text:
International TEFL Academy Chicago, Illinois, USA
TEFL/TESOL Certificate (A1 Level, Highest Distinction) June 2013
University of Colorado at Denver Denver, Colorado, USA
M.A. U.S. History, Global History (Asia) Minor December 2012
Capitol Normal University Beijing, CHINA
Chinese Language and Culture Studies May-August 2011
Western State Colorado University Gunnison, Colorado, USA
B.A. History, English Minor May 2008
More than six years teaching experience in History, English, Political Science, E-Learning, and other subjects. Taught 500+ students at every education level, whether one-on-one tutoring, small groups, standard size classes (~30), and large courses with 60 or more students. Students have won provincial and national awards, gained acceptance to American universities from abroad, and achieved or gone beyond their educational goals.
Special circumstances or situations can impact the pay scale. Discounts are also available for references and referrals as well.
Citizenship: USA
Date of Birth: January 24, 1986
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Engaged
Educational Consultant and Teaching Professional, possessing TEFL/TESOL Certification, MA in U.S. History, and minor in Global History (Asia emphasis), seeking new students with potential. Prior experience in teacher training, classroom and individual teaching, and leadership programs and positions. Additional experience teaching college students and adults in university, college, and private institutional settings. Capability and experience teaching multiple interdisciplinary subject disciplines from the middle school to the university level, including: U.S. History; World History; Chinese History; English; Creative Writing/Poetry; Mathematics; Political Science, and International and East Asian Studies.
International TEFL Academy Chicago, Illinois, USA
TEFL/TESOL Certificate (A1 Level, Highest Distinction) June 2013
University of Colorado at Denver Denver, Colorado, USA
M.A. U.S. History, Global History (Asia) Minor December 2012
Capitol Normal University Beijing, CHINA
Chinese Language and Culture Studies May-August 2011
Western State Colorado University Gunnison, Colorado, USA
B.A. History, English Minor May 2008
U.L.T.I.M.A.T.E. Academy Lakewood, Colorado
Founder, President, and Educator June 2016-Present
Private academy start-up offering courses, workshops, corporate seminars, teacher training, and other services to empower, train, and benefit people of all walks of life, and provide opportunities for society and the community that otherwise would not be available.
Working together with other revolutionary education companies and institutions, especially in the field of E-Learning, we are helping to implement and integrate new educational technology to raise the bar of education standards and cutting-edge learning.
BOXFiSH Education Lakewood, Colorado
English Language Instructor, and Teacher Trainer & Recruiter June 2016-Present
At BOXFiSH Education, we're leading the charge in eLearning and online tutoring in China. Using the latest technologies and cutting-edge education techniques, we deliver fun, innovative, and effective English language learning to both students and working professionals throughout China.
In my professional capacity, I teach online English courses to students, helping them improve their English proficiency, competence, abilities, and confidence. I also recruit instructors to become online tutors who do the same, offering training, support, and other services, to ensure the highest standards and contribute to the building of the BOXFiSH brand as one of the most eminent and reputable eLearning companies in the world.
Lake International School Denver, Colorado
Denver Math Fellow September 2016-Present
Serving as a Math Fellow for a special program to improve the math of students who are under-performing grade level expectations for various reasons. The goal is to help the students succeed, not only in Math, but in life.
Additionally, organized and lead student clubs throughout the school year, including a China Club, and a Lyricism/Songwriting Using Poetry and Rap Club.
Golden Music Academy Lakewood, Colorado
Academy Instructor and Hip Hop Professional April 2016-Present
Courses Taught: Creative Writing and Hip Hop Lyricism; Rap Freestyling 101; Intro to the Basics of Hip Hop Music (Writing Raps and Performing Them); Poetry 101; Making a Hip Hop Album.
Workshops Held: Freestyling with Rap/Vocals & Drums; Channeling Creative Expression through Writing and Lyrics.
Soka Gakkai International-USA Denver, Colorado
Buddhism Instructor & Lecturer January 2016-Present
Serve as Buddhism Instructor and Lecturer for the SGI-USA's Denver Culture Center. Usually I will provide short tour of the center, and a presentation and lecture about Buddhism for schools in the Denver Metro Area, especially for World Religions classes at high schools in Denver; and sometimes college courses as well in relevant fields, such as Psychology or East Asian studies.
Schools with classes who received presentations or hosted symposia on Buddhism:
Colorado College
University of Colorado at Denver
Colorado State University at Fort Collins
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Community College of Aurora
Front Range Community College
East High School
Denver School of the Arts
Sichuan University of Arts and Science Dazhou, Sichuan, China
Adjunct Professor August 2014-January 2016
Courses Taught:
History: 20th Century U.S. History; 20th Century Chinese History (for English Speakers); Histories & Cultures of English-Speaking Countries; Introduction to History of Buddhism.
English: Creative Writing; Poetry; Oral English I; Oral English II; Tourism English I; Tourism English II; English for Hotel Management and Hospitality.
Culture Studies: General American Culture; American Movie Appreciation & Film Aesthetics.
Political Science: U.S. Social Movements of the 20th Century.
Education: Becoming a Teacher: Teaching Skills & Pedagogy.
Co-Founded and edited the University's first School of Foreign Languages' publication (Four Rivers Magazine), showcasing students' work.
Participated in campus activities, such as student clubs, competitions, and cultural events.
February Education Group Chengdu & Dazhou, Sichuan, China
ENFLY Agency February 2014-February 2016
METEN English
Hua Run Senior High School
Teacher Training Instructor & Educational Consultant
Trained teachers using seminars, workshops, lessons, meetings, and classes to inaugurate, and develop or enhance the teaching abilities of teachers contracted to work for schools in China through a recruitment and placement agency.
For seminars, class sizes ranged from 20-40 teachers from numerous countries, such as the U.S., China, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, and the UK.
Assisted private English training schools as an educational instructor and consultant.
Taught teaching and teacher training to high school teachers during this time. Also taught select Senior High School students a variety of subjects including English and American Culture.
Assisted in enhancing teachers' cultural awareness and sensibilities, as well as improving their teaching practices and abilities.
Provided expertise and participation in cultural activities and holiday celebrations.
English Center of Colorado Denver, Colorado, USA
Head TEFL/ESL Instructor May–January 2013
Courses Taught: English Reading Comprehension & Abilities; English Listening Skills & Abilities; English Spelling & Writing; Oral & Dialog English.
Taught English to Asian, African, and Pan-American students aged 18 and up.
University of Northern Colorado at Lowry Aurora, Colorado, USA
Substitute Instructor Fall Semester 2012
Worked as substitute teacher for Dr. James Walsh teaching 20th Century U.S. History courses at UNC.
University of Colorado at Denver Denver, Colorado, USA
Teaching Assistant January-December 2012
Taught and conducted college level history courses, such as U.S. History since 1876, and Social Movements of the 20th Century.
Intern Beijing, China
SmarTots Summer 2011
Worked for a pioneering children's education technology company, the #1 Online Mobile Start-Up in China for 2011, during study abroad in Beijing. Assisted with tasks ranging from HR and PR to Database Entry, including social media and promotion.
Denver Scholarship Foundation Denver, Colorado
Education Policy Researcher Summer 2010
Assisted in researching general information on research policy in Colorado, and concentrated focus on education research policy pertaining to the liquidation of the Early Achievers Scholarship. It was designed for people who were disadvantaged and who could have applied for it as young as 7th, 8th, and 9th grades, but it was being axed in order to shore up funding for K-12 schools, so that Colorado could fulfill its federal funding mandate requirement by funding K-12 education. In other words, Colorado axed a scholarship for the needy to pay for the education of the whole, the latter of which is extremely underfunded.
The Crystallization of Hip Hop Music in Corporate and Mainstream America, 1995-1998 (Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest, LLC, 2012).
Periodicals & Journals
Four Rivers Magazine January 2015-Present
Co-Founder & Editor Dazhou, China
Published by the School of Foreign Languages at Sichuan University of Arts & Science.
Showcases students works, including essays, short stories, poems, articles, songs, etc.
Manuscripts in Preparation
Power Moves or Conflicts between Commercial Success and Preserving Realness: The Crystallization of Hip Hop in Corporate and Mainstream America 1994-2000.
Sun Lotus: A Biography of the Life, Times, and Contributions of Nichiren, the Buddhist Revolutionary, 1222-1282.
"Vying for Military Supremacy in China: Mao Zedong, Chiang Kai-shek, and the First through Third Extermination Campaigns, 1930-1932"
Meditations Journeying in China: An Anthology of Poems, Verses, & Songs
Panels Organized
Thirty-third Annual Mid-America Conference on History Sept. 22-24, 2011
Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK
"China in Transition: The 1930s"
Papers & Lectures Presented
The Art of Social Justice Conference I-II April 10-12, 2012 & May 7, 2013
University of Colorado Denver Denver, CO
"Oneness of Self & the Environment"
"Buddhist Chanting/Meditation Workshop & Demonstration"
"Our New Clear Future: Evoking Humanity & Laying to Rest Nuclear Arms"
Humanistic Awakening: Summit for Peace March 16, 2013
Columbine High School Littleton, CO
"Our New Clear Future: Evoking Humanity & Laying to Rest Nuclear Arms"
The Sankofa Lecture Series & Hip-Hop Cultural Literacy Conference October 3-5, 2012
University of Colorado at Denver Denver, CO
"Development of Regional Styles and Identities within Hip Hop Music and Culture (1990s-Present)"
Thirty-third Annual Mid-America Conference on History Sept. 22-24, 2011
Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK
"China in Transition: The 1930s"
"The Historical Construction of the Chinese Communist Party's Greatest Trial and Legacy: The Long March"
Conferences or Symposia Organized
The Art of Social Justice Conference I-II April 10-12, 2012 & May 7, 2013
University of Colorado at Denver Denver, CO
Buddhist Islamic Dialogue April 30, 2013
University of Colorado at Denver Denver, CO
Humanistic Awakening: Summit for Peace March 16, 2013
Columbine High School Littleton, CO
The Sankofa Lecture Series & Hip-Hop Cultural Literacy Conference October 3-5, 2012
University of Colorado at Denver Denver, CO
Invited Talks
Celebrating International Cultural Exchange Dec. 19, 2014
Oxford International College Chengdu, China
Delivered Keynote Address: "International Cultural Communication: Understanding the Heart & Soul of Humanity"
Intermediate Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese
Founder and President of the SGI-USA Buddhist Club at Auraria Campus, 2010-2012
Global Ambassador for Exchange Students at University of Colorado at Denver, 2011-2012
Rob has a lot of experience teaching many different grade levels and cultures. He has all the credentials, certifications and degrees for his backing overflowing on his resume. I've seen him teach numerous times and he has the best teaching method I've ever seen that really gets all of the students interested, wanting to learn and trust him easier than most. He's inspired young students who have suffered from severe depression, chronic illnesses and multiple sclerosis to find hope in living and learning again when other's couldn't. He is the nicest person with the biggest heart you will ever meet, who has vowed to change society through better education. He takes his job and the lives of his students very seriously. Rob has a unique background and knowledge for love of history and hip-hop culture that surprises most, which makes many of his classes interesting and entertaining.
Rob is a very patient, lively, and kind teacher, who always gives his best and inspires you to do the same. In his class, I feel it's very enjoyable and rewarding. I learned a lot in his class, not only from the knowledge and skills I gained, but also embracing the spirt to treat everything with great care and kindness. I'm happy to say I made great progress in his class, and am more than satisfied with the results. If you want to make great progress in IELTS, or any standardized test, he is a great teacher to choose. I highly recommend him.
During my time teaching with Robert, I witnessed a teacher full of tremendous creative energy, patience and passion for his profession. Teaching multi-level classes at the university level in rural China is an exceptionally difficult task, but time and again Robert demonstrated his willingness and desire to continually better himself as a teacher and sacrifice much of his free time to assist students in need. Robert's sense of humour, command of the English language and creative lesson planning truly helped his students attain the challenging goal of learning a second language. Robert set the standard for all other teachers to follow, and he was and still is profoundly respected by both the student body and the faculty as well. Robert's creative guidance helped our Foreign Language Department develop improved curriculum, and our department has thrived as a result of it. He works extremely well with others, and he is extremely dependable in the classroom. He has repeatedly shown that he possesses the temperance and fortitude to thrive in any given academic environment.
academic english lessons close by? Here's a selection of teacher ads that you can check out.
Superprof can also suggest Academic tutoring to help you.
Learning isn't a problem, creative writing lessons for all!
Taking Homework help has never been easier: you're going to learn new skills.
|at his home
|at your home
|By webcam
|1 hour
|Not available
|5 hours
|Not available
|10 hours
|Not available


