Podcasts about characterisation

This week we celebrate Star Wars with a fabulous short portraying the infamous AT-AT death walkers as 'nature-creatures' in their natural habitat - this is a beautifully observed work, made in Unreal Engine by Jeremy Cummins.  Cummins is an experienced character creator, now working for Tippett Studio, with an impressive list of credits including Ant-Man and the Wasp, Spider-Man and Avengers, among others.  We discuss the transition pros are making in the development of an Unreal pipeline and the impact this has on the creative machinima community.  0:44 Intro to the film3:18 About Jeremy Cummins4:33 Developing the pipeline5:36 PhantomFX takes over Tippett Studios, what are the implications?7:01 Migration – in the film, and metaphorically8:59 Stunning lighting effects9:18 Characterisation of AT-ATs – itchy and goofy!10:27 Sound effects inconsistent? Cows vs dino vs croc = buff… nah12:14 Who's got a sub to Galactic Geographic?13:50 Humour and the portrayal of death dealing machines15:00 The ambient sound needed a bit more work to achieve verisimilitude16:06 Check out Pie in the Sky too – and why it's a better film17:47 Tapping into a ‘magical movie moment' in time, anthropomorphism and our fascination with machines as animals in the Star Wars universe20:00 Communicating size with sound22:34 Length of the film24:00 Excitement: AT-ATs were only ever seen for such a short length of time in the original canon, so how cool to see them again!26:30 A perfect example of contemporary realtime cinemaCredits -Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Damien Valentine, Tracy HarwoodProducer: Damien ValentineEditor: Phil RiceMusic: Animo Domini Beats

Discover the magic that unfolds when setting takes center stage in a novel, transforming lifeless backdrops into dynamic entities with a soul of their own. This week, best-selling author Danny Petrie joins me, Wendy H Jones, to unravel the secrets behind crafting settings that captivate and characters who resonate with readers like old friends. Amidst the rugged Alaskan wilderness and the vibrant streets of Santa Fe, we delve into the art of choosing the perfect locale to reflect the essence of our stories, and how these choices impact every twist and turn of the narrative.As an author who loves to sketch out the bones of dialogue and action, I share my unique process of dressing these bare frameworks with the flesh of immersive settings. Danny and I discuss the balance required to maintain narrative momentum without sacrificing the rich tapestry of descriptive detail that brings a world to life—especially crucial in genres where the stakes are high, and the suspense is thicker than fog. Our talk is a celebration of storytelling, marked by the release of "One Wrong Move," a novel that epitomizes the harmony of setting and plot in a thrilling dance of intrigue.To all fellow writers and fervent readers, our conversation is a tribute to the craft that unites us. I offer gratitude for your unwavering support and invite you to join the community that fosters these insightful dialogues. Your patronage on Patreon ensures the continuity of this creative exchange, and for that, I thank you. Remember, the journey continues next week with another inspiring guest, and I eagerly anticipate sharing more wisdom that lights the path for your literary adventures.

Have you ever faced a character in a book so flat they seem to fall off the page? Fear not, fellow wordsmiths, for I, Wendy H Jones, am here to share the secret sauce to spicing up your characters! This episode of the Writing and Marketing Show is a treasure trove of insights into the subtle art of characterisation. From the lush setting of Wester Wootatelle and Spa to the vibrant aisles of the London Book Fair, I take you on a whirlwind tour of a writer's life, replete with the unexpected twists that demand a nimble mind and a flexible pen.Characterisation isn't just about crafting a biography; it's about breathing life into your protagonists and antagonists with a finesse that makes them leap off the page and into readers' hearts. I delve into the nuances of showing emotions, why a tapping finger can speak volumes more than an exclaimed "I'm frustrated!", and how varying word choices can transform a mere description into an experience. Danny Petrie may not join us this time around, but the conversation doesn't lack for depth, exploring everything from evocative verbs to avoiding the pitfalls of emotional repetition.Finally, I pull back the curtain on what's ahead and where you can join this literary journey with me. Humor mingles with earnest advice as I navigate the everyday chaos of a husky's treat-time amidst musings on character flaws and dialogue pauses. The promise of next week's special guest lingers enticingly as I bid you adieu, inviting you to stay connected and continue fostering your love for the written word. Remember, the stories we craft are as alive as we make them, so let's keep the pages turning and the ink flowing.

Metal Gear Solid 2 was easily the most hotly anticipated game for the Playstation 2.  The first game had blown everyone away, and the jaw-dropping graphics of previews combined with the quality of the animation in cutscenes seemed almost too good to be true.  Luckily for fans everywhere, MGS 2 appeared to live up to its wild expectations, getting almost universally glowing reviews.  It seemed that MGS 2 had expanded upon the first game in every single way, including having an even more convoluted story.  But for all its praise, there were hints of critique and backlash around the edges if you looked hard enough.  The change of protagonist definitely pissed a lot of people off, and opinion was divided over whether the ending was brilliant or just a self indulgent mess of ideas awkwardly stapled together.So is Metal Gear Solid 2 still a game worth playing today?  Or are there flaws in this acclaimed classic that have been long forgotten?On this episode we discuss:Gameplay.In what ways has the core mechanics of sneaking around a complex changed from Metal Gear Solid 1 to 2?  Are these differences meaningful in changing how you engage with the game, or are they just surface level changes with murdering enemies at range with a silenced pistol still being the best approach?Characterisation.One of the most memorable parts of the original Metal Gear Solid was its wacky roster of villains, all with their own questionably fantastical super powers.  Does MGS 2 continue this proud tradition, or are the enemy bosses in the game lacklustre in comparison?Story.To call Metal Gear Solid 2's story complicated is a massive understatement.  To what degree does it manage to hold together its threads of conspiracy, philosophy and free will?  Does it all come together in a cohesive whole, or is it just a load of nonsense?We answer these questions and many more on the 112th episode of the Retro Spectives Podcast! Intro Music: KieLoBot - Tanzen KOutro Music: Rockit Maxx - One point to anotherMetal Gear Solid 2 OST: Harry Gregson-Williams, Norihiko Hibino What was your favourite part of Metal Gear Solid 2?  Does Fortune get as much hate as she deserves, or should she get even more?  Which stealth game should we play next?  Come let us know what you think on our community discord server!You can support the show monetarily on our Buy me a Coffee Page!    

In the first episode, Solomon Tesfaye and Ollie Binns-Hall explore the pressing issue of the diabetes epidemic and its most prevalent microvascular complication: neuropathy. They discuss the identification and characterisation of these critical aspects of diabetes and explore the causes, symptoms, and challenges of diagnosing neuropathy within the broader context of diabetes.   This content has been supported by Viatris

Join Luke, Elliot and our super special guests Nidula and Julia of Cactus Jam Games as we discuss characterisation in video games! The team chats with our special guests about... LEARN MORE The post Video Game Characterisation with special guests Nidula and Julia! appeared first on Checkpoint.

Today I have another of my conversations with a friend within the roleplaying games community. This episode we dipped into talking about characterisation in our RPGs, especially around NPCs. My guest, Simon Williams, is a British artist and illustrator as well as being the creator of the Legend of The Bones podcast, a hybrid Solo Old School Dungeons and Dragons actual play and dark fantasy audio drama. Big thanks to Simon for coming back to the show!Legend of The Bones Podcast:https://legendofthebones.podbean.com/Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:hello@rpgrescue.comBlog:roleplayrescue.com Mastodon:@UbiquitousRat@ttrpg-hangout.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I have another of my conversations with a friend within the roleplaying games community. This episode we dipped into talking about characterisation in our RPGs, especially around NPCs. My guest, Simon Williams, is a British artist and illustrator as well as being the creator of the Legend of The Bones podcast, a hybrid Solo Old School Dungeons and Dragons actual play and dark fantasy audio drama. Big thanks to Simon for coming back to the show!Legend of The Bones Podcast:https://legendofthebones.podbean.com/Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:hello@rpgrescue.comBlog:roleplayrescue.com Mastodon:@UbiquitousRat@ttrpg-hangout.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remember all those articles about microplastics in human milk last year? Well your friends at the Milk Minute are finally tackling the topic.Why is this happening? Can we do anything to change it? Should we be worried?Tune in this week to hear all that and more as Heather and Maureen pick apart the tricky topic of microplastic contamination in the human body.Work With Us!Book a Lactation Consult with Heather! Click HERE for the deets.Book a Lactation Consult with Maureen! Click HERE to get started.THANK YOU TO OUR PATRON, Anna from Maine!THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORSGet your breastfeeding journey BACK ON TRACK with a Lactation Consult with Heather! Telehealth available and some insurance accepted. Click HERE for the deets. If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem, Cigna PPO or Provider Network of America– you can fill out a short form to get pre-approval to get your visits with Heather 100% approved! Click HERE to access the form.Ceres Chill - Grab your Ceres Chiller or Milkstache HERE and enter promo code MILKMINUTE15 for 15% off!Click HERE to save 25% off and free shipping on all Liquid IV products with the code MILK_MINUTEListener Question: My exclusively breastfed almost 4-month-old is suddenly refusing her pacifier. Any tips to get her to use it when she's upset but not hungry? It seems that lately nothing will calm her down other than the boob.Sources:Plastic Debris in the Marine Environment: History and Future Challenges - PMC (nih.gov)Raman Microspectroscopy Detection and Characterisation of Microplastics in Human Breastmilk - PMC (nih.gov)Microplastics found in human breast milk for the first time | Plastics | The GuardianPlastic production worldwide 2021 | StatistaMicroplastics in infant milk powder - PubMed (nih.gov)Read the episode transcript HEREGet 20% off your Mother's Day Gourmet Brownies from the Brownie House by entering code MILKMINUTE20 and ordering from this link: https://shop.yesbrownies.com/discount/MILKMINUTE20Support the showCheck out Milk Minute Podcast's website here!Become a VIP Click here to get exclusive access and more!Send us an e-mail! MilkMinutePodcast@gmail.comFacebook | Instagram | TikTok

