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Expressing our gratitude to those who provide our food!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thoughts On Turkey, Gravy, And Gratitude...

I am often reminded of the complexities of  farming life that my husband and our family have been called to do during times like Thanksgiving.  I wonder what it would be like to have a job that allows us to turn off the light and go home for a few days and not worry about anything until Monday.  Today as I type this we are having one heck of a winter storm that has blizzard conditions and has shut down the ability for my family from Arizona to be with us this holiday.  The girls are out of school on a snow day and I have enjoyed spending some quiet moments reading and making crafts with them.  Their questions today have been, “Mama how cold do you think Daddy is?” and “Are the cows going to be ok?”  Dairy farmers are the stewards of the land and animals that have been entrusted to us and that has to happen through the rain, sleet, and snow.   (Hmm... Even the mailman gets Sundays off.)   Few professions have that requirement of a non-stop 24/7 and 365 days a year responsibility which is why farming is a “lifestyle” not an occupation.

So as we delve into another slice of pumpkin pie or scoop another pile of stuffing on our plate this holiday here are a few facts about our amazing agriculture industry.  It is this unwavering duty of a bountiful harvest that farmers provide for our families through trials and hardships that few can fathom.  This call to farm is so labor intensive and mentally exhausting that sometimes we forget to stop and say like my 4 year old daughter often does, “Look what I did!”  It is because of my passion to pass this on to the next generation that I will not quit spreading the word so that all may hear, “Hey look what our farmers just did!”
DAIRY (My personal favorite and might I suggest another dollop of butter on your mashed potatoes and extra whipped cream on your pumpkin pie!)
  • Idaho is the 2nd largest milk producing state in the twelve western U.S. states and ranks 3rd in the US.   As of December 31, 2009, the state had 585 dairy farm operations; producing 12.122 billion pounds of milk (1.410 billion gallons) from the 529,366 cows milking.   Idaho is the 3rd largest manufacturer of natural and processed cheese in the U.S. making more than 805 million pounds annually in the state.   Approximately 44.3 million gallons of Idaho produced milk is processed into fluid milk for drinking.

POTATOES (Is there anything more synonymous than Idaho and potatoes?)
  • With over a century of growing potatoes, Idaho has produced more potatoes than any other state every year since 1957.  An estimated 300,000 acres of Idaho Potatoes were harvested – about 11 billion pounds of potatoes. That's enough potatoes to fill 500 NFL football fields.  New York uses the most Idaho potatoes, followed by Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas.
       WHEAT (Pie crusts, dinner rolls, stuffing!)
  • Idaho wheat growers harvested 1.25 million acres of wheat in 2006.  That’s over 99 million bushels!  The average price for wheat in 2009 was $4.05 a bushel.  Nationally, Idaho ranks fifth for wheat and wheat product exports.  A single bushel of wheat will make 73 loaves of bread, or 53 boxes of cereal, or 72 pounds of tortillas.  One acre of wheat can produce enough wheat to furnish your family with bread for nearly 10 years.  Farmers receive about 4 cents per loaf of bread when it’s sold in the stores.
SUGARBEETS (Life wouldn't be the same without dessert!)
  • Idaho ranks 3rd in the nation for sugarbeet production and if you live in Idaho you've probably purchased sugar produced by this crop instead of cane sugar.  There are 5.5 million tons of sugarbeets harvested here in Idaho!
We all have a farmer to thank for this Thanksgiving meal and every meal we eat.  So let’s all give thanks today and every day for our farmers and ranchers!

From Dugan Family Farms to you and yours may you have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Chris, Shelly, Vivian, Eliza, and William Dugan

If you would like to join us as we give thanks to all of our farmers through social media you can go to http://foodthanks.com/

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

What Came First? The Milk Or The 6 Cheese Wisconsin Pizza!?!?

It seems to me that the current slant of recent articles published by the NY Times and Washington Post is that dairy farmers need to quit promoting our products.  Huh?  In fact according to the Post we should have the check off program that we pay for completely eliminated.  You mean to tell me we have come to a point in this society that as a businesswoman who pays .15 cents for every 100 lbs. of milk we produce with every other dairyman across America to advertise dairy products collectively is not a good idea?  Well obviously I must be missing something.  Let me start with the facts:

  • The dairy checkoff program was created by farmers, for farmers, and is funded by America’s dairy farm families – and only by dairy farmers. It does not use any government or taxpayer dollars to promote dairy products in the United States.
  • The discussion has overlooked DMI’s unwavering commitment to health and wellness. DMI helps the dairy industry keep pace with both consumer preferences and the latest in dietary guidance by sharing nutrition science, product research and consumer research, which the industry uses to develop healthier choices in dairy foods, including reduced-fat and reduced sodium cheese, and reduced-sugar flavored milk.
  • More than 50 percent of DMI’s annual budget is allocated to advance dairy health and wellness efforts that are consistent with the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  Those programs include: nutrition and product research (including research regarding the development of reduced-fat and reduced-sodium cheeses); the in-school Fuel Up to Play 60 program that aims to help children’s health by bringing healthy eating and physical activity to more than 64,000 schools; efforts to help build a more sustainable U.S. dairy industry; and programs to meet consumer needs, such as those with real or perceived lactose intolerance.

But let me take this to the next level and challenge the articles assertion that we are creating products that are high in fat and ultimately causing the health decline of America.  Wow I am certainly complimented by their claims that we have so much power in how Americans choose to feed themselves and their families.  Yes we helped Domino’s create a new pizza that is amazingly good with lots of cheese.  No we don’t want you to eat it at every meal! This is precisely the point where the concepts of free enterprise will need to be inserted.  We will only make those products that consumers buy.  If consumers demand it I promise you we will figure out how to meet the need with the safest ingredients and highest quality that our dairy industry is known for.  I mean we are all adults here and aren’t persuaded to alter our dietary needs/concerns based on farmers and their imaginary magic wand on our wallets. It makes me sick to think that regulations are now being considered on Happy Meals!!! This is a product for children bought by ADULTS!  If no one bought Happy Meals then by golly McDonald’s would not have it on its menu!  You see we have choices as consumers.  If I choose to buy a happy meal for my children then I personally respond with white milk and apples. That choice was made possible by my checkoff dollars encouraging McDonalds to offer those healthy alternatives.  In my childhood it was either soda or that orange punch drink and fries.  Are you following the direction we have taken?

Allow me break this down for those readers of the aforementioned articles that might be still convinced that dairy farmer’s ultimate goal is to make everyone unhealthy with fat-laden products.  In our house my three children who are under the age of 6 know that there are healthy foods and “sometime treats”.  They also know that no matter how much they beg, whine, plead, scream, and tantrum I will not waiver on those things that they need to eat and those that are left for special occasions.  You see there is no cartoon character, Disney movie, sports team, or dairy farmer that will persuade me to alter my plans for my family in having a healthy and well-balanced diet in the Dugan house.  It’s my responsibility as a caregiver of the next generation to ensure my children are healthy and well-cared for.  But I believe I am headed down a rabbit hole that has nothing to do with the dairy industry, Dairy Management Inc., or our check-off dollars.  Two words America…. Personal Responsibility!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

They've Got Milk? But They Don't Get Us

We shouldn’t be surprised to read the latest articles about the dairy industry or about animal agriculture.  It should come as no shock to any of us that blatant misinformation and unsubstantiated opinions are being broadcast to the masses as facts.  Why?  The public has no idea what we do.  As farmers and producers we know our operations and most similar agriculture businesses from soup to nuts.  We have to be economist, conservationist, meteorologist, veterinarian, nutritionist, accountant and all optimist.  But what we have failed to recognize is that the public has no idea who we are, what we do, and most importantly why we do it.  They’ve got milk? they just don’t get us.

The average American knows that if they go to their local grocery store there will be a dairy case where they are free to buy milk, cheese, yogurt, and the like.   Not giving much thought to the practices of farming but rather noticing prices and products that fit into their families lifestyle.  They want is fast, cheap, and easy.  In 1949 Americans spent 22% of their disposable income on food.  Now we spend less than 10%.  It’s the safest and cheapest food supply in the world.  But we have forgotten to remind them as they are reaping the benefits of our innovative and progressive industry about you and me.  So now articles from the Washington Post and NY Times are published and once again Americans are being fed well let’s just say a load of recycled alfalfa.  We'll all shake our heads and mumble under our breath about the articles and how wrong they are as we are going about our lives as farmers.  And that folks is why we are failing at what is so vitally necessary today, educating our consumer about us!  As dairymen we have done an amazing job at reminding them that milk is a nutritional powerhouse and that dairy is cornerstone to a healthy lifestyle.  While we were fighting the good fight we neglected to remind them that it is the farmers that bring that milk to the table not the celebrity with the milk mustache.

