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Read on to learn about common asthma triggers.
In 1981, the number of adults admitted to hospitals in Barcelona suffering from asthma rose dramatically, but only at certain times. After two years trying to track down the cause, doctors realized that soybean dust released into the atmosphere during loading and unloading at the city's docks triggered the outbreaks. As this shows, environmental factors can trigger asthma in sensitive people, but identifying the cause can prove difficult. You may need to examine possible triggers at home, at work and at play.
Some asthma triggers (such as infections and exercise) overlap with the types of asthma we considered in the previous article. In this article, we will look at some other common asthma triggers.
Jack's new hobby
Jack, a 35-year-old local government accountant, rarely leaves his office during work hours. But Jack plays rugby and cricket for his local village sides and is relatively fit. He's never suffered from breathing or chest problems before, but recently started feeling breathless at home and is waking several nights a week, coughing. Jack sees his GP as he's concerned about heart disease. However, his doctor realizes that Jack's developed asthma and tries to track down any obvious causes before referring for allergy testing. Jack bought his daughter a rabbit for her eighth birthday around the time the symptoms started, but his work commitments mean that he rarely comes into contact with the pet. The only other change has been that Jack's restarted an old hobby: electronics. He's currently building a new computer. The symptoms, Jack now recalls, started a month or so after he started working on the computer. The GP suggests that the solder – a common trigger for occupational asthma – may be responsible. After taking a break from his hobby for a couple of weeks, Jack's symptoms improve.
Allergens as asthma triggers
The immune system evolved to recognize and eradicate invading micro-organisms. In people with allergic asthma, an allergen (immune trigger) inappropriately triggers the immune defences. However, while the immune system clears an invading bacterium, allergic asthma arises from chronic inflammation. For example, in children and young adults, being sensitive on skin-prick tests to indoor allergens (such as house dust mite or cat and dog dander) and the fungus Alternaria increases the risk of developing asthma between three- and twenty-fold. Furthermore, Ségala and colleagues found that adults who had asthma in childhood were more likely than those who developed asthma as adults to be sensitive to allergens such as house dust mite, dog hair, and grass and tree pollens.
Fewer than 100 of the more than a quarter of a million plant species worldwide that produce pollen trigger asthma or other allergies in humans. Unfortunately, the 100 includes some of the most common plants and pollen is a common asthma trigger. In the UK, for example, grass, tree and nettle are the most common pollen allergens. However, a wide variety of other flora can trigger asthma and other allergies, including some relatively exotic ornamental plants, such as Ficus benjamina (weeping fig or Benjamin's fig) and mimosa. Not surprisingly, the allergen responsible for pollen-related asthma varies worldwide as the flora changes. For example, between 10 and 20 per cent of Americans suffer from ragweed allergy, which can cause hay fever and asthma. Indeed, three-quarters of Americans who are allergic to pollen are sensitive to ragweed.
You don't need to live next to a meadow or wood to suffer pollen-triggered asthma. Some pollens travel 20 km from their source. Scientists found ragweed pollen 400 miles out to sea and two miles high in the atmosphere. On the other hand, grass pollen deposits within three metres of the parent plant. But grass is everywhere, even in the centre of towns and cities. Just think how quickly grass colonizes an urban wasteland. This makes avoiding grass pollen difficult, if not impossible. Nevertheless, you can take several steps to reduce your exposure.
Fungi are remarkably diverse. Biologists have identified more than 70,000 fungal species. Thousands more probably await discovery. Indeed, some mycologists estimate that 1.5 million species of fungi may exist amid life on earth, each of which has its own niche. The moulds around damp windows, yeasts used in bread and beer-making, and dermatophytes that colonize skin, hair and nails are all fungi.
Many fungi potentially pose health problems. AIDS patients, for example, can die from opportunistic fungal infections. The yeast Candida albicans causes vaginal and oral thrush – the latter can be a problem with inhaled steroids – while dermatophytes cause athlete's foot, ringworm and 'jock itch'. And several fungi can trigger asthma.
For example, the fungi Cladosporium and Alternaria grow on dead organic material (such as decaying leaves). Levels of spores from these fungi peak around harvest time and can trigger severe asthma attacks in some people working outside. Furthermore, around 400 species of mould make their homes indoors. Look at the corner of a window where water collects or in the bathroom of a poorly ventilated house. The dark stain could be a mould such as Aspergillus or Penicillium, both of which can trigger asthma in sensitized people.
Indeed, moulds can grow almost anywhere, provided there's enough moisture and oxygen – even inside our lungs. Fairs and colleagues grew Aspergillus fumigatus from the sputum of 63 per cent of asthma patients who produced IgE specific for the fungus, 31 per cent of non-sensitized asthmatics and 7 per cent of healthy people. However, unlike plants, moulds can't produce food from sunlight and air, so they decompose plant or animal matter for nourishment. While moulds don't – unlike plants – have a reproductive season, warmth and high humidity tends to encourage their growth. As a result, spore levels peak in warm humid weather and are particularly high in bathrooms, showers and kitchens.
House dust mites are a very common asthma trigger
It's an unpleasant thought, but your beds, soft toys and carpets are home to millions of microscopic creatures that feed on dead skin cells and other debris – the ubiquitous house dust mite. A gram of house dust may contain up to 5,000 mites.
House dust mites are most at home in bedding, soft furnishings and dusty corners where there is plenty of dead skin. So you probably spend eight hours each night lying among the two million mites in a typical bed mattress. Meanwhile, the mites use enzymes to digest your dead skin cells. The enzymes accumulate in the mites' faeces. When inhaled, the enzymes can trigger the reaction that leads to asthma.
The UK is home to some 10.3 million cats and 10.5 million dogs. In 2007, 26 per cent of households owned cats and 31 per cent owned dogs, according to the Veterinary Record. We also own numerous other pets including fish, birds, horses, reptiles and other more exotic species. Furthermore, many people work with animals, in food production, science laboratories, zoos and pet shops. Not surprisingly, asthma and allergies triggered by animals are common.
Animals can shed particles of dead skin and hair (dander) or feathers that can cause severe allergies in sensitive people. So people who keep pigeons, budgerigars or other birds can become sensitive to feathers and develop 'pigeon fancier's lung'. Some people also become allergic to a particular animal's urine.
If you're allergic to an exotic, laboratory or farm animal, it's probably easy to limit your exposure and to avoid these particular asthma triggers. Avoiding allergens from domestic animals is more difficult, especially as few families want to rehome their loved pets. In any case, cat dander can cling to floors, soft furnishings and even the walls, so allergen levels can remain high more than nine months after the animal's removal. Furthermore, cats and dogs spread dander as they roam the house. Allergies caused by cats and dogs tend to worsen during the winter, when the house is less well ventilated and pets spend more time indoors. However, you can reduce your exposure.
Food allergies
Many parents believe that food allergies cause or contribute to their child's asthma and act as asthma triggers. However, 'true' food allergies (in other words, caused by IgE specific for a protein in food) are very rare. For example, around 13 per cent of adults complain that certain foods trigger symptoms, such as asthma or intestinal complaints. However, only between one in every 500 and 10,000 adults are truly allergic.
Nevertheless, even if IgE isn't responsible for your symptoms, you may be intolerant to preservatives or colours, for example. (We've already seen that some preservatives are chemically related to salicylates and may trigger symptoms in people with aspirin-sensitive asthma.) If you feel that food causes or exacerbates your symptoms, you should keep a diary and discuss undergoing a specific test for antibodies to suspected foods with your GP or asthma nurse. If this suggests that a food may contribute to your asthma, a dietician will help you exclude it from your diet to see if your symptoms improve. You may also undergo a 'provocation' test to see if reintroducing the food triggers symptoms.
But don't be tempted to exclude the food from your diet yourself (you could cut out some important nutrients). And don't be tempted by 'alternative' diagnostic tests for food sensitivity. Little, if any, scientific evidence supports their use.
Physicians, scientists, and laypeople have long believed that stress contributes to exacerbations of asthma. However, it has only been in the past two decades that convincing scientific evidence has accumulated to substantiate this hypothesis. For example, in an 18-month prospective study of children with asthma, the experience of an acute negative life event (e.g., death of a close family member) increased the risk of a subsequent asthma attack by nearly 2-fold (Sandberg et al., 2000). The impact of an acute negative event was accentuated when it occurred in the context of chronic stress. Children exposed to high levels of acute and chronic stress showed a 3-fold increase in risk for an attack in the two weeks that followed the acute event. Despite the recent empirical evidence linking stress with the clinical profile of asthma, much remains to be learned about the biological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.
In some people, emotional excitement or physical exertion during sex can trigger an asthma attack, so the tips on managing exercise-induced asthma may help. Using a bronchodilator before sex may help prevent you becoming breathless for the wrong reasons.
Occasionally, highly sensitive people with asthma suffer an attack if they kiss someone who has consumed a food or medicine (such as NSAIDs) that triggers their asthma exacerbations. Allergic people can be exquisitely sensitive, sometimes reacting several hours after their partner ingested the food or drug and even after they've brushed their teeth. Indeed, people may excrete certain triggers in their saliva as long as 16 to 24 hours after their body has absorbed the food or medicine. Furthermore, a few people are allergic to chemicals in spermicides, lubricants, latex (used in some condoms) or semen. Once again, keeping a diary and informing your partner of any drugs or foods that exacerbate your asthma may help reduce the risk of exacerbations and enable you to decide on what are your asthma triggers.
Diseases linked to asthma
Asthma is one of the most common diseases in the UK. So, not surprisingly, many people suffer from one or more ailments in addition to asthma. Many of these 'concurrent' diseases have no impact on asthma or its treatment. But in some cases the concurrent disease undermines asthma control:
- Some diseases – such as arthritis – may make using inhalers difficult. Changing the inhaler, using an aid or, in some cases, oral medications can overcome problems caused by poor mobility.
- As we've seen with NSAIDs and beta-blockers, some medicines used to treat the concurrent disease can exacerbate asthma. Fortunately, doctors can usually find an alternative.
- Some diseases directly increase the risk of developing asthma or suffering an exacerbation. The rest of this article looks at some common examples.
Hay fever
We tend to regard rhinitis – inflammation of the nose, such as in hay fever – and asthma as separate diseases. However, the respiratory tract is a continuous organ that begins in the nose and ends at the alveoli. In addition, in many people with both diseases, the same trigger (e.g. pollen) underlies allergic rhinitis and asthma. (We'll see a striking example of this when we look at the effect of weather on asthma.) Indeed, inflammation that begins in the nose can spread to the lungs (or vice versa), eventually spreading throughout the entire respiratory tract. So people with asthma often develop rhinitis and vice versa. For example, occupational rhinitis is up to three times more common than work-related asthma. However, Rachiotis and co-workers reported that between 76 and 92 per cent of people with occupational asthma also suffer from rhinitis.
On the other hand, this intimate relationship means that treating rhinitis can improve asthma – and vice versa. For example, steroid nasal sprays that alleviate rhinitis can reduce bronchial hyper-responsiveness. So if you also suffer from hay fever or perennial rhinitis (non-seasonal symptoms caused by, for example, animal allergens or house dust mites) you should ask your nurse or GP to help you optimize treatment of your nasal symptoms.
Chronic sinusitis and polyps
Sinuses are small cavities behind your cheekbones, eyes and forehead, and on either side of the bridge of your nose. These cavities open into your nasal airways and help control the temperature and water content of the air that enters your lungs. (As we've seen, cold, dry air can trigger asthma symptoms.)
Sinusitis occurs when the sinuses become inflamed and swollen, often during a common cold, influenza or another infection. Exposure to allergens or irritants – including air pollution, tobacco smoke and chemicals such as pesticides, disinfectants and household detergents – can also trigger or exacerbate sinusitis.
Usually, mucus produced by your sinuses drains into your nose through small channels. Infections and inflammation can block these channels and mucus fills the sinus, causing pain, tender areas on the face, a blocked or runny nose, and, in some cases, a fever. On average, sinusitis takes about two and a half weeks to resolve. Chronic sinusitis, which lasts more than 12 weeks, increases an adult's risk of developing asthma.
In some cases, for reasons that doctors don't fully understand, tissues lining the sinuses can swell and expand into the nose, forming a polyp (see pictures below). Some polyps seem to grow after an infection. In others, allergies may be responsible. In both cases, polyps hinder nasal breathing, impair smell and may increase the risk of asthma. For example, around a third of people with intrinsic asthma suffer from sinusitis and nasal polyps. And 39 per cent of people with aspirin-induced asthma have intrinsic asthma and nasal polyps. So you may want to discuss your options for treating chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps with your doctor.
Above: The location of the sinuses in the head
Above: Nasal polyps in sinuses
Above: The sinuses and polyps – side view
Most of us regard a bout of heartburn as the inevitable price for overindulging in spicy or fatty food, alcohol or caffeine, or as yet another consequence of smoking. Indeed, around a third of UK adults have endured the discomfort of heartburn at least once in the last six months. Around a quarter of adults experience heartburn at least monthly and 5 per cent suffer heartburn daily. Furthermore, between 10 and 20 per cent of adults experience GORD, one common cause of heartburn, on at least one day a week. However, people over 65 years of age seem to be especially likely to develop GORD. But don't underestimate this common problem.
Don't dismiss dyspepsia
Dyspepsia can arise from several causes, from overindulgence to potentially fatal cancers. So, if you start experiencing unexplained and persistent heartburn it's worth seeking your GP's advice, especially if you're aged 55 years or older, or experience other symptoms, such as unintentional weight loss, difficulty swallowing, vomiting or signs of anaemia. And GORD occasionally causes potentially serious complications, including:
- strictures (abnormal narrowing) in the food pipe (oesophagus) that cause swallowing difficulties;
- ulcers in the oesophagus (food pipe);
- a condition called Barrett's oesophagus, where damage to the food pipe results in potentially cancerous cells replacing healthy cells in the lower oesophagus.
Barrett's oesophagus is an influential risk factor for a type of cancer called oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). According to Cancer Research UK, between 0.5 and 2 per cent of adults in Western countries probably have Barrett's oesophagus. About 0.5 to 1 per cent of these develop OAC each year. While the absolute risk may be low, patients with Barrett's oesophagus remain 30 to 125 times more likely to develop OAC than the general population.
GORD (or GERD- US) occurs when the stomach's contents enter the oesophagus. Normally, a valve (sphincter) at the junction of the stomach and oesophagus prevents this 'reflux'. However, certain meals, changes in posture (especially lying down), certain medications (including some drugs used to treat asthma – see page 43) and stress may weaken the sphincter, allowing reflux. As almost everyone suffers indigestion occasionally, gastroenterologists usually diagnose GORD only if patients suffer heartburn on at least one day each week.
Heartburn, GORD's main manifestation, arises as the stomach's contents burn the oesophagus. However, other symptoms include:
- regurgitation of food or acid;
- waterbrash – regurgitation of watery sour or tasteless acid;
- a sudden gush of saliva;
- chest pain;
- cough;
- hoarseness or sore throat;
- bloating, belching, nausea.
See: Acid Reflux Disease for detailed information
Apart from causing some symptoms reminiscent of asthma (such as cough), people with GORD may regurgitate small amounts of stomach acid into their mouths, from where it can seep into their tracheas and lungs. Reflux is especially likely when you lie flat – gravity no longer helps prevent regurgitation. So GORD patients with asthma are especially likely to experience night-time wheezing, breathlessness and cough, and to produce phlegm in the morning. Indeed, Calhoun noted that 9 per cent of GORD patients had asthma, more than twice the number in subjects without GORD (4 per cent). GORD may also exacerbate the variation in lung function and the airway obstruction in people with asthma.
Certain people find that treating GORD relieves some symptoms of their asthma (particularly a bothersome cough). A review of trials by Gibson and colleagues that examined the link between asthma and GORD reported that omeprazole (a drug that reduces acid production by the stomach) improved FEV1 (a measure of lung function – see Chapter 5) by 20 per cent in four of 14 people with asthma. Overall, the average improvement was 10 per cent. Studies using other anti-reflux drugs failed to find any improvement in lung function. However, asthma symptoms – such as limitation of activity, shortness of breath and wheezing – can improve without objective improvements in lung function. So it's certainly worth treating dyspepsia.
You can buy omeprazole and some other GORD treatments over the counter from pharmacists. Doctors can prescribe higher doses of these drugs and offer a wider choice of treatments for GORD. So, if you feel that GORD is making your symptoms worse, talk to your pharmacist or doctor. (But always let them know you have asthma.) You can also make some lifestyle changes that may alleviate GORD:
- Obesity, smoking, alcohol, coffee and chocolate may transiently relax the sphincter. Fatty foods may slow the rate at which the stomach empties. Both of these changes can contribute to GORD. That's yet another good reason to lose weight, quit smoking and eat a healthy diet.
- As lying flat often makes matters worse, some people find that raising the head of the bed alleviates GORD. (You could try propping the head of your bed up on bricks.)
- You should also avoid eating close to your bedtime. Food stimulates your stomach to produce acid.
Asthma drugs and GORD
Certain treatments for asthma can exacerbate GORD. For example, beta-agonists, anticholinergics and theophylline alleviate asthma symptoms by relaxing the ring of muscle surrounding the airways. But the same mechanism means that they can also relax the sphincter in the lower oesophagus, allowing reflux and triggering GORD. If lifestyle measures don't help, talk to your GP.
