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STERIS Instrument Management Services provides an easy, cost-effective way to proactively inspect your flexible endoscopes: the Flexible PMI Kit. This kit will help you identify scopes in need of immediate repair and assist with The Joint Commission's requirements for diagnostic equipment. Contact us to schedule your no charge Proactive Maintenance Inspection of your flexible endoscope inventory.
Oasis Scope Transport Tray Single-Use Rigid Containment
Lapses in the cleaning of reusable endoscope transport trays can lead to cross-contamination in the surgical work area. Bedside cleaning is performed within the Oasis Tray, keeping residual run-off contained. Features: • Single-Use and disposable. • Made of a biodegradable plant-based material. • Space efficient, stackable and nestable. • The color-coded, reversible lid clearly differentiates clean and soiled scopes. • Contact Cygnus Medical at 800.990.7489 to learn more.a
ONE TRAY is an FDA Cleared Rigid Container providing Terminal Sterilization in 4 min. prevac cycle (3+ Pulses), with no dry time required. Provide ONE STANDARD of CARE by eliminating IUSS, and save money by reducing purchases of redundant instrumentation and processing loaners in 20 minutes. Invest in the best!!
Your Manufacturers' Instruction for Use (IFU) Documents are just one click away at oneSOURCEdocs.com. Your entire facility will be compliance-ready with online access to thousands of up-to-date manufacturer and Tech Ready documents for cleaning reusable surgical instruments and devices. For more information, call 1-800-701-3560 or visit our website, www.onesourcedocs.com.
ScopeValet GUARDIAN
Disposable Valve Set eliminates the need for manual cleaning and reprocessing valves. The set is one-time use to prevent cross contamination and helps create consistent practices, reducing the potential for errors. Color–coded for easy identification, the GUARDIAN Valve Set contains one each of air/water, suction, and biopsy valves. Compatible for use in Olympus 140/160/180/190/240 and 260 endoscope series, the disposable valve set also enables compliance with a number of society guidelines.
Mobile Instrument Service & Repair
Mobile Instrument is the nation's largest, full-service equipment repair and maintenance company serving hospitals and surgery centers since 1978. Mobile provides rigid and flexible endoscope repair for all manufacturers' makes and models, even those deemed obsolete. Mobile is a contracted supplier for all major GPOs providing quality repairs at the best possible pricing available. Extensive loaner inventories are maintained with loaners provided at no charge. Contact Mobile Instrument Repair at 800-722-3675.
Pure Processing is your endoscope reprocessing partner, providing solutions for your endoscopy needs. Our PureStation Four Tier Cart is one way we're getting greater reprocessing capabilities without sacrificing safety or space. Scopes can are easily transported with minimal handing while adding extra vertical space for staging and reprocessing. Learn more at www.pure-processing.com.
KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc.
KARL STORZ, a leader for nearly 70 years in endoscopy technologies, provides high-quality optics, including rigid endoscopes and flexible fiberscopes, as well as precision instrumentation. Our HOPKINS rod-lens technology continues to represent the optics of choice for surgeons in many specialties, offering optimal light distribution, high contrast and optimum resolution.
The 3M Clean-Trace ATP Cleaning Monitoring System provides real-time cleaning efficacy data to clearly indicate whether an endoscope or other surgical instrument has been adequately cleaned prior to further reprocessing. Learn how to establish a routine cleaning monitoring program for flexible endoscopes, as recommended in standards and guidelines, at go.3M.com/ATPMonitoring.
ScopeValet CleanStart Bedside Kit Enhanced with BIOCLEAN TECHNOLOGY is ready to use in a user friendly pouch that removes all contaminants, including synthetic lipids, from the outside sheath and inside channel of scopes. The kit contains a contoured Endozime SLR sponge to remove soil from the insertion tube and Endozime SLR enzymatic solution for suctioning through the channels. CleanStart Bedside Kit is available in 250ml and 500ml pouch sizes. The product makes cleaning easier, preventing dried on soil before the scope is transported for reprocessing.


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Trucks arrive at a mine in mine in Malawi. Photo: Eleanor Bell
- Since the beginning of 2004, more than 380 people have died in mining accidents or in off-site skirmishes connected to Australian publicly-traded mining companies in 13 countries in Africa.
- Australian mining companies are more numerous than those from other mining giants such as Canada, the United Kingdom and China. At the end of 2014, more than 150 companies held about 1500 licenses and owned or managed dozens of mining operations across 33 countries in Africa.
- Multiple Australian mining companies are accused of negligence, unfair dismissal, violence and environmental law-breaking across Africa, according to legal filings and community petitions gathered from South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal and Ghana.
- Australian state and federal government entities, including government workers' pension funds, have invested in controversial Australian mining companies operating in Africa.

subset: commoncrawl


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13th Annual Cajun Fest
Saturday, November 11 | 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Join members of the Rhodes community for a Cajun-style celebration of the last home football game of the season against Austin College. Food is served at 11:30 a.m.; the game kicks-off at 1:00 p.m. Beer will be available for purchase. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Tickets for the lunch are complimentary for children up to age 5; $5 for children 6 - 11 years; $10 a piece for guests 12 years and older; $40 maximum for a family.
> Register for Cajun Fest 2017
Looking for more events in your area? Check Rhodes Connect!


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Lipa Bear
By Lipa Learning
This app is only available on the App Store for iOS devices.
Wait, is that a doll or a dog? Is Bella Bear playing or sleeping? Which color goes with "purple" and does Bella's expression mean she's happy or sad?!
Bella Bear needs a curious wordsmith like you:
• Match written words with their corresponding fun images
• Recognize Bella Bear's actions and emotions by listening
• Build your vocabulary with essential verbs, nouns, and adjectives
• Gain fundamental English language skills you'll need to communicate with your world.
Lipa Bear is a kidSAFE® certified educational app ideal for children ages 2+.
Did you find and name all of Bella's things? Discover our other challenging & fun apps!
Enjoy voiceovers in your native language and even accent. Available in both British and American English, German, Spanish, Mexican Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Czech, Turkish, Polish, Arabic and Brazilian Portuguese!
Crafted by Lipa Learning, a community of educators and creative professionals dedicated to revolutionizing education.
Lipa Learning
For Kids. For Parents. For a Better Future.
What's New in Version 1.3.8
Bella the Bear can now speak Hebrew!
See how many new words you can learn together.
Your play will also be smoother thanks to a few fixed bugs.
We value your opinion and want to know more about your experience with our apps. If you have any feedback or ideas for us, we'd love to hear from you. Please connect with us at: email@example.com
- Free
- Category: Education
- Updated: Aug 29, 2017
- Version: 1.3.8
- Size: 67.0 MB
- Languages: English, Czech, French, German, Japanese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Turkish
- Seller: Lipa Learning s.r.o.
- © Lipa Learning
Compatibility: Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.


text: IGS podcast: Imagining Germany from the Outside at Houses of Parliament Posted on 16 Sep 2016 On Wednesday 14 September 2016, the All-Party Parliamentary British-German Group hosted a seminar of the Institute for German Studies (IGS) in the Palace Building at the Houses of Westminster. The seminar was held as part of the ongoing DAAD-funded research project "(Not) Made in Germany. Imagining Germany from the Outside" and focussed on Polish perspectives on Germany. The current IGS research project "(Not) Made in Germany" analyses how images of contemporary Germany are constructed "from the outside" in the areas of economics, politics, education, history and culture. from left to right: Katarzyna Zechenter, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, UCL; Maren Rohe, IGS Birmingham; Julian Pänke, IGS Birmingham & DAAD Fachlektor; Pawel Karolewski, WBC, University of Wroclaw; Justyna Snoch, WBC, University of Wroclaw The participants were welcomed by MP Paul Farrelly who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group. Professor Pawel Karolewski, chair of political science at the Willy Brandt Centre for German and European Studies of the University of Wroclaw, reflected on Polish perceptions of Germany as "threatening hegemon or new rescuer of the EU". He highlighted the ambivalence of Polish-German relations while analysing perspectives of various Polish governments in the last 20 years. PhD candidate Justyna Snoch (University of Wroclaw) introduced her project on "the role of Germany in the EU's image of normative power" and pointed at interesting parallels between Berlin and Brussels in projecting their power. In the third presentation, PhD candidate Maren Rohe (IGS, University of Birmingham) shared her conceptual ideas about "studying country perceptions as narratives" by referring to Polish examples. In her project she explores how strongly individuals are influenced by elite and media representations and how they make sense of changes and fluctuations in them. Finally, the discussant Dr Katarzyna Zechenter of the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at UCL shared her observations of all three presentations and emphasized focal points of a Polish national identity constructed in the last 800 years. In the end, the speakers had the opportunity to answer a series of questions posed by the audience. The final outcomes of the project will be published in a volume of essays with the title "(Not) Made in Germany: Imagining Germany from the Outside". The essays will be authored by the participating scholars and UK researchers, and edited by Nicholas Martin, Sara Jones and Julian Pänke. In addition, the main findings of the project and a set of policy recommendations will be published in a policy report. Recorded: Wednesday 14th September 2016 (14:00-16:00)To request a transcript please contact: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Thursday, December 31, 2009
"Year" in Review
Well 2009, you've been an asshole. And you never even thought to apologize. I suppose you have a few hours left, but why should I expect anything at the last second? I stopped counting on you months ago.
You're not even tangible, yet you've given me scars that will never wash out. I scrubbed for months, trying, but it's permanent. So, why not. I'll keep it. I'll even look at it occasionally, maybe even tell people the story of how it happened. But I'll never smile at it. Even if the Lord works evil for good, that doesn't mean a truly evil act wasn't committed. Evil is never synonymous with good. I won't delude myself, no matter how badly you want me to.
And what's to come? A year of new beginnings? Fresh starts? Old cliches? Yes, of course, all of that and more will glaze over the mud and dirt that's been such a disgusting filling for 12 months. I'll be happy for a while, symbolically of course. For my happiness is also intangible, a representation of the uncontrollable circumstances I must endure every waking moment of my life. The meaning is in the symbols, the meaninglessness is in the practice.
A laugh here or there will medicate, and lousy days will return. But my perceptions are broader as a result of your cruelty. You jammed a crowbar into the elevator, and twisted the doors open.
And contentment will remain. Because, the man who says light can overcome darkness doesn't understand entropy. Light is not stronger than darkness, but merely a moment of contrast. Neither have strength, but both contribute to blindness. It is my eyes that are weak. My eyes will eventually rot away, leaving darkness and light as nothing but neutral forms of Ouroboros.
Whatever I learned from you, year, I take with me to the next. One symbol to another. Your timeframe may have been helpful. To what, I can't say. To who, that's unclear. But the symbol of 2010 is marked by continuance. Not betterment, or even hopefulness, but another step on a path.
A yellow, brick road leads to cities where nothing is as it seems. But everything is still true. A perception will change, in accordance with the amount of contrasting light and darkness (hitting the cornea, bouncing back something honest).
Thanks for nothing, year. I have so much more wisdom now, and I hate you because of it. I'm glad. And hopeful. And relieved. Hear my sigh as one that breathes molecules of palm tree debris. A scratch in my throat that will never heal. A hanging head that hangs not for its own sake, but for those who have not yet discovered your frivolity. Your lies are nothing new. A marker is nothing if not a reminder of placement. As I continue through, I do so without thanks. You mean nothing to me. Just as I have meant nothing to you.
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Enjoy the weekend, gang.
Jimmy Clausen is the newest member of the Chicago Bears.
CSNChicago's JJ Stankevitz looks at how Notre Dame is moving on from Blake Barnett.
One Foot Down's Jamie Uyeyama looks at how some more Irish defensive signees will fit with Brian VanGorder.
Tales are rolling in about the re-use of Notre Dame Stadium grass, Margaret Fosmoe writes in the South Bend Tribune.
If BlueandGold.com's Lou Somogyi's theory is correct, Irish fans should be pulling hard for California Chrome this weekend.