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.03.30.534946v1?rss=1 Authors: Hutchins, J. R. A., Peiffer, I., Urbach, S., Mergny, J.-L., Marin, P., Maiorano, D., MECHALI, M. Abstract: In metazoan cells, replication of genomic DNA initiates from thousands of discrete chromosomal loci known as origins. Proteins such as the Origin Recognition Complex (ORCs) associate with origins, but this does not show clear sequence specificity for DNA binding. Genome-wide origin mapping studies have shown that the region surrounding the replication initiation site contains motifs such as the Origin G-rich Repeated Element (OGRE), proximal to the majority of origins. Here, using an approach coupling DNA affinity purification to quantitative proteomics, we identified proteins that interact specifically with an OGRE. Three of the top-scoring interactors, Dhx36, Pura and Tial1, were selected for further study. We show that Dhx36 and Tial1 localise to the nucleus and their knockdown decreased cells in S-phase resulting in their accumulation in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Altogether these results indicate that these OGRE-binding factors may play roles in DNA synthesis in mammalian cells. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

Geopolitiske spenninger har satt en stopper for videre forskning på SARS-CoV-2s opprinnelse. Men den gode nyheten er at under Kinas siste bølge av covid-19 har det ikke blitt funnet noen nye varianter av viruset. Hvordan sto det til med barns skjermbruk fra juni 2019 til august 2021? Hvordan påvirker såkalt longcovid sysselsettingen? Det foreligger dessuten nå mer forskning på dødelighet blant leger under pandemien. Åtte land har bekjempet en tropisk infeksjonssykdom i løpet av 2022. Du får også høre om forskning på brystkreft og på hjerneslag, og på effekten av treplanting i urbane områder for å senke temperaturen og dermed begrense hetebølger. Og har vi kommet ett skritt nærmere tankekontroll for pasienter med alvorlige lammelser – uten å operere inn implantater i hjernen? Sjefredaktør Are Brean deler siste nytt fra andre vitenskapelige tidsskrifter den siste tiden. Tilbakemeldinger kan sendes til stetoskopet@tidsskriftet.no.    Stetoskopet produseres av Synne Muggerud Sørensen, Sigurd Ziegler, Are Brean og Julie Didriksen ved Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. Ansvarlig redaktør er Are Brean.   Jingle og lydteknikk: Håkon Braaten / Moderne media   Coverillustrasjon: Stephen Lee   Artikler nevnt:   WHO abandons plans for crucial second phase of COVID-origins investigation Characterisation of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Beijing during 2022: an epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis - The Lancet Trends in Screen Time Use Among Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic, July 2019 Through August 2021 Excess Mortality Among US Physicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic Association of Post–COVID-19 Condition Symptoms and Employment Status Long COVID Linked With Unemployment in New Analysis Bird Flu Has Begun to Spread in Mammals—Here's What's Important to Know Eight countries eliminated a neglected tropical disease in 2022 Breast-Conserving Surgery with or without Irradiation in Early Breast Cancer Overcoming Resistance — Omission of Radiotherapy for Low-Risk Breast Cancer Endovascular Therapy for Acute Stroke with a Large Ischemic Region Improved Prospects for Thrombectomy in Large Ischemic Stroke Trial of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Large Ischemic Strokes Trial of Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke with Large Infarct Cooling cities through urban green infrastructure: a health impact assessment of European cities Assessment of Safety of a Fully Implanted Endovascular Brain-Computer Interface for Severe Paralysis in 4 Patients: The Stentrode With Thought-Controlled Digital Switch (SWITCH) Study

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.11.29.518315v1?rss=1 Authors: Frorup, C., Gerwig, R., Sondergaard Svane, C. A., Mendes Lopes de Melo, J., Floyel, T., Pociot, F., Kaur, S., Storling, J. Abstract: ObjectiveEndoC-{beta}H5 is a newly established human beta-cell model which may be superior to previous models of native human beta cells. Exposure of beta cells to proinflammatory cytokines is a widely used in vitro model of immune-mediated beta-cell failure in type 1 diabetes and we therefore performed an in-depth characterisation of the effects of cytokines on EndoC-{beta}H5 cells. MethodsThe sensitivity profile of EndoC-{beta}H5 cells to the toxic effects of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1{beta} (IL-1{beta}), interferon {gamma} (IFN{gamma}) and tumour necrosis factor- (TNF) was examined in titration and time-course experiments. Cell death was evaluated by caspase 3/7 activity, cytotoxicity, viability, TUNEL assay and immunoblotting. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by extracellular flux technology. Activation of signalling pathways and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression were examined by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and cytokine-induced chemokine secretion were measured by ELISA and Meso Scale Discovery multiplexing electrochemiluminescence, respectively. Global gene expression was characterised by stranded RNA sequencing. ResultsCytokines increased caspase activity and cytotoxicity in EndoC-{beta}H5 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The proapoptotic effect of cytokines was primarily driven by IFN{gamma}. Cytokine exposure caused impaired mitochondrial function, diminished GSIS, and induced secretion of chemokines. At the signalling level, cytokines increased the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) but not c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and did not cause degradation of nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor (I{kappa}B). MHC class I was induced by cytokines. Cytokine exposure caused significant changes to the EndoC-{beta}H5 transcriptome including upregulation of HLA genes, endoplasmic reticulum stress markers, and non-coding RNAs. Among the differentially expressed genes were several type 1 diabetes risk genes. ConclusionsOur study provides detailed insight into the functional and transcriptomic effects of cytokines on EndoC-{beta}H5 cells. This knowledge will be helpful for future investigations studying cytokine effects in this cell model. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

Characterisation of the MUSIC ASIC for large-area silicon photomultipliers for gamma-ray astronomy by Nicolas De Angelis et al. on Tuesday 29 November Large-area silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are desired in many applications where large surfaces have to be covered. For instance, a large area SiPM has been developed by Hamamatsu Photonics in collaboration with the University of Geneva, to equip gamma-ray cameras employed in imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Being the sensor about 1 cm$^2$, a suitable preamplification electronics has been investigated in this work, which can deal with long pulses induced by the large capacitance of the sensor. The so-called Multiple Use SiPM Integrated Circuit (MUSIC), developed by the ICCUB (University of Barcelona), is investigated as a potential front-end ASIC, suitable to cover large area photodetection planes of gamma-ray telescopes. The ASIC offers an interesting pole-zero cancellation (PZC) that allows dealing with long SiPM signals, the feature of active summation of up to 8 input channels into a single differential output and it can offer a solution for reducing power consumption compared to discrete solutions. Measurements and simulations of MUSIC coupled to two SiPMs developed by Hamamatsu are considered and the ASIC response is characterized. The 5$^{th}$ generation sensor of the Low Cross Talk technology coupled to MUSIC turns out to be a good solution for gamma-ray cameras. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.14022v2

Characterisation of the MUSIC ASIC for large-area silicon photomultipliers for gamma-ray astronomy by Nicolas De Angelis et al. on Monday 28 November Large-area silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are desired in many applications where large surfaces have to be covered. For instance, a large area SiPM has been developed by Hamamatsu Photonics in collaboration with the University of Geneva, to equip gamma-ray cameras employed in imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Being the sensor about 1 cm$^2$, a suitable preamplification electronics has been investigated in this work, which can deal with long pulses induced by the large capacitance of the sensor. The so-called Multiple Use SiPM Integrated Circuit (MUSIC), developed by the ICCUB (University of Barcelona), is investigated as a potential front-end ASIC, suitable to cover large area photodetection planes of gamma-ray telescopes. The ASIC offers an interesting pole-zero cancellation (PZC) that allows dealing with long SiPM signals, the feature of active summation of up to 8 input channels into a single differential output and it can offer a solution for reducing power consumption compared to discrete solutions. Measurements and simulations of MUSIC coupled to two SiPMs developed by Hamamatsu are considered and the ASIC response is characterized. The 5$^{th}$ generation sensor of the Low Cross Talk technology coupled to MUSIC turns out to be a good solution for gamma-ray cameras. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.14022v1

Characterisation of the MUSIC ASIC for large-area silicon photomultipliers for gamma-ray astronomy by Nicolas De Angelis et al. on Monday 28 November Large-area silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are desired in many applications where large surfaces have to be covered. For instance, a large area SiPM has been developed by Hamamatsu Photonics in collaboration with the University of Geneva, to equip gamma-ray cameras employed in imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Being the sensor about 1 cm$^2$, a suitable preamplification electronics has been investigated in this work, which can deal with long pulses induced by the large capacitance of the sensor. The so-called Multiple Use SiPM Integrated Circuit (MUSIC), developed by the ICCUB (University of Barcelona), is investigated as a potential front-end ASIC, suitable to cover large area photodetection planes of gamma-ray telescopes. The ASIC offers an interesting pole-zero cancellation (PZC) that allows dealing with long SiPM signals, the feature of active summation of up to 8 input channels into a single differential output and it can offer a solution for reducing power consumption compared to discrete solutions. Measurements and simulations of MUSIC coupled to two SiPMs developed by Hamamatsu are considered and the ASIC response is characterized. The 5$^{th}$ generation sensor of the Low Cross Talk technology coupled to MUSIC turns out to be a good solution for gamma-ray cameras. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.14022v2

Characterisation of the MUSIC ASIC for large-area silicon photomultipliers for gamma-ray astronomy by Nicolas De Angelis et al. on Sunday 27 November Large-area silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are desired in many applications where large surfaces have to be covered. For instance, a large area SiPM has been developed by Hamamatsu Photonics in collaboration with the University of Geneva, to equip gamma-ray cameras employed in imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Being the sensor about 1 cm$^2$, a suitable preamplification electronics has been investigated in this work, which can deal with long pulses induced by the large capacitance of the sensor. The so-called Multiple Use SiPM Integrated Circuit (MUSIC), developed by the ICCUB (University of Barcelona), is investigated as a potential front-end ASIC, suitable to cover large area photodetection planes of gamma-ray telescopes. The ASIC offers an interesting pole-zero cancellation (PZC) that allows dealing with long SiPM signals, the feature of active summation of up to 8 input channels into a single differential output and it can offer a solution for reducing power consumption compared to discrete solutions. Measurements and simulations of MUSIC coupled to two SiPMs developed by Hamamatsu are considered and the ASIC response is characterized. The 5$^{th}$ generation sensor of the Low Cross Talk technology coupled to MUSIC turns out to be a good solution for gamma-ray cameras. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.14022v1

