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CARRY-X™ simplifies heavy lifting
Carrying strap that simplifies heavy lifting and distributes weight to shaft instead of hand and arm.
- Gives freer hands on heavy lifting.
- Load shaft instead of arm and hand.
- For even load, two carrying straps can be used.
- Works very well with HANDLE-X.
- Design with regard to personal safety and work environment.
Ergonomic analysis of the benefits of the following aids made by Leg. Physiotherapist / ergonomist Anders Silvermark:
– Reduces the risk of injury due to congestion in the wrist. Ex. carpal tunnel syndrome, sensory disorder. Improves the possibility of gentle lifting. Improves for neck, shoulders and shoulders when carrying heavy objects. The advantage is that weight is distributed to the shoulder portion.


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Today, the England and Wales Cricket Board centrally announced that the eight regional teams within the new Women's Elite domestic structure have confirmed their allocation of professional players for the 2021 season, with 41 female cricketers signing full-time contracts.
Sunrisers, the regional side comprising Middlesex, Essex, Northamptonshire, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), and the five national counties of Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire, have awarded contracts to Amara Carr, Kelly Castle, Naomi Dattani, Jo Gardner and Cordelia Griffith.
Earlier this year in June, Sunrisers initially awarded regional retainers to each of Carr, Dattani and Griffith for the 2020 season, however they, along with Castle and Gardner have now all progressed on to full-time terms.
Each of Carr, Dattani and Griffith play with Middlesex Cricket, whilst Castle and Gardner become the first female players to come through Essex's and Northamptonshire's respective ranks to earn professional contracts. Castle is the current Essex Women's Captain, whilst Gardner moved from Northamptonshire to play with Warwickshire Women ahead of the 2017 season.
Speaking of the awarding of these five professional full-time domestic contracts, Danni Warren, Regional Head of Women's Cricket for the London and East region, commented:
"Despite the challenges that 2020 has presented as a year, today's announcement is yet another memorable moment, for the players themselves, Sunrisers as a region and for the women's game.
"All five of these players personify the values that Sunrisers are working to develop across our region and throughout the time we have worked with them they leave nothing behind in pursuit of improvement as players and individuals.
"We could not ask for more fantastic people or role models, they all care deeply about the impact they can have on the game itself and all the staff and I here at Sunrisers cannot wait to see them flourish over the coming months and years."
The ECB's Managing Director of Women's Cricket, Clare Connor, added:
"We're delighted that these 41 young women are able to call themselves full-time professional cricketers and we wish them every success.
"The introduction of these 41 professional players, in addition to our 17 Centrally Contracted England Women's players is the most significant step forward for the women's game in recent years.
"In terms of the health of women's cricket in England and Wales, we cannot overestimate the importance of these 41 players having the opportunity to train and work on their skills full-time, with access to high quality coaching and facilities across the eight regions.
"Today's news is not only wonderful for the players themselves, it represents a step change for our whole domestic game and for young girls who will now be able to see more opportunity and aspiration in front of them.
"When you add in the profile opportunity of The Hundred next year, the landscape looks even more exciting. After a challenging year in the wake of the pandemic, I'm really pleased with the progress we've made in 2020, just one year after launching our action plan to transform women's and girls' cricket."

subset: commoncrawl


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NorCal 9-11 Film Festival
Blog created for upcoming NorCal 9/11 Film Festival
The 5th Annual Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance Film Festival will be held at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, CA on September 9th and 10th, 2009.
The film festival now has a blog:
NorCal 9-11 Film Festival
There is also a higher contrast version:
NorCal 9-11 Film Festival - HC
Please visit the blog, tell me what you think and check back daily as it will be updated frequently.
You can also leave questions either here or on the blog for the main speakers, I will look over them and print out a few to be asked on stage at the film festival.
Other sites with information on the film festival:
This will be my second year as stage manager for the film festival and I will use this blog to keep the readers apprised of the latest developments and information regarding the film festival. I'm also assisting 911tv.org with their video production of Dr. Griffin's Thursday night presentation on WTC 7.


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In addition to wedding and event invitations, we love creating custom stationery and other personalized paper items too.
Here are some of our most popular options, but we are always up for a challenge if you're looking for something else!
• baby announcements
• bar/bat mitzvahs• coasters
• cocktail napkins
• escort/place cards
• event seating charts
• holiday cards
• menus
• personal stationery
• programs
Make an appointment to come in, or fill out our client questionnaire and we'll send some images of designs we think you'll love!


text: I recently ordered and received the Peak Design Universal Adapter and finally got the chance to try it out today. I actually received it for free as I have ordered a case from them, the Everyday Case for Pixel. Due to various problems the cases are still on back order. No big deal but Peak…Read more


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Passover is getting closer and it's once more time to get ready for that Matzah. Here is a great and funny video on Matzah: What's Up With It? Or what about this one? Rapping the sea where Jono and G-fish sing a song of praise, using the timeless Jewish folk tradition of Rap Music (about the Exodus), or this one: The school of Gefilte fish?
Tags: Matzah Tags: Passover Tags: Pesach Tags: Jewish Tags: Chabad Tags: Gefilte Fish Tags: Torah Tags: Judaism Tags: Video Tags: Media


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- 800 mg enzyme blend contains the optimal enzymes for breaking down carbs, sugars, proteins, fats, and vegetables/plant matter.
- The most complete digestive enzyme supplement available on the market.
- Designed for comprehensive digestion support.
- Vegetarian friendly and free from artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and most common allergens.
Why Supplement for Digestive Enzymes?
Before discussing the benefits of supplementation, lets first get an understanding of what digestive enzymes are and how they function in the human body.
The term 'digestive enzyme' refers to a variety of biological catalysts in the digestive tract which are responsible for breaking down macronutrients (carbs, protein & fats) from the foods we eat into smaller, more readily absorbable nutrient groups.1
There are countless varieties of digestive enzymes in the body, and on the supplement market. If you're already familiar with the world of digestive enzyme supplementation, then you are probably aware of the big three: protease, lipase, and amylase. These are the most common ingredients found in digestive enzyme supplements, with most products failing to include any other varieties of digestive enzyme.
This brings us back to the original question: Why supplement for digestive enzymes? These supplements are most often used to fight constipation, indigestion, and other common gastrointestinal complications. However, do these benefits really hold water?
The sad is answer is that supplements with limited enzyme content are unlikely to make a significant impact on digestive functions. In addition, there is also the threat that low-quality digestive enzyme supplements will contain inadequate dosages.
Digestive enzyme supplements which do not fall into either of these categories, like Vital-zymes from Klaire Labs, may be uniquely capable of replenishing the body's natural ability to breakdown and process food healthily.
- If pregnant, nursing, or undergoing treatment for a medical condition, consult your physician before taking this product
- Keep out of reach of children
- Do not exceed recommended dose
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This Product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.


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Hello and welcome to Breath day 1.
Two songs today. One is a straight cover, the other has a bit of cover, a bit of new writing.
Christmas on Earth
This is a cover from the relatively obscure but incredibly accomplished singer/songwriter Momus. I've loved its melody since I first heard it on his 1993 album Timelord.
In 2018 I made a video for it. It was mid-December so it was a bit of a rush! I huddled in the hall cupboard in the dark to get some footage of me miming and added it to some stock footage of space. In the end I was quite pleased with it. See what you think …
When I play this live I introduce it as co-written with two people who don't know they co-wrote it with me. One because he's dead – the late great Jacques Brel and the other because I adapted his adaptation of it. So Brel wrote Jackie, Momus (real name Nick Currie) wrote Nicky and I wrote Ricky.
Here's the song
Well that's day 1. I hope you'll join me tomorrow for three more songs


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The World Day of Prayer is over for another year, or is it? The service may be over, but the prayers must continue for the world, by the world. Every day, modern news networks are overwhelming us with more and more current events that we must pray about. From the devastation of unprecedented flooding in eastern Australia, to the recent invasion of Ukraine, to the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, and they are all accompanied by the heartbreak of lives lost. So many are suffering at this present time and need our prayers.
Prayer is powerful, and amazing things happen when we offer sincere prayers in the name of Jesus, our Saviour. Much has been written about prayer and many miracles have been recorded after prayers were offered. Sceptics may claim that these answers to prayer were coincidences, or that the turn arounds in situations happened because they were already heading in that direction, even when there is no evidence that this was the case. However, Christians know that prayer works, and so we must continue to pray in all circumstances.
In March 1981, Australian Church Women (ACW) published an article on prayer that was presented at the Silver Jubilee of the Fellowship of the Least Coin (FLC) in 1980, in Manila. The speaker/author was Mary Fadel of Cairo, Egypt, who was the Chairperson of the World Day of Prayer International Committee. Mary gave permission to print her presentation in full to Marie Price, who was the Australian National FLC Convenor. Marie had also attended the Least Coin Silver Jubilee, and she became friends with Mary Fadel.
Here is an excerpt from Mary Fadel's presentation:
'Prayer is actually the greatest privilege that has been given to us as human beings. With Christ's death on the Cross and the reconciliation He accomplished for us with His Father, prayer has developed a new meaning, and brought us into a more intimate relationship with God where we can call Him Father.'
'The most wonderful thing about prayer is that, in spite of the fact that prayer is the most revolutionary power that can change things, still it is within the reach of every person whoever he/she is and wherever he/she may be. We have seen over the centuries, how prayer has brought about results which were sometimes beyond the understanding of the human mind. In both the Old and New Testaments, we see many of these incidents. At the dawn of Christianity, the church resorted to much prayer, and it was empowered to act in a marvelous way, that it brought about wonderment and conviction, and many joined the new faith. History also records no great spiritual revival without much prayer preceding it.
'We cannot over-emphasize prayer. Even our Saviour Himself, to whom all authority in Heaven and earth was given, spent much time in prayer while He was here on earth. Now, seated at the right hand of God the Father in the place of authority in Heaven, He is giving Himself to prayer and intercession for us. Since He is our example, we can rightly say that prayer is the highest calling that a Christian can have.'
As we begin another annual Lenten season, let us be in earnest prayer that the world may know the love of Jesus. Lent is a time of reflection and personal denial as we acknowledge the sacrifices that Jesus made for us on His journey to death on that cruel cross. Sacrifices for all because of His love for all. Let our Lenten preparations for Easter focus not only on our relationship with Christ, but also that the world needs His love.
Women at Work, ACW National Newsletter, March 1981, pp.1–2.