text:
- 1.Add the product(s) to your cart or wishlist.
- 2.Open the Banggood app and find the product(s) in the cart or wishlist.
- 3.Pay for your order and get your discount !
- Click here for more app only deals.
Join us you can enjoy :
New customer? Start here.My Account My Orders My Wishlist My Coupons My Points My Referrals BGpay
You have won [$0.01 Snatch] prize!
Please check your email and verify your account within 7 days.
2. Maximum Output Current: 480mA
3. Starting Up Voltage: 0.8V; output current: 7mA
4. Input Voltage: 1-1.5V; output voltage 5V, output current: 40-100mA
5. Input Voltage: 1.5-2V; output voltage 5V, output current: 100-150mA
6. Input Voltage: 2-3V; output voltage 5V, output current: 150-380mA
7. Input Voltage: >3V; output voltage 5V, output current: 380-480mA
8. Operating Frequency: 150KHz
9. Typical Conversion Efficiency: 85%
10. Pin Space: 2.54mm
11. Size: 11 x 10.5 x 7.5mm
1. Input voltage should be no more than rated voltage, or the module will be burnt.
2. Input power should surpass output power, or output voltage will be less than rated voltage.
3. Output load should be no more than rated load, or output voltage will be less than rated voltage.
Package included:
1 x Step-up power module
|Shipping method(s)
|Shipping time
|Tracking information
|Our Company
|Contact Us
|Payment & Shipping
|Partnership Programs
1.Order the required amount with an eligible payment method and get cash back;
2.Cashback is only paid when the order ships.
We sincerely invite you to subscribe to the Invite Answer email!
If you subscribe, we will invite you via email to answer questions people have about products. By subscribing you'll also earn the "Helpful Badge"! You can unsubscribe at any time on the privacy settings page.
Help others and be happier!
Thank you for subscribing! You have also earned a badge!
Thank you! Your answer will help ###name### and ###num### other people!
Check awaiting answers to see more people who need help.
Thank you! Your answer will help ###name### and ###num### other people!
Subscribe to "Invite Answer" emails and use your knowledge to help more people with product questions. By subscribing you'll also earn the "Helpful Badge"!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Dubai's Train Beach Club has been shortlisted for the CID Awards 2020 in 2 categories: 'Interior Design of the Year - bars and clubs' and 'Best Use of Lighting in Interior Design'.
Train Beach Club is a mixed-use facility consisting of a professional gym, restaurant, café-bar, and nightclub. The project is a realisation of architecture studio Light Space Design, who opted for Delta Light for the lighting throughout the project.
The annual CID Awards are organised by Commercial Interiors Magazine, the 14th edition of the award ceremony will take place on 25 November in Dubai, where the winners will be announced.


text:
DODGE CITY — People gathered Friday morning at the Liberty Garden in Wright Park to witness the planting of five trees in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that killed nearly 3,000 Americans.
Over the course of six years, the Liberty Gardens Committee has been planting trees on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
"Really, we just want to have a place where people can memorialize 9/11 and reflect back on that terrible day and just give a place to give people peace," said public works director Corey Keller.
"One tree donated by Fidelity State Bank, another tree donated by Western Beverage and the other three by Crew Recycling, are planted to represent each plane crash and Operation Enduring Freedom," said Dodge City Regional Airport manager Kelli Enlow, who organized the event with Keller.
The first tree, donated by Western Beverage Inc., was planted at 7:45 a.m. Central time, the same time the first plane, an American Airlines Boeing 767, crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
The second tree, donated by Crew Recycling, was planted at 8:03 a.m., the same time a second Boeing 767, United Airlines Flight 175, crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center.
The third tree, donated by Crew Recycling, was planted at 8:45 a.m., the same time another American Airlines flying over Washington, D.C, crashed into the west side of the Pentagon.
The fourth tree, donated by Fidelity State Bank, was planted at 9:10 a.m., the same time the California-bound United Flight 93 from Newark International Airport in New Jersey crashed into a rural field in Pennsylvania.
The fifth tree was planted immediately after the fourth and represents Operation Enduring Freedom, the American-led international effort to eliminate the Taliban influence in Afghanistan and destroy the al-Qaida terrorist network.
The operation started on Oct. 7, 2001, and within two months, the Taliban had been destabilized and removed from power.


text:
Toothpaste doesn't get the credit that it deserves. People generally use toothpaste to clean their teeth and as such, it is a highly engineered task specific oriented product.
The ingredients for all tooth paste contain three main ones: abrasives, fluoride, and detergents along with 20%–42% water. Specialized toothpastes also contain a variety of task specific components e.g. sensitivity or whitening. But, toothpaste can do so much more than being a mere dentifrice.
Here are some amazing tips on different uses for your toothpaste:
Polish your silverware.
Shine up your silverware and use it for your next family gathering. Just rub some toothpaste on each piece with soft cloth and your silverware will look like brand new again.
Clean your shoes.
Use toothpaste to get rid of stuck on dirt and get back the new look of your shoes.
Remove dye and ink stains.
Rub toothpaste on stains, let it dry and wash the item after.
Clean your headlights.
Instead of spending money on a car detailing kits, give your headlights a shine with toothpaste. You can even use the toothbrush to get into those tight corners!
Remove nail polish.
If you don't have nail polish remover, put some toothpaste on your nails to remove the polish. Not only you will remove the polish, your fingers will smell great after.
Lifting water stains.
If your wooden table has water stains or marks, just rub the toothpaste on the stains. It will get rid of water stains and restore your table. Use a toothpaste paste that is not abrasive.
Soothe mosquito bites.
Rub some toothpaste on the bitten area and you will feel instant relief.
Clean your iron.
If your iron is leaving residue on your clothes, turn it off and let it cool down. Rub some toothpaste along the surface, wipe it off and continue ironing your clothes without streaks.
Freshen up your thermos.
Thermoses can get gross pretty fast. To get rid of that stinky smell, add some toothpaste and fill with water. Shake it, and then wash as normal. Your thermos will smell fresh and clean again.
Remove food odors.
If your hands smell of onion or fish after cooking, just dub some toothpaste on your hands, rub for few second and rinse well. Not only you will get rid of the smell, but your nails will look brighter.
Clean piano keys.
Old vintage piano keys are made from ivory (teeth) so toothpaste is the perfect solution to clean away the dirt. New piano keys are made of plastic but toothpaste cleans them equally well.
Defog bathroom mirrors.
Use a little toothpaste on wet cloth to wipe mirrors. Allow it to dry and wipe with a dry cloth.
Clean a curling iron or hair straightener.
Curling irons and hair straighteners tend to build up a gummy coating from hair products. Toothpaste will remove all that without damaging your appliance. Put some of toothpaste on a dry cloth and wipe away the buildup.
Remove crayon marks from walls.
If you have a budding Picasso in your house who likes to use walls as a canvas, here is a good tip on how to clean those walls afterwards. Apply a bit of toothpaste on a damp sponge and clean the marked areas. Finish by wiping down with a damp cloth and allow the area to dry.
As with all products being used for off label applications always do a test on the materials to see if there is going to be a problem. We offer this list for information only and do not recommend any of the applications. We do however, recommend toothpaste as a dentifrice as part of your daily wellness regimen.


text:
Here we have the Italian lovechild of Britney and Justin c.a. 2002. Made from a sturdy denim with leather trims, the clog shape is a play on the Dutch traditional clog. The vintage Miu Miu clogs are made for more narrow feet.
Size: 40
Material: Wood, leather, denim
Fits a narrow foot
Slight scuff marks that have been treated.


