NFT trading platform Artistone plays with “stones”, leading the new trend of NFT collection

Art in human history goes back 10,000 years – from Paleolithic cave paintings, to ancient Egyptian funerary sculptures, to Renaissance body/architecture art…

Historians have summed up this long evolution of art into books for people to read, but those artistic crystallizations are lacking, which means that we will never be able to see what it really is.

Some people may say: we can always do something for these art treasures, such as cultural relics restoration?

Yes, the art restoration industry sprang up during the Renaissance, but limited by rough restoration techniques, many cultural relics were not only not properly protected, but also destroyed.

Since the 19th century, books on the methodology of art restoration have gradually come out, and organizations like the Italian Spinelli Palace Art Restoration and Cultural Heritage Protection Agency have also appeared in front of people.

In the process of technological development and replacement, generations of restorers have successfully saved many precious works of art, but will everything be fine? Of course not.

In order to keep the artwork better in the world, today’s artwork restoration work not only requires the restorer to have superb skills, but also needs to have a complete understanding of the artwork and the history behind it. In addition, restorers also need to have interdisciplinary knowledge and effective communication skills.

It can be seen that the threshold for art restoration is very high. But even if restorers are talented, they always have special circumstances.

Such as Andalusia’s medieval castle – Castillo de Matrera. Because the history of the ancient castle is too long, only the broken walls are left, so the architects ingeniously restored it into the style of a monument, retaining only part of the original walls. The restoration even won an American Architecture Award, but most people were not satisfied with the restoration, arguing that it lost its original feel to the ruins.

In fact, time has shown us that it is difficult for the physical world to have true immortality.

While regretting, we are also thinking, is there a way to really leave time? Thankfully, this era has a peculiar product – digital art. Artistone, an NFT art platform that has recently become popular on the Internet, is also committed to providing artists with such an ideal country where they can permanently store art.

Artistone is an art community-style NFT exchange that issues its own equity NFT “Era-stone”. These NFTs called “Era-stone” not only mean the rights and interests that can be obtained by holding the NFT, but also represent the combination of nature and digital art.

We know that the Stone Age was the first period of human civilization. In the process of human evolution, stone plays an extremely important role. From the most basic life, production, and various forms of creative activities, many stories have been derived between humans and stone.

These NFT Era-stones with different materials and styles are engraved with the names of many deceased artists. From a certain point of view, this is the sustenance of modern people to history, and it is also a commemoration of the works of art they have created.

Artistone’s vision is not only these, they are doing something that connects the past and the future – leaving their names for more contemporary artists:

Excellent artists only need to apply on the platform, and they will receive an Era-stone NFT named by Artistone after reviewing them.

Of course, these places are not only for authoritative artists. Any creator who releases NFT on the Artistone platform reaches a certain target, and the official will also send them a customized Era-stone NFT.

That said, whether or not you’ve already made amazing achievements in art, you’ll find your place at Artistone.

Individual artists are undoubtedly lonely, and so are the works that are condensed from all experiences. But Artistone is committed to bringing the world’s artists together on the same platform, with the most pioneering art clusters and the most ardent followers.

For more information please join the official community：


What is it about?

The construction of meanings in Islamic musical performances in different contexts offers various process of identity formation among listeners in West Java, Indonesia. This is also driven by political change in the country.

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Why is it important?

This article considers listening to music contributes to the process of identity formation. Ethnic identity is often considered as singular yet in fact it can be expressed in various ways with diverse meanings. I found different concepts of village and urban listeners when it comes to listening the same music genre.

Writing this article is a great experience, especially with the theme that rarely discussed so I hope this article can contribute significantly to the area of anthropology and music, and it can fill the gap of the scholarship in the field.

Neneng Lahpan
Institut Seni Budaya Indonesia Bandung

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Islamic Musical Forms and Local Identity in Post-Reform Indonesia, Bijdragen tot de taal- land- en volkenkunde / Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences of Southeast Asia, July 2019, Brill, DOI: 10.1163/22134379-17502003.
You can read the full text:

The following have contributed to this page


All articles by Robert Soloman

Robert Soloman

Action Stations: Firefighting Technology

Modern firefighting technology means the risk of fire is not as great as it once was, but it is still a danger. Robert Solomon of the National Fire Protection Agency in the US tells Nic Paton why it’s essential there is a failsafe plan in place, all staff know the routine and that drills are practised on a regular basis.


The causes of secondary hypertension come from your body already having an underlying disease. This form of high blood pressure is caused by another medical condition. If you realize that your blood pressure is increasing, you should take preventative measures immediately. One way to control your blood pressure is to monitor your systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In this article, we're going to cover high blood pressure, secondary hypertension, and resistant hypertension. You'll learn about the risk factors to which you may be susceptible and how to prevent secondary hypertension.

What is Secondary Hypertension?

Secondary hypertension is high blood pressure that's caused by another condition or disease. It's not the most common type of high blood pressure, but it can be more serious. If you have secondary hypertension, it's important to treat your high blood pressure and the underlying condition.

Many different conditions can cause secondary hypertension. Some of the more common ones include:

  • kidney disease
  • sleep apnea
  • autoimmune disorders
  • endocrine disorders
  • use of certain medications
  • pregnancy

Pregnancy-induced hypertension occurs when blood pressure is higher than 140/90mm Hg without any other organ damage after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Is it Common?

Secondary hypertension is much less common than primary hypertension. It can be caused by renal artery stenosis, sleep apnea, coarctation of the aorta, pregnancy, endocrine disorders such as Cushing's syndrome, and certain medications such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers, and some prescription drugs.

This is why one of the best ways to control blood pressure is with lifestyle changes. Make sure you are working with your doctor to avoid medications that raise blood pressure and start changing your lifestyle focusing on healthy diet and exercise. A healthy lifestyle routine is the best route to a healthy life.

Secondary Arterial Hypertension.

In the same vein as secondary hypertension, secondary arterial hypertension is linked to your cardiovascular health. If you have a history of heart failure, secondary hypertension will add stress to your body if you do not take steps to prevent disease. Your renal arteries may be impacted as a result, your blood flow may decrease, and could worsen already severe hypertension. This is another reason why blood pressure control is extremely important.

If you have hypertension, adequate blood pressure control is important so try to optimize your routine. A healthier lifestyle will help you control your high blood pressure.

What are the Causes of Secondary Hypertension?

As stated before, secondary hypertension is caused by another existing disease or condition in your body. In other words, your blood pressure is elevated because of another cause. Below we've listed some of the diseases that cause secondary hypertension.

The main causes of secondary hypertension are:

  • renal parenchymal disease

This disease is the most common cause of secondary hypertension and includes conditions such as glomerulonephritis and polycystic kidney disease. These diseases can lead to high blood pressure causing damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys, which makes it difficult for them to filter blood properly.

  • renovascular disease

This disease occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys. This can cause high blood pressure by making it difficult for the kidneys to filter blood properly.

  • endocrine disorders

Disorders such as Cushing's syndrome and pheochromocytoma can cause high blood pressure by affecting the hormones that regulate blood pressure.

  • obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when people stop breathing for short periods during sleep. This can lead to high blood pressure, causing stress on the heart and lungs.

  • primary hyperaldosteronism

This is a condition in which the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone hormone. This hormone helps to regulate blood pressure and can cause high blood pressure if levels are too high.

The Symptoms you can Expect.

Symptoms of high blood pressure include headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and a racing heartbeat. There are two types of high blood pressure: primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension is the most common type and occurs when there's no underlying medical condition causing high blood pressure. Secondary hypertension happens when another medical condition causes high blood pressure. It's often difficult to determine the exact cause of secondary hypertension, but it's often due to kidney, arteries, or heart problems.

Many symptoms are associated with high blood pressure, but it is often called the "silent killer" because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages. People may experience headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, or nosebleeds as blood pressure increases.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when there is increased force of blood against your artery walls. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mmHg. If your top number is greater than 120 and your bottom number is greater than 80, you have elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure means your heart must work harder to pump blood to the rest of your body. This extra work can increase your heart rate and cause damage to your arteries. Over time, high blood pressure can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and memory problems. There are often no symptoms of high blood pressure, so it is important to check your blood pressure regularly. If you have high blood pressure, there are things you can do to lower it and stay healthy. Exercise, eating a healthy diet, managing stress, and avoiding tobacco products can all help to lower blood pressure.

Regarding blood pressure readings, there are two numbers to pay attention to.

Systolic blood pressure.

The top number, called systolic blood pressure, measures the force your blood exerts on artery walls when your heart beats.

Diastolic blood pressure.

The bottom number, the diastolic blood pressure, represents the force when your heart rests between beats.

A normal blood pressure reading would be 120/80 mmHg or lower; anything above that is considered high blood pressure.

How Secondary Hypertension can be Prevented.

There are a few different ways to manage high blood pressure through lifestyle changes. One way is by eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting sodium intake. Another is maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and managing stress levels.

You can make some lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of developing secondary hypertension.

Cutting back on salt is one way to help lower blood pressure. Too much salt can cause fluid retention, leading to high blood pressure. Limiting your intake of processed foods and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables can also help reduce your sodium intake.

Exercise is another important factor in preventing secondary hypertension. Regular physical activity helps keep your blood vessels healthy and lowers blood pressure. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, try incorporating 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity into your daily routine.

Finally, managing stress is essential for preventing secondary hypertension. Stress can cause your blood pressure to rise, so it’s important to find healthy ways to cope with stress. Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing are all great ways to manage stress and lower blood pressure.

These lifestyle changes can help prevent secondary hypertension and improve your overall health.

Index Health Can Help You.

Key Takeaways About High Blood Pressure.