Towards a new era in giant exoplanet characterisation by Simon Müller et al. on Thursday 24 November Determining the composition of giant exoplanets is crucial for understanding their origin and evolution. However, the planetary bulk composition is not measured directly but must be deduced from a combination of mass-radius measurements, knowledge of the planetary age and evolution simulations. Accurate determinations of stellar ages, mass-radius, and atmospheric compositions from upcoming missions can significantly improve the determination of the heavy-element mass in giant planets. In this paper, we first demonstrate the importance of an accurate age measurement, as expected from Plato, in constraining the planetary properties. Well-determined stellar ages can reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty up to about a factor of two. We next infer the bulk metallicity of warm giants from the Ariel mission reference sample and identify the Ariel high-priority targets for which a measured atmospheric metallicity can clearly break the degeneracy in the inferred composition. We show that knowledge of the atmospheric metallicity can broadly reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty by a factor of four to eight. We conclude that the accurate age determination from Plato and atmospheric measurements by Ariel and the James Webb Space Telescope will play a key role in revealing the composition of giant exoplanets. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.05468v2

Towards a new era in giant exoplanet characterisation by Simon Müller et al. on Thursday 24 November Determining the composition of giant exoplanets is crucial for understanding their origin and evolution. However, the planetary bulk composition is not measured directly but must be deduced from a combination of mass-radius measurements, knowledge of the planetary age and evolution simulations. Accurate determinations of stellar ages, mass-radius, and atmospheric compositions from upcoming missions can significantly improve the determination of the heavy-element mass in giant planets. In this paper, we first demonstrate the importance of an accurate age measurement, as expected from Plato, in constraining the planetary properties. Well-determined stellar ages can reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty up to about a factor of two. We next infer the bulk metallicity of warm giants from the Ariel mission reference sample and identify the Ariel high-priority targets for which a measured atmospheric metallicity can clearly break the degeneracy in the inferred composition. We show that knowledge of the atmospheric metallicity can broadly reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty by a factor of four to eight. We conclude that the accurate age determination from Plato and atmospheric measurements by Ariel and the James Webb Space Telescope will play a key role in revealing the composition of giant exoplanets. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.05468v2

Towards a new era in giant exoplanet characterisation by Simon Müller et al. on Wednesday 23 November Determining the composition of giant exoplanets is crucial for understanding their origin and evolution. However, the planetary bulk composition is not measured directly but must be deduced from a combination of mass-radius measurements, knowledge of the planetary age and evolution simulations. Accurate determinations of stellar ages, mass-radius, and atmospheric compositions from upcoming missions can significantly improve the determination of the heavy-element mass in giant planets. In this paper, we first demonstrate the importance of an accurate age measurement, as expected from Plato, in constraining the planetary properties. Well-determined stellar ages can reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty up to about a factor of two. We next infer the bulk metallicity of warm giants from the Ariel mission reference sample and identify the Ariel high-priority targets for which a measured atmospheric metallicity can clearly break the degeneracy in the inferred composition. We show that knowledge of the atmospheric metallicity can broadly reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty by a factor of four to eight. We conclude that the accurate age determination from Plato and atmospheric measurements by Ariel and the James Webb Space Telescope will play a key role in revealing the composition of giant exoplanets. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.05468v2

Towards a new era in giant exoplanet characterisation by Simon Müller et al. on Wednesday 23 November Determining the composition of giant exoplanets is crucial for understanding their origin and evolution. However, the planetary bulk composition is not measured directly but must be deduced from a combination of mass-radius measurements, knowledge of the planetary age and evolution simulations. Accurate determinations of stellar ages, mass-radius, and atmospheric compositions from upcoming missions can significantly improve the determination of the heavy-element mass in giant planets. In this paper, we first demonstrate the importance of an accurate age measurement, as expected from Plato, in constraining the planetary properties. Well-determined stellar ages can reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty up to about a factor of two. We next infer the bulk metallicity of warm giants from the Ariel mission reference sample and identify the Ariel high-priority targets for which a measured atmospheric metallicity can clearly break the degeneracy in the inferred composition. We show that knowledge of the atmospheric metallicity can broadly reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty by a factor of four to eight. We conclude that the accurate age determination from Plato and atmospheric measurements by Ariel and the James Webb Space Telescope will play a key role in revealing the composition of giant exoplanets. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.05468v2

Towards a new era in giant exoplanet characterisation by Simon Müller et al. on Wednesday 23 November Determining the composition of giant exoplanets is crucial for understanding their origin and evolution. However, the planetary bulk composition is not measured directly but must be deduced from a combination of mass-radius measurements, knowledge of the planetary age and evolution simulations. Accurate determinations of stellar ages, mass-radius, and atmospheric compositions from upcoming missions can significantly improve the determination of the heavy-element mass in giant planets. In this paper, we first demonstrate the importance of an accurate age measurement, as expected from Plato, in constraining the planetary properties. Well-determined stellar ages can reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty up to about a factor of two. We next infer the bulk metallicity of warm giants from the Ariel mission reference sample and identify the Ariel high-priority targets for which a measured atmospheric metallicity can clearly break the degeneracy in the inferred composition. We show that knowledge of the atmospheric metallicity can broadly reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty by a factor of four to eight. We conclude that the accurate age determination from Plato and atmospheric measurements by Ariel and the James Webb Space Telescope will play a key role in revealing the composition of giant exoplanets. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.05468v2

Towards a new era in giant exoplanet characterisation by Simon Müller et al. on Wednesday 23 November Determining the composition of giant exoplanets is crucial for understanding their origin and evolution. However, the planetary bulk composition is not measured directly but must be deduced from a combination of mass-radius measurements, knowledge of the planetary age and evolution simulations. Accurate determinations of stellar ages, mass-radius, and atmospheric compositions from upcoming missions can significantly improve the determination of the heavy-element mass in giant planets. In this paper, we first demonstrate the importance of an accurate age measurement, as expected from Plato, in constraining the planetary properties. Well-determined stellar ages can reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty up to about a factor of two. We next infer the bulk metallicity of warm giants from the Ariel mission reference sample and identify the Ariel high-priority targets for which a measured atmospheric metallicity can clearly break the degeneracy in the inferred composition. We show that knowledge of the atmospheric metallicity can broadly reduce the bulk-metallicity uncertainty by a factor of four to eight. We conclude that the accurate age determination from Plato and atmospheric measurements by Ariel and the James Webb Space Telescope will play a key role in revealing the composition of giant exoplanets. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.05468v2

3D Detection and Characterisation of ALMA Sources through Deep Learning by Michele Delli Veneri et al. on Tuesday 22 November We present a Deep-Learning (DL) pipeline developed for the detection and characterization of astronomical sources within simulated Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) data cubes. The pipeline is composed of six DL models: a Convolutional Autoencoder for source detection within the spatial domain of the integrated data cubes, a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) for denoising and peak detection within the frequency domain, and four Residual Neural Networks (ResNets) for source characterization. The combination of spatial and frequency information improves completeness while decreasing spurious signal detection. To train and test the pipeline, we developed a simulation algorithm able to generate realistic ALMA observations, i.e. both sky model and dirty cubes. The algorithm simulates always a central source surrounded by fainter ones scattered within the cube. Some sources were spatially superimposed in order to test the pipeline deblending capabilities. The detection performances of the pipeline were compared to those of other methods and significant improvements in performances were achieved. Source morphologies are detected with subpixel accuracies obtaining mean residual errors of $10^{-3}$ pixel ($0.1$ mas) and $10^{-1}$ mJy/beam on positions and flux estimations, respectively. Projection angles and flux densities are also recovered within $10%$ of the true values for $80%$ and $73%$ of all sources in the test set, respectively. While our pipeline is fine-tuned for ALMA data, the technique is applicable to other interferometric observatories, as SKA, LOFAR, VLBI, and VLTI. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.11462v1

3D Detection and Characterisation of ALMA Sources through Deep Learning by Michele Delli Veneri et al. on Monday 21 November We present a Deep-Learning (DL) pipeline developed for the detection and characterization of astronomical sources within simulated Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) data cubes. The pipeline is composed of six DL models: a Convolutional Autoencoder for source detection within the spatial domain of the integrated data cubes, a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) for denoising and peak detection within the frequency domain, and four Residual Neural Networks (ResNets) for source characterization. The combination of spatial and frequency information improves completeness while decreasing spurious signal detection. To train and test the pipeline, we developed a simulation algorithm able to generate realistic ALMA observations, i.e. both sky model and dirty cubes. The algorithm simulates always a central source surrounded by fainter ones scattered within the cube. Some sources were spatially superimposed in order to test the pipeline deblending capabilities. The detection performances of the pipeline were compared to those of other methods and significant improvements in performances were achieved. Source morphologies are detected with subpixel accuracies obtaining mean residual errors of $10^{-3}$ pixel ($0.1$ mas) and $10^{-1}$ mJy/beam on positions and flux estimations, respectively. Projection angles and flux densities are also recovered within $10%$ of the true values for $80%$ and $73%$ of all sources in the test set, respectively. While our pipeline is fine-tuned for ALMA data, the technique is applicable to other interferometric observatories, as SKA, LOFAR, VLBI, and VLTI. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.11462v1

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.11.18.517140v1?rss=1 Authors: Panthi, S., Chapman, P., Szyszka, P., Beck, C. W. Abstract: Epilepsy, a clinical diagnosis characterized by paroxysmal episodes known as seizures, affects 1% of people worldwide. An estimated 30% of patients continue to have seizures even on medication, and adverse effects are common. Safe and patient-specific treatment is vital and can be achieved by the development of rapid pre-clinical models of for identified epilepsy genes. Epilepsy can result from either brain injury or gene mutations, and can also be induced chemically. Xenopus laevis tadpoles could be a useful model for confirmation of variants of unknown significance found in epilepsy patients, and for drug re-purposing screens that could eventually lead to benefits for patients. Here, we characterise and quantify seizure-related behaviours in X. laevis tadpoles arrayed in 24-well plates. To provoke acute seizure behaviours, tadpoles were chemically induced with either pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) or 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). To test the capacity to adapt this method for drug testing, we also exposed induced tadpoles to the anti-seizure drug valproate (VPA). Four induced seizure-like behaviours were described and manually quantified, and two of these (darting, circling) could be accurately detected automatically, using the video analysis software TopScan. Additionally, we recorded swimming trajectories and mean swimming velocity. Automatic detection showed that either PTZ or 4-AP induced darting behaviour and increased mean swimming velocity compared to untreated controls. Both parameters were significantly reduced in the presence of VPA. In particular, darting behaviour was a shown to be a sensitive measure of epileptic seizure activity. While we could not automatically detect the full range of seizure behaviours, this method shows promise for future studies, since X. laevis is a well-characterised and genetically tractable model organism. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

