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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neurons (IPA: /ˈnjʊɹɒn/, NYOO-ron, also known as neurones and nervous cells) are responsive cells in the nervous system that process and transmit information by electrochemical signalling. They are the core components of the brain, the vertebrate spinal cord, the invertebrate ventral nerve cord, and the peripheral nerves. A number of different types of neurons exist: sensory neurons respond to touch, sound, light and numerous other stimuli affecting cells of the sensory organs that then send signals to the spinal cord and brain. Motor neurons receive signals from the brain and spinal cord and cause muscle contractions and affect glands. Inter-neurons connect neurons to other neurons within the brain and spinal cord. Neurons respond to stimuli, and communicate the presence of stimuli to the central nervous system, which processes that information and sends responses to other parts of the body for action.
[edit] Overview
The complexity and diversity in nervous systems is dependent on the interconnections between neurons, which rely on a limited number of different signals transmitted within the neurons to other neurons or to muscles and glands. The signals are produced and propagated by chemical ions that produce an electrical charge that moves along the neuron.
Neurons exist in a number of different shapes and sizes and can be classified by their morphology and function. The anatomist Camillo Golgi grouped neurons into two types; type I with long axons used to move signals over long distances and type II without axons. type I cells can be further divided by where the cell body or soma is located. The basic morphology of type I neurons, represented by spinal motor neurons, consists of a cell body called the soma and a long thin axon which is covered by the myelin sheath. Around the cell body is a branching dendritic tree that receives signals from other neurons. The end of the axon has branching terminals (axon terminal) that release transmitter substances into a gap called the synaptic cleft between the terminals and the dendrites of the next neuron.
The anatomy and the properties of the surface membrane determine the behavior of a neuron. The surface membrane is not uniform over the entire length of a neuron, but is modified in specific areas: some regions secrete transmitter substances while other areas respond to the transmitter. Other areas of the neuron membrane have passive electrical properties that effect capacitance and resistance. Within the neuron membrane there are gated ion channels that vary in type, including fast response sodium channels that are voltage-gated and are used to send rapid signals.
Neurons communicate by chemical and electrical synapses in a process known as synaptic transmission. The fundamental process that triggers synaptic transmission is the action potential, a propagating electrical signal that is generated by exploiting the electrically excitable membrane of the neuron. This is also known as a wave of depolarization.
Fully differentiated neurons are permanently amitotic[1]; however, recent research shows that additional neurons throughout the brain can originate from neural stem cells found in high concentrations in (but throughout the brain) the subventricular zone and subgranular zone through the process of neurogenesis.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
[edit] History
The neuron's place as the primary functional unit of the nervous system was first recognized in the early 20th century through the work of the Spanish anatomist Santiago Ramón y Cajal.[8] Cajal proposed that neurons were discrete cells that communicated with each other via specialized junctions, or spaces, between cells.[8] This became known as the neuron doctrine, one of the central tenets of modern neuroscience.[8] To observe the structure of individual neurons, Cajal used a silver staining method developed by his rival, Camillo Golgi.[8] The Golgi stain is an extremely useful method for neuroanatomical investigations because, for reasons unknown, it stains a very small percentage of cells in a tissue, so one is able to see the complete micro structure of individual neurons without much overlap from other cells in the densely packed brain.[9]
[edit] Anatomy and histology
Neurons are highly specialized for the processing and transmission of cellular signals. Given the diversity of functions performed by neurons in different parts of the nervous system, there is, as expected, a wide variety in the shape, size, and electrochemical properties of neurons. For instance, the soma of a neuron can vary from 4 to 100 micrometers in diameter.[10]
- The soma is the central part of the neuron. It contains the nucleus of the cell, and therefore is where most protein synthesis occurs. The nucleus ranges from 3 to 18 micrometers in diameter.[11]
- The dendrites of a neuron are cellular extensions with many branches, and metaphorically this overall shape and structure is referred to as a dendritic tree. This is where the majority of input to the neuron occurs. Information outflow (i.e. from dendrites to other neurons) can also occur, but not across chemical synapses; there, the backflow of a nerve impulse is inhibited by the fact that an axon does not possess chemoreceptors and dendrites cannot secrete neurotransmitter chemicals. This unidirectionality of a chemical synapse explains why nerve impulses are conducted only in one direction.
- The axon is a finer, cable-like projection which can extend tens, hundreds, or even tens of thousands of times the diameter of the soma in length. The axon carries nerve signals away from the soma (and also carry some types of information back to it). Many neurons have only one axon, but this axon may - and usually will - undergo extensive branching, enabling communication with many target cells. The part of the axon where it emerges from the soma is called the axon hillock. Besides being an anatomical structure, the axon hillock is also the part of the neuron that has the greatest density of voltage-dependent sodium channels. This makes it the most easily-excited part of the neuron and the spike initiation zone for the axon: in neurological terms it has the most negative action potential threshold. While the axon and axon hillock are generally involved in information outflow, this region can also receive input from other neurons.
- The axon terminal contains synapses, specialized structures where neurotransmitter chemicals are released in order to communicate with target neurons.
Although the canonical view of the neuron attributes dedicated functions to its various anatomical components, dendrites and axons often act in ways contrary to their so-called main function.
Axons and dendrites in the central nervous system are typically only about one micrometer thick, while some in the peripheral nervous system are much thicker. The soma is usually about 10–25 micrometers in diameter and often is not much larger than the cell nucleus it contains. The longest axon of a human motoneuron can be over a meter long, reaching from the base of the spine to the toes. Sensory neurons have axons that run from the toes to the dorsal columns, over 1.5 meters in adults. Giraffes have single axons several meters in length running along the entire length of their necks. Much of what is known about axonal function comes from studying the squid giant axon, an ideal experimental preparation because of its relatively immense size (0.5–1 millimeters thick, several centimeters long).
[edit] Classes
[edit] Structural classification
[edit] Polarity
Most neurons can be anatomically characterized as:
- Unipolar or pseudounipolar: dendrite and axon emerging from same process.
- Bipolar: axon and single dendrite on opposite ends of the soma.
- Multipolar: more than two dendrites:
- Golgi I: neurons with long-projecting axonal processes; examples are pyramidal cells, Purkinje cells, and anterior horn cells.
- Golgi II: neurons whose axonal process projects locally; the best example is the granule cell.
[edit] Other
Furthermore, some unique neuronal types can be identified according to their location in the nervous system and distinct shape. Some examples are:
- Basket cells, neurons with dilated and knotty dendrites in the cerebellum.
- Betz cells, large motor neurons.
- Medium spiny neurons, most neurons in the corpus striatum.
- Purkinje cells, huge neurons in the cerebellum, a type of Golgi I multipolar neuron.
- Pyramidal cells, neurons with triangular soma, a type of Golgi I.
- Renshaw cells, neurons with both ends linked to alpha motor neurons.
- Granule cells, a type of Golgi II neuron.
- anterior horn cells, motoneurons located in the spinal cord.
[edit] Functional classification
[edit] Direction
- Afferent neurons convey information from tissues and organs into the central nervous system and are sometimes also called sensory neurons.
- Efferent neurons transmit signals from the central nervous system to the effector cells and are sometimes called motor neurons.
- Interneurons connect neurons within specific regions of the central nervous system.
Afferent and efferent can also refer generally to neurons which, respectively, bring information to or send information from the brain region.
[edit] Action on other neurons
- Excitatory neurons excite their target neurons. Excitatory neurons in the central nervous system, including the brain, are often glutamatergic. Neurons of the peripheral nervous system, such as spinal motoneurons that synapse onto muscle cells, often use acetylcholine as their excitatory neurotransmitter. However, this is just a general tendency that may not always be true[clarification needed]. It is not the neurotransmitter that decides excitatory or inhibitory action, but rather it is the postsynaptic receptor that is responsible for the action of the neurotransmitter[citation needed].
- Inhibitory neurons inhibit their target neurons. Inhibitory neurons are often interneurons. The output of some brain structures (neostriatum, globus pallidus, cerebellum) are inhibitory. The primary inhibitory neurotransmitters are GABA and glycine.
- Modulatory neurons evoke more complex effects termed neuromodulation. These neurons use such neurotransmitters as dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin and others.
[edit] Discharge patterns
Neurons can be classified according to their electrophysiological characteristics:
- Tonic or regular spiking. Some neurons are typically constantly (or tonically) active. Example: interneurons in neurostriatum.
- Phasic or bursting. Neurons that fire in bursts are called phasic.
- Fast spiking. Some neurons are notable for their fast firing rates, for example some types of cortical inhibitory interneurons, cells in globus pallidus, retinal ganglion cells [12].
- Thin-spike. Action potentials of some neurons are more narrow compared to the others. For example, interneurons in prefrontal cortex are thin-spike neurons.
[edit] Classification by neurotransmitter production
|Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (October 2008)
Neurons differ in the type of neurotransmitter they manufacture. Some examples are
- cholinergic neurons - acetylcholine
- GABAergic neurons - gamma aminobutyric acid
- glutamatergic neurons - glutamate
- dopaminergic neurons - dopamine
- serotonin neurons - serotonin
[edit] Connectivity
Neurons communicate with one another via synapses, where the axon terminal or En passant boutons of one cell impinges upon another neuron's dendrite, soma or, less commonly, axon. Neurons such as Purkinje cells in the cerebellum can have over 1000 dendritic branches, making connections with tens of thousands of other cells; other neurons, such as the magnocellular neurons of the supraoptic nucleus, have only one or two dendrites, each of which receives thousands of synapses. Synapses can be excitatory or inhibitory and will either increase or decrease activity in the target neuron. Some neurons also communicate via electrical synapses, which are direct, electrically-conductive junctions between cells.
In a chemical synapse, the process of synaptic transmission is as follows: when an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it opens voltage-gated calcium channels, allowing calcium ions to enter the terminal. Calcium causes synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitter molecules to fuse with the membrane, releasing their contents into the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitters diffuse across the synaptic cleft and activate receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.
The human brain has a huge number of synapses. Each of the 1011 (one hundred billion) neurons has on average 7,000 synaptic connections to other neurons. It has been estimated that the brain of a three-year-old child has about 1015 synapses (1 quadrillion). This number declines with age, stabilizing by adulthood. Estimates vary for an adult, ranging from 1014 to 5 x 1014 synapses (100 to 500 trillion).[13]
[edit] Mechanisms for propagating action potentials
In 1937, John Zachary Young suggested that the squid giant axon could be used to study neuronal electrical properties,[14] being larger but similar in nature to human neurons, they were easier to study. By inserting electrodes into the giant squid axons, accurate measurements were made of the membrane potential.
The cell membrane of the axon and soma contain voltage-gated ion channels which allow the neuron to generate and propagate an electrical signal (an action potential). These signals are generated and propagated by charge-carrying ions including sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), and calcium (Ca2+).
There are several stimuli that can activate a neuron leading to electrical activity, including pressure, stretch, chemical transmitters, and changes of the electric potential across the cell membrane.[15] Stimuli cause specific ion-channels within the cell membrane to open, leading to a flow of ions through the cell membrane, changing the membrane potential.
Thin neurons and axons require less metabolic expense to produce and carry action potentials, but thicker axons convey impulses more rapidly. To minimize metabolic expense while maintaining rapid conduction, many neurons have insulating sheaths of myelin around their axons. The sheaths are formed by glial cells: oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. The sheath enables action potentials to travel faster than in unmyelinated axons of the same diameter, whilst using less energy. The myelin sheath in peripheral nerves normally runs along the axon in sections about 1 mm long, punctuated by unsheathed nodes of Ranvier which contain a high density of voltage-gated ion channels. Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disorder that results from demyelination of axons in the central nervous system.
Some neurons do not generate action potentials, but instead generate a graded electrical signal, which in turn causes graded neurotransmitter release. Such nonspiking neurons tend to be sensory neurons or interneurons, because they cannot carry signals long distances.
[edit] All-or-none principle
The conduction of nerve impulses is an example of an all-or-none response. In other words, if a neuron responds at all, then it must respond completely. The greater the intensity of stimulation does not produce a stronger signal but can produce more impulses per second. There are different types of receptor response to stimulus, slowly adapting or tonic receptors respond to steady stimulus and produce a steady rate of firing. These tonic receptors most often respond to increased intensity of stimulus by increasing their firing frequency, usually as a power function of stimulus plotted against impulses per second. This can be likened to an intrinsic property of light where to get greater intensity of a specific frequency (color) there has to be more photons, as the photons can't become "stronger" for a specific frequency.
There are a number of other receptor types that are called quickly adapting or phasic receptors, where firing decreases or stops with steady stimulus, examples include; skin when touched by an object causes the neurons to fire, but if the object maintains even pressure against the skin the neurons stop firing. The neurons of the skin and muscles that are responsive to pressure and vibration have filtering accessory structures that aid their function. The pacinian corpuscle is one such structure, it has concentric layers like an onion which form around the axon terminal. When pressure is applied and the corpuscle is deformed, mechanical stimulus is transfered to the axon, which fires. If the pressure is steady there is no more stimulus, thus typically these neurons respond with a transient depolarization during the initial deformation and again when the pressure is removed which cause the corpuscle to change shape again. Other types of adaptation are important in extending the function of a number of other neurons.[16]
[edit] Histology and internal structure
Nerve cell bodies stained with basophilic dyes show numerous microscopic clumps of Nissl substance (named after German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Franz Nissl, 1860–1919), which consists of rough endoplasmic reticulum and associated ribosomal RNA. The prominence of the Nissl substance can be explained by the fact that nerve cells are metabolically very active, and hence are involved in large amounts of protein synthesis.
The cell body of a neuron is supported by a complex meshwork of structural proteins called neurofilaments, which are assembled into larger neurofibrils. Some neurons also contain pigment granules, such as neuromelanin (a brownish-black pigment, byproduct of synthesis of catecholamines) and lipofuscin (yellowish-brown pigment that accumulates with age).
There are different internal structural characteristics between axons and dendrites. Axons typically almost never contain ribosomes, except some in the initial segment. Dendrites contain granular endoplasmic reticulum or ribosomes, with diminishing amounts with distance from the cell body.
[edit] The neuron doctrine
The neuron doctrine is the now fundamental idea that neurons are the basic structural and functional units of the nervous system. The theory was put forward by Santiago Ramón y Cajal in the late 19th century. It held that neurons are discrete cells (not connected in a meshwork), acting as metabolically distinct units.
As with all doctrines, there are some exceptions. For example glial cells may also play a role in information processing.[17] Also, electrical synapses are more common than previously thought,[18] meaning that there are direct, cytoplasmic connections between neurons. In fact, there are examples of neurons forming even tighter coupling; the squid giant axon arises from the fusion of multiple neurons that retain individual cell bodies and the crayfish giant axon consists of a series of neurons with high conductance septate junctions[citation needed].
Cajal also postulated the Law of Dynamic Polarization, which states that a neuron receives signals at its dendrites and cell body and transmits them, as action potentials, along the axon in one direction: away from the cell body.[19] The Law of Dynamic Polarization has important exceptions; dendrites can serve as synaptic output sites of neurons[20] and axons can receive synaptic inputs[citation needed].
[edit] Neurons in the brain
The number of neurons in the brain varies dramatically from species to species.[21] One estimate puts the human brain at about 100 billion (1011) neurons and 100 trillion (1014) synapses.[21] By contrast, the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans has just 302 neurons making it an ideal experimental subject as scientists have been able to map all of the organism's neurons. By contrast, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has around 100,000 neurons and exhibits many complex behaviors. Many properties of neurons, from the type of neurotransmitters used to ion channel composition, are maintained across species, allowing scientists to study processes occurring in more complex organisms in much simpler experimental systems.
[edit] Neurologic diseases
Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known simply as Alzheimer's, is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration together with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. The most striking early symptom is loss of short-term memory (amnesia), which usually manifests as minor forgetfulness that becomes steadily more pronounced with illness progression, with relative preservation of older memories. As the disorder progresses, cognitive (intellectual) impairment extends to the domains of language (aphasia), skilled movements (apraxia), recognition (agnosia), and functions such as decision-making and planning get impaired.
Parkinson's disease: Parkinson's disease (also known as Parkinson disease or PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the sufferer's motor skills and speech. Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. It is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement (bradykinesia), and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement (akinesia). The primary symptoms are the results of decreased stimulation of the motor cortex by the basal ganglia, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the brain. Secondary symptoms may include high level cognitive dysfunction and subtle language problems. PD is both chronic and progressive.
Myasthenia Gravis: Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigability. Weakness is typically caused by circulating antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors at the post-synaptic neuromuscular junction, inhibiting the stimulative effect of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Myasthenia is treated with immunosuppressants, cholinesterase inhibitors and, in selected cases, thymectomy.
[edit] Demyelination
Demyelination is the act of demyelinating, or the loss of the myelin sheath insulating the nerves. When myelin degrades, conduction of signals along the nerve can be impaired or lost, and the nerve eventually withers. This leads to certain neurodegenerative disorders like multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
[edit] Axonal degeneration
Although most injury responses include a calcium influx signaling to promote resealing of severed parts, axonal injuries initially lead to acute axonal degeneration (AAD), which is rapid separation of the proximal and distal ends within 30 minutes of injury. Degeneration follows with swelling of the axolemma, and eventually leads to bead like formation. Granular disintegration of the axonal cytoskeleton and inner organelles occurs after axolemma degradation. Early changes include accumulation of mitochondria in the paranodal regions at the site of injury. Endoplasmic reticulum degrades and mitochondria swell up and eventually disintegrate. The disintegration is dependent on Ubiquitin and Calpain proteases (caused by influx of calcium ion), suggesting that axonal degeneration is an active process. Thus the axon undergoes complete fragmentation. The process takes about roughly 24 hrs in the PNS, and longer in the CNS. The signaling pathways leading to axolemma degeneration are currently unknown.
[edit] Nerve regeneration
Although neurons do not divide or replicate in most parts of the adult vertebrate brain, it is often possible for axons to regrow if they are severed. This can take a long time: after a nerve injury to the human arm, for example, it may take months for feeling to return to the hands and fingers.[citation needed]