Now that you know a little bit more about high blood pressure and secondary hypertension, you've gathered that there are a plethora of causes. They can increase blood pressure without obvious signs and have a lot of associated risk factors as well. Some common causes of secondary hypertension include autoimmune disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and kidney disease. Treat secondary hypertension with proper care of your body. Many patients seek medical therapy and use holistic means to effectively manage the diseases in their bodies. These preventative measures can go a long way in turning your life around. Monitor your high blood pressure, eat healthily, and exercise and you will start to see the difference in your body.


Tactical Squad Space Marines

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Tactical Squads are combat squads. The most numerous and strategically diverse warriors in a Codex Astartes-compliant order form battlegroups. They are flexible enough to smother an attack or hold a position with devastating firepower. Whatever the strategic challenge, Battleline Squads are usually up to the task.

Like their Assault Marine counterparts, members of a Tactical Squad can be badass. The Chaos Space Marines also use units equivalent to the Tactical Marines, although they have less weapon variety, are more vicious in close combat, and are usually led by an Aspiring Champion of Chaos.The most numerous and strategically diverse warriors in a Codex Astartes-compliant Space Marine Chapter form battlegroups. They are flexible enough to smother an attack or hold a position with devastating firepower. Whatever the strategic challenge, Battleline Squads are up to the task.

Since the release of Codex Astartes, Tactical Squads have formed the backbone of most Space Marine armies. They were asked to fulfill the full range of roles on the battlefield; They stand firm, provide fire support, and charge into the close quarters of bloody hand-to-hand combat as the ever-changing theater of war dictates. As befits their flexible role on the battlefield, Tactical Squads bring a variety of weapons to the battlefield. in addition to standard bolt pistol and grenade armament, most Tactical Space Marines carry a boltgun - the weapon of vengeance made famous on untold millions of blood-soaked battlefields. This impressive infantry firepower is usually complemented by one heavy weapon and one special weapon. Exact armament is selected to meet the requirements of each mission, and weapon duties are shared between all members of the squad except the sergeant, requiring all Tactical Space Marines to be trained and proficient with every weapon their squad is capable of using.

Each Tactical Squad is led by a grizzled sergeant who has thrived through solar decades or even standard centuries of harsh and brutal campaigns. It is important for battleline squads to be led by a shrewd and courageous individual able to read the battle for opportunity, and it is quite common for such sergeants to be seconded from the Order's elite 1st Company. This ensures that the mainstay of the Order's combat troops are led by the most experienced of its warriors. No matter how detailed a plan, many decisions in the heat of battle—such as whether to sprint at full speed, fire while moving, take cover, or capture key bases—must be made quickly. The right decision can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

The forerunner of the modern era Tactical Squad, the Legion Tactical Squad was a tactical formation of the ancient Space Marine Legions deployed during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy era of the late 30th and early 31st millenniums. These squads were the mainstay of the Legiones Astartes and the force with which the Great Crusade reclaimed much of the galaxy for the Empire of Man and its Emperor. Whether sprinting through the firestorm of no man's land, fighting head-to-toe with flaming bolters, or blasting enemy tanks to pieces, Tactical Marines are tireless and steadfast defenders of the Empire. A Battle-Brother can only join a Tactical Squad after first progressing through the ranks of Scout, Devastator, and Assault Squads, meaning these brave warriors are experts in all aspects of warfare.

Led by grizzled sergeants - many seconded from the elite 1st Company - these squads have the accumulated knowledge and skills to deal with any situation, no matter how dire. Combined with the range of special weapons they can wield, there is no threat in the galaxy that the Space Marines Tactical Squads cannot triumph over. Sergeants have the additional options of wielding a wider variety of weapons in combat, with most Sergeants opting for a bolt pistol and chainsword. The Sergeant may have fought enough battles to qualify as a Veteran of his Chapter. Veterans are often promoted to special command duties or assigned to serve in the elite 1st Company of a Codex Astartes-compliant Chapter. Sergeants are usually denoted on the battlefield by a red helmet. Veteran Sergeants also add a white stripe to their red helmets to indicate this elite status.

Tactical Squads form the backbone of any Space Marine army. They hold positions, provide fire support, and engage in bloody close quarters combat as the needs of the ever-changing battlefield dictate.

This box contains everything you need to assemble your very own Tactical Squad, including a Sergeant and a special weapon. There are so many options and accessories in the set that we recommend you take a closer look at the images above to get a proper impression of them.

Space Marines

To build the Tactical Squad, you get
11 upper body fronts (10 of which are individually different)
10 different pairs of legs
16 different heads (13 helmeted, 3 bareheaded)
22 shoulder pads
10 back modules (9 of which are individually different)
and 10 pairs of arms.

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Computational Thinking - Learning Progress Outcomes 4 (Level 5)

In authentic contexts and taking account of end-users, students decompose problems to create simple algorithms using the three building blocks of programing: sequence, selection, and iteration. They implement these algorithms by creating programs that use inputs, outputs, sequence, basic selection using comparative operators, and iteration. They debug simple algorithms and programs by identifying when things go wrong with their instructions and correcting them, and they are able to explain why things went wrong and how they fixed them.

Students understand that digital devices represent data with binary digits and have ways of detecting errors in data storage and transmission. They evaluate the efficiency of algorithms, recognising that computers need to search and sort large amounts of data. They also evaluate user interfaces in relation to their efficiency and usability.


In the United States, an estimated 233 000 new prostate cancer (PCa) cases will be diagnosed and 29 480 patients will die from PCa in 2014, making this disease the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in American men.1 In Europe, PCa is estimated to be the third leading cause of cancer-related death in men for 2014, behind lung and colorectal cancers.2 There are a few confirmed risk factors for PCa incidence overall, of which age is the most important: PCa is uncommon before 50 years of age and is rarely lethal before 60 years. In fact, 70% of PCa-related deaths occur after age 75.3 African ancestry and a positive family history are also among the risk factors associated with PCa, and now numerous genetic risk loci have been validated in multiple studies.

The incidence of PCa worldwide can vary by as much as 50-fold between low- and high-risk populations. The large disparity in PCa incidence between the Eastern and the Western hemispheres, a trend observed even before the adoption of prostate-specific antigen testing in developed countries,4 points to a key role of environmental factors, such as diet, as an etiologic factor in this disease.5, 6 This association is further supported by observations from Japanese immigrants in Los Angeles County, in whom PCa rates are almost quadrupled compared with Japanese living in their homeland and almost match the incidence rate seen in California native residents.7

PCa is characterized by complex genomic alterations that are highly heterogeneous and vary greatly from patient to patient, as well as within the same tumor focus. Such disparities can be partly explained by an underlying genomic instability.8 In addition, PCa has been described as an ‘epigenome catastrophe’, because various changes in DNA methylation patterns can be detected well before the cancer becomes invasive,9 suggesting that epigenetic changes are pivotal events in tumor initiation.10, 11 Interestingly, diet can induce various epigenetic modifications that result in global alterations in chromatin packaging; such stable and heritable changes regulate the access of the transcriptional machinery to target genes, and thereby modulate gene expression profiles.9, 12

Here we introduce some of the evidence that supports the thesis that diet impacts PCa initiation and progression, and examine the hypothesis that these diet-related effects are, in part, mediated by epigenomic alterations.

Diet and PCa: the epidemiological evidence

The impact of diet on cancer growth was first described in landmark studies at the beginning of the 20th century by researchers such as Peyton Rous, who reported that some tumors have a delayed growth and retarded development when transplanted to previously underfed hosts, whereas other tumors are unaffected by the host’s diet.13 We now know that not all cancer types are equally sensitive to dietary modulation,14 a phenotype that may be attributed in part to defined genetic alterations.15

An increasing number of epidemiological and molecular studies point to a link between diet and PCa, particularly for cancers that are more aggressive. Despite this, the role of specific dietary components in PCa development and progression is still unclear. In 2007, the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research reported that a diet rich in foods containing lycopene/cooked tomatoes or selenium (nota bene, selenium content in food is mirrored by the soil’s selenium abundance) has a protective effect against PCa, whereas diets high in calcium have been associated with increased risk for PCa.16

Following this line of reasoning, the role of lycopene and tomato products in PCa prevention has been extensively studied and, although evidence is mixed, available data suggest an inverse association between increased consumption and PCa.17 In the prospective Health Professionals Follow-up Study, consumption of tomato products was shown to be inversely associated with the incidence of total PCa as well as of advanced stage disease.18 Also of interest, low levels of selenium have been associated with increased risk of PCa, particularly in relation to advanced or aggressive disease.19 However, selenium supplementation did not significantly reduce the risk of developing PCa in the SELECT randomized trial, indicating that whether selenium intake is obtained directly from the diet or as supplements may impact differently PCa risk.20 With limited evidence, other potential protective dietary elements include vitamin E, cruciferous vegetables, soy/isoflavones, polyphenols, fish/marine omega-3, coffee and vitamin D.21, 22, 23 Conversely, a number of epidemiological studies have reported an increased risk of PCa for extreme categories of calcium intake,24 with stronger associations for the risk of advanced or lethal disease.18 The effect of folate intake (including folic acid supplementation) on PCa risk is conflicting. Although dietary and total folate intake is not associated with PCa risk, high circulating folate levels are associated with an increased risk of PCa,25 a risk further heightened in patients of African ancestry.26 With limited evidence, a high dietary intake of red meat and heterocyclic amines, saturated and monounsaturated fats, as well as the essential alpha-linolenic fatty acid (FA) promotes PCa development.21, 23