The Chronicles of Riddick, when it first released in 2004, was the definition of mediocre sci-fi schlock.  Riddick, played by Vin Diesel, came across as a generic edgelord, and it seemed to lean into special effects and spectacle over anything more substantial.  It's a direction that didn't play well with critics, nor with the fans of the previous entry, Pitch Black. So it was to everyone's surprise when a videogame set in this same world was released to widespread critical acclaim.  Vin Diesel, under his macho exterior, was secretly a bit of a geek, and was heavily involved in the development.  Critics praised just about every aspect of this short and tightly-made prison-escape, from the visuals, to the stealth, to the characterisation.But were those critics simply wowed by the glossiness of a cinematic FPS?  Are the individual gameplay mechanics in Riddick actually fun in their own right?  Or is this just another mid-2000's hybrid FPS game that is better off forgotten?On this episode, we discuss:Structure. To this day, Escape from Butcher Bay's non-conventional structure continues to impress modern audiences. Did it impress us? Stealth, shooting and investigation. Individually, these are sub-par. So what's Riddick's secret that brings these together into something special. Characterisation. Is Vin Diesel's beloved character simply a generic action hero, or is there more to him than meets the eye? As a prequel, does Butcher Bay limit Riddick's potential for development? Or does it set up Pitch Black's captivating final moments.We answer all these questions and more on the 97th episode of the Retro Spectives Podcast!—Intro Music: KieLoBot - Tanzen KOutro Music: Rockit Maxx - One point to anotherRiddick OST: Gustaf Grefburg—Is it worth watching the third Riddick movie, or is it just more of the same?  Are there any other obvious influences we forgot to mention outside of repeatedly calling out Half Life?  Is Dark Athena as bad as the reviews suggest?  Come let us know what you think on our community discord server!

How to write great characters. Today's guest is a highly acclaimed author of over thirty books for children, across all styles and ages. Her work is published internationally to many commendations and awards. She has also worked as a publisher at Penguin Books in a career that has just been incredible. Today, she's popped in to share her latest book. A real thriller, set in forest late at night. As well as to share her author journey, tips and tricks. Everybody, please welcome Jane Godwin.

Seismic noise characterisation at Gingin high optical gravitational wave test facility by Hamid Satari et al. on Tuesday 11 October A critical consideration in the design of next generation gravitational wave detectors is isolation from seismic vibrations that introduces various coherent and incoherent noises to the interferometers at different frequencies. We present the results of a detailed low frequency ambient seismic noise characterization (0.1--10~Hz) at Gingin High Optical Power Facility in Western Australia using a seismic array. The dominant noise sources below 1~Hz is microseism (0.06--1~Hz), strongly correlated with swell and sea heights measured by nearby buoy stations. Above 1~Hz, the seismic spectrum is dominated by wind induced seismic noise with a diurnal variation that prevents characterizing the background anthropogenic noise sources based on their daily power variations. We use f-k beamforming to distinguish between coherent and incoherent wind induced seismic noise. This allows the separation of some anthropogenic noise from wind induced noise based on the temporal variation of spatio-spectral properties. We show that the seismic coherency is reduced by wind induced seismic noise for wind speeds above 6~m/s. Furthermore, there are several spectral peaks between 4--9~Hz associated with the interaction of wind with a 40~m tall tower among which one at 4.2~Hz is strongest and coherent. By comparing our results with the properties of seismic noise at Virgo, we demonstrate that while the secondary microseism noise level is two orders of magnitude higher in Gingin (0.2~Hz), the anthropogenic noise level is three orders of magnitude lower between 2 and 4~Hz due to the absence of nearby road traffic. It is also at least one order of magnitude lower between 4 and 10~Hz due to the sparse population in Gingin. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2209.06559v2

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.09.26.509462v1?rss=1 Authors: Grant-Peters, M., Rich-Griffin, C., Yeung, H.-Y., Thomas, T., Davis, S., Azizian, M., Fisher, J., Fischer, R., Cinque, G. A., Dendrou, C. A. Abstract: Progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) is driven by demyelination, neuroaxonal loss, and mitochondrial damage occurring behind a closed blood-brain barrier (BBB). Patients with progressive MS typically fail to respond to available immunomodulatory drugs that reduce relapses in early disease. This indicates a dire need to identify non-canonical therapeutic avenues to limit neurodegeneration and promote protection and repair. Here, we have employed high-resolution multiomic profiling to characterise the biochemical and metabolic adaptations underpinning MS pathology, as these have been incompletely described but critically, may be amenable to BBB-permeable drug targeting. Using synchrotron radiation (SR)- and focal plane array (FPA)-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR), we spatially mapped the biochemical features present in human progressive MS and control post-mortem brain and rare spinal cord tissue. By employing single-nuclear RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), 10x Genomics Visium spatial transcriptomics and spatial proteomics to resolve their cellular context, we found that these biochemical features provide a uniquely and highly disease-specific barcode for distinct pathological niches within the tissue. Characterisation of the metabolic processes underpinning these niches revealed an associated re-organisation of the astrocytic landscape in the grey and white matter, with implications for the treatment of progressive MS. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by PaperPlayer

Hyper-runaway and hypervelocity white dwarf candidates in Gaia Data Release 3: possible remnants from Ia Iax supernova explosions or dynamical encounters by Andrei P. Igoshev et al. on Wednesday 21 September Type Ia and other peculiar supernovae (SNe) are thought to originate from the thermonuclear explosions of white dwarfs (WDs). Some of the proposed channels involve the ejection of a partly exploded WD (e.g. Iax SN remnant) or the companion of an exploding WD at extremely high velocities (>400 km s$^{-1}$). Characterisation of such hyper-runaway/hypervelocity (HVS) WDs might therefore shed light on the physics and origins of SNe. Here we analyse the Gaia DR3 data to search for HVS WDs candidates, and peculiar sub-main-sequence (sub-MS) objects. We retrieve previously identified HVS, and find tens of new HVS candidates. We identify two new unbound WD HVS, 14 new likely-unbound sub-MS objects, and a handful of WDs and sub-MS objects with velocities comparable to the Galactic escape velocity (based only on tangential velocities). We find tens of additional likely bound hyper-runaway WDs (v$>400$ km s$^{-1}$). The numbers and properties of the HVS WD and sub-MS candidates suggest that extreme velocity ejections ($>1000$ km s$^{-1}$) can accompany at most a small fraction of type Ia SNe, disfavouring a significant contribution of the D6-scenario to the origin of Ia SNe. The rate of HVS ejections following the hybrid WD reverse-detonation channel could be consistent with the identified HVSs. The numbers of lower-velocity HVS WDs could be consistent with type Iax SNe origin and/or contribution from dynamical encounters. We also searched for HVS WDs related to known SN remnants, but identified only one such candidate. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2209.09915v1

GJ 3090 b: one of the most favourable mini-Neptune for atmospheric characterisation by J. M. Almenara et al. on Monday 19 September We report the detection of GJ 3090 b (TOI-177.01), a mini-Neptune on a 2.9-day orbit transiting a bright (K = 7.3 mag) M2 dwarf located at 22 pc. The planet was identified by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and was confirmed with the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher radial velocities. Seeing-limited photometry and speckle imaging rule out nearby eclipsing binaries. Additional transits were observed with the LCOGT, Spitzer, and ExTrA telescopes. We characterise the star to have a mass of 0.519 $pm$ 0.013 M$_odot$ and a radius of 0.516 $pm$ 0.016 R$_odot$. We modelled the transit light curves and radial velocity measurements and obtained a planetary mass of 3.34 $pm$ 0.72 M$_oplus$, a radius of 2.13 $pm$ 0.11 R$_oplus$, and a mean density of 1.89$^{+0.52}_{-0.45}$ g/cm$^3$. The low density of the planet implies the presence of volatiles, and its radius and insolation place it immediately above the radius valley at the lower end of the mini-Neptune cluster. A coupled atmospheric and dynamical evolution analysis of the planet is inconsistent with a pure H-He atmosphere and favours a heavy mean molecular weight atmosphere. The transmission spectroscopy metric of 221$^{+66}_{-46}$ means that GJ 3090 b is the second or third most favourable mini-Neptune after GJ 1214 b whose atmosphere may be characterised. At almost half the mass of GJ 1214 b, GJ 3090 b is an excellent probe of the edge of the transition between super-Earths and mini-Neptunes. We identify an additional signal in the radial velocity data that we attribute to a planet candidate with an orbital period of 13 days and a mass of 17.1$^{+8.9}_{-3.2}$ M$_oplus$, whose transits are not detected. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2207.14121v2

