Surrendering into Silence (review)

Surrendering into Silence: Quaker Prayer Cycles
by David Johnson
reviewed by Jean Hand Triol

In this small book (55 pages) of informative essays, David Johnson begins by defining what he means by Quaker prayer. He says it is a contemplative practice of surrendering into silence, seeking the presence of God, or the Light, which is hidden within our beings. The author further describes Friends’ worship tradition as a practice where life and religion are not based on accepted belief or ritual, but on firsthand knowledge of God’s presence. The main focus of the book is how one finds access to that sacred inner knowledge.

Surrendering into Silence reflects the author’s own personal life journey as a seeker, but it is apparent to the reader that his personal experience is firmly based on deep knowledge and an exceptionally clear understanding of contemplative worship in Quaker and other traditions. He wrote this book mainly for individuals, not directly for religious communities or groups of worshipers. Yet this isn’t a basic text for beginners; it seems to be addressed to those who already have some experience with the practice.

Individuals who have tried to develop a personal practice of silent or contemplative meditation often find it is not easy. They may soon come to ask themselves: Why am I doing this? What, if anything, is happening? What shall I look for? Why is it so hard? Is it worth the struggle? Johnson is a gifted teacher who is able to describe and explain complex truths in ways that satisfy and encourage the individuals he calls “seekers,” seekers of the truth. He acknowledges the struggles; he encourages over and over again to persevere. He assures his readers that personal contemplative meditation and prayer are worth the struggle.

The author provides five effective diagrams to promote understanding and answer common questions about the structure and benefits of contemplative meditation. He calls these diagrams “Quaker Prayer Cycles.” Note that it is Cycles, not “Circles.” The diagrams represent outer and inner cycles of consciousness or awareness, with the innermost layer being the pure Light of God, the Inner Light. Through awakening, risings, the process of perseverance, the Prayer Cycle is completed. Each diagram is thoroughly discussed in the essays.

Every short essay in this small book is followed by a group of quotations called “Reflections.” The work is enriched by  these words from early and modern Friends, biblical verses, and other well-known teachers of meditative practices.

I enjoyed reading this work and finding answers to my own personal questions about meditative practice. For instance: How do enlightened persons continue to function in the world after they have totally surrendered their egos? Unfortunately, I have not experienced the answer to that question yet. But I wanted this book to give me ideas and perhaps some answers, and I was not disappointed. ~~~

Jean Hand Triol is a member of Glacier Valley Worship Group in Kalispell, Montana (NPYM).

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Is Japanese Food Healthy?

Japanese cuisine is one of the most popular cooking styles worldwide. From Udon noodles to Miso soup to Sushi, there’s no debating that Japanese food is incredibly tasty.

But flavor aside, is Japanese food healthy? This is a question many fans of Japanese food ask themselves, and while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a particular cuisine based on taste alone, it’s a good idea to know how nourishing a specific type of food is for your body.

Is Japanese Food Healthy

So, is Japanese food healthy? Read on to find out.

What Does ‘Healthy Food’ Mean?

Before we can establish whether or not Japanese food is healthy, it’s important to define what ‘healthy’ actually means in the context of food.

Generally, when people say that food is healthy, they mean that it contains at least a couple of important nutrients that your body needs to function properly. Additionally, healthy food should be low in the nutrients that aren’t so good for you, such as saturated fat or refined sugar.

Single food items, even healthy ones, are highly unlikely to provide you with all the essential nutrients you need. That’s why the term ‘healthy diet’ is used to refer to a diet that encompasses a combination of healthy foods in order to meet all of a person’s nutritional needs.

So, when we talk about whether or not Japanese food is healthy, we need to think about the Japanese diet as a whole in addition to the nutritional value of individual dishes.

Is Japanese Food Healthy?

Let’s address the big question: is Japanese food healthy? The answer is ‘yes’. Since Japanese cuisine contains a lot of vegetables and fish as well as fermented foods with impressive nutritional benefits, most nutrition experts agree that Japanese food is, overall, healthy.

Japanese food as a rule doesn’t contain a lot of refined sugar or highly processed ingredients. Unlike some other cuisines around the world, Japanese cuisine doesn’t include much fried food, with ingredients typically being fermented or smoked instead.

Some ingredients commonly used in Japanese cooking include tofu, soya beans, edamame beans and adzuki beans. Other staple foods in Japanese cuisine such as natto and miso are also made from soybeans.

There are plenty of superfoods in Japanese cooking as well, including seaweed, which is renowned for its health benefits.

Does Japanese Food Have Health Benefits?

In theory, it is clear that the Japanese diet is beneficial. But what effect does eating Japanese food regularly have on a person’s health?

Studies on Japanese life expectancy tell part of the story. Research has found that the place with the most centenarians worldwide is the Japanese island of Okinawa.

The people living in Okinawa also have the lowest incidence of age-related illnesses, including Alxheimer’s disease and some cancers.

While other factors are probably at play here, the long life expectancy and low risk of age-related disease in the people of Okinawa is a great testament to the health benefits of traditional Japanese food.

Other studies into the Japanese diet in general have found that people who mainly consume traditional Japanese food are less likely to suffer from heart disease or experience a stroke.

Life expectancy is higher overall when people consume a Japanese diet and obesity rates are much lower.

It is thought that the high fish and soy content of the traditional Japanese diet is the cause of this, as well as the fact that Japanese food is typically high in estrogen from plants as phytoestrogens.

Is Japanese Food Healthy

Examples Of Healthy Japanese Food

While the Japanese diet as a whole is considered healthy, some Japanese foods are definitely healthier than others.

Individual healthy ingredients that feature in a lot of Japanese cooking include tofu, sashimi, rice, oily fish, seaweed, miso, natto, and soba.

If you’re looking for healthy Japanese dishes to try, we recommend soba noodles, miso soup, and sushi. The great thing about sushi in particular is that it encompasses many healthy Japanese ingredients and there are so many different ingredient combinations to try.

Salmon and avocado is a classic with numerous health benefits.

Less Healthy Japanese Dishes

With any kind of cuisine, some dishes and ingredients are going to be less healthy and nutritious than others. Japanese food is no exception.

While following a traditional Japanese diet that prioritizes some of the beneficial ingredients listed above will be great for your health, there are some traditional Japanese dishes and foods you should either avoid or consume in moderation if your goal is to be as healthy as possible.

Dishes such as ramen, tempura, tonkatsu, and curry rice are all popular Japanese foods, but they may not be the best for your health. Tempura and tonkatsu are among the few deep-fried Japanese dishes, while ramen is high in fat, sugar, and sodium.

Even some of the healthier Japanese foods should be consumed in moderation if you want to maintain a healthy diet. For instance, miso soup, while it’s high in protein and low in calories overall, is high in sodium.

You should try to get less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day according to cardiovascular health experts.

Similarly, sushi can be high in sugar depending on the specific type of sushi, and while seaweed has many health benefits, consuming too much iodine (which is present in seaweed) has been linked to some types of cancer.

Final Thoughts

Like any cuisine, Japanese food is made up of healthy options and less-healthy options.

However, on the whole, nutritionists praise the Japanese diet for its health benefits due to the fact that it’s high in micronutrients from vegetables as well as lean protein and essential fatty acids from fish.

Japanese food that is high in plant oestrogens and phytoestrogens has been linked to a lower incidence of disease, and Japanese people have one of the longest life expectancies worldwide.

With that being said, you should moderate your consumption of deep-fried dishes like tonkatsu and tempura and pay attention to your sodium intake if you want to consume a healthy Japanese diet.

