text:
The price of gold and the U.S. stock market will both hit record highs in 2013, contend forecasters at Merrill Lynch.
The projections, made Tuesday at the investment bank's annual outlook conference, are some of the most bullish in the current batch of year-end brokerage forecasts, the annual ritual in which investment analysts spend part of December peering into their crystal balls for clues on where their clients will find the best opportunities over the next 12 months.
Merrill's upbeat take is based on its view that the global economy will strengthen gradually next year, as major central banks continue their easy-money policies.
"We are actually pretty unapologetically bullish for 2013 for the overall U.S. equity market," said Savita Subramanian, head of U.S. equity and quantitative strategy for the investment bank.
The S&P 500 is trading around 1,430, but could rally nearly 12 per cent by the end of next year to reach the 1,600 level, according to Ms. Subramanian. That advance, should it occur, would eclipse the S&P's record high of 1,565, which it touched briefly in 2007, before the financial crisis caused prices to swoon.
Meanwhile, gold could rally to $2,000 (U.S.) an ounce by the end of next year and $2,400 the following year, said Francisco Blanch, head of the bank's commodities research. Gold has recently been trading around $1,700. Bullion will move higher as investors use the metal as a hedge against global uncertainty, and the inflation that could result from monetary easing by the European Central Bank and the U.S. Federal Reserve. The Fed alone is expected to create about $1-trillion in fresh money next year through purchases of government bonds and mortgage-backed securities.
Analysts at Merrill expect U.S. economic growth to strengthen during the year, once hesitation over the resolution of the "fiscal cliff" subsides and businesses begin to ramp up capital spending. Given the economic backdrop, "a new high level for the market is not a very outlandish expectation," Ms. Subramanian contended.
Although Merrill didn't name individual companies as favoured investments in its year-end forecast, it recommended exposure to sectors that will do well during times of continued economic growth, such as technology, energy and industrial companies. It also recommended buying big U.S. multinationals with global exposure, while suggesting investors reduce holdings of utilities and telecoms, both of which are near peak valuations.
The U.S. is likely to raise taxes on dividends next year and many investors fear the increased levies will drive down the price of stocks, but a Merrill review of previous tax changes showed that share prices typically don't react in such situations.
Merrill is tracking one indicator that is providing an even more bullish signal for U.S. stocks than the bank's official forecast. This is the percentage of assets that investment advisers are recommending be placed in equities.
A typical allocation in a normal year would be 60 per cent stocks, 30 per cent bonds, and 10 per cent cash. Currently, the recommended share for stocks is only 45 per cent, suggesting that advisers are bearish on equities.
Ms. Subramanian said that when the recommended allocation for stocks has fallen to less than 50 per cent, shares have gained an average of 30 per cent over the next 12 months. "I'm not forecasting 30-per-cent returns, but I think it's an interesting signal," she said.
Merrill also projects U.S. oil prices will average about $90 a barrel during 2013. But Mr. Blanch warned that surging crude output in the United States could drive the price down to $50 a barrel over the next few years.Report Typo/Error
Follow us on Twitter: @GlobeInvestor
- Gold Front Month Futures$1,282.90+1.80(+0.14%)
- Crude Oil Front Month Futures$57.96+1.13(+1.99%)
- Updated November 22 7:39 AM CDT. Delayed by at least 15 minutes.


text:
Edit Article
wikiHow to Make a Midori Margarita
Two Parts:Preparing the GlassPreparing the MargaritaCommunity Q&A
The creation of a margarita draws a distinct blend and taste from other selections of alcoholic beverages. The combination of the endless list of flavor ideas and the variety of methods of creating a margarita always keeps you satisfied.
Makes 1 serving.
- 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) tequila
- 1/2 oz (15 ml) triple sec
- 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz (15 ml) Midori melon liqueur
- Salt
Part 1
Preparing the Glass
1Fill a small saucer with coarse sea or margarita salt. Measure about a tablespoon of salt and make sure it's more towards the edges.
- Depending on the quantity of margaritas you are planning to make, add a tablespoon or several to the saucer.
2Rim the margarita glass. Use a lime wedge and rub the juice around the rim of the glass.
3Dip the glass rim into the salt. As you lift up the glass, gently swirl it to make a more cleaner appearance.
Part 2
Preparing the Margarita
1Add crushed ice to a cocktail shaker. Fill it about halfway with ice.
2Measure and pour the ingredients into the shaker.
3Shake the contents. Secure the lid on and vigorously shake it for a few seconds. You will know when the contents are cold when you see condensation building up on the outside of the shaker.
4Strain the contents. Attach a strainer on the cocktail shaker (if the shaker doesn't have one) and strain it into the margarita glass.
5Garnish the margarita.
Community Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters leftSubmit
- For a blended version of the drink, add all ingredients into a blender, with a cup of ice. Blend everything until smooth in texture.
Things You'll Need
- Margarita glass
- Small saucer
- Cocktail shaker
- Strainer attachment, optional
- Crushed ice cubes
Sources and Citations
- Adapted from Drinksmixer.com, Midori Margarita, http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink5348.html
Made Recently
Did you try these steps?
Upload a picture for other readers to see.
Upload a picture for other readers to see.
Upload error
Awesome picture! Tell us more about it? Click here to share your story.
Article Info
Categories: Margaritas
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 4,642 times.
Did this article help you?

subset: commoncrawl


text:
If this were a truly legitimate show, they would never have let Mario on. For that reason, and that reason alone, I'm 100% fine with Emmitt winning. Had all contestants come to the show with equal experience, then Mario should have won.
Shame on ABC - not Mario, and not Emmitt.


text:
Auto Show: 2012 Paris Auto Show
BMW Concept Active Tourer: Paris Auto Show Preview
The BMW Concept Active Tourer will make its way to the stage at the Paris Auto Show later this month. With what looks like the love child of a 1 Series ActiveE and a 5 Series GT, BMW's newest concept is a greener, more spacious version of the BMW 1 Series.
With seating set slightly higher than a traditional sedan or hatchback, the Concept Active Tourer leans more toward the crossover segment than its most obvious competitors: the Audi A3 TDI and Lexus CT 200h. Inside, the cockpit remains oriented to the driver--a reminder that it's an ultimate driving machine from Munich.
The BMW Concept Active Tourer will be the first concept to showcase the brand's Cool Shade panoramic sunroof. The entire roof is made of electrically tinted smart glass that can be adjusted to let light in with the push of a button. Also new in this concept is BMW's 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, paired with a hybrid drivetrain.
While fuel economy figures haven't been announced, we'll be sure to learn more at the Paris Auto Show.


text:
Saudi Arabia Epapers >> Arabic Epapers >> Al Watan
Al Watan Epaper
Al Watan is a daily newspaper in Saudi Arabia. The chairman of the newspaper is Bandar bin Khalid al Faisal. Al Watan was launched on 1 September 2000 by Assir Establishment for Press and Publishing.
Information about Al Watan NewspaperPublisher: Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal
Language: Arabic
Newspaper Link: http://www.alwatan.com.sa
Published from : Jeddah


text:
Group aims to reach at-risk juveniles
Updated 9:28 pm, Saturday, February 25, 2012
Colorful bandannas, old newspaper clippings and wanted posters covered the walls inside a jam-packed Third Ward funeral home, where former inmates warned teens about the dangers of a life of crime.
The message was clear: Gang banging or drug use will only lead to a prison cell or a casket.
To drive the point across, teens were taken to the Robert F. Byrd Funeral Directors' embalming room, where bodies are prepped for viewing before burial.
"Our objective is for them to make the decision to come out of the gangs," said Sammy Rodriguez, president of a nonprofit organization Operation Outreach OG1.
Rodriguez founded OG1 in 1984 with nine other inmates while serving a life sentence in the Central Unit prison in Sugar Land for aggravated robbery.
The group works with the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department to mentor juveniles, including hosting these workshops and home visits to provide a support system for at-risk youth.
The group's aim is to prevent young people, especially blacks and Hispanics, from making bad choices.
"There's a great need for it," Rodriguez said. "Our approach to it being that we came from that lifestyle. The background, the experiences will kind of get these kids more interested."
According to the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics, at the end of 2010 there were more than 558,000 black male and 324,000 Hispanic males in state and federal prisons.
And countless other young minority men end up dead. Funeral home owner Rodney F. Bryd said his business has had to increasingly provide services for families of much younger victims than in the past.
"It is now to the point (that) about 50 percent of our death rate is young people," he said. "You get a death call, you expect it to be elderly people. But now you get a death call you expect it to be somebody young."
A reason for the staggering numbers is the lack of family structure and male role models, says OG1 Vice President Reginald Gordon.
"It started because you don't have the positive strong real role model at home, to see your father love your mother, to see your father open the door for your mother," he said. "That's why we have a lot of young men ... confused as to what it takes to be a male."
Program participant Christopher Guerrero, 16, met Rodriguez in a probation class and credits him and OG1 with giving him the confidence to make a change for the better.
"I feel great about this," he said of OG1. "I feel good being here."
One 15-year-old accompanied by his probation officer said the presentation made an impression on him.
"It's made me think of what I really want to do with my life," he said.


text:
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Decision Making By the Book, Part 18 of 20
TEXT: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2).
IDEA: Can I ask God to give me special leading?
PURPOSE: God's major way of speaking to His people today is through His Word.
Our seventh and final principle grows out of the pervasive question, "Don't you think that God could give us special revelation? Can't God speak to us directly, apart from His Word? Can't God give to His people today the kind of spectacular revelations that He gave in Bible times?"
It is presumptuous to decide what God can and cannot do. God can do anything He pleases, even if it contradicts everything we've said in the past three weeks about God's will. But what God can do and what God does are two separate things.
The answer to the question is Yes, God can—and sometimes does—give special revelation to His people, and that can happen today. But having said that, we must note that seeking God's special revelation is generally the least effective method of discerning God's will. That's why we are dealing with it last. God's major way of speaking to His people today is through His Word.
The Bible is God's living Word. He has given it to us. The Scriptures are completely sufficient to give us all we need, for all of life's situations, to be all that God wants us to be.
When does God speak directly? In the Book of Acts, we see God's special revelation coming to the apostles and to other Christians when they weren't looking for it:
Phillip in Acts 8 was interrupted in the middle of his ministry in Samaria and sent on a special mission in Gaza.
Cornelius in Acts 10 was told to send for Peter at a point at which God made a major turn in opening the gospel to the Gentiles.
In Acts 16 Paul received a vision that changed his direction from traveling east through Asia Minor to head northwest into Greece.
In all these occasions in Acts, note how God speaks to people:
He speaks to people who are not looking for leading, not specifically trying to find God's will.
He speaks at times when He desires a major change in the church's direction.
He speaks unambiguously, not through holy hunches or inner feelings.
Apostolic decision-making: When we look at most of the decisions the apostles made, we find a surprising thing: they made decisions as we make them. They looked at their circumstances and came up with the best solution available. See Acts 7 and serving Greek widows; Acts 15:1-31 and Gentile exclusion from Jewish law.
Note, also, that in the New Testament we never read that God guided a believer in a personal decision not related to the ministry of the Gospel. As far as we know, Peter didn't get special guidance from God when he wanted to buy a house or a horse. Nor do we hear of divine guidance when it came to decisions concerning marriage. In the New Testament. God's special revelation and guidance always had to do with ministry and the moving of God in the world.
We began by saying that God can do anything He wants: He can give personal guidance. If you feel that you've been blessed with personal revelation, here are two things to keep in mind:
Special revelation can never be contrary to God's moral will.
Not all angelic visitors come from heaven. Be sure the voice you hear is indeed the voice of God.