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Gorillas at Zoo Atlanta
Zoos are not just for entertaining Homo sapiens; they are playing a critical role in preserving species threatened in the wild. I was dismayed during my visit to Zoo Atlanta to learn just how critical the populations are of many iconic animals in their native habitats. I was also sorry that most of the visitors didn't bother to read the signs that talked about the dangers faced by gorillas, leopards, orangutans, rhinoceros, and others known and unknown. Poaching is a huge business, and habitat destruction is wiping out many sub-species forever.
Zoo breeding programs may not result in many animals being released into the wild, since there isn't much "wild" left anymore. But they do preserve what's left, and perhaps some day things may change and humans will realize that nature reserves and parks aren't the only place animals should be allowed to thrive.
Gorillas have long held a fascination for us, partly because they are so similar to us in many ways. It's easy to see how they can be our relatives, especially when a serene mother carries and caresses her little baby, and when the youngsters play with each other. Their fierce visage and huge build belie a gentleness that they show with each other.
One brawny gorilla sat eating a tomato, savoring the little bites, manipulating it delicately with its sensitive fingers.
A tiny baby clung to its mother's chest, and then slipped down her leg, staying tightly wrapped as she moved to a better spot. Later it hopped off to play with a juvenile, and an older sibling got a "piggyback ride." I'm glad I brought my binoculars, as sometimes they were too far away to see details of their goings-on.
I'll post more on the critters at Zoo Atlanta next time.
For more information, go to ZooAtlanta's website, and see their Gorilla page
All images copyrighted by Cindy McIntyre

