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Project acronym ASTHMACRYSTALCLEAR
Project Role of protein crystallization in type 2 immunity and asthma
Researcher (PI) Bart LAMBRECHT
Summary Spontaneous protein crystallization is a rare event in biology. Eosinophilic inflammation such as seen in the airways in asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis and helminth infection is however accompanied by accumulation of large amounts of extracellular Charcot-Leyden crystals. These are made of Galectin-10, a protein of unknown function produced by eosinophils, hallmark cells of type 2 immunity. In mice, eosinophilic inflammation is also accompanied by protein crystal build up, composed of the chitinase-like proteins Ym1 and Ym2, produced by alternatively activated macrophages. Here we challenge the current view that these crystals are just markers of eosinophil demise or macrophages activation. We hypothesize that protein crystallization serves an active role in immunoregulation of type 2 immunity. On the one hand, crystallization might turn a harmless protein into a danger signal. On the other hand, crystallization might sequester and eliminate the physiological function of soluble Galectin-10 and Ym1, or prolong it via slow release elution. For full understanding, we therefore need to understand the function of the proteins in a soluble and crystalline state. Our program at the frontline of immunology, molecular structural biology and clinical science combines innovative tool creation and integrative research to investigate the structure, function, and physiology of galectin-10 and related protein crystals. We chose to study asthma as the crystallizing proteins are abundantly present in human and murine disease. There is still a large medical need for novel therapies that could benefit patients with chronic steroid-resistant disease, and are alternatives to eosinophil-depleting antibodies whose long term effects are unknown.
Spontaneous protein crystallization is a rare event in biology. Eosinophilic inflammation such as seen in the airways in asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis and helminth infection is however accompanied by accumulation of large amounts of extracellular Charcot-Leyden crystals. These are made of Galectin-10, a protein of unknown function produced by eosinophils, hallmark cells of type 2 immunity. In mice, eosinophilic inflammation is also accompanied by protein crystal build up, composed of the chitinase-like proteins Ym1 and Ym2, produced by alternatively activated macrophages. Here we challenge the current view that these crystals are just markers of eosinophil demise or macrophages activation. We hypothesize that protein crystallization serves an active role in immunoregulation of type 2 immunity. On the one hand, crystallization might turn a harmless protein into a danger signal. On the other hand, crystallization might sequester and eliminate the physiological function of soluble Galectin-10 and Ym1, or prolong it via slow release elution. For full understanding, we therefore need to understand the function of the proteins in a soluble and crystalline state. Our program at the frontline of immunology, molecular structural biology and clinical science combines innovative tool creation and integrative research to investigate the structure, function, and physiology of galectin-10 and related protein crystals. We chose to study asthma as the crystallizing proteins are abundantly present in human and murine disease. There is still a large medical need for novel therapies that could benefit patients with chronic steroid-resistant disease, and are alternatives to eosinophil-depleting antibodies whose long term effects are unknown.
Project acronym CoHuBiCoL
Project Counting as a Human Being in the Era of Computational Law
Researcher (PI) Mireille HILDEBRANDT
Host Institution (HI) VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL
Summary This project will investigate how the prominence of counting and computation transforms many of the assumptions, operations and outcomes of the law. It targets two types of computational law: artificial legal intelligence or data-driven law (based on machine learning), and cryptographic or code-driven law (based on blockchain technologies). Both disrupt, erode and challenge conventional legal scholarship and legal practice. The core thesis of the research is that the upcoming integration of computational law into mainstream legal practice, could transform the mode of existence of law and notably of the Rule of Law. Such a transformation will affect the nature of legal protection, potentially reducing the capability of individual human beings to invoke legal remedies, restricting or ruling out effective redress. To understand and address this transformation, modern positive law will be analysed as text-driven law, enabling a comparative analysis of text-driven, data-driven and code-driven normativity. The overarching goal is to develop a new hermeneutics for computational law, based on (1) research into the assumptions and (2) the implications of computational law, and on (3) the development of conceptual tools to rethink and reconstruct the Rule of Law in the era of computational law. The intermediate goals are an in-depth assessment of the nature of legal protection in text-driven law, and of the potential for legal protection in data-driven and code-driven law. The new hermeneutics will enable a new practice of interpretation on the cusp of law and computer science. The research methodology is based on legal theory and philosophy of law in close interaction with computer science, integrating key insights into the affordances of computational architectures into legal methodology, thus achieving a pivotal innovation of legal method.
This project will investigate how the prominence of counting and computation transforms many of the assumptions, operations and outcomes of the law. It targets two types of computational law: artificial legal intelligence or data-driven law (based on machine learning), and cryptographic or code-driven law (based on blockchain technologies). Both disrupt, erode and challenge conventional legal scholarship and legal practice. The core thesis of the research is that the upcoming integration of computational law into mainstream legal practice, could transform the mode of existence of law and notably of the Rule of Law. Such a transformation will affect the nature of legal protection, potentially reducing the capability of individual human beings to invoke legal remedies, restricting or ruling out effective redress. To understand and address this transformation, modern positive law will be analysed as text-driven law, enabling a comparative analysis of text-driven, data-driven and code-driven normativity. The overarching goal is to develop a new hermeneutics for computational law, based on (1) research into the assumptions and (2) the implications of computational law, and on (3) the development of conceptual tools to rethink and reconstruct the Rule of Law in the era of computational law. The intermediate goals are an in-depth assessment of the nature of legal protection in text-driven law, and of the potential for legal protection in data-driven and code-driven law. The new hermeneutics will enable a new practice of interpretation on the cusp of law and computer science. The research methodology is based on legal theory and philosophy of law in close interaction with computer science, integrating key insights into the affordances of computational architectures into legal methodology, thus achieving a pivotal innovation of legal method.
Project acronym POPFULL
Project System analysis of a bio-energy plantation: full greenhouse gas balance and energy accounting
Researcher (PI) Reinhart J.M. Ceulemans
Summary One of the strategies for mitigation of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions that is receiving a lot of attention in this post-Kyoto era, is the use of bio-energy as a replacement for fossil fuels. Among the different alternatives of bio-energy production the use of biomass crops such as fast-growing woody crops under short rotation coppice (SRC) regimes - is probably the most suited, in particular in the EU. Two issues need to be addressed before the efficacy of bio-energy for carbon mitigation can be conclusively assessed, i.e. (i) a full life cycle analysis (LCA) of the global warming contribution of SRC, and (ii) and an assessment of the energy efficiency of the system. The objectives of this project are: (i) to make a full LCA balance of the most important greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, H2O and O3) and of the volatile organic compounds (VOC s), and (ii) to make a full energy accounting of a SRC plantation with fast-growing trees. The project will involve both an experimental approach at a representative field site in Belgium and a modelling part. For the experimental approach a SRC of poplar (Populus) will be monitored during the course of 1+3 years, harvested and transformed into bio-energy. Eddy covariance techniques will be used to monitor net fluxes of all greenhouse gases and VOC's, in combination with common assessments of biomass pools (incl. soil) and fluxes. For the energy accounting we will use life cycle analysis and energy efficiency assessments over the entire life cycle of the SRC plantation until the production of electricity and heat. A significant process based modeling component will integrate the collected knowledge on the greenhouse gas and energy balances toward predictions and simulations of the net reduction of fossil greenhouse gas emissions (avoided emissions) of SRC over different rotation cycles, global warming scenarios, and management strategies.
One of the strategies for mitigation of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions that is receiving a lot of attention in this post-Kyoto era, is the use of bio-energy as a replacement for fossil fuels. Among the different alternatives of bio-energy production the use of biomass crops such as fast-growing woody crops under short rotation coppice (SRC) regimes - is probably the most suited, in particular in the EU. Two issues need to be addressed before the efficacy of bio-energy for carbon mitigation can be conclusively assessed, i.e. (i) a full life cycle analysis (LCA) of the global warming contribution of SRC, and (ii) and an assessment of the energy efficiency of the system. The objectives of this project are: (i) to make a full LCA balance of the most important greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, H2O and O3) and of the volatile organic compounds (VOC s), and (ii) to make a full energy accounting of a SRC plantation with fast-growing trees. The project will involve both an experimental approach at a representative field site in Belgium and a modelling part. For the experimental approach a SRC of poplar (Populus) will be monitored during the course of 1+3 years, harvested and transformed into bio-energy. Eddy covariance techniques will be used to monitor net fluxes of all greenhouse gases and VOC's, in combination with common assessments of biomass pools (incl. soil) and fluxes. For the energy accounting we will use life cycle analysis and energy efficiency assessments over the entire life cycle of the SRC plantation until the production of electricity and heat. A significant process based modeling component will integrate the collected knowledge on the greenhouse gas and energy balances toward predictions and simulations of the net reduction of fossil greenhouse gas emissions (avoided emissions) of SRC over different rotation cycles, global warming scenarios, and management strategies.
Project acronym See-ACC
Project Cracking the Anterior Cingulate Code: Toward a Unified Theory of ACC Function
Researcher (PI) Clay HOLROYD
Summary Anterior cingulate cortex is one of the largest riddles in cognitive neuroscience and presents a major challenge to mental health research. ACC dysfunction contributes to a wide spectrum of psychiatric and neurological disorders but no one knows what it actually does. Although more than a thousand papers are published about it each year, attempts to identify its function have been confounded by the fact that a multiplicity of tasks and events activate ACC, as if it were involved in everything. Recently, I proposed a theory that reconciles many of the complexities surrounding ACC. This holds that ACC selects and motivates high-level, temporally extended behaviors according to principles of hierarchical reinforcement learning. For example, on this view ACC would be responsible for initiating and sustaining a run up a steep mountain. I have instantiated this theory in two computational models that make explicit the theory's assumptions, while yielding testable predictions. In this project I will integrate the two computational models into a unified, biologically-realistic model of ACC function, which will be evaluated using mathematical techniques from non-linear dynamical systems analysis. I will then systematically test the unified model in a series of experiments involving functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography and psychopharmacology, in both healthy human subjects and patients. The establishment of a complete, formal account of ACC will fill an important gap in the cognitive neuroscience of cognitive control and decision making, strongly impact clinical practice, and be important for artificial intelligence and robotics research, which draws inspiration from brain-based mechanisms for cognitive control. The computational modelling work will also link high level, abstract processes associated with hierarchical reinforcement learning with low level cellular mechanisms, enabling the theory to be tested in animal models.
Anterior cingulate cortex is one of the largest riddles in cognitive neuroscience and presents a major challenge to mental health research. ACC dysfunction contributes to a wide spectrum of psychiatric and neurological disorders but no one knows what it actually does. Although more than a thousand papers are published about it each year, attempts to identify its function have been confounded by the fact that a multiplicity of tasks and events activate ACC, as if it were involved in everything. Recently, I proposed a theory that reconciles many of the complexities surrounding ACC. This holds that ACC selects and motivates high-level, temporally extended behaviors according to principles of hierarchical reinforcement learning. For example, on this view ACC would be responsible for initiating and sustaining a run up a steep mountain. I have instantiated this theory in two computational models that make explicit the theory's assumptions, while yielding testable predictions. In this project I will integrate the two computational models into a unified, biologically-realistic model of ACC function, which will be evaluated using mathematical techniques from non-linear dynamical systems analysis. I will then systematically test the unified model in a series of experiments involving functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography and psychopharmacology, in both healthy human subjects and patients. The establishment of a complete, formal account of ACC will fill an important gap in the cognitive neuroscience of cognitive control and decision making, strongly impact clinical practice, and be important for artificial intelligence and robotics research, which draws inspiration from brain-based mechanisms for cognitive control. The computational modelling work will also link high level, abstract processes associated with hierarchical reinforcement learning with low level cellular mechanisms, enabling the theory to be tested in animal models.


