text: Editing Carmella Unuscione (Earth-616) 0 You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reasons: The action you have requested is limited to users in one of the groups: Autoconfirmed users, FANDOM Staff, FANDOM Helpers, Wiki Managers, Content Team Members. Please log in to edit this wiki.Joining Marvel Database is free, and it only takes a minute.We hope that you sign in, and become a member of the community!Click here to log in or create an account more + You can view and copy the source of this page: {{Marvel Database:Character Template | Image = Carmella Unuscione (Earth-616) from Uncanny X-Men Vol 1 298.png | ImageText = | RealName = Carmella Unuscione | CurrentAlias = Unuscione | Aliases = | Identity = Secret | Affiliation = {{M|Acolytes}} | Relatives = [[Gunther Bain (Earth-616)|Unus the Untouchable]] (alleged father);<br>[[Jared Corbo (Earth-616)|Jared Corbo]] (alleged half-brother) | Universe = Earth-616 | BaseOfOperations = [[Avalon (Greymalkin) (Earth-616)|Avalon]]; [[Asteroid M]] | Gender = Female | Height = 5' 7" | Weight = 135 lbs | Eyes = Brown | Hair = Brown | UnusualFeatures = | Citizenship = Italian | MaritalStatus = | Occupation = Terrorist | Education = | Origin = [[Homo superior|Mutant]] | PlaceOfBirth = Italy | PlaceOfDeath = | Creators = Scott Lobdell; Brandon Peterson | First = Uncanny X-Men #298 | HistoryText = [[File:Carmella Unuscione (Earth-616) 001.jpg|left|thumb|150px]] [[File:X-Men Vol 1 202 page 0 Carmella Unuscione (Earth-616).jpg|left|thumb|150px]] ===Acolyte=== Carmella Unuscione was a member of the second lineup of [[Acolytes (Earth-616)|Acolytes]] loyal to [[Max Eisenhardt (Earth-616)|Magneto]] under his second-in-command, [[Bennet du Paris (Earth-616)|Exodus]]. She was one of the more loyal members, exhibiting at times great passion and determination for Magneto's cause. Unuscione and her teammates battled the [[X-Men (Earth-616)|X-Men]], [[Excalibur (Earth-616)|Excalibur ]], and other super humans on numerous occasions. Carmella was one of the Acolytes responsible for bringing the young mutant, Simon Hall ([[Simon Hall (Earth-616)|Neophyte]]) to Avalon, after finding him distraught in an abandoned church in [[Switzerland]]. When [[Avalon (Greymalkin) (Earth-616)|Avalon]] fell during the battle between [[Nemesis (Earth-295)|Holocaust]] and Exodus. Unuscione and her teammates [[Sarah Ryall (Earth-616)|Scanner]], [[Joanna Cargill (Earth-616)|Joanna Cargill]], and the [[Kleinstocks]] were trapped in an escape pod with the X-Man [[Scott Summers (Earth-616)|Cyclops]]. Unuscione used her power to protect them from burning up on reentry into Earth's atmosphere. Unuscione, Cyclops, and her teammates landed in the Australian outback, and in exchange for Cyclops leading them to safety, Unuscione and her teammates agreed to turn themselves into government custody. They later escaped, however, and returned to Magneto, who was now in [[Genosha]]. It was there that she was last seen, still loyal to Magneto. [[File:Carmella Unuscione (Earth-616) 0006.jpg|right|thumb|Unuscione displaying her powers.]] ===After M-Day=== Unuscione was one of the few mutant who retained their powers following [[Decimation|M-Day]]. She returned to action as a member of the newest incarnation of the Acolytes as they attacked the X-Mansion. The group attempted to retrieve Destiny's Diaries under Mister Sinister's orders, but were tricked into stealing fake duplicates. During a conflict against the New X-Men, Kitty Pryde, and her former teammate Colossus, Unuscione battled Armor. | Powers = '''Psionic Exoskeleton:''' Unuscione is a mutant with the ability to project a field composed of psionic energy around herself. This "exoskeleton", as she calls it, acts as a highly effective body armour, protecting her from most physical damage. She is able to shape her exoskeleton into rudimentary forms, such as a clawed hand or a hammer-like bludgeon with which she can grip or strike with considerable force. It is not known exactly how much damage Unuscione's psionic field can withstand, or how much physical force she can exert, but she has sufficient strength to shield herself and several others in a small escape pod from the heat and friction of reentry into Earth's atmosphere, or to squeeze the air out of a superhumanly strong being's lungs, causing them to fall unconscious. '''Bio-electric Charges:''' Unuscione is also able to generate bio-electric energy charges through her exoskeleton that cause intense pain and a temporary disruption of a living being's neuro-synaptic impulses, resulting in a loss of autonomic body function, basically paralyzing them. | Abilities = | Strength = | Weaknesses = Unuscione is vulnerable to any force great enough to overcome or destroy her exoskeleton while it is active. Should this happen, the psionic backlash leaves her either stunned or unconscious. | Equipment = | Transportation = Usually via [[Amelia Voght (Earth-616)|Amelia Voght]], the Acolyte teleporter. Various Acolytes vehicles. | Weapons = | Notes = | Trivia = * It is rumored (since they share the same last name) that Carmella Unuscione is the daughter or sister (or possibly some other relation) of the mutant criminal [[Gunther Bain (Earth-616)|Unus the Untouchable]], though no confirmation has ever been given on the matter. | Marvel = | Wikipedia = Unuscione | Links = }} Templates used on the current version of this page: Carmella Unuscione (Earth-616)/Power Grid (view source) (protected)Uncanny X-Men Vol 1 298 (view source) Marvel Database:Character Template (view source) (protected)Marvel Database:Header (view source) (protected)Template:! (view source) (protected)Template:C (view source) (protected)Template:Cid (view source) (protected)Template:Citation (view source) (protected)Template:Clear (view source) (protected)Template:CnstNL (view source) (protected)Template:FollowUs (view source) (protected)Template:GetEraCat (view source) (protected)Template:GetYear (view source) (protected)Template:Graph/Horizontal Bar (view source) (protected)Template:M (view source) Template:Member of (view source) Template:Official Power Grid (view source) (protected)Template:OpenBrackets (view source) (protected)Template:R (view source) (protected)Template:Reflist (view source) (protected)Module:C (view source) (protected)Module:CharacterInfobox (view source) (protected)Module:CharacterInfoboxCtry (view source) Module:CharacterInfoboxOccupation (view source) Module:CharacterInfoboxOrigins (view source) Module:Citizenship (view source) Module:Disambiguation/Realities (view source) Module:HF (view source) (protected)Module:Reality (view source) Module:StaffCorrection (view source) Module:StaffCorrection/data (view source) Module:Units (view source) Return to Carmella Unuscione (Earth-616). 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Demian : The story of a youth by Hermann Hesse with a foreword by Thomas Mann
New York : Henry Holt and Company, 1948. Hardcover. 207 pages ; 21 cm. $3.00 dust jacket unclipped with a few rips and tears around the DJ edges. Very good copy with original dust jacket, unmarked pages and square binding.
Foreword by THOMAS MANN
IN THIS NOVEL, as in STEPPENWOLF, Hermann Hesse is mainly interested in the two-sided nature of man. The problem of the beast in man is the theme of STEPPENWOLF; the problem in DEMIAN is presented in terms of good and evil, of Cain and Abel, as it is met in the growth of a maturing boy.
Young Emil Sinclair is not too young to realize while he is still in school that there are around him two worlds, one "bright," one "dark." The bright world of his home, his parents, his secure well-being is easily accepted; the dark world outside, of poverty and cold and suspected but unknown unpleasantness, is only sensed by Sinclair.
With the normal desires of any youth to be part of both worlds, Sinclair boasts of a purely imaginary and unsavory exploit, and is at once blackmailed by a boy from the "dark world." Rescue comes through the help of a somewhat older schoolboy named Max Demian, a quiet, reflective, forceful boy.
It is Demian, and later his mother, who are the means of Sinclair's eventually possessing his own soul. But to find it he faces the age-old problems which have plagued thinking men since thought began. Is one a part of a world community? Is what most people accept as "good" the true good? Is it strength or weakness to conform to the general pattern? Is not God, in the final analysis, both Good and Evil? Is not fulfilling one's own destiny the highest task and the greatest good one can accomplish?
As Sinclair grows up, from school, through vacations, to the university, he finds those who try to help him, and he comes to understand them and gradually to understand himself. As the author writes, "We can understand one another; but each one is able to explain only himself." DEMIAN is one maris attempt to make that explanation in fictional terms.
What the Reviewers Say:
NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW The truth is that Hesse has been one of the most widely read authors in the German tongue for over forty years—an exquisite novelist and one of the greatest lyric poets since Goethe. STEPPENWOLF... is written in a noble, lofty and lucid style (and ably translated). —Claude Hill, Assistant Professor of German, Rutgers University
The significance of Hesse's writing lies in its universality of application. —Emily Schossberger NEW YORK HERALD TRIBUNE BOOK REVIEW
It would be hard to unearth an author who reflects so adequately and challengingly the ideas which Europe, in so far as it is still educated, now ponders. —George N. Shuster, President of Hunter College
Q: What are your return policy?
A: We offer a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee for all purchases regardless of the reason for the return. Further details about return and refund can be found on our return page under the link column below.
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subset: commoncrawl