Most Americans are three generations removed from the farm.  Think about that for a moment?  It boggles my mind as a mother of three small children to imagine living without microwaves, washing machines, and television.  But that’s how my grandmother raised her babies back then.   Now that feeling is exactly how John and Jane Q Public think about milking cows or hauling manure much less what it must be like to palpate a cow.   It is an unfathomable lifestyle that is so far removed from their lives that it's no wonder what little information is out there, no matter the accuracy, is being accepted as fact.  There are only .8% of the US population in animal agriculture and less than 50,000 dairy farms nationwide.  More Americans are in prison today than are farmers.  Do you see how easy it has been for them to forget about us?

So now here’s where the rubber meets the road.  We can either read about another article or news story that is wrought with lies or we can stand up and say enough.  If the squeaky wheel gets the grease then fellow dairymen the time is now to tell our story.  It’s not enough to tell them to drink their milk anymore.  We now have to tell them how that milk got there from cow to glass.  We are a proud industry and have an amazing story to tell which makes this all the more simple for us to do.  From Facebook, Twitter, blogs, to your own local network of schools, churches, businesses the opportunity of speaking on behalf of your farm and farmers across this great land is there.   Because if we don’t share our story I promise you someone else will and then we have lost our voice.  I am proud to dairy and even more proud to tell everyone about our amazing livelihood.  Will you join me?


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Tuesday, November 01, 2005

After I Sneezed I Looked Into My Hands And Saw News

-I cannot believe MLS did not have a brightly colored ball to use up in Boston with snow on the field. By the end of the game most of the snow was gone, but early in the match I lost track of the ball many times on that pitch. Inexcusable. What other league in the world would be caught without this?
-I got to watch 3 of the 4 MLS playoff games. The one I did not see was Dallas v Colorado. But I have now seen the highlights, and here is my game analysis:
The red card to Colorado's Alain Nkong in the 54th minute was idiotic! The elbow was not intentional – Nkong just went up for a header and Valikari clattered into the back of him and got Nkong's arm (that was already up) in the face. The sideline referee is the one who made the call for red card, but the referee was standing right in front of the play as it happened, was looking straight at the action, and initially made no call at all!! You can clearly see on the replay what a joke of a call this was.
Ruiz's goal in the 66th minute was pure Pescadito. The spin, the shot, the placement, wow! Bobby Rhine puts in a nice crisp low ball from just outside the right side of the penalty box, Roberta Mina makes a fantastic dummy over the ball and it rolls straight in to Ruiz who has Pablo Mastroeni draped all over him. Ruiz spins sharply to his right and fires the ball into the far corner. Classic fish!
And how about that save by Joe Cannon on Ruiz in the 86th minute! Cannon literally took the ball off Ruiz's foot twice.
In extra time Joe Cannon again was huge, stopping two blasts from Ramon Nunez. Then Chris Gbandi crosses the far post for Ruiz who jumps up between two defenders and heads all the way back across goal for the score in the 105th. A minute later Ruiz shows his Dr Jeckyll side as he foolishly sticks his foot out and commits a foul 40 yards from goal. It proved to be a total bonehead maneuver, cuz on the free kick Terry Cooke puts it to the far post and Ritchie Kotschau, of all people, pokes it home for a 2-2 tie! The Dallas defense on both Colorado goals was a joke. No one seemed to have an interest in marking anyone either time.
Dallas gets their chance to seal it though, with a 112th minute PK awarded when Gbandi is brought down by Kyle Beckerman as he races toward goal. Carlos "Killer" Ruiz steps up for the PK with his usual confidence, but puts it off the post! It was the first PK Dallas missed all year. (Sadly for them, it wouldn't be the last.) Cannon ended extra time by saving two point blank shots in the 119th.
At the end of the extra time and the score still at 2-2 we headed to penalty kicks to decide the winner. Scott Garlick in the net for Dallas, and the mighty Joe Cannon for Colorado. The great irony here is that Garlick was Colorado's keeper two years ago, until Cannon was signed and replaced him. The two exchanged heated words in the press, but in the end, Cannon was named MLS keeper of the year last year, not Garlick.
So, we're off the PK land:
Ruiz – Dallas – yes
Mastroeni - Colorado - yes
Nunez – Dallas – yes
Kirovski - Clorado - yes
Pareja – Dallas – yes
Cunningham - Colorado - yes
Vanney – Dallas – yes
Cooke - Colorado - yes
Mina – Dallas – no – Joe Cannon dives right and grabs the soft shot!
Peguero - Colorado – yes – leaving the stadium silent
4-5 winner to Colorado!
-Three Metrostars players combined to completely botch the 2nd goal they gave up to New England. The cross came in from a Jose Cancela corner kick, and keeper Tony Meola got lost in the middle of the box flailing for the ball, then defensive midfielder Michael Bradley let Pat Noonan jump right over him at the back post, and Noonan's header snuck between Eddie Gaven and the post he was supposed to be covering. Three unforgivable and yet simple errors combined on one corner to cost Metros a goal, and probably the series. And not to totally pick on Eddie Gaven, but Khano Smith torched him down the left wing to score the winner as well. Poor bad-haired Eddie Gaven! Note to Eddie: Listen dude, put on some muscle and get ready to fight next year.
-Read what The Royal Gazette of Bermuda had to say about hometown boy and former Dandy Town striker Khano Smith who was so big for New England in their playoff win on Saturday over Metrostars.
-Metrostars players want Mo Johnston back as their coach for next season according to and article by Frank Giase of the Newark Star-Ledger.
-8 Champions League Matchday 4 games today(!!!!!):
PSV v Milan
Schalke v Fenerbahce
Rosenborg v Real Madrid
Olympiacos v Lyon
Liverpool v Anderlecht
Betis v Chelsea
Artmedia v Rangers
Inter v Porto
With 8 more to follow tomorrow.
-Does it surprise any of you to know that Frank Dell'apa of the Boston Globe has a giant 'tache? Not me. I think his name screams "cookie duster".
-Ken The Keeper sends in a correction on the Fiorentina win over Cagliari last weekend (I said that Luca Toni scored 2 for Fior): Luca Toni scored the first goal for Fiorentina and assisted on the second, which was slammed home like a Nordic hammer by Jorgensen. Toni appeared to injure his foot after his goal but continued to play. The Fiorentina website states "Fiorentina suffers [in the win]" but makes no specific mention of the Toni's injury (yet). By the way - congrats to Kens team, for coming up from the depths of hell just two years ago.
-Two more BASA's given out by Climbing The Ladder:
Midfielder Of The Year (here are my three votes):
1- Shalrie Joseph
2- Christian Gomez
3- Dwayne Derosario
And Old Player Of The Year (here are my three votes):
1- Ezra Hendrickson
2- Mark Chung
3- Cobi Jones
How did I not vote for Youri Djorkaeff for this award?? He was outstanding!
-In England's Championship Division, Eddie Lewis and Leeds play at Crewe today, while Bobby Convey, Marcus Hahnemanna & Reading host Sheffield Wednesday.
-Steven Goff in the Washington Post today writes that: Season's Failures May Spur United to Change
-Also in the Post today, Mike Wilbon's identical twin brother Tony Kornheiser gets in on the act of talking out his ass. Hey Tony! Shut Up!
-Joe Cannon, Colorado Super Keeper, has a feature story on his own bad self at the US Players Assoc.
-Paul Gardner in Soccer America has: A lesson from the Rapids
-Andrea Canales blames Coach Dominic Kinnear for the Earthquakes playoff failure.
-Rob Hughes in the International Herald Tribune writes about the escape from the clutches of the reaper by Maradona & Best: 2 tarnished greats live on
-Houston Chronicle's Week In Review
-Vote for the MLS Goal Of The Year from the 4 finalists (there are 5 listed but that Jason Kries goal does not deserve to be there, at least 3 or 4 were better that did not make the top 5, and the Salt Lake fans obviously did their "storm the ballot box" best in getting this goal on the nominee list. Shame on you.)
-The brilliant Frank Lampard has scored in 16 of his last 20 Premiership games. Astounding!

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Kornheiser is like the drunk you run into when you go out to watch a soccer game at the bar. He knows nothing about the game and the loud jokes he attempts to make only makes you feel sorry for him.

matthew teff
Chairman of the Brian Hall Fan Club

2:53 PM
Blogger kj said...

Wow, at least Wilbon's rant made it seem like he'd bothered to learn something about the game. Kornheiser's is pathetic.

3:10 PM
Anonymous bq said...

Super-Frank is on target to pass David James all time consecutive start record. I think he just has to make 3 more to tie and four to break it. Incredible for a such a midfielder with a tireless work ethic who is often seen tracking back as well as making the creative pass or the 3o meter shot on goal. He is curently the top goal scorer in the EPL with 10 goals. Not bad for a guy who started out the season slugishly and everyone was calling fatty Frank. He also has blown all the other players out of the water with the EPL's ACTIM ratings. He has a rating of 3.67. The next closest player has a rating of 2.05. What is the ACTIM?
How is the Actim Index calculated?