text:
To Africa and Back: Our Adoption Success Story
Our plane touched down on an African runway in the middle of the night. Thirty seven hours of flights through four different countries and the impending wave of jet lag did little to suppress our pulsing thrill at way lay ahead.
It was a mere six months after signing with our adoption agency, but we were more than ready. We had grieved over the loss of three babies, our failed stutters toward adoption through the foster care system. We jumped into an international adoption with both feet, navigating the choppy complications that come with the territory of being a lesbian couple. We squealed with disbelief at those beautiful referral photos, tracked their weights on percentile charts, shopped ourselves silly just to have something tangible to fold and sort, to remind us that we would have our children home someday.
It seemed like an eternity of waiting to now be sitting here with the love of my life, in the back of a beat up Honda squeezing her fingers between mine. There is nothing else in this world like driving over a pot-holed African road on the way to meet your babies for the first time. And then, to watch guards roll back the gate, and gaze upon the orphanage that has kept your children alive all this time. It's overwhelming in every sense of the word. Your soul bursts with so many emotions that you can't even try to name them. You don't know whether to cry or laugh or sit still and soak it in.
They brought out Sailor first, an ear-to-ear grinning six-month-old diva exploding with personality. Her eyes flashed with life. She laughed at us. And in an instant, our world changed. Here was our daughter, the tiny baby we had so agonizingly watched grow in photos for months. And now she was reaching for our faces and glimmering with this humbling beacon of life-affirming optimism and wonder that still leaves me speechless.
Oliver came next. We'd barely had time to process one baby and I flipped on the camera again (Sailor on my hip) as the orphanage nanny brought Oliver down the stairs and handed him to Ryan. He was beautiful. More cautious. And so, so tiny – barely nine pounds at six months. Later we would find out he was born two months premature, just over 3 lbs, with no hospital or doctors or a NICU equipped with breathing tubes. He's our little fighter. Our miracle.
Nothing about adoption is unemotional. It's a rollercoaster of highs and lows and the helpless sense of being punched in the gut when you least expect it. It comes at a cost, this almost magical forging of family from four corners of the earth.
The waiting and the paperwork and the watching from afar as Oliver's weight hovered around impossible numbers while we sat helpless on the other side of the world…those were the lows. Getting "the call," meeting our babies, the court appearance where a judged declared us a family, and every moment since where we sit in awe at our beautiful, healthy babies who reach up to us and coo "mama" …those are our highs, and how heavily they outweigh the lows.
Emma is an adoptive mama, amateur photographer, and baby fashionista on a budget. She and her partner brought home their son and daughter from Africa in early 2012. She blogs about adoption, attachment, and balancing life with one-year-old "twiblings" at Adoptionistas.com.
Read More Success Stories on Adoption
Answered Prayers: My Adoption Story
Adoption Grows in the Heart – Our Story


text:
Students of DU's Lakshmibai college go cashless with smart Identity Cards
Delhi University's Lakshmibai College has introduced ID cards that allow students to pay for photocopy, canteen bills and even college fees.education Updated: Jan 29, 2017, 15:07 IST
In October this year — just days before demonetisation of old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 — Delhi University's Lakshmibai College introduced smart Identity Cards for students. These cards have RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips in them, enabling them to be used as plastic money within the college premises. Who would've thought that the revamped I-Cards would become students' prized possessions? The cards are a hit in the college, following a cash crunch situation in the country, owing to the withdrawing limits in banks and ATMs. Students can swipe the card to pay for everything from photocopies and canteen bills to library fines and even college fees.
"We wanted to increase the utitlity of the card, and thought why not make it usable for payments within the campus, so we added the cashless payment option to it. We're the first college in all of DU to have introduced such a move," says Principal Pratyush Vatsala. "Students can recharge the balance through the Bank of India branch in the college campus. Even those who don't have an account with the bank, can recharge using cash at the bank."
Students couldn't be happier. "It's a boon for us that the introduction of the new ID cards coincided with the demonetisation move. Not only have we now gone cashless inside the campus, we can also make use of the old notes as the bank branch in our college is accepting it," says Aakanksha Garg, a first-year Political Science student.
The cards have been colour coded to signify the students' year. The first year students have purple-and-white cards, the second year students have blue-and-white cards, and the third year students have maroon-and-white cards. Those who hold positions in college societies have Tricolour bands on the cards.
Students can recharge the balance through the Bank of India branch that is inside the college. Even those who don't have an account with the bank, can recharge using money
Not just demonetisation, the move has drawn appreciation from students for other reasons too. "We don't have to worry about travelling with money anymore, as there is always a concern regarding theft in public transport. And then, these are safer than the debit or credit cards because the recharge amount is in our hands," says Kriti Thakur, a second year Political Science student. "Also, since the photocopy bhaiya or the canteen people don't have card or e-wallet payment options, having enough change was always a problem. Now that's gone too, thankfully!"
Seeing that it's a win-win situation for college authorities as well as students, other DU colleges are also contemplating a shift to smart I-Cards. "We were considering going cashless within the campus, these cards are definitely on our mind now," says Dr Rama, principal, Hans Raj College. "We're even thinking of including medical history of the students on the chip."
Other DU-ites are also hopeful. "We heard about the smart ID cards of Lakshmibai students, and we think it is a supercool idea. I hope our college and others, too, go for it," says Mayank Garg, a student of SGND Khalsa college.


text:
Ubisoft Announces The Crew for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC
Ubisoft Announces The Crew for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC
Ubisoft unveils The Crew, a revolutionary action-driving game developed exclusively for next-gen consoles and high-end PCs that leverages the new hardware capabilities to connect players online like never before, coming to next-gen consoles and high-end PC's early 2014.
The Crew takes you and your friends on a reckless ride inside a massive, open-world recreation of the United States that is brimming with exciting challenges. Generous in content and tailored for the connected generation, The Crew is the next-gen game that redefines action-driving.
Learn more about the game by visiting the Xbox One Games database.
The Crew Achievements
Most Recent Trailers for The Crew
Latest The Crew News & Rumors
Xbox Live Games With Gold For June 2016
Xbox Live Gold members get four new free games in June – two on Xbox One and two on Xbox 360 – as part of the Games with Gold program.On Xbox One, Xbox Live...
Rate This Article
Average Score: 4.5
Votes: 2
Featured Xbox One News


text:
None scheduled at this time.
EVENTS and VOLUNTEERING
Due to COVID-19 we are not scheduling any store events at this time.
At many of these events, HRC volunteers will be available to answer rabbit care and behavioral questions.
Stop by and say hello.
Contact us if you'd like to volunteer.
Our Hopline volunteers are still available to answer your questions about rabbits and rabbit care via phone (413-439-7HRC) or email (firstname.lastname@example.com). Thank you for your support and cooperation.Our Events Can Include:
- Educational materials
- Adoption interviews (on site, time permitting)
- The Gender Mystery Ender (sexing your rabbit) – $10.00. Upon request and by prior appointment.
- HRC Merchandise
Nail clipping: Some of our volunteers are more comfortable with doing rabbit nail clips than others. If you are considering bringing your rabbit to an HRC event for a nail clip, please contact us to see if an appointment is possible.
If we are able to provide nail clipping, we will have you sign our liability waiver and make a $10.00 donation for each of the rabbit.
The House Rabbit Connection isn't the only game in town! Here are some of the other wonderful organizations working every day to help house rabbits.
3 Bunnies Rabbit Rescue
Serving CT and Western MA.
House Rabbit Network
Serving Eastern MA.
House Rabbit Society (HRS)
A worldwide organization with over 25 local and regional chapters. A must-read resource for any rabbit owner. HOUSE RABBIT CONNECTION IS AN OFFICIAL CHAPTER OF HRS!
Sweet Binks Rabbit Rescue
The RI chapter of HRS; a non-profit, all-volunteer shelter and education organization.
HARE (Houserabbit Adoption, Rescue and Education)
The Miami chapter of HRS; also the portal to Etherbun and where many of Dana Krempels' articles are published. Dana Krempels is one of the most well-written scientists on the subject of rabbit health. Etherbun is a good resource for those interested in learning more about rabbit medical care and general health.
Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary
A sanctuary for abandoned, abused and neglected rabbits located in Whittaker, MI.
Rabbit Rescue, Inc. — serving Los Angeles, CA; also home of RabbitShop.com.
Contact us if you would like to add your organization to our list.


text:
Book Description:
Maud Martha
Publication Date: Oct 01, 1992
Maud Martha
by Gwendolyn Brooks
Publication Date: Oct 01, 1992
List Price: $12.95
Format: Paperback, 180 pages
Classification: Fiction
Imprint: Third World Press
Publisher: Third World Press
Parent Company: Third World Press
Borrow from Library
September 2003 marked the 50th anniversary of Maud Martha, the only novel published by esteemed poet Gwendolyn Brooks. Initially entitled ""American Family Brown"" the work would eventually come to symbolize some of Brooks' most provocative writing. In a novel that captures the essence of Black life, Brooks recognizes the beauty and strength that lies within each of us.
More books like Maud Martha may be found by selecting the categories below:
Tell us what do you think about Maud Martha.


text:
Out with the old and in with the new
After a series of exposé articles highlighting the corruption associated with the big-name moving companies in the Atlanta area, I opted to book with a company that boasted higher moral standing. Accredited by both the Better Business Bureau and evangelical Christians in Peachtree City, A Better Way Moving Company had the distinct honor of helping us make the move.
After sitting through "inspirational" hold music and running through payment and logistics over the phone, the polite representative said, "We look forward to helping you on July 9. We will be praying for your move." The sentiment caught me off guard, but I will never turn down a free prayer.
The moving truck showed up bright and early on Saturday morning. Needless to say, we made quite an impression on the new and old neighborhood.
Sharing verses from Revelation illustrated by fully-armed winged man angels will never be my approach to sharing the Good News. The new neighbors are going to have to get to know us to realize that we subscribe to a different brand of Christianity. I'm pretty sure they are expecting us to start knocking door-to-door handing out hellfire pamphlets any day now…
After we said our goodbyes to the Better Way boys, we assessed the mountain of boxes before us. How we managed to fit so much into our four room rental house remains a mystery.
Remember how the nice man from the moving company told me that he would be praying for our move? Well, his prayers worked! It started pouring down rain right when they drove away.
It was like Christmas morning when my parents pulled up with a car full of wedding presents. They had so kindly stored all of our registry treasures at their house, awaiting the day when we would have a kitchen fit for a Cuisinart and cabinet space for our china.
My parents were work horses and made themselves supremely useful for the better part of Saturday and Sunday. My dad helped with the unpacking and heavy lifting and my mom b-lined to my new closet and made sure that my hangers were coordinated. It is no surprise that the same woman who keeps her Tupperware and "junk" drawers immaculately arranged also has a knack for quickly and chromologically organizing a closet.
They certainly earned their pay, in the form of an all-expenses-paid 10pm dinner at Jalisco's. Strip-mall Mexican has never tasted so good.
But before we went to bed that first night, My Man and I had to take care of an important detail.
Traditionally, couples share the top of their wedding cake on their first anniversary. Because we enjoyed a delicious four hour brunch on April 18, 2010, we decided that we would save the cake for the first night in our new house. We had just started the house hunt and thought that surely it would only be a month or two until we were happy homeowners. Our second anniversary came and went with plenty of romance but nary a new home. We looked at many many places over time and spoke to quite a few real estate agents, such as Essex Homes Greenville/Spartanburg based in South Carolina they had stunning homes that we got to see when there and were very helpful. We then settled on our new home here!
At long last, on Saturday night we carefully unwrapped the cake. Shockingly, the cream cheese frosting stood the test of time, a move and multiple power outages. It was delicious!
Our first Sunday morning in the new house was spent picking up essentials at Costco, Target, Ikea, Lowes and Best Buys. As if that consummate consumerism isn't enough to make your head spin, I wouldn't let myself sit down until I had a few rooms completely unpacked. Not a good idea. By dinnertime, this was the scene:
Yes, a mad case of the spins and violent heaving from a self-induced (and self-diagnosed) exhaustion migraine. Or maybe it was the 2 ½ year-old wedding cake…?
((My Oneandonly has an artist's eye and insisted on capturing this raw moment on film.))
We have been in the new house a little over a week now, and I can finally, finally say that I have recovered from the move. Moving straight took it out of me. All of it. However, all the necessary arrangements have been made and are out of the way now so I no longer have to worry about them; I'm happy we've found a good competitive energy plan using a Green Mountain Energy promo code which granted us discounted rates, so you can't ask for much more than that. I am delighted and relieved that we opted for a house that we can grow into because I have no plans to pack up and move anytime in the near or distant future. After all, our friends and family are only ever a telephone call away whenever we need them.
While we're on the topic of phones, our new neighbours have just recommended we take a look at Eatel Phone Service Packages. Getting a good deal for your landline and broadband is an excellent way to save some money.
As for what's next, now we're pretty much settled in I think we're going to book a safety inspection for our HVAC system. We've been researching companies like AirNow (visit site here) as we're mainly looking for peace of mind that our system is safe and operating at maximum capacity. It's always important to check these systems out regularly – especially if you've just moved somewhere new.
Come visit?
August 12, 2011
Hi Jennifer! I found your blog through my good friend Kailey from Snackface and love it! Congratulations on the new move – what an exciting time for you! 🙂 Just wanted to let you know how much I love reading your blog already. The whole "take the day off" idea and mindset is sometimes (okay, all the time!) what I need.
Thank you!
xoxo Andi


