Three simple stacking hammered 14k gold fill rings. These are perfect for everyday wear and great to wear as a compliment to your larger rings. You can wear all three on one finger or mix them in with other bands and multiple fingers. You can order extra small sizes for above the knuckle midi rings.
I make these rings completely by hand. The metal is 14k gold fill. Gold fill will last a lifetime, and it will not rub off, or rust, or turn your finger green. This material is more pink than standard 14k gold so if you like rose gold, these are amazing.
I can make them in any size, half or quarter size, or mixed sizes. You can order all three in the same size or in different sizes.
These rings are also available in sterling silver http://www.etsy.com/listing/70268473/hammered-silver-stacking-rings You can mix metals, just let me know your preferences in "note to seller" at checkout.
Great quality! I have tiny fingers and often can't find quality rings that both fit well and also hold up against all the hand washing I do during the day. These rings arrived so quickly, and they look great. They also have not changed in color at all in the month I have already worn them (and I rarely take them off). The customer service is also wonderful. I am definitely a fan!
The owner is such a sweet heart !!! Will definitely be buying again. Thank you!
Beautifully made, I ordered two more sets in silver. They also got to me quickly. I highly recommend this shop.


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Jasper van der Werff (Speicher (Zwitserland), 9 december 1998) is een Zwitsers voetballer, van Nederlandse komaf, die uitkomt voor Paderborn  dat hem huurt van Red Bull Salzburg.

Carrière

Jeugd
Van der Werff werd geboren in het Zwitserse Speicher, als kind van twee Nederlandse ouders. In zijn jeugd speelde hij tennis en voetbal, maar hij besloot uiteindelijk voor het laatste te kiezen. Voetbal sowieso nam een prominente plaats in in het gezin. Zijn oudere broer Sebastiaan van der Werff, speelde in de jeugdopleiding van FC St. Gallen. Op 9-jarige leeftijd werd Van der Werff tevens toegelaten tot de jeugdopleiding van FC St. Gallen. Hij doorliep alle jeugdelftallen en groeide uit tot een multifunctionele verdediger, die zowel links, rechts als centraal in de verdediging kon spelen. Hij rondde zijn middelbare school af en trainde aan de Zwitserse nationale voetbalacademie in Emmen.

FC St. Gallen
In het seizoen 2017-2018 sloot Van der Werff zich aan bij FC St. Gallen onder 21, dat uitkwam in de 1. Liga. Hier speelde hij elf wedstrijden. In de winterstop van het seizoen sloot hij definitief aan bij de a-selectie. Op 17 februari 2018 maakte hij als basisspeler zijn debuut in het eerste elftal van de club in een wedstrijd tegen FC Basel. Hierna verwierf Van der Werff een basisplaats en kwam hij in de belangstelling van meerdere clubs.

Red Bull Salzburg
In de zomer van 2018 verruilde Van der Werff FC St. Gallen voor Red Bull Salzburg, waar hij een contract tekende tot de zomer van 2022. Hij werd verhuurd aan satellietclub FC Liefering en vanaf januari 2020 aan FC Basel.

Internationale carrière
In 2014 kwam Van der Werff tweemaal uit voor het Zwitsers voetbalelftal onder 16. Op basis van zijn afkomst mag Van der Werff ook uitkomen voor het Nederlands voetbalelftal. Hij heeft echter een voorkeur uitgesproken voor Zwitserland.

Zwitsers voetballer
Nederlands voetballer

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Kinh People
2. Costume
3. Festivals
4. Religions
5. Music
Vietnam is known for its cultural diversity with 54 ethnic groups, in which, Kinh or Viet people accounts for nearly 90% of the whole population. Kinh people also own a number of particular features which differentiate themselves from other ethnic groups in Vietnam and create the uniqueness in the world. The majority in Vietnam, Kinh people are mainly clustered in the delta areas and urban centers such as the deltas of the two largest rivers in Vietnam (Red river and Mekong river) or littoral provinces such as Da Nang, Nghe An, Khanh Hoa…They are considered to be the most "developed" among all ethnicities, playing the leading roles in almost sectors, especially economic, science, technology and education.
In general, among all ethnic groups in Vietnam, Kinh people's clothes and adornment seem to be the most modern and modest. Of all kinds of symbolic clothing, "Ao dai", whose basic design is of a long dress with slits on either side, is well-known to be the most representative of the country. Its graceful and serene image has become the status for Vietnamese women, being loved by not only Vietnamese but also foreigners in the world. Nowadays, "Ao dai" is still common in daily life, can be seen as the uniform in many schools and universities or required in a lot of workplace, from Vietnam Airlines flight attendants to hotel receptionists. More interestingly, "Ao dai" in recent years has been stylized to enhance its flexibility and popularity, being the state of the art and suitable to specific usage purposes.
Nevertheless, formerly Viet people used to dress rather differently. Men were supposed to have a long gown with slits on both sides and a turban on, while women were so familiar with more attractive dress called "Ao tu than" with three layers in different colors and four slits divided equally on its lower section. In the past, there was another amazing feature in Kinh women's adornment that most of them used to blacken their teeth which considered more beautiful. Notably, although Kinh people garments have gradually changed along with social development, these traditional costumes now sometimes restore in traditional festivals and special events which always reminds the following generations of invaluable cultural heritage.
In daily life, with the influence of Western and Eastern fashion trend, Kinh people normally wear jeans and other casual clothes that are found in almost every country though barely seen in other Vietnam ethnicities.
Festivals are regularly held among Kinh people's community, there are a number of remarkable traditional events that foreigners are encouraged to take notes in their own travel book. Several are organized nationally in really large scale such as lunar year festival or Mid-autumn festival, while others are likely to be regional such as Cua Lo waterways festival.
You might be the luckiest traveller if you visit Vietnam around festivals' time. This is a great chance to mingle with the natives and enjoy their new adventures.
Vietnamese people generally are prone to spiritual life, always respecting their ancestors along with doing the annually worship and maintaining their religious belief with a lot of customs. For example, held on the 10th of the 3rd lunar month every year, Hung King's anniversary is the most important one to Vietnamese people to honour the country's settlers. The Vu Lan day is another occasion for people to express their gratefulness and appreciation to their mother and give out generous donations to the less advantaged. Apart from those official events, Kinh people are also famous for their keenness on frequently organizing communal shows with various kinds of traditional art such as Cheo, Tuong. They are shown to express the love for arts of Vietnamese and also occasions for people to frequently communicate and show the solidarity within a community.
Without doubt, an indispensable attraction to foreigners once they visit Vietnam in general and discover Kinh people's culture in particular is food. For foreigners, Phở appears to be a kind of typical Viet aliment that they feel most familiar with. Besides, each region has its own well-known type of food or fruit; something to be proud of among the locals. These include "banh beo Hue", "nem Thanh Hoa", "Phuc Trach grapefruit", "Hung Yen longan".
In some western provinces of the South, markets are gathered animatedly on the rivers where each boat is a store trading a large range of things, especially diverse sorts of fruits. And in rural areas, people can witness farmers eagerly working in harvest time and enjoy the sweaty but happy atmosphere of labor. There are hardly words that can possibly manifest all the special and fantastic things of Vietnamese traditions and customs; therefore, the best advice is to experience it yourself to absorb till the full Kinh people's spirit life and culture.
Once visiting Vietnam, you will be surely impressed by the kindness and friendliness of Vietnamese. The portrait of Vietnamese people is usually described as diligence, persistence, resilience and hospitality. Particularly, Kinh people, the majority and considered to be the most developed community in Vietnam, perform as representatives of the nation to welcome and introduce their beloved homeland to the tourists. In everywhere, it is so easy to see warm smiles and feel the helpfulness of Vietnamese people. That is why Vietnam has become one of the most attractive destinations, not only because of its exclusive beauty spots and long-standing culture but also the warm-hearted people.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Home › Good News
Howard University Alumna Taps Into The Power Of Technology To Drive HBCU Donations
I Heart My HBCU recently fostered a partnership with Xavier University of Louisiana.
Written By Brandee Sanders
Source: FreshSplash / Getty
Although there has been an outpour of fiscal support for historically Black colleges and universities throughout the country, funding disparities between HBCUs and PWIs persist. Entrepreneur Dominique King is tapping into the power of technology to empower HBCU alumni to pay it forward by giving back to their alma maters, Forbes reported.
