Author: Serkadis

From The Heritage Foundation, a fairly self-explanatory budget chart. (Via Rep. Paul Ryan).

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Check out the price of spot gold when priced in euros. It’s soaring to new highs thanks to S&P’s downgrades of Spain, Portugal, and Greece.

This chart goes to yesterday. The chart below it shows it blasting ever close to 880 in today’s action.

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Last week, I discussed the importance of gut flora in the digestion of food while briefly touching on its role in early immunity, including the development of asthma and eczema – both of which are immune issues that appear to be exacerbated or caused by disrupted gut flora in children. But it goes much further than “just” asthma and eczema. Our gut flora plays a massive role in mediating our entire immune response. Think about this little factoid: the human gastro-intestinal tract houses the bulk of the human immune system, about 70% of it. And foreign gut flora actually aids and abets our innate immune response system by improving the function of our mucosal immune system and providing a physical barrier to invading microbiota. Before I get into that, though, let’s go over what we mean by immune system.

Some time back, I wrote a post discussing the three tiers of the human immune system:

1. Anatomical barriers – Skin is the basic line of defense, along with mucus membranes and other physical responses like sweat, tears, and salivation, against the intrusion of foreign bodies and antigens.
2. Innate/non-specific immune system – The innate immune system is the broad, generic response to bacteria and viruses that have made it past the anatomical barriers. Imagine bacteria entering through an open wound and the resultant inflammation, which is pretty much the body’s attempt at a catch-all response. Technically, the physical barriers are included in the innate system.
3. Adaptive/specific immune system – The immune system can learn and improve its response to specific microbes over time and with repeated exposure; this is the adaptive immune system, and it’s only present in jawed vertebrates.

It’s generally accepted that gut flora affects and informs our immune systems, and how it does so, though a complicated, multi-faceted process, is beginning to be teased out by researchers.

Intestinal flora helps determine the quality of our mucosal immune system in several ways. First, it provides a physical barrier to colonization by foreign, deleterious microbes. As I mentioned earlier, infants receive the lion’s share of their gut flora from the mother (and surrounding environment) during birth and for the first year or so. This is a crucial time, because the first bacteria to gain a foothold are able to establish a long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationship with the host (that’s us). Good bacteria settles in and keeps bad bacteria out – for life (ideally, barring disruption of the population by poor diet and excessive antibiotic usage), which is why early intestinal colonization is so incredibly important for healthy function later in life. Though we’re talking tiny, invisible organisms, living quarters in the gut are still finite, and there are limits to how many microbes can be established. Compromised gut flora populations, for example, can allow harmful yeasts and bacteria to flourish. Healthy gut flora populations protect against invading microbes by simply taking up space and generally being more proficient at obtaining nutrients than the intruders. They’re playing defense, and informed, experienced defenders who know their way around always have the advantage.

Next, intestinal flora communicates with certain features of the immune system to help them focus on invading microbes. Ever wonder how our immune systems determine which bacteria to attack and which to ignore? After all, foreign microbes are foreign microbes, and immune cells aren’t “intelligent.” There’s got to be a mechanism behind it, some sort of “safe word” that causes immune cells to pass over the trillions of foreign bacteria residing in the gut. Good bacteria talks to the lymph nodes and provides a safe word, and the lymph nodes’ stromal cells produce “normal cell” antigens that tell the immune system not to attack the good bacteria. This conserves resources and improves the immune response by making it more efficient.