Aura Ruggeri
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Tennessee’s life-saving waiting period

Tennessee’s life-saving waiting period

Pro-abortion groups abandon their fight against a Tennessee waiting period law that pro-lifers say has saved at least some unborn babies

Research highlights medical risks of abortion pill as FDA considers scrapping safety requirements

Pro-lifers just outside the Texas state line become the last line of defense for some women seeking out-of-state abortions

Abortion activists blame Poland’s pro-life laws for the death of a pregnant woman, but pro-lifers say the case offers no defense of elective abortion

A new version of the legislation is more specific—and more deadly

With a major Supreme Court abortion case on the horizon, pro-life leaders evaluate the chances of overturning Roe v. Wade and the implications for the pro-life movement

Oral arguments over the state’s heartbeat law highlighted procedural questions, leaving debate over abortion’s constitutionality for a later date

In the governor’s race, Democrat Terry McAuliffe hypes the issue while Republican Glenn Youngkin tones it down

Pro-abortion clergy attempt to use a Biblical text to undermine the Christian view of the sanctity of life

Some pro-lifers worry the heartbeat law in Texas, if struck down by courts, will ultimately result in a long-term loss for the unborn


China’s Modified Long March 6 Rocket Succeeds in First Launch

At 17:50 on March 29, the modified Long March 6 carrier rocket lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, successfully releasing the Pujiang-2 and Tiankun-2 satellites into sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The rocket’s first flight mission was a complete success.

The modified Long March 6 carrier rocket uses non-polluting propellants and is equipped with solid strap-on boosters. It is designed specifically to launch sun-synchronous orbit satellites.

Hong Gang, president of the eighth research institute under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the commander-in-chief of the modified Long March 6 carrier rocket, made the following statement: “As China’s first ‘hybrid’ new generation of Long March Carrier Rockets, the modified Long March 6 carrier rocket made a successful debut flight, achieving a series of new technological breakthroughs such as solid strap-on boosters, and promoting the new generation of launch vehicles to move towards a more efficient, smarter and safer development path.”

This mission represents the 412th launch within the Long March series of carrier rockets. Before the modified Long March 6 model, there were only launch vehicles with solid boosters or liquid boosters as thrust in active service in China, and there was no precedent for a solid-liquid “hybrid version.”

SEE ALSO: Chinese Commercial Rocket Firm Galactic Energy Completes Financing of 1.27 Billion Yuan

The total length of the rocket is about 50 meters, the take-off weight is about 530 tons, and the carrying capacity of the 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit is not less than 4 tons. The core boosters of the modified Long March 6 carrier rocket adopt liquid oxygen kerosene engines. Among them, the one-stage booster is propelled by two 120-ton-thrust engines burning liquid oxygen and kerosene, and the two-stage booster adopts a liquid oxygen kerosene engine with a thrust of 18 tons. Four engines powered by solid fuel are bundled in the core boosters, which provide nearly 70% of the thrust needed for the whole rocket.

The rocket realized the first “cross-border cooperation” of solid- and liquid-fueled engines in the field of launch vehicles in China. It also broke through key technologies such as the binding and separation of solid boosters, large concentrated force diffusion at the binding point, and the combined swing control of solid-liquid binding.


See more objects with the color darkslategrey grey indianred rosybrown darkolivegreen or see all the colors for this object.

Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

Miser's Purse (France), 1840–70

This is a Miser's purse. It is dated 1840–70 and we acquired it in 1944. Its medium is silk and metal threads and its technique is crochet. It is a part of the Textiles department.

Miser’s purses are oblong pouches primarily used to carry coins. They usually have center slit openings with pairs of sliding rings to secure coins in the purses’ ends but sometimes clasp closures are used. The purses probably evolved from the sixteenth-century practice of storing coins in the toe of a stocking. They were called short or long purses based on their lengths, which were gender specific until the mid-nineteenth century, or sometimes gentlemen’s purses. The name miser’s purse seems to have originated at the turn of the twentieth century, near the end of their popularity.
Miser’s purses were usually silk with glass or metal beads, and could be netted, knitted or crocheted. While many of the designs were purely ornamental, some were intended to make the purses more functional, for example by making the two ends different colors or shapes, or using gold beads at one end and silver at the other, to help its user distinguish between gold and silver coins. They were typically carried by men in a coat or trouser pocket, and by women in a skirt pocket or reticule.

This object was donated by Mrs. Harley Lord Stowell. It is credited Gift of Mrs. Harley Lord Stowell.

Its dimensions are

H x W: 37 x 5 cm (14 9/16 x 1 15/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Miser's Purse (France), 1840–70; silk and metal threads; H x W: 37 x 5 cm (14 9/16 x 1 15/16 in.); Gift of Mrs. Harley Lord Stowell; 1944-57-7

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Duro Olowu Selects.

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url= |title=Miser's Purse (France), 1840–70 |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=5 December 2022 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>


Ose Calendar and Events

Yoruba and other African Indigenous People follow a ancient lunar calendar based on a 4 day week that is considered more than 10000 years old. Each day has special significance relative to activities, events, days of worship, and more. The calendar centers around 4 groups of Orisa spread through out the days. This page includes an up to date ongoing calendar.


UK says some children have died from syndrome linked to Covid-19

Parents walk their children to school on the last day before their official closure, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) continues, in West London, Britain, March 20, 2020.
PHOTO: Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) - Some children in the United Kingdom with no underlying health conditions have died from a rare inflammatory syndrome which researchers believe to be linked to Covid-19, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday.

Doctors in northern Italy, one of the world's hardest-hit areas during the pandemic, have reported extraordinarily large numbers of children under age 9 with severe cases of what appears to be Kawasaki disease, more common in parts of Asia.

"There are some children who have died who didn't have underlying health conditions," Hancock told LBC Radio.

"It's a new disease that we think may be caused by coronavirus and the Covid-19 virus, we're not 100 per cent sure because some of the people who got it hadn't tested positive, so we're doing a lot of research now but it is something that we're worried about."

"It is rare, although it is very significant for those children who do get it, the number of cases is small," Hancock, one of the ministers leading Britain's Covid-19 response, said.

Children either testing positive for Covid-19 or for its antibodies have presented gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea in the last two weeks, the Spanish Pediatric Association said on Monday.

Read Also
'Something's going wrong': UK virus response under fire
'Something's going wrong': UK virus response under fire

"It demonstrates just how fast moving this virus is and how unprecedented it is in its effect," Atkins told Sky News.

"Actually there's far too little known about it and the numbers actually at the moment are really too small," told Sky News. "But it is an alert, and it's something that's actually being explored and examined by a number of different researchers."

For the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit here.


Sagittarius Weekly Love Horoscope for Week of December 11, 2022

Week of December 11, 2022

The sixteenth will be an important day for you, dear Archer, as the Virgo moon forms a square with your sun. Under this cosmic climate, themes around what makes you feel secure or insecure in a relationship should be addressed. It would be worth further analyzing these patterns if you have a history of jealousy or are often suspicious of your partners.

Historically speaking, have you been right when you suspected your exes of infidelity or were you making accusations based on fear? Think about what your future partners can bring to the table to make you feel romantically safe, and then consider how you can healthily communicate these ideals moving forward.

The seventeenth will be an auspicious day for you. You will feel a swell of emotions during this time but will have the tools to express yourself eloquently and diplomatically. Use this day to let others know how you're feeling, especially if there's someone you've had your eye on lately. This energy will also amplify your presence. So, if there's a social media crush you've been wanting to impress, you can do so with a super cute post — bonus points if there is an intellectual element involved.

