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The presence of persistent, latent HIV reservoirs in CD4+ T cells obstructs current efforts to cure infection. The so-called kick-and-kill paradigm proposes to purge these reservoirs by combining latency-reversing agents with immune effectors such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Support for this approach is largely based on success in latency models, which do not fully reflect the makeup of latent reservoirs in individuals on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). Recent studies have shown that CD8+ T cells have the potential to recognize defective proviruses, which comprise the vast majority of all infected cells, and that the proviral landscape can be shaped over time due to in vivo clonal expansion of infected CD4+ T cells. Here, we have shown that treating CD4+ T cells from ART-treated individuals with combinations of potent latency-reversing agents and autologous CD8+ T cells consistently reduced cell-associated HIV DNA, but failed to deplete replication-competent virus. These CD8+ T cells recognized and potently eliminated CD4+ T cells that were newly infected with autologous reservoir virus, ruling out a role for both immune escape and CD8+ T cell dysfunction. Thus, our results suggest that cells harboring replication-competent HIV possess an inherent resistance to CD8+ T cells that may need to be addressed to cure infection.
Szu-Han Huang, Yanqin Ren, Allison S. Thomas, Dora Chan, Stefanie Mueller, Adam R. Ward, Shabnum Patel, Catherine M. Bollard, Conrad Russell Cruz, Sara Karandish, Ronald Truong, Amanda B. Macedo, Alberto Bosque, Colin Kovacs, Erika Benko, Alicja Piechocka-Trocha, Hing Wong, Emily Jeng, Douglas F. Nixon, Ya-Chi Ho, Robert F. Siliciano, Bruce D. Walker, R. Brad Jones
Total views: 2778
Programmed death–ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on tumor cells is essential for T cell impairment, and PD-L1 blockade therapy has shown unprecedented durable responses in several clinical studies. Although higher expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells is associated with a better immune response after Ab blockade, some PD-L1–negative patients also respond to this therapy. In the current study, we explored whether PD-L1 on tumor or host cells was essential for anti–PD-L1–mediated therapy in 2 different murine tumor models. Using real-time imaging in whole tumor tissues, we found that anti–PD-L1 Ab accumulates in tumor tissues, regardless of the status of PD-L1 expression on tumor cells. We further observed that, while PD-L1 on tumor cells was largely dispensable for the response to checkpoint blockade, PD-L1 in host myeloid cells was essential for this response. Additionally, PD-L1 signaling in defined antigen-presenting cells (APCs) negatively regulated and inhibited T cell activation. PD-L1 blockade inside tumors was not sufficient to mediate regression, as limiting T cell trafficking reduced the efficacy of the blockade. Together, these findings demonstrate that PD-L1 expressed in APCs, rather than on tumor cells, plays an essential role in checkpoint blockade therapy, providing an insight into the mechanisms of this therapy.
Haidong Tang, Yong Liang, Robert A. Anders, Janis M. Taube, Xiangyan Qiu, Aditi Mulgaonkar, Xin Liu, Susan M. Harrington, Jingya Guo, Yangchun Xin, Yahong Xiong, Kien Nham, William Silvers, Guiyang Hao, Xiankai Sun, Mingyi Chen, Raquibul Hannan, Jian Qiao, Haidong Dong, Hua Peng, Yang-Xin Fu
Total views: 2608
Programmed death-1 receptor (PD-L1, B7-H1) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway blockade is a promising therapy for treating cancer. However, the mechanistic contribution of host and tumor PD-L1 and PD-1 signaling to the therapeutic efficacy of PD-L1 and PD-1 blockade remains elusive. Here, we evaluated 3 tumor-bearing mouse models that differ in their sensitivity to PD-L1 blockade and demonstrated a loss of therapeutic efficacy of PD-L1 blockade in immunodeficient mice and in PD-L1– and PD-1–deficient mice. In contrast, neither knockout nor overexpression of PD-L1 in tumor cells had an effect on PD-L1 blockade efficacy. Human and murine studies showed high levels of functional PD-L1 expression in dendritic cells and macrophages in the tumor microenvironments and draining lymph nodes. Additionally, expression of PD-L1 on dendritic cells and macrophages in ovarian cancer and melanoma patients correlated with the efficacy of treatment with either anti–PD-1 alone or in combination with anti–CTLA-4. Thus, PD-L1–expressing dendritic cells and macrophages may mechanistically shape and therapeutically predict clinical efficacy of PD-L1/PD-1 blockade.
Heng Lin, Shuang Wei, Elaine M. Hurt, Michael D. Green, Lili Zhao, Linda Vatan, Wojciech Szeliga, Ronald Herbst, Paul W. Harms, Leslie A. Fecher, Pankaj Vats, Arul M. Chinnaiyan, Christopher D. Lao, Theodore S. Lawrence, Max Wicha, Junzo Hamanishi, Masaki Mandai, Ilona Kryczek, Weiping Zou
Total views: 2603
Enthesopathy is a disorder of bone, tendon, or ligament insertion. It represents one-fourth of all tendon-ligament diseases and is one of the most difficult tendon-ligament disorders to treat. Despite its high prevalence, the exact pathogenesis of this condition remains unknown. Here, we show that TGF-β was activated in both a semi-Achilles tendon transection (SMTS) mouse model and in a dorsiflexion immobilization (DI) mouse model of enthesopathy. High concentrations of active TGF-β recruited mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSCs) and led to excessive vessel formation, bone deterioration, and fibrocartilage calcification. Transgenic expression of active TGF-β1 in bone also induced enthesopathy with a phenotype similar to that observed in SMTS and DI mice. Systemic inhibition of TGF-β activity by injection of 1D11, a TGF-β–neutralizing antibody, but not a vehicle antibody, attenuated the excessive vessel formation and restored uncoupled bone remodeling in SMTS mice. 1D11-treated SMTS fibrocartilage had increased proteoglycan and decreased collagen X and matrix metalloproteinase 13 expression relative to control antibody treatment. Notably, inducible knockout of the TGF-β type II receptor in mouse MSCs preserved the bone microarchitecture and fibrocartilage composition after SMTS relative to the WT littermate controls. Thus, elevated levels of active TGF-β in the enthesis bone marrow induce the initial pathological changes of enthesopathy, indicating that TGF-β inhibition could be a potential therapeutic strategy.
Xiao Wang, Liang Xie, Janet Crane, Gehua Zhen, Fengfeng Li, Ping Yang, Manman Gao, Ruoxian Deng, Yiguo Wang, Xiaohua Jia, Cunyi Fan, Mei Wan, Xu Cao
Total views: 2311
Profound hyperphagia is a major disabling feature of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Characterization of the mechanisms that underlie PWS-associated hyperphagia has been slowed by the paucity of animal models with increased food intake or obesity. Mice with a microdeletion encompassing the Snord116 cluster of noncoding RNAs encoded within the Prader-Willi minimal deletion critical region have previously been reported to show growth retardation and hyperphagia. Here, consistent with previous reports, we observed growth retardation in Snord116+/–P mice with a congenital paternal Snord116 deletion. However, these mice neither displayed increased food intake nor had reduced hypothalamic expression of the proprotein convertase 1 gene PCSK1 or its upstream regulator NHLH2, which have recently been suggested to be key mediators of PWS pathogenesis. Specifically, we disrupted Snord116 expression in the mediobasal hypothalamus in Snord116fl mice via bilateral stereotaxic injections of a Cre-expressing adeno-associated virus (AAV). While the Cre-injected mice had no change in measured energy expenditure, they became hyperphagic between 9 and 10 weeks after injection, with a subset of animals developing marked obesity. In conclusion, we show that selective disruption of Snord116 expression in the mediobasal hypothalamus models the hyperphagia of PWS.
Joseph Polex-Wolf, Brian Y.H. Lam, Rachel Larder, John Tadross, Debra Rimmington, Fàtima Bosch, Verónica Jiménez Cenzano, Eduard Ayuso, Marcella K.L. Ma, Kara Rainbow, Anthony P. Coll, Stephen O'Rahilly, Giles S.H. Yeo
Total views: 2131
The endothelial tyrosine kinase receptor Tie1 remains poorly characterized, largely owing to its orphan receptor status. Global Tie1 inactivation causes late embryonic lethality, thereby reflecting its importance during development. Tie1 also plays pivotal roles during pathologies such as atherosclerosis and tumorigenesis. In order to study the contribution of Tie1 to tumor progression and metastasis, we conditionally deleted Tie1 in endothelial cells at different stages of tumor growth and metastatic dissemination. Tie1 deletion during primary tumor growth in mice led to a decrease in microvessel density and an increase in mural cell coverage with improved vessel perfusion. Reduced angiogenesis and enhanced vascular normalization resulted in a progressive increase of intratumoral necrosis that caused a growth delay only at later stages of tumor progression. Concomitantly, surgical removal of the primary tumor decreased the number of circulating tumor cells, reduced metastasis, and prolonged overall survival. Additionally, Tie1 deletion in experimental murine metastasis models prevented extravasation of tumor cells into the lungs and reduced metastatic foci. Taken together, the data support Tie1 as a therapeutic target by defining its regulatory functions during angiogenesis and vascular abnormalization and identifying its role during metastasis.
Silvia La Porta, Lise Roth, Mahak Singhal, Carolin Mogler, Carleen Spegg, Benjamin Schieb, Xianghu Qu, Ralf H. Adams, H. Scott Baldwin, Soniya Savant, Hellmut G. Augustin
Total views: 2122
The mechanisms that mediate durable protection against Staphylococcus aureus skin reinfections are unclear, as recurrences are common despite high antibody titers and memory T cells. Here, we developed a mouse model of S. aureus skin reinfection to investigate protective memory responses. In contrast with WT mice, IL-1β–deficient mice exhibited poor neutrophil recruitment and bacterial clearance during primary infection that was rescued during secondary S. aureus challenge. The γδ T cells from skin-draining LNs utilized compensatory T cell–intrinsic TLR2/MyD88 signaling to mediate rescue by trafficking and producing TNF and IFN-γ, which restored neutrophil recruitment and promoted bacterial clearance. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) of the LNs revealed a clonotypic S. aureus–induced γδ T cell expansion with a complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) aa sequence identical to that of invariant Vγ5+ dendritic epidermal T cells. However, this T cell receptor γ (TRG) aa sequence of the dominant CDR3 sequence was generated from multiple gene rearrangements of TRGV5 and TRGV6, indicating clonotypic expansion. TNF- and IFN-γ–producing γδ T cells were also expanded in peripheral blood of IRAK4-deficient humans no longer predisposed to S. aureus skin infections. Thus, clonally expanded γδ T cells represent a mechanism for long-lasting immunity against recurrent S. aureus skin infections.
Carly A. Dillen, Bret L. Pinsker, Alina I. Marusina, Alexander A. Merleev, Orly N. Farber, Haiyun Liu, Nathan K. Archer, Da B. Lee, Yu Wang, Roger V. Ortines, Steven K. Lee, Mark C. Marchitto, Shuting S. Cai, Alyssa G. Ashbaugh, Larissa S. May, Steven M. Holland, Alexandra F. Freeman, Loren G. Miller, Michael R. Yeaman, Scott I. Simon, Joshua D. Milner, Emanual Maverakis, Lloyd S. Miller
Total views: 2088
The skeleton has emerged as an important regulator of systemic glucose homeostasis, with osteocalcin and insulin representing prime mediators of the interplay between bone and energy metabolism. However, genetic evidence indicates that osteoblasts can influence global energy metabolism through additional, as yet unknown, mechanisms. Here, we report that constitutive or postnatally induced deletion of the hypoxia signaling pathway component von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) in skeletal osteolineage cells of mice led to high bone mass as well as hypoglycemia and increased glucose tolerance, not accounted for by osteocalcin or insulin. In vitro and in vivo data indicated that Vhl-deficient osteoblasts displayed massively increased glucose uptake and glycolysis associated with upregulated HIF-target gene expression, resembling the Warburg effect that typifies cancer cells. Overall, the glucose consumption by the skeleton was increased in the mutant mice, as revealed by 18F-FDG radioactive tracer experiments. Moreover, the glycemia levels correlated inversely with the level of skeletal glucose uptake, and pharmacological treatment with the glycolysis inhibitor dichloroacetate (DCA), which restored glucose metabolism in Vhl-deficient osteogenic cells in vitro, prevented the development of the systemic metabolic phenotype in the mutant mice. Altogether, these findings reveal a novel link between cellular glucose metabolism in osteoblasts and whole-body glucose homeostasis, controlled by local hypoxia signaling in the skeleton.
Naomi Dirckx, Robert J. Tower, Evi M. Mercken, Roman Vangoitsenhoven, Caroline Moreau-Triby, Tom Breugelmans, Elena Nefyodova, Ruben Cardoen, Chantal Mathieu, Bart Van der Schueren, Cyrille B. Confavreux, Thomas L. Clemens, Christa Maes
Total views: 2074
Coagulation factor XII (FXII) deficiency is associated with decreased neutrophil migration, but the mechanisms remain uncharacterized. Here, we examine how FXII contributes to the inflammatory response. In 2 models of sterile inflammation, FXII-deficient mice (F12–/–) had fewer neutrophils recruited than WT mice. We discovered that neutrophils produced a pool of FXII that is functionally distinct from hepatic-derived FXII and contributes to neutrophil trafficking at sites of inflammation. FXII signals in neutrophils through urokinase plasminogen activator receptor–mediated (uPAR-mediated) Akt2 phosphorylation at S474 (pAktS474). Downstream of pAkt2S474, FXII stimulation of neutrophils upregulated surface expression of αMβ2 integrin, increased intracellular calcium, and promoted extracellular DNA release. The sum of these activities contributed to neutrophil cell adhesion, migration, and release of neutrophil extracellular traps in a process called NETosis. Decreased neutrophil signaling in F12–/– mice resulted in less inflammation and faster wound healing. Targeting hepatic F12 with siRNA did not affect neutrophil migration, whereas WT BM transplanted into F12–/– hosts was sufficient to correct the neutrophil migration defect in F12–/– mice and restore wound inflammation. Importantly, these activities were a zymogen FXII function and independent of FXIIa and contact activation, highlighting that FXII has a sophisticated role in vivo that has not been previously appreciated.
Evi X. Stavrou, Chao Fang, Kara L. Bane, Andy T. Long, Clément Naudin, Erdem Kucukal, Agharnan Gandhi, Adina Brett-Morris, Michele M. Mumaw, Sudeh Izadmehr, Alona Merkulova, Cindy C. Reynolds, Omar Alhalabi, Lalitha Nayak, Wen-Mei Yu, Cheng-Kui Qu, Howard J. Meyerson, George R. Dubyak, Umut A. Gurkan, Marvin T. Nieman, Anirban Sen Gupta, Thomas Renné, Alvin H. Schmaier
Total views: 1856
Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) frequently progress to bone marrow failure or acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and mutations in epigenetic regulators such as the metabolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) are associated with poor outcomes. Here, we showed that combined expression of Jak2V617F and mutant IDH1R132H or Idh2R140Q induces MPN progression, alters stem/progenitor cell function, and impairs differentiation in mice. Jak2V617F Idh2R140Q–mutant MPNs were sensitive to small-molecule inhibition of IDH. Combined inhibition of JAK2 and IDH2 normalized the stem and progenitor cell compartments in the murine model and reduced disease burden to a greater extent than was seen with JAK inhibition alone. In addition, combined JAK2 and IDH2 inhibitor treatment also reversed aberrant gene expression in MPN stem cells and reversed the metabolite perturbations induced by concurrent JAK2 and IDH2 mutations. Combined JAK2 and IDH2 inhibitor therapy also showed cooperative efficacy in cells from MPN patients with both JAK2mut and IDH2mut mutations. Taken together, these data suggest that combined JAK and IDH inhibition may offer a therapeutic advantage in this high-risk MPN subtype.
Anna Sophia McKenney, Allison N. Lau, Amritha Varshini Hanasoge Somasundara, Barbara Spitzer, Andrew M. Intlekofer, Jihae Ahn, Kaitlyn Shank, Franck T. Rapaport, Minal A. Patel, Efthymia Papalexi, Alan H. Shih, April Chiu, Elizaveta Freinkman, Esra A. Akbay, Mya Steadman, Raj Nagaraja, Katharine Yen, Julie Teruya-Feldstein, Kwok-Kin Wong, Raajit Rampal, Matthew G. Vander Heiden, Craig B. Thompson, Ross L. Levine
Total views: 1851
Increased sugar consumption is increasingly considered to be a contributor to the worldwide epidemics of obesity and diabetes and their associated cardiometabolic risks. As a result of its unique metabolic properties, the fructose component of sugar may be particularly harmful. Diets high in fructose can rapidly produce all of the key features of the metabolic syndrome. Here we review the biology of fructose metabolism as well as potential mechanisms by which excessive fructose consumption may contribute to cardiometabolic disease.
Sarah A. Hannou, Danielle E. Haslam, Nicola M. McKeown, Mark A. Herman
Total views: 3988
The fundamental pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is neuronal dysfunction leading to cognitive impairment. The amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), derived from amyloid precursor protein, is one driver of AD, but how it leads to neuronal dysfunction is not established. In this Review, I discuss the complexity of AD and possible cause-and-effect relationships between Aβ and the vascular and hemostatic systems. AD can be considered a multifactorial syndrome with various contributing pathological mechanisms. Therefore, as is routinely done with cancer, it will be important to classify patients with respect to their disease signature so that specific pathologies, including vascular pathways, can be therapeutically targeted.
Sidney Strickland
Total views: 1394
Microglia are brain-resident myeloid cells that mediate key functions to support the CNS. Microglia express a wide range of receptors that act as molecular sensors, which recognize exogenous or endogenous CNS insults and initiate an immune response. In addition to their classical immune cell function, microglia act as guardians of the brain by promoting phagocytic clearance and providing trophic support to ensure tissue repair and maintain cerebral homeostasis. Conditions associated with loss of homeostasis or tissue changes induce several dynamic microglial processes, including changes of cellular morphology, surface phenotype, secretory mediators, and proliferative responses (referred to as an "activated state"). Activated microglia represent a common pathological feature of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cumulative evidence suggests that microglial inflammatory activity in AD is increased while microglial-mediated clearance mechanisms are compromised. Microglia are perpetually engaged in a mutual interaction with the surrounding environment in CNS; thus, diverse microglial reactions at different disease stages may open new avenues for therapeutic intervention and modification of inflammatory activities. In this Review, the role of microglia in the pathogenesis of AD and the modulation of microglia activity as a therapeutic modality will be discussed.
Heela Sarlus, Michael T. Heneka
Total views: 640
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is dynamically tuned to optimize physiological function. Its major properties, including composition and mechanics, profoundly influence cell biology. Cell-ECM interactions operate through an integrated set of sensor and effector circuits that use several classes of receptors and signal transduction pathways. At the single-cell level, the ECM governs differentiation, metabolism, motility, orientation, proliferation, and survival. At the cell population level, the ECM provides higher-order guidance that is essential for physiological function. When pathological changes in the ECM lead to impairment of organ function, we use the term "fibrosis." In this Review, we differentiate fibrosis initiation from progression and focus primarily on progressive lung fibrosis impairing organ function. We present a working model to explain how the altered ECM is not only a consequence but also a driver of fibrosis. Additionally, we advance the concept that fibrosis progression occurs in a fibrogenic niche that is composed of a fibrogenic ECM that nurtures fibrogenic mesenchymal progenitor cells and their fibrogenic progeny.
Jeremy Herrera, Craig A. Henke, Peter B. Bitterman
Total views: 549
Fibroblasts synthesize the extracellular matrix of connective tissue and play an essential role in maintaining the structural integrity of most tissues. Researchers have long suspected that fibroblasts exhibit functional specialization according to their organ of origin, body site, and spatial location. In recent years, a number of approaches have revealed the existence of fibroblast subtypes in mice. Here, we discuss fibroblast heterogeneity with a focus on the mammalian dermis, which has proven an accessible and tractable system for the dissection of these relationships. We begin by considering differences in fibroblast identity according to anatomical site of origin. Subsequently, we discuss new results relating to the existence of multiple fibroblast subtypes within the mouse dermis. We consider the developmental origin of fibroblasts and how this influences heterogeneity and lineage restriction. We discuss the mechanisms by which fibroblast heterogeneity arises, including intrinsic specification by transcriptional regulatory networks and epigenetic factors in combination with extrinsic effects of the spatial context within tissue. Finally, we discuss how fibroblast heterogeneity may provide insights into pathological states including wound healing, fibrotic diseases, and aging. Our evolving understanding suggests that ex vivo expansion or in vivo inhibition of specific fibroblast subtypes may have important therapeutic applications.
Magnus D. Lynch, Fiona M. Watt
Total views: 544
Recent discoveries of the glymphatic system and of meningeal lymphatic vessels have generated a lot of excitement, along with some degree of skepticism. Here, we summarize the state of the field and point out the gaps of knowledge that should be filled through further research. We discuss the glymphatic system as a system that allows CNS perfusion by the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid (ISF). We also describe the recently characterized meningeal lymphatic vessels and their role in drainage of the brain ISF, CSF, CNS-derived molecules, and immune cells from the CNS and meninges to the peripheral (CNS-draining) lymph nodes. We speculate on the relationship between the two systems and their malfunction that may underlie some neurological diseases. Although much remains to be investigated, these new discoveries have changed our understanding of mechanisms underlying CNS immune privilege and CNS drainage. Future studies should explore the communications between the glymphatic system and meningeal lymphatics in CNS disorders and develop new therapeutic modalities targeting these systems.
Antoine Louveau, Benjamin A. Plog, Salli Antila, Kari Alitalo, Maiken Nedergaard, Jonathan Kipnis
Total views: 464
Fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix that often occurs as a wound healing response to repeated or chronic tissue injury, and may lead to the disruption of organ architecture and loss of function. Although fibrosis was previously thought to be irreversible, recent evidence indicates that certain circumstances permit the resolution of fibrosis when the underlying causes of injury are eradicated. The mechanism of fibrosis resolution encompasses degradation of the fibrotic extracellular matrix as well as elimination of fibrogenic myofibroblasts through their adaptation of various cell fates, including apoptosis, senescence, dedifferentiation, and reprogramming. In this Review, we discuss the present knowledge and gaps in our understanding of how matrix degradation is regulated and how myofibroblast cell fates can be manipulated, areas that may identify potential therapeutic approaches for fibrosis.
Joon-Il Jun, Lester F. Lau
Total views: 463
The clinical spectrum of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) encompasses a common birth defect in humans that has significant impact on long-term patient survival. Overall, data indicate that approximately 20% of patients may have a genetic disorder that is usually not detected based on standard clinical evaluation, implicating many different mutational mechanisms and pathogenic pathways. In particular, 10% to 15% of CAKUT patients harbor an unsuspected genomic disorder that increases risk of neurocognitive impairment and whose early recognition can impact clinical care. The emergence of high-throughput genomic technologies is expected to provide insight into the common and rare genetic determinants of diseases and offer opportunities for early diagnosis with genetic testing.
Simone Sanna-Cherchi, Rik Westland, Gian Marco Ghiggeri, Ali G. Gharavi
Total views: 451
Intratumoral fibrosis results from the deposition of a cross-linked collagen matrix by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). This type of fibrosis has been shown to exert mechanical forces and create a biochemical milieu that, together, shape intratumoral immunity and influence tumor cell metastatic behavior. In this Review, we present recent evidence that CAFs and tumor cells are regulated by provisional matrix molecules, that metastasis results from a change in the type of stromal collagen cross-link, and that fibrosis and inflammation perpetuate each other through proteolytic and chemotactic mediators released into the tumor stroma. We also discuss aspects of the emerging biology that have potential therapeutic value.
Mitsuo Yamauchi, Thomas H. Barker, Don L. Gibbons, Jonathan M. Kurie
Total views: 436
Along with a general decline in overall health, most chronic degenerative human diseases are inherently associated with increasing age. Age-associated cognitive impairments and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, are potentially debilitating conditions that lack viable options for treatment, resulting in a tremendous economic and societal cost. Most high-profile clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases have led to inefficacious results, suggesting that novel approaches to treating these pathologies are needed. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated that senescent cells, which are characterized by sustained cell cycle arrest and production of a distinct senescence-associated secretory phenotype, accumulate with age and at sites of age-related diseases throughout the body, where they actively promote tissue deterioration. Cells with features of senescence have been detected in the context of brain aging and neurodegenerative disease, suggesting that they may also promote dysfunction. Here, we discuss the evidence implicating senescent cells in neurodegenerative diseases, the mechanistic contribution of these cells that may actively drive neurodegeneration, and how these cells or their effects may be targeted therapeutically.
Darren J. Baker, Ronald C. Petersen
Total views: 418


