People like me can help. Youth groups should be supported to embark on campaigns through radio and social media for people, especially pregnant women and mothers of children under-5, to visit health centres again.
Young people and children see what is happening in a different way - we understand our rights and the responsibilities of duty bearers and are ready to hold them to account.
Support Plan's emergency Ebola appeal
Read Kamanda's blog in the run-up to the lockdown
Learn more about Kamanda and his role on Plan's Global Youth Advisory panel
Let's help young people be heard
23 September 2014: I am Scottish, but because I live in England, I did not get to vote in the recent referendum on independence for Scotland. But you know who did? Everyone over the age of 16 years who does live in Scotland.
Whatever their view, they were able to voice their opinion and they were listened to. However, giving young people a voice is not something that happens across the world and that is something Plan International is trying to change with our youth advocacy toolkit.
Since we launched the toolkit, it has been received better than we ever expected. It's been so popular that children and young people want a new way to share it more broadly. To address this we have developed a short animated film, which covers the main lessons from the toolkit.
Up For School
On Monday, 22 September, young people held a rally in New York, supported by A World At School, while the world's leaders were in the city for the United Nations General Assembly. They held the rally to call on leaders to provide quality education to all children around the world.
With 65 million girls still out of primary and lower secondary school, we need to work with the young people to put pressure on governments and see some serious change.
We are launching this film in solidarity with the rally and the broader youth movement for education. We want to help this grow in size and strength and as a result see millions more children going to school.
Join us in supporting them and share the film as widely as you can.
And join the young people by signing their new petition.
They are #UpForSchool - are you?
Young people are key for post-2015
As the world looks beyond the Millennium Development Goals, which expire in 2015, our 1 billion young people have a key role to play, blogs Plan's Amanda Lundy.
22 September 2014: If you printed all of the reports, briefings, memos, key messages, responses, consultations, op-eds, haikus, and tweets that include the phrase 'post-2015', it would reach to the moon and back.
I'll admit, even I am beginning to feel a little queasy at the phrase, and I've been contributing to this sustainable development post-2015 debate for years now. My fingers seem to be irrevocably programmed to type '-2015' after 'post'.
But for all of these pages and pages, there's disproportionately little written on the 'how' questions around the post-2015 agenda. For every 10 papers on which goals, targets, or indicators should be included in the framework (and Plan has 7 great ones!), there only seems to be one that talks about means of implementation, monitoring, financing, or accountability.
This is beginning to shift as the work of the High-Level Political Forum, the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing, and the Independent Expert Advisory Group on Data Revolution for Sustainable Development all gain momentum.
1 billion young partners
During this week's United Nations General Assembly, Plan International is launching the publication 'Young people's engagement in strengthening accountability for the post-2015 agenda'. The report follows this 'how' trend, but it looks at an often-overlooked area: the power of young people in holding governments to account for their commitments.
Co-authored by Plan and the Overseas Development Institute in collaboration with the Office of the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, this briefing paper argues that the world's 1 billion young people aged 15-24 are critical partners in the quest for sustainable development over the next 15 years.
This is not only because of the size of the 'youth bulge' or because young people have a right to participate in decision-making that affects them; it's also because their involvement in accountability mechanisms, such as social accountability processes laid out in the briefing, can lead to stronger development outcomes overall.
5 key principles
The paper argues that 5 principles are key for any post-2015 accountability processes to ensure young people's involvement: meaningful participation and inclusive, accessible, collaborative, and responsive mechanisms.
It also argues that, due to the nature of international agreements like the post-2015 framework, accountability is largely absent at an international level; mechanisms, where they do exist, are non-binding, voluntary, and often do not facilitate meaningful inputs from civil society, including young people.
We state that a continuum of accountability for the post-2015 framework – from the local to the international – should be grounded at the local and national levels: in parliaments, school councils, and ombudspersons, where civil society's engagement, and young people's especially, can be most directly guaranteed and responded to. These should form the foundation of accountability for post-2015 commitments so that governments can respond to the needs and rights of their citizens, especially young people.
Better outcomes for all
One fifth of the world's population are aged between 15-24 – they are at a critical point in their lives and the ability of the post-2015 framework to deliver on their needs and rights and to respond to their concerns is an indicator for success for the entire framework.
An inclusive, accessible, collaborative, and responsive continuum of accountability that ensures meaningful participation from young people at all levels can help to ensure a stronger framework with better outcomes for all.
Fundamentally, a post-2015 framework is about the future. Who could be a better partner – to help us define what we want and to hold us to those promises – than the young people who will have to live with the successes and failures?
Read Plan's post-2015 briefing paper
Learn about Plan's global child and youth participation work
Feeling afraid in Ebola lockdown
As Sierra Leone goes into national lockdown for 3 days to fight the Ebola outbreak, Kamanda – one of Plan's global youth advisory members – who lives in the north of the country, describes the impact on his family and community.
September 2014: The Ebola outbreak has overcome and killed a lot of people. Since it was first declared an emergency, many people have become victims, and there is still an increase in Ebola now.
Because it has become so prevalent, the president has decided to put in place a 3-day lockdown from 19 to 22 September to search for people who are sick.
They need to find all the people who are hidden, who have the disease, and the government will campaign to find the people who are sick. The trouble is that sick people have been refused entry by the hospitals, and now are resistant to being found. They are hiding because they prefer to be sick at home.
The campaigners will move through the city and through the villages and towns to find the people who are sick. There is only 1 district now out of 12 that doesn't have the virus. Many individual houses have been quarantined, and people are not allowed to go out.
Poor struggling to find food
It is affecting everyone, but particularly the poor. We are having difficulty getting enough food, the schools are all shut down, and there are no classes and no lessons.
Some children whose parents have died from Ebola are facing obstacles - including food, shelter, clothing and emotional support. Some people have abandoned the hospitals because they have been misinformed that if they are tested that their blood will be mixed with those who have the virus and they may be perceived as Ebola victims and isolated.
The poor and those who have been quarantined are suffering because food supplies are not getting through to them. Water is also not reaching them. Medical supplies are not reaching them. They also cannot afford to buy extra food for the lockdown.
27 people in my house
As we prepare for the lockdown, people are going to the banks to get their salaries, to try to stock up on food. But the trouble is that the poor people cannot do this. I come from a poor family, and I am staying with my uncle, who normally trades in Freetown, but he has had to stop.
People can die like this. People are wondering how to get food for 3 days, when they have no money up front; even those people who have money are struggling now because food is scarce and prices have shot up.
In my house there will be 27 people all in together for 3 days. I don't know what we are going to do with our time, we will reflect and pray for this disease to be out of our country.
My uncle left this morning at 5am for Freetown to try to sort things out and get things adjusted for the 3 days. He will buy rice and other foods.
It is also very difficult for my people who live in the villages – I am really worried about my mum and dad because they have problems getting food. At the moment, they are staying a home; they have nowhere to buy food. My dad is sick – he has appendicitis – and we have no way of helping him. I've been trying to call them, but I can't get through.