Steroid tablets can cause indigestion and ulcers. Some ulcers burn through the wall of the gut or stomach, causing bleeding or even allowing the contents of the gastrointestinal tract to enter the abdomen. However, relatively few people develop these serious side effects. Conn and Poynard reported that three people in 1,000 (0.3 per cent) developed a peptic ulcer (one that hasn't burnt all the way through the wall) while taking an inactive placebo. Oral corticosteroids increased the proportion to 0.4 per cent. In other words, one extra person taking oral steroids developed peptic ulcers for every 1,000 treated. So, if you develop heartburn while taking oral steroids, see your doctor or asthma nurse.
Indoor and outdoor pollution
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that outdoor and indoor pollution causes approximately two million premature deaths worldwide per year. Pollution from traffic and factories probably doesn't cause asthma. However, pollution can trigger asthma exacerbations, partly by enhancing the effect of allergens.
While most people think of pollution as the toxic cocktail belching from cars, lorries and factories, we're also exposed to pollution inside our homes, such as smoke from tobacco and (if you use them) coal or wood for heating and cooking. Indoor pollution can also contribute to poor asthma control. After all, we spend at least 75 per cent of our time indoors.
Tobacco smoke is probably the most important indoor pollutant for people with asthma. You don't even need to be a tobacco addict to suffer. Passive smoking accounts for around one in every 100 deaths worldwide, according to The Lancet. Indeed, passive smoking in the home kills around 11,000 people every year in the UK alone, through lung cancer, stroke and heart disease. Passive smoking can also trigger bronchoconstriction and exacerbate asthma. Second-hand smoke caused 36,900 deaths worldwide from asthma during 2004, The Lancet reported. Active smoking, of course, poses an even greater hazard:
- People with asthma who smoke regularly tend to endure more severe symptoms, have a worse quality of life, make more trips to A&E departments and are more likely to need hospitalization than asthmatics who do not smoke.
- Smoking accelerates the decline in lung function compared with people with asthma who do not smoke. Indeed, FEV1 (a measure of lung function) can decline more rapidly in non-allergic cigarette smokers than among people with allergic asthma. On the other hand, quitting smoking can reduce the age-related decline in FEV1 to that typical among lifelong non-smokers.
- Smokers are more susceptible than non-smokers to infections with rhinoviruses – a group of around 100 viruses that frequently cause common colds – partly because chemicals in tobacco seem to suppress the immune system. So the virus replicates more readily in smoke-damaged than in healthy cells in the lungs. The smoke-damaged cells are more likely to die during the infection. • Smoking tobacco or marijuana can cause symptoms similar to asthma, which can complicate diagnosis.
Smoking in pregnancy
Mums-to-be who smoke are more likely than those who don't to experience problems during pregnancy, including miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, low birth weight babies and sudden infant death syndrome. Indeed, smoking during pregnancy increases infant mortality by around 40 per cent. Furthermore, children exposed to tobacco smoke while in the womb are more likely to experience serious respiratory infections (e.g. bronchitis and pneumonia), Otitis media (glue ear) and other ear, nose and throat ailments, psychological and behaviour problems and asthma as they grow up.
So the sooner you quit smoking, the better for you and your baby. The intense medical and social pressure against tobacco use in pregnancy makes some women reluctant to admit they smoke. However, for the sake of your baby and yourself, you need help. Your midwife or doctor should be able to offer you advice and support to quit. You could also call the NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline number: 0800 169 9 169.
Outdoor pollution
During the London smog in the winter of 1952, a mixture of fog, smoke and chemical fumes hung so thickly in the air that people could barely see a few yards in front of their faces. The smog claimed at least 3,000 to 4,000 lives in addition to those normally expected at that time of the year. Depending on how many people died because of the smog in the early months of 1953, the pollution could have killed as many as 12,000 people, Bell and colleagues estimate. The public outcry led to the 1956 Clean Air Act.
Air quality in the UK has improved over the last 60 years – at the same time as the number of people with asthma has risen. So, rather than causing asthma, air pollution tends to exacerbating existing respiratory diseases. For example, people living in towns and cities seem to be more likely to develop asthma due to pollen than those in the country. In part, townies are at increased risk because pollution exacerbates pollen's ability to trigger an immune reaction.
Pollution is a complex cocktail of chemicals, which complicates analysis of the biological effects. Nevertheless, we know that many pollutants, alone or in combination, potentially exacerbate asthma. For example:
- Nitrogen dioxide – a gas produced by cars, gas cookers or heating and power stations – irritates the lining of the lungs and nose.
- Sulphur dioxide – produced by power stations, diesel engines and coal fires – caused most of the respiratory problems during the 1952 smog. Sulphur dioxide can trigger bronchoconstriction.
- Ozone forms when sunlight reacts with nitrogen dioxide and some other pollutants. High ozone levels can cause breathing problems, trigger asthma and reduce lung function.
Many weather forecasts now predict the level of air pollution. When air pollution is high, people with asthma could experience discomfort or symptoms, so they should spend less time outdoors. It's also a good idea to avoid exercising in front of an open window. Pollution levels are also much higher in other parts of the world than in the UK; it might be worth checking the air quality of any city you plan to visit before you decide whether to book your tickets.
Indoor pollution
With cars and lorries belching out toxic fumes, it's easy to forget the risks posed by indoor air pollution. But most of us spend far more time indoors than outside, so our cumulative exposure to indoor pollution is greater. Again, several sources of indoor pollution can exacerbate asthma:
- Levels of nitrogen dioxide produced by gas cookers and kerosene heaters inside the house can be higher than those produced outside by cars and power stations.
- Open fires and paraffin stoves can produce high levels of sulphur dioxide and particulate pollutants.
- Particulate matter released during cooking and by aerosols can reduce lung function and increase the risk of heart and lung diseases. Stir-frying, for example, creates a high concentration of particulate matter, including superheated oil particles.
- Numerous sources – including some DIY products, cleaning products, air fresheners, paints and electrical goods – release natural and synthetic volatile organic compounds (such as formaldehyde). These may irritate the respiratory tract and possibly exacerbate asthma. Volatile organic compounds also react with ozone (produced indoors by some printers). The reaction generates other compounds that potentially undermine lung function.
On 6 and 7 July 1983, doctors in Birmingham treated 26 emergency cases of asthma over 36 hours, compared to the expected two or three a day. On 24 June 1994, A&E departments across London and southwest England managed 640 people with asthma and other respiratory diseases over 30 hours, almost ten times the expected number. On both occasions, D'Amato and colleagues comment, heavy thunderstorms swept the areas.
Since then, doctors as far away as Italy and Australia have reported a surge in the number of asthma cases during thunderstorms. D'Amato and colleagues suggest that thunderstorms concentrate pollen at ground level. The atmospheric conditions then cause the pollen to burst, producing aerosols of highly allergenic particles that – because of their small size – penetrate deep into the lower airways. In sensitive people, the high concentration of allergen triggers asthma. Indeed, people with allergic rhinitis caused by pollen ('hay fever') who do not normally experience respiratory symptoms can suffer full-blown asthma attacks during some thunderstorms. (Remember that, in effect, the respiratory tract is a single organ running from the nose to the alveoli.)
Thunderstorm-asthma seems to be rare. But the weather can affect the risk of suffering asthma and other allergies in other ways.
- We've already seen that cold air commonly triggers asthma.
- Ozone levels rise on sunny days, and this, as we've seen, can trigger asthma.
- Certain weather patterns increase pollen release. Most flowers release pollen in the early morning, often triggered by changes in humidity. On the other hand, rain can remove pollen from the air.
So, if you think a particular weather pattern exacerbates your symptoms, try to limit your exposure at these times.
Finally, climate change may alter the long-term profile of allergens. For instance, American researchers have noted a rise in levels of ragweed pollen, fungal spores and poison ivy in recent years, which they attribute to rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The rise in carbon dioxide levels feeds the plant, which may prompt increased pollen production. The increased plant activity also offers fungi living on the leaves the opportunity to reproduce more rapidly and increase spore production.
Inside the house, climate change can increase humidity, which may encourage the proliferation of dust mite and mould. High temperature and humidity also speeds the decomposition of food, which is a feast for certain insects, some of which can trigger asthma in sensitive people. Cockroaches, for example, are a particularly common asthma trigger in the USA and some parts of Europe. (So avoid piles of papers and keep food in airtight containers to help control cockroaches.)
Poor adherence
The most effective drug is useless unless you take it correctly. That sounds obvious. Yet Clatworthy and colleagues found that, in the UK, a third of adults with asthma admitted poor adherence with their treatment. (The terms 'poor compliance' or 'poor concordance' also describe patients who don't take their medicines as agreed with their doctor or nurse.) In another study, Bozek and Jarzab found that only between 9 and 21 per cent of patients aged 65 to 102 years with chronic asthma adhered well to their therapy.
There are a variety of reasons people with asthma may not adhere to medicines that could save their life. Some may deny that they are ill, disbelieve the diagnosis, have low expectations of treatment, suffer from psychiatric problems or fail to appreciate the risks associated with poor compliance. Others may comply poorly because they are worried about side effects or because treatment disrupts their lifestyle unacceptably. If this sounds like you, have an open and honest discussion about your concerns with your GP or asthma nurse.
Some people also take excessive amounts of their drugs – perhaps overdosing on steroid or bronchodilator – usually through fear that they'll suffer a serious attack. Again, a full and frank discussion with your doctor or nurse should help you place the risks in perspective. In such cases, a self-management plan will often help to put you back in control and allow you to increase the dose of medication when your symptoms or peak flow worsen.
Often, however, poor adherence is unintentional. People may misunderstand treatment instructions, become confused over their medicines – especially if they suffer from other diseases and need to take several drugs – or simply forget. In these cases, adherence aids (such as a box that allows you to organize your tablets day by day) could help, as could simplifying your treatment and asking your doctor to check that you really need all the drugs. You could try keeping your steroid by your bedside if you need to take your anti-inflammatory twice a day. (Obviously, keep all medicines out of the reach of children.) The more drugs you need, the more the chance of poor compliance rises and these aids can help you remember to take your treatment on time.
People with physical disabilities may experience difficulties opening packaging or swallowing medication. Pharmacists may be able to suggest alternative packaging or dosing forms that overcome these limitations, such as avoiding 'child-resistant' pill bottles or using liquid formulations. If you can't use the inhaler correctly, changing the inhaler or using an aid may help.
Finally, other family members and caregivers should understand the cause of and triggers for asthma, as well as the need for effective treatment, especially, for example, if the person is elderly or tends to forget his or her medication. Unintentional poor adherence may become increasingly common with advancing age or in those suffering diseases, such as dementia, that compromise their mental abilities. In such cases, involving family members and other caregivers promotes adherence.
Pregnancy and asthma
The British Guideline for Asthma Management (which we'll discuss further in Chapter 6; see Useful addresses) notes that poorly controlled asthma increases the risk of numerous complications for the baby and the mother, including:
- hyperemesis (sickness, especially in the morning);
- pre-eclampsia (dangerously raised blood pressure – hypertension – during pregnancy);
- vaginal haemorrhage;
- complications during labour;
- foetal growth restriction (poor growth of the developing baby) – in one study, suffering asthma symptoms daily increased the risk of poor foetal growth by 125 per cent;
- low birth weight – one study found that suffering asthma exacerbations during pregnancy increased the risk of low birth weight by 154 per cent;
- premature birth;
- increased risk of death immediately before and just after birth (the perinatal period);
- neonatal hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the baby), which can cause cerebral palsy, blindness and epilepsy as well as impairing mental and psychomotor development.
This is a worrying list. But it's important to remember that most women with asthma have normal pregnancies and, provided their symptoms are well controlled, the risk of complications is small, the British Guideline on Asthma Management notes. Indeed, asthma often improves during pregnancy.
Obviously, the mother's body undergoes numerous, often profound, changes during pregnancy, some of which could worsen or improve asthma. One study found that asthma worsened during pregnancy in 35 per cent of women. Another study found that asthma improved and deteriorated in 23 and 30 per cent respectively. So, broadly, asthma improves in one-third of women during pregnancy; a third of mums-to-be finds that their asthma symptoms worsen; and symptoms don't change in the final third of expectant mothers.
Severe asthma is more likely to worsen during pregnancy than mild asthma. Nevertheless, symptoms may improve during pregnancy in some women with serious symptoms and deteriorate in some with mild asthma. Asthma is also most likely to worsen during the second and third trimesters, with the risk reaching a peak during the sixth month. The risk of suffering an exacerbation appears to be lowest during the last month of pregnancy. But changes can emerge almost any time during the nine months.
Short-acting bronchodilators (relievers) control most exacerbations during pregnancy. Nevertheless, 11 to 18 per cent of expectant mothers with asthma will suffer at least one exacerbation during their pregnancy that needs treatment in an A&E department. Of these, 62 per cent will require hospitalization. This unpredictability and the risks to you and your baby mean that it is especially important to monitor your peak flow and symptoms during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding and asthma
Breast-feeding may lower a child's risk of suffering from asthma, partly by reducing exposure to food allergens in early infancy. Indeed, breast-feeding seems to reduce the risk that infants will develop asthma, regardless of whether one or both parents suffered from allergies. Nevertheless, breast-feeding's protective effect is most marked in high-risk infants (for example, because their parents suffered from severe allergies). However, mothers need to breast-feed the baby for at least four months to gain the maximum protection.
Menstrual cycles and asthma
Many women find that their asthma symptoms worsen just before their period. Estimates vary from study to study, depending partly on the definitions used. Some researchers suggest that up to 40 per cent of women experience premenopausal asthma. Murphy and Gibson found that 57 per cent of women showed premenstrual increases in symptoms and asthma medication use. However, only 25 per cent experienced premenstrual exacerbations in each of the cycles studied. Dratva and co-researchers found that women were 2.3 times more likely to show increased bronchial hyper-reactivity in the three days before and the same time after the first day of menstruation, compared to other times in their cycle. So premenstrual asthma is certainly common.
As you might expect, changes in hormone levels underlie these premenopausal exacerbations, which do not seem to depend on whether or not the woman suffers from allergic or intrinsic asthma, and there is no clear link with symptom severity. Levels of the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle seem to increase bronchial reactivity, partly by altering the activity of beta2-receptors (responsible for controlling airway calibre) and possibly by increasing levels of leukotrienes, an inflammatory mediator. Oestrogen may also reduce the body's production of natural anti-inflammatory chemicals.
Asthmatic worsening before the period appears to be associated with other aspects of the premenstrual syndrome. Pereira-Vega and colleagues found that 45 per cent of women reported a premenstrual worsening of respiratory symptoms, peak flow or both. These women were also more likely to report premenstrual dysphoria (feelings such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, irritability and mood swings) and sensations of swelling or tension in their abdomen, breasts and elsewhere. This supports the idea that hormonal changes cause premenstrual exacerbations.
Inhaled steroids may be less effective against perimenstrual asthma worsenings (those around the period) than in other exacerbations. As rising leukotriene levels may contribute to premenstrual asthma, Dean argues that adding a drug that specifically blocks these mediators – a leukotriene receptor antagonist – might be a better treatment choice than increasing the steroid dose. Some (but not all) studies suggest that oral contraceptives lessen the increase in bronchial hyper-reactivity around the time of your period and protect against premenstrual asthma. You could try keeping a diary recording your periods and peak flow as well as asthmatic and perimenstrual symptoms. If this reveals a worsening around the time of your period, discuss your treatment choices with your doctor or asthma nurse.
Asthma and the menopause
Some women develop asthma for the first time after their menopause, especially if they are overweight. And the risk of developing asthma in postmenopausal women rises the more pounds they pile on. Furthermore, some forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may trigger asthma. (This isn't surprising – we've already seen that hormonal changes probably underlie menstrual asthma.) For example, Romieu and colleagues found that using HRT containing oestrogen alone or oestrogen plus progestin (a synthetic progestogen) doubled the risk of developing asthma. However, another study found that only those who used HRT containing oestrogen alone were at increased risk (a 54 per cent rise), particularly if they had never smoked (80 per cent rise) or suffered allergic disease before asthma's onset (86 per cent increase).
The differences between the studies suggest that HRT's effects on asthma vary in different subgroups of women. If you feel that you need HRT, for example to treat hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal symptoms and cystitis, you may want to discuss the potential impact on your asthma with your GP. In some cases, there may be alternative ways to manage your symptoms.
To top of article about common asthma triggers