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Win games, go to the Dance and I won't care about ANY of this.
I think Normmm was probably right all along, we'll be really good next year.
An official fan shop, with actual walls, inside Halton.
Quote from: Normmm on April 24, 2017, 01:37:30 pmAn official fan shop, with actual walls, inside Halton.I believe the issue with this is the Barnes and Noble deal the University inked. Nothing the AD can do here.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Lindsay Lohan: Live Without Regrets!by Free Britney at . Comments
Lindsay Lohan's new tattoo suggests she's ready to live without regrets.
Seriously, that's what it says. Live without regrets.
Just a few months ago, Lohan had Billy Joel lyrics - "clear as a crystal, sharp as a knife, I feel like I'm in the prime of my life" - tattooed on her rib cage.
The new ink is much smaller and appears on the celebrity's left wrist. Yay.
LiLo had the work done on Friday night, sources say.
The impetus for the new tattoo, supposedly, is that Lindsay's at a great point in her life ... and she wanted to do something she'd always remember.
That's nice for her and all, but also ironic, as the words "live without regrets" will now be etched permanently on her in a way she almost certainly will.
On the flip side, Playboy airbrushed its Lindsay Lohan pictures so much that you couldn't even see her ink anyway, so there's a workaround there at least.
[Photo: WENN.com]