text:
Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio
My son refused to waive his 1st amandment rights and ask for a lawyer and a phone call and was refused both. He was then held in county jail for three days, saw a judge and then released. Is this legal?
Asked on 5/09/11, 4:34 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
Timothy Hess T. Hess & Associates, LLC
Well, the first amendment guarantees persons the right to free speech. I think you might have meant his fifth amendment right to remain silent. The prosecutor has 72 hours to charge him and did not do so. If your son is 18 years or older, they do not have to contact you. He should have been allowed a phone call and counsel though.
Answered on 5/10/11, 9:52 am
Related Questions & Answers
I had my husband arrested for domestic violence a month ago and there is a civil... Asked 5/07/11, 4:10 pm in United States Ohio Criminal Law
I was accused of molesting my younger sister when i was a juvenile, and my parents... Asked 5/06/11, 2:16 pm in United States Ohio Criminal Law
I have got a life treat from my wifes new boyfriend .He wrote me on facebook saying... Asked 5/04/11, 1:05 pm in United States Ohio Criminal Law
What's worse a misdemeanor 1 or a misdemeanor 4 , in the state of Ohio. This is for... Asked 4/30/11, 5:16 pm in United States Ohio Criminal Law
How do you get your court date postponed as long as posable Asked 4/19/11, 12:57 pm in United States Ohio Criminal Law


text:
Ontario government
The province argued that the National Post was trying to use the freedom of expression guarantees in the Charter of Rights "to hide evidence" and "leave the state without tools to respond," in refusing to disclose its source. The RCMP is alleging the crime of "uttering a forged document" was committed when it was sent to the National Post in 2001 (it has not been proven to be a forged document). While the journalist/source relationship may be protected on a case-by-case basis, "criminal activity can never be cloaked in protection," the Crown argued. Reporters are "no different than anyone else" when police seek information as part of a criminal investigation, the province stated. Any broad right of "privilege" to protect a source "should be approached with great reservation," said the Crown. As well, it is too difficult to define who is a member of the profession, which it said was an argument against granting broader rights to protect sources when law enforcement is seeking information.
National Post
The Ontario Court of Appeal adopted an "overly narrow perspective," argued lawyers representing the National Post. The appeal court was too focused on the allegation that the document might be fake and evidence of the offence of "uttering a forged document," instead of the broader issue. Its ruling "did not properly recognize the integral link between the rights of the press and the public's constitutional right to receive information about matters of public importance concerning governmental, legal and social institutions," observed the newspaper's lawyers. There was "scant regard" for the "systemic and societal" freedom of expression interests at stake. Even if the document is later proven to be forged, the Supreme Court has previously found that the Charter of Rights provides protection for exaggerated and even false expression. If the right to protect a source is lost because there is a police interest in the information, "stories that would go untold are likely to concern matters of significant public importance involving government or corporate wrongdoing," the National Post argued.
Protecting Sources — Other Jurisdictions
The European Court of Human Rights overturned a British ruling last December and ruled in favour of four media outlets on the issue of protecting confidential sources.
The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Times and Reuters, all published stories in 2001 based on confidential information in leaked documents. The information related to a possible takeover by Interbrew, a Belgian company, of a South African brewery.
Interbrew alleged that information in the documents was falsified and leaked to cause damage to the company. The media outlets argued that they could not prove whether the documents were true or not, without Interbrew disclosing more internal information.
The British High Court ordered the media outlets to turn over information that could identify the source. In overturning that decision, the European Court said this would violate the freedom of expression guarantees in the European Convention of Human Rights. "The Court emphasizes that a chilling effect will arise wherever journalists are seen to assist in the identification of anonymous sources," the ruling stated. While Interbrew had a legitimate interest in trying to prevent "future dissemination of confidential information," it was "insufficient to outweigh the public interest in the protection of journalists' sources," the European Court concuded.
United States
There are 33 states with shield laws that enable reporters to protect their sources if issued subpoenas by the authorities. An additional 16 states have some form of protection that comes from court rulings. Only Wyoming has no protection for reporters. There is no protection at the federal level and at least 40 reporters have been issued subpoenas in the past three years by the federal Justice Department and asked to turn over confidential information, according to the Virginia-based Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
For several years there have been attempts to have the U.S. Congress enact a federal shield law.The "Free Flow of Information Act" was passed by the House of Representatives last year. As well, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the "Senate shield bill" last December, which has not been considered by the full Senate.
The two pieces of legislation provide a "qualified privilege" to reporters to protect sources. The House of Representatives bill is broader and would give reporters protection from requests to identify sources and any documents obtained in their newsgathering.Both bills have exceptions, such as when the authorities are seeking information for national security reasons. Neither bill has been passed into law.
Read the
full Supreme Court of Canada decision here.
—Shannon Kari, National Post


text:
Before any diagnostic tests are done, a healthcare practitioner will gather information on a person's medical and family history as well as signs and symptoms, including the frequency and/or duration of diarrhea. The healthcare practitioner will be considering things that are out of the ordinary and that might be associated with conditions that cause diarrhea and other symptoms. A series of questions may be asked to help make informed choices about which tests will be helpful in establishing a diagnosis.
Laboratory Tests
There is no single laboratory test that can definitively diagnose inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, laboratory testing is an important tool for evaluating a person who may have IBD. If a person has persistent diarrhea and abdominal pain, an initial set of tests are done to help evaluate the person's condition. These may be done in conjunction with imaging tests, such as an X-ray or CT scan.
Examples of some common initial tests include:
- CBC (complete blood count) to check for anemia; bleeding caused by IBD and similar conditions can lead to anemia
- CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel) to help evaluate the person's general health
- Fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test to look for blood in the stool
- CRP (C-reactive protein) to look for inflammation; this test may also be used later to help distinguish IBD from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and may be used after diagnosis to monitor the course of the disease
- ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) to detect inflammation, if CRP is not available
At the same time or in follow up, a healthcare practitioner may order several tests to rule out other causes of diarrhea, abdominal pain, and colitis. Other possible causes include viral or bacterial infections, parasites, colon cancer, and other chronic conditions such as celiac disease. Some examples of tests that may be done to help rule out these other conditions include:
- Stool culture or GI pathogens panel to look for infection of the digestive tract
- O&P (Ova and parasite) to detect parasites
- Cytomegalovirus testing to detect CMV infection
- Clostridium difficile tests to detect toxin produced by the bacteria C. difficile, which may overgrow the digestive tract; may be seen following antibiotic therapy
- Anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) and other tests for celiac disease (see Celiac Disease Tests)
If it is suspected that the person is unable to digest or absorb nutrients properly (malabsorption), then tests may be done to detect nutritional deficiencies. Examples include:
- Tests for iron status, including iron, ferritin and iron-binding capacity
- Vitamin B12 level
- Albumin
As infections and other causes such as celiac disease are ruled out, other laboratory tests may be done to help pinpoint a cause:
- Stool WBC to detect white blood cells in the stool, an indication of inflammation in the digestive tract; only certain diseases result in the presence of WBCs in the stool, so this test may help narrow the possibilities.
- Calprotectin and lactoferrin are two stool (fecal) tests that detect substances released by white blood cells. These substances are associated with inflammation and with disease activity, severity, and relapse. They may be used to help distinguish between IBD and non-inflammatory disorders and also to monitor IBD. These tests are more sensitive than the test for stool WBC.
If initial tests rule out other causes and it is suspected that a person has IBD, then a healthcare practitioner may order tests that detect antibodies frequently present in the blood of people who have IBD. One or more of these may be ordered to help distinguish between the two most common types of IBD, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD). There is some overlap in the presence of these antibodies in UC and CD, and they are not sensitive or specific enough to diagnose either condition, but they may give the healthcare practitioner additional useful information.
Examples of antibody tests that may be done include:
- pANCA (Perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody). More common with UC, it is found in about 60% to 80% of people with UC but only about 5% to 15% of people with CD.
- ASCA (Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies), IgG and IgA. ASCA is more common with CD. ASCA IgG is found in about 60% to 70% of people with CD and in 10% to 15% of people with UC. ASCA IgA is found in about 35% of people with CD and less than 1% of those with UC.
- Anti-CBir1 (Clostridium species antibodies). Found to in about 55% of people with CD and 10% of people with UC.
- Anti-Omp C (Escherichia coli antibodies). Associated with rapidly progressing Crohn disease and found in 55% of people with CD and 5% to 10% of people with UC.
- Anti-I-2 (Pseudomonas fluorescens antibodies) This is positive in 55% of CD cases and 10% of UC cases.
Ultimately, a biopsy may be done to establish a diagnosis of IBD. A biopsy is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (and for distinguishing between ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease. A sample of tissue is obtained from the digestive tract during endoscopy or colonoscopy (see below). The tissue is evaluated by a pathologist for inflammation and abnormal changes in cell structures that are characteristic for each type of IBD. (For more about biopsies, read Anatomic Pathology.)
Non-laboratory Tests
One or more imaging tests may be done at the same time as laboratory testing to help diagnose and/or monitor UC and CD. Typically, the less invasive ones, such as an X-ray, are done earlier in the diagnostic process, while more invasive tests such as colonoscopy are done only as necessary and when a diagnosis is difficult. These imaging tests can be used to look for characteristic changes in the structure and tissues of the intestinal tract and to detect blockages.
- X-ray (abdominal). This may be one of the initial imaging test done to view the digestive tract.
- Computed tomography (CT). Also may be done early in the process to view the digestive tract; these typically provide greater detail than a standard X-ray.
- X-ray with barium. Barium contrast dye allows an evaluation of the intestines. This is more commonly used in severe IBD to rule out serious complications like a perforated colon.
- Sigmoidoscopy. A slender tube is used to examine the last 2 feet of the colon.
- Colonoscopy. A slender tube is used to examine the entire colon; it includes a light and camera and can be used to take biopsies.