Frightening situation
At first there was a lot of misinformation about Ebola. There are also a lot of scare stories. People in the villages thought the people coming to give information were coming to infect them and kill them, so they ran away. Lots of people ran away.
Now, during the lockdown, we fear that a lot of people will try to escape, and this will make things worse. I am scared my father will go into hiding in the bush, and he is very sick.
I feel afraid. It's a very frightening situation. Yes, I feel afraid about what will happen in Sierra Leone as a result of this virus.
Plan teams are fighting the Ebola outbreak across Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. Please donate to Plan's emergency Ebola appeal
Read Plan's press release on Ebola lockdown in Sierra Leone
Learn more about Kamanda and his role on Plan's Global Youth Advisory panel
How to talk to your kids about war
As war and conflict continue to make headlines across the world, more and more children are being exposed to distressing scenes through the media. Talking about it can help minimise their stress, blogs Plan International Australia's Senior Child Rights Specialist, Sophie Shugg.
26 August 2014: How do you talk with your kids when they ask you the tough questions about war and conflict? How can you minimise the stress and the confusion they feel when they see images and scenes they may be too young to understand?
Whether it's Gaza, Syria, Iraq or the Ukraine, young children are witnessing images and scenes that horrify even the most hardened war correspondent. And in the age of rolling news coverage and the internet, they can be potentially exposed to more and more than we ever experienced as children. And just to make these images and scenes all the more distressing and confusing for kids, they all too often feature children tragically caught up in war and conflicts they can never control.
Should you shield kids from the news?
Ultimately, it's your choice as a parent. But consider this: even if you were to throw away your TV, there's every chance your children will see these moments on other TVs, be it at a shopping centre, at their friends' places or in a relative's home. And even if they don't, they can still hear about war from their friends, or see photos on the front pages as they walk past the newsagent.
Create an environment in which children can speak freely
Children always need to feel safe, and never more so than when they are talking about events and issues that concern them. So find a time and a place where they feel comfortable and secure, in order to talk to them about their fears and concerns.
Let children guide the conversation
What worries your kids about scenes of war and conflict may surprise you. So let them take the lead in your conversation. This will ensure their concerns are addressed, and not just your assumptions.
Look for non-verbal signs
Children will not always raise their concerns with you directly. So look for the signs that they are feeling distressed. Do they turn away from the television when they fear the news is about to come on? Do they play act scenes of fighting or conflict with their friends? Do they draw pictures that reflect what they are seeing on TV? If so, you may need to bring up the subject and ease their worries.
Be as open as you can
No one expects you to explain the genesis of complex conflicts like a professor of politics, least of all your children. Nor do you need to go into excruciating detail on injury or death. But children are often smarter than you think, and they will gain a sense of comfort if you talk openly. And it's OK to admit you don't understand the reasons for war.
Reassure your children
Make sure your children understand that there is no threat of war or conflict where you are. But don't dismiss their concerns for others – your children are learning empathy and compassion, and that's to be encouraged.
Do something about it!
Children will often want to do more than just talk about conflict, they may want to take action. Let your children know that they can support communities, whether that's through raising awareness or fundraising to help organisations responding to conflict.
Children across the world are caught up in conflict. You can help by making a donation to one of Plan's emeregncy appeals.
Download the How to talk to your kids about war guide from Plan International Australia's website.
World Humanitarian Day: Remembering the brave
19 August 2014: On World Humanitarian Day, I am reminded that close to a billion people go to bed hungry every night, making humanitarian work crucial.
Consider this - 24 hours from when you are reading this piece, approximately 24,000 more children will have died worldwide from preventable diseases. This is an everyday reality, but these deaths can be stopped with access to clean water, healthcare, immunisation, safety and education.
When I am asked what inspired me to get involved in humanitarian work, I ask myself if there is any choice when faced with this reality.
Our news headlines are currently dominated by humanitarian crises - the Ebola outbreak; the conflict in Iraq; the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel; the lingering war and food crisis in South Sudan that is threatening the lives of over 4 million people.
In such a world, "ordinary" humanitarian workers are putting their lives on the line* for the sake of others, refusing to give up, providing a source of everyday inspiration amid the crises.
Brave people, selfless volunteers
The bravest people in the world are not those who climb Mount Everest, Formula 1 drivers or the armed guards protecting presidential palaces. I believe that the bravest people today are the frontline workers, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance.
Take, for instance, the health workers and the undertakers battling the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. They know the huge risk of contracting the deadly disease, which kills up to 90% of its victims. The current outbreak has claimed 1,145 lives, though reports indicate these numbers could be higher.
It's not just the threat of the highly infectious virus they have to battle. Health workers and undertakers have all come under attack. The fact that dead bodies are a source of infection has put a stop to burials in usual places.
More than 160 health workers are reported to have been infected, half of who have died. Yet, there has been an armed attack on the patient unit care in Liberia. The outbreak is taking a heavy toll on the frontline workers - both physically and emotionally.
Getting our priorities right
In a world characterised by violence and human suffering, humanitarian work can only be built on the strong foundations of humanitarian values and principles. We talk in our reports, proposals and budgets of the millions in need, but these are not just statistics - these are real people like you and I, with names, relations and emotions. It is vital to recognise the rights of the people humanitarian agencies serve, as expressed in the Humanitarian Charter*.
There are 51 million displaced people in the world right now. But this does not necessarily mean that public engagement with these issues is higher than before. Last year, the global arms expenditure was US $1.75 trillion (i.e. $1,750 billion). A small portion of this money is sufficient to provide clean water, healthcare, education and shelter for all people on earth, and provide humanitarian assistance in all disasters and conflicts.
Earlier this year, during a visit to a Plan child-friendly space in South Sudan in the peak of the armed conflict, 2 children caught my attention - a case in point demonstrating why humanitarian work is so crucial and the difference it makes.
In a group of 100 children, Madiha, 9, and Lina, 4, stood out. It was not their unusual silence that caught my attention, but the way they frequently hugged each other, seemingly involuntarily.
A few days earlier they both witnessed the execution of their parents in Jonglei before fleeing to relative safety. Madiha's first instinct was to protect Lina. As they made their escape, this 9-year-old child was transformed into a parent to her 4-year-old sister, leaving her childhood behind.
Stretched thin
The last few months have been exceptionally busy for the humanitarian aid workers. We were already stretched thin with our ongoing work responding to the conflict and food crisis in South Sudan, violence and displacement in Central African Republic, humanitarian fallout of the crisis in Syria and the unfinished recovery work in the Philippines' typhoon-impacted areas and Darfur.
For every major disaster reported, there are several unreported crises. Add to this the flare-up of Ebola, the fallout of the conflict in Gaza and Israel and the displacement in Iraq - all unfolding simultaneously.
This means, at work, you move from one crisis to the other during the day. In such circumstances a normal day could be 24/7 - especially if you are doing media interviews and coordinating with aid workers on ground.
It also means reserving a good portion of this time to listen to colleagues who are on the frontline - their anxieties, concerns and aspirations.
