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Well here I am creating another blog. Blogs are like wild flowers I hear, popping up everywhere. A lot of these are made by well intentioned people and within 3 posts, are never used again. Like virtual plastic bottles.
I am the Curriculum Leader of Visual Arts & Photographic and Digital Media at the Australian International School Singapore. I have really enjoyed my journey to be a regular user of Web tools and community based learning. I first started using them in the mid 90's when I first started teaching as teaching aids but never really thought I would be at the level of use and familiarity that I am with them today. Having a great resourced school and a community that supports new developments is vital in embracing these tools. Of course a department of staff that is willing to go on these journeys with me is first and utmost the reason I am where I am today. I personally enjoy learning about new sites and ways to utilise old tools that can be found on the net. In our assessment tasks I always try to embed one or two ways for students to work through an assessment task or use a tool for developing ideas, frameworks, or share ideas. As part of our staff development a Intel course is offered by one of the staff at the school and I thought that was great. It was an opportunity to embed those 21 century skills into units of work without looking like a try hard.
At this point in my knowledge of tools, I have come to a comfortable level of use with wiki's, blog, forums, online presentation tools, text to voice programs, and concept mapping applications. I feel at the moment, I would be quietly content with what I am doing, but have an underlying desire to grow further in a wider field. I am investigating how to use Secondlife in classroom practice. Now I have overcome all the issues with getting it actually running in the school classrooms I am now off looking for locations that would be useful. This would probably be where I would say I am focusing most of my energy.
As to my learning networks, I have a few that I use. DeviantArt, ARARTE (Art teachers in the Asia region), I have a school blog which I post things to for the students, and I have wiki's that I use with the students to develop broad understands on topics that we are studying. Mostly, I use word of mouth and conferences to develop new skills. I am pretty much at a level with my teaching that I like to read articles to stimulate new directions and I discuss these with the other teachers for discussion of the usefulness of these ideas. I follow a lot of stuff on Twitter and Facebook to see what is happening in the world that we can get to here in Singapore. I use RSS feeds extensively on other blogs that have information that I like about art and photography. One that I particularly like is "Lost at E-Minor" which is a great general, but up to date design and arts website which I receive as emails. One of the big discussion lists that I follow but don't really contribute to is the Online Curriculum Centre discussion list for the IBO. This is full of very experienced teachers who offer advice and clarification.
I am a regular presenter at the ICT sessions at the school and often present techniques that I am using to other schools when we are having meetings for subject networks, or I allow other schools to come and work shadow me in daily teaching to learn about how I apply what I do to classroom practice. I would like to find someone in my field who is doing something similar to me so I can exchange techniques, but at this point I haven't come across someone who is geographically close enough for me to do this. I think I would really like to develop clearer goals as to what I am trying to do with the teaching and how it can directly influence students higher order thinking to create a much greater strength of concept in their artworks.
I know there is more to write but I might leave it at that for this one.


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The abominable bell-ringer
Our school decided that to create consistency in every class, each lesson will start with a "bell-ringer" and close with a "closure" activity. To prevent mass confusion and disorientation, teachers are commanded to use these terms.
That's right, folks. No more of this "warm-up" nonsense, as though that wasn't bad enough.
Problem is, most teachers secretly (or not-so-secretly) despise the term "bell-ringer." For me personally, the word has incited an incredible hatred.
In my first period class, Global Studies, "bell-ringer" is the epitome of evil. We have the tintinnabulation of the bells. If our teacher slips up and says "bell-ringer" by accident, we are supposed to call her a conformist.
She wants a full percussion section. Frequently I take her instruments for the tintinnabulation - a handmade bell, an energy chime, a pot lid with a nice ring.
If nothing else, the abominable bell-ringer has made our class very musical.

subset: commoncrawl


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Today we had our helicopter ride up along the Hudson River, over the Statue of Liberty and other famous sites. We got the bus down to the launching place and went for a bit of a walk first as we were a little early. Then we had our helicopter ride. There were 6 passengers in total and 1 pilot obviously. Tim and I were in the back and thankfully I was on the window side. Using my iPad, I got probably hundreds of shots of things I won't know what they are when I go back through them, but that's OK. The view was fantastic, and I would recommend you try to do a helicopter tour in New York if you ever get here. When we got back from the flight, we took the "Liberty & Ellis Island" ferry across to see the Statue of Liberty. We'd heard the queues can be pretty bad, and there was high security like at an airport, but we were through in not too long a time and on our way. We didn't go inside the statue and walked around it listening to the audio commentary and taking many more photos.
Tim wanted to go to Katz's Deli which was only a few bus stops from Battery Point (the end of Manhattan). So we got off there and found the queue to be at least 50m outside the shop. We decided to pass on that and went to 'Russ and Daughters' for a 'daughters delight' on a sesame bagel. It had cream cheese, salmon and some sort of caviar/roe. It was very tasty indeed although I was expecting the bagels to be soft, they were a little firm, almost crunchy. Very nice indeed and now we can say we've had an authentic New York bagel.
Back on the bus and we were going to get off uptown to go to the museum of the city of New York. However when we got up there, everyone else had got off the bus and, perhaps stupidly, we felt very conspicuous. We decided to stay on the bus and do the loop through Harlem and back to midtown. Then the bus driver says "last stop" and for a second we panic thinking what do we do know? Then it resolved itself and we got on the next bus and headed back downtown. It was getting on in the day and we decided to come back to the hotel to drop off our bags before heading into Times Square to Guy's American Diner and Grill for dinner which should be a good experience.
Tim got to have authentic American spare ribs (which he said were delicious) and I had bacon wrapped shrimp with bbq sauce, also quite nice. The meal sizes weren't as huge as I was expecting so we came home and had babka from the lunch location for dessert.
Tomorrow we've booked in for a 'taste of Brooklyn' pizza tour which looks like a lot of fun. Tim is looking forward to seeing more of Brooklyn, a few movie locations, Coney Island and of course eating 2 styles of authentic American pizza. So it will be nice to have a bit of a slower day tomorrow. Then on Tuesday, we've got a very early start for our tour to Niagara Falls which should be amazing!
Until next time...


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By Gerald "Strib" Stribling
Vipassana Meditation, or Insight Meditation, is Buddhism's oldest form of meditation, practiced before the time of Buddha by the more ancient inhabitants of the Ganges Valley.
Most other forms of meditation are Samatha meditation aimed at developing concentration and promoting tranquility. Vipassana's goal is insight in the form of systematically dismantling ones own delusions until you get perfect clarity of truth.
Focus, as in most other forms of meditation, is of great importance in the process of Vipassana, which is why it, as well as other forms of meditation, are so focused on the "breath." That's Buddhist shorthand for attending to everything that is going on in your body, from your itchy athlete's foot to your world view, as the dhamma (Dharma) more and more greatly exercises its influence on your way of life.
I liken it to parenthood: who were you before the bundle of joy arrived, and who are you after?
You may need to trade in the Firebird for an SUV. Through your own understanding of the wisdom of Buddha, you can examine your whole life in fresh, new ways, eventually achieving perfect understanding, up to and including "the Void," if you can practice this to its logical conclusion.
Instruction in Vipassana Meditation should be free (and if it isn't I'd like to hear about it). It's not necessary to take the 10-day intensive course in Vipassana. Find a Theravada temple in your community (Sri Lankan, Thai, Burmese, Cambodian) if you want a more leisurely pace. The best English speakers are frequently Sri Lankan.
I think that the goal of any meditation regimen is to seek insight, but along the way you have to learn Samatha before you can delve into the inner workings of what you perceive to be true, or not true. I can attest to the necessity to maintain a practice of this kind, because it assists people to cope with change. It is used a lot in prisons all over the world.
There should very little jibber-jabber going on in your head during this primarily non-language phenomenon.
People can read books and assume erroneously that Vipassana has concentrative components that has practitioners walking around like zombies saying the words in their heads, "I am picking up my right foot…I am moving my right foot forward…" I have read this myself, in published books.
It is nonsense on the face of it.
To practice Vipassana is to learn the principles applied to the process, and then plant your butt on a cushion and focus on the breath. No language allowed. Bear in mind that there is garbage in your head to deal with, and that sitting still and quietly is the way to clear it all out.
It's the phenomenon of paradigm shift. In his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, David Dwyer describes a circumstance that I think is a good example of paradigm shift through challenging what you believe is immutably true.
He recalls being visited by a man who was despondent that he didn't love his wife anymore. David's advice was to love her.
"But that's the point," he said, "I do not love her."
"Then pretend you love her. Act like you love her." And in a year, the man was in love with his wife again.
There is no reason why this intellectual overlay cannot go hand in hand with other forms of meditation, which may point the way to Vipassana to begin with. But there are distractions to some forms of meditation, such as chanting or koans or mantras, that can detract from the Insight experience.
Losing your delusions is painful; most people cling to them their whole lives.
Once your mind is open enough to question why you believe things are the way they are, the pain fades quickly enough, and that space is occupied by unvarnished reality. Destroying delusion is the way to see reality. If you don't like what you see, well, the process isn't reversible.
Any way you look at it, you've got to gut it out. The Noble Eightfold Path shows us how to do this.
Destroying delusion is the way to see reality. ~ Gerald Stribling Click To Tweet
Photo: Pixabay
Editor: Dana Gornall
Were you inspired by this post? You might also like:
Gerald "Strib" Stribling
He wrote Buddhism for Dudes as a not-so-subtle, basic examination of the essence of Buddhist philosophy. It's short and funny and to the point. "Way too much Buddhist information is too complicated to wade through, and some of it is fairyland voodoo, full of metaphysical improbabilities. Buddhism isn't a religion, it's a way to live a happy life. This is not hard stuff to understand."
Stribling writes a blog called Buddhism for Tough Guys. "There are lots of tough guy Buddhists out there willing to take a bullet for anybody. One of their mottoes is 'Just because I am a person who loves peace doesn't mean that I have forgotten how to be violent'." He once broke up an assault with a little kitchen broom. "It's my best story," he says.
Latest posts by Gerald "Strib" Stribling (see all)
- Not Sure How to Help Those Who are Down? Just Begin by Showing Up. - December 20, 2018
- Do Buddhists Believe in God? - August 25, 2018
- What is Insight (Vipassana) Meditation? - July 18, 2018