text:
Non accetta ospiti
- Ultimo accesso over 1 year fa
Iscriviti a Couchsurfing per visualizzare il profilo completo di Anne. È gratis!
Informazioni generali
Chi sono
***I should really update my profile... Now I live in Hangzhou/China to study. Besides university I like to travel whenever I can :-)
As I live here in a student dorm in a shared room, I can not always host. But let me know anyway when you are in Hangzhou. We can try to arrange something. Anyway, I am always very happy to meet warm hearted people!
just back from abroad i want to move in, unpack my bag and try to be a bit more settled for a year to finish my studies...okay i know i'll feel the need to move and travel more very soon...just like the body needs to breathe :)
i'm curious about languages and there are too many i want to learn. i'm interested in (activism of) antirassism, migration and refugee rights. i live vegan and love to cook (if you can believe my friends and family, i do this quite well ;)).
i live in berlin one of the greatest places i've ever been. right now i'm in the last part of my studies of sociology. besides of this i learn arabic and persian which i enjoy a lot and which helps me in my volunteer work with refugees and human rights activists.
"always listen to your heart"
"geh und mach was dich glücklich macht!"
Perché sono iscritto su Couchsurfing
I did my first experiences with couchsurfing when I traveled in French Guyana and Brasil. There I met some really great and helpful people. Still thankful for that I want to give back something now and help others with hosting them in my place.
photography, traveling, capoeira, basketball, languages, antirassism, migration, social and political activism, cooking, music, percussion, sunshine, happiness...
- photography
- capoeira
- human rights
- cooking
- vegan
- traveling
- volunteer work
- music
- basketball
- languages
- sociology
- volunteering
Musica, film e libri
music: the kills, the clash, mumford & sons, pedra branca, josé gonzález/junip, beatsteaks, nneka, funny van dannen, ben harper, feist, bob marley, nofx, sublime, queens of the stone age, patrice, seeed, turbostaat, manu chao, john butler trio, the kooks, ayo, the black seeds, katchafire, the subways, clueso, sa'doon jaber, the tallest man on earth and of course all kind of drums/percussions
movies: jeux d'enfants, le fabuleux destin d'amélie poulain, die fetten jahre sind vorbei/the edukators, kammerflimmern, city of god, der krieger und die kaiserin
books: narziss und goldmund (hesse), big game small world (wolff), nathan der weise (lessing), wenn die haifische menschen waeren (brecht), flüchtlingsgespräche (brecht), anekdote zur senkung der arbeitsmoral (böll)
Una cosa incredibile che ho fatto
oh there were too many amazing things... mostly small things and special moments when i felt something special
Insegna, impara, condividi
i think the best i'm able to do is to make other people smiling
in general i love to exchange skills no matter what kind of they are. i like to share memories and experiences.
i have experiences in teaching german and a lot of patience :) so i like to help you understand languages, different ways of thinking and living...
at the moment i like to improve my skills of capoeira angola and of kurdish language.
Paesi che ho visitato
Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Paraguay, Slovenia, Spain
Paesi in cui ho vissuto
Argentina, French Guiana, Germany, Portugal


text:
The following was compiled from police reports collected from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office (SJSO), St. Augustine Police Department (SAPD) and the St. Augustine Beach Police Department (SABPD).
Who: Houston Clark Bostick, 21, Ponte Vedra Beach. Charge: VOP/driving under the influence. (SJSO)
Who: James Nelson Cribbs, 35, Hastings. Charge: Driving while license suspended or revoked, possession of cannabis/less than 20 grams. (SJSO)
Who: William Derek Cromer, 30. Charge: Aggravated assault on a police officer, battery on a law enforcement officer, loitering or prowling. (SAPD)
Who: Jerry Allen Dixon, 20, Palatka. Charge: Shoplifting, obstructing an officer by a disguised person, retail theft, resisting a merchant. (SAPD)
Who: Tammy Lynn Eller, 39, St. Augustine. Charge: Criminal mischief ($1,000 or more). (SJSO)
Who: Erin Suzanne Glynn, 33, Appleton, Wisc. Charge: Disorderly intoxication. (SAPD)
Who: Joshua Malcom Henebry, 22, Stafford, Va. Charge: Lewd and lascivious battery/victim under 16 years old. (SJSO)
Who: Carl Earskin Holt, 40, Jacksonville. Charge: FTA/driving while license suspended or revoked. (SJSO)
Who: Jason Taylor Lapitsky, 24, Jacksonville. Charge: Driving while license suspended or revoked, possession of cannabis/less than 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia. (SJSO)
Who: Joy Nicole Lee-newhouse, 18, Welaka. Charge: Shoplifting. (SAPD)
Who: Valerie Sharice Mack, 22, San Mateo. Charge: VOP/driving while license suspended or revoked. (SJSO)
Who: Frank Cooper Mccolm, 24, Tallahassee. Charge: Disorderly intoxication. (SABPD)
Who: John Raymond Mullins, 43, Mims. Charge: VOP/Domestic simple battery (SJSO)
Who: Anthony Charles Patterson, 20, St. Augustine. Charge: Forgery, uttering a false or forged instrument, possession of cannabis/less than 20 grams. (SJSO)
Who: Alexis Bravos Retetagos, 18, St. Augustine. Charge: Domestic battery. (SJSO)
Who: Joye Mardant Sainz, 42, Jacksonville. Charge: Violation of duty upon damaging unattended vehicle or other property. (SJSO)
Who: Ashley Rose Shreve, 24, St. Augustine. Charge: Forgery (15 counts), uttering a false or forged instrument (15 counts). (SABPD)
Who: Amber Dawn Snellgroves, 22, St. Augustine. Charge: Robbery. (DOC Probation and Parole)
Who: Amanda Leigh Stevens, 27, St. Augustine. Charge: Possession of cocaine. (SJSO)
Who: Ronald Lee Stout, 41, St. Augustine. Charge: VOP/driving while license suspended or revoked, VCC/grand theft, VOP/driving under the influence, escape. (SJSO)
Who: Deborah Ann Tarifa, 52, Jacksonville. Charge: VOP/third-degree grand theft, VOP/possession of drug paraphernalia, VOP/grand theft (motor vehicle). (SJSO)
Who: Margaret Mary Thorn, 45. Charge: Resisting an officer with violence, battery on an emergency medical care provider. (SJSO)
Who: Talbert James West, 38. Charge: Simple battery. (SJSO)
© 2017. All Rights Reserved. Contact Us


text:
When the second goal went in against Peterhead, a tracksuited Ally McCoist turned to his bench, fists clenched, and celebrated with gusto.
As always, the win was welcome; more so, though, the glimpse of consistency and a chink of daylight that eases a little of the pressure.
For the first time in a troubled start to life in the Irn-Bru Third Division, Rangers are now gradually pulling away to open up a gap between themselves and the chasing pack.
As McCoist himself acknowledged on Friday, his team are on something of a hiding to nothing in the Third Division; win and its expected, lose and they can expect to be hammered.
Saturday's 2-0 victory came against a Peterhead side who started positively, defended robustly and who made life as awkward as they could for Rangers but who were inevitably undone against a fitter, better side.
Goals from Lee McCulloch – his 17th of the season – and Lee Wallace ensured a straightforward day at the office, but if the reality of life in the bottom tier is starting to hit home, there was no sign of it in the Ibrox stands.
Over 48,000 fans turned up for the encounter, a staggering figure given the standard fare that is on offer. They played an active role in marking Remembrance weekend, with a giant poppy display in the stands, while the service personnel who were paraded on the pitch at the break received a gracious welcome.
Gers' only real scare came in the opening minutes when Rory McAllister clipped the crossbar, but other than that it was a relatively pedestrian display as they did what they had to do without breaking too much sweat.
Of particular satisfaction to the Ibrox manager was his teenage midfield, made up of a 17-year-old, an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old. Robbie Crawford, Lewis Macleod and Barrie McKay started the match and fared well against an experienced Peterhead side.
Forced to throw untried youngsters because of a limited squad numbers this season, McCoist has been delighted at the manner in which they have risen to the challenge.
Whether or not they would have been able to clock up so many games in the top flight when there is far more pressure is impossible to know, but certainly the first-team experience they are getting just now will be invaluable.
"It is great that the supporters are getting the chance to see some of the youth that are coming through from Murray Park," said McCoist.
"It is great to see that. But it is only great to see if we continue to win and get promoted.
"I did say beforehand that one of the positives that would come out of a negative situation would be that we would certainly get an opportunity to see some of the younger lads and see what talent we have.
"They are all learning and gaining experience and that is a big plus for us."
The biggest thing for Gers now is finding consistency.
The finally broke their away duck with a win over Clyde at Broadwood, a result that was followed up with an emphatic Scottish Cup win over Alloa.
It would suggest that they are finally getting to grips with the physical nature of the games in the Third Division where teams inevitably fight tooth and nail against them, but it is maintaining the form of recent weeks that McCoist has set his sights on.
The thumping of Alloa in the Scottish Cup provides an opportunity for the Rangers side to progress in the competition and eye up a bit of silverware.
It would also raise the possibility of an Old Firm tie at some point this term, although it may be that it would be the Parkhead side who would welcome that one more than Rangers.
In any case, keeping things ticking over now is the main goal of McCoist.
This week is a break for international football before an away trip to East Stirling beckons at lunchtime on Saturday.
It may not be the most glamorous of meetings, but it is remaining on the road out of the league that McCoist is concerned with.
"I would expect better results away from home, that is what I would expect and hope for," said the Rangers manager.
"The first quarter of the season has gone and it has not been a shock for me in terms of what we have come up against and what we have seen.
"We have an unbelievably young team and they are learning. We have to get the balance and continue winning and start being a bit more consistent."


text:
1999 Laptop Learning Challenge (LLC)
Library Home || Full Table of Contents || Suggest a Link || Library Help
|This challenge rewarded 20 K–12 educators for their innovative uses of laptop computers. The 20 selected lessons may be browsed by subject (abstracts and downloadable PDF files are provided); they have science, mathematics, and technology components and take place in the classroom, in the field, or in informal science institutions. There are five lessons in each of four categories: Elementary Level, Middle Level, High School Level, and Informal Science (grades K–12). The lessons are useful for teachers planning a science or math activity, for pre-service preparation, and for in-service professional development.
|Elementary, Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
|Resource Types:
|Lesson Plans and Activities
|Math Topics:
|Data Analysis, Sciences
|Math Ed Topics:
|Interdisciplinary/Thematic Studies, Computers, Models of Use
[Privacy Policy] [Terms of Use]
© 1994- The Math Forum at NCTM. All rights reserved.