The Howard University alumna is the founder of a digital platform dubbed I Heart My HBCU. Through the app founded in 2017, users can round up debit or credit card purchases to the nearest dollar and donate the change to their top five historically Black colleges and universities. The tax-deductible donations are allocated towards the creation of scholarships, the advancement of academic and sports programs, campus revitalization projects and other endowments.
The platform recently fostered a two-year partnership with Xavier University of Louisiana, further advancing its mission of making HBCU giving more accessible. Through the pact, the New Orleans-based university is setting out to have upwards of 10,000 individuals join the XULA donor community on the platform. I Heart My HBCU will donate $1 for up to $10,000 raised. King says she created the app to preserve the rich legacies of historically Black colleges and universities and ensure they are around for generations to come.
"While HBCU alumni are large in numbers, preserving our HBCUs will take a community effort," she said in a statement, according to the news outlet. "I Heart My HBCU's chat integration takes the app from just being a donor marketplace to a donor community for HBCU alumni and friends of HBCUs to network, exchange ideas, support other Black-owned businesses and, most importantly, support HBCUs."
HBCU alumni are stepping up for their alma maters in transformative ways. In August, Alabama A&M University received a $2.2 million donation from an anonymous alum, the largest individual gift the school has received in its 146-year history.
Alabama A&M University Receives Largest Individual Donation In Its 146-Year History
Fisk University Receives Largest Endowment In Its 155-Year History
Here Are The Black Change Makers Who Are Running For Governor in 2022
Dominique King	, Donation	, Endowment	, entrepreneur	, HBCU	, Historically Black	, Historically Black College	, Historically Black University	, Howard University	, Newsletter


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Dierks Bentley Confirmed As 'Skating's Newest Star'
It seems Dierks Bentley is a glutton for punishment, and wait until you witness the signature "ice lift" with Jon Pardi.
Watch Dierks channel his best 'Blades of Glory' character in this hilarious and majestic promo video which supports his upcoming 'Burning Man Tour' kicking off January 17th in Hamilton, Ontario.
For this spectacle, Dierks is joined on the ice by his partners on the tour; Jon Pardi and Tenille Townes. The trio makes quite a statement.
Dierks, who plays ice hockey, says he had some less-than-graceful moments making the clip, "I still have a bad hip from taking a spill for creating my art," shared Dierks in a statement.
The promo video so good that it has received accolades from Olympic medalist Adam Rippon. The twitter conversation flooding from Adam's post will leave you in stitches (the good kind). Let the official record note that Adam tweets, that Dierks is "skating's newest star."
RELATED: Dierks Bentley Heats Up 2019 With 'Burning Man Tour.'
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The Wittenberg Torch
The Wittenberg Student Newspaper since 1873 in Springfield, Ohio
About The Torch
Students Enjoy Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
September 29, 2018 Elena Dumm Features, October 3 2018 0
Last Monday was a dreary and rainy fall day, but it was hard to remember that with the warmth and cheer of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Held across the hall from the Language Learning Center, the Mid-Autumn Festival was a celebration of both the Chinese Moon Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is a tradition in many Asian cultures. There was a plethora of free food, including the moon cake—a bakery product typically filled with a red bean or lotus paste that is very popular in China during the Moon Festival.
East Asian pop music played in the background as students ate, mingled and followed origami tutorials on the screen at the front of the room. Students were also welcomed to form into teams to win the riddle competition by being the first to answer a long list of riddles given to them.
The Mid-Autumn Festival was put on by the East Asian Club alongside Mary Zuidema, a Spanish teacher and the Director of the Language Learning Program.
"The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, it's a fusion between the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Moon Festival," Zuidema said of the event. "The Moon Festival is a bit more popular in Chinese culture, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is touching all the Asian cultures." Zuidema likened these festivals to the American Thanksgiving; although the origins differ, all these events are "a good time for friends and family."
Zuidema went on to talk about the legends surrounding the Moon Festival, about "the woman who lives in the moon…and her love who was still on the earth." According to The Epoch Times, the legend is about a man, Hou Yi, who gave an elixir of immortality to his wife, Chang'E, who was forced to drink it when a neighbor tried to steal it from her. Chang'E became a goddess and was forced to go into the sky, but she settled in the moon because that was the closest she could be to her husband on earth.
"[It's] depressive, but you know, beautiful poetry," Zuidema said with a laugh.
Many students were bribed with extra credit by their teachers to show up, but that didn't mean it wasn't fun for them.
"I came to find out whether or not I like mooncakes," Jacob Davis, '19, said who continued by saying he dislikes them, but forgets and must try them again every year.
Zuidema hopes to collaborate with the EAS club again in the future with an origami night. She is also hoping to do an event with each of the five languages–French, Spanish, German, Chinese and Russian–offered as majors or minors for each semester, which she's nervous about accomplishing but is excited to try. If this event says anything about how the rest of the semester will go, there's no doubt that the language department will have a very fun-filled semester.
About Elena Dumm	62 Articles
Elena Dumm is a Communication and Music major ('20) at Wittenberg. This is her second year serving as a senior writer and the Web Editor for the Torch. She hopes to pursue a career in public service communication after she graduates, and eventually obtain her masters in Intercultural Communication.
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Here at TGtS we're always keeping our eyes and ears peeled for exciting new places in Swindon to hang out and explore. Be it a trendy bistro or a quirky new fashion store, we'll always be the first ones to know.
Let's face it, everybody's a little bit nosey and wants to know what's going on in their local community. For that, we can't blame you, we're exactly the same. Make sure to keep checking back as we update our guide with all of the latest developments that Swindon has to offer.
From shops to restaurants we'll have the lowdown on What's New in Swindon.


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Find property throughout the Murcia Region
ARCHIVED - Murcia and Spanish news round-up week ending 15th February 2019
Catalan separatists force a general election in Spain as the trial of their former leaders begins in Madrid
In a week when a survey found that 73 per cent of the people of Murcia were suffering from Valentine's Day-related stress the headlines in regional and national press have been dominated by the start of the trial of the Catalan separatist leaders during the tumultuous autumn of 2017 and the rejection by parliament of the government's proposed budget, which has led to an early general election being called on 28th April.
The two issues are closely related, as it was the withdrawal of support for the government by Catalan separatist MPs which led to the budget being voted out. They had implied that they would be prepared to vote in favour of the budget if concessions were granted in respect of the holding of an independence referendum in Catalunya, but once it was apparent that no ground would be given by the PSOE government on this point their opposition was steadfast. This situation has been inevitable ever since the PSOE leader ousted the PP and Mariano Rajoy, forming a government with the support of the Catalan separatists, who were expecting concessions for their cause in return, a possibility which immediately caused widespread dissent within the ranks of the PSOE and lead to the inevitability of the current situation.
From that point on speculation in the media was over when, not if, an election would be held, and by opting for the end of April Pedro Sánchez has avoided a "Super Sunday" on 26th May, when local and European elections are to be held in Spain. What it means, though, is that for the next three months the Spanish public will be subjected to almost incessant campaigning and pre-campaigning, at the end of which it will be fascinating to see how the political panorama of the country changes: in the last five years or so there have been drastic shifts in voting patterns, with the emergence first of new left-wing and centrist parties (Podemos and Ciudadanos) and, most recently, the radical right-wing group Vox.
This makes it difficult to imagine that any one group will be able to form a majority in the national parliament - even at regional and local levels the task will be a tough one - and as Pedro Sánchez's short-lived government has illustrated (he took office last June), governing with only 85 of the 350 members of Congress is a very tall order indeed.
In the first half of the week, it seemed that the start of the trial of separatist leaders at the Supreme Court in Madrid might steal the headlines from the budget vote, as supporters of the 12 accused and their policies staged roadblocks and protests in Catalunya. One of their grievances is that it has taken as long as 15 months for the trial to get under way after the tumultuous events in Catalunya which culminated in a unilateral declaration of independence from Spain in the regional parliament on 27th October 2017, converting the defendants into "political prisoners" in the eyes of some.
