Algodones, Mexico is a popular border town destination for medical tourism for residents of the United States and Canada, offering more pharmacies, doctors, dentists, and opticians in a concentrated area than anywhere else in the world. Here, Americans and Canadians alike can find heavily discounted prescriptions, eye-glasses, and medical and dental care that are each as high quality as the same procedure or service back home. Algodones is located 7 miles south of Yuma, Arizona off Interstate 8, but you will be crossing the border at Andrade, California in order to access this small Mexican town located in the state of Baja California.
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., travelers can cross the Andrade border station either on foot or in their car, and parking lots are available for a low fee from Native American tribe members who own lots in the area.
It's best to park in the lot on the U.S. side and walk over as it eliminates possible complications of getting your car back into the United States. Still, entering Mexico is virtually effortless for American and Canadian citizens—no one checks your ID or inquires about what you are bringing in. Just stroll across, and voila,' you are in another country!
Immediately when you arrive in Algodones, you will notice the overabundance of pharmacies and medical offices—some simple and very "south of the border looking" and some new and not unlike what you will see in any American town.
The pharmacies have handwritten signs touting their prescription prices and staff members eagerly beckoning you to enter their stores. Everyone speaks English and during the day the town is filled with older Canadians and Americans. It's best to look around before you attempt to purchase anything. That goes for pharmaceuticals, vanilla, souvenirs, or liquor.
Most people can eat the food served in the local restaurants and have a margarita without worrying about water-related issues, but you should keep in mind that the margaritas may be pretty potent so adjust your consumption accordingly. If you are able to find it, enjoy an al fresco meal while listening to live music at El Paraiso (The Garden Place), but be warned, this patio isn't easy to find on your own so you should ask a vendor to point you to the right place if you get lost.
There are restrooms just across the border. Others are in the restaurants and are, in general, reserved for restaurant patrons. The restroom at the El Paraiso restaurant in the courtyard was exceptionally clean.
People don't travel to Algodones for the souvenirs, pottery, apparel, or glassware shopping, they come for the medical goods and services. Still, you may be able to find a fun beach dress, straw hat, knock-off purse, or silver bangle to take back with you. We recommend bringing cash for all your shopping needs as most vendors accept bartering and bargaining for better prices. All prices are in United States dollars, so offer half of the asking price and go from there.
If you are interested in prescriptions, it is best to talk to others who shop there regularly and know the routine and especially important to know the designer and generic names for your medications. While prices may be good, the names of some major prescriptions, as well as their active ingredients, are slightly different. Visitors should be cautious and check the expiration date on each container. Also, keep in mind you are only allowed up to a 90-day supply of prescriptions to carry back across the border, so don't purchase too much medicine—the border agents will confiscate the excess drugs.
We recommend talking to others before you decide to take the plunge and make a dental appointment, buy glasses, or see a doctor as this is very much a word-of-mouth system—while there will be scrub-clad staff outside of dental offices inviting you in for an exam, it is best to check with friends or those who frequently use the services for recommendations before considering a procedure in Algodones.
Interested in vices? There are some large liquor stores (they are purple) with a great supply of bargain liquors, chewing tobacco, and cigarettes, but be sure and check on the limits of border crossing before you load up.
As of June 1, 2009, passports and passport cards are the only form of identification that is accepted at the U.S. to Mexico border crossing, but passport cards only allow for travel by ground transportation, so if you're planning to fly to Mexico and travel up to Algodones, you'll need to have a full passport.
When you approach the officials at the border, they will interview you one by one, examine your identification, and ask you what you purchased. Be sure to check the Border Service Agency website for a complete list of permitted and prohibited items, but you should be fine with small purchases like single bottles of tequila or souvenirs like straw hats. If you purchase medicine, you'll have to show the original packaging so border agents can verify the legitimacy of the drug.
Although the wait at the border can be long at times, Algodones has provided some benches and light shade. It is a good idea to carry a bottle of water with you for the time in line.
If you are on a schedule be sure and watch the line at the border crossing. If it starts winding around the corner and back up the street, it might take you an hour or more to get through the crossing to the U.S. side. This is typical in the middle of the day during the winter, but if you wait until later in the day or visit off-season, you might find no line at all.


text:
package org.springframework.social.tencentWeibo.api;

