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Thursday 26 June 2014

World Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine Conference October 31 - November 2, 2014

American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
and the City of Houston

WFAS Houston
World Conference Co-Hosted
by City of Houston


World Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine Conference

October 31 - November 2, 2014

Royal Sonesta Hotel, Houston, Texas


Register Now!

Featuring Andrew Weil, Zhang Boli, Kiiko Matsumoto, Andy Ellis, Marilyn Allen, Jake Fratkin and more!

The American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the City of Houston invite you to the WFAS World Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine Conference to be held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Houston Texas, October 31 - November 2, 2014. Visit the event website wfas2014.acaom.edu for detail.


Texas Night Gala Banquet:
Don't miss out this festive social event, combining marvelous cuisine, quality entertainment, a lively dance floor, exciting live auction, and door prizes. Proceeds go to funding of scholarships, community services, and research in Oriental and integrative medicine.

Special Hotel Rates:

A special discount is reserved for the conference at the Royal Sonesta Hotel through October 15, 2014.

About:

This unique intellectual symposium is sponsored by the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. WFAS is the Non-Government Organization in official relations with the World Health Organization in relation to acupuncture. WFAS is made up of national acupuncture bodies with member representatives from over 50 countries. Approximately 1000 distinguish guests will partake the exchange of intellectual information and updates on medicines.

Sunday 22 June 2014

Let him talk to Bell Hooks instead

Don’t want to give that guy your phone number? Let him talk to bell hooks instead! http://www.salon.com/2014/06/13/dont_want_to_give_that_guy_your_phone_number_let_him_talk_to_bell_hooks_instead/ via @Salon

Thursday 19 June 2014

Will Enbridge's pipeline ever get built Progressive Economics Blog

Will Enbridge's pipeline ever get built? - http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2014/06/18/will-enbridges-pipeline-ever-get-built/

Wednesday 18 June 2014

horses

Having my first experience with horses for years, not even going to say how many years.

Friday 13 June 2014

Professor Heather Boon Appointed Dean of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Professor Heather Boon Appointed Dean of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
Following a global decanal search, the University of Toronto announced the appointment of Professor Heather Boon as Dean of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, effective July 1, 2014. Dr. Boon will hold this appointment for a five-year term.
Dr. Boon is licensed pharmacist, Professor and Interim Dean of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, and holds cross-appointments with the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
A graduate of the Faculty’s Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and PhD programs, Professor Boon has been an active member of the Faculty since 2001. Over that time, she has developed a robust research program and instructed a large complement of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate summer research students. Focusing on the safety and efficacy of natural health products, and related regulatory and policy issues, her research has been supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the SickKids Foundation, the Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation, and the National Centres of Excellence program, among others. Through this research, Professor Boon has published more than 130 peer-reviewed articles, as well as numerous book chapters, policy reports, and textbooks.
During the 2013-2014 academic year, Professor Boon served as Interim Dean for the Faculty. Prior to assuming this role, she was Associate Dean, Graduate Education, where she was responsible for overseeing the Faculty’s Master’s and Doctoral programs. During her term as Associate Dean, Dr. Boon successfully grew these programs, enhanced the graduate student experience, and brought fiscal sustainability to the graduate department.
Throughout her career, Professor Boon has held key administrative roles both at the Faculty and in a variety of national and international associations and organizations. Through these experiences, she has developed strong operational skills, demonstrated an ability to build productive relationships with students, faculty members, administrators, and key stakeholders, and cultivated a highly collaborative leadership style that she will apply to the role of Dean.
“I am excited and honoured to be leading the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at a time of incredible opportunity, when how we care for patients and promote health is changing rapidly,” said Boon. “Our innovative academic faculty, including those teaching in our new PharmD and PharmD for Pharmacists programs, pioneering researchers, and exceptional graduate and undergraduate students are leading this change.”
“I look forward to working together with our inspiring faculty members, staff, students, alumni, healthcare partners, and the University of Toronto community to drive this change forward, continue our growth as a Pharmacy educator and hub for groundbreaking research discoveries and innovations, produce outstanding graduates, and improve patient outcomes across the country and throughout the globe.”

Thursday 12 June 2014

Birds & reptiles following my movements with compost



http://islandnature.ca/2011/02/signs-of-spring-the-american-robin/

the Puget Sound Garter Snake (T. s. pickeringi) - I saw the tail disappear at least three times as I moved back and forth between the piles of leaves and branches and the wheelbarrow
 Pileated woodpecker - saw for the first time today raiding the compost that I put in a planting area in front of the cabins
 American Robin (Turdus migratorius)- so many times, not sure how many birds there are, or if it is the same couple of birds

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and the Role of Botanical Medicine with Dr. Tori Hudson, N.D. FREE Webinar

Polycystic-Ovarian-Syndrome-and-the-Role-of-Botanical-Medicine-with-Dr.-Tori-Hudson-N.D
JUNE 11TH, 2014
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and the Role of Botanical Medicine with Dr. Tori Hudson, N.D. FREE Webinar
This presentation will contain a review of this complex endocrinological disorder including etiology, physiology, clinical presentations, diagnostic evaluation, and risk factor assessment. Also included will be a brief overview of non-botanical interventions, though the focus will be on the plant medicines for addressing the underlying causes of PCOS, as well as symptom management. This lecture will highlight botanical therapies that affect ovulation, positively impact androgenic effects, and that address insulin sensitivity.*
Plants to be included: Green tea, Bitter melon, Licorice root, Spearmint, Saw palmetto, and Nettle root.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This webinar is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The webinar will be held from 4PM-5PM EST.
Click here to register
Click here to learn more about Dr. Hudson

Tuesday 10 June 2014

Three New Non-reducing Polyketide Synthase Genes from the Lichen-Forming Fungus Usnea

New citations




Ethnoveterinary medicines used for ruminants in British Columbia, Canada.