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welome! what stain will you be using and what do its specs say regarding ambiant temperature when applying?
In my opinion the priority is to get your logs borated before snow fall. if you have time...
Type: Posts; User: panderson03
welome! what stain will you be using and what do its specs say regarding ambiant temperature when applying?
In my opinion the priority is to get your logs borated before snow fall. if you have time...
i love to hear about your adventures, Momspond!
welcome, Chris. fascinating story! send pics. that will help us help you. glad you're here
Hi there, Chall. welcome!
Pictures would help us understand exactly what we're taking about here.
Welcome, Momspond. glad you're here!
Cindy, we have 9 370-watt solar panels to go with our 4 SOK batteries above (200AH). our system is more than what we need. we use as little electricity as possible. we don't have AC (we have a whole...
we got these (though not from this company). LOVE THEM!...
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
lots to be thankful for this year
we have a member named MrJack who i believe will be milling flat the interior part of the log and keeping other sides round
Thanks, Rod. i appreciate it
thanks Bo. i love your idea. we are going to end up adjusting 3x per year and we're OK with that! i appreciate everyone's input.
Happy Autumn!!
thanks LogHouseNut. we'll look into passive with freon! wondering if anyone has a DIY process. my mind goes back to the old lawn 'lounge' chairs whose backs could be lowered to almost recline....
we're putting up our first solar array with 16 solar panels (4 sets of 4 panels) and are wondering anyone here has done the same.
if so, what did you use to track the angle of the sun as the...
hi there. We're building in Minnesota. we find we needed at least a half acre of last in order to work with the logs. there are many wonderful websites to assist with finding properties
got it. i think i would enjoy either (or both)
good man to have around, Rod. glad you're here
great pics, Mr Nut, but which is which!?
Happy Independence Day! We're so very grateful for the independence the LHBA way of life has shown us.
what color is the stuff that's dripping? our DF rafters have been underroof for several years and we still have sap dripping down from a few of them
welcome Bosebuck. looking forward to following your land hunt!
is this them, Cindy? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesiidae
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. i hope you're warm, safe, and well
On this Independence Day, i celebrate and am immensely grateful for my independence and those who sacrificed for my independence. a heartfelt 'thank you!' to all who fought for and continue to fight...
oh my! what do you think did that?
Since our build is in northern Minnesota, some might say we don't have the right to talk about how LHBA homes fair in hot weather.
But it's 93 F in the shade here today and due to some passive...