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Has the developer mailing list been supplanted by this forum?
Has the developer mailing list been supplanted by this forum?
We have been using lgt for years and are now transitioning to rtedge (we were relying on lgt's parameters to get some view info for accurate overlays for a pix).
If we have the bitmap size for a square pix map along with the az, el, pix map edge length in model space, and model space coordinates of the center of the pix map, we have enough info to map the pixels to model and page space.
With rtedge the best I can come up with for that information is the following:
First I use the '-s', '-a', and '-e' options to rtedge to produce the pix map.
Then I get the bounding box of the objects by a small program that interrogates the model rt_dirbuild, rt_gettree, and rt_prep to determine the bounding box.
I get the view size by putting the following commands into a file:
B <objects>
ae <az> <el>
units mm
saveview tgt.saveview
Then I source the file into mged:
mged -c tgt.g < file
The resulting file has a line that reads:
viewsize N
where N is the pix map edge length in mm.
I rely on the rtedge man page which says "...the grid will be centered on the centroid of the model..." which I assume means the center of the bounding box for the view objects.
I am sure there is a better method, probably by using a view object while getting the bounding box, but I haven't been able to translate the way the transformation matrices work in brlcad into my world. There also may be a way to use a tcl script more easily.
A command line utility to do all that at once would be great (and I would be happy to supply one if I can ever figure out how to get the view info programmatically at the same time I get the bounding box info).
By the way, there is no user documentation on "saveview" that I can find, and I would sure like to know what "[args]" are available. (I find it very difficult to track down in the source code exactly where the entry points for various mged commands are.)
Thanks for any comments or help.
Tom Browder
SRS Technologies, Inc.
362 Beal Parkway, N.W., Suite 201
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548-3975
Tel: 850-862-4188
Fax: 850-862-8055
It certainly has not.. both are viable communication forums. The only developer mechanism that probably takes precedence would be the IRC channel where the discussions are "live" merely due to convenience and general efficiency of communication.
As for why your questions haven't been answered yet... your questions simply require a fair bit more attention to answer properly as they are increasingly more technically involved and they were competing with the Windows release preparations and subsequent follow-through postings/announcements/etc..
Apologies on not getting to all of your questions more quickly. I will do my best to answer all of your questions this week. The sooner the better, of course.
Log in to post a comment.


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GraphicRiver Audio Cassette and Headphones 6812381
Category: Stock Vector | Comment: ( 0 )
GraphicRiver Audio Cassette and Headphones 6812381
Stock Vector \ Miscellaneous
Rock \ Retro \ Note \ Song \ Sound \ Vector \ Symbol \ Spray \ Music \ Listen \ Blot
Stock Vector - Audio Cassette and Headphones 6812381 by Artness @ GraphicRiver
Stock Vector \ Miscellaneous
Musical vector background with audio cassette and headphones. Zip file contains fully editable EPS10 vector file and high resolution RGB Jpeg image.
Girl with Red Balloons; Green Background with Red Gerbera; Flowers and Spa Stones; Wooden Background with Pink Orchids; Background with Palms and Flowers; Background with Orchids and Spa Stones; Green Background with Orchids.
Keywords: Audio Cassette, background, blot, blue, decorative, design, grunge, headphones, listen, music, note, retro, rock, song, sound, spray, symbol, vector.


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A Donor Advised Fund with the Foundation allows a donor to make a charitable gift and receive a current year tax deduction while giving them the flexibility to have those funds distributed to multiple charities over time. Appreciated stock, business interest, and real estate are popular gifts to DAFs. The minimum to start a DAF with the Foundation is low at $5,000. People find DAFs to be a convenient way of carrying out their philanthropic desires. Accounting, fund management and administration is handled by the Foundation.
Donor Advised Funds
DAF Application [Printable PDF]
CFNEK Donor Advised Fund Policy [Printable PDF]
DAF Q&A [Printable PDF]
Testamentary Donor Advised Funds
Testamentary DAF Application [Printable PDF]
Charles and Antoinette Berkel Donor Advised Fund
Charles "Charlie" and Antoinette "Toni" Berkel Obituary
Marty and Beth Krebs on End-of-Year Giving
Mel and Rita Lavery on Consistent Giving
12615 Parallel ParkwayKansas City, Kansas 66109Phone: firstname.lastname@example.com
2017 - Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas


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In the summer of 2016, Paula Grace visited the family-owned artisan workshops in a small town in Portugal where her furniture is hand-crafted. (Pictured above: Wave Console)
This is the inlay workshop. Artisans laser cut the inlay and then place it by hand. This craftsmanship allows for almost any inlay idea to be actualized. If I can draw it in AutoCAD, they can inlay it. It's amazing to watch. The artistry is wonderful. (About the cat–it lives there. They found it with a broken tail; the tail healed but will forever be bent.)
Sample Kit
Welcome to the Signature Grace furnishings collection. Modern heirlooms boldly envisioned and carefully handcrafted to the most exacting standards. Timeless new classics worthy of your signature style. Furniture and rugs – pitch-perfect notes to enrich your home, your life.
My goal: to create unique designs that stand the test of time. Pieces that speak to you, move you, inspire you. Visually, yes, but also at a tactile, textural, emotional – even visceral level. Furnishings that soothe you, engage you – in moments shared with others, as well as in private moments, just for you.
Each piece is special. Each piece tells a story. Each piece is inspired by music.
Why music? We connect with music on such a deep, intuitive level. It's woven into the very fabric of our lives – evoking powerful emotions and memories. And for me, music has long been a source of creative inspiration. The process begins with an artist, a song, an instrument, a performance… Before I know it, I've turned the abstract into a three-dimensional form and a furnishing is born.
Each piece in this line is customizable, and can be reimagined and scaled to harmonize perfectly with its surroundings – from grand compositions to more intimate settings. The fine furniture pieces are handcrafted from mindfully harvested wood and wood veneers, finished with multi-layered applications. Sophisticated lasers cut intricate inlays in wood and metal, and many pieces can be finished in a wide array of wood tones, leafing, or luminous paints.
The luxurious rugs are made from fine wools, spun bamboo, and silk offered in hand-tufted, 60, 80, or 100 knot. Each rug can be sized to suit your needs and matched to your desired palette.
Samples of our wood species, stains, and finishes, our leather selection, and our main velvets are available for purchase. The purchase price of $250.00 includes standard shipping to your office and is deducted from your first order! Please email firstname.lastname@example.com to place your order.
Giving back
When you purchase an item in the Signature Grace line, a portion of profits is donated to one of four exceptional charities for children: Save the Music and The National Math and Science initiative (both of which foster holistic brain development across the arts and math and science); the National Coalition against Domestic Violence (because a safe home environment isn't a privilege, it's a right and a necessity for every child to thrive); and The Truth 365 (focused on ending childhood cancer).
Signature Grace by Paula Grace Designs can be seen at her showroom:
Atrium Interiors
Galleria Tysons Corner
McLean, VA 22102


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Availability: Out of stock
Web ID: 5132Metal: 14K Gold Three Tone Stone: Round Diamond 0.53 ctStyle: Heart16" Chain Included. Pendant Length: 1.75"
14K Tri Color Gold Diamond 3-Heart Pendant, .53 TCW
Style #: YCZC988DD2
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© 2015 EffyPowered by GemFind