More Personalized Horoscopes


Home | | Botany 11th std | Answer the following questions

Plant Growth and Development | Plant Physiology (Functional Organisation) | Botany - Answer the following questions | 11th Botany : Chapter 15 : Plant Growth and Development

Chapter: 11th Botany : Chapter 15 : Plant Growth and Development

Answer the following questions

Botany : Plant Growth and Development - Book Back and Important Questions Answers - Brief Questions Answers, Short Questions Answers

Plant Physiology (Functional Organisation)

Plant Growth and Development

6. What are the parameters used to measure growth of plants?

Growth in plants can be measured in terms, of

1. Increase in length or girth (roots and stems)

2. Increase in fresh or dry weight

3. Increase in area or volume (fruits and leaves)

4. Increase in number of cells produced.

7. What is plasticity?

Plasticity refers to the environmental heterophylly seen in Butter cup plant (Ranunculus). In this aquatic plant, the leaves in the air is normal, where as the leaves submerged under water are highly thin and hairy highly adapted to do carbon assimilation Developmental heterophlly seen in the juvenile plant leaves of cotton and corianter. Where the young leaves have a different shape from the mature leaves is not considered as plasticity.

8. Write the physiological effects of Cytokinins.

Promotes cell division:

Cytokinin, in the presence of Auxin (IAA) promotes cell division.

Induction of cell enlargment:

Associated with IAA and Gibberellins induces cell enlargement

Breaks dormancy:

It can break dormancy of certain, light sensitive seeds and induces germination. Eg. Tobacco

Lateral growth:

It promotes the growth of lateral buds even in the presence of Apical bud.

Delays Aging:

It's application, delays-aging by nutrient mobilization - It is known as Rich mond Lang effect. Varrious other activities, such as

1. Increases rate of protein synthesis

2. Induces formation of interfascicular cambium

3. Overcomes apical dominance

4. Induces formation of new leaves, chloroplasts and lateral shoots

5. accumulation of solutes

9. Describe the mechanism of photoperiodic induction of flowering.

Mechanism of photoperiodic induction of flowering.

1. The physiological change on flowering due to relative length of light and darkness (photoperiod) is called Photoperiodism.

2. The photoperiod required to induce flowering is called critical day length. Eg. 12 hours in Maryland Mammoth Tobacco Xanthium 15.05 hours.

Photoperiodic induction :

1. An appropriate photoperiod in 24 hours cycle constitutes one inductive cycle. Plants may require one or more inductive cycles for flowering.

2. The phenomenon of conversion of leaf primordia into flower primordia under the influence of suitable inductive cycles is called photoperiodic induction. Example: Xanthium (SDP) - 1 inductive cycle and Plantago (LDP)-25 inductive cycles.

Site of photinductive perception

1. Leaves are the parts that receive photo periodic stimulus (PPS), again it is only leaves that synthesize floral hormones and tranlocate it to the apical tip to promote flowering.

2. This can be demonstrated by experiments conducted in Cocklebur plant. Which is a SD plant. The nature of flower producing stimulus has been elusive so far. It is believed by phsiologist that a hormone is responsible for it, Chailakyan (1936) named it as Florigen It is not possible to isolate it.

10. Give a brief account on Programmed Cell Death (PCD)

Answer: Getting old or aging is called senescence.

1. Senescence is controlled by plants own genetic programme and death of the plant or plant part consequent to senescene is called Programmed Cell Death. In short senescence of an individual cell is called PCD.

2. The proteolytic enzymes involving PCD in plants are Phytapases and in animals are caspases. The nutrients and other substrates from senescing cells and tissues are remobilized and reallocated to other parts of the plant that survives.

3. The protoplasts of developing xylem vessels and tracheids die and disappear at maturity to make them functionally efficient to conduct water for transport.

4. In aquatic plants, aerenchyma is normally formed in different parts ofthe plant such as roots and stems which encloses large air spaces that are created through PCD.

5. In the development of unisexual flowers, male and female flowers are present in earlier stages, but only one of these two completes its development while other aborts through PCD.

Q. What are the physiological effects of plants facing drought condition?

Q. Explain the mechanism of biotic stress.

Tags : Plant Growth and Development | Plant Physiology (Functional Organisation) | Botany , 11th Botany : Chapter 15 : Plant Growth and Development
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Caribbean Cement posts flat 1Q profit

Caribbean Cement posts flat 1Q profit
06 May 2022

Caribbean Cement Co Ltd in Jamaica has reported a flat profit for its 1Q22 but views the future with optimism. In the January-March 2022 quarter, Caribbean Cement saw a profit of JMD1.59bn (US$10.3m) on a revenue of JMD6.8bn, compared to a profit of JMD1.53bn on JMD5.97bn a year earlier.

"CCC remains encouraged about the future, especially given the recent actions by the Government of Jamaica to remove curfews and fully reopen the economy. The company is also heartened by the strong cement demand evidenced by several announcements from the Government and private developers to construct housing and luxury villas, especially those that will adopt an eco-friendly design," said the cement producer. However, global events and their impacts on trade have shown that optimism is to be muted. The Russian-Ukraine war has led to surges in the price of oil, gas, etc.

Going forward the company cautioned: ”CCC will remain vigilant about possible impacts on business continuity due to the ongoing conflicts in sections of Europe, which have caused increased costs in fuel, power, and shipping, as well as threats from new strains of the COVID-19 infection.”

Published under Cement News


Heel Lovers Are Embracing Foot Botox To Ease Pain From Their Favorite Shoes

Many people who love wearing a height-altering, fashionable shoe, like the classic heel, know how painful it can be to fit in with modern beauty and fashion standards (via PhysioDC). While there is a variety of footwear options out there with modern comfort implemented into them, including some high heel styles, that isn't the case for every pair of shoes. But that doesn't mean you have to stop wearing them. Perhaps your favorite pair of heels is too good to give up simply because of the pain.

Finding ways to better handle the pain of wearing heels can feel challenging, but it doesn't always have to be. Today, there are plenty of ways to help increase your comfort when doing so. One of those ways is through foot Botox, and sometimes dermal fillers. As unconventional as it may seem at first, foot Botox can help ease the pain for those who love wearing heels often, per Highsnobiety. It's a method many people opt for to address high heel pain as well as a variety of other medical conditions of the feet.

What is foot Botox?

When you think of Botox, you might think about the kind that goes into the face, made of a toxin derived from clostridium botulinum. Botox of the face is often used to treat wrinkles, excessive sweating, migraines, and more, per MedlinePlus. Recently, there has been a surge of foot Botox treatments because many of these same benefits can be applied to the feet as well, particularly for those experiencing foot pain as a result of wearing heels. Generally, Botox helps with heel-related pain by blocking the chemical signals from the nerves which are responsible for contracting muscles.

In a similar procedure, inserting dermal fillers into the balls of the feet can also create a pillowy, cushioned layer to protect bones, joints, and nerves from the painful pressure of the heels, per Essential Aesthetics. Both Botox and fillers are popular options for many people to continue wearing their favorite pairs of heels without fully sacrificing comfort, all in the name of style and fashion.

Why foot Botox is in high-demand now

Foot Botox can be a great solution for anyone trying to address the damage that has already been done from wearing heels, or wanting to prevent the development of medical issues in their feet that stem from wearing heels. According to Essential Aesthetics, Botox can treat a variety of medical conditions of the feet, in addition to soreness and cramps from wearing uncomfortable shoes.

While not a new concept, foot Botox is so relevant now because many people got used to life without heel pain during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Fast Company reports, the reluctance of women to wear heels again when the time came to return to the office led to some start-up companies becoming hugely successful through the sales of comfortable flat work shoes.