But humanitarian work often produces instant results - and that makes you get back to work 10 minutes early the next day.
World Humanitarian Day is marked every year on 19 August to recognise those who face danger and adversity in order to help others.
Read about two of Plan's humanitarian heroes on the World Humanitarian Day website: Eunice Nyaror and Ding Mayom*
Find out more about Plan's global emergencies work
* Plan is not responsible for the content on external websites
Ebola outbreak: 6 steps to invent the future
12 August 2014: The current Ebola outbreak, the most severe and complex in history, is now making its impact felt worldwide.
The deadly disease has killed over 960 people so far in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Seven additional West African countries (Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger) are on alert.
Communities in West Africa have witnessed horrific scenes of infected people dying with symptoms of severe bleeding. Suspected case or cases under medical care are now in Africa, Europe and North America.
Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria have declared Ebola as national emergencies. The military has been deployed in an attempt to quarantine people and stop their movements and therefore the spread of the disease. These are not scenes from fictional Hollywood movies such as 'Outbreak' or 'Contagion' - this disaster is unfolding in real time.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak an international public health emergency demanding an "extraordinary" response.We are in a situation where the deadly outbreak is threatening to kill more people in West Africa and beyond. What is needed now is not a speculative prediction, but collective global action to invent Ebola's future.
This is a decisive moment in the battle against Ebola. Time is running out fast, millions of lives are at stake and the world needs to act now. Investing in public health systems and disaster preparedness measures is the best way to invent the future trajectory of the Ebola outbreak.
No vaccine or cure
Ebola is one of the world's most virulent diseases and it spreads through contact with an infected person's bodily fluids. Initial symptoms are the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.
Such common symptoms make it hard to detect Ebola easily. There is no vaccine or cure and Ebola kills up to 90% of those infected, making it a 'doctor's nightmare'.
Complementary care such as rehydration can help to save lives in some instances. Stopping the spread, through public health promotion and better awareness, is the best way to reduce infection rates and reduce deaths.
Ebola – one-step ahead
The easy movement of people across porous borders between countries; the initial gross under estimates about the ability of the disease to spread; the lack of information; risky burial practices and above all weak public health systems and poverty have all contributed to Ebola's steady spread.
Over 160 health workers are reported to have been infected, half of whom have died. Rumours are also rife on the ground making an already challenging response even more complicated. In some cases, local mobs have attacked health workers forcing emergency centres to close.
Until now, Ebola has been one-step ahead of the response and unfortunately, it is not showing any immediate signs of slowing down.
World responsibility
The WHO declaration is expected to bring much needed public health specialists and financial resources to fight the crisis in the impacted countries. The current outbreak is an unprecedented crisis with global dimensions - it is both the longest and largest outbreak in terms of deaths, infected cases and the number of countries affected.
In addition to precious lives, psychological and economic impacts can be catastrophic. The World Bank estimates that the outbreak will reduce economic growth in Guinea, where the outbreak originated, from 4.5% to 3.5% this year.
Local health workers and aid agencies such as Plan International, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and International Medical Corps have been on the frontline, fighting a battle with limited resources and increasing challenges.
Turning the tide of this deadly disease is now the collective responsibility of the world. Better and humane care for those that are infected as well as building strong public health systems are fundamental - not only to deal with this outbreak, but also to respond to future shocks.
The next phase
Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testified before the US government's senate committee last week. He warned that it will be a 'long and hard fight'.
He described a worrying picture which he called a best case scenario: it will take at least 3 to 6 months to end the outbreak. "If you leave behind even a single burning ember, it's like a forest fire," he said. "It flares back up."
To invent the future of this outbreak, rather than just to make a prediction, here are the first steps that need to be taken.
- Intensify care and support (including emotional care) for infected people, their families, health workers and caregivers through additional isolation care and support units across the impacted countries.
- Reach out to the most vulnerable people, such as children and women, who are often in far-flung remote pockets. This step must be complemented by reassurances to save lives of those who come forward to such healthcare units, preferably through appeals by heads of nations and local leaders. There are distressing reports of infected people being left in the streets to die for fear of contamination.
- While the 4 West African countries with confirmed cases should be the first priority, it is time to shift gears and step up surveillance and public health promotion in the other 7 countries that are on alert.
- The outbreak has exposed the underbelly of weak health infrastructure in the impacted countries on alert. Most of them are at the bottom of the human development index and have some of the weakest public health systems in the world. Conflict destroyed most of the healthcare facilities in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Both countries have approximately 1 doctor per 35,000 to 40,000 people. WHO recommends 1 doctor for every 10,000 people.
- Rich nations and emerging economies need to be generous and deploy all possible resources to intensify the battle against Ebola. Despite the recent injection of funds by the WHO, the World Bank and European Commission, the response has been massively underfunded. It is in the best interest of the world to intensify the battle against Ebola and stop its spread.
- Neglected tropical diseases continue to cause significant death and health complications in the developing world. Yet, only a tiny portion of the total funds for research globally is spend for diseases such as Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV. In 2012, an estimated 627,000 malaria deaths was recorded worldwide - 90% occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and 77% in children under 5 years of age. Investments are needed for research and to develop cures.
The outbreak is a wake-up call to build strong public health systems, including disease surveillance measures; early warning systems and improved epidemic preparedness measures.
Well prepared health workers can fight not just the Ebola outbreak, but other epidemics and disasters too. Investing in public health systems and disaster preparedness measures is the best way to invent the future trajectory of the Ebola outbreak.
Support Plan's Ebola emergency appeal
Listen to young change makers
A super group of 8 young people is ensuring that youth have their say in Plan's work worldwide – and the benefits will be incredible, blogs Plan youth engagement officer, Jo Dempster.
12 August 2014, International Youth Day:
It's 7am in El Salvador
Jacinto was up at 6 to take the bus 3 miles to reach his local Plan office. He logs on and begins the call using Google Translate while he waits for his supporting staff member. "Hola!" "Hola!" replies the group.
It's 9am in the USA
Sara is skyping in on her mobile on her way to school.
Every other Tuesday the Global Youth Advisory Panel meet via Skype to discuss all matters relating to the roll out of Plan's global strategy on engaging young people in internal decision-making.
Despite the different time zones, dodgy internet connections, language barriers and travel difficulties, this inspirational group of 8 young people come together every 2 weeks to support each other, share learning from their countries, help to develop organisational tools and guidance, and hold me to account.
It's 1pm in Sierra Leone
After several failed attempts to connect on Skype we call Kamanda in on his cell phone.
"Sorry, the internet's down and I'm in the middle of a workshop. The Port Loko youth advisory panel are devising a play about the dangers of Ebola; we're taking it out to schools and communities next week," he says.
It's 2pm in the UK
Simone is on her gap year and takes her lunch break from the sandwich shop she works in, timing it so she can join the call.
This incredibly motivated and committed group of young people have played a central role in the development of Plan's youth engagement in decision-making strategy and continue to provide unique insights on the development of 'how to' guidance.
