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NYPD Accused of Aiding Jeffrey Epstein in Growing Massive Child Porn Stash
New York, NY — As TFTP reported last week, billionaire hedge fund manager and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was once again arrested for sex trafficking minors. While this news was certainly welcoming to those who have been following the case, it exposed a rather troubling practice by the NYPD when it comes to tracking convicted billionaire child rapists. Now, one of the nation's largest police departments stands accused of allowing Epstein's child porn collection to flourish.
After Epstein was convicted as a child rapist in 2011, he was ordered by the court — as part of his sentencing — to check in with police as a registered sex offender every 90 days. Over the course of eight years since he was convicted, this amounts to 34 check-ins — exactly zero of which Epstein made.
An attorney who represents one of Epstein's alleged victims is now speaking out, explaining how their special privilege granted to Epstein, furthered the girls' victimization.
"I'm really, really surprised that the NYPD let him get away with this, knowing he's a level 3 sex offender,'' said lawyer Brad Edwards according to the NY Post.
A previous report from the NY Post detailed this special privilege granted to the convicted pedophile:
After being labeled a worst-of-the-worst, Level 3 sex offender in 2011, Epstein should have reported in person to verify his address 34 times before he was arrested Saturday on federal child sex-trafficking charges.
Violating requirements of the state's 1996 Sex Offender Registration Act — including checking in with law enforcement — is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison for a first offense.
Subsequent violations carry a sentence of up to seven years each.
But the NYPD hasn't required the billionaire financier — who owns a $77 million Upper East Side townhouse — to check in since he registered as a sex offender in New York over the controversial 2008 plea bargain he struck in Florida amid allegations he sexually abused scores of underage girls in his Palm Beach mansion.
Several current and former high-ranking NYPD officials were shocked to learn from The Post that the department had given Epstein a pass on his periodic check-ins, with one saying, "It makes no sense."
The check-ins for convicted sex offenders are mandatory as part of the state's program to track them. They must be in person not only to verify their address but so police can take another photo and post it to the database. This never happened and because of it, Epstein's child porn collection thrived.
Edwards said this special privilege allowed Epstein to keep trophies of his victims in the form of nude photos, hanging throughout his home, and more.
"For one, I doubt that he would have been keeping these pornographic trophies, which is what it seems to be, of thousands of photos of young women in his home if somebody was checking on him and he felt there was some sort of scrutiny and accountability of being a registered sex offender,'' Edwards said.
Edwards told the Post that for Epstein, "Sex was his full-time job."
"One of the questions I've received many, many times is what Jeffrey Epstein actually did on a daily basis. What I'm telling you is, what he did on a daily basis is engage in these types of sex acts with young adults and children,'' Edwards said.
"I'm also telling you that his employees' sole responsibility was to accumulate as many of these people for those sexual perversions as they possibly could. That's what he did.
"What he did to make his money, I don't know. What he did legitimately outside of engaging in these sexual misdeeds, I don't know — nor do any of the witnesses that we have ever deposed."
According to the Post, the NYPD claims that Epstein wasn't required to check in — despite the court order — because he claims primary residence on his private island in the US Virgin Islands.
However, as the Post points out, state Supreme Court Justice Ruth Pickholz considered and rejected that very argument by defense lawyer Sandra Musumeci during the Jan. 18, 2011, hearing.
"I am sorry he may have to come here every 90 days," she said, according to an official transcript. "He can give up his New York home if he does not want to come every 90 days."
But he never gave up that home and he never once checked in.
While this is certainly shocking, it is par for the course in the special privilege granted to this monster by those in power.
One of these monsters who granted Epstein special privilege along the way was Alexander Acosta, the now-former Labor Secretary appointed by Trump. Acosta was forced to resign last week after the Epstein controversy began to expose the utter lack of punishment given to this sicko by his friends in power.
Article posted with permission from Matt Agorist
Courtesy of The Washington Standard
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Hello world, I'm Tanmay and in this edition of my DevOps team blog, I would like to share some details on building a very highly available infrastructure backend. I work on designing reliable cloud services using various cloud providers for our clients. In the previous articles, I have mentioned about the cloud based storage systems and how to create serverless architecture with rest api.
Everything that we use in day to days life has a presence on the internet one way or another, whether it be social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Quora etc. or online retailers such as Amazon, Flipkart.
All these websites connect us with one or another, who is using the same services. With an increased demand for reliable and performative infrastructures designed to serve critical systems, the terms scalability and high availability couldn't be more popular than today's date. While handling increased system load is a common concern, decreasing downtime and eliminating single points of failure are just as important. High availability is a quality of infrastructure design at scale that addresses these considerations.
So, what is this high availability?
Availability in computing terms is used to describe the period of time when a service is available for use, as well as time required by a system to respond to a request made by a user. High availability is a quality of a system or a device that assures a high operational performance for a given period of time. Availability is measured in % so when a system or a component gives 100% availability it means that this system never fails. For an instance, system that guarantees 99% of availability for a period of one year that means it could have a down time of 1% that is 3.65 days of downtime in one year.
Now imagine a service which is an e-commerce site and is very essential to its users for example Amazon. And now imagine it not operating for 3.65 days per year, this would mean there will be a loss of possibly millions of $'s due to loss of income over these 3.65 days to overcome this network solution architect ensures that there is a redundant system or component that can help in case of a fail-over in the main system or component of a main system.
So for an example let's look at the below diagram which shows a highly available LAMP server (Linux Apache Mysql PHP) server implemented using Amazon Web Services. In case you are not familiar with AWS I am including a small description of each components and its use in the below diagram. The reason I am using AWS is because the most of the higher-level services, such as Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), have been built with fault tolerance and high availability in mind.
Having said that, the services that provide basic infrastructure, such as Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS), provide specific features, such as availability zones, elastic IP addresses, and snapshots, that a fault-tolerant and highly available system must take advantage of and use correctly. Just moving a system into the cloud doesn't make it fault-tolerant or highly available.
AWS – Amazon Web Services.
VPC – Virtual Private Cloud, VPC is a tool by which you can design separate private clouds within an AWS Region.
Region – AWS Regions are geological locations from where AWS Data centres are operating, these locations can be used to design private or public resources using AWS services.
AZ – Availability zones (AZs) are distinct geographical locations that are engineered to be insulated from failures in other AZs. By placing Amazon EC2 instances in multiple AZs, an application can be protected from failure at a single location. It is important to run independent application stacks in more than one AZ, either in the same region or in another region, so that if one zone fails, the application in the other zone can continue to run. When you design such a system, you will need a good understanding of zone dependencies.
Route 53 – Amazon Route 53 (Route 53) is a scalable and highly available Domain Name System (DNS). It is part of AWS cloud computing platform. The name is a reference to TCP or UDP port 53, where DNS server requests are addressed.
ELB – Elastic Load Balancing is a load balancer which distributes incoming traffic across multiple resources so that one resource is not swamped with all the traffic. Load balancing is an effective way to increase the availability of a system. Instances that fail can be replaced seamlessly behind the load balancer while other instances continue to operate. Elastic Load Balancing can be used to balance across instances in multiple availability zones of a region.
EC2 – Elastic computing is virtual servers by which you can create resizable compute capacity in the cloud.
S3 – Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) makes it simple and practical to collect, store, and analyze data regardless of its format and at a very massive scale.
RDS – Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS) is a web service that makes it easier to set up, operate, and scale a relational database in the cloud. It provides cost-efficient, resizable capacity for an industry-standard relational database and manages common database administration tasks.
This is a very brief description of some of the services that AWS provides. For more detailed information please refer the AWS Documentation.
Valuable data should never be stored only on instance storage without proper backups, replication, or the ability to re-create the data. Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS) offers persistent off-instance storage volumes that are about an order of magnitude more durable than on-instance storage. EBS volumes are automatically replicated within a single availability zone. To increase durability further, point-in-time snapshots can be created to store data on volumes in Amazon S3, which is then replicated to multiple AZs. While EBS volumes are tied to a specific AZ, snapshots are tied to the region. Using a snapshot, you can create new EBS volumes in any of the AZs of the same region. This is an effective way to deal with disk failures or other host-level issues, as well as with problems affecting an AZ. Snapshots are incremental, so it is advisable to hold on to recent snapshots.
Getting back to HA, the above diagram is an example of how a highly available LAMP service can be created using the AWS cloud services.
Route 53 receives a request from the user, that gets forwarded to an ELB, the ELB then forwards this request to both AZ's and thus to any EC2 servers running in those AZ's, thus in case an entire AZ is down the other AZ still receives the request, for the EC2 server when receives the request it checks the connectivity with Master RDS, if it is not accessible then traffic is diverted to standby RDS.
For high availability, it is necessary that user gets same information whichever server or database is provided by the ELB. That is both EC2 server and database should be having same information to that of the other EC2 server and database. Otherwise it will not be useful if the user gets a different information every time the server is replaced by another by ELB.
With the described scenario, which is not uncommon in real life, the load balancing layer itself remains a single point of failure. Eliminating this remaining single point of failure, however, can be challenging; even though you can easily configure an additional load balancer to achieve redundancy, there isn't an obvious point above the load balancers to implement failure detection and recovery. Redundancy alone cannot guarantee high availability. A mechanism must be in place for detecting failures and taking action when one of the components of your stack becomes unavailable. Failure detection and recovery for redundant systems can be implemented using a top-to-bottom approach: the layer on top becomes responsible for monitoring the layer immediately beneath it for failures. In our previous example scenario, the load balancer is the top layer. If one of the web servers (bottom layer) becomes unavailable, the load balancer will stop redirecting requests for that specific server.
Above figure shows such an example we implemented for one of our client for their e-commerce website using AWS cloud platform.