It should be remembered that the accused in the trial which started on Tuesday are those who opted not to flee Spain after 27th October 2017, preferring to stay and "face the music". Among them are Oriol Junqueras, the former vice-president of Catalunya, and Carme Forcadell, who was Speaker in the regional parliament when the declaration of independence was made, but former president Carles Puigdemont is still in "exile" in Berlin.
The initial sessions of the trial took place with both the prosecution and the defence stressing the importance of ensuring that the issues addressed are penal and legal rather than political, but the events of this week could hardly illustrate any more graphically that it in this case it is almost impossible to separate politics from the law!
It's been interesting to observe news coverage of the situation in the UK, where national tv channels have chosen to portray the Catalans as victims of Spanish oppression who have been denied the right to vote in an independence referendum, rather than explaining to UK viewers that the Spanish Constitution which was drawn up after the period following the Spanish Civil War and Dictatorship, was created to hold Spain together as a single country and enable it to move forward as a democracy, so the holding of an independence referendum without the consent of the national government is illegal, as Puigdemont and his supporters knew full well when they decided to defy the law. The UK TV also neglects to inform viewers that Spain's system of government does give a large degree of autonomy already to each of the 17 regions which make up Spain, all of which have their own elected parliaments, leaders and legislative powers.
Corvera and San Javier airports
It is now a month since the opening of the Region of Murcia International Airport in Corvera on 15th January, when existing flights were transferred from the airport of Murcia-San Javier on the shore of the Mar Menor, and despite efforts to boost passenger numbers at the new facility the first data published by airport management company Aena since the changeover suggest that this may not be an easy task.
During January, the number of people passing through the terminals at San Javier and Corvera represented a decrease of 8 per cent in comparison to the first month of 2018 at San Javier, the first year-on-year fall in passenger numbers since September 2016, and comes despite the number of flights this January having risen from 374 to 428.
Those living in parts of south-west Murcia have now been added to the bus service routes and this week it was announced that a coach service will operate during the summer connecting the terminal building with Mazarrón, Lorca and Águilas. Timetables will be adapted to the take-off and landing times at Corvera, but Patricio Valverde was unable to confirm whether the route will include a stop at the residential development of Camposol, where a large number of the British and northern European population of Mazarrón live and many more fly out to spend their holidays.
Meanwhile, at San Javier the problem of what to do with an unused airport terminal building appears to have been solved. After months of negotiations the Fundación Infante de Orleans has confirmed that it will transfer its collection of classic aircraft to San Javier to create an aviation museum: with over 40 vintage planes this is described as the third most important collection of its kind in Europe, and the hope is that the regular air displays which until now have been held at the Cuatro Vientos aerodrome in Madrid will now take place on the shore of the Mar Menor!
Agriculture and the environment
Águilas Town Hall removes single-use plastic cups from public buildings and replaces them with biodegradable alternatives: a small but important step to combat plastic pollution in the seas and oceans.
Ecofinca Torrecillas aims to plant 1,000 trees in the Sierra de Carrascoy by Easter: British and Dutch people are among those joining in the re-forestation scheme in the Regional Park of El Valle-Carrascoy!
Brown bins for compostable waste to be introduced in the city of Murcia: the fifth container will be used to collect food for a protein-producing black soldier fly larvae farm.
Drone boats to patrol and monitor marine reserves and fish farms in Murcia: the equipment has been designed and built by a team at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena and will be put to use in the marine reserves of Cabo Tiñoso and Cabo de Palos - Islas Hormigas.
Murcia ecologists oppose EU proposal to defer closure of aquifer wells: the 2027 deadline to close over-exploited wells could be extended, affecting 40 of the 63 aquifers in the Segura basin.
Tuna and swordfish prices soar in Cartagena: the sale of two longline fishing vessels has resulted in fewer tuna being brought ashore and demand exceeding supply.
Furtive fishermen reeled in by Guardia Civil in La Azohía and Portmán: two men were caught red-handed with octopus and grouper in La Azohía and another two have been detained in Portmán.
Wild boar made fair game for hunters in Murcia in response to swine fever threat: the risks associated with swine fever are so serious that the armed forces could be called in!
Loggerhead sea turtle released into the Mediterranean in Bolnuevo: the second rescue this year for the same lucky turtle after earlier treatment in Valencia!
Murcia irrigation farmers threatened by new EU recycled water regulations: the Region of Murcia is a pioneer in maximizing recycled water usage in agriculture.
Don Simón launch fully recyclable fruit juice cartons: the Jumilla-based firm plans to extend the new containers to its whole range of drinks and soups, and is working on a new recyclable cap for the cartons.
Over a million plantlets a day are planted by one machine in the Campo de Cartagena: the equipment is being used in the fields of Balsapintada in Fuente Álamo.
Other stories in the Murcia news
20 potentially dangerous dogs with nowhere to go at Murcia animal shelter: overcrowding at the Murcia zoonosis centre due to the new "zero sacrifice" law which bans putting rescued animals down without veterinary justification.
Four arrested after 9 burglaries at rural properties in Mula: Spanish and Colombian youths have been detained by the Guardia Civil.
One walker dies in Abarán while another is rescued near El Portús: emergency services staff were kept busy on Sunday in the Region of Murcia.
30 graves found in the excavation of the Moorish San Esteban site in Murcia: an entire residential quarter of the 12th century city of Mursiya is being investigated.
Flu cases dropped by 26 per cent in Murcia last week: 7 more fatalities related to the virus bring the death toll this winter to 40 but the epidemic seems to be on the wane.
Beware fake deaf-dumb con artists on the streets of Spain: a Rumanian woman faking dumbness stole a 1,700-euro bracelet from a man in Murcia.
Murcia government withholds licences for gambling salons: 330 gaming salons are already open in the Region of Murcia but concern is growing over addiction among young people.
Doctors and hospitals in Spain banned from calling patients in by name: confidentiality rules also mean that hospital staff may not inform visiting relatives of patients' room numbers.
Woman robbed of 20,000 euros outside Molina de Segura bank: the victim was distracted while the thieves snatched the cash and made off, having previously punctured one of her tyres so that she couldn't give chase, leading to suspicion that they knew she was collecting a large sum of cash from the bank.
More problems for the Calatrava bridge in Murcia. This time it's problem pigeons: anti-pigeon netting to be installed to protect residents (and cars, and street furniture…) in the district of Vistabella.
Marijuana plantation found in squatter property in Totana: neighbours reported the characteristic scent of cannabis in a nearby playground.
Cartagena hospital car parking fees slashed: the daily rate has been cut from 13.85 euros to just 2.12 euros at the Santa Lucía hospital just outside the city.
County cricket warm-up matches at La Manga Club in March: Hampshire, Northants, Glamorgan and Gloucestershire begin their 2019 seasons in the Costa Cálida!
Murcia and Spanish property news
The main statistical bulletin published this week was the government's central statistics unit's report for December 2018, which confirmed that during last year the number of sales and purchases rose in the Region of Murcia far more sharply than in any of the other 16 regions.
The national figure increased by 10.1 per cent in comparison with 2017 to just over 515,000, topping the half million mark for the first time for 10 years, and the breakdown offers confirmation that the level of activity in the real estate market might be reaching a ceiling in areas where the recovery in the market began soonest fallowing the crash which began in late 2007. For example, the Balearics was the only region where there were fewer sales last year (down by 2.9 per cent), while both Madrid and Catalunya were also near the foot of the table with increases of only 4 per cent and 7.7 per cent respectively.
However, in the Costa Cálida the annual total climbed to 16,387 after an increase of 24.3 per cent, reaching a level of activity last seen in 2010 and registering the 19th consecutive monthly increase in December. To put that annual growth rate into perspective, the next most significant increases were those reported in La Rioja (18.9 per cent) and Castilla-La Mancha (18.1 per cent), and the figure is now 76 per cent higher than four and a half years ago!
Spanish news round-up: controversial ban on diesel vehicles passed in the Balearics
Of course the press has this week been dominated by the trial of the Catalan separatist leaders in Madrid and the events which led to a general election being called, but there has been room for other stories of interest to filter through onto the front pages.
One of these was the passing of controversial legislation in the Balearics by which the registration of new diesel-powered vehicles will be banned in 2025, and petrol engines will be banned ten years later with the intention of achieving a situation where all motor vehicles in the islands are powered by electricity. This seems at first to be a far-reaching and, in Spain at least, pioneering piece of legislation, but it has come in for a good deal of criticism.