text:
Light from the East: A Prayer for the Pope
6 comments:
- LeonG said...
This is the direction from which the hope of the world lies.
- 22 March, 2010 04:37
- Sean said...
I am amazed that the traditional world is not picking up on developments that threaten the papacy of Benedict XVI.
Informed inside Vatican sources sympathetic to the FSSPX (yes, a very few exist) warned at the time of the election of Pope Benedict that the liberal cabal which ran the Church under John Paul II had not expected it and that they were temporarily in disarray. They further cautioned that Benedict had but a short time to organize his papacy before they would reorganize to undermine his reign. This information, by the way, came through the intelligence network of certain Greek Orthodox bishops.
The European left: politicians, press and members of the Catholic hierarchy have united to orchestrate a campaign which will either demoralize the Pope or -- and they believe this -- can actually force him to resign. They have stepped up their efforts since (1) the attempt to appoint an anti-progressive relatively unknown priest as a bishop in Austria and (2) the policy of an attempted rapprochement with the FSSPX has been instituted by Benedict. They desperately want him out or neutralized before any agreement can be reached. The FSSPX is very much aware of this, and it's one reason for Fr. Schmidbeger's defense of the Holy Father.
Evidence? There's been a lot. But the drumbeat has been accelerated with the European press' obsession with the German and Irish clerical so-called pedophilia scandals, and the smearing of both Benedict and his brother.
On Friday, the Feast of St. Joseph, Tony Hendra (a leftist author with marginally Catholic credentials) on a Foxnews program revealed that a story yet to break over here has been circulating in the European press: that the pope's brother may be implicated in the sex scandals. He stated openly that the recent developments (his alleged collusion in transferring a pedophile priest to another assignment while he was Archbishop of Munich) and other "rumors" circulating may force the Holy Father to abdicate.
This is very serious. The aim: the election of an outright liberal to the papacy after the abdication of a "conservative" pope (don't think Cardinal Schoenbrunn's recent public comments concerning the connection between celibacy and the clerical sex scandals are anything but an opening gambit for his election).
I am very surprised that this accelerating orchestration by this alliance of the left is generally falling under the radar in the traditional internet media.
- 22 March, 2010 11:47
- Jack said...
I'm not too sure what the point of chanting a Latin prayer to Greek Neo-Byzantine music is, though it's nice to listen to.
However, it's no less bombastic in its way than the Polychronia sung in Byzantine use, and much longer than it would take to sing the usual Polychronion in the Russian praxis.
His Holiness Benedict has the most difficult job in the world. I admire his pastoral prudence in trying to gently move Latin liturgy by his example into a more conservative direction.
One thing we all need to remember. He's the Pope of the ENTIRE Church, and not just one party or faction within it.
- 22 March, 2010 12:56
- Carlos Antonio Palad said...
We're not ignorant of these stories. Truth be told, I've heard far worse (one story that has reached me is that some bishops -- including some cardinals -- tried to force the Pope to abdicate in the aftermath of the fallout over Bishop Williamson's remarks.) and anyone can see that the liberal prelates want this Pope out.
- 22 March, 2010 15:30
These attacks are not only meant for Benedict XVI himself but I see them as attacks by Satan on religion itself.
Please don't confuse me with the "all religions are a means to heaven crowd people" when I speak of attacks on religion.
I have witnessed these frenzied attacks from within the traditionalist movement. They all follow the same pattern. No one is safe. Pray, and pray hard, the devil is truly among us! It's as if the gates of hell have been thrown open and Father of Lies has been allowed to infect souls who for all intents and purposes you would never suspect. It's the old divide and conquer ploy. Sow the seeds of discord and reap unsuspecting souls! My Jesus, mercy!
- 23 March, 2010 00:29
- Philippe Gebara said...
Thank you very much for the hat tip, Carlos Antonio!
- 23 March, 2010 21:21


text:
The block of 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues is not the only place in New York City where dilapidated theatres deserve renovation--and Bruce Paul Friedman wants the public, the city, and developers everywhere to know it.
Friedman is the founder of Save the Kings, an organization dedicated to the salvation of the Loew's Kings theatre on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Built in 1929 and possessed of a history as glorious and storied as any theatre in New York's five boroughs, the Kings' stage and 30 dressing rooms were at one time occupied by everyone from Bob Hope and Jimmy Durante to Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and the Nicholas Brothers. A pint-sized Ben Vereen rehearsed his dance steps on its stage. And, in recent articles publicizing her new film "The Mirror Has Two Faces," Barbara Streisand has reminisced about her days as an usherette at the Flatbush palace.
The Kings held out longer than most theatres of its type; it didn't give up the ghost until 1978, when the city took it over for nonpayment of taxes. The theatre has remained dormant since then.
Recently, however, the city has renewed its efforts to find a buyer for the building, encouraged by an economic revival in the area. Friedman--whose devotion to the Kings can be traced to the days when his father worked
Continued on page 31
in its orchestra pit as a woodwind player--envisions a rebirth akin to that being enjoyed by the New 42nd Street's theatres.
"Our proposal is that this theatre could be the next New Amsterdam," said Friedman.
Dan Schachter, director of community development at the Flatbush Development Corporation, said that interested developers will be able to submit proposals to the New York City Economic Development Corporation in the near future. In contrast to a 1990 push by the city to find a buyer for the Kings, current proposals will not limit bidders to a theatre format.
"It's unlikely there will be any restraints," said Schachter. "[The Kings] could become a mini-mall or it could become a live theatre."
Will Theatre Reign at Kings?
Friedman hopes to see the Kings returned to its original incarnation as a performing arts venue. He recognizes, however, that any renovation may take its lead from the entertainment stew of live theatre, movies, museums, and theme restaurants which has emerged on 42nd Street.
"What Disney did at Times Square is the same thing malls are doing around the country: mixing entertainment with memorabilia," said Friedman. "Any shopping mall across the country has recognized that you must have entertainment; you must have a theatre to draw people into the mall."
The museum part of such a complex, Friedman offers, could be founded on his own private collection: a cache of Kings memorabilia and artifacts including original swivel mahogany orchestra chairs, photographs, and the architects' design logs.
Above all, Friedman wants to see the palace's ornate architecture and decor preserved. He is convinced that this can be accomplished regardless of what type of plan is eventually advanced. "You can create multiplexes in the adjoining space above and beside the dome of the Kings," he suggests, "without destroying the center."
There is always the possibility the theatre may be razed. Unlike many Time Square theatres, the Kings does not enjoy the protection of landmark status.
Schachter said that several business concerns have expressed interest in the Kings. Among them is Forest-City Ratner Companies, which is converting 42nd Street's Liberty, Empire, and Harris theatres into an $84 million entertainment-retail complex to include a 25-screen multiplex and Madame Tussaud's wax museum.
Changes at BAM
Meanwhile, in another part of the city's largest borough, the Brooklyn Academy of Music is undergoing changes that will effectively eliminate two performing spaces, while--it is hoped--earning the long-standing arts center increased attention.
In a far-reaching, $20-million, reconstruction project, BAM's 1,000-seat Carey Playhouse will be converted into a multi-screen cinema, while the third floor Lepercq Space will become a cafe, bookstore, and music shop featuring live jazz and cuisine by Michael Ayoub, the chef and co-owner of Park Slope's popular restaurant, Cucina.
Harvey Lichtenstein, BAM's president and executive producer, believes that the proposed changes will attract a larger and younger crowd to the academy, transforming BAM into a bustling cultural agora.
The Carey Playhouse space will house four or five small screen theatres, which primarily will showcase international and art films. In its years as a legit theatre, the playhouse presented Ingmar Bergman's production of "Madame de Sade," director Robert LePage's "Needles and Opium," and Meredith Monk's "Politics of Quiet."
"The Carey is a redundancy here," said BAM spokesman Bill Murray, "since we have a house of a similar size, the Majestic." The 900-seat Majestic Theater, located a few blocks from the academy, was restored in 1987 to accommodate Peter Brook's stage epic "The Mahabharata."
Murray added that the Lepercq Space had lately been used only for parties and rehearsals.
The renovation, which is being financed by the city, will also furnish the BAM Opera House with new seats, carpeting, and soundproof doors. The cafe and bookstore are set to open in January, the multiplex by the end of next year. The overall completion date is


