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SAMJ: South African Medical Journal
On-line version ISSN 2078-5135
Print version ISSN 0256-9574
SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. vol.102 n.7 Cape Town Jul. 2012
GST polymorphisms and early-onset coronary artery disease in young South African Indians
Alisa PhulukdareeI; Sajidah KhanII; Devapregasan MoodleyIII; Anil A ChuturgoonIV
IMMedSci. Medical Biochemistry, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
IIPhD. Medical Biochemistry, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
IIIPhD. Medical Biochemistry, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
IVMB ChB, FCP. Department of Cardiology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
BACKGROUND: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) detoxify environmental agents which influence the onset and progression of disease. Dysfunctional detoxification enzymes are responsible for prolonged exposure to reactive molecules and can contribute to endothelial damage, an underlying factor in coronary artery disease (CAD).
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess 2 common polymorphic variant isoforms in GSTM1 and GSTP1 of GST in young CAD patients.
METHODS: All patients (N=102) were South Africans of Indian ancestry, a population associated with high CAD risk. A corresponding age-, sex- and race-matched control group (N=100) was also recruited. Frequency of the GSTM1 +/0 (v. +/0 and 0/0) and GSTP1 A105/G105 (v. wild-type A105/A105) genotypes was assessed by differential polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), respectively.
RESULTS: The GSTM1 0/0 and GSTP1 A105/A105 genotypes occurred at higher frequencies in CAD patients compared with the control group (36% v. 18% and 65% v. 48%, respectively). A significant association with CAD was observed in GSTM1 0/0 (odds ratio (OR)=2.593; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.353 - 4.971; p=0.0043) and GSTP1 A105/A105 OR=0.6011; 95% CI 0.3803 - 0.9503; p=0.0377). We found a significant association between smoking and CAD; the presence of either of the respective genotypes together with smoking increased the CAD risk (GSTP1 A105 relative risk (RR)=1.382; 95% CI 0.958 - 1.994; p=0.0987 and GSTM1 null RR=1.725; 95% CI 1.044 - 2.851; p=0.0221).
CONCLUSION. Our findings support the association of genotypes GSTM1 0/0 and GSTP1 A /A and smoking with CAD.
Atherosclerosis and thrombosis are the 2 major contributing mechanisms in coronary artery disease (CAD), a major health problem and leading cause of death worldwide. The formation of atherosclerotic lesions is augmented by elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS).1
Endothelial cell injury is initiated by increased shear stress, caused by the combination of high blood viscosity, hypertension and vasoconstriction which may be induced by smoking. The toxic chemicals present in tobacco smoke affect the endothelium and enhance smooth-muscle cell proliferation by inducing platelet adherence to damaged cells.2 Nicotine is a strong activator of the sympathetic nervous system, which releases catecholamines that interfere with haemodynamics, resulting in increased myocardial oxygen demand.3 Cigarette smoke contains a complex mixture of approximately 4 000 chemical species and plentiful oxygen-, nitrogen- and carbon-centred free radicals which increase ROS generation and promote oxidative damage.4
Cells produce ROS through normal metabolic processes and disruption of the mitochondrial electron transport chain.5 Cell-intrinsic mechanisms, such as the glutathione (GSH) antioxidant defence system, act to combat ROS. Disturbances in the endogenous antioxidant defence mechanism or ROS overproduction, however, lead to accumulation and availability of free radicals which induce oxidative damage to biomolecules by lipid peroxidation, protein nitration and DNA adduct formation.
Cellular detoxification systems protect against endo- and exogenous harmful substances. Of particular interest is the super-family of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), which modulate prostaglandin signalling pathways and oxidative stress.6 GSTs function to detoxify electrophilic toxicants, including those found in cigarette smoke, by facilitating conjugation to GSH.7 However, GST function is influenced by genotypic differences from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).8
GST genes contain several polymorphic variants occurring at high frequency. In the GSTP1 A105/G105 variant, a single nucleotide change from adenine (A) to guanine (G) at codon 105 results in an isoleucine (Ile) to valine (Val) amino acid change. In the GSTM1 null (0/0) polymorphism, complete deletion of the gene encoding this isoform results in abolished enzymatic activity.9
Several studies assessing genetic susceptibility in response to air pollution and cardiovascular outcomes show that GSTP1 and GSTM1 play a role in ROS modulation.10 Others found an association of GSTM1 0/0 with heart failure.11,12 Black carbon and particulate matter exposure was shown to be associated with increased intracellular and vascular cell adhesion molecules, which promoted atherosclerosis; this association was modified by the presence of the GSTM1 polymorphism.13 GSTP1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms have been associated with the biomarker of oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and increased susceptibility to smoking-related CAD.14,15-17
The high incidence of CAD in South Africans of Indian ancestry in Durban was reported in 1969.18 More than 40 years later, epidemiological data in South Africa (SA) showed Indians to have the highest mortality rates for CAD, followed by mixed race, white and black.19 Recent studies show a strong familial link with the history of diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension and CAD, supporting a genetic basis for development.20,21
In light of the evidence that variants of GSTP1 and GSTM1 influence disease risk, we assessed the association of GST polymorphisms in young smoking and non-smoking South African Indian CAD patients.
A total of 102 young Indian CAD patients and 100 age-, race- and sex-matched controls were enrolled following institutional ethical approval (BE154/010). A full pathology report was compiled. The inclusion criterion for CAD patients were: Indian ancestry and unrelated, adults aged <45 years, and stable CAD confirmed at angiography. The exclusion criteria for controls included an acute coronary syndrome/revascularisation procedure in the preceding 3 months, chronic renal or liver disease, malignancy and known active inflammatory or infectious disease.
Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood. Cells were transferred to 500 ìl lysis buffer (0.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA), 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0)). RNase A (100 ìg/ml; DNase-free) was added and the mixture incubated (37°C, 1 h). Subsequently, proteinase K (200 ìg/ml) was added and incubated (3 h, 50°C) and a 0.1% volume 5 mM potassium acetate was added before centrifugation (5000 xg; 15 min). Supernatants containing genomic DNA were transferred to fresh tubes and extracted with 100% isopropanol and washed with 70% ethanol. DNA samples were solubilised in 10 mM Tris and 0.1 mM EDTA (pH 7.4, 4°C). DNA concentration was determined spectrophotometrically.
Differential polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to assess the GSTM1 polymorphism: 268 base pair (bp) (â-globin) and 215 bp (GSTM1) PCR products were amplified using 30 pmol of primers for the GSTM1 gene and 10 pmol primers for the â-globin gene in a 25 ìl reaction (200 ìM of each deoxyribonucleotide (dNTP), 3.3 mM MgCl2, 1x Green GoTaq Flexi buffer, 1 U GoTaq DNA polymerase (Promega), 100 ng genomic DNA template). Primer sequences: GSTM1-Fwd 5'-GAACTCCCTGAAAAGCTAAAGC-3'; GSTM1-Rev 5'-GTTGGGCTCAAATATACGGTGG-3'; â-globin-Fwd 5'-CAACTTCATCCACGTTCACC-3'; â-globin-Rev 5'-GAAGAGCCAAGGACAGGTAC-3'. Following denaturation (96°C, 5 min), amplification was carried out with 25 cycles of denaturation (96°C, 30 sec), annealing (57°C, 30 sec) and extension (72°C, 30 sec), followed by a final extension (72°C, 5 min). Amplification products were electrophoresed on an agarose gel (4%, 0.5 mg/ml ethidium bromide) and visualised. The presence of a single 268 bp product was indicative of the homozygous null genotype. The amplification of a 215 bp product was indicative of the presence of the gene in either a homozygous positive or heterozygous state.
PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine the GSTP1 genotype. A 176 bp PCR product was amplified using 15 pmol of each primer (forward 5'-ACCCCAGGGCTCTATGGGAA-3' and reverse 5'-TGAGGGCACAAGAAGCCCCT-3') in a 25 ìl reaction containing 200 ìM of each dNTP, 2.5 mM MgCl2, 1x Green GoTaq Flexi buffer, 0.5U GoTaq DNA polymerase and 100 ng genomic DNA template. Following initial denaturation (96°C, 5 min), amplification was carried out with 30 cycles of denaturation (96°C, 30 sec), annealing (55°C, 30 sec) and extension (72°C, 30 sec). This was followed by a final extension (72°C, 5 min). Presence of the polymorphic restriction site was analysed by restriction endonuclease digestion of the PCR amplicon. Overnight digestion (37°C) was performed in 25 ìl reactions: 15 ìl PCR product, 4.5 ìl Buffer-R and 0.5 ìl (5 U) BsmAI (Fermentas). Amplicons homozygous for the G105 allele were completely digested and resulted in 2 restriction fragments (91 bp and 85 bp). Restriction fragments were electrophoresed on an agarose gel (3%, 0.5 mg/ml ethidium bromide) and visualised.
Statistical analyses were performed with GraphPad Prism software (version 5.0).
Among the clinical parameters assessed between the groups, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, triglycerides, fasting glucose and HbA1c were higher in patients than in controls (Table 1). Single nucleotide changes at codon 105 of the GSTP1 gene were investigated using RFLP-PCR. The genotype frequencies observed did not deviate from those predicted by Hardy-Weinberg statistics (GSTP1: p=0.294 in CAD patients, p=0.413 in controls; GSTM1 p=0.083 in CAD patients, p=0.64 in controls; chi-square test).
A significant skew towards frequency of the A105/A105 genotype was observed in CAD patients compared with the controls. In the control group, the homozygous A105/A105 and heterozygous A105/G105 genotypes were observed at frequencies of 48% and 45%, respectively. The frequency of the A105/A105 genotype was significantly higher in CAD patients (65% v. 48%, respectively; odds ratio (OR)=0.6011, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3803 - 0.9503, p=0.0377; Table 2). GSTM1 0/0 was also significantly more frequent in CAD patients (36% v. 18%; OR=2.593, p=0.0043; Table 3) compared with +/+ and +/0 genotypes.
A higher frequency of the GSTP1 A105 and GSTM1 null alleles was observed in patients; therefore, we investigated whether there were genotypic differences in relative CAD risk in respect of these loci. Our findings suggest that the presence of either of these genotypes confers a significant CAD risk (Table 2). We stratified the groups according to smoking history: the number of smokers in the patient group was much higher than in the control, with a significant association between smoking and CAD (p<0.0001, OR=0.2245, 95% CI 0.1062 - 0.4746).
Most smokers presented with GSTP1 A105/A105 (p=0.0987, OR=0.5667, 95% CI 0.2952 - 1.088; Table 4) and GSTM1 0/0 (p=0.0221, OR=2.386 95% CI .137 - 5.009; Table 4). The higher relative risk of CAD associated with these genotypes is increased with smoking.
The INTERHEART study ranked smoking as the second highest risk factor for myocardial infarction (OR=2.87, 99% CI).22 The Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation project estimated the 10-year fatal cardiovascular risk to be twice as high for smokers v. non smokers for any given age, systolic BP and cholesterol level.23 The number of smokers worldwide is expected to reach 1.7 billion by 20 2 5.24,25 With current trends, smoking-related deaths are expected to rise from 4.8 million in 2000 to 8 million in 2030.25
Endothelial cell damage in vasculature is caused by changes in haemodynamics and oxidative stress, leading to thrombosis and atherosclerosis. The continuous cycle of inflammation from atherosclerotic plaques and arterial wall lesions contributes to elevated levels of C-reactive protein in CAD. The low-grade inflammation, recruitment and activation of leucocytes to the atherosclerotic lesion plays an important role in ROS generation in an attempt to circumvent the spread of foreign material, while simultaneously exposing biomolecules to oxidative stress.5
Our data show an association of wild-type GSTP1 A105/A105 and GSTM1 0/0 with CAD. The presence of allele GSTP1 G105 in the healthy control patients signals a possible role of this polymorphism in enhancing the efficacy of antioxidant mechanisms. GST acts as a general base catalyst, increasing the rate of GSH conjugation to hydrophobic substrates by deprotonation to GS- by an active tyrosinate. The change in codon 105 of the GST gene results in an amino acid substitution from Ile to Val. This was previously shown to cause deviations in the atomic co-ordinates of key H-site residue side-chains, thereby altering GST catalytic ability and increasing susceptibility to smoking-related CAD.15-17 Earlier literature, however, indicates 7 times more active conjugation to diol epoxides and increased catalytic efficiency to aromatic epoxides.8
GSTM1 0/0 results in complete absence of the enzyme isoform, which affects detoxification capacity. The strong association of this genotype in CAD patients indicates a key role in disease pathogenesis. The association between smoking and CAD in this cohort is in agreement with previous studies.15-17 The high percentage of patients who smoked and presented with GSTP1 A105/A105 and GSTM1 0/0 supports the hypothesis that GSTs play an important role in CAD.
Study limitations included sample size, lack of exclusion criteria based on body mass index (BMI), hypertension and diabetes.
This study provides evidence that the GSTP1 A105 allele and the GSTM1 null genotype are associated with CAD in young South Africans of Indian ancestry.
Acknowledgement. A Phulukdaree acknowledges an NRF-DAAD Scholarship.
1. McGill HC Jr, McMahan CA, Zieske AW, et al. Associations of coronary heart disease risk factors with the intermediate lesion of atherosclerosis in youth. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2000;20:1998-2004. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.ATV.20.8.1998] [ Links ]
2. Blann AD, Kirkpatrick U, Devine C, Naser S, McCollum CN. The influence of acute smoking on leucocytes, platelets and the endothelium. Atherosclerosis 1998;141:133-139. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9150(98)00163] [ Links ]
3. Nagy J, Demaster EG, Wittmann I, Shultz P, Raij L. Induction of endothelial cell injury by cigarette smoke. Endothelium 1997;5(4):251-263. [http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/10623329709052590] [ Links ]
4. Koul A, Bhatia V, Bansal MP. Effect of alpha-tocopherol on pulmonary antioxidant defence system and lipid peroxidation in cigarette smoke inhaling mice. BMC Biochem 2001;2:14. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2091-2-14] [ Links ]
5. Hulsmans M, Holvoet P. The vicious circle between oxidative stress and inflammation inatherosclerosis. J Cell Mol Med 2009;14:70-78. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1582-4934.2009.00978.x] [ Links ]
6. Hayes JD, McLellan LI. Glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes represent a co-ordinately regulated defence against oxidative stress. Free Radic Res 1999; 31:273-300. [http://dx/doi. org/10.1080/10715769900300851] [ Links ]
7. Sies H. Glutathione and its role in cellular functions. Free Radic Biol Med 1999; 27:916-921. doi10.1016/S089-5849(99)00177-x [ Links ]
8. Hu X, Ji X, Srivastava SK, et aL Mechanism of differential catalytic efficiency of two polymorphic forms of human glutathione S-transferase P1-1 in the glutathione conjugation of carcinogenic diol epoxide of chrysene. Arch Biochem Biophys 1997;345:32-38. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/abbi.1997.0269] [ Links ]
9. Gong XG, Ji J, Xie J, Zhou Y, Zhang JY, Zhong WT. Expression, purification, and bioactivity of GST-fused v-Src from a bacterial expression system. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2006;7:13-19. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2006.B0013] [ Links ]
10. Zanobetti A, Baccarelli A, Schwartz J. Gene-air pollution interaction and cardiovascular disease: a review. JPCAD 2011;53:344-352. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2011.01.001] [ Links ]
11. Schwartz J, Park SK, O'Neill MS, et al. Glutathione-S-transferase M1, obesity, statins, and autonomic effects of particles: gene-by-drug-by-environment interaction. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005;172:1529-1533. [http://dx/doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200412-1698OC] [ Links ]
12. Chahine T, Baccarelli A, Litonjua A, et al. Particulate air pollution, oxidative stress genes, and heart rate variability in an elderly cohort. EHP 2007;115:1617-1622. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.10318] [ Links ]
13. Madrigano J, Baccarelli A, Wright RO, et al. Air pollution, obesity, genes and cellular adhesion molecules. Occup Environ Med 2010;67:312-317. [http://dx/doi.org/10.1136/oem.2009.046193] [ Links ]
14. Ren C, Vokonas PS, Suh H, Fang S, Christiani DC, Schwartz J. Effect modification of air pollution on Urinary 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine by genotypes: an application of the multiple testing procedure to identify significant SNP interactions. Environ Health 2010;9:78. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-9-78] [ Links ]
15. Palme, CN, Young V, Ho M, Doney A, Belch JJ. Association of common variation in glutathione S-transferase genes with premature development of cardiovascular disease in patients with systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Rheum 2003;48:854-855. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/art.10955] [ Links ]
16. Park JH, El-Sohemy A, Cornelis MC, Kim HA, Kim SY, Bae SC. Glutathione S-transferase M1, T1, and P1 gene polymorphisms and carotid atherosclerosis in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int 2004;24:157-163. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00296-003-0347-7] [ Links ]
17. Singh N, Sinha N, Kumar S, Pandey CM, Agrawal S. Glutathione S-transferase gene polymorphism as a susceptibility factor for acute myocardial infarction and smoking in the north Indian population. Cardiology 2011;118:16-21. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000324066] [ Links ]
18. Wainwright J. Cardiovascular disease in the Asiatic (Indian) population of Durban. S Afr Med J 1969;43:136-138. [ Links ]
19. Norman R BD, Schneider M, Pieterse D, Groenwald P. Revised Burden of Disease Estimates for the comparative risk factor assessment, South Africa 2000. Cape Town: Medical Research Council 2006. [ Links ]
20. Ranjith N, Pegoraro RJ, Rom L, Lanning PA, Naidoo DP. Renin-angiotensin system and associated gene polymorphisms in myocardial infarction in young South African Indians. Cardiovasc J S Afr 2004;15:22-26. [ Links ]
21. Ranjith N, Pegoraro RJ, Naidoo DP. Demographic data and outcome of acute coronary syndrome in the South African Asian Indian population. Cardiovasc J S Afr 2005; 16:48-54. [ Links ]
22. Yusuf S, Hawken S, Ounpuu S, et al. Effect of potentially modifiable risk factors associated with myocardial infarction in 52 countries (the INTERHEART study): case-control study. Lancet 2004;364:937-952. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17018-9] [ Links ]
23. Conroy RM, Pyorala K, Fitzgerald AP, et al. Estimation of ten-year risk of fatal cardiovascular disease in Europe: the SCORE project. Eur Heart J 2003;24:987-1003. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0195-668X(03)00114-3] [ Links ]
24. Mathers CD, Loncar D. Projections of global mortality and burden of disease from 2002 to 2030. PLoS Med 2006;3:e442. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0030442] [ Links ]
25. World Health Organization (WHO). The World Health Report 2004: Changing history. Geneva: WHO, 2004. [ Links ]
Accepted 15 March 2012.
Corresponding author: A A Chuturgoon (firstname.lastname@example.com)