Complex mathematical formulae were devised to calculate the value of each player's contribution, match by match. In simple terms, the Actim Index comprises four calculations:
Calculation 1 - Assesses a player's contribution to a winning team, based on points won by the team when he appeared.
Calculation 2 - Assesses a player's performance in each game, by allocating points for actions that positively contribute to a winning performance such as shots, tackles, clearances and saves. It also takes points away from players for negative actions such as yellow/red cards and shots off target.
Calculation 3 - Allocates points based on time of the pitch.
Calculation 4 - Allocates points for goal scorers.

Come-on Super-Frank!!!!

11:08 PM
Blogger brucio said...

bq is obviously insane

10:07 AM
Anonymous bq said...

I never claimed to be of sound mind nor body. I can blame the alcohol for both.

Com-on super Frank.

2:09 PM
Blogger Ethan_Prime said...

Just because other MLS team's fans haven't cared enough to vote for their players, doesn't mean RSL fans should be lame too.

2:33 PM
Blogger brucio said...

ethan, dear ethen,
you and i both know there is a huge difference between voting, and ballot box stuffing
and voting for a guy's goal just cuz he plays for the team you support is extra lame
so yeah, i think that does make rsl fans lame
sorry dude

12:18 PM

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text:
Issue Vol. 7, No. 2 / April 2011

Sojourning through Intercultural Communication:A Retrospective
Author(s): William J. Starosta
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
The analysis traces the development of an understanding of intercultural communication within the 45-year academic career of William J. Starosta. This understanding started with essentialisms and binaries, and worked toward process and double emic accounts centered on intercultural listening, not just the sending of messages. It likewise moved toward praxis. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 1-5]
Narrative as Discourse: Toward an Analytical Model for the Study of Western Representation of the ‘Other’
Author(s): Qing Cao
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
This paper aims to develop a conceptual and methodological framework for analysing Western media representation of the ‘other’. It starts with conceptualising intricate relationships between discourse and cultural representation, followed by a critical discussion of the role of discourse in contemporary society. Drawing on Proppian, Levi-Straussian and Silverstonian narrative theories, the paper proposes a working model for the analysis of media narrative in the study of Western portrayals of the cultural ‘other’. It concludes with an assessment of the significance of discourse analysis as a form of participation in the symbolic world of intercultural representation. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 6-16]
Constructing Multifaceted Cultural Identity Theory: Beyond Dichotomization of Individualism-Collectivism
Author(s): Satoshi Moriizumi
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
This paper aims to increase the explanatory power of Individualism-Collectivism (I-C) for complex relationships between culture and communication by (a) refining and extending the theoretical constructs of I-C and (b) integrating cultural identity theories to I-C. A critical review of the conceptual issues of I-C shows that the simple dichotomization of cultural values has been criticized from within and outside the realm of the post-positivist paradigm because (a) the notion of I-C was too simplistic and (b) empirical research findings did not reflect the theoretical predictions of I-C. To overcome these limitations of I-C, I delineate the basic principles of a new theory called Multifaceted Cultural Identity Theory by employing recent research findings of I-C and the theoretical assumptions of cultural identity theories. Some basic assumptions of this theory are: (a) all individuals have multiple identities; (b) I-C influences the salience of one’s personal and social identity; (c) I-C value constructs work as a value content dimension of cultural identity; and (d) I-C has three constructs of individualism, relational collectivism, and group collectivism. Finally, applications and future implications are discussed. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 17-25]
Parade, Celebration and Representation of Identity
Author(s): Pinggong Zhang
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
In this essay, the author argues that political and nationalist subjectivity can be seen in terms of desire articulated through various representational performances, rituals, parades, artifacts, ethnic ways and cultural displays on occasions of festivity, as they provide people with cultural identities and gratifying emotional experiences. He also argues for the centrality of the Chinese National Day parade and related activities for understanding relationships between identity and ritualistic performance. The celebration of Chinese identity through display and exhibition was rooted in historical legacies, but now is contextualized by globalized cultural observation. To understand the relationships between the legacy of Chinese culture and collective identity of the people, a useful starting point would be the examination of the organized liminal Chinese rituals and festive celebration. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 26-34]
Naming Suspects in Terrorist Attacks: An Inquiry of Journalistic Stereotypes in Newspaper Coverage of the 2005 London Bombings
Author(s): Bu Zhong, Paul Mihailidis, and Yong Zhou
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
Distorted portrayals of terrorists in news media could lead to indistinct perceptions of terrorism and anti-terrorism policies. Using the theory of media priming, this study investigated how 12 major newspapers from four countries – China, Egypt, Switzerland and the United States – named terrorist suspects and used news sources in their coverage of 2005 London bombings. Analyses of the second-day reports found that a journalistic stereotype across the four nations’ newspapers, which were quick to name the suspects’ al Qaeda connection with little verification. The journalistic stereotype may be due to the priming effect of covering a series of prior al Qaeda-launched terrorism attacks. Findings also show that the reports uniformly made officials or experts the basis for the coverage of the terrorist attacks. The findings should provide insight into how journalists make new decisions when covering terrorist attacks. In the digital age, journalists might rely on speculation, unreliable Internet sources, and the auspices of new media communication to report terrorism. Practical implications for journalists were discussed. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 35-45]
Construction of Taliban Image in Pakistan: Discourse Analysis of Editorials of Dawn and The News
Author(s): Shaista Malik and Zafar Iqbal
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
The aim of this research study is to investigate as to how the image of Taliban is being constructed in the print media discourses. In the last couple of years, media in Pakistan widely covered the involvement of Taliban, fanning extremism in Pakistan, which, at present, forms a frame of reference in national context. The media coverage shows that Taliban mostly carry negative images. They might have some positive gestures as well, but the overall image is clearly negative. Most of the editorials in leading newspapers see Taliban as a precursor to growing extremism in the country. This paper discusses the difference of image building between two leading English language newspapers - The News and Dawn. The study describes the coverage pattern of the two distinct newspapers on Taliban and extremism. Editorials of these two Pakistani newspapers published from February 1, 2009 to March 31, 2009 were selected to study media construction of the image of Taliban in Pakistan. The rationales behind selecting these newspapers are: (1) both the English newspapers have a high circulation (2) both have distinct editorial policies. The paper concludes that media constructs a negative image of Taliban in the editorial discourses. The paper examines as how the media constructs the image of Taliban and to what extent this portrayal forms derogatory and stereotypical frames of them. Concretely, this study focuses on the frame that has been applied by both the newspapers Dawn and The News while writing editorials on Taliban. These frames identify differences and similarities between the coverage of the two newspapers. The paper does speak of the stylistic features in editorials of both the newspapers. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 46-56]
But is a Picture Worth a Thousand People? Effects of Pictorial Vividness and Numeric Representation on Attitudes Toward the China-Tibet Issue
Author(s): Robert Andrew Dunn, Shuhua Zhou, and Mark Lent
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
The present study explored the effects that pictorial vividness and numeric representation have on participants’ perceptions and attitudes toward the China-Tibet issue. Findings indicated that the number of people represented in a photograph and the emotional content or vividness of a photograph had an interactive effect on issue salience in participants. Participants shown vivid pictures were more likely to think the protest got out of hand and were marginally more likely think the protesters were passionate. In addition, rationality buffered some people against such heuristic effects of photographs. Authoritarianism had a negative effect on one’s knowledge of the China-Tibet issue. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 57-65]
Media Frames and Hong Kong Residents' Perceptions of Hong Kong Disneyland
Author(s): Meihua Lee
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
This study examines the media frames and Hong Kong residents’ perceptions of Hong Kong Disneyland. The method of content analysis was employed to study the news published in Hong Kong’s popular English newspapers “South China Morning Post” and “The Standard” from September 2005 to May 2006. With the help of the 14 media frames derived from the content analysis, the present study used Galileo multidimensional scaling system to measure Hong Kong residents’ perceptions of Hong Kong Disneyland. The Galileo’s pair-wise comparison questionnaires were administered to 220 Hong Kong residents and their perceptions of Hong Kong Disneyland were captured using the Galileo system. This study presents the results and implications of the survey as well as directions for future research. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 66-76]
The Cross-Cultural Rhetoric of Diplomacy in the Case of the U.S. Surveillance Plane Landing on Hainan Island, China in April, 2001
Author(s): Jim Schnell
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
This article addresses how diplomacy was effectively used, as an instrument of U.S. foreign policy, to diffuse the controversy related to a U.S. surveillance plane landing on Hainan Island, China in April, 2001 after it had collided with a Chinese fighter jet in international airspace. Rhetorical strategies of the United States and China will be described. This situation is relevant in that it exemplifies how diplomacy can be used to resolve a scenario that could have easily escalated into a significant confrontation on the military, political and/or economic levels. This case study offers lessons for understanding past, present and future controversies between the U.S. and China. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 77-80]
Comparing Consumers' On-Line Shopping Behaviors in Taiwan and the United States
Author(s): Ming-Yi Wu
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
This study compares consumers’ on-line shopping behaviors in Taiwan and the United States. Taiwan and the United States are chosen for comparison because previous literature suggests that these two cultures contrast greatly in work-related cultural values. In addition, these two cultures have intensive trading relationships with each other. Through the use of a survey questionnaire which investigates consumers’ on-line shopping preferences and on-line shopping behaviors, this study surveys 362 college students in Taiwan and 372 college students in the United States. The results suggest that there are both cultural similarities and differences in young consumers’ on-line shopping preferences and behaviors in these two cultures. Thus, both cultural convergence and cultural divergence perspectives which explain consumer behaviors in the globalization process are supported. Based on the results of this study, practical suggestions are provided to on-line vendors who are interested in the Taiwanese and the U.S. markets. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 81-90]
Discussion of Social Management Mode Conversion of Hangzhou Government
Author(s): Yihe Pan
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
The traditional “Strong Government” mode in China is undergoing transformation. In four cases of observing urban governance, the role of the Hangzhou local government changed significantly from dominator to host, then to equal consultant. This apparent change will have a significant social impact on the government's role of self-perception, and public understanding, and on experience towards democracy. The significance of these microreforms should not be exaggerated, but we need to expand and secure its existing meaning of social and political reform. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 91-94]
Teacher Immediacy, Credibility, and Clarity as Predictors of Student Affective Learning: A Chinese Investigation
Author(s): Qin Zhang
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
TThe purpose of this study is two-fold: to investigate the relative magnitude of teacher immediacy, credibility, and clarity as predictors of student affective learning and to examine whether teacher credibility mediates the effects of teacher immediacy and clarity on student affective learning in Chinese classrooms. The study suggests two major findings. First, of the three teacher factors, teacher credibility and clarity are found to be effective predictors of student affective learning in Chinese classrooms, but teacher immediacy is not. In addition, teacher credibility is more predictive of student affective learning than teacher clarity. Second, teacher credibility fully mediates the effects of teacher immediacy and clarity on student affective learning in Chinese classrooms. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 95-103]
It's All Because of Guan Xi: Group-Based Alcohol Drinking in China
Author(s): Yanrong (Yvonne) Chang
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
Studies of high-risk communication practices in some cultural groups (DeSantis, 2002; Workman, 2001) suggest that embedded within those practices may be deep cultural meanings and functions that are shared and valued by participants, and they may explain why those practices perpetuate despite external influences (from media, medical experts, family, friends, relatives, etc.) that attempt to stop them. This study explores the cultural meanings and functions of group-based alcohol drinking for its Chinese participants. It shows that the need for building and strengthening Guan Xi (relationships) (Ho, 1998; Hwang, 2000) motivates Chinese people to engage in frequent and excessive group-based alcohol drinking despite the fact that it causes many social and health problems. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 104-112]
Where Have We Been? A Thematic Meta-Analysis of China Media Research, 2005-2009
Author(s): Po-Lin Pan and Juan Meng
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
This study used a meta-analytic approach to look at communication scholarships published in China Media Research from 2005 to 2009. A total of 211 articles were included in this analysis. Results showed that most scholars who contributed to the journal represented their institutions from the United States, followed by China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The focus of communication and culture was the most popular research area, and critical and cultural approach was the most frequently used method in the journal. Methodological approaches took a qualitative perspective: three-fourths of studies used qualitative methods, but only one-fourth of studies applied quantitative methods in the journal. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 113-120]
Robert T Oliver: Trailblazer in Intercultural Communication
Author(s): Robert Shuter
click to read abstract Abstract | Read More |
Robert T. Oliver was a scholar extraordinaire and a towering figure in rhetoric and public address, but his contributions to the field of intercultural communication are less well known. For over sixty years, Dr. Oliver wrote prolifically about the impact of culture on rhetoric and communication. Although Dr. Oliver rarely used the words intercultural communication in his writings, which were voluminous, he contributed greatly to the development of the field. This essay focuses on Dr. Oliver’s four major contributions to intercultural communication: (1) Critiquing the Eurocentric bias of rhetoric/communication, (2) offering an Asiacentric alternative to the study of rhetoric/communication, (3) utilizing and intracultural perspective to frame rhetoric/communication research, and (4) envisioning international diplomacy as a site for examining rhetoric/communication. [China Media Research. 2011; 7(2): 121-126]
You are here: Home Back Issues China Media Research Back Issues China Media Research, Vol. 7, No. 2