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- Spinach leaves chopped
- Mushrooms sliced
- Onion sliced
- 4-5 garlic finely minced
- Salt
- Pepper
- Oil
- Multigrain bread
- Saute garlic in a little oil.
- Add onion & saute till translucent.
- Add mushrooms & saute for 2-3 mins, till any water dries up.
- Add spinach leaves. Saute for 2-3 mins.
- Add salt & lots of pepper.
- Place between multigrain bread slices & grill on a grill pan on both sides.
- Can use a little vegan butter or mayo if needed.
- Wash & dry mushrooms on a napkin before slicing.
Vanessa believes in conscious & compassionate living. She follows a plant-based lifestyle and loves to be creative and take photos of food. She manages the page The Vanilla Vegan where she shares recipes to show others the simplicity of plant-based living.


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Myoxy-Caviar Timeless Repair Cream
Proven Efficacy Statistics for the Myoxy-Caviar® Collection
- 100% Effective & Well Tolerated
- 50% Improved Hydration
- 50% Improved Firmness
- 50% Improved Elasticity
- 39% Reduced Wrinkle Breadth
Out of stock
Counteract aging with enriching Caviar and Escutox® to smooth lines, repair stubborn wrinkles, firm, rejuvenate, brighten, nourish and protect skin. This highly concentrated, age-defying moisturizer is good for dry, mature skin with advanced signs of aging including lines and wrinkles, loose, sagging skin or those who want one of the most advanced, anti-aging moisturizers on the market.
Pevonia's Myoxy-Caviar® Timeless Repair Cream is the ultimate anti-aging cream. It's like having several creams in one; a retinol cream, a vitamin E cream, a vitamin C cream, a caviar cream, and a neuropeptide cream (Escutox®).
The Myoxy-Caviar® products are formulated with up to 19 vitamins! Caviar contains iron, magnesium and phosphorus. It is needed by cells to utilize oxygen more efficiently and to improve cellular metabolism. It improves mitochondrial ATP which restores and recharges cells to function at a higher capacity. It contains phospholipids that are nourishing and restoring for the cellular membrane.
How To Use:
To be applied morning and evening all over face and neck, after cleansing, followed by toner. For all skin types with signs of aging.
Water (Aqua), Squalane, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Caviar Extract, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Dextrin, Algae Oligosaccharides, Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Thioctic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate (Vit. A), Retinol, Calcium Ascorbate (Vit. C), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract.
There are no reviews yet.


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This website uses cookies primarily for visitor analytics. Certain pages will ask you to fill in contact details to receive additional information. On these pages you have the option of having the site log your details for future visits. Indicating you want the site to remember your details will place a cookie on your device. To view our full cookie policy, please click here. You can also view it at any time by going to our Contact Us page.
Author : Loofie Gutterman, President of PXI Systems Alliance (PXISA)
04 May 2018
For the digital issue of this piece, please visit this link – or click here to register for EPDT's magazine.
Today, PXI delivers high-performance products and solutions for a growing range of test applications, and as this piece explains, it is difficult to conceive of a new T&M project that would not include PXI components, with many test systems employing PXI as the core platform.
From its modest beginnings, with just four members in 1998, PXISA membership has grown to more than 65 companies, with vendors now offering thousands of PXI and PXI Express (PXIe) products. From initial simple data acquisition offerings, PXI has evolved to become a versatile, high-performance platform that supports all segments of the T&M market, including mil/aero, communications, semiconductor, automotive, IoT and much more.
20 years after its introduction, PXI is now the dominant modular T&M platform – and continues to grow at a faster pace than the general T&M market, with PXI annual sales growth of greater than 15% predicted from 2015 to 2022 (source: Frost & Sullivan).
So how did this all happen? The growth, the acceptance, the performance and the dominance of the PXI platform? PXI has certainly benefited from many advancements in electronic component technology. The pervasiveness of high performance FPGAs and advanced SoC (system-on-chip) devices has been a key enabler for instrument suppliers who have continually added more functionality and performance into compact instrument packages.
Similarly, technology advancements with RF components have enabled instrument vendors to develop new RF and microwave products that are compatible with PXI's compact form factor. However, simply offering great products alone does not guarantee customer acceptance of a standard or technology.
One of the primary factors contributing to PXI's growth and acceptance has been the PXISA's ongoing commitment to evolving the standard, while at the same time maintaining backward compatibility with current PXI products.
Indeed, over the years, the PXISA has continually upgraded and evolved the PXI standard to accommodate new technologies and capabilities into the platform, ensuring interoperability and providing a standard that is capable of addressing both current and future test needs.
Additionally, the PXISA's website (www.pxisa.org) offers users and members a central location to learn more about the standard and its applications – as well as offering a monthly PXI newsletter, which highlights PXI applications, news and new products.
In 1998, few people would have predicted the types of advanced PXI products being produced today, or the test applications now being addressed by PXI. Today's PXI products and systems are now addressing a wide range of applications for the semiconductor test, radar, 5G, automotive and IoT markets.
Ensuring interoperability, keeping pace with ongoing technology advancements – and of course maintaining relevance for emerging products and standards – are all key factors contributing to the success of PXI. And it is why we can expect to see continued growth and acceptance of this platform during the next decade.
Happy birthday, PXISA: 20 years young in 2018 – and still growing!
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Bloomberg — Meta Platforms Inc.'s stark warning of a retreat from Europe may just be the start, as one of the region's top privacy watchdogs prepares a decision that could paralyze transatlantic data flows and risk billions in revenue for tech giants.
The Irish data protection authority, which polices the Silicon Valley tech giants that have flocked to the nation, is soon to weigh in on the legality of so-called standard contractual clauses used by Meta (FB) Alphabet Inc.'s Google (GOOG) and others to legally transfer swathes of user data to the U.S. for processing.
Privacy experts say the imminent decision could eliminate one of the only remaining options for Meta and potentially thousands of other companies that rely on shipping vast amounts of commercial data across the Atlantic.
The Irish authority already cast doubt on the legality of the SCCs in an interim opinion, saying they failed a key test of protecting European citizens from the prying eyes of U.S. agencies.
Such is the tension around the ruling, that Meta warned in its latest annual report that it will "likely be unable" to offer services including Facebook and Instagram in the EU if it's unable to use SCCs.
Facebook produced $8.2 billion in revenue in Europe over the last quarter of 2021, about a quarter of global revenue. While the U.K. will count for a significant portion of that and will not be impacted by the ruling on SCCs, the region is a serious money maker for Meta, beaten only by its home market of the U.S. and Canada.
There is no easy work-around. Storing data in Europe may not be feasible for any service based on customer interactions across the world, from gaming to video streaming, because European data rules follow a person's information, no matter where it is.
Meta's business model, like that of Alphabet's Google, relies on collecting enough data to discern what users might be interested in or want to purchase, and to serve them relevant ads. The company is already hampered by Europe's privacy rules and a ban on SCCs would likely make its business model more expensive and less effective to run.
"What's at stake here are the entire data transfers to the U.S. and the services that depend on them," said Johannes Caspar, an academic who recently stepped down as one of Germany's top data protection regulators.
Despite its latest comments in its annual report that it would "likely be unable" to offer Facebook and Instagram in Europe if regulators ruled that SCCs were unfeasible, Meta has also stated -- most recently in a blog post that it's "absolutely not threatening to leave Europe," a plea that Nick Clegg, now Meta's leading policy executive, originally made in Sept. 2020.
"Ongoing uncertainty over data transfers is impacting a large number of businesses and organizations in Europe and in the U.S.," a Meta spokesperson said in an emailed comment.
"The simple reality is that we all rely on data transfers to operate global services. We need a long-term solution to EU-U.S. data transfers to keep people and economies connected and protect transatlantic trade," they said.
Google pointed to a January blog post by Kent Walker, its head of global affairs which called for a rapid end to the impasse over a replacement to a EU-U.S. privacy pact that was struck down by the EU's top court in 2020 over longstanding fears that citizens' data wasn't safe from American surveillance.
"The stakes are too high -- and international trade between Europe and the U.S. too important to the livelihoods of millions of people -- to fail at finding a prompt solution to this imminent problem," he said.
The controversy over data transfers stretches back to 2013, when Edward Snowden exposed the extent of spying by the U.S. National Security Agency.
A surprise 2020 ruling by the EU's highest court toppled the so-called Privacy Shield, a trans-Atlantic transfer pact, over longstanding fears that citizens' data wasn't safe from American surveillance.
But while the separate, contract-based system was upheld, the EU Court of Justice's doubts about American data protection already made this a shaky alternative too.
"For many companies it is virtually impossible to fully comply" with the 2020 EU court ruling, said Tom De Cordier, a technology and data protection lawyer at CMS DeBacker in Brussels. "So, often it is a matter of mitigating your data compliance risks rather than trying to be 100% compliant."
Should the Irish authority double down on its interim opinion over the contractual clauses, the doomsday scenario for Meta and its rivals of a tech blackout has started to emerge.
The Irish authority's decision "could now be a precedent which will cause the whole situation to slide," said Caspar. "It's up to politicians in the U.S. to avoid plunging their tech industry into chaos."
Read More:


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When I raise my voice
Some say I'm too loud
Some say they they're disappointed
That the things I say are
I am very tolerant
Just not towards intolerance.
I am very patient
Just not with ignorance.
My voice is one that has been silenced for too long
And I won't let it be quiet for another generation
My voice is not about being right
or making you wrong.
My voice wants to raise awareness.
make the unseen seen
the unheard heard.
My voice speaks for those
who are hushed more
Who can't be heard
who are violently silenced.
My voice is not a weapon.
My voice is


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When thinking about good nutrition, you may think of clean eating, weight loss, and exercise. But what about sleep? It is important to remember that all of our body's systems are interrelated, and sleep is key to maintaining a healthy, happy lifestyle. Read on for our tips on the best way to eat for a good night's sleep!
Consistent eating habits are key for quality sleep
You've probably heard of the circadian rhythm. This is your internal clock that controls your natural energy levels throughout the day (and night). Having a consistent circadian rhythm has a lot to do with good sleep habits, such as going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
But did you know that other factors, such as when you eat throughout the day, can throw off your circadian rhythm, too? It is important to eat evenly spaced, healthy meals throughout the day, about every 5 hours. This will help keep your body and mind in its natural rhythm, and will help keep your hormones and blood sugar levels in check so that you can have a restful night's sleep.
Cortisol's role
Speaking of hormones, cortisol is an extremely important hormone in controlling sleep, and according to the American Nutrition Association, it can be heavily impacted by what (and when) you eat. It's no coincidence that healthy, clean foods such as protein and vegetables lower your cortisol levels, which make it easier to go to sleep. Eating sugary breakfasts and skipping meals throughout the day cause spikes in cortisol levels, which can negatively affect your ability to fall—and stay—asleep.
Other sleep tips tied to nutrition:
- Exercise during the day, 3-4 times a week.
- Cut back on caffeine. It is recommended to not exceed 3 cups of coffee per day. Even if you drink it in the morning, it can still affect your ability to go to sleep!
- Avoid sugary snacks before bedtime.
A good night's sleep is incredibly important for brain function, mental and emotional state, and a healthy life. By understanding how your eating habits affect your sleep, you are one step closer to your best sleep yet!
If you are having sleep problems or think you may have a sleep disorder, sleep therapy may be for you! Give us a call to schedule an appointment today.


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There was a conference last weekend with excellent information for those who may be questioning their LDS faith. The goal of the conference was to prevent the all-too-common complete loss of faith that frequently results from questions about church history and teachings without satisfactory answers from the LDS church.
The recordings can be accessed at this link.
In conjunction with the conference, a new book was released.
Rescuing the Restoration: The Lord Sets His Hand Again gives a history and overview of the Restoration Movement, from the perspective of participants in the movement. This book ultimately resulted from a prior blog post I put up in late 2020. In that post I suggested someone might want to take an existing outline I wrote for a different project and do something with it. That someone turned out to be Chris VanCampen, who voluntarily took on a project to produce a book, assembled a team of writers, editors, an illustrator, a typesetter, and an ample level of determination to bring it all together.
The result is a worthy effort and wonderful resource for all who may be curious about the Restoration Movement. I highly recommend sharing the book with all who may be interested. The book is available for order at this link.


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Eerie Tales
The White Dog
Mabel Parsons was 14 years old when she helped care for her sick Aunt Tracie. After sleeping over for a few days, it was time to head home, so the young woman with the long, dark hair set out on foot. In 1903 Mifflin County roads were unpaved and cars were few. Walking long distances was commonplace for Mabel, but this evening she would encounter something entirely outside the norm.
The sun was low in the western sky as she walked along a lonely stretch of road. Suddenly a small, white dog appeared before her. Mabel loved animals, but there was something unnerving about this one. The little pooch silently stood in her path watching her. She tried to walk around it, but the dog moved in front of her. Mabel crossed to the other side of the road, but again the little dog blocked her way. He would not let her pass.
This went on for some time, and the sun was starting to set. Mabel had not brought a lantern along, as she expected to be home by dark. Travelling by night would be impossible with no street lights to guide her, so she felt compelled to turn back to her Aunt's house.
She was entirely unprepared for what she found when she returned. Her Aunt Tracie had just passed away.
Great Balls of Fire!
Mabel Parsons accomplished a great deal in her young life. She excelled in high school and graduated at 15. After earning a teaching certificate at Juniata College, she traveled by horseback to teach school at age 16. But she felt her real calling was in nursing, and so at age 17 she went into nurses' training at Lewistown Hospital. It was a long horseback ride from her home in Sandominia (near the current Lewistown Country Club), so she often stayed with relatives nearer the hospital.
It was during one of these stays at Aunt Mary's house that Mabel witnessed a terrifying sight. Awakened by a thunderous noise, she shot upright in bed to see a ball of fire roll across the room, then vanish as quickly as it appeared!
Some years later, she was sleeping in the same house and awoke to the sound of silverware jangling in the kitchen. The next morning she asked her Aunt Mary if Uncle Frank had been cooking late last night. Aunt Mary replied that Harry hadn't come home last night; he had stopped over with a friend for the night. Mabel would hear the same mysterious sounds several more times during her stays with Aunt Mary.
Many years later the house was torn down, and human bones were found buried in the cellar.
Nightmare on Hale Street
Mabel Parsons married Merel Dillman and bore ten children. Their home washed down the Juniata River in the '36 flood, and the family scattered to several temporary habitats. Finally they rented a large, old house with room for everyone. It was on West Hale Street, an area known as "Hollywood" in those days.
For a year or two, most of the family would be together until marriage and World War II pulled them apart. Mabel, Merel, and seven of their children shared the home. The youngest two of the brood were Nevada Jane, age 8, and Phyllis, 10, who were playmates, rivals, roommates, and often sparring partners.
Little Jane did not like the house from the start. There was something very creepy about it. A closed stairway led to four large bedrooms on the second floor. It was the stairway door that bothered Jane because it separated the upstairs from the rest of the house. Jane and Phyllis shared the bedroom with the only closet. Far from being appreciated, the closet was a fearsome thing to young Jane from the first moment she looked inside. There was an attic hatch in the ceiling of the closet, but it was jammed shut. Nobody ever used the closet.
The girls got to know the neighborhood kids in a couple of days and soon learned the horrifying story of the attic - someone had died up there, and the body was never brought down! When Jane and Phyllis told their parents the story, they laughed it off as nonsense. But they could never fully discredit it to the girls' satisfaction, since the hatch was jammed and they could not risk damaging it.
Phyllis never admitted to being scared, but Jane dreaded the second floor and especially the bedroom closet. After living in fear for two years, something happened that ramped-up the terror even further.
One day Jane was outside playing "hidee-go-seek" with her friends, Evelyn and Eleanor. They happened upon a neighbor's open garage door, and glancing inside, their giggles turned to shrieks. They had discovered the body of their neighbor, Mr. Brown (name changed), hanging from a ceiling joist by a rope tied around his neck. His eyes were bulging, his mouth agape, and his skin gray. It was an image the girls would never expunge from their memories.
After that, Jane would not go upstairs by herself. Who knew what terror lay in wait. The corpse from the attic? The ghost of Mr. Brown? A sibling playing a prank on her? But the bathroom was at the top of the stairs, and one day she came home from school and ran up in desperation. When she dashed back down the stairs, she found to her horror that the stairway door was locked! She started pounding and yelling for help! Finally the door opened, and there was her Dad. He said nobody else was at home; the latch must have fallen down by itself. But Jane experimented with it and could not see how it could have happened by accident.
After that, Jane had trouble sleeping and often suffered nightmares. There was no heat upstairs, and some nights Phyllis and Jane got in bed with their mother who piled heavy haps on them. Jane felt trapped and claustrophobic under the weight.
After six years in the dreaded abode, Mabel bought a much nicer house on South Grand Street, and Jane rejoiced!
My grandmother, Mabel Parsons Dillman, lived a full life to age 89. She once shot a chicken thief who limped for the rest of his life. She saw five sons off to war, and welcomed home five men who would never be the same. When her husband took ill, Grandma cleaned houses, raised chickens, took in washing, and rented rooms to boarders to support the family. She buried her husband and three children, and told me that you never get over losing a child. She was proud when her oldest granddaughter graduated from medical school. Grandma waited out the '72 flood in the second floor of her house on South Grand Street, flatly refusing all offers of rescue. And she enthralled her grandchildren with spooky tales of her childhood.
My Aunt Phyllis Dillman Sheaffer is still full of spitfire and living independently. If I ask her about these stories, I'm sure she will have many corrections to make. You can read my stories about Phyllis in my Posse posts.
Nevada Jayne Dillman Wray, my mother, is no longer afraid of closets, but she isn't crazy about elevators. One of the bravest people I know, she does not fear horror movies, strangers, bullies, or things that go bump in the night. Mom has the uncommon ability to tell you there's nothing to be scared of, and you believe her. She is still sparring with Aunt Phyllis, the last two surviving members of the Dillman family.