The Toshiba Satellite A665D-S6051 ($799.98 list), available at Staples, is a member of the company's new A660 line of 16-inch multimedia laptops. This retail model is based on AMD's new Vision platform and features a quad-core AMD Phenom II P920 processor. As our benchmark tests indicate, most users will be better served with a dual-core chip with a faster clock speed. Still, its application performance is still respectable, though gaming isn't much of an option because the A665D-S6051's uses integrated graphics. Too bad, too, because games would sound great on the laptop's small but mighty Harman Kardon speakers, which offer some of the best sound we've ever heard from an integrated set of laptop speakers. If movies and music are your thing and PC gaming is not, the Satellite A665D-S6051 makes for a great entertainment laptop.


"Before my interview with Arun Estates in 2015, I remember thinking 'this could be the start of an exciting new career'. I met with Claire, the Assistant Manager of the centre, who set a very warm and welcoming first impression. We discussed the role I would be performing and the role sounded exciting, stimulating and something I would really enjoy. I was concerned about my lack of sales experience/estate agency knowledge but Claire reassured me as long as I brought the right attitude then Arun would give me all the tools and skills I need to succeed.
Arun's award-winning training really did live up to expectations, and I was taught everything I needed to know. My confidence grew and the management team committed time and energy to help develop my skills. Their passion and genuine love for the company really spurs you on to push yourself to do better and better. When I wanted to take the next step in my career I knew I had been given a strong foundation in estate agency and the team were totally supportive of my career aspirations.
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The Ethiopian Empire (Tigrinya : ንጉሠ ነገሥት መንግሥቲ ዘ ኢትዮጵያ, Amharic : የኢትዮጵያ ንጉሠ ነገሥት መንግሥተ, Mängəstä Ityop'p'ya), also known as Abyssinia (derived from the Arabic al-Habash ),  was a kingdom that spanned a geographical area in the current states of Eritrea and Ethiopia. It began with the establishment of the Solomonic dynasty from approximately 1270 and lasted until 1974, when the ruling Solomonic dynasty was overthrown in a coup d'état by the Derg.
Tigrinya, often written as Tigrigna is an Afro-Asiatic language, belonging to the family's Semitic branch. It is spoken by ethnic Tigray-Tigrinya in the Horn of Africa. Tigrinya speakers primarily inhabit the Tigray Region in northern Ethiopia (6.1%), where its speakers are called Tigrawot, as well as the contiguous borders of southern and central Eritrea (57%), where speakers are known as the Bihere-Tigrinya. Tigrinya is also spoken by groups of emigrants from these regions, including some Beta Israel.
Al-Habash was an ancient region in the Horn of Africa. Situated in the northern highlands of modern-day Eritrea and Ethiopia, it was inhabited by the Habash or Abyssinians, who were the forebears of the Habesha people.
Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa, with its capital at Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast. The northeastern and eastern parts of Eritrea have an extensive coastline along the Red Sea. The nation has a total area of approximately 117,600 km2 (45,406 sq mi), and includes the Dahlak Archipelago and several of the Hanish Islands. Its toponym Eritrea is based on the Greek name for the Red Sea, which was first adopted for Italian Eritrea in 1890.
The territory of present-day Eritrea was occupied by Italy in 1890 and became Italian Eritrea. Following the British occupation of Egypt in 1882, Ethiopia and Liberia were the only two African nations to remain independent during the Scramble for Africa by the European imperial powers in the late 19th century. Ethiopia remained independent after defeating Italians during the First Italo-Ethiopian War. Later, after the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, the Italian Empire occupied Ethiopia briefly for five years and established the Italian East Africa colony in the region. The Italians were later driven out with the help of the British army. The country was one of the founding members of the United Nations in 1945.
The Kingdom of Italy was a state which existed from 1861—when King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia was proclaimed King of Italy—until 1946—when civil discontent led a institutional referendum to abandon the monarchy and form the modern Italian Republic. The state was founded as a result of the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which can be considered its legal predecessor state.
Italian Eritrea was a colony of the Kingdom of Italy in the territory of present-day Eritrea. Although it was formally created in 1890, the first Italian settlements in the area were established in 1882 around Assab. The colony officially lasted until 1947.
The history of Egypt under the British lasts from 1882, when it was occupied by British forces during the Anglo-Egyptian War, until 1956, when the last British forces withdrew in accordance with the Anglo-Egyptian agreement of 1954 after the Suez Crisis. The first period of British rule (1882–1914) is often called the "veiled protectorate". During this time the Khedivate of Egypt remained an autonomous province of the Ottoman Empire, and the British occupation had no legal basis but constituted a de facto protectorate over the country. This state of affairs lasted until the Ottoman Empire joined the First World War on the side of the Central Powers in November 1914 and Britain unilaterally declared a protectorate over Egypt. The ruling khedive was deposed and his successor, Hussein Kamel, compelled to declare himself Sultan of Egypt independent of the Ottomans in December 1914.
By 1974, Ethiopia was one of only three countries in the world to have the title of Emperor for its head of state, together with Japan and Iran under the Pahlavi dynasty. It was the second-to-last country in Africa to use the title of Emperor; the only one later was the Central African Empire, which was implemented between 1976 and 1979 by Emperor Bokassa I.
An emperor is a monarch, and usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife, mother, or a woman who rules in her own right. Emperors are generally recognized to be of a higher honour and rank than kings. In Europe, the title of Emperor has been used since the Middle Ages, considered in those times equal or almost equal in dignity to that of Pope due to the latter's position as visible head of the Church and spiritual leader of the Catholic part of Western Europe. The Emperor of Japan is the only currently reigning monarch whose title is translated into English as Emperor.
Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. With over 81 million inhabitants, Iran is the world's 18th most populous country. Comprising a land area of 1,648,195 km2 (636,372 sq mi), it is the second largest country in the Middle East and the 17th largest in the world. Iran is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan, to the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and to the west by Turkey and Iraq. The country's central location in Eurasia and Western Asia, and its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, give it geostrategic importance. Tehran is the country's capital and largest city, as well as its leading economic and cultural center.
Ancient Egypt was a civilization of ancient North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in the place that is now the country Egypt. Ancient Egyptian civilization followed prehistoric Egypt and coalesced around 3100 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under Menes. The history of ancient Egypt occurred as a series of stable kingdoms, separated by periods of relative instability known as Intermediate Periods: the Old Kingdom of the Early Bronze Age, the Middle Kingdom of the Middle Bronze Age and the New Kingdom of the Late Bronze Age.
The Land of Punt was an ancient kingdom. A trading partner of Egypt, it was known for producing and exporting gold, aromatic resins, blackwood, ebony, ivory, and wild animals. The region is known from ancient Egyptian records of trade expeditions to it. It is possible that it corresponds to Opone as later known by the ancient Greeks, while some biblical scholars have identified it with the biblical land of Put or Havilah.
The Kebra Nagast is a 14th-century account written in Ge'ez, an ancient South Semitic language that originated in modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea. Wallis Budge, an English Egyptologist, Orientalist, and philologist who worked for the British Museum created an English translation called The Glory of the Kings. It is considered to hold the genealogy of the Solomonic dynasty, which followed the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Gudit was a non-Christian queen who laid waste to Axum and its countryside, destroyed churches and monuments, and attempted to exterminate the members of the ruling dynasty of the Kingdom of Aksum. Her deeds are recorded in the oral tradition and mentioned incidentally in various historical accounts.
The Sultanate of Showa also known as Makhzumi Dynasty was a Muslim kingdom situated in the territory of present-day Ethiopia. It was situated in the vicinity of the town of Walale. Its location was in northern Hararghe in Harla territory. The port of Zeila may have influenced the kingdom. The rise of the Makhzumi state at the same time resulted in the decline of the Kingdom of Axum. Several engravings dating back to the 13th century showing the presence of the kingdom are found in Chelenqo, Bate, Harla near Dire Dawa and Munessa near Lake Langano.
The earliest Muslim state in Ethiopia, the Makhzumi dynasty with its capital in Wahal, Hararghe region succeeds Queen Badit.  The Zagwe kingdom another dynasty with its capital at Adafa, emerged not far from modern day Lalibela in the Lasta mountains.  The Zagwe continued the Orthodox Christianity of Aksum and constructed many rock-hewn churches such as the Church of Saint George in Lalibela. The dynasty would last until its overthrow by a new regime claiming descent from the old Aksumite kings.
Hararghe was a province in the eastern part of Ethiopia, with its capital in Harar. Including Ethiopia's part of the Ogaden, Haraghe was bounded on the south by Sidamo, southwest by Arsi, west by Shewa, northwest by Wollo, northeast by French Somaliland, and on the east by Somalia. Hararghe was the historical homeland of the Harla people.
Lalibela is a town in Amhara Region, Ethiopia famous for its rock-cut monolithic churches. The whole of Lalibela is a large antiquity of the medieval and post-medieval civilization of Ethiopia. Lalibela is one of Ethiopia's holiest cities, second only to Axum, and a center of pilgrimage. Unlike Axum, the population of Lalibela is almost completely Ethiopian Orthodox Christian.
Rock-cut architecture is the creation of structures, buildings, and sculptures by excavating solid rock where it naturally occurs. Rock-cut architecture is designed and made by man from the start to finish. In India and China, the terms 'cave' and 'cavern' are often applied to this form of man-made architecture. However, caves and caverns, that began in natural form, are not considered to be 'rock-cut architecture' even if extensively modified. Although rock-cut structures differ from traditionally built structures in many ways, many rock-cut structures are made to replicate the facade or interior of traditional architectural forms. Interiors were usually carved out by starting at the roof of the planned space and then working downward. This technique prevents stones falling on workers below. The three main uses of rock-cut architecture were temples, tombs and cave dwellings.
Map of medieval Ethiopian provinces, with sub-provinces in smaller lettering.
In 1270, the Zagwe dynasty was overthrown by a king claiming lineage from the Aksumite kings and, hence, from Solomon.  The eponymously named Solomonic dynasty was founded and ruled by the Abyssinians, from whom Abyssinia gets its name. The Abyssinians reigned with only a few interruptions from 1270 until the late 20th century. This dynasty governed large parts of Ethiopia through much of its modern history. During this time, the empire conquered and annexed various kingdoms into its realm. The dynasty also successfully fought off Italian, Ottoman and Egyptian forces and made fruitful contacts with some European powers.
In 1529, the Adal Sultanate's forces led by Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi invaded the Ethiopian Empire in what is known as the Abyssinian–Adal war. The Adal occupation lasted fourteen years. During the conflict, the Adal Sultanate employed cannons provided by the Ottoman Empire. In the aftermath of the war, Adal annexed Ethiopia, uniting it with territories in what is now Somalia. In 1543, with the help of the Portuguese Empire, the Solomonic dynasty was restored.
By 1607, Oromos were also major players in the imperial politics, when Susenyos I, raised by a clan through gudifacha (or adoption), took power. He was helped by fellow Luba age-group generals Mecha, Yilma and Densa, who were rewarded by Rist feudal lands, in the present-day Gojjam districts of the same name.  Susenyos reign was also marked by his short-lived conversion to Catholicism, which ignited a major civil war. His son Fasilides I reverted the move.