GJ 3090 b: one of the most favourable mini-Neptune for atmospheric characterisation by J. M. Almenara et al. on Monday 19 September We report the detection of GJ 3090 b (TOI-177.01), a mini-Neptune on a 2.9-day orbit transiting a bright (K = 7.3 mag) M2 dwarf located at 22 pc. The planet was identified by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and was confirmed with the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher radial velocities. Seeing-limited photometry and speckle imaging rule out nearby eclipsing binaries. Additional transits were observed with the LCOGT, Spitzer, and ExTrA telescopes. We characterise the star to have a mass of 0.519 $pm$ 0.013 M$_odot$ and a radius of 0.516 $pm$ 0.016 R$_odot$. We modelled the transit light curves and radial velocity measurements and obtained a planetary mass of 3.34 $pm$ 0.72 M$_oplus$, a radius of 2.13 $pm$ 0.11 R$_oplus$, and a mean density of 1.89$^{+0.52}_{-0.45}$ g/cm$^3$. The low density of the planet implies the presence of volatiles, and its radius and insolation place it immediately above the radius valley at the lower end of the mini-Neptune cluster. A coupled atmospheric and dynamical evolution analysis of the planet is inconsistent with a pure H-He atmosphere and favours a heavy mean molecular weight atmosphere. The transmission spectroscopy metric of 221$^{+66}_{-46}$ means that GJ 3090 b is the second or third most favourable mini-Neptune after GJ 1214 b whose atmosphere may be characterised. At almost half the mass of GJ 1214 b, GJ 3090 b is an excellent probe of the edge of the transition between super-Earths and mini-Neptunes. We identify an additional signal in the radial velocity data that we attribute to a planet candidate with an orbital period of 13 days and a mass of 17.1$^{+8.9}_{-3.2}$ M$_oplus$, whose transits are not detected. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2207.14121v2

Seismic noise characterisation at Gingin high optical gravitational wave test facility by Hamid Satari et al. on Wednesday 14 September A critical consideration in the design of next generation gravitational wave detectors is isolation from seismic vibrations that introduces various coherent and incoherent noises to the interferometers at different frequencies. We present the results of a detailed low frequency ambient seismic noise characterization (0.1--10~Hz) at Gingin High Optical Power Facility in Western Australia using a seismic array. The dominant noise sources below 1~Hz is microseism (0.06--1~Hz), strongly correlated with swell and sea heights measured by nearby buoy stations. Above 1~Hz, the seismic spectrum is dominated by wind induced seismic noise with a diurnal variation that prevents characterizing the background anthropogenic noise sources based on their daily power variations. We use f-k beamforming to distinguish between coherent and incoherent wind induced seismic noise. This allows the separation of some anthropogenic noise from wind induced noise based on the temporal variation of spatio-spectral properties. We show that the seismic coherency is reduced by wind induced seismic noise for wind speeds above 6~m/s. Furthermore, there are several spectral peaks between 4--9~Hz associated with the interaction of wind with a 40~m tall tower among which one at 4.2~Hz is strongest and coherent. By comparing our results with the properties of seismic noise at Virgo, we demonstrate that while the secondary microseism noise level is two orders of magnitude higher in Gingin (0.2~Hz), the anthropogenic noise level is three orders of magnitude lower between 2 and 4~Hz due to the absence of nearby road traffic. It is also at least one order of magnitude lower between 4 and 10~Hz due to the sparse population in Gingin. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2209.06559v1

Photometric and dynamic characterisation of active asteroid 248370 2005 QN173 by Bojan Novakovic et al. on Sunday 04 September We present the physical and dynamical properties of the recently discovered active asteroid (248370) 2005 QN173 (aka 433P). From our observations, we derived two possible rotation period solutions of 2.7 and 4.1 hours. The corresponding light curve amplitudes computed after correcting for the effect of coma are 0.28 and 0.58 mag, respectively. Both period solutions are shorter than the critical rotation limit computed for a strengthless triaxial ellipsoid, suggesting that rotation mass shedding should at least partly be responsible for the observed activity. We confirm that the activity level is fading further, but at a very modest rate of only 0.006 mag/day, still also compatible with sublimation-driven activity. We found that 248370 likely belongs to the Themis asteroid family, making it a fourth main-belt comet associated with this group. Orbital characteristics of 248370 are also consistent with its origin in the young 288P cluster of asteroids. The 288P cluster is associated with its namesake main-belt comet, providing an exciting possibility for a comparative analysis of intriguing main-belt comets 248370 and 288P. arXiv: http://arxiv.org/abs/http://arxiv.org/abs/2209.00971v1

To improve space traffic management and mitigate the collisional orbital risk, we propose to combine optical observations with passive radio frequency measurements to increase the determination accuracy of orbiting satellites.

Characterization, in conflict of laws, is the second stage of the procedure to resolve a lawsuit that involves foreign law. The process is described in English law as Characterisation, or classification within the English judgments of the European Court of Justice. It is alternatively known as qualification in French law. It is used to determine the correct choice of law rules based on the circumstances of the case, primarily relating to matters of property. This is to reconcile differences between laws of different legal jurisdictions. The objective of characterization is to determine the nature of the action brought by the defendant in order to determine what relevant rules of applicable law apply. This may result in applying laws which differ from the lex fori. Additional factors make this determination not necessarily a simple process as the incidental question and renvoi can make determining the initial point of reference difficult. The leading authority in England and Wales is Macmillan Inc v Bishopsgate Investment Trust plc (number 3) . Overview. Characterization is one of the key elements in demarcating the choice of law and jurisdiction issues. The first stage is for the court to determine if it has jurisdiction, if appropriate, to avoid forum shopping. Once the forum court decides that it has jurisdiction to hear the case, it must characterize or classify the causes of action, this relates to choice of law matters. That is regarded as the most important and difficult problem in conflict of laws as trade and travel between states has become the norm. The effects of broken promises, defective goods, traffic accidents and marital squabbles are no longer confined to the sovereign territory of one particular state or nation. This is especially complicated because domestic laws usually operate to satisfy domestic interest. Various causes in actions and their respective remedies differ depending on the state. This derives from historical and political circumstances. The addition of the Rome 1 and Rome 2 Regulations to the European Union conflict of laws regime is designed to determine the choice of law which applies to situations where commercial or civil matters of broken promises, defective goods, traffic accidents, etcetera. with a party which is domiciled in a Member State. The role of characterization within an international private law adjudication might be highlighted if understood within the simplest example of the sale of a bicycle by A to B. The transaction has both contractual and proprietary elements. Different jurisdictions will characterize the matter in different ways depending on their own laws. As is crucial within the international private law context, it is the responsibility of the adjudicating court to determine the proper law and subsequently apply it. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/law-school/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/law-school/support

Welcome to In Suspense - a podcast and vodcast for fans and writers of crime fiction. Here is our fourth minisode on the editing process with author and editorial director Phoebe Morgan. Today we're chatting about the characterisation. Phoebe Morgan is a bestselling author and award-winning editor. You can follow her on Twitter @Phoebe_A_Morgan, Instagram @phoebeannmorgan, Facebook @PhoebeMorganAuthor or find her blog about publishing and writing at www.phoebemorganauthor.com. You can find links to Phoebe's amazing books here: Bookshop.org - https://bit.ly/3McLNLCAmazon.co.uk - https://amzn.to/3rCvtfk

Summary of the article titled Smartness that matters: Towards a comprehensive and human-centred characterisation of smart cities from 2016 by Alexander Prado Lara, Eduardo Moreira Da Costa, Thiago Zilinscki Furlani, and Tan Yigitcanlar, published in the Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market and Complexity. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see a collection of smart city definitions and their deficiencies. This article investigates previous smart city definitions and proposes a new, human-centred characterisation for them. You can find the article through this link. Abstract: The term ‘smart cities' is a widely used, but at the same time a highly fuzzy concept. The fuzziness hinders our understanding on the benefits of its adoption, and explains the existence of many relevant activities with fragmented or distorted views of what a truly smart city is. The aim of this paper is to undertake a comprehensive review of how smart cities are perceived in the literature and in the light of the findings propose a clearer definition. Overview of the key terms, concepts and definitions associated to smart cities, reported in this paper, demonstrates that the definitions found in the academic literature have limited scope, and are overly focused on strategic drivers and specific actions, instead of making explicitly the connection between the concept of smart cities and the creation of environments that promote happiness and wellbeing of their residents—which should be the main function of a city. Following the thorough review on the smart cities literature, the paper proposes a comprehensive, human-centred, and context-free definition for smart cities. This definition brings an endogenous view on smart cities in which the central element is the direct participation of local actors and stakeholders in the process of thinking, defining, planning, and executing social, technological and urban transformations in cities. You can find the transcript through this link. What wast the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on twitter @WTF4Cities! I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in. Music by Lesfm from Pixabay

HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST is the blockbuster sequel the 2016 title HORIZON ZERO DAWN, a third person action game with wonderfully designed elements that keep you hooked. An early contender for one of the most beautiful games ever produced this game takes the open world exploration and combat of the first game, and fills in the gaps to make a believable human world. John Rogers of Gaming in the Wild joins Mainstream to share stories of this hard scifi world and the 4GB of captures taken in this stunning visual feast. SIFTER is produced by Nicholas Kennedy, Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang & Adam Christou. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Join the SIFTER Discord Support SIFTER by buying our Australian made T-Shirts Support the show: https://sifter.store See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cathal Friel, Executive Chairman of Open Orphan #ORPH discusses the results from the world's first COVID-19 Characterisation Study which was a partnership between hVIVO, Imperial College London, the Vaccine Taskforce and Department of Health and Social Care and the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. The key clinical insights were as follows: Viral load ("VL") ·    18 volunteers (50%) became infected with viral load (VL) rising steeply and peaking at ~five days post-inoculation ·    No quantitative correlation was noted between VL and symptoms Symptoms ·   No serious symptoms ·   Mild-to-moderate cold like symptoms were reported by 16 (88%) of 18 infected volunteers including a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and a sore throat. Some experienced headaches, muscle/joint aches, tiredness and fever ·    Anosmia (lost or changed sense of smell) occurred in 13 (72% of infected) volunteers Virus detection ·    Average time from first exposure to viral detection and early symptoms (incubation period) was 42 hours ·    Virus was detected earliest in the throat but at significantly greater levels in the nose; o  Virus detected in the throat on average after 40 hours o  Virus detected in the nose on average after 58 hours ·    High levels of viable (infectious) virus was seen for approximately nine days post-inoculation, and up to a maximum of 12 days ·    Modelling using the study data indicated that regular asymptomatic lateral flow testing ("LFT") would diagnose infection before 70-80% of infectious virus had been generated, thus if isolation was triggered would decrease community transmission to others Importantly, no serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred, and the SARS-CoV-2 human challenge study model was shown to be safe and well tolerated in healthy young adults. With the characterisation study disease modelling data completed, and a COVID-19 Human Challenge Model now established, the Company should be able to contract / conduct COVID-19 human challenge studies in 2022, subject to individual ethics and regulatory approvals. The Company is already developing a Delta strain of the COVID-19 virus in partnership with Imperial College London and funded by the Wellcome Trust, which could be used in future trials. The data published today supports the safety of the infection challenge model which could theoretically provide a 'plug and play' platform for testing therapies and vaccines using the original COVID-19 strain as well as variants of the virus. About Open Orphan Open Orphan plc (London and Euronext: ORPH) is a rapidly growing contract research company that is a world leader in testing vaccines and antivirals using human challenge clinical trials. The Company provides services to Big Pharma, biotech, and government/public health organisations. Open Orphan runs challenge studies in London from both its 19-bedroom Whitechapel quarantine clinic and its state-of-the-art 24-bedroom QMB clinic with its highly specialised on-site virology and immunology laboratory. The Company has a leading portfolio of human challenge study models for infectious and respiratory diseases and is developing a number of new models. There has been significant growth of the infectious disease market, which is estimated to grow to in excess of $250bn by 2025. The Group is focused on refreshing its existing challenge models and develop new models, such as Malaria, to address the dramatic growth potential of the global infectious disease market. Building upon its many years of challenge studies and virology research, the Company is developing an in-depth database of infectious disease progression data. Based on the Company's Disease in Motion® platform, this unique dataset includes clinical, immunological, virological, and digital (wearable) biomarkers. The Disease in Motion platform has many potential applications across a wide variety of end users including big technology, wearables, pharma, and biotech companies. Open Orphan's Paris office has been providing biometry, data management and statistics to its many European pharmaceutical clients for over 20 years. For over 15 years, the Company's Netherlands office has been providing drug development consultancy and services, including CMC (chemistry, manufacturing, and controls), PK and medical writing, to a broad range of European clients. Both offices are now also fully integrated with the London office and working on challenge study contracts as well as supporting third party trial contracts.

