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China sacks 3 officials for GMO rice test: Xinhua
BEIJING - China has sacked three officials for testing genetically modified rice on children as part of a Sino-US research project, state media said on Thursday.
The officials from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences were sacked for violating regulations, scientific ethics and academic integrity, Xinhua news agency said.
The controversial test first came to light when environmental group Greenpeace said a US Department of Agriculture-backed study used 24 Chinese children aged between six and eight to test genetically modified "golden rice".
Tufts University, located outside Boston, said it had begun reviewing its 2008 research in August and has a five-member team investigating whether the study was in compliance with Chinese, US and Tufts standards.
"While we respect China's review process which led to the statement, it would be premature for Tufts University to reach any conclusions before investigations currently under way in the United States are completed," university spokeswoman Andrea Goodman said in an e-mail.
Golden rice, a new type of rice that contains beta carotene, is intended to alleviate vitamin A deficiency.
The three officials who were fired are Yin Shi'an from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hu Yuming from the centre's Hunan office, and Wang Yin from the Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Xinhua said.
The researchers had been criticised on Weibo, China's version of Twitter, and were accused of behaving unethically by running tests on poor, rural children whose families may not have been properly informed.
China is already the world's largest grower of GMO cotton and the top importer of GMO soybeans.
Although Beijing has approved homegrown strains of GMO rice, it is cautious about introducing the technology on a commercial basis due to food safety concerns.


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Toy Story Mania Review
- Soundtrack, while the same song, changes according to the different level themes.
- Family friendly content featuring Disney characters.
- Easy to use and responsive controls.
- This is a very simple, kid-friendly game and might not be everyone's cup of tea.
- Steep price for a kid's game.
Think hard about who will be playing the game by before committing to the steep price. If it's for anyone who may be too old for a series of Toy Story mini-games, then it may not be worthwhile.
- Full Review
- App Store Info
Toy Story Mania is mix of different arcade style mini-games features the characters of the Disney and Pixar film Toy Story. There are 5 mini-games to choose from, 4 of which are arcade style shooters, while the last game is a Ring Toss. Each level has a different theme according to the character in charge of the game.
Controls for each mini-game are different; but they all incorporate either flicking or tapping the screen. Players are given instructions on how to play with a diagram before each game. They are usually similar but are all individual to each character and their mini-game.
The visuals are all 3D and are visually friendly. The sound is quite good as the music changes in each level according to the theme of the game and levels are filled with fun sound effects. The game is single player only, with a local highscore board for each game.
Toy Story Mania is a mixed collection of mini-games that would be great for kids and families. The safe Disney content and easy to use controls make for fun gameplay and accessible to almost all ages. The game might be limited in that though; if you're not into the more child like, simple games then you might want to reconsider buying this rather pricey title. However, if you want a fun game to play with your children or younger siblings, then look no further.
DescriptionGET READY FOR SOME ROOTIN' TOOTIN' FUN!
Recipient of the 2010 Parents' Choice Award
"…one of the highest quality minigame collections on the device…"
"I highly recommend Toy Story Mania! for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Not only for Toy Story and Disney fans, but also for people who enjoy fast action games."
"I would highly recommend purchasing Toy Story Mania from the Apps Store."
Step on up and play the all new game inspired by the Toy Story Mania! attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. You are the honorary toy so giddyup and test your skills in some zany and fun carnival games!
All your favorite characters are here! Slide your finger up, down and across the screen to control your spring-action shooter. You'll need to keep a sharp eye on your targets! Certain targets trigger surprise reactions and special effects.
—Travel with Buzz into outer space! Toss rings to launch spaceships and capture aliens in Buzz Lightyear's Flying Tossers.
—Balloons are popping up everywhere! Get ready to launch your darts in Bo Peep's Baaa-loon Pop.
—Gear up for target practice! Aim, shoot and break some plates! Keep your guard up and watch out for those tanks in Green Army Men Shoot Camp.
—The barnyard animals are acting silly and running all over the place! Toss eggs at them and don't let them get loose in Hamm' n Eggs.
— Test your skills in Woody's Rootin' Tootin' Shootin' Gallery! Quickly draw your darts and see how many targets you can hit.
Compete for high scores, unlock bonus stages and earn points to win tickets! Use your tickets to purchase special items in the prize booth. Great for toys of all ages!
Special Alert! Head on down to the Toy Story Mania! Attraction at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim, CA or Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida to unlock a special surprise! Here's a hint: On the main menu, tap the "Gallery" book. Then tap on the "Search" button and wait a few moments.
JellyCar 3, Phineas and Ferb Arcade, Disney Fairies Fly, Handy Manny Workshop, My Baby Einstein, Split/Second, Alice In Wonderland, and many more.
See all the Disney Apps at http://www.itunes.com/waltdisney
What's New in Version 1.1.1Thanks for downloading the latest update!
• The GPS unlockable feature has now been fixed! Visit the Toy Story Mania! Attraction at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim, CA or Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida to unlock a special surprise! *Hint: On the main menu, tap the "Gallery" book. Then tap on the "Search" button and wait a few moments.
• Facebook and Email-A-Friend features have been fixed.
• Several minor bugs and performance issues have also been addressed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Nobel Laureate: Haiti Army Plan an 'Error'
Nobel laureate Oscar Arias has advised Haitian President Michel Martelly that it would be an "error" to restore the disbanded army, according to a letter delivered to presidential offices on Monday.
In the two-page letter dated Nov. 28, the two-time president of Costa Rica tells Martelly that armed forces in the region have records of thwarting progress and quashing democratic values, and that the $25 million Martelly has proposed for the new military should be invested in education, health and strengthening other institutions.(See more on the case against Haiti needing an army.)
"I seek not to show disrespect for the sovereignty of a sister nation, but simply to share advice I see written on the wall of human history," Arias wrote in the letter shared with The Associated Press. "In Latin America, most armies are enemies of development, enemies of peace and enemies of freedom."
The Haitian army was disbanded in 1995 because of its history of abuse, a move that was applauded by Arias' own foundation.
First-time politican Martelly said he wants to fulfill a campaign pledge of reviving the army in an effort to restore national pride. He also envisions a force that will patrol Haiti's porous border with the neighboring Dominican Republic, protect the environment and respond to natural disasters.
But the United States and Canada have said that the money for the military would be better spent on strengthening the police force, which has 8,000 officers in a country of 10 million. Canada added that it wouldn't help pay for the new military and that Haiti has more pressing needs as it struggles to recover from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake almost two years ago.(See more on accusations against Wyclef Jean's Haitian charity.)
Martelly later conceded that Haiti had other priorities, namely improvements to the country's health care and education sectors, but that he stills sees a need for the armed force.
Martelly last month announced that he would form a commission to define the agenda of the military but that has yet to materialize.
In his letter, Arias turns to history to show why he believes Haiti doesn't need an army. He notes how Costa Rica was once bordered by two countries with dictatorships but its absence of an army, he wrote, allowed the nation to be viewed as an ally.
And since 1995, when Costa Rica's neighbor, Panama, disbanded its army, the two nations have shared "the most peaceful border in the world," wrote Arias, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his peacemaking efforts in Central America.
"It is not by chance that these two countries also have the most successful economies in Central America, because the money we once spent on our armies is (now) invested in the education of our children and the health of our citizens," Arias wrote.
He added: "To reinstall the army would be an error, and that is why I cannot keep silent."
Martelly spokesman Lucien Jura couldn't be reached for comment Monday night.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2101597,00.html#ixzz1fuWh9QeV
Daniel Trenton - AP