The group discuss everything from how many hours a week is realistic for young people to volunteer for Plan to what tools Plan's country management teams need in order to open up their decision-making spaces.
Plan has to lead by example. In our post-Millennium Development Goal positioning we are pushing for greater youth participation in the new development framework. We recognise that whilst 43% of the world's population is under the age of 25, their thoughts and concerns have often gone unheard by national and global leaders.
We believe that young people have the right to be heard in development debates and that they have bright, creative ideas about how to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges.
Internally, Plan makes decisions on a daily basis that directly affect the lives of millions of young people and we are slowly opening up these decision-making spaces to ensure we support their right to participate. Equally importantly, we believe that their opinions will help us to make better decisions about how we spend our resources.
This is about organisational transformation. So while we know it will take time and it will take resources, the benefits for the organisation and for the young people will be incredible.
It's 3pm in Sweden and Norway
"So, what do you guys think about the list I sent for the youth trustee pack?" says Tova. "Can we include something about training the adults on speaking in accessible language?" says Frida. Both Tova and Frida are trustees of Plan.
It's 4pm in Uganda
Frank has cycled 2 miles to Plan's programme unit in Kamuli to join the call. There seems to be a chicken having a party in the background.
Like so many of the young people Plan works with, Frank had a challenging upbringing, leaving school at 14 to support his brothers and sisters after his parents died. Frank is back in school and so proud to be representing Plan's East and Southern Africa region on the Global Youth Advisory Panel. He was selected by his peers and, like his global peers, he brings that raw perspective founded in real-life experience.
The Global Youth Advisory Panel is part of a youth engagement movement inspiring change across the organisation. There are now 24 national panels directly engaging in Plan's governance, and we are working towards the ambitious target of all offices having a panel by 2020.
The impact of youth engagement can be felt from the very grassroots level of the organisation right up to Plan's highest decision-making body, the Members' Assembly, where we now have 2 seats for youth observers.
I feel very privileged to call the members of the global panel my colleagues – they are the reason I joined Plan. We're showing that we're an organisation that believes in putting children and young people at the heart of what we do; that we're ready to be challenged by the young people we aim to serve.
It's nearly 10pm in Indonesia
Having enthused the group about the fantastic progress being made with Plan Indonesia's new national youth advisory panel; Agung is struggling to keep his eyes open and I am mindful of time.
So, until next time...adios, and Happy International Youth Day!
International Youth Day is celebrated across the world every 12 August.
Find out more about Plan's Global Youth Advisory Panel


text:
Home » Shawn Michaels » Arnold Expo » Results
Shawn Michaels
Real Name
Michael Hickenbottom
Date of Birth
July 22, 1965
Place of Birth
Inside of a Hell in a Cell cage, Randy Orton defeated Daniel Bryan with the help of Triple H and Shawn Michaels to win the WWE Championship.
October 27, 2013
Edge won Royal Rumble 2010 by last eliminating John Cena. The other contestants in the match include Batista, Beth Phoenix, Big Show, Carlito, Chris Jericho, Chris Masters, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Evan Bourne, Great Khali, Jack Swagger, John Morrison, JTG, Kane, Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, Matt Hardy, MVP, R Truth, Shawn Michaels, Shelton Benjamin, Ted DiBiase, The Miz, Triple H, Yoshi Tatsu and Zack Ryder.
January 31, 2010
Former best friends turned heated rivals engaged in a battle for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble as Shawn Michaels challenged Triple H in a Last Man Standing match, but neither side could proclaim victory as the bout ended in a draw.
January 25, 2004
For professional wrestling fans, there will be several familiar faces at the Arnold Expo this weekend in Columbus, Ohio. Kurt Angle, Mark Mark Henry, Matt Morgan, Bobby Lashley and Velvet Sky will all be in attendance. Angle is also scheduled to be at the Ultimate Teen Challenge event and the Hall of Fame lunch as well.
February 28, 2014
WWE is bringing in the big names to help open up Monday Night Raw this week. Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair have been confirmed to make an appearance. The trio of former world heavyweight champions will be in the opening segment. Reports are surfacing that Flair, Hogan and Michaels will be promoting the feud between John Cena and Brock Lesnar, who is not scheduled to be there.
August 23, 2014
During a recent podcast interview between Steve Austin and Vince Russo, the topic of the Montreal Screwjob came up. Russo gave specific details about what went down between Vince McMahon, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Austin then finished the discussion by stating that he had no prior knowledge of the incident going down, but that he thinks the decision by McMahon and Russo was the right one. The business had to be protected from Hart and Eric Bischoff.
July 3, 2014
Even though the push went absolutely nowhere in the long run, Chris Jericho listed his match against Fandango at Wrestlemania 29 as one of his two favorite moments at the pay per view. Jericho loved the idea of putting Fandango over so well that the fans made him a global sensation the following night on Monday Night Raw. His other favorite moment was his big match against Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 19.
June 17, 2014
During a recent interview, Shawn Michaels revealed that there was quite a bit of backstage heat between he and Undertaker during their careers. Michaels noted that he was obnoxious and outgoing, while Undertaker was quiet and reserved. The two WWE legends had respect for one another, but they simply did not like one another. Vince McMahon was said to have done a lot of work to appease both performers and kept them apart as much as possible backstage.
June 3, 2014
Since WWE really wants the show to do well, management has decided to give a little bit of a boost to Legends House by having Shawn Michaels doing a guest appearance. The company wants a bigger name on the series next season, but rumors going around is that WWE won't even bother trying to convince Michaels to do the show because he has far too many outside commitments as is.
May 25, 2014
During a recent podcast interview with Jim Ross, WWE legend Shawn Michaels revealed that he had no intentions of coming out of retirement to work a match against Daniel Bryan, who was his real life protege at one point in time. Michaels stated that he has had discussions with certain people backstage in WWE about the possibility, but nothing concrete ever came out of those discussions.
May 14, 2014
July is going to be a rather busy month for Roddy Piper, as the WWE legend has now been booked for at least a dozen shows throughout Europe. These events are essentially a big group discussion between Piper and his fans. The former United States Heavyweight Champion will be telling stories and answering questions. Sting, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels have done shows like these in Europe recently, and they were able to pack the house.
May 12, 2014
While fans want to believe that Undertaker was the one that made the decision to end the winning streak at Wrestlemania 30, another person has confirmed that Vince McMahon was the one behind the move. Shawn Michaels revealed to Jim Ross during a podcast interview that McMahon made the decision approximately four hours before the pay per view started.
May 7, 2014
While their on screen characters in WWE did not get along, Shawn Michaels and JBL are good friends backstage. The two of them have arranged a special fishing expedition together in Bermuda. Michaels will be bringing the MacMillan River Adventures camera crew with him to the island to film scenes for an upcoming episode.