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I've baked garlic prawn pizza for some time now and each time I make it, it tastes better than the last. The beauty of cooking is that it allows the cook to experiment on new dishes and improve on the old ones. Flexibility is the quality all contemporary cooks should have. While we should stick strictly to the recipes when cooking traditional dishes, we should also have the flexibility to add or replace ingredients in others to invent something original – dish you can call your own. A good cook should be creative, imaginative and bold. By being bold, I mean brave enough to think out of the box and to move away from conventional recipes to create something new and better.
I will share with you my delicious garlic prawn pizza with a twist. In this pizza, I add a lot of prawns and along with caramelised onions to enhance the flavour by bringing out the sweetness of overcookeed onions.
Special Garlic Prawn Pizza
1 1/2 cups flour
1 sachet yeast
1 tsp sugar
3/4 cup warm water
1 tbsp olive oil
1. Sieve flour in a mixing bowl.
2. Dissolve sugar in warm water in small bowl.
3. Sprinkle yeast over warm water. Leave for 5 mins.
4. Make well in sieved flour. Pour the yeast mixture into the well. Blend vigorously for 1 min.
5. Knead the dough till consistency is right.
6. Rub oil on dough and prove it for a least 45 mins. (Prove means putting oiled dough in oiled bowl. Put tea towel over bowl).
7. Knead the newly-formed dough and divide it into two.
8. Flatten the dough with a rolling pin and line the dough onto a greased pizza tray.
500g king prawns
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 big onion, sliced
1 tomato paste
handful of chopped coriander
cayenne pepper
Mozarella cheese, shredded
1. Cook onions on medium heat and let it caramalise slowly.
2. Spread tomato paste on the dough.
3. Sprinkle garlic evenly.
4. Add 3/4 of the caramalised onions.
5. Spread the prawns evenly.
6. Sprinkle pepper and add a dash of cayene pepper.
7. Cover the prawns with the remaining cooked onions.
8. Sprinkle chopped coriander.
9. Top with mozarella cheese.
I must declare it's the best garlic prawn pizza I've made. The caramalised onions did wonders to the pizza. Its sweetness interminggle with that of the prawn and together with the strong kick of the garlic and the tangy tomato paste, create a super phenomenal flavour. I dare say my next garlic prawn pizza will be much more sensational.
3 Responses to MOUTH-WATERING GARLIC PRAWN PIZZA
[…]Mouth-watering garlic prawn pizza | CONTEMPORARY FLAVOUR[…]…
hi, do you cook the prawns before hand or put the raw prawns on the dough?