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Strawberry Jalapeño BBQ Sauce
- 2 cups fresh strawberries (cut small)
- 1 large jalapeño pepper (finely diced, and if you can't handle the heat then remove the seeds first. I find jalapeños to be kind of a wild card when it comes to spiciness level. If you like it hot you might want to add an additional pepper)
- 1/4 yellow onion (finely diced)
- 1 Tbsp ghee
- 1 tsp onion salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ginger powder
- 1/4 tsp mustard powder
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 Tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- Juice of 1–2 limes
BBQ Pork Tenderloin
- 2 pork tenderloins
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 cup orange juice
- 3 cups cold water
Strawberry Jalapeño BBQ Sauce
- Melt ghee in a saucepan over medium heat and sauté onions until translucent.
- Add remaining sauce ingredients and reduce heat to low once strawberries are soft and lose their shape.
- Let this mixture continue to cook on low, stirring occasionally.
BBQ Pork Tenderloin
- Mix brine ingredients in a large zip lock bag, add pork, and refrigerate for an hour.
- Remove pork from refrigerator.
- Rinse off tenderloins and pat dry.
- Heat BBQ on high for 10 minutes.
- Get your timer out cause here come the instructions: cook the first side of the pork with the cover closed over high heat for 7 minutes, then turn the tenderloins over and cook the same way for 6 minutes. Turn off the BBQ and let the piggies cook in the remaining heat for 5 more minutes.
- Remove the meat from the heat (yay for rhyming!) and let rest for 5-10 minutes (you can check the meat for doneness if you're not confident here; it should be at least 145°F), and then slice these beauties up with a nice sharp knife. They should have perfect grill marks and none of that charcoal action.
- Spoon on some Strawberry Jalapeño BBQ Sauce and enjoy!
You may have noticed the primal bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers in some of the photos. They too were brushed with the Strawberry Jalapeño BBQ Sauce!
This paleo BBQ sauce is great on most meats too. Just wait til you get it on your next burger!
- Category: Grill
- Method: BBQ


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- Varied collection of interesting games
- Great Selection Of Arcade Games
- Fast And Easy Registration Process
- World Class Security And Encryption
- Quick And Reliable Payment Model
For avid gamblers in Malaysia and Singapore looking for a reputable online casino where they can try their luck, the sheer amount of options available online can be daunting. A quick search on Google about best online casinos in Malaysia will give you tens of pages of options. This means that it can be impossible to randomly choose the best one.
That's why we are here for you. We have tested tens of online casinos operating in the region, and one of the online casinos whose popularity has grown exponentially in the last couple of years is 918Kiss. But does it live up to its promise? Is it legit? What types of games does it offer?
Well, our detailed 918Kiss review covers everything you need to know about this online casino firm based in Malaysia. Read on to know more about it.
Formerly branded as SCR888 casino, 918Kiss popularity is largely because of:
- Being aimed solely on mobile users
- Large selection of popular mobile-friendly casino games
- Having highest probability to win free red packet up to RM1800++ for as many times per day
- Having at least one jackpot hit every day
- Keeping you logged in until you manually log out
Players can now get download 918Kiss app by clicking the Android download or IOS download buttons and enjoy a better gaming experience. Instead of having to use your computer to play online games, this app allows you
to play live games with other players such as Dragon Tiger Live, Baccarat Live, Roulette Live, etc. from the comfort of your smartphone.
Other Aspects that make 918Kiss Malaysia stand out
- User-friendly interface. It will not take long before you get used with 918Kiss platform
- There are different themes and dynamic jackpot animation
- All slots have attractive graphics
- Transparency. There are no hidden fees, complicated jargons, or surprises. Everything is self-explanatory
- Easy access to the app. For those who want to download 918Kiss iOS or Android app, you can do it here or head to Google Play or Apple Store. Once you have downloaded and installed the 918Kiss APK, you should sign up, and that's it. Viola!
- This online casino is licensed and regulated by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and thus genuine


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Smooth and supple taupe brown leather knee length pencil skirt with a warm nutty hue and streamlined cut. High banded waist has minimal darting for a curve hugging fit, interesting seamwork in the back and short slit for ease. By label Creazioni Pelle Florence, Made in Italy, circa 1990s.
• Size S/M, 27" waist
• Leather, very soft & smooth
• Fully lined with silky mauve nylon
• Button/zip closure in back
• Excellent condition, no notable flaws
• Style No. SK1675
Fit notes: high banded waist and tight fitting hip, no stretch
Waist: 27"
Hip: 38"
Hem: 34"
Length: 21"
Taj is 5'9" / 32"b, 26"w, 34"h / garment is pinned
Questions? Need more pics? Please ask!