Can we use electron microscopy and statistical analyses to better classify the trichomes of the large plant genus Solanum? Read the blog post: https://www.botany.one/2022/01/morphological-characterisation-of-trichomes/ Read the original article: https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plab071

Your body is designed to remove toxins and waste on its own. But do you know how to support it? Tune in this week to learn how! We all have a Natural Detox Response. When we activate this response in our bodies, we increase our ability to protect your immune system naturally, and clear out the everyday toxins that find their way into your food, the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the surfaces you touch.   Natural Detox Response When we activate this response in our bodies we: Increase our ability to protect your immune system naturally clear out the everyday toxins that find their way into your food, the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the surfaces you touch Your body is designed to remove toxins and waste on its own. And while your organs are there to keep you alive, each and every one of them plays its own role in keeping you healthy. There are 4 organs more than any others that work together to create your personal detox machine working inside of you right now…   Your Liver acts like a filter in blocking out toxic substances in foods and drinks from passing into your bloodstream… Your Kidneys are working around the clock to then filter that blood and flush out those toxins when you use the bathroom. Your Colon puts in overtime taking care of the larger toxins and breaking them down with healthy bacteria before they can do you any harm… And Your Lungs play their part in filtering out the toxins that enter your body from breathing. As you can see, the human body was designed as a fully equipped detox machine.   How To Support Your ‘Detox Machine' You must take steps to support your body's Natural Detox Response System and I'm about to show you how right now… Once you begin to support your body's natural detox abilities, you'll notice that your body's “normal state” tends to shift toward health instead of inching toward illness. So what is it that your body needs to trigger your Natural Detox Response?   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #1 – Matcha   Matcha tea is the “it” health beverage of the moment, but this amazing superfood is more than just a “fad” trend. The history of matcha for health goes back to the Tang Dynasty in China, which ruled between the 7th – 10th centuries. Over time, the matcha tea made its way to Japan, where it began to be incorporated into special tea ceremonies. And today, countless scientific studies show us just how powerful this little nutrient is. First, it boosts chlorophyll levels. Chlorophyll can help improve liver function, which also boosts your body's ability to flush out toxins. So, it's no surprise that it's been shown to help with the excretion of heavy metals, dioxins, and other persistent chemicals, And the second part of the magic of matcha is big energy without the crash. Unlike the caffeine that comes from coffee beans, the caffeine in Matcha is released slowly into your system along with L-theanine, giving you a steady supply of energy so your body's natural detox system can function at its highest levels.   Other Benefits of Matcha: Protection against free radicals. You've heard about the antioxidant power of green tea, right? Well, matcha has 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea! And 20 times more than a serving of blueberries. Antioxidants are key to disease prevention and are one of the best ways to boost your health. Cancer prevention. Catechins, which are potent cancer-fighters counteracting the effect of pollutants, chemicals, UV rays, and radiation, are a unique set of antioxidants found only in matcha. According to the National Cancer Institute, green tea is one of the most powerful cancer-fighters. Calm alertness. Matcha tea is rich in the amino acid L-Theanine, which is what left those Zen monks (and me) feeling calm, yet alert and focused. While it is a component of all green and black teas, matcha contains roughly five times the amount of L-theanine. Linked to increased concentration, learning ability and even physical endurance, L-Theanine gives you a boost without the caffeine jitters. (6) As someone who absolutely cannot handle the caffeine in coffee, matcha is my go to pick-me-up. If your clients or patients struggle with caffeine jitters, a cup of matcha might be a better choice. Anti-aging properties. A common drink in Okinawa, Japan, one of the few Blue Zones, where people live the longest, healthiest lives, matcha is said to reduce inflammation and oxidation, contributing to anti-aging. Fat-burning properties. One study found that matcha tea increased thermogenesis, the body's rate of burning calories, by about 4 times the normal rate. Another study showed that drinking matcha before exercise resulting in 25% more fat burning. Improving heart health. Green tea has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol, and lower incidence of heart disease and stroke in regular drinkers. (9) A recent Chinese study found that hypertension risk is lowered by up to 65 percent in regular green tea drinkers. Imagine the potential improvements to heart health in drinkers of the much more concentrated form of green tea that matcha is!   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #2 – Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Don't confuse this plant for a weed like most people do. It's a part of the artichoke family, a superfood known for its incredible support of the liver – your body's central detoxifier. In Germany, Milk Thistle is still prescribed today by doctors to treat alcoholic cirrhosis, hepatitis, jaundice, and any inflammation or poisoning of the liver.   Supports: Liver, Digestive Organs, and Lungs   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #3 – Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) Used for more than 2,000 years to stimulate appetite, support bile secretion, support liver health, this superfood is known for its support of your digestive system. Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus), not to be confused with milk thistle (Silybum marianum), was once used to treat the bubonic plague. It's still used today for natural digestive comfort and can even be applied to the skin to support wound healing.   Supports: Liver, Colon and Digestive System   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #4 – Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Licorice root is used to soothe gastrointestinal problems. In cases of food poisoning, stomach ulcers, and heartburn, licorice root extract can speed the repair of stomach lining and restore balance. This is due to the anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties of glycyrrhizic acid. Licorice is recommended to treat respiratory problems. Taking licorice as an oral supplement can help the body produce healthy mucus. Increasing phlegm production may seem counterintuitive to a healthy bronchial system. However, the opposite is true. The production of clean, healthy phlegm keeps the respiratory system functioning without old, sticky mucus clogging it.   Supports: Digestive System, Colon, Lungs   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #5 – Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale) You may be most familiar with dandelion as a stubborn weed that never seems to leave your lawn or garden. However, in traditional herbal medicine practices, dandelion are revered for their wide array of medicinal properties. For centuries, they've been used to treat a myriad of physical ailments, including cancer, acne, liver disease and digestive disorders. From root to flower, dandelion are highly nutritious plants, loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and serve as an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate and small amounts of other B vitamins. What's more, dandelion greens provide a substantial amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. The root of the dandelion is rich in the carbohydrate inulin, which is a type of soluble fiber found in plants that supports the growth and maintenance of a healthy bacterial flora in your intestinal tract. Dandelion are a rich source of beta-carotene and polyphenolic compounds, both of which are known to have strong antioxidant capabilities that can prevent aging and certain diseases. Animal studies have shown that dandelion protect liver tissue from toxic substances and oxidative stress. Some research indicates that dandelion may have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which could support your body's ability to fight infection. Several test-tube studies found that dandelion extract significantly reduced the ability of viruses to replicate.   Supports: Colon, Liver, Digestive System   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #6 – Marshmallow Leaves (Althaea officinalis) Used by the ancient Greeks to remedy bruises and bleeding, and as a mild laxative. Europeans in medieval times used it for indigestion and diarrhea. And today it's still prescribed by doctors as a way to naturally soothe and support the intestines. Marshmallow leaves also have mild anti-infective and immune-supporting properties. That makes it perfect for gastroenteritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, colitis, and enteritis.   Supports: Colon, Digestive System   Introducing: Organixx's NEW Organic Daily Detox Organic Daily Detox was designed specifically to boost your levels of these nutrients and feed your natural detox machine exactly what it needs to properly detox over the long run. The result? Better energy… Better sleep… Better ability to fight illness… And of course, a robust immune system you can depend on. Because Organixx is dedicated to the highest quality natural ingredients, a crystalized formula just made more sense. But there are other benefits as well. The first is potency. Most other detox “teas” just aren't made with enough quality ingredients to make any real difference to your health. They're watered down versions and are too weak to really do anything for you. The 2nd is freedom! With a traditional tea bag, you're forced to drink it as it is, with water. You're essential “bagged in” as I like to say and when your options are limited, you get bored quickly. But our specially formulated detox mix is perfect to be stirred into any of your other favorite drinks. It's made to mix easily so it's a perfect health boost in smoothies, juices or water. And because of the unique manufacturing process, any unneeded “filler” Liquids or compounds are extracted before it's turned into a crystalized format. It also makes Organic Daily Detox easier to drink. Simply take 1 or two scoops and drop it into hot or cold water. It mixes nearly instantly! Resources: Milk Thistle Benefits: 15 Ways This Super Herb Can Improve Your Health https://organixx.com/milk-thistle-benefits/?gl=60b8d78b8ebf583b0a3c207d Detox Your Liver Naturally! (+ 7 Tips for a Healthy Liver) https://organixx.com/liver-detox/?gl=60b8d78b8ebf58f1103c207f 11 Signs Your Body Is Screaming for a Detox https://www.foodmatters.com/article/the-importance-of-detoxifying-your-body Detoxification Pathways in the Liver http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-011-9749-6_2 Chlorophyll and Chlorophyllin http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/chlorophyll-chlorophyllin Determination of catechins in matcha green tea by micellar electrokinetic chromatography. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14518774 Tea and Cancer Prevention https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet Effect of Green Tea Phytochemicals on Mood and Cognition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28056735 Body weight loss, reduced urge for palatable food and increased release of GLP-1 through daily supplementation with green-plant membranes for three months in overweight women. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24993695 Green tea intake lowers fasting serum total and LDL cholesterol in adults: a meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21715508 Phytochemical Characterization of Low Molecular Weight Constituents from Marshmallow Roots (Althaea officinalis) and Inhibiting Effects of the Aqueous Extract on Human Hyaluronidase-1 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00670# Infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria: a review of the global challenge. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19766888 Identification of medicinal plants of Urmia for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0102695X14000477?via%3Dihub Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from Marshmallow roots (Althea officinalis L.): Cellular internalisation and stimulation of cell physiology of human epithelial cells in vitro https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874109006102?via%3Dihub Determination of Antioxidant Activity of Marshmallow Flower (Althaea officinalis L.) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1081/AL-120039431 Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress as a major cause of age-related diseases and cancer. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19149749 Flavonoids--food sources and health benefits. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25272572 Dietary, circulating beta-carotene and risk of all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis from prospective studies https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4886629/ Effect of vitamin C on inflammation and metabolic markers in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults: a randomized controlled trial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4492638/ Vitamin C and Heart Health: A Review Based on Findings from Epidemiologic Studies https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5000725/ Natural forms of vitamin E: metabolism, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and the role in disease prevention and therapy https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120831/ Carotenoids, inflammation, and oxidative stress--implications of cellular signaling pathways and relation to chronic disease prevention. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25134454 Flavonoids, Inflammation and Immune System https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5084045/ Effect of silymarin plus vitamin E in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A randomized clinical pilot study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26367736 Randomized controlled trial of silymarin treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2671116/ Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24672644 Effectiveness of inulin intake on indicators of chronic constipation; a meta-analysis of controlled randomized clinical trials. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25208775 Characterisation of antimicrobial extracts from dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) using LC-SPE-NMR. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25644491 Isolation and Identification of Compounds from Bioactive Extracts of Taraxacum officinale Weber ex F. H. Wigg. (Dandelion) as a Potential Source of Antibacterial Agents. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29507587 Inhibitory effect of aqueous Dandelion extract on HIV-1 replication and reverse transcriptase activity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22078030 Taraxacum mongolicum extract exhibits a protective effect on hepatocytes and an antiviral effect against hepatitis B virus in animal and human cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24481875 Leaves Antimicrobial Activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3870067/ An Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) Alleviates Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3123991/ Antiviral Activity of Glycyrrhizin against Hepatitis C Virus In Vitro https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3715454/ 4 HUGE Matcha Green Tea Powder Benefits for Weight Loss, Detox & More! https://organixx.com/matcha-green-tea-powder/?gl=60b8d72e8ebf58f1103c207e Marshmallow: A Surprising Ingredient for Detox, the Gut, Respiratory Health & More https://organixx.com/marshmallow-plant-benefits/?gl=60b8d73a8ebf58f0103c207d