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AHCA is applauding a bipartisan effort by over 100 House Democrats and Republicans, led by Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN), to expand veterans' access to health care services, including long term and post-acute care. Last Friday, one-hundred and nine (109) House members sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) urging the Agency to release the Provider Agreement rule, RIN 2900-AO15, which increases the opportunity for veterans to obtain non-VA- extended care services from local providers that furnish vital and often life-sustaining medical services.
Services covered as extended care under the proposed rule include: nursing center care, geriatric evaluation, domiciliary services, adult day health care, respite care, palliative care, hospice care, and home health care when they are "non-institutional alternatives to nursing home care." This effort comes after 43 members of the Senate recently sent a similar bipartisan letter to the VA to urge release of the rule.
AHCA commented in support of the proposed rule when it was released in 2013, and collaborated with the VA for years on it.


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Stephanie Rogen -- August 13, 2018
If you've read Creating Schools That Thrive (and if not, please do!) you may recall my story of hiking Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), Norway in March, 2009. The story of the hike became my metaphor for strategic design -- for distilling the language of strategy and helping clients make sense of the process to design and execute strategy.
We hiked it again last week - I'm nine years older (and 15 lbs heavier) and as I began the climb I wondered what would be different. As it turned out -- everything! It was sunny and hot rather than cold and rainy. The crowds were overwhelming thanks to Tom Cruise, whose 6th Mission Impossible installment brought new attention to this spectacular cliff high above the fjord. And trail conditions had improved (perhaps to aid the film crews?). But it was still a steep, rocky climb 2.5 miles up and 2.5 miles down.
As I hiked, I couldn't help but recall my strategy metaphor. There is something about a hike like this -- the focused, steady process of choosing each foothold, the serene beauty of sky and rock, the wildflowers and willowy birches, and the jaw dropping surprises of each new vista --- that stimulate deep reflection. Our family's vision and values held -- to reach the glorious summit safely and together -- but our mission had changed a bit. This hike was grounded in a new challenge and question -- how would the experience be different this time? How could we introduce our newest family members -- all under age 10 -- to the joy?
In response, I offer here a few new insights -- consider this an addendum to Creating Schools that Thrive!
Vision may be more enduring than mission: Does this surprise you? It was a bit of an a-ha for me! I think schools take for granted that mission never changes but the truth is, in real strategy work mission can change more often than vision. Think of it this way - your vision may be to eradicate world hunger. That's a big, audacious vision -- one that puts you out of business if you achieve it. Your mission is likely to change more frequently -- you may start with a mission to provide food to a local population via a food pantry. You may evolve to a mission of building community gardens with your pantry as distribution, and you may then evolve to a mission that scales your pantry and garden model -- your core purpose and the strategy to deliver adapts -- but your vision holds.
Schools might benefit by thinking this way. Most schools should have a vision that endures and sustains -- and might, for example, foresee a world where your brand of education has transformed lives and produced lifelong learners who thrive and contribute. But purpose changes --- as the conditions and needs of the world change and as you, as an organization, change - and your mission will clarify the what and how of your brand. So recall my advice to "back into your mission" --- as you move through the design and execution of strategy your new purpose will come into sight!
If it isn't daunting or scary it's probably not much of a vision: I was out of my comfort zone hiking this time. Last time I was too, but this time I actually knew how hard it would be and I wondered about my stamina (and my weak ankles). The truth is, a worthwhile vision pushes you to do what you may not be so sure you know how to do -- and it calls upon you to find capacity, to learn, and to adapt as you engage in the process. I had to test myself continuously, push through the mental and physical discomfort, and try things in order to see what worked. Nowhere was this more clear than in my attempts to scramble up and down the rocky faces of the mountainside -- never entirely sure of how well my feet would work!
Keep your eyes up and keep your eyes down: Sort of like the balcony-dance floor metaphor that Ron Heifetz uses, the truth is you can't hike to Pulpit Rock unless you manage to both perspectives. I needed to see both where I was headed -- and anticipate 2-3 steps head -- as I looked down to ensure I was placing my feet where they would be stable and allow me to proceed. My husband, a naval aviator, calls this "situational awareness" -- the ability to operate step-by-step as you take into account all the factors that surround you. It takes focus, attention, and agility -- expect to be tired! But also expect great rewards as you celebrate the success and beautiful vistas along the way.
When you can build momentum, go for it: There were moments on the hike when I could move quickly and with confidence because the conditions were just right. We were on a time push as we headed down to catch the last ferry -- so when the landscape was right, I took a chance and really moved. I didn't want to be the old lady who slowed us down -- and these moments allowed me flexibility when I really needed to take care. They also filled me with confidence and kept my energy up. When we execute on strategy, as a leader or a team, momentum can buoy spirits, capture much needed time, and accelerate learning. Don't squander these moments.
If you get stuck, don't stop longer than you need to get help: Getting stuck is often where strategy goes awry -- you hit an obstacle and quit altogether -- or maybe you revert to the old way of working. Resist this. On a hike chances are you have to overcome or you won't get home -- but in the day to day life of organizations people quit or regress all the time. This disruption to momentum is one of the biggest threats to success -- so push yourself to find solutions, engage others, and get the help you need to move forward on your path. More than once on my hike, I received a helping hand in spots where I could not see the way alone.
Let children lead the way: This last insight may be the most important. Chances are, children are a lot more agile, open, and courageous as you move forward on your journey. I watched our young cousins, ages 3, 6, and 9 literally jump like rabbits from rock to rock, often barefoot. My fear for them was less about their capabilities and more about my own discomfort. As I saw what they could do I relaxed. And I realized they had much to teach me about how to scale Preikestolen. Our students can do the same if we let them lead.


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The flowers are blooming! The sun is out! Dogs and babies are all over the place, making us smile whether we want to or not. SPRING IS HERE!
For the past few months our blog has been in hibernation mode, watching documentaries and brewing plans for the future like everybody else. We've been having a good time here at the gallery, though.
In February, Lilian Martinez brought her beautiful pastel portraits up from L.A. Her show Soft Shades portrayed women of color, relaxed yet powerful, in comfortable domestic settings.
From March 15 to April 23, Shohei Taksaki shared with us a collection of colorful, bold, abstracted domestic scenes in his show Where did you sleep last night? He installed an 11 ft. tall painting diagonally, leaning from the floor to the ceiling. It completely changed the shape of the gallery, and provided a comparison to think about: loved ones are kind of like huge, amazing, complex paintings that we can only see from a slanted angle. Living with a partner, even sleeping beside them each night, we can never fully understand their experience because we are limited by our own perspectives. In addition to the large painting, Shohei delighted us with a variety of smaller works, including one piece that was half sculpture, half painting.
For the last week of Takasaki's show, we reinstalled his work in a more "traditional" manner. The giant painting hung straight on the wall, and some of the smaller paintings changed positions in the gallery.
This past week, we've enjoyed a pop-up by local artist John Petrucelli: A kid from Chicago. John has been a warm presence in the Portland art scene for decades. He's worked as a teacher, explored wonders of the world, and worked in an art warehouse where he began experimenting with unusual materials. We wanted to honor his lifelong practice of experimentation, as well as his love for storytelling. For every day of the pop-up, John has come to co-host happy hour and visit with the community.
Coming up next: Michelle Blade! This artist works in painting, illustration, sculpture and installation, with a dreamy style. (If you'd like a preview of her work, click here!) We're excited to share her work with you all, May 3 through June 4. Please join us for her opening reception Sunday, May 5 (3–5pm).
If it's been awhile since you stopped in Nationale, we hope to see you soon. We've got new books, a new issue of Apartamento, and smiles infused with the finest Vitamin D.