subset: commoncrawl


text: The short time-lapse displays a certain "ease" in which a fingerprinting session may occur. Our service however involves global criminal background screenings. VKSS is exceptional towards knowledge, skills, profoundness and a never failing reliability. "The ease" as displayed in the time-lapse is achieved within a combination of knowhow and a friendly approach. See out 8 seconds of impression in the link below:


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BABBCO's team offers users advice on choosing the right dye penetrant and magnetic particle inspection products and equipment, and provides a range of related services. We support the Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) requirements of our customers.
We have a team of professionals at your service:
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Laurent Baillard – HR / Finance Manager


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Unit installation
1 installation instructions
(1) the water inlet of the water pump must be in dynamic water level 1 meters, but the diving depth shall not exceed the hydrostatic level to 70 metres, at least 1 meters away from the lower end of the motor shaft. (2) less than the rated power of more than or equal to 15kw (power supply allows 25kW) motor with full voltage start.
(3) the rated power is greater than 15kw, and the motor is started with a buck.
(4) the use of the environment must meet the requirements.
2 preparation before installation
(1) firstly, the diameter of the water well, the depth of water and whether the power supply system is in accordance with the conditions of use.
(2) check the pump rotation is flexible, there should be no card dead, charging motor and electric pump coupling application, pay attention to tighten the screw.
(3) open the exhaust and water plug, into the motor cavity filled with water, avoid false full, good plug. There should be no leakage phenomenon.
(4) insulation with 500 volt megger motor, should not be less than 150 euro trillion.
(5) should be equipped with the corresponding lifting tools, such as the three foot chain, etc..
(6) install protection switch and boot device, start the motor instantaneous (less than one second), to see whether the motor turning and turning the same sign, if on the contrary, to change the power of any two connection, then a good supporting frame and secure network, ready to go down. In the connection of motor and pump steering, must be poured into the water from the pump outlet, the water from the water will start flowing section.
3 installation
(1) first install the pump section in the pump outlet, and a splint to lift that falls into a well, is located in the Jingtai splint.
(2) to clamp the other section of the water delivery pipe with a pair of splint. Then lift down pipe flange and the rubber pad is screwed to the diagonal at the same time. The chain rose removal of the first splint, the splint and the pump down well. In repeated installation, well, until all the Bahrain, put on the cover, the last splint without disassembly and put it in the manhole cover.
(3) installation pipe, valve, outlet, and add the corresponding sealing pad.
(4) the cable should be fixed on the water pipe on the flange groove, each with rope fixed, when drilling to be careful, shall not damage the cable.
(5) under the pump in the process, if there is stuck, the idea to overcome the card point, can not be forced to pump, so as not to die.
(6) when the installation is strictly prohibited under the operation of personnel.
(7) protection switch and start equipment should be installed in the distribution of users after the distributor, voltmeter, ammeter, lights, and placed in the appropriate position in the well house.
(8) the "force protection measures to the tube bundle" from the motor base with wire, to prevent accidents.