Your body is designed to remove toxins and waste on its own. But do you know how to support it? Tune in this week to learn how! We all have a Natural Detox Response. When we activate this response in our bodies, we increase our ability to protect your immune system naturally, and clear out the everyday toxins that find their way into your food, the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the surfaces you touch.   Natural Detox Response When we activate this response in our bodies we: Increase our ability to protect your immune system naturally clear out the everyday toxins that find their way into your food, the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the surfaces you touch Your body is designed to remove toxins and waste on its own. And while your organs are there to keep you alive, each and every one of them plays its own role in keeping you healthy. There are 4 organs more than any others that work together to create your personal detox machine working inside of you right now…   Your Liver acts like a filter in blocking out toxic substances in foods and drinks from passing into your bloodstream… Your Kidneys are working around the clock to then filter that blood and flush out those toxins when you use the bathroom. Your Colon puts in overtime taking care of the larger toxins and breaking them down with healthy bacteria before they can do you any harm… And Your Lungs play their part in filtering out the toxins that enter your body from breathing. As you can see, the human body was designed as a fully equipped detox machine.   How To Support Your ‘Detox Machine' You must take steps to support your body's Natural Detox Response System and I'm about to show you how right now… Once you begin to support your body's natural detox abilities, you'll notice that your body's “normal state” tends to shift toward health instead of inching toward illness. So what is it that your body needs to trigger your Natural Detox Response?   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #1 – Matcha   Matcha tea is the “it” health beverage of the moment, but this amazing superfood is more than just a “fad” trend. The history of matcha for health goes back to the Tang Dynasty in China, which ruled between the 7th – 10th centuries. Over time, the matcha tea made its way to Japan, where it began to be incorporated into special tea ceremonies. And today, countless scientific studies show us just how powerful this little nutrient is. First, it boosts chlorophyll levels. Chlorophyll can help improve liver function, which also boosts your body's ability to flush out toxins. So, it's no surprise that it's been shown to help with the excretion of heavy metals, dioxins, and other persistent chemicals, And the second part of the magic of matcha is big energy without the crash. Unlike the caffeine that comes from coffee beans, the caffeine in Matcha is released slowly into your system along with L-theanine, giving you a steady supply of energy so your body's natural detox system can function at its highest levels.   Other Benefits of Matcha: Protection against free radicals. You've heard about the antioxidant power of green tea, right? Well, matcha has 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea! And 20 times more than a serving of blueberries. Antioxidants are key to disease prevention and are one of the best ways to boost your health. Cancer prevention. Catechins, which are potent cancer-fighters counteracting the effect of pollutants, chemicals, UV rays, and radiation, are a unique set of antioxidants found only in matcha. According to the National Cancer Institute, green tea is one of the most powerful cancer-fighters. Calm alertness. Matcha tea is rich in the amino acid L-Theanine, which is what left those Zen monks (and me) feeling calm, yet alert and focused. While it is a component of all green and black teas, matcha contains roughly five times the amount of L-theanine. Linked to increased concentration, learning ability and even physical endurance, L-Theanine gives you a boost without the caffeine jitters. (6) As someone who absolutely cannot handle the caffeine in coffee, matcha is my go to pick-me-up. If your clients or patients struggle with caffeine jitters, a cup of matcha might be a better choice. Anti-aging properties. A common drink in Okinawa, Japan, one of the few Blue Zones, where people live the longest, healthiest lives, matcha is said to reduce inflammation and oxidation, contributing to anti-aging. Fat-burning properties. One study found that matcha tea increased thermogenesis, the body's rate of burning calories, by about 4 times the normal rate. Another study showed that drinking matcha before exercise resulting in 25% more fat burning. Improving heart health. Green tea has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol, and lower incidence of heart disease and stroke in regular drinkers. (9) A recent Chinese study found that hypertension risk is lowered by up to 65 percent in regular green tea drinkers. Imagine the potential improvements to heart health in drinkers of the much more concentrated form of green tea that matcha is!   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #2 – Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Don't confuse this plant for a weed like most people do. It's a part of the artichoke family, a superfood known for its incredible support of the liver – your body's central detoxifier. In Germany, Milk Thistle is still prescribed today by doctors to treat alcoholic cirrhosis, hepatitis, jaundice, and any inflammation or poisoning of the liver.   Supports: Liver, Digestive Organs, and Lungs   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #3 – Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) Used for more than 2,000 years to stimulate appetite, support bile secretion, support liver health, this superfood is known for its support of your digestive system. Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus), not to be confused with milk thistle (Silybum marianum), was once used to treat the bubonic plague. It's still used today for natural digestive comfort and can even be applied to the skin to support wound healing.   Supports: Liver, Colon and Digestive System   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #4 – Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Licorice root is used to soothe gastrointestinal problems. In cases of food poisoning, stomach ulcers, and heartburn, licorice root extract can speed the repair of stomach lining and restore balance. This is due to the anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties of glycyrrhizic acid. Licorice is recommended to treat respiratory problems. Taking licorice as an oral supplement can help the body produce healthy mucus. Increasing phlegm production may seem counterintuitive to a healthy bronchial system. However, the opposite is true. The production of clean, healthy phlegm keeps the respiratory system functioning without old, sticky mucus clogging it.   Supports: Digestive System, Colon, Lungs   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #5 – Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale) You may be most familiar with dandelion as a stubborn weed that never seems to leave your lawn or garden. However, in traditional herbal medicine practices, dandelion are revered for their wide array of medicinal properties. For centuries, they've been used to treat a myriad of physical ailments, including cancer, acne, liver disease and digestive disorders. From root to flower, dandelion are highly nutritious plants, loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and serve as an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate and small amounts of other B vitamins. What's more, dandelion greens provide a substantial amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. The root of the dandelion is rich in the carbohydrate inulin, which is a type of soluble fiber found in plants that supports the growth and maintenance of a healthy bacterial flora in your intestinal tract. Dandelion are a rich source of beta-carotene and polyphenolic compounds, both of which are known to have strong antioxidant capabilities that can prevent aging and certain diseases. Animal studies have shown that dandelion protect liver tissue from toxic substances and oxidative stress. Some research indicates that dandelion may have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which could support your body's ability to fight infection. Several test-tube studies found that dandelion extract significantly reduced the ability of viruses to replicate.   Supports: Colon, Liver, Digestive System   DETOX SUPPORT NUTRIENT #6 – Marshmallow Leaves (Althaea officinalis) Used by the ancient Greeks to remedy bruises and bleeding, and as a mild laxative. Europeans in medieval times used it for indigestion and diarrhea. And today it's still prescribed by doctors as a way to naturally soothe and support the intestines. Marshmallow leaves also have mild anti-infective and immune-supporting properties. That makes it perfect for gastroenteritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, colitis, and enteritis.   Supports: Colon, Digestive System   Introducing: Organixx's NEW Organic Daily Detox Organic Daily Detox was designed specifically to boost your levels of these nutrients and feed your natural detox machine exactly what it needs to properly detox over the long run. The result? Better energy… Better sleep… Better ability to fight illness… And of course, a robust immune system you can depend on. Because Organixx is dedicated to the highest quality natural ingredients, a crystalized formula just made more sense. But there are other benefits as well. The first is potency. Most other detox “teas” just aren't made with enough quality ingredients to make any real difference to your health. They're watered down versions and are too weak to really do anything for you. The 2nd is freedom! With a traditional tea bag, you're forced to drink it as it is, with water. You're essential “bagged in” as I like to say and when your options are limited, you get bored quickly. But our specially formulated detox mix is perfect to be stirred into any of your other favorite drinks. It's made to mix easily so it's a perfect health boost in smoothies, juices or water. And because of the unique manufacturing process, any unneeded “filler” Liquids or compounds are extracted before it's turned into a crystalized format. It also makes Organic Daily Detox easier to drink. Simply take 1 or two scoops and drop it into hot or cold water. It mixes nearly instantly! Resources: Milk Thistle Benefits: 15 Ways This Super Herb Can Improve Your Health https://organixx.com/milk-thistle-benefits/?gl=60b8d78b8ebf583b0a3c207d Detox Your Liver Naturally! (+ 7 Tips for a Healthy Liver) https://organixx.com/liver-detox/?gl=60b8d78b8ebf58f1103c207f 11 Signs Your Body Is Screaming for a Detox https://www.foodmatters.com/article/the-importance-of-detoxifying-your-body Detoxification Pathways in the Liver http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-011-9749-6_2 Chlorophyll and Chlorophyllin http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/chlorophyll-chlorophyllin Determination of catechins in matcha green tea by micellar electrokinetic chromatography. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14518774 Tea and Cancer Prevention https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet Effect of Green Tea Phytochemicals on Mood and Cognition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28056735 Body weight loss, reduced urge for palatable food and increased release of GLP-1 through daily supplementation with green-plant membranes for three months in overweight women. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24993695 Green tea intake lowers fasting serum total and LDL cholesterol in adults: a meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21715508 Phytochemical Characterization of Low Molecular Weight Constituents from Marshmallow Roots (Althaea officinalis) and Inhibiting Effects of the Aqueous Extract on Human Hyaluronidase-1 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00670# Infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria: a review of the global challenge. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19766888 Identification of medicinal plants of Urmia for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0102695X14000477?via%3Dihub Aqueous extracts and polysaccharides from Marshmallow roots (Althea officinalis L.): Cellular internalisation and stimulation of cell physiology of human epithelial cells in vitro https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874109006102?via%3Dihub Determination of Antioxidant Activity of Marshmallow Flower (Althaea officinalis L.) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1081/AL-120039431 Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress as a major cause of age-related diseases and cancer. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19149749 Flavonoids--food sources and health benefits. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25272572 Dietary, circulating beta-carotene and risk of all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis from prospective studies https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4886629/ Effect of vitamin C on inflammation and metabolic markers in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults: a randomized controlled trial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4492638/ Vitamin C and Heart Health: A Review Based on Findings from Epidemiologic Studies https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5000725/ Natural forms of vitamin E: metabolism, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and the role in disease prevention and therapy https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120831/ Carotenoids, inflammation, and oxidative stress--implications of cellular signaling pathways and relation to chronic disease prevention. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25134454 Flavonoids, Inflammation and Immune System https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5084045/ Effect of silymarin plus vitamin E in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A randomized clinical pilot study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26367736 Randomized controlled trial of silymarin treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2671116/ Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24672644 Effectiveness of inulin intake on indicators of chronic constipation; a meta-analysis of controlled randomized clinical trials. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25208775 Characterisation of antimicrobial extracts from dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) using LC-SPE-NMR. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25644491 Isolation and Identification of Compounds from Bioactive Extracts of Taraxacum officinale Weber ex F. H. Wigg. (Dandelion) as a Potential Source of Antibacterial Agents. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29507587 Inhibitory effect of aqueous Dandelion extract on HIV-1 replication and reverse transcriptase activity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22078030 Taraxacum mongolicum extract exhibits a protective effect on hepatocytes and an antiviral effect against hepatitis B virus in animal and human cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24481875 Leaves Antimicrobial Activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3870067/ An Extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GutGard) Alleviates Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3123991/ Antiviral Activity of Glycyrrhizin against Hepatitis C Virus In Vitro https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3715454/ 4 HUGE Matcha Green Tea Powder Benefits for Weight Loss, Detox & More! https://organixx.com/matcha-green-tea-powder/?gl=60b8d72e8ebf58f1103c207e Marshmallow: A Surprising Ingredient for Detox, the Gut, Respiratory Health & More https://organixx.com/marshmallow-plant-benefits/?gl=60b8d73a8ebf58f0103c207d