Intestinal flora can even influence the growth and formation of organs crucial to proper immune function. Take the thymus, for example, the primary function of which is to produce T-lymphocytes, also known as T-cells. T-cells are a type of white blood cell that has two functions. Killer T-cells destroy the body’s own cells that have been infected by viruses or bacteria; this prevents the offending microbe from replicating and causing more damage. Helper T-cells stimulate the production of antibodies. Both are vital, and both are made possible by the thymus. The thymus, in turn, is dependent on intestinal flora: formula-fed infants have smaller, less productive thymuses than breastfed infants. Okay, but how do we know that it’s the bacteria in breast milk making a difference? What’s one big thing that sets breast milk apart from formula? Beneficial bacteria, specifically Bifidobacteria, which is only present in breast milk. One recent study confirmed the effect of bacteria on thymus size when it compared thymus sizes in breastfed infants, standard formula-fed infants, and infants fed a fermented formula populated with Bifidobacteria. Infants given standard formula had smaller thymuses than infants in the other two groups; thymuses in infants given the fermented, bacteria-rich formula were similar in size and function to breastfed infants.

The study (PDF) of germ-free mice offers clear evidence that the presence of intestinal microbiota impacts the development of immune systems. Mice raised in isolation chambers, completely free of gut flora, exhibit a host of immunodeficiences: systemic lymphopenia, or low levels of lymphocytes, a kind of white blood cell extremely important to immune function; hypoplastic, or underdeveloped, lymphoid structures with compromised immune function; and poorly formed high endothelial venules, which are crucial pathways for the normal immune cell response. Colonization of germ-free mice with normal levels and species of gut flora, for the most part, normalizes immune function and structure.

90% of cells in the human body are microbial; a mere 10% are “human.” Perhaps it’s time we start redefining exactly what it means to be human. We couldn’t function without foreign gut flora. We’d be quivering and helpless, chronic hypochondriacs by necessity. Any variance in diet would probably immobilize us, and the mildest, gentlest pathogen would have its way with our tender bodies. It would be a bad scene all around.

Every organism – at least the larger, multi-cellular ones – has similar relationships with foreign microbes. The difference with humans is that we are consciously aware of their existence, and we devise methods to eliminate them from our bodies and our environment. Wild animals do not fret about such things; they live in ignorance of the teeming bacterial hordes handling the internal machinations. Oh, they may have protectionist instincts, like shying away from harmful or spoiled food, but they aren’t making the conscious decision to avoid bacteria. We have antibiotics, and soap, and surgical gloves, and gas masks. Our entire modern existence can perhaps be described as the avoidance of nature. Nature’s a scary place, with dark, dismal caves, dangerous predators, poisonous plants, and uncertainty, so we built walls, planted crops, tamed animals, and discovered fire. Humans are of “mother nature,” but we number in the billions only because we rejected and excluded her. And that’s the tricky part of being human, isn’t it?

Clearly, the best path for proper immunity is the early establishment of a healthy population of gut flora, ideally initiated immediately after birth. If you’re reading this, you’ve most likely been born, probably for quite some time now, but that doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel. On the contrary, we adults, more than anyone else, need to know the importance of gut flora. If we have children, it’s up to us to ensure they receive the proper exposure to beneficial bacteria. As for adults, the avoidance of sugar, vegetable oils, and lectin-rich grains and legumes to the inclusion of animal fat, protein, Primal starches, and leafy vegetables is a safe way to promote a healthy gut. Eating fermented foods and trying probiotic supplements may also help.

For anyone who’s still interested in this subject, I’d strongly advise you check out Dr. Art Ayer’s fantastic blog, Cooling Inflammation. Art suggests chronic, systemic inflammation stemming from disrupted gut flora as the root of most, if not all, diseases. He may be onto something here.

Let me know your thoughts in the comment board. Thanks for reading!

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Related posts:

1. 10 Things You (Likely) Don’t Know About Your Immune System
2. Dear Mark: Sugar as Immune Suppressant
3. What’s Up With Your Gut? – Beneficial Bacteria and Good Digestive Health

Over the past few years, at least ten states (probably more, but we’ve lost track) have tried to pass laws banning the sales of violent video games to children. And every single one of them (yes, every last one) has been ruled unconstitutional, as a violation of the First Amendment. And yet, some states keep trying. In California, it’s particularly ironic, given that the main supporter of the bill is The Governator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who became famous starring in violent movies that are quite similar to the violent video games he now seeks to attack. As with every other state, the original law was found to be unconstitutional in both the district court, and again on appeal. Not surprisingly, The Governator has continued to waste taxpayer money on legal costs fighting for this bill (despite the state being massively cash-strapped), and now it appears that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case.