text:
CD36 fatty acid translocase plays a key role in supplying heart with its major energy substrate, long-chain fatty acids (FA). Previously, we found that the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) harbors a deletion variant of Cd36 gene that results in reduced transport of long-chain FA into cardiomyocytes and predisposes the SHR to cardiac hypertrophy. In the current study, we analyzed the effects of mutant Cd36 on susceptibility to ischemic ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial infarction in adult SHR-Cd36 transgenic rats with wild-type Cd36 compared with age-matched SHR controls. Using an open-chest model of coronary artery occlusion, we found that SHR-Cd36 transgenic rats showed profound arrhythmogenesis resulting in significantly increased duration of tachyarrhythmias (207 ± 48 s vs. 55 ± 21 s, P < 0.05), total number of premature ventricular complexes (2,623 ± 517 vs. 849 ± 250, P < 0.05) and arrhythmia score (3.86 ± 0.18 vs. 3.13 ± 0.13, P < 0.001). On the other hand, transgenic SHR compared with SHR controls showed significantly reduced infarct size (52.6 ± 4.3% vs. 72.4 ± 2.9% of area at risk, P < 0.001). Similar differences were observed in isolated perfused hearts, and the increased susceptibility of transgenic SHR to arrhythmias was abolished by reserpine, suggesting the involvement of catecholamines. To further search for possible molecular mechanisms of altered ischemic tolerance, we compared gene expression profiles in left ventricles dissected from 6-wk-old transgenic SHR vs. age-matched controls using Illumina-based sequencing. Circadian rhythms and oxidative phosphorylation were identified as the top KEGG pathways, while circadian rhythms, VDR/RXR activation, IGF1 signaling, and HMGB1 signaling were the top IPA canonical pathways potentially important for Cd36-mediated effects on ischemic tolerance. It can be concluded that transgenic expression of Cd36 plays an important role in modulating the incidence and severity of ischemic and reperfusion ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial infarct size induced by coronary artery occlusion. The proarrhythmic effect of Cd36 transgene appears to be dependent on adrenergic stimulation.
- myocardial infarction
cardiovascular diseases, specifically coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction (MI), are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Most cardiac phenotypes including cardiac mass, arrhythmias, infarct size, and susceptibility to heart failure are quantitative traits determined by genetic and environmental factors such as diet or stress. Additional "extracardiac" factors that cause a predisposition to coronary heart disease include proatherogenic factors such as high blood pressure, abnormal lipid profiles, or insulin resistance. Despite advances in the treatment of conventional MI risk factors mentioned above, many facets of the pathophysiology of MI are poorly understood. Ventricular arrhythmias are common affecting 20% of patients treated with reperfusion therapy and ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation remains the primary cause of death in patients during and immediately after an MI. Identification of the factors regulating cardiac hypertrophy, ischemic and reperfusion arrhythmias, and infarct size would greatly improve our understanding and treatment of patients with MI. The importance of genetic determinants of cardiac complex traits has been demonstrated by several epidemiological studies (41, 44, 45, 49) and twin analyses (6, 18). Recently, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified many polymorphisms that confer increased risk of MI. Despite great progress during several last years, genetic determinants identified by GWAS explain only ∼10% of MI heritability, and most of these findings are based only on statistical evidence (14). Animal models of human diseases represent useful tools for identification of genetic determinants of complex cardiovascular disorders including MI because of the possibility to use mechanistic studies that are not possible in humans.
The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is the most widely studied animal model of human essential hypertension. In addition, compared with control strains, the SHR exhibits differences in a number of important cardiac phenotypes including increased cardiac mass (5, 28, 42), impaired cardiac ischemic tolerance (10, 47, 56), and susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias (24, 27, 34) or heart failure (12). Numerous genetic linkage studies have shown the location, but not the identity, of major predisposing quantitative trait loci (QTL). Despite the wealth of physiological and genetic data available in the SHR, the pathogenic events leading to the development of hypertension and related cardiovascular and metabolic phenotypes in this model are still largely unclear. Our previous studies showed that the SHR harbors a deletion variant of Cd36 gene that results in reduced transport of long-chain fatty acids (FA) into cardiomyocytes and predisposes the SHR to cardiac hypertrophy (17). In addition, knockout mice with Cd36 deficiency exhibited reduced tolerance to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury compared with wild-type controls (20). These findings suggested that disturbances in cellular energy production associated with reduced Cd36-mediated long-chain FA uptake might play an important role in ischemic tolerance of the heart. In humans, CD36 mutations were also associated with significantly reduced uptake of long-chain FA into the heart and with a variety of heart diseases including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, or coronary heart disease (52). In the current study, we analyzed the effects of mutant Cd36 on the incidence and severity of ischemic and reperfusion ventricular arrhythmias and MI size induced by coronary artery occlusion in SHR-Cd36 transgenic rats with wild-type Cd36 vs. SHR with mutant Cd36 and used analyses of gene expression profiles in left ventricles (LV) to search for potential underlying molecular mechanisms.
We used SHR/Ola and Cd36 transgenic SHR/Ola-TgN(EF1aCd36)19Ipcv line (hereafter referred to as SHR-Cd36 transgenic) that was prepared by microinjecting SHR/Ola zygotes with wild-type Cd36 cDNA isolated from fat tissue of WKY rat (43). Adult male rats with a body weight of 200–220 g were used. Gene expression profiles were determined in LVs dissected from 6-wk-old SHR and SHR-Cd36 transgenic males. Rats were kept at a 12 h-12 h light/dark period with free access to standard laboratory chow and water. The experiments were performed in agreement with the Animal Protection Law of the Czech Republic (311/1997) and were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.
Evaluation of geometrical and functional parameters of the heart (12 animals in each group) was performed using echocardiographic system GE Vingmed System Seven with 14 MHz linear matrix probe. Animals were anesthetized by the inhalation of 2% isoflurane. Within the baseline echocardiographic evaluation, the following diastolic and systolic dimensions of the LV were measured: posterior and anterior wall thickness (PWTd, PWTs, AWTd, AWTs) and left ventricular cavity diameter (LVDd, LVDs). From these dimensions, the main functional echo parameter was derived; fractional shortening (FS%) by the formula FS% = (LVDd − LVDs)/LVDd. After the measurement of baseline parameters, the functional reserve with dobutamine infusion in progressively increasing rates was assessed as previously described (31).
Infarct size and arrhythmias in open-chest rats.
Anesthetized rats (pentobarbital sodium, 60 mg/kg ip; Sigma-Aldrich) were ventilated (rodent ventilator 7026, Ugo Basile) via tracheal cannula with room air at 68 strokes/min (tidal volume of 1.2 ml/100 g body wt); the number of examined animals was 8 and 12 for SHR and SHR-Cd36, respectively. Both blood pressure in the left carotid artery and a single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) were continually recorded. The rectal temperature was maintained between 36.5 and 37.5°C by a heated table throughout the experiment. Left thoracotomy was performed and after 10-min stabilization, regional myocardial ischemia was induced by tightening a polyester ligature 6/0 (Ethicon, Edinburgh, UK) placed around the left anterior descending coronary (LAD) artery ∼1–2 mm distal to its origin. Characteristic changes in the configuration of the ECG and a transient decrease in blood pressure verified the coronary artery occlusion. After a 20-min occlusion period, the ligature was released and reperfusion of previously ischemic tissue continued.
At the end of 3 h reperfusion, the hearts were excised and washed with 20 ml saline through the cannulated aorta. The area at risk and the infarct size were determined as described earlier (33) by staining with 5% potassium permanganate (Pliva-Lachema, Brno, Czech Republic) and 1% 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (Sigma-Aldrich), respectively. The hearts were cut perpendicularly to the LV long axis into slices 1 mm thick and stored overnight in 10% neutral formaldehyde solution. Next day, the RV free wall was separated and both sides of LV slices were photographed. The size of the infarct area (IS), the size of the area at risk (AR), and the size of the LV were determined by a computerized planimetric method using the software Ellipse (ViDiTo) with a grid of ∼400 points per slice. The IS was normalized to the AR (IS/AR), and the AR was normalized to the LV (AR/LV).
The incidence and severity of ventricular arrhythmias during ischemic insult and the first 5 min of reperfusion were assessed. Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) occurring as singles, salvos, or tachycardia (a run of 4 or more consecutive PVCs) were counted separately. The incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and fibrillation (VF) was also evaluated. VF lasting >2 min was considered as sustained (VFs). The severity of arrhythmias in each individual heart was evaluated by means of a 5-point arrhythmia score as described elsewhere (4). Scores were used for group analysis of severity of arrhythmias.
Infarct size and arrhythmias in isolated perfused hearts.
Animals were anesthetized as above. Hearts were rapidly excised and perfused at constant flow (∼10 ml·min−1·g−1) and temperature (37°C) according to Langendorff under nonrecirculating conditions by a modified Krebs-Henseleit solution (mmol/l: NaCl 118.0, KCl 3.2, CaCl2 1.25, MgSO4 1.2, NaHCO3 25.0, KH2PO4 1.2, glucose 7.0). The medium was gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2 (pH 7.4). The expected heart weights were calculated from regression equations established on the basis of our previous data for heart weight-to-body weight ratio of SHR and SHR-Cd36.
Epicardial electrograms were continuously recorded and subsequently analyzed by custom-designed software. After 20-min stabilization, regional no-flow ischemia was induced by the LAD occlusion for 40 min followed by 1 h reperfusion. Ventricular arrhythmias during ischemia and the first 10 min of reperfusion were counted, and the infarct size determined similarly as in open-chest experiments.
The involvement of catecholamines in cardiac ischemic tolerance of SHR and transgenic SHR-Cd36 hearts was examined in rats pretreated with reserpine (0.15 mg/kg dissolved in a mixture of glacial acetic acid and saline 1:50, 9 and 6 hearts per group) administered ip 24 h before ischemia according to Oxman et al. (37). Control rats (7 hearts in each group) received the same volume of the vehicle.
Blood pressure measurement and biochemical analysis.
In separate groups of rats, systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressures (SAP, DAP) were recorded by radiotelemetric technique. Animals were killed by decapitation. Sera and hearts were collected and stored at −80°C until analyses. Nonesterified FA (NEFA) levels were determined using an acyl-CoA oxidase-based colorimetric kit (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). Serum triglyceride concentrations were measured by standard enzymatic methods (Pliva-Lachema).
FA composition.
Serum and LV phospholipids from six animals in each group were extracted according to Folch et al. (15). Lipid classes were separated by thin layer chromatography using hexane-diethylether-acetic acid (85:15:1, vol/vol) as a solvent system. FA in serum and ventricular phospholipids were converted to methyl esters using 1% solution of NaCl in methanol, and the FA methyl esters were eluted with hexane. Gas chromatography analysis of the FA methyl esters was performed on a gas chromatograph GC-17A (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) equipped with a flame-ionization detector and automatic sampler AOC-20i (Shimadzu). A fused silica capillary column (30 m × 0.32 mm ID) with chemically bonded stationary phase DB-WAXETR from J&W Scientific (Folsom) was used. The oven temperature was maintained for 1 min at 80°C, then raised to 150°C by 20 K/min, then by 3 K/min to 250°C, and kept for 5 min; hydrogen was used as the carrier gas. Injector and detector temperatures were set at 250°C. Individual peaks of FA methyl esters were identified by comparing the retention times with those of authentic standards (Nu-Chek Prep, Elysian, MN). The composition of serum and ventricular FA (spectrum of 27 main FA) was analyzed. The product/precursor ratios of the serum FA were used to calculate indices reflecting the activities of enzymes involved in hepatic FA metabolism: elongase (18:0/16:0), Δ6 desaturase (18:3n8/18:2n6), Δ5 desaturase (20:4n6/20:3n6), and Δ9 desaturase (16:1n7/16:0).
Heart triglyceride measurement.
For determination of triglycerides, LV myocardium was powdered under liquid nitrogen and extracted for 16 h in chloroform-methanol, after which 2% KH2PO4 was added and the solution was centrifuged. The organic phase was removed and evaporated under N2. The resulting pellet was dissolved in isopropyl alcohol and triglyceride content was determined by enzymatic assay (Pliva-Lachema).
Parameters of oxidative stress.
The activities of antioxidant enzymes and of lipoperoxidation products were determined as previously described by Malínská et al. (30).
Gene expression profiles.
For Illumina analysis, RNA was extracted from LV isolated from 6-wk-old SHR/Ola and SHR-Cd36 transgenic rats (5 males in each group). Tissue was crushed to a fine powder by pestle and mortar in liquid nitrogen. Approximately 150 mg of powdered sample was homogenized in 1.5 ml of TRIzol (Invitrogen, Paisley, UK) and subsequently purified using the RNeasy Mini Plus Kit (Qiagen). Library preparation (each constructed from 10 micrograms of total RNA) and sequencing was carried out essentially as described previously (21), however, oligonucleotide primers were modified to accommodate sequencing on the Illumina Genome Analyzer I (Wakimoto H, Seidman CE, and Seidman JG, unpublished). Tag sequences were mapped back to the genome using customized software (Wakimoto H and Seidman JG, unpublished). To exclude tags containing SNPs between SHR and SHR-Cd36 and to ensure that sequenced tags are likely to represent a single locus, tags which were observed zero times in any strain and/or were found to align more than four times to the genome were removed from the data set. The number of tags was normalized across both strains. For the SHR-Cd36 transgenic strain, the tag count fold change compared with SHR was calculated. Raw P values were calculated by Fisher's exact test for those tags that had an absolute fold change of tag abundance ≥1.5. P values were corrected for multiple testing using the Benjamini and Hochberg false discovery rate method. Tags showing both tag abundance ratios ≥1.5 and P < 0.05 were considered to be robustly differentially expressed. Functional analysis of KEGG pathways (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) was performed using the DAVID online software (19). In addition, gene pathways were analyzed using the Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA). The significance of the association between the data set and the canonical pathway was determined based on two parameters: 1) a ratio of the number of genes from the data set that map to the pathway divided by the total number of genes that map to the canonical pathway and 2) a P value calculated using Fischer's exact test determining the probability that the association between the genes in the data set and the canonical pathway is due to chance alone (Ingenuity Systems, http://www.ingenuity.com).
Gene expression determined by real-time PCR.
Total RNA was extracted from LV using TRIzol reagent (Invitrogen), and cDNA was prepared and analyzed by real-time PCR using QuantiTect SYBR Green reagents (Qiagen) on an Opticon 2 continuous fluorescence detector (MJ Research). Gene expression levels were normalized relative to the expression of peptidylprolyl isomerase A (Ppia) (cyclophilin) gene, which served as the internal control, with results being determined in triplicate. Primers used for validation of differentially expressed genes selected from significant pathways were: Ppia - agc ata cag gtc ctg gca t and tca cct tcc caa aga cca c, Per1 - gct gct cct acc agc aaa tc and gag gca cat tta cgc ttg gt, Per2 - aga tca gct gcc tgg aca gt and tgg gaa ctc gca ctt tct tt, Arntl - cca cag cac agg cta ctt ga and gtg gaa cca tgt gtg agt gc, Cox5a - tag tgc tgt tcg cat ctt gg and cac ttt gtc aag gcc cag tt, Rhob - ccc agt gtc tgt gtg tgt cc and ggg tag ggg tgt agg gag tc, Klf4 - cca aag agg gga aga agg tc and ctg tgt gag ttc gca ggt gt.
Mitochondrial parameters.
High-resolution oxygraphy was performed on LV heart homogenate (40), which was prepared in H medium (0.25 M sucrose, 10 mM Tris·HCl, 2 mM EDTA, pH 7.4). The minced heart tissue (4 in each group) was homogenized with Teflon-glass homogenizer (clearance 0.25 mm, 7 strokes, 750 rpm) and filtered through a polyamide screen (mesh 56 μm). Oxygen consumption was measured at 30°C as described before (39) using Oxygraph-2k (Oroboros). The homogenate (0.1 mg/ml) was suspended in 2 ml of KCl medium (80 mM KCl, 10 mM Tris·HCl, 3 mM MgCl2, 1 mM EDTA, 5 mM K-Pi, 2.5 mM malate, 0.5 mg/ml BSA, pH 7.4) and for measurements, 3 mM malate, 1.5 mM ADP, 20 μM palmitoyl carnitine, and 10 mM glutamate were used. The oxygen consumption was expressed in pmol oxygen·s−1·mg protein−1.
Statistical analysis.