The Wallo and Yejju clans rise to power culminated in 1755, when Emperor Iyoas I ascended to the imperial throne in Gondar. They would be one of the major factions contending for imperial power during the ensuing Zemene Mesafint, starting from 1769, when Mikael Sehul, Ras of Tigray killed Iyoas I and replaced him by Yohannes II.
The Early Modern period was one of intense cultural and artistic creation. Notable philosophers from that area are Zera Yacob (philosopher) and Walda Heywat. The city of Gondar became the capital in 1636, with several fortified castles built in the town and in its surrounding areas.
Emperor Tewodros II's rise to the throne marked the end of the Zemene Mesafint .
From 1769 to 1855, the Ethiopian empire passed through a period known as the "Princes Era" (in Amharic Zemene Mesafint). This was a period of Ethiopian history with numerous conflicts between the various ras (equivalent to the English dukes) and the emperor, who had only limited power and only dominated the area around the contemporary capital of Gondar. Both the development of society and culture stagnated in this period. Religious conflict, both within the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and between them and the Muslims were often used as a pretext for mutual strife. The Princes Era ended with the reign of the Emperor Tewodros II.
In 1868, following the imprisonment of several missionaries and representatives of the British government, the British engaged in the punitive Expedition to Abyssinia. This campaign was a success for Britain and the Ethiopian emperor committed suicide.
The 1880s were marked by the Scramble for Africa. Italy, seeking a colonial presence in Africa, invaded Ethiopia and following a successful conquest of some coastal regions, forced the Treaty of Wuchale upon Shewa (an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire), creating the colony of Eritrea.
Due to significant differences between the Italian and Amharic translations of the Treaty of Wuchale, Italy believed they had subsumed Ethiopia as a client state. Ethiopia repudiated the treaty in 1893. Insulted, Italy declared war on Ethiopia in 1895. The First Italo-Ethiopian War resulted in the 1896 Battle of Adwa, in which Italy was decisively defeated. As a result, the Treaty of Addis Ababa was signed in October, which strictly delineated the borders of Eritrea and forced Italy to recognize the independence of Ethiopia.
Delegations from the United Kingdom and France –European powers whose colonial possessions lay next to Ethiopia –soon arrived in the Ethiopian capital to negotiate their own treaties with this newly-proven power.
In 1935 Italian soldiers, commanded by Marshal Emilio De Bono, invaded Ethiopia in what is known as the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. The war lasted seven months before an Italian victory was declared. The Ethiopian Empire was incorporated into the Italian colony of Italian East Africa. The invasion was condemned by the League of Nations, though not much was done to end the hostility.
During the conflict, Italy used sulfur mustard in chemical warfare, ignoring the Geneva Protocol that it had signed seven years earlier. The Italian military dropped mustard gas in bombs, sprayed it from airplanes and spread it in powdered form on the ground. 150,000 chemical casualties were reported, mostly from mustard gas. In the aftermath of the war Italy annexed Ethiopia, uniting it with Italy's other colonies in eastern Africa to form the new colony of Italian East Africa, and Victor Emmanuel III of Italy adopted the title "Emperor of Abyssinia".
On 10 June 1940, Italy declared war on the United Kingdom and France, as France was in the process of being conquered by Germany at the time and Benito Mussolini wished to expand Italy's colonial holdings. The Italian conquest of British Somaliland in August 1940 was successful, but the war turned against Italy afterward. Haile Selassie returned to Ethiopia from England to help rally the resistance. The British began their own invasion in January 1941 with the help of Ethiopian freedom fighters, and the last organized Italian resistance in Italian East Africa surrendered in November 1941, ending Italian rule.
Haile Selassie was the last Emperor of the Ethiopian Empire.
Menelik I was the first emperor of Ethiopia and of Hebrew descent. Ruling in the 10th century BC, he established the inaugural Solomonic dynasty.
Amharas mistakenly also known as Abyssinians by some Western Sources, Amharas are an ethnic group traditionally inhabiting parts of the northern and central highlands of Ethiopia, particularly in Addis Ababa and the Amhara Region. According to the 2007 national census, Amharas numbered 19,867,817 individuals, comprising 26.9% of Ethiopia's population and they are mostly Orthodox Christians members of Ethiopian Orthodox church. They are also found within the Ethiopian expatriate community, particularly in North America. They speak Amharic, an Afro-Asiatic language of the Semitic branch, a member of the Ethiosemitic group, which serves as the official language of Ethiopia.
The Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of the Ethiopian Empire, until the abolition of the monarchy in 1975. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country. A National Geographic Magazine article called imperial Ethiopia "nominally a constitutional monarchy; in fact [it was] a benevolent autocracy".
Shewa, formerly romanized as Shua, is a historical region of Ethiopia, formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire. The modern Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa is located at its center.
The Solomonic dynasty, also known as the House of Solomon, is the former ruling Imperial House of the Ethiopian Empire. The dynasty's members claim lineal descent from the biblical King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Tradition asserts that the Queen gave birth to Menelik I after her biblically described visit to Solomon in Jerusalem. In 1270, the Zagwe dynasty of Ethiopia was overthrown by Yekuno Amlak, who claimed descent from Solomon and reinitiated the Solomonic era of Ethiopia. The dynasty would last until 1974, ended by a coup d'état and deposition of the emperor Haile Selassie.
The Zagwe dynasty was the ruling dynasty of a Medieval kingdom in present-day northern Ethiopia. The kingdom itself was perhaps called Begwena, after the historical name of the Lasta province. Centered at Lalibela, it ruled large parts of the territory from approximately 900 to 1270, when the last Zagwe King Za-Ilmaknun was killed in battle by the forces of the Abyssinian King Yekuno Amlak. The name of the dynasty is thought to derive from the ancient Ge'ez phrase Ze-Agaw, meaning "Dynasty of the Agaw" in reference to the Agaw people that constituted its ruling class. Zagwe's best-known King was Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, who is credited with having constructed the rock-hewn monolithic churches of Lalibela.
Newaya Krestos was Emperor (1344–1372) of the Ethiopian Empire, and a member of the Solomonic dynasty. He was the eldest son of Amda Seyon I.
This is a list of monarchies of Ethiopia that existed throughout the nation's history. It is divided into kingdoms that were subdivisions of Ethiopia, and kingdoms that were later conquered by Ethiopia. Ancient kingdoms fall into neither category.
Tekle Giyorgis II was nəgusä nägäst (Emperor) of Ethiopia from 1868 to 1871.
Gugsa of Yejju was a Ras of Begemder, and Inderase (regent) of the Emperor of Ethiopia. According to Nathaniel Pearce, he took the Christian name of Wolde Mikael. He was the son of Mersu Barentu and Kefey, the sister of Ras Aligaz. Both Bahru Zewde and Paul B. Henze consider his reign as Ras and Enderase as the peak of the Yejju Dynasty during the Zemene Mesafint.
The Zemene Mesafint was a period in Ethiopian history between the mid-18th and mid-19th centuries when the country was de facto divided within itself into several regions with no effective central authority. It was a period in which the Emperors from the Solomonic dynasty were reduced to little more than figureheads confined to the capital city of Gondar.
The Sultanate of Aussa was a kingdom that existed in the Afar Region eastern Ethiopia in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was considered to be the leading monarchy of the Afar people, to whom the other Afar rulers nominally acknowledged primacy.
The article covers the prehistory and history of Ethiopia from its emergence as an empire under the Aksumites to its current form as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as well as the history of other areas in what is now Ethiopia such as the Afar Triangle. The Ethiopian Empire (Abyssinia) was first founded by Ethiopian people in the Ethiopian Highlands. Due to migration and imperial expansion, it grew to include many other primarily Afro-Asiatic-speaking communities, including Oromos, Amhara, Somalis, Tigray, Afars, Sidama, Gurage, Agaw and Harari, among others.
The Great Oromo migrations, also known as the Oromo migrations, were a series of expansions in the 16th and the 17th centuries by the Oromo people from southern Ethiopia, namely the contemporary Borana and Guji zones, into more northerly regions of Ethiopia. The expansion had a profound impact on subsequent historical events occurring in Ethiopia.
Wube Haile Maryam, also called Wube Haile Mariam or Dejazmach Wube, (1800–1867) was a regional ruler and dejazmach in Tigray, Simien, and other coastal territories, in an area that is now part of northern Ethiopia and central Eritrea. Wube is remembered in Eritrea for barbarous military raids. He was defeated and imprisoned in 1855 by Kassa Hailu. Some sources date Wube's defeat as the end of Ethiopia's Zemene Mesafint era.
Ethiopian historiography embodies the ancient, medieval, early modern and modern disciplines of recording the history of Ethiopia, including both native and foreign sources. The roots of Ethiopian historical writing can be traced back to the ancient Kingdom of Aksum. These early texts were written in either the Ethiopian Ge'ez script or the Greek alphabet, and included a variety of mediums such as manuscripts and epigraphic inscriptions on monumental stelae and obelisks documenting contemporary events. The writing of history became an established genre in Ethiopian literature during the early Solomonic dynasty (1270–1974). In this period, written histories were usually in the form of royal biographies and dynastic chronicles, supplemented by hagiographic literature and universal histories in the form of annals. Christian mythology became a linchpin of medieval Ethiopian historiography due to works such as the Orthodox Kebra Nagast. This reinforced the genealogical traditions of Ethiopia's Solomonic dynasty rulers, which asserted that they were descendants of Solomon, the legendary King of Israel.
↑ "Ethiopia (1930-1975)". 16 January 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
↑ Nathaniel T. Kenney (1965). "Ethiopian Adventure". National Geographic . 127: 555.
↑ Negash, Tekeste (2006). "The Zagwe Period and the Zenith of Urban Culture in Ethiopia, Ca. 930-1270 Ad". Africa: Rivista Trimestrale di Studi e Documentazione Dell'istituto Italiano Per l'Africa e l'Oriente. 61 (1): 120–137. JSTOR 40761842.
↑ "Ethiopia Ends 3,000 Year Monarchy". Milwaukee Sentinel . 22 March 1975. p. 3.
↑ "Ethiopia ends old monarchy". The Day. 22 March 1975. p. 7.
↑ Henc van Maarseveen; Ger van der Tang (1978). Written Constitutions: A Computerized Comparative Study. Brill. p. 47.
↑ "Ethiopia". The World Factbook . Central Intelligence Agency. 1987.
↑ E. A. Wallis Budge (1 August 2014). A History of Ethiopia: Volume I: Nubia and Abyssinia. Routledge. p. 7. ISBN 9781317649151.
↑ Oliver, Roland (1975). The Cambridge History of Africa, Volume 3. Cambridge University Press. p. 106. ISBN 9780521209816.
↑ Braukhaper, Ulrich (2002). Islamic History and Culture in Southern Ethiopia: Collected Essays. LIT Verlag Münster. p. 21. ISBN 9783825856717 . Retrieved 12 March 2017.
↑ Richard Pankhurst, The Ethiopian Borderlands (Trenton: Red Sea Press, 1997), pp. 241f.
↑ Akyeampong, Emmanuel. "Dictionary of African Biography". OUP USA. 1–6: 451.
↑ Pankhurst, Richard (1997). The Ethiopian Borderlands: Essays in Regional History from Ancient Times to the End of the 18th Century. The Red Sea Press. p. 375.
↑ John Young (1998). "Regionalism and Democracy in Ethiopia". Third World Quarterly. 19 (2): 192. doi:10.1080/01436599814415. JSTOR 3993156.
↑ International Crisis Group, "Ethnic Federalism and its Discontents". Issue 153 of ICG Africa report (4 September 2009) p. 2.
↑ Haberland, Eike (1983). "An Amharic Manuscript on the Mythical History of the Adi kyaz (Dizi, South-West Ethiopia)". Cambridge University Press on Behalf of School of Oriental and African Studies. 46 (2): 240. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
↑ Edward C. Keefer (1973). "Great Britain and Ethiopia 1897–1910: Competition for Empire". International Journal of African Studies. 6 (3): 470. doi:10.2307/216612. JSTOR 216612.
↑ Jack, Ian (2001). Necessary Journeys. Granta. p. 124. ISBN 978-1-929001-03-3.
Adejumobi, Saheed A. (2007). The History of Ethiopia. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-313-32273-0.
Pankhurst, Richard (2001). The Ethiopians: A History. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. pp. 299 Pages. ISBN 978-0-631-22493-8.
Shillington, Kevin (2004). Encyclopedia of African History, Vol. 1. London: Routledge. pp. 1912 Pages. ISBN 978-1-57958-245-6.
"Abyssinia" . Encyclopædia Britannica . 1 (11th ed.). 1911.
"Ethiopia" . Encyclopædia Britannica . 9 (11th ed.). 1911.
"Abyssinia" . Collier's New Encyclopedia . 1921.