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Home >> Course Descriptions >> College of Business Administration
Production and Operations Management
Three semester hours.
Planning, organizing and controlling the operations of production and service systes. Topics include: product/process design, factory simulation, total quality, project management, inventory control, production planning, material requirements planning (MRP), just-in-time (JIT), synchronous production, capacity management, rapid response, technological response and operations strategy. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
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DevOps / ITOps Productivity Report 2013
"Devops is intersection of lover of cloud and hater of wake up at 3 in morning." @DEVOPS_BORAT
Yep, we're talking about DevOps. We made a report on why it's better. And yes, it IS better than what we've termed "traditional IT Ops". We have statistics on that, and we'll argue it all day.
DevOps is better because it carries forward the same, proven methodologies that brought Agile into the limelight for software development.
So why do we need to apply those concepts to operations? To that we have 3 bullet points:
Traditionally siloed team structures don't scale
Developers and Operations have opposing philosophies
Technology continues to evolve and the same old processes cannot handle newer paradigms
Together, Dev and Ops can focus on what's most important – the end user experience. They produce high quality software with high availability and a full understanding of each other's limitations that can be addressed well ahead of time. As a result, much of what is considered "operations" is written and packaged as code, both in and out of the app. This brings forth smarter apps and environments that can adapt to changes in user requirements faster.
We have about 35 pages for you in the full report, but also wanted to let as many people see the real meat of the results as quickly as possible. So you can get the full report from RebelLabs, or keep reading to see lots of shiny graphs and serious numbers…