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Seibertron.com - The Ultimate Transformers Fansite
RAcast wrote:Those surely aren't the final colors
Deruji wrote:One of the tweets mentions that MP20 might be a car license and then later that there might be a possible vote from different ConvoysMP20はライセンスが大変だった車種らしいです
Deruji wrote:The List:
Ginrai, Victory Saber, Dai Atlas, Gorilla Convoy (Optimus Primal I guess), Lio Convoy, Big Convoy, Superfire Convoy, Micron Convoy, Grand Convoy, Galaxy Convoy
Sorry, don't know the US names well enough to place the exact toys
El Duque wrote:
- Fort Max (G1)
- God Ginrai/Powermaster Prime (G1)
- Star Saber (Transformers: Victory)
- Dai Atlas (Transformers: Zone)
- Optimus Primal (Beast Wars)
- Lio Convoy (Beast Wars II)
- Big Convoy (Beast Wars Neo)
- Fire Convoy (Car Robots)
- Optimus Prime (Armada)
- Optimus Prime (Energon)
- Galaxy Convoy (Galaxy Force)
Hypershock wrote:Wow, that is crazy!! can you imagine trying to transform a masterpiece fort max? you'd have to use a pipe wrench to turn his joints!
Noideaforaname wrote:Well, that's just Prime! And every other supreme Autobot leader.
warzon3 wrote:Wait so is that is for new MP's until next years Tokyo Toy Show?
Is there any other events where they announce MP's or do you think there will be random announcements in the future sort of like MP Prowl and his repaints?
Shadowman wrote:This is Sabrblade we're talking about. His ability to store trivial information about TV shows is downright superhuman.
Caelus wrote:My wife pointed out something interesting about the prehistoric Predacons. I said that everyone was complaining because transforming for them mostly consisted of them just standing up-right. She essentially said, 'So? That's what our ancestors did.'
Return to Transformers Toys Discussion
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Eyelit's Award-winning Integrated Manufacturing Execution (MES) Software Selected by eMagin, the Leading Manufacturer of OLED Microdisplays
February 21, 2013 5:04 PM Eastern Time
TORONTO, Canada—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Eyelit Inc., a manufacturing software provider for visibility, control, and coordination of manufacturing operations for the aerospace & defense, discrete electronics, semiconductor, and photovoltaic (solar) industries, announced today that eMagin Corporation (NYSE MKT: EMAN), the leader in Active-Matrix Organic LED (AMOLED) manufacturing, has selected Eyelit MES™ to further optimize production efficiency at its manufacturing facility located in IBM Microelectronics Division's fab in Fishkill, New York.
The deployment of Eyelit MES is intended to help eMagin realize the following benefits of production efficiency:
"Eyelit's solution provides us with product traceability and precise manufacturing controls for our complex processes that combine semiconductor and display technologies for our microdisplay business," stated John Coleman, Director of Manufacturing for eMagin. "Eyelit's MES enables flexible configuration to manage our entire spectrum of processes with stringent enforcement of tight specifications. The implementation will help us to configure processes quickly with WIP tracking to improve visibility, and to phase in higher-level functions such as SPC and equipment management. The system can be rapidly implemented, without having to write code, and will be locally maintained by a small internal team without the need for external consultants.
"eMagin's production volumes are expected to significantly increase year-over-year," Coleman continued. "We were looking for a solution that combines our front-end wafer fab and the back-end semiconductor packaging and test operations. Eyelit's capabilities will help us to improve efficiency as we continue ramping production to keep pace with the ever-increasing demand for a great variety of state-of-the-art microdisplays and virtual imaging electronics."
"We are excited to partner with eMagin and help the company maximize productivity in its semiconductor and display manufacturing," stated Dan Estrada, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Eyelit. "The global OLED market is forecast to expand at a compound annual growth rate of about 40% over the next 5 years. Eyelit's advanced technology MES is a flexible and cost-effective solution to help OLED manufacturers with innovative products to seize market opportunities. With industry-leading functionality for both front-end and back-end semiconductor operations, as well as other types of precision electronics like digital imaging and display, our customer base has been rapidly expanding with more facilities that specialize in technologies such as OLED, CCD, MEMS, and photovoltaics."
About eMagin Corporation (www.emagin.com)
A leader in OLED microdisplay technology, OLED microdisplay manufacturing know-how and mobile display systems, eMagin manufactures high-resolution OLED microdisplays and integrates them with magnifying optics to deliver virtual images comparable to large-screen computer and television displays in portable, low-power, lightweight personal displays. eMagin microdisplays provide near-eye imagery in a variety of products from military, industrial, medical and consumer OEMs. More information about eMagin is available at www.emagin.com
About Eyelit Inc. (www.eyelit.com)
Eyelit Inc. is the leader in Manufacturing Execution and Quality Management (MES and QMS) solutions for visibility, control, and coordination of manufacturing operations for the aerospace & defense, electronics, semiconductor, and solar industries. Eyelit uniquely delivers a broad set of manufacturing solutions, including Asset Management (Semi E10, SEMI PV2-0709), Dispatching, Factory Integration (Automation), Manufacturing Execution (MES/MOM), Recipe Management, Supply Chain Management, Quality Management (CAPA/OCAP/SPC/APC/RMA), and Business Process Management, that enable its customers to rapidly and cost-effectively optimize production and company processes.
With exceptional customer service, Eyelit has time and again proven that superior innovative technology can increase efficiency and value. More than 50 leading companies, including Ascent Solar, austriamicrosystems, CEA-Leti, FLIR Systems, eMagin, Freescale Semiconductor, M/A-COM Technology Solutions, Nemotek Technologie, Mentor Graphics, SEMATECH, TowerJazz, Stion, Umicore, and Murata Electronics Oy, rely on Eyelit as a trusted software partner. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including those regarding eMagin Corporation's expectations, intentions, strategies and beliefs pertaining to future events or future financial performance. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including those described in the Company's most recent filings with the SEC. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, or any other person, that such forward-looking statements will be achieved. The business and operations of the Company are subject to substantial risks which increase the uncertainty inherent in forward-looking statements. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of the foregoing, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: eMagin Corporation
Eyelit Inc.
Colleen McArdle
Tel: +1 905 502 6184


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Kershaw leads Dodgers in Cactus League opener
Ace gets the call as exhibition slate begins with preview of Opening Series
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Clayton Kershaw might not start the regular-season opener in Australia, but he will start the Cactus League opener Wednesday, when the Dodgers are hosted by the rival Arizona Diamondbacks and Vin Scully calls the action live at noon PT on the Dodgers' new TV network, SportsNet LA.
Is Kershaw glad to get going?
"It's about time," he said.
Dodgers pitchers and catchers reported on Feb. 8, 17 days before the first game. A year ago, because of the World Baseball Classic, pitchers and catchers reported Feb. 12 and games started only nine days later.
The lengthy buildup to the start of games will be followed by an exhibition schedule dramatically shortened for the Dodgers and D-backs because they leave Arizona on March 16 for their Opening Series in Sydney.
Both clubs can take only 30 players on their flights, so most roster decisions will be made in fewer than three weeks.
"It's not a normal Spring Training," Kershaw said. "Tomorrow we're, in a sense, in the middle of things. We've got 19 [days of exhibition games] before we play a game that counts. We've got to feel some sense of urgency."
The club must decide whether to leave Kershaw behind in order to lighten his workload after last year's Cy Young season, as well as make their toughest position call of the spring: who starts at second base.
Although Cuban Alex Guerrero was signed to a four-year, $28 million deal with the expectation it would be him, his slow adaptation from a natural shortstop position to second base makes it likely he will open the season in the Minor Leagues and the Dodgers will piece together a platoon at second base from a group of Dee Gordon, Chone Figgins, Brandon Harris, Justin Turner and Miguel Rojas.
The Dodgers prepped for Wednesday's opener with intrasquad games on Sunday and Monday, and manager Don Mattingly wasn't thrilled with the club's "lack of energy," but said he hoped it would pick up, along with the "baseball thought process," when the Dodgers face an opponent.
Last year, the Dodgers played 36 exhibition games before Opening Day.
The starting lineup Mattingly posted for Wednesday's game has Figgins batting leadoff and playing shortstop, Guerrero starting at second base and Yasiel Puig batting third.
Not making the trip to Salt River are regulars Hanley Ramirez, Andre Ethier, Adrian Gonzalez and A.J. Ellis. Mattingly said they are all healthy but he needs to stagger who starts and rests so he can stick to his plan of giving everybody one day off every three days.


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A)rt B)ook C)ologne
Home again. Back to work, real life, less kölsch (more Brooklyn lager) and maybe the occasional blog post. While in Amsterdam, Prague and Germany I managed to find another 32 pounds of books. I checked the delivery status of my first shipment to find it arrived to the Errata office in Chelsea. Yesterday after coming from the airport I ran over to pick the books up only to find the sturdy well packed box nearly transformed into the shape of a ball. Crushed corners, one seam on the side fully open to where you could see the bubble wrapped books inside (customs treatment??) and to my horror... a sign that moisture had creeped up one side like the box had sat in a puddle.
With my trembling hands I tore the box open cursing DHL and as I started unpacking the books I was amazed that only one title out of the 16 had suffered during shipping, the rest were safe and sound.
Some of the titles I shipped in that package had come from Bernd Detsch of Art Book Cologne which I have mentioned here on 5B4 before when I was in Cologne last year. Art Book Cologne is a remainder house on Deutzer Freiheit 107 across the Rhein from the city center. If you visit Cologne I strongly suggest you make a visit. Bernd has been dealing in the business for years and has a great selection of books at big discounts. If you ask nicely, maybe he will let you walk through the warehouse and among the palettes of books, many are titles not listed on his regular site but ones he sells at good prices on-line through ABE and other listing sites. He also has his own private collection of artbooks that are not for sale in the back which would make anyone envious.
It's pretty fascinating to see what becomes a remainder, or what gets discovered in a warehouse somewhere and turns up at his place. For instance, the huge stack of Anthony Hernadez's Landscapes for the Homeless (Volume 1) - a book I had on my want list for some time now. He has them in mint shape for 40 euros.
Last year Art Book Cologne was where I found several Christian Boltanski books, a great El Lissitsky reprint of About 2 Squares, Ilya Kabokov's My Mother's Album, and several others. This year I found a great 1990 catalog of photography by the late Sigmar Polke from the Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden, shrink-wrapped copies of the two-volume Richard Prince Paintings and Photographs from 2002 and Marcel Broodthaers Texte et Photos from 2003.
For me, as an American, even with the added shipping costs it is a chance to get some great deals on European remainders which would be rather expensive in the States. Check them out here.


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We've been hearing a lot about former NBA star Tracy McGrady's desire to become a professional baseball pitcher, and now there's finally video of him throwing off a mound. He doesn't look too bad!
The Houston Chronicle's Jose Ortiz was on hand to watch McGrady tryout for the Sugarland Skeeters, and reports that McGrady's fastball sits at about 85 mph. McGrady's pitch repertoire also includes a splitter, a change up, and a slider. Also noteworthy: Tracy McGrady is kinda fat now.