"Strange as it may sound, two years of Covid have left many of us in even more agony from the sharp return of towering heels," board-certified dermatologist and founder of Beverly Hills-based AVA MD Dr. Ava Shamban tells Fashionista.

It's now more acceptable to ditch the heels in favor of flats, but if you can't part with your heels, it's good to know that there is pain relief available.


Geodesic Dome for Island Beach Glamping Resort

Geodesic domes for glamping have become an essential choice for the hotel industry in these luxury tourist destinations. Different tourist groups have different needs for glamping tents style. You must first fully understand the local folk customs and culture, integrate with the localized and authentic natural environment, and truly connect with local characteristics. This is the essence of geodesic dome tents for glamping, also the difference from traditional hotels in the city. You can take full advantage of the uniqueness of glamping tent elements, instead of following the crowd.

Geodesic dome for island beach glamping resort is best accompanied by intimate special services. For example, preparing some local specialty snacks, umbrellas, and even cultural and creative products for guests. These are the things that tourists can remember, it’s an easy way to disseminate. You can also establish a connection with some niche travel media. But the premise is that you must use good products, including room layout, high-quality furniture, and elaborate detailed decorations.

At present, the high-end tourism market has great potential, and high-end tourism is more personal, experiencing different scenery and living environments, it has become the yearning of more urbanites.

Glamping Tent Solutions and Quotations
Lodge Tent

The nomadic tent is inspired by the nomadic people. The tent is equipped with a layer of thermal insulation inside, which can effectively resist the cold and hot. The design of the double-layer canopy not only shades, but also resists severe weather. The screen windows all around can effectively keep the room ventilated, good lighting effect, and also prevent mosquitoes. The terrace is designed to be able to sit outside to feel the breeze, even in rainy days to enjoy your special time.

Star Tent

The design of Star Tent breaks through the traditional concept of tent. Innovative changes the shape to make the tent full of artistic and aesthetic.

Ladybug Dome Glamping

The ladybug has colorful colors and childlike shapes, Considering there are many families travel with children and the parent-child room is needed, From the appearance and color matching to the internal layout, we have carried out comprehensive planning. It is an popular outdoor glamping tent by family camping.


Tree Of Life Spirituality

Spirituality has taken on a variety of definitions over the time. Spirituality has many definitions, and the many meanings of spirituality can be found side-by-side. Here are some of the most common definitions of spirituality as well as their meanings. Spirituality can be described as broad term that encompasses many concepts and practices.

Spirituality is the notion that the soul of a person experiences the whole world in a holistic fashion. This is a sign of curiosity and a desire to learn. You might also be seeking helping others and for service. Whatever your motivation to seek spirituality knowing the reason you’re looking for will help you decide which spiritual paths are most suitable. This will make it more likely that you will find what you’re searching for.

Spirituality is a broad concept. It can be a combination of many religions or simply the belief that all living things are connected. It aims to answer questions about the universe and life and explore the meaning of life. It could be an emerging movement or more in-depth exploration of the supernatural.

It is crucial to commit to spirituality. You don’t need to be a part of a specific religion or belief system to begin engaging in mindfulness, heart meditation or journaling. Whatever your religious or spiritual practice, there are many advantages to making time for it.

Spirituality is a must for living a happy life. It helps us understand the significance of our past, our present and our future. Every human being is a reflection the Divine. Spirituality is a continual process, and it is important to take it slowly and with a sense of reverence. Find your spiritual path if wish to live a fulfilled life.

Spirituality is about finding meaning and meaning in our lives. It is a close connection with something bigger than yourself. It can also provide context to difficult experiences and provide an explanation to difficult situations. However, if you don’t believe in the truthfulness of spirituality, it might not be the right choice for you. Moreover, many people reject the practice of spirituality, dismissing it as irrational or wishful thinking.

Research has demonstrated that being spiritually oriented can improve your health. It is linked to improved physical and mental health. Spiritual people are less likely to suffer from stress and depression. It’s been linked to improved self-esteem and relationships. It has also been established that people who are spiritual also have lower blood pressure.

Spirituality can be a fantastic method of enriching your life. There are many types of spirituality. Choose wisely. But don’t confuse it for dogmatism. While spirituality can improve your life, it’s important to keep in mind that it can be misused and cause pain. If you use it as a method to avoid problems, you’re making use of spirituality as a substitute for real life.

If you aren’t sure of the benefits of spirituality, talk to your doctor. He or she may include it in your care plan. You can also write a statement to inform your health care provider know about your beliefs in the area of religion. Inform your doctor if your beliefs about religion interfere with treatment. In addition, you may seek help from other health experts.

Every spiritual path seeks to develop a sense of spiritual awareness. There are many ways to achieve this. One common practice is meditation. It allows one to become aware of their thoughts and emotions and channel them into more positive energy. Additionally, many spiritual traditions include an act of worship to a teacher.

Ignatius’ insights on spirituality are summarized in his Constitutions and Spiritual Exercises. It is important to keep in mind that the relationship between physical health, spirituality and spirituality is not straightforward. However, some researchers have suggested an association between spirituality and a better chance of survival after heart surgery, and a greater resiliency to stress.

Spiritual practices can reduce stress, anxiety blood pressure, stress, and other signs. They have even been linked to a decrease in the risk of heart cancer and heart disease. People who engage in spiritual practices have a more positive outlook and less depression. They also report feeling more content and peace at the office. Spiritual practices can also boost productivity and job satisfaction.


Areca Palm

The palm is a lovely green plant to send to someone as a gift. Palm plants decorate a room or office with elegance and make a lasting impression.* Plant may be substituted for a similar variety due to availability in certain parts of the country.

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AMD A10-9600P

AMD A10-9600P Benchmark

AMD A10-9600P Processor benchmark and specs - 2 GHz 4 core AMD A10-Series APU for Laptops CPU rating. Is the A10-9600P good for gaming?

CPU Benchmark Score

13 %
Average score from 1 sample
High uncertainty

Ranked 1,032nd out of 1,337 in the CPU Database.

Overall Gaming Multitasking Heavy Workloads
13 % 23 % 10 % 10 %
Average Average Bad Bad

Want to compare your CPU against the A10-9600P and these results? Download our free and quick PC Performance Test.

Geekbench (multi)
Geekbench (multi)
Geekbench (single)
Geekbench (single)
991 358

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CPU Comparison

The AMD A10-9600P compared against popular alternatives. Compare against more CPUs with our CPU Comparison Tool.

Intel Core i3-3240
16 %
AMD A10-8700P
13 %
Intel Pentium G2140
13 %
Intel Core i3-6100U
13 %
AMD A10-9600P
13 %
Intel Core i5-650
12 %
Intel Core i3-5010U
12 %

Clock Speed 2.4 GHz
Cores 4
Threads 4
L2 Cache 2048 KiB
Family A10-Series APU for Laptops
Memory Type DDR4
Memory Channels 2
TDP 15 W

AMD A10-9600P

The A10-9600P is a 4 core CPU from AMD. This chip has an average overall score at 13% in our CPU benchmark. Our gaming benchmark shows that this CPU is an average processor for gaming, with a score of 23%. As for multitasking and heavy workloads, the A10-9600P scores 10% and 10% respectively. Indeed, this is a bad rating for very heavy workloads.

The A10-9600P has 4 cores and 4 threads. This chip has no simultaneous multithreading support, as it has the same number of cores as threads. This AMD CPU has a clock speed of 2.4 GHz.

As for memory, the A10-9600P makes use of DDR4 memory. The faster the memory, the better. Faster memory means that the CPU doesn't have to wait to get the data it needs. Furthermore, this chip can handle up to 2 channels of RAM, a multichannel memory architecture allows for higher data transfer between the CPU and the memory. However, to take advantage of this, you must have enough memory slots filled.