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February 02 2015

Clarifying Essential Components For Candy Crush

Building a brand is one of the most important things you can do for your app or apps business. Why? Just look at the success of Angry Birds brand, valued at over $1.2 billion. It's not the Angry Birds game that holds the value... the value is in the brand. The brand is the reasons why Angry Birds have been able seal entertainment and merchandising deals, launch additional apps and exponentially grow their business. So how do apps like Angry Birds and Clash of the clans build billion dollar brands? Let's take a closer look.

There are a lot of Facebook users worldwide-and one out of four of them are playing Facebook games. To give you a raw number, 250 million people play games through Facebook today, up 11 percent from 2012. Some 927,000,000 total hours are spent each month on Facebook games, which helps Facebook make tons of money. In fact, the social networking site made $1 billion in 2011 thanks to social gaming.

This means that people are using more and more mobile devices, as they want to stay connected whilst on the move. Although tablet PCs and net-books have contributed to the portability of the net, nothing has made more of a contribution than that of the smart phone. The smart phone has literally revolutionised mobile Internet access for billions of users that access email, surf or while away time on a free candy crush saga website.

That is changing this week. It was announced on the Playstation blog that Angry Birds will be joining the line-up of Playstation Mini games available for download to PS3 and PSP systems this week. The port will not be a full version (it will contain only 63 levels), but it is interely possible that it will see updates in the future if it is successful.

I find it easier for me to work 50 minutes and then take a 10 minute break. After 2 hours I take a 30 minute lunch. I am more efficient in my work and I do not get frustrated. The key is to do only one thing at a time for those 25 or 50 minutes. Stop multi-tasking.

Don't be the product, buy the product!


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Non-Surgical Gum Therapy

No matter how well you care for your teeth, you may still be suffering from gum disease. Painless and slow-growing, gum disease is still a serious condition that sometimes requires aggressive treatment. After a comprehensive periodontal screening, if gum disease is present, Eastside Dental may recommend non-surgical gum therapy.

The top three non-surgical gum disease treatments are local medication, curettage, and root-planning. All can be done in our office, and you may be given local anesthesia to keep you more comfortable.  No matter which treatment or combination of treatments your dentist chooses, keep in mind that the treatment will likely take place over time, as your dentist tries a treatment and then assesses its effectiveness.

Non-Surgical Gum Treatment Options

Localized medication: Once the area of bacteria and plaque accumulation below the gum line has been identified, medication may be administered directly into the affected areas as a first step toward thwarting the gum disease.

Curettage: When your gum is diseased, the tissues around your tooth can show signs of chronic irritation and inflammation. In the process of curettage, we will remove the infected gum tissue so that new, healthy gum tissue can grow.

Root-Planning: Sometimes, gum disease affects the surface of your tooth’s root. Root-planning is when we give your soft tissue a chance to heal from its disease by removing and smoothing small amounts of the infected root surface.

If the treatments described above do not sufficiently address your gum disease, Eastside Dental may make a referral to a periodontist, who would be able to surgically remove the diseased tissue so that proper healing could occur.


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Try A New Fruit or Vegetable This Month

When it comes to nutrition, fruits and vegetables are a great pair. They have vitamins and minerals that are needed to keep us healthy. However, it can be easy to get stuck buying the same foods over and over again. Trying new fruits and vegetables is an important part of healthy diet!
Why should I try a new fruit or vegetable? All fruits and vegetables provide healthy nutrients. However, foods of different colors have different nutrients. Be sure to eat a rainbow of foods.
  • Try red peppers, yellow squash, or green spinach. This will help you get a balance of nutrients.
  • Red foods have vitamins that help your heart.
  • Orange foods keep your eyes healthy.
  • Yellow foods have nutrients that keep you from getting sick.
  • Green foods have vitamins to keep your bones healthy.
  • Blue foods help your brain and improve your memory.
Trying new fruits and vegetables also keeps you from being bored with the same meals week after week. Adding new foods into your diet can make meal times exciting! Your family can look forward to the new foods on the table each week.

Here are some easy ways to get different fruits and vegetables into your diet:
  • Make a Goal. Try one new fruit or vegetable each week. Go to the grocery store with your kids to pick them out.
  • Try it Frozen. Uncommon fruits or vegetables are sometimes found in the frozen section of the grocery store. Frozen fruits and vegetables have the same amount of nutrients as fresh ones. Frozen foods usually cost less too! Look for frozen okra, mango, collard greens, and more.
  • Look for Colors. Pick a color! Try a new fruit or vegetable of that color. Next week, pick a new color to try.
  • Recipe Fun! Look up recipes for fun, new ideas.
  • Look for coupons to save money.
  • Visit our Eat Smart website and type in a fruit or vegetable that you want to try and find a recipe with that food in it.
There are so many fruits and vegetables out there to try and lots of ways to prepare them. Try adding beans into your diet with this easy black bean and corn salsa recipe. Keep your family healthy and happy by adding produce to your meals each day!