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We are experiencing some difficulties with our course booking system. Ensure you select a '1' and then click on the Get Ticket Button. Otherwise your basket will be empty. Remember select your nearest branch to book online. Loyalty points are not available when booking on classes or courses. However, you can use your Franklins Loyalty Card on items purchased on your course!
- This event has passed.
Patchwork with Maria – Group 2
December 21, 2015 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm£18.00
Everybody now seems to do their own thing under Maria's watchful eye. She will do the planning for you and you can take your pick of what she does.
It works and everybody's happy!


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Letter N - Bible Alphabet Print - Philippians 4:8
by Hope and Ginger
This monochrome print features the words N is for Noble and the Bible verse Philippians 4:8 and would be a perfect baptism gift or new baby gift. FREE UK SHI
Ships from United Kingdom
Ready for dispatch in 1-3 Business Days
Free Delivery (UK)
- International - £4.95
Product description
Gorgeous monochrome print of the letter N with a wonderful truth around the letter illustration. This print would make a beautiful addition to any nursery or children's room or it could be combined with other letters to spell out a name or a word.
This print reads: N is for noble - Whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is noble, think on such things. Philippians 4:8
- Printed on 300gsm card stock
- The print is stamped on the back
- The unframed print is shipped in a protective sleeve and rigid envelope and is ready for you to frame
Meet the Maker
Hope and Ginger
Hand lettered prints, cards and gifts to encourage and point to Christ by Cath Sales
Hope and Ginger was started by Cath and was born out of a love for hand lettering and a passion for encouragement. Hope and Ginger seeks to create beautiful prints, cards and gifts with words to live by and to encourage you in your daily life and faith journey. All of Hope and Ginger's products are lettered and illustrated by Cath, by hand.
Cath currently lives in London with her husband and two small boys, who are a total delight but who keep her on her toes.
At least 10% of Hope and Ginger's proceeds go to supporting the amazing work of the charity Hope Health Action (HHA) which provides life-saving health and disability care to the world's most vulnerable, without discrimination.
Thanks for visiting Hope and Ginger - it's great to see you here!


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Staying in Spanish holiday villas could be one of the most affordable options available to British tourists at the moment.
That is the latest finding of Post Office Travel Services, which ranked Spain as the cheapest destination within the eurozone in its annual holiday costs barometer report.
Many holidaymakers may have been tempted in recent months to consider holidaying beyond traditional favourites such as Spain, with the pound weakening against the euro of late.
However, eurozone countries have heeded the warning and are cutting prices to entice wavering visitors back, the organisation found.
"Despite the weak pound [ ] UK tourists who shop carefully could find that they get more than expected for their money," suggested Sarah Munro, Post Office head of travel services.
News of the report comes after Gatwick Airport revealed that Alicante Airport, which serves La Manga, is set to be in the top seven destinations for air travellers this weekend.
See our La Manga Club Special Offers.
Airlines that fly to La Manga Club
La Manga Club is one of Spains most popular resorts and can be found on Spains Costa Calida. It is perfect for golfers, tennis players and family holidays in the sun..
Read more
New supersized airport in Alicante
AlicanteElche Airport, originally named El Altet, is the sixth busiest airport in Spain based on passenger numbers, and the main airport for the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia. If you have travelled to La Manga Club via Alicante airport in the past be prepared for some changes as the airport has grown in size considerably and may be unrecognisable from what you remember from previous visits..
Read more
Which Airlines Fly to La Manga
La Manga Club is one of Spains most popular resorts, perfect for golfers, tennis players, families and business trips. Getting to the resort once in Spain could not be easier, the tricky bit is finding out who flies to local airports..
Read more
Choosing the right flight to get to La Manga Club
When you make the decision to holiday at La Manga Club, you are more than likely to go through the process of deciding on whether to plump for the hotel option or the self-catering option, thereafter it is a case of sitting down and deciding which of the vast range of sporting activities, Spa treatments or academy options you want to pre-book. Irrespective of what time of year you are heading to La Manga, if you have your heart set on any activities, it is well worth pre-booking them to make sure you have your spot secured for you well before you arrive..
Read more
Getting to La Manga Club
If you have already booked your accommodation at La Manga Club and are excited about the holiday that awaits you, you will no doubt be at the stage of deciding how you will make your way to the resort. No matter where in the UK you live, there is always the option drive from door to door..
Read more
Southend Airport to Alicante Airport
If you are looking for cheap flights to Alicante Airport without the stress and hassle of having to queue for hours, then the newly refurbished Southend Airport is definitely the right way to go, with over 70 flights running a week from Southend Airport to nine destinations across Europe, including daily flights to Alicante airport it will not be hard to find the flight you are looking for.
With only a short walk from the railway station to the entrance of Southend Airport terminal and the car park a mere five minute walk away, you will not need to mess about waiting for a shuttle bus, unlike the passengers at Gatwick..
Read more
Flights To La Manga
Murcia Airport is probably the most attractive of the airports when vacationing at La Manga Club as you are only a 20 minutes drive away from the Club. Alicante on the other hand is a bit further away, taking around an hour to drive to reach the club..
Read more
Flights from the UK and Ireland to Alicante Airport
If you are travelling to Alicante, there is a vast choice of locations to fly from and a choice of who to fly with. With over 20 Airports to choose from, you can shop around to find the best prices for your time of travel..
Read more
Flights from Southend Airport to Alicante Airport
After months of waiting, The airport has risen to prominence recently due to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, with Southend providing the an additional travel option for those attending the sporting event. Southend Airport is now being used by the company Easyjet for flights out to many locations within Europe..
Read more
Liverpool Airport parking 'is the cheapest'
People planning to book flights to Spain this summer may be interested to learn that Livepool John Lennon Airport is one of the cheapest hubs when it comes to parking.
Research carried out by consumer group Which? revealed that holidaymakers can leave their vehicle for a week from just £27..
Read more


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Baylor University Scholar Francis Beckwith Will Speak at Vatican Educational ConferenceApril 22, 2013
WACO, Texas (April 22, 2013) -- Francis J. Beckwith, Ph.D., a professor of philosophy at Baylor University and Resident Scholar in Baylor's Institute for Studies of Religion, will travel to Rome in mid-June to speak at The Celebration of Evangelium Vitae: Faithful to Life conference, sponsored by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.
Beckwith is one of three speakers invited to speak at the event, to be held June 15-16.
Keynote speaker will be Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston and chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for Pro-Life Activities. Pope Francis has appointed him one of eight cardinals to advise him on reforming the Church's central administration.
A panel discussion will be led by Beckwith and Robert Royal, president of the Faith and Reason Institute in Washington, D.C.
"It is an incredible honor to be invited to speak at this event," Beckwith said.
Beckwith also teaches courses in political science as well as in the J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor. He is the author of Journeys of Faith: Evangelicalism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Anglicanism ( Zondervan, 2012); Politics for Christians: Statecraft as Soulcraft (InterVarsity Press, 2010); Return to Rome: Confessions of an Evangelical Catholic (Brazos Press, 2009); and Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice (Cambridge University Press, 2007).
Organizers said the conference will explore the timeless truths of the late Pope John Paul II's 1995 Encyclical, Evangelium Vitae, and the central role that the Gospel of Life continues to have in the Church's mission of the New Evangelization.
Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.
Launched in August 2004, the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR) exists to initiate, support and conduct research on religion, involving scholars and projects spanning the intellectual spectrum: history, psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, political science, epidemiology, theology and religious studies. The institute's mandate extends to all religions, everywhere, and throughout history, and embraces the study of religious effects on prosocial behavior, family life, population health, economic development and social conflict. While always striving for appropriate scientific objectivity, ISR scholars treat religion with the respect that sacred matters require and deserve.
More News ...


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True Wild LIfe | Purple Emperor | The purple emperor is a distinctive species of butterfly, found in woodlands across Europe. The purple emperor is most well known for the bright blue-purple markings of the wings of the male purple emperor butterflies. The purple emperor is most commonly found throughout central Europe and in the warmer, southern regions of the United Kingdom. The purple emperor is found inhabiting ancient forests and deciduous woodlands where the adult purple emperors spend most of their lives hidden high up in the trees. Despite the name, it is only the male purple emperor butterflies that are actually of a purple looking colour. The females purple emperors are much duller in appearance with a generally brown wingspan, a few white markings and a small orange circle on each of it's hind wings (the males are very similar only with the added purple sheen).
Female purple emperors spend most of their lives in the tree canopy coming down only to lay their eggs. Male purple emperor butterflies also spend much of their time in the tree tops, defending their territory from rivals, though they will sometimes descend in order to drink from puddles or feed. Unlike most butterflies, the purple emperor does not feed from flowers but instead on the honeydew secreted by aphids and on dung, urine and animal carcasses, as well as the sap from oak trees. Eggs are laid by the female purple emperors in late summer on the upper side of leaves, which the purple emperor caterpillars hatch out of. The purple emperor caterpillars are green with white and yellow markings and have two large horns, and soon undergo the incredible transformation from young to caterpillar to adult butterfly.
Today, purple emperor butterflies are threatened in their natural habitats from factors including chemical and noise pollution and even complete habitat destruction in the form of deforestation.