In terms of cache, the A10-9600P has 2 MiB of level 2 cache. This is a fast memory located close to the processor, which stores copies of frequently used data from main memory.

Power and thermals for the AMD A10-9600P CPU are a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 15 watts. This measures the amount of heat the processor produces when running at full load. This isn't a measure of power consumption, but it's good estimate.

To figure out your PCs processor specs and performance, download our free CPU Benchmark utility.

More AMD A10-Series APU for Laptops CPUs


The comet assay can be used to assess genetic damage, but heterogeneity in the length of the tails is frequently observed. The aims of this study were to evaluate genetic damage and heterogeneity in the cervical nuclei and lymphocytes from patients with different levels of dysplasia and to determine the risk factors associated with the development of cervical cancer. The study included 97 females who presented with different levels of dysplasia. A comet assay was performed in peripheral blood lymphocytes and cervical epithelial cells. Significant genetic damage () was observed only in patients diagnosed with nuclei cervical from dysplasia III (NCDIII) and lymphocytes from dysplasia I (LDI). However, the standard deviations of the tail lengths in the cervical nuclei and lymphocytes from patients with dysplasia I were significantly different () from the standard deviations of the tail lengths in the nuclei cervical and lymphocytes from patients with DII and DIII (NCDII, NCDIII and LDII, LDIII), indicating a high heterogeneity in tail length. Results suggest that genetic damage could be widely present but only manifested as increased tail length in certain cell populations. This heterogeneity could obscure the statistical significance of the genetic damage.

1. Introduction

Cervical uterine cancer (CCU) is the second most common cancer among women and is responsible for over 250,000 deaths annually [1]. CCU is related to human papillomavirus (HPV), which activates early genes E6 and E78 of the host giving rise to benign or premalignant cervical lesions. There are other etiological factors besides human papillomavirus (HPV) and its risk of occurrence varies from one population to another [26]. CCU begins as a mild hyperplasia (I) and then progresses through moderate hyperplasia (II), severe hyperplasia (III), and, ultimately, cervical carcinoma [6]. In women with cervical dysplasia, genomic instability has been observed and is manifested as chromosomal abnormalities, presence of micronuclei, sister chromatid exchange [710], and a significant increase in DNA damage in cervical epithelial nuclei [11]. Genetic instability is a necessary condition for cancer development and the accumulation of DNA damage is the molecular basis of cancer progression [12, 13] so genetic damage in dysplastic cells is an important criterion for the diagnosis of CCU [7]. Because both genetic damage and progression of dysplasia may be influenced by orden, quantity, and combination of exposure to various risk factors and, due to that several studies have reported higher frequencies of chromosomal damage in the lymphocytes of individuals exposed occupationally or environmentally [14, 15], it is totally possible to use as monitors of genetic damage to lymphocytes of patients with varying degrees of dysplasia and simultaneously visualize genetic damage in the nuclei of cells from dysplastic tissue.

The comet assay is frequently used to detect DNA damage because the method is sufficiently simple and sensitive to detect damage in individual cells. In this technique, cells embedded in agarose are placed on a microscope slide, detergents and high salts to lyse the cells and make DNA electrophoresis under alkaline or neutral conditions. Cells with an increased frequency of DNA double-strand breaks show increased migration of DNA toward the anode. The migrating DNA is quantitated by staining with ethidium bromide and by measuring the intensity of fluorescence at two fixed positions within the migration pattern using a microscope photometer [16, 17]. The comet tail is the result of the migration of DNA fragments, broken strands, and sites sensitive to alkali. Variations in the tail length of comet nuclei among cells in the same study indicate differences in the degree of damage [18]; however, although comet assay detects genetic damage which is an important criterion for diagnosing cancer risk, the frequent heterogeneity of tail lengths observed using the comet assay [18] could prevent the significant detection of genetic damage. In this work, genetic damage and heterogeneity in cervical nuclei and lymphocytes from patients with different levels of dysplasia were determined. Additionally, the risk factors associated with the development of cervical cancer were evaluated.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Reagents

All reagents were purchased from Sigma Chemical Co. (Guadalajara, Jalisco, México), except dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and disodium EDTA, which were obtained from J.T. Baker (D.F., México).

2.2. Study Population

The study included a total of 97 women (sample size sufficient) diagnosed with different stages of cervical neoplasia who received a gynaecological check-up at the Hospital General de Occidente Zoquipan de la Secretaría de Salubridad del Estado de Jalisco in the period between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013. Subjects were coded and at the time of sampling to perform the study blinded. Details including the patients’ age, whether they smoked or lived with a smoker, family history of cancer, medical treatment and exposure to environmental, and occupational or household chemicals were noted in a questionnaire at the time of sampling.

2.3. Sampling

Two types of samples were collected from each individual, as performed in Udumudi et al. [19]. Informed consent was obtained from the patients and the ethical guidelines of the hospital were followed. The two types of cell samples and their collection methods were as follows: (A) peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). For each individual, blood from a finger prick was collected in 2 conical tubes containing 10 mL of phosphate buffer solution (PBS) (160 mM NaCl, 8 mM Na2HPO4, 4 mM NaH2PO4, and 50 mM EDTA; pH 7) and immediately transported to the laboratory and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 min. The supernatant was removed, and the pellet was suspended in PBS and immediately stored at 4°C until use. This small amount of whole blood was sufficient to study DNA damage using the comet assay and viability using the trypan blue exclusion test. The mean percentage of viability for each group was >89%: (B) cervical epithelial cells. The cervix was gently wiped with a sterile swab, and the shaped end of a wooden spatula was used to scrape the cervix in a 360° fashion. Two scrapings were collected from each patient. A sample from the first scraping was spread on a glass slide and fixed immediately in ethyl alcohol; this sample was used in a Pap smear test to determine the pathological status of the cervix. A sample from the second scraping was suspended in PBS and was later used in the comet assay to study DNA damage and the trypan blue exclusion test to determine cell viability. The samples were brought to the lab under cold conditions and processed within 1 h of sampling to avoid artefact damage to the DNA.

2.4. Classification of Samples

The Pap smear test was used because it is an ideal method to detect cervical neoplasia. Based on the results of the Pap smears, the women were divided into four categories: negative control (cervical cells and lymphocytes of healthy women without dysplasia), dysplasia low, dysplasia moderate, dysplasia severe, and cervical carcinoma in accordance with the Koss and Durfee cytomorphological classification [20]. The samples were graded as follows: nuclei cervical from women with dysplasia I (NCDI), dysplasia II (NCDII), and dysplasia III (NCDIII) and negative control (NCNC) and lymphocytes from dysplasia I (LDI), dysplasia II (LDII), and dysplasia III (LDIII) and negative control (LNC).

2.5. Comet Assay

To perform the comet assay, the cell suspension of cervical epithelial cells and lymphocytes was placed on different slides and mixed with low melting-point agarose at 37°C, to a final concentration of 0.7%. The mixture (100 L) was pipetted onto slides with 0.5% normal-melting-point agarose, to retain the agarose cell suspension. The drop containing the cells was covered with a glass cover slip (24 mm × 24 mm) and left at 4°C for 5 min. The cover slips were gently removed and the slides were then ready for processing. The alkaline comet assay was performed using the basic rationale of Singh et al. [21], with modifications.