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|Home | About | Journals | Submit | Contact Us | Français
Hypoxic heart disease is a predominant cause of disability and death worldwide. Since adult mammalian hearts are incapable of regeneration after hypoxia, attempts to modify this deficiency are critical. As demonstrated in zebrafish, recall of the embryonic developmental program may be the key to success. Because thymosin β4 (TB4) is beneficial for myocardial cell survival and essential for coronary development in embryos, we hypothesized that it reactivates the embryonic developmental program and initiates epicardial progenitor mobilization in adult mammals. We found that TB4 stimulates capillary-like tube formation of adult coronary endothelial cells and increases embryonic endothelial cell migration and proliferation in vitro. The increase of blood vessel/epicardial substance (Bves) expressing cells accompanied by elevated VEGF, Flk-1, TGF-β, FGFR-2, FGFR-4, FGF-17 and β-Catenin expression and increase of Tbx-18 and Wt-1 positive myocardial progenitors suggested organ-wide recall of the embryonic program in the adult epicardium. TB4 also positively regulated the expression and phosphorylation of myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (Marcks), a direct substrate and indicator of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in vitro and in vivo. PKC inhibition significantly reduced TB4 initiated epicardial thickening, capillary growth and the number of myocardial progenitors. Our results demonstrate that TB4 is the first known molecule capable of organ-wide activation of the embryonic coronary developmental program in the adult mammalian heart after systemic administration and that PKC plays a significant role in the process.
Defects in the coronary vascular system have significant impact on heart function and disease. Ischemic myocardial infarctions cause irreversible cell loss and scarring and are major source of morbidity and mortality in humans. A proper angiogenic response after infarction is critical for healing and repair.
A variety of stimuli can initiate the formation of new blood vessels in the heart, presumably through common downstream signaling cascades that trigger quiescent endothelial or other progenitor cells to form nascent tubular structures [1]. Although many of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of embryonic coronary development are well investigated, the molecular basis of angiogenesis in the embryo seems to differ from the pathological vessel regeneration in adults [2]. Blood vessels in the embryo form primarily through vasculogenesis, a differentiation of precursor cells (angioblasts) to endothelial cells that assemble into a vascular network. The critical cellular events include the formation of the primordium, the proepicardial organ and the epicardium, generation of the subepicardial space and mesenchymal cells and development and remodeling of the vascular plexus [3, 4]. New vessels in adults arise mainly through angiogenic sprouting, although vasculogenesis may also occur [2]. Many studies have attempted to reveal the molecular and cellular mechanisms that support cardiac regeneration in adult hearts and to identify progenitor cells capable of cardiac repair [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]. In zebrafish, epicardial cells invade the myocardium and create a vascular network likely to encourage cardiac regeneration in adults [12]. Thus, the injured adult zebrafish heart can recall signaling pathways essential during embryonic coronary development, and the ability to mobilize epicardial cells may be the primary reason they effectively regenerate myocardium. Since adult mammalian hearts typically show insufficient neovascularization after myocardial infarction, experimental attempts to modify this deficiency by directly utilizing epicardial cells or their progenitors could prove favorable for cardiac regeneration.
We previously demonstrated that thymosin β4 (TB4), a 43-amino-acid G-actin-sequestering peptide is expressed in the embryonic heart, stimulates cardiomyocyte migration in vitro and increases cardiac function while promoting the survival of cardiomyocytes in adult mice in vivo [13]. More recently, analysis of heart-specific TB4 knockdown mouse embryos revealed a critical role for the peptide in epicardial development and coronary artery formation [14]. However, the effects of TB4 on the adult epicardium and coronary growth in vivo have not been discussed.
Here we show that TB4 initiates capillary-like tube formation of adult coronary endothelial cells, induces endothelial cell migration and proliferation in embryonic cardiac explants in vitro and supports revascularization in vivo. Importantly, it induces an organ-wide epicardial thickening and progenitor cell activation in adults similar to the changes in developing embryos and in regenerating adult zebrafish, while initiating the expression of numerous pro-angiogenic developmental genes. TB4 initiated protein kinase C (PKC) activity revealed to be essential for the epicardial activation.
Thus, TB4 supports cardiac regeneration not only by inhibiting myocardial cell death after infarction, but also through induction of vessel growth, myocardial progenitor mobilization and by reactivating the embryonic developmental program in adult epicardium in vivo.
TB4 was synthesized by the Department of Biochemistry and by the Protein Chemistry Technology Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas, TX). Human coronary endothelial cells (HCEC) were purchased from PromoCell GmbH (Heidelberg, Germany). Rat tail collagen was purchased from Roche Diagnostics Corporation (Indianapolis, IN). Tissue culture reagents were purchased from Gibco/Invitrogen (Carlsbad, CA) and Promo Cell GmbH (Heidelberg, Germany). Primary antibodies for Western blot and immunohistochemistry were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, CA), Cell Signaling Technology Inc. (Danvers, MA) and Abnova Corporation (Taipei, Taiwan). TB4 primary antibody was a gift of H. Yin at UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas, TX) [15].
Myocardial infarctions were produced in C57BL/6J male mice at 16 weeks of age (25–30 g) by ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery as described [13, 16]. All animal protocols were reviewed and approved by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Institutional Animal Care Advisory Committee and were in compliance with the rules governing animal use as published by the NIH. Mice were sedated in an isoflurane chamber (5%) for 60 seconds until self-designed coaxial mask could be safely applied. The mask supplied continuous isoflurane (2.0%) and oxygen (98.0%) under positive pressure from a Harvard small animal respirator throughout the procedures. Immediately after ligation, half of the mice were injected intraperitoneally with 150μg of TB4 in 300 μl PBS and half with 300 μl PBS, as described [13]. The effective dose of synthesized TB4 was determined by in vitro cell migration assays (Supplemental Figure 2 k) and in vivo biodistribution of TB4 [13, 17]. For in vivo inhibition of PKC activity mice were treated systemically with 10μg of Bisindolylmaleinimide-I hydrochloride in 100 μl PBS (Chalbiochem, San Diego, CA) and with 150μg of TB4 in 300 μl PBS or 300 μl PBS in two boluses after myocardial infarction. We administered buprenorphine (0.05 mg/kg) for post-operative pain control. Hearts were removed 1, 3, or 14 days after ligation and processed for further investigations. Exposure time for immunohistological analysis was 3 sec.
RNA from the core and remote areas of four TB4 treated, and four PBS treated hearts were isolated 24 h after treatment using Trizol (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) reagent following the manufacturer's protocol. The quality and quantity of RNA were determined and processed with Mouse Affymetrix Genome 430 2.0 arrays at the Microarray Core Facility at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Four independent experimental and four control arrays were analyzed with GeneChip operating software (GCOS, Affymetrix), GeneSpring 7.0 (Silicon Genetics), significance analysis of microarrays (SAM, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA), and Spotfire Decision Site 8.2 (Spotfire). Computational hierarchical cluster analysis was performed with Spotfire and CLUSFAVOR 6.0 (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA). Analysis of variance was performed with Spotfire. The data were normalized by mean values (for Spotfire pair-wise comparisons and SAM two-class comparisons) or percentile values (for GeneSpring analyses). Gene expression changes were considered significant if the p value was less than 0.05, the fold change at least 1.5, and gene expression was altered in all replicate comparisons. Genes expressed at different levels in untreated controls were excluded from analysis, as they most likely represent experimental variation between samples.
Adult epicardial cells were isolated (Supplemental Methods) and directly cultured on Matrigel (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA) or immunostained and separated by FACS sorting (Supplemental Methods). Sorted cells were cultured on gelatin coated culture dishes for 0, 7 and 14 days in endothelial cell growth medium MW (PromoCell, Germany). Cultured cells were analyzed by immunocytochemistry.
Statistical calculations were performed using a standard t-test of variables with 95% confidence intervals.
We tested the effects of TB4 on cardiac endothelial cell migration by embryonic heart explant assays on rat tail collagen [18]. Since TB4 is expressed in endothelial and myocardial cells and is absent in cardiac mesenchyme (Supplemental Figure 1 and [13]) we used TB4 primary antibody to identify endothelial cells. Exogenously administered TB4 significantly increased embryonic endothelial cell migration (Figure 1 a, e) by facilitating the number of round actively moving cells in vitro (Figure 1 c arrowheads) (Supplemental Figure 1B). We did not detect increase in cellular death (data not shown). Phospho-histone H3 staining and immunocytochemistry after BrdU administration indicated that TB4 significantly affects endothelial cell proliferation. (Figure 1 f-k). An explanation for increased proliferation could be the activation or up-regulation of β-Catenin expression [19, 20] by TB4 in vitro (Supplemental Figure 1C).
Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) form capillary structures when plated on matrigel [21, 22]. To analyze the effect of TB4 on cardiac vessel formation we checked whether adult human coronary endothelial cells (HCEC) behave similarly to HUVECs and if TB4 may alter the process in vitro. Our results indicated that HCECs are capable of capillary structure formation when cultured on matrigel and that TB4 expedites this process when compared to PBS treated controls (Figure 1 l-t).
Because of our in vitro observations on cardiac and vessel endothelial cells, we assessed the effect of TB4 on coronary vascular growth in adult mice after hypoxia. We created cardiac infarctions by ligating the LAD coronary artery in adult mice followed by immediate systemic TB4 or PBS administration. Simultaneous staining with platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (Pecam-1) and smooth muscle α-actin (sm α-actin) specific primary antibodies revealed significant increase in capillary density three days after TB4 injection at the infarction border zone and non infarcted remote areas of the hearts (Figure 2).
Coronary vessels are believed to originate from the epicardium during development. Recent work from Lepilina et al. [12] demonstrated that an elaborate sequence of organ-wide and local responses by epicardial cells increases cardiac regeneration and revascularization in adult zebrafish. The changes of the epicardium in adult fish are similar to the alterations in developing embryos. Mammalian hearts however are incapable of such neovascularization or general regeneration after cardiac injury. Thus, experimental attempts to activate the embryonic coronary developmental program in mammals could enhance cardiac regeneration. To determine if TB4 may stimulate an epicardial response, we analyzed the changes in blood vessel/epicardial substance (Bves) expression 24 and 72 hours after systemic TB4 administration. Bves is widely expressed in the developing coronary vascular system [23, 24] and is also used as one of the markers of epicardial cells or cells of epicardial origin in adult and embryonic tissues. In our experiments, we observed elevated Bves expression 24 hours after TB4 treatment, and an increase in Bves positive cells with general organ-wide thickening of the adult epicardium 72 hours after peptide administration in the non-infarcted remote regions of the hearts (Figure 3). We found that most of the adult epicardial cells also express sm α-actin (Figure 2 c, d) (Supplemental Figure 2 a-h) and that the number of sm α-actin positive cells significantly increases proximal to the thickened epicardium after TB4 treatment (Supplemental Figure 2 i, j), indicating direct connection between the thickened epicardium and new capillary outgrowths.
Our in vivo results suggested that TB4 might activate the adult epicardium and initiate vessel growth. To support this hypothesis we investigated the expression of proteins essential during coronary development in embryos by Western blot and by immunohistochemistry 24 and 72 hours after systemic TB4 injection (Figure 4, Supplemental Figure 3). Our data indicate that TB4 affects developmental gene expression as early as 24 hours after systemic injection (Figure 4 A) while alterations in epicardial morphology were first observed three days after the initial peptide treatment (Figure 4 B). We detected significant increase in VEGF, VEGF receptor-2 (Flk-1) and TGF-β expressions and moderate elevation in FGF-17, FGF receptor-2 (FGFR-2) and FGFR-4 levels by Western blot after 24 hours of treatment. Immunohistochemistry after 3 days of TB4 injection indicated that these changes are primarily manifested in the thickened epicardium (Figure 4B). The alterations in gene expression were consistent with the findings in regenerating adult zebrafish hearts [12]. Since FGF and WNT signaling pathways can function jointly to sustain mesenchymal growth or to coordinate epithelial morphogenesis during development [25, 26], and epicardium-derived progenitor cells also require β-Catenin for coronary artery formation [27], we asked whether TB4 may also alter β-Catenin expression in vivo. Our findings revealed an increase in β-Catenin expression in the thickened epicardium and in developing vasculature of the adult mouse hearts, which may indicate a role for β-Catenin and a regulatory convergence for FGF and WNT signaling in the epicardial initiation process.
In our previous work, we showed that TB4 significantly reduces scar volume by inhibiting myocardial cell death 24 hours after infarction [13]. Because of recent studies suggesting that the epicardium serves as a source of cardiomyocytes in the embryo [9, 10] we asked whether TB4 could also initiate long term post ischemic muscle regeneration by myocardial progenitor activation in adult mouse hearts. We found that TB4 raises the expression of Tbx-18 and Wt-1 in the non infarcted remote areas after 24 hours (Figure 4 A) and significantly increases the number of Tbx-18 and Wt-1 positive cells after three days (Figure 4 B), (Supplemental Figure 3 B). Tbx-18 positive cells were distributed equally in the epicardium and myocardium, while Wt-1 positive cells were primarily located in the subepicardial space (Figure 4 B white arrowheads), suggesting that Wt-1 and Tbx-18 may mark different progenitor populations in the activated epicardium. Finally, the analysis of additional known regenerative proteins revealed that TB4 significantly increases Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) expression while p38 expression and p38 and JNK activation were significantly reduced. We detected minor alterations in extracellular signal regulated kinase1/2 (Erk1/2) activation, inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) levels in the non infarcted cardiac tissue in the first 24 hours of treatment (Supplemental Figure 3 A). These observations strongly suggest an early molecular support for new vessel formation and myocardial regeneration by initiation of the embryonic epicardial developmental program and by activation of myocardial progenitors in adult mouse hearts after TB4 injection in vivo.
To further identify molecules that respond to TB4 and are expressed in the adult epicardium, we analyzed adult mouse hearts with Mouse Genome 430 2.0 Affymetrix cDNA microarrays 24 h after cardiac infarction (Supplemental Figure 4). While focusing on genes significant in angiogenesis, myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (Marcks) was up-regulated 2.8-fold after TB4 administration (Figure 5 a). These results were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR (Figure 5 i). Marcks is a prominent intracellular substrate for PKC, a regulator of angiogenesis [28], and is distributed in numerous cell types, including vascular endothelial cells [29]. It mediates PKC signaling through its phosphorylation [30], resulting in a release of Marcks from the cell membrane to the cytosol. These responses are commonly used to indicate PKC activity in vitro [31].
To determine if TB4 affects PKC activation in cell culture, we investigated Marcks phosphorylation and localization in adult HCECs by Western blot and immunocytochemistry after TB4 treatment. Our results indicate that external administration of TB4 increases Marcks expression, phosphorylation and translocation from the cell membrane to the cytosol suggesting that TB4 modulates PKC activity (Figure 5 b, c, h). PKC lies on the signal transduction pathways by which VEGF augments development and angiogenesis during initial and later stages of vessel development [1]. Since VEGF expression was significantly increased after TB4 treatment (Figure 4) and PKC is known to activate Akt by Ser473 phosphorylation [1, 32], we speculate that VEGF mediated PKC activation represents an ILK-independent means of Akt activation by TB4 in cardiac cells.
To confirm our in vitro results, we examined the effect of TB4 on Marcks expression and phosphorylation after cardiac ligation in adult mice. As shown by Western blot (Figure 5 j) and immunohistochemistry, the expression (Figure 5 d, e, j) and phosphorylation (Figure 5 f, g, j) of Marcks increased, especially in the thickened epicardium, indicating a role for PKC in epicardial activation and coronary re-growth in adults after TB4 treatment in vivo. Additionally, analysis of Bves, TB4, VEGF and p-Marcks expression showed an increase and co-localization of Bves, TB4 and VEGF in the upper layer of the thickened epicardium (Supplemental Figure 5 A a, e, white arrowheads) after TB4 treatment, while p-Marcks-positive cells were mainly found in the subepicardium (Supplemental Figure 5 A c, g, white arrowheads). This is consistent with an indirect activation of PKC by TB4, possibly through increasing VEGF expression in the primary epicardial cells.
Recent results suggest that the epicardium is highly heterogenous and serves as a source of various progenitors in the embryonic heart [9, 10]. Consistent with these observations, immunohistochemistry on adult hearts showed several p-Marcks positive cells lacking VEGF while expressing Bves in wild type or in TB4 activated adult epicardium (Supplemental Figure 5 A g, l white arrowheads, c, j). Because of these findings, we asked whether p-Marcks positive cells might represent a distinct epicardial cell population of the adult heart. First, we cultured non-separated or FACS sorted p-Marcks positive and p-Marcks negative adult mouse epicardial cells (Supplemental Figure 5 C) on matrigel or gelatin coated dishes. Our data revealed that purified p-Marcks positive epicardial cells are small, have narrow cytoplasm and express both smooth muscle and/or endothelial markers in cell culture (Figure 6 a-c), while p-Marcks negative epicardial cells differentiate into large sm α-actin positive and Cytokeratin negative lineages (Supplemental Figure 5 C b, c). Consistent with our in vitro results, co-immunostaining with p-Marcks, sm α-actin, Cytokeratin and Pecam-1 antibodies indicated an overlap of smooth muscle and early and late endothelial markers in the newly developing capillaries (Figure 6 d-i white arrowheads) and in the endothelial and smooth muscle layers of the mature vessel wall (Figure 6 j-l). Similar to p-Marcks and VEGF expression, the adult epicardium contained a mixed population of p-Marcks, sm α-actin and Cytokeratin positive cells but did not stain for the late endothelial marker Pecam-1 (Figure 6 h, i). Also, external administration of TB4 to non-separated adult epicardial cultures resulted in a large number of p-Marcks and Cytokeratin specific endothelial colonies when compared to PBS treated controls (Supplemental Figure 5 B white arrowheads). Thus, our in vitro and in vivo results suggest that p-Marcks positive epicardial cells may be a source for smooth muscle and endothelial cells of the newly developing vessels in the injured adult heart.
To define whether PKC activity may be regulatory for TB4 induced epicardial progenitor activation, we tested the effect of Bisindolylmaleimide-I (PKC inhibitor) on HCECs and adult epicardial cells in vitro, and injected 10μg of PKC inhibitor intraperitoneally with or without TB4 into infarcted adult mice. Animals were harvested and hearts were processed for further analysis three days after injection. Our in vitro experiments indicated that PKC inhibition alters HCEC capillary structure formation (Figure 7 A a-d; Supplemental Figure 6 k) and inhibits epicardial cell differentiation (Figure 7 A i-l) on matrigel. The newly formed structures contained irregular sm α-actin positive cells and showed disordered morphology (Figure 7 A e-h). In live animals immunohistochemistry with Bves (Supplemental Figure 6 a-d), VEGF (Supplemental Figure 6 e-h) or p-Marcks (Figure 7 e-h) specific primary antibodies showed reduction of epicardial thickening. We also observed a significant decrease in capillaries and sm α-actin positive cells at the non infarcted remote areas (Figure 7 B a-d, i, j) or borders of the infarction (Supplemental Figure 6 i, j) after Bisindolylmaleimide-I injection. This suggests reduction of coronary outgrowths from the epicardium in the TB4+PKC inhibitor treated infarcted hearts. In addition, Bisindolylmaleimide-I significantly suppressed the number of TB4 activated Tbx-18 and Wt-1 positive progenitor cells in the non infarcted remote areas of the hearts (Figure 7 k, l). Our results suggest that TB4 mediated direct or indirect PKC activation is essential for epicardial cell transformation and migration in the adult mouse heart in vivo (Supplemental Figure 6 l, m).
This study shows that TB4 increases or activates proteins and epicardial progenitors important for myocardial regeneration or vascular growth and initiates organ-wide activation of the adult epicardium reminiscent of embryonic coronary development by re-stimulation of signaling pathways essential during embryogenesis. It reveals a novel role for PKC in this process. Additionally, it presents some evidence that p-Marcks positive epicardial cells may serve as endothelial and smooth muscle progenitors for future capillaries in the adult mammalian heart.
Despite the high specificity of the signaling systems triggering angiogenic responses in epicardial endothelial cells, there are no specific signaling pathways or transcription factors known that regulate the entire process [1]. Given the roles of Pecam-1, VEGF, MAP kinases, ILK, Akt, FGFs, NOSes, β-Catenin, and PKC in vessel formation, our findings suggest that TB4 may initiate broad angiogenic events that promote cardiac regeneration after cardiac injury in adults. This is consistent with the recent observations that TB4 regulates epicardial development in embryonic mice [14].
Our findings also suggest that TB4 augments cardiac regeneration and increases cardiac function in the adult hypoxic heart through at least two steps. First, it inhibits myocardial cell death 24 h after cardiac ligation as previously described [13]. Second, TB4 can initiate signaling pathways responsible for late-phase or chronic regeneration, such as vascular re-growth or progenitor cell activation. This process may be initiated by organ-wide epicardial thickening and activation of endothelial-mesenchymal transformation of adult epicardial cells, is most likely regulated by PKC, and is first visible 3 days after TB4 administration. Since TB4 is well conserved during evolution, it might be one of the factors responsible for epicardial activation during cardiac regeneration in zebrafish [12].
Coronary vessel growth is independent of cells outside the heart once the epicardium is formed [33]. Thus the potential for TB4 to activate dormant cardiac stem cells that exist in the adult mammalian heart is critical for cardiac regeneration. Furthermore, since TB4 also inhibits inflammation [11, 34, 35], this property may be also supportive during cardiac regeneration in adults.
The concept of developing novel therapies that recapitulate embryonic events to achieve coupled myocardial and vascular regeneration is expanding [36]. Recall of the embryonic developmental program in the adult heart may be the key to success. Our findings reveal the cellular and molecular changes initiated by TB4 during adult coronary remodeling in vivo. TB4 is the first molecule capable of initiating the embryonic coronary developmental program in adult mammalian hearts by systemic administration while protecting the myocardium after infarction. Since the discovery of innovative ways to enhance cardiac regeneration will be important for future therapies, the continued investigation of molecular signals initiated by TB4 could be critical.
Authors wish to thank H. Ball and LJ. Burdine for providing TB4 peptide, HR. Garner for financial support to perform microarrays, A. Mobely for FACS separation of progenitor cells and C. Nolen for animal work. We are grateful to JE. Marquette for helping with visual graphics and manuscript review.
Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
PubMed Central Canada is a service of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) working in partnership with the National Research Council's national science library in cooperation with the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the U.S. National Library of Medicine(NCBI/NLM). It includes content provided to the PubMed Central International archive by participating publishers.