/**
 *
 * @author Gavin.Lin
 */
public interface HotTweetOperations {

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
My Crypto Lawyer Sec News Hong Kong Mulls Lifting Retail Crypto Ban
Hong Kong issued guidance in May of last year limiting crypto trading to professional investors
Stablecoin regulation and a number of pilot projects are being weighed for the benefit of financial innovation, Hong Kong Financial Secretary says
Hong Kong officials have confirmed interest in lifting a ban on retail crypto trading amid plans to bolster economic growth via the digital asset sector.
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau of Hong Kong said Sunday that local securities regulators will conduct a public consultation on restoring "suitable" crypto access for retail investors. It could also introduce ETFs for digital assets to its market.
"We recognize the increasing acceptance of [digital assets] as a vehicle for investment allocation by global investors, be they institutional or individual," per the statement that did not provide a definitive timeline on when the consultation period would conclude.
The financial agency said it would take a "careful" and "cautious" approach regarding the risks digital assets present to retail investors and would enhance investor education while ensuring it has suitable regulatory arrangements in place.
In May of last year, Hong Kong issued guidance mandating that exchanges operating in the city would require licensure and would only be able to service professional investors — those with a portfolio of 8 million Hong Kong dollars ($1.01 million). That licensing scheme is set to come into effect in March 2023.
Earlier this year, lawyers relayed belief that the framework could eventually expand to local retail investors, leading up to Bloomberg reporting last Thursday that Hong Kong regulators were moving toward lifting the retail ban altogether as the VASP licenses come into effect.
Blockworks reached out to Hong Kong's Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau but did not receive a reply by press time.
Some major crypto players once called Hong Kong home
In their recent policy statement, Hong Kong regulators also noted that it would undertake future reviews on property rights for tokenized assets, alongside analyzing the technical legality of smart contracts.
"We recognize [digital assets] have unique characteristics different from traditional assets and their features may not fit squarely into the current private property law categories or definitions in Hong Kong."
Further consultations on a regulatory regime for stablecoins are expected to be announced "in due course" by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) — the region's central bank — per the statement.
Following lessons learned from the industry's turmoil earlier this year, stablecoin regulation will focus on governance, stabilization and redemption mechanisms, the agency said.
A number of pilot projects are also being explored in a bid to test the feasibility of digital assets as they apply to financial markets including NFT issuance during Hong Kong's Fintech Week, bond tokenization and the region's central bank digital currency — the e-HKD.
While further information on the proof-of-concept NFT project was not provided, the government said it was doing so as a part of its efforts to engage the fintech and Web3 communities.
Speaking at Hong Kong FinTech Week 2022, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chen said Sunday the city's decision was based on fostering economic growth.
Hong Kong has historically played host to a number of high-profile operators, including Bitfinex/Tether, Crypto.com, FTX and OKCoin, although some have relocated to more accommodating jurisdictions over the years.
"We want to make our policy stance clear to global markets, to demonstrate our determination to explore financial innovation together with the global virtual assets community," Chen said.
David Canellis contributed reporting.
Get the day's top crypto news and insights delivered to your inbox every evening. Subscribe to Blockworks' free newsletter now.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
ONO appeals against Searcher Seismic Surveys off the west coast
6 days ago by OceansNotOilaction against seismic surveys, Customary Rights, Environmental Impact Assessment, offshore seismic surveys, Small Scale Fishers
Oceans Not Oil lodges an Appeal, in terms of section 43(1A) of the NEMA, against the decision of the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, as delegated to the Director-General, to approve the Searcher Geodata 3D seismic reconnaissance in Block 1518. (Exploration Right 12/1/043 pertains)
This letter serves as an appeal against the decision to grant the proposed speculative three-dimensional (3D) seismic survey by Searcher Geodata UK Ltd (hereafter Searcher) off the Western and Northern Cape coasts of South Africa, 256 km offshore of St Helena Bay, extending north along the western coastline to approximately 220 km offshore of Hondeklip Bay over a number of offshore oil and gas licence blocks – including blocks 12/1/274 ER, 12/1/343 ER, 12/1/339 ER and "Open Area". The aforesaid authorisation was awarded despite ongoing risks of "social unrest" and unmet recommendations that the project only go ahead after meaningful consultation, local research, education, and awareness-raising has been done in the project-affected communities.
Oceans Not Oil is a coalition of 32 organisations and individuals whose ultimate objective is the cessation of seismic exploration and oil and gas exploitation off our coastline. It is an emancipatory and conservation imperative engaging public support and South African policymakers to build an economy beyond gas and oil (with its consequence to its marine life and intangible heritage, small-scale and commercial fisheries, the tourism, recreation and hospitality industries) and deal with climate change vulnerability that is the legacy of gas and oil
We request that the decision to award the reconnaissance authorisation be reconsidered and set aside and that the seismic activity be suspended pending the completion of the appeal process/procedure.
It is our contention that the awarding of the authorisation as aforesaid is premature, with regard being had to the following, inter alia:
Failure to comply with a mandatory and material procedure – Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 (Act 3 of 2000) Section 6 (2)(b)
a) The MPRDA does not enable authorisation of non-exclusive multi-client seismic acquisition. Section 74 subsection (1)(a) to (c) of the MPRDA defines the 'holder' of a reconnaissance permit or exploration right as meaning 'the person to whom such right or permit has been granted or such person's successor in title'. Also s74(2)(b), of the MPRDA states requirements of a reconnaissance application include that, "no other person holds a technical co-operation permit, exploration right or production right for petroleum over any part of the area".
Searcher is not the holder of the rights to blocks 12/1/274 ER, 12/1/343 ER, 12/1/339 ER, therefore Searcher holds these permitting rights unlawfully. The Minister must therefore provide the public with the provisions within the law that justify:
i.the Petroleum Agency SA (PASA)'s ability to accept the application, and
ii. how these authorisations meet the procedural requirements prescribed in the applicable legislation have been satisfied while not being lawfully held and stand in contravention of the MPRDA.
2. Degree of significance of heritage resources not recognised by recommended mitigation
a) It has been made clear in previous cases and in the SIA and the HIA that "the communities and majority of local people are opposed to the project". In the Christian John Adams & Others (13 applicants) v Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy & Others. (2022, March 1) court interdict to halt the first proposed 2D and 3D surveys, and other articulations of dissent, small-scale fishers & associations, civil society and the public have protested 1518 EIA rhetoric has served unjustly as a rationale for halting livelihoods in times of economic difficulty and impacting their marine-related intangible cultural heritage. The effects to their intangible heritage and relation to the sea remain, whether impacts occur close or far from shore.
b) The Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) report noted that,
"The significance of such intangible and living cultural heritage features can potentially have a combined heritage grading of Grade II or even Grade I through further research. However, grading inevitably implies the investigation into and consideration of a Provincial or Heritage declaration of significance for a largely intangible cultural heritage. This is problematic as the NHRA provides for the proclamation/declaration of place, objects, or structures as Provincial or National Heritage Sites and only refers to intangible/living heritage relating to such place, objects, or structures."
In other words, were the unique ethos and identity of specific places linked with fishing villages; oral history; popular memory; cultural traditions; indigenous knowledge systems; rituals; beliefs; and practices (e.g., fishing techniques) associated with the ocean more tangible? This intangible heritage could be deemed, through further research, "of the Highest Heritage Significance", meaning "heritage resources with qualities so exceptional that they are of special national significance." (HIA, 9.1 Heritage Summary). Therefore proposals for mitigation by "ensuring reduction of impacts on fish species" which "should indirectly positively impact the potential negative impacts on the cultural heritage of the communities to be impacted" (HIA. p.51), are inconsistent with the degree of significance of, and makes a mockery of, spiritual and cosmological value that the sea holds for coastal, fisher, indigenous and First People communities. This poorly defined approach used by the heritage specialist limits the ability of authorities to make informed decisions by making no distinction between quantitative and qualitative inputs (Government of the Western Cape: Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Guidelines for Involving Heritage Specialists in EIA Process).
c) The HIA provides no clear 'renewable energy alternatives' recommendations (Government of the Western Cape: Department Of Environmental Affairs And Development Planning Guidelines for Involving Heritage Specialists in EIA Process) despite small-scale fishers being clear they are keen to work with government to establish renewable energy alternatives.[i]
d) Instead of recognizing the essential role of the community in identifying and safeguarding heritage resources, while calling for respect for intangible and living heritage (Government of the Western Cape: Department Of Environmental Affairs And Development Planning Guidelines for Involving Heritage Specialists in EIA Process), the recommendation from the heritage specialist is for Searcher to re-assess post-survey, the effects on the identified communities and their intangible cultural heritage as well as of related economic damage and losses, and human development impacts and based on the outcomes of this assessment.
The precautionary approach mandates maintaining the status quo unless there is sufficient information to realistically determine impacts.
e) Heritage specialists, PGS, "specialise in providing tailormade heritage solutions to the mining, water and oil and gas industries", which includes over 60 grave relocation action plans and management. [ii] The politics of relocation of African ancestral graves shares similarities with the 1518 project, in that it has implications contrary to the constitutional rights of South Africans to have their heritage and culture protected. Communities stand to lose "their intangible possessions; ancestral connection, identity, heritage and belonging because of mining" (Skosana, 2022). Oceans Not Oil requests that the HIA study be peer-reviewed by a consultant recognised as independent of the mining industry by her/his/their peers. Therefore, the HIA and SIA should be reconsidered and set aside.
f) Oceans Not Oil disputes the Minister's claim that seismic survey technology "is generally regarded as non-intrusive in nature" (3.2 Key findings) and has not applied his mind to the dispossession which covers the loss of the incorporeal experienced by local communities. Concerns regarding impacts to intangible heritage were evident in both these recent cases, of which the Minister will be aware:
i. Christian John Adams & Others v Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy & Others. (2022, March 1) Case No. 1306/22 in the High Court of South Africa Western Cape Division, Cape Town.
g) The ElAR/EMPr fails in mitigating non-market impacts to the complex transformative relationship between cosmologies of the ocean, heritage values and practices held by first and indigenous people and communities relevant to this application. This bias disqualifies I&APs from procedurally inclusive and fair decision-making processes.
3. ElAR/EMPr directives/requirements not included as conditions by Minister
a) Section 24(4)(a)(ii) of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 dealing with Environmental Authorisations states,
(4) Procedures for the investigation, assessment and communication of the potential consequences or impacts of activities on the environment –
(a) must ensure, with respect to every application for an environmental authorisation—
ii) that the findings and recommendations flowing from an investigation, the general objectives of integrated environmental management laid down in this Act and the principles of environmental management set out in section 2 are taken into account in any decision made by an organ of state in relation to any proposed policy, programme, process, plan or project;
The SIA (Section 9.3.4.3) of the BA Report gives a strong directive, failing which will result in "significant delays and increase the risk for social unrest":
i. Searcher should initiate discussions in their industry. The SIA states that the seismic survey industry as a whole should reassess their position and social licence to operate as an industry in a South African context and conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the impact of the industry and embark on an awareness-raising and education campaign. Having meetings was not deemed sufficient. Participatory processes and workshops where communities can engage in experiential learning are suggested.
ii. If the social risks and potential damage to cultural and indigenous rights are considered the impact on the social fabric of already vulnerable communities may be significant. From a social perspective, the project can only be recommended after meaningful consultation, local research, education, and awareness-raising being adequately undertaken in the project-affected communities.
In light of the above, the Minister should reconsider the decision and set aside, until such time that the social mitigation measures have been implemented and the communities are sufficiently informed and educated to able to engage with the application in a meaningful manner.
iii. The Fisheries Specialist Report makes recommendations to avoid surveying during the three months of peak fishing activity for the pelagic longline sector – these being the months of May, June and July. Without this being conditional the survey could seriously impact fishing activity. Oceans Not Oil requests the Minister include this level of detail in the Record of Decision.
The Minister should reconsider the decision and include directives (3.i., 3ii & 3iii) as requirements for approval.
4. No Go alternative not properly assessed.
a) The Minister (Key finding 3.5) agrees that although no-go alternatives were identified, no in-depth assessments were carried out. Given that it impinges directly on the decision to either proceed with the project, or not to do so, it is construed as a misleading attempt to skew the outcome of the EIA process.
b) There are strategic and economic reasons to re-evaluate identifying oil and gas resources with a view to further exploration and production (International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2022). The Minister did not properly assess the alternative of no surveys based on international gas phase-out pressure; reduced funding, increased cost of capital, carbon tax, trade taxes, etc and that gas functions in the electricity sector are already outcompeted, or expected, based on trends.[iii]