On Monday, the day before the vote in the Balearic parliament, the monopolies commission expressed doubts over its feasibility, and the car motor vehicle manufacturers' association Anfac has questioned the legislation in a report to the European Commission, describing it as "arbitrary, disproportionate and lacking in any technical or scientific justification".
On a practical level, there are two perceived problems with the way in which the law is designed. The first is that it will encourage drivers in the islands to continue using older cars, which are more harmful to the atmosphere (this is already being reflected in the figures for new car registrations, according to some analysts), while the second is that the immediate consequence will be an increase in the sales of petrol-powered vehicles in the Balearics, and these actually produce more of some pollutants than their diesel counterparts.
Animal rights have also been in the news, with the Guardia Civil reporting that last year 16,625 instances of maltreatment of animals were processed, almost 11,000 of them related to pets, another 4,000 to dangerous animal species and 1,731 to potentially dangerous breeds of dog. These figures more or less match those of previous years, and while it is saddening to learn that there are still so many cases of maltreatment of animals in Spain, on the other hand, the very fact that offences such as these are being reported, investigated and punished is encouraging.
On a related note, there have recently been protests against cruelty to greyhounds all over Spain to coincide with the end of the hunting season: activists claim that over 50,000 greyhounds are abandoned or killed every year, while hunters retort that this is a gross exaggeration.
There have also been a couple of eye-catchingly bizarre stories which attracted a lot of attention. One of these concerned an intriguing Rumanian contortionist and astrologer who lived as a hermit but found time to commit 20 robberies in bars in Catalunya before the Mossos d'Esquadra (the regional police force) caught up with him – apart from all his other unusual character traits he was also apparently strongly committed to helping children in need, and donated a significant proportion of the 100,000-euro loot to charities.
And if that's not unusual enough for you, it has come to light that a convict who was wrongly pronounced dead a year ago at the Villabona prison in Asturias is to sue prison authorities for 50,000 euros in compensation for the alleged mental and physical harm he suffered. Much of this harm occurred during the three hours he spent in a body-bag in a morgue before stunning medical staff by starting to snore and opening his eyes!
For more on these and other stories in the Spanish news this week, scroll down the feed box below:
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text:
CONTINUE MEDICAL EDUCATION
Nontraumatic acute limb ischemia – presentation, evaluation, and management
Bhavin L Ram, Robbie K George
Narayana Institute of Vascular Sciences, Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Bhavin L Ram
Narayana Institute of Vascular Sciences, Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka
DOI: 10.4103/ijves.ijves_60_17
Nontraumatic acute limb ischemia (ALI) may cause significant morbidity and death if not addressed in time and need to be promptly recognized and treated. Perfusion should be thoroughly assessed using available multiple methods, and patients should be considered for revascularization (endovascular or open surgery) to restore blood perfusion as soon as possible. Underlying conditions, which caused ALI, need to be assessed and treated accordingly.
Keywords: Acute limb ischemia, evaluation, treatment
Ram BL, George RK. Nontraumatic acute limb ischemia – presentation, evaluation, and management. Indian J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2017;4:192-7
Ram BL, George RK. Nontraumatic acute limb ischemia – presentation, evaluation, and management. Indian J Vasc Endovasc Surg [serial online] 2017 [cited 2020 Jan 18];4:192-7. Available from: http://www.indjvascsurg.org/text.asp?2017/4/4/192/217460
Acute limb ischemia (ALI) occurs due to a sudden decrease in the blood flow to a limb, resulting in a potential threat to the viability of the extremity.[1] Unfortunately, the threat is not only to the limb, but also these patients are also at high risk for death. Limb hypoperfusion, especially when left untreated, causes systemic acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities that impair cardiopulmonary and renal function. Successful reperfusion may result in the release of highly toxic free radicals, further compromising these critically ill patients.
Although it comes on suddenly, it does not imply that the patient has not had long-standing peripheral artery disease. It is important to determine what suddenly changed to cause the onset of symptoms. By convention, ALI usually refers to patients presenting with symptoms for <2 weeks, which ranges from the patient with a few hours history of a painful cold white leg, to the patient with a few days history of short distance claudication or the patient with a sudden increase in ischemic symptoms on a background of peripheral arterial disease.
In many ways, vascular disease in the leg is similar to that in the heart as the risk factors, underlying conditions, and pathogenetic processes are the same, and in many cases, patients have both conditions. Like in acute myocardial infarction, time is very precious in ALI and all same principle applies to ALI in management.
The incidence of acute limb ischaemia is estimated at approximately 1/6000 populations per year in the west.[1],[2] Unfortunately, a similar estimate is not available for India. Estimates of mortality following acute limb ischemia range from 9% to 22%.[1],[3],[4],[5] Limb salvage following acute limb ischemia is estimated at 70%–90%.[1],[4],[5],[6],[7]
ALI results from sudden occlusion of the arterial supply. This may be due to an embolus that originates at a distant site or thrombosis which generally occurs within the local arterial bed [Figure 1]. Embolic events cause a greater degree of ischemia than thrombosis, as the embolus characteristically lodges in a "virgin" vascular bed with no prior collateral development. On the other hand, generally thrombosis occurs in vessels with prior, gradual atherosclerotic narrowing or intimal damage that has stimulated the formation of collateral channels. The presence of these collaterals lessens the severity and rapidity of symptom development when the atherosclerotic narrowing progresses to occlusion.[1]
Figure 1: Etiology of ALI
Emboli usually arise from plaque rupture in atherosclerotic arteries or a clot breaking off from an aneurysm or from within the heart in patients with atrial fibrillation or another underlying heart disease. Paradoxical embolism, caused by an embolus arising in the venous system and then crossing the heart through an opening such as a patent foramen ovale causing occlusion of the arterial tree is known but rare.
A thrombus contains the constituents of blood and is formed in situ within the blood vessel. Thrombosis may be influenced by any of the three factors described in Virchow's triad, i.e., stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability.
Underlying causes of the thrombosis are atherosclerosis, aneurysm, trauma, vasculitis (e.g., in a rheumatologic disease such as lupus), and hypercoagulable states (particularly in patients with cancer).
Other rare causes of ALI can be vasculitis, compartment syndrome, popliteal entrapment syndrome, arterial dissection following trauma, iatrogenic, adventitial cystic disease, previous graft occlusion, etc.
There is also some evidence that the proportion of ALI caused by the embolic disease is falling, due to the decreased incidence of rheumatic heart disease and the improvement in the management of atrial fibrillation.[1] In this context, and with an ageing population, the presentation of acute on chronic limb ischemia is more common. This can be more difficult to diagnose since the classical signs of acute limb ischemia may be attenuated by the presence of collaterals.
Clinical Presentation and Assessment
The diagnosis of ALI is suspected on the basis of presentation with any of the "six Ps," i.e., Pain, Pallor, Paralysis, Pulse deficit, Paresthesia, and Poikilothermia. A common differential diagnosis would include acute neurologic events that can cause pain, paralysis, and paresthesia.
It is not uncommon to see late presentations with irreversible ischemic damage as the symptoms have been misdiagnosed to be due to an acute neurologic compression or event.
Time spent investigating and chasing this neurologic diagnosis can be critical as the window of time for successful revascularization of acute embolic origin ischemia is very limited. A proper clinical examination would prevent such disasters.
History should include the duration, location, intensity, and suddenness of the onset of pain and changes over time. Embolic occlusions are usually very sudden and of great intensity, such that patients often present within a few hours of onset. Pain can be either constant or elicited by passive movement of the involved extremity. The duration of symptoms is of prime importance in the planning of therapy.[2]
The history should include a history of intermittent claudication, previous leg bypass or other vascular procedures. A history suggestive of embolic sources, such as palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias, previous myocardial infarction, and cardiac surgery should also be elicited. A history of previous thrombotic episodes in either the venous or arterial system should also be elicited.
General cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, amputations, other vascular procedures, and family history of cardiac or vascular events) should be recorded, as these can be predictors of periprocedural mortality.
It is also important to document the patient's premorbid state of mobility and functionality both as a goal toward successful rehabilitation and to document any preexistent infirmities.