With such a scenario, a distributed approach is necessary. Multiple redundant nodes must be connected together as a cluster where each node should be equally capable of failure detection and recovery. A more robust and reliable solution is to use systems that allow for flexible IP address remapping, such as floating IPs. On demand IP address remapping eliminates the propagation and caching issues inherent in DNS changes by providing a static IP address that can be easily remapped when needed. The domain name can remain associated with the same IP address, while the IP address itself is moved between servers.
Environment: if all your servers are located in the same geographical area, an environmental condition such as an earthquake or flooding could take your whole system down. Having redundant servers in different datacentres and geographical areas will increase reliability.
Data: data loss and inconsistency can be caused by several factors, and it's not restricted to hard disk failures. Highly available systems must account for data safety in the event of a failure.
High availability is an important subset of reliability engineering, focused towards assuring that a system or component has a high level of operational performance in a given period of time. At a first glance, its implementation might seem quite complex; however, it can bring tremendous benefits for systems that require increased reliability. Therefore, High Availability setups will give you an edge over your competitors. To know more about it and how to put it into practice, contact us at Ecomm India Cloud IT and we will be happy to chalk out a highly avaialable architecture that suits your application environment.


Welcome to the Coweta County Joint Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) webpage. This page is a great resource for staying in the know on the CTP.
In 2005, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) initiated a program to encourage counties and their municipalities to develop joint long-range transportation plans. Coweta County, along with municipalities of Grantville, Haralson, Moreland, Newnan, Senoia, Sharpsburg, and Turin completed a CTP in 2006. The CTP Update, approved in 2014, confirmed the needs identified in the 2006 plan and prioritizes a suite of multi-modal projects and strategies to meet those needs.
Whenever there is an update to the CTP, public participation is key to developing a plan that meets the needs of the community.
Five (5) public information meetings on the Joint CTP Update approved in 2014 were held throughout the county in July – August 2013. A virtual public information meeting was posted in August 2013 on the county's website. In addition, a Countywide Public Open House was held on November 7, 2013 at the Coweta County Fairgrounds Conference Center to provide citizens with an opportunity to review the draft plan recommendations and provide input. Social media was used throughout the process to communicate with the citizens about CTP Update.
*Additional supporting technical documentation is available upon request.


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Home » Kittyhawk's Kate Grube on sassy Japanese math-rock
Kittyhawk's Kate Grube on sassy Japanese math-rock
Plus: Peggy Fioretti of Kickstand Productions on the perfect doo-wop group, Reader writer Leor Galil on a mixtape that bottles the magic of summer, and more
by Leor Galil August 9, 2016 August 18, 2021
A still from Bojack Horseman, season three, episode two Credit: Courtesy Netflix
A Reader staffer shares three musical obsessions, then asks someone (who asks someone else) to take a turn.
Leor Galil, Reader staff writer
Noname, Telefone Chicago rapper-singer Noname, formerly Noname Gypsy, has been working on her debut mixtape for years, and she dropped it on the last night of Lollapalooza. Unlike that megafest, Telefone inhales and exhales Chicago—in the exquisite, soul-influenced instrumentals, in the guest vocalists from overlapping segments of the local hip-hop scene, and in the references to specific Chicago experiences (such as enrolling in a program from local nonprofit After School Matters). Noname bottles up the evanescent magic of summer without letting it go stale.
"Generic 2007 Pop Song" from Bojack Horseman, season three, episode two Like its title character, the bleak and beautiful animated series Bojack Horseman really goes in on certain jokes—you might even say it beats a dead horse. I find it charming, particularly the way the flashback episodes foreground the zeitgeist-iest trappings of their time—including a character singing a fictional song that's made to sound like a then-current radio hit. The second episode of the new season is set in 2007, and its song slops on the Auto-Tune.
Jeremy Enigk at Beat Kitchen on July 29 The Sunny Day Real Estate front man tours only sporadically, but I've managed to see him twice in two years. His unearthly voice has acquired darker hues as he's aged, and he wears its new raspiness well. Enigk played three tracks from SDRE's proggy 1998 album, How It Feels to Be Something On, which Sub Pop just reissued—it makes me wonder if SDRE is prepping for more reunion shows.
Leor is curious what's in the rotation of . . .
The cover of Tricot's Kabuku EP
Kate Grube, front woman for Kittyhawk
Tricot, Kabuku EP Japanese math-rock band Tricot open this 2016 release with the song "Nichijo_Seikatsu." What begins as a simple a cappella arrangement builds into a soaring fugue of vocal melodies, bass, and found sound. The rest of the EP, like the rest of Tricot's catalog, is surprisingly varied and just as satisfying, springing to life with the vigor and oddity customary to the band's genre. Screaming guitar skips over the busy, pitter-pattering rhythm section, and the whole record drips with major vocal sass. You know the "aaahh!" buildup in Chic's "Le Freak," right before they say "freak out"? There's one of those in here. Way nifty.
Mariah Carey singing "Emotions" on MTV Unplugged in 1992 Wake up in the morning, slam your first cup of coffee, and right as the caffeine hits your bloodstream—just when you feel like you've nearly shed that last flake of groggy monster skin—put on this song and try not to shed a fat-ass salty tear when Mariah hits that whistle note at 1:16.
#OurMusicMyBody Chicago nonprofit Between Friends is using this summer festival campaign to further its mission of breaking the cycle of domestic violence and building a community free of abuse. With assistance from Rape Victim Advocates, it's been repping this hashtag online and at music fests to remind everyone to keep an eye out for sketchy behavior—and help attendees get some backup if they feel unsafe. Information is available at betweenfriendschicago.org!
Kate is curious what's in the rotation of . . .
Peggy Fioretti, marketing director for Kickstand Productions
Bighand//Bigknife, Winner's Cup Two winters ago, a friend called me enthusiastically from Denton, Texas, to say that he'd just seen "the best band ever," and then sent me a video clip of some dudes ripping through amps so big that I could hardly hear what was going on. When I finally got around to listening to Bighand//Bignkife's recordings, I squealed at how incredibly crushing they were. This April, they released Winner's Cup. It's the kind of heavy that I've yearned for, and I'm not ashamed to say that I've jammed this EP at least once a day since its release.
Winner's Cup by BIGHAND//BIGKNIFE
The Platters I recently told myself that I wanted to become an expert on doo-wop. To be honest, though, that journey was pretty short-lived—as soon as I stumbled upon the Platters, I couldn't will myself to venture onward. I had found the perfect vocal group. They have that sound that makes you want to romanticize the 50s and 60s. Milk shakes and roller skates and jukeboxes. You know. Next time you're at a record store, pick up one of their albums. I promise they're a pleasant addition to any collection.
Pinegrove's Audiotree Live session Pinegrove have mastered their craft. Hailing from Montclair, New Jersey, they've created flawless kind of rocking alt-country that begs to be played loudly and on long drives. And as if I weren't already listening to this band multiple times a day, Chicago-based music company Audiotree went and recorded an incredible session that I can't stop watching. Thanks for fueling the obsession!
Tagged: #OurMusicMyBody, abuse, After School Matters, Audiotree Live, Beat Kitchen, Between Friends, Bighand//Bigknife, BoJack Horseman, domestic violence, doo-wop, Emotions, Generic 2007 Pop Song, How It Feels to Be Something On, Japan, Jeremy Enigk, Kabuku, Kate Grube, Kickstand Productions, Kittyhawk, Mariah Carey, MTV Unplugged, Nichijo_Seikatsu, Noname, Noname Gypsy, Peggy Fioretti, Pinegrove, Rape Victim Advocates, Sunny Day Real Estate, Telefone, The Platters, Tricot, Vol. 45 No. 44, Winner's Cup
Leor Galil
Twitter: @imLeor
More by Leor Galil

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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MTSClinical/Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)NAACLS-Accredited MLS/CLS Programs
Patient-Facing Technology Programs
Anesthesia Technician
Audiologist & SLP
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
E M T
Neurodiagnostic Technologist
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Physical Therapist Assistant & Aide
Psychiatric & Mental Health Technician
Laboratory Technology programs
Cytotechnologist
Natural & Clinical Lab Science
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)
Nutritionist & Dietitian
Medical IT & Administrative
Biomedical Technician
Sterile Processing Technician
NAACLS-Accredited MLS/CLS Programs
Select a Specialization Medical Lab Science & Technology Dental Assisting Health Administration Health Informatics (HI, HIM & HIT) Medical Assisting Medical Billing & Coding Pharmacy Technician Phlebotomy Radiation & Radiology Sonography & Cardiovascular Specialized Medical Technology
Select Your Education Level In High School / Some HS High School Diploma Some College Associate Bachelor's (or Higher)
Known in the field as "health detectives," medical laboratory scientists (MLS) and clinical laboratory scientists (CLS) are responsible for a range of investigative medical laboratory tasks. Graduates from MLS and CLS bachelor's degree programs have access to rewarding positions in medical labs performing a broad range of tasks including disease diagnosis and drug treatment research.
Degree-seeking students in MLS/CLS programs can rest assured knowing the job outlook for professionals with degrees in these areas is trending upward. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) predicts that openings for medical laboratory technicians and technologists will increase by 13 percent between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Most MLS/CLS technologist careers involve the daily use of microscopes, cell counters and other high-tech laboratory equipment to analyze biological specimens. Also, according to the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), a wide range of specializations are available for laboratory professionals: medical laboratory technicians, cytotechnologists, phlebotomists, and clinical chemists.
As the aging population in the United States continues to require more diagnostic medical care, the need for MLS professionals continues to increase. While many medical laboratory technologists deal primarily with matters related to bacteria, diseases, and viruses, other branches of medicine and science-based industries are also in need of MLS/CLS-trained technologists. Some examples of these unique medical fields and industries include:
Biotechnology companies developing new drugs and biofuel-sourced medical implants
Cosmetics research laboratories, fertility research clinics
Forensic research laboratories
Immunology clinics.