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Monday, December 7, 2009
Analysis of the Smattering of Hedge Funds that Posted Positive Returns in 2008 and 2009
We have observed in previous studies that there was a dramatic mean reversion in hedge fund returns over the past two years. In this study, we focus on the handful of funds that outperformed their peers in both years. What are the common characteristics of these "star performers?" Is it possible to identify them ex ante?
We found that:
- Less than 13% of all hedge funds posted positive returns in both 2008 and 2009. The bulk of hedge funds (68%) posted losses in 2008 and gains in 2009.
Accredited investors can read the entire article for free.
From the December 2009 issue of The Hedge Fund Flow Report. The Hedge Fund Flow Report combines the accuracy of the BarclayHedge database with the analytical insight of TrimTabs Investment Research. The report is generated by TrimTabs Investment Research using the most current data on thousands of hedge funds. An annual subscription includes 12 monthly updates as well as a spreadsheet containing historical flow aggregates by category.
To download a free sample of the entire TrimTabs Hedge Fund Flow Report, simply fill out this short request form.
Labels: CTA, Hedge Fund Flow Topical Study, hedge funds
Copyright © 2010 by Barclay Hedge
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Published: 16:30, 04 June 2014 |
Updated: 16:58, 04 June 2014
Beleaguered Kent crime commissioner Ann Barnes told a watchdog committee she would be unable to appear before it because she had booked a three-week holiday, it has emerged.
The commissioner is tomorrow due to answer questions about her appearance in the "car crash" Channel 4 documentary Meet The Commissioner at a meeting of the Kent and Medway Crime Panel.
And she has been engulfed by another controversy today after her youth crime tsar Kerry Boyd, 20, was suspended from public duties amid an investigation into her close friendship with married 50-year-old former councillor Robert Burgess.
Mrs Barnes has been coming under growing pressure to quit her £85,000 post, with politicians from all sides calling for the 68-year-old to "consider her position".
It is thought Mrs Barnes is likely to face further calls to resign from some members of tomorrow's meeting and it is understood she will face a vote of no confidence.
But we can reveal she might not have been at the meeting at all, had the committee agreed to her suggestion to send her chief of staff Mike Stepney in her place to answer questions.
The proposal infuriated members of the panel, with many suggesting the meeting be postponed until she had returned.
It was only today that she was effectively ordered to appear at tomorrow's meeting and delay the start of a three-week holiday.
Members of the panel have told us they cannot understand why the commissioner did not raise a problem with the date of the meeting when the committee scheduled it for tomorrow.
The commissioner was present at that meeting and had not indicated she would be unavailable.
In a statement from her office, Mrs Barnes said: "At last week's meeting of the panel a date for a meeting about the Cutting Edge documentary was announced as 5 June. After the meeting Ann advised panel she was on leave. She has made changes to her annual leave plans since to ensure she is available tomorrow."
She faces an uncomfortable morning being quizzed about her decision to participate in the Channel 4 documentary.
To add to her difficulties, she also now faces questions about the appointment of her second youth tsar, Miss Boyd.
An inquiry has been set up to investigate claims of a close personal relationship she had with Mr Burgess, who was a referee when she applied for the job.
Miss Boyd "will not be undertaking any public engagements" after claims of her relationship with the father-of-two.
Earlier, Thanet North MP Sir Roger Gale said Mrs Barnes will "have to consider her position" amid the controversy over Miss Boyd, who was appointed to the £15,000-a-year role in March - replacing teenager Paris Brown, who quit in a storm after just six days.
Cllr Andrew Bowles, a Conservative member of the Kent and Medway Crime Panel and leader of Swale council, said: "It is difficult to imagine how Ann Barnes can do her job over the next two years without doing damage to Kent Police.
"We are getting to the stage now that we have to ask what is in the best interests of the organisation. It is beginning to damage the reputation of the whole force."
And Cllr Gordon Cowan, leader of the Labour group on Kent County Council and a member of the Kent and Medway Crime Panel, branded the situation "appalling".
He said: "We were told that when it came to appointing the second youth commissioner, proper checks would be made, yet here we are again.
"It is just more bad news and frankly quite appalling. Ann Barnes has an extremely important role, but I do think that she should really be considering her position."
It emerged today Mr Burgess is an ex-technology teacher at Miss Boyd's former school, Hartsdown Academy.
His LinkedIn profile says he worked at the Thanet school - teaching resistant materials, graphic products and ICT - from September 1995 until July 2001.
Mr Burgess was also chairman of Thanet's Youth Advisory Group, "taking the lead in youth consultation" and setting up four youth clubs in North Thanet, while a county councillor.
Mrs Barnes said in a statement today: "We are supporting Kerry at this difficult time for her.
Mrs Barnes added that Miss Boyd - who is on a gap year from her business studies degree - is continuing to work in her office.
When she was appointed, she said it was "a role that was crying out to me".
The latest controversy is another huge blow for Mrs Barnes, who previously described Miss Boyd as a "strong-minded young lady".
Mrs Barnes is due to face watchdogs tomorrow over her controversial decision to take part in Channel 4's Meet the Commissioner documentary, which was branded a "car crash".
Meet the Commissioner, which aired on Channel 4 last Thursday, led to Mrs Barnes being ridiculed and accused of damaging the reputation of Kent Police.
The Kent and Medway Crime Panel now wants to quiz Mrs Barnes over her decision to take part in the show.
Scenes in the documentary showed Mrs Barnes struggling to explain what her £85,000 a year job - and the "onion" theory of policing" involves.
She was also criticised for allowing herself to be filmed painting her nails at her desk and bringing her dogs into work.
Just hours after the documentary was broadcast a light aircraft was hired to fly over police headquarters, with a banner calling for her to resign.
Last week, a KentOnline poll of more than 1,600 people revealed 88% - 1,415 - wanted Mrs Barnes to resign in the wake of the documentary.
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How to Volunteer
Our volunteers include: doctors, dentists, teachers, therapists, nutritionists, bankers, medical staff, students and many others
Health, Education and Training
In 2016 we will focus on health & nutrition, career development and professional training, accessibility issues.
What to Donate
Medical supplies, dental instruments, therapeutic equipment, orthopedic, educational supplies, small plush toys, laptops, and more!
For Self and Another
You are invited to become an ambassador; work with us, MannaRelief and other partners in providing nourishment to children in the Americas and Caribbean. The world needs us, today!