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By Really? (registered) | Posted December 03, 2009 at 16:39:11
^^ I'm also not suggesting that Cannon Street remain a barren wasteland Highway Service-type road, but like Jason, am very annoyed that another 'local' establishment is just up-and-leaving, despite YEARS of loyalty from their local clientel (my Grandma lived on Colbourne, and I spent many hours in that Big V).
So what? They expect their clients to start to drive in order to keep shopping there? I know there aren't many older people who are willing to walk from McNab & Colbourne to Wellington & Cannon!? And drive? Well, not if Shoppers wants to keep their front windows/entrances in-tact ;)
It's just a terrible diservice on Shoppers behalf, but in these Times, again, I'm not shocked.
There are no upcoming events right now.
Why not post one?


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Women's Football News
Hayden Youth Association and the London FA are pleased to announce their first Girls Fun Day and Under-11 Girls Football tournament.
This is to be held on May 10th at Hayden Youth Association FC, Leyton Cross Road, Wilmington, Kent.
They are very lucky to have the FA Tesco Skills team coming along to run skills challenges throughout the day for girls of all abilities and have just had confirmed that there will be an England Ladies player present in the afternoon to present the medals and trophies for the tournament.
One of the aims of the day is to encourage girls to take their first step into football through the FA Tesco Skills challenges, and for players with a bit more experience, and teams to participate in the tournament in the afternoon.
It promises to be a fantastic day for girls of all abilities, aged 5-11 years, so if you want to come along to the morning skills sessions, which are FREE of charge and start at 10am, or if you want to enter a team into the U11 tournament which starts at 12 noon, please contact Emma Barnes at the London FA for a booking form and more details at email@example.com.
You must book for both events
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British singer Morrissey says the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is worse than the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group.
He says in a new blog post on his website that the TSA has been unresponsive to sexual assault complaints he lodged earlier this year, adding that the agency's acronym should stand for something else.
"TSA have ignored my official and legal and constitutional complaint. From this we gather that TSA stands for Thorough Sexual Assault," he said.
"If you are traveling through San Francisco International Airport you must be ready for a full sexual attack by people who claim to have your interests at heart," Morrissey continued. "It is unlikely that ISIS would stoop so low."
Morrissey accused a San Francisco International Airport TSA worker, whom he has not named, of sexual assault after an incident he described in a July blog post.
TSA officials said in the summer that they were looking into Morrissey's complaint.
"TSA takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and strives to treat every passenger with dignity and respect," TSA spokesman Mike England said in a statement provided to The Hill after Morrissey's initial blog post was published.
"Upon review of closed circuit TV footage, TSA determined that the supervised officer followed standard operating procedures in the screening of this individual," England continued.
The former lead singer of the 1980s band The Smiths said in an interview with Larry King in August that the TSA worker touched him inappropriately after he had already been through one of the agency's X-ray machines.
"I had been through the full scanner and I had been through the second bit, so everything was fine and clear, and then he went straight for my private bits and then he put his finger down my rear cleavage," Morrissey told King.
Morrissey said then that he did not expect to receive a response to his complaint about the TSA worker because he said U.S. airport security agency is "above the law."
"Yes I filled in a complaint and so forth [but nothing happened]," he added.
The Hill has contacted the TSA for a response to Morrissey's latest statement.


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Common Causes of Car Accidents & Steps to Take After an Accident
Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on November 15, 2017
Tags: causes of injuries
The routine nature of driving each and every day leads many people to forget how serious operating a motor vehicle actually is. With so many distractions, there are many top causes of car accidents. Luckily, there are also ways to avoid them, and steps to take if you do get in an accident.
People sometimes forget how dangerous operating a vehicle is. This can result in drivers disregarding basic traffic laws and engaging in negligent behavior behind the wheel. However, accidents happen every few minutes in the United States which, at best, cause an inconvenience to the families affected by them.
In more serious cases, families suffer devastating losses that impact their financial and emotional well-being.
Top Causes of Car Accidents
Accidents commonly occur as a result of driver negligence while operating a motor vehicle. More specifically, common causes of car accidents include:
- 1. Driving under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol:
Alcohol, prescription drugs, and other recreational drugs impair one's ability to safely control a vehicle and are known to cause delayed movement, reaction, and thinking. Driving under the influence is a major concern on California's roadways. On Labor Day weekend alone, the California Highway Patrol reported that there were 2,017 individuals arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. While there are large efforts in place to curtail drunk driving, there are still more than 16,000 injuries that occur each year as a result of drunk driving.
- 2. Failure to Obey Traffic Laws:
The failure to obey traffic laws is a main cause of accidents within the state of California. California has more motorists on the roadway than many other states, which requires drivers to be extremely diligent to prevent accidents. However, speeding, failing to yield, running traffic lights, and failing to come to a complete stop when required to do so contribute to a number of motor vehicle collisions, many of which lead to serious calamities and wrongful death accidents.
- 3. Distracted Driving:
Distracted driving is another cause of many motor vehicle accidents in California. It is easy to get bored while traveling in a car, especially when you frequently travel long distances. Technology has made it easy to have entertainment at your fingertips. Cell phones, iPads, and other gadgets can make it difficult to pay attention to what is happening in front of you while operating a vehicle. Other distractions such as passengers, eating, and applying makeup create a safety hazard by shifting your focus from the road.
Considering Negligence
While there are many national and local efforts aimed to raise awareness and prevent car accidents from occurring, accidents still happen throughout the United States and in California each day. These accidents result in serious injury or death in many cases.
When you or your loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by negligence, you will want to know about your rights to relief. The attorneys at Nehora Law Firm are experienced personal injury litigators who want to help you obtain compensation for damages sustained.
What constitutes negligence?
Negligence is: if the responsible party is found to have acted in a manner that ignored their duty to drive safely, which therefore caused an injury to the plaintiff party.
Driving under the influence, failure to obey traffic laws, and distracted driving are all causes of car accidents that illustrate negligent driving behavior.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
1. If you have been in a car accident, the first thing you should do is contact the authorities. Filing a report at this time isn't mandatory, but you may have a better recollection of the accident immediately after.
2. Ensure that all vehicles and people stay put while authorities are on their way. During this time, try to gather as much evidence as possible.
3. Once authorities arrive and you follow all directions, it's important to seek medical attention immediately. Injuries from motor vehicle accidents, such as brain injuries, are not immediately clear. A doctor can provide a thorough check up to ensure your injuries will heal.
4. During this time, do not admit any liability.
5. The last step after you get into a car accident is to contact a personal injury lawyer or, more specifically, brain injury lawyers where you engage fully with all parties of the accident.
6. After reaching out to a lawyer, make sure you keep all documentation.
Filing a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim
In every personal injury case, there are certain requirements that must be met for you to successfully assert your claim. When asserting that another's negligence caused you or your loved one harm, there are generally four requirements:
- Duty: Proving duty will establish that the individual being sued was required to act in one way or another. In car accident cases, this will require the injured party to establish that the defendant had an obligation as a motorist to act with a certain level of care toward other motorists traveling on the roadway.
- Breach: A plaintiff must also establish that the individual being sued failed to provide the required level of care. All of the evidence regarding the facts and circumstances that caused the accident is typically used to show that there was a breach in this duty.
- Causation: To successfully establish causation, the plaintiff must show that the defendant's failure to act with the required level of care was a direct cause of his or her injuries. This element can be established through the use of medical testimony, history of medical care, and other relevant testimony.
- Damages: After establishing all of the other elements of a negligence claim, the plaintiff will establish that he or she is entitled to relief as a result of the injuries sustained. In car accident cases, the plaintiff usually seeks an award of monetary compensation. Generally, monetary relief is awarded for out-of-pocket expenses such as medical bills and a replacement vehicle, as well as for the mental and emotional harm sustained as a result of the accident. In particularly reckless cases, punitive damages, which are solely meant to punish the defendant, will be awarded.
Nehora Law: Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys
If you have been injured in an accident, you will want experienced counsel on your side. By selecting Nehora Law Firm, you and your loved ones can rest assured that you will receive the quality representation you deserve. To speak with one of our experienced lawyers, contact our office today.