text:
Kristin Denslow
Kristin Denslow, PhD
Kristin Denslow
English Literature
Ph.D. English, University of Florida
M.A. English, Western Michigan University
B.A. English, Andrews University
"Layers of Intermediality and Visual References in Laurence Olivier's Henry V." Shakespeare Association of America Conference. 2016.
"'Clearly it's nothing alarming…It's only Shakespeare': Conjuring the Shakespeare Specter in Ernst Lubitsch's To Be or Not To Be." Shakespeare Bulletin 33.3 (2015): 421-39.
"Hamlet's Ghost Meme: Accidental Shakespeare, Repetition Compulsion, and Roofie Circles." A State of Arrested Development: Critical Essays on the Innovative Television Comedy. Ed. Kristin Michael Barton. McFarland, 2015.
"Tracking Scholarship on 'Canonical' Film Hamlets" for "Using Data in Shakespeare Studies" workshop. Shakespeare Association of America Conference. 2015.
"Social Media Shakespeare: Experimenting with Shakespearean Adaptation in the Composition Classroom." Adventist English Association. 2013.
Kristin is an avid vegetable gardener, a decent cook, and a lover of many cuisines. She moved to Texas recently and has deeply enjoyed exploring Fort Worth with her husband and daughter.


text:
I don't quite trust people who don't like dogs. Then again, maybe I'm biased.
I fell in love at the age of 9 with a short, chubby golden retriever puppy staring into my eyes. He was warm, fluffy and everything that I'm sure my mom didn't want wreaking havoc on her house. But Dad had promised.
Things became a lot hairier and without realizing it, my family's hearts began to grow. Caesar was a dog for the books and he made our lives richer.
One afternoon, Caesar walked to my grandfather's auto shop a block away from our home, leaving my mom and me hoarse from yelling his name in the backyard. Then the house phone rang.
"You'll never believe who just showed up," my grandfather said. "Caesar just crossed the street and came right on in the front door."
We never figured out how he pulled it off. In the end, the story is probably better without us knowing.
Dogs come into our lives to help us learn about the world and the people in it, especially ourselves. They teach us humility and how to hide a drool stain; forgiveness and how to deliver the best big kiss; but most of all, they teach us love in its purest, most unconditional form.
And Caesar was no different – the best secret-keeper I knew and an ever better big spoon. If I spend most of my later years passed out on a big sofa with the people I love, I'll consider it a good life.
That's exactly how Caesar spent the last few years of his life, spoiled rotten and often covered up with one of our childhood comforters, moving only with the aid of his best friend and caretaker – my mom – and the promise of a long car ride or a peanut butter bone. Though Caesar was my birthday gift, my mom was the first love on his list (and in just this one case, I'll happily take second place).
In Caesar's last summer with us, I was gifted with my last few months off before starting my big-girl job in the fall and moving out of the house for good. The two of us spent most of our afternoons together. Every so often, we would load up into the car for a trip to the vet or a car ride.
Occasionally, we'd move a little slower. I'd sit down in the grass as Caesar let out a loud "harumph" to let me know he wasn't a fan.
"Getting old's a bitch," I could hear him say in the same voice I hear from my grandpa. And I'd cradle his face, kiss him on the nose, and tell him I know.
No one warned me how to say goodbye. Our childhood dogs seem like they'll live forever. But then comes the day when they don't.
Far and away, Caesar was the best thing to ever happen to my family. He brought joy, laughter and more barking to my crazy house than I would have ever dreamed. And every day, we miss him.
So until I see him again, I will imagine him, his nose turned skyward, waiting for the next peanut butter bone and sectional sofa.
Brittany Horn is a former Hearst fellow and Times Union reporter.


text:
Lecturer Nominated for Coveted Photography Award
Neil Aldridge has been announced amongst the nominees of the World Press Photo Contest 2018 - one of the world's most prestigious and respected awards for photojournalism.
Neil is a conservation photographer and an Associate Lecturer in Marine & Natural History Photography. His photograph, Waiting for Freedom, of a young rhino in Botswana is in the running to pick up the coveted award in the competition's Environment Category in Amsterdam in April.
Neil's photograph shows a young white rhino, blindfolded and partially drugged after being saved from a poaching hotspot in South Africa and moved to the safety of Botswana. The image is part of Neil's story, The Return of the Rhino, which was also recently shortlisted in the Sony World Photography Awards.
Neil explained: "I've dedicated much of the last five years to rhino conservation and to photographing stories of hope against the backdrop of the global rhino poaching crisis. I work as part of the Rhino Conservation Botswana team and have also joined vets saving the lives of rhino orphans, anti-poaching teams keeping rhinos safe, dog trainers preparing dogs to tackle poachers and teachers engaging the next generation of rhino guardians in schools."
Neil is a published author and a professional wildlife guide. His photography has won awards all over the world, including the overall title of European Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Based in both the UK and Africa, Neil focuses his efforts on creating images and stories that increase our understanding and awareness of conservation issues, and that inspire change. Find out more about Neil's work on his website.


text:
A rockfall barrier, previously installed in a remote place above a major highway in the mountains of Colorado, had been repeatedly impacted and the state department of transportation was uncertain of its remaining functionality. GeoStabilization's Rockfall Remediation Technicians (RRTs), utilizing rope-access techniques, conducted a thorough inspection of the barrier and validated the maintenance actions required to bring it to its original service condition. They found the barrier fully loaded along the southernmost approximately 150 to 200 linear feet (LF) and the double-twist mesh ruptured in localized areas; presenting a significant hazard to the roadway below. The RRTs then scaled the immediate vicinity of the work area to ensure safe work conditions, patched the barrier in the areas of localized rupture, and performed hand-scaling where the fence was overtopped.
GeoStabilization then worked with the DOT's engineers to evaluate enhanced mitigation methods for the site that included fully scaling the area around the barrier, hydro-scaling the slope, or installing a new larger barrier below the existing one. Once the choice was made to install a more substantial barrier, our RRTs installed it to the manufacturer's specifications.
Coastal Bluff Protection


text:
Plenty of moments in pro wrestling prove to be genuine, bona fide head-scratchers. But that's not always to say that these situations are poorly conceived, offensive or downright crazy. Sometimes it's the art of the swerve that yields raised brows, double-takes and a healthy amount of laughter and profane exclamations.
Take, for example, the old "Death of the Bruise Brothers" angle from Memphis Wrestling way back in 1984. The whole bit started with an allegedly grief-stricken Jimmy Hart appearing in the television studio to advise Lance Russell that his infamous tag team The Bruise Brothers (a.k.a. The Dream Machine and Pork Chop Cash) were – as he put it – "no more." Now, the Memphis fans were accustomed to all kinds of chicanery and deception from the much-maligned hart and his "First Family" and despite the fact that Jimmy laid it on thick, the studio audience wasn't buying it…at first. But as time went on and Jimmy spoke at length about his tragic loss and rolled some news footage complete with an apparent funeral procession, many fans likely wondered if perhaps this time, Hart was telling the truth. Even Canadian Lumberjack Jos LeDuc made a cameo in a scene from the funeral home, musing about mortality and the like before summarily dismissing the camera crew from his presence.
Eventually, the truth came out and the whole plot turned into what is likely one of the funniest moments in the history of Memphis Wrestling. But for a second, there, The Mouth of The South had a lot of folks saying, "WTF?"