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Mathematics BSc (Hons)
4 years including placement year, starting in September 2018
This course is closed to applications from Home (UK) and EU students for September 2018 entry. We are still accepting applications from Overseas students.
Gain specialist knowledge in pure and/or applied mathematics. You'll be prepared for a variety of technical and non-specialised careers.
Mathematics underlies all the physical sciences and is increasingly involved in biological sciences, social sciences and management. It is needed to make quantitative predictions from scientific theories.
You'll specialise in pure and/or applied mathematics whilst having the option to study units in statistics, computing, physics, and economics. As with all of our mathematics courses you will have the option to switch after the first year, so you can keep your options open when you apply.
You'll develop the specialist skills and knowledge for a technical career as well as receiving good training in analytical thinking. This combination of skills and knowledge means you will also be well-suited to non-specialist careers such as computing, financial services and management.
You'll learn from academics with expertise in different areas of mathematical sciences, including algebra and geometry, analysis, applied and interdisciplinary mathematics, numerical analysis and scientific computing, statistics and probability. Their international collaborations and research activities feed into undergraduate teaching and contribute to your learning experience.
You'll be able to access our Maths and Statistics Help (MASH) centre to get help with revision, tests and coursework. A final-year option provides the opportunity to use our high-performance computing facility 'Balena', which can perform over 110 trillion calculations a second.
You'll also be supported during your studies by regular small group tutorials and one-to-one meetings with a Personal Tutor. 92% of mathematical sciences students agreed they had been able to contact staff when they needed to (National Student Survey 2017).
You'll be able to go into a wide variety of careers including teaching, in the finance sector as an accountant, actuary or analyst, or as a statistician in government. You'll also be well suited to roles developing software in commerce or the technology sector.
Recent employers include Aviva, British Telecom, Deloitte, EY, PwC and Tate & Lyle. Many of our graduates also choose to go on to postgraduate study in preparation for academic or industry-based research careers.
Course structure
This course lasts 4 years. It starts in September 2018 and ends in 2022. Induction week starts on 24 September 2018.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Placement
- Year 4
As part of your course, you will take compulsory units covering key concepts. You may also be able to take optional units which assist you in developing your own interests.
You need to take 60 credits in each year of your course (usually split equally into 30 credits for each semester), so the number of optional units you can take depends on the number of compulsory units in each year of the course.
Six credits are the equivalent of at least 120 hours of study, including contact time with staff and independent study.
Compulsory course units
These compulsory units are currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new units.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
- Placement year
Year 4
- Optional units
Apply the skills and knowledge to a year working in industry. You'll be employed full-time in a role to match your future career ambitions. It will broaden your experience and transferable skills, giving you a competitive edge when applying for graduate jobs. 100% of Mathematical Sciences students said their placement helped them to develop their general life skills (National Student Survey 2017).
We have links with some of the industry's leading companies. Recent employers include Cancer Research UK, Porton Biopharma Limited, GlaxoSmithKline, Oxford Gene Technology, GeneSys and Medical Research Council Technology.
Placement opportunities can not be guaranteed but you will receive tailored support from our specialist team to help you secure a placement.
Learning and assessment
- Laboratory sessions
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Workshops
- Coursework
- Dissertation
- Oral assessment
- Written examination
- Other
Typical assessment breakdown
This average assessment breakdown is based on a typical choice of optional units. Your specific unit choices will determine the actual breakdown of assessment methods that you will experience.
|Written Exam
|Practical Exam
|Year 1
|Year 2
|Year 3
|Year 4
Typical contact time breakdown
This average contact time breakdown is based on a typical choice of optional units. Scheduled learning and teaching may include: lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Your optional unit choices will determine your actual personal contact hours.
|Year 1
|Year 2
|Year 3
|Year 4
Entry requirements
Your application, especially your personal statement, should demonstrate your enthusiasm for studying mathematics. This might include relevant reading, voluntary or work experience, topics within mathematics that particularly interest you or other relevant extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.
Strong performance in Mathematics is essential, both in your entry qualifications and any previous study.
We also recommend you consider taking a STEP exam , as this can provide excellent preparation for studying university level Mathematics. If you are taking both Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A level any offer will include an alternative condition that includes a STEP grade (or the GCE Advanced Extension Award). Depending on your qualifications STEP may be entirely optional (for example, if you take the International Baccalaureate Diploma) or compulsory (for example, APs).
Select the country where your qualification comes from.
United Kingdom qualifications
Typical offer A levelA*AA
A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics plus either A in a third A level or B in a third A level plus grade 2 in any STEP or Merit in the GCE AEA in Mathematics.
If you are studying A levels we strongly prefer that you take a full A level in Further Mathematics. Alternative offers are available if you have only studied Further Mathematics at AS level or have not studied it at all. We do not accept A levels in General Studies. If you are taking a GCE A level in a science subject, you will need to pass any separate science practical endorsement.
Alternative offer A levelA*AA plus AS Further Maths
A*AA including A* in Mathematics plus A in AS Level Further Mathematics plus grade 2 in any STEP or Merit in the GCE AEA in Mathematics
Alternative offer A levelA*A*A
A*A*A including A* in Mathematics (with A in each module) and A in a second scientific or quantitative subject plus grade 2 in any STEP or Merit in the GCE AEA in Mathematics
Typical offer International Baccalaureate Diploma36 points
36 points overall and 7, 6, 6 in three Higher Level subjects including 6 in Mathematics or 7, 6, 5 in 3 Higher Level subjects including 7 in Mathematics.
Typical offer BTEC
Unfortunately BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas (QCF)/ BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF) are not a suitable route for this course.
See the 'Combinations of qualifications' section for information about combinations of A level and BTEC qualifications that we can consider.
Typical offer Cambridge Pre-UD2, D3, D3
D2, D3 in Mathematics and Further Mathematics plus either D3 in a third principle subject or M1 in a third principle subject plus grade 2 in any STEP or Merit in the GCE AEA in Mathematics.
Typical offer Scottish HighersAA in Advanced Highers
AA in two Advanced Highers including Mathematics plus AAAAA in five Scottish Highers.
Typical offer Access to HE Diploma
Unfortunately, the Access to HE Diploma is not a suitable route for this course.
Typical offer Combinations of qualifications
Your application will be considered individually based on the particular combination of qualifications and subjects that you are taking.
We can consider combinations of accepted qualifications, such as A levels and a BTEC:
- A*A in A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, plus D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)/National Extended Certificate (RQF) OR the Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma (QCF)/Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate (RQF)
- A*A in two A level subjects plus grade D3 in a Pre-U Principal Subject including Mathematics and Further Mathematics
- A*A in A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, plus A in the IFS Diploma in Financial Studies
We can also consider combinations that are not listed and that do not include A levels. You should read the information about essential and preferred subjects and subject combinations. We cannot consider different qualifications in the same subject area.
We may be able to consider combinations of qualifications that include only an AS level in Further Mathematics or without Further Mathematics. You are likely to be required to obtain a grade 2 in any STEP or Merit in the GCE AEA in Mathematics. Please contact us to discuss your profile.
Hong Kong qualifications
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
555 in 3 elective subjects plus 5* in Core Mathematics and 5* the Algebra and Calculus extended paper plus grade 2 in any STEP.
France qualifications
French Baccalaureate
16 overall with 17 in Mathematics plus grade 2 in any STEP .
Option Internationale du Baccalaureat (OIB)
15 overall with 17 in Mathematics plus grade 2 in any STEP .
European Baccalaureate qualifications
European Baccalaureate
85% overall with 9.0 in Mathematics plus either 9.0 in Advanced Mathematics or grade 2 in any STEP.
India qualifications
Higher Secondary School Certificate (12th Standard)
Average of 85% across 4 subjects with 90% in Mathematics.
We do not accept Physical Education as one of these 4 subjects.
These requirements are for the CBSE, HSSC and ISC boards. Please contact us if you are taking this qualification with a different board.
Ireland qualifications
Irish Leaving Certificate
H1, H1, H1, H2, H2, H3 in 6 Irish Leaving Certificates with H1 in Mathematics plus grade 2 in any STEP.
United States of America qualifications
Advanced Placement Tests
5, 5, 5 in 3 APs including Calculus BC plus grade 2 in any STEP.
We cannot consider Calculus AB as one of these 3 subjects.
You will also need to pass your High School Diploma and achieve an ACT score of 30 or SATR scores of 740 in both Mathematics and Evidence based Reading and Writing.
SAT Subject Tests
We do not accept SAT Subject Tests for direct entry to our degrees.
Cyprus qualifications
19 in the Apolytirion with 19 in Maths plus A* in A level Mathematics and A in Further Mathematics.
We strongly prefer applicants who have studied A level Further Mathematics. You may also be considered if you have only studied Mathematics, and the typical offer is:
19 in the Apolytirion with 19 in Mathematics plus A* in A level Mathematics and A in a second A level plus 2 in any STEP.
We cannot accept the Apolytirion unless it is studied alongside A levels.
Greece qualifications
19 in the Apolytirion with 19 in Maths plus A* in A level Mathematics and A in Further Mathematics.
We strongly prefer applicants who have studied A level Further Mathematics. You may also be considered if you have only studied Mathematics, and the typical offer is:
19 in the Apolytirion with 19 in Mathematics plus A* in A level Mathematics and A in a second A level plus 2 in any STEP.
We cannot accept the Apolytirion unless it is studied alongside A levels. We do not accept Pan Hellenic examinations in place of an A level.
Turkey qualifications
Lise Bitirme Diplomasi
CGPA of 85% with 85% in Mathematics from the final year plus grade 2 in any STEP.
Singapore qualifications
Singapore A levels
AAA in 3 H2 subjects including A in Mathematics plus either A in a H3 mathematics subject or grade 2 in any STEP.
Polytechnic Diploma (3 years)
We are unable to consider a Polytechnic Diploma for our Mathematics degrees.
Germany qualifications
1.3 overall with 14 in Mathematics in your final examinations plus grade 2 in any STEP.
Mathematics must be studied as an intensive course (erhoehtes Anforderungsniveauor Leistungskurz), where applicable.
Spain qualifications
Titulo de Bachiller
A score of 9 overall with 9 in Mathematics plus grade 2 in any STEP.
Fees and funding
Payment options
You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card, cheque, bank transfer or cash. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.Read more about your payment options
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home, EU, Island or Overseas student.Learn how we decide fee status
Tuition fees
See the most recent fees for undergraduate courses.
Placement fees
Placement fees vary
You will normally pay a reduced tuition fee while on a placement period or studying abroad. Find out more about placement fees and study abroad fees.
You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of text books.
Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.
If you're on a placement, you're responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.
Application information
Course titleMathematics
Final awardBSc (Hons)
Mode of studyFull-time
Course codeG101
Institution codeB16
UK/EU application deadline15 January 2018
Overseas deadline30 June 2018
Application eligibilityOnly Overseas students are eligible to apply