c) The Minister did not apply his mind given the existential issues of lasting harm to the biodiversity and climate systems of our entire planet by the ongoing consumption of fossil fuels, which of necessity require ongoing reconnaissance for the same, it is trite that the long-term benefits of eliminating GHG emission generation should be considered via the No Go option. That the link between this project, whose sole purpose is reconnaissance for the expansion, and sustained use, of fossil fuels, and these existential threats, have not been made with the effect to produce a comprehensive 'no-go' option, renders this ElAR/EMPr not fit for purpose. On this basis alone the authorisation should be reconsidered and set aside.
Oceans Not Oil respectfully submits that the ElAR/EMPr is inherently flawed and that the Minister contravened section 6(2)(e)(iii) of PAJA by failing adequately to consider the "no-go" option.
5. Contradictions
Lack of consistency in time-frame application for the ElAR/EMPr impacts assessments renders them unreliable. Environmental and social impacts are measured only during the reconnaissance operations, whereas the justification for the survey project impacts into the future beyond the project. This creates a complete lack of parity for any rational comparison of effects and makes the significant ratings therefore irrational and skewed.
Therefore, the decision must thus be reconsidered as it is based on information in parts and not as the full duration of the process.
6. Motivation for Need and Desirability fails to meet the requirements of the EIA
a) EIAR/EMPr states its primary purpose is to "give effect to precautionary measures" and support "on-going proactive mitigation and the duty of care to the environment" (BAR, p.1.).
The need and desirability of the project have not been addressed according to guidelines[iv] (Guideline on Need and Desirability, 2017 from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment) wherein it states, "it must be decided which alternatives represent the "most practicable environmental option", which in terms of the definition in NEMA and the purpose of the EIA Regulations, are that option that provides the "most benefit and causes the least damage to the environment as a whole, at a cost acceptable to society, in the long-term as well as in the short-term."
Therefore, the Minister has thus not applied his mind to relevant considerations, and the decision must be reconsidered.
7. Repeated, Persistent and Cumulative Exposure Impacts
EIMS have confirmed (in response to Oceans Not Oil comments on BAR) that the cumulative assessment assumes the worst-case scenario of three surveys (Searcher, TGS Geophysical Company and GX Technologies Corporation) occurring simultaneously during the summer survey window in 2022/23. This assessment is guesswork at best since there have never been three seismic surveys within the same stretch of ocean occurring simultaneously within South Africa's EEZ before. A more systematic examination of unintended consequences needs attention by the DMRE before concurrent surveys can take place. Therefore, the Minister has thus not applied his mind to relevant considerations and the decision must be reconsidered.
8. Need and Desirability
Relevant considerations to climate change implications have not been taken into account, and the Minister did not apply his mind. The effects of conducting reconnaissance whose sole imperative is the ultimate output of fossil fuel emissions, will not align with the third instalment of the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) requiring "immediate and deep" cuts in emissions everywhere. Scientific consensus in IPCC reports (Rogelj et al., 2018; Masson-Delmotte et al., 2019) warns that continued oil and gas production exacerbates the problem of global warming. Mitigation which is crucial to limit changes in the climate system, ocean warming, its consequential acidification (National Academy of Sciences Committee on the Science of Climate Change, 2001) and oxygen loss (Laffoley & Baxter, 2019), sea level rise and ocean biodiversity loss (Laffoley & Baxter, 2019), due to greenhouse gas emissions, should be centralised within the scope of this study.
For all the above reasons we reiterate our request that the decision to grant the authorisation referred to above be reconsidered and set aside.
ACCESS FULL DOCUMENTATION OF THIS APPEAL HERE.
[i] Payi, B. (2022, Mar 6 ). Small-scale fishers tell Searcher to go and never return. Weekend Argus. https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/small-scale-fishers-tell-searcher-to-go-and-never-return-dec6f6dc-bfe0-4112-bdb8-bc4df5b8cde6)
[ii] See the PGS Heritage website : https://www.pgsheritage.com/company-structure/#1524660416404-5f122b5d-8487
[iii] Halsey, R. Bridle, R and Geddes, A. (2022).Gas Pressure: Exploring the case for gas-fired power in South Africa. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-03/south-africa-no-need-for-gas.pdf
[iv] DEA (2017), Guideline on Need and Desirability, Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Pretoria, South Africa.
Oceans Not Oil, seismic surveys
OceansNotOil
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text:
Chronic hepatitis B virus infection and risk of chronic kidney disease: a population-based prospective cohort study of 0.5 million Chinese adults
Jiahui Si1 na1,
Canqing Yu1 na1,
Yu Guo2,
Zheng Bian2,
Chenxi Qin1,
Ling Yang3,
Yiping Chen3,
Li Yin4,
Hui Li5,
Jian Lan6,
Junshi Chen7,
Zhengming Chen3,
Jun Lv1,8,
Liming Li1,2 &
on behalf of the China Kadoorie Biobank Collaborative Group
BMC Medicine volume 16, Article number: 93 (2018) Cite this article
Existing evidence remains inconclusive as to the association between chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We prospectively examined the association between chronic HBV infection and CKD risk, and the joint associations of HBV infection with established risk factors of several lifestyle factors and prevalent diseases on CKD risk.
Participants from the China Kadoorie Biobank were enrolled during 2004–2008 and followed up until 31 December 2015. After excluding participants with previously diagnosed CKD, cancer, heart disease, and stroke at baseline, the present study included 469,459 participants. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was qualitatively tested at baseline. Incident CKD cases were identified mainly through the health insurance system and disease and death registries.
During a median follow-up of 9.1 years (4.2 million person-years), we documented 4555 incident cases of CKD. Cox regression yielded multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Compared with HBsAg-negative participants, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) for CKD was 1.37 (1.18, 1.60) for HBsAg-positive participants. The association was stronger in men (HR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.43, 2.20) than in women (HR = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.88, 1.36). HBsAg-positive participants, with or without hepatitis or cirrhosis, whether or not under treatment, all showed increased risk of developing CKD. We observed positive additive interactions of HBsAg positivity with smoking, physical inactivity, or diabetes on CKD risk. Compared with HBsAg-negative participants who were nonsmokers, more physically active, or did not have diabetes at baseline, the greatest CKD risk for HBsAg-positive participants was for those who were smokers (HR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.44, 2.38), physically inactive (HR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.52, 2.40), or diabetic (HR = 6.11; 95% CI: 4.47, 8.36).
In countries with a high endemicity of HBV infection, kidney damage associated with chronic HBV infection should be a non-negligible concern. Our findings also highlight the importance of health advice on quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, improving glucose control, and early screening for CKD in people with chronic HBV infection.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD), which has important health and economic implications [1], had a prevalence of 10.8% in China in 2010 [2], as high as that in developed countries such as the USA (13.1%) and Norway (10.2%) [3, 4]. CKD is a general term for heterogeneous disorders and defined based on the presence of kidney damage or decreased kidney function for 3 months or more [5]. Several risk factors for CKD have been identified, including diabetes, hypertension, older age, tobacco smoking, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and nephrotoxic drugs or toxins [5, 6]. However, possible effects of more adverse factors on the CKD risk remain to be clarified.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been shown to have negative impacts on renal funtion [7,8,9]. A recently published systematic review showed that two prospective studies consistently linked HBV infection to increased risk of end-stage renal disease [10]. However, another two prospective studies examining the association between HBV infection and a broader CKD outcome showed mixed results [11, 12].
China is a higher-intermediate HBV endemicity country, with an estimated seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) of 5.49% [13]. If chronic HBV infection is causally related to CKD risk, this may partially explain the high burden of CKD and may guide prevention efforts in China. In the present study, we prospectively examined the association between chronic HBV infection and CKD risk in the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study of 0.5 million adults. We additionally examined the joint associations of HBV infection with established risk factors of several lifestyle factors and prevalent diseases on CKD risk, applying both multiplicative and additive interaction analyses.
Detailed descriptions of the CKB have been given elsewhere [14, 15]. Briefly, a total of 512,891 participants aged 30–79 years were recruited in 2004–2008 from five urban and five rural regions in China. Eligible participants were invited to a community assessment center and completed an interviewer-administered electronic questionnaire, physical measurements, and blood spot tests for random blood glucose and HBsAg. A 10 ml non-fasting blood sample for each participant was also collected and shipped to the central blood repository for long-term storage. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Beijing, China) and the Oxford Tropical Research Ethics Committee, University of Oxford (UK). All participants provided written informed consent before taking part in the study.
In the present analysis, we excluded participants who reported having been diagnosed with CKD (n = 7577), heart disease (n = 15,472), stroke (n = 8884), or cancer (n = 2577) by a qualified doctor. We also excluded participants with missing data or an unclear result for HBsAg (n = 11,136) or missing data for body mass index (BMI; n = 2), plus one participant who was lost to follow-up shortly after baseline (n = 1). After these exclusions, 469,459 participants remained for the final analyses.
Assessment of exposure
At baseline, the whole venous blood of participants was qualitatively tested for HBsAg using on-site rapid test strips (ACON dipstick, USA) (negative, positive, or unclear). All participants also completed interviewer-administered laptop-based questionnaires and were asked if they had ever been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis (not limited to chronic viral hepatitis) or liver cirrhosis (yes or no) by a doctor. For those who reported a prior medical history of the disease, we further asked their age at the first diagnosis, and if they were still on treatment (not specifically anti-HBV treatment; yes or no).
Assessment of covariates
Covariate information was obtained from the baseline questionnaire, including socio-demographic status (age, sex, education, occupation, household income, and marital status), lifestyle behaviors (alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, physical activity, and intake of red meat, fresh fruit, and fresh vegetables), personal medical history (hypertension, diabetes, and rheumatic arthritis) and women's menopause status. In the present analysis, we included in the current smoker category former smokers who had stopped smoking due to illness to avoid a misleadingly elevated risk. The daily level of physical activity was calculated by multiplying the metabolic equivalent tasks (METs) value for a particular type of physical activity by hours spent on that activity per day and summing the MET-hours for all activities.
Trained staff undertook baseline measurements of body weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure. BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters. Prevalent hypertension was defined as measured systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, measured diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, self-reported prior diagnosis of hypertension, or self-reported use of antihypertensive medication at baseline. Prevalent diabetes was defined as measured fasting blood glucose ≥7.0 mmol/l, measured random blood glucose ≥11.1 mmol/l, or self-reported prior diagnosis of diabetes at baseline.
Ascertainment of incident chronic kidney disease
Incident CKD cases were identified by linking local disease and death registries, linking the national health insurance (HI) system, and by active follow-up (i.e., visiting local communities or directly contacting participants). In particular, the electronic linkage with the HI claims database is one of the most important means of ascertaining CKD cases in the present study. The HI data are comprehensive and contain information on all diagnoses and treatments prescribed to patients who sought health care in a hospital. Successful linkage to the HI system was achieved for more than 96% of the CKB participants in 2015, which was similar across ten survey sites. Trained staff blinded to baseline information coded all diagnoses using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). The outcome of the present analysis was CKD, including diabetes mellitus with renal complications (E10.2, E11.2, E12.2, E13.2, and E14.2), hypertensive renal disease (I12 and I13), glomerular disease (N03, N04, N05, and N07), renal tubulo-interstitial disease (N11, N12, N13, N14, and N15), and renal failure (N18 and N19).
Participants contributed person-time from baseline until the date of CKD diagnosis, death, loss to follow-up, or 31 December 2015, whichever came first. We used a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), with age as the underlying time scale, stratified by 5-year age groups and ten survey sites. The proportional hazards assumption for the Cox model was checked using Schoenfeld residuals, and no violation was found.
Multivariable models for association between chronic HBV infection and CKD risk were adjusted for age; sex (for whole cohort); level of education; marital status; alcohol consumption; smoking status; physical activity; frequencies of intake of red meat, fresh fruit, and fresh vegetables; menopausal status (for women only); BMI; prevalent diabetes; and prevalent hypertension. We further explored whether the association was mediated by the presence of chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis by adjusting for a composite variable of disease duration and treatment status at baseline.
In the sensitivity analyses, we excluded participants whose outcome occurred during the first 2 years of follow-up. We additionally adjusted for occupation, household income, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and prevalent rheumatic arthritis at baseline separately. We further included participants with medical histories of heart disease or stroke at baseline and additionally adjusted for these two variables. The risk estimates did not change materially (data not shown).
We examined whether the association of HBsAg status with CKD risk differed by demographics, lifestyles, and co-morbidities on both multiplicative and additive scales. Prespecified baseline subgroups included sex (men or women), age at baseline (<50 or ≥50 years), residence (urban or rural), smoking status (daily smoker or not), alcohol consumption (daily drinker or not), level of physical activity (categorized using sex-specific tertile cutoffs, the lowest tertile or others), BMI (<24.0 or ≥24.0 kg/m2), prevalent diabetes (presence or absence), and prevalent hypertension (presence or absence). We tested multiplicative interaction by using likelihood ratio test comparing models with and without a cross-product term. We assessed additive interaction by estimating the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) [16]. A RERI of 0 indicates no interaction on the additive scale and >0 indicates a synergistic interaction. We further decomposed the joint effect of two exposures, that is, comparing both exposures present to both absent, into three components: the proportions attributable to HBsAg positivity alone, to the prespecified baseline variable alone, and to their interaction [16, 17].