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FXFlat is a broker focusing on Forex, CFDs, and futures, they are based in Germany and was founded in 1997. FXFlat states that they have won multiple awards for their brokerage service and offer proven and powerful trading software and tools to help bring a beginner up to a professional level. In this review, we will be looking at what is on offer from FXFlat and to see if they live up to their own expectations,
Account Types
There are two account types on offer, the standard account, and the professional account, let's take a little look to see what each of them offer and require.
Standard Account: The standard account requires an opening deposit of 200 Euro. Leverage depends entirely on the asset that you use and we will go into that in more detail in the leverage section of this review but for forex, this account offers up to 1:200 leverage. The margin call is set at 50%, there isn't much more information on the accounts page, but we will go into more details about different reading conditions throughout this review.
Professional Account: Similarly to the standard account, there is not too much information available, this account requires a deposit of 200 euro plus, and in regards to its leverage, the forex remains at 1:200 as a max, other leverages are different but we will look at those in the leverage section of this review. Margin close is set at 100% for professional accounts.
There are three platforms on offer from FXFlat, we will go over them and what they offer down below, it is great to have a choice so you can be sure you will find a platform that offers the tools you need.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4): MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is one of the world's most popular trading platforms and for good reason. Released in 2005 by MetaQuotes Software, it has been around a while, it is stable customizable and full of features to help with your trading and analysis. MT4 is compatible with hundreds and thousands of different indicators, expert advisors, signal providers and more.
Millions of people use MT4 for its interactive charts, multiple timeframes, one-click trading, trade copying and more. In terms of accessibility, MT4 is second to none, available as a desktop download, an app for Android and iOS devices and as a WebTrader where you can trade from within your internet browser. MetaTrader 4 is a great trading solution to have.
MetaTrader 5 (MT5): MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is the younger brother of MetaTrader 4 (MT4)m developed by MetaQuotes Software and released in 2010, MT5 is used by millions and for good reason. Offering plenty of trading and analysis features to ain in your trading. Additional services expand the functionality of the platform making its capabilities almost limitless.
MetaTrader 5 offers the built-in Market of trading robots, the Freelance database of strategy developers, Copy Trading and the Virtual Hosting service (Forex VPS). Use all these services from one place, and access new trading opportunities. MetaTrader 5 is also highly accessible with it being available as a desktop download, application for iOS and Android devices and even as a WebTrader where you can trade from within your internet browser.
AgenaTrader: AgenaTrade is an award-winning software (according to FXFlat) designed specifically for FXFlat. Offering C# programming it offers huge amounts of customization in regards to automating your trading. There isn't too much information regarding this platform on the site, but it comes free with any active clients of FXFlat.
Leverage depends on the account that you use and the asset or instrument that you are trading, we have noted all available leverage below dependant on the account type.
Standard Account: Futures from 1:135, Spot forex 1:200, Index CFDs – main values 1:20. Index CFDs – Small caps 1:10, Forex CFDs – main values 1:30, Forex CFDs – Small caps from 1:10, Gold CFDs 1:20, Metal CFDs 1:10, Oils CFDs 1:10, Stocks of DE CFDs 1:5, Shares US CFDs 1:5, Interest CFDs 1:5, Crypto CFDs 1:2
Professional Account: Futures from 1:135, Spot forex 1:200, Index CFDs – main values 1:200. Index CFDs – Small caps 1:200, Forex CFDs – main values 1:200, Forex CFDs – Small caps from 1:200, Gold CFDs 1:200, Metal CFDs 1:200, Oils CFDs 1:50, Stocks of DE CFDs 1:10, Shares US CFDs 1:20, Interest CFDs 1:100, Crypto CFDs 1:3
Trade Sizes
Trades start at 0.01 lots which are also known as a micro lot, trade sizes can then increase in increments of 0.01 lots so the next available trade size would be 0.02 lots and then 0.03 lots. We could not see any mention of maximum trade size, but no matter what it is we would not recommend going over 50 lots as it can become harder for instant execution the bigger you get.
Trading Costs
It does not appear that there are any commissions added to trades as there was no mention of them in the trading conditions page, there was only mention of spreads which we will go into later in this review. We are still unclear if there are commissions or not, but at the moment we feel that there are no added commissions. There are however swap fees that are either paid or received by holding trades overnight, these can be viewed from within the trading platform of choice.
FXFlat have broken down their tradable assets into the following categories of Futures, Forex CFDs, Spot Forex, CFD Individual Shares, Index CFDs, Crypto CFDs, CFD Commodities Metals and, CFD Euro Bund. There is not a full breakdown but quite a few are mentioned and displayed on the website, there are too many for us to go through but the selection includes a number of major tradable assets such as major, minor and exotic forex pairs, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ripple and Ehteruem and Oils, metals such as Gold and Silver and many more. You will easily find something to trade with FXFlat.
Spreads with FXFlat are floating or variable spreads, this means that they change depending on the market conditions, FXFlat also adds a markup to the spreads to make them slightly higher instead of charging a commission on each trade.
Spreads can start as low as 0.6 pips, however, for the most part, will not fall below 1.2 pips. It is also important to note that different assets and instruments naturally have higher spreads, so while some may sit at 1.2 pips, others will naturally site much higher.
Minimum Deposit
The first deposit has a minimum deposit value of 200 Euro, this is needed to open up one of the accounts. After this initial deposit, future deposits for already opened accounts will drop to 50 Euro.
Deposit Methods & Costs
There are a number of different deposit methods available, you can use bank transfers, you can also use credit or debit cards, PayPal, Instant Internal Transfer, iDEAL and Skrill. There are no added fees to deposits, however when using credit or debit cards, you can deposit up to 3 times and a total value of 15,000 Euro free, any further deposits will result in a 4% fee being charged.
Withdrawal Methods & Costs
The same methods to deposit are also available to withdraw, you must withdraw to the same account that you deposited to and can only change method once the same amount has been withdrawn as has been deposited. There are no added fees to withdrawals.
Withdrawal Processing & Wait Time
FXFlat aims to process withdrawal requests within 2 working days after it has been processed the amount of time it will take is dependant on the method used. E-wallets such as PayPal and Skrill should come within 15 minutes of being processed, credit or debit cards can take between 1 to 5 business days and bank transfers can take between 3 to 5 business days to arrive in your account.
Bonuses & Promotions
At the time of writing this review, there did not appear to be any promotions or bonuses available, however, there are several references to past ones so there may be some more available in the future.
Educational & Trading Tools
FXFlat offer some webinars but that's about it when it comes to education, the webinars are available on YouTube once they are finished and offer some helpful advice but nothing that you can not find in other places on the net.
Customer Service
The FXFlat support team is open 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday. There are a few different ways of getting in touch including the broker's favorite online contact form, fill in your query and you can expect a reply via email. There is also a call back service to leave your number and someone will give you a phone call back later. There are direct lines available to several departments including support and the trading desk. Finally, there is also a dedicated form for complaints which is nice to see.
Demo Account
Demo accounts are available, Simply click the open demo account button and fill in the form. The demo account gives you a taste of the trading conditions that FXFlat offers. When creating the demo account you can choose the platform to use and test and the account type. We did not locate information in regards to how long they last so we can not comment on that at the moment.
Countries Accepted
We did not see much information in regards to any countries that are excluded, so if you are unsure, be sure to get in contact with the support team to see if you are eligible for an account.
FXFlat offers some decent trading conditions, there are far worse looking environments to trade on out there. It would have been nice for there to be a bit more information in regards to the account features and some of the other items we looked at. Plenty of ays to get in contact is always a good sign. There is not enough information regarding deposits and withdrawals for us to be completely confident, but it appears that FXFlat could be a competent broker.
We hope you like this FXFlat broker review. If you did, be sure to check out some of the other reviews to help find the broker that is right for you.


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Statham plays a professional thief named Parker who lives by a personal code of ethics: Don't steal from people who can't afford it and don't hurt people who don't deserve it. But on his latest heist, his crew double crosses him, steals his stash, and leaves him for dead. Determined to make sure they regret it, Parker tracks them to PalmBeach, playground of the rich and famous, where the crew is planning their biggest heist ever. Donning the disguise of a rich Texan, Parker takes on an unlikely partner, Leslie, a savvy insider, who's short on cash, but big on looks, smarts and ambition. Together, they devise a plan to hijack the score…Let us know what you think about this movie & stay tuned for more!
New Featurette & New TV Spot For PARKER, Opening This Month!
Take everyone down and get away clean – but how? Don't ask me, ask Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez, stars of the upcoming Parker movie which is set to (finally) open this month! Today we have one completely new featurette, one TV spot, and another international poster for the whole thing, hope you'll like it!
[jwplayer mediaid="131984″]
But first, let me remind you that this crime thriller comes from drector Taylor Hackford, John J. McLaughlin stands behind the script, and the whole thing is actually based on the series of bestselling novels by Donald E. Westlake.
Beside the above mentioned Statham/Lopez duo, Parker cast also includes Michael Chiklis, Wendell Pierce and Nick Nolte, and the movie is set to open on January 25th, 2013.
[jwplayer mediaid="131985″]
1 Comment
Can't Wait For J.Lo ♥


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Eric Topol, MD, Resident Alum : Leveraging technology to democratize health
Cardiologist Eric Topol is turning the medical establishment on its ear with his vision of a democratized health care system driven by patients and empowered by "medicalized" smartphones.
He heads the consumer-facing component of the National Institutes of Health's Precision Medicine Initiative, which aims to harness and analyze a treasure trove of medical data from one million citizen-science participants nationwide.
What could the future of medicine look like?
There has never been such a dynamic and transformative time. We can sequence an individual genome and find the medical essence of each human being, but it's not just about the genes. We also now have ingenious apps and sensors to record your heart rhythm, blood pressure, and glucose levels. We have artificial intelligence algorithms that can process the multiple layers of our data, including our genome and our environment. These tools are going to make us more efficient and more productive. They will put the patient more in charge of his or her own health, and they will give doctors more time to invest in our patient relationships and in our caring.
How did you first get interested in genetics?
I was enamored with the idea that we could manipulate aspects of our genes. My 1975 college thesis was called "Prospects for Genetic Therapy in Man," but I didn't realize it would take us 40 years to get there. Gene therapy is very complicated. We rushed into it in the '90s, and the early death of a teenager as part of a clinical trial for a rare metabolic disease set back the field research and trials almost 15 years. Now we're on a solid footing; with newer techniques like CRISPR, we can approach diseases – sickle cell, thalassemia, hemophilia – that were unapproachable before.
What will it take to reform health care in the U.S.?
We could see a consumer revolution – a "Health Spring" – where people start rallying for change. More likely, it will come from the largest companies, which have hundreds of thousands of employees (and their families) and billions in yearly expenditures for their health coverage. We're learning from countries that use single-payer systems, artificial intelligence, and other tools to create greater efficiencies. My guess is that we will see movement in this country, because right now things are moving in the wrong direction in terms of access and expense. And the burnout, depression, and suicide rates among physicians are staggering.
What's the coolest part of the Precision Medicine Initiative?
We're doing well getting people to participate. The tricky part is getting enough underrepresented minorities involved so that we have a diverse pool of one million individuals. The output will be enormous, and we're going to learn so much. Some of the quick things we'll learn: What is normal blood pressure? What is normal glucose after eating? We have no idea, because we measure these things in a doctor's office, which is the most contrived setting. Look what the landmark Framingham Heart Study, a longitudinal study of cardiovascular disease in 5,209 people, has taught us about heart disease – more than any other study in the field. Now we'll learn so much about health and virtually all medical conditions.
What has been the one constant in your career?
I've only had three jobs in my life – at the University of Michigan, then Cleveland Clinic, and now Scripps – and I've never had to give up seeing my cardiology patients. I love that, and I have at least 30 minutes with every patient I see. Time, to me, is vital. You can't be rushing and interrupting people; you have to let them tell their story.