This could be a big deal. Since there’s been near unanimous agreement among district and appeals courts that these sorts of laws are unconstitutional, the fact that the Supreme Court is taking the case, despite the lack of a circuit split, could mean that it feels that all these courts decided incorrectly. Hopefully, that’s not the case, and the Supreme Court rules on this issue and finally closes the door on these questionable laws.

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Granulation is one of the most important processes in the production of solid dosage forms. The Pharma Service at OYSTAR Hüttlin will therefore be focusing on this aspect during the second part of its “Expert of Solids” seminar series that is being held for the third time. The three-day seminar entitled “Granulation – From Powder To Tablet” will be taking place from May 4 in Schopfheim, Baden-Württemberg. The attendees will be familiarized with the theoretical basic principles and methods of the granulation process and will at the same time have the opportunity to gain knowledge of their practical application on the high shear mixer granulator and the fluid bed granulator in OYSTAR Hüttlin’s own experimental laboratory. The goal of the seminar is to assist the participants in dealing skillfully with various granulation technologies and to familiarize them with important process parameters.

OYSTAR Hüttlin is holding the four-part “Expert of Solids” seminar series to provide in-depth process technology know-how and present the latest technologies. Participants attending all four seminars will gain the “Expert of Solids” qualification. It is, however, also possible to attend just individual events only. With two additional seminars on the subjects of “scale-up” and “Process Analytical Technology (PAT)”, attendees are also able to gain the “Master of Solids” qualification. The seminar series is open to all specialists involved with the development and production of solid dosage forms.

The “Statistical Design Space Development” seminar was already held at the beginning of the year. The first part of the seminar series on “Validation of Cleaning” will be taking place in October, and part three on the subject of “Coating” will follow in November.

CODIPRO enlarges its range by the new universal swivel lifting ring MegaDSS.

Especially developed for heavy loads, the swivel shackle MegaDSS allows lifts and turnings of loads up to 50 tons per lifting ring.

Thanks to its ergonomic design, it offers a high WLL by reduced place. Furthermore the swivel shackle MegaDSS has been developed to be used directly with the hook of the traveling crane. As all our swivel lifting rings the MegaDSS also has the safety factor 4, is in accordance with the directive on machinery 2006/42/EC and can be made to measure (thread and length of axis) within a short delivery time.

Our sales team will be available for any further information: +352 26 81 54-1 or [email protected]

TURBO is the new pipe scrapers Kit patented by RITMO for pipes and fittings ranging from Ø 20 to 63 mm SDR 6 to 11. TURBO is simple and easy to use. This incredible pipe scraper can work in confined spaces substantially reducing working times, especially during repair operations.

The rotating tool allows fast and precise scraping, without defects. Its blades also allow the perfect facing of the pipe ends which have been roughly cut due to a situation which makes the use of a pipe cutter difficult, like narrow spaces.

Six different sizes of the TURBO are available, according to the pipe size. TURBO has to be used with a cordless driver.

– Models:
Turbo 20
working range Ø 20 mm; scraping lenght 45 mm

Turbo 25
working range Ø 25 mm; scraping lenght 45 mm

Turbo 32
working range Ø 32 mm; scraping lenght 45 mm

Turbo 40
working range Ø 40 mm; scraping lenght 55 mm

Turbo 50
working range Ø 50 mm; scraping lenght 55 mm

Turbo 63
working range Ø 63 mm; scraping lenght 55 mm

RITMO S.p.A.
Via A. Volta, 7 35037 Bresseo di Teolo (PD) ITALY
Ph. + 39 049 9901888 Fax: +39 049 9901993 www.ritmo.it – [email protected]

In order to make process technology know-how available, the Pharma Service at OYSTAR Hüttlin is holding a series of seminars. The series began with the seminar entitled “Statistical Design Space Development – From DoE To Granules”. Twenty attendees acquired theoretical knowledge on Design of Experiment (DoE) and subsequently had the opportunity to put this know-how immediately into practice in OYSTAR Hüttlin’s own laboratory, where the participants themselves performed and analyzed granulation trials.

