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By now it must sound like a broken record: "Make sure to wear sunscreen every day."
But is it something you've actually incorporated into your everyday skincare routine? I would like to think yes, but the reality is not many people abide by this rule. Protecting your skin from UVA and UVB rays is one of the only proven things to make a difference in antiaging — not to mention it prevents skin cancer and yes, those nasty sunburns during beach vacations.
The Skin Cancer Foundation says that 90 percent of the changes we see on our skin are caused by the sun's ultraviolet rays. If this is lost on you, they're talking about age spots and dun, dun, dun, wrinkles! Excuse me while I run to apply more sunscreen!
Because the effects of sun damage don't appear instantly, many of us push it to the side and forget to apply it. We're all aware we should wear sunscreen, but it's not a priority unless we're headed to the pool or the beach.
I'm here to hand you everything you need to know about sunscreen so you can make an educated choice next time you go sunblock shopping.
What's sunscreen?
There are two main types of sunscreen: chemical and physical sunscreen.
With a chemical sunscreen, you'll see ingredients like octisalate, oxybenzone, octinoxate and avobenzone on the label. They work by absorbing radiation into your skin and converting it to heat to make sure no sun damage occurs.
Physical (or mineral) sunscreen works a little differently. The active ingredients you'll see on the label are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which reflect UV radiation, so no rays actually penetrate the skin.
Something to note is that all sunscreens will have some chemicals in it, no matter how natural you go. The number of chemicals will depend on the brand you ultimately decide to use.
How do you choose between the two?
It's recommended that people with sensitive or problem-skin opt for physical sunscreen because the heat from the chemical sunscreen can irritate the skin and make matters worse. I would also recommend looking for fragrance-free, oil-free formula and double cleansing at night to make sure you've removed all the sunblock so the skin doesn't breakout or develop clogged pores.
If you don't have sensitive skin and hate the white cast physical sunscreens tend to leave, then go for a chemical sunblock.
Since no SPF is created equal, it'll be trial and error finding the right one but knowing how to read the label is the first step in the right direction.
Where does broad spectrum fit in the picture?
Broad spectrum is a must when choosing the right sunscreen. It refers to the protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
UVA rays are long wave ultraviolet rays and go deep into the skin's thickest layer. These are the rays that cause premature antiaging.Read Full Article
UVB rays are short wave ultraviolet rays and burn the superficial layer of the skin. In the long run, these rays can cause permanent skin damage and contribute to the development of skin cancer.
A great rule of thumb is to stick to a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher to decrease the chances of skin cancer and longterm skin damage.
What more can you do
to protect your skin?
Don't rely on SPF in your makeup. You would need about seven times the amount of foundation to get the necessary coverage to fight against the sun's rays. Most foundations with sunscreen aren't broad spectrum, either, and remember what we said about broad spectrum? It's essential!
Apply sunblock liberally. The recommended amount is about two tablespoons for the face so make sure to use enough. This isn't the area to skimp on in your skincare routine.
Wear a hat if you plan to be outside under direct sunlight for long periods of time. Taking extra precautions to ensure you're protecting your skin is a must in hot weather.
Remember lips and eyes can "sunburn" too. Use lip balms that contain SPF and sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection. One of the biggest myths is that the skin on our face is the only area we really need to protect but in all actuality, it's equally important to protect the rest of the body.
Apply sunscreen on the back of your hands and on your neck. These areas are affected greatly while driving and even while sitting next to a window at work.
Pairing your sunblock with an antioxidant-rich serum or moisturizer fights free radicals and prevents antiaging like no other. This means using a Vitamin E or C serum, among others, will catapult you into a skin-savvy superstar.
Visit Stamford-based fashion and lifestyle blogger Ilse Inzunza at www.livelearnluxeit.com.


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Life, What We Know & What We Do Not Know: Exploratory Group
We have formed a group to explore what we currently know and what we don't know about life. The group communicates via e-mail (at least for now) and shares recommendations for readings, viewing and other means of exploring subjects such as Cosmology, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Oceanography, Religion, Philosophy, and ???. Below are the titles of material we have research.
~The Particle at the End of the Universe: How the hunt for the Higgs Bosom leads us to the edge of a new world." By Sean Carroll
~ Why Does the World Exist? by Jim Holt
~ Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku ~ The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley
~ The God Part of the Brain by Mathew Alper
~ Interventions: A Life in War and Peace by Kofi Annan.
~ Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham's
~ Old Man River: The Mississippi River in North American History by Paul Schneider.
~ The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin,
~ An Idea Whose Time Has Come, by Todd S. Purdum
~ Why Science Does Not Disprove God by Amir D. Aczel.
~The God Species: Saving the Planet in the Age of Humans by Mark Lynachneider
~ Guns, Germs, and Steel : Fate of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
~ Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (2015) by Yuval Noah Harari
~ Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs by Lisa Randall
~ Ken Follett's three books that make up his Century Trilogy – Fall of Giants, Winter of the World and Edge of Eternity.
~The Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols
~ Kill Chain, The Rise of the High-Tech Assassins by Andrew Cockburn
~ The Wright Brothers, by David McCullough
~ An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture" by Peter Block, Walter
~ Why Science Does Not Disprove God by Amir D. Aczel
~ Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari,
~ Kill Chain, The Rise of the High-Tech Assassins by Andrew Cockburn
~ Future of the Mind by Michio Kaku.
~ An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture" by Peter Block, Walter Brueggeemann and John McKnight
~ Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs by Lisa Randall
~ Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, by Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Great Courses Lectures DVDs & Guidebooks (half hour lectures, go to website for contents) www.thegreatcourses.com And other DVDs
~ Cosmology: The History & Nature of Our Universe (36 lectures)
* My Favorite Universe (12 lectures)
* Experiencing Hubble: Understanding Images of Universe (12 lectures)
* The Inexplicable Universe: Unsolved Mysteries (6 lectures)
* Dark Matter, Dark Energy: The Dark Side of the Universe (24 lectures)
* Cosmos " A SpaceTime Odyseey Neil Degrasse Tyson in "rebooting 'Cosmos"–a new series (now available in DVD
~ Earth's Changing Climate (12 lectures)
* How the Earth Works (48 lectures)
* Oceanography: Exploring Earth's Final Wilderness (36 lectures)
~ Food, A Cultural History (36 lectures)
* The Everyday Gourmet: The Art of Cooking (24 lectures)
~ Lifelong Health: Achieving Optimum Well-Being at Any Age (36 lectures)
~ History, The Other 1492; Making of an Empire (12 lectures)
* Winston Churchill (12 lectures)
* The Other 1492: Ferdinand, Isabella and the Making of an Empire
* The Terror of History, Mystics, Heretics, and Witches in the Western Tradition by Professor Teofilo Ruiz —
* The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World: 48 Great Courses lecture by Professor
* Robert Garland History, Mystics, Heretics, and Witches in the Western Tradition by Professor Teofilo Ruiz
~ Museum Masterpieces: The Louvre (12 lectures)
~ Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation (24 lectures)
~ Science and Religion (12 lectures)
* God and Mankind: Comparative Religions (CD's only- 8 lectures)
* The Book of Genesis (24 lectures)
* Buddhism (24 lectures)
~ The Science of Self (24 lectures)
* Biological Anthropology (24 lectures)
* Biology: The Science of Life (72 lectures)
* Origins of Life (24 lectures)
* Consciousness and Its Implications (12 lectures)
* Understanding the Secrets of Human Perception (24 lectures)
*Great Scientific Ideas That Changed the World 1-3 (36 lectures)
* The Psychology of Personality: Traits Free or Fixed 2 CD lectures)
~ Philosophy as a Guide to Living (24 lectures)
* Philosophy of Mind: Brains, Consciousness and Thinking (24 lectures)
~ The Physics & Science of History (24 lectures
* Chaos (24 lectures)
* Einstein's Relativity & Quantum Revolution (24 lectures)
* Mysteries of Modern Physics: Time (24 lectures)
* Understanding the Science for Tomorrow: Myth & Reality
* Science Wars: What Scientists Know (24 lectures)
* Twelve Essential Scientific Concepts (24 lectures)
* What Science Knows about Cancer by Professor David Sadava (a Great Course) and Cancer:
* The Emperor of All.. by Ken Burns (a PBS documentary
* The Neuroscience of Everyday Life
* The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World
* Great Scientific Ideas That Changed the World by Professor Steven
* Guns, Germs, and Steel: Fate of Human Societies by Jared Diamond The Terror of
~ Writing Creative Nonfiction (24 lectures) .
Discover Magazine DVDs (each subject approx. 40 minutes, two subjects to a DVD)
~ Lost at Sea: The Search for Longitude & The Elegant Universe: String's the Thing
~ Modern Marvels: Future Tech. and How the Earth was Made
~ What Darwin Never Knew and The Botany of Desire
~ The Universe: Cosmic Collisions and A Global Warning
~ Evolve: Shapes, Scientific Evidence of the Evolution of all life forms.
~ How the Earth Was Made: Death Valley & America's Ice Ace
~ " " " : Grand Canyon & The Rockies
~ " " ": Ring of Fire & Everest
~ " " ": Deadliest Eruptions & America's Gold How The Earth Was Made, we have added evidence from the Grand Canyon, Rockies, Everest and "The Ring of Fire."
PBS Video & Internet Sites
PBS Nova's: Ancient Worlds, Body & Brain, Evolution, Military & Espionage, Nature, Physics & Math, Planet Earth, Space & Flight and Tech. & Engineering. Morgan Freeman's new season of Through the Worm Hole. Cracking the Code of Life i
~ Stephen Hawkins's Universe (3 DVD's)
~ Carl Sagan's Cosmos (7 VCR's)
~ moocs free courses = internet
~ Gate's Notes = internet
~ Through the Worm Hole series narrated by
Morgan Freeman, Science Channel'
Curiosity Stream = internet