Data are expressed as means ± SE. Differences in parametric variables between the groups were compared by unpaired Student's t-test. Differences in the number of PVCs were compared by the Mann-Whitney U-test. The incidence of tachyarrhythmias was examined by Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.
Blood pressure and heart function.
Table 1 summarizes values of blood pressure and ECG parameters. We confirmed that the expression of Cd36 transgene is associated with lower SAP and DAP compared with wild-type SHR. No significant differences were found in baseline systolic and diastolic dimensions of the LV and FS between the two strains (Table 1, Fig. 1). Nevertheless, the dobutamine stress ECG revealed significantly higher maximal FS in SHR-Cd36 rats (89.1 ± 0.4%) compared with SHR (85.3 ± 0.5%) as shown in Fig. 1.
IS and arrhythmias in open-chest rats.
As can be seen in Fig. 2, transgenic expression of Cd36 was associated with a marked increase in the incidence and severity of ischemic ventricular arrhythmias. The incidence of VF reached 83% in SHR-Cd36 rats (two animals exhibited sustained VF) compared with 13% in SHR controls (Fig. 2A). Consequently, the arrhythmia score was significantly higher in the transgenic group (Fig. 2B). In both groups, VT was the predominant form of ischemic arrhythmias. Expression of Cd36 transgene dramatically increased the total duration of VT episodes (196 ± 47 s vs. 55 ± 21 s, P = 0.019) and the number of PVCs occurring as VT (2,136 ± 508 vs. 527 ± 191, P = 0.023) compared with SHR controls. This greater susceptibility to VT substantially contributed to the increase in total number of PVCs and duration of tachyarrhythmias (VT + VF) during the ischemic insult (Fig. 2, C and D). Figure 2E shows the time profile of PVCs distribution during 20 min of coronary artery occlusion. While the onset of ectopic activity did not differ between the groups, it lasted longer in transgenic rats than in SHR controls.
Ventricular arrhythmias occurring in the early phase of reperfusion were also significantly promoted in the SHR-Cd36 group as indicated by the increased number of total PVCs (Fig. 3A). However, the reperfusion arrhythmia score did not differ between the groups (Fig. 3B).
Figure 4A shows the representative examples of MI in SHR and SHR-Cd36 rats. The normalized AR did not differ between the groups (Fig. 4B). In contrast to the proarrhythmic effect, the expression of Cd36 transgene was associated with a significant reduction of IS to 52.6 ± 4.3% of AR compared with 72.4 ± 2.9% in SHR controls (Fig. 4C). Analysis of the relationship between IS and the size of AR revealed that the cardioprotective effect of Cd36 transgene manifested itself only in a lower range of ischemic areas (Fig. 4D).
IS and arrhythmias in isolated perfused hearts.
Proarrhythmic and IS limiting phenotype of transgenic rats was confirmed also in isolated perfused hearts. The IS/AR reached 19.0 ± 3.2% in SHR and was significantly smaller in SHR-Cd36 (6.7 ± 1.4%, Fig. 5A). On the other hand, the total number of PVCs was markedly increased in transgenic rats (1,057 ± 360) compared with SHR (271 ± 87) although the difference did not reach statistical significance due to a high individual variability (Fig. 5B). Depletion of catecholamines by reserpine had no effect on IS but completely abolished the increased susceptibility to ischemic arrhythmias in SHR-Cd36 as documented by a reduced total number of PVCs (179 ± 56; Fig. 5, A and B).
Metabolic traits.
As can be seen in Table 2, expression of the Cd36 transgene was associated with significantly lower levels of serum NEFA and triglycerides. In addition, heart triglyceride concentration was also significantly lower in transgenic rats compared with SHR controls. The two strains did not differ in the composition of major FA of heart phospholipids (data not shown).
Parameters of oxidative stress.
The activities of antioxidant enzymes and levels of lipoperoxidation products, conjugated dienes and TBARS, in hearts isolated from SHR and Cd36 transgenic rats were similar (data not shown) except for reduced glutathione (GSH), which was significantly higher in SHR compared with Cd36 transgenic rats (29.0 ± 2.5 vs. 23 ± 0.6 mM/g protein, P < 0.05).
Changes in gene expression profiles associated with cardiac Cd36 transgene expression.
To search for potential molecular mechanisms that link expression of the Cd36 transgene to arrhythmias and IS, we compared gene expression profiles in LVs isolated from transgenic SHR vs. age-matched controls using Illumina-based sequencing. Altogether, we found 387 genes with significantly (adjusted P value <0.001) up- or downregulated expression (Supplementary Table S2).1 Directional differences in the expression of selected genes were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR (Fig. 6). Table 3 shows circadian rhythms and oxidative phosphorylation as top KEGG pathways identified by DAVID online software analysis of differentially expressed genes. IPA identified circadian rhythms, VDR/RXR activation, IGF1 signaling, and HMGB1 signaling as top canonical pathways potentially important for Cd36-mediated effects on cardiac function and ischemic tolerance (Table 4).
Mitochondrial oxidation.
We tested the functional effects of differentially expressed genes from the KEGG oxidative phosphorylation pathway in LV on oxidation of various substrates. As can be seen in Table 5, transgenic expression of Cd36 was associated with increased state 3-ADP respiration in heart homogenate when we tested oxidation of different substrates at conditions of coupled respiration; it is when ATP is produced by oxidative phosphorylation at the expense of mitochondrial proton gradient (ΔμÇ+) generated by substrate oxidation. As shown by respiration measurements using the substrates malate, palmityl carnitine, succinate, and glutamate, significantly higher rates of respiration were found in SHR-Cd36 rats compared with SHR controls with ADP + malate (lowest respiratory rate) and with ADP + malate + palmityl carnitine + succinate + glutamate (highest respiratory rate). These data show that mitochondrial energy provision can operate better in heart of SHR-Cd36 rats compared with SHR controls.
In the current study, we found that transgenic expression of Cd36 in the SHR was associated with markedly increased susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias induced by ischemia/reperfusion and reduced MI size. Differential susceptibility to cardiac ischemia/reperfusion was preceded by significantly altered expression of almost 400 genes in LVs isolated from SHR-Cd36 transgenic vs. SHR control rats.
It is well known that CD36 contributes markedly to the regulation of FA uptake, oxidation, and esterification in the heart. More than 50% of long-chain FA uptake by the heart occurs via sarcolemmal CD36-mediated transport (25, 29). It has been also suggested that increased uptake of FA by the heart after MI might represent a metabolic cause leading to fatal VF during acute myocardial ischemia (35). Accordingly, it is possible that transgenic SHR with wild-type Cd36 are predisposed to arrhythmias due to increased FA uptake. The mechanisms of these FA associated proarrhythmogenic effects are not fully understood but might include an increased requirement of oxygen for FA catabolism (26, 36), an accumulation of potentially toxic intermediates of FA metabolism such as long chain acylcarnitine and long chain acyl coenzyme A, or an FA-mediated inhibition of glucose utilization by myocardium (7, 9, 36, 53). On the other hand, SHR rats with mutant Cd36, with reduced FA transport and oxidation in the heart and with increased glucose oxidation for ATP production are relatively protected from adverse metabolic effects of increased FA levels.
However, we found that isolated hearts of SHR-Cd36 perfused with a crystalloid solution devoid of FA were also more susceptible to ischemic ventricular arrhythmias compared with the SHR. This finding suggests that the proarrhythmic effect of SHR-Cd36 transgene is an intrinsic myocardial property independent of FA uptake during acute ischemic insult. Moreover, the complete elimination of increased arrhythmogenesis in hearts of SHR-Cd36 pretreated with reserpine points to an important role of myocardial catecholamines in triggering ischemia-induced arrhythmias in this group. Indeed, it seems that transgenic animals are more sensitive to β-adrenergic stimulation than the SHR. This view is supported by our observation of higher maximum values of LV FS revealed by dobutamine stress ECG (Fig. 1) and by preliminary data demonstrating higher forskolin-stimulated activity of myocardial adenylyl cyclase in SHR-Cd36 compared with wild-type SHR (Novotny J and Kagan D, unpublished). In addition, Cd36 was originally identified as a quantitative trait gene regulating isoproterenol-induced lipolysis in isolated adipocytes when the SHR mutant allele was associated with reduced sensitivity to catecholamines (2, 32). These findings strongly suggest that mutated Cd36 is associated with reduced β-adrenergic stimulation in several tissues.
Contrary to increased numbers of arrhythmias in transgenic rats, expression of wild-type Cd36 was associated with significantly reduced IS determined in both open-chest rats and isolated perfused hearts. Opposite changes of the two endpoints of ischemia/reperfusion injury can be explained by different factors that are involved in their pathogenic mechanisms. In agreement with our observation, Irie et al. (20) found that FAT/CD36-null mice were energetically deficient and more sensitive to acute ischemic insult, similarly to SHR. However, the impaired cardiac ischemic tolerance was not confirmed in another study using the same mouse strain (25). In view of the limited data available, it is currently impossible to explain these contradictory results.
To search for possible molecular mechanisms, responsible for Cd36 associated cardiac traits we compared gene expression profiles in LV dissected from 6-wk-old transgenic SHR vs. age-matched controls. Circadian rhythms were identified as the most prominent KEGG and IPA canonical pathways of differentially expressed genes between SHR and transgenic SHR-Cd36 (Tables 3 and 4). It has been demonstrated that a profound time-of-day dependence of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury is mediated by the cardiomyocyte circadian clock (13). Genes coding for the cardiomyocyte circadian clock modify the expression of myocardial genes regulating β-adrenergic signaling, FA, triglyceride and glucose metabolism, and affect heart rate as well as ischemia/reperfusion tolerance. Analyses of gene expression profiles revealed that >10% of myocardial genes exhibit circadian rhythms (58). Recently, Virag et al. (54) reported that functional deletion of the Per2 gene in knockout mice significantly reduced the size of MI. In the current study, we observed that expression of Per2 gene is downregulated, while Arntl gene expression is increased in transgenic Cd36-SHR compared with SHR controls, which suggests that the repressor activity of Per2 is reduced and thus its targets might be upregulated. These targets include endothelin-1, vascular endothelial factor (VEGF), and some other factors that play important role in hypertrophy and angiogenesis. As can be seen in Supplementary Table S2, we observed significantly increased expression of the Vegf gene in the heart of transgenic SHR suggesting that Cd36 overexpression might exert its effects through activation of the Vegf pathway. Members of the VEGF family play an important role in regulating vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. It has been shown recently, using adeno-virus-mediated Vegf gene delivery, that increased cardiac expression of Vegf transgene is associated with significant improvement in cardiac function after MI in rats, by promoting cardiac contractility, preserving viable cardiac tissue, and preventing remodeling of the LV over time (60).
Transgenic SHR-Cd36 also showed significantly increased expression of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, especially of genes coded by mitochondrial DNA (Table 3). These findings suggest that overexpression of Cd36 is associated with increased capacity of FA oxidation in mitochondria compared with control SHR. Adverse proarrhythmogenic effects of increased utilization of FA vs. glucose are discussed above. In SHR-Cd36, five overexpressed mitochondrial genes coding for components of complexes I and III were identified. Both complexes produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the matrix side and β-oxidation of FA can lead to greater release of ROS, mainly from complex I (50). Although the involvement of ROS in protective signaling has been well documented (23, 57), it is unknown whether it may play a role in the infarct size reduction in SHR-Cd36.
The final reaction of mitochondrial electron transport chain is mediated by cytochrome c oxidase (COX). This complex is formed by 13 subunits, three of them being of mitochondrial origin (COX I–III). Wu et al. (55) proposed that COX activity is determined by the COX I-to-COX III ratio; overexpression of COX III results in a decreased level of COX I, decreased COX activity, and impaired cell viability. It has been shown that prolonged ischemia downregulated COX I and upregulated COX III, particularly in interfibrillar mitochondria (48). Ischemic preconditioning attenuated ischemia-induced reciprocal changes in COX I and COX III levels (59). Moreover, chronic administration of thyroid hormone affected COX I and III expression (46) and protected the heart against lethal ischemic injury (38). In line with these reports, the present study demonstrates increased COX I and decreased COX III gene expression and the improved cardiac ischemic tolerance in SHR-Cd36. Interestingly, our analysis of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system by substrate oxidation revealed that mitochondrial energy provision can operate better in SHR-Cd36 rats compared with SHR controls. Nevertheless, the causal relationships between abnormalities in the expression of these mitochondrial genes and cardiac ischemic tolerance have yet to be elucidated.
Genes from the VDR/RXR (vitamin D receptor/retinoid X receptor) canonical pathway were identified as significant by the IPA. It has been demonstrated that deficiency in vitamin D is associated with arrhythmias and MI. For instance, proteomic analysis revealed a significant increase in serum VDR levels in patients with MI (16). In a recent report, the correction of vitamin D deficiency and hypocalcemia resulted in control of incessant ventricular tachycardia and cardiomyopathy (8). In an animal study, rats fed a vitamin D-deficient diet for 12 wk developed significant QT-interval shortening despite normal serum calcium levels compared with normal rats (48). These findings suggest a possible role for vitamin D deficiency as a causal factor for arrhythmia and the need for further exploration.
One of the most overexpressed genes in SHR-Cd36 transgenic rats was cellular proto-oncogene Fos. Fos gene family members dimerize with proteins of the Jun family (Jun was also overexpressed in SHR-Cd36) and have a high affinity for transcription factor AP-1. Upregulation of Fos and Jun genes was demonstrated in preconditioned hearts (11, 22). IPA identified increased expression of Fos and Jun in the IGF1 and HMGB1 canonical pathways (Table 4). Upregulation of insulin-like growth factor signaling may contribute to the improved ischemic tolerance (51).
HMGB1 (high mobility group box 1) has been found to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. Recently, HMGB1 was characterized as an early mediator of tissue injury caused by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (3). On the other hand, low postischemic doses of HMGB1 improve myocardial function and decrease infarct size in association with suppressed myocardial inflammation. These results suggest a potential role for exogenous HMGB1 therapy in the acute postischemic period (1).
As with most gene expression profiling studies, it is difficult to determine which particular pathways are actually mediating the functional effects observed in vivo and which are simply reflecting secondary or coincidental phenomena. In the current study, we attempted to minimize this problem by identifying changes in gene expression in cardiac tissue prior to the development of hypertension, metabolic disturbances, and the ischemia/reperfusion injury experiment. Nevertheless, it will be important to next link the observed changes in gene expression to functional changes in vivo in more than a speculative fashion.
In conclusion, results of the current study provide strong evidence for the important role of Cd36 in modifying the incidence and severity of ischemic and reperfusion ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial infarct size induced by coronary artery occlusion. The proarrhythmic effect of Cd36 transgene appears to be dependent on adrenergic stimulation.
This work was supported by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grants HL-35018, HL-56028, and HL-63709 to T. W. Kurtz; the European Community's Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement HEALTH-F4-2010-24,1504 (EURATRANS); grants ME08006, 1M6837805002 and 0C0801 to M. Pravenec and J. Houštěk; MSM 0021620858 to F. Novák and M. Klevstig; and 1M0510 to F. Kolář from the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic; grants MZ000023001, NR9359-3, NR9387-3, NS9757-3, and NS10504-3 from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic to L. Kazdová and M. Pravenec; grants IAA500110805, IAAX01110901, and KAN 200520703 from the Grant Agency of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic to V. Zídek, J. Neckář, and F. Kolář, respectively; grant GAUK 429611 from Grant Agency of Charles University in Prague to M. Klevstig; grant 305/08/H037 and P301/10/0756 from the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic to M. Klevstig and V. Landa; and research project AV0Z 50110509.
No conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, are declared by the author(s).
Author contributions: J.N., J.S., V.Z., V.L., P.M., M.S., L.K., M.K., M.V., F.P., and Z.D. performed experiments; J.G.S., C.E.S., L.K., F.N., J.H., T.W.K., F.K., and M.P. analyzed data; T.W.K. and M.P. drafted manuscript; T.W.K., F.K., and M.P. edited and revised manuscript; F.K. and M.P. approved final version of manuscript.
↵1 The online version of this article contains supplemental material.
- Copyright © 2012 the American Physiological Society