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Tingley Family History
14-Day Free Trial
Tingley Name Meaning
Altered spelling of German Dingle. Possibly an altered spelling of North German Tüngler, a habitational name for someone from Tunglen near Oldenburg (Lower Saxony); or alternatively a topographic name for someone living on a tongue-shaped piece of land, from Middle Low German tungle 'tongue'. English: habitational name, possibly from Tingley in West Yorkshire, named from Old English þing 'meeting', 'assembly' + hlaw 'mound'. However, this is a predominantly southern name, associated chiefly with Sussex and Kent, which suggests that a different, unidentified source may be involved.
Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press
Similar surnames: Tinsley, Tingler, Bingley, Dingley, Winkley, Lindley, Tingle, Tenley


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as you know I have worked very hard looking after two well-meaning, but often useless, members of STAFF. And, frankly, I had enough! All the hard work, the stress of looking after them, making sure they were safe. Checking on all visitors. A never-ending list of tasks and duties. When was a guy ever given the chance to relax?
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
enjoying retirement
as you know I have worked very hard looking after two well-meaning, but often useless, members of STAFF. And, frankly, I had enough! All the hard work, the stress of looking after them, making sure they were safe. Checking on all visitors. A never-ending list of tasks and duties. When was a guy ever given the chance to relax?
6 comments:
- Gerlinde said...
Dear Otto,
happy new year!
I am impressed at your diplomatic skills. Though one might wonder how long your leisure time will last. I am sure there is no lack of good will on the STAFF's side, but haven't they proven often enough to be hopelessly dependant? Dou you think they will manage without your guidance?
How did they get through the fireworks by the way?
- 5 January 2009 at 14:45
happy new year!
As always you hit the nail right on the head! Bam!
I had a good chuckle when I read your comments about the STAFF being dependant. And THEN I showed the comments to the STAFF and had a REALLY loud chuckle when I saw their shamefaced expression that screamed : "We have been found out! aaaaah". Hihi. Still makes me giggle.
Fireworks were fine. The STAFF have moved some furniture around and now we all sleep on the first floor. Their bed is bigger, but mine is better (and right by a radiator, of course!). I spent New Year's Eve in their bed. To protect them, you know. Someone was shaking with fear - not sure who - when the fireworks went off. But, having read in the book on packleadership to ignore fear, I paid none of this any attention and after a while we all went to sleep. And once I had stretched out to maximum length and width I was verrry comfortable and sleeping deeply.
All in all, no problem.
Anyway, so far the STAFF are still doing ok and we go on long walks in the morning and evening. THEY are now too tired to get stupid ideas! Phew...
I hope you are keeping well?
- 6 January 2009 at 11:45
- Gerlinde said...
Dear Schnuff,
you are so selfless! I wish the cats were more like you. You could just have slept in that fine bed by the radiator, but no, instead, you cramped up with the STAFF in theirs, just to make them feel better.
Oh, why do I have to put up with two tyrannish little maniacs, and not a gentle, tall, understanding pal like you.
Actually, now that it's -22°C outside, and I go to bed with a wool pullover and gloves on (you should try that, too, it keeps your paws nice and soft!), the cats insist on sleeping on the radiator. They said I can use their bottle of hot water though, oh well, I guess that's kind of nice...
say Hi to the STAFF and keep on the retiring!
- 9 January 2009 at 01:20
- Otto the Weimaraner said...
Oh My God Gerlinde!
- (minus!) 22!? How do you survive?
Surely you are not going outside in such ghastly conditions? Can you not go lie on the radiators with your cats?
I am feeling a little chilly just thinking about those kind of temperatures.
Sending you much sympathy,
Schnuffi (brrrr)
- 9 January 2009 at 09:12
- Ruben von Zwack said...
if the STAFF moved to the first floor, does this mean there is a personal Spa for you on the upper floor now?
About that radiator, no way she could lie on it with us. Don't get her into any crazy ideas! Her shivering would be so inconvenient.
Look, she could just grow herself a decent fur if it was as bad as she says. People would look much better with fur anyway.
Lately, I can relate more than ever to all the stress you have from looking after your STAFF. One is a full time job already, and you my poor friend have TWO of them!
For example, the other day, Gerlinde forgot to do our loo. I reminded her, that is to say, I peed in her handbag. What would she do without me?
But believe it or not, she grabbed the handbag, stuffed sandwiches and tea in, and ran off to a place she calls "work" (whatever that is), so we still had to suffer the smelly loo for a whole day. How much more can a responsible cat do?
But when she came home in the evening, she instantly did the loo, and gave us thankful looks, mumbling something (praise, I'm sure) all the while.
Too bad though I've never seen the handbag again. It was quite comfy.
Have you eaten anything interesting in the meantime, by the way?
yours, Ruben
- 9 January 2009 at 23:34
- Otto the Weimaraner said...
Dear Ruben,
what an excellent idea! Leaving a message in Gerlinde's handbag where she was sure to find it!
And I am sure she was thinking of you as she was eating her lunch!
I might use that messaging system myself if and when the opportunity arises.
You are right, of course. Sharing radiators is not a good thing. You want all that nice heat for yourself until your fur is almost sizzling.
The SPA upstairs... Hmm, you know the STAFF. How do you think they got the rooms downstairs so nice and empty? .... That's right! Upstairs is full of stuff! And not very warm. So, I've not really been to look around.
I have not had any exciting snacks lately. Found some toast yesterday, but that was it really. With the STAFF implementing this new regime I don't get to eat all the things I find any more. Unfair, really!
- 10 January 2009 at 12:37


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Starring: Dorothy Sebastian, Ned Sparks, Antonio Moreno, and George Cooper
Director: Arthur Rossen
Rating: Eight of Ten Stars
A corrupt sheriff (Sparks) will go to any lengths to destroy the romance between the lovely Miss Rose (Sebastian) and the dashing John Smith (Moreno).
"The Wide Open Spaces" is a short film that lampoons just about any and every trope of westerns from the silent film and early talkies era that you can think of. It starts with a series of sight-gags and jokes revolving around gun-happy townsfolks, transitions into a series of gags based around the stereotypical wild west saloon, and ultimately settles into a spoof of melodramas with a love triangle involving the tough-as-nails-but-sexy saloon girl Rose (played by Dorothy Sebastian with perfect comedic timing), the crooked Sheriff Jack Rancid (played by Ned Sparks who does everything but twirl his mustache), and the mysterious Mexicano named John Smith (the romantic lead and mostly straight-man, played by Antonio Moreno).
While some jokes are funnier than others, there aren't any that fall flat--and that includes one involving Sebastian that I assume was somewhat shocking back in the day. One of the funniest is set up early in the picture and pays off at the very end when the evil sheriff gets his well-deserved come-uppance... while one of the most mysterious is the presence of a cross-dressing actor in black face portraying Rose's maid. This character is so strange and so out-of-place that I assume it's a reference to something contemporary audiences would have understood but is lost on me. (I have a couple ideas about what it might mean, but I can't help but feel that I'm looking at the scene with 21st century eyes and therefore imposing something on that wasn't there when it was filmed. If anyone has seen the "Wide Open Spaces" who wants to comment on cross-dressing maid in blackface, I'd love to hear your thoughts.)
All-in-all, this is another great bit of fast-moving, whacky fun from the Masquers Club... and one that I think will be as entertaining to the modern viewer as it was to audiences back in 1931.
|Dorothy Sebastian is not impressed.


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Last month we published the second of Sarah Pinborough's fairy tales for adults, Charm, so we thought it was high time you needed reminding just how brilliant these books are from one of our Gollancz Geeks. Kris Meic sent us this great review of Poison, the first of Sarah's fairy tales, as part of our Geeks mailing […]Read More
Writing Charm by Sarah Pinborough
We know you guys loved Poison by Sarah Pinborough, and this week we are proud to be publishing the second of Sarah's brilliant fairy tales for adults. Charm is the story of Cinderella, and here Sarah explains how she got to grips with the character and her story, to reanimate them. Don't forget you can read the first […]Read More
Friday Reads: Poison
'Fairy Tales' have always been something for children. Now that I'm 35 I think I've well and truly outgrown 'fairy tales'. The sort of books I read are normally far darker and nastier than anything you get in a 'fairy tale' but as I now have two children it's not going to be very long […]Read More
Continuing our POISONous week . . .
Yesterday we posted details of a brilliant event happening to celebrate the publication of Poison by Sarah Pinborough. Today we're delighted to be bringing you a few words from other people who, it seems love the book as much as we do . . . David Barnett, writing for The Independent, was kind enough to […]Read More
Poison: Chapter Two
From the looks of it, you guys can't get enough of the steamy forthcoming novel from Sarah Pinborough. Poison, a sexy retelling of the Snow White classic, has been getting a few of you hot under the collar from the 1st chapter we shared last week. Never the kind of blog to leave you high and dry, […]Read More
Once Upon a Time… (A Valentine's Day Post from Sarah Pinborough)
Let's be honest – I'm not exactly the first writer you think of when you think of romance and fairy tale happy endings (well, I shouldn't be – unless your idea of romance is even more twisted than mine). To be fair, the darkness of my normal writing aside, I'm fiercely independent and over the […]Read More
A Poisonous Friday Read (AND COMPETITION)
My Friday Reads today is Poison. Yes, this is fortuitous timing, you know, almost like I planned it this way (oh, wait, I did). But, really I've been sitting on my hands waiting to write about this book for MONTHS. What can I possibly tell you about Poison? It's brilliant. Genius really. You think you know […]Read More
Triple Threat! Cover Reveals for POISON, CHARM and BEAUTY!
We've teased you about these, we've been telling you that Poison is coming, along with Charm and Beauty later in the year . . . and at long last we can reveal the covers! This is Poison, the true tale of Snow White: To see the full Poison cover click here. Charm, […]Read More


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What's the minimum wage in each Canadian province and territory?
New Minimum Wage…
If you're planning to work or to become an entrepreneur in Canada the different legal minimum wages in each of Canada's provinces for 2018 might be of your interest, they have a varying labour standard that sets the minimum wage that an employer can pay to employees who are covered by the legislation. The rates are as follows:
Having in mind that employers can choose to pay more than the minimum wage if they wish to, and that is important to research for the wages of your skills and jobs you're looking for.
Lowest Minimum Wage in Canada
Nova Scotia has Canada's lowest minimum wage, at $11.00 per hour, though this will rise annually in line with the Consumer Price Index and Average Hourly Wage.
A special lower minimum wage for liquor servers exists in some provinces. Generally speaking, this minimum wage rate applies to waiters, waitresses and bartenders who serve liquor directly to customers in bars, restaurants, clubs and other licensed premises. In Ontario and in British Columbia the rate is set at $12.20 per hour and $11.40 per hour respectively.
Highest Minimum Wage in Canada
Alberta has Canada's highest minimum wage, at $15.00 per hour.
Forthcoming Minimum Hourly Wage Rates for Experienced Adult Workers in Canada
Minimum wage across the Prairies went up during 2018. For 2019 British Columbia is expecting to set the rate at $13.85, on June 1st. And the government has announced that the minimum wage will further rise to $14.60 on June 1st, 2020 and to $15.20 on June 1st, 2021.
– Government of Canada http://srv116.services.gc.ca/dimt-wid/sm-mw/rpt1.aspx
– Retail Council of Canada https://www.retailcouncil.org/resources/quick-facts/minimum-wage-by-province/
– Government of Ontario https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/minimum-wage