To induce nuclear lysis and facilitate DNA unfolding, the slides were immersed in a lysis buffer (2.5 M NaCl, 100 mM Na2EDTA, 10 mM Tris-HCl, 1% sodium lauryl sarcosine, 1% Triton X-100, and 10% DMSO, pH 10) for 2 h at 4°C. The slides were then placed in a horizontal electrophoresis system with a high pH buffer (30 mM NaOH, 1 mM Na2EDTA, pH 13) for 45 min to allow unwinding of the DNA prior to electrophoresis, which was performed for 15 min at 1.0 V/cm with an accompanying amperage of approximately 300 mA. The same electrophoresis unit and power supply were used throughout the study [22]. To avoid additional DNA damage, all of the steps described above were performed under yellow light. Following electrophoresis, the slides were gently washed to remove the alkali and then were immersed in a neutralisation buffer (0.4 M Tris-Base, pH 7.5) for 5 min. Gels were stained with ethidium bromide (100 mL at 20 mg/mL) for 3 min and then rinsed three times with distilled water. The preparation was then cover-slipped. The fluorescence microscopy used to examine the slides employed a light microscope equipped with a 515–560 nm excitation filter. Comets were observed at 40x magnification, and migration was determined by visually scoring the tail length according to published protocols [22]. Approximately 50 comets per slide and two slides for each individual, including controls, were evaluated.

2.6. Statistical Analysis

The slides were coded at the time of preparation, scoring, and analysis. The results were expressed as the mean ± SD and were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the CoStat program [23]. All of the study groups were compared with the corresponding negative control using the Dunnett test. Pearson’s correlation was performed with SPSS 10.0 (Software, SPSS Inc.). Fifty cells were evaluated from each individual slide. A value of indicated significance.

3. Results

The distribution and average tail lengths of lymphocytes and cervical nuclei from women with different levels of dysplasia are presented in Figure 1. All of the study groups showed heterogeneity in the average migration tail length, although cervical nuclei and lymphocytes from the DI group showed a higher degree of heterogeneity. The correlation coefficients between the average migration of the cervical nuclei and lymphocytes from women with varying degrees of dysplasia are shown in Table 1. NCDI and LDI showed the highest degree of correlation (0.9606). NCDII-LDII, NCDIII-LDIII, and NCNC-LNC had correlations of 0.8735, 0.9360, and 0.8856, respectively.

Averages of the DNA migration for both the lymphocytes and the cervical nuclei were obtained and are presented in Figure 2 and the comparisons with the corresponding negative controls were statistically significant only for NCDIII and LDI (Figure 2). However, the standard deviations of the cervical nuclei and lymphocytes from the dysplasia I group were significantly different from the cervical nuclei and lymphocytes from the DII and DIII groups. The comparison between negative controls showed no significant difference.

Table 2 shows the percentages of the participants who were exposed to various risk factors for cervical cancer (except for the presence of HPV). Women reported having exposure to multiple risk factors; Table 2 also shows the sum of the percentages of women exposed to each risk factor.

4. Discussion

The HPV is considered to be the most important risk factor in the aetiology of cervical cancer [24, 25]; however DNA and cells in the human body are constantly exposed to oxidative attack by both exogenous and endogenous agents that are capable of inducing genetic damage associated with cancer development [26] and may play an important role in cervical carcinogenesis; these agents should thus be considered as risk factors: smoking and other factors also increase the risk of this disease through oncogenic activation [2729]. Additionally, it has been reported that there is a synergistic effect between smoking and HPV infection on cervical carcinogenesis [30, 31]. Considering that in our study the percentage of women who smoked was low (15.8%) and that all the patients showed some form of dysplasia, it follows that there are other risk factors that collaborate with HPV, as also reported by Schiffman and Castle [27]. The data in Table 2 show a high percentage of nonsmoking women who were exposed to several other risk factors. The order of the rates of exposure (home exposure to chemicals > living with a smoker > takes medications > environmental exposure to chemicals > family history of cancer > smoker > occupational exposure to chemicals > recent exposure to X-ray) suggested that some risk factors and their combinations could induce cervical carcinogenesis, although we were unable to determine the extent of genetic damage caused by each factor.

Strikingly, in addition to the 15.8% of participants who were smokers, 40.9% of the women studied lived with smokers; therefore, the percentage of the participants who were exposed to cigarette smoke was actually much higher (Table 2). A similar situation could be observed with the other risk factors; then it is possible to observe an increase in both heterogeneity and genetic damage in women exposed to different risk factors; further the frequency and duration of the exposure to various chemical agents were varied. Additionally, several other indirect factors, including low socioeconomic status, early marriage and first child, multiparity, poor personal hygiene, and genital infections, which can also increase the exposure to risk factors and consequently lead to damage genetic, were not considered in this study [31]. All of the above risk factors induce different amounts of genetic damage in the cervical nuclei and lymphocytes because of the differential exposure of these cell types, which contributes to the substantial heterogeneity of tail length, for example, a large difference in tail length since 15–80 microns in NCDI were observed. Similar situation occurred in LDI with variations since 22–90. As shown, the group of patients with dysplasia I was the most frequent and large during the time period of this studio. The cases of patients with dysplasia II and dysplasia III were less frequent, but also great heterogeneity of length tail was observed in both lymphocytes and cervical nuclei. Importantly, the similarity of migration and heterogeneity between lymphocytes and cervical nuclei (see correlation coefficients in Table 1) highlighting the case of LDI and NCDI (0.9606), LDII-CNDII (0.8735), LDIII-CNDIII (0.9360), and negative controls for lymphocytes and cervical nuclei (0.8856). Therefore it is understood as the usefulness of lymphocytes as biomonitors of genetic damage in cervical dysplasia (Figure 1). Another factor that contributes to the heterogeneity of tail lengths is the difference in DNA damage repair between the cell types studied, as previously reported [32]. There are also established differences in diet associated with the development of different types of cancer [33]. Ostling and Johanson demonstrated in vitro that these differences can contribute to the aetiology of heterogeneity in the same population of treated cells [34]. Those authors hypothesized that the heterogeneity of the tail length was the result of differential induction of genetic damage among cells. Differential genetic damage and genetic heterogeneity were subsequently demonstrated in animal cells from tumor biopsies and clinical models, explaining the resistance of some tumors to cancer treatment [3537].

Because of the heterogeneity of the tail length, many authors have suggested that different types of comets should be recognized and considered separately [38]. In our study, several types of comets were observed, which contributed to the heterogeneity; it was clear that there were different cells or nuclei with different magnitudes of genetic damage in vivo [16]. In this context, the age of the lymphocytes and nuclei studied is an important factor to be considered [3942]; increased age is correlated with the heterogeneity in the average migration (see negative control (Figure 1)). The ability of cells to repair DNA is lower in older lymphocytes compared with younger cells [39, 43].

Udumudi et al. [19] studied the relationship between genetic damage and the development of cervical neoplasia in nuclei and lymphocytes from women with cervical cancer using the comet assay and showed that genetic damage was proportional to the degree of dysplasia [13]. In our study, only samples from the NCDIII and LDI groups had sufficient cumulative damage to be detected by the comet assay (Figure 2). The other groups did not show a significant difference with the corresponding negative controls; however, cervical nuclei appeared to have damage proportional with the degree of dysplasia (Figure 2). The LDI group showed significant genetic damage . In the LDII and LDIII groups, despite an increase in migration that approached significance, there was no statistically significant difference in genetic damage (LDI 44.82 μm, LDII 44.55 μm, and LDII 42.74 μm). Genetic damage could be present but only manifested as increased tail length in certain cell populations, as has been found in previous studies [34]. This possibility could have led to the dilution of the statistical significance of the migration averages (Figure 2) in our study, so our data are different from those reported by Udumudi et al. [19].