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Tom Arnold is married ... again.
The comedian tied the knot with Ashley Groussman on Saturday in Maui, his spokeswoman told the Associated Press.
Actor Dax Shepard served as Arnold's best man. More than 75 people attended the ceremony, People magazine reported:
U.S. & World
Arnold and home organizer Groussman, who wore a Claire Pettibone gown, met through mutual friends in April 2008. "I knew that if I could get Ashley to fall in love with me, I'd never have to worry about anything else as long as I lived," Arnold wrote on the couple's weddingchannel.com page. The two became engaged this past March at Arnold's 50th birthday party. "I'm the luckiest girl in the world!" Groussman wrote.
This is Arnold's fourth marriage. So far, his brides have included Roseanne Barr (1990-1994), Julie Lynne Champnella (1995-1999) and Shelby Roos (2002-2008).
Arnold can be seen at the Laugh Factory as the host of the weekly "Laughing With The Stars."


text:
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to stay safe while swimming or playing around bodies of water this summer.
Authorities say there are three keys to preventing water emergencies. They are: watch, wear and learn.
The sheriff's office says that in 70 percent of cases where young kids drowned, one or both parents were nearby. Authorities say being nearby isn't enough, and parents need to avoid distraction and watch their children — even if a lifeguard is on duty.
Wearing a life jacket is also important. Weak swimmers or people who can't swim may wear life jackets in pools or any body of water.
And, the sheriff's office recommends that residents learn to swim — and learn proper use of rescue equipment in case there is an emergency.
(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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text:
Medium to large Cichlids have, in general, a reputation of aggression towards tankmates, intolerance to others of their kind, and just a bad attitude in the aquarium.
To dispel those myths, in this post we'll study what I call the mellow fellows; that is, the medium to large Cichlids that, to a lesser or greater extent, are completely passive in the aquarium. Some, of course, are more passive than others, and one or two can suddenly turn from Dr. Jeckle to Mr. Hyde in an eye blink, or will stay mellow throughout their life. For this post, I'll define medium as fish that grow to over four inches in total length, though most in the list get a good deal larger than that, and are gentle to tankmates too large to eat.
Some species in this list are ridiculously easy to find in shops, some with take some searching, but all are well worth dedicating tank space to. Keep in mind, though, that they are Cichlids, and thus can be unpredictable, but of course, the ones in this list are easily defined as passive in the aquarium.
Now, some species.
By far the most common and popular mellow fellow available is the Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus), of soft, acidic tributaries of the Amazon basin in Venezuela, Guyana and Paraguay.
Oscars, which reach 14 inches given the time and space to do so, are affable to fish too large to eat and to each other when kept in a group, if introduced all together when young. And they have, for lack of a better word, personality. They very quickly learn who feeds them, and they will do all kinds of antics to get the attention of their keeper.
A favorite is a tail slap on the surface of the water. Some jump clear of the water, landing with a huge splash. Another is the whole group at the front of the tank staring at you until you feed them. Redesigning the tank decor when things don't go their way is common. A stomach with fins, Oscars are always prepared to eat, and if you're not careful, they'll train you when, what and how much to feed them with their behavior.
In nature they live in both black and white water habitats that are quite soft and acid, even down to pH 5.5 with near zero hardness. Commercially bred for decades, they'll even live and possibly breed up to perhaps pH 7.5 with moderately hard water. However, they live and breed best in the soft and acid tank, as eggs usually don't hatch in hard water. They prefer temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees. Filtration through peat moss darkens and softens the water, which usually triggers breeding in this species.
Captive breeding has resulted in many different color morphs. Primarily it's red and orange markings on a black or dark grey-green ground, usually with an occelated orange or red circle (the 'ocellatus') at the top of the caudal peduncle. Some can be almost totally orange, some albino with light orange markings on an ash-white ground. There are dozens if not hundreds of color variations of this species. And each Oscar is as individual as a fingerprint; no two are exactly alike in markings.
If you wish to breed or just keep a group of Oscars, a 200-gallon tank would be sufficient for a group of six or eight adults. It should be furnished with just driftwood and stones, as live plants would be pointless, as they always tear them out. In larger quarters, tankmates can be schools of larger Characins, like Silver Dollars, or Cypranids like Tinfoil Barbs; in other words, schooling fish that grow too large to eat. Catfish can be the Doradids, who are so well armored even an ever- curious Oscar knows better than to touch them. Some of the larger riverine Synodontis would be OK, just make sure they grow to at least six inches. One or more of the sucker-mouthed cats (plecos) can take care of algae duties. Make sure the species grows to five inches or more.
Stay away from pictus cats and the like, because the long whiskers irritate sleeping Oscars, and as Oscars have long memories, they'll eventually kill the pictus because of that irritation. A dark substrate and background intensifies the colors of Oscars.
The larger the tank the larger and more entertaining Oscars get. In feeding, if you give it to them, they'll probably eat it. A very omnivorous fish, high-quality pelleted foods can be staple, and they like things like fresh spinach leaves, small shrimp (either live or frozen), clean live red worms, California black worms, pieces of apple and pear . . . in other words, they will eat what you give them, so make sure the quality is a high as you can make it for their continued health and vitality. Though they can be picky towards foods, their stomach will win out every time if you're persistent with foods that are good for them.
As an aside, don't feed Oscars live fish, as they are too rich for the Oscars' systems, eventually causing kidney shutdown and death. Properly kept, Oscars easily live well over 20 years.
In breeding, juveniles pair off early, and stay mated for life. Best bet is to buy eight youngsters, and select the most compatible pairs for transfer to the main tank. Oscars are flat rock spawners, and full-grown adults can lay more than 2,000 eggs. Excellent parents, the vast majority, easily 90 percent, of the fry will survive and thrive under the adults' care.
If you aren't concerned with breeding, a good-sized group of Oscars in a large aquarium is an endlessly entertaining sight.
On to Part 2


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Corn prices spike amid Midwest droughtJuly 10, 2012: 11:52 AM ET
Corn prices have soared more than 40% in recent weeks as the scorching, dry heat wreaks havoc on crops in the Midwest.
Prices went as high as $7.33 per bushel of corn on the Chicago Board of Trade Monday, not far from the record high of $7.9975 hit last June, amid worries about flood damage. Prices eased slightly Tuesday, as investors await the U.S. Department of Agriculture's updated forecast for harvest yields, which is due Wednesday morning.
The USDA has said that just 40% of the nation's corn crops are in good or excellent condition, down from about 69% last year. In Iowa, the top U.S. corn producer, only 42% of corn crops are rated good to excellent, down from 62% a week earlier and 82% a year ago.
"The current drought is affecting corn at its most critical stage, when crops needs moisture and heat that isn't so intense," said Sal Gilbertie, chief investment of Teucrium Trading, which runs the Teucrium Corn ETF (CORN).
About 50% of the corn crops are in the so-called silking stage, which is the first kernel growth period. Dry weather can limit the number of kernels that develop on each ear of corn, and in turn, substantially decrease the yield, said Gilbertie.>
U.S. farmers have planted 96.4 million acres of corn for this year's harvest, making it the highest corn acreage in the last 75 years, and based on that, the USDA expected a record-high yield of 166 bushels of corn per acre. But given the drought, analysts are now expecting the the corn crop yield could drop even below last year's yield of 147 bushels per acre.
"There's concern that this drought could turn our worst fears into reality, but it's too early to know," said Gilbertie. "If the drought continues for the next two or three weeks, there's a high likelihood that corn-based inflation will rear its head. But if it ends sooner, we could see an alleviation of this extreme pricing."


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Will be in Florida Keys from Dec 10th-29th and would love to get out for a sail. Up here in the frozen wastelands of Canada the boats have been put away for a while and I sure could use a sail........Any takers?? Will be sure to bring along great food/snacks and plenty of cold beverages.
Cheers, David
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I didn't know whether to post this in Racing, Horse Followings, or Zenyatta News, so I settled on here. Has anyone calculated, or does anyone know of anyone who has calculated, Zenyatta's personal fractions (not the official race fractions) for a good number of her races--preferably all of them? I remember reading, after the '10 Classic, opinions from a few respected writers that her run in that race wasn't abnormal from her regular races as far as fractions go, it was the speed of the other horses which made the difference in how far behind she was at the beginning. Now, I did go and look at the fractions of her other races (official fractions, not her personal ones), and they weren't that much slower--and some were faster--than the Classic, but she never dropped that far behind before. So I'm wondering about the other half of that claim--her personal lifetime fractions.
Weird request, I know. Just thought I'd see if anyone has already done it. (And if you have, totally not judging.)
Random in-depth knowledge request
Post Reply
1 post • Page 1 of 1
Post Reply
1 post • Page 1 of 1


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UEFA Champions League: Viktoria Plzen 0 Man City 3
Manchester City scored three goals in 10 second-half minutes to start their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 3-0 win at Viktoria Plzen.
Edin Dzeko opened the scoring and Yaya Toure's stunning strike doubled City's lead before Sergio Aguero stunned the Czech champions with a third soon after.
City have failed to progress from the group stage in the last two seasons, but a convincing victory at the Doosan Arena will give them high hopes of an extended run this time around.
City captain Vincent Kompany was passed fit to return from a groin injury sustained during the Premier League opener against Newcastle United and manager Manuel Pellegrini also recalled Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Dzeko and Aguero for the Group D encounter.
Plzen were unable to call on defensive duo Marian Cisovsky and Radim Reznik, who were both ruled out due to injury.
Plzen goalkeeper Matus Kozacik was called into action after just six minutes to tip Spain winger Navas' right-foot strike from 20 yards out over the crossbar.
Aleksandar Kolarov was shown a yellow card for handball 16 minutes in and the City defender took a risk when he fouled Milan Petrzela three minutes later, but referee Paolo Tagliavento was happy just to give a free-kick.
Joe Hart fisted away the resulting set-piece from skipper Pavel Horvath, but City responded and Dzeko should have scored when he headed straight at Kozacik after being picked out by Kolarov.
City continued to probe as Aguero rattled the post with a shot from outside the penalty area and Kolarov fired the rebound straight at the keeper but the visitors were unable to break the deadlock before the break.
But City were in front just two minutes into the second half and Aguero was the architect, sliding a pass into the path of striker partner Dzeko, who found the bottom-right corner with a measured left-foot finish.
Dzeko fired over the bar a few minutes later, but City doubled their lead after 52 minutes in spectacular fashion when Toure bent a stunning right-foot strike into the top-right corner of the net from 25 yards out.
City were rampant and they were out of sight when Aguero turned sharply just inside the penalty area and fired home with a clinical left-foot finish.