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IWA Mentoring Program
The IWA Mentoring program aims to provide 1-on-1, group and peer-to-peer support to IWA members wherever they are in their writing journey or career.
Types of mentoring:
• 1-on-1 Mentoring (11M)
• Group Mentoring (GM)
• Peer-to-peer Mentoring (PPM)
To register for any of the IWA Mentoring types, please fill out the corresponding form:
Mentor application form
Mentee application form
1-on-1 Mentoring (11M)
• What to expect: 1-on-1 sessions in-person, online or by phone. The mentor will provide support and assistance to the mentee depending on the mentee's needs (identified before the mentoring relationship starts).
• Mentor: a more experienced IWA member willing to provide information and support to another IWA member, to overcome the challenges of his/her writing path. Examples of expertise: writing (one or more genres), editing, formatting, publishing, marketing/ social media/ PR, career development, overcoming inner blockages, technical skills (video, website, graphic design, building email list,…), etc.
• Mentee: an IWA member open to receive constructive feedback, information, and support from his/her mentor.
• Duration of mentoring relationship: unless otherwise specified, the formal duration of the mentoring relationship is four months. At the end of this period, the mentor can choose between starting a mentoring relationship with another IWA member, continue the relationship with the same mentee (if no other IWA member is waiting for a mentor with same expertise), or stop mentoring for a while.
• Sessions' lengths and frequency: jointly defined by the mentor and mentee.
• Topics: will be jointly identified based on the mentee's needs and expectations. They could include topics related to writing, publishing, marketing, career development, author technical support, overcoming inner blockages, etc.
• First session: 3-way session with mentor, mentee, and a mentoring coach. To give a good start to the mentoring relationship, the session will be facilitated by the mentoring coach to:
– Clarify the purpose of the mentoring relationship and the mentoring coach role
– Identify the desired outcome(s) of the mentoring relationship (for both mentor and mentee)
– Define the sessions' length, frequency, format
– Design the mentoring alliance (atmosphere, communication preferences, how to handle difficult situations that might occur, etc.)
Group Mentoring (GM)
• What to expect: group sessions (in-person, online) based on a specific topic.
Sessions' duration and frequency: depends on the topic covered. A schedule will be posted and IWA members can register for the sessions they're interested in.
• Who can join: IWA members interested in learning about a specific topic.
• Topics: Related to writing, publishing, marketing, career development, author technical support, overcoming inner blockages, etc. If a topic requires several group sessions (a series), the group members are expected to participate to all the sessions – since homework and accountability will be part of the Group Mentoring.
• Mentor: an IWA member with expertise in the specific topic.
Peer-to-peer Mentoring (PPM)
• What to expect: a group initiated by an IWA member who would like to share-learn-network with other IWA members based on a specific topic/ theme.
Examples of themes/ topics: writing in the same book genre, book marketing strategies, staying motivated while writing, skills exchange (ex: PR vs. Organizing), etc.
• Who can participate: each IWA member is encouraged to start and run a Peer Mentoring group, based on his/her needs. The Peer Mentoring groups can have 2 or more members.
• Group format: These are self-directed groups. The members will identify how the group will function, meeting frequency, etc.
To register for any of the IWA Mentoring types, please fill out the corresponding form:
Mentor application form
Mentee application form


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Randy Ewoldt
- Title: Associate Professor
- Group: Molecular Design and Engineering
- Status: Beckman Part-time Faculty
- Home: Mechanical Science and Engineering
- 3261 Beckman Institute
- 405 North Mathews Avenue
- Urbana, Illinois 61801
Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Engineering (PECASE) (2017); Dean's Award for Research Excellence, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2016); Arthur B. Metzner Early Career Award, The Society of Rheology (2014); NSF-CAREER Award (2014); 3M Nontenured Faculty Award (2014); DuPont Young Professor Award (2014); ASME Pi Tau Sigma Gold Medal (2013); Doctoral New Investigator Award, American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (2013); Distinguished Young Rheologist Award, TA Instruments (2013); Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (2009-2011); Luis de Florez Award for Outstanding Ingenuity and Creativity, M.I.T. (2009); National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2004-2007); Outstanding Thesis in Fluid Mechanics (Wunsch Foundation Award), M.I.T. (2006)
- Bharadwaj, N. A., J. G. Kang, M. C. Hatzell, P. V. Braun, and R. H. Ewoldt, Integration of colloids into a semi-flexible network of fibrin, Soft Matter, 13(7), 1430-1443 (2017).
- Corbin, E., Adeniba, O., Ewoldt, R. H., Bashir, R., Dynamic Mechanical Measurements of the Viscosity of Single Adherent Cells. Applied Physics Letters, 2016. 108, 093701.
- Blackwell, B. C., A. E. Nadhan, and R. H. Ewoldt, Impacts of yield-stress fluid drops on permeable meshes. Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, 238, 107-114 (2016).
- Abdeen, A. A., J. Lee, N. A. Bharadwaj, R. H. Ewoldt, and K. A. Kilian, Temporal Modulation of Stem Cell Activity using Magnetoactive Hydrogels. Advanced Healthcare Materials, early view article (2016).
- Ewoldt, R. H., Predictions for the northern coast of the shear rheology map: XXLAOS. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 798, 1-4 (2016).
- Schuh, J. K. and R. H. Ewoldt, Asymmetric surface textures decrease friction with Newtonian fluids in full film lubricated sliding contact. Tribology International, 97, 490-498 (2016).
- Corman, R. E., L. Rao, N. A. Bharadwaj, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt, Setting Material Function Design Targets for Linear Viscoelastic Materials and Structures. Journal of Mechanical Design, 38(5), 051402 (2016).
- Blackwell, B. C. and R. H. Ewoldt, Non-integer asymptotic scaling of a thixotropic-viscoelastic model in large-amplitude oscillatory shear. Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, 227, 80-89 (2016).
- Freund, J. B. and R. H. Ewoldt, Quantitative rheological model selection: good fits versus credible models using Bayesian inference. Journal of Rheology, 59(3), 667-701 (2015).
- Blackwell, B. C., M. E. Deetjen, J. E. Gaudio, and R. H. Ewoldt, Sticking and splashing in yield-stress fluid droplet impacts on coated surfaces. Physics of Fluids, 27(4), 043101 (2015).
- Bharadwaj, N. A. and R. H. Ewoldt, Single-point parallel disk correction for medium-amplitude oscillatory shear. Rheologica Acta, 54(3), 223-233 (2015).
- Johnston, M. T., W. P. King, and R. H. Ewoldt, Shear stress characteristics of microtextured surfaces in gap-controlled hydrodynamic lubrication. Tribology International, 82, 123-132 (2015).
- Bharadwaj, N. A. and R. H. Ewoldt, Constitutive model fingerprints in medium-amplitude oscillatory shear. Journal of Rheology, 59(2), 557-592 (2015).
- Bharadwaj, N. A. and R. H. Ewoldt, The general low-frequency prediction for asymptotically-nonlinear material functions in oscillatory shear. Journal of Rheology, 58(4), 891-910 (2014).
- Blackwell, B. C. and R. H. Ewoldt, A simple thixotropic-viscoelastic constitutive model produces unique signatures in large-amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS). Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, 208, 27-41 (2014).
- Ewoldt, R. H., Extremely soft: Design with rheologically-complex fluids. Soft Robotics, 1(1) 12-20 (2014) (Invited review for inaugural issue).
- Ewoldt, R. H. and N. A. Bharadwaj, Low-Dimensional Intrinsic Material Functions for Nonlinear Viscoelasticity. Rheologica ACTA, 52(3), 201-219 (2013).
- Ewoldt, R.H., Defining Nonlinear Rheological Material Functions for Oscillatory Shear. Journal of Rheology, 57(1) 177–195 (2013).
- Felts, JR; Somnath, S; Ewoldt, RH; King, WP,Nanometer-scale flow of molten polyethylene from a heated atomic force microscope tip. Nanotechnology, 2012, 23 (21), 215301. DOI:10.1088/0957-4484/23/21/215301.
Personal Links
The Communications Office maintains the information included in Beckman Institute's online directory listings. In order to update your directory listing, please submit the following information to firstname.lastname@example.com:
- a short bio including information on your educational background and your field
- any honors and awards you may have received
- a description of your research (approximately 200-400 words)
- a list of recent representative publications
- a photo of yourself (you can submit one or we can take one for you)


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NURI Designs: Luxury Goods and Positive Vibes to Kick off Summer
I had the pleasure of being invited to the launch of NURI Designs, a luxury accessories brand that truly achieves the marriage of fashion and function. According to Kareem (one of the partners for the brand), each bag is made of cork (the same material you find on wedges and in bottles of wine), and takes between 16-20 hours to create. The minimalist style and bright colors of the bags really drew me in, and I will happily save up to make a purchase soon.
What I loved most about this event was the overall sense of unity. The amount of black excellence in the room was amazing, and the love and support was felt all around. I actually had a beautiful conversation with Caitlin, the other partner for the brand. Though we just met, I really felt warmth and sincerity in our shared interests. It's important to find and appreciate like-minded people, who will encourage and support you. She invited me out to the launch, and I'm glad I was able to go and enjoy. The drinks were good, the vibes were chill, and the networking opportunities were endless.
The venue made the space even more intimate, as art studios tend to do. The Fridge is a cute little studio tucked away in a colorful alley near Eastern Market. The juxtaposition of the art on the walls with the bags on display added to the vibrance and inspirational mood of the room.
NURI Designs had an amazing launch event, beautiful bag designs, and I look forward to seeing what's to come. Check them out at nuridesigns.com or on Instagram (@nuri.designs).