Globally-recognized certification for graduates of MLS/CLS programs is available through the ASCP and having this credential can give applicants a competitive advantage when looking for jobs in cutting-edge medical and biotechnology laboratories.
Read on to learn more about the admission requirements, program accreditation & professional certification, and seven featured online MLS/CLS programs accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Admissions Requirements & Accreditation
Admission requirements for MLS/CLS university programs vary by institution. Here's a list of the most common application materials:
Two years of previous professional experience as a medical laboratory technician (MLT) or clinical laboratory technician (CLT)
Associate's degree from a NAACLS-accredited MLT/CLT college program or equivalent course work and MLT/CLT certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
2.5 GPA or higher
Official transcripts from all previously attended schools
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) is the international agency for program accreditation in clinical laboratory sciences and related healthcare professions. NAACLS is committed to setting high-quality standards for educational programs that confer MLT/CLT and MLS/CLS degrees. Students, employers, and industries can trust the validity and quality of educational excellence bestowed by this peer-reviewed organization.
Online NAACLS-Accredited MLS/CLS Programs
Online BSHS - Medical Lab Sciences (MLT/CLT Cert Required)
Online MSHS - Medical Laboratory Sciences
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - Medical Lab Sciences
University of Cincinnati Online
BS - Medical Laboratory Science (MLT/CLT Cert Required)
MMLSL - Medical Laboratory Science Leadership
Online BS - Clinical Laboratory Science (For FL Residents)
Here are seven universities that offer NAACLS-accredited online bachelor of science (BS) degrees in medical laboratory science. Please note that due to the hands-on nature of this field, a majority of distance-based MLS/CLS programs are degree completion tracks and require an associate degree and/or MLT certification.
University of Cincinnati – College of Allied Health Sciences
The University of Cincinnati College of Allied Health Services offers a bachelor of science degree in medical laboratory science. Designed specifically for MLT and CLT associate degree holders who want to advance their education and careers, this program can be completed part-time in just seven terms.
The curriculum integrates innovative subjects in tandem with practical laboratory skills at community clinical health facilities. Graduates in this program are eligible and prepared to sit for the medical laboratory scientist credential exam offered by the ASCP.
Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Services (NAACLS)
Tuition: $4,661 per semester
Program length: 24 to 28 months
University of North Dakota – School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Since 1949 the University of North Dakota has offered degrees in medical laboratory science. One of the largest accredited online programs in the United States, this program has over 70 clinical affiliates in 15 states and offers affiliation agreements with colleges and universities in five other states.
Created with working students in mind, the MLT/CLT to bachelor's of science in MLS program is offered completely online and does not require any on-campus visits. Admission for this program is competitive; prospective students must first apply to the university and upon acceptance may submit an application to the MLS professional program.
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Tuition: $404 per credit
Weber State University – Dumke College of Health Professions
For those who are considering an MLT (two-year associate's degree) or an MLS (four-year bachelor's degree) program, Weber State University has both types of online degree programs for aspiring medical laboratory professionals. High school graduates have the option of entering the program first as an MLT student and can later choose to complete their two-year associate's degree or go on to earn their bachelor of science in MLS.
Graduates of the four-year bachelor of science MLS program are eligible to sit for the ASCP MLS certification exam after completing their degree program. The curriculum includes new instrument selection, workload management, microbiology, and hematology. Data collection is required for specific courses which can benefit students and the laboratories employing them. Prospective students must first apply for admission to the university before submitting an application for the online MLS program.
Location: Ogden, UT
Tuition: $4,892 per semester for residents, $14,679 per semester for non-residents
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University (ODU) offers a fully online bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science. Some courses meet live at weekly intervals and the online courses follow the regular ODU academic schedule. ODU has partnership agreements with the Virginia Community College System to make transferring credits easy between selected institutions.
To graduate from this program, at least 30 credits must be earned at ODU. Admission to this MLS program is available for certified MLT professionals who want to earn a bachelor's degree and a professional MLS credential.
Tuition: $365 per credit for residents, $407 per credit for non-residents
Auburn University at Montgomery – College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Auburn University at Montgomery offers a fully online bachelor of science degree in MLS. This distance learning program is designed for certified MLT/CLT professionals who have previous clinical laboratory experience and military personnel who have completed MLT training.
Core courses focus on theoretical information related to students' laboratory experience with modern clinical laboratory instrumentation. Clinical experience is demonstrated in an approved clinical facility where students are currently employed, eliminating the need for students to relocate and enabling them to remain in their jobs while completing their degrees.
Location: Montgomery, AL
Tuition: $3,076 per semester for two years, $2,139 per semester for three years
The University of Southern Mississippi offers an online bachelor's of science degree in MLS and was created specifically for working MLT professionals wanting to earn their MLS degrees while remaining in their current laboratory positions. The program is open to MLTs who have been employed in the field for at least two years and are currently employed at a laboratory.
The curriculum includes courses in the natural sciences, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, technical writing, public speaking, and a final capstone project. Scholarships specifically for online students are available.
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Tuition: $8,625 per year
South Dakota State University offers an MLS Upward Mobility bachelor of science degree empowering students to pursue their interests while gaining expertise. The MLT/MLS program provides a strong scientific background in hematology, hemostasis, chemistry, immunology, and specialized testing. Students applying to this program must have completed two years of general education requirements, at least two years of work experience in a clinical laboratory, and an MLT certificate. Graduates of this MLS bachelor's program are eligible to take the MLS certification exam offered by the ASCP.
Location: Brookings, SD
Accredited Online Medical Lab Science Degree Programs
An Expert's Guide: A Day in the Life of a Cytotechnologist
ASCP vs. AMT Certifications - Similarities & Differences
Clinical Lab Science vs. Clinical Research
Clinical Lab Worker Shortage: Addressing the Gap
Copyright © 2015-2021 Sechel Ventures


If the Nexus Player had this kind of functionality built into it, I might actually be interested in a Nexus Player. But I'm not that into Amazon services.
I'm not sure if the time is now, but sometime in the next 10 years I expect something like this to be completely mainstream. Our main connection to the internet isn't forever going to be black slabs of glass we carry in our pockets.
That's really sweet. Not sure that I would use it, but it's still pretty cool.
Who knew this thing was so sexual. Not sure I want it in the house with the wife and kids.
Does Apple have anything like this behind the curtain? It feels like Apple is falling further and further behind Google and Amazon.
Try saying "Alexa, pleasure me!" What's the worst thing that could happen?
The Echo is the NSA's dream. They'll be able listen to your home conversations even when you're not using the phone.
Agree. How have they not done more since they launched the apple TV streamer? Seems like Sonos should have been their bag as well.


Mark Rosenfield is a professor at the State University of New York (SUNY), State College of Optometry.
Our current visual world is unrecognizable from that which existed just 11 years ago. Few could have foreseen the technological revolution that has occurred following the introduction of the iPhone in June 2007. Since its launch, this handheld device has drastically altered the visual demands of our patients. These powerful, hand-held computers are used to get news (ranging from international politics to updates from friends and relatives on the social platforms of their choice), e-mail and text, shop, take photographs, watch videos, pay for purchases, check in for flights, listen to podcasts and occasionally make phone calls.
These devices are commonly held at closer viewing distances than conventional printed materials.1,2 Furthermore, they represent just one aspect of the contemporary technological world. The Vision Council of America estimated that 28% of individuals spend 10 or more hours per day viewing digital displays, including desktop, laptop and tablet computers and electronic readers. These may be positioned at distances between 20 and 80cm, and at a wide range of gaze angles.3 The small size of some portable screens may necessitate reduced font sizes, leading to close viewing distances which make high demands upon both ocular accommodation and vergence. But despite this revolution in visual demand, many eye care practitioners are still doing the same near-vision eye examination that they performed 15 to 20 years ago, with the patient viewing a printed card positioned in primary gaze at a distance of 40cm.
Digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome (CVS), is the combination of eye and vision problems associated with viewing electronic displays. Digital eye strain has a significant impact on both visual comfort and occupational productivity,4,5 since around 40% of adults6 and up to 80% of teenagers7 experience significant visual symptoms (principally eyestrain, tired and dry eyes), both during and immediately after viewing electronic displays. Gaining an understanding of the physiology underlying digital eye strain is critical for the development of methods to ameliorate this highly prevalent condition. The first line of treatment should always be a comprehensive eye examination, not only to rule out ocular pathology, but also to ensure that the patient's refractive, oculomotor and binocular status is adequate to meet their visual demands. It will be apparent that this cannot be achieved without taking a full history, which must include a determination of the viewing distance(s), gaze angle(s), the type and number of devices being used, the number and position of the monitors, font size, target contrast and the type of tasks being performed. Merely asking the patient "if they use a computer" is clearly inadequate.
achieving an optimal anterior ocular surface.
emphasizing the need to take regular breaks.
The 20:20:20 rule8 (i.e., viewing a target at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes) provides a valuable and easily memorized guideline.
With regard to providing the optimum refractive correction at both intermediate and near distances, it may be necessary to correct smaller errors (including astigmatism) than might be customary for printed materials. For example, just 0.50 to 1.00D of uncorrected astigmatism may produce a significant increase in symptoms.9 This may be relevant when considering a low astigmatic patient fitted with spherical contact lenses or a presbyopic individual wearing over-the-counter spherical reading glasses. Indeed, a presbyope may need multiple pairs of glasses to meet all of their visual demands.