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Confronted with requests for access to information, the judiciary's default behavior since 2001 has typically been to deny or delay action. It is a behavior akin to that of the House of Representatives over the last three Congresses, and some agencies vested with revenue and regulatory functions.
All efforts by the PCIJ since 2006 to obtain copies of the SALNs of the justices and judges have been rebuffed by the high court.
The law stipulates that "all public officials and employees, except those who serve in an honorary capacity, laborers and casual or temporary workers, shall file under oath" their SALNs and disclose the following data: Real property, its improvements, acquisition costs, assessed value and current fair market value; personal property and acquisition cost; all other assets such as investments, cash on hand or in banks, stocks, bonds, and the like; liabilities, and; all business interests and financial connections.
RA 6713, enacted on Feb. 20, 1989, is crystal about the inclusion of justices and judges among those who should file, and publicly disclose their SALNs.
And all other public officials and employees, defined in Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, with the Civil Service Commission.
The disclosure of SALNs is a typical request journalists make of public officials. Apart from RA 6713, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) and even more important, Section 17 Article XI & Section 28 Article II of the 1987 Constitution require it.
The SALN is "very important" as a reference and tracker document, according to Karina Constantino-David, who served as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission under former President Gloria Arroyo.
First, it serves as a benchmark of the state of affluence or penury of a person, before he or she commences work in the government service, she says. Once on board, the SALN serves as a source document of whether or not the official has enriched himself or herself beyond lawful means, and of actual and potential conflicts of interest situations he or she faces.
"The rest of the bureaucracy is dismayed by the Supreme Court's decisions exempting the courts from the same rule as everybody else is put under," David tells the PCIJ in an interview.
Even court insiders admit that the non-disclosure could be helping the less honorable members of the bench get away with their crooked ways.
To this day, the high court periodically receives complaints regarding offers of some judges to issue temporary restraining orders or injunctions for as much as P500,000 to P700,000 a pop. Entrapment efforts by the high court from years ago have yielded a modest catch – not more than five judges caught red-handed.
In the court's internal investigation of bench officers involved in so-called crooked deals, the SALN serves as a reference in truth, court personnel themselves say. Non-disclosure also means that any suspicion about members of the court – including the so-called "gods of Padre Faura" – would only fester.
In fact, the court policy to recede in the dark, especially where SALNs are concerned, began with Andres B. Narvasa, who served as chief justice from December 8, 1991 to November 30, 1998.
The Narvasa court had been marred by reports, including a number authored by the PCIJ, alleging multiple instances of bribery and corruption involving some justices. "The best Supreme Court that money can buy," legal circles had described the tribunal at the time.
The exposes triggered the early retirement of an associate justice even as the Narvasa court also summoned lawyers it suspected to be among the PCIJ's unnamed sources to an inquiry board composed of justices at Padre Faura.
Those who succeeded Narvasa – Hilario G. Davide Jr. (who served from November 30, 1998 to December 20, 2005) and Reynato S. Puno (who served from December 20, 2005 to May 17, 2010) – followed the practice of secrecy in regard to the SALN.
Recently, the PCIJ learned that a pleading seeking the reversal of the policy has not moved past discourse level among the justices. The pleading was submitted to the court en banc eight months ago.
The insider says the matter has been enrolled on the agenda of the en banc since three weeks ago, prompted in part by letters to the individual justices that the PCIJ sent earlier inquiring about corporate assets still listed in their names, according to records of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
In these letters, the justices were informed that because of the high court's policy against disclosure of SALNs, the PCIJ decided to do its own research into their business interests and financial connections of the justices by mining various public records.
The letters listed the specific companies in which the individual justices were still named as incorporators, stockholders or board members, according to SEC records. To verify the list, the PCIJ gathered the latest available general information sheets and financial reports for the entities that are still operational.
Finally, the PCIJ sought the assistance of legal researchers to verify with the Lex Libris database of court cases whether any of the companies on the list had been or remains a litigant in any judicial matter or process pending before the high court.
The good result: not one of the companies, suggesting that for now the justices are in the clear about real conflicts of interests vis-à-vis these companies.
Court insiders tell the PCIJ that the letter was received differently by the Supreme Court justices. Some were rather amused by the PCIJ effort, while a few were discomfited by having to deal with direct questions about the state of their personal wealth.
As proof of its earnest effort to illustrate the value of SALNs, the PCIJ waited for the justices' replies, within the 15-day period allowed in law for public officials to act on such inquiries.
Nine justices received letters from the PCIJ. Three did not, including two who had no companies listed in their names: Associate Justices Conchita Carpio-Morales and Eduardo Nachura. The third one, Associate Justice Presbiterio J. Velasco Jr., was listed as a member only of the Katipunan Mart Stall Owners Association, Inc.
Three of the nine justices who received letters did not reply to the PCIJ: Associate Justices Arturo D. Brion, Jose C. Mendoza, and Martin S. Villarama Jr.
Two of those who replied personally called up the PCIJ offices to respond within two days after the letters were sent: Associate Justices Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro and Antonio T. Carpio.
AMID the relentless reticence of the justices of the Supreme Court to publicly disclose their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), the PCIJ launched a research into what could be their business interests and financial holdings by mining public records.
Our first stop was the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where we found various companies listing the names of various justices as either incorporators, stockholders or board members. To verify the list, the PCIJ gathered the latest Articles of Incorporation, General Information Sheets, and Financial Statements of these companies.
The PCIJ then moved mail to the individual justices to inquire about these companies. Finally, the PCIJ verified with the Lex Libris database of judicial records to find out if any of these companies had been or are litigants in cases before the high court.
Despite reports to the contrary, Carpio added that if it were only up to him, "I'm in favor of the SALN being disclosed," The high court had precisely awaited the passage of the Freedom of Information Act by the 14th Congress so the matter of the justices SALN could be settled as well, he said.
Meanwhile, court personnel say that the justices continue to debate the merits and demerits of disclosing their SALN but have not come up with a consensus.
The only consensus, they say, is that disclosure is required of all government institutions. Those opposed to disclosure supposedly argue in favor of protection for officers of the court from undue harassment by litigants and other parties, while those in favor say that the "sunshine policy" can provide that protection to all officers of the court while avoiding imputations of conflicts of interests against the justices.
Still, the issue of getting access to the SALNs of the justices resonates even more on account of yet another trend: the two tracks or types of appointees to the high court.
The first, those who rose from the ranks in the judiciary – who are typically the less affluent or with a lot less business interests and financial connections to disclose. The second, those pulled out from private practice – who are typically more affluent and with a lot more business interests and financial connections to disclose.
Neither type has been free of unsavory rumors. And yet, according to court officers, today those for the disclosure of SALNs include the justices with fewer assets, and those against, the justices with more.
Over the decades, the court has seen both types come and go. For instance, those who came from private law firms immediately before becoming justices include Jose Feria (Feria Lugtu & Lao), Camilo Quiazon (Quiazon Makalintal Law), Florentino Feliciano (Sycip Salazar & Feliciano), Pedro Yap (Salonga & Ordonez), Artemio Panganiban (Panganiban Bantug & Parlade), Adolfo Azcuna (Yorac Arroyo Azcuna Caedo Law), as well as Marcelo B. Fernan and Davide.