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Brown Sugar Full Wig BS104
Brand: Brown Sugar | Red Carpet
Product Code: Afrs4253
You need to log in to add this product to your wishlist
Product InformationBrown Sugar, the Best Natural Taste in 100% Human Hair Style Mix Wigs! Brown Sugar 104's natural texture delivers maximum comfort so you feel no irritation only satisfaction. We never compromise when it comes to quality, which is why Brown Sugar delivers the best results when it comes to styling and lasting durability. Brown sugar 104 features a side swept bang with soft, long layers for the final touch. Feel free to bump your hair, Brown Sugar 104 has heat-resistant fibers that allow for safe heat styling!
Length: Front: 3" Top: 7" Crown: 15" Upper Back: 16" Nape: 15.5" Side: 14" Weight: 6.4 oz
Extended Strap: Yes
Finished Length: 22"


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Experts advise against surgery for almost all patients with degenerative knee damage
Knee arthroscopy should not be performed in almost all patient with degenerative knee disease, say a panel of international experts in the BMJ.
Their strong recommendation against surgery is based on new evidence that it does not, on average, result in lasting improvement in pain or function - and they say further research is unlikely to alter this advice. Their advice is part to the BMJ's 'Rapid Recommendations' initiative - to produce rapid and trustworthy guidance based on new evidence to help doctors make better decisions with their patients.
Degenerative knee disease is a chronic condition in which symptoms fluctuate. Knee arthroscopy is one of the most common surgical procedures. Every year, an estimated two million people worldwide will undergo knee arthroscopy at a cost of $3bn per year in the US alone. Yet current evidence suggests that arthroscopic knee surgery offers little benefit for most patients and is not cost effective.
For example a trial published in The BMJ in 2016 showed that among patients with meniscus tear, surgery was no better than exercise therapy. Yet, despite there being no evidence that arthroscopy is beneficial in any patient group, most guidelines continue to support the use of arthroscopy in key subgroups, including those with meniscus tear, sudden onset of symptoms (such as pain or swelling), or mild-moderate difficulties with knee movement. analysis of the latest evidence.
Their rapid recommendation package includes a systematic review (published in BMJ Open) which adds the 2016 trial to the existing body of evidence, and a review of patients' preferences on knee disease (also published in BMJ Open). These data were used as the basis for the recommendation.
Most people with degenerative knee disease fit into at least one of these subgroups.
So an international panel - made up of bone surgeons, physiotherapists, clinicians and patients with experience of degenerative knee disease (including those who had undergone and those who had not undergone arthroscopy) decided to carry out a detailed analysis of the latest evidence.
Using the GRADE approach (a system used to assess the quality of evidence), they found that arthroscopic knee surgery does not, on average, result in an improvement in long term pain or function to all or almost all patients with degenerative knee disease.In addition to the burden of undergoing knee arthroscopy, they say there are rare but important harms, although exactly how common these are is uncertain (low quality of evidence).As such, they strongly recommend against arthroscopy for almost all patients with degenerative knee disease - and suggest that non-use of knee arthroscopy can be used as a performance measure or tied to health funding. It is unlikely that new trials will alter the evidence, they add.
Casey Quinlan, a patient panel member said: "Knee arthroscopy has been oversold as a cure-all for knee pain. Participating in the working group that developed this guideline allowed for actual patient experience to be considered - mine was nowhere near what I had been told it would be, function and pain level were only marginally improved - giving real outcomes as a basis for the recommendations. The goal was to make it possible for people exploring this knee arthroscopy with their doctors to have a clearer view of when it might be helpful to them, or unnecessary surgery."
- BMJ Rapid Recommendations: Arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee arthritis and meniscal tears: a clinical practice guideline. 2016
We do not warrant or represent that the information in this site is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use. We recommend that you seek individual advice before acting on any information in this site. We have made every effort to ensure that the information on our website is correct at the time of publication but recommend that you exercise your own skill and care with respect to its use. If you wish to purchase our services, please do not rely solely on the information in this website.


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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Salisbury University softball team will remain the No. 5 team in the nation heading into this week's Capital Athletic Conference tournament at the SU Softball Field as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association released its latest Top 25 Coaches' Poll on Wednesday.
Salisbury, which went 8-0 last week, garnered 168 points this week as the top-seven teams remained unchanged from a week ago. The Sea Gulls are just eight points behind No. 4 Virginia Wesleyan College.
The top squad remains the University of Texas-Tyler, with all eight first-place votes and the maximum 200 points, followed by Luther College with 192 points and Texas Lutheran University with 184 points.
Salisbury is the top seed in this week's CAC tournament, which begins on Thursday, April 21 and is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, April 23. The Sea Gulls open play on Thursday at 2 p.m., against the winner of the day's first game between fourth-seeded York College of Pennsylvania and fifth-seeded University of Mary Washington.
To see the NFCA poll in its entirety, click here.


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March 2015
The Only Checklist You'll Need for Battery Room Compliance and Safety
The forklift battery maintenance and handling area is an important place within any warehouse -- but it can also be dangerous, even fatal, for the personnel who work with these forklift batteries if the right safety measures aren't taken.
To help keep personnel working at warehouses throughout the country safe while on the job, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created a series of regulations that all warehouses must follow. For example, all personnel who work within the lift truck battery room are required to have received adequate safety and battery maintenance training.
How to Avoid the Hazards of Hydrogen Gas in the Forklift Battery Room
The lift truck battery room is a very specialized part of the warehouse and has some very specific potential dangers. One of the biggest dangers is the risk of hydrogen gas – a byproduct of the normal lead-acid battery charging cycle – accumulating and concentrating in the workspace.
At a concentration of 4%, hydrogen gas can ignite, and in the worst-case scenarios, hydrogen gas can explode. Because of this, every battery room must have proper detection and ventilation equipment to keep the hazards of hydrogen gas at a minimum.
Three Key Safety Precautions to Take While Charging Forklift Batteries
The heart of many warehouses is the forklift battery charging and changing area, but this part of the warehouse is also filled with potential hazards that could bring operations to a halt.
The forklift battery is notorious for the number of hazards it presents to warehouse personnel. These 2,000-pound batteries contain corrosive chemicals, electrolyte, and heavy metals that make forklift battery maintenance highly dangerous if the right safety precautions aren't in place.
When is it Necessary to Use a Battery Transfer Carriage?
Forklift battery maintenance at any warehouse requires a number of key processes, from lubrication and cleaning to watering and charging. In fact, the battery room is likely the most integral part of your warehouse's everyday operations.
To maintain these forklift batteries, the first step is to properly extract the battery from its forklift, and to then transfer it to the battery handling area. To do this, it's recommended that personnel have a battery transfer carriage to do the job safely and quickly.


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Search for help on enabling JavaScript
January 9, 2016
Memminger Auditorium
56 Beaufain Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Starts at 7pm
Tickets are $85 in advance or $100 at the door
Questions/Sponsorship call 843-414-0005
Haley Davis (American Idol contestant)
will join us as a guest auctioneer with Bryan Hoffman
Haley Davis (Beaufort, SC) has been lighting up the music world. Her first public singing performance resulted in a standing ovation at the Water Festival Talent Show. She was only 9-years-old.
Then she appeared on the hit television series, Showtime at the Apollo, where she won the kid's competition.
Haley captured the attention of the entertainment industry. She auditioned for Broadway shows, sang for Grammy Award winner/director Andrew Lloyd Webber and performed at several national and international events including the U.S. Tennis Open and NFL football games for the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars. She also appeared on the TV hit series American Idol, making it to the top 24 women contestants, The Voice and Nashville Star.
Haley has never strayed from her roots in South Carolina. Since she was 13-years-old, she has sung the U.S. national anthem for the Cooper River Bridge Run, helping raise awareness about the importance of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.
Haley will be a guest auctioneer at the Art for Arthritis event on October 3, 2015, at the Memminger Auditorium in Charleston, helping raise awareness and money to support Arthritis Foundation programs and services throughout South Carolina, and research for better treatments and a cure.
"I am very humbled to be helping out with such a great event," said Haley. "I look forward to supporting the fight against arthritis."
A Special Thanks To Our Sponsors


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Tuesday 6th February 2018 at 7.30pm
Natasha Hickman – CSC Campaigns Director, will be speaking on the latest US/Cuba relations and CSC campaigns for 2018.
7.30pm Room 3, Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton, BN1.
In a volatile situation for Cuba the exact title of Natasha's talk will be publicised nearer the date.