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Vegan Cuts has released the first box spoilers for the Vegan Cuts July 2015 Beauty Box. Each Vegan Cuts Beauty Box features 4-7 new cruelty-free beauty products to try, ranging from unique cosmetics to luxurious skincare. The July Vegan Cuts Beauty Box includes:
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NWT~COACH Op Art Coated Canvas Leah~Multicolor~13142
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NWT~COACH Op Art Coated Canvas Leah~Multicolor~13142
NWT~ Coach Op Art Coated Canvas Leah~13142~$298+taxThe bag pictured is the bag you will receive. Beautiful, fun bag for spring/summer. Mother's Day and Graduation are right around the corner~great gift. Features signature multicolor (pink,orange, and yellow) op art pattern on the coated canvas fabric, vachetta leather handles and trim, nickle hardware, coral/orange fabric lining, one interior zip pocket, two open interior pockets, one large open pocket on back of bag with a magnetic closure, one flap pocket on front with a turnlock closure, two 19" handles and a detatchable 37" strap to wear over shoulder or crossbody. Measurements are approx 10 1/4"L(bottom of bag) 16"L(top of bag) x 10 3/4"H x 5 1'4"W. This is a pretty big bag, very roomy. PayPal auction only with a confirmed address, payment due within 2 days of auction end. Immediate payment required for all Buy It Now purchases. Shipping is free including delivery confirmation & insurance, item will be shipped USPS priority mail, items mailed as soon as payment is cleared, sometimes same day if time. No international shipping. I am not affiliatied with coach just love their products. Please make sure of measurements, colors etc before bidding so you ... read more