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You ladies have been causing trouble since the 1950s.
You ladies have been causing trouble since the 1950s.
dianne says
Only since the 1950s?
Pierce R. Butler says
Those who cause trouble are, by definition, not ladies.
Brett McCoy says
Ah, your typical Reddit MRA member, that guy is…
darwinharmless says
Sure is embarrassing looking back to the fifties. But it's nice to see that as a whole we've made progress. At least in the part of the world I get to observe.
suzysalaksartok says
Theres a riffrax for that, incase anyone likes MST3k.
chigau (棒や石) says
That's a pretty enlightened video for the 1950s.
Alverant says
It must have been the weeks long marathon of MST3Ks I've been watching, but now black and white films seem wrong without silloetties of a human and two robots along the bottom.
OverlappingMagisteria says
Apparently getting married is a problem that only effects women. I wonder who they're marrying…
Holms says
"What is Brad's trouble?"
"He's a wanker."
unclefrogy says
answer to question at the end = he is a knuckle head, who also projects some
uncle frogy
Pyra says
Oh, no, not me. I've only been around since the 70's. You won't get more than my 4 decades out of me for all that trouble with "absenteeism, marriage, and personality problems." Funny how it always comes down to "there isn't a man available" to the supervisor… Glad to have moved on from that. Though I'd have though by now, we'd be much further along.
chigau (棒や石) says
Apparently getting married is a problem that only effects women.
A man used to go from his parents house (where his mother did everything for him) to his own house (where their his did everything for him).
The transition was barely noticeable.
brasidas says
Mr Chalmondley-Warner (Harry Enfield – easy to find on Youtube)would have something to say about this – Women, know your limits.
Sastra says
"What is Brad's trouble?"
Well, to give some credit to the film's intentions, this does seem to be written and filmed in order to provoke a discussion of some kind (maybe in a classroom?) Brad's previous complaints about women-workers-in-general are all shot down by the supervisor: they don't apply to the newly-hired female ball-bearings inspector. So, all things being equal, should you STILL be against having this particular woman in the office, just on general principles?
It wouldn't surprise me too much if the accompanying discussion guidelines (if there were any) encouraged steering the answer towards "no." No, if a woman manages to go through a whole lot of extra hoops and scrutiny and a man isn't available — well then,it just might work out anyway. Ya never know, do ya, Brad?
Of course, given the comic-music background and general atmosphere of stock-character sexism, it also wouldn't surprise me much if the real take-away answer was that yup, fire her! You just can't count on th' wimmun nohow. (I loved how the blond using the machine put her finger in her mouth like a toddler when getting instructions.)
Personally, after watching the film carefully, I think Brad's real problem was that he has a crush on the new girl. He gets uncomfortable in her presence cuz men and women — well — you know. Next film in the series has the female ball bearings inspector leaving to get married after all — to Brad!
Then we leave the workspace and follow the merry hijinks of the newlyweds.
Gregory in Seattle says
@Pierce R. Butler #2 – You reminded me of a play spoofing the anti-feminist attitudes of "proper" ladies, Ladies Against Women. The characters were based, supposedly, on the leading lights of the rabidly Talibangelical (and alas, all too real) group, Concerned Women for America.
chigau (棒や石) says
Sastra for shame!
The female bearing inspector is already married!
Are you suggesting that our Brad is a home-wrecker?
Louis says
I'm sorry but this video does not go into enough detail. There are far more problems with women. For example, they engage in, and are subject to Women's Things.
The topic of Women's Things is not to be discussed ever. But I have it on good authority it involves…{looks shiftily side to side}…hoohoos.
There is also the problem of hair, and, you know, possible Thingy.
Frankly they should all be shot.
anteprepro says
This video may be all we in order to fully understand why conservatives think of the 50's as the ideal America.
Beatrice, anti-imperialist anti-racist Islamophobiaphobic leftist says
Film's intention seems to be promotion of
equal fair tolerance of women in the workspace. While women are ditzy, you just have deal with them. Hard work, but with ladies wanting equality, you gotta make some allowances for their silly quirks.
New England Bob says
The supervisor sounded just like Mitt Romney in his tone – arrogant.
Sastra says
chigau #16 wrote:
The female bearing inspector is already married!
Are you suggesting that our Brad is a home-wrecker?
Oh, I missed that. Maybe the female ball-bearing inspector is already married … to Brad! And perhaps Brad just can't come right out in front of his supervisor and admit that he's not man enough to provide for his own family. Brad's problem is he needs a raise!!
Brad's real problem is that he's going to get his ass fired if he doesn't stop thinking about women, women, women all day long.
chigau (棒や石) says
How can poor Brad stop thinking about women when they are right there in his lab all day long being women‽
twincats says
That's a pretty enlightened video for the 1950s.
That was my first thought, too.
But then, I couldn't help thinking that the personnel director was way more concerned with poor Brad's wounded fee-fees than he likely would have been with any of the wimminz.
unclefrogy says
one of the differences I saw between Brad and the personnel director was that the personnel recognized what he was there to facilitate the production of the products of their employer so in order to keep production flowing he gets the best he can and has to lead the foreman gently along toward that end.
is it or was it a real representation of conditions then or any time I have no idea. It did remind me of one of those films you see in traffic school though.
uncle frogy
arcumentix says
feels more like an effort to get awkward men to put up with the harsh reality of having to accept women in the workplace due to shortage of higher quality male workers.
in one place i worked in the 90s, maybe 100 employees working there, one female candidate for an engineering role was asked if she planned to get pregnant anytime soon. her name was Debbie, she was soon nicknamed "Debbie D-cups" and it caught on. About a year later they needed to get rid of the last person to join, Debbie it was, so a director called up her previous employer looking for dirt on her.
even where i work now, i can see that men's attitude to women needs work. but it is more the older generation, on average.
busterggi says
The whole world went straight to hell after Laura Petrie wore those capri pants in 1960.
ladyh42 says
I get the 'women have their foibles but we're stuck with them so deal' vibe coming from this, so yeah, seems a bit more progressive than I thought before I watched it. It seems they definitely didn't want to step on anyones toes in the process.
I like how Brad has a problem with the one womans attitude to being moved, but he has an even bigger cow when his boss asks him to do something. Why are you acting like a woman Brad, isn't that a bad thing?
Ing:Intellectual Terrorist "Starting Tonight, People will Whine" says
Brad does not feel comfortable having a woman insect his ball barrings
NitricAcid says
I don't blame him, Ing. I don't want anyone insecting anything of mine.
lordofsporks says
Those darn uppity wimmins, I tells ya.
congaboy says
I thought that any question about the effectiveness of women in the work place was laid to rest by the montage scene from the 1980 smash hit "9 to 5." Just as all bigotry in the U.S. was eradicated with the election of Barrack Obama.
bluescreenlife says
It's Rebecca Watson's fault.
nms says
Bradshaw will carry a permanent grudge against someone for having a cluttered workbench, yet he allows the male employee's incredibly loud shirt to pass without comment.
Pierce R. Butler says
TonyJ says
In the late 80s and early 90s, I worked at a place that built fiberglass boats. One day a meeting was called, and we were told that a woman was going to be joining the fiberglass crew. We were told not to say suggestive things to her, and then the foreman giving the meeting basically said it'd be best if we just avoided talking to her altogether, what with the propensity of women nowadays to sue for sexual harassment over every little thing.
The troglodytes I worked with immediately branded her a lesbian and/or a slut because she was "doing a man's job". Another woman started in the welding department shortly after, and I overheard some guys saying she'd "probably be good in the sack because welding is a dirty job".
Ing:Intellectual Terrorist "Starting Tonight, People will Whine" says
To be fair MST3K shorts clearly established sex and joy are the leading causes of horrific blinding blow torch accidents on the job
mythbri says
Those shorts are depressing. There's one about car/train safety that is completely awful, and I know exactly which one you're talking about, too. Not only does sex and joy cause blindness, but also being crushed by railcars, if I recall.
Ing:Intellectual Terrorist "Starting Tonight, People will Whine" says
Also don't forget the one old guy in that short who wound up crushing his friend to death
xmaseveeve says
Anyone thinking of voting for Mitt-the-Mutt-Racker should watch that superb film by that gay director whose name escapes me: ' – oh no, what's it called? It's an homage to Sirk. 'Far Away'? Julianne Moore played a fifties housewife.
Have they not seen 'All that Heaven Allows', anyway? Rock Hudson was an abomination for falling in love with a woman no longer young enough to give him children. Sirk connected all prejudice to the subordination of women.
Gay men are hated because they are seen as closer to being women. Black men are seen as infantile, like women. With Romney, the acceptable would keep reducing until everyone should be white and Mormon, with no women's rights and therefore, no humanity.
Sexism demeans men as well as women. I never had children, and never wanted them. Some women are motherly types, and some are like me, only with kids. We are all people, just like men. Sexism does not compute. Let's not go back to 'all that Romney (backed up by his One God) allows'.
Oh. That film was 'Far From Heaven'. Watch it. While you're at it, watch 'Provoked', about the Kiranjit Alluwallia case. How can women vote for the crazy, creeping carpetbagger with the apologetic smile, Vlad Mitty?
I thought he wanted to hit Obama in that debate. But he needs votes.
Alethea H. "Crocoduck" Dundee says
Try 1400s.
Rutee Katreya says
Gay men are hated because they are seen as closer to being women. Black men are seen as infantile, like women. With Romney, the acceptable would keep reducing until everyone should be white and Mormon, with no women's rights and therefore, no humanity.
Attn: White Women
All oppression does not flow from the oppression of women. Racism or heterosexism or w/e is not going to go away if women stop being oppressed.
I'm pleasantly surprised Ladies against Women is a musical as well. Making flippant feminism to fight foolish foes, um, I'm no good at alliteration. But I do like clever snark, and making it big and loud.
I don't blame him, Ing. I don't want anyone insecting anything of mine.
What about arachniding them?
F says
I think Brad's real problem was that he has a crush on the new girl.
You can keep reducing this until you have a sauce.
Brad's problem: She's not wearing a burqa.
Brad's problem: She's not a man.
Brad's problem: Neither the apparently nameless ball bearing (no puns, please) inspecting woman, nor anyone else, is Brad.
Brad's problem: Brad.
I'm certain their are different routes to a similar end. Could be a parlour game.
Janine: Hallucinating Liar says
It is almost like women did not work in heavy industries in the early forties.
Ing:Intellectual Terrorist "Starting Tonight, People will Whine" says
What about arachniding them?
You assholes really tick me off. We mite have a problem here
borkmcfink says
Reminds me of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS37SNYjg8w
Stardrake says
Janine: Hallucinating Liar @43:
You really are a hallucinating liar, aren't you? Next thing, you'll be saying American farmers grew Hemp for Victory in the early 40's.
Or worse, that the U.S.A. allied with the Commie Red Russkies!
otrame says
I should know better than to eat while reading anything by Louis.
Louis, I am madly in love with you, but now I have to wipe pork chop frags off my monitor.
dearania says
Hello All,
I know its YouTube and I shouldn't expect any intelligent commentary there, but does anyone want to help me skewer the MRA douche on this video who is claiming that all rape statistics come from a "feminist" study?
dearania says
Ok…. I was not expecting it to embed the video. I really thought it would just post the link. My apologies.
Akira MacKenzie says
Ing @ 36
Actually, if I remember the short it was thoughts of sex and joy that led to spending your life in a back brace and stuck in a now-miserable marriage. It was childbirth that led to getting your eyes burned out with a acetylene torch.
Akira MacKenzie says
mythbri @ 37
There's one about car/train safety that is completely awful…
"Why don't they look, Ralph? Tell me, why don't they look?"
latsot says
*I* want to work on the oscilloscope.
blf says
It's not females who are a problem. It's the cooties they carry…
coyotenose says
I think Brick Tamland can help us all understand the real problem here:
drxym says
Another "Women Know your Limits" skit – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39qdhbkTko4&feature=related
Jadzia626 says
You ladies have been causing trouble since the 1950s.
Well, I was born in the 70s, so it's not my fault >.>
John Phillips, FCD says
Jadzia626, that's no excuse.
totalretard says
Brad's trouble? He's just too perspicacious.