text:
Meghan Curley, Staff Writer|December 11, 2021
Spoilers ahead. You have been warned.
Families can be messy, and every family has baggage. Whether tension comes from the feeling of being excluded, family expectations, or something else, the end result can sometimes get ugly. Throw in some magic powers on top of that and you've got the Madrigal family! On Thanksgiving Day, Disney's "Encanto" was finally released in theaters, and as an avid Disney fan, it should be no surprise that I jumped at the chance to buy a ticket. What I found from my time in that theater is that the music was phenomenal, and the animation style was gorgeous.
What really made this movie stand out among other Disney movies was how it smoothly shifted focus to each member of the Madrigal family and gave deeper insight to the unique struggles of each Madrigal without disrupting the plot. As we follow Mirabel throughout the story, she spends some one-on-one time with almost every Madrigal. Although some family members get more attention than others, they all share a mindset that prioritizes the family's needs over their own health and happiness.
Luisa is one of Mirabel's older sisters whose gift is super strength. With such a useful gift, Luisa has a never ending list of chores to do around the village, moving buildings, rerouting rivers and fulfilling whatever requests the villagers have. When Mirabel confronts her during her chores Luisa snaps at her little sister before confessing that she bases a lot of her self-worth on her strength and feels that if she doesn't live up to expectations, then she would be letting everyone in the family and community down. She feels like she is constantly in a life-or-death situation, which we see in her song "Surface Pressure" as she fights off a three headed monster, shielding her sister from boulders, rock slides and other dangers.
Then there is Mirabel's oldest sister Isabela and their cousin Dolores. Isabela has control over plants and Dolores can hear from long distances. Isabela is described as the "golden child" of the family, favored by Abuela and adored among the community. She often comes off as a vain show-off. She seems to have the perfect life, but this standard for perfection leaves her stifled and unfulfilled. She has a very close relationship with Abuela and cares for her dearly. When Abuela picks out local hunk Mariano to be her suitor, Isabela accepts his proposal for the sake of the family, since the union would, in Abuela's words, "be good for the Encanto."
However, there is one major problem. Unlike her cousin, Dolores does fancy Mariano, and suffers in silence at the announcement of Isabel and Mariano's engagement. There are a lot of unrequited loves out there but rarely do they marry your cousin. While the two don't go through with the marriage, the fact that Dolores would have been willing to stand aside while Isabela married Mariano proves just how bad the Madrigals are at communicating.
Mirabel shows a deep love and pride for her family. However, due to her lack of a gift she is often looked down upon by and considered a nuisance by her Abuela. Throughout most of the movie Abuela often assumes the worst when Mirabel is involved, often blaming her when things go awry, and she is much harder on her than she is on the rest of her grandchildren. Mirabel emphasizes her desire for belonging in her solo, "Waiting for a Miracle," as she watches her happy family while she's left behind. This need to prove herself to her family plays a big part of the reason why she is so adamant to save her family's magic, even risking her life.
All of the family's self-sacrifice and suffering in silence stems from their Abuela and the origin of their miracle. When Abuela was young, war broke out and she was forced to flee from home with her husband and their three infants. Her husband stayed behind in order to buy time and lost his life. His sacrifice created the miracle and has protected the family ever since. Abuela's flashback is both heart-wrenching and haunting. She releases a silent wail when her husband is slain right before her eyes as Sebastian Yatra's "Dos Oruguitas" plays in the background. Abuela is a complicated character, to say the least. She is a good woman who would do anything for her family, but she is still human, struggling with the demons of her past.
If you're reading this, it's time for the semester to end already
This holiday, hear grandpa out
What the lifted travel restrictions mean for the pandemic and the tourism industry
Talk Turkey to me!
Staff Editorial: The true history of Thanksgiving