A thorough general and local examination can provide a wealth of information and can often be adequate to plan emergent surgical interventions. General examination should specifically record all pulses and any arrhythmias or pulse deficits.
Pallor and Poikilothermia (level of coldness) in the limb are important to record and to evaluate the level of ischemia and its progress over time. Propagation of thrombus after the initial occlusive event may convert a marginally ischemic limb into a severely threatened extremity. Occasionally, propagation may occur due to a decrease in blood flow secondary to low cardiac output resulting from congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction.
A focused neurologic examination comparing the limb to the other member of its pair for sensory and motor deficits will help to establish the extent of neurologic damage, a factor of significance if medico-legal complaints arise. Sensory capabilities, such as light touch, two-point tactile discrimination, proprioception, and vibratory perception, are lost early on. Profound paralysis with complete lack of sensation indicates an irreversible state of ischemia, and the patient may be best treated with primary amputation.
The muscles should be assessed for compartment syndrome-pain on passive or active movement and hardening of the muscle group are hallmarks and indicators that emergent treatment is required.
Classification of Acute Limb Ischemia
The purpose of the history and examination is to determine three things:
Is the leg acutely ischemic? (or is there an alternative diagnosis?)
Is the likely cause embolic or thrombotic
Is the leg viable, threatened or irreversibly ischemic?
The answers to these three questions will determine the immediate management. It is not always possible to distinguish between embolic and thrombotic etiology, since many patients with an embolic cause may also have some underlying peripheral arterial disease by their age (15%–20% of patients >70 years old have the peripheral arterial disease[8]). It is most important to decide whether the leg is viable, threatened or irreversibly ischemic [Table 1].
Table 1: Rutherford's classification of acute limb ischemia
The category establishes the type and urgency of treatment. This classification system is simple and depends on factors that can be assessed easily by nonspecialists:
Pulses – arterial and venous pulses/signals assessed by hand-held Doppler
Sensation – the patient closes the eyes and answers if he or she can feel the examiner's touch
Motor function – can the patient move his or her toes/ankle?
Electrocardiogram: to diagnose atrial fibrillation or other cardiac arrhythmias or an acute cardiac event, which may be a source of emboli.
Two-dimensional Echocardiography: if time permits, to rule out cardiac source of emboli.
Bloods: routine blood tests relevant to a suspected acutely ischemic limb and for possible surgical intervention. A baseline complete blood count, creatinine, electrolytes, and coagulation profile would be a minimum. A pro-thrombotic workup can be done if feasible and considered essential.
Arterial blood gas analysis: to look for acidosis secondary to ischemia. If the patient is acidotic the most important initial management is rehydration.
Imaging: imaging is not essential for the management of every patient of ALI and should be requisitioned only if it is likely to change the management strategy and not going to delay the definitive treatment inordinately. The choice of imaging modality includes.
Conventional imaging includes a digital subtraction angiogram. This is an invasive procedure using intra-arterial contrast but has the potential for therapeutic intervention (thrombolysis and angioplasty)
Magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography (CT) angiography are less invasive and should provide the same anatomical information. A CT angiogram is significantly quicker and more readily available
Arterial duplex is noninvasive but is operator dependent and iliac, and calf vessels can be difficult to image.
The choice of imaging is likely to depend on the local resources available.
Management Options/strategies
Therapeutic choices are often few, and patient expectations are not always realistic. The management of acute limb ischemia requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the arterial occlusion and the open surgical and percutaneous options for restoring limb perfusion. It is very important to explain and document the degree of morbidity that has already occurred and also the likely prognosis for the patient and family.
Initial management in the emergency department
Initial management is consisted of following as shown in [Figure 2].
Figure 2: Initial management of ALI
Analgesia - As with any painful condition there is no rationale to withhold analgesia to facilitate assessment
Anticoagulation - Eighty-units/kg bolus intravenous (IV) heparin (unfractionated) should be given immediately to all patients with acute limb ischemia; even when they are likely to be undergoing surgery or angiography.[1] This is to prevent propagation of thrombosis. In patients in whom definitive treatment is deferred an intravenous heparin infusion (18U/kg/hr) should be prescribed or can be started on therapeutic low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)
IV fluids - Patients with acute limb ischemia are often dehydrated. These patients are likely to be undergoing surgery or be given iodinated contrast that will be a further renal insult. Reperfusion of ischemic tissue releases toxic metabolites, potassium, creatinine kinase, and myoglobin, which can further damage the kidneys. Administration of potassium should be avoided. Aggressive rehydration should be initiated unless co-existent cardiac conditions are limiting
Refer - Refer to a vascular specialist urgently if not available. Any delay risks jeopardizing the limb, particularly if there is sensorimotor impairment or compartment syndrome.
Definitive management
This is based on Rutherford's classification of ALI and should be considered simultaneously with initial management in the emergency department.
These patients have a viable limb. There is no good evidence to support the use of LMWH in this situation, and it is more difficult to adjust if interventions are required. Formal imaging (angiogram, MR angiogram, CT angiogram or arterial duplex depending on local resources) should then be arranged within normal working hours to plan definitive treatment.
Category IIa
These patients have a threatened limb. They should have immediate imaging, to guide operative (or endovascular) intervention. In some cases where there is a minimal sensory loss only, they may be managed conservatively until imaging can be obtained during normal working hours.
Category IIb
These patients have a threatened limb and cannot wait. If circumstances allow it may be possible to obtain imaging before theater, but this should not delay intervention. They need urgent revascularization, either operatively or with thrombolysis (see below). Imaging may be acquired while the patient is in theatre.
In a patient with a clear history for embolus (and a source of embolus) and a normal contralateral limb, an embolectomy may be performed under local anesthesia.
In all such patients, a fasciotomy should be considered. In those with established compartment syndrome always perform the fasciotomy before the embolectomy - this will limit the ongoing muscle damage and may also reduce the amount of reperfusion injury. In addition, on occasion, the muscle may be found to be completely nonviable in which case an amputation without revascularizing dead tissue would be appropriate. In those without a preexistent compartment syndrome, the limb should be reassessed at the end of revascularization for a possible fasciotomy. Maintain a low threshold for performing a fasciotomy.
The advantage of local anaestheisa is that elderly patients with cardiac comorbidity better tolerate local anesthesia. The disadvantage is that if a simple embolectomy is unsuccessful and a more extensive procedure is required it may be necessary to convert to general anesthesia. In all cases, an anesthetist should be present to manage the patient medically during the procedure. On-table imaging should be available and the whole limb prepared and draped.
Category III
These patients have irreversible ischemia, and the limb is not salvageable. Revascularization in this situation is likely to kill the patient, due to the massive release of potassium, creatine kinase, myoglobin, lactate, and oxygen free radicals from the ischemic tissue, which can cause renal failure, myocardial toxicity, and multi-organ failure. The options are either amputation or palliation.
In an acute scenario with evidence of infection a so-called guillotine amputation may be performed to allow a quick operation to remove necrotic/infected tissue, with a definitive amputation at a later date once the patient is more stable and infection has been treated.
It is vital to recognize those patients in whom an ischemic limb is part of the process of dying, and not subject them to unnecessary and futile interventions.
Special consideration should be given to acute renal failure due to myoglobinuria and limb compartment syndrome after revascularization, which can be of significant importance in ALI management. Any patient not receiving a fasciotomy should be monitored on an hourly basis for any sign of compartment syndrome.
Endovascular techniques
The development of noninvasive or minimally invasive treatment options for revascularization is ongoing. It aims to reduce the surgery-related morbidity without affecting the limb salvage rate. Thrombolysis is one such strategy. Available endovascular options are systemic thrombolysis, catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) [Figure 3] and more advanced percutaneous mechanical thrombolysis (PMT).
Figure 3: Endovascular treatment option – catheter directed thrombolysis
The introduction of CDT, locally-administered thrombolytic agents has challenged past few decades of dominance of the Fogarty catheter thrombectomy. Thrombolytic agents are in widespread use for the dissolution of arterial and venous pathologic thrombi. Thrombolytic agents have been successfully employed to dissolve the occluding thrombus, reconstitute blood flow, and improve the status of the tissue bed supplied by the involved vascular segment. All thrombolytic agents in clinical use today are actually plasminogen activators. Following thrombolysis an angiogram should be performed to identify any underlying stenosis.