subset: commoncrawl


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Foreclosure filings drop to five-year low in U.S. recovery
Filed under: Real Estate News
Bloomberg – Foreclosure filings in the U.S. fell to a five-year low last month as lenders sought to avoid seizing property and a housing recovery showed signs of taking hold.
The number of default, auction and seizure notices sent to homeowners in April totaled 188,780, down 14 percent from a year earlier and 5 percent from the previous month, according to RealtyTrac Inc. It was the lowest tally since July 2007, before the onset of the biggest housing crash in seven decades, the Irvine, California-based data seller said today in a report.
Response to Goldman CEO Lloyd Blankfein's Bloomberg TV interview
Filed under: Opinion
This is not pointed at Goldman Sachs per say or Lloyd directly. I do feel that we treat grey areas in business endeavors as morally okay just because we may not have adapted with rules to prevent overt exploitation. This comment is not about that.
I do have to say that Mr. Blankfein should not of done that interview yesterday on Bloomberg TV, and with no surprise, is really hard to find at the moment. It applaud him at least trying to explain some of the firms culture, objectives and mis-steps.
BUT, BUT, dear sir.
Lloyd through out the duration of this interview, gave THE MOST convincing argument for the FULL re-reinstatement of the Glass-Steagall Act we have had to date in my humble but serious opinion.
In effect he said that "when you invest for a customer (client) and LEND to them, "Ah-Ha", you now have an INTEREST in the outcome of any given transaction. You are absolutely correct in your analysis of the nature of these types of transactions.
But this is also one of the major reason for Glass-Steagall. It separated the deposit taking commercial banking side that lends money from the investment banking side that invests it and give advice. The most he gave us on if this what a good idea what that he said "he felt" that the world needed companies like this to be competitive today.
I would respond with, that type of competition sounds pretty ruinous if we are at a point where our advice givers have to play both sides AND lend to be competitive. Yes we are in a world of constant competition but that does mean that we need to throw objectivity and real integrity over-board to compete.
What really has happened is that Goldman Sachs is now a public company that has a long and vaulted history with major expectations from not only stock-holders but also historians to continue to live up to this past. To do this they have needed every advantage and inside connection to continue this miracle (they can be good and bad).
I believe when we are at a point where we need to compromise our integrity of our business to meet the "challenges of our current global landscape" we really need to reevaluate what our priorities are.
Money is not an end in itself, just a very useful tool to give you opportunities in life. I agree with have a some what fair market system with the most important purpose to provide opportunity and general betterment to all people. If we miss this important point then we are missing the whole point. If you think this system is instead for the chance of being one of the few people who get to live lifestyles that are written and talked about then you have been captured and fully mis-guided.
I am not advocating any sort of full equality because we are all given different talents and traits but YES SIR, there is too poor and to ignore that means you have lost some of your own humanity. I just want a fair game that provides basic opportunity to all who participates and from there we will see where the chips will fall. Instead of attacking capital and wealth I would rather come up with creative ways of providing incentives for wealth to help provide more opportunity. It is a truly win-win.
Here is the best I could find so you could watch the interview. I think it will be increasingly hard to find it in full length.
Link (Bloomberg Videos)
Providence RH bankruptcy seen as unavoidable on budget gap
Filed under: Credit News
This is unfortunate events but in the end, these functions are beneficial. By taking the pain now and restructuring programs to meet the available funds for ongoing operations. We will and need to see much more of this so we can not have states running unsustainable budgets that they will not impose taxes and fees to cover.
Bloomberg – Providence Mayor Angel Taveras has put pressure on Brown University and other nonprofit organizations to help close a budget gap of at least $20 million, while Governor Lincoln Chafee is pressing lawmakers for action on measures to curb municipal pension costs. Unsustainable retiree expenses helped push Central Falls (1058MF) into insolvency. Moody's Investors Service cut Providence debt a step to Baa1, third-lowest investment grade, this week citing its "strained" finances.
"Bankruptcy is not the preferred option for restoring Providence's fiscal health; it is the last option, and I will do everything in my power to prevent it from happening," Taveras said in a statement in response to a request for comment on Flanders' remark. "I respectfully disagree with Judge Flanders that bankruptcy is unavoidable."
Greece CDS sellers payout $2.89 billion to settle contracts
Filed under: Credit News
Hopefully this will work out in the end and this nation among others will get their budget and entitlements in order. At the end of the day, you need to have services that match what you can tax from your people so that you are not incurring debt that can have disastrous effects in the long run.
This is a major issue America will tackle over the next 50 years and hopefully we will learn a lesson that will stick with our citizenry and be taught to future generations. We need to break this horrible habit of believing there is such a thing as a "free lunch". There always is a cost at some point that needs to be addressed and or offset.
Bloomberg – Banks, hedge funds and other investors that sold credit-default swaps protecting against losses on Greece bonds paid a net $2.89 billion to settle the contracts, according to the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp.
The payouts were completed yesterday after the nation took steps to force investors this month to participate in the biggest sovereign-debt restructuring in history, New York-based DTCC, which runs a central repository for the market, said in an e-mailed statement today.
Breaking News: CEO Jon Corzine of MF Global allegedly orders customer funds to be used for covering overdraft
Filed under: Stock Market News
This could be very damning evidence if this turns out to be true. To be fair, this email just surfaced and we need to let the authorities to do their job and determine the validity and authenticity of this email. What is interesting is that the transfer is to a JP Morgan Banking unit in London.
I would have to believe this may be tried to the bets MF Global made on Europe that would force credit lines and positions to be covered. It doesn't look good and we will need to stay on top of this to see what happens. Customers are largely still without over $1 billion in deposits and this needs to be gotten to the bottom of so that confidence can be fully restore that deposit taking institutions can not take client funds and use them to cover their own bets.
Jon S. Corzine, MF Global Holding Ltd., chief executive officer, gave "direct instructions" to transfer $200 million from a customer fund account to meet an overdraft in one of the brokerage's JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) accounts in London, according to an e-mail sent by a firm executive.


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Join us for an adventure as we Explore the World by Bike
Make new friends and create lasting memories in some of the most breathtaking landscapes the world has to offer.
SEARCHTRAVEL delivers a unique combination of cycling and sightseeing tours in some of the most stunning regions of the world; providing challenging cycling terrain AND rich culinary and cultural wonders inherent to each region. Our tours are ideal for couples as we deliver unforgettable itineraries for both cycling and non-cycling partners. Don't worry if you want to come alone; we can assure you that you will find kindred spirits to share the adventure with.


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Bungling Rotherham burglar snared by selfie
A bungling thief who sent a picture of himself burgling a house to his victim's colleagues has been jailed.
Ashley Keast, 25, snapped the selfie on a stolen SIM card after breaking into the property in Rotherham last year.
The victim's colleagues reported the image to police who arrested Keast at his home the following day.
Keast, of Norfolk Court, Rotherham, was jailed for two years and eight months on Tuesday after he admitted burglary at Sheffield Crown Court.
Accomplice, Anthony Hunt, 27, of Garbroads Crescent, Rotherham, was jailed for 18 months after he also admitted the offence.
Keast and Hunt broke into the property in Fernleigh Drive, in Brinsworth, on 11 September while the occupants were on holiday.
The duo stole electrical items, jewellery and an Audi A4 worth a total of about £27,000.
A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said "Keast had stolen a SIM card from the property and, using another phone, took a selfie and posted it on the whatsapp messenger application,
"However, unknowingly, Keast also sent the picture to the victim's work colleagues, who became suspicious and contacted police."
When police arrested Keast at his home the following day, they found a stolen Rolex watch, worth £4,000, hidden behind a radiator.
Keast also admitted being in breach of a suspended sentence.