text:
Cultural Resource Inspection for a Proposed Ramp Flume Replacement on the West Side Canal in Beaverhead County
Author(s): Adam M. Nickels
Year: 2003
This resource is a citation record only, the Center for Digital Antiquity does not have a copy of this document. The information in this record has been migrated into tDAR from the National Archaeological Database Reports Module (NADB-R) and updated. Most NADB-R records consist of a document citation and other metadata but do not have the documents themselves uploaded.
If you have a digital copy of the document and would like to have it curated in tDAR, please contact us at email@example.com.
Cite this Record
Cultural Resource Inspection for a Proposed Ramp Flume Replacement on the West Side Canal in Beaverhead County. Adam M. Nickels. 2003 ( tDAR id: 350888)
This Resource is Part of the Following Collections
Investigation Types
Archaeological Overview
Geographic Keywords
30001 (Fips Code) • Beaverhead (County) • Montana (State / Territory) • North America (Continent) • United States of America (Country)
Spatial Coverage
min long: -113.938; min lat: 44.358 ; max long: -111.463; max lat: 45.942 ;
Individual & Institutional Roles
Sponsor(s): BRCL; Montana Area Office
Prepared By(s): Bureau of Reclamation, East Bench Unit
Record Identifiers
NADB document id number(s): 3200497
NADB citation id number(s): 000000335988
General Note: Submitted to: Montana Area Office
General Note: Sent from: Bureau of Reclamation, East Bench Unit


text:
Beverages major Coca-Cola has promoted Atul Singh, as the group president, Asia, from his current designation of deputy president of the Pacific Group.
A company statement said that Atul Singh will continue to report to, Ahmet C Bozer, executive vice president and president, Coca-Cola International.
This news comes as part of Coca-Cola's decision to rename Pacific Group business unit to Asia Pacific business unit. "The formation of the new Asia operating unit will further sharpen the company's focus on China, India and Indonesia – three critical markets that dominate this part of the world, and play an unparalleled role in achieving the 2020 Vision growth targets," the statement said.
Venkatesh Kini, currently Deputy BU President, India and Southwest Asia (INSWA), will be appointed business unit president, INSWA. Both Kini and Manuel Arroyo, BU president, ASEAN, will report to Atul while Atul will continue to provide oversight to Greater China, Korea, BU until a successor is named at a later date.
The company also mentioned that these changes do not impact the organisation structure at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd, the company owned bottling operations in India. Ahmet Bozer will continue to provide overall leadership to this group.
This group will consist of three operating units; the first is Asia which comprises Greater China and Korea BU (GC&K), India & Southwest Asia BU (INSWA) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations BU (ASEAN). Second is Japan BU and the third is South Pacific BU.
Last year, Coca-Cola announced that the company and its bottling partners will invest $5 billion in India by 2020 as it looks to raise its presence in one of its fastest-growing emerging markets.
In September this year, PepsiCo Inc appointed Sanjeev Chadha as chief executive officer for Asia, West Asia and Africa. As in charge of PepsiCo's operations in 90 of the 200 countries where the company is present, his aim would be scaling up the region's share in PepsiCo's total revenues. At present the region accounts for only about 10 per cent of the company's total revenues, despite being home to two-thirds of the world's population.
(Edited by Joby Puthuparampil Johnson)


text:
Showing 1–12 of 95 results
- Sale!
DIGITAL September 11 Flipbook | Patriot Day Flip Book | Editable 9-11 Activity
$5.00Add to cart
- Sale!
EDITABLE Patriotic Symbols – Use for 4th of July Learning on ANY Topic!
$18.00Add to cart
EDITABLE Bald Eagle Activity – Make a FUN Veterans Day Craft on ANY Topic!$3.00 Add to cart
- Sale!
All About Me T Shirt EDITABLE Puzzles for Back To School or First Day of School
$8.00Add to cart
EDITABLE Koala Bear Puzzle: Make your own Koala Theme or Australian Animals Game$3.00 Add to cart
EDITABLE Puzzle | Make a Unique Popcorn Words Activity or Game!$3.00 Add to cart
EDITABLE Cactus Puzzle | Cactus Classroom Decor or Cactus Bulletin Board$3.00 Add to cart
EDITABLE Mustache Template to create your own activities on ANY topic!$3.00 Add to cart
EDITABLE Tie Puzzle – Great to create your own Father's Day Activity!$3.00 Add to cart
EDITABLE High Heel Puzzle for ANY Topic — Great for Mother's Day Activities!$3.00 Add to cart
EDITABLE Mother's Day Crown – Your Own Math, Literacy, Foreign Language+ Games$3.00 Add to cart


text:
Now coins used for wishing are not like coins used to purchase bread or carrots. Coins that have been invested with the magic of hopes and desires are special and have special properties. The difference between wishing coins and ordinary coins is very subtle.
Much as the cockerel crows the break of day/ So, too, has our love similar herald,
When gratitude on lovers' lips rings false/ As flattery by courtly sycophants,/ Take care to well distinguish gold from dross/ So as to gild gladder remembrances.


text:
ABCs With Sesame Street
Build and learn letters with Sesame Street friends!
Build and learn with some of your favorite friends from Sesame Street! Your little one can learn their ABCs when they build with 70 big, colorful blocks featuring alphabet and character-themed decoration. Learn as you grow when you stack the lettered building blocks together to spell out names like "Cookie Monster," "Elmo," "Abby," and "Big Bird." Or, match the characters with their favorite objects! When you're done, cleanup is quick and easy with the included storage bag.
Ideal for ages 1 to 5
- 70-piece Sesame Street-themed playset
- Building blocks feature letters and Sesame Street characters
- Help learn your ABCs!
- Learn to match character names and pictures
- Perfect for little hands
- Storage bag for quick and easy cleanup
- Build and rebuild different ways
- Combine with other Mega Bloks® preschool toys and build them up!
- 1-5
- 70
- Item #FMB08
- Building Instructions PDF
Please login to leave a product review.


text:
DIY: Hair Detangler
There are few things worse than tangled hair—it can often lead to a tender scalp and lots of unnecessary hair stuck in your brush. Detangling Spray is a great way to get your hair tangle-free. Marshmallow root and apple cider vinegar are natural detanglers and essential oils add additional benefits to help keep your hair healthy and beautiful.
Almost done…
We just sent you an email. Please click the link in the email to confirm your subscription!


text:
…2,500 members die due to hunger
Femi Makinde, Osogbo
Pensioners in Osun State hit the streets of Osogbo, the state capital again on Tuesday in protest against the non-payment of their pensions and gratuities.
The retirees said the state government was owing them 18 months pensions because of the modulated payment policy introduced in 2015, adding that many of them who retired since 2011 have not been paid their gratuities.
Hundreds of retirees gathered at Ayetoro area of the town as early as 7am and they marched towards the popular Olaiya Junction singing and praying to God to save them from starvation.
Armed with placards with various inscriptions denouncing the non payment of their entitlements, the senior citizens said about 2,500 of their members had died as at March, 2018.
READ ALSO: Iran threatens to respond in kind if US tries to block oil exports
The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Osun State chapter, Alhaji Ganiyu Salawu, said Governor Rauf Aregbesola had refused to pay the 33 per cent as well as the 142 per cent increment implemented for pensioners.
Salawu said, "Majority of our people are dying of hunger. Our entitlement not regular, and the issue of half salaries and pension is very bad. The 33 per cent increase implemented in 2010 has not been implemented. The 142 per cent increment is not paid also.
"We have written letters to the governor but there is no acknowledgement of our letters. We also wrote five reminder letters, still there is no response.
"We don't have any grudge against the government but we want our entitlements. We are not politicians and no politician is using us, what we what is that out entitlements should be paid so that we can begin to live a decent life. We have worked so hard and now that we are supposed to be eating the fruits of our labour, the government is depriving us.
"Some of our members have been ejected from homes because they can't pay rent, our children are out of schools. Some of our graduates are jobless, so, how do they take care of themselves let alone their parents."


text:
JUVENTUS star Cristiano Ronaldo's baby daughter has stolen his Champions League hat-trick ball in a touching Instagram video.
The Portuguese legend's girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez posted the clip to her 9.7 million followers where Alana Martina was seen running off with the ball.
The video started off with Ronaldo, 34, bouncing the ball several times in front of his one-year-old daughter - much to her amusement.
He then gives the toddler the ball - much to her delight - as she runs off gleefully in the opposite direction.
Captioning the clip, Rodriguez - who has just been unveiled as the new face of lingerie brand Yamamay - said: "The Champions League ball remains on the pitch at home!
"It has become the favourite toy of babies and not-so-babies."
Ronaldo was awarded the ball after he banged in a treble against Atletico Madrid to fire the Old Lady in the quarter-finals as Juve overturned a 2-0 first leg defeat.
His agent Jorge Mendes labelled him as an "alien" following his dazzling display on Tuesday night, insisting he is the greatest player in history.
He gushed: "He's the best player in the history of football and he showed it on Tuesday. He's an alien. He was epic, mythical, divine."
But Ronaldo may be slapped with a Uefa charge following his X-rated celebration where he mocked Atletico boss Diego Simeone.
While a model has claimed that the Euro 2016 winner sent her secret sexy messages where he asked to "bite her bum" if he scored.
Ronaldo has been in stunning form since he joined Juve from Real Madrid last summer - chipping in with 24 goals and 12 assists in 36 games.