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There can be nothing better – and nothing more important, in fact – than a vacation sometimes. The everyday life can actually get extremely hectic and toxic after a while. Even if we do not have any extra drama going on – which can be pretty rare, to be honest – just the tedious following of routines can get very tiring for us, mentally. And trust us when we say that being mentally tired can be a so much worse than physical tiredness. Being mentally tired can mean that we feel unable to really invest into anything that we are doing. We can be sitting with the people that we love the most, and can be doing what we really love, but it will bring us no pleasure. It can be a frustrating state to be in, especially when we do not really know how to control it. This is why taking some time away for ourselves isn't just useful sometimes, it is absolutely necessary. It can be a great opportunity for us to relax and unwind, all in a foreign land where we can leave behind all our worries. When we return from a vacation, we can find that we have newfound energy and vigor to carry out our daily tasks and we can function on a much healthier and efficient level.
However, it can be hard for many to decide where exactly they want to go on vacation. The options that we have can really seem to be unlimited. There are so many beaches all across the world where we can go, and so many jungle safaris that we can explore, so how does one really decide what is best for them? Well, for starters, your budget can help narrow down the options to a great degree. If you want to keep things on the more budget friendly side, you can be narrowed down accordingly. Similarly, if you want to opt for an all out, no holds barred extravaganza, you can start looking at options accordingly. In addition to the budget, the number of people going on vacation can be helpful too in deciding where to go. A vacation with kids can involve more fun, hands on activities, while a lovers vacation can be to a more secluded, romantic place, where we can relax in peace and of course, if we want to make it a solo trip, we can look at places based on what we want the most!
We all obviously know of some vacation spots pretty well by now. Places like Bali and other islands have been travelled to so extensively by influences and celebrities alike that it can seem like we ourselves know the places like the back of our hand. So it is only natural that when we ourselves do go for vacation, we want it to be a place that is gorgeous, yet not as popular as the go-to vacation spots. These places can offer us much more of a recluse, where we can spend a few days in absolute peace, surrounded by the beauty of nature. One such place is Samoa, an island nation in the South Pacific. Located close to vacation giants such as Fiji, Hawaii to name a few, Samoa has all the beauty of the south pacific islands, but none of heavily advertised, fake glamour. Instead, at Samoa and its Samoa holiday resorts you can find a taste of authenticity that is unrivaled.
We won't say much on the beauty and the culture of Samoa, for it is something that you really need to witness yourself to realize how stunning it can be. However, if you are a lover of tropical white sand beaches and warm, blue waters, this is the spot for you. The holiday resorts of Samoa, however, deserve a mention. These resorts strive to bring you the best Samoan experience, as authentic as it can be. Situated within a sheltered lagoon along the southern coast of Upolu Island, you can see the Samoan beauty up close and personal, and get a chance to interact with the locals.
A vacation to Samoa, accommodated in the breathtaking resorts of Sinalei is something that you will definitely never forget. This can really be the experience that makes you fall in love with a new place, and you will keep coming back for more and more.


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Home » Posts tagged 'National Parents Union'
Tag Archives: National Parents Union
How the coronavirus pandemic will transform teaching
Our long-held views of schools and the roles of teachers, students, and parents will never be the same. That could be a good thing if we seize this opportunity to make changes that actually result in better outcomes for students and better resources for teachers.
Most parents in a new survey by the National Parents Union said schools should use this time as an opportunity to make changes to education.
- 61% said schools should focus on rethinking how to educate students and should come up with new teaching methods as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
- Only 32% of parents want schools to revert to the way things were before the pandemic began.
The coronavirus pandemic is transforming how teachers teach
One change brought on by the pandemic is a greater appreciation for teachers.


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Posted by Abi Owers, 26 September 2019
How do you make sure you own the screen in the run up to Christmas? More than half of UK consumers plan to do most of their Christmas shopping in November or before, so now's the time to check you have the right content in your marketing armoury to stand out.
The UK spends more than any other European nation on seasonal gifts. More than half of the UK budget will be spent on gifts compared to 43 per cent on average in Europe. Online searches for Christmas gift inspiration have reached an all-time high.
Here's some inspiration for creating Christmas digital content that will give you the edge.
Connected campaigns driven by content deliver the strongest results in the run-up to Christmas. Last year we connected Nextbase with seasonal shoppers via a multi-channel campaign using Facebook live, shopping ads, influencers and comedy video content. It generated over 5.5 million impressions, and 770,000 video views for Nextbase.
In the four weeks running up to Black Friday, we owned a moment between Nextbase and shoppers by delivering regular, humorous Live Facebook content that engaged and involved the audience. Over 8,000 shoppers were engaged in every 10-minute window.
Read more about what we did here
Interactive content not only stands out but also creates longer dwell times between brands and consumers. And it gives you the opportunity to leverage a tactical piece of content across connected channels. Whether it's a prize give away, or an interactive that gathers information as people play, you can use data captured to superpower your comms in the eight weeks up to Christmas. And beyond.
Finally, we created an interactive advent calendar for UK holiday home manufacturer Willerby, attracting 10,000 new visitors and increasing January revenue by a whopping 65%.
Why send a card when you can send a game? Games create customer delight and achieve intimate moments between brands and customers. A bespoke branded game can build loyalty and offer on the spot rewards to customers, staff and stakeholders.
From light touch branded snackable games, through to games with leader boards – we can help drive your engagement at Christmas.
If you have girls in your household it's likely you'll have heard about the VSCO girl trend. VSCO girls are the latest subculture to arise from apps such as TikTok and Instagram. Influencer and YouTuber Emma Chamberlain is a popular example. With 8.9million followers, her influence in this emerging trend has been prolific.
If you own a brand that's in line with the latest VSCO girl trends, think about tactical content ideas that can help position you as the must-have gift for Christmas. We have heaps of ideas that we are happy to share, just give us a shout.
Google has reported that they see 34% more shopping searches on Christmas Day than on Black Friday, with the days between Christmas and New Year's Eve being as busy as every other day in December (other than Christmas week itself).
This is also a peak time for the travel industry as searches for sunny holidays peak during this time. People are looking for new jobs too. Even more reasons to make sure your content stands out and gets seen.
At Big Brand Ideas, we use shopper insights to drive content-led campaigns, amplified by connected channels using our unique engagement techniques.
With our eyes clearly on the objective, our brilliant people collaborate to deliver fresh, highly targeted content and campaigns to achieve results your FD will be proud of!
We'd love to chat about how our approach could help you this Christmas and beyond.
Give Karl a call for a free consultation about how we may be able to help.
Think With Google
Deloitte Christmas Survey 2018
17 Jan 2020 - Us, Social Media, Content Creation, Trunk
17 Jan 2020 - Social Media, Engagement, Content Creation
13 Dec 2019 - Social Media, Work, Trunk
2 Aug 2019 - Digital, Social Media, Engagement
21 Jun 2019 - Social Media


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Sarah is a graduate of the Royal Court Advanced Writer's Programme and the Lyric Hammersmith's Writer's Programme. She is currently working on a poetry anthology titled HINTERLAND.
Film & TV
THE IRREGULARS (Series 1)
SUPPER CLUB (in development with Drama Republic)
PIG (in development with Mam Tor and eOne)
FETCH (in development with Sid Gentle)
KILLING EVE (series 4)
FLYING MONKEYS (in development with Drama Republic)
SKELETON (in development with Drama Republic)
MY NAME IS PANDA (in development with Drama Republic)
UNIDENTIFIED ITEM IN THE BAGGING AREA (Old Red Lion) 2014
PUNTERNET (Royal Court Theatre) 2013
Part of Open Court, and performed by Uncommon Nonsense
WHATSAPP? (Royal Court Theatre) 2013
Part of Open Court, and performed by Uncommon Nonsense
PEKING INN (Manchester School of Acting) 2013
A dramatic duologue of five minutes – an audition piece written to a brief
SLAG (George Cadbury Hall/The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham) 2012
Short play written in conjunction with The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester and Manchester University
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOVE (Pangaea Festival) 2010
Adaptation of Raymond Carver's short story
THREE WORDS (Manchester Royal Exchange) 2011
Rehearsed reading, subsequently longlisted for The Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2011.