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Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 31, 2009
Both saltwater and freshwater aquariums should be a pleasure to enjoy not a chore. Reduce costs without buying expensive skimmers and calcium reactors while lowering your electric bill. After all, the oceans of the world maintain balance through bacteria and enzymes similar to our processes. See http://www.hdltd.com for additional information. HDLTD has been in business for over 20 years.
High levels of ammonia and nitrites pose a serious threat to the environment of your fish and aquarium invertebrates. Without a constant water purifying activity, most forms of fish keeping would be impossible, as fish would rapidly poison themselves on their own wastes. It is also no surprise that high nitrate levels are implicated in some fish diseases. The main source of ammonia comes from metabolic ammonia excreted as a waste product from the gills. In warmer summer temperatures koi will excrete between 50 and 100 mg of ammonia per kilogram of body weight daily.
A new business, http://www.beautifulaquariumsupplies.com, has been established in Torrance, California which distributes highly effective aquarium supplies that are carefully blended to combat deadly nitrate and ammonia problems. These breakthrough fish supplies will enhance the vitality of your fish. The combination of the Right Now Bacteria and Tri Base Carbon have been very effective in fish tanks. Beautiful Aquarium Supplies is the aquariists source for the most efficient fish supplies at the most competitive prices. They specialize in water filtration systems that are easy to set-up, easy to clean and maintain aquariums or ponds over 325 gallons. They have the experience and know-how to ensure your aquarium is thriving with fish and invertebrates in crystal clear water. These aquarium supplies are great for reef and tropical fish and coral, as well as freshwater fish. Their chlorine eliminator product is a must to use with city water, and the instant ammonia destroyer is being used in fish transport and fishing tackle shops.
HDL's specialized water purification products have truly transformed how aquatic species are managed. They have been recognized as revolutionary by some of the aquarium industry's leading authorities - and are used by many public aquariums throughout the world. Their philosophy is to keep it simple and focus on the products which work. Please read our testimonials and feel free to request additional information. Their websites have contact forms and email addresses for customer's convenience.


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Alvin Galang
Alvin is the Senior Training and Development Analyst for the Department of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services in the City of San José, California. He has been a City employee for over 10 years, bringing his unique background and experience to the field of Parks and Recreation. Alvin self-describes himself as having roots and foundations in the health science and public health fields; while incorporating those fundamentals into his career as a Parks and Recreation professional. He is an alumnus of San José State University (SJSU), receiving his Bachelor's degree in Health Science with a concentration in Health Care Management, and his Masters in Public Health degree with an emphasis on Community Health Education. He has worked in both the non-profit and government sectors, and occasionally lectures at SJSU as an adjunct faculty. A Bay Area native, Alvin enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, especially at the Happiest Place on Earth.


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St. Margaret of Scotland Parish School admits students from diverse backgrounds, provuded they meet the school's qualifications. It is our intention to serve the parish families as a priority. Other qualifying students are anvited if space. A carefully designed and frequently used staffing plan is utilized to advise the pastor, the principal and school board. (School Board, 2011)
Information concerning St. Margaret of Scotland Parish School is available through this website or upon request by calling the school office at 314-776-7837. We encourage families who are interested in St. Margaret of Scotland to make arrangements to tour the school during the school day to see us in action and to attend our annual Open House on the last Sunday in January.


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Polishing leather surfaces is not easy. Most grocery shops leather cleaners & conditioners do not work or it costs a lot of money. Try Prochem Leather Conditioner right now and be ready to be amazed. Most leather cleaning companies are using it so it must be good. Suitable for commercial and domestic use
-premium leather conditioner and oil refresher
-it refreshes and rejuvenate leather surfaces
-ready to use leather conditioner PH 6
-to be used on clean and dry leather surfaces
-amazing results guaranteed all the time
-efficient on sofas, car seats, jackets, etc
Prochem Leather Conditioner - Where to use
This product is safe to use on all types of leather surfaces. Many sofa cleaning companies are using Prochem Leather Conditioner to restore and refresh leather sofas. This product is highly popular with the car valeting business as well. Old & tired leather surfaces can be restored to a new look like.
Prochem Leather Conditioner - How to use
Deep clean the leather before applying the conditioner. The conditioner will only polish the leather. Use Prochem Leather Cleaner to deep clean the leather. Spray the leather cleaner all over the sofa or whatever surface you need to clean, allow 2-5 min to work, scrub well the leather with a rough microfiber cloth and allow to dry. Use a dry soft microfiber cloth to apply a thin coat of conditioner all over the leather surface. Wait 2 to 3 min and buff the leather. Use fast rotation moves with a dry microfiber cloth. You will notice the gloss appearing. No tools needed to polish leather.