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Genetic variant greatly increases lung cancer risk for light smokers
Individuals with a certain type of genetic susceptibility to lung cancer face a greatly increased risk for the deadly disease with even a small exposure to cigarette smoke, a study team that includes researchers from the University of Cincinnati (UC) has concluded. For family members who carry this genetic variant, the risk of lung cancer is similar for both light and heavy smokers, the researchers say, adding that even non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke and have a family history of lung cancer should be monitored for early detection.
The study, conducted by the Genetic Epidemiology of Lung Cancer Consortium (GELCC), is being published online March 9, 2010, ahead of print by Cancer Research, a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research. Print date is March 15.
Marshall Anderson, PhD, a professor in UC's cancer and cell biology department, is principal investigator of the GELCC, whose UC portion is known as the Family Lung Cancer Study. Susan Pinney, PhD, an associate professor in the department of environmental health, is a co-investigator. The study's first author is Christopher Amos, PhD, a professor and epidemiologist at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
"The study shows a strong gene-environment interaction between a region of chromosome 6q and smoking," UC's Anderson says. "People with this susceptibility locus can develop lung cancer even with a very little bit of smoking."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 200,000 cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available. More people die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer, the CDC says.
To study the chromosome region's effect on lung cancer risk, the researchers identified a haplotype (a portion of a chromosome containing genes that tend to be inherited together) that was associated with lung cancer. Collecting data from several recruitment sites including UC, they then divided smoking exposures into never smokers, light smokers (fewer than 20 pack years, with a pack year being the equivalent of a pack a day for 20 years), moderate smokers (20-40 pack years) and heavy smokers (40 or more pack years).
For family members without this genetic lung cancer risk, the risk of developing the disease tracked closely with the level of smoking—in other words, heavy smokers had a significantly greater risk of developing lung cancer than moderate smokers, who had a significantly greater risk than light smokers. But in family members with the genetic risk haplotype, even light smoking resulted in a greatly increased risk for developing lung cancer. From there, increasing smoking behaviors in this group of family members carried only weakly increasing risk for developing lung cancer.
"If you carried the inherited risk and then you smoked, it didn't matter if you were a light smoker or a heavy smoker—you were significantly more likely to develop lung cancer," Pinney says.
Adds Anderson: "If you have a family history of lung cancer, you probably should not even be around cigarette smokers."
Source: University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center
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Objectivism is controversial in a number of ways. First, it includes positions very much at odds with the ideas held by most people. Rand and other Objectivists have also been open about their own criticisms of other philosophers and intellectual traditions, sometimes denouncing them in very forceful terms. Also, Objectivism is a "popular" philosophy, which originated in the writings of novelist with no formal background as an academic philosopher. Finally, Rand's own personality and personal life have sometimes drawn fire from critics who consider her arrogant, dogmatic, hypocritical, etc.
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The following criticize Objectivism on esthetic issues. General criticisms of "romanticism" or "romantic realism" that are not specific to Objectivism are not included here. Criticisms of Rand's own artistic work are also not included. Interested readers can find links to reviews and criticisms of Rand's fiction by following the links for each book in the ORC Books section.
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Rangers' Josh Hamilton Joins '4 HR Club'
Everything there is to know about four-home run games
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On Tuesday night, Josh Hamilton hit four home runs off Baltimore pitching.
How rare is that feat?
It's been accomplished only 14 times since 1900; 16 if you go back prior to the turn of the century when rules were different. That's four fewer than the number of perfect games during that time.