subset: commoncrawl


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The AutoBest award ceremony was recently held in Salzburg for the first time. The judging panel consisted of 31 journalists from 31 countries. Jaguar Land Rover was awarded as the company of the year by AutoBest, the biggest automotive expert jury in Europe.
AutoBest's international panel of experts honoured the two brands' impressive level of growth and solid financial results despite challenging economic conditions, as well as the introduction of innovative and appealing products. Prof. Dr. Ralf Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, accepted the CompanyBest-Award in the festival theatre with great pleasure.
Currently, Jaguar Land Rover has more than 43,000 employees globally and provides around 240,000 more jobs within their network of dealers, suppliers and the local economy. Apart from production sides in the UK, Jaguar Land Rover has plants in China, Brazil, India and Slovakia, as well as commissioned production at Magna Steyr in Austria.
In 2017, Jaguar Land Rover sold 621,109 cars in 130 countries. Hereby, over 80% of all produced cars were exported.


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Two-factor authentication is coming to iOS 9. This is to add an extra layer of security that is intended to keep Apple accounts more secure. Currently, all someone needs to gain access to your account is your password but in the new iOS 9, Apple announced that it will now add a six digit code which you must enter in order to access an account. This code will pop up on any Apple device you are signed into and upon sign in, you won't be promoted to do this again.
As it stands today, if you forget your password, you'll be required to enter a 14-digit Recovery Key which is always difficult to remember especially in a case where the device has been stolen. This is going to be eliminated as well. in iOS 9, you can receive a message or call from Apple regarding your account. You will receive instructions on how to recover your password or account in any case. It's more convenient this way but you should know that this message or call may not be instant which could mean hours and days.
iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan will officially roll out in September and that's when this feature will be available.


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There are 9 Godfather's Pizza locations in Orlando, Florida. Godfather's Pizza is a Nationwide Pizza Chain and Franchise with over 625 locations.
11300 University Blvd, Orlando, FL-32817 (407) 384-1950
10024 Lee Vista Blvd, Orlando, FL-32829 (407) 658-2670
5511 Clarcona Ocoee Rd, Orlando, FL-32810 (407) 294-6484
13306 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL-32837 (407) 854-5055
2655 S Kirkman Rd, Orlando, FL-32811 (407) 295-6956
38 S Goldenrod Rd, Orlando, FL-32807 (407) 277-4166
9520 S Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL-32837 (407) 240-5510
2902 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL-32819 (407) 264-0707
5365 International Dr, Orlando, FL-32819 (407) 345-5088
The following Map shows Godfather's Pizza locations in various States in the USA. The Map is interactive. You may point your mouse to view number of locations in any State, or click on any State to view Godfather's Pizza locations in that State.
View detailed innformation on Godfather's Pizza Franchise.


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The result of its earnings showed a mix of numbers for the wireless carrier. But as a whole, many analysts from Wall Street believe that Verizon is making progress on positioning itself in this industry.
On the postpaid side, the wireless carrier reported gains of 359,000 connected devices combined with a loss of 24,000 phone lines and 75,000 tablets for a total gain of 260,000 retail postpaid customers this quarter. Postpaid smartphone net additions were 220,000.
Although Verizon lost 24,000 postpaid mobile phone customers during Q1, that's an improvement over the 289,000 customers that the company lost during the same period last year. It's also better than the 50,000 losses that Oppenheimer analysts had predicted for Q1.
The company is determined that they are currently on track for positive growth. Analysts agree with this mindset and believe that Verizon's unlimited wireless service is a better offering than its competitors. Together with its reductions on expenses, these are the things that led the company to have steady results this quarter.
Source: Fierce Wireless


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Shah Rukh Khan who heads Meer Foundation and owns the Indian Premier League's Kolkata Knight Riders, will be greeting para athletes during his visit New Delhi. The will be greeting the athletes at the send-off ceremony of the Indian Paralympic Contingent for Asian Para Games 2018 which is held in Jakarta. The actor will be in New Delhi at the Convention Hall in Hotel Ashoka, Chanakyapuri.
The actor heads a Meer Foundation which envisions 'to enable, enhance and encourage - empower women by making them feel appreciated and inspired, and to foster humility, pride and gallantry among the men in their lives. To tap into the bravery, warmth and optimism that exists within us all.' The foundation is also known to have helped acid attack survivors.
Meanwhile, the actor will be seen in the upcoming film Zero which stars Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. The film will also have cameo roles of various other actresses like Karisma Kapoor, Sridevi, Rani Mukerji, Deepika Padukone, Kajol and Juhi Chawla with Abhay Deol.
Earlier the teaser of the film had dropped on Eid and created a lot of buzz among the fans. The actor will be playing the role of a dwarf while Anushka will be seen as a scientist. On the other hand, Katrina Kaif will be seen as an actress who is going through substance abuse. The trailer of the film is set to release on the Shah Rukh Khan's birthday November 2. Also read: Shah Rukh Khan shares an important message on gender equality, says dues must be given on merit & not gender
The film is directed by Aanand L Rai and is scheduled to release on December 21. Earlier there rumours that the film might clash with Rohit Shetty's Simmba but later according to a few media reports, the two got together and decided upon their dates so that there were no clashes.
Get access to news that you can trust. To get your newspaper delivered to your doorstep, go to Want My Paper by clicking on https://bit.ly/2A9stzF


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The challenge for the Church and for the theologians was to say okay, perhaps that's what is written. But for example if you consider that God has delivered the Creation in seven days, knowing that nowadays Amazon can deliver everything on Earth overnight, it means that Jeff Bezos has defeated God? Or does it mean something different? And I think it means probably something different.
I think I kind of have floated through the world feeling like an outsider and feeling a bit like an alien, I guess. And along the way I've met so many other people who have felt like that too, and I think this is a celebration of that kind of diversity and of that kind of outsiderdom.
If you have a system that can worry about stuff that you don't have to worry about anymore, you can turn your attention to other possibly more interesting or important issues.