We used Stata version 14.2 (StataCorp, TX, USA) to analyze the data. Statistical significance was set at two-tailed P < 0.05.
Of all 469,459 participants, 41.0% were men, and 56.4% resided in rural areas. HBsAg-positive participants were more likely to be men and urban residents, and report having prevalent chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. Among participants with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis, HBsAg-positive participants were more likely to be under treatment at baseline (Table 1).
Table 1 Baseline characteristics according to HBsAg status at baseline for 469,459 participants
During a median of 9.1 years (interquartile range 1.88 years; 4.2 million person-years) of follow-up, we documented 1762 incident CKD cases among men and 2793 among women. In the multivariable-adjusted model, HBsAg positivity was significantly associated with a higher risk of incident CKD (Table 2). In all eligible participants, compared with HBsAg-negative participants, the HRs (95% CIs) for CKD were 1.37 (1.18, 1.60) for HBsAg-positive participants. The association between HBsAg status and CKD risk was stronger in men (HR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.43, 2.20) than in women (HR = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.88, 1.36) (P = 0.007 for interaction with sex). Further adjustment for the presence of chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis at baseline did not change the association materially.
Table 2 HRs (95% CIs) for incident chronic kidney disease according to HBsAg status among 469,459 participants
We further examined the joint association of HBsAg status and presence of chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis and its treatment status with CKD risk (Table 3). Compared with HBsAg-negative participants without chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, those who were HBsAg positive and had chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis under treatment at baseline had the greatest risk of developing CKD (HR = 4.74; 95% CI: 2.68, 8.36). The magnitude of risk was similar in men and women (P = 0.061 for interaction with sex). Male participants who were HBsAg positive but without chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis or not on treatment also showed a moderate increase in the CKD risk. HBsAg-positive participants who had been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis for ≥15 years had a slightly higher risk of developing CKD compared with those diagnosed for <15 years (see Additional file 1).
Table 3 HRs (95% CIs) for incident chronic kidney disease according to HBsAg status and presence of chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis and its treatment status at baseline for 469,459 participants
We examined the association between HBsAg status and CKD risk according to potential baseline risk factors. Notably, the effect of HBsAg positivity interacted with the effect of smoking, physical inactivity, or prevalent diabetes on CKD risk, on multiplicative and/or additive scales (Table 4). The positive association between HBsAg status and CKD risk was stronger in those who were smokers, less physically active, or diabetic. Compared with HBsAg-negative participants who were nonsmokers, more physically active, or did not have diabetes at baseline, HBsAg-positive participants had the greatest risk of developing CKD if they were smokers (HR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.44, 2.38), physically inactive (HR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.52, 2.40), or diabetic (HR = 6.11; 95% CI: 4.47, 8.36). We observed positive additive interactions of HBsAg positivity with smoking, physical inactivity, or diabetes on CKD risk, with all corresponding RERI > 0. The proportion of risk (%) in the doubly exposed group attributable to the interaction with HBsAg positivity was 66.3 (32.4, 100.3) for smoking, 79.1 (50.5, 107.7) for physical inactivity, and 48.0 (27.7, 68.3) for diabetes, respectively. No statistically significant interaction was observed for the following baseline factors on both multiplicative and additive scales: age, rural or urban residence, alcohol consumption, BMI, and prevalent hypertension (see Additional file 2).
Table 4 HRs (95% CIs) for chronic kidney disease in relation to HBsAg status by potential baseline risk factors among 469,459 participants
In this large prospective Chinese adult cohort, we found that chronic HBV infection was associated with a 37% increased risk of CKD. The association was stronger in men than in women. In addition, the joint effects of chronic HBV infection with smoking, physical inactivity, or prevalent diabetes on CKD risk were more than the addition of the risk associated with each of these factors.
To our knowledge, only two prospective studies have examined the association between HBV infection and CKD risk. In a study using claims data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 17,796 adults with untreated HBV infection and 71,184 matched controls were compared and showed an increased risk of CKD associated with chronic HBV infection (HR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.95, 3.42) during a mean 6.5 years of follow-up [11]. However, in another study conducted for 4329 adults who received regular healthy check-ups in a Chinese hospital, occult HBV infection, defined as seropositive for antibodies to the HBV core antigen, was not associated with CKD in the subsequent 5 years (odds ratio = 1.12; 95% CI: 0.65, 1.95) [12]. In the present study, we associated chronic HBV infection, characterized by HBsAg positivity, with a higher risk of incident CKD over a period of close to 10 years. The risk estimates of CKD did not change materially after adjusting for chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis at baseline, suggesting that these conditions might not be the causal intermediates from HBV infection to CKD. The presence of chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis and receiving treatment at baseline might be an indicator of long-term active virus replication with a higher risk of causing damage, and was associated with the greatest CKD risk in the present population. Also, we cannot rule out the possibility that some medications for chronic liver diseases are nephrotoxic. However, in the present study, HBsAg-positive participants, without hepatitis or cirrhosis or not on treatment at baseline, still showed an increased risk of developing CKD.
The pathogenesis of HBV-associated nephropathy remains unclear, and several mechanisms have been implicated. Steatosis, a typical feature of chronic HBV infection, could induce lipid peroxidation and increase plasma inflammatory biomarkers, leading to endothelial dysfunction and renal injury [18]. It is also suggested that HBV carriers are more likely to have increased insulin resistance and a higher circulating level of transforming growth factor ß, contributing to the potentiation of apoptosis and renal fibrosis [19, 20]. It has been shown that men are more likely to develop steatosis [21] and have a lower HBV clearance than women [22]. It is consistent with our findings that the association between HBV infection and CKD is stronger in men than women.
Our in-depth analyses suggested important interactions of chronic HBV infection with tobacco smoking, physical inactivity, or diabetes on the CKD risk on both multiplicative and additive scales. The additive interaction is more relevant to public health measures than the multiplicative interaction. We found that about two-thirds of CKD cases among a population with chronic HBV infection who smoke tobacco would occur if both exposures were present but not if only one or the other was present. A similar additive interaction was found for HBV infection with physical inactivity or with diabetes on the CKD risk. These findings imply that the public health consequences of quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, and improving glucose control would be larger in participants with chronic HBV infection.
The synergistic effects of chronic HBV infection with individual lifestyle factors and conditions on CKD risk are biologically plausible, consistent with previous studies that the pathogenesis of HBV-associated nephropathy depends on interactions between viral, host, and environmental factors [23]. The adverse impact of chronic HBV infection on CKD might be exacerbated by smoking-induced renal atherosclerosis [24] and endothelial dysfunction [25], and attenuated by reduced oxidative stress and reduced inflammation with increasing physical activity [26]. Similarly, HBV infection and hyperglycemia-induced metabolic and hemodynamic pathways might be interwoven together in the pathogenesis of kidney injury [27, 28]. The mechanisms for their synergistic effects on CKD still warrant further elucidation.
To the best of our knowledge, the present study has been, by far, the largest prospective study examining the association between chronic HBV infection and CKD risk. For the first time, this study provides compelling evidence of the synergistic effects of chronic HBV infection with tobacco smoking, physical inactivity, or diabetes on CKD risk. Strengths of the study include its prospective design, large sample size, long follow-up period, the inclusion of a geographically spread Chinese population living in urban and rural areas, and careful adjustment for potential confounders.
This study acknowledges some limitations. We used an on-site HBsAg rapid test because it was feasible for a large-scale population study, but there was the possibility of misclassification. However, measurement errors in the prospective study may be nondifferential on subsequent disease status and may have attenuated our findings towards the null. Participants were excluded from the study based on self-reporting of a prediagnosed CKD at baseline. Underreporting of the subclinical or early stage of CKD might exist, leading to overestimation of CKD incidence during the follow-up. However, after excluding participants whose outcome occurred during the first 2 years of follow-up, the risk estimates remained largely unchanged. Also, the incident cases of CKD in this study were mainly identified using a linkage with the HI system. Some asymptomatic or mild cases might have been missed, resulting in nondifferential outcome misclassification and attenuation of the effect estimates. Lack of detailed information about viral load, antiviral treatment (especially the use of nephrotoxic drugs), or any biochemistry data indicating liver function precluded further analysis.
In this large prospective study, we found that participants with chronic HBV infection had an increased risk of CKD. HBV infection exhibited noticeable synergistic effects with smoking, less physical activity, or diabetes on the CKD risk. In countries with an intermediate and high endemicity of HBV infection, kidney damage associated with chronic HBV infection should be a non-negligible concern. Our study also highlights the importance of health advice on quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, improving glucose control, and early screening for the CKD in people with chronic HBV infection. More studies are warranted to confirm the results of this study and clarify the underlying mechanism of the association.
CI:
CKB:
China Kadoorie Biobank
CKD:
HBV:
Hazard ratio
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision
MET:
Metabolic equivalent task
RERI:
Relative excess risk due to interaction
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Amet S, Bronowicki J-P, Thabut D, et al. Prevalence of renal abnormalities in chronic HBV infection: the HARPE study. Liver Int. 2015;35(1):148–55.
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VanderWeele TJ, Tchetgen Tchetgen EJ. Attributing effects to interactions. Epidemiol Camb Mass. 2014;25(5):711–22.
Chaabane NB, Loghmari H, Melki W, et al. Chronic viral hepatitis and kidney failure. Presse Med. 2008;37(4 Pt 2):665–78.
Ishizaka N, Ishizaka Y, Seki G, Nagai R, Yamakado M, Koike K. Association between hepatitis B/C viral infection, chronic kidney disease and insulin resistance in individuals undergoing general health screening. Hepatol Res Off J Jpn Soc Hepatol. 2008;38(8):775–83.
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The most important acknowledgment is to the participants in the study and the members of the survey teams in each of the ten regional centres, as well as to the project development and management teams based at Beijing, Oxford, and the ten regional centres.
The members of the steering committee and collaborative group are listed in the online-only supplementary appendix (see Additional file 3).
This work was supported by grants (81390540, 81390544, and 81390541; http://www.nsfc.gov.cn) from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and grants (2016YFC0900500, 2016YFC0900501, and 2016YFC0900504) from the National Key Research and Development Program of China. The CKB baseline survey and the first re-survey were supported by a grant from the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation in Hong Kong. The long-term follow-up is supported by grants from the UK Wellcome Trust (202922/Z/16/Z, 088158/Z/09/Z, and 104085/Z/14/Z; http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/) and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (2011BAI09B01). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
The dataset supporting the conclusions of this article is available from the study website (http://www.ckbiobank.org), along with the access policy and procedures.
Jiahui Si and Canqing Yu contributed equally to this work.
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
Jiahui Si
, Canqing Yu
, Chenxi Qin
, Jun Lv
& Liming Li
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
Yu Guo
, Zheng Bian
Clinical Trial Service Unit & Epidemiological Studies Unit (CTSU), Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Ling Yang
, Yiping Chen
& Zhengming Chen
Hunan Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Changsha, Hunan, China
Li Yin
Liuzhou Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
Hui Li
Liuzhou Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
Jian Lan
China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, China
Junshi Chen
Peking University Institute of Environmental Medicine, Beijing, China
Jun Lv
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JLv and LL conceived and designed the paper. LL, ZC, and JC, as members of the CKB steering committee, designed and supervised the conduct of the whole study, obtained funding, and together with YG, ZB, LYang, YC, LYin, HL, and JLan acquired the data. JS, CY, and CQ analyzed the data. JS and JLv drafted the manuscript. JLv, LL, CY, YG, ZB, CQ, LYang, YC, LYin, HL, JLan, JC, and ZC contributed to the interpretation of the results and critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors contributed to and approved the final manuscript. JLv is the study guarantor.
Correspondence to Jun Lv.
The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Beijing, China: 005/2004) and the Oxford Tropical Research Ethics Committee, University of Oxford (UK: 025–04). All participants provided written informed consent before taking part in the study.
Table. HRs (95% CIs) for incident chronic kidney disease according to HBsAg status and presence of chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis and its duration for 469,459 participants. (DOCX 17 kb)
Table. Association between HBsAg status and risk of chronic kidney disease by potential baseline risk factors for 469,459 participants. (DOCX 19 kb)
Text. Members of the China Kadoorie Biobank collaborative group. (DOCX 17 kb)
Si, J., Yu, C., Guo, Y. et al. Chronic hepatitis B virus infection and risk of chronic kidney disease: a population-based prospective cohort study of 0.5 million Chinese adults. BMC Med 16, 93 (2018) doi:10.1186/s12916-018-1084-9
DOI: https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/s12916-018-1084-9
Chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Prospective cohort study