text:
Motorhome Suspensions and Handling
By: Bob Gummersall
[Ed Note 2011: While many improvements have been made to suspension systems since this article was first published, a careful reading of this will provide a basic understanding of the different types of suspension systems used in today's motorhome offerings.]
Three basic types of suspensions are used in Class A motorhomes. They are leaf/coil steel-springs, air bags, and torsion bars. Within each category there are various methods of positioning components that effect the weight capacity and handling characteristics. This FAQ will describe the basic differences between these suspensions. Before we start, it is interesting to note that no modern over-the-road bus chassis use spring suspensions. Most school buses use leaf spring suspensions. Most light and medium duty trucks use spring suspensions. After you read this article, you will understand why this is true.
LEAF/COIL SPRING suspensions are the least expensive and the hardest riding. Handling on the highway is significantly affected by crosswinds or the wind forces created when an 18 wheeler blows by the motorhome. The close mechanical coupling between the axles and the frame of the motorhome transmits noise, vibration, and side forces. Except for small rubber or plastic bushings, there is a steel to steel connection. The bumps in the road are transmitted directly into the chassis of the coach and neither sound nor vibration is dampened. To see the worst case in the ride characteristics of this type of suspension, find a way to take a ride in the rear seats of a school bus. Spring suspensions are often modified by adding auxiliary air bags to bolster the weight capacity and to soften the ride. After-market steering stabilizer and sway bars are frequently added to increase highway directional stability and reduce tipping. Spring suspensions have significant leaning when turning corners and very hard riding over bumpy roads. Leaf springs eventually sag and require added leafs to correct the ride height, especially from side to side. Because most roads are crowned to let rain water run off, driving many miles on a slant causes the passenger side to eventually sag. The older the motorhome the greater the chance for the necessity for this repair.
AIR BAG suspensions can be four air bags or eight airbags and significantly soften the ride characteristics. Air bag suspensions use automatic pressure regulators on side-to-side and front-to-rear to dynamically adjust the air pressure in each air bag to compensate for the tipping forces the coach is experiencing. Thus while turning a corner, the outside air bags are automatically inflated to compensate for the leaning of the coach. The vehicle thus goes through corners and through high side winds with far less tipping motion. Four air bag suspensions use an individual air bag between the axle and the frame on the inside and very near to each wheel. Solid axles are called "live axles" and are one piece and ridged. Both Spartan and Freightliner now offer front independent suspensions systems that use an air bag inside an A-frame supporting each front wheel. This independence allows each front tire to follow the terrain that it faces and thus results in a smoother and more stable ride than a live axle suspension. Independent front suspensions have been used in automobiles since the 1940's but have only recently found their way into motorhomes and some passenger buses. Eight air bag suspensions have an axle carriage that allows two airbags to be placed above and to the front and rear of each wheel. The result is much greater side-to-side support and less tipping than a four-bag system. Since the ride height is automatically and dynamically adjusted, there is never any sagging. Airbags can develop leaks or blow out, but they are relatively inexpensive to replace. Airbag suspensions are much more compliant to side-wind conditions and the resulting sway. The softness can sometimes cause porpoise(ing) like action while driving on undulating roadways. This is normally dampened properly by shock absorbers. Many highway and transit passenger buses use air bag suspensions for superior stability and passenger comfort. When parked, it is possible to dump the air out of the airbags and lower the coach for easier egress. Some more sophisticated systems can also raise and lower the ride height while traveling down the road. The driver can lower the whole coach while traveling on a flat interstate or raise it up to negotiate a steep driveway. The air in the bags significantly reduces the noise and vibration transmitted from road surfaces.
TORSION BAR suspensions use a steel bar in a sleeve connected to a lever arm to provide the up and down action. Newer torsion bars are encased in hard rubber inside the sleeve to further buffer the road noise and vibration between the axle and the chassis. Eagle passenger buses made this suspension famous and many entertainers will only use Eagle buses for touring because of their ride characteristics. Torsion bar suspensions are less effected by porpoise(ing) and have excellent resistance to tipping. Foretravel and Safari are the major motorhome builders that use or have used this suspension system. Ride-height is adjusted by loosening the lever arm and twisting the bar with special tools and then tightening the arm. Adjustment is limited and when the bar ages, replacement is relatively expensive. Torsion bar suspensions are used on some travel providing lower ride levels and thus a lower center of gravity. Torsion bars are used in some automobiles and light duty trucks.
I have driven buses and motorhomes with all types of suspensions and personally favor the eight air bag system for its excellent side to side stability, lower noise and vibration coupling, comfort and automatic ride height adjustment. The independent front four air bag system is also very good. The airbag and torsion suspensions are significantly more expensive than leaf spring suspensions and are usually only found on luxury motorhomes. As I have stated in other FAQ's, I feel that a used luxury motorhome with semi-monocoque chassis and air/torsion suspension is a better buy than a new leaf/coil spring chassis motorhome.