Feeding PCa

Evidence from preclinical models

The impact of diet on PCa progression has been evaluated in various mouse models (see the excellent review by Irshad and Abate-Shen27 for a detailed overview of the strengths and limitations of each mouse model). It has been shown that a high-carbohydrate/high-fat diet enhances the growth of human PCa cell xenografts in mice.28, 29 In the Hi-Myc transgenic mouse model of PCa, a low-fat diet delays tumor progression,30 whereas Hi-Myc mice maintained on a calorie-restricted diet display a reduced incidence of in situ adenocarcinoma compared with overweight controls (10% kcal from fat) or with mice on a diet-induced obesity regimen (60% kcal from fat).31 Importantly, calorie-restricted mice do not develop invasive adenocarcinoma, and the frequency of invasive adenocarcinoma is significantly lower in mice fed a low-fat diet compared with mice on the diet-induced obesity regimen. Increased feeding of mice is correlated with greater activation of growth factor signaling,31 and the greater frequency of prostate adenocarcinoma occurrence in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model has also been attributed to excessive calorie retention.32 Moreover, a high-fat diet in LADY (12 T-10) transgenic mice is correlated with increased neuroendocrine differentiation, a marker of aggressive PCa.33

Similarly, PTENPE−/− (PE, prostate epithelium) mice that are fed an omega-3 FA-rich diet display reduced PCa growth, slower histopathological progression and increased survival, whereas mice fed on an omega-6 FA-rich diet exhibit the opposite result. Insertion of an omega-3 desaturase (which converts omega-6 into omega-3 FA) into the PTENPE−/− background rescues the phenotype of mice that are fed the high omega-6 diet.34 Along the same lines, Yue et al.35 recently observed that esterified cholesterol specifically accumulates in high-grade PCa and metastases, and that this accumulation results from the hyperactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway following the loss of PTEN. Inhibiting acyl-coenzyme A (CoA):cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT-1) results in a net depletion of stored cholesteryl ester, which impedes cell proliferation, migration and even tumor growth in murine xenograft models. Although the underlying mechanism responsible for this unforeseen phenotype, where cholesteryl ester fuels PCa growth, still remains to be fully defined,35 these observations are further strengthened by the recent findings that ACAT-1 expression can serve as a prognostic marker that readily distinguishes indolent from aggressive PCa.36

The human data

In an elegant ex vivo study, Aronson et al.37 randomized men with PCa (but not currently under treatment) to either a low-fat (15% kcal) high-fiber and soy-supplemented diet or a typical high-fat (40% kcal) Western diet for 4 weeks; they found that proliferation of LNCaP cells grown in a medium containing 10% human serum from these patients is significantly inhibited only in the presence of serum from men maintained on a low-fat diet for 4 weeks. Consistent with this, obesity is correlated with a lower risk of early stage PCa, as well as an elevated risk of aggressive PCa.38 In a meta-analysis, Cao and Ma6 reported that an elevated body mass index of 5 kg/m2 is associated with a 20% higher PCa-specific mortality. Obesity dysregulates a number of key hormonal pathways and it has been proposed that lower sex hormone-binding globulin, adiponectin and higher insulin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) may also contribute to the development of high-grade tumors in obese patients. In particular, the growth hormone/IGF-1 pathway, known to have a role in the metabolic syndrome (that is, increased blood pressure, high blood sugar level, abnormal cholesterol levels, excess in waist body fat), is implicated in PCa progression.39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 Interestingly, high circulating IGF-1 levels are more strongly associated with low-grade than high-grade PCa. This result may reflect a greater dependency of differentiated neoplastic cell on circulating IGF-1 compared with undifferentiated cells that may be less responsive due to a constitutively active PI3K/AKT pathway.45 In addition, among men diagnosed with PCa in the Physicians’ Health Study, excess body weight and a high plasma concentration of C-peptide (a surrogate for insulin levels) both predispose men to an increased likelihood of dying of the disease, further suggesting a role for insulin in PCa progression in obese men.46 Finally, men with hypercholesterolemia are also more at risk of developing aggressive PCa, a trend reverted by statins' intake.47

Collectively, these results obtained from preclinical models and human data demonstrate that both diet and obesity can alter PCa risk and progression. Obviously, the influence of these factors on PCa development is complex and involves a large number of ‘classical’ signaling pathways (reviewed by Venkateswaran and Klotz48). In this review, we propose that diet also alters the prostate epigenome and affects the course of the disease.

The altered epigenome of PCa

Epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, are critical for maintaining a carefully regulated state for the cell. These marks affect local as well as global chromatin packaging, which in turn dictates the sets of active and inactive genes at any given time. It is now clear that cancer development is at least supported,49 if not initiated,11 by alterations of the epigenome, which then leads to transcriptional rewiring. Epigenetic modifications observed in PCa evolve throughout disease progression.

DNA methylation in eukaryotes is defined as methylation of the fifth carbon on cytosine residues in CpG dinucleotides (5-methylcytosine). These covalently added methyl groups project into the major groove of DNA and alter transcription.50 In PCa, genome-wide DNA methylation of cytosine residues in CpG dinucleotides is greatly impaired as the disease progresses to a metastatic stage and leads to global hypomethylation,51 which can enable the transcription of normally unexpressed proviral and retrotransposon repeats,52, 53 followed by disruption of nearby genes and a predisposition to genomic instability.53, 54 Specific promoter hypomethylation can also reactivate proto-oncogenes such as the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (PLAU),55, 56 the matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2)56 or the heparanase (HPSE),57 known to be implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis. On the other hand, promoter hypermethylation and silencing of specific genes such as that for the detoxification enzyme GSTP1 is observed in more than 75% of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasms and in almost all prostate carcinomas (95%),58 and possibly sensitizes cells to DNA damage. In fact, hypermethylation of the GSTP1 promoter is a highly specific PCa marker and is rarely detected in benign prostatic hyperplasia58, 59 and normal prostatic tissues.59, 60

Global patterns of histone acetylation and methylation are also affected throughout PCa progression and can predict the risk of PCa recurrence.61, 62, 63 Bert et al.64 compared the long-range epigenetic remodeling that occurs in different PCa cell lines with that in normal primary cell lines. They used coordinate assessment of histone modifications, DNA methylation profiles and RNA expression; they identified 35 long-range epigenetic activation domains, each about 1 Mb long, and found that a total of 251 genes were activated within these domains—these include oncogenes and genes for microRNAs and PCa biomarkers (for example, KLK3, PCA3). In particular, alterations of histone marks in PCa cells were characterized either by an enrichment of active histone marks (H3K9ac and H3K4me3) or by the replacement of repressive marks (H3K27me3) by active marks (H3K9ac).64

This comprehensive analysis also revealed that, on a genome-wide scale, a subset of long-range epigenetic activation domains were not characterized by promoter hypomethylation, but rather by an extensive DNA hypermethylation in the CpG islands of promoter regions. On the basis of these findings, the authors propose that DNA hypermethylation of promoter regions can prevent the binding of transcriptional repressors, thereby facilitating transcriptional activity.64 Their findings support a complex interaction between DNA methylation and the histone code in regulating gene transcription.

Together with the report that chromatin modifiers such as CHD1, CHD5 and HDAC9 are mutated in an important subset of primary PCa,65 the above results demonstrate that the epigenome undergoes a complex and dynamic remodeling throughout disease progression.

Epigenetic modifications and diet

A fundamental feature of epigenetic remodeling is its reliance on substrates or cofactors obtained from the diet (Figure 1). When under situations of metabolic stress, the energy-sensing serine-threonine kinase 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylates histone H2B at serine 36 and triggers a cell survival program.66 Histone H2B is also targeted by an O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) residue on serine 112, a glucose-dependent modification that is often located near transcribed genes.67 The activity of sirtuin histone deacetylase (SIRT) is dictated by the ratio of oxidized and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH), which can be modulated by fasting,68 calorie restriction69 or dietary supplementation of NAD+ precursors.70 Interestingly, in PCa, levels of both NAD+ and GlcNAc metabolites are altered following seminal vesicle invasion or lymph node metastasis.71 Alpha-ketoglutarate, an intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, is also a critical cofactor for histone demethylation by Jumonji domain-containing histone demethylase,72 as well as for DNA demethylation by ten eleven translocation (Tet) proteins73 (see the excellent review by Lu and Thompson74 for details about these metabolite-dependent epigenetic modifications). In addition, the two most well-studied epigenetic processes, namely, methylation and acetylation, are also deeply connected to the diet.

Figure 1
figure 1

From metabolism to epigenetic remodeling. (a) SIRT1 activity depends on the NAD+/NADH ratio modulated by glycolysis, while O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase uses GlcNAc produced by the hexosamine pathway. Pyruvate entering the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle produces alpha-ketoglutarate, a critical cofactor for Jumonji domain-containing histone demethylase and TET. Acetyl-CoA is converted from the citrate generated by the TCA cycle and used as a donor by histone acetyltransferases. Finally, the increase in ATP/ADP ratio from the TCA cycle also inactivates AMPK. (b) SAM acts as a methyl donor for histone methyltransferases and TET and is obtained through the coordinate action of the folate and methionine cycles, termed one-carbon metabolism. αKG: Alpha-ketoglutarate; AMPK: 5′ AMP–activated protein kinase; ADP: adenosine diphosphate; ATP: adenosine triphosphate; B2: vitamin B2; B6: vitamin B6; B12: vitamin B12; DHF: dihydrofolate; DMG: dimethylglycine; DNMT: DNA methyltransferases; GlcNAc: N-acetylglucosamine; HAT: histone acetyltransferases; Hcy: homocystein; HMT: histone methyltransferases; JHDM: Jumonji domain-containing histone demethylase; OGT: O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase; me-THF: 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate; Met: methionine; mTHF: 5-methyltetrahydrofolate; NAD+: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (oxidized); NADH: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced); SAH: S-adenosylhomocysteine; SAM: S-adenosylmethionine; SIRT1: sirtuin histone deacetylase 1; TCA: tricarboxylic acid; TET: ten eleven translocation; THF: tetrahydrofolate.