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The Gold Price and the Eurozone Crisis
How will the growing crisis in Europe affect the Gold Price...?
PAY CLOSE attention to what European policymakers do regarding debt. That's the advice of Scott Gardner, chief investment officer at Verdmont Capital, in this interview with The Gold Report.
The Gold Report: In one of your June research reports you wrote, "In the Eurozone, there has been limited political will to really make an impact on the debt side of the equation. With gross domestic product (GDP) growth set to slow, things should really get interesting for Euro policymakers as they attempt to make their shaky union work."
In the Eurozone, there is more than adequate money to take care of the debt situation, but the question remains, is there enough political will to keep all the member countries inside the Eurozone? What sort of impact will pending Eurozone issues have on the Gold Price?
Scott Gardner: First off, you say that there's enough money, but I think that a lack of money is the primary concern. The European Financial Stability Fund has something like €440B in committed capital and the members haven't agreed upon future funding requirements. Also, the European Central Bank (ECB) itself only has €10B.
If you compare that to the three largest banks in France, for example, they own roughly $600B in PIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Greece, and Spain)-related debt. You can see how imbalanced the system is and how undercapitalized some of these organizations are that are meant to be the solution.
TGR: In terms of a percentage of Euro GDP, it's a relatively small amount.
Scott Gardner: I think the overall liability in the banking system has been estimated at about €2.5 trillion, in terms of PIGS-related financing needs over the next few years. This is significant. People talk a lot about the economics behind the crisis, but the issue in the Eurozone is just as much a social one.
It's questionable whether or not, for example, the German populace will remain in favor of bailing out some of the peripheral regions' largess. This is where we get into the will of keeping the Eurozone together, and Europe is going to see ongoing pressure there.
TGR: George Soros said we are in a double-dip recession, and he believes that the Euro will come apart. Is that your view on both accounts?
Scott Gardner: People have been focusing largely on the numerator in the debt:GDP ratio and the market has become used to the pressures as they stand now. However, austerity measures and other proposed solutions will put a tremendous amount of pressure on GDP. A double-dip recession cannot be ruled out. Clearly, this will only exacerbate the debt:GDP ratio and further handcuff policymakers in terms of the policy response.
TGR: How will these issues impact gold and Silver Prices?
Scott Gardner: During the acute stages of a systemic selloff, all investments typically get punished. We saw that during the correction at the height of the credit crisis in 2008. We're also seeing that today in the current selloff, with gold and silver both down substantially.
Over the long run, the crisis in Europe is clearly very bullish for gold and silver because the only way out of the current situation is additional stimulus from central banks. Additional stimulus will put further downward pressure on all the major currencies.
TGR: In one of your June research reports you wrote, "Gold continues to break out in all major currencies despite prevailing concerns in the market that gold is due for a major pullback. Of course, since then, gold has had a dramatic rise, but more recently, it's beginning to look like there is a major correction under way in the Gold Price." Is the correction for real? If so, what range do you believe it will bottom in?
Scott Gardner: Nothing goes up in a straight line, and a gold correction from current levels is actually quite healthy as the short-term rise was technically overextended. We remain in a gold bull market and the market usually uses the 200-day moving average as a floor within a long-term uptrend. Therefore, we would be aggressive buyers in and around the $1,600 range, which would bring gold close to its 200-day moving average.
TGR: Do you believe that pullback will inhibit the performance of junior precious metals plays, given that the dramatic uptick in the Gold Price in August didn't seem to carry many precious metals juniors much higher?
Scott Gardner: We learned during the selloff in 2008 that junior gold stocks behave like stocks first and gold investments second. If there is substantial risk in traditional investments, gold stocks selloff in sympathy. This time around, we believe investors will look through short-term weakness and see the inherent profitability that gold stocks offer. Arguably, in the current environment, gold stocks are the only game in town, given that they're the only sector that is growing earnings and profitability to the extent that it is.
TGR: In a May research report you wrote, "Despite the recent correction in the base metals complex, it is too early to initiate positions or increase underweight allocations within resource-focused portfolios. Our preferred segments of the commodity market remain energy and precious metals at the expense of agriculture and base metals." Has your position changed?
Scott Gardner: No. We were lucky enough to advise clients to short copper a few months ago, and we still see continued pressure in base metals–related equities. Many argue that current base-metal stock valuations are reasonable, but we believe overly optimistic commodity forecasts are baked into earnings estimates.
Analysts are still forecasting 2012 copper at around $4.30/lb. We'd like to see more conservative copper estimates before we get more enthusiastic on the base metals complex. Meanwhile, gold analysts are forecasting, on average, something like $1,600/oz., which may prove overly cautious.
TGR: Tell us one economic situation that you're going to watch the most closely as Q311 comes to an end and Q411 begins.
Scott Gardner: All eyes will be on Europe and the pressures there. Generally, the market is trading in sympathy with both European financial stocks and, to a lesser extent, American financial stocks. Policymakers need to find a solution before we get a base and see strength in a lot of these junior mining stocks.
TGR: Thanks, Scott; it's been a pleasure.
Thinking of Buying Gold?...


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Do you ever feel discomfort or fatigue after a long session on your laptop? Are your eyes dry and tearing up? Blurred vision?
You may be feeling the effects of digital eye strain, a syndrome common to many people who spend lots of time on their computer or cell phone. This condition can be properly diagnosed and corrected by an optometrist, with some easy to follow guidelines. Learn how to stay passionate about your work without the hindrance of tired, sore eyes.
What is Computer Vision Syndrome?
Computer vision syndrome (CVS), also known as digital eye strain, is an eye condition resulting from over exposure to digital screens. This includes desktop computers, laptops, cell phones, tablets, e-readers, and any other electronic device that uses backlighting to display an image. The average American spends over 6 hours a day staring at digital screens. As mobile devices become more integrated in our lives, we must be conscious about the effect this has on our visual health.
Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome
The following list contains many of the symptoms known to be associated with CVS. Symptoms are believed to be more abundant after prolonged sessions in front of a screen. If you experience any of these feelings after long periods with a computer or mobile device, consider calling an eye care professional.
- Dry eyes
- Eye strain
- Headaches
- Neck or back pain
- Blurry vision
- Eye fatigue
Prepare Your Eyes for Success
Many of us must cope with the reality that cell phones and computers are part of everyday life, be it for work or fun. But some of the problems with staring at screens can be mitigated. With the right preparation and the right eyewear, you can help your eyes conquer visual discomfort.
Wear Blue Light Glasses
Did you know there are special lenses that combat digital eye strain? They're called Blue LIght Lenses, and studies have shown a decrease in CVS for people who wear them.
Most digital screens emit a high level of blue lightwaves, which can have adverse effects on health and sleeping patterns. Blue light glasses are manufactured with a special coating to purposefully block this harmful blue light. Whether you have a strong prescription, or require a neutral lens, go with Blue Light Glasses to overcome computer vision syndrome.
Finetune Your Focus
CVS can be exaggerated with the presence of the eye condition presbyopia. Presbyopia is the loss of ability to focus on nearby objects. This commonly occurs as people age, and can be a major problem when working for long hours on a computer.
Task specific multifocals remedy this issue. These are glasses with progressive lenses that account for consistent use in front of a screen, without sacrificing your other visual needs. Invest in eyewear that is specifically designed to focus on a computer if you find yourself experiencing symptoms of digital eye strain.
Say Goodbye to Dry Eyes
Some people are prone to dry eyes, and this will be accentuated during long digital sessions. There are several methods that an eye care professional can recommend when identifying your own dry eye issues. But there are some simple do-it-yourself activities to cope with dry eyes too:
- Blink often
- Avoid smoke
- Get a humidifier for rooms you work in
- Use preservative-free eye drops
Never over-wear your contact lenses or extend use beyond professional recommendations. Always take your contact lenses out at night and ensure proper cleaning. Consult your eye care professional for potential contact lens solutions that will help eliminate digital eye strain.
Tips & Tricks
Beyond having the proper eyewear, there are several ways you can help diminish the effects of digital eye strain. By modifying some typical behaviours associated with computer usage, you can lessen the negative impact of screens and devices.
20-20-20 Rule
The American Optometric Association recommends this simple and effective rule when spending long sessions on a digital device. It can be done in any setting and will lessen the strain on your eyes.
Every 20 minutes,
Take a 20 second break,
And look at something 20 feet away.
It's that simple.
Perfect Your Posture
Maintaining healthy, ergonomic posture at your desk will definitely help curb CVS. Not only does great posture mean better circulation and blood flow to your eyes, but it provides health benefits beyond vision. Try sitting like this when at your desk or using a laptop computer. If you can't comfortably see your screen from 20-25 inches, then it's time for a new eye exam.
Optimize Your Device Settings
Most mobile devices and laptops have a "night time" setting that can be enabled. This will diminish the blue light being emitted from the device and lower the effects of digital eye strain. Use it!
Android users can follow instructions here to activate Night Mode.
Iphone users can use these instructions for activating Night Shift.
Try Using an E-Reader
In contrast to most mobile phones and all purpose tablets, an e-reader uses a monochrome display specifically designed for still text. These devices usually include edge lighting (as opposed to a backlit LCD display), which will reduce digital eye strain over long reading periods.
Computer vision syndrome is common for anyone that wakes up with their cell phone, works all day on their computer, and goes home to play on their tablet. Managing CVS effectively is what will sustain long term visual health and prevent more serious ocular conditions. And every once and awhile, just pick up a good ol fashioned book!