text:
SDCC 2014: THE WALKING DEAD Season 5 Trailer
The Walking Dead Season 5 poster
This October, The Walking Dead television series is returning -- and turning to the capital of the United States: Washington, D.C.. Attendees of Comic-Con International: San Diego this year, and in particular those at The Walking Dead panel in Hall H earlier today, got an intense 3+ minute preview of the forthcoming fifth season which AMC quickly posted online:
According to a report from Deadline.com, Robert Kirkman said that this "is a season that is going to be pretty close to comics." Executive Producer Gale Ann Hurd added that the fifth season will offer "big leaps" both with the characters and the set pieces.
The season premiere of The Walking Dead is scheduled for October 12.
Twitter activity Tweets by @Newsarama


text:
Posted 01 June 2012 - 01:04 PM
Clean up your engine bay with these brand new Shelby GT350 coil covers. Made from high quality steel they are chrome plated then powder coated in either red, blue, or black wrinkle. They are a direct replacement for your plastic covers that come from Ford originally.
2011-2013 Mustang GT
2011-2012 Shelby GT350
Includes gaskets.
Sold as a pair.
Release date:
New product release: 01 June 12
Made in the U.S.A.
Click here to learn more.
Team Shelby
Shelby American
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Posted 01 June 2012 - 03:57 PM
I hope it is not because the original look much better even though the black lettering comes off with water or any touch or rub. I was hoping they would just fix the original.
2011 45th GT350 On Order 12/3/10
Base GT:
Electronics pkg
comfort pkg
security pkg
GT350 Options:
R Tune
Watts link
Interior pkg
rear brake pkg
painted stripes w/350 logo in
Desired upgrades:
short throw shifter (when available)
Anything that will safely increase performance
Posted 02 June 2012 - 07:34 PM
Posted 02 June 2012 - 10:12 PM
How much did they charge?
2011 45th GT350 On Order 12/3/10
Base GT:
Electronics pkg
comfort pkg
security pkg
GT350 Options:
R Tune
Watts link
Interior pkg
rear brake pkg
painted stripes w/350 logo in
Desired upgrades:
short throw shifter (when available)
Anything that will safely increase performance
Posted 04 June 2012 - 05:39 AM
Posted 04 June 2012 - 10:02 AM
• http://www.Boss302Forum.com • Ford Mustang EcoBoost Club • http://www.ShelbyGT350Forum.com • http://www.ShelbyGT350RForum.com
Shelby Bud totally destroying the tires on my KR while I was in Michigan. I WANT new rear tires, Bud!
Posted 13 June 2012 - 04:15 PM
Dear "Staff",
Would you please contact me via PM. This is regarding another thread that has been locked and the offending party that caused it to be locked. I have some pertainenant information on this after receiving a PM from the person that apparently is creating multiple accounts in a effort to circumvent your ban.
I tried to PM you but there is no provision to do so on your profile page.
Robert Lane: If you can forward this information or contact me via PM, that would suffice too.
Thank you,
Phillip Pollard
Co. Springs, CO
Kona Blue w/White OTT Stripes and Red Accent Stripes
Electronics Package, HID's & Car Cover
CURRENT MODS: FRPP: Whipple 2.9L Polished Superchager w/Crusher Inlet & Cobra Jet Dual 65mm Throttle Body - Ceramic Coated Shorty Headers - Ford GT Blue Cam Covers - Polished Billet COP & Oil Filler Cap Covers - FR3 Handling Pack w/Tokico Struts/Shocks & Eibach Swaybars - Jounce Bumpers - 8.8" Low Profile Axle Girdle - 3" Front Brake Cooling Ducts - Vacuum/Boost Gauge~ MGW: Short Throw Shifter - White w/Blue Stripes Shifter Knob - Radiator and Intercooler Degas Bottle Caps - Seat Recliner Lever Covers - Parking Brake Handle Cover - Coat Hanger Hooks~ PST: 1-piece Carbon Fiber Driveshaft~ Revan Racing: C&R Radiator and Intercooler~ ROUSH: 3x Intercooler Degas Bottle - Side Splitters - Extreme Off-road Exhaust - Adjustable Trailing Arms (LCA) - Adjustable 3rd Link (UCA) - Adjustable 3rd Link Bracket - AC Vent Pod Vac/Boost Gauge Mount~ SHELBY: SC Aux. Idler Pulley - Oil Dipstick Handle, MC, PS & WS Washer Reservoir Caps - 8-qt. Oil Pan - Tubular K-Member Subframe - Tubular A-arms - CS S1000 Billet Aluminum Transmission Crossmember - Seat Harness Bar - 6S Extreme Rear Brakes - 6S Extreme Front Brakes - GT500KR Front Brake Cooling Duct Bezels - Anti Bump-stear Tie-rod Ends - Race Style Swaybar Links - Adjustable Caster/Camber Plates - Adjustable Panhard Bar - Panhard Bar/Body Brace - GT500KR Rear Axle Reservoir - Lower Control Arm Relocation Brackets -18" GT500KR Alcoa Dura-Bright Wheels & Goodyear GT500KR Winged Boot F1 Supercar Tires~ Raptor Shift Light
PURCHASED AND AWAITING INSTALLATION: Shelby/Metco Fuel Rails - Shelby Alcoa Forged 20" Dura-Bright Super Snake Style Wheels - Shelby Billet Aluminum Fuel Door - NMB2 2-Stage WOT Box - Granatelli Motors Tire Fryer Line-lock - ZEX N2O kit - Ford Racing Lighted Sill Plates w/Ford Racing logo.
Soon to be "For Sale": Eradispeed Rear Brake Rotors & Caliper Relocation Brackets
Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: gt350, 5.0l
Shelby GT350 Forum →
Shelby GT350 Modifications and Tech. →
Experimenting with 2015-2018 GT350 rocker badge lettering
Started by GT350Old&New , 26 Oct 2017 gt350, decal, rocker
Team Shelby Community →
Team Shelby Forum →
Trip to the Golden Gate Bridge
Started by Ghoust , 12 Oct 2017 gt350, cruise
Shelby GT350 Forum →
2011-2014 Shelby GT350 Discussion →
For Sale: 2012 Shelby GT350
Started by speedwylee , 21 Aug 2016 gt350
Shelby GT350 Forum →
2015-2018 Shelby GT350 →
My First American Car
Started by Shiraz Siddiqui , 16 Aug 2016 gt350
Shelby GT350 Forum →
2015-2018 Shelby GT350 →
My GT350 on the Track
Started by Michael Calamaras , 04 Jul 2016 track, gt350, flatout
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users


text:
Carolyn Moos has been pretty cool about her ex-fiancé, NBA center Jason Collins, very publicly coming out. Sure, she told the press she was initially embarrassed and confused when her partner of 8 years called her up and told her he was going to tell the world he's gay. But now that it's settled in, Moos, who planned on marrying her Stanford classmate before he called of their wedding in 2009, is 100% supportive.
"I care about [Jason] tremendously and only want the best for him. I want Jason to be happy for a lifetime and stay true to who he really is, inside and out," the former WNBA player said. And last night, after CNN host Piers Morgan asked if Collins had apologized, as if there were something to apologize for, Moos replied, "I think he's in the process of taking ownership of the here and now which is actually coming out. That can be very – I assume – overwhelming."
Here's video excerpts from Moos' conversation with Morgan.


text:
Rosary for Jose Cavazos Jr., 44, of Lubbock will be said at 7 p.m. Friday at Guajardo Funeral Chapels.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lubbock with the Rev. Jim O'Connor officiating.
Burial will be in Peaceful Garden Cemetery under the direction of Guajardo Funeral Chapels.
He died Tuesday Sept. 26, 2000.
He was born July 3, 1956, in Mercedes. He graduated from Cooper High School in 1976. He was a truck driver for Cavazos Brothers Trucking.
Survivors include his wife, Ilda Jiminez; three sons, Ricky, Matthew, and Jose III, all of Lubbock; his parents, Jose Sr. and Viola of Lubbock; two brothers, Eloy and Tomas of Lubbock; and three sisters, Alice Moreno, Norma Berlanga, and Ida Cavazos, all of Lubbock.
© 2017. All Rights Reserved. | Contact Us