Methylation: an epigenetic modification governed by one-carbon metabolism

DNA and histone methylation by DNA methyltransferases and histone methyltransferases, respectively, requires the transfer of a methyl group (catalyzed by a methyltransferase) from the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Although DNA methylation is usually associated with transcriptional inhibition, the effect of histone methylation depends on the location of the methyl-lysine residue on the histone tail and also on the degree of methylation.75 SAM is derived from methionine, an essential amino acid that can either be obtained from the diet per se or can be generated from homocysteine in a process that utilizes carbon derived from dietary folate, choline or betaine (also a product of choline oxydation) in a vitamin B12-dependent reaction.76 This cyclic cellular process is termed one-carbon metabolism and is a bicyclic metabolic pathway that refers to the folate and methionine cycles (Figure 1). One-carbon metabolism integrates the donation of carbon units from nutrient inputs into essential cellular processes such as the regulation of redox balance, maintenance of the nucleotide pool, biosynthesis of proteins and the regulation of epigenetic modifications (reviewed by Locasale77). Erythrocyte levels of SAM can be altered by dietary intake of fat as well as of calories.78 Evidence of a link between high serum levels of homocysteine (or deficiency in either folate or vitamin B12) and neural tube defects in the fetus during early stages of pregnancy led to mandatory worldwide folic acid fortification.79 Finally, because one-carbon metabolism is central to cellular growth and proliferation, folate antagonists—first described in 1948 by Farber and Diamond80 as a promising treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia—are also used as chemotherapeutic agents.

The yellow agouti (Avy) mouse carries an intracisternal A particle (IAP) retrotransposon into the 5′ end of the agouti (A) gene and is a viable model for determining the impact of diet on epigenetic marks. When unmethylated and active, a cryptic promoter located within the 5′ end of IAP’s long terminal repeat hijacks the transcriptional control of the agouti gene and leads to ubiquitous expression of the agouti signaling protein; under normal conditions, this protein is restricted to hair cycle-specific patterns.81 This yields mice that have a yellow coat color and develop multiple health issues such as type II diabetes, obesity and a higher frequency of tumor formation,82 and serves as a phenotypic readout for a ready assessment of the methylation status of a promoter under different environmental conditions.

A major hallmark of the epigenome is its considerable plasticity during embryogenesis, which enables the differentiation of a single totipotent cell into more than 200 different cell types.83 Wolff et al.84 published a landmark study in which pregnant non-agouti (a/a) mothers mated with Avy/a males were fed a methyl-supplemented diet (enriched in choline, betaine, folic acid, and vitamin B12), and found that fewer Avy/a dams fed in utero with the methyl-supplemented diet had a yellow coat color and that this decrease was mirrored by an increased methylation of the Avy proximal long terminal repeat.85, 86 In fact, the darkness of the coat color of the Avy/a dams was directly correlated with the degree of methylation of the Avy allele.87

In contrast, maternal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) 2 weeks before mating and throughout gestation and lactation led to an increase in the proportion of Avy/a dams that had a yellow coat color and carried a hypomethylated Avy allele. This effect was negated when the BPA diet was supplemented with methyl donors.88 Alternatively, peri-conceptional feeding of a methyl-deficient diet to female sheep resulted in adult offspring with CpG islands that were hypomethylated or unmethylated relative to animals fed on the control diet. Methyl-deficient diets also led to several health issues, ranging from higher body weight, increased fat, insulin resistance or elevated blood pressure in adult offspring.89 Similarly, early peri-conceptional exposure to famine during the Dutch Hunger Winter in World War II led to hypomethylation of the imprintedIGF2 gene in individuals compared with their same-sex siblings, a feature that was maintained for more than 60 years after the event itself.90 Loss of IGF2 imprinting is also a feature observed in PCa tissues,91 as well as in proximal and distal tumor-associated tissues.92

Together, these results suggest that dietary modulation of rate-limiting factors of one-carbon metabolism generates long-lasting alterations in the methylation profile, and thus leads to phenotypic changes, in a given organism.

Histone acetylation is a nutrient-sensitive epigenetic mark

Acetylation of lysine residues on histones by histone acetyltransferases neutralizes the basic charge of the lysine, decreases electrostatic affinity between histone proteins and DNA and favors gene transcription via facilitated recruitment of the transcriptional machinery.93 Lysine acetylation on proteins not only triggers gene transcription, but is also a critical posttranslational modification that regulates the activity of core metabolic enzymes.94 Analysis of mass spectrometry data reveals that almost every enzyme involved in FA metabolism, glycogen metabolism, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the urea cycle is acetylated,95 and functional analysis further documents a complex layer of regulation for protein lysine acetylation of metabolic enzymes. The acetylation status of these metabolic enzymes is responsive to environmental cues—such as the levels of amino acids, FAs or glucose—and modulates the activity and stability of the enzymes.95

Fluctuation in protein acetylation in response to dietary factors can be attributed, in part, to the availability of the acetyl group itself, which is obtained from the metabolite acetyl-CoA. Under nutrient-rich conditions, acetyl-CoA is generated by the ATP-citrate lyase (ACL), which catalyzes the conversion of citrate derived from the tricarboxylic acid cycle.96 Alternatively, acetyl-CoA can be generated through the action of acetyl-CoA synthetases (ACECSs) from the pool of acetate, CoA and ATP. The activity of ACECSs is tightly regulated through reversible acetylation. Under low-nutrient conditions, the NAD+/NADH ratio increases, activates SIRT1, which in turn de-acetylates and triggers ACECSs activity.97 Therefore, the pool of acetyl-CoA, which is governed by nutrient availability, controls the acetylation of metabolic enzymes as well as of histones at any given time.

Along these lines, studies in yeast reveal that levels of acetyl-CoA—which vary depending on the metabolic state—dictate cell growth, in part through the acetylation of histones at growth genes.98 In yeast, this growth regulation mechanism may be balanced by the competition between histone acetylation and de novo FA biosynthesis for the same nucleocytosolic supply of acetyl-CoA, which normally matches growth signals with the required output in macromolecules.99 In mammalian cells, histone acetylation is similarly dependent on the availability of acetyl-CoA, and inhibiting generation of acetyl-CoA through ACL knockdown thus results in global histone hypoacetylation.96

This critical mechanism for regulating cell growth is hijacked by the master transcription factor and proto-oncogene c-Myc, which is implicated in up to 70% of human cancers; Myc overexpression or deregulation results in cancer cells that become addicted to nutrients.100 Specifically, Myc deregulation leads to the uptake of glucose and glutamine, which are carbon sources used to generate citrate (and consequently acetyl-CoA) through ACL activity.101 Myc thus increases de novo FA biosynthesis and histone acetylation from glucose-derived acetyl groups.102 Deregulation of cell metabolism by Myc leads to alteration of chromatin structure103 combined with the generation of the biomass required for supporting uncontrolled cell growth.104

PCa: the impact of diet on the epigenome

Several studies report a role for dietary components in the remodeling of the cancer epigenome (reviewed by Supic et al.105). In the context of PCa, the phytoestrogen genistein has the capability to partially demethylate CpG islands in the promoter region of specific genes such as GSTP1, leading to increased protein expression.106 In PCa cell lines, genistein treatment also increases/restores expression of various tumor suppressors including PTEN, p53, CYLD, p21WAF1/CIP1 and p16INK4a.107, 108 This feature is attributed to the coordinated demethylation and acetylation of H3K9 residues107 or to increased expression of histone acetyltransferases that result in the enrichment of acetylated histones H3 and H4.108 Similarly, the flavone apigenin also increases the acetylation of histones H3 and H4 in vitro and, when fed orally, significantly impedes PCa tumor growth in vivo. In this case, the phenotype is attributed to a marked reduction in histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity as well as in HDAC1 and HDAC3 protein expression.109 Together, these results suggest that specific dietary molecules can alter PCa progression, in part by remodeling the epigenome. In addition, manipulating the content of dietary methyl donors or dietary fat alters the prostate epigenome and the course of the disease.

Dietary modulation of one-carbon metabolism to influence PCa development

As described above, one-carbon metabolism is central to DNA and histone methylation, as it generates SAM, the ultimate methyl donor. As in earlier studies with use of the Avy/a model,84 Shabbeer et al. used the Hi-Myc mouse model to investigate the impact of excess dietary methyl groups on PCa progression.110 Overexpression of nuclear Myc protein is frequently detected in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasms, and in a majority of primary carcinomas and metastatic samples,111 making the Hi-Myc mouse a particularly appropriate mouse model for the study of PCa. Mice were fed a control diet or a ‘methyl’ diet enriched in choline, betaine, folic acid, vitamin B12 and also in l-methionine and zinc sulfate while in utero112 and during the first month of postnatal life, at which time all mice were fed the control diet. Although given only in utero and during early postnatal life, the methyl diet had a long-lasting effect on PCa development. At 5–7 months of age, no invasive adenocarcinoma was detected in prostates from Hi-Myc mice that were fed the methyl diet compared with a high incidence of invasive cancer in the control group. However, this difference in incidence was not observed in younger mice (at 3–5 months of age), suggesting that the methyl diet has an impact on the transition from mPIN to invasive adenocarcinoma, possibly via epigenomic changes.112 These counterintuitive results indicate that timing might be critical in the context of modulating one-carbon metabolism, and can lead one to hypothesize that the methyl donor diet, if administered during the development of adenocarcinoma, would instead fuel uncontrolled tumor growth by maintaining a hyperactive one-carbon metabolism.