text:
Growth Differentiation Factor 5 Regulates Cardiac Repair After Myocardial Infarction
Author + information
- Received May 11, 2009
- Revision received July 15, 2009
- Accepted August 3, 2009
- Published online January 12, 2010.
Author Information
- Syed H.E. Zaidi, PhD*,†,§,* (syed.zaidi{at}uhnres.utoronto.ca),
- Qingling Huang, PhD§,
- Abdul Momen, MD§,
- Ali Riazi, PhD‖ and
- Mansoor Husain, MD*,†,‡
- ↵*Reprint requests and correspondence:
Dr. Syed H. E. Zaidi, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and University Health Network, 101 College Street, TMDT East Tower, Room 3-910, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
Objectives The aim of this study was to examine the function of the bone morphogenic protein growth differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5) in a mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI).
Background The Gdf5 has been implicated in skeletal development, but a potential role in the heart had not been studied.
Methods The Gdf5-knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to permanent left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation. Cardiac pathology, function, gene expression levels, and signaling pathways downstream of Gdf5 were examined. Effects of recombinant Gdf5 (rGdf5) were tested in primary cardiac cell cultures.
Results The WT mice showed increased cardiac Gdf5 levels after MI, with increased expression in peri-infarct cardiomyocytes and myofibroblasts. At 1 and 7 days after MI, no differences were observed in ischemic or infarct areas between WT and Gdf5-KO mice. However, by 28 days after MI, Gdf5-KO mice exhibited increased infarct scar expansion and thinning with decreased arteriolar density compared with WT. The Gdf5-KO hearts also displayed increased left ventricular dilation, with decreased contractility after MI. At 4 days after MI, Gdf5-KO mice exhibited increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis and decreased expression of anti-apoptotic genes Bcl2 and Bcl-xL compared with WT. Unexpectedly, Gdf5-KO hearts displayed increased Smad 1/5/8 phosphorylation but decreased p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation versus WT. The latter was associated with increased collagen gene (Col1a1, Col3a1) expression and fibrosis. In cultures, rGdf5 induced p38-MAPK phosphorylation in cardiac fibroblasts and Smad-dependent increases in Bcl2 and Bcl-xL in cardiomyocytes.
Conclusions Increased expression of Gdf5 after MI limits infarct scar expansion in vivo. These effects might be mediated by Gdf5-induced p38-MAPK signaling in fibroblasts and Gdf5-driven Smad-dependent pro-survival signaling in cardiomyocytes.
- collagen gene expression
- growth differentiation factor 5
- mitogen-activated protein kinase
- myocardial infarction
Growth differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5), also known as bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 14, is a secreted morphogen of the transforming growth factor-beta super-family, conferring signaling by activation of Smad 1/5/8 or mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) (1,2). The Gdf5 is one of the few morphogenetic proteins that interact with both type 2 BMP and activin receptors with equivalent affinities (3). This ability of Gdf5 and its persistent expression in postnatal tissues posit a potentially important role.
During development, Gdf5 is expressed in several tissues including the heart (4–6). Studies in vitro suggest that Gdf5 has effects on angiogenesis (7,8), apoptosis (9), cell survival (6), differentiation (10), and migration (7). Although Gdf5 expression continues into adulthood in some tissues (4), its role in the heart had not been studied. Mutations in Gdf5 produce skeletal disorders in humans and in mice (4). Gdf5-deficient mice exhibit reduced revascularization and delayed healing after tendon injury (11). Given these findings, we hypothesized that Gdf5 might influence remodeling and repair processes in the heart.
Here we show that Gdf5 protein and its receptors are expressed in the adult mouse heart and that Gdf5 levels are elevated after myocardial infarction (MI). To study the role of Gdf5 in cardiac repair, we compared the structure and function of Gdf5-knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) hearts after left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation. To examine the mechanisms underlying abnormal cardiac repair in Gdf5-KO mice, we studied Smad 1/5/8 and p38-MAPK signaling, collagen gene expression, fibrosis, apoptosis, and vascularization. In addition, we examined the effects of Gdf5 on survival of neonatal cardiomyocytes. This is the first report of the effects of Gdf5 deficiency in particular and a BMP family member in general on cardiac repair.
The C57Bl6 mice and mice heterozygous for the Gdf5 (bp3Jallele) were purchased from Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Maine). Heterozygous mice were crossed to obtain homozygous KO and WT littermates.
Surgery and hemodynamic procedures
Mice (8 to 12 weeks of age) were subjected to LAD ligation or sham surgery according to protocols approved by our institutional Animal Care Committee. Experimental procedures for this model are detailed elsewhere (12). For in vivo hemodynamic measurements, mice were anesthetized with 1% isoflurane, and the right carotid artery was cannulated with a micromanometer catheter (Millar Instruments, Houston, Texas). Heart rate, aortic blood pressures, left ventricular (LV) systolic pressure, and peak positive and negative first derivatives of the LV pressure (±dP/dt) were recorded.
Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) was isolated and reverse-transcribed with the SuperScript III kit (Invitrogen, Burlington, Ontario, Canada). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed with SYBR green as per the manufacturer (Applied Biosystems, Streetsville, Ontario, Canada). Real-time data were normalized to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase complementary deoxyribonucleic acid. Primer sequences are listed in Supplementary Table A.
Histology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot
Hearts were fixed in 10% formalin, paraffin-embedded, sectioned (5 μm), and stained with hematoxylin and eosin or trichrome. Images were captured and analyzed by Image J software (National Institute of Health). Infarct area, transmurality, and expansion index were calculated as described (13). Antibody against Gdf5 (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, California), smooth muscle (SM)-alpha-actin (Dako, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), activated caspase 3, phosphorylated Smad 1/5/8, phosphorylated and total p38-MAPK, extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and c-jun N-terminal kinase, Bcl2 and Bcl-xL (Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, Massachusetts), total Smad 1/5/8 and inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1) (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, California), HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies (Bio-Rad, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada), and the Vectastain kit (Vector Laboratories, Burlington, Ontario, Canada) were employed for immunohistochemistry and/or Western blot. Myocardial fibrosis was assessed by trichrome as described (12).
Cell culture
Neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes were prepared as described (14,15) (Supplementary Fig. 1). Cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's media/F12 media containing 10% serum. Passage 2 fibroblasts were kept in 0.1% serum containing medium for 38 h and stimulated with recombinant Gdf5 (rGdf5, R&D Systems) at a concentration of 250 ng/ml. Cardiomyocytes were treated with buffer or rGdf5 at a concentration 250 ng/ml. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was performed with the CardioTACS kit (R&D Systems).
Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi)
Stealth RNAi against mouse Gdf5, Smad 4, p38-MAPK (Mapk14), negative control, BlockiT alexa Fluor, and lipofectamine 2000 were purchased from Invitrogen. The RNAi were transfected at a final concentration of 20 nmol/l as described by the manufacturer, and gene expression was assessed by quantitative real time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Statistical methods
Data for Gdf5 expression, ventricular to body weight ratios, and vascularity were analyzed by 2-way analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons among groups. When only 2 groups were compared, the Student ttest was applied. Collagen expression data were analyzed by single factor analysis of variance followed by Student ttest. All values shown are mean ± SEM.
Adult mouse heart expresses Gdf5 and its receptors
To conclusively establish that Gdf5 is expressed in the heart, RT-PCR was performed on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) from whole adult mouse hearts (n = 3). The amplified product was sequenced to confirm Gdf5 expression (Fig. 1A).Similarly, RT-PCR was used to confirm the expression of BMP and activin receptors through which Gdf5 transduces its signals. Both type 1 (Bmpr1b) and type 2 (Bmpr2, Acvr2a, Acvr2b) receptors were expressed.
Cardiac Gdf5 expression is increased after MI
Anterior walls (AWs) (infarct) and posterior walls (PW) (noninfarct) of the LV were dissected for RNA extraction. The RT-PCR revealed serial increases in Gdf5 mRNA levels in the infarct-containing AW. To quantify this, real-time quantitative RT-PCR was also performed. Compared with sham and nonsurgery control subjects, Gdf5 mRNA levels were elevated at 7 and 14 days after MI (Fig. 1B). The Gdf5 mRNA levels at 7 and 14 days after MI were 8.5- and 11.6-fold higher, respectively, in the AW of infarcted mice as compared with the AW of 7-day sham-operated control subjects (p < 0.025). Increased cardiac Gdf5 protein expression after MI was confirmed by Western blot (Fig. 1C), which revealed that Gdf5 protein levels remained elevated up to 40 days after MI (reaching maximum levels at 21 days). Immunohistochemistry at 14 days showed elevated Gdf5 expression in cardiomyocytes (Fig. 1D) and myofibroblasts (Fig. 1E) in the peri-infarct areas of the heart after MI.
Gdf5-deficient mice exhibit adverse infarct remodeling
Tetrazolium staining of heart sections at 1 day after MI showed no difference in ischemic area between Gdf5-KO and WT mice. Infarct area at 7 days after MI also did not differ between Gdf5-KO and WT mice. However, by 28 days after MI, morphometry revealed a 42% greater infarct area in Gdf5-KO mice as compared with WT control subjects (Table 1).At 28 days after MI, ventricular weight to body weight ratio was elevated by 9% in Gdf5-KO as compared with WT (Fig. 2).At this time point, hearts from Gdf5-KO mice exhibited a 30% increase in thinning of the infarcted LV and transmural infarct expansion (Table 1). The full thickness extent of the infarct (i.e., its transmurality) at 28 days after MI, as quantified by 2 different formulae (13), was significantly greater in Gdf5-KO as compared with WT mice (Table 1). Finally, quantification of dilation and thinning of the infarct wall (13) revealed 156% greater infarct expansion (infarct topography and area without additional necrosis) in Gdf5-KO mice (Table 1). These data indicate that Gdf5 plays an important role in preventing infarct wall thinning, cardiac dilation, and infarct expansion.
Gdf5-deficient mice exhibit impaired cardiac function after MI
Terminal hemodynamic studies at 28 days after MI revealed expected reductions in measures of cardiac function in LAD-ligated Gdf5-KO and WT mice as compared with their respective sham-operated control subjects (data not shown). However, within LAD-ligated groups, Gdf5-KO mice displayed significantly greater reductions in indexes of cardiac function than their WT control subjects (Table 2).In sham control subjects, parameters of cardiac function did not differ between Gdf5-KO and WT mice. However, mean arterial pressure was somewhat lower in Gdf5-KO (77 ± 2.5, n = 10) versus WT (92 ± 3.9, n = 12) mice (p < 0.05). Although cardiac function of Gdf5-KO and WT did not differ at 8 days after MI, it was significantly reduced in Gdf5-KO mice at 14 days after MI (Supplementary Table B).
Differential activation of p38-MAPK and Smad 1/5/8 in Gdf5-KO and WT hearts
As known downstream mediators of BMP or Gdf5 signaling in other tissues (1,2,16), the activation (i.e., phosphorylation) of Smad 1/5/8 and p38-MAPK was first examined by Western blot of heart lysates from WT mice. Although total Smad 1/5/8 and p38-MAPK protein levels did not change, Smad 1/5/8 phosphorylation increased slightly at 14 days after MI, and p38-MAPK phosphorylation was decreased at both 7 and 14 days after MI (Fig. 3A).We next compared expression and phosphorylation of these signaling proteins in the hearts of Gdf5-KO and -WT mice at 7 days after MI. Although total Smad 1/5/8 and p38-MAPK levels did not differ between Gdf5-KO and WT hearts, phosphorylation of Smad 1/5/8 was increased approximately 3-fold in Gdf5-KO hearts, whereas phosphorylation of p38-MAPK was reduced approximately 80% (Fig. 3B). Increased phosphorylated Smad 1/5/8 in Gdf5-KO hearts was predominantly present within the infarct area (Supplementary Fig. 2). At this time point, activated levels of ERK1/2 and c-jun N-terminal kinase did not differ between Gdf5-KO and WT mice (data not shown). These experiments revealed that Gdf5 deficiency results in a significant and seemingly selective reduction in p38-MAPK signaling after MI.