May 4, 2014
"I don't know, man, who knows, right? That's something that only he can answer for sure. To me, if he hasn't come back already, then... I left the WWE for two-and-a-half years in 2005. The only difference was I left when my contract was up, but I disappeared too, because I just was over it. I couldn't take it anymore, I wasn't interested in being there, I was getting miserable, so I know how he feels. I had no intention of coming back, and after two-and-a-half years I watched Shawn Michaels vs John Cena at WrestleMania 23 and that inspired me to want to come back, but it took two-and-a-half years to get there. So my answer is, 'I don't know', but I just know how I was when I did the same thing. It took a long time for me to be able to come back, and I was probably the same age as CM Punk is now too, so maybe he's going through the same thing and after a few years he'll come back." - Chris Jericho on the backstage heat situation in WWE involving Punk
May 2, 2014
When Shawn Michaels began teaming up with Marty Jannetty as the Midnight Rockers, fans across the country immediately criticized them for stealing the gimmicks from Bobby Eaton, Stan Lane, Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson. During a recent interview with Morton and Gibson, however, the Rock 'n Roll Express stated that it was viewed as a compliment. Morton also revealed that Michaels used to ride with and learned from them in the southern territories.
April 26, 2014
While he did make a brief appearance during Wrestlemania 30 week, Shawn Michaels is expected to be gone from WWE for the time being. The former world heavyweight champion will be focusing his energy on his television show and various promotional appearances for the time being. There are talks that he could be brought back for Summerslam 2014 to help with promotions, but that is not confirmed yet.
April 24, 2014
A video tribute for the Undertaker using his action figure. WWE features his character destroying the likes of Eddie Guerrero, Kane, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, John Cena and others.
April 14, 2014
Since the pay per view is right around the corner, WWE is calling upon their big guns to help promote Wrestlemania 30. Hulk Hogan and John Cena are being sent over to Good Morning America to hype up the pay per view. Shawn Michaels was originally advertised for the show as well, but there are rumors that he might have backed out.
April 1, 2014
Since the company wants to make it as big of an event as possible, the rumor going around right now is that all the members of the Kliq, a backstage group consisting of Shawn Michaels, Sean Waltman, Triple H and Kevin Nash, will be doing the hall of fame induction for Scott Hall at Wrestlemania 30.
March 25, 2014
During a sit down interviews with fans in England, Sting stated that he did not consider himself to be a top tier performer. The former world heavyweight champion placed himself in the second group. The long time WCW star listed Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle as guys that were much better in the ring that he ever was.
March 17, 2014
With millions of fans wanting to see it happening, Sting revealed that he wanted a big match at Wrestlemania 30 against Undertaker as well. The WCW legend even studied the match between Undertaker and Shawn Michaels to prepare himself for the bout. Sting also noted that he purposely started following WWE in case Vince McMahon were to give him the chance.
March 16, 2014
Since the duo has been so effective for the promoters, Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho have both been booked for a World of Wheels event this weekend in Winnepeg. Usually, they're doing shows in separate city, but this time, event coordinators decided to bring in both WWE legends during the same weekend. They're working different days, though.
March 14, 2014
While management has yet to finalize their match at Wrestlemania 30, there are those that believe that WWE will be bringing in Shawn Michaels to join the story line between Daniel Bryan and Triple H. The former world heavyweight champion has a connection with both performer, and it would add another interesting wrinkle to the program.
March 7, 2014
The belief this week was that Shawn Michaels had completely pulled out of the big WWE NXT show, but it turns out that he simply did not want to be a part of the panel and opted for a much lesser role. The former world heavyweight champion ended up introducing the main event match between Bo Dallas and Adrian Neville instead.
March 1, 2014
A lot of action took place in the main event of Money in the Bank 2014. Fans went crazy as they saw creative signature spots from Randy Orton, Sheamus, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Alberto Del Rio, Kane and Bray Wyatt. However, it was Cena, much to the dismay of online WWE fans, who climbed the ladder and captured the heavyweight championship.
June 29, 2014
To calm down the Money in the Bank 2014 audience, WWE opted to go with another divas match as a filler. Layla El and Summer Rae battled in a match, where Fandango served as the special guest referee. Fans were so disinterested in the segment that a CM Punk chant broke out. In the end, Layla caught Summer with a kick to gain the pinfall. Layla and Fandango kissed after the match, while a despondent Summer looked on.
June 29, 2014
In a rematch at Money in the Bank 2014, Alexander Rusev was successfully able to conquer Big E Langston again with his submission move. It was the typical match that you would expect from the two. There was a botched spot where Langston speared Rusev to the outside of the ring. However, the two of them more than made up for that by doing a great closing sequence.
June 29, 2014
In a match that was slightly held in higher regards than a filler match, Goldust and Cody Rhodes, who worked under his Stardust gimmick again, defeated Curtis Axel, who was sporting a ridiculous looking singlet, and Ryback. The match was designed to highlight the Stardust character. Since there was a little bit of action after the match, there is a chance that WWE could be continuing this feud.
June 29, 2014
In a very exciting match, Seth Rollins outlasted Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Rob Van Dam and Jack Swagger to capture the briefcase at Money in the Bank 2014. WWE wants to continue the war between Ambrose and the Authority, so they had Kane coming out and providing assistance to Rollins. Despite the heel tactic to win the match, the Rollins victory was actually cheered by a good amount of fans.
June 29, 2014
Since WWE needed a filler segment at Money in the Bank 2014 and wanted to showcase Adam Rose a little bit, he was given a quick match against Damien Sandow, who was dressed as Paul Revere. Match was not really all that noteworthy, and Rose got the win after hitting the Party Foul finishing move. This was a segment that belongs more on Monday Night Raw than a pay per view.
June 29, 2014
Naomi Knight was given a crack at the WWE Divas Championship at Money in the Bank 2014, but it was Paige that walked away as the reigning titleholder after a DDT and a pin. The match was designed to further the eventual split between Naomi and Cameron, who was at ringside and taking glee whenever her tag team partner was in peril against Paige.
June 29, 2014
Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso had their biggest challenge to date when Erick Rowan and Luke Harper challenged them for the WWE tag team championship at Money in the Bank 2014. The twin brothers delivered by retaining the belt. The Usos performed a double superplex on Rowan before finishing him off with consecutive flying splashes from the top rope.
June 29, 2014
In a rather surprising move, WWE had the Shield win convincingly against Evolution. Batista and Randy Orton were the first two performers to be eliminated from the main event match at Payback 2014, but both provided interference for Triple H after their eliminations. After taking a brutal beating, Roman Reigns picked up the win for his team. Many expected Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins to be eliminated during the match, but WWE opted to give them a dominant ending.
June 2, 2014
In a match designed to be the buffer between the two main event features at Payback 2014, Paige successfully defended the WWE Divas Championship against Alicia Fox via submission. Afterwards, Alicia continued her story line of going crazy whenever things do not go well for her. The audience reacted more to the post match antics than the actual match.
June 2, 2014
In a segment filled with plenty of interference from Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Luke Rowan and Erick Harper, John Cena was able to defeat Bray Wyatt in a Last Man Standing match at Payback 2014 after Cena put Wyatt through a big black box and covered him with an even heavier box. Rumors have it that WWE will be continuing this feud and something could trigger that on Monday Night Raw this week.