There have been five randomized controlled trials comparing surgery with thrombolysis in the acutely ischemic limb including 1283 patients, which have been analysed in a systematic review.[6] Major complications were more common after thrombolysis with a 1.3% risk of stroke (versus 0% after surgery) and an 8.8% risk of major haemorrhage (versus 3.3% after surgery). While there was clinical heterogeneity between the studies the authors concluded that universal initial treatment with either surgery or thrombolysis cannot be advocated on the available evidence. There have been no further randomized controlled trials since.
Another option of endovascular treatment – PMT devices, is in evolution and at present contains various devices classified as hydrodynamic devices, rotational devices, and other mechanical adjuncts to CDT. All these new options have not yet proven their advantages or superiority over conventional options available.
Open surgical techniques
Open surgical techniques for salvage of an ischemic limb include [Figure 4]:
Figure 4: Open surgical treatment options available for ALI
Balloon catheter thrombectomy
Bypass procedures to direct blood flow beyond the occlusion
Endarterectomy with or without patch angioplasty
Intraoperative isolated limb thrombolysis.
For many years, thrombo-embolectomy has been the mainstay of management of acute limb ischemia and it remains a very quick and effective procedure when used in the right situation. In the UK, thrombolysis use peaked in the late 1990s and most centres now use surgery as a first-line management in most patients, mainly due to concerns regarding efficacy and complication rates for thrombolysis.[9]
All patients who undergo any intervention for acute limb ischemia should receive risk factor management as outlined in [Figure 5].
Figure 5: Risk factor management in ALI
In the acute setting, open operative revascularization, thrombolytic therapy, and PMT should not be viewed as competitive treatment modalities. The choice of therapy depends on the presentation, urgency, comorbidities, and available treatment options.
In the last decade, significant endovascular advances have been made. New devices and techniques have enhanced our ability to treat high-risk patients who have limb ischemia.
For the primary care physician, a low threshold for suspecting and assessing perfusion in patients with acute limb pain is important. These patients should promptly be referred to an appropriate unit for urgent treatment.
Norgren L, Hiatt WR, Dormandy JA, Nehler MR, Harris KA, Fowkes FG, et al. Inter-society consensus for the management of peripheral arterial disease (TASC II). Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2007;33 Suppl 1:S1-75.
Davies B, Braithwaite BD, Birch PA, Poskitt KR, Heather BP, Earnshaw JJ, et al. Acute leg ischaemia in Gloucestershire. Br J Surg 1997;84:504-8.
Aune S, Trippestad A. Operative mortality and long-term survival of patients operated on for acute lower limb ischaemia. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 1998;15:143-6.
Eliason JL, Wainess RM, Proctor MC, Dimick JB, Cowan JA Jr., Upchurch GR Jr., et al. Anational and single institutional experience in the contemporary treatment of acute lower extremity ischemia. Ann Surg 2003;238:382-9.
Campbell WB, Ridler BM, Szymanska TH. Current management of acute leg ischaemia: Results of an audit by the vascular surgical society of Great Britain and Ireland. Br J Surg 1998;85:1498-503.
Berridge DC, Kessel D, Robertson I. Surgery versus thrombolysis for acute limb ischaemia: Initial management. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;3:CD002784.
Kuukasjärvi P, Salenius JP. Perioperative outcome of acute lower limb ischaemia on the basis of the national vascular registry. The finnvasc study group. Eur J Vasc Surg 1994;8:578-83.
Fowkes FG, Housley E, Cawood EH, Macintyre CC, Ruckley CV, Prescott RJ, et al. Edinburgh Artery Study: Prevalence of asymptomatic and symptomatic peripheral arterial disease in the general population. Int J Epidemiol 1991;20:384-92.
Richards T, Pittathankal AA, Magee TR, Galland RB. The current role of intra-arterial thrombolysis. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2003;26:166-9.
Ram BL
George RK
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Last Sunday, August 1, was our 14th wedding anniversary. I didn't realize we have been together that long. For two strong headed and stubborn people to have stayed together for 14 years is already an accomplishment. I remember how I had a hard time adjusting to married life, rather to living with a person who knows nothing about household chores and who's so insensitive he always doesn't know what I'm fuming about. I have to spell out everything so he'll get my point exactly! Isn't that frustrating? But I'm not perfect myself, so I guess that evens out everything. Wow! It took me 14 years to realize that!
Initially, it's our love of food and eating that brought us closer together. Also, simple things in life make us happy. When we were still boyfriend-girlfriend, our favorite pastime is watching movies and dining in fast food restaurants, particulary KFC, because that's all our meager salaries at that time can afford. LOL! We're also both very loyal. Not once have I caught him cheating on me and vice versa. Although we're not very religious, we're sensible people and we follow the golden rule: not doing unto others what we don't want others to do unto us. Finally, and most importantly, for both of us, family comes first.
While he won't buy me gifts on his own, he wants me to get the best gift for any occasion. He's not rich, but he doesn't scrimp when he spends for his gifts for me or my son. I remember it was my 28th birthday in January 2000 and he brought me to a jewelry shop to find something I like. I found a diamond necklace with matching earrings, which cost around 10,000 at that time. I was hesitant to buy them because they're too expensive, but he purchased the items for me. He was even encouraging me to buy the diamond ring to complete the set, but I declined because I don't want him to have a hard time paying for our purchase. Now, I'm regretting that decision because when we went to the same jewelry shop a few years ago, the price of the entire set doubled. LOL!
I would love to see us grow old together and be able to provide well for our one and only son. It is also my hope that all three of us, my husband, me, and my son will have a strong spiritual and religious faith that will keep our family intact through good times and bad.
Happy Anniversary, Daddy! Justin and I love you! Mwah!
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happy happy anniversary to you and your husband. your love story and insights are so heartwarming. i'm blessed to have read this entry.
more love and happiness to you both. cheers!
Congratulations! That is beautiful, you both want to grow old together. Enjoy your specail day.
belated happy anniversary! 😀 be blessed!


text:
He Was Down On His Luck, Then One DNA Test Changed Everything!
October 17, 2021 ronieLeave a Comment on He Was Down On His Luck, Then One DNA Test Changed Everything!
Just when he thought he'd live his life through a paycheck, this one DNA result has drastically changed his life.
Jordan Adlard Rogers, 31, only found out his father was Charles Rogers after his death in 2018. It was very unfortunate that he did not have a chance to meet his father.
Jordaan always believed when Charles was still alive, he was his father and made several unsuccessful attempts to get a DNA test done.
He said after his father died he was finally able to get the test completed.
Mr. Charles Rogers spent 40 years living as a drug addict and a recluse before dying in his car following an overdose on a heroin substitute.
Charles Rogers' brother had been a pilot with the RAF and his dad a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy, "so he had big shoes to fill", Mr. Adlard Rogers said.
"He was under huge pressure taking it on, but he was different and a free spirit, here was always a pressure of him trying to match expectation," Jordan added.
Within days after the DNA test to prove his claim, he inherited all of Charles' riches – which turned out to be worth as much as $60 million! All of the money went into Adlard-Roger's bank account in total within hours. It didn't take long for him to move into the beautiful Penrose Estate and enjoy all of its luxury amenities.
People say I'm lucky but I would trade anything to be able to go back and for Charles to know I was his son," he said.
Now that he is rich, Jordan has quit his job as a care worker and moved into the countryside mansion. Penrose Estate has 1,536 acres of land. The results of the DNA test confirmed that Jordan Adlard-Rogers was the rightful heir to the fortune. He moved in right away with his 30-year-old partner, Katie Hubber, and their newborn son, Joshua.
Jordan devotes that he plans to set up a charity to help people in nearby Porthleven and Helston with his newfound wealth.
"Maybe then he might have taken a different path."
Events like these make me wonder how rich my dad is, Jordan is born lucky but unfortunate to spend a life with his dad.
Source: American Web Media
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text:
Home SMEs
I had just $700 dollars left to start my life here in Nigeria – Professor Lanre Awosika – Fapetu
by Vivian Akinyosoye
in SMEs
Enterprise education focuses on helping students develop entrepreneurial, life and employment skills to prepare them for life beyond school, with a particular emphasis on financial capability, creativity, problem-solving, time management, innovation, collaboration, adaptability, resilience, and leadership.