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Here's what Hiroyuki Kimura told in an interview in 2018:
Full interview: http://shmupemall.com/interviews/interv ... 18015.htmlMy hope is to hopefully make a completely different game after Aka to Blue, probably an action game that everyone could enjoy. I think people might misunderstand Tanoshimasu to be shooting game-only company, but after our action game, who knows, I might make an Aka to Blue sequel! [laughs]
Also, my ambition is to become a company like Treasure. Treasure is a fascinating company, who made interesting action games such as Gunstar Heroes, and also good shooting games like Ikaruga. I aspire for Tanoshimasu to become a company able to provide a quality of a similar calibre.
Of course it was a long time ago and it was before the arcade success of Aka & Blue Type-R.
By the way, Arcade Belgium is a reputable arcade news source since 2003. We don't write ****. It reminds me of the guy on Facebook who didn't believe that our interview with ShouTime was our own. He was sure that we translated an interview from IGN Japan. It wouldn't even be possible as both interviews got published at the same time and of course I wasn't aware of the Japanese interview. Needless to say that all questions were my own but of course there are some mandatory generic questions. Luckily, after all these years, we are well known and respected by the amusement industry professionals, and that's what matters.


text:
I have spreadsheet long list column of data with dates back to year 2005. I want to insert name of days beside the dates automatically. Doing it manually will takes a lot of time. Please help.
If your data is in A1,
in B1 enter the formula: =DAY(A1)
Then Custom format cell B1,
Select Format,
Select Cells,
Select Number Tab,
Select Custom
In the Type box enter: ddd or dddd.
Three gives you the short day Sat
Four gives you the long day Saturday
You could also use the =TEXT() function to do the same thing.
With your data in cell A1
in cell B1 enter the formula: =TEXT(A1,"dddd")
as with the Custom Formatting,
Three d's gives you the short day Sat
Four d's gives you the long day Saturday
In both cases, drag the cell down as many rows as needed.
Thank you Mike for your clear answer and instruction, Problem solved. Thank you once again.


text:
Episode 309
Season 3 Episode 9 | 26m 56s Video has closed captioning.
An innovative nanotechnology company in Odessa, Florida uses a polymer to clean water and cool air. A female African American master plumber in Michigan who is an inspiration to others. Producing a spider silk that is stronger than most fibers. From learners to earners, will our youth be prepared for tomorrow's jobs?
Aired: 07/13/17
Problems Playing Video? | Closed Captioning


text:
199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die
Why visit a graveyard if you have no one to mourn? For Lorna Rhoads cemeteries can be repositories of stories, outdoor sculpture parks, habitats for birds and wildlife, gardens and oases of tranquillity. Her worldwide, illustrated directory includes burial grounds of all faiths, famous graveyards such Père Lachaise, Boothill and the Taj Mahal, war graves and memorial parks, catacombs, dolmens and even an underwater cemetery – the Neptune Memorial Reef for those lost at sea.
Gilberto Freyre
Social Theory in the Tropics
Jointly written by an English scholar and a South American professor, this study examines the work of the Brazilian sociologist and anthropologist Gilberto Freyre (1900–1987). Probably the most famous public intellectual of 20th-century Brazil, Freyre is chiefly remembered for the sociological trilogy that began with the famous Casa Grande & Senzala (1933), translated as The Masters and the Slaves.
The Concept of Utopia
Arguing for 'the continued necessity of utopian thinking in a still largely hostile climate', and against the assumption of 'utopia' as a political blueprint or literary fiction, this influential work offers an analytical introduction to the concept and its articulation in the theoretical work of thinkers including Marx, Engels, Karl Mannheim, Georges Sorel, Ernst Bloch, Herbert Marcuse and William Morris. First published in 1990; reissued with a new author's preface.
Advice for the Dying
And Those Who Love Them, A Practical Perspective on Death
The nurse and award-winning writer Sallie Tisdale offers a thought-provoking and practical perspective on death and dying in this meditation on the inevitable. Comprising intimate anecdotes based on the deaths she has witnessed in her life and work, as well as insights gleaned from literature and other world cultures and traditions, this volume offers the resources and reassurance required to plan compassionate end-of-life care.
An Archaeological Study of Human Decapitation Burials
When a number of Roman graves with decapitated skeletons were discovered near York, the popular explanation was that heads were ritually removed after death to prevent ghosts returning to haunt the living. Katie Tucker, the human remains archaeologist at the site, analysed the burials and found no evidence to support that theory. Her in-depth study of the archaeological and osteological aspects of human decapitation burials, particularly the evidence for trauma in the skeletal remains, argues that decapitation was the cause of death.
The Roman Family in the Empire
Rome, Italy, and Beyond
These ten papers examine the forms taken by families in territories conquered by the Romans, with a particular focus on the ways in which local traditions and the process of 'Romanization' combined to shape social attitudes in provinces from Lusitania to Judaea. The authors analyse evidence from a wide range of sources, including the speeches of Cicero, Justinian's law code, archival documents from Egypt and the inscriptions and reliefs carved on funerary monuments.
The Way We Were
Drawing on the collection of the National Monuments Record, the images in this portfolio show ordinary people engaged in leisure pursuits, from festivals and fairs to concerts and sporting events, mostly from the late 19th to the mid 20th century. Slightly off-mint.
A Gentleman's Guide to Duelling
Vincentio Saviolo's 'Of Honour and Honourable Quarrels'
Annotated woodcuts of historical duels and methodical swordplay illustrate this classic guide to resolving a gentlemen's disagreement in Elizabethan England. Honour, pride and shame were at the heart of most duels, and Italian fencing master Vincentio Saviolo's prose, which has been subtly updated for the modern reader, suggests ways for both challenger and defender to navigate the labyrinth of etiquette without resort to the rapier, his favoured weapon of combat.
Breach of Promise to Marry
A History of How Jilted Brides Settled Scores
Hiding from daylight in her mouldering wedding dress, Dickens's Miss Havisham is the classic literary image of the jilted bride. But thanks to the 18th-century law of breach of promise, many women had more attractive options. This entertaining social history uncovers more than a thousand cases in which wronged fiancées employed no win no fee lawyers to gain substantial financial redress for their disappointment – and adventuresses extracted money from men 'they cannot possibly want as husbands'.
Primitive Rebels
Studies in Archaic Forms of Social Movement in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
Social agitation is as essential a part of public life today as it has ever been. Eric Hobsbawm's classic study, reissued with a new introduction by Owen Jones, explores the origins of contemporary rebellion in Robin Hood, Nonconformist dissenters, secret societies, Mafiosi, Spanish anarchists and labour movements. This concise guide provides an insightful analysis of the revolutions that shaped Western civilization, while a selection of historical texts presents the radicals' perspectives in their own words.
Wilde's Last Stand
Scandal, Decadence and Conspiracy During the Great War
In January 1918 the Imperialist newspaper made the startling claim that Britain was losing the war because the German secret service was blackmailing 47,000 'sexual deviants' in the British establishment. This account reveals how the ensuing libel trial drew Oscar Wilde's friends into a posthumous battle for his reputation, and illuminates a twilight world of MPs and dancing girls, drug clubs in London and transvestites in the trenches.
Dinner with a Cannibal
The Complete History of Mankind's Oldest Taboo
In this thorough examination of human cannibalism, a palaeoanthropologist analyses the evidence, from ancient fossils to recent genetic findings, that marks us all as descendants of cannibals. Investigating when and why humans have eaten their own kind, she identifies cannibalism as an ancient, natural strategy used by early humans to survive periods of food scarcity, but also considers the religious and culinary contexts in which it has been practised in historical times.
The Making of the Modern Christmas
What do we mean by a 'traditional' Christmas? Were old Christmases that much better than modern celebrations? This book traces the history of Christmas from pagan mid-winter festivals to its establishment as a Christian feast in the 4th century, through Puritan disapproval and the Victorian revival and refurbishment of old customs to the present day. En route we find The Times in 1912 already lamenting the separation of 'the secular from the sacred part of Christmas'.
Feeding London
A Taste of History
The Stock Exchange began in a London coffee house, as did Lloyds; fish and chips was invented in Victorian London; and Fortnum and Mason supplied Florence Nightingale in the Crimea and Parry's expedition to find the North-West Passage as well as innumerable aristocratic picnics. This history of London's food is full of such milestones and outstanding personalities, described in chapters on how London has been provisioned, its markets, shops and restaurants, foreign imports and the eating habits of Londoners.
In Bed With the Ancient Egyptians
Sex featured prominently in ancient Egyptian religion, mythology and art, while Cleopatra's love affairs with Mark Antony and Julius Caesar continue to fire the imagination. Drawing on the evidence of texts and pictures from inscriptions and papyri, Booth's wide-ranging survey explores the Egyptians' customs relating to love, marriage and childbirth; their attitudes to adultery, prostitution and homosexuality; the place of sex in beliefs about the afterlife; and their doctors' ideas about sexual health, fertility and aphrodisiacs.
Divorced, Beheaded, Sold
Ending an English Marriage 1500–1847
How could English people end unhappy marriages before divorce was readily available? As the colourful stories in this book reveal, the options ranged from quietly but bigamously remarrying to selling an unwanted wife to the highest bidder at market. The author also examines a 1594 case in which neighbours helped a woman retrieve property from her husband, and occasions when wives successfully sued for legal separation. The appendix focuses on Henry VIII's marital arrangements.
The Entertainment of Charles II
In February 1661 the restored monarch Charles II made a progress through London, from the Tower to Whitehall and his coronation, passing through four triumphal arches constructed for the event. John Ogilby, Master of Revels, was commissioned to organize the spectacle for the procession. Published in 1662, his Entertainment contains texts of the poetry, notably translations of Virgil, descriptions and engravings of the four arches and details of the ceremonies. This facsimile edition has an introduction by Ronald Knowles. No jacket.
In Bed with the Romans
Writers' lurid tales of their rulers' sex lives are a familiar part of our image of ancient Rome, but how reliable are these accounts and what can such stories tell us about Roman attitudes to sexual behaviour and morality? Drawing on twelve centuries of evidence from literature, inscriptions, graffiti, medical handbooks, legal texts, magic spells and frequently explicit visual arts, this wide-ranging account explores the Roman view of love, marriage, childbirth, homosexuality, prostitution and infidelity.
The Undiscovered Country
Journeys Among the Dead
From John Baret's effigy of his own corpse in St Mary's Church, in 15th-century Bury St Edmunds, to the incident that prompted the idea of bringing an anonymous body – 'An Unknown Soldier' – back from the First World War trenches, Watkins' history of the macabre delves into Britain's past in search of ancient customs, local characters and compelling tales that illuminate the ways in which people have come to terms with death.
The Sacred to Santa
This cultural study explores the evolution of Christmas. From its historical origins to the folklore of Santa Claus and the fiction of Scrooge, and from traditional trees and carols to Yuletide films and novelty singles, Tara Moore discusses the holiday as a unifying but also divisive event, and probes the tension between the sacred and the secular.
Chinese Festivals
Part of the Introductions to Chinese Culture series, this book covers the great variety of unique festivals that have evolved over the course of China's long history, describing a representative selection of 42 traditional and statutory events. Like all the books in the series, it is written by a noted expert in the field, well illustrated with colour photographs and offers an ideal introductory survey for both students and general readers.
A Royal Christmas
With privileged access to the Royal Archives, Jeremy Archer has uncovered personal accounts of the royal family at Christmastime. His anthology reveals how monarchs have celebrated the festival -from 1066, when William I was crowned on Christmas Day, to the Queen's Christmas broadcast 2011. In themed chapters, Archer quotes at length from his royal sources as he explores Christmases at home and abroad, in times of crisis and conflict, and family rituals of feasts, pastimes and the exchange of gifts.
Sex and Punishment
Four Thousand Years of Judging Desire
Sex is one of the most powerful human drives, and societies have sought to regulate it since the dawn of history. Meticulous, scholarly, yet laced with spicy anecdote, this chronological survey ranges from the brutal impalement of an adulteress in Mesopotamia to the trials of Oscar Wilde. Peopled with transvestites, rent boys, royal mistresses and gay charioteers, it demonstrates how what is 'normal' in one age is forbidden in another, exposing the futility of such attempts to constrain human sexuality.
Factory Production in Nineteenth-Century Britain
This anthology brings together writings that suggest the scope of responses – from wondrous celebration to apocalyptic horror – elicited by the advent and establishment of the factory system in 19th century Britain. Addressing complex questions about the possible effects of mass production on human life and labour, the collection includes important works by Adam Smith, Ruskin, Carlyle and Morris alongside extracts from lesser-known factory tourists' tales and inspectors' reports, a Luddite pamphlet and a cotton mill worker's autobiography.