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So here it is, January 12th... The 12th day of January. The 12th day of the new year. On day 10 or 11, I had broken my resolution already. My resolution was to NOT make any resolutions this year. I never keep them anyway. Why build myself up for disappointment this year?
Well, I decided the other day that I was going to ditch that resolution, and make a new one. It was a good one too. It was one that didn't really seem to be too hard to keep -right? My resolution was to get my crap together... I didn't actually use the word crap. I actually resolved to get my $**t together.
Well, as I've already stated, today is day 12. I'm no closer to getting my STUFF together than I was 30 days ago. I have no more inspiration to get my STUFF together than I did 30 days ago. I look at it/think about it, and flop back down on the couch again. I'm just SO LAZY anymore.
I have no desire to do ANYTHING. Some days it's a challenge for me to brush my teeth during the course of the day. Don't get me wrong, I DO get it done, but my 3 year old has more excitement in brushing her teeth than do I....
And then I start thing about all the crap that I have to do like meetings, orders, inventory, new stock, letters, advertising, meetings. Don't even get me started on basic household chores like laundry, cleaning or dishes. Yup. You'll find me back on the couch. (Actually, you'll find me on the computer.)
Apparently, I've just been out of the workplace for too long. I don't know how to just tackle an obstacle anymore. I don't know how to just muddle through it -as much as I don't want to muddle through it, until it's done. I have no pressure to get it done, so it just doesn't get done.
Actually, I do have pressure to get it done. Better wording would have been, I don't have a boss with a pink slip in hand breathing down my back waiting for me to get it done. Now the pressure to get it done is the seemingly ever growing piles of dishes, laundry or toys. It's the meetings that grow closer and closer, for which I still have to do my leg work. It's the customers looking for new items. It's the orders that are waiting to be mailed out.
I just don't have the desire, the motivation, the.... whatever to do it. You wouldn't think that it would be that hard to finally put away the Christmas presents, would you? At least it's still less than a week past the Epiphany. I give myself until tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. Maybe tomorrow, lucky 13, will be the day that I finally get all "my crap" together.
But how many New Year's Resolutions are really kept anyway? I should have just stuck with the resolution to not make any resolutions.... There would have been no dissapointments in that....
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Posted by Bloggie McBlogger at 5:16 PM
1 comment:
- Coffee Please!?! said...
I am so getting you the book I am reading. Good thing your birthday is on its way! <3
- January 20, 2010 at 10:25 AM
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Napa Valley – The Wine Wonderland
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Something new is always happening in the Napa Valley. With wonderful wines, top-notch cuisine, and picturesque scenery, fulfill your greatest wine dreams in this vibrant wonderland. We have found the top-rated destinations in this popular, must-visit valley. Relax with ease knowing these picks will go above and beyond to satisfy your palate and give you […]
One Last Wine Country Memory for 2016
By Ken & Theresa On December 10, 2016 · Leave a Comment
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As 2016 comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the year and the memories created. But that doesn't mean there aren't more memories to be made! Before you close the book on 2016, let this list be your inspiration to create one last wine country memory—one to last a lifetime! Or just an […]
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Defining the Problem & Opportunity: Applying Design Thinking Principles to Social Entrepreneurship
Using Human-Centered Design Thinking for Social Enterprise Solutions to Poverty
C. Sara Minard, PhD.
Basic Principles of Design Thinking
Breaking down
myths about problems and people, and imagining solutions that work in different contexts, for different ends, with humans at center
Believing in
the inherent capacity and creativity of all people to design solutions to their own problems
Learning to
do the simple and the obvious. Integrative thinking.
and testing
frameworks for interpreting real needs and desires of users and turning latent assets into resources.
Empathy is rooted in Context
Participatory Observation Research
Introductions and Video "On Fire"
First steps: Observation & Empathy
Empathy Mapping: Checking Assumptions
Defining problems, finding questions
Moving from Inspiration to Ideation
Power of Inquiry:
How Might We?
Grameen Case: Human-centered models
Applied in practice
Synthesis and Discussion
Knowing User Context
informed by experience, and
, seeing what's in plain sight, then collecting and synthesizing data, and being willing to try (and fail).
Through the multiple human-centered design thinking lenses
By developing deep empathy for your target user as customer...
Working iteratively based on what already exists to prototype or improve a product or service
Leveraging curiosity for new forms of participation throughout the process
From Observation to Problem Framing
Think of people as users of design with basic needs
Go off the beaten path
Start where you are (spaces)
Local staff are everything; use social networks
Ask questions, and more questions
Threshold mapping, tipping points
Draft "choice architecture" where capabilities of users and design potential for future use overlaps
Design thinking in research helps us understand the boundaries of normal user behaviors and check our assumptions. To do this, we need to understand the contexts in which things will be used and the range of likely conditions that will change the context in some way.
Empathy in the field
Empathy starts with first being open to experience and learning about yourself
Connect emotionally with the people you are designing for/with, in order to best understand the problems and realities of their lives and their hopes/dreams -- this requires MORAL IMAGINATION.
Develop an empathy map
From empathy maps, we develop lenses to frame a problem as an opportunity.
People should accept any product that satisfies their basic needs
Poor people can't afford good design
If it's affordable, who cares what it looks like?
If it works, who cares what its made from?
Designers are trained architects or tech nerds who chose form over function and wear black turtle necks and cool glasses
Design Thinking for Social Enterprise is...
visual representation
of a system
that illustrates the key business elements and relationships in the social enterprise
A map or
model of the idea
, within the larger ecosystem (policy)
Storytelling and drawing
so everyone's ideas on value creation opportunities can be seen and heard, discussed and eventually incorporated
What you want to say
and how you want to draw it--who? how much/many? where? when? why is it important?
Re-drawn framework (
several times) until the team feels it represents what it wants to say in a robust way.
Note -- not all challenges require design thinking
Common Myths
(8 min video)
Synthesis, Evaluating and Prototyping
Exploring the commonalities, differences, and relationships between the information you have gathered, in order to find meaning.
Meaning, in HCD, is derived from linking quotes from interviews, observations and insights to find themes from patterns.
Regroup this data under new titles and move to identify market opportunities.
Goal is to "
optimize the surface area
" (Chipchase) with both the breadth and depth, pressure, layers and texture [of the social market ecosystem].
Move from observing to creating to implementing
without reflecting on the business case can lead to mission creep, or worse, business failure.
When in doubt, go back to the empathy map.
What you know (and don't know) about your customers is what they tell you.
Never Stop Listening or Learning.
Practice Idea Precision
Evaluating Outcomes Based on the User Benefits and Choices
Case: http://www.dlightdesign.com/impact-dashboard/customer-benefits/
Engage as many of your stakeholders as possible in designing your strategic implementation plan.
Work to define what "success" and "impact" look like from these multiple user perspectives.
Develop an implementation and evaluation plan that includes a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods
Always [market] test your design solution in the field
Map out the distribution channels
Map out the capabilities required, knowing those of your immediate team and your partners will determine feasibility of implementation
Past success is no guarantee of future results; local context and participation counts
Competition-Collaboration Analysis: which partners are better positioned than we are for these (X) steps?
Storytelling and Learning
User-centered visual narratives transform audiences and build trust and brand value.
HCD focus is on empathy of the user and the behavioral complexity of the problem. Visual evidence will prove the potential for success among the local community ("seeing is believing for farmers" )
For funders, info-graphics linked to mission, vision and values will resonate
Theory to Practice:
"Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation"
(Woolcock and Andrews)
1. Common belief in complexity with the humility that 'getting it right' doesn't happen the first time.
2. Includes multidisciplinary research (ideas) into relevant human and institutional factors.
3. Venture approach: the first iteration of "what the problem actually is" sometimes results in a change of project objectives or scope.
4. Feedback from the given 'system' is collected continuously in multiple forms, and used to constantly iterate the outputs in response.
Applied to Social Enterprise Models
What's the
right price point
given the costs to produce?
Is there a
value creating role
for Public Subsidy, Venture Philanthropy, Community Investment, Crowd-funding?
Design thinking helps us to ask deeper, better questions that expand the boundaries of what the market (re)search tells us.
Drills down to the essence of
what matters to people
(and planet) by welcoming life has uncertainties, and where someone else can contribute ideas, at every step of process, and learn from failure.
Empathy Map
From Ideation to Prototyping
Building off of your empathy map, talk out the process of bringing your idea to your target user. What can you say so far about the user?
When are clear structures or relationships between things?
DRAW what people are saying.
Leave time to re-draw until it really represents what you want to say.
'Mind the Gaps':
Critical Notes on Design Thinking
Great concepts and great vision are not enough to make and deliver an effective solution (product or service).
Many social enterprises and NGOs are extremely resource-constrained and are unable to follow through on overly conceptual designs.
Design thinkers must recognize the challenges around implementation in complex, changing systems, and deliver comprehensive prototypes with clear implementation plans, not test on communities with little choice.
Participation is tyranny when you force people to participate in someone else's reality
(Robert Chambers). Design thinking is participatory, and requires self-awareness and cultural humility.
Main Elements
Archive: Existing records/lists, historical tracking
Mechanical measurements
Case research / Process tracing
Structured/Semi-structured participant observation
Focus groups, workshops
Diaries, journals, self-reported checklists
is key to the successful (i.e., sustainable scalable) design of social innovations
Qualitative methods (observation) allows for in-depth analysis of local context and history. This helps predict risk and opens up creative possibilities for imagined futures (
Feedback loops (
) ensure accountability and learning. If iteration is well-documented, it can improve the ability for effective monitoring and evaluation of the (
) process.
Emphasizes importance of DISCOVERY in advance of solution generation using market research
Works to EXPANDS THE BOUNDARIES of both problem definition and our solutions
Emphasizes ENGAGING PARTNERS in co-creation
Committed to REAL WORLD EXPERIMENTS rather than running analysis using historical data
Puts the HUMAN in the designer seat
Focal Problem
Physical conditions
Human behaviors
Policies, institutions, power dynamics, attitudes
Problem Tree: Building Blocks
"A word of caution: There is an unfortunate tendency to use phrases such as 'lack of education or knowledge' for causes. Stating problems as a lack of something presupposes the solutions. A problem is not the absence of a solution but an existing negative state: 'Crops are infested with pests' is a problem; 'No pesticides are available' is not." – CARE Handbook
Problem Tree: Language
"Flipside" of the problem tree, with negative statements reworded into positive statements. This tree describes their vision for the future
Working from the bottom upwards, the problem tree's cause-effect relationships become means-end relationships in the objective tree.
Problems: 'If cause is A, then the effect is B'
Objectives: 'We must do X in order to achieve Y'
If this logic does not work, REWORD!
Objectives Trees
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k0qMBPeYHE (Starts 2:06 to 4:30)
What's the problem here?
Qualitative method
Focuses on context
Integrated, systems approach
"Causal Analysis is a systematic process to determine causes and consequences of a problem and to link them based on cause and effect relationships" - CARE
What is causal analysis?
What do you know about the world of the "user"?
How does their world make you feel or motivate you to act?
What other points of view are necessary to round out your own point of view of them (checking your assumptions)?
What myriad of solutions do you need/want to test?
How do we observe?
Benefits of Design Thinking for
Effective Development Practice
"Design has its greatest impact when it's taken out of the hands of designers and put in the hands of everyone....In these times of change we need new choices because our existing solutions have become obsolete."
-Tim Brown
How Might We?
Inquiry. The First Step in Design Thinking:
What is the question that we
want to ask, or should be asking?
framed as...
Imagine a sustainable [market] system
Why has Design Thinking become central to
Development Practice & Social Entrepreneurship?
• Growing interest in entrepreneurship & market-based approaches in which organizations are increasingly targeting users as consumers not beneficiaries (ex. Proximity Design)
• Low engagement with and adoption of new interventions in critical communities due to a failure to understand target users and their context (ex. CGAP)
• Multiple solutions targeting the same markets and user groups such as smallholder farmers, community health workers, and adolescent girls, without integrative strategies for providers or end-users. (ex MDGHA Community Health Worker +)
• New communication and collaboration technologies that allow organizations to source creative ideas more easily and rapidly and collaborate with diverse communities. (ex. OpenIDEO)
Complex, Structural and Political
Process of structural societal transformation and change
Achieving human capabilities to choose a life they have reason to value
Economic prosperity and social justice
Institutional adaptation to meet the needs of society while not compromising future generation (sustainability)
How does it apply to Development Practice?
'Development' is a concept which is contested both theoretically and politically, and is inherently both complex and ambiguous ... ... Recently [it] has taken on the limited
meaning of the practice of development agencies, especially in aiming at reducing poverty and the Millennium Development Goals. (Thomas, 2004: 1, 2; adapted from Sumner, 2007)
- Is "development" a goal?
- Are choice and development in
perpetual conflict?
- Can development be both
individual and collective?
- What makes a society "developed"?
("Hidden in Plain Sight" by Jan Chipchase, 2010)
"Might" invites creativity and
yes,and thinking (vs. no, but...) to idea generation and problem solving
Framing the Problem & Opportunity
Mini-Case Grameen Bank
Video 1 (Problem/History, 3:16):
Video 2 (Grameen model, 5:30):
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Design Thinking: Getting Started
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Sara Minardon 3 September 2016
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written by Houke de Kwant on June 11, 2010
A set of well designed art cards by K-Bo (Kevin Bolk).
Houke de Kwant is a 27 year old communication & multimedia design graduate from the Netherlands and the creator of TheArtHunters (former Daily Inspiration, which was started as part of his study). He is currently working as a front-end developer at Ivaldi, an internet agency in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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To Bee or Not To BeePosted in Uncategorized on February 27th, 2009 by jerry
I'm opening APIS, or The Taste to Honey, on March 13. I have taken the world of the honeybee and fused it with that of a military prison. APIS is a movement piece - dare I say "mime?"
I have returned to my roots - movement theatre. For many years, I worked only in mask theatre - silent work with no facial expression. After I stepped out from behind the mask, I was starved for words. I talked incessantly on the stage. I wrote plays with words, words, and words. I directed plays with words, words, and words.
A few months ago an old hunger returned - I was starved for silence again. At least silence from words.
In the seventies and eighties, there was an onslaught of mime theatre in the United States. Many artists and groups became clones of Marcel Marceau. However, there were many others that offered a wide variety of visions. Some favorites of mine included Mime Omnibus and Theatre Beyond Words - both Canadian.
Imago was born within but not from that onslaught. Like most of the other mime companies, the company transformed. Imago migrated away from mime. Movement became a driving force for all aspects of theatre.
Mime still leaves a bad taste in most people's minds. An image of Dustin Hoffman (I think that's who it was) pushing a white face mime off an imaginary wall in some movie. Yes we all came to hate mimes. Who wouldn't? It was a bad plague.
It may be time to leave the bad taste behind. Mime is a wonderful and vast realm of theatre. Perhaps it will return in a new state. One that is not pushed off an imaginary wall.