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secreted acidic glycoprotein that may act as a serine protease inhibitor\; expression is transiently induced during inflammation [RGD, Feb 2006].. Additionally we are shipping SERPINA3N Kits (7) and and many more products for this protein.
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- Artist: Laura Sandage
- Genre: Folk
- Release Date: 11/8/2005
'This year's sweetest surprise was hearing Laura's songs. They are quite wonderful. Give a listen.' --Bryan Bowers 'Laura's lyrics make me stop and think, her tunes make me want to sing along on every song, and her voice is simply lovely' --Joe Offer, The Mudcat Cafe REVIEW FROM THE FOLKNIK, SPRING 2006 by Mark Cohen I have a very difficult time picking my "favorite" things. I don't have a favorite food, or color, or place to go on vacation. So when my daughter asked me to name my favorite song on Laura Sandage's new CD, "Bloom," it didn't surprise me that I could not come up with an answer. However, if you sat me down under a bright light and forced me to choose my favorite album by a contemporary songwriter, there's a very good chance it would be "Bloom." This album is gorgeous, both musically and visually. Every song brings new delights to the ear, the arrangements are rich and clean, the audio production is superb. Even the packaging is enchanting, with lyrics (I always appreciate lyric sheets) and exquisite photographs sharing a beautifully-designed booklet. All 14 songs on the album were written by Laura. Three were co-written with Davis neighbor and longtime Bay Area musical guru, Ray Frank. Ray and Katie Henry add their voices to Laura's on several cuts, previewing the work of their new trio, MudLark. Priscilla Hawkins contributes a fine cello line on four songs, and a raft of other fine musicians and vocalists visit as well. Though all the songs have the earmarks of Laura's strong lyricism and fine musical sense, they exhibit a wide and satisfying breadth of style, from silly ("Crushed") to stirring ("Do You Want Peace?") to somber ("Marlboro Man") to sensual ("February is Green"). All but three of the songs on this album were written in 2004, and one in 2005, which suggests that Laura's songwriting star is still in the ascendant. But don't wait for the next one to come along-"Bloom" is stellar, and you can enjoy it right now. LAURA SANDAGE: BIO Born in Iowa, raised in California, Laura grew up with a mother who played Scott Joplin on the piano and show tunes on the cello and a father who sang her to sleep with haunting folk songs like Go Tell Aunt Rhody. At age 14, she wrote advertising jingles and pop songs for fun, while teachers encouraged her to study classical voice. She earned a B.M. in voice performance at the UOP Conservatory of Music in Stockton, then married a charming East Indian pharmacist and went on to graduate studies in French Literature and Comparative Literature at Indiana University, Bloomington. Before the dissertation was complete, babies came along to snap her out of her academic groove. While caring for her two daughters, she wrote poetry and humor, performed and painted faces at birthday parties, taught drama and improv classes for kids and adults, led creative writing groups, studied hypnosis and meditation, and eventually found her way back to songwriting at age 37. In songwriting, she can make use of anything she has ever done or been or wished to be. She is thrilled to be settled in Davis, California, singing and playing string bass with musical collaborators who live just down the street. The trio MudLark was born during work on her solo CD, Bloom, and includes Alaskan-born singer, songwriter, and banjo mistress Katie Henry and guitarist/singer/folk savant Ray Frank, originally from the Bronx. Together, they are creating powerful new work that is refreshingly original while deeply rooted in American musical tradition.
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Factors and challenges driving supply chain management
Based on the chapter 2 and journal by Storey et al.
Nita Päivärinta & Kira Kallio
• Companies striving to become more competitive and providing customers with added value in the supply chain
• Challenges in the global market have become more complex because of
globalization, free movement of goods and work force, expansion of trade routes, e-commerce, free trade zones and politics
• The 5 factors where to concentrate in global SCM are
Centralisation of a one-production centre
The tendering of suppliers
Continuous audit review of inbound and outbound supply chain
Carriers are driven by the needs of shippers to add value to the service
Customs planning strategy
Factors driving global supply chain management
What to take into consideration in global SCM
Journaly by John Storey, Caroline Emberson, Janet Godsell & Alan Harrison. 2006.
Study conducted between 2001-2004
Six "blue chips" companies supply chains were examined
Interviews were conducted in UK, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands and Germany
Aim was to find out the differences between theory and practice in SCM
The following questions were asked
Who is managing the supply chains?
What type of supply chain activities were they managing?
What were the key enablers and inhibitors to this process?
What external factors were driving the strategic imperative of SCM?
The article SCM: theory, practice and future challenges
Requirements and procedures
Trade agreements (NAFTA, MERCOSUR)
Duty reliefs
Duty rates
Free zones (e.g. EU)
Customs documents (ATA carnet, TIR carnet)
Possibility to reduce inventory costs, delays at frontiers and loss in supply chain responsiveness
Inventory management
Critical area in the cycle time analysis
Excess inventory can cause unnecessary costs such as labor costs, loss of sales (perishable products) and warehousing costs
Developing a strategic approach
E.g. Inventory analysis, Lean inventory, segmentation, part of overall strategy, distribution network, supplier performance and E-commerce
Should focus on customers, sales and profits
Development of logistics
Development of IT
Keeping track of goods all time
Globalization of markets (major contributor is WTO)
Development of container network
Continuing development of global infrastructure
Asset management
Key area in SCM and warehouse management
Aligned to RFID (radio frequency identification)
Provides benefits in inventory control, asset utilization, manufacturing work-in-process, loss prevention and security
Ideal asset management systems makes use of multiple technologies, choosing the best suiting type for each asset
Lean SCM
Identifying and eliminating waste in SCM (lead time, over production, personnel)
Focuses on 3 key areas
Includes a change throughout the organization
Embraces the suppliers and customers
Lean principles must be the basis of lean SC
Involves continuous focus and flexibility in all areas of the business
Requires a dedicated team
Lean workforce
Workers self-motivated and self-accountable, supervisors become coaches = management has a more productive workforce
Adds value to the SCM
What were the key enablers and inhibitors to this process?
Transparency of information and knowledge
Supply chain behavior
Performance measurement
New driver
Market polarization
Mid-high markets have disappeared and been replaced by high-end/low-end market profile
This has serious implications for SCM
Who is managing the supply chain?
Findings contrary to the theory > SCM should be managed from end-to-end
However, the SCM in the companies was fragmented
What type of supply chain activities were they managing?
Findings contrary to the theory > There should be seamless end-to-end pipeline management
However, this was far beyond from actual practice
For example in one company the scope was limited to the outbound logistical operations of their close partner in Europe > no information of products in the process of manufacture
Substantial gaps between theory and practice
Who is managing the supply chain?
Increase the scope of SCM involvement (the "arc of integration")
Future prospects
Business models and supply chain practices are changing in tandem
SCM can be seen as part of a wider set of trends
Trend towards outsourcing heightens the need for SCM
Trend towards fragmentation and variety in product and service offerings necessitates greater thought and skill in managing decoupling points and postponement of final product composition
Globalization necessitates greater attention to logistics and to other component elements of SCM
Reasons for increasing interest in SCM
Concept: reducing delivery times and improving responsiveness to customers, reflecting the shorter product lifecycles they face
Value: Cost savings and improved service quality
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Factors and challenges driving supply chain management
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- Home
- Party
Let Light & Co help you gather all the essentials to style your next party!
Our edit of the absolute best of the best quality partyware and party supplies is sure to give you plenty of ideas for styling your next party. From balloons, to tableware including straws, plates, napkins and cutlery, as well as paper decorations and confetti, you will find all you need to throw your next big party!


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Kiwi summer cocktail
If you like it, save it!
Save and organize all of the stuff you love in one place.Got it!
If you like something…
Click the heart, it's called favoriting. Favorite the stuff you like.Got it!
Author Notes: Yummy yummy yummy - not only looks good, it tastes great.
Serves 1
- 1/2 lime, sliced into 3 or 4 pieces
- 1/2 kiwi peeled and large dice
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 ounces good white rum (or cachaca, or vodka)
- 4 ice cubes
- put lime, kiwi and sugar into cocktail shaker
- Muddle until liquid is formed
- add white rum (or cachaca or vodka)
- add ice cubes
- shake cocktail shaker until shaker becomes frosty.
- pour into cocktail (martini) glass
- garnish with slice of kiwi, or slice of lime - your choice !
- sip and enjoy. (club soda can be added to make a highball drink, but the cocktail looks classier)
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Picnic Dish
More Great Recipes:
Fruit|Hors d'oeuvres|Cocktails


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An interesting statistic about educational apps is that when a kid sits down to use one, she will use an educational game 33% longer than a plain educational app*.
Another interesting statistic… one that we are particularly proud of… when a student sits down with Mathtopia+, they play 2 ½ times longer than other educational games* – and over 3 times longer than a plain educational app.
It is no mystery, games make learning fun. Games and songs engage kids. After you earn the child's attention, then you can teach a lesson. That's the philosophy that drives our product development. That's why we made the Mathtopia series the most addictive and fun math games for kids. (although we understand a lot of parents like to play too!)
* source = Flurry analytics


text: "Glover, Roger" wrote: > > Aaron R. Kulkis wrote: > > > > Other than Neural Net computing, Artificial Intelligence is a bunch > > > of bullshit. > > Well... genetic algorithms show some promise too. > > Jerry Freedman Jr wrote: > ... > > At the risk of starting a flame war ( hell, I was snubbed, insulted, > > treated as an uncultured boor by enough AI investigators in the 80's) > > With most of the rest of us here it was the MPP pushers in the 90's. > > > How did that BS last as long as it did? > > AI? Strong attraction to playing God on the part of many researchers > and funding agencies. Just enough "breakthroughs" to drive the research > engine through another funding cycle. Desire to have HAL available for > the first manned mission to the outer planets next year. :^) > > None of it particularly surprising. Just people being people. > > Along science and technology R&D lines, what I find most surprising is > that we could put six sets of men on Earth's moon in 3.5 years... AND > THEN **NEVER** RETURN AGAIN. That failure of vision will never cease to > astonish me. Failure of vision. Exactly WHAT can be accomplished on the moon that can't be done in a space station or shuttle orbiter? Basically, we went to the moon for PROPAGANDA purposes. There's NOTHING on the moon that we don't have here on earth. Just cold silicate and volcanic rock....as found on so many beaches and islands around the world. > For stupid shortsightedness, this decision s rivaled only > by the decision by the 15th century Ming rulers in China to stop funding > their naval explorations. Wrong. The Chinese would have gained greatly by further nautical exploration of the earth. On the other hand, we have very little to gain by sending more and more rockets to the moon. The cost/minute of having a man on the moon is incredible. (Compare that with the cost/day of having men exploring a coast, who can always drop anchor wherever they please, and send a party ashore for more food). > > Instead we funded AI research. Maybe the moon launch cut-off is not so > surprising after all. The whole moon-race thing was for propaganda purposes to demonstrate that our technological base was more advanced than the Soviets. Interestingly, the Soviets *never* even tried to go to the moon. Whether that was because they considered it beyond their abilities, or just not worth the investment is something of debate. But...anyway, the majority of the payoff of going to the moon was realized BEFORE Armstrong and crew ever strapped in...namely, the technological innovation needed to get Appolo to the moon. Successive launches saw no real change in technology, as there was no *need* to improve the technology. Thus, the majority of the gain has already been realized at that point. And what did we get from all of the moon-trips? Movies of Armstrong skipping like a schoolboy, various guys driving the space dune-buggy, Cernan (?) making a shot with a 7-iron....and a few nondescript rocks to put in the Smithsonian. > > -- Roger -- Aaron R. Kulkis Unix Systems Engineer ICQ # 3056642 http://directedfire.com/greatgungiveaway/directedfire.referrer.fcgi?2632 H: "Having found not one single carbon monoxide leak on the entire premises, it is my belief, and Willard concurs, that the reason you folks feel listless and disoriented is simply because you are lazy, stupid people" I: Loren Petrich's 2-week stubborn refusal to respond to the challenge to describe even one philosophical difference between himself and the communists demonstrates that, in fact, Loren Petrich is a COMMUNIST ***hole J: Other knee_jerk reactionaries: billh, david casey, redc1c4, The retarded sisters: Raunchy (rauni) and Anencephielle (Enielle), also known as old hags who've hit the wall.... A: The wise man is mocked by fools. B: Jet Silverman plays the fool and spews out nonsense as a method of sidetracking discussions which are headed in a direction that she doesn't like. C: Jet Silverman claims to have killfiled me. D: Jet Silverman now follows me from newgroup to newsgroup ...despite (C) above. E: Jet is not worthy of the time to compose a response until her behavior improves. F: Unit_4's "Kook hunt" reminds me of "Jimmy Baker's" harangues against adultery while concurrently committing adultery with Tammy Hahn. G: Knackos...you're a retard.