The use of filters for the treatment of digital eye strain, particularly blue-blocking filters, is controversial, since there is very limited evidence to support the proposal that digital eye strain results from the blue light emitted by these devices.10,11 Indeed, a recent investigation from our laboratory found that a filter which eliminated 99% of the blue light emitted from a tablet computer was no more effective at reducing symptoms of digital eye strain than an equiluminant neutral density filter.12 Clearly, further research is required before the use of these filters can be justified.
Dry eye is commonly associated with digital eye strain. This may be environmental in origin, since computers are often located in excessively dry office environments, where the use of forced air heating or air conditioning may exacerbate evaporation of the tear layer. In addition, viewing digital screens has been shown to alter the pattern of blinks.13,14 While the older literature reported that computer use produced a reduction in the mean blink rate, this change is more likely to be related to the cognitive demands of the task being performed, rather than as a result of viewing a digital screen.15 However, viewing electronic screens does produce a significant increase in the number of incomplete blinks, i.e., where the upper eyelid fails to cover the entire cornea. This is likely to produce drying of the inferior corneal surface. Given the already high prevalence of dry eye, especially in females, contact lens wearers and older patients, any reduction in blink amplitude is likely to exacerbate existing symptoms.
In summary, the use of desktop, laptop and tablet computers, smartphones and electronic reading devices has become ubiquitous.16 Back in 2011, the United States Department of Commerce reported that 96% of working Americans used the Internet as an integral part of their work,17 and it is likely that this percentage has increased since the time of publication. Almost all patients today, irrespective of age, spend large amounts of time every day viewing digital screens. For example, a recent survey found that an "average user" touched their phone 2617 times per day (equivalent to once every 22 seconds over a 16 hour period) while a "heavy user" touched their phone 5427 times per day (equivalent to once every 11 seconds over a 16-hour interval).18 Accordingly, the time spent viewing both intermediate and near targets has increased dramatically when compared with the visual demands encountered when we only viewed hard copy, printed materials. Given this remarkable increase in near work, it is not surprising that the prevalence of symptoms has also risen sharply. As practitioners, we are now faced with the task of helping patients to meet these demands. Indeed, looking to the future, the use of even more complex technologies, such as spectacle- or head-mounted displays, smart watches and virtual reality displays will create even more complex visual environments. An inability to meet these ever-increasing visual requirements could present significant lifestyle difficulties for patients, resulting in marked dissatisfaction.
Bababekova Y, Rosenfield M, Huang RR, Hue JE. Font size and viewing distance of hand-held smart phones. Opt Vis Sci 2011;88: 795-7.
Lan M, Rosenfield M, Liu L. Cell phone viewing distance and age in a Chinese population. Optom Vis Perf 2018: in press.
Long J, Rosenfield M, Helland M, Anshel J. Visual ergonomics standards for contemporary office environments. Ergonomics Australia 2014;10: 1-7.
Rosenfield M. Computer vision syndrome: A review of ocular causes and potential treatments. Ophthal Physiol Opt 2011;31: 502-15.
Daum KM, Clore KA, Simms SS, et al. Productivity associated with visual status of computer users. Optom 2004;75: 33-47.
Portello JK, Rosenfield M, Bababekova Y, Estrada JM, Leon A. Computer-related visual symptoms in office workers. Ophthal Physiol Opt 2012;32: 375-82.
American Optometric Association. Screen Time. AOA Focus. 2014 (Jul/Aug): 20. Available at http://aoa.uberflip.com/i/348635-aoa-focus-july-august-2014.
Rosenfield M, Hue JE, Huang RR, Bababekova Y. Uncorrected astigmatism, symptoms and task performance during computer reading. Ophthal Physiol Opt 2012;32: 142-8.
Downie LE. Blue-light filtering ophthalmic lenses: To prescribe, or not to prescribe? Ophthal Physiol Opt 2017;37: 640-3.
Lawrenson JG, Hull CC, Downie LE. The effect of blue-light blocking spectacle lenses on visual performance, macular health and the sleep-wake cycle: a systematic review of the literature. Ophthal Physiol Opt 2017;37: 644-54.
Palavets T, Rosenfield M. Effect of blue-blocking filters on digital eye strain. Optom Vis Sci 2017;94: E-abstract 175197.
Portello JK, Rosenfield M, Chu CA. Blink rate, incomplete blinks and computer vision syndrome. Optom Vis Sci 2013;90: 482-7.
Chu CA, Rosenfield M, Portello JK. Blink patterns: Reading from a computer screen versus hard copy. Optom Vis Sci 2014;91: 297-302.
Rosenfield M, Jahan S, Nunez K, Chan K. Cognitive demand, digital screens and blink rate. Comput Human Behav 2015;51: 403-6.
Rosenfield M, Howarth PA, Sheedy JE, Crossland MD. Vision and IT displays: A whole new visual world. Ophthal Physiol Opt 2012;32: 363-6.
Winnick M. Putting a finger on our phone obsession. Mobile Touches: A study on humans and their tech. 2016 (June 16). Available at: https://blog.dscout.com/mobile-touches.


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Cell and Tumor Biology| December 16 2004
The Minimal Active Domain of Endostatin Is a Heparin-Binding Motif that Mediates Inhibition of Tumor Vascularization
Anna-Karin Olsson;
Anna-Karin Olsson
1Department of Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden;
Irja Johansson;
Irja Johansson
Helena Åkerud;
Helena Åkerud
Barbro Einarsson;
Barbro Einarsson
2Department of Medical Cell Biology, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala, Sweden; and
Rolf Christofferson;
Rolf Christofferson
Takako Sasaki;
Takako Sasaki
3Laboratory of Protein Chemistry, Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
Rupert Timpl;
Rupert Timpl
Lena Claesson-Welsh
Received: June 21 2004
Revision Received: August 23 2004
Accepted: September 17 2004
Version of Record December 16 2004
Anna-Karin Olsson, Irja Johansson, Helena Åkerud, Barbro Einarsson, Rolf Christofferson, Takako Sasaki, Rupert Timpl, Lena Claesson-Welsh; The Minimal Active Domain of Endostatin Is a Heparin-Binding Motif that Mediates Inhibition of Tumor Vascularization. Cancer Res 15 December 2004; 64 (24): 9012–9017. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-2172
Endostatin constitutes the COOH-terminal 20,000 Da proteolytic fragment of collagen XVIII and has been shown to possess antiangiogenic and antitumorigenic properties. In the present study, we have investigated the role of the heparin-binding sites in the in vivo mechanism of action of endostatin. The majority of the heparin binding is mediated by arginines 155/158/184/270 in endostatin, but there is also a minor site constituted by arginines 193/194. Using endostatin mutants lacking either of these two sites, we show that inhibition of fibroblast growth factor-2–induced angiogenesis in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane requires both heparin-binding sites. In contrast, inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor-A–induced chorioallantoic membrane angiogenesis by endostatin was only dependent on the minor heparin-binding site (R193/194). These arginines were also required for endostatin to inhibit fibroblast growth factor-2– and vascular endothelial growth factor-A–induced chemotaxis of primary endothelial cells. Moreover, we show that a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 180–199 of human endostatin (which covers the minor heparin-binding site) inhibits endothelial cell chemotaxis and reduces tumor vascularization in vivo. Substitution of arginine residues 193/194 for alanine attenuates the antiangiogenic effects of the peptide. These data show an essential role for heparin binding in the antiangiogenic action of endostatin.
Angiogenesis, formation of new capillary blood vessels, is essential during development and in physiologic conditions such as wound healing and the menstrual cycle (1). However, prolonged and excessive angiogenesis has been implicated in different pathologic processes, e.g., tumor growth (2, 3, 4, 5). Blood vessel formation in the body is tightly regulated by a number of positive and negative factors. The tyrosine kinase receptor ligands, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are examples of extensively studied stimulators of angiogenesis (6, 7, 8). The positive signals for blood vessel formation are counteracted by antiangiogenic molecules, among which endostatin (9) is one of the best characterized (see ref. 10 for review).
Endostatin constitutes the COOH-terminal 20,000 Da proteolytic fragment of collagen XVIII (9). Treatment with endostatin has been shown to inhibit or reduce tumor growth in several experimental animal models (10). Endostatin is present in plasma (10), platelets (11) and the basement membrane of blood vessels (12), where it can bind extracellular matrix proteins such as fibulin-1 and -2 (13). In a recent study by Yu et al. (14), the leukocyte adhesion antigen E-selectin was shown to be required for the antiangiogenic effect of endostatin in vivo and to confer endostatin sensitivity to nonresponsive endothelial cells in vitro. Endostatin has also been shown to interact with heparin/heparan sulfate (15) linked, e.g., to the heparan sulfate proteoglycans glypican-1 and -4 (16) and with α5β1 integrins (17). Several studies show that α5β1 is an important mediator of the antiangiogenic effect of endostatin (18, 19, 20). A critical role for heparin/heparan sulfates in endostatin-induced inhibition of angiogenesis has also been reported previously (15, 21), and heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been shown to mediate the downstream intracellular signaling events induced by endostatin (19, 21). However, there is one report stating that VEGF-induced chemotaxis of endothelial cells, a commonly used surrogate assay for angiogenesis, is inhibited by mutated endostatin lacking heparin-binding ability (22). These apparent discrepancies with respect to the significance of heparin/heparan sulfates for the angiogenic response may be attributable to the use of different angiogenic stimuli (FGF versus VEGF) or the choice of angiogenesis assay.