text:
black tea chai black tea bags
by oregon chai (1 review)
type: black
origin: india
region: assam
variety: assam
ingredients: anise black tea cardamom cinnamon clove ginger
caffeine: strong
price level: $$$$
Take this tea steeped in Eastern tradition and brew your own, new traditions. With a magical blend of Assam black tea and authentic chai spices like ginger, clove, cardamom, cinnamon and anise, The Originalâ?¢ Chai Tea will delight your taste buds any time of day.
Recent reviews
Andrew Eith
Licorice added to chai might seem to much but it's good


text:
The Elfin DNA 75 is the world's smallest 75 watt device only 24mm wide. It features DNA 75 chip powered by Evolv and a built-in 1800mAh battery. The Elfin DNA 75 supports coil resistance as low as 0.15Ω. This snazzy little mod will make the perfect stealth vape, powered enough to give any take or RDA a run for its money! Head and shoulders above all other macro devices on the market!
- Powered by Evolv DNA 75
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1 x Elfin Mod, 1W - 75W
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1 x Manual
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text:
Confusing DucksMay 8th, 2010
This sort of actually happened. No ducks were hurt in the making of this comic.
So it's springtime at UW, which means we have ducks waddling around everywhere. Drumheller fountain is usually where we can find them. But we recently have this duck couple that seems to have made their residence in Red Square near Kane Hall and Odegaard library. It's very odd. I wonder what they eat or drink, because Red Square is made of bricks.


text: Varsha Nair was born in Kampala, Uganda. She currently lives and works in Bangkok, Thailand. Nair received her B.F.A. from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, India. She has had both group and solo exhibitions in Europe, India, Asia, and Australia. Most recently Nair's work has been included in a traveling group exhibit entitled Text and Subtext, which has been shown in Singapore, Australia, Sweden, and Norway (2000-2003). Other group and collaborative exhibitions include Free Parking, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (2002); Home, Collegium Artisticum, Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina (2002); Women Breaking Boundaries, Hillside Forum, Tokyo, Japan (2001); and Who Owns Women's Bodies, Scapular Gallery Nomad, Thailand and the Philippines (2000-2002). Nair is also the co-founder and organizer of Womanifesto, a bi-annual, international artist event for and by women that takes place in Bangkok, Thailand.