text:
Home and Garden |
New rain helps California native plants take root
Naturalists and horticulturalists recommend including a substantial percentage of native plants in your garden
Western Spice Bush Calycanthus occidentalis. (Tom Karwin — Contributed)
Pacific Coast Iris, purple and white. (Tom Karwin — Contributed)
Bush Monkey Flower – Mimulus aurantiacus, Canyon Snow. (Tom Karwin — Contributed)
Fried Egg Poppy – Romneya coulteri. (Tom Karwin — Contributed)
By Tom Karwin | gardening@karwin.com | Santa Cruz Sentinel
PUBLISHED: November 17, 2021 at 6:35 a.m. | UPDATED: November 17, 2021 at 6:48 a.m.
California native plants have often been featured in this column for multiple reasons. Because we are now in the season the rains help newly installed plants to form roots, an overview of these plants is timely for those planning to develop their gardens.
California gardeners have these principal reasons to grow California native plants:
They are easy to grow because they are fully adapted to the soil, climate, and physical environment of their specific territory; they have symbiotic relationships with other plants and animals that are native to the same area, particularly insects that birds depend upon; they are highly varied attractive additions to the landscape.
We have ready access to exotic (i.e., non-native) plants and might enjoy growing varieties that have adapted to climates similar to our own gardens. These are plants native to the world's so-called Mediterranean climates, also called summer-dry climates. Combining native and exotic plants in your landscape can be successful and satisfying.
Still, naturalists and horticulturalists often recommend including a substantial percentage of native plants in your garden because they support specific insects that provide nutrition for many birds that we appreciate.
The ideal mix of natives and exotics depends on several factors, including the gardener's individual preferences. A landscape with all native plants clearly would be fully compatible with the web of life in your garden, while a 50-50 mix could be supportive of the insects that have evolved to depend on native plants. A strong advocate of symbiosis in the garden, entomologist Doug Tallamy recommends including at least 70% native plants.
Some gardeners might regard California native plants as wild-looking and less attractive than other possibilities, but they could be thinking of untended plants in their natural habitats, rather than well-managed garden specimens. Many plants require seasonal pruning or dividing to achieve their best appearance.
Following are a few samples of the California native plants that enhance my garden and require minimal maintenance.
The Western Spice Bush (Calycanthus occidentalis) is a deciduous shrub that can grow in sun or partial shade to 10 feet high and wide, with burgundy red flowers that have a fragrance like red wine.
The Bush Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus), with a blossom of Pacific Coast Iris 'Canyon Snow', grows 5 feet high and wide, with light orange blossoms that attract bees and hummingbirds. Some cultivars have blossoms that vary in color from white to red.
Pacific Coast Irises are available in a wide variety of colors, resulting from the work of many hybridizers. This selection has a pleasing combination of purple shades and white, with streaks of yellow.
Lewis's Mock-Orange (Philadelpus lewisii), named for explorer Meriwether Lewis of the 1860 Lewis and Clark Expedition, is a deciduous shrub with a generous display of white blossoms, that produce a "heavy, sweet scent similar to orange blossoms with a hint of pineapple." This is a fast-growing plant, to 10 feet tall and wide in full sun or part shade. Annual maintenance consists of cutting about one-third of its stalks to the ground, to constrain its shape.
The Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia) is an evergreen shrub that grows low and wide in coastal area (3 feet tall, 30 feet wide); pruning can control its size. Its dark red, tart-flavored fruits are significant food source for birds and small mammals.
The Pink-flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum glutinosum) blooms February to April, feeding hummingbirds and bees, and later produces blackberries that delight birds. In the spring, hard pruning will contain its size, which could grow in shade to 12 feet tall and wide. Other cultivars include the White Icicle (R. s. 'Ubric') and the red-flowered Chaparral Currant (R. 'Barrie Coate').
The Fried Egg Poppy or Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri) grows best in fast-raining, even sandy soil and a sunny location. It will reach 6 feet tall and will spread vigorously through rhizomes (which could be removed routinely.) In spring and summer, it provides a fine display of 'papier mache" white blossoms with yellow centers.
Many books on California native plants are available. Searching Amazon.com for "California plants" will generate a list of about 75 books to buy or find in your local library. Some books focus on plants of southern California or the state's inland areas and would not be most helpful for Monterey Bay area gardeners.
Online resources are abundant. The primary website for gardeners to visit is the California Native Plant Society's Calscape, a well-organized database of nearly 8,000 plants (calscape.org). You can search this resource by ZIP code, botanical name, common name, or landscaping category.
Once you have identified a plant of current interest, a Google search by botanical name will yield additional descriptions and cultivation advice, as well as mail order sources of the plant.
Most garden centers include a California native plant section. Yerba Buena Nursery, California's oldest native plant retail nursery business, currently located in Half Moon Bay, is well worth a day trip up the coast, or virtual visit to www.yerbabuenanursery.com/.
California native plants belong in your garden for the sustenance of birds, bees, and other insects, and for pleasure and satisfaction of the gardener.
Tom Karwin is past president of Friends of the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, Monterey Bay Area Cactus & Succulent Society, and Monterey Bay Iris Society, and a UC Master Gardener. He is now a board member and garden coach for the Santa Cruz Hostel Society.
Tom Karwin | Garden Columnist
Tom Karwin is president of the Friends of the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum and a Lifetime UC Master Gardener (Certified 1999-2009). Visit ongardening.com for more information, and send comments or questions to gardening@karwin.com.
gardening@karwin.com
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Jobson Research Report Looks at 10 Years of VM's Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailer Trends
Monday, December 13, 2021 12:15 AM NEW YORK—Jobson Research has issued a new report called "10 Years of Top U.S. Optical Retailer Trends." The special edition pulls together the last 10 years of Vision Monday's Top 50 U.S Optical Retailers Reports.
New Jobson Research Report Looks at 10 Years of VM's Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailer Trends
Thursday, September 23, 2021 12:15 AM NEW YORK—Jobson Research has issued a new report called "10 Years of Top U.S. Optical Retailer Trends." The special edition pulls together the last 10 years of Vision Monday's Top 50 U.S Optical Retailers Reports and gauges the performance, expansion activity and estimated sales of the U.S.'s leading optical retailers and ECP groups over a 10-year period. It is designed to be a valuable resource and offer perspective on key trends and sales metrics. Derived from one of Vision Monday's signature features, the VM Annual Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers report, this new report has been compiled through a Vision Monday/Jobson Research collaboration.
Read the Last 10 Years of VM's Top 50 U.S. Retailers Reports
Monday, August 23, 2021 9:00 AM Read the last 10 years of Top 50 Retailers Reports.
Vision Monday Announces Its 'Most Influential Women in Optical' for 2021
Monday, August 9, 2021 12:24 AM NEW YORK—The continued challenges of life and business this year did not prevent Vision Monday's readers from sending in hundreds of nominations for consideration in the 19th year of VM's "Most Influential Women in Optical" special report. Today, Vision Monday is announcing its 2021 roster of 49 women of accomplishment, who were selected by VM's editors from those submissions. All are leaders who are contributing their many talents to the optical business and vision care field in many ways. They join hundreds of women in prior years who have been recognized for their work and contributions.
#HerStory2021
Monday, August 2, 2021 1:00 AM As the pandemic continued to upend life in 2021, women, it seems, were bearing the brunt of extended responsibilities, both at home and in their work life. According to a recent Deloitte Global report, "Women @ Work: A Global Outlook," heightened workloads and household responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic are driving deep dissatisfaction among many women in the workforce.
Monday, August 2, 2021 12:59 AM
Nineteen Years of Honorees
Previous Years Influential Women Reports
Alphabetical List of Past Honorees 2003-2021
Crafting a Comeback
By Marge Axelrad and Mark Tosh
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 12:30 AM The year 2020 was remarkable, presenting an almost unimagined range of challenges unheard of before COVID-19 became part of the lexicon. The result has been a wave of changes for everyone, whether at work or at home. Like many businesses, the optical/eyecare sector was significantly impacted by the long-running and continuing pandemic. Practices closed or operated with reduced hours over various time periods. Resiliency became the watchword.