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Working at Klingspor
As a leading European manufacturer in the abrasive products industry, we are in a position to offer you a wide range of different career opportunities both in Germany and at more than 30 Klingspor subsidiaries around the world. We will gladly receive your brief application by email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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"Autumnal Equinox" by Aurora fiber artist Diana Vander Does hangs just inside the entrance into the gallery at the PACE Center in Parker. It's included in an exhibit, "Contrast," by the …
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"Autumnal Equinox" by Aurora fiber artist Diana Vander Does hangs just inside the entrance into the gallery at the PACE Center in Parker. It's included in an exhibit, "Contrast," by the adventurous Front Range Contemporary Quilters, which runs through June 25. Curator Rose Fredrick comments that this exhibit "offers a chance to see the familiar in a new way." The juror was Linda Colsh. Vander Does' brilliant red work begins with a digital image print on fabric. Then it is stitched in a more traditional manner — but not quite! Perhaps inspired by a Japanese maple tree, it's part of an adventurous collection of fiber art pieces that includes some clothing and other works that will surprise. Open during business hours at the center and of course, during performances. Allow extra time to look at the gallery and the halls. PACE is at 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker.
Stutson book honored
The charming children's book "Blue Corn Soup," by Littleton's Caroline Stutson, was, sadly, published posthumously.
It just won first place for children's literature in the Colorado Authors' League's annual contest and notice has been received by Al Stutson that it will be distributed to every first-grader in the state of New Mexico, an especially fitting honor to a devoted storyteller. Available locally. "Wealth By Virtue" by Chad Gordon of Centennial is the CAL's choice for general non-fiction.
Symphonic music
The Arapahoe Philharmonic presents a concert called "Order and Chaos," featuring works by Brahms and Stravinsky, at 7:30 p.m. May 19 at Englewood High School's Fisher Auditorium, 3800 S. Logan St., Englewood. Pianist is Jamie Shaak. The Brahms concerto premiered in 1859 with the composer at the keyboard. Stravinsky's early 20th-century "Rites of Spring" sparked a riot at its premier and is considered perhaps the most influential piece of music of the early 20th century. Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes will talk about the program at 6:45 p.m. Tickets: arapahoe-phil.org or 303-781-1892.
Cleo Parker Robinson
"Dream Catchers" with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble will be performed at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 20 at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree. Tickets: lonetreeartscenter.org, 720-509-1000.
Trail partnership
The High Line Conservancy and Denver Botanic Gardens have formed a research and conservancy partnership to survey plant communities along the 71-mile National Landmark High Line Conservancy Trail. Landscaping guidelines will be created true to the historical and native landscape along the High Line Canal, dating back to the 1880s. The trail has five character zones: Wild Canyon, Prairie Retreat, Rolling Foothills, Wooded Village and Urban Refuge. A full assessment of plants has never been made. Images and species lists will be made public when developed.
South Suburban
The South Suburban Public Art Committee has an opening and invites inquiries from those who want to serve on this nine-member committee. Applicants must live in the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District. The committee meets from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. This is a three-year term, beginning mid-summer. Committee selects public art for the district and oversees temporary exhibits. Contact Lynne Wachter, email@example.com.
Curtis Center for the Arts
Longtime Greenwood Village resident and artist Joellyn T. Duesberry is showing her work from the mid-1970s to 2015 at Curtis Center for the Arts, 2349 E. Orchard Road, Greenwood Village. A book, "Elevated Perspective: The Paintings of Joellyn Duesberry," and a 32-minute PBS documentary, "Dialogue With the Artist," will be available. Curator Brenda LaBier will speak at 1 p.m. on June 2. Through June 30. 303-797-1779.
Happy City Denver
"Happy City Denver: Art for the People" will bring 10 artists' perspectives on happiness and community wellness. The title is inspired by British Artist Stuart Semple, related to Canadian writer Charles Montgomery's book, "Happy City," which questions the intersection between urban design and the science of happiness. Expect unexpected art experiences in public spaces. Nomadic art gallery Black Cube offers artistic direction. Produced by the Denver Theatre District, it will offer installations and experiences in public spaces May 18 through June 30. A publication, "Ear to Ear" will be distributed. A panel discussion, "Happiness Unpacked," will be held on May 31 at Union Station. For information, go to happycitydenver.com. Bottom line: better mental health…
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By Shane Young | October 15, 2012 |
The quality of our drinking water is a major determinant of our health and wellbeing. It is important to consider not only the presence of pathogens or contaminants, but also the routine addition of chemicals that may cause us harm. Chlorine is a chemical typically used as a disinfectant in public water supplies as an effective way to reduce the level of pathogenic bacteria in our drinking water. (1)
Unfortunately, this chemical, and other common chemical disinfectants, may have a damaging impact on our bodies' beneficial bacteria as well.
When chlorine is used as a water treatment, it combines with organic matter to form compounds called trihalomethanes (THMs), also known as disinfectant byproducts. One of the most common THMs formed is chloroform, which is a known carcinogen. (2) Other THMs formed include the di- and trichloramines formed when chloramine is used as a disinfecting agent. (3) These compounds are toxic when consumed, inhaled, or applied to the skin.
Research conducted on the health effects of chlorinated drinking water have demonstrated a variety of toxicity issues. Several studies have found that communities using chlorinated or chloraminated drinking water have an increased risk of bladder, kidney, and rectal cancers. (4, 5, 6) THMs from chemically treated water have been associated with a variety of poor birth outcomes, such as spontaneous abortion, birth defects, and low birth weight. (7) Chlorine and chloramine vapors are associated with greater risk of asthma, and may damage the mucosal lining of the respiratory tract. (8) Free radicals in chlorinated water have been linked to liver malfunction, weakening of the immune system and pre-arteriosclerotic changes in arteries. (9)
While there hasn't been substantial research on the topic, it's reasonable to assume that chlorinated water adversely affects beneficial intestinal flora. Chlorine is a powerful antimicrobial agent, and is an effective pesticide against many different strains of bacteria. (10) The compounds in disinfected water may be able to reach the gut not only through our drinking water, but also through daily showers and baths.
A recent post at the Food Renegade blog (11) brought this disturbing theory to light, not only highlighting the harmful effects of chlorinated drinking water, but emphasizing the possibly greater effect that showers and baths could have on our intestinal flora. As we know, there's a strong connection between asthma, acne, autoimmune conditions and the health of our gut flora. We might speculate that dysbiosis induced or made worse by excess chlorine exposure could contribute to these conditions.
While our bodies can filter out much of the chlorine from our drinking water, the THMs and other disinfectant byproducts we inhale during showers and baths may be much more harmful, since the chlorine gas we inhale enters directly into our blood stream. (12) Therefore, even if you filter your drinking water, the amount of toxins you are exposed to from your daily shower or bath, through inhalation or skin absorption, may be cause for greater concern.
Research has demonstrated that the cancer risk associated with chlorinated water may actually be due to showering and bathing, rather than drinking the disinfected water. (13, 14) This suggests that many health risks of chlorine may be specifically related to dermal and inhalation exposure. In fact, the chloroform dose from a single, ten minute shower is equal to, and possibly greater than, that from the average two liters of water ingestion on a daily basis. (15, 16)
Chlorine filtration is fairly simple, provided you use some level of technology to remove it from your shower or bath water. There are resources on the Food Renegade blog about where to find chlorine-filtering shower heads and bath filters. (17) This includes the Rainshow'r Shower Filter and the Crystal Ball Bath Dechlorinator, both sold by the Radiant Life Company.
I'd like to point out that chlorine isn't in everyone's water supply, but there is another disinfectant that is also of concern. I checked my local water company's website, and discovered they use chloramine (chlorine + ammonia) to disinfect the water supply. (17) Chloramine exposure may be even more damaging to the lung epithelium than chlorine, and may release ammonia as another toxic byproduct as well.
Chloramine can be removed for drinking water purposes by a carbon block or activated carbon filter that can be installed on a kitchen faucet. Also, both chlorine and chloramine can be removed for bathing purposes by dissolving Vitamin C in the bath water. One 1000 mg Vitamin C tablet will neutralize chloramine in an average bathtub. (18)
There are no shower filters on the market that completely remove chloramine. (19) There are, however, whole house water filters that remove chlorine, chloramine, and other contaminants. Unfortunately, they're quite expensive and thus may not be an option for many people.
Vitamin C shower filters may be a good choice for those looking for an inexpensive way to reduce the chloramine (and chlorine) content of their showers. Vitamin C is an effective dechlorination agent, removing up to 99% of chlorine and chloramine, and vitamin C filters are much less expensive than the whole house filter featured above. The disadvantage to using them is they're not as durable or effective as a whole house filtration system, and you would need a separate filter for each shower outlet in the house.
Other simple methods to reduce exposure to chlorine and chloramine include: taking shorter or less frequent showers, avoiding excessively hot showers (since high heat increases the amount of steam), and shutting the water off while soaping up. These techniques will help decrease your exposure if filtration or dechlorination is not an option.
I recommend you check with your local water supply company to determine what disinfecting agents they use to sanitize your tap water. You can then use that information to make a decision about which shower filter is most appropriate for you and your family. Until we know more about how chlorinated water affects our health, and especially our beneficial gut flora, it seems prudent to keep chlorine and chloramine exposure to a minimum.