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The Colorado Civil Union Act, C.R.S. 14-15-101, became effective on May 1, 2013 making it the only remaining state that allows civil unions. Other states that previously recognized those partnerships have adopted same sex marriage laws and converted civil unions, with the exception of Vermont, into marriages as a matter of law. Vermont enacted its same sex marriage law in 2009. All civil unions entered into before that date are still recognized as civil unions.
Note that New Hampshire enacted its same sex marriage law on January 1, 2010. All legal civil unions contracted in another state or jurisdiction have been recognized as marriages in New Hampshire since that date. N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. Section 457:45.
According to law, same sex couples entering into a civil union obtain the same benefits, protections and responsibilities that are afforded opposite sex married couples. Rights related to real estate include the following:
1. The right to buy, own and sell real estate as a single entity.
2. The right to survivorship of the real estate and property. When one partner dies, the surviving partner will inherit according to the state laws of intestate success if there is no will or other estate planning in place at the time of death.
3. Homestead rights of a spouse. Homestead exemptions protect an amount of equity in the home from creditors and allow the property to be transferred directly to the surviving spouse upon the other's death. That amount is set by state law. In Colorado, the amount is $60,000 of the home's equity, or $90,000 if the surviving partner is disabled or 60 years of age or older. In Vermont, the amount is $125,000.
Colorado does not allow partners in a civil union to file joint taxes. Each must file individually and only one of them can take any deductions related to the real estate that they own together. Vermont allows partners in the civil union to file jointly for state tax purposes. Since federal law only recognizes marriages, couples in civil unions cannot file joint federal returns.
If you are in a civil union and are considering purchasing a home together, it would be wise to consult with an LGBT real estate agent at GayRealEstate.com or attorney. Those professionals have the knowledge to advise you on any laws that can affect your purchase.


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Review – Action Comics #978 (DC Comics)
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Art: Carlo Barberi
Colours: Hi-Fi
Letters: Rob Leigh
Release Date: 26th April 2017
Connecting directly to the previous issue, we are shown the remainder of Superman's origin story here, but some of it comes with a twist. We also witness the formation of a new super villain group, one with some fairly interesting members, to say the least.
Dan Jurgens has clearly been playing the long game when writing the first issue of this arc as things are way more interesting in this latest chapter. We get to see a lot of what we already know about Clark's life prior to him becoming the world's greatest hero, but we are also treated to several new scenes that help cement a few things. First of all, the Death of Superman is now back in his origin after being confusingly confirmed and then retconned during the course of the New 52 series. The second big thing is Clark's memories. Although he doesn't realise it he is now made up of memories from both of his lives, New 52 and his life before. It's handled subtly but there are scenes with him in his old era costume followed by scenes with his Kryptonian armour. Jurgens weaves some interesting new flashbacks in, but also continues to push the villain story from the last issue forward.
Carlo Barberi is on pencils this time around and his work is both clean and detailed. Superman looks suitably heroic in stature and despite having to draw him over four different incarnations Barberi manages to make them all look unique which is pretty impressive. He also excels at expressions, which, given Clark's past, is definitely a good thing. We witness some of the key events in his life and they are all the more resonant because of the way Barberi captures Clark's facial reactions. Hi-Fi returns on colours this issue and continue to utilise a muted colour palette to augment Barberi's pencil work. The colours are still sharp but it does take on a slightly dream-like feel at times, allowing us to see the difference between Clark's flashbacks and the modern day.
This issue is a much easier value proposition for both new and old readers since it manages to balance lore building and advancement a little better as it pushes us forward into the next arc. The changes made to Superman's past this time around are more meaningful than those in the issue prior, and also more interesting as they help to confirm some events whilst adding new, interesting elements to his backstory. It does still suffer a little from having one foot in the past and one in the present, especially given how far along we are now in the post-Rebirth continuity, but this arc will definitely will benefit brand new readers who have little or no prior experience of the Man of Steel to this point.
My hope last issue was for a bigger pay off to the Villain story running concurrent with Clark's past, and we do see some of this touched on here in the final few panels. It is unlikely to surprise anyone who is a veteran of the series but it will still leave a lot of us grinning as we wait for next month's issue. As mentioned above, this issue and the one before serve as an excellent introduction to the current Superman continuity and if you are new or just curious about what elements have stuck from previous incarnations then this is definitely something you won't want to miss.
Rating: 4/5.
[Click to Enlarge]
The writer of this piece was: Dave MacPhail
John Tweets from @ShinKagato


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Cape Town - The Free State Cheetahs finished their season on a high when they claimed a deserved 36-16 win over the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The result earns the home side their first title since 2007 and also marks their 10th straight win this season.
In a tough and uncompromising encounter, played at a frenetic pace, the Cheetahs dominated from the outset and outscored their visitors by two tries to one.
Their first try was scored late in the second by Clayton Blommetjies but the Cheetahs' victory was set up by the accurate goalkicking of their flyhalf Niel Marais who contributed 21 points via seven penalties.
Both sides deserve credit for making this clash the entertaining spectacle that it was although the Bulls made far too many unforced errors and when it was within range, Marais punished them from the kicking tee.
Marais and Tian Schoeman traded early penalties but the visitors suffered a setback when Jamba Ulengo was sent to the sin-bin for slowing the ball down cynically at a breakdown deep inside the home side's half in the seventh minute.
Marais slotted the resulting penalty and added another three-pointer from the kicking tee in the 11th minute before Schoeman reduced the deficit with his second penalty shortly afterwards.
Marais then added another penalty in the 25th minute which gave his side a 15-6 lead and the two pivots landed a penalty apiece which meant the hosts were up 18-9 at half-time.
The second-half continued in similar fashion when Marais landed his seventh penalty in the 51st minute but the game came alive 10 minutes later when Blommetjies rounded off in the left-hand corner after Sergeal Petersen laid the groundwork with a superb run in the build-up.
Fred Zeilinga, who had replaced Marais by then, added the extras and when he landed a penalty five minutes later, Free State had the game in the bag.
To their credit, the Bulls didn't surrender and were rewarded when Piet van Zyl crossed the whitewash in the 73rd minute but the hosts would have the last laugh when Petersen rounded off a scintillating move in the right hand corner three minutes before the end.
Free State Cheetahs
Tries: Blommetjies, Petersen
Conversion: Zeilinga
Penalties: Marais (7), Zeilinga
Blue Bulls
Try: Van Zyl
Conversion: Stander
Penalties: Schoeman 3
Free State Cheetahs
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Nico Lee, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Retshegofaditswe Nche, 18 Armandt Koster, 19 Henco Venter, 20 Tian Meyer, 21 Fred Zeilinga, 22 Rayno Benjamin, 23 Conrad van Vuuren.
Blue Bulls
15 Ulrich Beyers, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Arno Botha (captain), 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Martin Dreyer, 18 Pierre Schoeman, 19 Nic de Jager, 20 Hanro Liebenberg, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Joshua Stander, 23 Bjorn Basson


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Alison Price
Alison is an investment manager under the Growth Business investment strategy. She works with portfolio companies to create value and drive impact, and also assesses new deal opportunities.
Prior to Bridges, Alison worked at Deutsche Bank in the UK Investment Banking team. During that time she focused on UK Mergers & Acquisitions across a broad range of sectors. Alison began her career at PwC where she worked in the Strategy & Valuations Advisory and Banking & Capital Markets Assurance teams.
She is ACA qualified and has a 1st class BA (Hons) degree from Newcastle University.
Alison is currently on maternity leave and will join the team again soon.