In this study we have further investigated the role of the heparin/heparan sulfate-binding motifs in endostatin for its antiangiogenic function, both in vitro and in vivo. Two heparin-binding sites have been identified in endostatin; a major (arginines 155/158/184/270) and a minor (arginines 193/194; ref. 15, 23). The heparin binding to endostatin is mediated via a unique sequence in the heparin/heparan sulfate chain (24). By using mutated forms of endostatin, lacking either of the heparin-binding sites, we show that only the minor heparin-binding site (R193/194A) is critical for the ability of endostatin to inhibit both FGF-2– and VEGF-A–induced angiogenesis in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Administration of a synthetic peptide corresponding to a stretch covering amino acid residues R193/194 [peptide 180–199/wild-type (wt)], but not of a mutated R193/194A peptide [peptide 180–199/mutant (mut)], led to reduced vascularization of mouse fibrosarcoma in C57BL6/J mice. Vascularization of human pancreatic tumors in nude mice was also reduced after treatment with peptide 180–199/wt, compared with treatment with peptide 180–199/mut. Thus, these studies define the minimal active domain of endostatin in its antiangiogenic action.
Endostatin Mutants and Synthetic Peptides.
Wild-type endostatin as well as the mutants R158/184/270A and R193/194A were produced by expression in human embryonic kidney 293-Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen cells, as described previously (13). Briefly, a mouse endostatin vector was used that also served as a template to introduce single to triple point mutations by appropriate pairs of overlapping oligonucleotides and fusion PCR (25, 26). Recombinant protein was purified by heparin-Sepharose and Superose 12 chromatography, from serum-free culture medium conditioned by transfected 293-Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen cells. A full description of the proteins is given in (15). Recombinant human endostatin (EntreMed Inc.) produced in Pichia pastoris was used in the animal studies. All endostatin preparations were tested for endotoxin activity and were found to be essentially free of contamination.
Peptide 180–199/wt is a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 180–199 of human endostatin and has the following sequence: FLSSRLQDLYSIVRRADRAA-COOH. A peptide where arginine residues 193 and 194 were substituted for alanine was also synthesized (peptide 180–199/mut). The peptides were purchased from AnaSpec Inc. Amino acid residue numbers refer to the entire noncollagenous domain of 315 amino acid residues, where endostatin constitutes residues 132–315.
Cell Culture.
Primary bovine adrenal cortex capillary endothelial (BCE) cells were cultured on gelatin- coated dishes in DMEM/10% newborn calf serum, 2 ng/mL FGF-2 (PeproTech, Inc., Rocky Hill, NJ). Media and serum were from Life Technologies, Inc. (Rockville, MD). For chemotaxis assays, BCE cells were serum-starved over night in 0.5% newborn calf serum.
Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay.
The conditions for the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay were as described previously (21, 27). FGF-2 (Boehringer Mannheim, Ingelheim, Germany) and VEGF-A (PeproTech, Inc.) were used at 0.2 μg/filter, endostatin was used at 0.3, 3, or 15 μg/filter, and endostatin mutants were used at 3 or 15 μg/filter. Ten-day-old embryos were used, and the treatment period was 3 days. The treated CAMs were inspected in a light microscope, and the score, from 1 (low) to 4 (high) was based on the number of vessel branch points. Average values for five to eight embryos per treatment were recorded.
Chemotaxis Assay.
Chemotaxis assays were performed using a modified Boyden chamber as described previously (28), with 8-μm micropore polycarbonate filters (PFB8–50, Neuro Probe Inc., Gaithersburg, MD) coated with type-1 collagen solution at 100 μg/mL (Vitrogen 100, Collagen Corp., Palo Alto CA). BCE cells that had been starved over night in 0.5% newborn calf serum were trypsinized and resuspended at 7.5 × 105 cells/mL in DMEM, 0.25% BSA, and Trasylol at 1,000 kallikrein-inactivating units (KIU). The cell suspension was added in the upper chamber and growth factors, FGF-2 (10 ng/mL; PeproTech, Inc.) or VEGF-A (10 ng/mL, PeproTech, Inc.), in the lower chamber. Endostatin, endostatin mutants, and synthetic peptides were added both in the upper and in the lower chamber at indicated concentrations. After 5 hours at 37°C, we stained cells that had migrated through the filter with Giemsa and counted them using the "Easy Image Analysis" software (Tekno Optik AB, Skärholmen, Sweden). All samples were analyzed in at least six wells for each treatment and at several separate occasions. We calculated the significance at the level of P < 0.05 using Student's t test.
Animal Studies.
Animal work was approved by the Uppsala University board of animal experimentation and thus done according to the UKCCCR guidelines for the welfare of animals in experimental neoplasia (29). The mice were anesthetized with isoflurane (Forene, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) during all manipulations.
For the fibrosarcoma study, 5-week-old female C57BL6/J mice (Møllegaard-Bomholtgaard, Ry, Denmark) were injected with 0.5 × 106 T241 fibrosarcoma cells subcutaneously into the left flank. Animals carrying palpable tumors (approximately 50 mm3) were randomized (n = 5–6 animals/treatment group) and received treatment with endostatin or either of the two synthetic peptides (180–199/wt and 180–199/mut), all at 25 mg/kg/day. Human IgG was used as control. The treatments were given as daily subcutaneous injections in the right flank for 11 days. The tumors were measured with a caliper once a day, in a blind procedure, and volumes were calculated by the formula π/6 × width2× length.
For the pancreatic carcinoma study, 6-week-old female Fox Chase SCID mice were injected subcutaneously with 2.5 × 106 BxPC3 pancreatic carcinoma cells. When tumors had reached a size of approximately 100 mm3, the animals were randomized (n = 10 animals/treatment group) and treatment with 180–199/wt and 180–199/mut, at 25 mg/kg/day, was initiated. We delivered the peptides using mini-osmotic pumps implanted intraperitoneally. The type of pump used in these experiments (1007D, ALZET, Cupertino, CA), distributes 0.5 μL/hour for 7 days. The length of the treatment period at the specified dose required a change of the osmotic pump after one week of treatment, i.e., in total three surgical procedures on each mouse in the study. The tumors were measured with a caliper, in a blind procedure, and volumes were calculated by the formula π/6 × width2× length. One animal in each treatment group was euthanized during the study because of peritoneal infection. At least three animals in each treatment group from both the T241 and the BxPC3 study were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS (pH 7.4; T241) or 4% paraformaldehyde in 300 mOsm Millonigbuffer (pH 7.4; BxPC3). Tumors were embedded in paraffin according to standard histologic procedures and sectioned at 3 μm.
CD31 Staining and Quantification of Vascular Parameters.
Paraffin sections of T241 fibrosarcoma tumors were stained immunohistochemically using a goat antimouse CD31 antibody (1506, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA), diluted 1:500, and incubated at 4°C over night. Detection of the primary antibody binding sites was done with a biotinylated antigoat antibody (BA-5000, Vector Laboratories, Burlingame, CA) and streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase (SA-5004, Vector Laboratories) with an amplification step (TSA Biotin System, Perkin-Elmer, Fremont, CA). We visualized the enzymatic signal using 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole peroxidase substrate kit (SK-4200, Vector Laboratories). BxPC3 pancreatic carcinoma tumors were stained using the same CD31 antibody as above but diluted 1:50 and incubated at 4°C over night. Detection of the primary antibody binding sites was done with the same biotinylated antigoat antibody as above, together with avidin-biotin complex method complex/horseradish peroxidase kit (K0355, Dako). We visualized immunoreactivity using 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole peroxidase substrate kit (above). Stereological quantification of vascular parameters was done as described previously (30). We calculated significance at the level of P < 0.05/0.1 using Student's t test.
Endostatin Inhibits FGF-2– and VEGF-A–Induced Angiogenesis in the Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane via Distinct Heparin-Binding Motifs.
Angiogenesis in the chicken CAM of 10-day-old chicken embryos was stimulated by application of FGF-2 and VEGF-A (Table 1). The extent of the angiogenic response was estimated by scoring on a scale from 1 to 4, according to Friedlander et al. (27). Endostatin (ES) efficiently inhibited FGF-2–induced CAM angiogenesis at a 10-fold molar excess (3 μg) but had no effect on VEGF-A–induced angiogenesis at this dose. When increasing the endostatin dose to 15 μg/CAM, the VEGF-A–induced angiogenic response was decreased although not completely suppressed. To examine the role of the heparin-binding ability of ES for the antiangiogenic effect, we analyzed the characteristics of two endostatin mutants using the CAM assay. The mutant R158/184/270A lacks the major heparin-binding site, which confers most of the heparin-binding ability. The other mutant, R193/194A, lacks the minor heparin-binding site. When tested on FGF-2–stimulated CAM angiogenesis, the R158/184/270A mutant showed loss-of-function characteristics and failed to inhibit the angiogenic response when added at 3 μg/CAM. However, the R158/184/270A mutant still inhibited VEGF-A–stimulated angiogenesis with similar efficiency as wild-type ES, when added at 15 μg/CAM. In contrast, the R193/194 heparin-binding mutant failed to inhibit both FGF-2– and VEGF-A–induced angiogenesis. These results indicate that the heparin-binding ability of endostatin conferred by the minor heparin-binding site (R193/194) is critical for its antiangiogenic effect in the CAM.
Effect of the R193/194A Endostatin Mutant on Endothelial Cell Chemotaxis.
To further investigate the role of the arginine residues at position 193/194 in endostatin for its inhibitory effect on FGF-2– and VEGF-A–stimulated endothelial cells, we did chemotaxis assays using primary BCE cells. FGF-2 induced a close to 2-fold increase in chemotaxis of BCE cells, which was completely inhibited by endostatin at 100 ng/mL (Fig. 1,A), as previously shown (31). The R193/194A mutant on the other hand failed to inhibit the FGF-2–induced chemotaxis. VEGF-A stimulated a slightly stronger chemotactic response of BCE cells compared with FGF-2, which was blocked in the presence of endostatin at 100 ng/mL (Fig. 1 B; refs. 22 and 24). The R193/194A mutant exerted a slight suppression of VEGF-A–induced chemotaxis; however, the migratory response was still evident compared with the basal condition. These results indicate that the 193/194 heparin-binding site in endostatin is an important mediator of its inhibitory effect on endothelial cell chemotaxis.