Professor Lanre Awosika – Fapetu is a Professor of Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Wisconsin, United States of America. After a successful career in the US, she came back to Nigeria with the aim of giving to her country what she has gained over the years.
She is the Executive Director/Owner, Olawoyin Awosika School of Innovative Studies (OASIS), offering Associate level diplomas in Banking Operations, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship and International management.
As a global online lecturer and e-learning expert Professor Awosika teaches finance, economics and management up to graduate level at Liberty University Online, USA; University of Wisconsin Stout Online, US University of South Wales Online, UK.
Professor Fapetu is also President and Consultant Edutech, helping universities in emerging markets leverage their enrollment using adaptive technologies.
BUSINESS 360 had a chat with her in a telephone interview where she shared her passion for education and her dream of leaving a legacy for the next generation.
BUSINESS 360: Thank you madam, for taking time off your busy schedule to speak with us.
Prof. Fapetu: No problem, it is nice speaking with you.
BUSINESS 360: After what can best be described as a successful career back in the United states, you decided to come back home, and start something of your own, despite the challenges you are likely to face, why this decision.
Prof. Fapetu: I came back out of a need to serve, I wanted to give back to my country, and what better place to do that than at home.
BUSINESS 360: Why Education
PROF. Fapetu: Education is the best to give to anyone, it goes a long way for the economy and it goes a long way for the society. It is something the lasts through time. You cannot take knowledge gained away from anyone. And so, education came very naturally to me.
And then OASIS also started with two things, E-learning and Innovative Enterprise Institution. And so with these two, we had something good. But when I now realized that the problem with Nigeria is actually entrepreneurial, and also the lack of technology at the secondary level, I now decided this is an opportunity to introduce technology to secondary education.
One will also make Entrepreneurs out of them, so that when they graduate, even if they do not want to go to the university, they will have the entrepreneurial spirit in them.
And they will not be looking for jobs, they would be job creators instead of job seekers. And so this is what informed the late start at 200 level as entrance to the institution. And so the traditional secondary school curriculum is given, but then we have the entrepreneurship curriculum that we can give through technology.
BUSINESS 360: Looking at the educational system in the United States and that of Nigeria, would you say we have able to train people who can think for themselves.
Prof. Fapetu: Unfortunately, our culture does not encourage children to think for themselves, we shut them down when they ask questions. Its not even just at home, in church, in schools, whatever organization where children are taught, we stifle them when they try to think for themselves.
We don't encourage boldness, we don't encourage them to think on their own. If we could get this into our educational system, we teach logic, we teach critical thinking or the art of debate or argument will enhance our learning considerable.
BUSINESS 360: Looking at OASIS and where you started from, how would you describe the journey so far?
Prof. Fapetu: It has been very interesting and dynamic, what you learn to do is to roll with the country. When you come up against an obstacle, you rally round and you tackle it. You know when to drop an idea, and you know when to pick it up.
You know when to form partnerships that work and how to manage it. For example, we partnered with UNICAF, which are our partners from Europe, Cyprus to be precise. It was shaky at the beginning, but one thing I knew to do was to deal with them with integrity.
And ultimately, it turned out that when the innovative Enterprise institution was not doing what it was supposed to do, we had to step it down knowing that maybe this was not the right time. But then we there was the E-learning part of the business also, and so we had to pursue that. We got nominations from existing Universities, getting on the board of Ahmadu Belllo University.
These little steps helped generate funds for the running of the institution. So its just knowing when to pursue an idea and knowing when to back off when it is not working. That is what actually got us to where we are right now.
BUSINESS 360: How did you cope with the question of funds, I do not think you came from the United states with all of that fund, so how did you manage.
Prof. Fapetu: You are right. To be precise, I came back from the United states with just $2,500 dollars in my purse. $1,200 dollars had already been committed, and another $500 dollars had been committed to my needs. And so I had just $700 dollars left to start my life here in Nigeria. How did it grow, it grew organically, we started very small. My staff strength was one, that was me.
And we worked from the living room. And from the living room, we became the enterprise that we are today. It was an organic thing, there was no bank help, we still have not gotten any bank help for now. Although there was the microfinance thing which was very expensive, but we had to do that. It has been a very interesting journey.
BUSINESS 360: How did you scale through the challenges that come with certification and approvals?
Prof. Fapetu: Well, we face each obstacle, pursued it until we get victory. When we got the approval for our innovative enterprise institution, it was relatively easy, they gave you the guidelines, you follow the guidelines, you pay your fess and they come and approve.
But when we applied for the Private Open University, we had paid all the fees and prepared the documents, and we were already in operation, it was then they said they don't have a policy for Private Open University. This was six million Naira after.
We were like wow! We had to appeal to them, and we have been waiting for more than two years now. Even for them to acknowledge they have received our application, it came two years later. So patience is the key, we remind them from time to time, but patience is the key.
BUSINESS 360: Let us look at the question of infrastructure, how you manage to run a University in an environment where Electricity is not constant.
Prof. Fapetu: (She laughs). The infrastructure in Nigeria, you have to take it for what it is. I teach online, I buy diesel, I buy data to stay online, we have three standby generators and a Solar System. If you wait for the Government to do everything for you, you will never get anything done.
BUSINESS 360: How has your experience as a Professor of Finance from the United States of America, impacted on the content of what you offer at OASIS
Prof. Fapetu: Well, our issues here at many, you really cannot compare the two. Although they also have their own issues. When I was there, some of my colleagues told me E-learning was not part of their calling. Meanwhile, our institutions here are embracing E-learning greatly.
They have had two hundred years to perfect what they have now, and we have only had about 50 years. So I think there is room for improvement here, the rate at which we embraced the use of GSM for example is for better compared to other countries. So we have the potential.
Some of the things I learnt over there have put me in good stead in running my enterprise, because I have been with best, I have learnt under the best Professors.
Professor of Strategy Professor Igor Ansoff for example is an icon, throughout the United States. So when you learn from such a person, you bring that into the Nigerian environment, you are definitely going to make a difference. So a lot of the things I do here is impacted by what I have learnt in the United State.
BUSINESS 360: Growing up through the years, what or who would you say has been your source of inspiration. Who is your mentor?
Prof. Fapetu: My inspiration is deceased, and he is my late father. And the work that he lived for in Nigeria in the first republic has been a major source of inspiration for me.
And I have tried to not even step into his shoes because his shoes are way too big for me, so I have tried to pick up from where he left off and to impact the education field as much as I can, as much as I am allowed to. And that is why I named the institution father him.
BUSINESS 360: What drives you?
Prof. Fapetu: If I go to the beginning, I think it would be " I want to show them". Because when my died, people thought we would not became anything. So at the beginning I was driven by that notion.
But as I grew up, it all changed, I looked at myself and say ' okay, no one can say I am a nobody', and now what drives me is the fact that I want to leave a legacy for the next generation. And so I do everything to engage the younger generation, young generation, so that I can make their life better, giving them a legacy for the next generation.
BUSINESS 360: How do you relax, how do you unwind considering you are busy the better part of the day.
Prof. Fapetu: (She laughs). I sleep just about four hours a day. And Nigeria is a country where something is happening every day. People are either getting married, doing naming ceremonies, one event or the other. And I love to dance, and attend parties when it is convenient for me.
BUSINESS 360: On a final note, what would you advise anyone planning to venture into Education Enterprise.
Prof. Fapetu: I will say be patient. And whatever you do, do it with integrity. You need patience with the Government, you need patience with the students, you need patience with your team as well. So the key is patience and integrity.
OASIS is an innovative institution that uses cutting edge technology to advance education in Nigeria bringing quality, convenience and modern technology to education as well as bridging the gap between theory and practice.
As a solutions provider, OASIS partnered with Edutech Advanced Business Technologies to deploy the first NUC approved full time eLearning suite of solutions for Obafemi Awolowo University Center for Distance Learning (OAU CDL) and Ahmadu Bello University Distance Learning Center (ABU DLC). This led to the development of the first Web and Mobile Compatible Learning Management System – VigiLearn.
Oasis is currently undergoing the change process of becoming a registered open University.