Today on the show I am talking about developing historical characters that ring true for their time and how their environment can be used to help shape characters who are believable, interesting, and of their time. 

References1.Silva CI, Muller NL, Hansell DM, Lee KS, Nicholson AG, Wells AU. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: changes in pattern and distribution of disease over time. Radiology. 2008;247(1):251-9.2.Oliveira DS, Araujo Filho JA, Paiva AFL, Ikari ES, Chate RC, Nomura CH. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias: review of the latest American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society classification. Radiol Bras. 2018;51(5):321-7.3.Escalon JG, Legasto AC, Toy D, Gruden JF. Central paradiaphragmatic middle lobe involvement in nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. Eur Radiol. 2021.4.Kligerman SJ, Groshong S, Brown KK, Lynch DA. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: radiologic, clinical, and pathologic considerations. Radiographics. 2009;29(1):73-87.5.Belloli EA, Beckford R, Hadley R, Flaherty KR. Idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia. Respirology. 2016;21(2):259-68.6.Oldham JM, Adegunsoye A, Valenzi E, Lee C, Witt L, Chen L, et al. Characterisation of patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features. Eur Respir J. 2016;47(6):1767-75.7.Hansell DM, Bankier AA, MacMahon H, McLoud TC, Muller NL, Remy J. Fleischner Society: glossary of terms for thoracic imaging. Radiology. 2008;246(3):697-722.8.Lee J, Kim YH, Kang JY, Jegal Y, Park SY, Korean Interstitial Lung Diseases Study G. Korean Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Interstitial Lung Diseases: Part 3. Idiopathic Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia. Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul). 2019;82(4):277-84.9.Cottin V, Hirani NA, Hotchkin DL, Nambiar AM, Ogura T, Otaola M, et al. Presentation, diagnosis and clinical course of the spectrum of progressive-fibrosing interstitial lung diseases. Eur Respir Rev. 2018;27(150).10.Huo Z, Li J, Li S, Zhang H, Jin Z, Pang J, et al. Organizing pneumonia components in non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP): a clinicopathological study of 33 NSIP cases. Histopathology. 2016;68(3):347-55.11.Perelas A, Silver RM, Arrossi AV, Highland KB. Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. Lancet Respir Med. 2020;8(3):304-20.

Referências1.Silva CI, Muller NL, Hansell DM, Lee KS, Nicholson AG, Wells AU. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: changes in pattern and distribution of disease over time. Radiology. 2008;247(1):251-9.2.Oliveira DS, Araujo Filho JA, Paiva AFL, Ikari ES, Chate RC, Nomura CH. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias: review of the latest American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society classification. Radiol Bras. 2018;51(5):321-7.3.Escalon JG, Legasto AC, Toy D, Gruden JF. Central paradiaphragmatic middle lobe involvement in nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. Eur Radiol. 2021.4.Kligerman SJ, Groshong S, Brown KK, Lynch DA. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: radiologic, clinical, and pathologic considerations. Radiographics. 2009;29(1):73-87.5.Belloli EA, Beckford R, Hadley R, Flaherty KR. Idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia. Respirology. 2016;21(2):259-68.6.Oldham JM, Adegunsoye A, Valenzi E, Lee C, Witt L, Chen L, et al. Characterisation of patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features. Eur Respir J. 2016;47(6):1767-75.7.Hansell DM, Bankier AA, MacMahon H, McLoud TC, Muller NL, Remy J. Fleischner Society: glossary of terms for thoracic imaging. Radiology. 2008;246(3):697-722.8.Lee J, Kim YH, Kang JY, Jegal Y, Park SY, Korean Interstitial Lung Diseases Study G. Korean Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Interstitial Lung Diseases: Part 3. Idiopathic Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia. Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul). 2019;82(4):277-84.9.Cottin V, Hirani NA, Hotchkin DL, Nambiar AM, Ogura T, Otaola M, et al. Presentation, diagnosis and clinical course of the spectrum of progressive-fibrosing interstitial lung diseases. Eur Respir Rev. 2018;27(150).10.Huo Z, Li J, Li S, Zhang H, Jin Z, Pang J, et al. Organizing pneumonia components in non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP): a clinicopathological study of 33 NSIP cases. Histopathology. 2016;68(3):347-55.11.Perelas A, Silver RM, Arrossi AV, Highland KB. Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. Lancet Respir Med. 2020;8(3):304-20.

This week I am talking to award winning author, Marni Graff about writing characters that endure and continue to be believable throughout a series. 

Today I am talking about developing believable historical characters. have you ever wondered how you can get inside the mind of someone from another era? Today's show is full of actionable tips that will get you started. 

Joe Abercrombie writes some of the most realistic, fleshed-out, and interesting characters in modern fantasy. Today, I'll analyse what makes his characters so complex.  Twitter: @JedHerne Email: jed.herne1@gmail.com Shownotes (links to books I mentioned, etc.): novelanalyst.com/episode2 Join my VIP email list: novelanalyst.com/email--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a summary of the issues we have covered in the last dozen or so installments of The Creative Writer's Toolbelt, from the critical components of character: developing the character essence, and goal, motivation, and passion - through the secondary components: defining the character arc, defining the interior life of the character, using character interaction to best effect, and defining a complementary set of characteristics and voice.