Peptide Encompassing Amino Acid Residues 180–199 in Endostatin Mimics the Effect of Full-Length Endostatin on Chemotaxis.
Because the 193/194 arginine residues in endostatin were essential for inhibition of FGF-2–induced CAM angiogenesis and chemotaxis of primary endothelial cells, we tested a synthetic, 20 amino acid residue peptide corresponding to residues 180–199 in endostatin (peptide 180–199/wt), for its effect on BCE cell chemotaxis. Cells were stimulated to migrate toward FGF-2 in the presence or absence of peptide 180–199/wt, at 10 or 100 ng/mL. The higher concentration of peptide was required to block FGF-2–induced chemotaxis of BCE cells (Fig. 1,C). A second peptide in which the two arginine residues at positions 193/194 were replaced by alanine (peptide 180–199/mut), was unable to inhibit FGF-2–induced chemotaxis of BCE cells at 100 ng/mL (Fig. 1 D). These results show that amino acids 180–199 in endostatin are sufficient for mediation of the inhibitory effect of endostatin on FGF-2–induced chemotaxis of primary endothelial cells and that the arginine residues in position 193/194 are required for this inhibition.
Effect of Peptide 180–199 on Fibrosarcoma Growth and Vascularization.
On the basis of the critical role of arginines 193/194 in endostatin for its antiangiogenic effect, as judged by one in vitro and one semi-in vivo model, we decided to test the effect of peptide 180–199 on tumor growth and vascularization in vivo. C57BL6/J mice were inoculated subcutaneously with T241 fibrosarcoma cells on their left flank and when the tumors were palpable (∼50 mm3) after 4 to 6 days, a daily treatment was initiated with endostatin, peptide 180–199/wt and peptide 180–199/mut, all at 25 mg/kg/day. Although this represents a higher molar concentration of peptide, the same dose of endostatin and peptides was chosen for the tumor treatments. This decision was based on the fact that 100 ng/mL of peptide 180–199/wt was required to inhibit FGF-2–induced chemotaxis of endothelial cells (Fig. 1,C), the same concentration as for endostatin. Human IgG was used as a control. The treatments were given as subcutaneous injections in the right flank for 11 days. No effect on tumor growth was seen during this period of treatment (Fig. 2 A).
Tumor material was fixed and embedded in paraffin for sectioning. During this process the tumors were divided in two (Fig. 2,B). This revealed that tumors from mice treated with peptide 180–199/wt were much whiter in appearance than tumors from mice treated with peptide 180–199/mut (Fig. 2,B), possibly because of reduced vascularization. Immunohistochemical staining against CD31 on tumor sections from the four treatment groups indeed showed different patterns of vascularization (Fig. 2,C). Tumors from control mice had large dilated vessels present throughout the tissue. This was in contrast to tumors from mice treated with endostatin or peptide 180–199/wt, which displayed fewer vessels of a smaller diameter. The vessels in tumors from mice treated with peptide 180–199/mut appeared significantly larger than those from mice treated with endostatin or peptide 180–199/wt (Fig. 2 C).
We quantified vascular parameters as described previously (30) on three different tumors from each treatment group. This method of quantifying tumor angiogenesis relates the length, volume, and surface area of the vessels to tumor volume. The results show that all three vascular parameters determined in tumors from endostatin-treated mice were reduced (Fig. 2 D). The effect on vessel volume was most striking, with a 90% reduction in tumors treated with full-length endostatin or the 180–199/wt peptide compared with control treatment. In contrast, vascularization of tumors from mice treated with peptide 180–199/mut was not changed significantly from the control. These results show that an endostatin-derived synthetic peptide covering amino acid 180–199 reduces tumor vascularization in vivo, an effect dependent on the minor heparin-binding site in endostatin.
Effect of Peptide 180–199 on Pancreatic Carcinoma Growth and Vascularization.
Because peptide 180–199 had no effect on T241 fibrosarcoma growth but reduced tumor vascularization in the same model, we decided to further test the effect of peptide 180–199/wt and peptide 180–199/mut in a slow-growing tumor model, BxPC3 human pancreatic carcinoma. SCID mice were inoculated subcutaneously with BxPC3 pancreatic carcinoma cells on their left flank, and when the tumors had reached a size of approximately 100 mm3 (after 2 weeks), treatment was initiated. Continuous delivery of endostatin with mini-osmotic pumps implanted intraperitoneally in mice has been shown to be more efficient and to require a lower dose to achieve the same antitumor effect, as compared with a single daily bolus administration of endostatin in this tumor model (32). We therefore used mini-osmotic pumps to administer the two peptides at 25 mg/kg/day for 3 weeks. Because peptide 180–199/mut did not have any significant effects either on chemotaxis (Fig. 1,D) or on tumor vascularization (Fig. 2,D), it was considered a control treatment. Mean tumor volumes from the two treatment groups are shown in Fig. 3,A. Figure 3,B shows individual tumor volumes from the two treatment groups. Treatment with peptide 180–199/wt resulted in a large spread in tumor volume from complete regression to efficient and rapid growth. In contrast, tumors from mice treated with peptide 180–199/mut displayed a rather homogenous size (Fig. 3,B). Because of the large spread in tumor volume in the group treated with peptide 180–199/wt, there was no statistically significant difference in tumor volume between the groups. Four tumors from each treatment group with volumes close to the mean (see bar in Fig. 3,B) are shown in Fig. 3 C.
We did immunohistochemical staining for CD31 on tumor sections from three different tumors from each treatment group. Quantification of length, surface area, and volume of the tumor vessels (as described above) again revealed a decreased tumor vascularization in mice treated with peptide 180–199/wt compared with peptide 180–199/mut (Fig. 3 D). On the basis of these results, we conclude that the arginine residues in positions 193 and 194 in endostatin are important for the antiangiogenic effect of endostatin.
There are two heparin-binding sites in endostatin; a major site encompassing arginine residues 155/158/184/270 and a minor including arginines 193/194 (15, 23). Our data show that inhibition of FGF-2–induced CAM angiogenesis by endostatin was dependent on both the major and the minor heparin-binding site, whereas inhibition of VEGF-A–induced CAM angiogenesis was dependent only on the minor heparin-binding site. These data in combination with our previous study (33) indicate that endostatin inhibits vessel formation stimulated by FGF and VEGF through overlapping but distinct mechanisms, probably reflecting differences in the endothelial cell surface protein expression in response to the two growth factors. The fact that the major heparin-binding site was critical for the mechanism of action of endostatin only in FGF-2–treated cells implies a high degree of specificity in the interaction between endostatin and heparin/heparan sulfates on the endothelial cell surface. This is supported by the specific structure of the heparin/heparan sulfate domain implicated in endostatin binding (24).
Our data that heparin binding is important in the function of endostatin as an angiogenesis inhibitor agree with and extend our previous reports (21, 33) as well as those by Wickström et al. (19, 34). Wickström et al. have implicated the two major suggested cell surface targets of endostatin (integrin α5β1 and heparan sulfate) in its antiangiogenic action, by showing that both integrin α5β1 and heparan sulfate proteoglycan are required for localization of endostatin to lipid rafts. This localization is in turn critical for the downstream signaling events induced by endostatin, such as down-regulation of RhoA activity (19) and disassembly of the actin cytoskeleton (19, 21).
We investigated the antiangiogenic properties of a synthetic peptide of human endostatin, including arginines 193/194. This peptide (peptide 180–199/wt), but not a mutant R193/194A peptide (peptide 180–199/mut), inhibited FGF-2–induced chemotaxis of primary endothelial cells. Furthermore, in vivo vascularization of highly aggressive fibrosarcoma tumors was decreased by treatment with peptide 180–199/wt. In contrast, tumor vascularization in animals treated with the 180–199/mut peptide was not significantly different from that in tumors from control-treated animals. However, we cannot exclude that antiangiogenic effects, independent of the heparin binding, are mediated by this stretch in endostatin. That would be in agreement with the partial reduction in VEGF-A–induced chemotaxis by the full-length endostatin mutant R193/194A (Fig. 1,B). Although tumor vascularization was substantially reduced after endostatin or peptide 180–199/wt treatment of mice bearing T241 fibrosarcoma, no effect was seen on tumor growth during the treatment period. Tumor vessels are known to be dysfunctional, and it is possible that a considerable part of the tumor vasculature is dispensable. Even so, it is surprising that the 90% decreases in vessel parameters induced by endostatin or the 180–199 wt peptide (see Fig. 2 D) did not arrest growth of the tumors. For ethical reasons, the tumor study had to be interrupted; it is possible that a larger tumor burden would have been more dependent on the vessel supply.
Tumor vascularization differed also between mice with pancreatic carcinomas (BxPC3), treated with either peptide 180–199/wt or peptide 180–199/mut. Again, animals treated with the mutant R193/194A peptide displayed a significantly higher degree of tumor vascularization compared with mice treated with peptide 180–199/wt. Tumor volumes in the group treated with peptide 180–199/mut showed small deviations from the mean. However, in the group treated with peptide 180–199/wt, tumor volumes ranged from large to almost regression. Why some of the tumors responded to treatment with peptide 180–199/wt, whereas some did not, is unclear. Thus, although vascularization was reduced in both T241 and BxPC3 tumors after treatment with peptide 180–199/wt, a tendency for effect on tumor volume was observed only in the BxPC3 pancreatic carcinoma model. Endostatin is known to be a less potent inhibitor of tumor growth in fast-growing experimental models such as T241 (32). Furthermore, in the BxPC3 study, intraperitoneal mini-osmotic pumps were used for an even delivery of endostatin. This strategy has been shown to yield a more efficient treatment and to require a lower dose to achieve the same antitumor effect than a single daily bolus administration of endostatin (32).