June 2, 2014
At Payback 2014, Wade Barrett successfully defended the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Rob Van Dam after picking up the pin fall victory, thanks to the Bull Hammer. The performers placed some doubt in that finish when it appeared that Barrett had injured his arm while smashing into the corner post after RVD ducked away from the move outside the ring.
June 1, 2014
In a glorified squash match at Payback 2014, Alexander Rusev defeated Big E Langston via submission to continue his push up the ladder in WWE. He was able to slap on the camel clutch after delivering a big kick to Langston. Afterwards, he held the submission move on for a short period of time before Lana instructs him to let go. Rusev should be placed into a new feud this week.
June 1, 2014
In a match designed by WWE to accelerate the split between the brothers, Curtis Axel and Ryback defeated Cody Rhodes and Goldust in the second match of Payback 2014. Ryback picked up the pin fall victory for his team after delivering the Shell Shock to Rhodes. Afterwards, Rhodes told Goldust that he needs to find a better tag team partner for himself.
June 1, 2014
Despite being in the airplane spin for quite a few rotations, Sheamus was able to capture the victory over Antonio Cesaro, who had Paul Heyman with him at ringside, at Payback 2014 by surprising his opponent with a small package. With the win, Sheamus retains the United States Heavyweight Championship and will more than likely be placed in another feud by WWE tomorrow.
June 1, 2014
In a match filled with quite a few over the top spots, Daniel Bryan successfully retained the WWE Championship by defeating Kane at Extreme Rules 2014. A running knee followed by a pin enabled Bryan to get the pin fall victory over Kane. Prior to that spot, Kane was put through a burning table and carried on a forklift, among other things.
May 4, 2014
Since WWE needed a Divas Championship match at Extreme Rules 2014, Paige was given the victory over Tamina Snuka after delivering her submission finisher. The segment was short and quick, providing only a couple of spots outside the ring. It basically served as a pay per view buffer between the steel cage match and the world title match.
May 4, 2014
After suffering a loss at the last pay per view, Bray Wyatt needed a victory over John Cena at Extreme Rules 2014, and he got just that. Wyatt received a heavy dose of interference from Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, but Cena still managed to overcome those odds. As Cena was walking out of the cage, a kid showed up and began singing, which provided enough distraction for Wyatt to hit his Sister Abigail finisher and walk out for the victory.
May 4, 2014
In the most anticipated match at Extreme Rules 2014, the Shield defeated Evolution. Roman Reigns picked up the pin fall victory over Batista after a Superman punch and a spear. Triple H, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose fought through the audience before Rollins took out all four of them by hurling himself from the elevated stands.
May 4, 2014
The first title change at Extreme Rules 2014 took place when Wade Barrett defeated Big E Langston to capture the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Barrett picked up the pin fall victory after delivering a running Bull Hammer finisher on Langston. A highlight of the pay per view was Langston spearing Barrett from the ring to the floor.
May 4, 2014

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A single treatment of rice seedlings with 5-azacytidine induces heritable dwarfism and undermethylation of genomic DNA
- Hiroshi Sano,
- Ikuko Kamada,
- Shohab Youssefian,
- Masayuki Katsumi,
- Hiroetsu Wabiko
- … show all 5 hide
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A single exposure of germinated rice seeds (Oryza sativa) to either of the DNA demethylating agents 5-azacytidine (azaC) or 5-azadeoxycytidine (azadC) induced dwarf plants. At maturity, seeds treated with azaC exhibited normal morphological characteristics in comparison with untreated controls except that their height (total stem length) was reduced by about 15%. The M1 progeny, obtained by self-fertilization of an azaC-induced dwarf plant, segregated into dwarf (35%) and apparently tall types (65%). The M2 progenies, obtained by self-fertilization of dwarf M1 plants, were also dwarf, while those from tall M1 plants were only tall. Genomic DNA isolated from mature leaves of azaC-treated seeds showed about a 16% reduction in the 5-methylcytosine (m5C) content in comparison with DNA from untreated samples. A similar reduction in the m5C content was also observed in the M1 and M2 progenies. Thus, both undermethylation and dwarfism induced by azaC treatment were heritable. The results suggest that azaC induced demethylation of genomic DNA, which caused an altered pattern of gene expression and consequently a reduction in plant stem length.
- Adams RLP, Burdon RH (1985) Molecular biology of DNA methylation. Springer-Verlag, New York
- Amasino RM, Powell ALT, Gordon MP (1984) Changes in TDNA methylation and expression are associated with phenotype variation and plant regeneration in a crown gall tumor line. Mol Gen Genet 197:437–446
- Bird AP (1987) CpG islands as gene markers in the vertebrate nucleus. Trends Genet 3:342–347
- Cantoni GL, Razin A (1985) Biochemistry and biology of DNA methylation. Alan R Liss, New York
- Cedar H (1984) DNA methylation and gene expression. In: Razin A, Cedar H, Riggs AD (eds) DNA methylation, biochemistry and biological significance. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp 147–164
- Cedar H (1988) DNA methylation and gene activity. Cell 53:3–4
- Gruenbaum Y, Naveh-Many T, Cedar H, Razin A (1981) Sequence specificity of methylation in higher plant DNA. Nature 292:860–862
- Hare JT, Taylor JH (1985) One role for DNA methylation in vertebrate cells is strand discrimination in mismatch repair. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 82:7350–7354
- Hepburn AG, Clarke LE, Pearson L, White J (1983) The role of cytosine methylation in the control of nopaline synthetase gene expression in a plant tumor. J Mol Appl Genet 2:315–329
- Hepburn AG, Belanger FC, Matteis JR (1987) DNA methylation in plants. Dev Genet 8:475–493
- Holliday R (1987) The inheritance of epigenetic defects. Science 238:163–170
- Hsiao W-LW, Gattoni-Celli S, Kirschmeier P, Bernhard I (1984) Effects of 5-azacytidine on methylation and expression of specific DNA sequences in C3H 10T1/2 Cells. Mol Cell Biol 4:634–641
- Jones P (1984) Gene activation by 5-azacytidine. In: Razin A, Cedar H, Riggs AD (eds) DNA methylation, biochemistry and biological significance. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp 165–187
- Jones P (1985) Altering gene expression with 5-azacytidine. Cell 40:485–486
- Malmberg R, Messing J, Sussex I, Boylan M, Zarowitz M, McIndoo J (1985) Molecular biology of plants, a laboratory course manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, p 84
- Murray E, Grosveld F (1985) Methylation and γ-globin expression. In: Cantoni GL, Razin A (eds) Biochemistry and biology of DNA methylation. Alan R Liss, New York, pp 157–176
- Nick H, Brwen B, Ferl RJ, Gilbert W (1986) Detection of cytosine methylation in the maize alcohol dehydrogenase gene by genomic sequencing. Nature 319:243–246
- Phinney BO, Spray C (1982) Chemical genetics and the gibberellin pathway in Zea mays L. In: Wareing PF (ed) Plant growth substances. Academic Press, New York, pp 101–110
- Razin A, Cedar H, Riggs AD (1984) DNA methylation. Biochemistry and biological significance. Springer-Verlag, New York
- Sager R, Sano H, Grabowy CT (1984) Control of maternal inheritance by DNA methylation in Chlamydomonas. In: Trautner TA (ed) Methylation of DNA. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp 157–172