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Students on Masters in Management (MiM) programs are keen to work on initiatives in which they can have a positive impact on society or the environment
By Seb Murray on Jun 03, 2019
Providing disabled people with affordable and high-quality prostheses in Uzbekistan. Allocating farmland to families in Kenya — a means of income and food. Crafting a business plan for a "plastic bank" to recycle ocean waste in Indonesia. These do not sound like classic business school class projects. But students on Masters in Management (MiM) programs are keen to work on initiatives in which they can have a positive impact on society or the environment.
"Many young people who graduate with a bachelor's degree today are very interested in doing something meaningful with their lives and work. Growing up as digital natives and often having traveled extensively, they have been exposed to many cultures and to global challenges," says Molly Ihlbrock, Head of Corporate Communications at ESMT Berlin.
All three aforementioned projects are currently underway as part of the German business school's MiM course. Students visit the locations for a week, and there are additional and interesting "social impact" excursions, for example with the United Nations.
"Working in teams as consultants, the projects develop students' problem-solving and project management skills," says Ihlbrock, adding that many students go on to work for social enterprises.
Jeremy Ghez, an Affiliate Professor of Economics and International Affairs at HEC Paris, says: "The millennial generation is looking for purpose and impact because it feels victimized by the mistakes of its elders. It has the strong belief that it can, and needs to do better. In particular, it is hard to hear that the world is at an environmental breaking point."
Business master's programs are equipping students for careers in social impact
Many business schools have responded to the generation's demand for more learning and career opportunities that pack a social impact punch. "We have many elements in the curriculum — a course in business and society, an online ethical dilemma game, and consultancy projects," says Gabi Helfert, executive director of MSc programs at the Rotterdam School of Management in the Netherlands.
Many students have put the experiences on their CVs, which has helped them secure out-of-the-ordinary jobs. Helfert says: "Students feel a drive to make a difference in the business world and to pursue their career in a responsible way."
According to her, examples of such jobs include consultant at EY Climate Change and Sustainability, innovation planner at Unilever, risk management at the Dutch Development Bank, and research associate for sustainability investment at Robeco.
At HEC, one student co-founded an organization dedicated to social and environmental impact in India. Another broke a Guinness World Record for the longest journey on a motorized bicycle, so as to raise awareness of opportunities in solar energy and clean transportation.
But some choose traditional jobs in procurement or at consulting firms, yet still have an impact. "They are reinventing completely the way they carry out 'traditional' business tasks," says Ghez.
The problem is that many of the class projects, internships with impact and sustainable career paths are done on a voluntary basis or are low paid. This makes it hard for students who are often bearing business school debt to consider them.
Helfert counters that RSM offers a number of scholarships based on merit and financial need for students from outside the European Economic Area who aren't subsidized by the Dutch government and so are paying full tuition fees.
ESMT's solution has been to offer students travel stipends that are made possible by private donations from the business school's supporters. Some of the companies and NGOs with whom the students do the consulting projects for, are able to support them financially too, according to Ihlbrock.
Beyond that, students are encouraged to raise funds for class projects. "In the past, some groups have successfully crowdfunded their project capital, or have creatively raised money on campus," says Ihlbrock. Another option, though possibly less appealing than a global jaunt, is to stay in Berlin and work with local organizations.
Another challenge for students who want to make an impact on people and the planet is the cultural adjustment associated with coming from a commercial entity to one focused purely or partly on purpose, rather than profit. For Ihlbrock, the largest adjustments come from the conditions under which many of the Social Impact Projects take place, for example in developing economies or war-torn countries.
But she adds that the projects are versatile: "Students can apply many of the lessons learned in a Social Impact Projects to commercial enterprises as well." Indeed, a growing number of corporations are putting their purpose on a par with their profit margin. "Some of our students come from 'doing good internships' but are looking for adequately paid, regular jobs which suit their drive for impact," says Helfert at RSM.
Ghez at HEC says that the millennial generation is nimble. "Its agility and ability to adapt easily, combined with the fact that the commercial world needs to increasingly account for its social and environmental impact, will mean that the boundaries between industries will gradually go away."
Some graduates also become social entrepreneurs, says Helfert. One example is the founder of SolarOn, a company that offers project development for solar energy systems. Another example is the co-founder of SyncVR, a startup that aims to improve lives through interactive virtual reality in healthcare. The opportunities to have an impact in your career, it would seem, are extensive.
The Unique Benefits of Studying for a MiM in Texas
See all Master's Programs in Sustainability / Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
See all Master's Programs in Nonprofit Management
ESMT
Jouy-en-Josas, France


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A ligamentum pisotriquetralis medialis egy apró (mindössze kb. 1 cm hosszú) szalag a csuklóban. A borsócsont (os pisiform) és a háromszögletű csont (os triquetlum) ulnaris része között fut. (közkincs kép nem áll rendelkezésre)

Források

 Interactive Hand 2000

Szalagok és inak

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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30+ Rights Groups Launch Campaign Demanding Law Enforcement Ban on 'Authoritarian and Invasive' Facial Recognition Technology
"We need to ban this technology outright, treat it like biological or nuclear weapons, and prevent it from proliferating before it's too late."
A live demonstration uses artificial intelligence and facial recognition in dense crowd spatial-temporal technology at the Horizon Robotics exhibit at the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2019 in Las Vegas on January 10, 2019. (Photo: David McNew/AFP/Getty Images)
A diverse coalition of advocacy groups representing more than 15 million people launched a grassroots pressure campaign Thursday calling on local, state, and federal lawmakers to completely ban law enforcement use of facial recognition technology, which the organizations warn is "spreading like an epidemic" and poses a dire threat to fundamental privacy rights.
"Facial recognition is one of the most authoritarian and invasive forms of surveillance ever created," said Evan Greer, deputy director of Fight for the Future (FFTF), which is leading the campaign. "No amount of regulation can fix the dangers inherent in this form of Big Brother automaton. We need to ban this technology outright, treat it like biological or nuclear weapons, and prevent it from proliferating before it's too late."
"We know this technology will expand the reach of the surveillance state while also causing more harm to already vulnerable communities."
—Myaisha Hayes, MediaJustice
According to FFTF, opposition to facial recognition technology is "reaching a boiling point" as over 30 major organizations have backed the new campaign, including United We Dream, Greenpeace USA, RootsAction, and Color of Change.
The organizations plan to flood lawmakers with letters and calls demanding nothing less than a total ban on law enforcement use of facial recognition technology, which is increasingly being put to use by government agencies at major U.S. airports and elsewhere across the nation.
Myaisha Hayes, national organizer on criminal justice and tech at MediaJustice, another group backing the campaign, said in a statement that facial recognition technology disproportionately violates the rights of minority communities.
"Given the history of racist and discriminatory policing, coupled with the horrific deportations we are currently witnessing under this administration," said Hayes, "we know this technology will expand the reach of the surveillance state while also causing more harm to already vulnerable communities."
Echoing Hayes, United We Dream strategy director Adrian Reyna warned use of facial recognition technology by police and border agents puts immigrants in harm's way.
"The Trump administration is carrying out the mass deportation and detention of immigrants," said Reyna. "We have already seen the impact of police and the deportation force unleashed—they are abducting people in their workplaces, in their homes, and keeping entire families in detention indefinitely. Equipping them with facial recognition technology will certainly lead to more raids and further stoke fear among Black and brown communities.
"The use of this equipment is immoral and destructive," Reyna added. "It must be banned nationwide."
The grassroots campaign comes as facial recognition is garnering growing attention at the national level, with Congress holding hearings on the topic and considering bipartisan legislation to limit use of the technology.
Last month, as Common Dreams reported, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) became the first 2020 Democratic presidential candidate to call for a ban on law enforcement use of facial recognition technology as part of his plan to overhaul the U.S. criminal justice system.
"The rapid spread of facial recognition surveillance is one of the most urgent threats to our basic freedom and human rights today," Greer said last month. "Every single 2020 candidate should be calling for a ban on this invasive, biased, and dangerous technology."
Defying Threat of Termination, 1,200 Florida Teachers Rally to Save Public Education
US Government Lists Non-Violent 'Valve Turner' Climate Activists as Threat on Par With Murderous Neo-Nazis
Facial Recognition, Fight for the Future, People Power, Greenpeace, Privacy, Big Brother, Police State


text:
Eilean an Ròin Mòr is an uninhabited island in north west Sutherland.

Geography
Eilean an Ròin Mòr, with its neighbour, Eilean an Ròin Beag, forms rocky peninsula to the north of Oldshoremore beach. Only a narrow channel separates it from the mainland.

The rocky island has little vegetation.

Footnotes

Islands of Sutherland
Uninhabited islands of Highland (council area)


Ho, Ho, Ho, Festive Cheer coming your way… Here's a lovely, bubbly Christmas cocktail to tickle your tastebuds – courtesy of our friends at Shaken and Stirred, Oxford.
Simple, chic and elegant. Freixenet Rosado Under The Mistletoe mixes Freixenet's fruity pink Cava, Freixenet Cordon Rosado, with grape juice to create a refreshing, sophisticated, bubbly cocktail ideal to be enjoyed under the mistletoe.
Garnish – No garnish needed!