Along the same lines, Bistulfi et al. investigated the effects of manipulating dietary folate during disease progression in the TRAMP model, which relies on inactivation of pRb, p53 and PP2A following prostate-specific expression of SV40 large T and small t antigens.113 TRAMP mice were fed one of three different diets at weaning: a folate-deficient diet, a folate-supplemented diet or a diet containing the recommended amount of folic acid for rodents.114 Although folate supplementation had little to no effect on tumor growth, folate deficiency clearly improved PCa histopathological parameters compared with the control group, suggesting that folate might be a rate-limiting agent but only when it is under a certain threshold. Depletion of folate from the diet slowed the progression of cancer114 and the robust arrest of disease progression was attributed by the authors to the secretory function of the prostate, which produces massive amounts of polyamines and exports them into reproductive fluids.115 Indeed, no reduction in levels of polyamine was found in mice that were fed the folate-deficient diet, although polyamine synthesis draws on pools of SAM through the activity of SAM decarboxylase. This observation suggests that preferential use of SAM for polyamine synthesis under conditions of low folate in the prostate impedes other SAM-related pathways, such as the DNA methylation of CpG islands.114 Consistent with this, a choline- and methionine-deficient diet led to increased expression of Igf2 in the prostate of wild-type mice, a result that was mirrored by epigenetic changes at the gene promoter.116

In humans, the role of folate in PCa is unclear, although some evidence points to a positive association between high levels of circulating folate and PCa progression.117 However, before considering the influence on the epigenome of dietary modulation of one-carbon metabolism, it is important to keep in mind that long-term deficiency of dietary methyl donors has important adverse effects. Folate depletion blocks de novo biosynthesis of thymidylate, leading to misincorporation of uracil into the DNA and culminating in single-strand DNA breaks118—as a consequence, prolonged dietary deficiency of methyl donors in mice leads to the development of intestinal tumors,119 liver tumors and even to spontaneous mortality.116 Thus, further experiments aimed at determining the timing, length and extent of a dietary intervention, to effectively impact the course of the disease while keeping side effects to a minimum, are warranted.

The cross talk between lipids and the prostate epigenome

As discussed above, manipulating dietary fat alters the progression of PCa in animal models. In 2010, Llaverias et al.120 showed that increasing both dietary fat and dietary cholesterol significantly accelerates tumor progression in the TRAMP model, but the issue of whether cholesterol per se has a role in this aggravated phenotype was left unresolved. Pommier et al.121 attempted to deconvolute these results using a mouse with a double knockout of the genes for the Liver X receptors alpha and beta (Lxrαβ−/−), which encode nuclear receptors central to cholesterol homeostasis. The dorsal prostate lobes of Lxrαβ−/− mice fed on a standard diet were histologically similar to those of wild-type mice. But when Lxrαβ−/− mice were fed a high-cholesterol diet, they accumulated intra-prostatic cholesteryl ester associated with mPIN development; gene expression analysis revealed that two prostatic tumor suppressor genes, Nkx3.1 and Msmb, were downregulated in these mice. This event was attributed to an increase in the H3K27me3 mark at Nkx3.1 and Msmb promoters, possibly a consequence of upregulation of the well-known prostate oncogene histone methyltransferase Ezh2.121, 122 Both LXRβ downregulation and EZH2 upregulation have also been reported in human PCa.123, 124 Together with the recent report of abnormal cholesteryl ester accumulation in primary and metastatic human PCa (probably as a consequence PI3K/AKT hyperactivation following PTEN-loss),35 these findings support a role for dietary cholesterol in influencing the prostate epigenome as well as disease progression of PCa.

Aside from dietary cholesterol, de novo lipid synthesis may also contribute to the regulation of epigenetic marks, especially histone acetylation. Indeed, de novo lipid synthesis is an important hallmark of PCa and correlates with tumor progression and poorer prognosis.125 Use of an AMPK activator to block de novo lipogenesis impedes PCa growth and has been described as a promising treatment avenue, with or without the combined use of AR antagonists.126 Along these lines, Kee et al. demonstrated that overexpression of the enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) leads to the diversion of pools of nucleocytosolic acetyl-CoA to polyamine catabolism. In the TRAMP model, overexpression of SSAT leads to a 70% decrease in the availability of acetyl-CoA and resulted in a genitourinary tract that is four times smaller than in control TRAMP mice.127 It is thus tempting to speculate that de novo lipid synthesis observed in PCa also supports cell growth, in part, through global acetylation reprograming.128

Conclusions and future directions

Mounting evidence implicates specific diets and dietary components in affecting the course of PCa and the risk of developing the disease. As PCa is considered to be an ‘epigenetic catastrophe’9 and because epigenetic marks rely on substrates or cofactors that are obtained from the diet, we suggest that the impact of diet on PCa development is, at least in part, linked to epigenomic remodeling.

Despite the promising results described here, a number of critical elements remain to be experimentally validated before the causality between diet and the prostate epigenome is established; these include the generation of a comprehensive epigenomic map of both healthy and neoplastic prostatic tissues from different models that are fed on controlled diets, and the metabolomics profile of matching tissues. Such an undertaking would facilitate the determination of the strength of the relationship between diet and the prostate’s epigenome. Importantly, results obtained from PCa models should be carefully interpreted relative to their respective oncogenic drivers. Indeed, integrative metabolomic analysis recently revealed that PCa models driven by AKT1 are associated with the accumulation of aerobic glycolysis metabolites, while on the other hand MYC-driven PCa models are associated with dysregulated lipid metabolism.129 Also, with the emergence of epigenetic-based PCa biomarkers (reviewed by Valdés-Mora and Clark130), the identification of common dietary- and cancer-dependent epigenetic alterations could be useful for patient risk stratification as well as for the development of specific dietary guidelines for defined patients.

Recently, epigenetic inhibitors that target DNA methyltransferases (azacitidine, decitabine) or HDAC (vorinostat, romidepsin) have been tested in clinical trials and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in treating defined cancers.131 Thus, deconvoluting the specific role of diet in rewiring the prostate’s transcriptional network may yield critical information and may uncover dietary-related epigenetic pathways that can be therapeutically targeted to prevent or treat PCa.


Younger women may be at greater risk for stroke, according to a large review

A woman meets with her physician and reviews her medical history

Women ages 35 and younger have a higher incident of experiencing ischemic stroke compared to younger men, according to a meta-analysis of close to 70,000 young adults. The retrospective review published in Stroke and was partially supported by the NHLBI.
Researchers conducted their analysis with the aim of clarifying if younger women, ages 18-45, were more likely to have higher incidents of stroke compared to young men. Since the number of young adults who experience stroke is small (affecting 15% of adults younger than age 50), the researchers pooled data from 16 studies to generate a large sample size. After aggregating the data, they found that women ages 35 and younger were 44% more likely to experience an ischemic stroke compared to men the same age. However, they didn’t find sex-specific differences in stroke incidents among adults ages 36-45.
The authors note more research is necessary to understand underlying factors that may help explain differences in ischemic stroke rates in younger adults. This includes studying the role that nontraditional risk factors, such as pregnancy and migraines, may have in contributing to higher stroke incidents in young women.


Japan’s Equity Bubble

There are never perfect analogies with the present day but there are some interesting parallels with the US equity market today and Japan in the late 1980s. For example, is it the case that combined monetary & fiscal stimulus creates a recipe for huge inflation? Fortunately the differences between the US now and Japan then […]

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Early careers | Careers | Petrofac

Early careers

If you are a student or a recent graduate considering career choices, why not join our efforts to help build a better future together, for everyone? Providing an opportunity to young people is characteristic for a business that plans for the future and we want you to become a part of ours.

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Since we first started welcoming graduates more than 1,500 of them walked through our doors, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in the business and wider industry. Our graduates embark on a two-year journey and experience a variety of projects, functions, and roles, supported by their mentors and colleagues along the way.

"We provide professional services to our customers and that means we need truly great people who are adaptable and flexible. For us, that starts with our graduates."
John Pearson Chief Operating Officer

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We nurture and develop talent, and we recognise that a two-year rotation is not for everyone. If you are a student, a school leaver, or a graduate, you can still become a part of Petrofac, and enjoy challenging, exciting roles, and the opportunity to make a real contribution.

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Journal of Health Informatics & Management

Medical Services Suppliers Invigorated in the Patient Commitment

examinations and lived encounters. Patient organization is a generally concentrated on idea since information show that elaborate patients are more educated, fulfilled, and consistent. In the wake of meeting 57 deliberate malignant growth patient members of different ages, genders, races, and disease types, the accounts were deciphered and broke down utilizing the system technique. The scientists picked to involve research-based classes with an end goal to represent patient commitment correspondence, conduct, and story. Patients affirmed commitment by posing inquiries, expressing their wellbeing inclinations, communicating concern, and expanding their insight base. Medical services suppliers invigorated patient commitment by sharing data, broadening backing and building trust, and making a culture where patient interest and therapy pondering was esteemed. Overall, patient stories demonstrate that specialists don't reliably introduce adequate patient decision. The information strikingly portrays instances of patient commitment with the goal that the two patients and suppliers can perceive support past the notable inquiry posing to class. Talk with reactions outline the different types of patient commitment and shed light on how professionals can additionally impel a positive climate to advance patient organization. Albeit the inclusion of patients in their consideration has been fundamental to the idea of patient-focused consideration, patient commitment in the domains of wellbeing proficient instruction, strategy making, administration, exploration and medical care improvement has been quickly advancing in Canada in the previous ten years. The Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) has upheld medical care associations across Canada to definitively collaborate with patients in quality improvement and framework update endeavors.

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What Percent Of Americans Bench Press Thier Own Weight?

Bench Press

Lifting weights can be dangerous if not done correctly, and isn’t necessary for muscle growth. Strength training won’t make you any stronger than someone who doesn’t lift weights regularly, but it will help build muscle tissue.

Bench pressing your own weight is only 1-3% of the population that does it regularly, and most men don’t even do this. Strength training can be a great way to improve overall fitness without having to bench press your own weight or use heavy weights excessively..