1 comment

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP in cooperation with Maryland's Department of Human Services and University of Maryland Extension. The University of Maryland Extension will not discriminate against any person because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.
© Eat Smart, Be Fit Maryland!Maira Gall


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1-10 of 100

General Contractors - Miami, FL

★★★★★ 14 Reviews

Rainaway Roofing Corp

  • 7368 N.W. 12 Street., Miami, FL
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"I had a good experience with this roofing company. They roofed my house in 2008 and did a great job. I had them back this week to sheath ..."

★★★★★ 14 Reviews

Jorge Castillo Design Inc.

  • 41 SE 5th Street #1602, Miami, FL
  • 305-803-9989

"Jorge was recommended to me for decorating tips because I recently moved into a new apartment. Not only did he source amazing pieces to add to my decor, ..."

★★★★★ 14 Reviews

DND Carpet, Rug & Upholstery Cleaning

  • 5400 Northwest 32nd Avenue, Miami, FL
  • 305-633-9077

"Absolute worst company I have ever dealt with. Did a poor job cleaning my expensive oriental rug and then the manager David would not return my calls to ..."

Special Offer
★★★★★ 10 Reviews

Fire and Water Cleaning Corporation

  • 13870 SW 74th St, Miami, FL
  • 786-229-3144

"Would just like to say a massive thank you for the carpet clean! We honestly thought our carpet was unsolvable, filthy and full of stains, and now it ..."

★★★★★ 7 Reviews

E&D Development, Inc.

  • 6330 Manor Lane, Suite 201, Miami, FL
  • 866-697-5860

"The experience with E&D Development was excellent and more than what I hoped for. unlike other general contracting companies they take the time to meet with the clients ..."

★★★★★ 7 Reviews

Miami Roof-Tech

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"After noticing 2 pretty bad leaks I called Roof-Tech, they were able to come out the very next day and take care of the repairs for us. We ..."

★★★★★ 7 Reviews

garage door

  • 1000 NW 45th St,, Miami, FL
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"garage door Miami iwas very helpful and knowledgeable in showing us the different garage doors at the show room. The friendly salesperson came as schedule and gave us ..."

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Home Remodeling Specialist Miami

  • Miami, FL 33169, Miami, FL
  • 786-344-2201

"They did a fantastic job. I need wall repair and paint, kitchen faucet replacement, and grout work. Everything was done well and they cleaned up after. They even ..."

★★★★★ 4 Reviews

Awnings 4 Ever Inc.

  • 6606 NW 72 Ave, Miami, FL
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"Awnings 4 Ever has recently finished a project at my business and it has been a pleasure to work with them from start to finish. The salesman came ..."

★★★★★ 2 Reviews

Elite Plumbing Septic & Sewer Inc

  • 7555 Sw 38th St, Miami, FL
  • 305-244-4401

"They are professional, promt and show concern for our family as well as others. I will continue my business with them as long as they are around. You ..."


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With Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim

With: Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT) The Republic of Chad has several regions: a desert zone in the north, an arid Sahelian belt in the centre and a more fertile Sudanian Savanna zone in the south. Most Chadians base their livelihoods on subsistence farming and livestock rearing. Climate change is affecting they way of live hard, forcing people to migrate. Causing instability and conflicts. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim explains which adaption measures are important, why women have to be included in decisions making structures and last but not least, her demands to the international climate diplomacy and the industrial nations of the global north.

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Sunday, December 30, 2012

End of the year's top 5 films

No, Premium Rush is not my top 1

Hey folks! Welcome to my top 5 films of 2012 list.
Fair warning though, this is an odd list.

5 Premium Rush
Why I love it?
              I love it the same way I love the 80's films it was inspired by. The same 80's films that inspired me to create Marco's Delivery Service. (Don't know what Marco's Delivery Service is? Check it out here. Yes, shameless plugging. I know.) Its light. And its fun.

4 Rise of the Guardians
Why I love it?
             Badass Santa. Badass Easterbunny. Coolass Sandman. Lovely Toothfairy. Its my heavy dose of visual spectacle in animation for the year.

3 Skyfall
Why I love it?
              Let me be honest to you guys. I'm not really much of a Bond fan growing up. I mainly blame this because of Pierce Brosnan. But I am a big fan of the Craig-era of Bond films. And I see what every Bond films are trying to do. They are sampling the best of what the best films of that era are doing. The same way that Craig-era is sampling the Bourne-ish action, the Dark Knight-ish grounded villains. Its the same way the Brosnan-era is sampling the over the top sci-fi technology, the long drawn gun fight and the convoluted villains of the 90s. And Skyfall exemplifies all that is the best that this era of action movies has to offer all the while giving nods to past Bond films. And thats why I love it.

2 Looper
Why I love it?
             A heavy dose in Sci-fi. The time travel won't hurt your head. And Bruce Willis, being Bruce Willis. Its one of the most creative Sci-fi film that isn't a remake and is not based on a book that I've seen in years.

1 Liberal Arts
Why I love it?
             Whoa whoa whoa whoa! Hold on am I reading that right? Yup. Thats right. I love this film. The same way I love peanut butter and jelly on a toasted bread. I love peanut butter. I love jelly. And I love toasted bread. This is my film for the year. Its a really mature film that speaks to the audience about growing old without lecturing. Its like a coming of age film except that the lead is already old. And man, Elizabeth Olsen is really adorable here. It didn't gave you that Hollywood ending and thats why I love it.

Thats it. My top 5. I know you might be thinking this list sucks. GAAAAAAAAY. Wheres The Avengers? Wheres The Dark Knight Rises? Well, fuck. Stop being an asshole and do your own list then. If it was a top 10 then the avengers would've made it. Ok fuck it. I'll list my top 10 then. Rounding off up to 10 are
6 The Avengers
7 Safety not guaranteed
8 The Dark Knight Rises
9 The Grey
10 Paranorman

I'll reiterate that this is a personal list based on my personal preference that involves a. I enjoyed it, b. It has deep emotional resonance for me, c. It has time travel in it, d. Its visually creative.

So thats it. 2013 give me your best shot. Seeing the previews for 2013's films, Can I say Sci-fi much?

  1. Three JGL films! LOL. Have you watched Cloud Atlas?

    1. Hahaha! JGL picked really good films. I think 2012 was JGL's year in the same sense that 2011 was Ryan Gosling's year for the big screen. I have mixed feelings for Cloud Atlas.

  2. great list man! i'm glad to see the grey in there.

    ps. boo, no Argo love? argofuckyerslef hahaha :)

    1. You know how much I love the grey, man!
      Hahaha! My Argo love faded out too quickly. If it was a top 15 it would definitely be there along with cloud atlas, chronicle and perks of being a wallflower.
      Make a list too! I want to know your top 5. I should warn you. Its hard to pick, theres just so much good movies haha!

  3. I thought you said you love Argo? Where's Argoooo? Haha.

    1. Hahahaha! I love Ben Affleck's beard.


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Old 11-06-2014, 01:35 PM   #10 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 553

Little Blue - '98 Ford Escort ZX2 Cool
Team ZX2
90 day: 44.75 mpg (US)

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90 day: 15.53 mpg (US)
Thanks: 5
Thanked 45 Times in 29 Posts
Good Job! I noticed your fuel log the other day. Although I don't log fuel mileage anymore, I'm still in the ecomodding game. I topped out with a 56mpg tank average and have not been able to better that. It took me two years to top 50mpg, it's quite a lot of trial an error and more difficult with an ATX. You'll learn that the commute route is very important when you are not able to EOC. You need rear fender skirts BAD. They were quite effective for me. You need to check out my worklog on TeamZX2, in there I detail all that I have done :-)
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Suzanna Tashiro Choi

EDR – Suzanna ChoiSuzanna is the owner and president of Tashiro Choi & Associates, a multicultural outreach and public affairs firm. She is currently working with the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce on the Covered California program and is a certified educator and grantee.

She is an expert in community relations, particularly multicultural outreach with the Latino, Asian and African American communities. She is a nationally recognized speaker on community and minority outreach, and she has spent over 20 years outreaching to California’s various diverse communities.

Suzanna has consulted for Microsoft, PacifiCare, Hoag Hospital, CalOptima, AT&T, Wells Fargo, the Irvine Company, the Orange County Transportation Authority and the Orange County Water District and has been responsible for communicating their initiatives to various multicultural communities, often acting as each companies’ spokesperson and representative and serving as a liaison between the multicultural communities and the client.

She served as Governor Wilson’s Statewide Community Relations Director and Director of his Orange County office, where she developed strategic and targeted public outreach and participation programs to gather input, create consensus and build support for the Governor’s initiatives. Suzanna served as an appointee of former President George Bush at the United States Department of Energy from 1989-1992. She graduated with honors in 1988 from California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts.