Gdf5 deficiency increased collagen gene expression and fibrosis after MI
Signaling via p38-MAPK is known to suppress collagen type I, alpha-1 (Col1a1) and collagen type III, and alpha-1 (Col3a1) gene transcription in cardiac cells (17) and to reduce cardiac fibrosis after MI (18). Because Gdf5-KO mice manifest reduced p38-MAPK phosphorylation after MI, we next examined collagen gene expression and fibrosis in WT and Gdf5-KO mice. In WT mice, Col1a1 (Fig. 4A)and Col3a1 (Fig. 4B) mRNA levels in the infarct zone were elevated 19- and 16-fold, respectively, above sham-operated control subjects at 7 days after MI and 49- and 34-fold, respectively, at 14 days after MI. In Gdf5-KO mice, Col1a1 and Col3a1 mRNA levels were an additional 2.6- and 2.2-fold higher than in WT hearts at the 7-day time point. By 14 and 28 days after MI, this difference was no longer apparent, because Col1a1 and Col3a1 levels were similarly elevated in Gdf5-KO and WT mice versus sham. Of note, there were no differences in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP-2 levels between Gdf5-KO and WT hearts at 7 and 28 days after MI (Supplementary Fig. 3). Fibrosis was 46% greater in Gdf5-KO mice hearts, compared with WT mice, after MI (Fig. 4C). These studies showed that Gdf5 deficiency results in increased Col1a1 and Col3a1 mRNA expression and fibrosis after MI.
Gdf5 deficiency reduced the numbers of myocardial vessels after MI
Coronary artery occlusion is known to remodel the myocardial vasculature (19,20), and expression of phosphorylated p38-MAPK after MI has been correlated with vascular density and inversely correlated with infarct area (18). Accordingly, we examined arterial density in Gdf5-KO mice with smooth muscle (SM)-alpha-actin to identify muscular pre-capillary vessels. In the infarct region (infarct and border area), the number of SM-alpha-actin–stained vessels was reduced by 57% in Gdf5-KO hearts as compared with WT (Fig. 5),whereas the number of these vessels in noninfarcted regions did not differ. Similarly, in sham-operated control subjects, the number of SM-alpha-actin–stained cardiac vessels did not differ between Gdf5-KO and WT mice. At 14 days after MI, ID1 expression did not differ between the Gdf5-KO and WT mice (Supplementary Fig. 4). These observations showed that Gdf5 deficiency results in reduced numbers of muscular myocardial arteries, an effect independent of ID1 but consistent with reduced p38-MAPK signaling.
Gdf5 improved cardiomyocyte survival and increased expression of anti-apoptotic genes via Smad signaling
Because less viable myocardium was ultimately observed in Gdf5-KO mice at 28 days after MI (Fig. 2, Table 1), we also explored whether Gdf5 has effects on cardiomyocyte survival. In a cell culture model of serum-deprivation–induced apoptosis (21), the number of TUNEL-positive nuclei was reduced by 79% in rGdf5-treated cells (Fig. 6A).To identify putative mechanisms, we examined the mRNA levels of Bcl-xL, Bcl2, and Bax. The pro-survival effect of rGdf5 was accompanied by 53% and 138% increases in expression of the anti-apoptotic genes Bcl2 and Bcl-xL, respectively (Fig. 6B), with no change in the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax. Of note, these effects of rGdf5 were also observed in the absence of an apoptotic insult (i.e., in serum-stimulated cardiomyocytes). These data suggest that Gdf5 might confer cardiomyocyte survival by elevating expression of Bcl2 and Bcl-xL.
To explore signaling mechanisms mediating the anti-apoptotic effects of rGdf5 in neonatal cardiomyocytes, we employed RNAi against Smad4, which is essential for Smad 1/5/8 signaling, and p38 MAPK. The RNAi to Smad4 decreased endogenous Smad4 (Fig. 7A)and blocked rGdf5-induced expression of Bcl-xL (Fig. 7B) and suppression of apoptosis (Fig. 7C). These effects were not observed with RNAi against p38-MAPK (Mapk14) (data not shown). Consistent with our in vitro findings, Gdf5-KO mice hearts showed increased apoptosis and decreased Bcl2 and Bcl-xL expression in the peri-infarct areas at 4 days after MI, compared with WT mice (Fig. 8).
Gdf5 induces p38-MAPK phosphorylation in cardiac fibroblasts
To examine whether rGdf5 activates p38-MAPK, cardiac fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes were treated with rGdf5. Phosphorylation of p38-MAPK was rapidly induced in cardiac fibroblasts treated with rGdf5 (Fig. 6C), with total p38-MAPK protein levels remaining unchanged. Of interest, activation of p38-MAPK was not observed in rGdf5-treated cardiomyocytes.
Although some BMPs had been studied in cardiac development, their role in repair of the adult heart had not. We now show that Gdf5 (a.k.a., BMP14) is expressed in the adult mouse heart and that its levels are elevated after 7 days after MI. We further show that the receptors through which Gdf5 transduces its signals (3) are also expressed. More importantly, we are the first to show that the absence of this BMP results in impaired cardiac repair after MI, as manifest by increased indexes of post-healing infarct scar expansion, increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis, decreased vascular density, and accelerated functional deterioration in Gdf5-KO mice. Finally, our data suggest that the increased expression of Gdf5 after MI serves to improve cardiac repair by Smad-dependent reduction in cardiomyocyte apoptosis, enhanced p38-MAPK phosphorylation in cardiac fibroblasts, suppression of collagen expression and fibrosis, and preservation of vascular density. Together, these findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms and importance of the transforming growth factor-beta super family in healing and repair after MI (22).
Hearts from Gdf5-KO mice exhibited increased ventricle/body weight ratio, infarct area, LV wall thinning, transmural infarct expansion, and cardiac dilation and thinning. The Gdf5-KO mice also displayed worse hemodynamic parameters after MI. Together these morphometric and functional studies indicate impaired cardiac repair and function in Gdf5-KO mice. To examine molecular causes underlying this phenotype, p38-MAPK and Smad 1/5/8 phosphorylation were studied in post-MI hearts. Compared with WT, Gdf5-KO mice exhibited decreased p38-MAPK phosphorylation and increased Smad 1/5/8 phosphorylation. Although the unexpected increase in phosphorylated Smad 1/5/8 in the infarct area might be due to dysregulated expression of other BMPs or inhibitory Smads, the documented effects of Gdf5 deficiency on post-healing infarct scar expansion, apoptosis, vascular density, cardiac function, and fibrosis are entirely consistent with the decreased p38-MAPK phosphorylation observed in Gdf5-KO mice.
Indeed, several lines of evidence suggest that the phenotype of Gdf5-deficient mice might be partly due to reduced p38-MAPK signaling. First, normalization of reduced p38-MAPK phosphorylation in post-MI hearts has been shown to reduce infarct area, increase vascular density, improve cardiac function, and decrease cardiac fibrosis and apoptosis (18). Second, cardiomyocyte-specific p38-MAPK deletion produced massive cardiac fibrosis and elevated collagen expression after pressure overload (23). Third, p38-MAPK phosphorylation is known to suppress Col1a1 and Col3a1 transcription in cardiomyocytes (17).
Whether directly or indirectly dependent on p38-MAPK signaling, our findings of reduced numbers of muscular arteries in the Gdf5-KO heart after LAD ligation are consistent with an important role for Gdf5 in tissue vascularity. The Gdf5-KO mice have previously been shown to have a defect in revascularization after tendon injury (11), and rGdf5 is known to confer angiogenesis in chick chorioallantoic membrane and rabbit cornea (8). The importance of this "vascular" effect on the post-MI phenotype of Gdf5-KO mice is likely to be high. Others have shown loss of coronary arteries after MI, followed by a gradual increase in capillary and arteriolar densities over 3 weeks (19). This is believed to enhance blood flow, reduce infarct area, and contribute to cardio-protection in hypoxia-preconditioned ischemic hearts (19). Other studies supporting post-MI angiogenesis in mice include increased perfusion (20) and improved LV function after therapeutic angiogenesis (24). As such, we believe that the decreased infarct-zone vascularity of Gdf5-KO mice is a major contributor to the documented increases in infarct thinning and expansion. Further studies will be needed to explore what role, if any, is played by Gdf5 on the abundance or recruitment of circulating endothelial progenitors, cells known to participate in angiogenesis and repair after MI (25,26).
The Gdf5 is a pleiotropic BMP that is also known to confer anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic effects on different cells (6,9). Here, we show that cardiomyocyte survival in rGdf5-treated cells and in post-MI hearts is associated with increased expression of Bcl-xL and Bcl2, which are potent inhibitors of apoptosis. The Bcl2 gene transfer has also been shown to improve post-MI repair by reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis (27). In rat cardiomyocytes, BMP2 improved cell survival by increasing Bcl-xL but not Bcl2 mRNA levels (21). Finally, rGdf5 induced rapid p38-MAPK phosphorylation in cultured neonatal cardiac fibroblasts but not in cardiomyocytes. Together, these data suggest complementary mechanisms through which the Gdf5 deficiency might have adversely affected repair after MI.
Our isolated finding of a mildly reduced systemic blood pressure in noninfarcted (i.e., sham-operated) Gdf5-KO mice as compared with WT mice might be related to the lower body weight and shorter limbs of Gdf5-KO mice. Alternatively, this difference might suggest an additional role for Gdf5 in vascular function and blood pressure. Because no structural or functional differences could be detected between the hearts of healthy Gdf5-KO and WT mice, additional studies will be needed to explore the basis of the blood pressure observation.
We have shown that Gdf5 and its receptors are expressed in adult mouse heart and that the Gdf5 levels are elevated after MI. The Gdf5-deficiency impaired cardiac repair after MI; a phenotype associated with reduced p38-MAPK phosphorylation, elevated Col1a1 and Col1a3 mRNA levels, increased fibrosis, enhanced apoptosis, and reduced vascularization of the LV wall after MI. Having said this, Gdf5 is only one of several molecules involved in post-MI repair. Furthermore, uninjured Gdf5-KO mice survive without pertinent abnormalities. Accordingly, overlapping expression of other BMPs or growth factors might be partially compensating for the loss of Gdf5 in the KO model. Despite this possibility, the perturbations caused by Gdf5 deficiency have promoted the initiation of irreversible events that led to decreased vascularity and greater loss of myocardium in Gdf5-KO mice. Our results indicate that endogenous levels of Gdf5 in particular and BMPs in general influence cardiac repair after injury or ischemia. In addition, our study supports the potential use of Gdf5-based therapies to improve repair and reduce progressive loss of cardiomyocytes after infarction.
For Supplementary Figures 1 to 4 and Supplementary Tables A and B, please see the online version of this article.
This work was supported by grants from the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario (HSFO)(NA5808) and Toronto General Hospital Foundation to Dr. Zaidi, and grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research(MOP117801) and HSFO(CI: 5503) to Dr. Husain.
- Abbreviations and Acronyms
- anterior wall
- extracellular signal regulated kinase
- Gdf5
- growth differentiation factor 5
- inhibitor of differentiation 1
- left anterior descending coronary artery
- left ventricle/ventricular
- mitogen-activated protein kinase
- myocardial infarction
- matrix metalloproteinase
- mRNA
- messenger ribonucleic acid
- knockout
- rGdf5
- recombinant growth differentiation factor 5
- ribonucleic acid
- RNAi
- ribonucleic acid interference
- reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
- smooth muscle
- terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling
- wild-type
- Received May 11, 2009.
- Revision received July 15, 2009.
- Accepted August 3, 2009.
- American College of Cardiology Foundation
- ↵
- ↵
- Nishitoh H.,
- Ichijo H.,
- Kimura M.,
- et al.
- ↵
- ↵
- ↵
- ↵
- ↵
- ↵
- ↵
- ↵
- Ohta K.,
- Nakajima T.,
- Cheah A.Y.,
- et al.
- ↵
- Hochman J.S.,
- Choo H.
- ↵
- Dubey R.K.,
- Gillespie D.G.,
- Mi Z.,
- Jackson E.K.
- Li R.K.,
- Mickle D.A.,
- Weisel R.D.,
- Zhang J.,
- Mohabeer M.K.
- Upton P.D.,
- Long L.,
- Trembath R.C.,
- Morrell N.W.
- ↵
- Ambrosino C.,
- Iwata T.,
- Scafoglio C.,
- Mallardo M.,
- Klein R.,
- Nebreda A.R.
- ↵
- Tenhunen O.,
- Soini Y.,
- Ilves M.,
- et al.
- ↵
- ↵
- ↵
- Izumi M.,
- Fujio Y.,
- Kunisada K.,
- et al.
- ↵
- Bujak M.,
- Frangogiannis N.G.
- ↵
- Nishida K.,
- Yamaguchi O.,
- Hirotani S.,
- et al.
- ↵
- Hao X.,
- Mansson-Broberg A.,
- Grinnemo K.H.,
- et al.
- ↵
- Qin G.,
- Ii M.,
- Silver M.,
- et al.
- ↵