Our team would like to wish you and your loved ones the very best life can offer! Happy New Year!
This entry is only available in European Spanish, Dutch and French.
SPANISH CAPITAL GAIN TAX INCREASE FOR THE YEAR 2013 APPLICABLE FOR RESIDENTS ONLY.


The 25mm wide blade slide cutting snap off knife is the most important tool of all and you need at least two brand new sharp blades with it, otherwise the foam surface will get damaged. The 25mm size knife may be difficult to find in shops. If you order it online today, you will have it in time.
I use the Stanley snap off blade cutter dynagrip 25mm myself.
There are also smaller sizes like 18mm and 9,5mm but that smallest one is useless for our massive foamblocks. The 18mm knife is fine for very small buildings. Of course its all about the length of that knife blade, not its width.
Don't forget to bring some pictures of the building you like to make.
And for the styrodur beginners amongst you I can recommend to start with a simple building.
One day I will make it over the channel to see all you good folk and your wonderful work.
But in my absence, I wish you all a happy and successful day.
A shame Tom, you mis all the fun!
I am looking forward to it, just a few nights of sleep....!!!!
Unfortunately, I can also not come.
Konrad wrote: Unfortunately, I can also not come.
@Konrad, I am doing my best to be there and you are not coming? Take your nephew with you.
The first FIGZ without me.
That is really a sad coincidence. I think a lot of members would like to see the Roman Legion, you have buildt.
I have a chance to see it during the year, I still hope, but a lot of the others have to wait until next year.
But positiv: Mr. Andrea tries to come.
I wish I could make it and meet all you fine fellows and learn some masterful modeling techniques! Such a long trip from Seattle USA is not in the cards this year with my second son soon to be born. When the boys are a bit older, you'll see the three of us at FIGZ. (And their mom).
Konrad wrote: I'm really sorry.
Mr. Cryns, I'll bring along my scratchpen and pencil. But i don't have a square.
You can use a model box for a square, i think there might be a few around.
Watch out for those blades they can fly off. One nearly had me eye out,and I jest not.
The special figures are all ready for sale, I did just (with some help of my GF) put them all in the bags.
I take two, like every year!
Perhaps you can come with your son? Maybe he likes it.
Sorry chaps, but I will not be able to attend the show this year.
There are some circumstances that will unfortunately keep me away from joining you so pls have fun and have a great day. I hope that possibly next year I'll be back aboard.