There are other recently published studies reporting antiangiogenic effects of endostatin-derived peptides (34, 35, 36, 37). Interestingly, the 11 amino acid long peptide (ES-2) used by Wickström et al. has a nine residue overlap with peptide 180–199 used by us, and includes R193/194. ES-2 was shown to bind to endothelial cells via β1- and heparin-dependent mechanisms, inducing cytoskeletal rearrangements and inhibition of FGF–2-induced chemotaxis at concentrations in the milligram range. These effects were dependent on the heparin-binding R193/194 in the peptide (34). The motif required for integrin-binding of the ES-2 peptide was not identified. Endostatin-derived peptides of approximately 40 to 50 amino acids, covering nearly the entire sequence of endostatin, have been tested for antiangiogenic activity (37). Two studies that used identical endostatin-derived fragments (35, 36) show that the most NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal fragments of endostatin confer antiangiogenic activity. A third study using similar peptides show antiangiogenic activity only of the COOH-terminal fragment (37). None of the peptides that were reported to be antiangiogenic covered the minor heparin-binding site. The reason for the discrepancy between these results on one hand, and those reported in this study and by Wickström et al. on the other, is not clear. However, the significantly longer peptides used, compared with peptide 180–199 (20 amino acids) and ES-2 (11 amino acids), could affect folding and the secondary structure of the peptides. Both from a mechanistic and clinical perspective, it would be interesting to find the shortest possible endostatin-derived peptide that still retains the antiangiogenic and antitumorigenic activity.
Inhibition of growth factor-induced endothelial cell chemotaxis by endostatin is mediated by its minor heparin-binding site. A, chemotaxis of primary BCE cells induced by FGF-2 was inhibited in the presence of 100 ng/mL endostatin (ES). Inclusion of an endostatin mutant in which arginines 193/194 had been replaced by alanine residues (R193/194A) failed to inhibit FGF-2–induced chemotaxis. B, VEGF-A–induced chemotaxis of BCE cells was completely arrested by endostatin. The R193/194A mutant exerted a slight suppression of VEGF-A–induced chemotaxis, but the majority of the response remained. C, a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 180–199 in endostatin (p180–199/wt) inhibited FGF-2–induced chemotaxis at a concentration of 100 ng/mL. D, substitution of the two arginines in position 193/194, in peptide 180–199/wt, to alanines (peptide 180–199/mut) resulted in loss of the inhibitory effect on FGF-2–induced chemotaxis. Peptide 180–199/mut was used at 100 ng/mL. Error bar indicates 1 SD. ∗, P < 0.05.
A synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 180–199 of endostatin reduces vascularization of fibrosarcoma tumors. A, C57BL6/J mice bearing palpable (∼50 mm3) fibrosarcoma tumors were treated daily with subcutaneous injections of IgG (ctrl), endostatin (ES), peptide (p) 180–199/wt or peptide 180–199/mut for 11 days. Endostatin and peptides were administered at 25 mg/kg/day. Tumor volumes were measured daily with a caliper. B, tumors from mice treated with either peptide 180–199/wt (Wt; top panels) or peptide 180–199/mut (Mut; bottom panels). C, immunohistochemical staining for CD31 on paraffin sections of tumors from mice treated with IgG (ctrl), endostatin (ES), peptide (p) 180–199/wt, and peptide 180–199/mut. Arrows indicate some of the vessels. Photographed at ×40 magnification. D, stereological quantification of vascular parameters in tumors from mice treated with IgG (ctrl), endostatin, peptide 180–199/wt, and peptide 180–199/mut. Error bar indicates 1 SD. Statistically significant results are indicated by P < 0.1/0.05.
Arginines 193/194 in the endostatin-derived peptide 180–199/wt mediate reduced vascularization of pancreatic carcinoma tumors. A, SCID mice with established pancreatic carcinoma tumors (∼100 mm3) were treated for 3 weeks with either peptide (p) 180–199/wt or peptide 180–199/mut. Peptides were administered at 25 mg/kg/day using mini-osmotic pumps implanted intraperitoneally. Tumor volumes were measured with a caliper. B, individual tumor volumes (indicated by a circle) in the two treatment groups, last day of the study. The bar indicates mean tumor volume of the group. C, four tumors from each treatment group with volumes close to the mean. D, stereological quantification of vascular parameters in tumors from mice treated with peptide 180–199/wt or peptide 180–199/mut. Error bar indicates 1 SD.
Grant support: from the Swedish Cancer Society (project no 3820-B01–06XAC; grant to L. Claesson-Welsh).
Note: I. Johansson and H. Åkerud contributed equally to the work. R. Timpl is deceased.
Requests for reprints: Anna-Karin Olsson, Department of Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldväg20, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden. Phone: 46-18-471-46-07; Fax: 011-46-18-55-89-31; E-mail: Anna-Karin.Olsson@genpat.uu.se
Inhibitory effect of endostatin and endostatin heparin-binding mutants on chicken CAM angiogenesis induced by FGF-2 or VEGF-A
Stimulator .
Inhibitor .
Angiogenesis score (mean) .
No. of embryos .
Buffer None 1.1 8
FGF-2, 0.2 μg None 3.2 8
ES, 0.3 μg 3.0 5
ES, 3 μg 1.1 8
VEGF-A, 0.2 μg None 3.3 8
ES, 15 μg 2.0 7
FGF-2, 0.2 μg R158/184/270A, 3 μg 2.8 7
R158/184/270A, 15 μg 3.0 5
R193/194A, 3 μg 2.9 7
VEGF-A, 0.2 μg R158/184/270A, 15 μg 1.6 7
R193/194A, 15 μg 3.0 5
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Ma L, Elliott SN, Cirino G, Buret A, Ignarro LJ, Wallace JL Platelets modulate gastric ulcer healing: role of endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor release.
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Sasaki T, Fukai N, Mann K, Gohring W, Olsen BR, Timpl R Structure, function and tissue forms of the C-terminal globular domain of collagen XVIII containing the angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin.
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Anthropology »
Paths to Degree
Linguistic Anthropology
New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology
Dissertations Database
Past Colloquia
Executive Officer:
Prof. Jeff Maskovsky
jmaskovsky@gc.cuny.edu
Assistant Program Officer:
Ellen DeRiso
ederiso@gc.cuny.edu
College Assistant:
Kenia Garcia
kgarcia1@gc.cuny.edu
Graduate Center, CUNY
anthropology@gc.cuny.edu
The PhD Program in Anthropology provides doctoral training in each of the discipline's subfields: cultural anthropology, archaeology, physical anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. The program is committed to excellence in training students for careers in research and teaching, as well as non-academic occupations. We cultivate a supportive and creative atmosphere that encourages transdisciplinary engagement and innovative research from a solid grounding in disciplinary foundations, including basic knowledge of all subfields.
In addition to course work, students have opportunities for early fieldwork experience through faculty directed projects and summer research funding. With close faculty guidance, students in the program receive outside funding for their research at an exceptionally high rate. Students also acquire significant undergraduate teaching experience at the various colleges of the CUNY system and other colleges in the area while completing their degrees. Through the Graduate Center's consortial arrangement with other institutions in the area, doctoral students can take courses at Fordham, The New School, Columbia, Princeton, Rutgers, Stony Brook, and New York Universities. In pursuing their research, they are also able to tap the rich resources of the city itself, from the nearby New York Public Library to the American Museum of Natural History and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
The Program is committed to diversity among its students in terms of both research interests and backgrounds. Enrollment of students of African and Hispanic/Latino descent remains well above the national average. This committment, combined with the investments of the Graduate Center administration and the expansive resources of the larger CUNY system have allowed us to craft a uniquely hybrid program of high quality and palpable energy.
Interdisciplinary Study and Certificate Programs
Students in the PhD Program in Anthropology benefit from several interdisciplinary centers, academic concentrations, and certificate programs at the Graduate Center. Interdisciplinary concentrations include: European Union Studies, Fashion Studies, Food Studies, Language and Literacy, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Lesbian/Gay/Queer Studies, Public Policy and Urban Studies, and Urban Health and Society. Certificate Programs are available in Africana Studies, American Studies, Demography, Medieval Studies, Women's Studies, and Interactive Technology and Pedagogy. In addition, over 40 research centers and institutes provide a nexus for students interested in transdisciplinary topics, including LGBT Studies (CLAGS was the first such research center in the United States), Western Hemisphere Affairs (The Bildner Center), Jewish Studies, European Union Studies, Middle East and Middle Eastern American Studies, Human Ecodynamics Research, Philanthropy and Civil Society, Place, Culture and Politics, Culture, Technology and Work, and Research on the African Diaspora in the Americas and the Caribbean, among others.
Requirements for the Doctorate
A minimum of 60 credits of approved course work is required for a PhD. The student's course of study must be designed in consultation with an advisor and the Executive Officer. The first level provides grounding in general anthropology, theory, and the basic concepts and methods of the student's subfield. At the second level, students pursue advanced work within the subfield, selected from the broad range of specialties represented in the faculty. The third level, after completion of 60 credits, is devoted to research for the dissertation. All students are required to complete a core course or similar basic study in each of the subfields other than their own, preferably before the completion of 45 credits. Students who have a strong background in other subfields may be exempted from part or all of the requirement. Students are also required to complete three credits worth of course work in research methodologies/statistics. For archaeology and physical anthropology, one course in statistics, to be approved by the student's advisor and the Executive Officer, must be completed with a grade of B or better. Students in linguistic anthropology may present a second language (which may be a field language) instead of statistics. In cultural anthropology, students may take research methods courses in lieu of statistics. At least 15 credits of advanced level seminars or courses are required, unless exempted by the Executive Officer. In cultural anthropology, students are also required to take two area courses.