Although lifting weights may not be necessary for everyone in order to gain strength and Muscle mass, doing so can still be very beneficial – especially when safety is taken into account.

What Percent Of Americans Bench Press Thier Own Weight?

Benchpressing your own weight isn’t necessary for muscle growth. Strength training can be beneficial, but not everyone needs to do it. Lifting weights is dangerous and only 1-3% of men lift their own weight regularly.

Most men don’t even lift weights on a regular basis. Strength training won’t help you if you’re not doing at least some form of it. If you want to build muscle, lifting weights is a good way to go about it, but it’s not necessary for everyone.

How much can the average American man bench?

Bench pressing is a great way to tone your chest, arms, and shoulders. The average American man can bench press about 135 pounds according to ExRx.net. Bench pressing will help build muscle and strength in the average American adult man’s body.

You don’t need any special equipment or knowledge to bench press – just some determination and effort. If you’re looking for a challenging but effective workout, try benching from time to time.

Is benching 225 impressive?

Benching 225 is impressive according to most strength standards, but it’s not an elite level lift for a woman under 200 pounds. If you can bench 225, you should be competing in professional powerlifting.

A 225 bench is an extremely competitive (advanced or elite) level lift for a woman under 200 pounds, so don’t let anyone tell you differently. Strength training isn’t just about pushing yourself as hard as possible – it’s also important to have goals that challenge and motivate you on your journey towards success.

Keep progressing and never stop trying new things – even if they seem impossible at first glance.

How much can the average 20 year old man bench?

A 20-year-old man’s average bench can be 1.4 times their bodyweight. For most people, this number will range from 130 to 225 pounds for a 190 pound person or 2x to 4x their weight depending on height and build.

Bench press variations, incline presses, decline flies and seated military press are all good exercises that help with building strength in the chest area. Make sure you warm up properly before lifting weights so you don’t injure yourself or cause further muscle imbalances in your body composition goals.

Remember that progress doesn’t happen overnight – consistency is key when working towards long term fitness goals.

How much should I bench if I weigh 150?

To determine how much weight you should bench, divide your weight in pounds by the average bench press weight for your height and sex. An average person will weigh 150 pounds and need to bench 95 pounds or less to achieve an adequate level of strength.

If you’re between 132-148 on the BMI scale, then a 105 pound average bench is needed as this is seen as elite status according to fitness experts . People who are 200+ pounds need 140-145 pound weights when benchesing in order to be considered “average”.

Strength levels vary depending on factors like body fat percentage, muscle mass etc., so always consult a certified personal trainer or physician before starting any new exercise routine.

How rare is a 225 bench?

1. 225 bench presses are rare, but not impossible to come by. If you’re looking for a challenging weightlifting challenge, this may be the bench for you.

Be prepared to put in some serious effort if you want to achieve these numbers. 4. 225 benches can often be found at powerlifting gyms or specialty stores that cater specifically to strength athletes and bodybuilders alike.

Don’t give up hope – there’s a good chance you could become one of the lucky few who can Bench Press Above 225lbs.

What is a respectable bench press?

A respectable bench press can be done with relatively light weights if you’re fit enough, or even without any weight at all for those who are more advanced.

Lifting heavier weights will increase the effectiveness of your workout and help you achieve better results faster. If you’re not familiar with how to do a bench press correctly, start lighter before gradually increasing the weight over time as you become more comfortable with it.

Always warm up properly before starting your workout by doing some stretches first to prepare your body for the harder work to come later on in the session. Be sure that what you lift is appropriate for your strength level; don’t try to take on too much at once if you aren’t prepared for it.

How much can the average gorilla bench press?

A gorilla bench press can lift more weight than an average human. To achieve this level of strength, gorillas need to have a lot of muscle mass and power in their arms and legs.

The average gorilla is about three times stronger than the average man – which means they can handle heavier objects with ease. Although it’s unlikely you’ll be able to bench press as much as a gorilla, incorporating some of their amazing strength moves into your routine will help you sculpt lean muscle tissue like never before.

If you’re looking for ways to increase your Strength Level then check out our article on How Much Can You Bench Press?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you bench 405 naturally?

Bench 405 gradually with a lighter weight until you reach your desired outcome.

What percent of the population can bench 300?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as different people have different strength levels. However, if you are trying to bench more than 300 pounds, then it’s probably best to seek professional help.

Why is my bench so weak?

If you’re weak off the chest in the bench press it’s either because (1) you have weak contributing muscle groups, namely the pecs, or (2) you have inefficient technique, ranging from an inconsistent touch point, bringing the bar down to slow, lacking a bench press arch, or picking the wrong grip.

What can the average man squat?

Most people can squat at around 225 pounds.

What is considered an elite bench press?

Elite bench presses refer to those who can press over 200 pounds.

Does bench press work biceps?

According to many experts, the bench press is an effective way to improve your pecs and shoulders. However, it’s also important to note that this exercise can be performed in a number of different ways, so it’s best not just stick with one type of lift. Go for reps that challenge you both physically and mentally – find something that works well for you.

Is benching 135 good for a 15 year old?

There is no one definitive answer to this question. Some good options for benching at a young age include trying out a weightlifting machine and/or using an adjustable bench.

How much should a 165 pound man bench?

An average man who weighs 165 pounds and who doesn’t have experience with lifting should be able to lift 80 pounds.

To Recap

It is not possible to provide a definitive answer to this question due to the wide array of factors that can influence people’s bench press weight. However, according to recent research, around 20% of Americans bench press their own weight.

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Crude Oil Flow Improvers and Viscosity Reducers | SLB

Crude Oil Flow Improvers and Viscosity Reducers

Reduce energy needed for artificial lift, surface boosting, processing, and pipeline distribution of crude oils

Production chemicals
Production chemicals

Minimize viscosity to lower operational costs

Production of medium, heavy, and extra-heavy crude oil may require significant investment in lift and transport processes because these fluids are highly viscous at ambient temperatures. Tight emulsions can also present extreme viscosity, leading to production and transport challenges.

We have developed a range of chemicals that reduce the viscosity of these fluids for lifting, processing, and transport, thereby reducing operational costs and improving production performance.

Pipeline crossing some hills, depicting function of crude oil flow improvers, which reduce fluid viscosity.


WRC 2003 Agenda Items for WP 8D

The list below shows all the WRC 2003 Agenda Items for which this group is involved. Click on an Agenda Item or Resolution to get more information about which Visualyse product could be useful, and how Transfinite consultants can assist in studying this problem.

Agenda Item Description
Agenda 1.4 Sharing in the band 5091 - 5150 MHz between non-GSO MSS Feeder links and Aeronautical radionavigation services
Agenda 1.5 Consideration of new allocations in the bands 5150 - 5725 MHz for RLANs, EESS (active) and radiolocation. 1) RLANs allocations in 5150-5350 & 5470-5725 MHz, 2) Region 3 Fixed Service allocation in 5250-5350 MH, 3) additional primary allocations to EESS in 5460-5570 MHz, 4) Possible upgrading of radiolocation in 5350-5650 MHz
Agenda 1.6 Regulatory measures to protect non-GSO MSS feeder links from RLANs in 5150 - 5250 MHz
Agenda 1.11 Upgrade secondary allocation to MSS 14 - 14.5 GHz to include aeronautical applications
Agenda 1.12 Allocations to space science services for: 1) up to 3 MHz for telecommand for space research and space operations between 100 MHz and 1 GHz, 2) Upgrading allocation to space research in 7145 - 7235 MHz from footnote subject to coordination to full primary allocation, 3) review allocations to space research (deep space) and ISL in 32 - 32.3 GHz to facility operation of these services, 4) review existing allocations to space science near 15 GHz to accommodate wide band space - Earth space research applications
Agenda 1.16 Studies relating to allocations around 1.4 GHz for feeder links for non-GSO MSS systems below 1 GHz, including: 1) studies of sharing with services in the band 1390 - 1393 MHz, 2) studies of sharing with services in the band 1429 - 1432 MHz, 3) studies of protection of passive services in 1400 - 1427 MHz from unwanted emissions from feeder links
Agenda 1.20 Study of possible allocations for non-GSO MSS under 1 GHz including sharing with existing services and use of dynamic channel allocation as described in M.1039
Agenda 1.30 Consider possible changes to the produces for the advanced publication, coordination and notification of satellite networks.
Agenda 1.31 Sharing studies for possible MSS allocations in the 1-3 GHz band including 1518 - 1525 MHz, 1) taking into account Rec. 1459, 2) reviewing the PFD levels to use as coordination trigger to protect P-MP FS systems, 3) if sharing is unsatisfactory then to consider alternative bands in the 1-3 GHz range
Agenda 1.31 Sharing studies for possible MSS allocation in the 1-3 GHz range including the band 1683 - 1690 MHz including 1) determining approprate separation distances between MES and MetSat stations, 2) assess the current and future requirements for spectrum for MetAids, 3) if sharing unsatisfactory then consider alternative bands in the 1-3 GHz range.
Agenda 1.32 Protection of the radio astronomy service in the 42.5-43.5 GHz band, including 1) study of the provisional PFD limits given in S5, 2) identify technical and operational limits including mitigation techniques that could be used to protect RA stations from BSS and FSS space stations
Agenda 1.32 PFD limits in the bands 37.5 - 42.5 GHz for the FSS, BSS and FSS services, including 1) determing whether the PFD limits protect the FS in the bands 37.5 - 40 GHz and 42 - 42.5 GHz from FSS and MSS s-E transmissions, 2) determining whether the PFD limits protect the FS in the band 40.5 - 42 GHz from FSS, 3) study technical and operational characteristics and PFD values for BSS in range 40.5 - 42.5 GHz, 4) taking into account proper balance between various services, 5) studying mitigation techniques but taking account of impact on these systems, 6) analysing sharing between FS into FSS ES in HD FSS applications in the bands 39.5 - 40 GHz and 40.5 - 42 GHz in the same geographic area, 7) in the bands 37.5 - 40 GHz and 42 - 42.5 GHz study clear air PFD levels and % time they could be exceeded to overcome fading of satellite downlink in way that protects FS
Agenda 1.37 To consider the regulatory and technical provisions for highly elliptical orbits
Agenda 1.38 Consider provision of up to 6 MHz of spectrum in the band 420 - 470 MHz for EESS (active) including 1) study emission criteria, sharing criteria and operation characteristics of EESS systems, 2) characteristics that minimise the potential for interference into existing services
[Resolution 225] Study the sharing and coordination issues in the use of a number of specificied bands allocated to MSS for the satellite component of IMT-2000
[Resolution 728] Rev. 2000 Resolution. Study operational and technical means that could facilitate sharing between narrow band non-GSO MSS and services in the bands 470 - 862 MHz including those where the broadcasting service is allocated, with the potential for a future conference to make an allocation.