Suzanna received the “Remarkable Woman of the Year” by the National Association of Women Business Owners & the Black Chamber of Orange County. She was also an award recipient for “Entrepreneur of the Year” from the Asian Business Association of Orange County. Irvine Council Member Dr. Steve Choi appointed her to serve on the City of Irvine’s Childcare Advisory Committee. She has also received an award from the Department of Commerce for the Celebration of Minorities in Business.


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posted on 16 October 2015

August 2015 JOLTS Job Openings Decline

Written by Steven Hansen

The BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) can be used as a predictor of future jobs growth, and the predictive elements show that the year-over-year unadjusted private non-farm job openings declined significantly. One month of data is not a trend, but now the trend of several months of data is showing a declining growth trend. There was significant downward revision in this series.

There was no market expectations published by Bloomberg this month. The trend lines now are now declining for 2015 (last month the trend lines were flat).

  • the number of unadjusted PRIVATE jobs openings - which is the most predictive of future employment growth of the JOLTS elements - shows the year-over-year growth is15.6% (April) to 11.4% (May) to 11.8% (June) to 18.9 (July) to 8.1 (August). The year-over-year growth of the unadjusted non-farm private jobs opening rate (percent of job openings compared to size of workforce) significantly improved from 11.8% to 21.6%.
  • The graph below looks at rate of growth for job opening levels and rate.

The relevance of JOLTS to future employment is obvious from the graphic below which shows JOLTS Job Openings leading or coincident to private non-farm employment. JOLTS job openings are a good predictor of jobs growth turning points.

Seasonally Adjusted Private Jobs Openings from JOLTS (blue line, left axis) compared to BLS Non-farm Private (red line, right axis)

The graph below uses year-over year growth comparisons of non-seasonally adjusted non-farm private BLS data versus JOLTS Job Openings - and then compare trend lines. JOLTS is showing a long term trend improvement.

Year-over-Year Change - Seasonally Jobs Openings from JOLTS (blue line, left axis) compared to Unadjusted BLS Non-farm Private (red line, right axis)

  • The JOLTS Unadjusted Private hires rate (percent of hires compared to size of workforce) and the separations rate (percent of separations compared to size of workforce - separations are the workforce which quit or was laid off) both grew. .

Seasonally Adjusted Hires (blue line) and Seasonally Adjusted Separation Levels (red line) - Non-Farm Private

Please note that Econintersect has not been able use the hire rate or the separation rate (or a combination thereof) to help in understanding future jobs growth. A Philly Fed study agrees with Econintersect's assessment. JOLTS is issued a month later than the jobs data - and correlates against one month old data. The data in the below chart shows that the JOLTS data is turning at the same points - but the JOLTS data is released one month later making this a lagging indicator.

Hires less Separation Rate (blue line, left axis) compared to Non-Farm Private BLS Non-farm Private (red line, right axis)

Caveats on the Use of JOLTS

This data series historically is very noisy which likely is a result of data gathering issues and/or seasonal adjustments. Therefore this series must be trended to provide any understanding of the dynamics. One of two months of good or bad data are not predictive.

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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Elite Class in Korea

Spent 3 days with these wonderful students from an established school in Korea working on design nails and fantasy work as part of an elite training program. It was an invaluable experience to be able to share my style and technique to the Korean nailists.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Fancy some Long nails ?

Haven't done full sets Edge for a while

This lady owns 3 salons and she has no time to do her own nails but she travelled across the border to get her nails done in my class ! What are friends

Filigree Inspired Nails

Whenever the word filigree comes to mind, I think of my dear friend Viv Simmonds. She is such an inspiration and always makes me laugh. She loves adding filigrees to her designs and while I was doing this set of nails for myself, I was actually thinking of her and her little adventure with Jesse James to Hong, she's not running off with some cowboy, it's her cute little son we're talking about ;) I can't wait for my own vacation !

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Back with more....

More nails, more excitement, more talent ! I just spent 3 days with my wonderful nail friends in Malaysia doing stuff we love best. Besides having a good laugh, plenty to eat and drink, we had some really serious nail stuff going on in the workshop and saw some amazing work coming out of the attendees' first attempt at mixed media fantasy nails. Once again, I thank all my dear friends (you know who you are :) for a wonderful time.

Monday, November 2, 2009

I Just Love Mexico !

Carla and me working at the booth, ain't those glasses cute on her !

Nail and picture happy, these girls wore amazing long nails and they are so talented!

Grisela and Ana Laura

Mario and Gerardo

We've put up a great show with everyone working to the max!
Check out the line to enter the show ....

Love my new friends!
Oh and check out multi-talented Trang, cooking up a storm....

This is how they make fresh's yummy delicious....

Graffiti along the streets of Mexico City

This sandwich (Tamale) can fill you for the full day....
But I love the Fried cheese more....tasty and crispy!

The Mariachi plays beautiful music, you could almost drift into oblivion....

It was a joy working with all these talented techs from Mexico, they are just so lovely and fun to be with.

Guadalajara is such a beautiful town, so different from Mexico City, plenty of greens and culture.

Everyone's tired on the last day but HAPPY!

My Demo Nails In Mexico Using Odyssey Nail Systems

Such an honour to create a set of nails with Trang Nguyen using the ONS new collections launched at the EBS show in Mexico City.

These nails were created with the Glamour, Cocktail and Diva Collections

This set of nails with goldfish were done using the Evoke Traditional Gel system, Primary color gels and handpaint.

The black marbilized lipstick nail is created by ONS Educator from Arizona - Max Estrada, I did the other colored embedded designs with the new Neon, Diva and Primary Collections.

My beautiful hand model, Ana Laura only managed with this one hand of stilleto edge nails which was created using colors from Cocktail, Mardi Gras and Duvet Pink.

This is another nail sculpted with the Evoke Gel and Primary color gel. Details were enhanced with 3D from the Primary collection and handpaint.


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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Pictures for your viewing pleasure! Day 1

Guys, I'll be away for a short while collecting corals.
But no worries, I have quite a batch of pictures for you to see :)

Stay tuned for upcoming pictures :)

No comments:

Aquaculture Northern Bali

November Corals Collection Part. 1

November Corals Collection Part. 2

Aquaculture - November Shipment

Coral Showcase - September 2008 Inventory

Holding Facility's Corals Collection Showcase 2007


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Whats been happening . . .

JANUARY 2018 - Still working from South Molton but New Studio due to be bult this month. Now a member of Westcountry Potters

OCTOBER 2017 - Those who know me, you will know that for 2 years I have been trying to relocate to North Devon. Well it finally happened and from the begining of September 2017 my wife and I now live in Lynbridge, North Devon and can honestly say it fantastic.

I'm in the process of building my new studio situated close to the cottage and hope to have it completed in January and be up and running in February 2018 (fingers crossed).

So at the moment I have set up a studio just outside South Molton at the workshop of my dear friend Marek who sadly passed-away last year. I'd like to thank Pauline his wife for allowing me to use the workshop and for making me so welcome.

At the moment I'm working on an order for the 'Porta Dextra Gallery', back stock of my range of raku animals ready for hopefully more orders from current stockist, a new range of smaller items for local gallaries and retailers that have shown interest in my work. Plus I am continue to create my latest 'black' range of highly carved raku 'arty' pieces that I exhibited for the first time at 'Art in Clay (Hatfield) 2017'.

About me and my work

I previously worked from my studio in Bledlow Ridge Buckinghamshire and also worked very closely with The Phonoix Studio at Towesey, Oxon were I teach and run raku workshops, these will continue, so keep an eye out for the dates for the 2018 workshops).

As you may have guessed my passion is Ceramics and especially the hand building techniques such as ‘coiling’ and ‘slab building’ which I than carve back at the leather dry clay stage. I am intrigued by the Raku firing technique although Stoneware firing is a also a strong process in the finishing technique of my work. I like to classify myself as a Ceramicist rather than a Potter as I tend to think of a potter as artist that competently uses the wheel to produce functional work.

I always find it hard to describe my work as it varies so much and takes it insperation from so many areas and influiences and these change regularly, one thing for sure is that I have more ideas in my head than I’m ever going to be able to make.

As well a exhibiting locally and nationally I also teach and run workshops for Raku Firing and handbuilding. As I build my own Raku kilns I can now offer this as a service, so if you are interested please get in contact.

I have been lucky to make some great friends through ceramics along the way and have to thank them all for enriching my life and saving me from complete madness.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

This website has been created to showcase all of my work and also consolodates  my old websites -, and and hope it makes it easier to view and understand my work.

On a commercial level

Always looking for sales outlets, exhibitions and galleries - if you are interested in my work please do not hesitate contacting me.

Whats been happening . . .

Get in Touch

Eddie Kent Ceramics

1 Lynway Cottages
North Devon
EX35 6BA

Tel: 01494 958396
Mobile: 07885 816762

Upcoming Events

BCTF - The British Craft Trade Fair 2018

8 - 10 April 2018

BCTF has been promoting British hand-made giftware for 43 years, longer than any other trade fair in the UK. So if you are a buyer, gallery, agent or collector please come along and see some unique raku fired work on stand 286.