This beautiful little pale pink cotton blend smocked baby bubble is made by Feltman Brothers, a top designer of quality baby garments. It features a pintucked yoke hand embroidered in white. This sweet little bubble has a small embroidered Peter Pan collar and short puffed sleeves with elasticized ruffles edged with soft baby lace. The bubble closes in the front with tiny buttons and snaps in the crotch for easy diaper changes.
This darling little bubble is also available in white. See below.


I just got my confirmation that my WordPress site was being renewed. At first, I thought that I should cancel it as it has been 7 months since I last posted a blog. Life tends to get in the way!
What have I been doing since last here? Photography! Yes, I know, I posted pictures before when I was on here. However, I have been taking an online course in Professional Photography from NYIP (New York Institute of Photography). It has been very challenging and fun.
I was playing around in Photoshop with filters. This seems to be popular with friends and family.
Learning about photographing on an overcast day.
This wasn't a favorite on the Student Forum, but I like it. Isn't that what matters?
One of the exercises that NYIP has you do. It was fun. I still haven't quite got it right, but I'm learning!
My absolute favorite. My son and husband talking about nature.


While the Federal Government seems to want to act out the final scene from "Thelma and Louise" with our economy, we can't wait for someone to hit the brakes. Regardless of what the government does (or does not do) in the next few days to avert the fiscal cliff, we do know that taxes will go up on those making at least $400,000, including small businesses. We know this because if the government takes us over the cliff (which, in actuality works well for both parties), the "Bush Era" tax cuts will expire, and they won't all be coming back. We also know that there will likely be changes to the tax code in the coming months as part of the "fiscal cliff deal", but there seems to be no consensus on what those changes will be.
So, assuming that is the case, business must still go on. Because of the continuing uncertainty, the likely scenario will be more belt-tightening, fewer hires, and maybe even a few layoffs, depending on how long the government allows this to go on. In the IT world, most organizations have already cut to the bone, and many are unable to keep up with demand as it is, and we all know that demand is likely to increase.
So what can an IT director or CIO do to ensure minimal impact on their organization?
Increase efficiency – collaboration and better use of time makes the need for overtime hours or more staff unnecessary.
Re-prioritize – look at what is important rather than merely urgent.
Structure your financial model to be lower fixed-cost with more variable cost options.
Get more and better buy-in for projects from the business stakeholders.
As we move into the new year, IT needs to be able to plan for the unknown, be ready for changing demand, and become a more flexible and agile organization.
The Advisory Council can help.


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Trailer & visual for the Netflix anime »Romantic Killer« reveal date
In August of this year, it was announced that Wataru Momose's rom-com manga Romantic Killer would be getting an anime adaptation and coming to Netflix. In addition, the world's largest SVOD provider recently published a new trailer and a key visual, which also reveal the specific date.
The rom-com anime Romantic Killer will be available worldwide on Netflix from October 27, 2022 .
The DOMERICA studio is responsible for the production of the Netflix series, with Kazuya Ichikawa acting as director. Sayuri Ōba is co-writing the screenplay with Hiroko Fukuda, while Arisa Matsuura is doing character design. The music is composed by Ryo Kawasaki and Tomoyuki Kono.
Romantic Killer is based on the manga of the same name by Wataru Momose, which chapter was published in Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ from July 2019 to June 2020. The series includes a total of four tankōbon volumes and is now considered complete.
> Watch the series on Netflix
Key Visual:
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This is what Romantic Killer is about:
High school student Anzu Hoshino has a great life. Every day she plays video games, stuffs herself with snacks and pets her beloved cat. But that happy existence is turned into a confusing mess when a magical being transports her to an alternate reality where none of her favorite things exist. Instead, she now has to deal with hot guys! How can she survive in such a horrible world?!
Anzu needs to star in this alternate reality before she can return to her normal life, so she reluctantly befriends Tsukasa Kazuki. Unfortunately, he happens to be one of the hottest and most popular guys at school, and what's worse, she realizes that he might not be such a bad of a person after all!
Source: Twitter Images: © WATARU MOMOSE/SHUEISHA © Netflix
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The notch of the next Xiaomi mobile will be very similar to that of the iPhone 14 Pro
Celebrate friendship on WhatsApp: Beautiful sayings for your loved ones


Awesome iguanas of the Riviera Maya. They're so proud of themselves!
The sea in Tulum is one of the most beautiful in the world.
Autumn is here and Riviera Maya's weather is the best!
Family casual photography in Riviera Maya, Tulum and Playa del Carmen unforgettable locations.
A spectacular summer in Riviera Maya is waiting for you! ._.
the Xaman Ha Aviary in Playacar worth a visit!
Photo of a cruise parked between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. This happens very often. Beautiful.
Winter in Playa del Carmen ... humid, rainy, with cool breeze, but always sunny and warm ._.


WHAT KIND OF SCBA DO YOU USE.
FF1.FF2. EMR. Crash victim extrication. HAZWOPER. HAZMAT Awearness. HAZMAT Ops. GBWF. Fire/ arson investigation. A ton of NIMS. pretty much all that CFItrainer.net has to offer.
i am a firefighter in chattooga county georgia... i have been on the dept over a year now and I'm still loving it. I am now going to Georgia northwestern tech for an associates degree in fire science.
my entire life i have been around firefighters. its in my blood, my father has worked for the Georgia Forestry Commission for 25 years so i guess it rubbed off.
it is a unbelievable addrenaline rush, from the time the tones drop till the last flame is extinguished it is a thrill.
Trevor, Welcome to the FF Nation. I am glad you joined the group.There is lots to do, read and be involved with. Your participation and involvement is important to us all.


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Simpkin, Richard Benjamin
b Bloxwich, Staffs 1969. Eton College (music scholar); Gonville and Caius Coll Cambridge (organ scholar, BA/MA). His musical life began in the choir of Lichfield Cathedral, where as a violinist he also led the orchestra for two years, and was later its organ scholar. But it was at Eton that he came to understand the grace of God through Jesus' death on the cross for him. After graduation he taught at Felstead School (Essex) for two years, and became a pastoral assistant at St Anne's Limehouse. Since 1995 he has been Music Director of St Helen's, Bishopsgate in the City of London. His work was first published in So Hear His Voice (Songbook and CD) by St Helen's in May 2000; some 15 items are so far in print. He has supplied a monthly column 'The Music Exchange' in Evangelicals Now from 2003 to the present (2011), and from 2001 he has worked creatively with a group of Christian writer/composers, for the exchange of information, mutual criticism and encouragement in their Christian faith. Nos.2B*, 707, 1007, 1218*, 1313*
Hymns and songs by Simpkin, Richard Benjamin
707 We praise the God in whom we trust
1007 Fear the Lord
1313 As the heavens are higher than the earth
Tunes and arrangements by Simpkin, Richard Benjamin
As the heavens are higher than the earth
At the cross of Jesus
Born to be King
Borough Lights (extended)
Chiesi Paes
Thorpe-Berger


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User:Cosmikdebris/Cedarville
< User:Cosmikdebris
Reference material for Cedarville University[edit]
Cedarville University Mission Statement
Cedarville University is a Christ-centered learning community equipping students for lifelong leadership and service through an education marked by excellence and grounded in biblical truth.
Libby A. Nelson, A Campus in Turmoil. Inside Higher Ed, 22 January 2013.
A conservative Baptist college in Ohio has been shaken by the resignation of its president and one of its vice presidents, the dismissal of a theology professor and reports that the Board of Trustees might soon vote to eliminate its philosophy major.
The uproar is the latest development in an ongoing, tangled doctrinal controversy at Cedarville University, an independent Baptist college with about 3,000 students. Six years ago, the college was sued when it fired two tenured professors. The faculty members claimed they were dismissed because they were too theologically conservative.
Scott Jaschik, Faith, Science and Academic Freedom. Inside Higher Ed, 15 January 2009.
(Professor David) Hoffeditz was fired for -- the university said -- failure to "maintain consistent, biblically appropriate, spiritual interest and effective Christian relationships in the university family." The university also said that he had "made statements to students expressing [his] disagreement with established school policy and the judgment of the senior administration in spiritual matters, and when confronted ... defended [his] absolute 'right' to do so"; and that he had "made statements and exhibited behavior that does not demonstrate Christian love and objectivity in the professional judgment of colleagues."
The New Ventriloquist. The Ventriloquist, 21 September 2015.
In 2010, huddled in a dimly lit off-campus Cedarville apartment, a small group of intellectuals and sometimes-miscreants had an idea for a project. A newspaper that would give voice to the ideas and individuals that were constrained to the shadows by the dominant evangelical culture permeating Cedarville's classes, sermons, and dorms. A project that would give a bold platform to those who brazenly attached their names to their contributions, and a project that would provide an anonymous voice to those who could not for fear of institutional and social backlash. On that night, The Ventriloquist was born.
Losing My Faith and Finding Myself. The Ventriloquist, 22 September 2015.
As I experienced this life that was my own and completely my own, I began to disdain the beliefs of Cedarville. My eyes had been open to the hate, intolerance, and holier-than-thou attitudes that plagued the campus. I noticed myself challenging the status quo for the first time in my life. I remember engaging in discussions on LGBTQ issues, rape culture, and countless other social issues that Cedarville tends to write off or ignore.
Ruth Moon, Christian College Solidifies Complementarian Stance. christianitytoday.com, 21 March 2014.
Cedarville, which recently weathered a turbulent year of disagreements and resignations, has also restricted classes in the women's ministry program—functionally, every Bible class in the fall schedule taught by a woman—to only female students, according to alumni and a university representative.
Emily Tess Katz, These Two Students Had Their College Newspaper Confiscated After Publishing An LGTBQ Article. Huffington Post, 1 May 2014.
Jordan Ryner and Zach Schneider, both seniors at Ohio's Cedarville University, said they hadn't run into any problems handing out their independently-run school newspaper, The Ventriloquist, until this past issue.
The two suspect that their Baptist school's administration halted their distribution of the paper because of their February issue, which featured a first-hand narrative from Anthony Redic, a gay student whom their University stripped of all his leadership positions because of his sexuality.
Dan Reimold, Student Newspaper Censorship: Ventriloquist Banned by Dummies at Cedarville University. collegemediamatters.com, 25 April 2014.
Top administrators at Cedarville University, a conservative Christian school in Ohio, have apparently banned an alternative student newspaper named The Ventriloquist from being distributed on campus.
Tom Dodge, Baptist-aligned Cedarville University beset by conflicts. The Columbus Dispatch, 2 June 2014.]
Alumni expressing concern said the university, under Brown, had moved from fundamentalism to a more-mainstream conservative evangelicalism, but has since become theologically closed-minded and will have difficulty recruiting students.
The frustration is not that the school is becoming more conservative but that it seems to be " close-fisted -- Christianity as a fortress," a place that doesn't welcome disagreement or serious debate, said Jonathan Lett, a 2006 Cedarville graduate who is pursuing a doctorate in theology and ethics at the University of St. Andrews.
Reid Wilson. Boehner Rival Loses Job Over Campaign Ad. Washington Post, 28 April 2014.
J.D. Winteregg, who's received outside support from the Tea Party Leadership Fund in his bid for Boehner's House seat, had been an adjunct professor at Cedarville University, a small Christian college in Cedarville, Ohio, for three years. Last week, Winteregg was told his contract would not be renewed. Winteregg, 32, said in an interview that he was dismissed after his campaign released a video parody of erectile dysfunction advertisements.
The Foil. via archive.org. A subversive publication by Cedarville University students. Includes an incredible article by an anonymous Cedarville student entitled "Is God Immoral? An Argument for Secularism."
Retrieved from "https://rationalwiki.org/w/index.php?title=User:Cosmikdebris/Cedarville&oldid=1794848"