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Wishing Toys by Friends With You
When we try to picture the inside of the Friends With You toy factory, we imagine that the walls are made of candy and the interoffice mail is delivered by unicorns. Where else could anything as adorable as these little wishing toys be made?
Each of these six 3" figures has a weighted bottom and built-in bell chime, making gentle music with each rocking movement. After you set your wishing toy in motion, close your eyes, hold your breath, and make a wish. (There's no word from the manufacturer as to whether or not telling anyone your wish will render it void.)
$7.50 each at Friends With You (Note that each toy is "blind boxed", which means you won't know which figure you got until you open the package.)


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Leaf Type: Green (Matcha)
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Matcha tea is kind of like a super-powered green tea—since you're ingesting the whole leaf instead of just the brewed beverage, you get up to ten times the antioxidant effect and nutritional value of your standard green. Matcha's rich in antioxidants, as well as chlorophyll and fiber, and has been found to have natural mood enhancing effects. All in all, matcha's got no match when it comes to healthy teas.
Taster's Review:
Although they call this a "Cinnamon Matcha Latte" on the website, I am not doing this as a product review like I would do for most latte mixes, because this really only contains matcha and cinnamon, and it can be easily enjoyed as a flavored matcha or a latte, depending upon the drinker's preference.
I happened to make this as a latte, using half hot water and half steamed milk. The result is a yummy chawan full of cinnamon-ed Matcha goodness that reminds me a little bit of horchata.
Even though the photo above shows a green-colored powder, the color of this dry powder is brown – looking just like the ground cinnamon you might buy in the spice aisle of your supermarket. It whisks up to a brownish-green, thick, creamy liquid with a light froth on top. This doesn't whisk up to be quite as frothy as some Matcha, but, it is still pleasantly foamy and rich.
The cinnamon in this offsets that slightly bitter taste of the Matcha very nicely, making a pleasantly sweet, warmly spiced treat that is neither too spicy nor too sweet. It is a satisfying matcha that really energized me! (Although I don't want to clean the garage or anything, despite the extra energy)
If you like a sweeter latte, try adding a little bit of turbinado sugar and it becomes a cinnamon toast latte! Seriously YUMMY!
Anne started her journey with tea as a casual drinker and became more serious about her tea drinking when she realized that she couldn't drink coffee. Shortly thereafter, she started becoming obsessed with the beverage and she started creating small-batch, artisan blends of tea that she sold online as LiberTEAS. After a few years, she realized she wasn't cut out to be the sole proprietor of a business so she closed LiberTEAS and started reviewing teas online. She met Jennifer through another blog that they both reviewed for and they decided to start their own review blog. This review blog!
Throughout her journey as a tea reviewer, she discovered 52Teas and became enamored with the idea of creating a new tea every week. When the founder of 52Teas decided he wanted to move on, he offered the business to Anne but knowing that she wasn't cut out to be a sole proprietor, she instead offered the company to her oldest daughter who employs her as the Mad Tea Artist for 52Teas!
Latest posts by liberteas (see all)
- Anne Has Returned – What Can I Say? I Love Subscriptions! - January 31, 2018
- Wow – We Just Hit 5K! (5,000 Posts, That is!) #TeaGiveaway - November 16, 2016
- The Holiday Season Approaches! - October 5, 2015


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Ecodreaming and Finding Home: the Case of the Bedrock Mortar
We don't live our lives in a vacuum, but embedded in the natural world.
Of course it can be hard to get past our cultural
Of course it can be hard to get past our cultural
This is the last article in a series about snake dreams. By now, the DreamTribe has explored the meaning of snake dreams from many
A few years ago I realized I'd been unconsciously living out my life according to the plot of A Nightmare on Elm Street III: Dream
Since I was a child, I have had conscious dream experiences that take place in immense, spacious realms. Sometimes these spaces are truly voids and
What is the universal symbol for medicine?
Chances are, you thought of the caduceus – a staff with two snakes spiraling up, flanked with two outspread


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Deal announced internally on Friday
Dell Computer has acquired Plural, a once-high-flying Web integrator in New York, a Dell spokesman confirmed for CRN on Friday.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the spokesman.
Other sources close to the company said Jeff Lynn, vice president and general manager of Americas for Dell Professional Services, and Plural President and CEO Neil Isford--former colleagues at IBM--have crafted a deal that gives the OEM much-needed services capabilities while bailing out the troubled Web integrator, which has been hit hard by the dot-com collapse and economic downturn.
Plural is a privately held technology consulting, application development and solutions integrator and was formerly known as Micro Modeling Associates.
Dell has long been rumored to be eyeing a buy in the technology services market. However, in the past few months, Dell has talked openly about making a series of small acquisitions in the services space, sources also said. The deal will get strong backing from Microsoft, which made a number of investments in Plural, including the establishment of the Wall Street Solution Lab with the Silicon Alley integrator.
One Wall Street analyst said he is unaware of the deal with Plural but not surprised. "Dell's posture on acquisitions has eased up a bit lately, leaving the door open for some small acquisitions," said Steve Fortuna, first vice president, Merrill Lynch, New York.
According to research firm Dataquest, the direct marketer of PCs, notebook and servers is under considerable financial pressure to add a services capability as profits from low-cost commodity hardware slows down. While hardware revenue is down more than 20 percent, technology services revenue is down between 10 percent and 13 percent, the analyst said.
"If Dell wants to play in the big leagues, they have to get into services," said James Cassell, a group vice president at Dataquest Research, a unit of Gartner. "When you have an economic downturn, if all you are is a hardware vendor, you get hit hard on your revenue line."
Cassell pointed out that services revenue represents a significant financial stream for Dell's competitors. Services, for example, currently make up about 40 percent of IBM's revenue, 20 percent of Hewlett-Packard's and 75 percent of Unisys'.
However, two sources claim the deal with Plural is a big risk for Dell because of the Web integrator's shaky position in the market. "The acquisition of this company will throw Dell's services strategy into question," said one source familiar with the deal. "Unfortunately, this will be a bad deal for Dell due to Plural's internal collapse, and will likely have a very negative impact on their services strategy."
Another source said Microsoft "will be thrilled to recover some of their investment."
Lynn is a former IBM exec who first went to Compaq before joining Dell. Isford, a 20-year veteran of IBM who helped set up the vendor's e-business services practices, was appointed CEO of Plural in December 2000.
Plural offers technology consulting, application development and solution integration services, and has practices in collaboration and content management, e-commerce and CRM, enterprise application development and integration and business intelligence.
AMY ROGERS contributed to this story.


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Critical of the HyP: C. Michael Patton: Is the Hyper-Preterist Gospel a Different Gospel? (2008) "During this program I said that hyper-preterism is definitely unorthodox, finding its antithetical opposite affirmed from the earliest Christianity until now by all traditions of Christianity (Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant). All Christians have always affirmed that Christ's return, the resurrection of the dead, judgment, and the new heavens and earth are yet future, even if we disagree about the details. However, I also said on the program that while this doctrine is an unorthodox or heretical view of eschatology, it is not a doctrine that is damnable in the sense that if one believes it, they are, by definition, not Christian.. I am beginning to seriously reconsider."
Archeology: The Other Messiah "Bar Kokhba's letters show him warning his followers not to trust the "Galileans" -- a common name for the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. The Galileans, who already were being called Christians, were in the ascendancy. While the Romans were fighting the Jews, the Christians were gaining power and influence and converts in the heart of the Roman Empire. This was not their war with the Romans, for the Christian messiah was the Prince of Peace, and they would win in the end, with history-changing results. And without the support of the Galileans, Simon bar Kokhba's revolt was doomed. "


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Joe Schmithorst said he was more nervous about asking Andrea Schmaelzle to marry him than running the race.
CINCINNATI - Applause echoed in the race recovery area as Joe Schmithorst got on his knee and pulled out a small white box with a diamond ring inside, which he presented to a tearful Andrea Schmaelzle. The couple had just completed the Flying Pig Half Marathon—their first—before Schmithorst popped the question and Schmaelzle said "yes."Schmithorst said he was more nervous about asking Schmaelzle to marry him than running the race."The whole two hours, it's all I was thinking about," the Cincinnatian said.Schmithorst and Schmaelzle, both tired after finishing the race, welcomed cheers from others runners as their families joined them to celebrate their new engagement."We ran the half and she beat me, but I'm alright with that," Schmithorst said.
They newly-engaged weren't the only couple that ran the race side-by-side. Amanda and Austin Jacoby have been married for more than a year and ran the Flying Pig Half Marathon together, pushing each other each step along the course.
Austin said his high energy helped his wife through the 13.1 miles and Amanda admitted his encouragement allowed her to stay focused."If I get her mad at me, it's long enough for her to not be mad at her legs," he said.The couple from Knoxville, Tenn., ran the Pig for the first time, but says they are hoping to make it back to Cincinnati to run the race annually.
Other runners used the crowd's enthusiasm as motivation throughout the race.
Chad Dennis of Grove City, Ohio, took on his first Flying Pig Half Marathon after running in the four-person relay in 2012. He said the cheering crowd helped him make it through the toughest parts of the course."The cheering really helped push you through," Dennis said. "People take the time to read your bib and say your name."
Another runner, Stacie Teipel rested with her family after finishing the Flying Pig Half Marathon and smiled after realizing she got a personal record for the course. Teipel, who ran the half marathon last year, said the weather was perfect for the race."This was much better [than last year,]" she said. "Especially with sprinkles once in a while."