The Weald of Kent Country Craft Show

5 - 7 May 2018

Why not have a day or weekend away and visit me at this fantastic Craft Show, as well has having lots of new hand made ceramics I will also have my range of unique raku fired animal forms. I will also be putting on a show with my raku firing demonstrations.

More Events

Latest News


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Riesling is one of the Canberra District icons. We believe Canberra does and will continue to produce some of the best examples of Riesling in Australia. Its continental climate is perfectly suited to growing lively and beautifully poised Riesling.

Tasting Notes

Intense tropical fruit, lime and lychees aromas with a lovely mineral, fresh and long palate.

Winemaking Notes

Hand-picked and whole bunch pressed. Cold settled for 48 hours, racked from lees and fermented cold in stainless steel tank with a selected aromatic yeast. The wine was then racked from lees and left on fine lees for 4 months before fining, cold stabilisation, sterile filtration and bottling in September 2017.

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england sleep disorders
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restful sleep
excellence in the diagnosis & treatment of sleep disorders

sleep disorders edinburgh uk

Our Philosophy - The Sigma Approach

A good night's sleep is essential for our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. There is ample evidence that disturbed sleep leads to short-term and long-term detrimental effects and effects of poor sleep on the immune system are well documented in the scientific literature. It is also well established that prompt and effective treatment of sleep disorders results in a generalised improvement in functioning and wellness.

At The Edinburgh Sleep Centre we believe that the accurate assessment and diagnosis of sleep disorders combined with a multimodal approach to the treatment of sleep disorders is the only way to ensure a sustained and long-lasting improvement in sleep and its related symptoms.

Our philosophy is based on the belief that every individual is unique and requires a treatment plan that incorporates the individual within his/her wider context as part of a family, community and society.

This is why we combine science, medicine, psychology, social and holistic methods in our approach to every individual presenting with a sleep problem - we call this The Sigma Approach.

Sigma - In mathematics, the sigma symbol - Σ - represents the sum of several parts, which seems appropriate for a philosophy that's all about integration!

diagnosis & treatment of sleep disorders
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Tuesday, May 08, 2007

I Like My Celebrities Distant

I don't know if it's a phase of my life or a function of my mood, but for the I've spent much of the last month or so hearing entertainment news and wondering why the public needs to know such things.

I don't want to see Alec Baldwin at his most deplorable. I want to watch him on TV and laugh. I don't want to see David Hasselhoff eat Wendy's off the floor while drunk, I want to make fun of his career. I don't want to see Anna Nicole's last moments re-enacted and if I never heard from Paris Hilton again, my life will still be full and happy. I want happy entertainment news, not the underbelly.

That's why Jeff Ruby might be my new hero. Go and nod in recognition.

"Ms. Cornelius" said...

I like it. I really like it.

And I would like to write that AP reporter and explain that NO ONE is found "innocent" in a court of law-- they are found "not guilty," which is actually an entirely different thing. OJ was found "not guilty," meaning it was determined by the jury that it was not proved that he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

And how can the creep afford a lawyer if he can't afford to pay the civil judgment to the Brown and Goldman families, hmmm?

I must visit this restaurant on vacation.

And I am completely sick of Alex and Paris and Britney. Stop showing your ass and go home.

IMC Guy said...

Your post and Ms. Cornelius - well said.


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Massachusetts Maritime Academy Spring Career Fair

April 20, 2017, Buzzards Bay, MA

EH&E will be participating in the Mass Maritime Academy Spring Career Fair. Visit our booth to learn about the many opportunities at EH&E for those interested in being part of a team committed to solving today’s complex environmental and engineering challenges.

As an employee-owned company, we are dedicated to the success of the firm and strive to create an engaging work environment. Discover more about our culture and team.

More information on the MMA Career Fair


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Workshop 'Mediterranean Mountains: Climate Change, Landscape and Biodiversity': Over fifty experts from Mediterranean countries have dealt with the issues of Climate Change, Sustainable Tourism and Biodiversity

EIA's representatives participated in "Mediterranean Mountains: Climate Change, Landscape and Biodiversity” workshop that was held on the 4th of September as part of EXPO 2015. The workshop was organized in cooperation of the Italian Ministry of Environment, UNEP Vienna-Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention, the Bio-Mediterranean Cluster and the European Academy of Bolzano – EURAC Research.
The representatives of institutions, universities and scientific research bodies and civil society representatives from Mediterranean countries gathered in Milan and discussed about sustainable development in the mountain areas of the Mediterranean. The focus of the meeting was on local initiatives for mitigation and adaptation to climate change, sustainable tourism and landscape, innovative methods to manage and value biodiversity and agro -biodiversity in Mediterranean mountain areas. Participants of the meeting highlighted the importance of building networks of policy makers, sharing experiences and development of joint projects for international funding.
The event also included round tables and working sessions on the issue of climate change, landscape and sustainable tourism and biodiversity. In each session several experts from the leading academic institutions from the Mediterranean, research institutes and non-governmental organizations took their part.
This was the first in a series of meetings on the Mediterranean Mountains aimed to strengthen and widen the cooperation between regional stakeholders, encouraging the development of tools for multi-level governance and " Green Economy " in the Mediterranean. For further information please visit www.mountainweek.org.


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Saturday, February 12, 2011

Recipe For Jack Astors Garlic Pan Bread

leek bake with potato crust

When I stumbled back a few days at Chili and Ciabatta about the recipe from leek bake with potato crust , it suited me spontaneously. Today it was then nachgekocht in slightly modified form.

600 g leeks
500 g mixed Hack
400 ml cream
1 egg
2 garlic cloves
1 sprig rosemary
500 g potatoes
salt, pepper

leek Wash, clean and quarter the white and light green full length and 10 cm long pieces. Cook in plenty of boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes, rinse, and drain well.
garlic finely chop and fry soft in 1 tablespoon butter. Season with cream, salt and pepper and cook something. Remove from heat. Rosemary pluck, chop and add to the sauce. The verklapperte add egg well.
crumbly ground beef roast and season with salt and pepper.

an ovenproof casserole dish with butter fat. Slice potatoes into thin slices. One third of the potato slices in cold water. The remaining spread in the baking dish. Half of leek to give the potatoes. Minced meat and cheese on top and cover with the remaining leeks. The cream sauce and add in a preheated oven at 180 degrees 25 minutes until.

take after the end of cooking the casserole from the oven and cover with the well-drained and blotted dry potato slices, spread remaining butter in small pieces on it and another 15-20 minutes until golden brown topping.

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Hot-PBS Extract of Vibrio vulnificus Induces NF-ÃÂºB Activation

Noboru Nakasone1, Yasunori Ogura2, Naomi Higa1, Claudia Toma1, Yukiko Koizumi3, Toshihiko Suzuki4, Tetsu Yamashiro1,*

1Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan

2Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Japan

3Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, USA

4Department of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Infection and Host Response Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan

*Corresponding Author:
Tel: +81-098-895-1124
E-mail: [email protected]

Received date: March 31, 2017; Accepted date: April 18, 2017; Published date: April 25, 2017

Citation: Nakasone N, Ogura Y, Higa N, et al. Hot-PBS Extract of Vibrio vulnificus Induces NF-κB Activation. Electronic J Biol, 13:2

Visit for more related articles at Electronic Journal of Biology

Background: Vibrio vulnificus causes necrotizing fasciitis and liver dysfunction. Although many studies have attempted to clarify the molecular mechanism by which V. vulnificus generates these symptoms, the mechanism remains poorly understood. Methods and findings: We focused on determining the factor derived from V. vulnificus that induces inflammation. We found that an extract of V. vulnificus prepared using hot phosphate buffered saline (PBS) markedly induced the activation of NF-κB. The activation, however, was not caused by lipopolysaccharides, the capsule, peptidoglycans, or NOD1/NOD2 ligands, all of which are known to activate NF-κB. Conclusion: A factor in a hot-PBS extract from V. vulnificus might activate NF-κB through an unknown receptor, and such a factor might play an important role in the etiology of diseases caused by V. vulnificus.

V. vulnificus; Hot-PBS extract; Inflammation; NF-κB.

1. Introduction

Vibrio vulnificus is a gram-negative, curved, rod-shaped halophilic bacterium that causes severe wound infections and septicemia and is frequently fatal in hosts with liver disease or immunosuppression [1,2]. Septic shock, which occurs in fatal cases, has been attributed to a variety of virulence factors of V. vulnificus, such as bacterial Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Capsular Polysaccharides (CPS), Hemolysin (VvhA) and Multifunctional Autoprocessing RTX Toxin (MARTX) [3-7]. However, the role of these factors in the local inflammation caused by V. vulnificus remains unclear [1-13].