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Last week, the WHO affirmed why many countries have lost their trust in this once-vaunted multilateral institution. In an article in with WHO Bulletin – they rehashed tired, old and previously debunked claims against Palm Oil – to become a pawn in the global anti-Palm Oil Inc. crusade.
This is a sad but true indictment of the WHO.
Rather than engaging in a fulsome debate on saturated fats or asking … Read More


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Convenience Store
Welcome to our Online Marketing Convenience Store.
Our store offers 'a la carte' online marketing where you can pick & choose singular to multiple marketing items to get YOU & YOUR business running tickety-boo. If you're just not ready to jump into a more robust, longer term, all-in-one month over month marketing plan, but feel you need a few marketing things smoldering, let us help you choose what YOU NEED!
Here are some examples:
- social media triage
- real-time event/tradeshow online marketing management
- specific campaign promotion
- seasonal e-newsletters
- weekly LinkedIN/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/etc. platform management
- singular social media platform management (because not all businesses need to be present on EVERY PLATFORM OUT THERE!)
- monthly blog management
- monthly/quarterly/yearly social media platform tune-ups
- etc....basically YOU pick and choose!
Please contact HOGPIE to LEARN MORE about our variety of options & prices.


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The Kayak Season Begins!
We are excited to begin our 38th season guiding kayak trips in the San Juan Islands. Join us for either a guided day kayak tour, a or kayak rental. Founded in 1980 and located in Friday Harbor, we are the San Juan Islands' original sea kayaking outfitter. Top of the line equipment, fun, knowledgeable and professional guides and comprehensive customer service make us the best in the business! Beginning April 15, we look forward to sharing our backyard with you!


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Wuhan based architects, AA-Lab, have completed a small project with local schoolchildren.
The experimental project invloved 36 children and their parents over 3 months to build a city for children. The young architects from AA-lab allowed the children to sketch out their ideas and lead the design of the project. It was built out of bamboo and the inverted pyramid support covers just 9m2, yet creates 90m2 floor space above. Each child has their own house in the sky.
City in the sky was a response to the growing number of young architects in China who only know how to design with steel and concrete. It was a way of letting the younger generation know that there are other ways to build cities.


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Ben Anderson needed a new flash banner design and created a contest on 99designs.
3 winners were selected from 21 designs submitted by 7 freelance designers.
Pregnancy and Parenting site - providing free offers for baby samples and other baby stuff/deals. Our target audience is pregnant women and new mothers.
We'd like a few banners created that advertise our primary conversion event, which is a free membership to our site and access to offers and deals.
After we've arrived at a design, we'd like to cut a few different sizes of banners - all will be based on the same design. Banner sizes desired are 300x250, 160x600, 300x600, 728x90, and 320x50.
Generally speaking our promotional messaging is below:
Free Baby Stuff!
Hurry These Will Go Fast! Join now to start receiving free stuff straight to your home.
Your free samples are waiting, new moms only. Get free baby diapers, and bottle bags.
Act now, limited offer! Restricted to US only. Must enter email to collect samples. Offers may vary.
Alternate titles:
New! Get Free Diapers
Free Baby Stuff by Mail
Baby on the Way?
We can't use any references to specific brands in our advertising.
You can visit our landing pages to get an idea of our general designs:
I've attached some of our best performing current banners to show the type of thing that works. Pictures of cute babies or pregnant women work well. We can show product (diapers, baby bottles, formula, etc. as long as they are generic/animated and don't show a specific brand)


text: Mega Millions and Powerball now worth an incredible $2.2 Billion Ben Darvill in Lottery 22 Oct 201821 19 shares Share Tweet Email Share Reddit Mega Millions and Powerball now worth an incredible $2.2 Billion As prizes go, they do not come much bigger than this. When anyone thinks about taking part in the lottery, their first question usually revolves around the size of the jackpot, with millions of pounds usually on offer. However, tens or hundreds of millions now pail in comparison to the outrageous jackpot that is potentially on offer from the Powerball and Mega Millions draw. As the Powerball numbers were drawn on October 20th, it soon became evident that nobody had won the jackpot, with disappointment soon setting in. However, this disappointment quickly turned to excitement as it was announced that the prize had rolled over to a huge $620 million. While this amount is incredible, it was dwarfed by the Mega Millions, with the jackpot now standing at a head-spinning $1.6 billion. The last time the Mega Millions was won, a jackpot of $543 million was claimed on July 24th, while the Powerball prize was last won on August 11th. Both jackpots together mean that the potential jackpot for any incredibly lucky punter would stand at over $2.2 billion, meaning the winner will probably have enough to renovate the spare bedroom.


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thoughts on blessings + a freebie!
hi all! i'm so thankful that i have a readership that doesn't judge me on how often i post. i'm so thankful that i have support and love through you all!
this week has been a complete rollercoaster. i've experienced things this past week ( i'm talking this past sunday a week ago until now as my week ) that i never thought i would have experienced. i've grown and developed in ways that were so challenging to me as a teen, but now i'm learning how to overcome. i'm proud of myself. i've made leaps and bounds, and i feel like every once and a while its okay to admit that. we all go through challenges, struggles, blessings, and life with different outcomes. sometimes, its just best to put your blessings first.
last week, my husband's grandma passed away. it was sudden, and completely took us off guard. we had always planned on taking the hubb's convertible down for her to have a joy ride in it ( all 90 pounds of her, and her perfectly jet black hair and feisty attitude ). she loved evan and me with her whole heart. she loved hearing about what we were doing, learning, buying, whatever. she loved to be a part of our lives. she always enjoyed little notes that i wrote to her. i'm telling yall, snail mail is THE BEST. just sayin'! she and my grandma would write notes to each other through the mail – after they became instant besties at our wedding. they both cherished their grandchildren. life is a bit different without mrs. ada, but she'll never be forgotten. please say a little prayer for my hubby and his family in the coming weeks of many changes.
this week, i was reading through my bible study, and something hit me that i never talk about my blessings. i proceeded to doodle the word onto a notepad, and just started a list. i thought this would be a great post for us to all to share our blessings list. so, i've included a hand-lettered page for you to print out on your own, and hang up where you know you'll see it. it might be your fridge, your office, your car, whatever. just know that sometimes instead of letting our brain get in control ( see this instagram post from last night ) we can choose to change it. by focusing on our blessings.
my list included:
– maxie- a considerate husband
– freedom
– joy
– space
– flexibility in my schedule
– trust
– patience
– a beautiful condo
– a husband that provides for us
– family
– love
– friends
so make sure you click here & print out this little freebie, and share with me in the comments what your blessings are!


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I've had a creative concept mulling in my head for awhile. I'm still in the process of execution but wanted to share my work as it sits in progress.
The inspiration is my hometown, a place often ostracized for not being beautiful enough, progressive enough or safe enough—arguments that do, I admit, hold a grain of truth but are primarily steeped in ignorance. To many, it is a city that just exists. A sleepy prairie oasis on the Trans-Canada highway acting primarily as a rest stop between Toronto and the more affluent economic hubs of Western Canada.
In a sense, I appreciate this nondescript reputation. It keeps things secret. It keeps things mine.
With this series, which will merge romanticism illustration with modern photography, I aim to celebrate the beauty and ugliness, the darkness and light, of my beloved hometown: Winnipeg.