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Lounsbery Frequently-Asked QuestionsI've found that there are many questions that come up frequently when researching the Lounsbery family. Hopefully, this page will help answer some of your questions, too.
Without further ado, here are the FAQs and answers:
- My name is spelled Lounsbury (or Lounsberry,). Is that the same thing?
- Where does my branch of the family fit into the larger tree?
- What references exist for locating Lounsbery/Lounsbury/Lounsberry information?
In all probability, yes. The general consensus is that all the variant spellings are derived from Lounsberry; and that all Lounsberys in America are descended from Richard Lounsberry and Elizabeth Pennoyer. There are even those with names like Lansbury and Lainspeary that may be members of this extended family.
There are several ways to determine this; one of the best is to use the information in John Freund's book, or other references.
I frequently get e-mail telling me that someone is not in the on-line family tree. In most cases, an entire branch is seemingly missing. Please remember that the on-line tree is a small subset of the known family history, perhaps only 15-20%. I have spent some time lobbying John Freund (see next section) to provide me with his computer copies of the tree, so that I may publish them on the web. But, as I have indicated elsewhere in this site, John is quite serious about his work and does not wish to see duplication errors arise, and he also is concerned about researchers using information that is incomplete.
There are several options available. Besides traditional genealogical research methods, the following Lounsbury-specific resources exist.
- Some Descendants of Richard Lounsberry of Rye, NY. This is a book by John Freund of Victor, NY; it contains the most comprehensive structure and descriptions available pertaining to the descendants of Richard. Unfortunately, the book is now out of print and copies are no longer available from any source I know of.
- The Lounsbury Tree. This is a twice-yearly newsletter, edited and published by Al Lounsbury of Saratoga Springs, NY. It contains lots of information about reunions, queries, obituaries, and historical events related to the Lounsbury clan.
- Lounsbury : origin, meaning, and significance, with emphasis on the evidence and conclusions concerning the relationship of the Lounsbury family to royalty in the Middle Ages. This is a book by Raymond H. Lounsbury; here are some relevant details from the U.S. Library of Congress' search site:
- On-Line Databases.I had maintained a set of HTML files, generated from genealogical software, that were accessible on my web site. For various reasons - primarily the inclusion of living persons - I have decided to remove these files.
- PUBLISHED: Bridport, Vt. : Lounsbury, 1976.
DESCRIPTION: viii, 31 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.
NOTES: Includes bibliographical references.
SUBJECTS: Lounsberry family. England--Genealogy.
FORMAT: Book
The Pennoyer Scholarship is an endowment held for tuition assistance to students at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. It is intended to be used by descendants of Robert Pennoyer. Pennoyer's brother was a somewhat wealthy London businessman who also happened to be childless, so he left an endowment for his brother Robert's descendants.
One of Robert's children was Elizabeth Pennoyer, who married Richard Lounsberry. Because Richard is considered the forefather of all Lounsberrys in the U.S., anyone with that surname or descended from someone with that surname is probably eligible for the scholarship. Of course, you'll need to get in to Harvard first.


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to your child's never ending "why" questions from nature
to science to serious issues written by whyzz writers & experts.
on how to talk about tough topics from other
parents & whyzz's experts.
of your child's questions & quotes, friends' & family
members' wisdom as well as answers & advice you like.


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Book Clubs & Writers' Groups
Mimico Adult Book Club
Tue Sep 24, 2019 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Mimico Centennial
The book club offers an informal book discussion, with lively and stimulating conversation.
Long Branch Adult Book Club
Tue Sep 24, 2019 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Long Branch
Participate in stimulating conversations and discussions during our monthly Book Club meetings.
North York Central Book Club
Tue Sep 24, 2019
Location: North York Central Library
Book Club members meet monthly on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:15 pm to discuss contemporary literature and the occasional classic from January to June and again September to November. September 24 - Classic kidlit...
Book Club
Tue Sep 24, 2019 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Palmerston
Join us each month on a Tuesday afternoon for a book discussion in a friendly and welcoming environment. No registration required. All are welcome. September 24th - Last Man in Tower by Aravind Adiga...
Tea and Books on Science and Health
Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: North York Central Library
Come and join us for tea and a chat about the new and interesting books published this year in Science and Health. Drop in. No registration required. Call the North York Central Library, Business, Scienc...
New Toronto Book Discussion Club
Wed Sep 25, 2019 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Location: New Toronto
Would you enjoy discussing a book with other readers? Join the New Toronto Library Book Club and discuss a different book each month! We meet the last Wednesday of the month at 7PM. To obtain a library copy of this month's bo...
LGBTQ+ Book Club
Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Parkdale
Join us for an evening of discussion in a welcoming and inclusive space. The title for September is "The Parting Gift" by Evan Fallenberg.
Gerrard/Ashdale Book Club
Thu Sep 26, 2019 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Gerrard/Ashdale
Looking to share your opinion on a monthly read? Join the Gerrard/Ashdale Branch to share your thoughts in a friendly environment. Register in person in the branch or by calling 416-393-7717. Program is...
North York Writers
Thu Sep 26, 2019 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: North York Central Library
Are you interested in creative writing? Members of the North York Writers meet regularly to read their work and provide feedback for each other in a supportive atmosphere. Writers of all genres are welcome. New attendees are...
Elmbrook Park Book Club
Thu Sep 26, 2019 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Elmbrook Park
A great list of authors for 2019. Join us each month to talk about that month's selection. Contact the branch for a full list of all upcoming titles. January: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman Febru...


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The White House's announcement December 10 of a $1-billion public-private investment in early childhood education programs raises critical questions about which program features will best help the projected 63,000 children affected learn and thrive. AIR's early childhood experts weigh in here.
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Find specific work or narrow your results by type, topic, program, project, or service by selecting your criteria from the choices at right.


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Today's jobless claims report showed an increase to initial claims and an decrease to continued claims with a continued trend-up appearing to shape up for initial claims while traditional continued claims appears to be trending down.
Seasonally adjusted "initial" unemployment increased by 12,000 to 465,000 claims from last week's revised 453,000 claims while "continued" claims declined by 48,000 resulting in an "insured" unemployment rate of 3.5%.
Since the middle of 2008 though, two federal government sponsored "extended" unemployment benefit programs (the "extended benefits" and "EUC 2008" from recent legislation) have been picking up claimants that have fallen off of the traditional unemployment benefits rolls.
Currently there are some 5.17 million people receiving federal "extended" unemployment benefits.
Taken together with the latest 3.93 million people that are currently counted as receiving traditional continued unemployment benefits, there are 9.10 million people on state and federal unemployment rolls.
Add/view comments on this post.
The Christian Science Monitor has assembled a diverse group of the best economy-related bloggers out there. Our guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. To contact us about a blogger, click here. To add or view a comment on a guest blog, please go to the blogger's own site by clicking on the link above.