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I've been watching back to back episodes of the Biggest Loser for quite some time now and in the later series the Bodybugg became an integral feature on the flabby arms of the contestants.
I'm not sure why the new gadget took so long to register with me but within three days of me acknowledging the device and researching it on the web, I was donning the British version on my own flabby arm.
The British version is sold as the Ki Fit and looks the same as the US Bodymedia gizmo but the subscription service has supposedly been optimised for the UK market.
It's a fairly pricey piece of kit or at least it becomes so once you've bought the obligatory subscription to the web service. I went down the expensive route and bought the premium option with the shortest subscription. Everyone in this household was very keen to point out that gadgets have a notoriously short half life for me, so I compromised and committed to 3 months only.
The KiFit is a 24/7 body monitoring device. It has a number of sensors that pick up movement, skin temperature, conductivity and who knows what else to determine your metabolic rate or calorie burn per minute.
I've no idea how accurate it is. Of course the website claims its super accurate and clinically proven but I'm a little cynical. I've still be drawn in though and by day 4 I am loving it. As with most things, such as weighing scales, fat percentage monitors and skin fold calipers, it is consistency that holds the key, absolute accuracy is probably a pipe dream.
This gadget enables me to derive some form of analytical study of my lethargic body. Calories out, activity rate, sleep efficiency and providing I log my food intake properly I've got the calories in part, sussed as well. It feels as though some element of control has been handed back to me. There is no need to guess whether I've balanced the activity and food well enough to put me into a calorie deficit.
The web service is key to bringing the whole thing together and I am incredibly impressed with the system. It works so well – even on a mac!
Here is the activity breakdown from today. I've been trying to get on my feet a bit more than usual, so I had a very short stint on the treadmill at lunchtime and a walk around the common before tea. On a working day I've been shocked to find that my time at work is no more taxing than a night in bed, my activity level rarely moves above comatose.
I've set the target at 10,000 steps per day, and given my days are generally pretty sedentary, its a reasonably stretching challenge. I was still on the treadmill at 11:45 last night trying to reach the desired number.
The sleep monitor perplexes me somewhat, I can't decide what it detects. This recording comes from Friday night so I managed a long lie in and the best sleep efficiency rating to date. The past two nights I've recorded less than 5 hours sleep and regardless of the duration, my night is always broken into multiple chunks. Is it normal to wake so often?
Monitoring the calorie intake is obviously a vital part of the equation and I've found the website offers the best interpretation of a food diary that I've tried to date. The search facility is fast and accurate and enables you to select items by serving size or weight, which is very handy if you are eating out or with friends and don't feel able to pull out the scales. Where food items aren't available you can enter them extremely easily. I actually prefer to do this anyway so that I can be sure the data is accurate and it is particularly useful when when you make up a meal from scratch.
My only problem is that I can't easily access the website from work so I use the Tap and Track iPhone app to record my intake during the day and then manually transfer the details in the evening. I notice the US site is offering a native iPhone app for recording food intake on the go and hope the UK version isn't going to be far behind.
I'm going to maintain a photo food journal and kifit stats resource on the semi-anonymous posterous site. If you are interested in seeing my daily intake, feel free to check it out.


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Cincinnati native Steve Hull doesn't have a favorite spot in his hometown. Grew up more of a Bob Huggins fan instead of following Bearcats football. Which makes sense. Cincinnati was more known for its rankings in basketball than football at the time. But Hull does respect, from afar, the progress Cincinnati has made on the football field. He'll try to give Illinois its first win against the Bearcats (this is only the second meeting between the two schools). Before the wide receiver ran a route today, he sat down to discuss his hometown, his Reds and his position switch this past offseason.
Cincinnati native Steve Hull doesn't have a favorite spot in his hometown. Grew up more of a Bob Huggins fan instead of following Bearcats football. Which makes sense. Cincinnati was more known for its rankings in basketball than football at the time. But Hull does respect, from afar, the progress Cincinnati has made on the football field. He'll try to give Illinois its first win against the Bearcats (this is only the second meeting between the two schools). Before the wide receiver ran a route today, he sat down to discuss his hometown, his Reds and his position switch this past offseason.
You nervous about the Reds' chances this October?
I'm optimistic, but I'm prepared for what's inevitable I feel like.
What's inevitable?
That they're going to lose. They just always find some way. They start out hot, then they go cold, then they get better and it just kind of fizzles out.
How frustrating is that?
I'm not extremely devoted to my fanship, but it is a little frustrating. You hear guys talking in our locker room about their teams being good, but it's not that bad.
What do you like about Cincinnati?
I grew up in Blue Ash, Ohio, which is about 13 miles north of the city. Downtown Cincinnati is a real nice area. You've got to be careful where you step sometimes, but it's a nice area overall.
What's your go-to spot in Cincinnati?
I don't really have one of those. I'm not a huge hit-the-scene kind of guy. I'm more of a low-key kind of guy.
What led you to Illinois?
What really attracted me to Illinois was the coaching staff that was here and the family environment I felt when I was here. The conference is a big thing as well. The academics are second to none as far as any other schools I was looking at, and it was close enough to where my family could still get to any road game. I was well removed from where I was away from home, but not too far away from home.
What was it like going through the coaching change at Illinois?
To be honest, it really wasn't that bad. I made a joke with a bunch of guys on the team that every Camp Rantoul I've been to, which I've had five of them, I've had a new experience, whether that's a new position or a new coach. Everybody always asks me that question, but at the end of the day, we're going to play football regardless. Every coach that I've had has been great. I've had no rifts with anyone, and adapting to Coach Beckman and his style was very easy because he's a very good coach.
What was the perception of Cincinnati football when you were growing up?
We always thought of them as a basketball school when they had Kenyon Martin, Melvin Levett and guys like that. I was a huge fan, but we never really saw them as a prominent football team. It seemed like when Brian Kelly was there and I was being recruited by them when I was in high school is when they started turning the page, and basketball actually seemed like it was dropping a bit. Football picked up a big deal. They've built a program now where they're a very tough competitor in their conference and nationally ranked.
I'm assuming it was a weird feeling lining up at receiver in the opener.
Yeah, it was a little bit different. It was much different, but it felt really good. I joked around with Nate (Scheelhaase), Miles (Osei) and (Ryan) Lankford last Sunday when we went to church. At church they asked how I was feeling because Sunday was always rough for me because I was waking up real stiff and sore. It was the first time in years I woke up with a big smile on my face. I felt good. I felt nimble. I didn't know what to do with myself, but it felt really good to be out there and felt comfortable.
Scheelhaase targeted you twice against Southern Illinois and you caught both passes. How nice was that?
It was good. I'm not a guy that's going to be begging for the ball. I like seeing the team successful, and we were finding great success through Lankford and (Josh) Ferguson throughout the game. My number was called, and I was happy to make plays. It definitely felt good getting the ball in my hands.
On the 55-yard reception you had against Southern Illinois, were you thinking, "Don't drop it."
Never that (laughs). My dad always told me don't think of what you don't want to happen. We kind of had the game plan set up to where we knew that route was going to be open, and we practiced it all week. When I ran it, the safety bit as expected. I just turned, ran and saw the ball in the air. I was thinking, "This is it. I've got to make the play and make the most of it."
Can you list the injuries you've had at Illinois?
I don't know if I can or not (laughs). Really, it's not that lengthy. It's mainly been the same thing repeatedly. It was my right shoulder. In high school, it was a different world. I wasn't hitting 230-pound running backs every down, and I definitely wasn't taking on 350-pound linemen. I'd have some stiffness in my neck, but really it was just the same shoulder that was plaguing me. The first time it happened was in camp, and we weren't sure what the heck it was. I had a huge divot in my bicep, and I didn't know what it was. It didn't really hurt. It was just kind of weak. I talked to the trainers, and we padded it up, and we didn't think anything of it. We went through the whole 2011 season and played the whole year with it. We had no idea what was going on, and all through winter conditioning and spring ball (last year) it was doing it again. That's when we found out that my shoulder was popped out of place, so we had to take some measures to fix that.
And your hamstring? What's the deal with that?
That thing kind of got blown out of proportion a little bit. It was a hamstring, but it was just tight. I had a bunch of people calling me saying, "Man, you can't stay healthy." I'm like, I just have a tight hamstring. It's a totally different world going from backpedaling and playing as a Cover-2 safety as opposed to sprinting 15- to 30-yard routes every snap. I just wasn't really used to it yet, and it was kind of precautionary to make sure I didn't blow my hamstring.
Is the chili that good in Cincinnati?
The chili is great in Cincinnati. Skyline Chili is where it's at. Don't go to Gold Star Chili because Gold Star isn't as good as Skyline, but Skyline is very good. I've taken a few teammates back home, and I've forced them to try it. There's only been one person that liked it, and that was Justin Lattimore. I took my girlfriend back home, and she didn't like it. I don't know what it is. Maybe when you just grow up on it, it's so good to you.
You friends with anyone on Cincinnati's team?
Not this week. There's a lot of guys on their team that I knew, be it through camps or rival high schools, but I'm trying my best to remove that from my thoughts and treat it as any other game.
You getting any extra ticket requests?
Quite a bit. I usually get around six people to come to each of my games, and right now I'm up to between 20-25, so it's quite a few more.
You graduate in December. What's the future hold for you once you're done playing at Illinois?
I have a couple things in mind. Obviously, I want to try to play football outside of college, and if that doesn't pan out, then I was thinking about coaching. I have a lot of family that's in law enforcement, so ideally I was thinking of getting into law school and become a corporate lawyer. There's a few plans.
Who's your dream date?
I've been asked that four years. It's always been Carrie Underwood. I don't know why. I'm dating my girlfriend, and we will be together two years in September, and it's been good being with her, so I haven't really thought about anyone else, to be honest.
A night on the town with Carrie Underwood or four touchdowns against Cincinnati?
A win against Cincinnati. That'd be nice.