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- Research
- Open Access
Perioperative fluid balance affects staging of acute kidney injury in postsurgical patients: a retrospective case-control study
© Horiguchi et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2014
- Received: 8 October 2013
- Accepted: 6 March 2014
- Published: 3 April 2014
Although Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) staging is widely used, it has been suggested that classification using serum creatinine levels, which fluctuate because of fluid balance, is not always appropriate for acute kidney injury (AKI) detection. We hypothesized that some patients are misdiagnosed as having no AKI due to dilution resulting from intraoperative infusion, and have worse outcomes than typical patients with no AKI.
We retrospectively selected patients who did not fulfill the AKI criteria from those who underwent cardiac surgery and remained in an intensive care unit (ICU) for ≥7 days. The patients were divided into two groups: those with AKI (AKI group) and those without AKI (no-AKI group), classified using serum creatinine levels adjusted for fluid balance during the perioperative period. We compared the characteristics and outcomes of the two groups.
After adjustment for serum creatinine, 7 of 26 patients were categorized as having AKI. The AKI group had significantly fewer ventilator-free days during a 28-day period and significantly longer ICU stays than the no-AKI group (5.86 ± 10.0 days vs. 15.6 ± 9.71 days, respectively, P = 0.050; 36.4 ± 20.6 days vs. 14.9 ± 10.7 days, respectively, P = 0.033).
Adjustment of creatinine level for perioperative fluid balance could improve the accuracy of AKI diagnosis after cardiac surgery.
- Perioperative fluid management
- Acute kidney injury
- Serum creatinine levels
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in critically ill patients [1] that worsens outcomes [2]. The AKI Network (AKIN) proposed a clinical staging system that utilizes serum creatinine levels [3] and has been shown to predict outcomes [4]. However, a problem with using serum creatinine for AKI staging has recently been identified. Creatinine distributes into the intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments [5], so fluid accumulation may dilute creatinine and delay AKI diagnosis [6]. In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), AKIN staging after adjustment by fluid balance predicts outcomes more accurately than staging without adjustment, and patients meeting the AKI criteria only after adjustment have a higher mortality rate [7].
In perioperative patients, the incidence of AKI is 10%–30% [1, 8, 9]. Patients also develop positive fluid balance during surgery and on postoperative days (PODs) [10]. AKI staging may be underestimated in these patients, but there have been no reports regarding the AKIN criteria and fluid balance in perioperative patients. In this study, we investigated changes in AKIN staging using serum creatinine levels adjusted by perioperative fluid balance in patients who underwent cardiac surgery, who tend to accumulate more fluid. We used methods reported by Macedo et al. [6] to retrospectively adjust serum creatinine levels based on perioperative fluid balance, and made AKIN stage diagnoses based on adjusted levels in perioperative patients who did not meet the AKIN criteria based on unadjusted levels. We hypothesized that perioperative patients who met the AKIN criteria for stage 1 or higher after fluid adjustment would have poorer outcomes than those who were stage 0 both before and after fluid adjustment.
Study population
We examined patient records to retrospectively investigate patients who underwent cardiac procedures between January 2011 and July 2012, stayed in the intensive care unit (ICU) for at least 7 days, and did not develop AKI as determined by AKIN staging during their ICU stay. Patients with hemodialysis before surgery and patients under 18 years of age were excluded. This research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine (approval number 12191).
Definition of AKI
where SCr is the measured serum creatinine level [7].
Data collection
The patients classified as having no AKI before adjustment were divided into two groups for analysis: no AKI and AKI after adjustment. Proportions were calculated for the frequency of categorical variables in each group. Age, sex, weight, new simplified acute physiology score (SAPSII) [11], type of surgery, time taken for the surgery, serum creatinine levels before surgery and at PODs 1–6, fluid balance and urine output at surgery and on PODs 0–5, ventilator-free days within a 28-day period, ICU stay, hospital stay, serum creatinine levels on the 28th day, and renal replacement therapy on the 28th day were recorded.
Descriptive statistics for categorical variables were expressed as the frequency and percentage, whereas continuous variables were expressed as means ± standard deviations as appropriate. Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical variables; the t test was used to compare continuous variables. Measured unadjusted creatinine levels, adjusted creatinine levels, and fluid balance after surgery were analyzed by a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Tukey's post hoc test was performed to compare differences between groups on each POD. Tests were two-sided with the alpha level set at 0.05 for statistical significance.
Patient characteristics
AKI group (AKI after adjustment [n = 7])
No-AKI group (no AKI after adjustment [n = 19])
P value
Age, years
57.1 ± 18.7
54.2 ± 20.2
Male sex
Body weight, kg
61.2 ± 5.29
57.4 ± 12.0
33.9 ± 10.9
30.3 ± 7.17
Preoperative serum creatinine levels, mg/dl
1.14 ± 1.11
1.00 ± 0.42
Type of surgery
VAD implantation
Valve operation
Heart transplantation
TAA replacement
Congenital heart disease
Duration of surgery, min
544 ± 164
379 ± 134
Duration of CPB, min
316 ± 145
129 ± 90.4
Use of CPB
Fluid balance during surgery, ml
6,089 ± 4,789
2,629 ± 2,116
Outcome variables
AKI group (AKI after adjustment [n = 7])
No-AKI group (no AKI after adjustment [n = 19])
P value
Ventilator-free days within a 28-day period
5.86 ± 10.0
14.9 ± 9.71
ICU stay, days
36.4 ± 20.6
14.8 ± 10.7
Hospital stay, days
207 ± 176
141 ± 224
Serum creatinine levels on the 28th day, mg/dl
1.37 ± 0.93
0.78 ± 0.28
Renal replacement therapy on the 28th day
The study indicated that 26.9% of ICU patients diagnosed without AKI after cardiovascular surgery met the AKIN criteria after adjustment of serum creatinine levels based on perioperative fluid balance. These patients underwent more invasive surgery, as reflected by a longer duration of surgery and CPB. Comparison of the AKI group with the no-AKI group after adjustment showed that the AKI group had poorer outcomes, fewer ventilator free-days within a 28-day period, and longer ICU stays than the no-AKI group.
Liu et al. evaluated AKI diagnosis based on serum creatinine levels adjusted for fluid balance in ARDS patients [7]. Of 459 ARDS patients, 131 met the AKIN criteria after adjustment, and the AKI group had a higher mortality rate. The results of the present study showed that the methodology of Liu's study was suitable for situations in which fluid balance changes dynamically, as it does during the perioperative period, in conditions other than ARDS. Although the original AKIN classification defined AKI using relative or absolute changes in serum creatinine levels without accounting for changes in fluid balance levels, both studies suggest that changes in renal function need to be interpreted in the context of fluid management.
Positive cumulative fluid balance is associated with poor outcomes in critically ill patients [12]. In our analysis, the AKI group after adjustment tended to have a more positive fluid balance than the no-AKI group, which may partly explain why the AKI group had poor outcomes. In our study, infusion and transfusion for bleeding, lower urine output due to AKI, or more infusion for treatment and prevention of AKI may have resulted in a more positive balance in the AKI group.
There are some limitations worth noting. First, this study was conducted using a retrospective design in a small number of patients from a single institution, and parameters were not analyzed by subgroups. Therefore, baseline characteristics were similar between the AKI and no-AKI groups, although it is uncertain if other parameters, such as surgery type, bleeding, transfusion, or use of drugs such as catecholamines, may be related to outcomes. Further studies reviewing more patients are needed to confirm and extend our findings. Second, fluid balance during surgery, especially using CPB, could be inaccurate due to incorrect counts of bleeding or infusion. Given that the duration of CPB was longer in the AKI group, fluid balance and adjusted serum creatinine could be less accurate than in the no-AKI group. Effects of adjustment are larger in patients with greater positive fluid balance and higher levels of previous creatinine. In patients with renal dysfunction, creatinine levels before adjustment are likely to be low because fluid balance tends to be more positive during perioperative days. Although there were no significant differences in preoperative creatinine levels between the AKI and no-AKI groups in our study, glomerular filtration rates before surgery might be different. Unfortunately, creatinine clearances were not measured in our patients, and thus, our results might not reflect the precise time courses of renal function deterioration in the perioperative periods. Measurement of creatinine clearance before and after surgery would help to obtain accurate influences of renal dysfunction. Finally, our data were also limited to patients diagnosed as AKIN stage 0 before adjustment for fluid balance. To investigate effects of adjustment in other AKIN stages, further studies are needed to compare all patients, including those diagnosed with AKI before adjustment.
During perioperative periods, AKIN staging can change after adjustment of creatinine levels for perioperative fluid balance, and adjusted AKIN staging could lead to more accurate AKI diagnosis. Positive fluid balance could underestimate AKI.
Authors' Affiliations
- Uchino S, Kellum JA, Bellomo R, Doig GS, Morimatsu H, Morgera S, Schetz M, Tan I, Bouman C, Macedo E, Gibney N, Tolwani A, Ronco C: Acute renal failure in critically ill patients: a multinational, multicenter study. JAMA. 2005, 294: 813-818. 10.1001/jama.294.7.813.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- de Mendonça A, Vincent JL, Suter PM, Moreno R, Dearden NM, Antonelli M, Takala J, Sprung C, Cantraine F: Acute renal failure in the ICU: risk factors and outcome evaluated by the SOFA score. Intensive Care Med. 2000, 26: 915-921. 10.1007/s001340051281.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Mehta RL, Kellum JA, Shah SV, Molitoris BA, Ronco C, Warnock DG, Levin A: Acute kidney injury network: report of an initiative to improve outcomes in acute kidney injury. Crit Care. 2007, 11: R31-10.1186/cc5713.View ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
- Ostermann M, Chang R: Correlation between the AKI classification and outcome. Crit Care. 2008, 12: R144-10.1186/cc7123.View ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
- Bjornsson TD: Use of serum creatinine concentrations to determine renal function. Clin Pharmacokinet. 1979, 4: 200-222. 10.2165/00003088-197904030-00003.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Macedo E, Bouchard J, Soroko SH, Chertow GM, Himmelfarb J, Ikizler TA, Paganini EP, Mehta RL: Fluid accumulation, recognition and staging of acute kidney injury in critically-ill patients. Crit Care. 2010, 14: R82-10.1186/cc9004.View ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
- Liu KD, Thompson BT, Ancukiewicz M, Steingrub JS, Douglas IS, Matthay MA, Wright P, Peterson MW, Rock P, Hyzy RC, Anzueto A, Truwit JD: Acute kidney injury in patients with acute lung injury: impact of fluid accumulation on classification of acute kidney injury and associated outcomes. Crit Care Med. 2011, 39: 2665-2671.View ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
- Thakar CV: Perioperative acute kidney injury. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2013, 20: 67-75. 10.1053/j.ackd.2012.10.003.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Thakar CV, Christianson A, Freyberg R, Almenoff P, Render ML: Incidence and outcomes of acute kidney injury in intensive care units: a Veterans Administration study. Crit Care Med. 2009, 37: 2552-2558. 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181a5906f.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Kambhampati G, Ross EA, Alsabbagh MM, Asmar A, Pakkivenkata U, Ejaz NI, Arif AA, Ejaz AA: Perioperative fluid balance and acute kidney injury. Clin Exp Nephrol. 2012, 16: 730-738. 10.1007/s10157-012-0623-5.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Le Gall JR, Lemeshow S, Saulnier F: A new simplified acute physiology score (SAPS II) based on a European/North American multicenter study. JAMA. 1993, 270: 2957-2963. 10.1001/jama.1993.03510240069035.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
- Bouchard J, Soroko SB, Chertow GM, Himmelfarb J, Ikizler TA, Paganini EP, Mehta RL: Fluid accumulation, survival and recovery of kidney function in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. Kidney Int. 2009, 76: 422-427. 10.1038/ki.2009.159.View ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.


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Online Greentech Investor Conference Presenters Include Well-Known Leaders in Finance and Industry
Keynotes Akeena Solar, Inc. and Yahoo!'s Director of Climate and Energy Strategy Present With Public Companies and Industry Leaders to Provide Insight Into Global Green Trends
POINT ROBERTS, WA and DELTA, BC Feb 12, 2008 -- www.InvestorIdeas.com and Renewableenergystocks.com, global investor and industry Greentech portals, update the list of presenters for the 2008 Investorideas.com Global Greentech Online Investor Conference, March 21, 2008. The online conference themed: "Insight into Global Green Investing Trends and Opportunities in Solar, Wind, Biofuel, Green Transportation, and Water," proudly features some of the most well-respected industry leaders and investment minds in the sector today.
The online conference, free to investors, will include Audio and Media presentations from industry, government, venture capital, funds, indices and global publicly traded companies. Conference info: http://www.investorideas.com/Forums/Portals/Green2.aspx
Long-time environmentalist Mary D. Nichols, Chairman, California Air Resources Board, will be one of the presenting speakers. Mary D. Nichols, JD, was appointed Chair of the California Air Resources Board in July 2007, a post she held previously under Gov. Edmund H. Brown, Jr. from 1979 to 1983. At CARB she is responsible for implementing California's landmark greenhouse gas emissions legislation as well as setting air pollution standards for motor vehicles and fuels.
Other well-known industry presenters include: Neil D. Berlant: Fund Manager of the PFW Water Fund; Rafael Coven: Managing Partner, Cleantech Indices(TM); Neal M. Dikeman: Jane Capital Partners LLC; Peter C. Fusaro: Chairman, Global Change Associates; Joshua Levine: Editor, ChangeWave Investing and ChangeWave MicroCap Investor (www.Changewave.com); J. Peter Lynch: Solar Expert; Yeves Perez: CEO & CGO, Eco Investment Club (http://www.ecoinvestmentclub.com); Matthew Sant: Partner, Irell & Manella LLP; Robert Wilder: J.D., Ph.D., WilderHill Clean Energy Index (www.wildershares.com); Jamie Wimberly: CEO of Distributed Energy Financial Group (DEFG, www.defgllc.com); and Brian C. Yerger: Research Analyst, Jesup & Lamont Securities.
Keynote Participating Public Companies:
Yahoo! Inc.
Interview with Christina Page, Yahoo!'s Director of Climate and Energy Strategy
Akeena Solar, Inc. (NasdaqCM:AKNS - News)
Barry Cinnamon, CEO, will discuss "The Path of Solar to Grid Parity an End Users Perspective"
Additional Presenters; Featured Companies:
Clear Skies Solar, Inc. (OTC BB:CSKH.OB - News) through its wholly owned subsidiary, Clear Skies Group, Inc., provides full-service renewable energy solutions to commercial, industrial, and agricultural clients across the country. CSG was incorporated in 2003 and launched formal operations in 2005. During that time period, CSG developed its proprietary systems, obtained licenses and certifications, and acquired technologies that could maximize the impact of its construction expertise on the renewable energy sector. CSG has become one of the premier solar electric installation companies in the country. www.ClearSkiesGroup.com
XsunX, Inc. (OTC BB:XSNX.OB - News), based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., is developing amorphous silicon thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) solar cell manufacturing processes to produce TFPV solar modules. To deliver its products the Company has begun to build a multi-megawatt TFPV solar module production facility in the United States to meet the growing demand for solar cell products used in large scale commercial projects, utility power fields, and other on-grid applications. Employing a phased roll out of production capacity, it plans to grow manufacturing capacities to over 100 megawatts by 2010. www.XsunX.com
ZAP (OTC BB:ZAAP.OB - News) has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP has a joint venture to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group, one of China's leading manufacturers of buses and trucks. ZAP is developing a high-performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X engineered by Lotus Engineering. www.ZapWorld.com
The in-depth online conference will be available March 21st, 2008, starting at 9:00 am EDT and archived 3-6 months thereafter. The conference format will consist of an audio presentation (average 15 minutes) with images in a slideshow presentation, in Flash format. The conference is free to online visitors with login registration.
About Our Green Investor Portals: Renewableenergystocks.com:
Investorideas.com has four investor and industry research portals within the renewable energy, water, environment and fuel cells sectors, featuring news, articles, leading experts and financial columnists, audio interviews and Podcasts with leaders and innovators in Greentech, investor conferences, blogs, and a comprehensive global directory of publicly traded stocks.
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Disclaimer: Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is currently compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. Disclosure: Presenting public companies, other than featured companies which compensate Investorideas.com on a monthly basis, pay a one time fee of $1000 to present. For disclosure and disclaimer: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
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Source: Investorideas.com; Renewableenergystocks.com; XsunX; ZAP; Clear Skies Solar, Inc.; Akeena Solar, Inc.