- Sano H, Grabowy C, Sager R (1984) Loss of chloroplast DNA methylation during dedifferentiation of Chlamydomonas reinhardi gametes. Mol Cell Biol 4:2103–2108
- Sano H, Kamada I, Youssefian S, Wabiko H (1989) Correlation between DNA undermethylation and dwarfism in maize. Biochim Biophys Acta 1009:35–38
- Santi DV, Garret CE, Barr PJ (1983) On the mechanisms of inhibition of DNA-cytosine methyltransferase by cytosine analogue. Cell 33:9–10
- Tamame M, Amequera F, Santos E (1988) Developmental characterization and chromosomal mapping of the 5-azacytidine-sensitive fluFlocus of Aspergillus nidulans. Mol Cell Biol 8:3043–3050
- Tamame M, Santos E (1989) Demonstration of 5-methylcytosine occurrence in the genome of Aspergillus nidulans. J Cell Biochem [Suppl] 131):214
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- Title
- A single treatment of rice seedlings with 5-azacytidine induces heritable dwarfism and undermethylation of genomic DNA
- Journal
Molecular and General Genetics MGG
Volume 220, Issue 3 , pp 441-447
- Cover Date
- 1990-02-01
- Print ISSN
- 0026-8925
- Online ISSN
- 1432-1874
- Publisher
- Springer-Verlag
- Additional Links
- Topics
- Keywords
- 5-Azacytidine
- DNA methylation
- Dwarf plants
- Oryza sativa
- Industry Sectors
- Authors
- Hiroshi Sano (1)
- Ikuko Kamada (1)
- Shohab Youssefian (1)
- Masayuki Katsumi (2)
- Hiroetsu Wabiko (1)
- Author Affiliations
- 1. Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Biotechnology Institute, Akita Prefectural College of Agriculture, 010-04, Akita, Japan
- 2. Department of Biology, International Christian University, 181, Tokyo, Japan


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Police: Man slept on bench inside Walmart for hours
Published On: Dec 12 2013 10:30:22 AM EST
A Carlisle man was charged with public drunkenness Wednesday after he slept on a bench inside Walmart for about eight hours, according to police.
Michael Petry, 61, was on the bench from 3 p.m. to about 11 p.m., police said.
When officers search him, they found marijuana and drug paraphernalia, police said.
Copyright 2013 by WGAL All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.blog comments powered by Disqus


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This was my first purchase from MJM Magic where I found the service excellent. I needed guidance with one of the products and Jeff went the extra...Read More ->
Let me start off by saying that I have dealt with many online Magic Supply companies, some good, some absolutely terrible. Jeff, Brandi, and everyone...Read More ->


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Everyone in the meetings industry recognizes the power of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the wide range of social media channels. However, building a loyal following on those channels can be challenging.
Keisha Carr, Manager, Event Management Services, IEEE Meetings, Conferences and Events and 2013 Chair of the PCMA Social Media Advisory Group, recognizes that her organization has been able to capitalize on the possibilities of social media. The IEEE Facebook page has more than 288,000 fans, and the organization's Twitter handle has more than 26,000 followers.
IEEE is made up of electrical engineers and technical enthusiasts, and Carr says that all the staff and volunteers involved in the organization's social media work to curate relevant content that highlights new technologies and stories of noteworthy engineering accomplishments.
"Naturally, that content is interesting to them, and they want to engage with it," Carr says.
Of course, Carr highlights that engagement is a two-way street.
"Once they do engage with it, we make sure to reengage with those participating where and when we can," Carr adds.
As conference attendees continue to turn to social media as a news source, Carr stresses that organizations should allocate appropriate resources to accommodate the hunger for interactive content.
"Managing an active and engaging community is a time and resource commitment," Carr says. "Making sure your social channels have community managers ensures that content stays fresh and social media isn't dropped from the priority list."
For meeting planners who are struggling to inspire conversations among their audience members, the remedy may lie with taking a step back to consider a new style of social engagement.
"If your community isn't growing or responding, it doesn't necessarily mean you need to do more," Carr says. "It may mean you need to do something differently."
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The mascara is one of the best that I have used . I hated that i could never find a mascara that would not fall and make me look like a raccoon.This mascara does not fall and makes my stubby eyelashes look fantastic at one point i fell asleep while wear it and it still looked great .At $19 a pop its a little expensive but worth having for clubbing or special events.
I got this for free with a Sephora order & it sat around for a while before I ran out of my previous mascara. I wasn't too sure if I'd like it becuase the wand is so big and I wasnt use to using such a large wand. Well, all I can say is WOW!!! I FINALLY found my holly grail mascara. WOOOHOOO I actually pair this w/the lancome primer and it is just amazing. On all day, no dropping, no flaking, just awesome eye lashes. I have decent lashes as it is, but when I started using this, my friends asked if I was wearing false eye lashes. That's how much more ooomph I got. I wish it was cheaper, but since I'm in love w/it, I'll stop my search for the perfect mascara & just stick with this one.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
Holy Grail mascara! I don't buy it every time I run out because it is pricey. But it works sooo well. Lengthens like a dream without clumps. And it truly is super black - I hate it when I buy a mascara in black and it comes out more...charcoaley. I get compliments on my lashes when I wear it, and honestly without mascara, they're nothing special. My only complaint is that the formula does take a while to dry so be careful not to smudge.
I got a deluxe sample of Buxom lash from Sephora a while back. It's not something I ever would have bought on my own. Admittedly, the sample sat in its box for many months before I opened it. I was so surprised by this mascara when I finally tried it-- I actually love it!
Idk what is going on, but my eyes have gotten SO sensitive lately. I can't use 9/10 mascaras without severe eye irritation. My eyes itch and burn so badly I have to take out my contacts and wash my face to be able to see. I haven't been able to pinpoint which ingredients are causing the problem, and on top of that I am VERY picky about wands. I honestly really hate silicone wands and prefer regular bristles (hence the reason I took so long to open this mascara and try it). So finding a good mascara is tough.
This mascara isn't phenomenal. The wand is good at coating lashes and keeping them separated (no tarantula eyes!), however, for a mascara called "Buxom" it doesn't really deliver. It's good at defining lashes, not so much at increasing volume. Compared to original Diorshow, for instance, this mascara is ineffective at thickening. Compared to Maybelline Lash Stiletto or any mascara that contains fibers or tubes, Buxom does not do a good job at lengthening either. It's good for just a basic, natural look.
But the reason I love this mascara is that it doesn't flake or smudge, it stays put all day. And it doesn't irritate my eyes whatsoever and I'm at a point where pretty much everything else is causing allergic reactions. I also like that I don't need to comb my lashes with this-- it doesn't clump. For these reasons I would repurchase. There's apparently a few versions of Buxom with different wands. I think next time I will try the one with the more spread-out bristles.