Students presenting information (on a poster board) to the Provost

Strategic Leader Program

Academic Affairs

About the Strategic Leader Program

Faculty and professional staff who aspire to lead need opportunities to discuss issues facing higher education and delve more deeply into the operations of the institution while also developing leadership skills. Given both the rapid changes facing institutions of higher education and the increase in retirements anticipated over the next half decade, it is imperative that we think strategically about the development of our university leaders. The UofSC Aiken Strategic Leader Program (SLP) is designed for faculty, staff, department chairs, or deans who are interested in learning more about higher education and preparing for leadership roles. For those currently in leadership positions or those considering line-leadership positions in the future, the SLP will provide an opportunity to explore critical issues in higher education, network with peers across the university, and develop an enhanced understanding of the university as a dynamic institution existing in a complex landscape.

The UofSC Aiken Strategic Leader Program is sponsored and developed by the Provost to address the following objectives:

  • Enhance the leadership skills and abilities of participants with the recognition that informed leadership is critical to the university’s long-term success;
  • Facilitate dialogue and exchange of ideas between and among members of our campus community;
  • Amplify each individual’s opportunity to explore their leadership potential and expand knowledge of how universities actually work;
  • Explore issues on state and national initiatives and trends in higher education and enhance a shared understanding of those issues and the avenues open to the university to achieve the best possible future.

Individuals who wish to participate in UofSC Aiken’s Strategic Leader Program will commit to meeting once a month beginning in January and ending in May. Speakers will explore subjects associated with institutional funding, the role of enterprise risk management, challenges and opportunities of operating in a system, leadership assessment, faculty and staff trends, and student expectations and issues, among other topics. Applications should be submitted via the form below by January 10th. The review committee will provide recommendations to the provost, who will then notify applicants. Applicants must submit a 250-word statement of interest and discuss their interest with their direct supervisor. The Office of the Provost will solicit a recommendation from the direct supervisor. The class is limited in size to allow for greater discussion and personal interaction. The program is at no cost to selected participants.

Spring 2022 Meeting Times

Thursday, January 27, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 17, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 17, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 21, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 5, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.


Finding the Supersolid

TYPECondensed Matter Seminar
Speaker:Anna Eyal
Location:Lidow Nathan Rosen (300)

Liquid helium 4 undergoes a phase transition into a superfluid at low temperatures. Owing to its quantum nature, the solid phase of helium 4 has been suggested to host a similar type of Bose-condensed state, supporting frictionless mass flow. This unique phenomenon has been termed supersolidity. In the past decade, the existence of supersolidity has been alternately confirmed and disproved experimentally. The controversy originates from the fact that a small supersolid signal can be overshadowed by large elastic effects arising from an anomaly in the shear modulus of the solid. Using a novel experimental approach, with specially-designed multi-mode torsional oscillators, we were able to accurately distinguish between the different contributions for the first time, and discovered a small frequency-independent signal, as expected in the presence of a supersolid phase. I will discuss the significance of our results in the broader context of the field's current state.


Gush Mints Strain Yield

The Gush Mints strain yield is a high-quality, sativa-dominant hybrid that has been bred specifically for its high yield and exceptional flavor. This strain has a strong minty flavor with a hint of pine, and it produces large, dense buds that are covered in trichomes. The Gush Mints strain is a great choice for growers who are looking for a high-yielding, flavorful strain.

What strain is Gush Mint?

Gush Mint is a hybrid strain of cannabis that is known for its minty flavor and potent effects. This strain is a cross between the popular Girl Scout Cookies and OG Kush strains. Gush Mint is perfect for those who want a strong mental high that is also accompanied by a refreshing taste. The effects of this strain can be felt almost immediately, making it a great choice for those looking for a quick escape from reality.

What is the best strain for productivity?

  • Sativa strains: These strains are energizing and uplifting, perfect for when you need a little boost to get through your work.
  • Hybrid strains: These strains offer the best of both worlds, with both energizing and relaxing effects that can help you to focus and get things done.
  • Indica strains: These strains are relaxing and can be helpful for managing stress and anxiety, which can sometimes be productivity killers.

What are Gush Mints?

Gush Mints are a brand of candy that are known for their strong mint flavor. The company that makes them, Gush Candy, is based in the United States.

These mints are popular among people who enjoy strong mint flavors. They are also popular among people who are looking for a candy that is sugar-free.

Gush Mints are made with a variety of different ingredients. The most notable ingredients are mint extract, gum acacia, and maltitol syrup.

The mint extract is what gives these mints their strong flavor. The gum acacia is responsible for the texture of the mints. And the maltitol syrup is what gives the mints their sweetness.

Gush Mints are available in a variety of different packaging options. The most popular option is the resealable bag. This bag has a zip-lock closure that helps to keep the mints fresh.

If you are looking for a strong mint flavor, then Gush Mints are a good option for you. They are also a good choice if you are looking for a sugar-free candy.

Is Gush mint an indica?

Gush mint is an indica. It is a hybrid of G13 and Kush. The plant is small and compact with dark green leaves. The buds are dense and covered in trichomes. The aroma is earthy with a hint of mint. The flavor is sweet and minty. The effects are relaxing and euphoric.

Is Obama runtz a real strain?

Obama runtz is a real strain, a hybrid of the indica OG Kush and the sativa Durban Poison. Bred by Seed Junky Genetics, Obama runtz is a sweet and earthy strain with strong diesel flavors. The high is cerebral and uplifting, perfect for creative endeavors or social situations.

What strains are good for ADHD?

  • Green Crack: This is a sativa-dominant strain that is known for its energizing and uplifting effects. It can help to increase focus and concentration, making it ideal for those with ADHD.
  • Sour Diesel: This is another sativa-dominant strain that is known for its cerebral effects. It can help to boost energy and focus, making it ideal for those with ADHD.
  • Blue Dream: This is a hybrid strain that is known for its balance of sativa and indica effects. It can help to increase energy and focus while also providing a sense of relaxation, making it ideal for those with ADHD.

Can you focus while high?

Although marijuana is legal in some states, its use is still controversial. Some people believe that marijuana can help people focus while others believe that it makes people more relaxed and less likely to be productive. There is some evidence to support both sides of the argument.

Some people who use marijuana say that it helps them focus. They claim that it enables them to think more clearly and to be more creative. Proponents of medical marijuana say that it can help people with conditions like ADHD and ADD to focus and to be less hyperactive. There is some scientific evidence to support these claims. A study published in the journal Psychiatry Research found that people with ADHD who used marijuana had less symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity than those who did not use marijuana.

However, there is also evidence that marijuana can make people less focused. A study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that people who smoked marijuana had more difficulty paying attention, remembering, and learning than those who did not smoke. Marijuana can also make people feel more relaxed, which may make it more difficult to focus on tasks that require a lot of concentration.

So, the answer to the question is that it depends. Some people may find that marijuana helps them focus, while others may find that it makes them less focused. It really varies from person to person.

How much does Kush Mints yield?

Kush Mints is a hybrid cannabis strain that produces high yields of resinous buds. The buds of this strain have a strong minty aroma and flavor, with notes of chocolate and coffee. Kush Mints is a high-yielding strain, with most growers reporting yields of up to 600 grams per plant. This strain is best grown indoors, in hydroponic systems, and under LED lighting. Kush Mints is a relatively easy strain to grow, and is a good choice for beginners.

How much does Kush Mints cost?

Kush Mints is a hybrid cannabis strain that is said to offer users a balance of both sativa and indica effects. The dominant terpene in this strain is myrcene, which is also found in mangoes. This strain is said to be helpful in treating symptoms such as pain, inflammation, anxiety, and depression. Kush Mints is available in both flower and concentrate form. The cost of this strain will vary depending on the dispensary and the region, but it is typically priced between $10 and $20 per gram.

What is the GMO strain?

A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a plant, animal, or microorganism whose genetic code has been changed through genetic engineering. This means that a gene from one organism has been spliced into the DNA of another organism, giving it a new, desired trait. For example, a common GMO is a plant that has been engineered to be resistant to herbicides or pests. GMOs are controversial because some people believe they are unsafe for human consumption, while others believe they are necessary in order to feed the world’s growing population.

What is F1 DURB?

In short, F1 DURB is an acronym for “First Day URBan Bike.” The term was coined by bike enthusiasts in the early 2000s to describe a new breed of bicycle that was designed for riding in city traffic. These bikes typically had a more upright riding position, lighter weight frames, and tires that were narrower than those found on traditional mountain bikes or road bikes. The goal of the F1 DURB design was to create a bike that could handle the rigors of city riding while still being lightweight and maneuverable enough to ride on the sidewalks and bike lanes.