text:
Industries Addressing the 2000-2001 Western Energy Crisis
Western Energy Crisis Settlements
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's wide-ranging response to the 2000-2001 Western energy crisis is a detailed and complex narrative. It still is unfolding to this day.
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Part of the Family Matters series
The Great Recession slammed into all age groups, flattening the career dreams of young people and squeezing the retirement accounts of middle-aged savers. It financially crippled many elderly people who had thought they could stand on their own.
To cope with the hard times that began five years ago, millions of families pulled together — stacking two, three, even four generations on top of one another. Between 2007 and 2009, the total number of Americans living in multigenerational households shot up more than 10 percent, from 46.5 million to 51.4 million.
That's the largest number of Americans living in multigenerational households in modern history, according to the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan research group.
Now, even as the recovery gains steam, record numbers of people are still living under a roof where adult children, middle-aged parents and elderly grandparents must learn to live together.
On Tuesday, NPR's Morning Edition begins a two-month exploration of this increasingly common experience. In a series called "Family Matters," reporter David Greene will take listeners on a journey, deep into the lives of three families struggling with issues of money, duty and love.
At NPR.org, stories will delve into the financial issues facing these three families — and millions of others like them. Among the topics to be examined: the need for financial planning; the options for elder care; costs of do-it-yourself care for the elderly; long-term care insurance; college costs; and reverse mortgages.
While people of all ages are living in multigenerational homes, this series will focus on those in the middle — the millions of people sandwiched between their aging parents' growing needs and their children's "launch" costs — from first-car purchases to higher education.
The baby boom generation often is defined as Americans born between 1946 and 1964. But the peak of the boom covered the mid-1950s through the early 1960s. Those are the people now in their late 40s and 50s — the group that may have assumed these would be their best years financially.
In the past, this middle-age phase marked the highest earning and saving years — the period after the kids were grown and the parents gone. But for this generation, the middle years have gotten tougher.
First, this group tended to marry and have children later than previous generations. And "launch" times have gotten longer for their children as the need for education has increased. As a result, people in their 50s often are still supporting children who, in theory, are adults.
Meanwhile, elderly Americans are living longer. In 1950, U.S. life expectancy was just over age 68. Today, it's nearly 79. In many cases, as people live longer, they are piling up higher medical and personal care costs, while draining the savings that might otherwise have served as an inheritance for younger generations. The price of getting help, such as that provided by long-term-care insurance, has gotten much steeper in recent years.
Yolanda Hunter, 43, is one of the people who opened her door to NPR. The Maryland resident is struggling with the costs — physical and financial — of caring for her grandmother. "I used to hear about people saying, 'Oh you know, we got to put our parents in a home, we can't deal with it anymore,' " she said. "And I used to think, 'Oh, how cruel are you?' you know, but now? I understand how people get to that last possible moment — it takes over your entire life."
And just as record numbers of families were dealing with the impact of having slow-to-leave children and long-to-linger parents, the Great Recession hit. That made everything tougher.
During the long and brutal downturn, real estate values plunged and retirement accounts shrank. In 2004, the average household net worth was $95,010 — including home equity. After the recession hit, that figure plunged to just $70,692 by 2010, according to Pew data.
So now, the generation in the middle faces an array of financial pressures. How can they make it all work — especially in a multigenerational household? It's a juggling act that can be financially and physically draining. It can also be deeply rewarding emotionally. It is about duty, caring and joy. It's life.
This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm Lynn Neary.
And I'm Steve Inskeep.
More and more Americans are living in multigenerational households - three generations or more under one roof. People do this for financial reasons, emotional reasons - or both. But many were not expecting to be living this way at this time.
Our colleague David Greene has been getting to know three families like this, and we're going to spend much of the next eight weeks with them, in a series called "Family Matters." That's because these families face almost every kind of financial decision - including, possibly, decisions like the ones you face.
David Greene, welcome back.
DAVID GREENE, BYLINE: Thanks, Steve.
INSKEEP: So who have you met?
GREENE: These three families you mentioned, they're really living out these stresses and pressures, and in so many different ways. And I want to get right to their voices so you can really get a sense for who they are. And let's start in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. And you're going to hear now the voice of an 87-year-old woman named AnnaBelle Bowers. Her family calls her, lovingly, Snutzie. So she has two granddaughters who have, literally, opened their homes to her. She lives half her time with one household, half with the other.
These are families, Steve, that are dealing with all these other pressures - you know, how much money to put away for retirement, how to pay for college for their kids. And Mrs. Bowers, she knows she's adding to their pressures. And when I spoke to her, she did something that we've actually been hearing a lot. She broke up the tension in the room with a little bit of laughter.
How do you feel when you see your family taking care of you? Like...
ANNABELLE BOWERS: Well, I hate it. I just feel like I'm a burden, but the girls don't even think that way of me. I make their day miserable, but I make it.
GREENE: So Steve, we'll get to know that family. Now, let me take you to another family in Maryland, right outside Washington, D.C. There's a 24-year-old named Nicholas. He's living at home. He was exploring this career in the arts. But when his grandfather - who's in his 80s - started really suffering from dementia and moved in, Nicholas has been thinking about trying to find a career that'll make him more money so he can help out with the family. And everything is so fragile under this roof.
Nicholas had a friend staying over one night and when his grandfather, who has dementia, woke up and saw this unfamiliar face, it just threw the whole day off.
NICHOLAS: I had a friend on the couch, and Grandpa came out of his room. He automatically asked, who is that? And that was what threw everything off. So from that point on, it was no, I'm not getting in the car; no, I'm not going to day care; no, I think I'm going to stay here today - like, whatever the case may have been.
GREENE: It threw everything off, Steve; meant that family members had to decide whether to skip work that day to take care of Grandpa. And that brings with it all sorts of questions about, you know, making money that day.
And finally, the last family we're going to meet is right outside Baltimore, and it's these three generations of women. And in the middle is Geneva Hunter. And she lives with her 90-year-old mom, who's fallen ill. And Geneva is dealing with a lot of emotions. One, she's watching her mom fade away, which is something that so many people in her generation are confronting today. But she's also watching her own daughter sacrifice everything, including a job, to be the caretaker, to take care of her grandma full time.
GENEVA HUNTER: I've always wanted the very best for her. I want it even more now. I do want her to go back to work and be happy. You know, I want her to have her life back.
GREENE: And so, Steve, just some of the voices we'll be hearing. Those are voices from three different families who we'll be following.
INSKEEP: Amazing to hear people having to change careers; people missing work; people going through this process of slow, slow grief. Is this something that any of your families expected to happen to them?
GREENE: No. And that's really what we've been hearing about. I mean, families can do all the preparing and think that they're on top of everything. But when an elderly family member falls ill, when something happens, there's this flashpoint where you have to decide, you know what? The best option is just to bring everyone together under a single roof. All the financial questions, all the emotional stresses - these families say they just had no idea what to expect, and they weren't prepared.
INSKEEP: Well, maybe this series of financial stories over the next eight weeks is going to help a lot of people in that situation, and inform many people besides. David, stay with us. I want to bring another voice into the conversation.
Paul Taylor is executive vice president of the Pew Research Center. He's been doing demographic research on families like the ones we've been hearing. Is that right, Mr. Taylor?
PAUL TAYLOR: Yes, we have.
INSKEEP: How common are the stories you just heard?
TAYLOR: It's becoming more and more common. We estimate that about one in six Americans live in multigenerational family households. That's 54 million Americans. If you go back 30 years to 1980, only 28 million Americans. So this phenomenon has doubled in size, in the last generation or so. And it has been spurred in recent years by the rotten economy that a lot of people are having to cope with.
INSKEEP: People just can't afford to live independently. Children can't get jobs, and older folks can't stay independent.
TAYLOR: And you know what? It turns out to be a very successful, unofficial anti-poverty program. Families living in these circumstances, if you look at their overall median income, it is lower than the national average. But they also have lower poverty rates. They have figured out a way to pool resources, to make do, and to stay above a floor of poverty better than other Americans in their same economic circumstances.