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To measure the virus load in patients with symptomatic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections, we used a real-time PCR assay to quantify the amount of EBV DNA in blood. The real-time PCR assay could detect from 2 to over 107 copies of EBV DNA with a wide linear range. We estimated the virus load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from patients with symptomatic EBV infections. The mean EBV-DNA copy number in the PBMNC was 103.7 copies/μg of DNA in patients with EBV-related lymphoproliferative disorders, 104.1 copies/μg of DNA in patients with chronic active EBV infections, and 102.2copies/μg of DNA in patients with infectious mononucleosis. These numbers were significantly larger than those in either posttransplant patients or immunocompetent control patients without EBV-related diseases. In a patient with infectious mononucleosis, the virus load decreased as the symptoms resolved. The copy number of EBV DNA in PBMNC from symptomatic EBV infections was correlated with the EBV-positive cell number determined by the in situ hybridization assay (r = 0.842; P < 0.0001). These results indicate that the real-time PCR assay is useful for diagnosing symptomatic EBV infection and for monitoring the virus load.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis (IM) and EBV-related malignancies such as Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. During the primary infection, EBV infects and immortalizes B-lymphocytes, which proliferate in the peripheral blood and lymph nodes. After the emergence of EBV-specific immunity, the number of EBV-infected B cells is regulated mainly by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) and remains at 1 to 105 B-lymphocytes (25). In a limited number of individuals, the host immunity is unable to regulate the EBV-infected cells, and chronic active EBV infection (CAEBV) occurs (13, 24, 31). In immunocompromised hosts, such as AIDS patients or transplant recipients, EBV-infected cells proliferate again and cause opportunistic B-cell lymphoma, a lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) (6, 22).
For the diagnosis of CAEBV and LPD, it is essential to measure the EBV load in either a biopsy specimen or the peripheral blood (19, 23, 24, 27, 33). A biopsy is invasive and labor-intensive, so several methods to detect the virus load in the peripheral blood for the early diagnosis of LPD and CAEBV have been developed. Spontaneous outgrowth of EBV-infected B cells in vitro (27, 30), in situ hybridization (ISH) using EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) probe (18), and quantitative PCR assays are now used to determine the EBV load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) (2, 26, 27, 29). Previously, we reported that quantitative PCR was useful for diagnosing and monitoring EBV infections (37). However, the quantitative PCR assay requires at least 3 days to complete, since the assay includes gel electrophoresis and Southern hybridization steps. Moreover, the linear range of the quantitative PCR is too narrow to measure a variety of samples because, in samples with a large amount of template, the amount of amplified product reaches a plateau after the log phase of the reaction (34).
Recently, a novel real-time quantitative PCR was developed (7, 36). This method measures the accumulation of PCR products with a fluorogenic probe and by real-time laser scanning in a 96-well plate. Since this assay does not require postsample handling, much faster assays are possible. The assay has a very large dynamic range of target molecule determination because the real-time measurement of the PCR product enables us to quantify the amplified products in the log phase of the reaction (7). In this study, the real-time PCR method was applied to the measurement of EBV DNA in peripheral blood. We measured the virus load in patients with symptomatic EBV infections and compared it with the load in patients without symptoms associated with EBV infection. The real-time PCR was also compared with the ISH and traditional qualitative PCR assays.
Patients and samples.Eighteen patients who had symptomatic EBV infections were enrolled in this study (four with CAEBV, five with LPD, and nine with IM). These patients were 1 to 19 years old (mean age, 6.5 years). CAEBV was diagnosed according to previously published guidelines (19, 24). The clinical features of some of these cases were described elsewhere (10, 13, 15, 17). All the LPD patients except a 2-year-old boy with congenital immunodeficiency had had liver transplants. LPD was suspected in patients with lymphadenopathy, pulmonary infiltration, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, or unexplained allograft dysfunction. The diagnosis of LPD was established by pathology or the detection of EBER by the ISH assay (18, 33). IM was diagnosed by clinical findings and serological examinations as follows: positive for anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) immunoglobulin G (IgG) and/or IgM and negative for anti-EB nuclear antigen (EBNA) antibody. For controls, 10 patients who had had either a liver or a bone marrow transplantation were prospectively evaluated for EBV infections. These patients were 1 to 17 years old (mean age, 5.8 years) and had no symptoms characteristic of LPD. Either the recipient or the donor was seropositive for EBV. In addition, 13 immunocompetent patients (2 to 16 years old; mean age, 6.7 years) who were initially suspected of having a primary EBV infection were enrolled as controls. These patients were positive for both anti-VCA IgG and EBNA antibodies, indicating that they had been previously infected with EBV.
Either heparinized or EDTA-treated blood was taken from the patients, and the PBMNC and plasma were separated with Ficoll-Paque (Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, N.J.). For the PCR assay, the DNA was extracted from the PBMNC and plasma fraction by using a QIAamp Blood Kit (QIAGEN Inc., Chatsworth, Calif.) and stored at −20°C until use.
Real-time quantitative PCR with a fluorogenic probe.The PCR primers for this assay were selected in the BALF5 gene encoding the viral DNA polymerase (1). The upstream and downstream primer sequences were 5′-CGGAAGCCCTCTGGACTTC-3′ and 5′-CCCTGTTTATCCGATGGAATG-3′, respectively. A fluorogenic probe (5′-TGTACACGCACGAGAAATGCGCC-3′) with a sequence located between the PCR primers was synthesized by PE Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). The PCR reaction was performed using the TaqMan PCR kit (PE Applied Biosystems) as previously described (14). Briefly, either 250 ng of DNA from PBMNC or the extraction solution from 50 μl of plasma was added to a PCR mixture containing 10 mM Tris (pH 8.3), 50 mM KCl, 10 mM EDTA, 5 mM MgCl2, 100 μM dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dTTP, 0.2 μM each primer, 0.1 μM fluorogenic probe, and 1.25 U of AmpliTaq Gold (PE Applied Biosystems). Following an activation of the AmpliTaq Gold for 10 min at 95°C, 45 to 50 cycles of 15 sec at 95°C and 1 min at 62°C were carried out by a model 7700 Sequence Detector (PE Applied Biosystems). Real-time fluorescence measurements were taken, and a threshold cycle (CT) value for each sample was calculated by determining the point at which the fluorescence exceeded a threshold limit (10 times the standard deviation of the baseline) (7). For a positive control, a plasmid that contained the BALF5 gene was constructed from pGEM-T vector (Promega, Madison, Wis.) and termed pGEM-BALF5. A standard graph of the CT values obtained from serially diluted pGEM-BALF5 was constructed. The CT values from clinical samples were plotted on the standard curve, and the copy number was calculated automatically by Sequence Detector version 1.6 (PE Applied Biosystems), a software package for data analysis. Each sample was tested in duplicate, and the mean of the two values was shown as the copy number of the sample. Samples were defined as negative if the CT values exceeded 50 cycles.
Qualitative PCR assay.The qualitative PCR assay using nested primers was performed with slight modifications of a previously described method (37). Briefly, the outer primers, which were designed in the BamHI W region of the EBV gene (positions 1544 to 1568 for the 5′ primer and 1653 to 1677 for the 3′ primer), were used for the first round of PCR (12). The same volume of the DNA extraction solution used for the real-time PCR assay was added to a total of 50 μl of reaction mixture containing 10 mM Tris (pH 8.3), 50 mM KCl, 1.5 mM MgCl2, 100 μM dATP, dCTP, dGTP, and dTTP, 0.2 μM each primer, and 1.25 U ofTaq polymerase (TaKaRa, Ohtsu, Japan). Amplifications were carried out for 30 cycles with a PCR Thermal Cycler (TaKaRa). After the first amplification, 2 μl of the amplified products was used for the second amplification, which consisted of 30 cycles using the inner primers (positions 1572 to 1591 for the 5′ primer and 1642 to 1661 for the 3′ primer) (12). The amplified products were separated on a 1.2% agarose gel, stained with ethidium bromide, and visualized by UV light. The qualitative PCR assay could detect two copies of a plasmid control that contained the BamHI W fragment. Since the fragment is located in internal repeats and one EBV genome contains 10 or more BamHI fragments (12), the qualitative PCR was more sensitive than the real-time PCR assay. On the other hand, the region was not selected for the real-time quantitative assays since the number of the repeat was variable among EBV strains.
ISH assay for the detection of EBER.The ISH assay was performed using the EBER probe as previously described (9). For the ISH assay, 105 separated PBMNC were spotted on silane-coated slides and dried. Each slide was hybridized with the alkaline phosphatase-labeled EBER probe, washed, and reacted with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoyl phosphate for visualization. Positive cells were counted and expressed as cells per 105 PBMNC.
Statistical analysis.The software package Statview J 4.02 (Abacus Concepts Inc., Berkeley, Calif.) was used for data analysis. Student's t test was used for the comparison of the mean copy numbers of EBV DNA in each group. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to compare the real-time PCR and ISH assays.
Establishment of a real-time PCR assay for quantifying EBV-DNA.Serially diluted pGEM-BALF5 was tested by the real-time PCR assay, and a standard curve of the CT values obtained by using the positive control was constructed. A wide linear range (beginning at 10 copies and extending through 107 copies of the control plasmid) was established (Fig.1A). A minimum of two copies of the plasmid could be detected by the system (data not shown).