Late Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari Laid to rest
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Vivian Akinyosoye


Innovation fuels Detroit. It fuels the automobile industry and the arts scene, and it's definitely part of the 5 community colleges and 14 four-year universities. With degrees available in nearly any area of study, you'll be sure to advance your own interests within the city's rich legacy. and don't worry, job opportunities are aplenty, but so are the paychecks — average weekly wages of $1,071 are higher than the U.S. average. Businesses within this metro area are expanding into the emerging fields of life sciences, fuel cell technology, information technology, and advanced manufacturing, just to name a few.
The automobile capital of the world has diverse college options, but an even more diverse culture. From Corktown to Greektown to Mexicantown, you can chow down on authentic cuisine. and if you're in need for some inspiration, Detroit has one of the largest theater districts, a variety of museums, four major sports leagues, and many famous, world-changing individuals that have called this city home, such as Henry Ford, Madonna, and Robin Williams. Follow in their footsteps. Make the Motor City your ride to your future.
University of Detroit Mercy offers 176 Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a large city. In 2015, 1,711 students graduated with students earning 852 Bachelor's degrees, 486 Master's degrees, 247 Doctoral degrees, and 126 Certificates degrees.
Madonna University offers 437 Degree programs. It's a small private university in a small city. In 2015, 1,705 students graduated with students earning 781 Bachelor's degrees, 459 Certificates degrees, 311 Master's degrees, 149 Associate's degrees, and 5 Doctoral degrees.
Lawrence Technological University offers 119 Degree programs. It's a small private university in a small city. In 2015, 682 students graduated with students earning 311 Bachelor's degrees, 295 Master's degrees, 55 Certificates degrees, 15 Associate's degrees, and 6 Doctoral degrees.
Wayne State University offers 469 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 6,603 students graduated with students earning 3,280 Bachelor's degrees, 2,252 Master's degrees, 864 Doctoral degrees, and 207 Certificates degrees.
College for Creative Studies offers 12 Degree programs. It's a small private university in a large city. In 2015, 264 students graduated with students earning 247 Bachelor's degrees, 13 Master's degrees, and 4 Certificates degrees.
Rochester College offers 33 Degree programs. It's a very small private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 235 students graduated with students earning 219 Bachelor's degrees, 8 Associate's degrees, and 8 Master's degrees.
Marygrove College offers 87 Degree programs. It's a small private university in a large city. In 2015, 564 students graduated with students earning 346 Master's degrees, 161 Bachelor's degrees, 47 Certificates degrees, and 10 Associate's degrees.
Michigan Jewish Institute offers 4 Degree programs. It's a very small private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 61 students graduated with students earning 61 Bachelor's degrees.
ITT Technical Institute-Troy offers 18 Degree programs. It's a very small private university in a small city. In 2015, 182 students graduated with students earning 131 Associate's degrees, and 51 Bachelor's degrees.
ITT Technical Institute-Canton offers 13 Degree programs. It's a very small private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 138 students graduated with students earning 104 Associate's degrees, and 34 Bachelor's degrees.
Henry Ford College offers 143 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a small city. In 2015, 1,950 students graduated with students earning 1,557 Associate's degrees, and 393 Certificates degrees.
Wayne County Community College District offers 133 Degree programs. It's a large public college in a large city. In 2015, 3,021 students graduated with students earning 2,398 Associate's degrees, and 623 Certificates degrees.
St Clair County Community College offers 64 Degree programs. It's a medium sized public college in a small suburb. In 2015, 836 students graduated with students earning 756 Associate's degrees, and 80 Certificates degrees.
Macomb Community College offers 176 Degree programs. It's a very large public college in a mid sized city. In 2015, 3,352 students graduated with students earning 2,768 Associate's degrees, and 584 Certificates degrees.
Schoolcraft College offers 93 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a small city. In 2015, 2,020 students graduated with students earning 1,426 Associate's degrees, and 594 Certificates degrees.
Oakland Community College offers 238 Degree programs. It's a very large public college in a large suburb. In 2015, 3,214 students graduated with students earning 2,601 Associate's degrees, and 613 Certificates degrees.
MIAT College of Technology offers 11 Degree programs. It's a very small private college in a large suburb. In 2015, 734 students graduated with students earning 603 Certificates degrees, and 131 Associate's degrees.
How are the career opportunities for college graduates in Detroit?
Detroit used to be synonymous with the car industry. Come along for the ride as it reinvents itself. Chrysler, Ford and General Motors are still the big guys, but the city is focused on becoming the region's employment and economic center. Good news for you – local businesses are superseding employment goals. The potential employers headquartered in the city are diverse—Compuware, Little Caesars, Quicken Loans and law firms Dickinson Wright and Miller Canfield. Good news if you majored in finance. Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank recently announced plans to move its Michigan operation center to Detroit. Put it all together and you can find jobs in fields like finance, HR, sales, and software. Make the search even easier with Pure Michigan Talent Connect. The website posts thousands of opportunities in the city and its environs. Prefer the out-of-doors? The mining and logging sectors have contributed more than 1,700 jobs to the economy in the last year.
Growing industries? What major companies/industries are hiring what type of graduates/skills in Detroit?
Detroit's Woodward Avenue isn't called Webward Avenue because someone couldn't spell. The Motor City is home to five of the Inc.'s 5,000 fastest-growing private companies. Automotive consultant Urban Science has clients in more than 70 countries (did somebody say Mexico or Australia?). The company added more than 300 jobs in the last four years. Global law firm Dickinson Wright has seen a 53-percent revenue growth in the same time frame. DMC Consultants demolishes blighted and dangerous areas as fast as it expands. FutureNet is also in the tearing-down and building-up business. It's grown 90 percent since 2010. Newcomer Walker-Miller Energy Services distributes energy efficient equipment to the city's major utilities. Detroit has also caught the eye of Venture for America founder Andrew Yang. Young entrepreneurs from the nation's top colleges and universities are following him to launch their companies in Motown.
Is Detroit more of a college town or a great place to start a career and family? What communities are best?
If you attended a school such as Marygrove College, University of Detroit Marcy, or Wayne State University, Detroit has a neighborhood for post-dorm life. Like to be in the middle of everything? The downtown area mixes historic architecture and new businesses, eateries and entertainment. Midtown is one of the fastest-developing areas. Healthcare professionals love the fact it is so close to Henry Ford Hospital. Want to top off a gyro or spanakopita with some baklava? Head to Greektown for the best Mediterranean around. Detroit may be reinventing itself to appeal to left brain people, but right brain types aren't left out. The city has become somewhat of a mecca for 20-something creatives. The "New York Times" calls it the New Brooklyn, where artists can afford to live and be entrepreneurial. Detroit has some of the cheapest rents in the country – a typical one-bedroom apartment goes for $550 per month. There are also plenty of industrial spaces for everything from start-ups to experimental art projects.
What do the locals in Detroit like to do for fun?
There's so much to do in Detroit you won't even need a car. If you love the Motown Sound, go to Hitsville U.S.A. Experience Hendrix at the Fox Theatre. Into classical? Be sure to catch the Detroit Symphony at the city's opera house. The Detroit Museum of Art showcases oils, prints, drawings and photographs from around the world. African American history comes alive at the Charles H. Wright Museum. Three million people can't be wrong – that's the number who visit Belle Island Conservatory each year. Certain buildings in Greektown resemble the Parthenon and Pegasus and the restaurants, stores and coffeehouses are just as authentic. More than 250 vendors sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, jams, and maple syrup every Tuesday and Saturday at the Detroit Eastern Market. Want to root for the home team? Cheer for the Lions at Ford Field or Tigers at Comerica Park (The Bears, oh my, are in Chicago).
What's the dating scene like in Detroit? Will I meet my perfect mate?
Speed dating, parties, pub crawls. You can definitely meet singles in Detroit. Singles events abound for whatever interests you – skiing, sailing, hiking, golfing. Not the outdoorsy type? Table for Eight hosts a relaxed dinner for four men and four women with similar interests. Perfect date restaurants are everywhere – Baker's Keyboard Lounge (great jazz), Coat Insignia (great views), La Dolce Vita (great al fresco dining), Spa 1924 Grille (great bistro). The dating scene is skewed a bit toward the guys – the ratio of unmarried men to women is .9:1 – but that just makes the hunt for the perfect mate a little more interesting.