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It's not always who you know; it's how well you know them. Rocco Pugliese
Not only do we get to know you, we get to know your organization and its needs. From there, we develop a thoughtful, creative strategy that requires deft political timing, close familiarity with legislative procedure and valuable relationships with powerful leaders. We put it all together, and we deliver.
When it comes to government affairs, our professionalism and our team approach set us apart. The decision makers charting the direction of the Commonwealth appreciate and even rely on the institutional knowledge our staff and allies provide. We work with leaders to turn their priorities into victories for you.
A lot of our success can be chalked up simply to being involved in government and politics for so many years. Watching how leaders maneuver and learning how they think helps us understand what motivates them and what they need to accomplish their goals. When we know that, we can fit our client needs into the equation and deliver victories for everybody.
In partnership with our clients and the Commonwealth, at Pugliese Associates, we don't just react to opportunities—we create them.


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Health related data is released on a regular basis by organisations such as NHS Digital – formerly known as the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), Public Health England (PHE) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Public Health Warwickshire produce Intelligence Bulletins to raise awareness of the publication of new data. They can be used by anyone with an interest in understanding the health of the population in Warwickshire and how it compares nationally.
Bulletins cover a wide range of public health areas, including:
- Specific health conditions – cancer, mental health, diabetes
- Lifestyle risk factors – smoking, obesity, physical activity, alcohol consumption
- Healthy places and the wider determinants of health – deprivation, environment, fuel poverty
- Health protection – screening, vaccinations
- Life expectancy and mortality
- Latest health profiles and national survey results
Latest Bulletins:
- Seasonal Flu Vaccine Monthly Update January 2019
- Seasonal Flu Vaccine Monthly Update December 2018
- Seasonal Flu Vaccine Monthly Update November 2018
- Excess Winter Mortality in England and Wales, 2017-18 (provisional)
- Health State Life Expectancies, 2015-17
- Seasonal Flu Vaccine Monthly Update October 2018
- Subnational population projections for England 2016 based
- Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet 2018
- Conceptions in England and Wales, 2016
- Seasonal flu vaccine uptake 1 September to 31 January 2018
- Child Health Profiles 2018
- Statistics on Women's Smoking Status at Time of Delivery, England Q3 2017-18
- Cancer Survival December 2017
Click on the drop down categories for more recently released bulletins:
Specific health conditions
Lifestyle risk factors
- Local Alcohol Profiles for England – May 2017 update
- Local Tobacco Control Profiles for England- May 2017 update
- NHS Stop Smoking Services in England – 2016-17
- Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet – England 2017
- Smoking Statistics for England – 2017
- Statistics on drugs misuse in England – 2017
- Statistics on Women's Smoking Status at Time of Delivery, England Q3 2017-18
Wider determinants / Healthy Places
Health protection
Conceptions, life expectancy and mortality
Health profiles and national survey results
- Annual Mid-year Population Estimate
- Child Health Profiles 2018
- Health Profiles 2017
- Health Survey for England – 2015
- National Child Measurement Programme England, 2015-16
- NHS Outcomes Framework – May 2017 update
- Number of patients registered at a GP Practice – July 2017
- Older People's Health and Wellbeing Profile
- Population Projections for England 2014-based projections
- Public Health Outcomes Framework – November 2017
- Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) 2015-16
- Sport England – Active Lives Survey – 2015-16


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Date: 06/16/2019
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Date: 06/16/2019
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Date: 06/16/2019
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Date: 06/15/2019
Views: 1860
Left to right: Jeremy Lassen, Liz Gorinsky, Robert Jackson Bennett, Joe McKinney, Matthew Bey, Nicole Duson -- writers' workshop teachers.
Part of a writers' workshop is having a group of writers (beginners and pros) critique your story. A critique group, according to Robert Jackson Bennett, can tell you when there is a toilet in kitchen -- or an equivalent thereof in your novel. He also says that being a writer is like being a velociraptor -- you keep running into fences, and your body parts fall off, until... the metaphor breaks down. :-)
Read more about ArmadilloCon in my blog posts, especially about the ever-popular What You Should Have Read panel, where our well-read panelists recommend the year's best science fiction, fantasy, and horror books.


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Electric Propulsion is Evironmentally Friendly
John Kelly "I sail this boat here on Lake George which is in Upstate New York in the Adirondack Mountains. Lake George is one of the most beautiful pure water lakes that I have ever seen or ever experienced and I have been all over the world, and so thinking about what type of motor to put in keeping the gasoline and oil away from the lake was also a big part of the decision, and electric is just so environmentally friendly and sustainable that I wanted to go electric from the get go with this boat."
Reuben Smith "I think that in terms of green power it's hard to argue against electric power for a sailboat you just don't need the horsepower that you need with a power boat. If horsepower and weight are a real issue than maybe it makes sense to go with a gas or diesel, but with a sailboat weights not really a penalty as long as it's in the right place… Just practically, not having to deal with stinky fuels, not dealing with ethanol problems and water in fuel and all of these nightmares that we have with marine motors nowadays. Its a great thing with the reliability, there is no oil changes, no mess-there is no muss no fuss. Goes in clean and easily and it's reliable."
Jeff Killeen "Especially if you are environmentally oriented, or if there is a green aspect to your motivation. It's clean, it's pollution free, it's quiet, and it's maintenance free. It's ideal."
Lydie Jakobson "There is also no fumes, no smell, there is no toxins getting out there, because I think that it is extremely important that people start to think more green, because we have to protect what's left of the planet"
Leo Vortouni "I'm a consultant fin occupational and environmental health and it's one the reasons that I wanted to get on a hybrid boat, the fact that it doesn't pollute the environment. I'm very pleased from that stand point. There is no diesel fumes coming off and it doesn't pollute the water and I'm very happy for that."


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The General Machinery sponsored Lautoka football team aims to play in the Pillay Garments Champion vs Champion series again next year.
President Abdul Kadar said they had moved their focus in the Vodafone Premier League after a successful outings in the Pillay Garments Champion vs Champion Series.
"Our aim this year is to win the Vodafone Premier League and qualify for the OFC Champions League, "Kadar said.
He believes he has the capable players and officials who together can achieve the goal.
"We have a very capable team and officials and I have no doubt of achieving our goals this year."
The 2016 Fiji FA Administrator of Year said he also had the support from the wives and families of players and officials which was the main reason for the success of the team.
"We have a very supportive officials together with the wives and families of the players and officials which boosts our morale and we achieve what we want."
He said they had started the year on a high and don't want to look back from here.
"We are currently unbeaten in the Vodafone Premier League and hope to continue our winning streak and the boys are aware the task ahead.
Labasa has already booked a spot in next year's Pillay Garments Champion vs Champion Series after winning the Courts Inter District Championship last year.