This is my favorite mascara for really producing wow lashes for me....I have short, straight, not very thick lashes, and I absolutely love it! The only negative I have, is the brush took some getting used too....it is oversized, and at first, I made a mess out of myself until I got used to it....I wish they would make the formula with a Teddy Bear brush so to say, as I like that kind...but this is just as good if not better thand Dior....better price too!!!!!
Another bonus, it does not dry out like alot of mascaras tend to do....I have had the same tube for quite along while, and only use it when I am am really "Dolling" up.....I like that as well.....
Best mascara ever! My lashes are full and long after two strokes. No smudges, flaking, or stickness. This product deserves a five star!
My HG mascara. I have been far and wide for a mascara that gives me that doll-eye look- full and thick lashes without clumps! This is IT! Worth the price tag! A couple of coats and I can't even believe those are my lashes- Long, Dark and Thick with no clumpy bits or smearing. Lasts a long time too, and actual handled some tears once. Love it!
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Although I still love my YSL Faux Cils mascara (truly my HG mascara), I was really pleasantly surprised by the Buxom Lash. I bought it b/c it was much cheaper than my YSL (19 vs 30 USD) and the wand seemed pretty cool.
There truly is no clumps with this as promised, and it does lengthen and define your lashes. I do need a few more coats than with YSL, but I like how each coat defines without making it look gross and clumpy and it maintains a good curl (I have long straight asian lashes). Just follow the quick directions on the box. Don't need to comb my lashes through. Does make my lashes feel slightly stiffer than my YSL, but lashes still look good.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
What a nice surprise that it works so well because it came in a kit and I didn't think it was going to be anything special but was I wrong (I love when makeup surprises me!). This mascara makes my lashes dark black, thick, long, fluttery, and best of all-NO CLUMPS!
I think the trick to making this mascara work is you need two+ coats:
1. First do your first coat using the wand horizontally on both eyes.
2. Then for the second coat, use the tip of the wand to pull through your lashes and repeat on the other eye, concentrating on the outer lashes for a cat eye effect.
3. Finally, turn the wand back horizontally and do a quick sweep on both eyes.
This may sound like a lot of steps, but it is actually a quick process and pretty full proof for dark long separated lashes with no clumping. When I use this mascara, I don't even have to comb through with an eyelash comb to seperate.
I also love the fact this mascara is very easy to wash off at night, has no fragrance, doesn't irritate my eyes, and doesn't run. I will definitely repurchase when this tube is done!
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I love this mascara! It is by far the best that I have ever purchased. The price is pretty over the top (~$25 CDN), but it really is worth it. It lasts so long without drying out/clumping that I find I only need to replace it every ten-twelve months.
I have fairly short lashes and it gives me that amazing fake eyelash look. No other product does what this one does. It dries quickly and leaves no gross, black residue under my eyes at the end of the day (I have oily skin so this is quite common). I've tried so many mascaras and I always come back to this one.
Also, it washes off really easily.


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- Four young men shot in Whitby, Feb. 21, 2013
- Oshawa man shot by police on Dec. 26, 2012 after driving a hearse though a funeral home's garage door in a confrontation with police.
- An Ajax man was shot and killed Dec. 2, 2012 at a North York apartment which was operating as an illegal after-hours bar.
- Pickering teen shot twice by police while trying to rob a veterinary clinic with an imitation pistol on July 16, 2012.
- An Ajax man was shot and killed at a Scarborough street party where gunfire broke out after an altercation between rival gangs the Galloway Boys and the Malvern Crew on July 16, 2012.
- No one was injured when an Ajax home was struck by a bullet on July 2, 2012.
- An Ajax man was shot and wounded at the Eaton Centre food court shooting on June 2, 2012.
- A suspect in two convenience store robberies was shot by police in Oshawa after carjacking a Mustang and driving recklessly along residential streets, crossing lawns and hitting other vehicles on May 30, 2012.
- A man died after being gunned down outside a north Oshawa home May 25, 2012.
- An Ajax man was treated for a serious but not life-threatening head wound after being shot on May 5, 2012.
WHITBY -- The most seriously injured of the five young men wounded during a shooting at a Whitby highrise last week remains in hospital as police work to track down suspects.
Durham police have released no official updates in the days since the shootings. Cops continue to search for three or four males suspects, Sergeant Nancy van Rooy said Tuesday.
The shocking outburst of violence left five young men injured, one of whom was airlifted to a Toronto trauma centre. As of Tuesday that teen remained hospitalized in serious condition, Sgt. van Rooy said.
The impact of the violence reverberated long after the sound of gunfire had faded.
About five police vehicles remained at 101 White Oaks Ct. Friday, Feb. 22, one day after five young people were injured, including a 17-year-old boy hit by shrapnel, in the elevator shooting. No arrests have yet been made.
According to a Durham Regional Police source, the victims entered the building's elevator before 12:30 p.m. Thursday and rode it up to the third floor. When the doors opened, one or more assailants were waiting and opened fire, the source said.
Managing to get the doors shut, the men travelled up to the seventh floor where they left the elevator and called police, the source said -- just as many residents were calling to report the gunshots heard throughout the building's mid-levels.
"I didn't really see anything, I heard somebody had been shot and came out here and then found out it was my cousin's son," said Carlene, a resident of another building on White Oaks who preferred not to give her last name.
The 19-year-old man, who she refers to as her nephew, was airlifted to a Toronto hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
"He's still in serious critical condition but surgery went well so we're still waiting to hear," she continued, noting her nephew is a resident at 101 White Oaks.
"I'm worried for my nephew. I still don't know what happened really, he hasn't woken up to talk yet. Everything else is quiet here now, everyone seems to be getting on with life as usual."
The remaining three gunshot victims, a 19-year-old man from Scarborough, a 19-year-old man from Toronto and a 17-year-old boy, were treated for serious injuries. One of the three victims has since been released from hospital.
A fifth victim inside the elevator, the 17-year-old boy injured by shrapnel, is from Whitby.
Both the public and Catholic school boards in Durham say they are not aware that any of the victims are students at their schools.
On White Oaks Court residents were hesitant to talk about the incident.
"It was scary, I didn't know what was going on when I heard there was a shooting, then I found out it happened here and it scared me," said Kim, a resident of White Oaks who also preferred not to give her last name. Other residents declined to talk altogether in the wake of the violence.
Some residents, however, were unfazed, and pointed out that violence can happen anywhere.
"There are almost 3,500 people living in these buildings," said Russ Mosher, who has lived in his White Oaks apartment for eight years.
"I feel quite safe here and have no complaints. These things can happen anywhere. When you have that many people in this small a space you're going to get a few bad apples. But that doesn't mean this place is a slum. I've always felt secure."
Investigators are continuing the search for three to four male suspects believed to have been involved in the shooting, which police say they do not believe was random. No descriptions of the suspects have been released.
Police are reviewing area surveillance footage for further evidence and canvassing residents of the building and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5400. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
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