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The announcement comes after the nation's oldest bank blasted American policies and called on its clients to completely divest from U.S. capital markets, following other banks that have recently announced that they will also cease doing business in the United States and with Americans in general.
The economic study was compiled using growth data, surveys of business executives, and indicators like labor-market flexibility, among other indices. Some of the factors that led to the United States losing its position include the crisis in financial markets, government intrusion into the private sector, and doubts about auditing standards. Singapore ranked third, with Finland, Japan, and the Netherlands all among the top 10.
On a ranking of the soundness of nations' banks, the United States came in below 100th place, with Tanzania just above it. British banks fared even worse, ranking 126th. In terms of economic stability, the United States slipped to 93rd — mainly due to the out-of-control budget deficits.
"We have been expecting for some time that it may lose its top-position," explained the head of the WEF's global competitiveness network, Jennifer Blanke. "There are a number of imbalances that have been building up," she added, highlighting problems in financial markets as one of the primary causes for the United States being "penalized."
She noted that Switzerland has some problems right now as well, "but Switzerland's macroeconomic environment, although weakening somewhat since last year, continues to be assessed as stable compared in particular with the United States and many European neighbors." The report noted that the small alpine country has an excellent capacity for innovation, well-functioning goods markets, and a sophisticated business culture. It also has comparatively low taxes and a much simpler tax structure.
"Amid the present crisis, it is critical that policy-makers not lose sight of long-term competitiveness fundamentals amid short-term urgencies. Competitive economies are those that have in place factors driving the productivity enhancements on which their present and future prosperity is built," said a co-author of the study, Columbia economics professor Xavier Sala-i-Martin. "A competitiveness-supporting economic environment can help national economies to weather business cycle downturns and ensure that the mechanisms enabling solid economic performance going into the future are in place."
The report noted that the United States "has built up large macroeconomic imbalances" and "burgeoning levels of public indebtedness, which are presently being exacerbated by significant stimulus spending." Among the most problematic factors for doing business in the United States were tax rates and regulations, inefficient government bureaucracy, and inflation.
The bad news for the United States also comes amid strong criticism of economic policies — and taxation issues in particular — from Switzerland's oldest bank, Wegelin & Co., established in 1741. As reported previously, the Internal Revenue Service is turning Americans into international pariahs, with a growing number of banks refusing to serve U.S. clients.
Wegelin railed against new American tax policies and the idea that anyone who owns U.S. securities could have them possibly subjected to a variety of taxation schemes, including the infamous "death tax." It said the IRS was trying to turn banks into extensions of the tax collectors, and that regulations were so cloudy and complex that it was not willing to run the risk of dealing with it.
"The moralizers provide intellectual support for a country that allows its infrastructure to collapse, and then stuffs convicts into hopelessly overfilled jails, after what are not infrequently dubious proceedings," the bank's regular investment newsletter charged. "We are well advised to take a general farewell of America. This will be painful, for the USA was once the most vital market economy in the world. But for now, it's time to say goodbye."
In other damning news for U.S. tax policies, the Wealth Bulletin reports that "a growing number of ultra-wealthy Americans are handing back their passports" to avoid being subject to American taxes. "Private client lawyers and relocation specialists are reporting a surge in wealthy Americans living abroad who are prepared to give up their citizenship to avoid the scrutiny of US tax authorities," it reported in an article entitled "More US wealthy opt to surrender their citizenship." The United States is the only country in the world that forces its citizens to pay American taxes no matter where they live.
This is all clearly bad news for Americans. The U.S. economy will continue to suffer more and more as the government continues expanding and usurping unconstitutional powers. And if the country hopes to maintain its standard of living and its standing in the world, a return to the free market and constitutional principles is absolutely crucial. Government economic control has been tested over and over again — and it has consistently failed. The world is taking notice. Free people must have free markets, for the alternative is eventual serfdom and poverty for all.


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Browse by Medical Category
Monday, June 15, 2009
Mass General initiates trial of brain-computer interface device for patients with paralysis
Leigh Hochberg, MD, PhD
Research aimed at developing restorative neurotechnologies that could help people with paralysis is beginning a new trial at Massachusetts General Hospital. The BrainGate2 pilot clinical trial is testing an investigational device designed to allow users to control computer cursors, robotic arms and wheelchairs using the power of brain signals.
BrainGate2 will be conducted jointly by physician researchers at Mass General and neuroscientists and engineers at Brown University. Leigh Hochberg, MD, PhD, a vascular and critical care neurologist at Mass General and Brigham and Women's Hospital, is recruiting up to 15 individuals with quadriplegia for this trial, which expands on previous research evaluating how people with spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, muscular dystrophy, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may be able to use brain signals to control assistive devices.
"We are working to develop and test technologies that we hope will help patients with devastating illnesses that limit their ability to move or to speak. The goal of our research is to harness the brain signals that ordinarily accompany movement and to translate those signals into actions on a computer, like moving a cursor on the screen, or the movement of a robotic or prosthetic limb," says Hochberg, who is also an associate professor of Engineering at Brown University and an investigator in the Rehabilitation R&D Service, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The BrainGate Neural Interface System is an investigational device not yet available for clinical use. It works by decoding brain signals from the motor cortex - a part of the brain that controls movement. In the previous clinical trial, four study participants had the motor cortex sensor implanted. A computer was then connected to the sensor through a port on the head, allowing them to control a computer cursor by simply thinking about the movement of their own paralyzed hand.
"We learned an incredible amount with the assistance of the first participants in the BrainGate trial, not only about how the motor cortex continues to work after paralyzing illness or injury, but also about how to harness these powerful intracortical signals for controlling computers and other assistive devices," Hochberg says.
The BrainGate2 trial will expand on the previous findings, honing the hardware and software that decode the brain signals that are causing the cursor to move on a screen. The ultimate goal of the work is to "turn thought into action." Hochberg and his team hope the device will eventually allow users to point and click on a computer screen, control a prosthetic limb and a robotic arm and control functional electrical stimulation (FES) of nerves disconnected from the brain due to paralysis.
"The research is focused not only on the ability to operate a computer, but also to assist people with ALS, spinal cord injury and stroke to regain control over their environment," says Hochberg.
The potential to restore function after paralysis is only one potential benefit. The research team is also exploring the use of these information-rich neural signals to better understand and treat other neurological disorders and diseases.
John Donoghue, PhD, director of the Brown Institute for Brain Science, said the new trial is taking place at a time of great promise for neurotechnology research.
"We are entering a new age of neurotechnology," says Donoghue, whose lab developed the technology and who continues to lead the research with Hochberg. "Our fundamental understanding of the nervous system, combined with advances in engineering may help people with brain and spinal cord injuries and diseases."
Research supported by grants from:
This research is supported in part by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development.
Learn more about Mass General's Stroke Service in the Department of Neurology as well as the BrainGate2 trial.
Watch the story on CBS' "60 Minutes"
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When artist Paul Emsley unveiled his official portrait of Kate Middleton, the world was surprised to see the beautiful Duchess of Cambridge's not as attractive painting.
The press was somewhat harsh, calling Middleton's first official portrait "ghostly" and " an aesthetic disaster."
There have even been countless internet memes dedicated to making fun of the portrait >
But now, for the first time since the much-hyped portrait's unveiling, the 65-year-old artist is speaking out against what he calls were "vicious" criticisms.
"Some of the words written about it were so personal. I'd be inhuman if I said it didn't affect me," the award-winning artist told Hello! "When you take on commissions like this, it is hazardous and you expect a bit of flak, but I expected nothing like the criticism I have received. I didn't expect it to go to the levels it did."
While Prince William described the piece as "absolutely beautiful" and Middleton herself said it was "amazing" and "brilliant," Emsley said the backlash was likea "witch hunt" and "circus" that took an emotional toll on his two daughters and his wife.
"At first the attacks were so vicious that there was a point where I myself doubted that the portrait of the duchess was any good. But now I've had time to reflect, I am still happy with it and am getting on with my life. There is nothing I would have changed," said Emsley, who spent four months on the portrait.
But Emsley says that perhaps his painting just isn't photographing well, and he suggests you visit it in the U.K.'s National Portrait Gallery before knocking his work.
After sitting for Emsley on two occasions, in May and June of last year, the artist says of his royal subject:
"She struck me as enormously open and generous and a very warm person. After initially feeling it was going to be an unsmiling portrait, I think it was the right choice in the end to have her smiling—that is really who she is."
SEE ALSO: The first official portrait of Kate Middleton is ... interesting >