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Phil Plait is blogger and astronomer called the Bad Astronomer. He explains the special star which might have a Dyson Swarm.
A Jupiter size planet has blocks 1% of a Stars light, but this has some dips of 15% and 22% and hundreds of other non periodic smaller dips.
KIC 8462852 is a star somewhat more massive, hotter, and brighter than the Sun.
It is 1480 light-years away. The Kepler data for the star are pretty bizarre: There are dips in the light, but they aren't periodic. They can be very deep; one dropped the amount of starlight by 15 percent, and another by a whopping 22 percent.
Straight away, we know we're not dealing with a planet. Even a Jupiter-sized planet only blocks roughly 1 percent of this kind of star's light, and that's about as big as a planet gets. It can't be due to a star, either; we'd see it if it were. And the lack of a regular, repeating signal belies both of these as well. Whatever is blocking the star is big, though, up to half the width of the star itself.
There are lots of these dips in the star's light. Hundreds. And they don't seem to be periodic at all. They have odd shapes to them, too. A planet blocking a star's light will have a generally symmetric dip; the light fades a little, remains steady at that level, then goes back up later. The dip at 800 days in the KIC 8462852 data doesn't do that; it drops slowly, then rises more rapidly. Another one at 1,500 days has a series of blips up and down inside the main dips. There's also an apparent change in brightness that seems to go up and down roughly every 20 days for weeks, then disappears completely. It's likely just random transits, but still. It's bizarre.
Comets are a good guess, but it's hard to imagine a scenario where they could completely block 22 percent of the light from a star; that's a huge amount. Really huge.
What is a Dyson Swarm ?
A Dyson Swarm has the function of a Dyson sphere to collect most solar energy, but a Dyson swarm can be built with reasonably near term materials and technology while a Dyson Sphere needs materials beyond carbon nanotubes.
A "Dyson swarm" consists of a large number of independent constructs (usually solar power satellites and space habitats) orbiting in a dense formation around the star. This construction approach has advantages: components could be sized appropriately, and it can be constructed incrementally. Various forms of wireless energy transfer could be used to transfer energy between components and Earth. It is the most technically feasible method of gathering most of the power from a star.
Three astronomers want to point a radio dish at the star to look for wavelengths associated with technological civilisations. And the first observations could be ready to take place as early as January, with follow-up observations potentially coming even quicker.