text: Education / Graduate Education / PhD Programs / Neuroscience Graduate Program (NGP) / News News 20192018201720162015 Archive Subscribe to Neuroscience LISTSERV Neuroscience Students and Faculty Receive Awards at ConvocationMonday, September 23, 2019Neuroscience students and faculty made a big splash at the 2019 School of Medicine & Dentristy Convocation Ceremony. The following were awarded and recognized for their achievements: Martha Gdowski, Ph.D., received the Manuel D. Goldman Prize for Excellence in First Year Teaching & the Marvin J. Hoffman Faculty Mentoring Award John Olschowka, Ph.D., received a Commendation for First Year Teaching Sergiy Nadtochiy, Ph.D., received a Commendation for First Year Teaching Sarah McConnell, Ph.D., received the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Teaching Johanna Fritzinger, first year NGP student, received the Irving L. Spar Fellowship Award Sarah Yablonkski, first year NGP student, received the Merritt & Marjorie Cleveland Fellowship & the Robert L. and Mary L. Sproull University Fellowship Suzanne Haber, Ph.D., received the Dean's Professorship Marc Halterman, M.D., received the Dean's Associate Professorship Congratulations to all recipients! You're Invited: URMC Reception at SfNWednesday, September 18, 2019Professor Maddox receives funding from NIH and NIDCDFriday, August 23, 2019Professor Ross Maddox has received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) for his project, "Rapid acquisition of the frequency-specific auditory brainstem response through parallel stimulus presentation." The frequency-specific auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a diagnostic tool that is used to test for hearing loss in infants and prescribe treatments such as behavioral intervention or hearing aids. The ABR is performed while the baby sleeps, which leads to tests with unpredictable durations that are often too short to provide complete information. This project is relevant to public health because it provides a new kind of ABR exam that can be run much faster, allowing more complete and accurate diagnoses to be made.NGP Student Article Published in the bioRxivMonday, August 19, 2019Abstract: Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND), including delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction, are serious complications that afflict up to 50% of surgical patients and for which there are no disease-modifying therapeutic options. Here, we test whether prophylactic treatment with the broad spectrum mixed-lineage kinase 3 inhibitor URMC-099 prevents surgery-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in a translational model orthopedic surgery-induced PND. We used a combination of two-photon scanning laser microscopy and CLARITY with light-sheet microscopy to define surgery-induced changes in microglial morphology and dynamics. Orthopedic surgery induced microglial activation in the hippocampus and cortex that accompanied impairments in episodic memory. URMC-099 prophylaxis prevented these neuropathological sequelae without impacting bone fracture healing. Together, these findings provide compelling evidence for the advancement of URMC-099 as a therapeutic option for PND.Read More: NGP Student Article Published in the bioRxivTranslating FearThursday, August 1, 2019Fear is a normal emotion in animals and humans alike, enabling us to stay safe and avoid harm. Human anxiety disorders, including conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder, are conceptualized as an 'over-reactivity' of normal fear responses, or inability to modulate fear once the response is no longer appropriate. In the last decade, studies have delineated fear circuitry in rodents, to build models of how normal fear responses are instantiated when threat is present, and how fear learning is 'neutralized' by new learning when threat is no longer present (a process known as extinction). Up until now, these models had not yet been examined in brains similar to those in humans. In a new study, published in Cerebral Cortex, researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center used very small, paired injections of neuronal tracers in the brains of nonhuman primates, and examined how the amygdala communicates with the primate analogues of the prelimbic (fear) and infralimbic (extinction) PFC. The study, co-led by Keshov Sharma, a third year MSTP graduate student, found that, as in rodent, projections from the basal nucleus of the amygdala exist in nonhuman primates. However, there is also a substantial input from a neighboring region known as accessory basal nucleus, a greatly expanded amygdala nucleus in nonhuman primates and humans.Read More: Translating FearProfessor Carney receives renewed NIH fundingMonday, July 15, 2019Congratulations to Professor Laurel Carney on the renewal of her NIH R01 for her project, "Auditory Processing of Complex Sounds." The Carney Lab hypothesizes that midbrain sensitivity to neural amplitude and frequency fluctuations in peripheral responses provides a robust representation of complex sounds, including speech. Aim 1 tests this hypothesis with physiological and behavioral studies of midbrain responses to stimuli that combine these cues, including "designer" stimuli with conflicting cues to determine how they may interact. These results will be used to test and refine a new computational model for midbrain responses with sensitivity to these cues. Aim 2 tests the hypothesis with physiological responses of midbrain neurons to voiced speech, to directly test model predictions based on characterization of each neuron's sensitivity to these cues. Understanding the role in speech coding of the amplitude and frequency fluctuations in peripheral responses is clinically significant because these fluctuations are vulnerable to SNHL. In Aim 3, we will test the hypothesis that amplitude and frequency fluctuations can be manipulated in synthetic speech to influence intelligibility in human listeners with or without SNHL, in quiet and in noise. Preliminary results from modeling, physiological, and behavioral studies support the proposed hypotheses. Ultimately, our goal is to extend this approach to manipulate fluctuation contrasts in running speech, to effectively "correct" sound for the impaired ear.Brain stimulation speeds up visual learning in healthy adults, helps patients re-learn how to seeTuesday, May 28, 2019Practice results in better learning. Consider learning a musical instrument, for example: the more one practices, the better one will be able to learn to play. The same holds true for cognition and visual perception: with practice, a person can learn to see better—and this is the case for both healthy adults and patients who experience vision loss because of a traumatic brain injury or stroke. The problem with learning, however, is that it often takes a lot of training. Finding the time can be especially difficult for patients with brain injuries who may, for instance, need to re-train their brains to learn to process visual cues. But what if this learning process could be accelerated? That's what University of Rochester researchers Duje Tadin, a professor of brain and cognitive sciences, and Krystel Huxlin, the James V. Aquavella, M.D. Professor in Ophthalmology at the University's Flaum Eye Institute, set out to determine. Motivated by emerging evidence that brain stimulation might aid learning, Tadin and Huxlin collaborated with researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology to study how different types of non-invasive brain stimulation affect visual perceptual learning and retention in both healthy individuals and those with brain damage. Their results, published in a paper in the Journal of Neuroscience, could lead to enhanced learning efficacy for both populations and improved vision recovery for cortically blind patients. Enhancing learning with brain stimulation Learning is difficult and often takes a long time, Tadin says, "because after early childhood our brains become less plastic." The brain's ability to change and reorganize itself decreases as a person ages, so learning new tasks, or re-learning tasks after experiencing a brain injury, becomes more challenging. To test if and how visual perceptual learning might be accelerated, researchers presented study participants with a computer-based task. Participants were shown clouds of dots and were asked to determine which way the dots moved across the computer screen. The task measured the participants' motion integration threshold; motion perception is important in enabling people to see movement and either to avoid or interact with moving objects. Participants were then asked to perform the task while sub-groups were given different types of brain stimulation, each involving a non-invasive electrical current applied over the visual cortex. The researchers found that one particular type of brain stimulation, called transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), had remarkable effects on improving participants' motion integration thresholds when they performed the task. "All groups of participants got better at the dot motion task with practice, but the group that also trained with tRNS improved twice as much and was able to learn the motion task better than other groups," Tadin says. Surprisingly, the researchers also found that when they re-tested the participants six months later, the boosts in performance were still there: the participants in the tRNS group had retained what they had learned and were still able to do better on the motion task compared to the groups that were given other stimulation techniques or training alone.Read More: Brain stimulation speeds up visual learning in healthy adults, helps patients re-learn how to seeIn The News: Interviews with Scientists: Rianne StowellTuesday, May 7, 2019Rianne Stowell, fifth year graduate student in the Majewska Lab, is interviewed by Hello Bio about her research, the most important lesson she's learned as Ph.D. student, her proudest career moment and more.Read More: In The News: Interviews with Scientists: Rianne StowellDr. Gary Paige is awarded 2019 Peter Shrager AwardFriday, May 3, 2019Dr. Gary Paige is the 2019 recipient of the Peter Shrager Award, which recognizes exceptional service to the Rochester neuroscience community. The award was established in 2017 to honor Dr. Peter Shrager, professor in the Department of Neuroscience, for his commitment to the education and research mission of the neuroscience enterprise at the University over his last 40 years as a faculty member. Dr. Gary Paige served as the chair of Neurobiology and Anatomy for more than ten years and was a tireless advocate for neuroscience faculty and students. In this role, he built a very open neuroscience community, expanding the department through secondary appointments and encouraging faculty be active members of the neuroscience community at large. He was a strong supporter of graduate and medical education, using creative solutions to forge collaborative and interdisciplinary research that integrated basic, translational and clinical approaches. Since stepping down as chair, he has continued to be influential in creative ways by marrying his two loves—art and neuroscience—in the Arts in Mind project, an educational experience for UR students and faculty. Dr. John Foxe presented the award at the annual neuroscience retreat on Friday, April 12.NGP Alum, Aleta Steevens, awarded Doty prizeFriday, May 3, 2019Aleta Steevens, recent doctoral graduate from the Kiernan lab, received the Robert Doty prize for the 2019 outstanding dissertation in neuroscience. The Doty prize is named in the honor of longtime faculty member Robert Doty, who made great contributions to neuroscience research at the University of Rochester and nationally. It is awarded on the basis of the impact and importance of research, novelty of experimental design, independence and creativity of the student and research implications and relevance for neuroscience. Aleta's thesis entitled "The Dynamic Role of SOX2 in Mammalian Inner Ear Development," which she successfully defended on April 16, 2018, embodied all these characteristics. Aleta was also awarded an NIH predoctoral fellowship, and her work has resulted in two first-author publications. Beyond her research, Aleta was exceptionally active and successful in teaching. She served as a TA in the course Biology of Mental Disorders, and won the Edward Peck Curtis teaching award in 2016. Aleta has now moved to her postdoctoral position with Dr. Walter Low at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Peter Shrager presented the prize at the annual neuroscience retreat on Friday, April 12.Handy Gelbard Honored for Pediatric HIV/AIDS ResearchWednesday, April 17, 2019 Handy Gelbard, M.D., Ph.D., professor and director of the Center for Neurotherapeutics Discovery at URMC, is the 2019-2020 recipient of the Herman and Gertrude Silver Award, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of pediatric HIV and AIDS. The award is given by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Department of Pediatrics of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Past award winners include a Nobel laureate and HIV investigators from leading academic institutions, the National Institutes of Health (including the current directors of the Office of AIDS Research and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the past 10 years Gelbard's lab has been developing a compound called URMC-099, which dampens inflammation and has shown promise in reversing the neurological problems associated with HIV. Children with HIV who are taking combination