The comet assay is very efficient and allows for the direct visualization of genetic damage in individual cells [21], typically by measuring the average migration of the tail (average genetic damage). In our study, the average genetic damage is not significant in all of the study groups (Figure 2). Some populations of cells showed more damage, which caused heterogeneity in the migration of the tail length among study subjects (Figure 1). Bartlett’s test suggests that the SD obtained from the CNDI group is significantly different from the SD of the nuclei from the cervical dysplasia II and III groups, and this difference manifests itself in the high heterogeneity in tail length. Heterogeneity could obscure the statistical significance of the damage. The NCDI group appears to have more genetic damage than the NCDII and NCDIII groups (Figure 1), but the average genetic damage is greater in the NCDIII group (Figure 2). The similar levels of genetic damage and high correlation coefficients between lymphocytes and cervical nuclei suggest that lymphocytes may serve as sentinel cells (Table 1). However, the presence of substantial heterogeneity in the tail length should be considered. Ideally, only the cells in each sample that have increased genetic damage would be considered in the measurement, including those in the negative controls.

5. Conclusion

There is differential genetic damage manifested as increased heterogeneity in the lengths of the tail length of cervical nuclei and peripheral blood lymphocytes in women with cervical dysplasia. This observed heterogeneity may confound the detection of significant genetic damage.

The comet assay is an excellent tool for determining the presence of genetic damage. However, to contribute to the reduction of heterogeneity in tail length, only cells with an increased tail length would ideally be included in the measurements.

Conflict of Interests

The authors thank the Instituto Jaliscience de Cancerología (SSJ) and the Clínica de Displasias-Hospital Zoquipan for their support and assistance in contacting the patients with dysplasia.


The Biology of Depression, and Being on the Path to Discovery

The Biology of Depression, and Being on the Path to Discovery

I am a scientist and I work with a team of researchers who spend their careers trying to understand what depression is, and especially the role of the immune system.

That may sound odd, as almost everyone knows what depression is. But what is it on a biological level?

Although we have overcome the historic opinions that this is ‘all in the mind’, and we now have a lot of evidence to suggest the immune system may be involved, no one really understands what causes depression in a mechanistic sense and, crucially, where it originates.

It is also increasingly apparent that a ‘one size fits all’ approach is not appropriate, and that one person’s experience of depression can be markedly different from the next person’s. This suggests a layer of subtleties we have thus far been unable to pinpoint. Without advancing our knowledge and understanding at a molecular level, we cannot successfully stratify patients appropriately and we will not know what therapies we need to develop to truly help people.

Depression affects everyone. It may not be directly, and we may not even know it, but statistically speaking, we will all likely know someone who has or has had depression.

This is particularly topical since over the past 18 months, during the pandemic, the prevalence of depression has increased on an almost exponential level, with the Office for National Statistics reporting that around 1 in 5 people experienced depression in early 2021. Strikingly, this is more than double the pre-pandemic rate.

Despite its prevalence, very little therapeutic progress has been made over the past thirty years since the introduction of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI’s, the most common class of antidepressant) and current treatments do not work for everyone. This makes it even more important to understand the nuances of the disease and to aim for a more personalised medicine approach to treatment.

Regardless, the impact of depression on society is huge. Not just in terms of the effect it has on an individual’s quality of life, but also their associated medical costs, loss of earnings and the impact of suicide. This is a global problem and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.

We have been fortunate to be involved in the ‘Neuroimmunology of Mood and Alzheimer’s Disease’ (NIMA) Consortium, a programme of work that has been funded by the Wellcome Trust over a five-year period (now longer thanks to the disruption of COVID-19!). As indicated by the name, this consortium comprises of two research arms (and a long list of incredible scientists), covering both Alzheimer’s disease and mood, and we are involved with the latter.

As well as some pre-clinical ‘bench’ studies, this work package included a clinical study that recruited patients with a spectrum of depression; those who were diagnosed with depression but currently untreated, those who had been treated successfully and were therefore no longer depressed, those who were receiving treatment but were still depressed (we refer to this group as treatment-resistant) and healthy controls who did not have a history of depression. The aim of this particular study was to analyse the immune system of these patients and try to identify if and how they differ in terms of their inflammatory signals. If there was a signal, what cells could it be coming from and how does it relate to a patients’ disease outcome?

Photo by Julia Koblitz on Unsplash

A robust immunophenotyping study (a fancy word that basically means mapping out immune system patterns) often uses a range of techniques to obtain measures of different cell types, different molecules, different biological processes etc., so that researchers get a big picture overview of what is a very complex system. This was done by the NIMA Consortium at great effort and expense, but I will focus on the study our group performed using RNA sequencing (RNAseq) that was recently published in Translational Psychiatry. There are more publication on blood immune measure collected in these patients, such as on c-reactive protein, immune genes, and immune cells.

We used RNAseq to measure gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs, an important group of white blood cells found in the circulation) isolated from the study participants. We had four major findings.

First, there was no evidence of significantly different expression of individual genes or groups of genes across the different patient populations.

Second, when assessing gene expression in an enriched immune cell population (like we did), it is likely that false positive results will preferentially be immune genes by default (this is an important point to be aware of when analysing similar datasets to avoid unintended bias).

Third, we did find evidence of biological ageing in the depressed population, albeit subtle.

And fourth, this study highlighted that the contribution of weight and body mass index (BMI) to inflammation in depression is complex.

As with most scientific research, this study has raised as many questions as it has answered. Our interpretation of the data is such that PBMCs are unlikely to be the source of any inflammatory signal in this patient group. Of course, we have to start somewhere, but there are many other cell types that we are yet to explore, for example, neutrophils (another white blood cell type), endothelial cells (that line blood vessels), and adipocytes (cells in the adipose tissue).

Indeed, there are many studies linking inflammation with obesity, and adipocytes are thought to be an important source of pro-inflammatory molecules, however studies like ours often consider the effects of BMI as a confounding factor (something that could distort the variables you are actually interested in).

In doing so, however, we may be losing a really crucial part of the biological story since people with depression tend to have a higher BMI than the general population, but we are yet to confirm if this is a causal or consequential relationship.

This study also warrants further investigation into the importance of immune ageing as our findings echo other studies that have linked severe depression, and possibly chronic stress, with increased cell ageing. The precise consequence of increased immune age is opaque, but it is thought to be a bad thing since aged cells are less efficient and are more likely to be ‘abnormal’.

I think the most important take home message from this study is that it emphasises how complex this field of research really is and highlights the importance of continued efforts to address the many unanswered questions.

I feel optimistic that every study takes us that little bit closer to the truth and we are all eternally grateful to the patients who volunteer to be a part of our research.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Header Image by Nick Fewings on Unsplash


learn French by podcast

13 great podcasts for beginners to learn French

French podcasts are an effective way to enhance your listening skills, but navigating the several ones on the internet can quickly become confusing. By making the right selection, you can learn French at home with podcasts and French media.

Podcasts are delivered in an easy-to-use portable format, allowing you to learn at the pace you want. You have complete control over the flow of information delivered to you. The best podcasts are produced professionally, are frequently free, and include transcripts.

13 great podcasts for French beginners

Coffee Break French

Coffee Break French puts the listener in the front row as French language teacher Mark coaches his student Ana through a series of highly practical lessons. Learning alongside another person is an excellent way to help words, grammar, and phrases stick in the mind. Furthermore, it is not as intense or as boring as being in the classroom. The lessons are simple to follow, last about 10-15 minutes, and are designed for beginners.