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An invitation to a beach wedding is an invitation to show off your summer dress sense to the max. But looking your immaculate best in this setting requires care when selecting your wardrobe. Get it wrong and you run the risk of looking like a beach bum, or worse, like a businessman marooned on a desert island after a plane crash. Here's how to get it right.
Rules still apply
Always check the dress code before you make your sartorial decisions. You'd be surprised how many people are caught out by not reading the wedding invitation propery. If the event is to be a dressed-down casual affair, or an extravaganza of colorful Hawaiian shirts and shorts, your hosts will write it on the invitation.
If there's no formal notice of what to wear, the rule is simple: your go-to look is smart, but with a casual twist that'll make sure you enjoy the feel of the sand between your toes – not end up wishing you were small enough to hide behind the nearest sandcastle.
Suits for the sand
Choose any suit as long as its linen. This is the perfect fabric to wear to a seaside wedding, especially if the venue is tropical. The wide weave of linen fibres allows the air to circulate, keeping you cool and dry. As the The GQ team say: "The last thing you want to be doing is sweating your ass off in [an autumn-weight] wool suit. Consider an ultra-breathable khaki linen suit."
If you're not into khaki or cream, blue is a failsafe option. Clothes Make the Man says: "Sometimes, warmer weather calls for cooler tones – mixing and blending the key seasonal colour of blue will add a fresh and casual touch, without being too informal."
Some might be discouraged from wearing linen suits because of their tendency to wrinkle. This is perfectly fine – it's part of the fabric's appeal – but if you're worried, go for a cotton-linen mix, which adds a little stiffness to the material without losing the cooling, moisture-wicking, properties that make linen so comfortable to wear.
Summer separates
Why not consider wearing a blazer with contrasting trousers? Tailored separates are a well established smart-casual look that's an excellent match for a beach wedding.
The trick to separates is not to go too garish. As Michael 84 says: "you can create a much more summery vibe with your outfit using different colours, as long as you stick to a colour palette which is not too bold."
Dapper Chapper agrees saying: "Pastel colours can work brilliantly, however if you don't want to be that daring (and fair enough old boy, it's a tough nut to crack) then a nice stone or tan can also look cracking."
Will everyone be wearing linen? If you want to cut a different dash, we recommend you consider a seersucker jacket. It's a cotton fabric, but the weave is slightly bunched to give it a crepe-like look. It's an American classic, and because the slightly rough texture keeps the fabric from sticking to the skin, you'll be super cool in more ways than one.
One word of caution – if you're going down the separates route, a linen jacket won't look good with contrasting linen trousers. Go for a pair of smart cotton chinos, and an open-neck cotton shirt.
Shoe selection
Possibly the trickiest part of your beach wedding ensemble. You want your feet to be comfortable, but you don't want sand trapped inside your shoes or to suffer the ignominy of facing your better shod peers in nothing but a pair of flip-flops.
The answer is suede. There's not a lot we can do about the sand, but at least you'll look sharp. A cream, or tan pair will see you blend in, but a pop of colour can be a good choice. If you're wearing a pale suit, keep the shade pastel, but otherwise, check out blues, green and perhaps for you more daring fellows, red…
Or, for something completely different, you could opt for a pair of closed toe sandals. That way, you'll still look swish, but your toes will be aerated and the sand won't stick around either. Again go for suede or perhaps brown leather.
A cool beach look is a classic, minimalist look, and for that reason we recommend that you leave your tie at home and limit your accessories to a smart wrist watch, pocket square and hat. As Dapper Chapper says: "There's a fine line between killing it and overkill, so I'd advise a maximum of two accessories."
We couldn't agree more – it's a beach wedding, not Brideshead Revisited. The must-have headgear for the occasion is surely the good old panama hat. Not only will it keep the sun off your face, neck and ears, but you'll exude classic charm.
And as for squares, the only option for a summer wedding is silk. Go for a bright flare of colour to make the soft creams, tans or pastels of the rest of your outfit sing.
Been to a beach wedding? What did you wear? Let us know over on our Facebook page