antiretroviral therapies are extremely vulnerable to inflammation; the developing nervous system is of particular concern, as inflammation in the brain can lead to major cognitive problems. The possibility of a new class of therapies that reduces the burden of neuroinflammation and supports normal synaptic architecture (the basis for learning and memory) offers considerable hope for children that are saddled with the unwanted burden of HIV, despite effective control of the virus. Gelbard believes the path forward for URMC-099 as an adjunct agent for children living with HIV and neurologic disease will likely involve combination therapy with next generation antiretroviral agents. This is a priority in resource-limited settings such as Africa, and Gelbard is working with David Bearden, M.D., assistant professor in the division of Child Neurology at URMC to help advance uses for URMC-099 in pediatric patients there. Bearden's work is supported by a National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke grant to Gretchen Birbeck, M.D., M.P.H., professor of Neurology and Michael Potchen, M.D., professor of Imaging Sciences. The work is also supported by the University of Rochester Center for AIDS Research. Gelbard will receive the Silver Award in November during a two-day symposium at CHOP. He will present pediatric grand rounds describing his progress in inventing the class of compounds spearheaded by URMC-099 and its role in treating pediatric and adult HIV infection and its complications. He'll also give a seminar on current and future developments related to URMC-099 to attendees from multiple medical and scientific institutions in Philadelphia.Brendan Whitelaw receives 2019 Edward Peck Curtis Awards for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate StudentTuesday, April 16, 2019Neuroscience Graduate Program and Medical Scientist Training Program student Brendan Whitelaw has been selected as one of the recipients of the 2019 Edward Peck Curtis Awards for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student. The awards were established to recognize graduate students who advance the teaching mission of the University by providing highly skilled and innovative undergraduate education. Students were nominated by their department chair and a faculty member. Congratulations, Brendan!Read More: Brendan Whitelaw receives 2019 Edward Peck Curtis Awards for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate StudentAn eye for seeing big problems, and solving themFriday, April 12, 2019 From the very beginning of her career, Krystel Huxlin has looked for big problems to solve. Now she's doing something about a very big problem indeed: Loss of vision after a stroke or brain injury. "When people have a stroke that affects the motor system, they are sent to rehab as soon as possible," says Huxlin, the James V. Aquavella, M.D. Professor in Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester's Flaum Eye Institute. "They get retrained to use a weak arm or leg, and to regain speech." "But if they have a stroke that affects vision, which involves more than 30 percent of our brain matter and is our dominant sense, they are told there's essentially nothing that can be done." They're told "they should go home and get used to being blind." Even more frustrating for Huxlin is when applications for disability are challenged because a stroke or injury victim "still has" a 50 percent field of vision. With only a 50 percent field of vision, it's difficult to spot a car coming from the right or left, to detect objects, to navigate through an airport, and even–especially if the "blind area" is to the right of center—to keep your eye anchored on the line of a book you are trying to read. "All of these things become excruciatingly difficult," Huxlin says.Read More: An eye for seeing big problems, and solving themUniversity of Rochester Investigators Attend the 2019 ARO MidWinter MeetingFriday, February 22, 2019The University of Rochester was well-represented at the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO)'s 42nd Annual MidWinter Meeting. This prestigious academic conference brings together researchers and clinicians from around the world to present their work on diverse topics in the fields of Otolaryngology and Auditory Neuroscience. Several UR Neuroscience Department investigators were on hand to share their findings with over 1500 colleagues at Baltimore's Marriott Waterfront from February 9th to the 13th. Genetic signaling pathways underlying cochlear development, damage, and recovery were highlighted by the White and Kiernan labs. Patricia White's lab presented their work on hearing recovery within adult mouse cochlea after noise damage. Jingyuan Zhang, a postdoctoral candidate, proposed activation of the ErbB signaling pathway as a means to promote hearing recovery and regeneration in the inner ear. Holly Beaulac, a Neuroscience graduate student, discussed how the transcription factor FOXO3 may play a role in cochlear inflammatory regulation. Felicia Gilels, a CBD graduate student in Amy Kiernan's lab, examined the role of the Notch signaling pathway in cochlear maturation. Specifically, she presented work showing that loss of JAG1 leads to auditory neuropathy, caused by stereocilia defects in the inner hair cells. These results indicate that hair cell regeneration by manipulating Notch should proceed cautiously, as clearly the postnatal roles of Notch are not fully understood. Ross Maddox's lab investigates how multiple sensory stimuli can be processed and how distractions including noise can affect the efficacy of such input. Lab members Madeline Cappelloni, a BME graduate student, and undergraduate Sara Fiscella explained the ways in which coherence of visual and auditory stimuli may be disrupted during task manipulation. See Ross Maddox's research elevator pitch here: Ross Maddox - #pitchARO Yingxuan Wang, a BME graduate student in Ken Henry's lab, described their investigation into inferior colliculus neural responses when birds attempt to detect tones in noise. Laurel Carney and her students showcased their findings across five posters. BME graduate student Langchen (Elsie) Fan provided physiological model simulations of comodulation masking release, or the ways tones can become easier to hear in noise, for individuals with and without hearing loss. Paul Mitchell, a BME graduate student, helped characterize midbrain selectivity for direction and velocity during sound presentation. In the realm of vestibular research, J. Chris Holt gave a podium talk on establishing the pharmacological tools to investigate the physiological role of mammalian vestibular efferents, the nerves that project from the central nervous system to the vestibular sensory cells. Benjamin Crane and undergraduate Raul Rodriquez discussed the adaptation of heading perception which is important for ambulation, navigation, and spatial orientation. Daniel Martin, a medical resident in the Crane lab, presented his use of a novel virtual reality technique to adapt heading perception in cases of unilateral vestibular loss. Art and science intersected in the neuroscience of music presentations. Using EEG, Nathaniel Zuk, a postdoctoral candidate in Edmund Lalor's lab, revealed specialized high-level processing of both speech and music. Anne Luebke featured three posters focused on how musical training can influence one's ability to discriminate between tones in noise. She also highlighted ongoing collaborative work with Loisa Bennetto and Paul Allen on how musical aptitude can predict auditory filtering in young adults and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. ARO's 2019 MidWinter Meeting provided an impressive showcase of promising areas of research in otolaryngology and auditory neuroscience. We expect UR's scientific impact to continue at next year's meeting in San Jose, California! PHOTOS: ARO's Mid-Winter Annual Meeting Jingyuan Zhang, PhD at her Podium Talk with Patricia White, PhD moderating Ken Henry, PhD and Yingxuan Wang, PhD Candidate - BME, at their poster Langchen (Elsie) Fan, PhD Candidate - BME, at her poster Paul Mitchell, PhD Candidate - BME, at his poster J. Chris Holt, PhD at his Podium Talk Jenna Glatzer (BS - Neuroscience '18), Aleta Steevens (PhD - Neuroscience '18), Courtney Kellogg (PhD Candidate - CBD), Felicia Gilels (PhD Candidate - CBD) Jingyuan Zhang (PhD - Biology '18), & Holly Beaulac (PhD Candidate- Neuroscience) Multi-Target Drugs Should Be in the Pharma Pipeline along with Precision DrugsThursday, January 31, 2019"Precision medicine—providing the right treatment, for the right patient, at the right time—is saving lives. The use of therapies that home in on single targets is helping beat tough-to-treat diseases that were often deadly in the past," writes Harris Gelbard, a professor of neurology, pediatrics, neuroscience, and microbiology and immunology, who is also director of the Medical Center's Center for Neurotherapeutics Discovery. "But we're overlooking another class of extremely important and promising candidates: multi-target drugs."Read More: Multi-Target Drugs Should Be in the Pharma Pipeline along with Precision DrugsStudy suggests how high blood pressure might contribute to Alzheimer'sMonday, January 28, 2019The brain's system for removing waste is driven primarily by the pulsations of adjoining arteries, University of Rochester neuroscientists and mechanical engineers report in a new study. They also show that changes in the pulsations caused by high blood pressure slow the removal of waste, reducing its efficiency. This might explain the association between high blood pressure and Alzheimer' disease, the researchers say. Alzheimer's, the most common cause of dementia among older adults, is characterized by abnormal clumps and tangled bundles of fibers in the brain. The study, reported in Nature Communications, builds upon groundbreaking discoveries about the brain's waste removal system by Maiken Nedergaard, co-director of the University's Center for Translational Neuromedicine. Nedergaard and her colleagues were the first to describe how cerebrospinal fluid is pumped into brain tissue and flushes away waste. Subsequent research by her team has shown that this glymphatic waste removal system is more active while we sleep and can be damaged by stroke and trauma. This latest research shows "in much greater depth and much greater precision than before" how the glymphatic system functions in the perivascular spaces that surround arteries in the outer brain membrane, says Douglas Kelley, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and an expert in fluid dynamics. His lab is collaborating with Nedergaard's team as part of a $3.2 million National Institute on Aging grant. For this study, Humberto Mestre, a PhD student in Nedergaard's lab, injected minute particles in the cerebrospinal fluid of mice, and then used two-photon microscopy to create videos showing the particles as they moved through the perivascular spaces.Read More: Study suggests how high blood pressure might contribute to Alzheimer'sIn The News: UR study on brain waves may allow doctors to diagnose autism earlierFriday, January 25, 2019The following is an except of an article by Josh Navarro that originally appeared on WROC/RochesterFirst.com: A new study to help understand brain waves in children with autism is underway right now at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Their aim is to foster earlier detection and foster better therapies in the future. Children with autism respond differently when they hear a sound such as music or see an illustration. Honing in the difference in brain waves between autistic children and children who do not have autism, is part of a new study at Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at URMC. "If you can provide a biological marker that could be reproduced earlier in a child's development, then that therapy can start earlier, the better outlook for that particular child," said Dr. Evan Myers, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Cognitive Neurophysiology Lab in the University of Rochester Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience. Researchers will place a electroencephalography cap and have kids observe different images on a computer screen. The findings will determine the next step through clinical trials with the goal of diagnosing a child with autism a lot sooner. Read More: In The News: UR study on brain waves may allow doctors to diagnose autism earlierDr. Kuan Hong Wang comes to the University of RochesterMonday, January 21, 2019We are pleased to welcome Dr. Wang to the University of Rochester Medical Center, the Department of Neuroscience and the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience from the NIH. Dr. Wang comes to us as the former chief of the Unit on Neural Circuits and Adaptive Behaviors at the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Wang received his B.A. in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard College and his Ph.D. from the University of California at San Francisco, where he studied the molecular regulators of sensory axon growth and branching during development with Marc Tessier-Lavigne. Dr. Wang obtained postdoctoral training with Susumu Tonegawa at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he examined the ways in which cortical neurons respond to an animal's experience by directly visualizing the molecular activity of a given set of neurons over several days in the live animal. With this approach, he revealed a physiological function of neural activity regulated gene Arc in sharpening stimulus-specific responses in visual cortex.