Article: Ethnoveterinary medicines used for ruminants in British Columbia, Canada.



Cited in 1 publication:



Three New Non-reducing Polyketide Synthase Genes from the Lichen-Forming Fungus Usnea longissima.

Article: Three New Non-reducing Polyketide Synthase Genes from the Lichen-Forming Fungus Usnea long...

Yi Wang, Juan Wang, Yong Hwa Cheong...

Mycobiology 03/2014 42(1):34-40.

View
Usnea longissima has a long history of use as a traditional medicine. Several bioactive compounds, primarily belonging to the polyketide family, have been isolated from U. longissima. However, the genes for the biosynthesis of these compounds are yet to be identified. In the present study, three different types of non-reducing polyketide synthases (UlPKS2, UlPKS4, and UlPKS6) were identified from a cultured lichen-forming fungus of U. longissima. Phylogenetic analysis of product template domains showed that UlPKS2 and UlPKS4 belong to group IV, which includes the non-reducing polyketide synthases with an methyltransferase (MeT) domain that are involved in methylorcinol-based compound synthesis; UlPKS6 was found to belong to group I, which includes the non-reducing polyketide synthases that synthesize single aromatic ring polyketides, such as orsellinic acid. Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis demonstrated that UlPKS2 and UlPKS4 were upregulated by sucrose; UlPKS6 was downregulated by asparagine, glycine, and alanine.

Monday 9 June 2014

MSc studentship: The influence of feline neutering voucher value and expiry date on owner redemption at University of Bristol

MSc studentship: The influence of feline neutering voucher value and expiry date on owner redemption at University of Bristol

Smartest dog breeds

I saw a retreiver going to a bush to chew off his own stick so I decided to look up dog intelligence

 Top Dogs

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/how-smart-is-your-dog

In his bestselling book, The Intelligence of Dogs, neuropsychologist Stanley Coren, PhD, focuses on trainability as a marker of intelligence.
The University of British Columbia psychology professor relied on the assessments of 110 breeds by more than 200 professional dog obedience judges who scored breeds based on working/obedience tests.
The top dogs absorbed commands in less than five repetitions and obeyed them 95% of the time or better. Here's the list along with a breed description by the American Kennel Club:
1. Border Collie: A workaholic, this breed is the world's premier sheep herder, prized for its intelligence, extraordinary instinct, and working ability.
2. Poodle: Exceptionally smart and active. Bred to retrieve things from the water. The miniature variety may have been used for truffle hunting.
3. German Shepherd: The world's leading police, guard, and military dog -- and a loving family companion and herder.
4. Golden Retriever: Intelligent and eager to please. Bred as a hunting companion; ideal as a guide and as assistance with search-and-rescue operations.
5. Doberman Pinscher: Known for its stamina and speed. Bred to be a guardian and in demand as a police and war dog.
6. Shetland Sheepdog: The "Sheltie" is essentially a miniature working Collie. A rough-coated, longhaired working breed that is keenly intelligent. Excels in herding.
7. Labrador Retriever: An ideal sporting and family dog. Gentle and intelligent.
8. Papillon: A happy, alert breed that isn't shy or aggressive. Known as Dwarf Spaniels in the 16th and 17th centuries, they reach 8-11 inches high.
9. Rottweiler: Robust and powerful, the breed is happiest with a job. Suitable as a police dog, herder, service dog, therapy dog, obedience competitor, and devoted companion.
10. Australian Cattle Dog: Happiest doing a job like herding, obedience, or agility. Energetic and intelligent.

Friday 6 June 2014

Probability of me becoming a PI is 62%

Segal Lab: Predict probability to become PI http://genie.weizmann.ac.il/pubs/PIPredictor/predict.php

Your probability to become a PI is:



62%









Your score is greater than that of 50% of PIs in our data, while compared to non-PIs, you outscore 90% of them (i.e., false discovery rate of 10%)



Here are some of the statistics we computed from your publication history:



FeatureValue
Number of Publications11
Number of Publications as First11
Mean Impact Factor2.1
Max Impact Factor2.6
Max IF As First2.6

Tuesday 3 June 2014

Curcumin Webinar Thur June 5 2014

Curcumin Webinar
Online
EuroMedicaThis webinar will focus on "The Truth and Value of Curcumin and Turmeric: Answers to your 10 most commonly asked questions." Call to register: 866-842-7256. More information can be found here. Date: Thursday, June 5, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Sunday 1 June 2014

Alpaca Acres and Dashwood Meadows Qualicum

My computer has been down since last week. It probably needs a new battery. I am using my host's computer. I am on Alpaca Acres, Qualicum Beach which is for sale. It used to have therapy alpacas and brain damaged men. There are no animals now, but three men are still here. I was taken to see alpaca shearing at Dashwood Meadows and then saw their socks and other items for sale at a fabric fair in Coombs.