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THE BOOK OF MORMON Begins Performances in Minneapolis Tonight
THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, debuts in Minnesota tonight, February 5-17, 2013 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre for a limited engagement. In Minneapolis, the production has announced a pre-show ticket lottery, making a limited number of tickets available for $25 each, cash only, at the Orpheum box office, 910 Hennepin Avenue. The Book of Mormon is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2012/13 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. For more information, visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.
Lottery entries will be accepted at the Orpheum box office beginning two and a half hours prior to each performance. Each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a provided card. Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets priced at $25 each. Only one entry is allowed per person and up to two tickets provided per winner. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Tickets are subject to availability.
The wildly popular lottery for the Broadway production has attracted as many as 800 entries at some performances. The Book of Mormon producers are pleased to offer these low-priced lottery seats for every city on the national tour.THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series, "South Park." Tony Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy Avenue Q. The musical is choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (Monty Python's Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone) and is directed by Nicholaw and Parker.
THE BOOK OF MORMON is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Book (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Direction (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker), Best Featured Actress (Nikki M. James), Best Scenic Design (Scott Pask), Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt), Best Sound Design (Brian Ronan) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album; four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical, and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.
THE BOOK OF MORMON set design is by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt and sound design by Brian Ronan. Orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus. Music direction and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus. The Original Broadway Cast Recording for The Book of Mormon, winner of the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is available on Ghostlight Records. For more information, visit www.thebookofmormonthemusical.com. Follow The Book of Mormon on Twitter and Facebook.
A pre-show lottery will be conducted at the Orpheum Theatre before every performance. A limited number of tickets will be made available for the lottery at $25 each, cash only. Entries will be accepted at the box office beginning two and a half hours prior to each performance. Each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a provided card. Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for the opportunity to purchase up to two tickets for $25 each. Only one entry is allowed per person. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Lottery tickets must be purchased by winners at the time of the drawing. Winners will show photo ID at the box office 15 minutes prior to curtain to collect their tickets and enter the theatre. Tickets are non-transferrable; re-selling of lottery tickets is strictly prohibited. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Tickets are subject to availability.
Single ticket availability for The Book of Mormon is extremely limited. Additional seats may be made available for sale closer to the engagement. Please check HennepinTheatreTrust.org for updates. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Mpls., 55402), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or through Ticketmaster by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. All prices include applicable facility fees. Additional charges may apply. Hennepin Theatre Trust strongly recommends only purchasing tickets through these authorized sources.
Performance dates are tonight, Feb. 5 through Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre. Performance times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.


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The Lancaster 4-H Horse Club is collecting non-perishable foods for HOPE in Lancaster, Inc., through Dec. 21.
Just one or two items can go a long way in helping families in need.
While all non-perishable foods will be appreciated, HOPE has the following needs at this time: self rising flour, cornmeal, sugar, grits, canned evaporated milk, jelly, peanut butter, juice, canned beans (except green beans), canned squash, canned sweet potatoes and canned tomatoes.
2 and 2/3 cups chopped pecans, plus extra for frosting
2 cups sugar
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 and 1/4 cup softened butter
4 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup milk
1 cup butter
8 to 8 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
Laura Caskey
For the months of October and November, The Lancaster Garden Club is asking members of the Lancaster community to plant or display mums of all varieties and colors through their project "Mum's the Word."
Each household or business is encouraged to display mums so Lancaster visitors will see an ocean of fall colors in the town.
Chrysanthemums, often called "mums," come in a variety of natural shades, including fall colors like red, yellow, orange and white.
Three trustees have been re-elected to the J. Marion Sims Foundation's board. Robert K. Folks, Charles M. Harrell and Marvin L. Starks were re-elected to their third three-year terms and will begin their service on
Oct. 1.
Christian Services is doing its part to end hunger in Lancaster County.
The Christian Services food pantry is open from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Age: 59
Address: Hazel Blakeney Road, Pageland (I lived in Lancaster County for 30 years prior.)
Family: Husband, Jim, 57; two daughters, Meredith Starnes, 30, and Amy Gambrell, 36, of Columbia; two stepchildren, Kristie Starnes, 36, and Jimmy Ewing, 33; and nine grandchildren ranging in ages from seven months to 17 years.
Pets: Two spoiled cats, Puff and HotRod
Members of the medical and legal professions have been re-elected to positions of leadership by the board of trustees of the J. Marion Sims Foundation.
Dr. R. Malcolm Edwards, a Lancaster ophthalmologist with The Eye and Laser Center, has been re-elected as chairman of the board. Robert K. Folks, a partner in the law firm of Folks, Khoury and DeVenny, has been re-elected as vice chairman and Pamela Y. Temple of Great Falls, a medical professional with two decades' experience in health care, has been re-elected as secretary.
The U. S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist for S.C., Ann English, announced the first sign up deadline for priority assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Oct. 19.
There will be a second deadline of Feb. 15.
Lancaster District Conservationist Ann Christie says, "Landowners and farmers interested in the program should contact me immediately.
Laura Caskey
Low country boil, macaroni and cheese and cold peach soup.
Tuesday, Sept. 25, The Fairway Room at Lancaster Golf Course played host to chefs and attendees joined for the sole purpose of finding a cure for autism.
Held annually since 2006 on the last Tuesday of September, the Look Who's Cooking benefit unites the community to fund more research for a disorder that affects one in every 88 children.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Lancaster will officially get underway on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. as event volunteers and team captains gather at First A.R.P. Church, 701 N. Main St., for a kickoff rally to launch their fundraising efforts for the year.
The rally will feature speakers from the community who have benefitted from the funds raised at Relay for Life, will honor cancer survivors and celebrate the 2012 fundraising teams.
The theme for 2013 will be announced and light refreshments will be provided.
Most of S.C. remains in a moderate to severe drought. The effects of drought on trees can be either short term or long term. Short dry periods might cause wilting, leaf scorch (edges turned brown) and possibly defoliation in hardwoods or dropping of yellowed needles in pines. Generally, healthy trees have built-in mechanisms to cope with short term lack of water.
Before the district-wide meeting, Lancaster County School district faculty and staff created a "lip dub" video to "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves and "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey.
The video, as well as previous Lancaster school lip dubs by Lancaster High and South Middle, is available for view at Learn TV's YouTube page, http://www.youtube.com/learntv18 .
The Lancaster News and Pageland Progressive Journal advertising staff won 20 S.C. Press Association awards this year. The same staff produces advertising for Carolina Gateway.
The awards were distributed at the 30th Annual PALMY Awards and Advertising Summit on June 7 in Columbia.
Susan Rowell, The Lancaster News publisher, said she was proud of the awards and those who won.
Money management is one skill that can be difficult for young adults to master as they head off on their own. But no matter what stage of life - whether they're entering college or the work force - every young adult should learn how to handle their money.
Establish a Budget
Frank Hartley and his wife Betty may be best known locally for running Hartley's Appliance on South Main Street in Lancaster for 30 years. Some residents and newcomers may not know, however, that Frank Hartley has been playing country and bluegrass music for more than 50 years; a talent that landed him on stage at Carnegie Hall in 1984.
Jane Alford email@example.com Combine about a dozen local volunteer actors in colonial dress and a film crew armed with small video cameras and what do you get?
Four beautifully shot mini-films that bring to life our seventh president, Andrew Jackson, who was born and spent his youth in this area, and highlight the park that bears his name.
The Friends of Andrew Jackson State Park held a grand film review July 12 to introduce the four mini-documentaries on the young Jackson and the Revolutionary War history of the Waxhaws area.
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but bananas were always what kept us kids coming back for more! Mom would buy them by the bunches to keep us in the yellow. In fact, I never saw a brown banana until I was an adult...because us kids would gobble them up as soon as she brought them home!
Well, it seems that I'm not alone in my fruit fancying.
"I've got two favorite ingredients – bananas and peanut butter," says home cook Lorie Roach on www.justapinch.com.
1 box cake mix, any flavor
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla, optional
1- 12 ounce bag of semisweet chocolate chips, or your choice of add-ins such as candy, nuts, etc.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cream together butter and cream cheese. Add egg and vanilla (if using) and mix until well-blended. Use an electric blender if desired.
- Stir in cake mix a little at a time until well-blended, then add any chips, candy or nuts.
- Bake for 10 minutes, until edges are brown.
(ARA) - When school starts, kids' schedules fill up fast, and that means they need the right fuel to keep their growing bodies and minds satisfied. After a long day of learning, kids require a snack that will get them through homework, after-school sports and other activities until dinner is served. Before you reach for the default bag of chips, consider these healthier alternatives that are just as easy and convenient.
Creative, healthier after-school snack ideas that your kids will gobble up:
An orchestra seems to make music flow with harmonies and crescendos; sometimes a beautiful solo will steal the show. The carefully planned musical piece provides continuous entertainment.
Now take that same concept and apply it to a garden filled with flowers. Each flower has its time to shine while others fill the background with continuous color and foliage.
Copyright © 2019
The Lancaster News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Lancaster County and Lancaster, South Carolina, and the surrounding area..