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Tour Itinerary
Saigon – Dalat Golf Tournament
Day 1. Arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
On arrival at the airport, meet our guide and transfer to Saigon downtown. Relax and take short city tour in the former War Remnant Museum, Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, a lacquer ware factory and Ben Thanh central market. Overnight in Saigon
Day 2. Golf at Vietnam Golf & Country Club (B)
Pick up and transfer to Vietnam Golf & Country Club, just 20km away, you will enter the International Golf Course with professional services. Spend the whole day playing 18 hole golf round. Late afternoon return to your hotel for refreshing
Day 3. Golfing at Song Be Golf Resort/Long Thanh Golf Club (B)
Today, drive 30km away from the Saigon city, you will challenge yourself another 18 hole golf round at Long Thanh Golf Club or Song Be Golf resort.
Day 4. Saigon – Dalat (B)
Your leisure time until transferring to airport for flight to Dalat. Pick up in Dalat and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Dalat.
Day 5, 6. Golfing at Dalat Palace Golf Club (B)
You will spend this 2 days playing golf in Dalat Palace Golf Club.
Day 7. Dalat – Saigon – Departure (B)
Time for exploring some highlights of Dalat city such as Bao Dai villa, Ho Xuan Huong Lake, Camly waterfall..
Transfer to the airport for flight back to Saigon in connecting your departure flight home.
Tour price
Saigon – Da Lat Golf tour in private:
|No of travelers
|2 pax
|3-5 pax
|6-8 pax
|9 pax up
|3 star hotel
|4 star hotel
|5 star hotel
Not fit your requirement? Feel free to contact us to plan this trip and get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.
Tour inclusive
- Transportation by private a/c vehicle as per program
- Hotel accommodation in twin sharing room with daily breakfast
- Domestic airfare Saigon – Dalat and Dalat – Saigon
- English speaking tour guide
- 4 Golf rounds of 18 holes (Green fee, Caddies fee, 1 caddy per golfer at each golf course)
- Sightseeing excursions including all admission fees.
- Meals as indicated (B: breakfast, L: lunch, D: dinner) at restaurant
- Mineral water
Tour exclusive
- Buggy rental, Shoe rental, other rental fee
- Meals, beverages, gratuities and personal expenses.
- Travel insurance
Request a quote
Just fill in this below form to send your request for a quotation or customization, your booking is confirmed only when we make final deal via email.


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Helping you DESIGN the Life of Your Dreams DeAnnaRadaj...Helping You Design the Life of Your Dreams From the Outside In
This wonderful service offered by Gretchen Powers will help you create beautiful gifts (DVDs, mugs, posters, cards...) or simply help you organize your "photo clutter" in a more manageable way (scan, flash drive, CDs).
AK Personal Photo Organizer for porfolio, services & even fun-raising! And don't let the ALASKA location fool ya...Gretchen can help you out even if you're in the lower 48 or beyond!
(For full disclosure, Gretchen is a client of Bante Design LLC & has become a friend as well. I'm proud to introduce her & her company to all of you! Gretchen is a caring individual, who is committed to helping you organize your cherished family memories).
Leave a Reply.
February 2016


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Designed by prominent Trousdale Estates architect Robert Skinner, this 1968 Beverly Crest residence features high, pitched ceilings and clerestory windows dotting the space, adding lots of light throughout the nearly 3,500-square-foot house.
From the street, the house has privacy thanks to a walled entryway and some foliage-covered gates. Parts of the three-bedroom house look a bit like a time capsule, with many features (wood-paneled walls, a stone fireplace) that appear date to the house's early days.
As an added bonus, the house holds a second entrance that leads to a large living space with its own bathroom—a great home office or studio.
According to public records, the home last sold in 1976, for $175,000. It's now listed for $2.695 million.
- 9563 Gloaming Drive [Deborah Glusker / Crosby Doe Associates]


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Everly Earrings
The Everly earrings are designed to be playful, bold, and dynamic. Made with lightweight polymer clay, you can stand out with this statement style without them weighing you down. Inspired by the trigrams and the symbolic nature of the South Korean flag, the Everly design represents the different seasons and virtues, including humanity, righteousness, intelligence, and courtesy.
Product Details:
- 3" long
- 1.25" wide
- Stainless steel earring posts and backs
- Handmade in Fort Collins, CO
- Polymer clay jewelry is handmade and may vary slightly from photos
- Note: the cinnamon red is a little darker in photos - please reach out if you would like a raw photo
- Photography for 1, 4-11: Jackie Nunnally
- Model for 1, 4-10: Katey Homer
- Model for 11: Keileigh O'Haver


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- › Русский
- › Українська
- › Main
Vehicle insurance
In case of unforeseen expenses related to emergency maintenance, constructive loss or theft of the vehicle, financial protection of your company will be ensured by Allianz Ukraine insurance.
- Land transport insurance
- Marine insurance
- Aviation insurance
- Railway transport insurance
Take advantage of the benefits of purchasing insurance from Allianz:
- Financial strength and reliability are confirmed by the company's insurance reserves, reinsurance coverage, unique experience and professional skills of the staff.
- Railway and land transport obligatory reinsurance agreements capacity signed with Allianz SE, one of the leaders of international reinsurance market, is UAH 100 mn, and UAH 4.0 mn respectively.
- Allianz has the following financial ratings: Standard and Poor's rating of АА, Moody's rating of Аа3 and A.M.Best's rating of A+.
- Quick negotiation and conclusion of insurance agreements.
- Assistance in assessing risk level and choosing insurance plans to meet individual needs of every customer to the greatest possible extent.
- Flexible rate and discount system based on customer's type of business and other factors that are essential for measuring the degree of risk.


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Four Reasons Your Will May Be Contested in Court
Having an updated last will and testament is more important than ever, especially now. A poorly drafted will or one that has not been updated frequently can be vulnerable to a will contest. What Is a Will Contest? A will contest is a form of estate litigation where the validity of the will is challenged. Read More
The Real Cost of a DIY Plan
I have a lot of respect for Dave Ramsey, so I was surprised to see him endorsing Mama Bear, an online form will and trust document preparation service. These services do not provide legal advice. They state in the small print you consent to, repeatedly, that: "The information contained in the Site is general legal information and Read More
Attention Gen-X and Millennials: estate planning is not just for "old" people. Even Young Adults Should Start Estate Planning.
Don't think you need to worry about your estate plan because you're "too young"? Too busy to worry about it because you're getting ready for college or just starting your career? Without proper planning, your parents won't be able to see your medical records if you're in an accident and won't be able to participate Read More
PRIDE month is coming to a close, but here at Longa Law we are committed to providing LGBTQ estate planning every day. Unfortunately, while recent advancements in equality have expanded protections in some areas, complete legal equality is not guaranteed for all in our society. We help LGBTQ community members ensure that their wishes are Read More
Longa Law is implementing new protocols to minimize face-to-face contact to complete traditional signing ceremonies for Wills and Trusts with witnesses and a notary in the safest manner possible. While we cannot offer you a signing ceremony that is completely online or remote today, we expect that to be a reality by this summer. Florida's Read More
SECURE Act New IRA Rules: Change Your Estate Plan – Forbes
It's time to update your will or trust, if your estate includes IRAs and certain retirement benefits! The new SECURE Act and its IRA rule changes may make your current will or trust designations invalid or obsolete. This article from Forbes sheds some light on the new law: https://www.forbes.com/sites/martinshenkman/2019/12/25/secure-act-new-ira-rules-change-your-estate-plan/
FACE YOUR FEARS: Check Create Estate Plan Off of Your Year-End To-Do List
Last Friday, I helped one of my good friends complete her and her husband's estate plan, and they finally signed the finished documents on a beautiful afternoon at her condo on the ocean. The process was difficult for her. Not because she had much to do; I did the hard work for her. But she Read More
¿Realmente Necesita un Abogado para Escribir un Testamento?
Puede elegir de muchos servicios en línea o "kits" de formularios de Testamento o Fideicomiso (fondo fiduciario) que son mucho menos costosos que un abogado. Entonces, ¿vale la pena pagarle a un abogado para escribir su testamento? Bueno, un abogado puede ser menos costoso al final. ¿Te quitas los dientes tu mismo o visitas a Read More
Online DIY Wills & Trusts: Do you need an attorney to write a Will or Trust?
You can choose from many "do-it-yourself" Last Will and Testament or Trust form kits or online services that are far less expensive than an attorney. So, is it worth the money to pay an attorney to write your will for you? Well, an attorney may be less expensive in the end. Do you remove your Read More
Personal Representative v. Power of Attorney
One of the most common questions I get when I deliver presentations is: What is the difference between a personal representative and a power of attorney? A personal representative is the person appointed by the Judge who has the legal duty to administer the probate estate of the deceased person. If the deceased person (decedent) Read More