text:
Plumbers & Heating in Australia
Frederick St, 135
Lalor Park, 2147
Australia Show map
Lalor Park, 2147
Australia Show map
+61 (02)82 945 464Go to website
Best plumbing service in Blacktown.Plumber For Urgent Help With Blocked Drains, Burst Pipes, Leaking Toilet or Taps, Gas & Hot Water System Problems in Blacktown & Western Sydney. Call Now (02) 8294 5464
Service or Product: residential & commercial plumbing services
Business Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Send a message to Blacktown Plumbing


text:
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
★★★ / ★★★★
Credit to Alden Ehrenreich for making the correct decision of not simply imitating Harrison Ford to play the younger version of Han Solo. With such an iconic role, it is best to step away from the long shadow and deliver a performance that, in its essence, true to the character but at the same time different in its own right. Word had gotten around that Ehrenreich required an acting coach on set, but fear not: the performance is solid because it captures the type of swagger we have come to love from the original interpretation of the title character. This time, the swagger is youthful and occasionally uncertain, not yet so arrogant and bitingly sarcastic. One could see Ehrenreich growing into the role if a sequel or two were to happen.
Like all "Star Wars" pictures, Ron Howard's "Solo" is teeming with colorful and interesting personalities, from the familiar characters like the adorable but physically strong Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and the smooth gambler Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) to new additions like the warm but mysterious Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke) and Han's headstrong mentor named Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson). When these personalities are on screen together and taking a jab at one another through dialogue, one is challenged not to smile from ear to ear. Their wonderful chemistry keeps afloat a screenplay that requires further character development.
A challenge when it comes to telling an origins story is to find a way to distract the audience from certain facts in order to create an experience that does not feel predictable. I'm not convinced that this challenge is overcome because as the busy and well-choreographed action set pieces unfold, the gnawing suspicion of a possible betrayal lingers in the mind. Han is a character who is almost defined by having trust issues, certainly someone with issues against figures of authority, and so we anticipate one or two sudden left turns. The events occurring on screen, for instance, needed to have been more heightened and so full of tension that we forget our destination. On a scale of one to ten, it is functioning on a seven rather than on an eleven.
The photography is beautiful. Although numerous images look rather dark most of the time, I did not find it frustrating that certain things are difficult to see. Particularly wonderful are scenes that take place indoors or underground and we are tasked to look closely at alien faces or robotic designs as complex action sequences unfurl. This approach is immediately noticeable during the opening sequence in which Han and Qi'ra attempt to escape their shipbuilding planet and start a new life together. The film is shot by Bradford Young and he has a knack for using lighting, sometimes the lack of it, to lure the audience into a world that is both dangerous and full of wonder.
Although the picture can be criticized for being episodic—being composed of one mission after another that build up to a finale—those familiar with "Star Wars" films and its very nature as a series would likely not take an issue with this strategy. However, I yearned to learn more about the new characters, particularly Qi'ra who is hinted of having done "terrible things" in order to ensure her survival over the years.
While flashbacks and speeches are not at all necessary, the specifics of her struggles could have been communicated in other ways such as how she deals with herself and others when the going gets tough, when she is left with no one else but silence and her thoughts, the discrepancies in her personality from the time we meet her and till several years later. Writers Jonathan and Lawrence Kasdan take a gamble by saving most of these necessary details in the possible follow-up of Han's story.
Categories: Film


text:
Ariana Grande Singing Spice Girls' 'Say You'll Be There' & 7 More Of The Best Diva Covers Ever
Ariana Grande had fans shook when she shared a video of herself covering 'Say You'll Be There' by the Spice Girls, and it gave us the perfect excuse to round up the best covers that our fave divas have done. Listen!
When Ariana Grande, 24, posted a short video of herself singing "Say You'll Be There" by the Spice Girls on Instagram Aug. 15, it reminded us not only of how talented Ari is — she's one of the best when it comes to divas covering other divas — but of all the times our idols have put their own spin on beloved songs.
From Adele to Celine Dion, the greatest songstresses on Earth have blessed us again and again by taking on other artists' hits. It was hard to narrow it down, but we thought long and hard about this list, which will hopefully cheer you up on these muggy August days.
First, watch Ari take on the Spice Girls hit, then check out our other picks for the best diva covers of all time:
Lady Gaga — Viva La Vida by Coldplay
This is iconic for many reasons. One, Gaga changes the words to suit herself ("Just a Gaga on a lonely string") and two, she messes up those words before continuing on like a pro. Also, that striped hat.
Mariah Carey — "Endless Love" by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
Mariah teamed up with Luther Vandross at London's Royal Albert Hall in 1994 to cover this classic. Thumbs up if you're watching in 2017.
Adele — "Lovesong" by The Cure
You've probably already listened to the official recorded version from 21 a million times, so here's a stellar performance from Letterman that you may have missed. We're not crying, you're crying.
Celine Dione — "Hello" by Adele
Speaking of Adele, here's a video of that time Celine Dion made Adele a part of her New Year's Eve.
Whitney Houston — "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton
No description needed.
Christina Aguilera — "At Last" by Etta James
Christina Aguilera was picked to perform at Etta James' funeral in 2012, and she did the late idol justice.
Aretha Franklin — "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele
Yeah, Adele features a lot on this list. Who's complaining?
HollywoodLifers, which diva cover is your favorite? Tell us if we missed any in the comments!


text:
The Yankees have won 14 of their last 15 games, something that actually has people talking all around the league, because it's the first time they've done so since 1998. (And we all know what happened that year.) Plus, it was a perfect Saturday afternoon for a game, this middle game in the weekend series against the visiting Indians.
Sonny Gray had a much better outing than many of his earlier games this season, throwing 93 pitches in his 6 innings, giving up 4 hits, 2 walks, and 2 runs, and striking out 7 batters. His 2 allowed runs were a 2-out solo home run in the 5th and a ground-rule double that later scored on a ground out.
Chad Green really was the pitcher worth watching today, going 2 full scoreless and hitless innings and throw a dominant and efficient 24 pitches in the 7th and 8th innings, getting 4 of his 6 outs with strong strikeouts. David Robertson closed out the game with 2 more strikeouts in his 9th inning.
Meanwhile, like the Indians, the Yankees' batters really didn't get much offenive opportunities until the 5th. With 1 out, Walker and Andujar walked, and Torres singled to load the bases. Then Austin Romine worked a walk to score Walker. Ronald Torreyes hit into a play that ended up moving everyone up 2 bases thanks to 2 errors, so Andujar and Torres both scored, leaving Romine and Torreyes in scoring position. Brett Gardner's sacrifice fly scored Romine.
A new pitcher in the 7th gave up a 1-out double to Romine, after quite the embattled at-bat. The Indians needed to switch some defenders due to an injury where the fielder trying to get Romine's long-hit ball rammed into the back fence. Romine would go on to score on Gardner's 2-out single.
Final score: 5-2 Yankees
Injury updates: as you know if you've been following this team this season, early last month seemed plagued with injuries. Fortunately, the team has been relatively healthy for a few weeks now, and those on the DL are working their way back as soon as possible. Brandon Drury found a specialist in New York that located an irritated nerve on his neck that has been causing his migraines for years. He is receiving regular treatments, and it's paying off — his time with AAA Scranton (and now with AA Trenton) have been rather productive. The Yankees aren't in rush with him as Andujar, Torres, and Torreyes have been outstanding for the Yankees as pinch-bench players in both their offense and defense.
Despite being out for 6-8 weeks with elbow strain, Jordan Montgomery was simply glad it wasn't going to be the dreaded Tommy John surgery for him, which would mean 12-18 months recovery time. It's something every pitcher dreads and sits in the back of their minds every time there's an elbow pain of any kind. So a few weeks must sound like a decent option. It's not great, but they can make it work on all ends. Especially as Domingo German will get his first MLB start tomorrow against the Indians in the finale of this series.
And speaking of pitchers, Tommy Kahnle and Adam Warren are back throwing after experiencing some shoulder and back issues (respectively), so the Yankees hope to have these reliable relievers back in the bullpen before the end of the month.
My uncle, the one who's a huge "Tribe" fan (or a person who roots for Cleveland), texted me after the Yankees won today to tell me that the Yankees were "looking good" and that his team was suffering from "no-bullpen-itis". I can understand that feeling, as both teams seem to suffer most of their injuries in the bullpen this season (as reflected in the above injury report). But to me, that says more about the difference in their farm systems to rely on those guys when injuries hit the major league level.
So kudos to the Yankees for having the smarts to build the organization deep. And this says far too much about the AL Central because even with these 2 losses, the Indians still lead the division and are the only team above .500. Meanwhile, the Yankees are now just a half-game behind the Red Sox in the AL East, something that clearly will change with the coming series next week.
Go Yankees!