INSKEEP: Now, let's not assume it's all bad. There can be something heartening about this. You're staying close to your parents. You're staying close to your grandparents. But it's also given rise to this term "the sandwich generation." What is that?
TAYLOR: The sandwich generation is - are people in middle age, and it happens to be a very large generation. That's the famous baby boom generation that was born right after World War II - 75 million. They're in their late 40s to their early and mid-60s. And they have a greater likelihood than any other generation their age to have living parents. They also have a greater likelihood to have not only minor children that they're still caring for, but young adult children they're still caring for, because we have the phenomena of either the boomerang generation or the never-launched generation - the 22-year-old, the 28-year-old, the 30-year-old who's having trouble finding that first job. So the caregiving is not done grudgingly. The caregiving, as you say, is generally done quite lovingly.
INSKEEP: Now, we got started on this series because people here were talking about financial literacy - about the difficulty people have in navigating the increasingly complicated financial decisions that they face. How knowledgeable do you think people are about the financial decisions that they're making, and that they have to make day-to-day?
TAYLOR: You know, my guess is, from looking at the data, that people who wind up in multigenerational family households weren't expecting it, weren't planning for it. But, you know, there's a great line from Robert Frost: A home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.
People run into circumstances - whether they're older and they're in failing health; whether they're in middle age and they've lost a job, or their homes have been foreclosed on; whether they're young adults and they can't get started. And they have to adjust. It is the ultimate social safety net. I think some of it has to do with the tougher economy, so you have to double up. Frankly, some of it has to do with the fact that in terms of money, most of the household wealth in this country is parked at the upper end of the age scale. There's a lot of wealth. This is the healthiest and wealthiest generation of older people that we've ever had. So while there's a lot of caregiving that boomers give to their elderly parents as their health begins to fail, there's also a tremendous amount of financial assistance that the elderly parent gives to the boomer.
INSKEEP: So we're going to be learning right along with these families - and with NPR's David Greene, who's still with us. And David, where do we go next week as we begin this eight-week journey?
GREENE: Steve, we're going to spend some more time with the Shamone-Gilmore family from outside Washington, D.C. And that's the family of Nicholas, the 24-year-old you heard from. It's interesting - I hear Paul Taylor talking to you about this idea that the caregiving is not being done grudgingly; it's being done lovingly. And one of the real questions that this family faced, and a lot of families in the country face, is - you know, if you decide to think about a nursing home or in this case, an adult day center - you know, if that's the reality for your family, you have to do that because you can't care for an elderly parent, you know, 24 hours a day. You need to keep a job. But can you still offer loving care to this member of your family while using a facility like that? And we're going to take a trip into an adult day center in Maryland. And so that's what we'll be exploring next week.
INSKEEP: Looking forward to it. David Greene is our correspondent. Paul Taylor, of the Pew Research Center, is with us here. And the series is "Family Matters." You can follow the series online, and see photos of all the families we're following, at npr.org. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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All Department of Chemistry courses
Showing courses 1-25 of 69
Courses per page: 10 | 25 | 50 | 100
This course will introduce students to the central question of how to encode molecules and molecular properties in a computational model. Building on the compulsory informatics course (see previous table entry), it will focus on reactivity parameterisation and prediction. The basics of DFT calculations will be introduced, together with how DFT can be used to model reactions (including flaws, assumptions, drawbacks etc). Lecture based format will be complemented by practical sessions in setting up different DFT-based calculations.
The session will cover the use of electronic laboratory notebook which is a computer programme designed to replace laboratory notebooks. ELN will help the users to document research, experiments and procedures performed in a laboratory.
This course will focus on recent progress in the application of kernel-based methods, Random Forests and Deep Neural Networks to modelling in chemistry. The material will build on the content of the core Informatics course and introduce new descriptors, advanced modelling techniques and example applications drawn from the current literature. Lectures will be interactive, with students working through computational exercises during class sessions.
An applied introduction to probabilistic modelling, machine learning and artificial intelligence-based approaches for students with little or no background in theory and modelling. The course will be taught through a series of case studies from the current literature in which modelling approaches have been applied to large datasets from chemistry and biochemistry. Data and code will be made available to students and discussed in class. Students will become familiar with python based tools that implement the models though practical sessions and group based assignments.
The course will introduce the general methodology of model development, including techniques for model identification and parameter estimation. The idea of model-based design of experiments will be introduced and linked to parameter estimation. Tools for model development and MBDoE will also be introduced.
Process systems engineering (PSE) is a developed field of engineering, focusing on mathematical methods of optimisation of individual processes and systems of processes used in the manufacture of molecules. PSE tools include methods of identifying reaction kinetics, methods of model development, model-based design of experiments, analysis of system integration, and system optimisation tools. The application of PSE tools in petrochemical industry is well-developed and leads to major benefits in terms of process efficiency, safety and economics. The application of PSE tools in manufacture of more complex molecules and products, such as agrichemicals and pharmaceuticals, is less developed. This is mainly due to the difficulty in generating good models in the processes that are frequently not fully understood and not fully observed (not all species are monitored or identified). This course will cover key methods from PSE toolbox that are relevant for development of more complex synthetic chemistry-based manufacturing processes: methods of kinetics analysis, model-based design of experiments, use of models for process integration and optimisation. The course will be run as a workshop over two days.
|Wed 20 May 2020
Chemistry plays a very crucial role in tackling 21st century global challenges. From climate change mitigation to discovering therapeutic strategies for human health and driving sustainable energy production and usage - we are faced with many challenges for which chemical sciences has been providing and will continue to provide many plausible solutions.
Much of the research involved in developing these initiatives requires a huge drive towards interdisciplinary research networks. As such, this course has been developed with some of our colleagues from across the Chemistry Department who are working on exciting and emerging areas with this multidisciplinary focus.
This 10 session course will introduce how chemistry can be used as a tool to solve these challenges. First session will include the introduction. Each lecture following this will focus on a different branch, area or concept of chemistry covering the fundamental chemistry and background of how it works, any advances to date and the applications towards tackling these global challenges.
The first session is compulsory, plus choose optional sessions you wish to attend when you make your booking.
Session 1: Introduction
Session 2: Organic Electronics
Session 3: Electrochemistry (Batteries)
Session 4: Mechanochemistry (Mill-Grinding)
Session 5: Antibody Design
Session 6: Supramolecular Materials
Session 7: Air Quality Sensing
Session 8: Photochemistry
Session 9: Transition Metal Catalysis
Session 10: Bioconjugation
PhD students have plenty of options once you graduate. In this interactive session we will look at the pros and cons of different career options. You will have a chance to think about what you want your work to do for you and what you can offer employers, and you will learn ways to find out more about jobs in which you are interested.
Starting to apply for jobs both in and outside academia? Preparing for an interview? Not sure how to target your application, what to include and what to leave out. In this session you can learn more about how selection processes work including how to put together a CV and cover letter and how to prepare for job interviews. The workshop will include interactive exercises, a review of successful application materials, and discussions.
Spectroscopic methods in biochemistry and biophysics are powerful tools to characterise the chemical properties of samples in chemistry and biology, including molecules, macromolecules, living organisms, polymers and materials. Within the wide class of biophysical methods, infrared spectroscopy (IR) is a sensitive analytical label-free tool able to identify the chemical composition and properties of a sample through its molecular vibrations, which produce a characteristic fingerprint spectrum. An infrared spectrum is commonly obtained by passing infrared radiation through a sample and determining what fraction of the incident radiation is absorbed at a particular energy. The energy at which any peak in an absorption spectrum appears corresponds to the frequency of a vibration of a part of a sample molecule. One of the great advantages of infrared spectroscopy is that virtually any sample in virtually any state may be studied, such as liquids, solutions, pastes, powders, films, fibres, gases and surfaces can all be examined. In this introductory course, the basic ideas and definitions associated with infrared spectroscopy will be described. First, the possible configurations of the spectrometers used to measure IR absorption will be discussed. Then, the vibrations of molecules, inorganic and organic chemical compounds, as well as large biomolecules will be introduced, as these are crucial to the interpretation of infrared spectra in every day experimental life.