To confirm the specificity of the primers and the probe, an EBV-negative lymphoma cell line, other human herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and human herpesvirus 8), and PBMNC from EBV-seronegative patients were tested by this system. All were negative for EBV DNA. Next, we examined an EBV-positive marmoset cell line (B95-8), two Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines (Raji and Daudi), and four lymphoblastoid cell lines. All the cell lines were positive for EBV DNA by the real-time PCR assay. From the standard curve, the estimated number of EBV DNA genomes ranged from 5.2 to 31 per cell in these cell lines, which approximately equals the previously reported values (25).
Detection of an inhibitor in heparinized blood.Heparin inhibits the PCR (3, 16). Since some of our samples were heparinized blood, we performed reconstruction studies to confirm the removal of the inhibitor from these samples by the DNA extraction kit. Heparinized blood was taken from a patient who was seronegative for EBV, and PBMNC and plasma were separated. DNA extraction solution from either the PBMNC or plasma fraction was added to serially diluted plasmid controls. The DNA-extraction solution from PBMNC did not inhibit the PCR. The solution from the plasma, however, inhibited the reaction, and the yield of amplified products decreased approximately 1- to 100-fold (Fig. 1A). For example, the CT value of 105 copies of the plasmid in the plasma fraction approximately equaled that of 107 copies of the plasmid alone. To confirm that the residual heparin in the plasma was the inhibitor, the DNA extraction solutions from serum, serum plus EDTA, and serum plus heparin were examined in the reconstruction study. EDTA or heparin was added to EBV-free serum at the standard concentrations used for anticoagulation (final concentrations, 3 mM and 25 U/ml, respectively). The DNA extraction kit was used in an attempt to remove these anticoagulants, and each extraction solution was mixed with the plasmid control. Only the serum-plus-heparin sample inhibited the PCR reaction (Fig. 1B). These results indicate that the heparin is the inhibitor and could not be removed from the plasma. The results also show that the real-time quantitative PCR assay is useful for determining the presence of inhibitors.
Quantitation of EBV DNA in patients with symptomatic EBV infection.Next, we estimated the virus load in blood from patients with symptomatic EBV infections by the real-time PCR assay. Since the reconstruction study indicated that plasma from heparinized blood was unsuitable for the quantitation and blood from most patients with symptomatic EBV infections was drawn with heparin, PBMNC were used for the analysis. The mean number of EBV DNA genomes in the PBMNC was 103.7 copies/μg of DNA in patients with LPD, 104.1 copies/μg of DNA in patients with CAEBV, and 102.2 copies/μg of DNA in patients with IM (Fig.2). These numbers were significantly larger than those for posttransplant patients without EBV-related diseases (101.3 copies/μg of DNA; P < 0.0001 for LPD and CAEBV, P = 0.02 for IM) or in immunocompetent and EBV-seropositive controls (101.2copies/μg of DNA; P < 0.0001 for LPD and CAEBV,P = 0.004 for IM).
Sequential samples from a 19-year-old female with IM were obtained and tested using the real-time PCR assay. Since the patient's blood was drawn with EDTA, which did not interfere with the reaction, both PBMNC and plasma were used for the assay. The virus load decreased as the symptoms resolved (Fig. 3).
Specificity of real-time PCR assay.We hypothesized that 102.5 copies per μg of PBMNC DNA were enough to diagnose symptomatic EBV infections, because all the patients with LPD and CAEBV had more copies of the EBV DNA genome than this number (Fig. 2). A total of 60 samples were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the real-time PCR assay. When 102.5 copies per μg of PBMNC DNA was used as a criterion to diagnose symptomatic EBV infections, the real-time PCR assay was highly specific (both the specificity and the positive predictive value were 93%, as shown in Table 1). Next, this new quantitative method was compared with a qualitative method using conventional PCR. Blood samples tested by the real-time PCR assay were also evaluated by the qualitative PCR assay using PBMNC fraction, plasma fraction, or both. The qualitative PCR assay using PBMNC was very sensitive but its specificity was low because the assay was so sensitive that latent EBV in the PBMNC was detected in individuals without EBV-related diseases (Table 1). On the other hand, when plasma was used for the qualitative PCR assay, the assay was specific and as diagnostic as the real-time PCR assay (both the specificity and the positive predictive value were 92%, as shown in Table 1). This result agreed with our previous findings (37).
To demonstrate the accuracy of the real-time PCR assay, we compared it with another quantitative method, the ISH assay. PBMNC from patients with symptomatic EBV infections were used for both the real-time PCR and ISH assays. The copy numbers of EBV DNA measured by the real-time PCR assay were highly correlated with the EBV-positive cell numbers by the ISH assay (r = 0.842; P < 0.0001 [Fig. 4]). Taken together with the comparison with the qualitative PCR assay, these results showed that the real-time PCR assay was a sufficiently sensitive and specific method for diagnosing symptomatic EBV infections and for monitoring of the virus load.
Real-time laser scanning coupled with a fluorogenic probe is a new technique which enables us to quantify a large number of amplified products rapidly and accurately (7, 35). Using this system, it is possible to analyze more than 40 samples in 2 to 3 h even if they are tested in duplicate. We showed that this system was applicable to the quantitation of EBV load in patients with symptomatic EBV infections. This technique detected PCR inhibitors and estimated the efficiency of the extraction methods, both of which are particularly important to quantify the EBV load accurately and reproducibly. Furthermore, this system eliminates the precautions that must be taken with amplified products to avoid contamination because the technique is performed in completely sealed wells. This is a great improvement over the conventional PCR assays, which have considerable risks of carryover contamination. With its rapidness, accuracy, and ability to handle many samples, the real-time PCR assay should replace the quantitative PCR methods now in use.
It has been shown that heparin is an inhibitory factor for PCR (3, 16). Using the real-time PCR assay, we showed that heparin was not eliminated from plasma by using standard DNA extraction methods and that the yield of amplified products decreased 1 to 100 times. Heparin did not inhibit PCR when PBMNC were used as the templates, probably because any heparin was washed out from the PBMNC during the separation with Ficoll-Paque. In this study, we used the PBMNC fractions for most of the quantitation because of lack of inhibition. As EBV remains latent in lymphocytes, the PBMNC fraction is usually used to estimate the virus load in peripheral blood. In primary or chronic active infections, cell-free virus is produced and released from cells in lytic cycles (25). We and others have previously reported that the presence of EBV-DNA in the plasma is diagnostic of primary EBV infection (4, 37), which was confirmed in the present study. Since serum and plasma are readily obtained, they may be better sources for the quantitation of the virus load. Serum and EDTA-treated plasma can be used because they do not inhibit the PCR. If only heparinized blood is available, heparinase is reported to be useful for eliminating heparin from the DNA extraction solution (16, 21).
Since even healthy individuals have latent EBV in their blood, the presence of EBV genomes does not always indicate an active EBV infection or EBV-related disease. For the diagnosis of EBV-related diseases, a significant virus load should be defined. When we used 102.5 copies/μg of PBMNC DNA as the criterion, the real-time PCR assay was specific enough to diagnose symptomatic EBV infections. All the patients with LPD and CAEBV had more than 102.5 copies/μg of DNA (Fig. 2). In contrast, 2 of 14 (14%) posttransplant patients without these disease manifestations had levels higher than 102.5 copies/μg of DNA (Fig. 2). To our knowledge, only two papers have defined the significant virus load in symptomatic EBV infections, and both of them stated that 500 copies/105 cells is sufficient to diagnose LPD (26, 29). In this study, we quantified the amount of DNA extracted from PBMNC and used a fixed amount of DNA in the real-time PCR assay (250 ng). Using a set volume of the DNA extraction solution from a fixed number of PBMNC is simpler but may produce a bias caused by differences in the extraction efficiency for each sample. If 105 lymphocytes produce 0.5 μg of DNA as suggested in the manufacturer's handbook (QIAamp Blood Kit; QIAGEN), then 500 copies/105 PBMNC equals 103.0 copies/μg of DNA, which is slightly greater than our criterion, 102.5copies/μg of DNA. Accordingly, we consider 102.5copies/μg of DNA a suitable cutoff level for distinguishing EBV-related LPD or CAEBV from latent EBV infections or asymptomatic reactivation of the virus. Some patients with IM had fewer copies of EBV DNA than 102.5 copies/μg of DNA. Patients with IM may have less virus load in their peripheral blood compared with patients with CAEBV or LPD. Therefore, it might be inappropriate to use the above criterion for the diagnosis of IM. The other possible reason that the IM patients had fewer EBV DNA copies may be that some of these samples had been stored for more than 5 years.
In patients who have had a bone marrow or solid organ transplant, LPD is an acute, life-threatening disease. Its diagnosis is sometimes difficult, and the disease often progresses rapidly (5, 11). LPD is usually resistant to both chemotherapy and antiviral drugs (32). However, recent papers report that infusions of donor leukocytes or EBV-specific CTL are useful for the treatment of LPD (8, 20, 28). Rooney et al. stress the importance of early or preemptive administration of EBV-specific CTL in treating LPD (27). We believe that the real-time PCR assay is a useful method for the rapid diagnosis of LPD and for monitoring the virus load to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.
- Received 2 July 1998.
- Returned for modification 20 August 1998.
- Accepted 13 October 1998.
- Copyright © 1999 American Society for Microbiology