text:
- Research
- Open Access
- Published:
Comparative analysis of human sperm glycocalyx from different freezability ejaculates by lectin microarray and identification of ABA as sperm freezability biomarker
Clinical Proteomics volume 15, Article number: 19 (2018)
1493 Accesses
0 Altmetric
Semen cryopreservation has been widely applied in assisted reproductive technologies and sperm bank, but it causes considerable impairments on sperm quality. It is necessary to find an evaluation indicator for determining the sperm-freezing tolerance.
The glycocalyx of good freezability ejaculates was compared with poor freezability ejaculates by lectin microarray. The significant different lectins were validated by flow cytometry (FACS). To analyze the relationship between the potential biomarker and the tolerance of sperm to cryopreservation, 60 samples with different recovery rates were collected and detected the lectin-binding intensity by FACS. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was analyzed to test the capability of the lectin as a potential biomarker for detecting the sperm freezablility.
ABA and DSL were found to develop significant differences between them. Further validation showed that ABA was significantly negative correlated with the sperm recovery rates (r = − 0.618, P < 0.000) and could be a potential biomarker for predicting sperm freezability (AUC = 0.733 ± 0.067, 95% CI 0.601 − 0.865, P < 0.01).
ABA could be a potential biomarker for predicting sperm freezability. It will help to reduce sperm-freezing recovery tests and improve the efficiency of cryopreservation in human sperm bank.
After decades of development, semen cryopreservation has been widely applied in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and sperm bank [1, 2]. The technology helps men with azoospermia or severe hereditary disease related with infertility have the opportunity to have children using the donor's sperm from sperm bank by in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In addition, for some patients who are about to undergo chemotherapy treatment or other events associated with loss of fertility, sperm cryopreservation can preserve their fertility and make them have their own children later [3, 4]. However, cryopreservation caused dramatic impairments to sperm containing sperm motility, viability, DNA integrity, plasma membrane, and matrix density of mitochondrial, and reduced the sperm ability of penetration of cervical mucus and egg [5,6,7,8,9]. The improvement of the cryopreservation technology and the stability of the recovery rate directly impact on pregnancy rate.
In order to ensure the safe and effective supply of semen, the better quality, higher recovery rate of semen is the working focus of sperm bank. However, the tolerance of sperm to cryopreservation varies in individuals. There are always some semen samples presenting poor ability to resist cryopreservation in clinic. Until now, many studies on human semen have attempted to find biomarkers of freezability. But, some of them showed controversial. Pre-freezed motility has been reported to be correlated with cryosurvival rate [10, 11]. High initial motility and sperm density result in high recovery rate [12]. While other studies reported that the parameters of conventional semen analysis including sperm concentration, motility, WHO morphology and total motile count showed no correlation with the sperm motility recovery rates [13,14,15]. These suggested that the conventional semen parameters have no sufficient capacity to predict the sperm freezability. In addition, the traditionary method by post-thawed recovery is not only time-consuming, but also labor and reagents wasting, which makes an evaluation indicator for determining the sperm freezing tolerance urgent.
The sperm glycocalyx is a dense carbohydrate layer with 20–60 nm thick, coating on the sperm membrane outmost surface with protein and lipid [16]. It plays an important role in sperm maturation, motility and fertilization [16,17,18]. During the process of sperm formation, maturation, capacitation and acrosome reaction, the glycoprotein on the sperm surface is largely rearranged. Subtle change in glycocalyx has significant effect on sperm fertility [17, 19,20,21,22]. Reports about the cryo-damage of sperm glycocalyx are few due to the technical limitation. Only several papers about the avian sperm carbohydrate changes caused by cryopreservation. And its alterations were associated with the impaired fertility [23, 24]. As a group of natural glycan binders, lectins labeled with different conjugates can detect individual glycans by immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry or flow cytome. This is the main method to study the composition of cell glycocalyx. Recently, our lab reported a sensitive and high-through technology-lectin microarray to analyze the sperm glycocalyx [22, 25]. It accelerated the study on sperm glycocalyx.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to find the biomarkers related with human sperm freezability through comparing the glycocalyx between good freezability ejaculates (GFEs) and poor freezability ejaculates (PFEs) by lectin microarray. These will be conducive to optimization of sperm cryopreservation methods, screening of the high quality sperm and improvement of the sperm fertilization.
Sperm collection
All the semen samples in this study were collected in Human Sperm Bank of Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. The age of the donors ranged from 20 to 35 years. The donors were instructed to collect semen samples through masturbation after 3–5 days sexual abstinence. Semen was harvested in sterile containers. All these samples were evaluated for volume, sperm concentration, total motility, progressive motility (PR), and non-progressive motility (NP) according to the fifth edition of WHO laboratory manual. The samples with normal semen parameters were included; i.e., they presented the normal volume (≥ 2 ml), concentration (≥ 15 × 106/ml) and total motility (≥ 40%).
Liquefied semen samples were divided into two aliquots. One of the aliquots was performed to cryopreservation. The other aliquot was directly fixed for lectin microarray analysis or flow cytometry.
All the donors have given the written informed consent. This research was approved by the Institutional Review Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. All experiments were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations.
Semen cryopreservation and thawing
The semen samples were cryopreserved by direct vapor nitrogen freezing method [26]. The liquefied semen samples were mixed with an equal volume of CryoSperm™ (ORIGIO, USA), followed with incubation at room temperature (RT) for 10 min. Then, the equilibrated samples were transferred to cryovials and placed about 10 cm top from the surface of liquid nitrogen. After incubated for 20 h, the cryovials were preserved in liquid nitrogen at − 196 °C. After 24 h, the cryovials were immediately moved from liquid nitrogen into water bath at 37 °C for 5 min. The sperm total motility was examined to calculate the recovery rate. The recovery rate (%) = Sperm motility after cryopreservation/Sperm motility before cryopreservation × 100%.
Sperm preparation and lectin microarray analysis
The sperm samples were prepared for lectin microarray analysis as our previously described [22, 25]. The fresh semen and the frozen-thawed semen were centrifuged (500 g × 10 min) for collecting the sperm cells and washed with PBS, followed with fixation with 2% paraformaldehyde containing 0.2% glutaraldehyde for 15 min, and then wash with PBS once, before stored at 4 °C for the subsequent lectin microarray and flow cytometry experiments.
The preparation of lectin microarray was consistent with our previously reported [22, 25, 27]. Simply, 91 lectins with 1 μg/μl concentration were printed in triplicate on OPPolymer Slide H slides (CapitalBio, Beijing, China). Each slide contained 12 blocks with a matrix with 18 × 16 arrangement. Then, stored at 4 °C overnight for the lectins coated on the surface, the slides were ready for the sperm detection.
Lectin microarray was firstly blocked in 10 mM Tris Buffered Saline with 0.5% (v/v) Tween-20 (TBST) for 1 h at RT and then washed once in PBST for 10 min, followed with twice in PBS for 10 min. The fixed sperm labeled with propidine iodide (PI, 20 μg/ml) was adjusted concentration to 5 × 106 spermatozoa in 200 μl PBS with 50 μM CaCl2 and 50 μM MnCl2 for each block of lectin microarray, and then incubated in a wet box for 1 h at RT in the dark. Each sample was repeated four times in and between slides with a diagonal manner. After the excess and unbound spermatozoa gently removed by submerging and inverting the slides in PBST, the air-dried slides were scanned with a GenePix 4200A (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, CA) at 5 μm resolution with the scanning condition set to 532 nm filter and 40% PMT value.
Validation by flow cytometry
Sixty samples with different recovery rates were collected and fixed. The seminal parameters and recovery rate of the samples were in Additional file 1. 2 × 106 spermatozoa were re-suspended with 90 μl PBS and added 10 μl fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled lectin with the final concentration 100 μg/ml, then incubated for 30 min at 37 °C in the dark. After that the spermatozoa were washed once and re-suspended with 500 μl PBS, to be analyzed in a Facs Calibur Flow cytometer using WinMID2.9 software.
Statistical analysis
The binding signals of the sperm with lectin microarray were extracted by GenePix pro 6.0. The signal intensity to the local background noise ratio (SNR) was defined as F532 Mean/B532 Mean, and all the spots' SNRs of lectin microarray were calculated and normalized. Because of each sample performed four blocks repetition and each lectin having three repeats on each block, each sample had 12 SNRs. All the lectin binding signal data of GFEs and PFEs were averaged, respectively. The cut off value of the positive lectin binding was set as SNR ≥ 2.