What strain is face Mints?

Face Mints is a hybrid marijuana strain that is said to provide a balance of mental and physical effects. The mental effects are said to be uplifting and euphoric, while the physical effects are said to be relaxing and sedating. Face Mints is said to be a good choice for treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress, pain, and fatigue.

What strain is Devil Driver?

There are many strains of the Devil Driver, each with its own unique set of characteristics. The most common strain is the Red Devil, which is known for its fiery temper and aggressive nature. Other popular strains include the Blue Devil, which is known for its calm and relaxed demeanor, and the Green Devil, which is known for its playful and mischievous personality.

What strain is Wakanda?

The term “Wakanda” is derived from a fictional African country in the Marvel Universe. The country is known for its advanced technology, and its people are known for their fighting prowess. The Wakanda strain is a hybrid of the indica and sativa strains. It is a high-potency strain that is known for its ability to produce a powerful euphoria. The Wakanda strain is also known for its ability to increase energy levels and to boost creativity.

What is Kush Mints strain?

The Kush Mints strain is a hybrid of the OG Kush and Blueberry strains. It is a 60/40 indica-dominant hybrid that has a THC level of up to 22%. The buds are a deep green color with a frosty coating of trichomes. The aroma is a mix of earthy Kush and sweet mint. The flavor is a sweet minty taste with a hint of Kush. The effects of this strain are relaxing and euphoric. It is a good choice for treating anxiety, stress, and pain.

Last Word

Gush Mints is a high-yielding strain that is perfect for extractions. The minty flavor and aroma make it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a refreshing taste. The high THC content makes it a perfect choice for those who are looking for a potent strain.


Family files lawsuit against Houston apartment complex after 3-year-old was shot

Saturday, May 22, 2021
EMBED <>More Videos

Helena Lane's parents are both deaf, so they didn't hear when the gunshots happened. They're suing the apartment complex for failing to protect them and notify them of the ongoing crime.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The parents of a 3-year-old who was shot at an apartment complex in Houston have filed a lawsuit against the building, as their daughter continues to recover in the hospital a month after the incident occurred.

Helena Lane was struck in the head by a stray bullet on April 26, while she was strapped in a car seat in the back of her mother, Martha Lebby's car.

Frederick Lane, Helena's father, and Lebby are both deaf, but they still sat alongside their attorney Friday afternoon as they announced their plans to sue The Palms Apartments on Cypress Station Drive.

"We're deaf, we didn't hear any of the gunshots," Lane stated.

Lane had just stepped out of her car to drop trash in the dumpster at their apartment complex. Her 5- and 3-year-old daughters were still in the car when the shooting unfolded.

"I dropped off the trash and I looked back and all I could see was just red everywhere. I didn't know what happened. I just ran to get my husband, I was screaming for help," stated Lane.

In the lawsuit, the family makes a premises liability claim, citing a failure on the behalf of the apartment complex to protect them and notify them of the known risks considered the ongoing crime.

"This particular apartment complex, based on our investigation, has high degree of violent crime that has been happening there," said Muhammed Azziz, the family's attorney.

Based on reports obtained from police, the lawsuit notes that in the last three years there has been nearly 2,500 calls to police, 134 incidents reported, 41 assaults and 85 reports of gunfire.

The apartment complex had no comment Friday about the lawsuit, but said it is making sure the property is safe.

Helena remains hospitalized and faces a tough road to recovery.

Follow Stefania Okolie on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Cesium ion

Cesium ion is an online platform for tiling, optimizing, and hosting 3D data. Built on modern cloud architecture, the application can efficiently stream large datasets into web applications like CesiumJS that can be shared with others across any device.

Upload your massive worlds, scenes and models from Autodesk® 3ds Max® to Cesium ion, and ion will optimize it, tile it into 3D Tiles, and stream them to any device in Cesium's 3D geospatial world along with other contextual data such as terrain and satellite imagery.

To start, create a free community account at https://cesium.com

Then once the extension is installed, you can publish your models in a few simple steps. See https://github.com/CesiumGS/cesium-ion-3ds-max-plugin for a complete tutorial.

If you want to contribute to this extension, you're in luck. It is open source and can be found at https://github.com/CesiumGS/cesium-ion-3ds-max-plugin

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버전 1.1.0, 2022-09-26
Stable release of the Cesium ion 3ds Max plugin

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Can the metaverse – though still early and undefined – transform the future of work? Meta likes to think so….and so does Generation Z. According to Microsoft, 51% of Gen Z expects to be working in the metaverse in some capacity by 2024. This generation is taking the metaverse seriously at the same time that it’s beginning to enter the workforce.

Here is a look at what the metaverse workplace could look like and Gen Z’s role in it.

The Metaverse: The Ultimate Hybrid Workplace

The metaverse is still a somewhat niche technology in 2022. An estimated 17.7% of Americans own a virtual reality headset while 96% own a smartphone, so there is clearly still a long way for VR to go before it truly becomes a mainstream technology. However, many businesses and tech experts are already eyeing the metaverse as the workplace of the future.

The widespread shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic has created a rift between employees and executives over returning to the office. A hybrid workplace appears to be the solution. The metaverse could be where that takes shape.

Employees want the freedom to work remotely, allowing them to live where they want and have a good work-life balance. Employers want the accountability and culture that comes from working in a physical office space. In the metaverse, both of these realities are possible at the same time. In fact, some businesses are even designing metaverse offices already, ranging from luxurious virtual islands to VR meeting rooms.

The metaverse allows employees to log in from anywhere. There is no commute from home to work, and they can log out to have lunch at home. At the same time, in a virtual office space, co-workers can stop and chat with one another, and managers can easily see who is spending time working when employees’ avatars are logged on.

The metaverse workplace holds so much potential that world leaders are beginning to invest in it big time. For instance, the crown prince of Dubai announced a groundbreaking plan in 2022 to develop that country’s metaverse industry through 2030, ultimately leading to 40,000 new metaverse jobs and adding $4 billion to the economy.

XR Talks: Metaverse 101

Why the Metaverse Workplace Is Perfect for Gen Z

Why is the metaverse workplace particularly appealing to Gen Z? The first and most obvious reason is their relationship with technology in general. Gen Z consists of people born from 1997 through roughly 2012. They do not remember a time before the internet, are intuitively familiar with technology, and can adapt to new technologies.

Gen Z is beginning to enter the workforce, and some trends about their expectations are appearing that align well with a metaverse workplace. A survey by Deloitte found that adaptability and flexibility were the most important employee characteristics for Gen Z, with creativity and technological savvy close behind.

Many Gen Z students are interested in tech-related careers and pursuing higher levels of education than previous generations. This is even driving more MBA programs to develop STEM-focused degrees to help meet demand among Gen Z. This generation is also known for its independence. They expect a strong work-life balance in any career.

Gen Z expects a flexible workplace with plenty of perks, including a good work-life balance and high wages. They also want to work closely with technology, which is a core part of their everyday lives. A hybrid workplace in the metaverse could be the perfect way to simultaneously deliver all these needs. Since Gen Z is already so accustomed to working with technology, they will likely adapt to a virtual office environment much faster than their older co-workers.

How Do Consumers Feel About the Metaverse?

Gen Z and Life in the Metaverse

Gen Z is expecting to do much more than just go to work in the metaverse. A 2022 report from McKinsey found that Gen Z and millennials expect to spend an average of at least 4.7 hours a day in the metaverse within the next five years, more than any other generation. It is worth noting that while VR adoption is still relatively low compared to other mainstream technologies, the metaverse is taking shape in various ways.

For instance, games like “Fortnite” and “Roblox,” both of which are extremely popular among Gen Z, are already calling themselves part of the metaverse. However, they are primarily played on phones and PCs. Additionally, metaverse concerts are beginning to pop up more often, featuring some of today’s biggest artists like Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and 21 Pilots.

Shopping is expected to boom in the metaverse, as well, with players paying to customize their avatars just like they would their wardrobe in real life. Gen Z is more likely than any other generation to pay for digital-only goods, such as in-game or avatar items. In fact, major brands are beginning to create metaverse product lines geared toward Gen Z, such as Nike’s “Roblox” world Nikeland, where players can try on in-game merchandise and play branded games.

How Do Consumers Feel About the Metaverse? Part II

Is the Metaverse the Future of Work?

All these factors clearly indicate that Gen Z is already shaping the future of the internet in the form of the metaverse. Brands and employers are beginning to notice and adapt to this new era of technological transformation. Gen Z is a large, diverse generation, making up an estimated 20.3% of the U.S. population. They will shape the future of work and the future of the office as they begin to enter the workforce.

Physical offices are unlikely to go extinct anytime soon, but the metaverse is likely the future of work. It provides a clear solution to the remote vs. office workplace debate, and Gen Z has the technological savvy to make it a widespread reality. Even if jobs do not shift completely to the metaverse, meetings will likely become more common there over the next two to five years.

Gen Z will spend more of their time in the metaverse — socially, financially, and physically — and they will expect more aspects of their daily lives to also take place there, including work. Soon enough, coming into the office may be as simple as slipping on a VR headset and logging into the office metaverse world.

The Virtual and IRL Verses of the Metaverse

When Will the Metaverse Workplace Be Real?

Gen Z has always been a generation that propels the world toward change, whether in terms of social activism or technological advancements. The traditional office will begin to blend with the new metaverse workplace as this digital-native generation enters the workforce, allowing for seamless hybrid work.

This change is already underway in 2022, albeit still in its infancy. By 2030, the idea of VR meetings and digital offices will likely no longer be a concept of the future but the new normal.

April Miller is a senior writer at ReHack Magazine and editorial contributor at AR Insider. She specializes in VR/AR, IoT, and business technology. See her work here and follow her @rehackmagazine.

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