NF-kB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) is a transcription factor that plays a central role in immune responses and is involved in numerous physiological processes, such as acute and chronic inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. In this study, we found that a hot-PBS extract from V. vulnificus markedly induced NF-kB activation, and we examined the role of this hot-PBS extract in NF-kB activation.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1 Bacterial and culture conditions

The wild-type V. vulnificus MO6-24/O strain was provided by Dr. Antia C. Wright (University of Florida, Gainesville, FL). To eliminate the effects of hemolysin and MARTX toxin, double mutants of V. vulnificus (DvvhA/DrtxA) were used. The isogenic V. vulnificus double mutants (DvvhA/DrtxA) were provided by Dr. T. Iida (Osaka University, Japan). The bacteria were cultured in 100 ml of terrific broth at 37°C for 13 h, with shaking.

2.2 Preparation of bacterial extract

Bacteria were harvested by centrifugation at 10,000 xg for 10 min, washed in phosphate buffer saline (PBS), resuspended in 10 ml of PBS, and then heated at 65°C for 1 h. After centrifugation at 15,000 xg for 10 min, the supernatant was filtered through a 0.25 mm membrane filter. The filtrate was then stored at -80°C.

2.3 NF-kB activity

A reporter plasmid that expresses luciferase depending on the NF-kB activity level (pBVI-Luc) was transfected into the HEK293T cells using a control reporter plasmid that expresses b-galactosidase constitutively under the control of the promoter of elongation factor 1 (pEF-BOS-b-Gal) using the calcium phosphate method. Eight hours after transfection, the cells were treated with the bacterial extract, and 16 hours after exposure to the extract, the cells were lysed. The luciferase activity in the cell lysate was measured using a light emission assay with a commercially available kit (Promega, WI) and the b-galactosidase activity was measured using a coloring assay with ortho-nitrophenyl-b-galactoside. To evaluate the relative activity of NF-kB in the cells, the luciferase activity was divided by the activity of b-galactosidase. To test the ability of bacterial extract to activate NF-kB through NOD1 or NOD2, pMX-HA-NOD1 or pMX-HA-NOD2, respectively, was transfected into HEK293T cells with the luciferase and b-galactosidase reporter plasmids and evaluate the NF-kB activityas described above [8].

2.4 Preparation of LPS, CPS and peptidoglycan

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Capsular Polysaccharide (CPS), and peptidoglycan were prepared according to the methods described by Westphal and Lüderitz [9], Reddy et al. [10] and Gan et al. [11], respectively. Each extract was subjected to periodic acid-Schiff staining.

2.5 Enzyme treatment

The hot-PBS extracts were treated with protease K, DNase I, lysozyme and lipase at a concentration of 100 mg/ml each at 37°C for 1 h and the resulting abilities of the extracts to induce NF-kB were examined.

2.6 Ultrafiltration and anion-change column chromatogram

Ultrafiltration was performed using commercially available centrifugal filter devices (Merck Millipore, MA). Gel filtration and anion exchange column chromatography were performed using the Sephadex G25 (Sigma Aldrich, MO) (1 kDa-5 kDa cut-off) (150 mm × 10 mm) and the Q-Sepharose Fast Flow (GE Healthcare, IL) (100 mm × 15 mm), respectively.

3. Results

We found that hot-PBS extract from V. vulnificus activates NF-kB in HEK293T cells in a dose-dependent manner (Figure 1a). For the full activation of NF-kB, heat treatment of the bacterial suspension was required (Figure 1b), and the bacteria had to be suspended in PBS instead of pure water (Figure 1c). The hot-PBS extract of V. vulnificus induced a stronger activation of NF-kB than those of Vibrio cholera or Aeromonas hydrophila (Figure 1d). The ability of the hot-PBS extract to induce NF-kB was not affected by treatment with protease K, DNase I, lysozyme or lipase (Figure 1e).

Figure 1:NF-kB activity of hot-PBS extract of V. vulnificus. (a) Volume dependent NF-kB activation. (b) Effect of temperature on heat extraction. V. vulnificus was heated at room temperature (RT), 65°C and 100°C for 1 h. (c) Effect of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) on the heat extract. V. vulnificus was suspended in distilled water (DW) or PBS and heated at 65°C for 1 h. (d) Effect of hot-PBS extracts of V. vulnificus (Vv), V. cholerae (Vc) and A. hydrophila (Ah). (e) Effect of enzyme treatment on hot-PBS extract. The extract was incubated with each enzyme (100 mg/ml) at 37°C for 1 h.

We next examined whether LPS, CPS, or peptidoglycan prepared from V. vulnificus was capable of activating NF-kB to the same extent as the hot-PBS extract. Even though 5 mg of these compounds were used to stimulate the HEK293T cells, none of these compounds activated NF-kB to the same extent as the hot-PBS extract (Figures 2a-2c).

To estimate the molecular weight of the factor responsible for the NF-kB activation, we subjected the extract to size fractionation using ultrafiltration. As the activity was retained after passage through a 3kDa cut-off membrane (Figure 3a), the molecular weight of the NF-kB activator was estimated to be less than 3 KDa.

Gel filtration column chromatography using Sephadex G-25 (Figure 3b) showed that the size of the molecule responsible for the NF-kB activation was 3 kDa or smaller, which was similar to the size estimated using ultrafiltration.

Next, we tested whether the molecule could be fractionated using anion exchange column chromatography using Q-Sepharose Fast Flow anion exchange resin. As a result, the NF-kB activating factor was shown to bind to the column in PBS and to be eluted by a phosphate buffer containing 0.6 M NaCl (Figure 3c).

Since HEK293T cells are considered to express a certain amount of NOD1 and NOD2 protein, the V. vulnificus extract might activate NF-kB through endogenous NOD1 or NOD2 in HEK293T cells. Consequently, we examined whether the V. vulnificus extract activates NOD1 or NOD2. As shown in Figure 4, 100000 ng/ml of iE-DAP (NOD1 ligand) or MDP (NOD2 ligand) induced about a 4-fold activation of NF-kB in the plain HEK293T cells, while the same concentration of iE-DAP or MDP induced a more than 20-fold activation in the HEK283T cells that are forced to express NOD1 or NOD2, respectively. As 1.5 ml of fraction 11 induced about a 4-fold activation in the plain HEK293T cells, if the activation is mediated by NOD1 or NOD2, then the same amount of fraction 11 should induce a 20-fold activation in HEK293T cells expressing NOD1 or NOD2, respectively. However, 1.5 ml of fraction 11 induced only a 7-fold and a 6-fold activation of NF-kB in cells expressing NOD1 and NOD2, respectively. Thus, NF-kB activation by fraction 11 in HEK293T cells cannot be explained by endogenous NOD1 and NOD2 alone.

Figure 2. NF-kB activator characterization. (a) Effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), (b) capsular polysaccharide (CPS), and (c) peptidoglycan (PGN) isolate of V. vulnificus on NF-kB activation. Each isolate was used at a concentration of 50 mg/ml.

Figure 3. Molecular weight and charged state of hot-PBS extract. (a) Effect of ultrafiltration (3 kDa cut-off). The hot-PBS extract was passed through the ultrafiltration membrane, and the activities of the outer (out) and inner (in) solutions were examined. (b) Profile of Sephadex G25 column profile. A 1 ml sample was added to the gel and 1 ml was collected at a flow rate of 0.1 ml/min with PBS. (d) Profile of Q-anion exchange column chromatography. Active fractions of the Sephadex G25 column were collected and added to the Q-anion exchange column, washed with PBS, and the adsorbed materials on the column were eluted using a stepwise NaCl gradient (0.4-1 M).

Figure 4. Nod-independent activation of NF-B by V. vulnificus heat extract. Either NOD1 or NOD2 or pMX-HA-NOD1 or pMX-HA-NOD2 was transfected into HEK293T cells using luciferase and -galactosidase reporter plasmids, respectively, and iE-DAP (D-gamma-Glu-mDAP), MDP (Muramyl Dipeptide) or fraction 11 were added.

4. Discussion and Conclusion

NF-kB is activated in response to various stresses and stimuli received from the surrounding environment and controls genes such as immunity, inflammation, carcinogenesis, programmed death and infection. Therefore, the overactivation of NF-kB is expected to be involved in pathogenicity. Humans with underlying diseases such as liver disease and diabetes can develop lethal systemic diseases such as sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis. People with chronic liver disease are known to have activated NF-kB and NF-kB activation by the hot-PBS extract may exacerbate their conditions. The causative component in the hot-PBS extract is likely activated by the presence of fever in the patient and bacterial death caused by the infection, and this component may contribute to the development of severe necrotizing fasciitis Furthermore, the present study also suggested that NF-activating receptors other than NOD1 and NOD2 might exist. Future studies should attempt to isolate the activator from the hot-PBS extract. Once this goal has been achieved, the following items will require investigation: 1) structure determination, 2) contribution to pathogenicity and possible treatment targets, 3) search for receptors and construction of new innate immune mechanism, and 4) possibility of physiological activity and immunological control in animal models.

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