The goal of the seminar instructors was to assist the participants in dealing skillfully with the latest methods of Design of Experiment. Pascal Wehrlé, professor at the University of Strasbourg, thus first of all familiarized the participants with the basic concept of “Quality by Design” for quality assurance during the product and process design phase. Prof. Wehrlé then rounded off the subject with a talk on the theory of Design of Experiment. Marcus Knöll, head of Pharma Service at OYSTAR Hüttlin, used FMEA to provide a detailed overview of the influencing factors in fluid bed granulation. In preparation for the practical part of the seminar, Erik Johansson, senior application analyst at Umetrics, expounded the subject of “full factorial designs”. Then the seminar participants developed their own case studies with the help of the MODDE software and went directly into the laboratory with them for the practical implementation on the fluid bed granulator. Wehrlé began the second day of the seminar with an introduction to the SPC (Statistical Process Control) methodology for optimized process stability. Erik Johansson continued with the subject of “fractional factorial designs”. Afterwards, Andrea Hartung, a staff member of the Pharma Service at OYSTAR Hüttlin, presented real process data from a granulation of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor Enalapril obtained with the help of DoE.

Following on from this first seminar, three further events will take place in 2010 to complete the series and will cover the areas of cleaning and validation as well as granulation and coating. Participants attending all four seminars will gain the “Expert of Solids” qualification. It is, however, also possible to attend just individual events only. With two additional seminars on the subjects of scale-up and Process Analytical Technology (PAT), attendees are also able to gain the “Master of Solids” qualification.

Good news, Mega Man fans. Capcom has filed trademarks for what may be the next Mega Man game.

Article Tags: John O'Sullivan, NZ Climate Scandal

New Zealand climate scientists embroil themselves in as much of a climate data fraud scandal as Climategate and with eerily similar methods and results.

The New Zealand Climate Science Coalition (NZCSC) in its article ‘NIWA Challenged to Show Why and How Temperature Records Were Adjusted’ (February 7, 2010) provides its readers with an insight into the climate scandal dubbed ‘Kiwigate.’

NIWA is New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research and is accused of repeatedly frustrating NZCSC in its attempts to get government climatologists to explain how they managed to create a warming trend for their nation’s climate that is not borne out by the actual temperature record.

According to NZCSC, climate boffins cooked the books by using the same alleged ‘trick’ employed by British and American doomsaying scientists. This involves subtly imposing a warming bias during what is known as the ‘homogenisation’ process that occurs when climate data needs to be adjusted.

Homogenisation Explained

When such data adjustments (homogenisations) are made, scientists must keep their working calculations so that other scientists can test the reasonableness of those adjustments. According to an article in Mathematical Geosciences (April 2009) homogenisation of climate data needs to be done because “non-climatic factors make data unrepresentative of the actual climate variation.”

The article tells us that if the raw data is not homogenised (or, in this case, “fudged” according to sceptics) the “conclusions of climatic and hydrological studies are potentially biased.”

Click source to read FULL report from John O’Sullivan

Source: climatology.suite101.com

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Let’s face it it can be pretty annoying when you fire your game up and it says you have to download a patch before you can proceed. A lot of patches aren’t exactly quick downloads, especially

Article Tags: John O'Sullivan, Nasif S. Nahle

Another scientist finds further evidence that our oceans and sub-surface material, not greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, control Earth’s climate.