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We Have A Great Deal On Suave Professionals Shampoo And Conditioner
At CVS Starting Sunday! Suave Professionals Shampoo And Conditioner
2 For $6.00 Buy 3 Get $3 ECB
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Photo: Amanda Bowen
Editor's note: With the preseason beginning this week, RMNB will spend some time framing the questions about the upcoming season that are on our mind.
In 2014, it took Brian MacLellan just one day to dramatically upgrade the Washington defense, which was his first priority upon taking the job of general manager. In the space of a single afternoon, Mac signed Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen, immediately improving a troubled blue line.
In 2015, he did the same for the offense, except this time it took him two full days. In consecutive days at the beginning of July, the Capitals signed Justin Williams and TJ Oshie, two marquee threats from across the league.
I don't like calling it the "new-look" Capitals offense, but if you want to, I'd totally understand.
The importance of the addition of Oshie and Williams should not be understated. If you ranked 2014-15's forwards with at least 500 minutes by their shot output, the Caps held the number-one spot (you know who) out of 359 players, and then no one for the next 146 slots (Fehr was 127, but he's gone now, single tear). Outgoing forwards Joel Ward and Troy Brouwer ranked in the mid-200s. Williams and Oshie are in the low and high 100s respectively. That's an improvement.
However you want to arrange it, Washington now has the ingredients for two dangerous scoring lines. Whoever inherits the right-wing slot next to Backstrom and Ovechkin, presumably Oshie, could score 20 goals. Oshie, if he's motivated to shoot and Backstrom's healthy– could go above 30.
The second line is less certain: Marcus Johansson's discipline and understated talents, Justin Williams' experience, Kuznetsov's dazzle, and Burakovsky's pluripotency could be combined in any of a dozen ways. If I made the call, Burakovsky would center Johansson and Williams while Kuznetsov continues to calibrate his game in the bottom six (or fills in at 1C while Backstrom rehabs).
Experimentation and injuries will cause shake-ups, but I think it's safe to say that the Capitals are better equipped to score than at any time since we were still calling them the Young Guns, which was a silly nickname from a bad movie anyway.
It's not all good news though. Either Burakovsky or Kuznetsov is likely to get slighted at least once during the season, and poor Tom Wilson seems to be the odd-man out altogether– putting him at risk of becoming a career goon if he doesn't get regular scoring opportunities.
When the lines get announced in the afternoons before games this season, I bet the top six will be where most of our anguish will be targeted, but I'm more excited for Caps offense than at any time since Bruce Boudreau was drafting up the lines.
Basically: scoar moar goals, again.
Russian Machine Never Breaks is not associated with the Washington Capitals; Monumental Sports, the NHL, or its properties. Not even a little bit.
All original content on russianmachineneverbreaks.com is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)– unless otherwise stated or superseded by another license. You are free to share, copy, and remix this content so long as it is attributed, done for noncommercial purposes, and done so under a license similar to this one.


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PROGRESS 2020: Landscape of learning evolving
Stacy Dawes has made the transition from English teacher to "superteacher" during her 14 years at Thomas R. Proctor High School in Utica.
When Dawes started, she would teach one lesson to each class, even if students were all reading at completely different grade levels. Now, technology — including touch-screen Chromebooks for every student in her classroom — lets her deliver as many individualized lessons as needed to meet the needs of her students, she said.
"Technology has really changed the way that my students can access information," Dawes said. "It has changed the way that they interact with each other, with the teachers, with the world. When it's used appropriately, the technology has really allowed us to streamline what I call workflow. It's provided resources and materials for kids so they can access things at their own pace, so it's individual and personalized."
When she started in 2006, Dawes was lucky to have a TV, VCR and overhead projector in her classroom, she said. "And at the end of the day, I'd go home inevitably with markers licked off my fingers," she recalled.
Even 10 years ago, most classrooms just had overhead projectors and Smart Boards, said Scott Morris, director of information and technology for the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES. But over the past decade, there's been a dramatic shift from a paper-based curriculum to an electronic curriculum and to use of Cloud-based services, such as Google apps for education, he said.
Most classrooms now have Chromebooks as devices have gotten cheaper and now Smart Boards are giving way to LCD TVs with built-in computers, he said.
The technology has led to some big shifts in the way classrooms operate and the way children learn, Morris said. One change has been the flipped classroom model. Students used to learn from their teacher and then do homework, but now students are assigned instruction as homework and then spend the next day going over it, he said.
Then there's personalized learning, which lets students choose how they learn, he said. A student might be given, for example, three or four options for how to solve an assignment, maybe through a creative video, a two-page essay or an oral presentation, Morris said.
And then there's differentiated instruction. After personalized learning, students take an assessment and then, thanks to instant data assessment, are given additional questions based on what they get wrong, Morris said.
"The goal of this is that they would have remediation before they come back on the following day," he said.
And technology has brought one big advantage to students; distance learning lets them take classes they could never have taken in their high schools otherwise, Morris said.
"I've got schools that would not be able to offer Chinese or American Sign Language or dual credit psychology and sociology without it," he said.
The changes have been ubiquitous, agreed David Albert, a spokesman for the New York State School Boards Association. "It's almost impossible to think of a way that technology hasn't transformed the way schools operate over the last decade," he said.
And the changes haven't all been in the classroom. Bus routing software has changed how schools plan and schedule bus runs, Albert said. And schools have all had to decide how much technology to employ to keep schools secure, he said.
And technology has brought some tough questions about how to get and afford the technology needed to get students online, what to do when students don't have internet at home, how to protect privacy and student records and how to prevent ransom ware attacks and hacking, he said.
"Indeed," Albert added, "security software and cameras, facial recognition technology and artificial intelligence are all looming issues for schools and society at large."
Technology has also changed a lot of the landscape of post-secondary education, said Linda Lamb, associate dean of academic affairs for the internet academy and continuing education at Herkimer County Community College. In the classroom, it gives teachers more resources, letting them connect their students to people around the world through video chat, she said.
"It really provides access for students to real professionals in whatever their career field is," Lamb said. "I do think it depends and it makes the learning experience more real for them in a lot of cases."
Students can also look up class materials anywhere outside the classroom without having to carry around a notebook and paper handouts, she said. Many students don't even need textbooks — or money to buy textbooks — now that the college offers open educational resources, materials available for free online, Lamb said. And the materials used now may contain more interactive options — such as a video or a simulation — than a textbook, she said.
Online learning isn't new; Herkimer College started offering it almost 21 years ago, Lamb said. But online classes function much better than they used to, she said.
"The tools are so much easier to use and so much more intuitive for a student to use," Lamb said. "The technology is no longer a potential barrier."
She did note, though, that broadband access can still be a barrier in some rural areas and that rural students may still need an alternative to video content.
Other technological innovations in recent years include things like electronic gradebooks, an electronic assignment book for students, an early alert system that lets faculty intervene earlier when students are struggling and a tool that tracks students' progress toward their degree, she said.
And traditional faculty office hours have become a bit passé as students use texts and online communications to keep in touch with professors at all hours of the day and night, she said.
"There's a lot of cool things that have happened in the past ten years," Lamb said.
Over the next 10 years, technology will continue similar trends in elementary, secondary and college classroom, Morris and Lamb said. Online learning is going to become more compatible with mobile technology, Lamb predicted.
"We want students to be able to use their phone. That's not always the best idea right now if you're taking an online class because some of those technologies are still not 100 percent using your mobile device," she said. "But it's getting there."
And even the way education is measured may change as colleges talk about how much seat time students need to earn the traditional three credits for a class, Lamb said, "because students aren't sitting in seats for a lot of the learning that they're doing anymore."
And technology out in society will continue to reshape what colleges are teaching, Lamb said. "We're all driven by trying to figure out that whole idea of what's next," she said. "We're training students for jobs that don't even exist yet."
Morris said he sees elementary and secondary students getting more online education, doing more distance learning and using more cloud-based curriculum. And he sees data from student assessments being used more to help tailor lessons to students' individual strengths and weaknesses, he said.
In a world with limited resources, technology is going to become more important, Morris said.
"As the financial stressors continue, all schools are going to have to look to technology to provide opportunity," he said. "It is the equity, I think, all schools in New York state are going to have to leverage to stay relevant."
Location: 100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer
Employees: 169 full time; 49 part time; 82 adjunct faculty; 118 concurrent enrollment instructors
Founded: 1966
Website: www.herkimer.edu/


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The Best Way to Start the Day
After a night of sleep, the best and most delightful way to get your digestive juices flowing is to eat one of nature's perfect foods: fruit. Fresh fruit are the best way to start your day because they are easy to digest, so you can ease your body into the day and avoid a shock to your system first thing in the morning.
Fruit is composed of simple sugars, many vitamins and minerals and lots of water that assimilate into the body very quickly. This allows the body to remain in its detoxification mode longer, rather than demanding heavy digestive processes first thing in the morning.
The Best Natural Morning Routine
According to the laws of proper food combining, eating fresh fruit on an empty stomach is most beneficial for digestion. It is further recommended, especially if you have sensitive digestive system, to eat one type of fruit at a time, as different families of fruit require different enzymes for digestion. Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons and tangerines combine well together and should be eaten separately from other categories of fruit. Melons should always be eaten alone as well.
Some types of fruit that go well together are:
- Strawberries and kiwis
- Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries
- Sweet apples, peaches and cherries
- Pears, papayas and mangoes
- Apricots, sweet plums, fresh figs
- Bananas and sweet grapes


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- Stainless steel joint sealer is a set of nozzles specially made for joint sealant, which can save a lot of time and make the sealant smooth when applying glue. Ideal auxiliary tool for all sealing operations. When it comes to caulking, these tools are perfect for getting the job done!
Main Features
Perfectly Fill in and Seal Gaps
It is designed with a 45-degree muzzle that can soothe and fill caulk jobs easily, without messy and uneven finishes, give your home a new look.
Wide Variety of Sizes
It comes with 14 sizes: 5/6/7/9/10/12/13/16/20/25/26/28/30/35mm, different sizes that can easily meet your needs in sealing work when you seal the different places and angles.
Perfect for Caulking and Sealing
The perfect helping tool for all sealing jobs. The caulking toolset is easy to clean and reusable. When it comes to caulking job, these tools are great to finish the job!
Wide Application
The caulk toolset can be widely applied for kitchen, bathroom, tank, door, window, kitchen, bathroom, tank, sink joint filling finishing.
Your Home Caulk Finishing Helper
Made with high-quality stainless steel, rust-resistant and anti-corrosion properties. Durable and non-sticky, a good caulk finishing tool for us to have.
Easy to UseEasily improve agglutination quality! Create and remove excess caulk like a pro while soothing materials into gaps easily with the all-new easy caulk finishing attachment.
Easy to clean
Made with high-quality stainless steel, rust-resistant and anti-corrosion properties. Durable and non-sticky.The product is reusable and easy to clean, Use a plastic bag, a thin string or a small cleaning tool to insert and pass through to complete the cleaning.
Using Methods
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Product Size
- Due to manual measurements, please allow slight measurement deviations.
- Due to the different display and lighting effects, the actual color of the item may be slightly different from the color displayed on the picture.