Data analysis and graphs were conducted by SPSS 20.0 and GraphPad Prism 5 and all the data was described as the mean ± SEM. The significantly different SNRs and the Geo Mean between the GFEs and the PFEs samples were determined by Independent-Samples T Test. The correlation of ABA and recovery rate was analyzed via Pearson Correlations and Linear Regression. ROC analyses were performed with the ABA binding signal intensity plotted against the PFEs. The area under the ROC curves (AUC) were calculated to evaluate the sperm freezability.
ABA and DSL being related with sperm freezabiltiy
In order to compare the lectin binding profilings between GFEs and PFEs, we collected 12 semen samples (GFEs, n = 6; PFEs, n = 6) according to the recovery rate. Among them, semen with the recovery rate more than 50% were classified to the GFEs group, while that of less than 30% were classified PFEs. As showed in Table 1, the average age of the enrolled donors was about 26 years, and semen parameters before cryopreservation had no significant difference between the two groups. Obviously, the recovery rate showed statistically different (P < 0.000). The GFEs and PFEs samples before cryopreservation were prepared and analyzed by lectin microarray. Through comparation of 91 lectins binding signal intensity between the two groups, Agaricus bisporusagglutinin (ABA) and Datura Stramonium Lectin (DSL) presented significant difference (Fig. 1). The ABA binding signal intensity of the GFEs showed lower than that of PFEs, while the DSL binding signal intensity was opposite, it was higher in the GFEs.
Validation of ABA and DSL by FACS
To validate the different lectins binding between GFEs and PFEs, we used fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled ABA and DSL to analyze the binding signal of sperm by flow cytometry (FACS). As indicated in Fig. 2, the fluorescence intensity of ABA in PFEs was significant increased than GEFs, which was totally consistent with the result of lectin microarray. However, the binding signal of DSL demonstrated no significant difference between the two groups. So, ABA was screened for the further experiments.
ABA being a potential biomarker for detecting the sperm freezability
To analyze the relationship between ABA and the tolerance of sperm to cryopreservation, sixty samples with different recovery rates were collected and detected the ABA binding intensity by FACS. The Pearson Correlation Coefficients demonstrated the binding intensity with ABA was significantly negative correlated with the sperm recovery rate (r = − 0.618, P < 0.000). In addition, the linear regression relationship between them is as: y = 106.042 − 0.334x (Fig. 3).
Furthermore, to test the capability of ABA as a potential biomarker for detecting the sperm freezability, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was analyzed. The recovery rate of 50% was set as the cut-off value of the tolerance of sperm to cryopreservation. As showed in Fig. 4, the area under the curves (AUC) of ABA was 0.733 ± 0.067 (95% CI 0.601–0.865, P < 0.01), which indicated that ABA could serve as a potential biomarker for detecting the sperm freezability. The cut-off value of ABA based on the data was 157 with 57.1% specificity (95% CI 0.372–0.755) and 87.5% sensitivity (95% CI 0.710–0.965).
High quality semen is the core and key of sperm bank. However, there are often some semen samples have better semen parameters before freezing, but poor and unqualified motility after cryopreservation. Prediction of sperm freezability and classification of human semen into GFEs or PFEs before cryopreservation will help to save time, money and labor and facilitate the full use of frozen-thawed human spermatozoa. In this study, by comparing the lectin binding profilings of sperm samples with high recovery rate (classified to GFEs) with that of sperm with low recovery rate (classified to PFEs) through the most comprehensive lectin microarray technology, ABA and DSL showed significant differences, and ABA had the biomarker potential for detecting the sperm freezability.
Sperm glycocalyx, composed of glycoproteins and glycolipids, located on the outer surface of the plasma membrane, protects sperm from the immune surveillance in the uterus and helps maintain sperm survival [28,29,30]. It is reported that cryopreservation changes the sperm carbohydrates in avian, and that is associated with the impaired fertility [23, 24]. In addition, we found that cryopreservation significantly changed the sperm glycocalyx in human, and the sialic acid, generally located at the terminal of the sugar chain of glycoprotein, was seriously lost [31]. This suggested to some extent that the glycocalyx played an important role on protecting sperm from cryopreservation. Studies of the effects of cryopreservation on spermatozoa mainly focused on proteomics of seminal plasma or sperm membranes in many mammal species [32,33,34,35,36]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that associate the glycocalyx with semen freezabiltiy in human.
It is reported that Kruger strict morphology is significantly correlated with the progressive motility recovery rate (r = 0.294, P = 0.028) and marginally significant with the relationship between cryosurvival rate (r = 0.249, P = 0.064) [15]. While we found that the Pearson Correlation Coefficients of ABA and sperm recovery rates (r = − 0.618, P < 0.000) was more relevant and significant than Kruger morphology. Jiang et al. [37] reported a multivariate model for predicting semen cryopreservation outcomes by three semen parameters, including progressive motility (PR), straight-line velocity (VSL) and average path velocity (VAP), and the AUC of the multivariate model is 0.789. In this study, the AUC of ABA was 0.733. It was illustrated that the one factor of ABA had considerable predictive capacity compared with the multivariate model.
According to the glycosylation site of the peptide chain, glycoproteins possess two type glycans, N-linked glycans and O-linked glycans. N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) is generally added to serine (Ser) or threonine (Thr) residues at the first step in O-glycosylation of proteins by polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase-6 (pp-GalNAc-T6) catalyzation [38, 39], followed by galactose (Gal) and N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) transferation and added sialic acid (Sia) at the terminal of glycan chains. The lectin ABA specifically recognized the oligosaccharides of O-linked glycosylation (GalNAc-Ser/Thr) which was generally located in the inside of glycocalyx. In this study, the binding signal of ABA was significantly increased in PFEs. The sperm glycocalyx coated on the outmost surface of sperm membrane and played an important role on protecting sperm. The increase of ABA might be due to the imperfect glycocalyx and exposure of the inner oligosaccharides in PFEs. In addition, the previous paper in our lab had been found that the cryo-damaged sperm showed the higher binding intensity to ABA than the fresh sperm [31]. It is suggested that the glycocalyx of PEFs had been impaired when ejaculated, and had no competence to resist cryopreservation.
It is reported that the protein composition has significant difference between GFEs and PFEs, and related with sperm motility and fertility [36, 37]. In this study, the sperm glycocalyx between them also showed significant difference. It is reported that the alteration of spermatozoal glycocalyx is associated with impaired fertility in the fowl [40]. It seems reasonable to hypothesize that sperm freezability is the inherent characteristic of sperm, and it varies in individuals. Furthermore, on the basis of mastering the technique of sperm cryopreservation and the quality control in laboratory, sperm freezability should be considered as one of the evaluation indicators of sperm quality. By comparing the glycocalyx between GFEs and PFEs prior to freezing, ABA will be one of potential biomarkers to predict the sperm freezability. This will help to reduce sperm freezing recovery tests, thereby reducing the workload and semen waste and improve the efficiency of cryopreservation in human sperm bank.
- 1.
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Authors' contributions
HS and XS conceived and designed the experiments. AX performed the experiments and drafted the manuscript. YW and LC prepared the lectin microarry. GC, BW, HL and ZL provided clinical samples. ST, HD and YG involved in data analysis and provided technical assistance. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Availability of data and materials
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Consent for publication
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
All the donors have given the written informed consent. This research was approved by the Institutional Review Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. All experiments were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations.
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 81401252 and 81270744), the Special Fund for Clinical research of Chinese Medical Association (No. 16020470663), the Foundation of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning (No. 20164Y0157), the Foundation of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (No. 17JC1400902), the Foundation of Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics and IVF Institute (JA-2018-12) and MerckSerono China Research Fund for Fertility Experts.
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Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
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Cite this article
Xin, A., Wu, Y., Lu, H. et al. Comparative analysis of human sperm glycocalyx from different freezability ejaculates by lectin microarray and identification of ABA as sperm freezability biomarker. Clin Proteom 15, 19 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12014-018-9195-z
- Cryopreservation
- Freezability
- Lecin microarray
- Human sperm
- Glycocalyx