Among a steady groundswell of scientists eager to contradict the faltering greenhouse gas theory of man-made global warming, comes ‘Induced Emission and Heat Stored by Air, Water and Dry Clay Soil‘ by Professor Nasif Nahle.

Oceans Drive Climate, Not Trace Gasses

The internationally-acclaimed professor, from Monterrey, Mexico, exposes the weakness of the greenhouse gas theory for its failure to consider that other processes are important in the atmospheric radiative heat transfer event. A former Harvard and UCLA graduate with degrees in science and mathematics, Nahle confidently states, “I demonstrate that the climate of Earth is driven by the oceans, the ground surface and the subsurface materials of the ground.”

Warmists Miscalculate Heat

A dwindling band of supporters of the theory of anthropogenic global warming (AGW) still cling to the discredited notion that 50% of the energy absorbed by atmospheric gases (especially carbon dioxide) is re-emitted back towards Earth’s surface, heating it up.

Nahle, whose areas of expertise ranges from Physics to Biology, Ecology, Bioeconomy and Biophysics, attacks this flawed assumption, “The problem with the AGW idea is that its proponents think that the Earth is isolated and that the heat engine only works on the surface of the ground.”

Instead, Nahle’s robust calculations prove that photon streams from oceans, the ground and other subsurface materials, both day and night, succeed in overwhelming the emission of photons from the atmosphere, returning them to space.

Click source to read FULL report from John O’Sullivan

Source: climate-change.suite101.com

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Toyota

In the wake of the Toyota situation, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee Jay Rockefeller and chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Henry Waxman have announced that they will work together towards legislation to improve automobile safety.

Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said he plans to introduce a bill soon “that will hold automakers to a higher standard and strengthen the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ability to more effectively protect Americans on the road.”

No specifics have been addressed by either legislator or their respective staffs, and neither responded immediately to requests for comment. Last month however, Rockefeller did call for legislation that would tighten the 2000 federal law requiring more disclosure about safety-defect information, and said that the legislation ought to require that carmakers provide the computers necessary to read black box data.

Another expected to be addressed by the pair is the revolving door between government and industry, as former NHTSA employees (and their network of connections) went to work for Toyota after their stint in public service. The idea of revolving-door legislation was publicly addressed by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

For failure to notify U.S. regulators of safety issues on a timely manner, Toyota agreed thus month to pay a fine of $16.4 million; the largest ever assessed for a safety defect.

-By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., GM, Saab

‘

Trollhättan fans aren’t quibbling in light of the gallows rescue Saab recently received from Spyker Cars, so perhaps everyone got distracted letting out a collective sigh of relief instead of checking the lineup’s option sheets carefully. Whatever the reason, it turns out that Saab is back to relying on four-cylinder engines for all its 9-3 and 9-3X powertrain needs.

Never a stranger to odd powerplants or engines from disparate manufacturers, Saab’s long tenure as a ward of General Motors led to the appearance of Ecotec four-cylinders along with a version of GM’s “high feature” V6. The LP9 turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 was a delightful mill in the last Turbo X we tried, but there’s plenty right with the four cylinder engines that remain standing.

At this point, we’re just chomping at the bit to try out the new 2010 9-5, a model slated to come to market soon with the 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 Aero first, followed by a 2.0-liter turbo four model shortly thereafter as a 2011 model.

How’d we miss that? No V6 for 2010 Saab 9-3 range originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XF Diesel S Police Patrol Vehicle

Serving and protecting your country is never a bad thing, but it only gets better when your cruiser is a hot car – we’re pretty sure it makes a tiring day on any job go by quicker. Well, if there is one place we’d love to serve and protect, it will have to be the Midland. The Central Motorway Police Group, which patrols motorways across Staffordshire, Mercia and the West Midlands, has bought seven high-performance Police vehicles based on the Jaguar XF Diesel S model.