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Ensure your family is breathing in safe and clean air with the duct cleaning services of Boca Ducts. Our family owned business uses an HEPA Aire system to clean ducts for residential and commercial properties.
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We will use a chemical called Microban, which is EPA approved to sanitize and deodorize your ducting system. The deodorizer that we use is non-fragrant. Once we have finished cleaning the ducting system, we can go back through each vent and encapsulate the ductwork with a fogger if needed.


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JUST released by IGI Global – Virtual Worlds and E-Commerce: Technologies and Applications for Building Customer Relationships. Author/editor Barbara Ciaramitaro (Walsh College, USA) gathered an amazing group of industry experts to present various opinions, judgments, , and ideas on how the use of digitally created worlds is changing the face of e-commerce and extending the use of internet technologies to create a more immersive experience for customers.
Fashion Research Institute CEO, Shenlei Winkler, contributed her insight by authoring Chapter 13, Opening the Content Pipeline for OpenSim-Based Virtual Worlds.
Here's the abstract for Shenlei's Chapter.
Open-Simulator (Open-Sim) refers to a three dimensional application environment that can be used to develop virtual worlds similar to those that exist in Second Life®. Open-Sim is considered open source software, i.e., software that is developed by a community of volunteers and is available for use by the public free of charge (Open Simulator, 2009). Although participants in virtual worlds are generally considered by law to be the owner of any Intellectual Property (IP) they create, content creators and owners of OpenSim-based virtual worlds struggle with issues surrounding licensing, content delivery, and usage in these immersive spaces. The Fashion Research Institute (FRI) is specifically exploring these issues in a case study involving the licensing its Shengri La virtual world creations to external users. This case study is the basis of ongoing legal research by FRI's legal steering committee of attorneys from the American Bar Association's Virtual Worlds and Online Gaming committee who are working on a pro bono (volunteer) basis. This chapter presents the result of the ongoing case study. It offers a practitioner's view of issues related to licensing and distribution of content in virtual worlds.
To order a full copy, visit IGI Global.
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61692-808-7.ch013


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Budapest Airport selects IER 401 printers to renew and upgrade its current base of printers.
In the context of renewing its old printers in and expanding its check-in area, BUD airport has selected IER for the delivery of 144 IER401 printers, SITA CUTE certified (72 ATB and 72 BTP units), to be deployed by the end of 2016.
The IER 401 is a multi-functional, direct thermal printer which can store multiple applications (e.g bag tag and boarding pass) and allows to facilitate the check-in process and provide great flexibility of use with single feed printer for boarding pass and baggage tag.
It is specifically designed to be configured for both airlines' host systems and shared-use platforms. Based on standard Windows remote management tools, AEA applications can be very easily upgraded and reconfigured, ensuring 100% up-to-date printers in all locations at no extra cost.
With over 40,000 IER 400 range of printers deployed worldwide, it is the most sold printer in the world and reveals very popular across airports & airlines using it as dedicated proprietary equipment.
It is famous for its robustness, reliability and efficient after-sale service.


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Height: 7.75"
Width: 11"
Depth: 3"
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Every product in our shop is handcrafted by artisans across the globe.
You can now shop in-person at our new store in Historic Annapolis.


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Introduction: Chevy HHR Fire Truck
One of my co-workers happens to have a Chevy HHR in the Panel Van configuration. Being a fire fighter, he got it in a nice bright red color. When my young son saw it, he noted that it looks like a big version of a kid's ride-on fire truck. An idea was born.....
Step 1: The Planning Stage.
As noted, it looks a bit like a toy fire truck, but there's something missing, something...ladder-like. And lettering, it needs some lettering.
Luckily, CPT Long is a good guy. He likes kids and quickly befriended my son when I brought The Boy to the office. With a tradition of pranks and jokes on and by the fire inspectors in the office, I felt comfortable decorating the shiny car parked out front of the Building Department. But how to do it in a non-destructive manner was the first puzzle.
Here you can see the wide expanse of panel that needs some "sprucing up". A nice little white ladder would be perfect! Conveniently located above is a luggage rack. Could a ladder be tied to this? Maybe two ladders, tied together and strung over the car like saddlebags.
For lettering, a static cling vinyl sign would be just the thing. All I need to do is find a sign maker that can do the work for a nominal fee.
Step 2: Shopping for Supplies.
The ladders are the easy part. Some PVC pipe and tees pushed together worked perfectly. The question remained of how to secure it to the car. A couple of strings would look a bit tacky (like a PVC ladder isn't?) so I wanted something less visible. While shopping for the signage, I came across some good strong magnets. A dab of hot glue to secure it to the ladder and I was golden! Until I tried it out on the side of the fridge and it just slid to the floor. No problem! Add two more magnets for a total of 6 per ladder for extra attraction and a thin smear of hot glue on the car side of the magnet for extra traction and we were in business. For the next month my refridgerator had 2 3-step ladders stuck to the side.
Step 3: Budget Trouble.
Imagine my suprise when I started getting prices on the signs. What I thought would be about $20-$30 dollars was actually being quoted at more than twice that. It seems that for most of the signmakers I was talking to, static cling material is a special order item. While my Long-suffering Wife has put up with my silliness for some time, she usually has some strenuous objections when I propose spending money on things like this. So, Plan B would require development.
I was going to have to make the sign myself. I picked up a couple of pieces of red posterboard with the idea that I would use that and more magnets to attach the sign to the car, but I don't hand letter worth a darn. I'll need stencils. And paint. And brushes. The vinyl sign cost is looking more reasonable now.....
I was unable to find stencils in a size and font that seemed appropriate, so I hit the 'nets. Searches for a traditional font used on fire apparatus turned up several suggestions, but they all cost money again. And how would I create a stencil from that anyway? Soon it occured to me that there are a wide variety of fonts in PowerPoint and the WordArt tool would let me configure things just right. I got this flash as my Long-suffering Wife was working on a presentation for her public speaking class. Thanks Honey! But again, how does it get to the signboard? Print it out and piece it together, then go from there.
Again, it's my Long-suffering Wife to the rescue. She pointed out that if I traced the letters with enough pressure, there would be an impression on the cardboard that I could use as a guide. She was right, and it worked like a charm. I used a pen to fill in the impression and then painted the letters with gold paint and outlined them in black. It took about an hour and a half, but I got the first one done and it looked good. The sign for the other side would have to wait until the next night.
Once the paint was dry, a few more magnets were taped to the back to hold the sign to the car. Have you noticed the flaw in my magnetic plan yet?
Step 4: The Accomplice.
I brought some help into the fold because I like to be anonymous when doing these things. Any time you can divert suspicion do so. When people suspect you future projects become more difficult. I don't like difficult; I'm lazy.
A few weeks before the planned execution (of the prank, not me) Bill's HHR stopped showing up at the office when he did. Now, fire fighters are in good shape as a rule, but I don't see him walking or biking to work, especially when his job requires him to travel throughout the city, and usually in his own car. So I needed to make some quiet inquiries. Enter: The Accomplice.
Drew has worked with these guys longer than I so he is the ideal informant. He asked around and found that some bureaucrat had decided that the Fire Inspectors should be driving City vehicles while performing their duties. Makes sense, really. It gives them a bit more credibility when they pull up in an official vehicle instead of the more comfortable pedal-car look-alike. But that's quite a hitch for my plan. I can't go to his house and decorate the car. No one would see it, and I don't know where he lives. Lucky for the plan, the bureaucrat was constrained by a competing City policy. It seems that during Sweeps Week the local Eyewitless News crew had sniffed out abuses by City employees who took City cars home as part of their work. In typical kneejerk political reactionary fashion, the policy was revised to require that anyone assigned a City vehicle would have to leave it at work at the end of the day. No biggie unless you are prone to midnight responses to actions in the field. Editiorializing aside, this is good news for me. Bill has to drive to the fleet garage, pick up a City vehicle, then come across town to the office. I now know where to find the target vehicle.
Step 5: The Execution
Finally, it's April Fool's Day! Bill has shown up for work, the sun is shining, the birds are signing and all is right with the world. The Accomplice and I take a ride at lunch to seek and decorate the target HHR. But before we leave, some due caution must be exercised. This is The Accomplice's idea, and another example of why you never act alone. See, the target vehicle is parked at the Fire Department's fleet garage. This also happens to be an active fire house. It is located on the municipal airport. Security has become an issue. Should two random individuals be tampering with a car parked at the same airport that has been used by Presidents and presidential candidates? Probably not, in modern times. So, we cover our butts. Another Fire Captain is in the office when we are preparing to leave. We describe the mission and ask him to give the heads up at the fire house. He laughs, then agrees. We're off!
There is still one glaring "what if" in this saga. I never thought to check that the panels intended to receive the ladders are actually steel! My god, what if it's all fibeglass or plastic in the area normaly occupied by windows? I have no string to implement the original saddlebag concept, but if we're lucky, we can get some sort of cord from the fire fighters at the scene.
The rain moved off early this morning and the wind has died down so there is no meteorlogical threat to the signs. When we get there, the news is even better - he's parked in plain view of the road! Everyone will see the handiwork! We park, retrieve our materials and get to work. Luckily, the panels are all steel and the ladder magnets stick perfectly. The signs require a bit of finagling to get arranged just right, and while we play with it, one of the fire trucks is brought out of the station for washing. The guys do nothing more than smile and wave, so we know we're in the clear.
Mission accomplished, we head back to the office. Bill has returned for some lunch between jobs and I have to avoid him so I don't tip my hand. Anticlimatic as it is, I won't know his reaction until I see him the next morning. But we have pictures, and they will be "leaked" to the rest of the office.
Step 6:
I would be more satisfied with the prank if I could have done proper signs, but this will have to do. Once I get that $2M from the Nigerian Secretary of the Treasury I'll be in a better position to do this sort of thing with a bit more material finess. Until then, I'll just keep plugging away. I hope you enjoyed this little adventure and are inspired to try your own variations on it.
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I like that, but it could do with a bell or light. Still if the driver has a helmet and an axe... L
One of the belated ideas was a kid's fire helmet or two and a couple of lights, but that occured to us too late.