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10.25.2013 Obituaries
Nils A. Berglund
Former Riverhead resident Nils A. Berglund of Swanton, Vt., died suddenly Oct. 22 at his home. He was 62 years old.
Nils Berglund
He was born Jan. 6, 1951, in Southampton, the son of Leigh and Gertrude (Okestrum) Berglund Sr. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1973 and the University of Connecticut in 1976, earning a master's degree in agriculture. For many years he was an agent for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County.
According to family and friends, Mr. Berglund was a poultry expert, raising and showing his own stock on a national level, and was always willing to answer questions about poultry raising. For a number of years, he had a duck farm in Calverton. He loved raising chickens, ducks, geese, quail, homing pigeons and Devon and Guernsey cattle, they said, but especially loved raising his Corgis.
Mr. Berglund was former chairman of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, past president of the American Milking Devon Cattle Association and a former senior warden at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in St. Albans, Vt.
He is survived by his partner of 17 years, Donald Fournier of Swanton; his brother, Leigh Berglund Jr. of Sag Harbor; and many friends and family members.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m. at Church of the Redeemer in Mattituck. Memorial donations may be made to American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, P.O. Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Heald Funeral Home of St. Albans, where private messages of condolence are welcome at healdfuneralhome.com.
01.14.2021	Obituaries
Gary Lee Stoner
Gary Lee Stoner, a 60-year resident of Riverhead, died Dec. 20, 2020, at the his home. He was 77.
Barbara S. Zybowski
Riverhead resident Barbara S. Zybowski died Jan. 13, 2021, at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. She was 96.
Joseph C. Brynda
Former Riverhead resident Joseph C. Brynda died Jan. 9, 2021, in Indiana, where he resided. He was 68. The...
John C. Conway
John C. Conway of Riverhead died Jan. 8, 2021. He was 56.
Allan C. Dickerson
Allan passed peacefully into the Lord's hands on Jan. 5, 2020.
Agnes E. Parrish
Former Riverhead resident Agnes E. Parrish died Jan. 6, 2021, at her Bellport home. She was 90.


1. What does Anno Catuli mean?
"Anno Catuli" is a Latin term meaning "year of the Cub". In technical terms, the year of the Cub is marked from October 14th, 1908, the very last time the Cubs clinched a World Series championship. It's been a while.
2. Are your real names really Anno Catuli and Rice Cube?
No. We use these nicknames as a way to separate our personal Facebook profiles (i.e. friends, family) from our sports-centric profiles. Also comes in handy to avoid the boss, except when your e-mail address at work is strangely similar to your online persona's…d'oh. Bad idea. Most people who pay attention will know our real names. Same with our new friends, Ivy and Bleacher Bum. Just having fun here!
3. Do you work for the Cubs?
4. What's up with the prices in your store?
We don't get to set the base prices or else the items would be a lot cheaper. As it is, what we do is supply a design to Cafepress and they slap it on an item. We can mark up the item, but choose to just round it up to an even number by adding a penny or so to the cost. If you check any other blog that uses Cafepress, our prices are comparable, if not cheaper. We don't use this to make money or anything, just to provide folks with another T-shirt with a fun logo.
5. Do you take suggestions?
Of course. Please use this contact form to contact Anno and Rice. You can make any suggestions you want, from new blog page design, new T-shirt logos, etc. It doesn't mean we'll do it, but we are always open to new ideas.
6. Where can I find out who's on the Cubs?
Short of using Google for it, you can go to the Cubs site and check out this page, which has the active roster, the current 40-man roster, and a depth chart. For the minor league affiliates, this page allows you to check out all the rosters in the Cubs' farm system.
7. How much are these rich bastards getting paid?
Cots Baseball Contracts is a pretty good resource for checking out the payroll, including all the guys on the 40-man roster for which information is available. Alternatively, the Obstructed View guys have a payroll page that tracks the contracts by year.
8. Are the Cubs playing today?
You can find out if there's a game today here. And you can also find out where to tune in here.
Because I said so. And because every baseball team tries to keep costs down and upside up by stockpiling as many good long-term assets as they can before filling the gaps in free agency.
10. Can I share your website with my friends?
Of course you can. Everything on World Series Dreaming is a free-for-all and has been properly sourced as far as we know, so while a lot of it is our own original work, some of it is stuff we got from other folks that is freely available on the interwebs. We'd appreciate it if you would consider giving us a boost on Google searches though by click the +1 button and asking your friends to do the say if they really like us. Thanks!
11. When did this whole thing start?
We have no clue. Anno's old blog started on November 2, 2008. The first Anno Catuli Facebook friend page started soon afterwards, and World Series Dreaming on Facebook started a year later. Facebook's timeline suggests that WSD was founded on February 13, 2010.
12. WTF is a TOOTBLAN?
A TOOTBLAN means "thrown out on the bases like a nincompoop" and was coined by former Cubs blogger wrigleyville23. You know you're a Cubs legend when you have a made-up statistic just for you.
13. WTF is up with all them captchas?
Because we hate spam and spambots. If you don't like it, just register for an account so your comments can be published automatically after the initial approval by us. It's a very simple process that will take less than five minutes.
14. Can I write for your blog?
If you have something to contribute, just use our contact form or find us on Facebook and we'll see what you have to offer. Thanks for the interest!
15. So what is it you say you do here?
Read the blog update to find out about how the blog is organized and what information you can get from just looking at our front page.


I just found out James Marster's is in town Tomorrow. Dana, Tom and I are going to see Ghost of the Robot tomorrow at the Great American Music Hall. I'm not really expecting to like the music but, hey at least there will be a nice view. Who knows maybe I will enjoy the music... I've gone to several concerts that have surprised me. I'll let you know.


text:
Labor radical gender agenda is already in writing
Martyn Iles | November 01, 2018
Bill Shorten's claims that birth certificates and other legal documents will not be de-gendered under Labor are contradicted by his own written policy platform; the Australian Christian Lobby pointed out today.
Managing Director, Martyn Iles said, "Bill Shorten denies his party have any plans to remove gender from birth certificates and other legal documents. However, the current ALP draft policy platform (see page 182 sec 73) affirms the Yogyakarta Principles, which include the requirement that states parties adopt genderless birth certificates."
Principle 31 says, "'States shall... end the registration of the sex and gender of the person in identity documents such as birth certificates, identification cards, passports and driver licences, and as part of their legal personality."
"ACL has been concerned about the ALP's national platform for some time now. It is riddled with identity politics even to the extent of opening the door to criminalising parents who don't blindly facilitate their child's chosen gender identity."
"Labor's gender agenda is clear in their policy platform and was succinctly explained by Miranda Devine in the Daily Telegraph today:
"There are 64 mentions of "sexual orientation", for instance, 59 of "intersex", 42 of "LGBTI", 36 of "transgender", 33 of "bisexual", 31 of "lesbian", 29 of "gay", along with several mentions of transphobia, biphobia and homophobia. "Gender" gets a whopping 138 mentions including 19 mentions of "gender identity" and five of "gender pay gap"."
"Nearly 50,000 people have signed an ACL petition supporting parents' rights in relation to raising their children free from gender ideology."
"The Australian Christian Lobby will be tabling the petition for parental rights at the 2018 Labor National Conference as an early warning that many will campaign and vote on the issue in 2019 if the policies are not changed," commented Martyn Iles.
media gender and sexuality
ACL Donates $100,000 to Israel Folau, Launches Alternative Fundraising Site
In the wake of GoFundMe's removal of Israel Folau's fundraiser, the Australian Christian Lobby has today donated $100,000 to his legal defence...