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A RAPIDLY improving primary school has been rated good by inspectors.
Browney Academy, near Meadowfield, was given the rating following an Ofsted inspection in February.
Headteacher Catherine Harris said: "We are so incredibly pleased to receive an inspection report that confirms what we all knew here at Browney Academy – that this is a wonderful small school.
Loading article content
"In recent years, staff have worked extremely hard to raise standards and outcomes for our children."
The school has recently installed a new woodland village playground to help children develop their outdoor learning.
Inspectors praised the school's leadership, improvements to the building and playground, early years provision and said teaching had improved substantially since becoming an academy.
The report says: "The headteacher and executive headteacher have worked together exceptionally effectively to transform the school into a vibrant and successful establishment in a short period of time."


text: Yukon--Klondike River Valley. Travel Zambia. 1893-1902 Ndebele Revolt (Zimbabwe : 1896) Zimbabwe. Great Britain. Army. cau Africa Gold mines and mining 2017-10-21 Klondike River Valley (Yukon) Ndebele War (Zimbabwe : 1893) Van Wyk Peter Peter Van Wyk 1929 Burnham Frederick Russell Frederick Russell Burnham 1861 1947 Burnham Frederick Russell Frederick Russell Burnham 1861 1947 Zimbabwe Zimbabwe. Africa. Great Britain. Army. South African War, 1899-1902 South Africa. South African War (1899-1902) Zambia. en Unknown 'gen' value: arc 122645295 Photocopies of correspondence and writings, and printed matter, relating to Frederick Russell Burnham, American explorer and British army chief of scouts in the Matabele and Boer Wars. Used as research material for the book by Peter van Wyk, Burnham: King of Scouts, Baden-Powell's Secret Mentor (Victoria, B.C., 2003). Includes notes for and drafts of the book. Peter van Wyk collection, 122645295 History South Africa.


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Recalling that the Pool of Bethesda was one of the locations where Jesus performed a miracle of healing, our ministry strives to heal those in the LGBTQI community who have been hurt by the church as well as those who through hardness of heart oppose the full inclusion of LGBTQI members in the body of Christ. Water also provides a very strong metaphor and reminds us to honor our Baptismal Covenant of upholding the dignity of every human being.
Mission Statement
To bear witness of the love of God in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania by ministering to the needs within our parishes to demonstrate God's love for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.
Upcoming Event
Please visit our Pool of Bethesda table at the 25th Pride Festival of Central PA
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, PA
Admission Fee $10
Children 12 and under are Free
For more information, click here.
Kevin Barron
Father Clifford Johnston
Mother Lauri Kerr
Print Resources:
Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us by Kate Bornstein
Microagressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation by Derald Wing Sue
Defrocked: How A Father's Act of Love Shook the United Methodist Church by Franklyn Schaefer
Bisexuality: Making the Invisible Visible in Faith Communities by Marie Alford-Harkey
God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines
The Church and the Homosexual by John J. McNeill
Hounded by God, A Gay Man's Journey to Self-Acceptance, Love, and Relationship by Joseph Gentilini
Radical Love, An Introduction to Queer Theology by Patrick S. Cheng
Rainbow Theology by Patrick S. Cheng
Social Media Resources:
Youtube Video – Aren't we designed for heterosexuality?
Youtube Video – Integrity Celebrates 36 Years of Mission and Ministry
Youtube Video – Walking in the shoes of the other
YouTube Video - Homosexuality & The Bible 1: God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It - John Corvino
YouTube Video - Open and Affirming
Web Resources:


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Scarlett Pomers
Jump to
Scarlett Pomers got her start in the world of acting at the ripe age of three. Pomers started off her acting career in various television sitcoms, including "Step by Step" (CBS, 1991-98), "Hang Time" (NBC, 1995-2001) and "The Jeff Foxworthy Show" (1995-97). During the early stages of her acting career, Pomers worked in films like the dramatic adaptation "The Baby-Sitter's Club" (1995) with Schuyler Fisk. Several more television roles followed in the nineties, including stints on "That's Life" (1997-2002), "7 Days" (UPN, 1998-2001) and "Martial Law" (CBS, 1998-2000). She also appeared in "Providence" (NBC, 1998-2003). She also had roles in film during these years, including roles in the comedic adventure "Slappy and the Stinkers" (1998) with B.D. Wong. She also lent her voice to "Baby Geniuses" (1999) with Kathleen Turner. Pomers's music was most recently used in the Amy Smart drama "Love N' Dancing" (2009). She also was featured in the TV movies "Geppetto" (ABC, 1999-2000) and "A Ring of Endless Light" (Disney, 2001-02). She also appeared in the comedy "Happy, Texas" (1999) with Jeremy Northam and the Julia Roberts hit biographical drama "Erin Brockovich" (2000). She also worked in television during these years, including roles in "Judging Amy" (CBS, 1999-2005) and "Reba" (2001-07).


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In an employee exodus that is one of the biggest ever, about 47,600 union workers at General Motors and its former division Delphi Corporation have accepted early retirement or redundancy packages.
At GM, about 35,000 workers would leave at the end of the year, the company said. The number - representing nearly a third of GM's 113,000 salaried staff - is significantly higher than the company had expected.
As a result GM, which intends to close 12 plants by 2008 to cut costs, will reach its goal of eliminating 30,000 jobs two years ahead of schedule, according to chief executive Rick Wagoner. "This was a difficult but necessary move," he said.
At Delphi, GM's largest parts supplier, 12,600 people - more than half of its 24,000 workers - accepted similar early retirement packages. This was greater than expected and should help Delphi emerge from bankruptcy protection as a more efficient company.
Analysts said the large number of departures suggested that many workers believed that staying on the job would be as much of a gamble as quitting. Mr Wagoner assured employees staying that the company was making progress in its turnaround efforts, and that the times ahead would be better.
GM has surrendered a significant amount of market share to foreign car makers, and had the capacity to produce far more cars than it could sell.
The redundancies and early retirement packages represent a big step towards making the company, still the world's largest car maker, profitable again. "This is a big, big hunk of ballast over the side," said James Womack, chairman of the Lean Enterprise Institute.
Specifically, about 30,400 GM workers with at least 26 years at the company took early retirement packages that include payouts of up to $US35,000 ($A48,000) and full benefits. The remaining 4600 will receive either $US70,000 or $US140,000, depending on their experience, but give up all their benefits except their pensions.
The program will cost GM about $US3.8 billion but save it $US8 billion a year, $US1 billion more than anticipated. GM lost $US10.6 billion last year.
For many of the workers who will leave, GM is the only employer they have ever known. They were hired at a time when the car industry promised high wages and a secure future.
Some not yet ready to retire will use their payouts to begin new careers. Richard Luedtke, a financial planner who conducted workshops about the redundancy offers for GM workers, said many were scared and overwhelmed by the offers.
GM's annual earnings would increase by about $US1.25 a share for every 10,000 workers who left, said car industry analyst John Murphy of Merrill Lynch. GM lost $US9.55 a share last year. But Mr Murphy noted that the cost of hiring casual staff would offset those savings if more than 30,000 people departed.
New York Times
Key points
- General Motors and Delphi are to shed more than a third of their workers.
- The combined savings will total more than $US8 billion this year.


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Air Gear Episode 11 English Subbed
You are watching Air Gear Episode 11 English Subbed from the Air Gear Anime Show. Watch or Download Air Gear Episode 11 MP4 English Sub and other episodes of Air Gear Streamed for Free.
"Team Kogarasumaru Take-off"
Stream Air Gear Episode 11
Episode Summary: Akito decided to join the team and now they can finally create their own storm rider team. The whole group is excited in the progress with picking a name, emblem, goal and type of team. With most of it decided and registered officially, they find out that another team has taken the school as their turf, a Storm Rider team called Sabel Tigers. Ikki decides to challenge them in a battle.


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Sutherland House
Robert and Aileen MacDougall would like to welcome you to Sutherland House, Oban. We are a family run house situated in a beautiful Victorian Terrace, perfectly placed on Oban s stunning harbour. Sutherland House is the perfect base for anyone visiting Oban, located close to restaurants and only a short walk to Caledonian MacBrayne s ferry terminal where you can sail to the Islands of Mull, Iona, Coll & Tiree, Colonsay, Lismore and the Outer Hebrides.
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Our long national menswear nightmare is over.
The back and forth between Mens Warehouse and Jos. A Bank has finally come to a close. After months of 'We're gonna buy you!" and "No we're gonna buy you!" the thing ends like this:
Men's Wearhouse is going to pay $1.8 billion for its smaller (but, if I may say, classier) competitor.
Also: I'm still not Audie Cornish.
Follow Kai Ryssdal at @kairyssdal.