First Examination: The First Examination, a general qualifying examination in the student's subfield, consists of a six-hour written portion and a one-hour oral portion with the examining committee, and includes a general evaluation of the student's progress in the program. The student will normally take the First Examination in the semester following completion of 18-24 credits, although an extension may be granted by the Executive Officer to no later than the semester following the one in which the student is registered for the 36th credit. Students may elect to take a First Examination that combines two or more subfields. All students are required to take the First Examination.
LanguageExamination: The student must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one foreign language appropriate to his or her field of specialization. The foreign language examination must be passed before the student is advanced to candidacy.
Second Examination: The Second Examination is an oral exam in which the student must demonstrate thorough knowledge of two areas of specialization within the subfield (generally one topical and one area specialty), and defend a proposal for dissertation research. Normally, the Second Examination takes place upon completion of 60 credits. A four-member faculty advisory committee is appointed to assist the student in preparing for the Second Examination, which includes the preparation of selective bibliographies for the two specialties. During the exam the committee questions the student on his/her command of the previously approved bibliographies. If the student performs satisfactorily he/she may present and defend a research proposal.
Research Proposal Defense: With the assistance of the advisory committee, the student prepares a research proposal setting forth the proposed dissertation research. The proposal must be defended before, and approved by, the committee for the Second Examination, usually at the time of the examination or within three months after the specialties portion is taken.
Upon completion of all the above requirements, the student will be advanced to doctoral candidacy.
Dissertation Defense: The candidate must write and defend a dissertation on an approved subject, under the supervision of a dissertation committee composed of the student's principal advisor, two other faculty members, and an outside reader. Approval by a majority of the committee constitutes successful completion of the dissertation requirement.
Detailed descriptions of various aspects of the Program, including structure, governance and the course of study, are provided in the Program Handbook. It serves as the resource of record for most questions regarding the program and supplements the more general information contained in both the Bulletin of the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, (especially that which appears in the section designated "Anthropology"), and the Graduate Center Student Handbook. Ideas for making the Program Handbook more useful, as well as suggestions for changes in program policy or practice described therein, should be directed to the Executive Officer, subfield coordinator, or the relevant committee.
Handbook for the Ph.D. Program in Anthropology (March 2020) (PDF)
Anthropology at CUNY
The activities and personnel of the Doctoral Program in Anthropology at the Graduate Center represent only part of the anthropological resources available at CUNY, all of which enrich the Doctoral Program directly and indirectly. For additional anthropological resources in the CUNY system, check out the websites of other CUNY anthropology departments:
Baruch College Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Brooklyn College Department of Anthropology & Archaeology
City College Anthropology Department
College of Staten Island Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Hunter College Department of Anthropology
John Jay College Department of Anthropology
Lehman College Department of Anthropology
Queens College Department of Anthropology
York College Department of Social Sciences


Here's My Card for the Merry Monday Challenge #32 at Always Playing With Paper. The colours are Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green and Very Vanilla. The DSP is from Festival of Prints and the Cherry Cobbler cardstock is the new Core'dinations. All products are from Stampin' Up!
Very pretty! I love all of the patterns on your card. Thanks for taking part in the Merry Monday challenge this week!
This has such a beautiful christmas colors! The image is pretty as well. Great card!
Just gorgeous...simple, but your beautiful blend of colors and images have created a card that is very pleasing to the eye! So glad you could join us this week at Merry Mondays!
Beautiful card, Tiz! Love the colors and your papers!
Oh, how pretty, Tiz! I love the mix of papers and that pretty holly image! Thanks for sharing it with us at Merry Monday!
Very pretty card, fantastic paper. Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday this week.
Thanks, Lesley, and everyone who left comments; and special thanks to LeAnne who chose me as winner this week. So thrilled and excited to be asked to be guest designer. Can't wait to see what that entails.
My name is Elizabeth, but all my friends call me Tiz. I have been crafting all my life but when a good friend introduced me to stamping and card making about 3 years ago I was hooked! Now I am totally addicted; it is great therapy! I love playing along with various challenges on many wonderful blogs so I decided to start my own blog as a place to host them. Now that I am retired I have a lot more time to play! I have been an independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator since November 2010. I love offering classes for my friends but mostly I consider myself a "hobby" demonstrator. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 37 years and have two grown children and two beautiful grandchildren.
Catherine and Cathy Create Design Team Member!
All content is my sole responsibility. Simple theme. Theme images by bopshops. Powered by Blogger.


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Q: how to get multiple inputs in same line without knowing the number of inputs in c? the input I have to get is
11:00 12:00 10:45 10:15

I don't know the number of inputs
the length of the input string is between 4 to 10000

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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You are here: Home / android / Samsung Galaxy Alpha: Top 5 Competitors
Samsung Galaxy Alpha: Top 5 Competitors
Samsung is back in the market with its latest production Samsung Galaxy Alpha. With the launch of iPhone 6, Samsung had a lot of pressure of creating something par excellence. The amazing specs offered by the phone can impress anyone and everyone. With its slim design and metal body, the phone is slimmer than Samsung Galaxy S5 and Apple iPhone 5S.
The Smartphone boasts of a 4.7 inch multi-touch screen which is quite big. A RAM of 2 GB makes sure that the phone can take on heavy games and apps without lagging. A 12 MP primary camera and a 2.1 MP secondary camera are all you need to capture those perfect moments and anytime selfies. The Samsung Galaxy Alpha has many competitors also. This article has the top five competitors of Galaxy Alpha which you should consider before buying this Smartphone.
This Smartphone can be a tough competition for the newly launched Samsung-Galaxy-Alpha. The Smartphone features a mighty 5 inch touchscreen along with a dual 4 Ultrapixels primary camera and a 5 MP secondary camera. The viewing angles are good and the pictures appear vibrant. The Smartphone runs on the latest operating system and is upgradable to the next Android operating system. The phone's got an internal memory of 16/32 GB which can be increased up to 128 GB via Micros card, a lot of space to store your favorite stuff. All the latest connectivity options are also available on HTC One M8 with 4G network included. A 2600 mAh battery would go a long way will a single change.
The next in line is the Sony Xperia Z2. This device has a big display of 5.2 inches and is also dust proof and water resistant along with shatterproof glass. A larger than life primary camera of 20.7 MP gives clear and crisp photos and a 2.2 MP secondary camera is also present. A 3 GB RAM and quad core processor make the Smartphone super-fast and lag free. The Smartphone has a 16 GB internal memory, expandableup to 128 GB. A 3200 mAh battery provides a longer talk time and music play.
Apple iPhone 5S (16 GB)
Apple has stuck to its standard 4 inch display with oleo phobic coating for the iPhone 5 series, which means it is resistant to fingerprints on the screen. The Apple iPhone 5S has a 16 GB of internal storage with 1 GB of RAM and no memory card slot. Clearly, these specifications are far less than other competitors. A primary camera of 8 MP with dual LED- flash gives those perfect shots on any occasion. A 1.2 MP front facing camera also has an appreciable picture quality. The Smartphone has a not so impressive 1560 mAh battery under the hood that would definitely drain out very soon. Connectivity features like GPRS, EDGE, 3G, 4G, GPS and Bluetooth are present in the device.
The LG G3 has the large screen size of 5.5 inches with a higher screen resolution that gives excellent display and vibrant colors. The Smartphone comes in two variants; one has an internal memory of 16 GB alongside 2 GB RAM and the other with 32 GB memory on board with 3 GB RAM. The LG does have the latest version of Android operating system, but further upgrade has not been provided by LG on this Smartphone. The Smartphone has been provided with 13 MP primary camera and a 2.1 MP secondary camera. A 3000 mAh battery provides a long battery life so you won't need your charger every now and then.
The Nokia Lumia 1520 comes with a stunning 6 inch display and Corning Gorilla Glass 2 for protection. A 20 MP rear camera provides excellent images and amazing videos. A 1.2 MP front facing camera is just enough for capturing selfie moments. The Smartphone comes with a 16/32 GB memory on board alongside 2 GB RAM. The internal memory can be expanded up to 64 GB via Micro SD card. The Nokia Lumia 1520 runs on the Windows 8 operating
system which is upgradable to Windows 8.1. A mighty 3400 mAh battery is present in the Smartphone which lasts for a complete day in a single charging.
About Author -The author is an expert in mobile technology and loves to write about different handsets launched. He has listed the specifications of Samsung Galaxy Alpha for the readers to make an informed buying decision.
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Filed Under: android, News Tagged With: Technology


The main objective of the C# Project on Property Management System is to manage the details of Property Type, Registrations, Approvals, Sellers,Propery. It manages all the information about Property Type, Buyers, Propery, Property Type. The project is totally built at administrative end and thus only the administrator is guaranteed the access. The purpose of the project is to build an application program to reduce the manual work for managing the Property Type, Registrations, Buyers, Approvals. It tracks all the details about the Approvals, Sellers,Propery.
It deals with monitoring the information and transactions of Sellers.
Editing, adding and updating of Records is improved which results in proper resource management of Property Type data.
Integration of all records of Propery.
Excel export has not been developed for Buyers, Sellers due to some criticality.
The transactions are executed in off-line mode, hence on-line data for Property Type, Registrations capture and modification is not possible.
Off-line reports of Property Type, Approvals, Propery cannot be generated due to batch mode execution.