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Contact: By post. Accepts showreels.
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Facts on Plastic:
✖Annually 8 million metric tons of plastic enter our oceans on top of the estimated 150 million metric tons that currently circulate our marine environments.
✖Over 90% of plastic is not being properly disposed of or recycled making its way to landfills & our oceans.
✖There will be more plastic in our oceans by weight than fish by the year 2050.
✖Every single piece of plastic we have ever used is still out there somewhere today.
✖Plastic will take hundreds to thousands of years before breaking down into microplastics polluting our planet forever.
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Drizzlepath: Deja Vu is a spiritual atomospheric adventure game developed by Tongu Bodur. A man embarks on a journey toward the top of a mountain, to discover the truth of his existence. Along the way, he ponders the nature of life itself.
The game features professional voice narration, atmospheric sound design, and a dynamic music score. If you get stuck in the game, check out the video walkthrough and gameplay for the game.


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The National Human Rights Commission on Monday submitted a list of 35 operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), for prosecution.
Submitting the list at the AGF office in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mr Tony Ojukwu, said the list was an extract of the full report of the Special Presidential Panel on SARS earlier submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari, on June 3, 2019.
Briefing newsmen, Ojukwu said the affected SARS operatives were indicted in offenses bordering on extrajudicial killings, unlawful arrest and detention, threat and intimidation, unfounded allegations, seizure of properties, and illegal freezing of accounts of innocent citizens.
He noted that the report of the panel contained the findings on the complaints gathered from Nigerians during the sitting of the panel in the six geopolitical zones of the country.
He added that the list of the indicted operatives was accompanied with the full report of the panel to guide the prosecution of the indicted operatives.
Responding, Malami said his office would do justice to the list "through prosecution and taking associated incidental administrative steps".
The minister, who said the Buhari regime had embarked on policies and legislation such as the Police Act 2020 to ensure deep reforms of the police in the country, also said the panel's report would not be implemented to protect the interest of the victims without considering the interests of the general society.
He said the report would be implemented in line with the "multi-way-traffic nature of the justice system".
The submission came amid protests by the youth in different parts of the country calling for the scrapping of SARS, an end to police brutality, and reform of the police force.


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Another awesome deal for Back to School!
Crayola Colored Pencils, Assorted Colors, 24 count
List Price: $5.99
You Save: $3.00 (50%)
Price: $2.99
Eligible for free shipping on $35+ orders or on ANY order with Amazon Prime.
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Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has narrated how the Kano State Government withdrew N969 million it had in a bank over the utterances of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, the former Emir of Kano.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Ganduje, who was the deputy governor when Rabiu Kwankwaso governed Kano, said at the time, the former Emir criticised the state government over the expenses at Kano Government Lodge in Abuja.
Although he did not disclose the identity of the bank, Sanusi worked at UBA and First Bank before he was appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
After leaving the bank, he became the Emir of Kano but Ganduje deposed him in March 2020.
Sanusi 'didn't know the difference between being a critic and an emir'
In the Channels TV interview, Ganduje said he removed Sanusi because the former Emir "does not understand the responsibilities of a traditional ruler".
The Governor said Sanusi forgot "to watch his tongue" and in the process, destroyed the revered institution.
"The deposed emir of Kano did not understand the responsibilities of a traditional ruler especially for a strong institution like that of Kano."
"The emir of Kano was a social critic, a celebrated social critic and there was nothing wrong with that because he is an educated person, there is freedom of speech.
"When I was the deputy of Governor Kwankwaso, Sanusi was an executive director in a bank and he made a statement that instead of providing water in the state we were building a house in Abuja– the governor's lodge in Asokoro.
"I remember my governor said either the bank sacks him or we should withdraw our accounts from the bank and the bank did not sack him, so we withdrew N969million from that bank," he said.
The governor said Sanusi found it difficult to distinguish between his role as a traditional ruler and a social critic.
"But when he became the emir of Kano, he refused to change from that stature to the stature of a traditional ruler. He is an economist but he failed to understand that in economics you have to inherit assets and liabilities. But he only inherited the assets of a traditional institution by giving orders, staying in a mansion, dressing gorgeously, being addressed as a king but the liability of that institution, you have to watch your words, you have to watch your tongue and he didn't do that.
"That was the problem. That was the biggest problem; that he could not change his mode of life from social critic to an institution.
"As of now, that institution does not afford a social critic of his style. With the problem in the society, he was destroying the institution. That was why I had a problem with him; he was destroying the institution," he said.
Sanusi has denied all the allegations
Sanusi has denied all the allegations levelled against him by the Ganduje administration.
Some critics of Ganduje accused him of removing Sanusi as emir because he spoke the truth to power.
Before his dethronement, Sanusi was outspoken on some policies of the government he considered controversial.


text: Imagine… "Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one…" Life Wisdom from John Lennon Always use your Imagination for the betterment of all… #johnlennon #livelifetothefullestRead More


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Made from a silky smooth Cupra Satin fabric, this shirt has more flow and style than just about anything out there.
The bold Red/Maroon base fits perfectly into the autumn and winter seasons ahead. The print is intricate and awesome, portraying a royal quality and vibe.
A great shirt for big occasions, nice dinners with friends & family or to add some sizzle and energy to the day or night.


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New Documents: Erin Andrews Files Lawsuit Against Hotels & Stalker
ET is first to obtain the court papers in the lawsuit filed by former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Erin Andrews against seven hotels and Michael David Barrett, the man who pleaded guilty to a felony stalking charge last year and was sentenced to a two-and-a-half year prison term. He also pleaded guilty to interstate stalking back in December.
After Barrett was found guilty of secretly videotaping Andrews in the nude at various hotels and then posting the video on the Internet, Andrews is seeking to hold the hotels responsible as they allegedly revealed her room number and allowed Barrett to check in to adjoining rooms without her knowledge.
According to the court papers, the ESPN reporter "suffered and continues to suffer from, including but limited to, severe and permanent emotional distress, embarrassment, past and future medical expenses, and a loss of earning capacity."
Read Complete Article at ETonline - Celebrities
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March 7-13th
Celebrate a good night's sleep! Take a closer look at your sleeping habits.
- How does sleep affect your brain function?
- How much sleep do you really need?
- Do you sleep talk/walk?
- Do you snore?
- Are you tired during the day?
Think about having a sleep test done to determine if you may have sleep apnea. Our sleep affects our health thought diabetes, cardio issues, high blood pressure and more!
Learn more here: Sleep Awareness Week


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Benefits Buzz
ACA Guidance Update
Last week, the Obama administration released several new Affordable Care Act (ACA) guidelines. Of particular note, any individual or small group with a non-ACA compliant plan will be able to keep that plan in place for additional time.
The guidance states that this transitional rule applies for plan years on or before Oct. 1, 2016. This means non-ACA compliant plans can be kept in force as late as October of 2017 (depending on the renewal date). It should be noted that this extension also has to be approved at the state level, and this is optional for insurance companies to implement.
In addition, the new guidelines have extended the next annual enrollment period for individual health plans by one month. The next annual enrollment period will now occur from Nov. 15, 2014 to Feb. 15, 2015. During this time period anyone can sign up for an individual health plan or make changes to their existing coverage without a qualifying event.
The new guidance also provides the 2015 limits for ACA compliant plans. The breakdown is listed below:
- Small group deductible limits: $2,050 individual / $4,100 family
- Out-of-pocket limits for all market segments: $6,600 individual / $13,200 family
The annualized reinsurance fee for 2015 has also been set at $44 per member. These fees are paid by health insurance issuers and certain self-insured group plans.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a fact sheet with details on all of the new regulations.
Join our mailing list or click here to stay updated on the latest healthcare reform news with Flexible Benefit Service LLC (Flex).
The materials contained within this communication are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal or tax advice


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Audi A7
Starting MSRP
$68,000 *
Proudly Serving Farmington Hills, MI
What's the Price for the 2019 Audi A7?
The starting MSRP of the 2019 Audi A7 is $68,000. *
How Many MPG Does the 2019 Audi A7 Get?
The 2019 Audi A7 is capable of achieving 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. **
What's New for the 2019 Audi A7?
Audi comes roaring into 2019 with a fresh new design for its venerable A7 model. Fans of this sporty coupe will continue to be impressed with its performance capabilities, expert styling, and innovative upgrades. The new turbo six engine now boasts 369 lb.-ft. of torque, up from the previous 325. This engine powers a car that is now 150 pounds lighter than the last model, giving the car even more agility and polish. The exterior of the vehicle features sharper lines and a more angular finish. A stylish spoiler deploys when the car hits 75 mph. The hexagonal grille now sits lower and gives buyers the choice of three distinct headlight options. With options of standard LEDs, matrix LEDs, and matrix LEDs partnered with laser high beams, there is something for every personal taste and need. Newly updated taillights stretch across the entire width of the A7, providing a more integrated look. An LED center strip now connects the 13-element light units.
Audi continues its impressive track record of delivering the latest in technical innovation inside the spacious cabin. The A7 now boasts three infotainment screens designed to give drivers all of the necessary data. A new MMI system is integrated into the dashboard and replaces the previous pop-up display and rotary dial controllers. The dual screen unit consists of a 10.1-inch upper screen partnered with an 8.6-inch bottom one. The top screen houses the map display, rear camera view, and the audio system while the lower unit contains all of the climate control functions. An innovative finger-drawing capability on the bottom screen makes navigation easier than ever. A new exterior camera delivers a 3-D image of the A7 available in different angles.
2019 Audi A7 for Sale in Farmington Hills, MI
The Audi A7 experts and enthusiasts at Audi Farmington Hills are well-equipped to answer all of your questions about this popular performance coupe. Our team of informative and attentive associates is standing by eager to demonstrate to you all of the new features of the 2019 Audi A7. We are confident that you will be blown away with the latest upgrades once you get the opportunity to take this gem out on the road for a test drive. We look forward to serving you today!
* Starting MSRP of $68,000 for a 2019 Audi A7 Premium with automatic transmission. Prices exclude $995 destination, taxes, title, other options and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.
** EPA-estimated mileage. Actual mileage will vary.