text:
Browse Artwork
- 1 / Converging Cultures
- 2 / Dreams and Visions
- 3 / History and Memory
- 4 / Ceremony and Society
- 5 / Cosmology and Belief
- 6 / Death
- 7 / Domestic Life
- 8 / Writing
- 9 / Portraits
- 10 / The Natural World
- 11 / The Urban Experience
- 12 / Conflict and Resistance
- 13 / The Body
|Lienzo of Ihuitlan
|Mexican School, Oaxaca
|Mid-16th century
|Cotton, dyed pigments, and ink
|Lictors Returning to Brutus the Bodies of his Sons
|Jacques-Louis David (French, 1748–1825)
|Oil on canvas
|Memory Board (lukasa)
|Luba artist, Democratic Republic of the Congo
|20th century
|Wood, beads, nails, cowrie shells
|The Railroad Stations Were at Times So Over-Packed with People Leaving that Special Guards Had to Be Called in to Keep Order from the Migration Series
|Jacob Lawrence (American, 1917–2000)
|Tempera on gesso on composition board
|Surrender of Breda
|Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez (Spanish, 1599–1660)
|Oil on canvas
|"Many fall in battle and King Harold is killed" (detail) from the Bayeux Tapestry
|Unknown artist(s), France or England
|Before 1082
|Wool embroidery on linen
|"Alexander Fights the Monster of Habash" from the Shahnama
|Unknown artist, Tabriz, Iran
|Before 1335
|Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper
|"Battle of Lanka, between Rama and Ravana, King of the Rakshasas" from the Ramayana
|Rajasthani School, India
|Early 19th century
|Watercolor on paper
|Column of Trajan
|Roman artist(s)
|Stu-mick-o-súcks, Buffalo Bull's Back Fat, head chief, Blood Tribe
|George Catlin (American, 1796–1872)
|Oil on canvas
|Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
|Peter Eisenman (American, b. 1932)
|American Marines Raising American Flag on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima
|Rosenthal, Joe (American, 1911–2006)
|Gelatin silver print
|Mulackstrasse 37, Berlin from The Writing on the Wall, Projections in Berlin's Jewish Quarter
|Shimon Attie (American, b. 1957)
|Photograph (of slide projection)
|Untitled, page number 21, from the Arrow's Elk Society Ledger
|Arrow (Elk Society), Cheyenne (active 19th century), Central Plains
|ca. 1875
|Graphite and colored pencil on ledger paper
|Racing Clocks Run Slow: Archaeology of a Racetrack
|Shimon Attie (American, b. 1957)
|(Still from) Three-channel high-definition video installation
|The Triumphal Arch of Maximilian I
|Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471–1528) and others
|1515 (published 1517–18)
|The Triumph of Juliers from the Marie de' Medici Cycle
|Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640)
|Oil on canvas


text: Get inspired at Verse Apartments! Verse's surrounding Pratt Park neighborhood is famous for its rich musical history, from its post-war "Jackson Street Jazz Era" to its days as the stomping grounds for Jimi Hendrix. At a crossroads of Seattle's most popular neighborhoods, our convenient location makes urban living easy, the way you envisioned it to be. Our residents walk, bus, or bike it to Downtown or Capitol Hill for shopping and dining; the many parks just blocks away for relaxation; the Pratt Arts Creative Community Center or the galleries of Pioneer Square for inspiration; and Century Link or SafeCo Field to cheer on the Sounders, Mariners or Seahawks. The city revolves around you here, so come find your urban rhythm and call us today for a tour!


text:
FORT MYER, Va. – Army Cpt. (Ret.) Tommy Clack, a decorated combat wounded veteran during the Vietnam War, was honored with a short tune played by a flutist with The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).
Photo by Staff Sgt. Samantha M. Simmons
Michael Rhodes, Director of Administration and Management for the Office of Secretary of Defense, hosted the Twilight Tattoo for the Vietnam War Commemoration's national program. The program's mission is to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring Vietnam Veterans and their families.
Rifle and canon smoke filled the air as Soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) reenacted battle scenes and marched with precision and discipline to the orchestral sounds of The U.S. Army Band, giving approximately 2,700 guests a glimpse of American history.
Lt. Gen. Raymond V. Mason, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, G-4, stood alongside Mr. Rhodes and five Vietnam-era distinguished guests to receive the honors. The guests, representing five key groups were: Marine Corps Col. (Ret.) Harvey C. "Barney" Barnum, a Medal of Honor recipient during Vietnam; Marine Corps Lt. Col. (Ret.) Orson Swindle, former Prisoner of War held in North Vietnam; Army Cpt. (Ret.) Tommy Clack, a decorated combat wounded veteran during the Vietnam War; Ms. Yolanda Acevedo, a Gold Star daughter and wife; and Ms. Ann Mills-Griffiths whose brother disappeared on a mission in Vietnam and is still missing-in-action.
After formal honors were rendered, all Vietnam Veterans were asked to proudly stand and be recognized. School students, local community members and Fort Myer families extended a rousing round of applause for all of the Vietnam Veterans.
For many years, Vietnam Veterans were not recognized for their service or celebrated for their sacrifice. Creating partnerships and hosting events for Vietnam Veterans to support and commemorate those who served in Vietnam and their family members is a vital mission.
"Growing up, you had a sense that you could not be proud of them when they sacrificed their lives and their families," said Ms. Acevedo, one of those formally recognized. Ms. Acevedo's father was killed in action in Vietnam (1968) and her husband was killed in Bahrain (2003).
She said she moved to Arlington to be close to the burial sites of both her father and husband to forever honor and embrace them and their sacrifices. She also works closely with the Gold Star Families program, so her sons know they are not alone.
"These events help us remember why they served, and it makes me feel very proud of my father and my husband," said Ms. Acevedo.
©2015 Vietnam War Commemoration. All rights reserved.


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If you need a pc with some good performance under linux this is great. The only bad thing I have to point is that bluethoot 2.0 is not working for a dongle that works well under XP.
Also the built in bluethoot doesn't work at all but for the rest is a great machine
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