The model comes fitted with a roof mounted light bar with 3600 blue flashing lights and integrated side alley lights, blue and white flashing LED lights inside the front grille, side mounted blue flashing LED lights, blue and red flashing LED lights integrated in the rear light clusters and a Home Office-specification electronics ‘Police pack’ that powers a full suite of electronic equipment that help make these cars the ultimate Police vehicles.

Power for the XF Diesel S comes from a 3.0L Diesel S engine making 275-hp with a parallel sequential turbocharger system. 0 to 60 mph comes in 5.9 seconds and fuel-economy figures are estimated at 42 mpg (35 mpg in U.S. terms).

Jaguar XF Diesel S Police Patrol Vehicle:

– By: Kap Shah

By changing a lot of gameplay mechanics in Madden NFL 11, EA Sports promises that the game will be “simpler, quicker, deeper”. Those looking to continue playing the series will have to say goodbye to picking plays

Algumas pessoas dizem o seguinte a respeito do futebol: “É uma caixinha de surpresas”. Concordo, mas não somente no futebol as surpresas podem acontecer, e impressionar. No automobilismo também isso acontece muito mais do que se imagina.

Por exemplo, o que aconteceu nesse último domingo na Nascar Nationwide Series, impressionou todos na última volta da corrida, que aconteceu no circuito de Talladega. A grande confusão começou com um pequeno toque em Jamie McMurray. O que acontece em seguida é uma sequência de batidas, algo parecido com um “efeito dominó”.

O mais azarado desse momento foi o piloto Dennis Setzer, que teve seu carro colidindo com a grade e se transformou em uma bola de fogo. A vitória da prova ficou com Brad Keselowski, que não foi atingido pelo caos que estava atrás de si e recebeu o primeiro lugar.

Via | Motorpasion

HOCER IS (HOCER Group), the European Leader in the field of online detection of micropollutions (pesticides, hydrocarbons..) presents the IAS18, an integrative solution to detect micropollutions in the water.

This unit (18 m²) integrates several analyzer is order to cover all type of pollution in the water from the pH to hydrocarbons and pesticides (µg/L)

This solution is communly used in France to protect captures of drinking water plants and to protect rivers against pollutions (Alert Networks)

The hydropneumatic tool RIV300 has been projected for placing speed rivets in cartridge and it’s ideal to obtain quick and repeating riveting.
This tool ensures a significant reduction in assembly times and a good flexibility in processes, because it can easily be included in automatic assembly lines.
RIV300 is equipped with proper spare parts according to the type and diameter of the rivet to be placed.
The fittings selection has to be done as follows:
• head according to rivet diameter;
• mandrel according to rivet diameter, and head;
• spring according to mandrel.
Rivets in cartridge are mostly used in automotive, electronics, electro mechanics, furnishing and illuminating engineering.
We underline that all Rivit tools, RIV300 included, are according to Machinery Directive 06/42/EC and following modifications.

Technical data

Air pressure (min/max): 5 – 7bar
Air volume required (5,1bar): 2,6lt
Stroke: 30mm
Pull force (5,1bar): 3890N
Cycle time:~ 1 sec.
Weight (pistol only): 1,08Kg

With the world’s first combination of a CO2 laser engraving system and diamond engraving the eurolaser XS-300 diamondPLUS offers unprecedented possibilities for various materials:

– plastic
– metal
– wood
– and many, many more

Further benefits at a glance:

– high quality Synrad laser source
– laser class 1 protective housing
– high engraving speed
– autofocus function
– ergonomic color touch screen
– compact desktop system

This combination opens up a world of unlimited possibilities for flexible material processing for you. On top of the excellent properties of the CO2 laser for engraving, marking, stripping and cutting, the diamond engraver offers e.g. first class engraving results on metal objects.

With very low investment and operating costs this is also a technology which quickly pays for itself. Naturally, alongside the innovative technology and the high lifetime, also our worldwide service and many years of experience are included.