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Horror Power Ranking – October 27, 2008
There's so much horror out there, it's notable to mention what didn't make it on to the list this week… The Haunting of Molly Hartley, House, and Splinter are all fine-looking horror movies coming out soon, but not quite as buzzy as what we've got here. Friday the 13th rockets to the top on the strength of its new trailer, while Charles Burns gets in two slots. Happy Halloween week, people, it's time for the Horror Power Ranking:
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|Horror Power Rankings
|AMC Fearfest '08
Yes, I'm a company flack. No, I don't care. I parked myself in front of the TV all weekend, and I'm not leaving until the 31st. Except, of course, for when I'm watching free movies online. It's like Horror Christmas!
|Friday the 13th
Your comments on the Baby Jason scenes rocket Friday the 13th to the second slot this week (I still think you need Mrs. Voorhees). Oh, and the trailer is out. The footage doesn't show a lot of Jason (baby or otherwise), but it sure looks fun.
|Fear(s) of the Dark
Last week's number one drops a bit due to the high level of chatter around Friday the 13th, but that doesn't mean we aren't in love with Charles Burns and company's animated horror movie.
|Black Hole
…another Charles Burns property which lost director Roger Avery, and writer Neil Gaiman. But where one door closes, another opens. Charles — get the guys who made the above to make this movie, too.
|Let the Right One in
It may look like it's fallen a few notches, but this Swedish movie is on the list for the long haul. As reader Bavota San says, it "was the best film I saw this year." It certainly is a far better than some other vamp pics (cough, Twilight, cough).
|Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
I have a tremendous soft spot for action-horror, like the Resident Evil movies. So hooray for a new Underworld, which now stars Rhona Mitra, who seems to be making a career out of impersonating Kate Beckinsale.
|My Bloody Valentine 3-D
If it seems like I'm loving everything this week, it's because I am. And what's not to love about a slasher with a miner's pick chasing a naked teenager through a parking lot… in 3D? I'm so there, it's not even funny.
|Saw V
Oh Saw, how I love to hate you. You should be on top this week, as you're the biggest thing out there (other than High School Musical 3), but you're really starting to show your age. Perhaps Saw School Musical, next?
|Dimension Films
Dimension will be releasing eighteen awful sounding direct to DVD films in 2009. However, there are two bright spots: Feast II (by all accounts, as fun as the original), and Feast III. Go Gulager, go!
|My Name Is Bruce
Let's be fair: This isn't a horror movie, really. It's Bruce Campbell playing Bruce Campbell, star of the Evil Dead movies, in a plot straight out of Three Amigos (he's hired to fight a monster). But, you know… It's Bruce Campbell.


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Saturday, March 5, 2011
Faith In Search of Understanding
The columnist tells him this is a misunderstanding of the faith life. We are not asked to submit blindly to the teachings nor are we forbidden to entertain any inklings of doubt. This misunderstanding arises from the way the lives of the saints and the heroes of our society are written. Their lives are manicured, beautified and idealized, removing all the failings and imperfections the author thought would detract from the saint's holiness. Those who read the biographies are left with an idea of obedience that is not justified by how the saints actually lived.
Referring to the life of St. Theresa of Avila, for example, the columnist says she often mentioned that if you are too meek you will find the religious life difficult. The pictures of St. Theresa you find on convent walls remind us more of a hawk than of a dove. She reminds us of what spiritual psychology would call healthy resistance. Many feel that resistance is always bad because of the unnecessary trouble that it can cause. However, for a person's growth in maturity it is a necessary part of life. When a person accepts submissively whatever is being said, interior growth is often delayed.
Resistance is of two kinds: healthy and unhealthy. Unhealthy resistance is the desire to destroy unconditionally the old because it is old--the actions of one who lives in his own world. This is the result of mental negativity. This resistance not only militates against interior growth but this stubborness is an obstacle to normal relations with others. When we have little concern for how others see the world, everyone ultimately suffers. There is little concern for important things, so we have much loss and many mistakes. Healthy kind of resistance objects to the shackles on our mental world and tries to free us from them, to break the hold of unhealthy thinking and to challenge it. With this healthy resistance we are open minded, can listen to others and are full of energy.Then he reminds us that this was the life most of the saints lived and St. Theresa of Avila was a good example of such a life.
All parents want obedient children, the columnist admits, but those who are obedient to the extreme are a cause for concern. It's the healthy kind of resistance, he emphasizes, that is a sign of maturity.
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News: DB Best on AWS re:Invent 2017
01 Dec 2017
The DB Best team took part at the AWS re:Invent 2017, and we were really impressed with this huge event. With over 50 thousand attendees visiting Amazon re:Invent this year, the organizers held the event in 5 hotels with up to 20 sessions running simultaneously.
The DB Best team had a great time at AWS re:Invent, connecting with peers and cloud experts, collaborating at the bootcamps, and learning how AWS can improve productivity, security and performance.


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NINE terror suspects supposedly held for plotting to kidnap and behead a British Muslim soldier have instead been questioned about sending long johns to Pakistan.
As two of the nine were freed without charge yesterday, a legal source revealed that the toughest grilling they had faced was about aid shipments sent from Birmingham over the last two years.
Items included leg warmers, body warmers, thermal vests, long johns, gloves and other cold-weather clothing, first aid kits, tools and computer parts, including hard drives.
The implication was that the goods had been sent to Pakistan to aid insurgents in Afghanistan.
The freed men's solicitor, Gareth Peirce, said there had been no mention by police of a plot to kidnap or behead a soldier.
She added: "They have left the police station without any better understanding of why they were there than when they first arrived seven days ago. Not a word was ever mentioned to either of them about a plot to kidnap, or the grisly suggestion of a beheading or even of a soldier at all.
"Both have been met with a consistent refusal over seven days for any explanation for their arrest.They are convinced that others in the police station must be as innocent as they and urge that they also be swiftly released."
It emerged last night that the two men were freed by a district judge after a five-hour hearing at Coventry magistrates court because police had failed to act "diligently and expeditiously" under the rules of the counter-terrorism legislation.
The pair, hauled from their beds in pre-dawn raids across Birmingham last week on suspicion of plotting terrorism, were interviewed just twice by police in the following seven days.
During their time in the high-security Coventry police station, they were denied access to their families, other detainees and were allowed contact only with their lawyers.
The seven men still in custody must either be charged or released by 4am on Saturday or the police must return to court to ask for more time to question them.
West Midlands police said yesterday: "People may be released without charge at this stage, while others may remain in custody for further investigation.
"This to be expected in large, complex inquiries."
'Not a word was ever mentioned to either of them about a plot to kidnap, or the grisly suggestion of a beheading, or even of a soldier at all'


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Smith Westerns are making an artform out of being young and peachy-faced. They're so petulant and audacious with it you just have to stand back and revel in the sheer menacing balls of their 'oh, sorry, did you say something?' shtick. This is all before they crack the whip and let rip a ballyhoo of woozy, beleaguered glam-garage.
We interviewed them the other day and they ranted about how funny it was that 80% of bands breaking have this really gross sense of desperation 'cos they're all hitting their mid-thirties and they can't believe someone finally noticed their shitty post-punk outfit in its 17th incarnation. It's funny cos it's horrifically true. Ah, ageism…
Anyways, Smith Westerns are great.
Here's some tracks:
Smith Westerns – 'Imagine Pt. 3'


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Learn how to create laminas-mvc applications, get in-depth guides into components, and discover how to migrate your applications to version 3!
MVC Tutorials
The following tutorials will guide you through creating your first laminas-mvc application, testing it, and adding features to it. The "In-Depth" tutorial dives into some more advanced details of how the MVC works, along with strategies for developing models and achieving separation of concerns.
Component Tutorials
The following are focused tutorials on specific components.
Migrating to Version 3
- Issues: github.com/laminas/tutorials/issues
- Source: github.com/laminas/tutorials/
- Chat: laminas.dev/chat
- Forum: discourse.laminas.dev
Found a mistake or want to contribute to the documentation? Edit this page on GitHub!