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- Research article
- Open Access
- Open Peer Review
Geographical information system and predictive risk maps of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria
- Uwem F Ekpo†1Email author,
- Chiedu F Mafiana†1,
- Clement O Adeofun†2,
- Adewale RT Solarin†3 and
- Adewumi B Idowu†1
© Ekpo et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2008
- Received: 10 November 2007
- Accepted: 31 May 2008
- Published: 31 May 2008
The control of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State, Nigeria remains inert due to lack of reliable data on the geographical distribution of the disease and the population at risk. To help in developing a control programme, delineating areas of risk, geographical information system and remotely sensed environmental images were used to developed predictive risk maps of the probability of occurrence of the disease and quantify the risk for infection in Ogun State, Nigeria.
Infection data used were derived from carefully validated morbidity questionnaires among primary school children in 2001–2002, in which school children were asked among other questions if they have experienced "blood in urine" or urinary schistosomiasis. The infection data from 1,092 schools together with remotely sensed environmental data such as rainfall, vegetation, temperature, soil-types, altitude and land cover were analysis using binary logistic regression models to identify environmental features that influence the spatial distribution of the disease. The final regression equations were then used in Arc View 3.2a GIS software to generate predictive risk maps of the distribution of the disease and population at risk in the state.
Logistic regression analysis shows that the only significant environmental variable in predicting the presence and absence of urinary schistosomiasis in any area of the State was Land Surface Temperature (LST) (B = 0.308, p = 0.013). While LST (B = -0.478, p = 0.035), rainfall (B = -0.006, p = 0.0005), ferric luvisols (B = 0.539, p = 0.274), dystric nitosols (B = 0.133, p = 0.769) and pellic vertisols (B = 1.386, p = 0.008) soils types were the final variables in the model for predicting the probability of an area having an infection prevalence equivalent to or more than 50%. The two predictive risk maps suggest that urinary schistosomiasis is widely distributed and occurring in all the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in State. The high-risk areas (≥ 50% prevalence) however, are confined to scatter foci in the north western part of the State. The model also estimated that 98.99% of schools aged children (5–14 years) are living in areas suitable for urinary schistosomiasis transmission and are at risk of infection.
The risk maps developed will hopefully be useful to the state health officials, by providing them with detailed distribution of urinary schistosomiasis, help to delineate areas for intervention, assesses population at risk thereby helping in optimizing scarce resources.
- Normalize Difference Vegetation Index
- Schistosomiasis
- Land Surface Temperature
- Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer
- Snail Intermediate Host
Schistosomiasis is a water-borne parasitic disease that affects 200 million people and poses a threat to 600 million in more than 76 countries [1]. It is caused by infection with parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma. These worms are transmitted via contact with contaminated water containing cercaria the infective stage of the parasite [1]. The life cycle of the Schistosoma haematobium (the causative agent of urinary schistosomiasis) begins with the excretion of eggs in urine. The eggs hatch in the water and release a free-swimming miracidia whose objective in life is to find and penetrate an appropriate snail (Bulinus sp) in which to develop. After a period of asexual reproduction, tailed, free-swimming larvae called cercariae leave the snail and are transported in water where they actively seek and penetrate the skin of humans, thus infecting them [1].
Schistosomiasis is a disease whose distribution is particularly sensitive to environmental changes, including changes of human origin [2]. Transmission of the parasite is focal; whose heterogeneity reflects numerous human and ecological factors [3]. Identifying the broad scale patterns of schistosomiasis is crucial because schistosomiasis control is often diluted at a national level but remains a public health problem in geographically restricted areas [4] and as such, there is a need to identify these areas. Moreover, changing ecology, global warming and migration, may have led to changes in the prevalence and distribution of disease in different parts of the state.
Geographical information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) have been used to define the epidemiology of schistosomiasis in many parts of the world [5–10]. Many organizations such as Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations are making RS datasets from earth-observing satellites freely available for researchers through the Internet following increasing recognition that these datasets facilitate the development of powerful tools for disease control [11–13].
Past epidemiological surveys indicate the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis to be over 80% in some areas in Ogun State, Nigeria [14–17]. However, there exist many areas of the state whose urinary schistosomiasis status remains undefined. Reliable infection prevalence maps that delineate areas of high-risk and quantify population at risk are urgently needed to assist in developing control programme and managing scarce resources. The knowledge of the geographical distribution of the disease through these maps will help guide control efforts. This study therefore provides the first attempts to develop such maps for Ogun State, Nigeria.
Schools survey and infection data
Prevalence of reported urinary schistosomiasis by LGA in Ogun State, Nigeria
No. of School Surveyed
No. of pupil interviewed
No. of pupil with reported urinary schistosomiasis
Mean Prevalence (95% CI)
Abeokuta North
Abeokuta South
1.61 (0.83–2.39)
5.53 (4.29–6.77)
13.53 (8.70–18.36)
5.46 (3.46–7.47)
Ijebu East
10.24 (5.96–14.53)
Ijebu North
7.54 (4.91–10.18)
Ijebu Ode
4.73 (2.91–6.55)
Ijebu-North East
5.54 (2.79–8.29)
1.46 (0.29–2.63)
15.47 (10.15–20.80)
10.88 (7.33–14.44)
8.78 (6.52–11.04)
11.38 (7.75–15.01)
5.21 (3.20–7.22)
Ogun waterside
10.49 (6.74–14.24)
Remo North
2.61 (0.96–4.26)
3.87 (2.21–5.52)
Yewa North
25.07 (21.41–28.73)
Yewa South
11.76 (8.31–15.21)
Grand Total
10.00 (9.18–10.82)
Remote-sense image and digital environmental data
Land surface temperature (LST) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) information were derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on board the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) polar-orbiting meteorological satellites [19] using standard procedures [20]. Image data for 2001–2002 were processed by means of unsupervised classification procedures of Earth Resources Data Analysis System (ERDAS) Imagine 8.4™ (Leica Geosystems, ERDAS Inc. Atlanta, GA, USA) software. Minimum, mean, and maximum values of these data were extracted for each pixel that corresponded to the location of the schools [21]. Soil-types, land cover and interpolated rainfall and altitude maps of study area were obtained courtesy of GIS unit, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. The data came already geo-referenced in geographic (plane) projection. Using cross-tabulation module of ArcView GIS spatial analyst, altitude, rainfall, soil type and land cover values corresponding to location of study schools were derived.
Population data
The population of school age children (5–14 years) in each Local Government Area was obtained from the 1991 National Population Census and projected to 2002 using Ogun State Government annual specific growth rate of 2.83% from National Population Commission [22] with additional demography information from [23]. This age-group is most likely to have schistosome infection and is consequently largely responsible for maintaining transmission in endemic areas.
Location of schools
Coordinates (latitude/longitude) of schools were collected in the field using a Garmin 12XL (Garmin Corporation, USA) Global Positioning System (GPS) during the survey [18].
Data analysis
Analysis of relationships between school infection prevalence and environmental data involved logistic regression. An initial model was established, defining S. haematobium infected schools as cases, and incorporating NDVI, LST, rainfall, soil-type, land cover and altitude variables as covariates. The non-significant associations were removed with a forward step-wise elimination technique [21]. The same procedure was also used in a second model where school prevalence of S. haematobium was dichotomised at ≥ 50% level as high-risk. For those associations that remained significant, their odds ratio (including 95% confidence intervals), the likelihood ratio, and P values were calculated.
Regression calculations
The relationship may be model as follows:
(a) Probability of presence of urinary schistosomiasis in a school is given by the following logistic regression equation:
Probability (P) = 1/(1 + e -z),
Coefficients and goodness of fit of a logistic binary model predicting presence and absence of urinary schistosomiasis in different schools of Ogun State, on the basis of observed data of disease and environmental variables: Percentages of correct predictions.
Observed Urinary Schistosomiasis
Predicted Urinary Schistosomiasis
Correct prediction (%)
Infection Absent
Infection Present
Coefficients and goodness of fit of a logistic binary model predicting presence and absence of urinary schistosomiasis in different schools of Ogun State, on the basis of observed data of disease and environmental variables: Variables remaining in the equation
Exp (B)
95% C.I. for Exp (B)
Model 1
Coefficients and goodness of fit of a logistic binary model predicting presence and absence of schistosomiasis in different schools of Ogun State, on the basis of observed data of disease and environmental variables: Model with terms removed
Model step
Term removed
Model Log Likelihood
Change in -2log Likelihood
Significance of change
Z = -7.766 + (0.308 × LST) where
7.766 is the regression coefficient constant, and 0.0308 is the regression coefficient of LST.
(b) Probability of an area having infection prevalence > 50% (high-risk) is given by the following logistic regression equation:
Probability (P) = 1/(1 + e -z),
Coefficients and goodness of fit of a logistic binary model predicting the probability of high-risk schools for urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State, on the basis of observed data of disease and environmental variables: Percentages of correct predictions.
Observed Urinary Schistosomiasis
Predicted Urinary Schistosomiasis
Correct prediction (%)
Coefficients and goodness of fit of a logistic binary model predicting the probability of high-risk schools for urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State, on the basis of observed data of disease and environmental variables: Variables in the equation.
Exp (B)
95% C.I. for Exp (B)
Model 2
Soiltype (1)
Soiltype (2)
Soiltype (3)
8.8 × 108
Coefficients and goodness of fit of a logistic binary model predicting the probability of high-risk schools for urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State, on the basis of observed data of disease and environmental variables: Model with terms removed.
Term removed
Model Log Likelihood
Change in -2log Likelihood
Significance of change
Soil types
Z = 20.593+ (-0.478 × LST) + (-0.006 × rainfall) + (0.539 × ferric luvisols (soil type 1) + (0.133 × dystric nitosols (soil type 2) + 1.386 × pellic vertisols (soil type 3)
Predictive GIS risk model maps
Using the image calculator module the spatial analysis extension of ArcView version 3.2a (ESRI, Redland, CA), the logistic regression models obtained from the analysis were applied to the raster data sets of variables in the finals models i.e. LST, soil types and rainfall to generate predictive model maps of urinary schistosomiasis infection in the state.
Estimation of school-aged population at risk of urinary schistosomiasis
An arbitrary criterion based on whether the logistic regression probability of finding an infection is ≥ 0.75% within any area was used. On this basis, the number of school-aged children at risk of significant schistosomiasis transmission was quantified by overlaying the predictive model map of presence or absent of infection developed on population database for school-aged (5–14 years) children in the State to create a suitability risk map. The total numbers of school-aged children at risk were then extracted for each LGA using cross-tabulation module in ArcView GIS 3.2a [24].
Predictive GIS risk model maps
The logistic regression analysis showed that the significant variable in predicting the presence and absence of urinary schistosomiasis in any school in the State was mean minimum LST.
The estimated coefficients (the intercept), the standard errors, and the goodness of fit of the binary models are shown in Table 2, 3, and 4. The model correctly predicted all the 553 observed positive schools as schistosomiasis infected schools. Although none of the 136 negative schools were correctly predicted by the model to be free of infection, there was 79.7% overall accuracy of the model in predicting infected and non-infected schools.
In identifying high and low-risk areas, LST, rainfall, and three soil types: ferric luvisols, dystric nitosols and pellic vertisols soils were the final variables in the model for predicting the probability of an area having infection prevalence (equivalent of > 50% parasitological prevalence). Only the pellic vertisols soil type was significant.
The estimated coefficients, the standard errors, and goodness of fit of the binary model are shown in Table 5, 6, and 7. The model correctly predicted 456 (99.6%) of all observed low-risk schools as low-risk and 6 (8.0%) of high-risk school. There was 86.7% overall accuracy of the model in predicting low and high-risk schools.
School-age population at risk of infection
Like many other diseases, urinary schistosomiasis has a "natural habitat" [25], hence its distribution and prevalence are greatly influenced by environmental factors affecting the population of snail intermediate hosts, and human hosts. Although this notion has long been realized, and despite the expansion of information on effects of environmental factors on snail intermediate host of urinary schistosomiasis [26], little attempt has been made to map the distribution of urinary schistosomiasis in relation to specific environmental factors in Nigeria. Such maps would allow control programme managers to define the extent of the problem and use intervention rationally, where it is most likely to succeed. Schistosomiasis is known to occur in many areas in the country [1]; however, there has not been any sustained effort to control the disease, apart from the establishment of the National Schistosomiasis Control Programme in 1988. It has been difficult for the programme to make measurable progress due to the lack of baseline data and detailed information of the geographic distribution of schistosomiasis. This situation has not only hampered drug procurement, drug distribution and programme evaluation but also led to difficulties in obtaining funding from the government and donor agencies for controlling the infection.
Presented in this study are the first risk-maps of the predicted distribution of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State. Although, attempt to validate the models has not been done due to paucity of funds. None the less, this study has provided baseline data that can be used in the context of controlling the disease. The present analysis depends on self-reported urinary schistosomiasis from school children which has been shown to offer cheap, rapid and reliable way of urinary schistosomiasis risk estimate [27–30]. In all the logistic regression analyses carried out in this study, LST appeared to be the most important predictive variable affecting both the probability of presence and the actual prevalence of the disease. The significance of temperature in the distribution of schistosomiasis has also been reported in past studies using GIS in East and South Africa [21, 24]. Altitude and NDVI did not correlate with presence or prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State. These results are contrary to the observations using these environmental variables in Tanzania and Egypt [21, 31], where altitude and NDVI were shown to be important environmental variables in predicting the distribution of schistosomiasis. The reason for this may be that there are little or no variations in altitude and NDVI values in Ogun State to significantly affect the distribution of urinary schistosomiasis. Altitude affects both temperature and rainfall, and serves to restrict the distribution of snail species by providing an upper and lower limit for population and transmission dynamics [32]. Altitude and NDVI however, has been shown to be an important environmental variable in predicting the distribution of schistosomiasis in Tanzania, Egypt, and Ethiopia where there is great variation of these variables due to the climate and land mass [32]. NDVI was also used in mapping the distribution of snail intermediate host in China [33]. Another explanation may be the small spatial scale of the study area, which is Ogun State as its extent is small when compared to the whole of Tanzania, Egypt and China. Perhaps the application of these variables on a broader scale such as the whole of Nigeria may provide results different from this study.
Current estimates of the number of school aged children at risk of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State are lacking as this is the highest risk group. This study has estimated population of school aged children (5–14 years) at risk from urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State to be 801075 (0.80 million) as at year 2002. However, it should be appreciated that this estimates represents school-aged populations living in areas where the environmental factors when combine with host/parasite are suitable for infection transmission. It does not necessarily imply the number of school-aged children infected. The development of infection suitability maps in this study suggests that 98.99% of school children in the State are living in schistosomiasis suitability area and therefore at risk of urinary schistosomiasis. The model predicts that except for few foci, all the school children in the state are living in urinary schistosomiasis areas where transmission is suitable or ongoing. This is first of such model for Ogun State. This observation is important and has implication for water resources development such as dam construction and irrigation where recent estimation put the population of the country at risk to be 101.28 million [34]. There will be a need for Ogun State Government to establish a schistosomiasis risk management agency to monitor any water development project such as irrigation that may increase the risk of schistosomiasis transmission. With 50% of the LGAs having 100% risk of infection, the agency could also develop intervention for at risk area. A classical example of lack of intervention measures was the outbreak of urinary schistosomiasis in communities near Oyan dam following its construction in 1984 in Abeokuta North LGA, Ogun State [35], whose transmission remain unabated till date [36].
Thus these maps will provide the state with information on which areas to include in treatment programme. The maps developed in the study can also be used to plan risk assessment and monitoring of urinary schistosomiasis control. This method offers a rapid approach for mapping the distribution of diseases in others States in the country and for estimating the population at risk as a first step in reactivating the control of this neglected tropical disease. It will be useful to improve on the model and maps by including Bulinus snail intermediate host distribution data as well as analysing for, if any, spatial correlation in the questionnaire data used, given the focal nature of schistosomiasis. With funding, it would be possible to expand this kind of studies to include the whole country of Nigeria and thus produce a reliable base for developing a well-adapted national schistosomiasis control programme.
The predictive risk model maps developed in this study has provided detailed mapping of the geographical distribution of urinary schistosomiasis in Ogun State. The fact that the models were derived from environmental variables plus prevalence survey data enabled us to map the disease and predict its burden across the State. These maps would be of great value for planning treatment and intervention programme in the State.
The authors acknowledge the cooperation of International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria for digital maps of rainfall, soil type and altitude data. We thank Dr Simon Brooker of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London UK for his assistant in acquisition, image processing and extraction of NDVI and LST values for the school locations. This work was supported by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (RESDEC) Research grant and National Universities Commission (NUC) Central Research Fund and form part of doctoral project of UFE.
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Pre-publication history
This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