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ISLAMABAD, Jul 31 (APP): Former Federal Minister Anwar Ali Cheema died in Sargodha on Sunday after protracted illness.
According to Radio Pakistan, he was eighty one.
He served as a member National Assembly for seven
consecutive terms.
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi have condoled the demise of Anwar Ali Cheema and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace.


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Small intimate safari camp with just eight luxury tents
Unique elephant interaction exclusive to Sanctuary guests
Both land and water activities available but do depend upon water levels
Private concession allows for night drives and walking safaris
Botswana has a moderate climate with three fairly distinct seasons: from December to March is the rainy season, with warm temperatures and occasional thunderstorms. April to July is dry, with sunny days and the temperature at night beginning to drop. In June and July the nights can be very cold. From August through to October the weather heats up, with October's temperatures sometimes approaching 40°C. Generally the rains break in November.
Located in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Stanley's Camp is a wonderful tented camp with views out over the flood plains. The camp is famed for its interaction with elephants and offers a rare opportunity to learn more about these amazing giants.
Stanley's Camp is located in a private concession surrounded by Okavango flood plains. While general game viewing in this area is very good with giraffe, lion and even wild dog often spotted, the main attraction is its three semi-habituated elephants. Guests have a wonderful opportunity to spend a morning with these elephants and their handler; a truly exceptional and memorable experience.
There are a wide range of activities offered but walking with elephants will be a truly memorable experience and one which will be hard to beat on safari. The three elephants were orphaned and adopted by owners Doug and Sandi Groves. Walks are interactive and informative as you learn about elephant behaviour and witness first-hand how they search for food and strip branches of leaves.
The camp itself is small and intimate with only eight luxury tents all raised on wooden decks. The tents are beautifully furnished with wooden polished floors and dark wood furnishings including a dressing table and writing desk. The large deck provides guests the perfect spot from which to watch the sunrise while enjoying an early morning coffee or simply enjoying a siesta from the comfort of your own hammock.
In addition to elephant interaction, game drives are also offered but water levels do determine how far you can go. During seasons of high water levels game drives are usually combined with motor boat safaris allowing you to explore the channels and lagoons with ease. Walking safaris give you the opportunity to explore the delta from a different perspective, allowing you to get closer to wildlife and the environment. Walks are a wonderful chance to really smell and take in all your surroundings. As the delta is flooded for much of year one of the best ways to explore is by mokoro. Peacefully meander your way through delta channels past giant lilies and sit back and enjoy the wonderful bird life, or even spot crocodiles as they bathe on the banks.
There are three reasons to visit Stanleys Camp and they all have trunks and tusks. A morning spent with Jabulani, Thembigela and Morula is nothing short of magical. These three semi-habituated elephants live alongside Doug and Sandi Groves, Doug having never spent a night away from them in the 25 years he has been their carer and their affection for him is very apparent, and incredibly touching to see. Having spent a morning with them in 2007, I was keen to return, and I was not disappointed. Jabulani, the bull, has grown spectacularly and is incredibly impressive, nearly 12 feet at the shoulder and expected to grow another foot or so throughout his life. Thembigela and Morula, the two females, vie for the attention of their guests, approaching and stretching out their trunks to sniff and be stroked in a very endearing fashion. The walk is gentle, not venturing far, and stopping often for Doug or Sandi to describe their elephants, ask you to feel the weight of their trunks, the soft skin behind their elbows, hold your hand out so the elephants can gently grip your fingers with the tips of their trunk. This is the reason guests come to Stanleys; the game is fairly unexceptional, with a few elephant around and various plains game; but a morning spent with the trio, as they are known, must rate among the all time best experiences in Africa, in my book.
Travel through the waterways of the Okavango Delta on a boat safari, exploring the papyrus reeds and hippo habitats with your guide. The smooth ride offers a soothing alternative to time spent in a vehicle. Always subject to water levels.
Fishing trips offer visitors to Botswana an opportunity to enjoy a different safari experience. In many areas the fishing is fantastic, you'll also enjoy fantastic wildlife and birdlife over your time on the water. NB not available within national parks.
Viewing wildlife from a vehicle is the best way to get up close to big game. Allow your professional safari guide to cover ground to guarantee you some unforgettable sightings in Africa's premier safari destination.
One of the best ways to see the big game of Botswana's Okavango Delta is on a game drive with a knowledgeable guide. Explore in open-sided vehicles to maximise your viewing opportunities, this is a truly wildlife rich environment.
Spend a wonderful and rewarding morning with three semi-habituated African elephants and their "matriarch", Doug Groves, as part of your safari experience at Baines' or Stanley's Camp.
Botswana's northern safari areas are full of water channels just waiting to be explored. Larger boats can be used to explore the wider channels but for the aficionado, mokoro trips into the smaller channels are a real treat. Always subject to waterlevels
Walking in the African bush with a professional safari guide is a fantastic experience. Enjoy a completely different perspective on foot than from a vehicle.
Sanctuary Stanleys Camp is located on the Boro River in a 260,000 acre private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta, home to some of the most spectacular wildlife on Earth.
The camp is accessible by air from Maun (15 minutes), Kasane (1-hour 30-minutes) and all other delta camps. The camp has its own airstrip which is located approximately 20 minutes from the camp depending on the water level in the delta. During higher water levels guests will be greeted at the airstrip and transferred by vehicle or boat if high water, to camp.
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Abu Concession, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
Okavango Delta, Botswana
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Chief's Island, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
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Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
Qorokwe Concession, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
Shinde Concession, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
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Commercial Brick Paver Projects
Brick Pavers have been a part of our culture for centuries. K&M Dri-Lay Masonry has been installing pavers for over 10 years and has been recognized as a leader in the industry. We strive to be the best in brick paver installations and to provide our customers with the quality workmanship they desire. Weather your project is a school, commercial building or even a streetscape, brick pavers can make the difference. Brick pavers add beauty beyond color and design. Numerous patterns can be installed in many different colors and styles from a cobble stone paver to a flashy traditional style smooth finish paver. Custom colors can also be manufactured if necessary and engraving can be added to personalize your project. No matter what style or look you are trying to achieve brick pavers can help make it happen. Please take a look at some of the photos in the gallery below to see some of the beautiful brick paving projects we have completed.


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Last month, I wrote about running a 5k each month, each one coinciding with a runDisney event weekend. (You can read about it here.) Since I can't break away to get to either WDW or Disneyland right now, the next best thing is to run every time my Disney running friends run 🙂 I got my first 5k of the year done on my treadmill during the Star Wars Half Weekend at Disneyland…evidence:
Well, February came quickly, and the Princess Half in WDW happened this weekend. Congrats to all my buds who ran because that is such a BIG accomplishment, whether it was a 5k, 10k, Half or Full Marathon! And in the spirit of camaraderie, I got my 5K done too, in the wonderful warm weather we had yesterday 🙂 And I am most grateful because I hadn't felt like myself for the couple of days prior:
I was able to shave off 7 minutes off my 1st one! That really surprised me because I didn't think I would move faster outside, with hills and such, and the fact that I ran more inside than I did yesterday (mostly a walking 5K). My average pace was 15:56 min/mi, so I feel like I am in there when it comes to preparing for an actual Disney run in 2017 🙂
I just want to encourage others out there that you CAN make training progress during the winter on a treadmill. Stay tuned for the next #DeesVirtualDisneyRun in my birth month of April!
Keep making progress,


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Wet Nose Wednesday 11.29.17
Adopt mac
Welcome to the 98.5 KTK Wet Nose Wednesday web page, where we show you adoptable pets from local shelters that will make a great addition to your family!
Meet Mac, a gorgeous silver tabby cat. He is 10 years old and a big boy coming in at 14 lbs! Mac is great with other cats, dogs and people of all ages. He really enjoys fleece blankets and cuddling with anyone. He may be on the bigger side but he is definitely a gentle giant. Mac would love to find a home where he can lounge around and hang out with his new family. If Mac sounds like the pet for you, please submit an application to learn more [CLICK HERE]. If you'd like to request more information, please email VOCAL [CLICK HERE] or call 352-289-0800.
VOCAL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has broken this mission down into 12 key steps to make Marion County a no-kill county. Some of these steps build upon one another, some can be worked in parallel, but all require contributions from people like you. Please consider a monetary donation, donation of needed items or becoming a volunteer.
Mark your calendars! VOCAL will be having an Open House at our property, which is normally closed to the public, on Saturday, December 16th! We will have available cats and dogs looking for their forever homes, as well as information on volunteering, fostering, and our clinic! We can't wait to see you Saturday, December 16, 2017 from 10am to 4pm at VOCAL, 6393 SW 52nd St, Ocala, Florida 34474!
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text: Frank Zappa at one of the very peaks of his genius! The 1975 version of the Mothers of Invention was an extremely tight combo featuring Napoleon Murphy Brock (saxophones), Roy Estrada (bass, vocals), Andre Lewis (keyboards), and the young and already fabulous Terry Bozzio on drums. The band was in superb form as was Zappa himself on guitar and vocals. The chosen repertoire was a great mix of both old songs such as "Duke of Prunes" and new material, including a very rare performance of "Sleep Dirt". A must for all Zappa fans! Tracklist Vancouver BC Apostrophe Duke Of Prunes Baby Don-t You Want A Man Like Me The Illinois Enema BandiSwallow My Pride Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance What-s The Ugliest Part Of Your Body Chunga-s Revenge Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy Lonely Little Girl Any Downers Zoot Allures T-Mershi Duween Sleep DirtBlack Napkins I-m The Slime


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400,000 Coloradans who buy their own health insurance are facing a big change this year
"Silver loading" could mean some people pay much less for health insurance
The Denver Post
Roughly 400,000 Coloradans buy health insurance on their own, and those plans are about to see a major change with a funny name that could have a huge impact on what people pay for coverage. The term is "silver loading," and here are some answers to questions about what it means and why it's important.
In one sentence, what is silver loading?
Silver loading is a health policy judo move that takes the higher prices of health insurance plans following a critical decision by President Donald Trump last year and flips them into higher tax credits to help people pay for insurance.
How does silver loading work?
You have to understand the basic tiers of insurance available on the individual market — that's where people who don't have employer-sponsored or government plans buy health care coverage. Silver is the midrange tier, between bronze on the lower end and gold on the higher end. But, for a couple of key reasons, silver is special.
First, when the federal government calculates how much people are eligible for in tax credits to help pay for insurance premiums, it bases those calculations on a silver plan. Thus, if that silver plan increases in price, so do the credits available to help pay for insurance.
Read the full story at http://www.denverpost.com.
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Embroidered Picture of Enchanted Rose
Product Code: LA167
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Inspired by Elizabethan blackwork this project once complete will look great hung upon a wall at home.
The Kit includes an 10x12 inch mount with a design area of 5 x 7inches. A piece of white linen with a penciled drawn design on and a backing mount.
This kit does not include any threads or spangles as we've left the colour choice upto you.