This session is compulsory for all experimentalists to attend and will provide useful information regarding analytical facilities at this Department including NMR, mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. Short descriptions will be given of all available instruments, as well as explain the procedures for preparing/submitting samples for the analysis will also be discussed.
Mass spectrometry is one of the main analytical-chemical techniques used to characterise organic compounds and their elemental composition. This overview will discuss some of the most frequently used mass spectrometry techniques and their specific strengths (e.g., quadrupole, time-of-flight and high-resolution MS), as well as ionisation techniques such as electron ionisation (EI), electrospray ionisation (ESI), matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) and MS techniques to quantify metal concentrations (e.g. inductively coupled plasma MS, ICP-MS) and isotope ratios.
This training will consist of two sessions, introducing you to use of both Water's MS software and MassLynx and Bruker and Thermo's MS software: MALDI and Orbitrap.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy represents one of the most informative and widely used techniques for characterisation of compounds in the solution and solid state. Most researchers barely tap into the potential of the experiments that are available on the instruments in the Department, so in this short course we will explore the basic concepts that will allow you to make the most of these powerful techniques for routine analysis, as well as introducing more specialised experiments.
This course will provide an idea of what kind of scientific problems can be solved by solid state NMR. It will cover how NMR can be used to study molecular structure, nanostructure and dynamics in the solid state, including heterogeneous solids, such as polymers, MOFs, energy-storage and biological materials This course will build on a basic working knowledge of solution-state NMR for 1H and 13C, i.e. undergraduate level NMR. In order to highlight the utility of this technique, some materials based research using solid state NMR will also be covered
The session will also give an insight into some of the more advanced features of the software, and how to optimise your workflow.
These lectures will introduce the basics of crystallography and diffraction, assuming no prior knowledge. The aim is to provide an overview that will inspire and serve as a basis for researchers to use the Department's single-crystal and/or powder X-ray diffraction facilities or to appreciate more effectively results obtained through the Department's crystallographic services. The final lecture will be devoted to searching and visualising crystallographic data using the Cambridge Structural Database system.
This lecture will provide an overview of the Department's electron microscopy facility. It will cover the theory of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), including cryo-TEM and tomography, as well as analytical techniques Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS). Examples of how these techniques can be used to characterise a range of samples including polymers, proteins and inorganic materials will be shown.
Since introduction in 1986 by Binnig, Quate and Gerber, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as one of the most powerful scanning probe microscopy technique. The possibility to acquire three-dimensional morphology maps of specimens on a surface in both air and in their native liquid environment with sub-nanometre resolution makes it a very versatile single molecule technique. A conventional AFM topography map provides valuable information on the morphology and structure of heterogeneous biological samples, while single molecule force spectroscopy can interrogate the biophysical and nanomechanical properties of the sample at the nanoscale. Furthermore, the combination of AFM with spectroscopic modes enable to enquire the optical properties of the sample with nanoscale resolution. In these introductory lectures, the general capabilities of AFM with respect to other scanning probe and electron microscopy techniques will be discussed. The general principles governing the functioning of AFM in contact and tapping mode will be given, as well as the principles enabling the study of nanomechanical properties of samples by force spectroscopy and nanomechanical imaging. Other modes such as scattering SNOM, AFM-IR and Raman will be generally discussed. The course will provide the necessary background to acquire a morphology map by AFM. The last session will consist of a hand-on session introducing the students to the use and functioning of an AFM instrument.
In this session, Dr. Mukund S. Chorghade will discuss the pivotal role played by Process Chemistry / Route Selection in the progress of a drug from conception to commercialization. The medicinal chemistry routes for synthesis are usually low yielding and are fraught with capricious reactions, cryogenic temperatures, tedious chromatography and problems in scale-up to multi-kilo and multi-ton levels. Considerable research efforts have to be expended in developing novel, cost efficacious and scalable processes and seamlessly transferring these technologies to manufacturing operations. These principles will be exemplified by process development case studies on a variety of pharmaceutical moieties such as anti-epileptic and an anti-asthma drugs. We were able to also discover a large number of New Chemical Entities by our new "Process Chemistry Driven Medicinal Chemistry"
We will exemplify advances in proprietary in vitro green chemistry-based technology, mimicking in vivo metabolism of several chemical entities used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agrochemicals. Our catalysts enable prediction of metabolism patterns with soft-spot analysis Metabolites are implicated in adverse drug reactions and are the subject of intense scrutiny in drug R&D. Present-day processes involving animal studies are expensive, labor-intensive and chemically inconclusive. Our catalysts (azamacrocycles) are sterically protected and electronically activated, providing speed, stability and scalability. We predict structures of metabolites, prepare them on a large scale by oxidation, and elucidate chemical structures. Comprehensive safety evaluation enables researchers to conduct more complete in vitro metabolism studies, confirm structure and generate quantitative measures of toxicity.
Drug discovery is a complex multidisciplinary process with chemistry as the core discipline. A small molecule New Chemical Entity (NCE) (80% of drugs marketed) has had its genesis in the mind of a chemist. A successful drug is not only biologically active (the easy bit), but is also therapeutically effective in the clinic – it has the correct pharmacokinetics, lack of toxicity, is stable and can be synthesised in bulk, selective and can be patented. Increasingly, it must act at a genetically defined sub-population of patients. Medicinal chemists therefore work at the centre of a web of disciplines – biology, pharmacology, molecular biology, toxicology, materials science, intellectual property and medicine. This fascinating interplay of disciplines is the intellectual space within which a chemist has to make the key compound that will become an effective medicine. It happens rarely, despite enormous investment in time, money and effort. What factors make a program successful? I would like to briefly outline the process, but importantly to offer some key with examples of success
Drug discovery is a complex multidisciplinary process with chemistry as the core discipline. A small molecule New Chemical Entity (NCE) (80% of drugs marketed) has had its genesis in the mind of a chemist. A successful drug is not only biologically active (the easy bit), but is also therapeutically effective in the clinic – it has the correct pharmacokinetics, lack of toxicity, is stable and can be synthesised in bulk, selective and can be patented. Increasingly, it must act at a genetically defined sub-population of patients. Medicinal chemists therefore work at the centre of a web of disciplines – biology, pharmacology, molecular biology, toxicology, materials science, intellectual property and medicine. This fascinating interplay of disciplines is the intellectual space within which a chemist has to make the key compound that will become an effective medicine. It happens rarely, despite enormous investment in time, money and effort. What factors make a program successful? I would like to briefly outline the process, but importantly to offer some key with examples of success
When you have 1000s of possible compounds you could make from any one start point what do you make first? This lecture will cover some general basic principles on designing more potent molecules, as well as some practical tips on how to run an optimization program and how to focus synthetic efforts. Binding modalities (reversible, covalent) will be briefly covered, as well as some newer non-traditional modalities. This lecture will also serve as an introduction to the medicinal chemistry game.
Predicting and controlling how a chemical molecule will be processed by the body is vital to developing a successful drug. This lecture will discuss the path a molecule takes from initial dose through to elimination, describe the ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion) processes that take place and how these are related to compound structure and physicochemical properties. In addition to standard small molecule PK some other new modalities will be also be introduced to illustrate how methods such as PEGylation and lipoparticle encapsulation can be employed to modulate compound pharmacokinetic properties.
A real drug discovery example will be used. After a brief introduction to the task and the chemical startpoint, we will split into teams and iteratively try to design improved analogues. Molecules will be marked "in real time" during the session to recreate the design-make-test-analysis cycle, then teams can compare their optimized molecules, and we can compare them to what happened in real life.
Please note: To take part in this session you will need to have attended DD1-DD4.