Discussion in 'Pay Per Click Advertising' started by AjOnline, Feb 16, 2018.
I have been sending really good traffic to propeller ads for awhile now and had over $1500 in earnings. They have said my traffic was good and they would pay me daily but kept giving me the run around staying they need 2 weeks to determine that. Then today they blocked my account stating invalid activity. I get a good cpm rate and good conversions on the site. There ads are riddled with malware which really takes a hit on our traffic. All of there ads have malware issues with them. They can block you at any time and provide no real evidence and just state you have invalid activity. I would suggest using a real well known advertiser rather then this fraudulent network.
Im using propellerads for few weeks till now didn't have big issue with them, did you try to talk with your manager about this issue?
This days most of networks have issue with bad ads on there network ad-maven.com, revenuehits.com but most of the time if you are lucky and get a good support manager this can be fixed most of the time.
For me on propellerads.com the only issue for now is low CPM ... but im still waiting and hope the CPM will still grow.
i m working properllerads more then 4 years and they never create any issue for me even they are legit network and pay me on time they have good cpm too some time low cpm but its not big issue at all over all rating is 10/10 so dont call them scam i hope you can reslove your issue to discuss with manager good luck.
What their average rate ?
True, how long he can't show statics of his traffic source then this is not a good "scam" report.
Honestly I don't care about the money we work with many large networks and have direct relationships with a lot of advertisers. The traffic is better then most and I was making an exception on some of their questionable ads. Their network is a bottom of the barrel ad network with malware and spam ads that most companies will not deal with. For them to ban accounts and not give any reason or proof of anything or should work with you on that you should stay far away.
Hello! Thank you for sharing your issue. We suspend accounts for fake traffic and conversion fraud only. We are ready to check your case individually, please send your account ID in PM.
Thanks for your comments! We appreciate working with you.
I never worked with them directly. But one of my good friends did. Never heard anything like this ('malware' in particular) from him.
I think that staff of Microsoft is trying to close down small Ad networks because Bing Ads is going into losses for years and they made profit from Bing Ads only for few months. Its really hard to optimize Ads in Bing Ads and not many people use this platform for advertisement as its get costly over time.
PropellerAds is a pure scam website.
It seems like with the new weekly payments, they can't keep up with the payouts and are just cutting off a lot of new accounts. I think they now have a 14 day wait period after you reach payout to receive payment. I've heard that some accounts are getting "locked" during this wait period too.
Yes, my account blocked yesterday , today is payment day ,but they are not any notice before block and no chance to explain just tell you is invalid activity , then they block the email and online message ( with old account cookie ), I just media buy with smartlinks.
Dear @DeanWenchester, @FindMyDIY. Please send your questions with screenshots to . We'll help you if it's possible.
send already , they don't need any screenshot and evidence, they just tell me can't restore account.
Propeller Ads is pure scam!
As a publisher, you are responsible for maintaining high quality inventory and traffic. We don't pay for non natural traffic, please make sure that the traffic you provide us with is organic.
Our program policies strictly prohibit any means of artificially generating ad impressions, clicks and conversions, including third-party services such as paid-to-click, paid-to-surf, auto-surf and automated traffic-exchange programs.
So your account can't be restored. The decision is final and cannot be disputed.
also this has happened only after they asked me for my ID because apparently they are doing KYC now and I have to prove myself that I'm real so, I sent my dad's driving license as the payment ID is under my dad's name and the support treated me in the most unprofessional way and I was being sent from one support agent to the other and they both didn't have any internal communication so I had to tell them my issue separately again and again.
Propellerads will pay you for a month or two and then ban you for invalid clicks while stealing your personal information.
But only have ads with suspicious advertisements.


text:
Zatoka Suszczewskiego (ang. Suszczewski Cove) – zatoka na Wyspie Króla Jerzego, stanowi część południowo-zachodniego wybrzeża Zatoki Admiralicji między Przylądkiem Rakusy a Przylądkiem Llano. Do Zatoki Suszczewskiego schodzi Lodowiec Ekologii i wpływa Potok Petrela. Nazwę zatoki nadała polska ekspedycja naukowa na cześć prof. Stanisława Rakusa-Suszczewskiego, założyciela położonej kilkaset metrów na północ Polskiej Stacji Antarktycznej im. H. Arctowskiego.

Bibliografia
 Komisja Standaryzacji Nazw Geograficznych poza Granicami Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Nazewnictwo geograficzne świata, Antarktyka (zeszyt 8)
 Mapa zachodniego brzegu Zatoki Admiralicji
 Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica

Suszczewskiego, Zatoka

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


"What's a Peach Cobbler Mennonite Relief Auction?" Take one part high energy country auction. Add two parts of classic handcrafted quilts and a generous dollop of home cooking. Throw in a barn-full of fun-loving, good-hearted folks with a touch of four-part harmony all intended to meet the world's most urgent human needs – and, presto! There you have the recipe of what happens Sept. 16-17 in Perry at the Georgia National Fairgrounds, I-75 Exit 135 in Perry, Georgia. The cherry on the top is that entry is free, and all are welcome.
Relief sales are unique celebratory auctions organized by Mennonites across the United States and Canada to raise funds for people in need around the world. All items for sale at the auction are donated and sold to benefit Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches that responds to basic human needs and works for peace and justice. The sale also benefits Christian Aid Ministries, a similar relief organization of the Amish and Mennonites.
The "Special Giving Project" at the Peach Cobbler Relief Sale will center on literacy. When you know how to read, it's easy to take the skill for granted. You read street signs, directions to assemble a bookshelf, the price of milk at the grocery store and the bright red "Urgent" on the front of an envelope. But around the world there are many people who never get the chance to learn to read or write or who don't have the time or supplies to practice. MCC supports literacy programs that give children and adults opportunities to learn how to read and write: opening doors to new jobs, new leadership opportunities and making everyday life a little bit easier.
The menu of activities on Friday and Saturday includes a hymn sing and sale preview beginning at 7:00 p.m., Friday. Saturday's events begin with a sale preview and breakfast at 8:00 a.m. The auction begins shortly after at 9:00 a.m. — don't miss the delicious quilts, sumptuous handicrafts, and yummy antiques. If you come too late, you won't be there for the best items as the auction ends mid afternoon when all is sold and gone! There is a quilting demonstration, children's activities, & a homemade craft corner! BUT most of all you are welcome to some down-right good home cooking — barbequed chicken and peach cobbler! Everyone is welcome!
Contact: Brenda Shelby, Treasurer at 404-344-5012 or ashelby@comcast.net, Sharon Rensberger Co-Chair at 404-404-536-3577 or rensberger@comcast.net or Marilyn Schertz Co-Chair at 404-373-2907 or Mschert@emory.edu.


US prosecutors have charged a former Tiffany executive with stealing more than a million dollars worth of hoop earings, platinum pendants and other items.
Ingrid Lederhaas-Okun, who worked as a vice president of the high-end jeweller through February 2013, allegedly stole more than 165 pieces of jewellery.
She later sold items to another leading international jeweller for $US1.3 million ($A1.41 million) , according to a complaint filed by the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI.
The complaint does not identify Lederhaas-Okun's former employer, but refers to her role as vice president of product development at "a high-end jewellery company."
Lederhaas-Okun's Linked In profile lists her as a Tiffany vice president through March 2013.
According to the charges, she removed the items and then, working with her husband and an acquaintance, allegedly sold many or all of them to the other jeweller.
Among the items were diamond bracelets, platinum or gold diamond drop and hoop earrings and diamond bracelets.
Lederhaas-Okun was let go by Tiffany in February 2013 as part of a company downsizing.
After her termination, she told Tiffany that the missing jewellery could be found in a white envelope in her office. But a subsequent search of the office did not yield any white envelope, according to prosecutors.


Careisma "Sofia" Contrast Side Panel V-Neck Scrub Top made of 75% Polyester / 21% Rayon / 4% Spandex Twill. This is a contemporary fit v-neck top featuring angled pockets with a removable wristlet inside the right pocket, gold foil branding, an exterior signature logo charm and signature woven tape at the back neck. Also features a contrast ponte knit at the side contour panels and sleeves, double needle topstitching and side vents. Center back length: 26".


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I. Korus/
I. Korus
Removal of Pb(II) ions by means of polyelectrolyte enhanced ultrafiltration (in English)
This work proposes polyelectrolyte enhanced ultrafiltration to remove Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. Model solutions containing 1-100mg Pb/dm3 were used in the research. Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSSS), which is a water-soluble polymer containing strong cation-exchange groups, was used as a metal binding agent. The process was conducted on a polysulfone membrane with molecular weight cut-off 60 000. The main parameters determining the effectiveness of lead retention (the polyelectrolyte quantity and solution pH) were examined. High retention coefficients (>0.98) were achieved for pH > 4 and 2.5-5-fold excess of polyelectrolyte to metal. Ultrafiltration concentration of Pb(II) solution (50mg/dm3) was carried out according to the previously determined polymer/metal concentration ratio, and at optimum pH. The lead retention coefficient (R), observed during the process, was within the range of 0.98-0.99. The retentate obtained was used in the next decomplexation-ultrafiltration step (ultrafiltration at pH=1), which made possible the separation of polyelectrolyte (retentate) and the recovery of 85% of concentrated Pb ions (permeate). The residual lead, still remaining in the polymer solution, was diafiltred by a 5-fold amount of water acidified to pH=1.
Key words: lead(II), polyelectrolyte, ultrafiltration, polysulfone membrane
e-mail: irena.korus@polsl.pl


Beautiful 3 bed 2 bath home with 2 car garage on large lot in great location close to schools, shopping, dining, and TAFB. Home features fresh new interior and exterior paint in September 2018, new hot water tank, HVAC system and duct work in February 2019, beautiful wood flooring in the living room and all bedrooms, great kitchen with breakfast bar, en suite master bathroom with walk in shower, storage shed and shop in the back yard. Make an appointment for a private showing today. Buyers to verify all information.


Sure there are other ways to do the same thing. But this is arguably more elegant.
So when annealingoptimise eventually invokes costf, costf has access to knearest and data. That is the bindings of algf to knearest and data to mydata live on after the execution of createcostfunction completes. Cool.
This entry was posted in Random observations and tagged research, software engineering, tech, work. Bookmark the permalink.


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