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Article Text
Objective Soluble ST2 (sST2) reflects inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis, is produced in the lungs and is an established biomarker in heart failure. We sought to determine the role of sST2 in COVID-19 by assessing pathophysiological correlates and its association to in-hospital outcomes.
Methods We enrolled 123 consecutive, hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in the prospective, observational COVID-19 MECH study. Biobank samples were collected at baseline, day 3 and day 9. The key exposure variable was sST2, and the outcome was ICU treatment with mechanical ventilation or in-hospital death.
Results Concentrations of sST2 at baseline was median 48 (IQR 37–67) ng/mL, and 74% had elevated concentrations (>37.9 ng/mL). Higher baseline sST2 concentrations were associated with older age, male sex, white race, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Baseline sST2 also associated with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viraemia, lower oxygen saturation, higher respiratory rate and increasing concentrations of biomarkers reflecting inflammation, thrombosis and cardiovascular disease. During the hospitalisation, 8 (7%) patients died and 27 (22%) survivors received intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. Baseline sST2 concentrations demonstrated a graded association with disease severity (median, IQR): medical ward 43 (36–59) ng/mL; ICU 67 (39–104) ng/mL and non-survivors 107 (72–116) ng/mL (p<0.001 for all comparisons). These associations persisted at day 3 and day 9 .
Conclusions sST2 concentrations associate with SARS-CoV-2 viraemia, hypoxaemia and concentrations of inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers. There was a robust association between baseline sST2 and disease severity that was independent of, and superior to, established risk factors. sST2 reflects key pathophysiology and may be a promising biomarker in COVID-19.
Trial registration number NCT04314232.
- biomarkers
- risk factors
Data availability statement
Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available.
This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.
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Key questions
What is already known about this subject?
Soluble ST2 (sST2) is part of the interleukin family and is known to reflect inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis. sST2 therefore holds promise as a relevant biomarker in COVID-19.
What does this study add?
We measured sST2 at baseline, day 3 and day 9 in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 and found a robust association between higher concentrations and disease severity at each time points, which was independent of, and superior to, established risk factors. Higher sST2 correlated with SARS-CoV-2 viraemia, hypoxaemia and concentrations of biomarkers reflecting inflammation, thrombosis and cardiovascular disease.
How might this impact on clinical practice?
These findings suggest that measuring sST2 may improve risk stratification and identification of key pathophysiological mechanisms in COVID-19.
Patients hospitalised with COVID-19 are at risk of poor outcome. A recent meta-analysis of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic estimated that one-third of patients require intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, and among these, ~40% die during the hospitalisation.1 Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and accompanying comorbidities, such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension, are among the most important risk factors for severe trajectories from COVID-19.2
Soluble ST 2 (sST2) is part of the interleukin-1 receptor family and a major player in immune and inflammatory responses through mechanical stress, inflammatory cytokines or necrosis.3 sST2 has become an established biomarker in heart failure (HF), reflecting myocardial inflammation, remodelling and fibrosis.4 The lungs are a relevant source of sST2 in HF and seems to play an active role in the pathological ST2 response.5 Elevated sST2 is associated with increased risk of poor outcome in acute6 and chronic7 HF and after myocardial infarction.8 The prognostic information seems to be independent of established cardiac biomarkers such as N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin T and emerging biomarkers like growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) and galectin-3.9 Accordingly, sST2 is recommended for additive risk stratification for HF in the 2017 US guidelines.10 sST2 also seems to have a prognostic value in critically ill patients, including sepsis,11 unselected ICU patients12 and acute respiratory distress syndrome.13 14 However, the prognostic importance in COVID-19 is not clear.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused considerable strain on ICUs and overwhelmed the capacity of hospital systems worldwide. Thus, efficient patient triage and early identification of high-risk patients is important. Our aim was to assess the pathophysiological correlates of sST2 and the association between serial measurements and outcome, in patients hospitalised for COVID-19.
The COVID-19 Mechanisms (COVID MECH) Study prospectively enrolled unselected adult patients hospitalised for COVID-19 from 18 March to 4 May 2020 at a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Oslo, Akershus University Hospital, with a primary catchment area of 560 000, corresponding to 11% of the population of Norway. Details about the study design and inclusion process has previously been published.15 Inclusion criteria were a positive SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR nasopharyngeal swab and COVID-19 symptoms as the main reason for admission. Study-specific consent forms were signed by all participants or by the next of kin if the patient was unable to consent. It was not possible to involve patients or the public in the design, conduct, reporting or dissemination plans of our research due to the nature of the sudden COVID-19 pandemic. Data may be obtained on request and are not publicly available.
Clinical information was obtained from medical records by the investigators, and details about study conduction and classification of comorbidities have previously been published.15 The primary endpoint in the COVID-19 MECH study was the composite of death and/or admission to the ICU for >24 hours at any point during their hospitalisation. For capacity reasons during the pandemic, only patients requiring mechanical ventilation were treated in the ICU, while patients not requiring mechanical ventilation were returned to a medical ward after evaluation by an intensive care physician. Data for 30-day all-cause mortality was available for all patients.
Laboratory methods
Blood samples were collected by trained nurses at baseline (immediately after admission in the emergency department or early in the ICU stay for nine patients admitted directly to the ICU), day 2–5 (target day 3) and day 6–12 (target day 9). Routine clinical biomarkers, that is, white cell count, lymphocyte count, D-dimer, C reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine were immediately analysed and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated at the central laboratory. Biobank samples of plasma and serum were temporarily stored at 4°C, centrifuged at 2000 g for 10 min and then transferred into aliquots that were frozen and stored at −80°C. Serum samples from the biobank were used to measure interleukin-6, procalcitonin, ferritin, cardiac troponin T (cTnT), NT-proBNP and GDF-15 by the Elecsys assay on a Cobas e801 platform (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland).15 SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in plasma by reverse transcription and quantitative PCR on a QuantStudio 7 PCR system (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA) targeting the viral E-gene as previously described.16 sST2 was measured in serum samples using the Presage ST2 assay (Critical Diagnostics, San Diego, California, USA) with a quantification range from 2.35 to 200 ng/mL and a coefficient of variation of 4.3% and 4.5% (high and low concentration). Concentrations >200 ng/mL (n=3) were entered as 200 ng/mL. According to the manufacturer, concentrations in a healthy reference cohort were median 18.8 ng/mL and 95th percentile 37.9 ng/mL.17
Statistical methods
Baseline characteristics are presented as mean±SD and n (%) and compared by linear regression for trend across quartiles of sST2. Biomarker concentrations are reported as median (quartiles (Q) 1–3) and compared using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test and the Cuzick's trend test.18 Correlations between sST2 and other biomarkers were assessed using Spearman rank correlation. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses of the association between baseline sST2 and outcome (medical ward vs ICU vs in-hospital mortality) were performed. Covariates were a priori selected, that is, age, sex, race, CVD, body mass index (BMI) and eGFR. Due to the risk of collinearity and overfitting the regression models, other biomarkers were not included in the main adjusted analysis. However, in an exploratory logistic regression model, we also added the following biomarkers to the multivariable model: interleukin-6, CRP, procalcitonin, ferritin, D-dimer, cTnT and NT-proBNP. Non-parametric receiver operating curve (ROC) was analysed to assess the discriminatory performance of sST2 for combined ICU admission or mortality and for mortality only. Changes in biomarkers from baseline to day 3 and from baseline to day 9 were assessed by multilevel mixed-effects linear regression adjusted for age, sex, race, CVD, BMI and eGFR. To assess differences in biomarker changes according to outcome, an interaction term was included in the model. Concentrations of sST2 at day 3 and day 9 were associated with outcome using multivariable logistic regression with the same covariates as in for the baseline analysis. All biomarkers were log-transformed before included in regression analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata Software (V.16, Stata Corp). A two-sided p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
In total, 201 patients were hospitalised with COVID-19 in the study period, and among these, 78 patients were not included in the COVID-19 MECH study due to direct discharge from the emergency department or unwillingness to participate in the study. Biobank blood samples were available from 123 of the 135 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 enrolled in the study. These were aged 59.6±15.2 years, 71 (58%) men and 68 (55%) Caucasians. Overall, 74 (60%) had ≥1 comorbidity, comprising hypertension (32%), obesity (27%), CVD (15%) diabetes (17%), chronic kidney disease (7%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (5%). Symptom duration was 9±5 days; 81% had fever, 80% had cough and 70% had dyspnoea.
Baseline sST2, clinical characteristics and other biomarkers