French Podcasts.com

The idea behind French Podcasts.com is to present the French language student with a variety of real-life topics. This includes audio recordings of actual events, such as a civil wedding ceremony. The audio of these events is generally of high quality.

The podcasts are in normal speed French and are appropriate for beginners and intermediates. However, if you have no prior knowledge of the language, you may find them difficult at first.

Above all, spending a few minutes each day listening to native speakers communicate is an excellent way to become familiar with the language’s speed, sentence structure, and word intonation.

One Thing on a French Day

This is an excellent idea for a podcast series. One Thing in a French Day is a “slice of a Frenchwoman’s day.” Each brief podcast focuses on a different daily event, such as eating a croissant after visiting the hairdresser, going for a nighttime walk, or shopping at an organic store.

Laetitia, a native speaker, discusses the events of the day in normal speed French. Her word choice is crisp and clear, and the sentences are easily distinguishable. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, new podcasts are published.

Je French.com

Je French provides an excellent framework for beginners in basic vocabulary, common expressions, verbs, nouns, and the way the language sounds. All of the lessons are taught simply by native French speakers.

Each one begins with a brief dialogue consisting of a few sentences. These are repeated twice to help the listener become familiar with what is being said. The presenters were then actively involved in an English conversation. There is also a very valuable focus here on pronunciation. Each podcast’s conversational format is an excellent learning tool.

One Minute French

It is, indeed, possible to learn a lot with a small amount of material. For the French language beginner, these short, sharp lessons supply a lot of useful information. Teacher Pierre-Benoit walks the listener through the basics of the French language, allowing them to converse during a vacation or business trip. Although they are titled “One Minute French,” each French language podcast lasts between two and four minutes.

Animalia is technically aimed at French children, but it can also be useful for English learners. Cyril Dion, the host, discusses a different endangered animal in each episode, combining fun facts with the realities of extinction. Despite tackling a serious subject, it’s a silly show at heart, with the host literally “interviewing” the animals.

French En Route

French En Route, another podcast for French learners, features stories from native French speakers all over the world. Sam, a fellow English speaker, and French learner will accompany you on this global Francophone journey, pointing out important vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation lessons along the way.

News in Slow French.com

News in Slow French is a fantastic podcast series that reads news stories in French at a much slower pace than you would hear on television or radio. The intonation is flawless, allowing the audience to hear each word clearly. Slow French will assist you in learning quickly.

Each podcast is divided into sections and includes various stories, conversations between the hosts, a few grammar points, and some common idiomatic expressions. News in Slow French is appropriate for beginners and intermediates, and a transcript of each lesson is available to help with learning. The absolute beginner may struggle at first, but speaking French is slow enough not to scare anyone away. And it doesn’t take long for the listener to learn a lot of new words.

French Pod 101

French Pod 101 has a large collection of French language podcasts for people of all skill levels, from absolute beginners to advanced French speakers. Each lesson contains dialogues, cultural insights, and a wealth of information about traveling and living in the country. There are also many scenes from everyday life in France that are voiced by native French speakers.

Parlez Away

Parlez Away is ideal for those who are just getting started. You can follow Ted, a native of Wisconsin, as he learns French from Caroline, a native of northwestern France. The podcast focuses on conversational French, and the first episode is all about greetings.

Coffee Break French

Coffee Break is part of the Radio Lingua Network, which has introductory language podcasts for various languages. The point of the podcast is that you should be able to listen to one in about half an hour, which is the length of a coffee break. The podcast has several seasons and progresses from hello to the most difficult aspects of the French language.

Learn French by Podcast

Learn French by Podcast is an extensive series of audio lessons for beginners to advanced language educators. They include natural-sounding conversations about everyday topics like discussing a football game, introducing yourself, and purchasing plane tickets. It’s almost as if you’re in a Parisian café, listening in on the table next to you.

Each podcast is broken down into sections. The listener first hears the French conversation, which is then repeated once or twice. Following that is an examination of the grammar and some of the phrases. During this segment of the program, some sentences are repeated several times with long pauses in between to allow the listener to try their own. The analyses are comprehensive and in-depth.

One of the contributors is an Irish native, and his French pronunciation is excellent.  Every lesson comes with supporting materials such as a full transcript and exercises.

Learn Out Loud: Survival Phrases

Survival Phrases is an excellent podcast series for beginners. The audio lessons are designed to get the listener to speak the fundamentals with proper pronunciation in no time. Each lesson focuses on a single phrase, such as how to say “You’re welcome” and “Thank You” in French. Throughout the podcast, the teacher repeats the phrase several times before breaking it down into component syllables to help you pronounce it like a native French speaker.

If you find difficulties in learning French you can seek professional training with italki. Here, you can learn French online with the best online French tutors in the comfort of your home. These highly skilled tutors (mostly native speakers) will help you learn French grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and sentence formation, etc. You can also book a trial lesson to experience the learning session with just a click.

Podcasts have become an integral part of many people’s daily lives. They provide an excellent opportunity for language learners to study even when their hands are occupied. Podcasts are an excellent way to improve your French listening comprehension, hear the natural flow of the language, and even practice reading with transcripts.

You can also seek guidance from different French videos by looking at their subtitles. These online mediums are super helpful to learn a new language at your own pace. You can watch movie trailers, music videos, interviews, vlogs, and other French-language media. These videos include interactive subtitles that provide definitions with a single click and allow you to save words to vocabulary lists directly from the video.

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December 5, 2022

Buying a used car is a prudent financial choice. For those on a tight budget, it allows you to save significant amounts of money. However, with financing and the high price of used cars, consumers often question how to afford this purchase. Here are five tips for financing your next used car without breaking the bank or compromising your finances.

1. Obtain a Variety of Financing Quotes

Before visiting a used car dealer, be aware of all the different financing options available. Start by checking online quotes from local dealers that provide free forums to save money. Ask friends or family members who they use and what their experience was. You can even contact the bank where they are employed to see if they can recommend any finance companies in your area willing to work with them.

2. Be Aware of Credit Scores

Before you choose to lease or buy a used car, know your credit scores and the scores of anyone else who will be using the vehicle. In most cases, you should be able to find a lender that is willing to provide loans for used cars and can do so without an issue if you have a low credit score. On the other hand, if you are leasing a new vehicle and your credit score is terrible, lenders may not be interested in working with you or may charge higher rates than usual.

3. Keep Loan Terms Brief

There is no set length for how long you need to pay off a used car loan, but anything shorter than five years is what you should aim for. Keep your loan terms short, especially when financing a high-ticket item such as a used car. People with consistent financial history will find it easier to make timely payments on their loans. If you want to borrow money from the latest models released from lenders in the US or US-based foreign car dealerships, they may require longer payment increments than those leasing or buying used cars.

4. Put as Much Money Down as Possible

The more you can put down on your used car before taking it home, the less money you will be required to pay each month. A four-year loan will also allow you to pay off your loan half the time, which helps your credit scores. Longer loans are often more expensive than shorter ones because they require more repayment in a set amount of time. This is why it’s best to have a clean financial history if you want to obtain long-term financing from lenders and dealerships alike.

5. Pay for Additional Fees With Cash

When you lease or buy a used car, be aware of any dealer or lender-imposed fees. Often, these items will require a few hundred dollars to be paid upfront. It’s best not to make this payment unless the price is already listed on the car’s invoice and you understand it. When you pay with cash and the amount is higher than expected, it may lower your monthly payments since those extra cash payments will leave no room for other expenses.

Even though purchasing a used car is a prudent financial choice, you don’t want to go into financing without understanding potential problems. By considering these suggestions and learning more about your options and lenders, you should be able to finance your next used car without breaking the bank or compromising your finances.