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Kids across the country step up to send Harvey relief
(KRIV) - Every donation counts, no matter how big or small you are.
From lemonade stands to supply fundraisers, kids across the U.S. are doing what they can to help raise money for Harvey relief efforts.
Take a look:
@mrBobbyBones @RadioAmy my sons 4th grade class n OK collected stuff & wrote cards to people n Houston! #pimpinjoy #houstonstrong #joyweek pic.twitter.com/XTxbU3ga8a— CaseyA (@sonflower268) August 31, 2017
My kids have sprung into action to help folks impacted by #Harvey. If you can't make their lemonade sale in DC - please donate to @RedCross! pic.twitter.com/CSz6NwfAfb— Jeremy Grant (@jgrantindc) August 27, 2017
Kids Helping Kids! Stop by this lemonade stand Friday, 9/1, 2-4pm for victims of Hurricane Harvey. @RedCross @NJRedCross pic.twitter.com/HcPR50tpj3— PrincetonKIDS (@PrincetonKIDS) August 31, 2017
My NYC kids selling lemonade to benefit Hurricane #Harvey Relief Fund. Mom & dad will match. Thinking of all those suffering in #Texas. pic.twitter.com/VmTw1Os9Jb— Dan Garodnick (@DanGarodnick) August 31, 2017
Hurricane Harvey Coin Drive underway,kids emptying piggy banks, love their kindness! @KaufmanISD pic.twitter.com/aoOHWPJvo4— Phillips Elementary (@PhillipsKISD) August 31, 2017


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In my spare time I like to put my filmmaking knowledge to good use and produce films to promote and highlight people and organisations that are doing good work in the community or have an interesting story to tell. Here is a selection of my recent independent passion projects.
Independent Passion Projects
Black Forest Project
I love being outdoors and exploring nature. When my friend and fellow filmmaker Simon asked me if I would like to come to the Black Forest in Germany and help produce a series of films about the national park I couldn't resist. The concept was simple, to produce a short film for each of the four seasons showcasing the stunning landscape and incredible wildlife that the black forest has to offer. I was fortunate enough to be part of the team for two of the seasons, Spring and Autumn. Please check out the autumn film below, the spring film is currently in post production. To discover more about the project and to watch the films from the other two seasons please check out the website. http://abenteuerschwarzwald.com


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Skip to comments.Pope Francis lauded for interfaith dialogue
Posted on 03/19/2013 10:01:34 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
The election of Pope Francis has thrilled Jewish leaders in Argentina, who predict that their friend will continue to foster warm relations and open dialogue between Catholicism and other faiths during his pontificate.
They've seen it firsthand as recently as December, when then-Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio lit the first candle on the menorah at Temple NCI-Emanu El during a Hanukkah ceremony.
"He's got a very deep capacity for dialogue with other religions," Rabbi Alejandro Avruj told The Associated Press on Monday, recalling the moment. "He spoke of light as renovation, of the re-inauguration of the temple of Jerusalem 2,200 years ago, and the need to carry light to the world."
As Tuesday's papal installation ceremony draws dozens of Jewish, Orthodox and other Christian leaders to the Vatican, those who knew Bergoglio in his previous role say he considered healing divisions between religions a major part of the Catholic Church's mission.
"He's the one who opened the cathedral of Buenos Aires for interfaith ceremonies, like when we prayed for peace. He's not one of those who waits for you to call them to participate in these events he promotes them," said Avruj, who met Bergoglio after both leaders launched projects in the same slum in a gritty area of southern Buenos Aires.
Bergoglio brought leaders of the Jewish, Muslim, evangelical and Orthodox Christian faiths into the Metropolitan Cathedral to pray for peace in the Middle East last November. "Everything is lost with war, everything is gained through peace," Bergoglio said then. "With peace wins victory and respect."
The archbishop also welcomed Jews for a joint service on the 74th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the night in 1938 when nearly 200 synagogues were destroyed, Jewish shops were looted and tens of thousands of Jews were sent to be exterminated....
(Excerpt) Read more at thealpenanews.com ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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Find Fairbanks North Star Borough commercial real estate for sale and for lease on 42Floors, the commercial real estate search engine. Listings cover all types of properties including Retail, Office Space, Industrial, Medical and much more. Learn about Fairbanks North Star Borough commercial real estate trends in 42Floors Research. Learn tips, tricks, and jargon about leasing or buying commercial real estate in 42Floors EDU.
On average, commerial real estate listings lease in the $20's per square foot per year. That's a 3% rise in rent.
In the last 90 days, 106 commercial real estate listings have come on the market, so you'll want to check back regularly for new listings. There aren't many listings below 2,000 square feet on the market, so finding a space for a small business might be tough.
The standard size for office space in this area is around 1,030 sqft. Most properties in this area are close to 2 stories. Most buildings in this area were built around 1982 and are Class A.
Real time and historical data on commercial real estate listings in Fairbanks North Star Borough.
Get email notifications when new listings are posted that match your requirements.


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What is Dance Rites?
Dance Rites is Australia's national Indigenous dance competition which aims to ensure important cultural knowledge including language, dance, skin markings and instruments is shared from one generation to the next.
Registrations are now open for Dance Rites 2017, in which a gathering of dance groups from across the nation will come together to share their traditional culture and compete for a $20,000 prize.
The winners will also have the opportunity to perform at Homeground 2018. The runner up will receive a prize of $5,000, and the group with the highest scored Wildcard Dance will receive a prize of $3,000.
Dance Rites celebrates the continued cultural dance practices of Australia's first peoples. The competition is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who have or would like to develop a dance group. Each group will present a welcome and farewell dance, one of which must include a chant in local language. The third dance is to be your group's Wildcard Dance. This dance can be a traditional dance or a fusion piece combining traditional moves with contemporary sounds.
Dance Rites is a free, public, outdoor celebration of First Nations culture.
Presented by Sydney Opera House
Sunday 26 November, 2017
12pm - 8pm. Heats will take place in the afternoon, followed by finals in the evening.
Download the registration form
Download the info sheet & registration form here or contact the Dance Rites team on
+61 407 535 111 or via email@example.com and a registration pack can be mailed to you.
All entries must be received by Monday 25 September 2017.
Who can enter Dance Rites?
The competition is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who have or would like to develop a dance group.
All ages welcome.
Registrations now open
Registration for the competition is now open and will close at midnight on Monday 25 September 2017 AEST.
1. Download the info sheet and registration form here or contact the Dance Rites team on +61 407 535 111 or via email@example.com and a registration pack can be mailed to you.
2. Complete the form and include registration fee payment details.
3. Return the form to Sydney Opera House, via email to firstname.lastname@example.com or post to Dance Rites, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney, NSW, 2000.
On receiving your registration form the Dance Rites team will contact you to provide further information and support. We can provide fundraising ideas, workshop opportunities and logistical support.
Dance Rites 2017 will take place on Sunday 26 November, 2017.
Dance Rites 2017 Donors
We are especially grateful to our Founding Dance Rites Donors (*) for their commitment and ongoing generosity.
* Founding Dance Rites Donor ^ Creative Music Fund Investor
Alexandra Martin
The Penn Foundation ^
Crispin Rice *
Janne Ryan *^
Brook Turner *
Inner Circle of Friends
Annette Adair *
Shar Adams ^
Albert Fisher Family Trust *^
Rojé Augustin and Tom Donald
Michael & Janie Austin *^
Annabelle Chapman *^
Anne Coombs and Susan Varga *^
Natalie Cootes-McBryde ^
Shamal and Kate Dass ^
Ryissa Fogarty *^
Galina Kaseko and Sam Burshtein
Jane Kift *
Tohsak Mahaworasilpa
Agnes Matrai *
Jean McPherson
Lisa-Marie Murphy and Nick Fletcher ^
Jenny Newel
Martin Portus *^
Lindy Ryan ^
Anne Schlebaum
Regal Health Group *^
Bronwyn Simons *^
Susan Spencer *^
Tom Tansey
Helen Trinca ^
Sydney Opera House acknowledges the generous support of the Creative Music Fund, Dance Rites Foundation Partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why compete in Dance Rites?
Dance Rites is an opportunity to reclaim songlines, dance and other traditional practices.
You can connect with elders in your community and Continue intergenerational exchange of story and ceremony.
Dance Rites will be fun, easy to join and a great way to get your community together.
Is there a maximum number of participants per group?
There is no maximum group size and dancers of all ages are welcome.
All members must fill in their details on the registration form, and all participants under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian consent to compete.
What are the prizes?
The winning dance group will receive a cheque for $20,000, along with an opportunity to perform at Homeground 2018.
The runner up will receive $5,000.
The group with the highest scored 'Wild Card' Dance will receive a prize of $3,000.
Why is Dance Rites important?
The Dance Rites competition is inspired by Pow Wow Circuit in North America and Canada, and by the Kapa Haka in New Zealand.
Teaching and learning traditional practices is the best way to reclaim songlines, celebrate and enjoy culture.
How will entries be judged?
Judging will be judged by a panel of Sydney Opera House Trust selected judges, which will consist of community dance and song line custodians, along with professional choreographers and dance practitioners.
The judges will be looking for authenticity, reclamation work, use of costumes and props along with fusion of language and music.
Performances must consist of a Welcome Dance, Farewell Dance and a 'Wild Card' Dance. See the information sheet for more info on the requirements.
How can I fund my group getting to Dance Rites 2017?
Each group should seek out a range of funding opportunities to assist in logistics to get to Dance Rites 2017.
Some options include fundraising in your community, approaching local businesses, and approaching local and state arts funding bodies. For example your local council, Create NSW, Creative Victoria, artsACT, Arts SA, Country Arts WA, Arts NT, Arts QLD and Arts Tasmania.
This year, Sydney Opera House will also offer matched funding for groups from regional and remote Australia.
If you think you are eligible and you're interested in applying for this opportunity, download the application and get in touch with the Dance Rites team via firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Genelec 8330A Smart Active Monitor - SingleMFR# 8330APM
- Description
The Genelec 8330A features Genelec MDE™ and DCW™ technologies, a flow optimized reflex port, high SPL and wide uncolored response in a very compact enclosure. A new and highly intuitive Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM™ 2.0) control network and software allows adjustments of all aspects of monitor settings and full system control. Genelec AutoCal™ allows to automatically align every monitor on the network for level, timing, and equalization of room response anomalies.
An indispensable tool in challenging room acoustic, the 8330A is the monitoring solution for music studios, post-production houses, digital edit suites, radio, TV and outside broadcasting.
- Networked Smart Active Monitor (SAM™) Systems feature automatic calibration to the environment
- Sophisticated drive unit protection circuitry for safe operation
- Each transducer is driven by its own optimized amplifier
- Intelligent Signal Sensing (ISS™) for power consumption reduction in stand-by mode
- Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW™) for flat on- and off-axis response.
- Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE™) for uncolored sound reproduction
- Versatile mounting options for all installation needs
- Technical Specifications
Additional Information
Condition New Length 7 in Width 7.4 in Height 11.25 in Unit Weight 12.1 lb Active or Passive Active Monitor Application Near-Field driver_sizes Bass: 5" cone / Treble: 0.75" metal dome (both magnetically shielded) Number of Speakers Single Input Connectors Analog XLR Output Connectors Analog XLR Amp Wattage Bass: 50 W / Treble: 50 W Impedance Input: 10 kOhms balanced Frequency Range 45 Hz - 23 kHz, -6 dB Max. SPL 104 dB peak @ 1 m
- Reviews
- Testimonials
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