Baseline sST2 concentrations were median 48 (IQR 37–67) ng/mL and 91 (74%) had concentrations above the 95th percentile of healthy controls. Stratified by quartiles (Q), increasing concentrations of sST2 were associated with higher age, male sex, white race, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and chronic kidney disease (table 1). Oxygen saturation was lower and respiratory rate higher at admission with increasing sST2: mean 94% and 22/min in Q1 versus 89% and 30/min in Q4, respectively (p<0.001 for both). Increasing levels of sST2 by quartiles were significantly associated with biomarkers reflecting inflammation, coagulation, renal function, cardiac biomarkers and with SARS-CoV-2 viraemia (table 2). SARS-CoV-2 viraemia was most prevalent in patients with sST2 concentrations in the highest quartile: 63% in Q4 vs 31% for Q1–3. The strongest correlations with the established biomarkers were seen for procalcitonin (rho=0.62, p<0.001), IL-6 (rho=0.43, p<0.001), cTnT (rho=0.43, p<0.001) and ferritin (rho=0.40, p<0.001) (table 2). sST2 also correlated with GDF-15: rho=0.53, p<0.001.
Baseline sST2 and hospital outcome
During the hospitalisation, eight patients (7%) died: four at the ICU and four with treatment restrictions in medical wards. No patients died after hospital discharge, within 30 days of study inclusion. Treatment in the ICU (all with mechanical ventilation) was given to 27 (22%) survivors. Baseline concentrations of sST2 increased in proportion to the severity of the hospital outcome (median, IQR): 43 (36–59) ng/mL for patients treated in medical wards, 67 (39–104) ng/mL for ICU-treated patients and 107 (72–116) ng/mL for non-survivors: p<0.001 for both medical ward versus ICU and medical ward vs non-survivors (table 3; figure 1). This association persisted after adjusting for demographics, BMI, CVD and eGFR (table 3). Concentrations of IL-6, CRP, procalcitonin and ferritin were higher with increasing severity, while there were no significant associations for D-dimer, cTnT and NT-proBNP. In a regression model adding all measured biomarkers to demographics, BMI, CVD and eGFR, sST2 was the only variable associated with ICU admission or death (online supplemental table 1). In exploratory analysis also including GDF-15, both sST2 (p=0.05) and GDF-15 (p=0.015) remained associated with outcome.
Supplemental material
The area under the receiver operating curve (ROC AUC) for discriminating combined ICU admission and hospital mortality (n=35) was 0.69 (0.57–0.80) and for discriminating hospital mortality alone (n=8) 0.84 (0.72–0.96) for baseline sST2.
Changes in sST2 and hospital outcome
Repeated measures of sST2 concentrations were performed at day 3 (n=94; 61 medical ward, 25 ICU and eight non-survivors) and day 9 (23 medical ward, 20 ICU and 6 non-survivors). The main reason for missing follow-up samples was discharge from the hospital. Two of the eight non-survivors died between day 3 and day 9 and had therefore missing samples at day 9. The overall median sST2 concentration was 47 (IQR 36–69) ng/mL at day 3 and 49 (IQR 36–83) ng/mL at day 9, which was not significantly different from the baseline concentrations (p=0.14 and p=0.29, respectively). The change in sST2 from baseline to day 3 and day 9 was different in patients with a primary outcome (ICU treatment or death) compared with those treated at medical ward (p for interaction=0.003). Patients treated in the medical ward had significant decline in sST2 concentrations to day 3 (−12%, 95% CI −19% to −5%, p=0.002) and day 9 (−23%, 95% CI −31% to −13%, p<0.001), while patients who were treated in the ICU or died had no significant change (p=0.84 to day 3 and p=0.51 to day 9). When excluding the two patients who died before day 9, the results were consistent (p for interaction=0.003). Compared with patients treated at the medical ward, concentrations of sST2 at day 3 and day 9 were higher in non-survivors or ICU-treated patients (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively) and ICU-treated patients only (p<0.001 and p=0.004, respectively) in adjusted models (figure 1).
In this prospective study of patients hospitalised for COVID-19, we found higher concentrations of sST2 in patients treated in the ICU and the highest concentrations in non-survivors. The association with poor outcome was independent of established risk factors, inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers. At day 3 and day 9, the sST2 elevation persisted in patients who were treated in the ICU or died.
In a recent proteomics study measuring 1420 proteins in patient with COVID-19, sST2 came out among the top 3 candidate proteins predicting mortality, which supports our findings of sST2 as an important prognostic marker in COVID-19.19 sST2 has been proposed as a promising biomarker in COVID-19, reflecting inflammatory status and disease severity.20 21 In our study, concentrations of ST2 correlated with inflammatory biomarkers, cardiovascular biomarkers, SARS-CoV-2 viraemia and hypoxaemia, reflecting key pathophysiological pathways in COVID-19. Being part of the interleukin family, the association with inflammation is not surprising and in line with previous findings from sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).11 13 14 sST2 is released by endothelial cells and various immune cells, and function as a decoy receptor to IL-33. The alveolar epithelial cells in the lungs are a source of ST2 in HF.5 The interplay between sST2 and IL-33 plays an important role in CVD, and accumulating evidence suggests that sST2 is a biomarker of vascular health.3 Furthermore, experimental studies have demonstrated that ST2/IL-33 activate endothelial cells and promotes inflammation22 23 We found an association between sST2 and D-dimer, and it is well established that endothelial dysfunction and thromboembolism are cornerstones in COVID-19 pathogenesis.24 Overall, the integration of these pathways by sST2 may contribute to the strong, progressive association with the need for mechanical ventilation and in-hospital mortality. However, the exact mechanisms in COVID-19 causing the elevation in sST2 remains largely unknown and should be assessed in experimental studies. Interestingly, sST2 was the only biomarker associated with adverse outcome in models adjusting biomarkers reflecting myocardial injury and stress, inflammation and thrombosis.
We recently reported that GDF-15 was associated with poor outcome in COVID-19.15 Concentrations of GDF-15 correlated moderately with sST2 (rho=0.53) and did not have the same predictors. Moreover, the association with outcome for sST2 and GDG-15 was independent of each other and other cardiovascular and inflammatory biomarkers. In contrast to sST2 concentrations that remained stably elevated throughout the hospitalisation, concentrations of GDF-15 continued to increase to day 3 and day 9 in patients with poor outcome.15 These differences indicate that sST2 and GDG-15 reflect separate disease processes in COVID-19 and may provide complementary pathophysiological information.
The modest sample size and the lack of an external validation cohort are the main limitations in our study. Particularly, the number of patients with available samples at day 9 was low. This was primarily due to early discharge from the hospital, and we did not collect blood samples from patients after discharge. Still, given the coherent findings from proteomics analysis of COVID-1919 combined with the robust prospective design of our study, we believe our findings are clinically relevant. However, the findings should be validated in more diverse populations and settings before being implemented in clinical practice. Although clinical characteristics and ICU admissions were comparable with other COVID-19 cohorts, the in-hospital mortality for COVID-19 was relatively low in our hospital during the first wave of the pandemic, and this may limit the generalisability to centres with higher mortality rates.
Our multivariable regression models may be overfitted given the limited number of events compared with the number of covariates, but we believe the consistent results with the unadjusted analysis strengthen these findings. We analysed eight inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers and present their association to outcome in the current study. We did not use statistical methods to account for multiple comparisons, as our main objective was to investigate sST2 as a prognostic marker in COVID-19. Of note, the association between sST2 and outcome remained significant in all models when using a Bonferroni corrected p value (0.05/8=0.006) as the significance level.
We found an association between increasing levels of sST2 and disease severity among patients hospitalised for COVID-19. The association was independent of, and superior to, established risk factors. sST2 associated with SARS-CoV-2 viraemia and biomarkers of inflammation, CVD and thrombosis. sST2 remained elevated in patients with poor outcome at day 3 and day 9 of the hospital stay. sST2 seems to be a clinically useful predictor in COVID-19, but our findings should be confirmed in larger studies before implementation to patient care.
Data availability statement
Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available.
Ethics statements
Patient consent for publication
Ethics approval
This study involves human participants and was approved by the Regional Ethics Committee of Norway (REK South-East C, Ref. no. 117589) and by the institutional Data Protection Officer (Ref.no. 20/02873). Participants gave informed consent to participate in the study before taking part.
We are grateful for the invaluable contributions by medical technologist Sissel Åkre MSc for performing the soluble ST 2 (sST2) analysis. We thank Ragnhild Røysland, MD PhD, Heidi Strand, MD PhD, Subaitha Navaruban, BSc, Ahmed Meklif, MSc, Jannicke Dokken, RN and Amyla Abueg, RN, for help in conducting the COVID MECH study. We would also like to thank Haldor Husby and the Unit of Data Analysis at Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway, for help with clinical data acquisition from the data warehouse at Akershus University Hospital.
Supplementary materials
Supplementary Data
This web only file has been produced by the BMJ Publishing Group from an electronic file supplied by the author(s) and has not been edited for content.
Twitter @pmyhre
Contributors All authors contributed substantially to this manuscript. TO, CP, JEB and PLM designed and conducted the study. CJ performed the virological examinations. MS performed the CV biomarker analysis. IS performed the sST-2 analysis. TO and PLM are guarantors of the study.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests TO has served on advisory boards for Abbott Diagnostics, Roche Diagnostics and Bayer and has received research support from Abbott Diagnostics, Novartis, Roche Diagnostics, Singulex and SomaLogic via Akershus University Hospital, and speaker's or consulting honoraria from Roche Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers and CardiNor. PLM has served on advisory boards for AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis and Novo Nordisk and has received consulting honoraria from AstraZeneca, AmGen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis and Novo Nordisk.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.


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