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Pairadocs is a podcast with a Christian take on life, family, and culture. Jimmy and Josh will provide marriage and parenting insight, to be sure. However, don't be suprised if other topics emerge, such as sports, entertainment, politics, or the latest episode of Pioneer Woman - we have way too many women in our lives!
The boys get personal this week and discuss the touchy topic of Work-a-holism. We're just trying to get by, right? All my hard work is all for the family, right? Well, if it's been awhile since your toes have been stepped on…join us!


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Guidance for using continuous monitors in PM 2.5 monitoring networks
Oct 18, 2022
Guidance for using continuous monitors in PM 2.5 monitoring networks
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Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.


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Amazon Web Services is the latest company to join the Streaming Video Alliance.
The announcement coincides with the third birthday of the Alliance, an industry forum composed of leading companies from the online video ecosystem.
Other members of the Alliance include Cisco Systems, Dolby, IBM, Limelight Networks, Sky and Viacom.
"The new dynamics of OTT are radically disrupting the media landscape across the globe, and we need to remember that the OTT market and online video are still very young when compared with television. The industry collaboration and unification that the Alliance provides its members is key to solving some of the industry's biggest obstacles in the proliferation of OTT TV viewing," said Jason Thibeault, executive =director of the Streaming Video Alliance.
"From the very beginning of the Alliance, OTT companies have been part of the conversation, and we're excited to continue expanding the OTT expertise and participation inside of the Alliance."


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Asia Argento to Rose McGowan: Time's up! I'm gonna sue you for libel
Uh oh...look out, Rose McGowan. Asia Argento says she's coming after you with a libel lawsuit from the fancy London law firm that represented the late Princess Diana in her divorce from Prince Charles.
Argento, the #MeToo warrior who has declared war on her former friend and fellow fighter in the anti-sexual harassment movement, tweeted another threat Tuesday, warning McGowan to expect to hear from her lawyers at Mishcon de Reya soon.
And McGowan's current squeeze, model Rain Dove, has been added to Argento's legal hit list:
"The 24hr deadline given to retract your recent false statements about me has now passed. I must inform you & @raindovemodel that I've instructed Mishcon de Reya to seek substantial damages for deception, fraud, coercion and libel. You will hear from them shortly," Argento's tweet said.
Mishcon de Reya, which has an office in New York, is more famous in Britain as the firm that represented Diana in her 1995 divorce from the Prince of Wales. (She got millions, inherited by her sons, Princes William and Harry, after she was killed in a Paris car crash in 1997.)
Mishcon de Reya would be Argento's third set of known lawyers since the scandal over Jimmy Bennett erupted Aug. 19 with a story in The New York Times revealing that Argento and her late boyfriend, Anthony Bourdain, had agreed to a $380,000 payoff to Bennett, the former actor who once played her son in a movie.
However, the Italian actress' use of a British firm to sue an American actress may suggest her threatened libel lawsuit will be filed in Britain, where it is easier to pursue libel and defamation claims than in the United States.
Argento is mighty peeved at McGowan and Dove because they have made clear in public statements that they take the side of Bennett who says he and Argento had sex when he was 17 and she was 37 in 2013. If true, that would be a crime California where the age of consent is 18.
Argento first strongly denied a sexual encounter. Then Dove released private texts from her in which she seemed to admit it. Then Argento issued another statement accusing Bennett of rapingher. This claim was undermined by the publication of a picture of the two of them, apparently naked and looking happy, in bed together on the date of the 2013 encounter in a Los Angeles-area hotel room.
Thus, the falling out between the two former friends. On Monday, Argento fired her first tweet-shot at McGowan.
"It is with genuine regret that I am giving you 24 hours to retract and apologise for the horrendous lies made against me in your statement of August 27th. If you fail to address this libel I will have no option other than to take immediate legal action," Argento's tweet read.
So far, McGowan has not responded directly to Argento's legal threats but a tweet she posted Monday could have been a comment on her situation even though it was ostensibly about the current controversy delaying Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation, regarding a decades-old allegation of attempted rape.
"Sexual assault is a crime and every allegation should be thoroughly investigated," the tweet began.
"my sentiments exactly," McGowan added.
Argento is threatening McGowan because the latter publicly urged her to "do the right thing" regarding Bennett, and because she framed Argento's responses to the scandal so far as a potential threat to the reputation of the #MeToo movement.
Both McGowan and Argento have been leaders in the movement because they were among the first to publicly accuse movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of rape, thus leading to his downfall and the surge of the culture-changing movement to call out sexual harassment and assault in workplaces.
Now their dispute over Argento's encounter with Bennett, now 22, threatens to render them too busy fighting each other in court to continue leading the movement.
Lawyers and publicists for both actresses have not returned messages from USA TODAY.
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has said it is looking into the matter of the Argento-Bennett encounter but has not said whether anyone will be charged.


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My poem "Leavings" was just published by Silver Birch Press. I'll post the poem here, as well as a link to the Silver Birch site. On the site, I tell a little bit about writing the poem.
Leavings are untidy. Remembering
what you want to say as the car pulls away,
or the cell phone drops into your purse,
restraint in an embrace, the casual
see ya, when you ache for more.
There was that time my mother died—
a stiff, proud woman who did not touch.
She lay in bed, while her brothers and I
hovered. We asked if she needed a blanket,
if she wanted music, if she were hungry,
thirsty.At each offering, she jerked her head
from side to side, tight-lipped, angry.
Then the young, Hispanic hospice aide reached
out and took her hand. She knew what leavings
needed, what my mother couldn't bring herself
View original post 37 more words


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The Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake has arrived
Swoopy estate arrives in September
Shock, horror: it's a car revealed at this week's Geneva Motor Show that you might actually be able to afford.
Say hello to the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake - the swoopy estate version of the four-door coupe version of the A-Class hatchback. And as you'd expect, mechanically it's basically the same as those cars. That means a load of petrol and diesel engines, manual and auto gearboxes and the option of 4Matic all-wheel drive. The big engine, until the inevitable CLA 35 and 45, will be the 250 petrol - that's 2.0-litres, 225bhp and a seven-speed auto.
The dashboard is the same too, with the latest version of Merc's new 'MBUX' infotainment system, with its optional augmented-reality sat-nav and "Hey Mercedes" voice assistant. You can read more about it in our full review of the A-Class hatchback.
The real newness is aft of the B-pillar, where the Shooting Brake is bestowed with much boot and a hatched-back with which to access it. As it's longer than its predecessor, you get more space back there - 505 litres up from 495, and a wider, deeper and therefore more useful shape. There's more space for actual people too - even though the car's a bit lower than the one it replaces, there's more head-, elbow- and shoulder-room.
The CLA Shooting Brake will be launched in September. Keep an eye on TG.com for our review of the regular CLA, which is happening pretty soon, as it'll give us a good idea of what this thing is like to drive. Till then, check out the other Mercedes of Geneva 2019 - the EQV electric van and special-edition V12 S-Class.
Top Gear
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Charlottesville Confederate statues case argued before Virginia Supreme Court
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - The battle over Charlottesville's Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson statues has made it all the way to the highest court in the commonwealth.
The city of Charlottesville and the Monument Fund squared off for oral arguments in the Supreme Court of Virginia on Friday, Nov. 11. While the statues will eventually be moved, it's a question of when and how much it will cost the city.
With the court in session virtually, acting Charlottesville City Attorney Lisa Robertson conducted her arguments at City Hall, arguing that the state statute used to issue a permanent injunction against the city removing its Confederate statues never actually applied to them.
The length of this legal battle is something longtime supporter of moving the statues former City Counciler Kristin Szakos says she never expected. That belief is in part due to the city's interpretation of the statute the Monument Fund says protects the statues, defining them as protected war memorials.
"The fact that the court case has lasted so long, I have found disturbing and baffling," Szakos said. "I believed and our city attorney believed, at that point, that the state law regarding war memorials didn't apply to this. We had case law from Danville that said it didn't apply."
Richard Schragger, a University of Virginia law professor specializing in local government, says it's a valid question.
"When the statues in Charlottesville were erected, which was in the 1920s, there was no state statute that applied to monuments," Schragger said. "The state statute that applied to monuments only applied to counties, not to cities until 1997."
The Monument Fund argues the statute did still apply to statues and memorials like Charlottesville's.
"The argument of the plaintiffs is that it had to be the intent of the legislature to have this apply to present and current statues that are in existence," Schragger said.
The city's argument seemed to sway at least one justice, but whether it was enough to secure a ruling in the city's favor could take weeks to decide.
"Courts move pretty slowly," Schragger explained. "So it's not it's not clear when that will happen and what exactly they will rule."
Szakos said that patience is key. "The statues have stood for almost 100 years," she said. "So a couple more months. Hopefully, we can get them down."
The city and the Monument Fund are waiting for that final decision, which would either dissolve the injunction and waive attorney's fees or uphold those fees and send the case back to the Circuit Court for a decision on the injunction.
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