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Tommie June Riste of Twisp, Wash. passed away at home April 9, 2013 surrounded by her family. She was born June 21, 1940 in Ventura, Calif. to Earl and Norma Jones. She grew up in Naches, Wash. where she met and married Tom Riste on June 7, 1958.
Tommie June Riste
Okanogan County Fair results – Animals
2012 Okanogan County Fair results Swine Market Stock Grand Champion: Jordyn Boesel Reserve Champion: Ayeris Jones Fitting and Showing Senior Grand Champion: Dyllan Gage Reserve Champion: Elizabeth Jackson Intermediate Grand Champion: Peyton Oules Reserve Champion: Jordyn Boesel Junior Grand Champion: Sterling Ritch Reserve Champion: Karlie Ritchey Novice Grand Champion: Allie Eastridge Reserve Champion: Katie Serles [...]
Okanogan County Fair Results – non-animal
2012 Okanogan County Fair Results – non animal (arts, crafts, horticulture, etc.) Horticulture Junior Open Grand Champion Bosc Pear Hattie Buchert Reserve Champion Asian Pear Clay Buchert Grand Champion Largest Pear Hattie Buchert Reserve Champion Green Beans Jace Berkhart Special Award Beets Ethan McKee Grand Champion Beets Tace-Chub Plank Grand Champion Carrots Megan Heinlen Reserve [...]


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I nearly fell off my chair, I was laughing so hard. I was also reminded of what Carl Jung wrote about synchronicity in his forward to Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching:
...synchronicity takes the coincidence of events in space and time as meaning something more than mere chance, namely, a peculiar interdependence of objective events among themselves as well as with the subjective (psychic) states of the observer... (pg. xxiv)
I also started to wonder how Hexagram 33's six changing lines could relate to the comic -- how Mooch the cat's naptime "180" could illustrate the changes from 33 to 19:
Line 1: "...the lowest line represents the tail and the top line the head....This is dangerous..." -- Perhaps Mooch's tail-tip is tickling his nose, and disturbs his snooze. However, the oracle also suggests that "danger is avoided by keeping still." We all know how cats like to be still...until something zaps their attention ...
Line 2: Mooch is still "hampered," perhaps by doziness, or by that tickly tail-tip.
Line 3: "A halted retreat is nerve-wracking..." Does Mooch sneeze? Does he have a cramp in his leg? Has a bug buzzed by his face?
Line 4: "I need to turn my life around!" --> "Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the superior [cat]..."
Line 5: "Friendly retreat." "You have seen the wisdom of retreating now and must act decisively." Mooch turns around!
Line 6: "You are correct in retreating, and your path will open up before you." "Here, one knows exactly what to do." Zzzz...
(Comic: "Mutts," by Patrick O'Donnell; July 20, 2008.)


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Watching the BMA's film, the Human Cost of Healthcare, it is difficult not to be moved by the personal stories of workers injured in the manufacture of surgical instruments used in the NHS. But how do you translate those feelings of empathy and concern into action?
The BMA set up the fair medical and ethical trade group to do just that. Digging deeper into where NHS supplies come from you slowly discover murky supply chains. In Pakistan, surgical instruments are produced by in back street garages where workers are exposed to terrible working conditions. In Malaysia there is evidence of migrant workers employed in bonded labour, a form of slavery, to produce disposable gloves and risking burns from hot latex and inadequate fire protection – and these are just two examples.
Addressing these problems is not simple. We cannot boycott these products as the impact on the local economies would be devastating. The alternative strategy is to get the NHS to use its significant purchasing power to improve the working conditions in which medical supplies are produced.
This week saw the BMA, in partnership with the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) and the Department of Health (DH), roll out a new training programme to support procurement professionals in the NHS to ethically procure goods and services. The training is designed to support the Ethical Procurement for Health workbook launched in 2011. Together, they provide practical tools for healthcare buyers, helping them to identify poor labour standards and take action through the procurement process, engage with suppliers, as well as help for making the business case for change and seeking support from colleagues.
The training programme, funded by the DH and developed in partnership with the BMA and the ETI, includes a short online film to raise awareness and a tutor-led training course with three e-learning modules.
Improving the ethical standards of NHS supply chains is laudable but we also understand current economic realities of the NHS. But we do not have to choose between saving money and ethical purchasing as more transparency in supply chains can generate efficiencies. There is also evidence that providing decent working conditions can lead to increased productivity and improvements in the quality of products because of a boost in workforce morale and better worker retention.
Ethical procurement can be used to help the plight of those who manufacture the products we use to treat patients and save the NHS money.
It is early days, but we can't lose sight of why we need to change the way we buy NHS products. Ignorance is no longer an excuse. We can't allow people in the developing world to risk their lives making equipment to save our lives. It is now up to those who work in procurement to use the training materials to adopt ethical purchasing policies and practices and for those that work and use healthcare to demand it.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson is director of professional activities at the BMA, responsible for overseeing the association's work on public health, medical ethics and international affairs
This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the Guardian healthcare network to receive regular emails and exclusive offers.


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This funky furniture has the traditional class of vintage pieces with an added modern flair.
The L.A.-based Voici! furniture collection has stemmed from the L.A. furniture gallery Voila! This furniture collection differs from its sister series greatly, as the designers have made a particular effort to make strange and weird pieces. They begin by finding vintage furniture pieces that have been well-preserved; they then reframe and reupholster them with colorful fabrics that are often very patterned and have a whimsical but elegant feel to them.
To finish off this fun furniture, the designers decorate their decor with words and well-known quotes. This gives the pieces a life of their own, and definitely makes them conversation starters. The Voici! furniture collection gives vintage a voice.
Conversing Couches
More Stats +/-
Vintage Patchwork Furniture
Abandoned Men's Club Renovations
Tattooed Furniture
Life-Enriching Couch Campaigns
Moderntique Seating
The Voici! Furniture Collection Makes Vintage Pieces Speak for Themselves
- By: Olivia GissingMay 28, 2011
References: voilagallery & ifitshipitshere.blogspot
References: voilagallery & ifitshipitshere.blogspot


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Interested in lobste.rs? I'm willing to give out invites if you reply with your blog, VCS repos, cool projects you've made, thoughts relevant to the site's scope, etc.
(FWIW, it's basically Hacker News, but without any VC navel gazing/sycophants or other non-tech related things; and a better community with better moderation)
@calvin that looks extremely cool. If you want, check out my projects at https://leotindall.com/projects
@calvin Shot you an email
@calvin I made a 3D render engine from scratch. I think it will eventually replace raytracing, but it's not there yet. My company site is https://infinitech.org/ and all public info can be found there.
@email@example.com Unfortunately I have nothing interesting to present to you right now, but I'll probably be embarking on the development of some (danmaku or not) 2D shooting games soon, which I'll write about and get back to you then. (P.S. nice PocketPC client!)