Created by two athletes who have been in both the boxing world and body building world on a competitive level. Boxing and weight training together offer a great form of cardio, conditioning and strength.
So many times we would hear people talking about needing to get in more cardio with their weight training but the machines bored them. On the flip side, we listened to others who did a boxing program talk about how they would like to build more muscle for strength and to ward off overuse injuries. As well, it always seems to be intimidating for people to go into the weight room or into a boxing gym because they feel like they don't know what to do.
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The Boxing and Barbells course is a full day training program, courses are held at The Stables Boxing Club in Santa Monica, CA, or by arrangement at your facility anywhere in the world. Please email HERE for more information on hosting a B&B course at your facility.


Information on careers, college and majors along with assessment tools for anyone from middle school students to adult career changers.
Online version of the federal handbook which details the training and education needed, earnings, expected job prospects, and working conditions for hundreds of occupations.
A great tool for career exploration and job analysis from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Directory of online career and employment resources primarily intended as a guide on the best way to search for a job on the Internet.
Help for workers at all stages of career development including assessment tools and dealing with job loss.
A complete source for the jobseeker, student, workforce professional and employers. Includes industry, state, and occupational information as well as many career tools.
National, state and metro statistics and information on employment, unemployment, earnings and career outlooks.
The Employment Policies Institute is a non-profit research organization dedicated to studying public policy issues surrounding employment growth with an emphasis on living and minimum wages.
Hosted by the Economic Policy Institute, this site features economic indicators, economic snapshots, guides to data, charts, fact sheets, and a section called datazone which provides tables on the historical labor market, earnings, and income data.
Salary wizard consolidates by job title and zip code, then lists openings in your area.
A site produced by the U.S. Department of Defense developed as a resource for parents, educators and young adults curious about military service.
A collection of electronic tools, operating as a federal-state partnership, providing in-depth informatoin on wages, employment trends, occupational requirements, and links to thousands of online resources.
Search more than 32,000 federal business opportunities.
A large list of links to job search sites categorized by type of career and divided into commercial and non-commercial sites.
Contains employment information and links specific to Missouri for job seekers, employers, and workforce professionals.
The source for all your employment and training needs in St. Charles County Missouri.
The official job site for the U.S. Federal Government and your source for all federal jobs and employment information.
A guide to resources for employment, personal development and career success.
A collection of over 1,000 real-life cover letter examples most successful in gaining an interview.
A free resume program from Microsoft containing basic, job-specific and situation-specific templates.
Provides rates of unemployment by state and county. Ideal for those thinking of relocating.
This pages helps explain benefits for unemployed workers in Missouri, including a link to information on filing an unemployment claim.


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UK Government's Independent Enquiry into Lyme Disease
Posted on January 15, 2018 December 17, 2018 by Caudwell LymeCo
An independent enquiry into Lyme disease, commissioned by Jeremy Hunt on behalf of the Department of Health, has just been published.
Origin of the Independent Enquiry
Back in spring 2016, the founder and sponsor of Caudwell LymeCo Charity, John Caudwell, and the charity's Chief Executive, Veronica Hughes, met Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and the CEO of NHS England Simon Stevens to talk about the problems surrounding lack of diagnosis, lack of treatment and therefore inadequate care for Lyme Disease patients in the UK.
Mr. Caudwell spoke about the poor performance of the diagnostic testing available to NHS patients, the lack of knowledge of GPs regarding both symptoms and treatment and the inadequate treatment therapies available under current NHS guidelines. The government had, and has, no official policy on Lyme disease and thus no strategy on how to improve care for patients, where research spending should be directed, how data on incidence of the disease might be gathered, and so on.
Veronica Hughes presented Simon Stevens with the results of the Caudwell LymeCo Charity online survey of 500 UK Lyme disease patients. Conducted in 2016, this survey found significant dissatisfaction among many respondents with their experience of diagnosis and their subsequent treatment on the NHS.
As a result of this meeting, the UK Government commissioned an enquiry into Lyme disease. An analysis of needs was required. The project was commissioned by the Department of Health in England, and will be of interest to policymakers, healthcare practitioners, patients and researchers.
The scope of the Enquiry
A research team at University College London carried out the research. They undertook a project to identify existing research evidence focusing on:-
The nature and extent of research evidence on Lyme disease in humans;
The incidence of Lyme disease in the UK and the type of surveillance systems in different countries;
Patient, clinician and researcher experiences of Lyme disease diagnosis;
Patient, clinician and researcher experiences of Lyme disease treatment; and
The effectiveness of different approaches for preventing Lyme disease.
Main Conclusions and Recommendations
The report as a whole highlights the following headline conclusions:
There are gaps in the evidence on treatment and prevention.
The incidence of Lyme disease in the UK is increasing but still low compared to Europe and the USA. Under-reporting is likely.
We need a strategy to deal with the effects of uncertainties surrounding Lyme disease diagnosis.
We urgently need research on patient and clinician experiences of treatment for Lyme disease.
Personal prevention measures and adult education about Lyme disease should be promoted.
We, as a charity, also note that there was almost no published research evidence from the UK on any of the topics studied by the reviewers. Almost all the published research on lyme disease comes from the USA and Europe and, for this reason, some of it may not correspond with the situation in the UK. We know that the prevalence of different strains of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, vary by geographic region. This means that, with different varieties dominating here in the UK, the accuracy of diagnostic tests may be different for patients here; that treatments may have different results for UK patients; and that symptoms may differ, perhaps considerably.
One area in which the albeit small amount of published research from overseas did correspond well with the UK patient experience was the experience of diagnosis of Lyme disease. UK patient groups were consulted and with one voice spoke of the lack of accurate knowledge among doctors, a lack of recognition of symptoms, poorly timed tests which may reduce their accuracy, and often a lack of willingness among doctors even to consider Lyme disease as a possible diagnosis.
Key Findings in each paper
Our very brief summary of the key findings of each paper is outlined below.
Paper 1. The nature and extent of research evidence on Lyme disease in humans
1,098 studies were indexed. Research was mainly from the USA and continental Europe.
The research focused on:
diagnosis,
Lyme disease incidence
Research generally neglected the following areas:
Lyme disease prevention,
Paper 2. The incidence of Lyme disease in the UK and the type of surveillance systems in different countries
Lyme disease is under-reported throughout the USA and Europe.
UK statistics are for laboratory diagnosed cases only.
Many other countries also gather data on cases diagnosed by doctors (based on rashes). In some countries this reporting is obligatory.
However, this data is also gathered incompletely and the statistics are still inaccurate.
UK official data report that 2 people per 100,000 are infected with Lyme disease annually. The geographical distribution is uneven and there is a significant lack of qualitative data about high risk areas etc.
Paper 3. Patient, clinician and researcher experiences of Lyme disease diagnosis
Patients and doctors both reported uncertainty over Lyme disease diagnoses for the following reasons:
concerns that laboratory tests are not always accurate,
inconsistencies in the interpretation and timing of tests,
low-levels of knowledge among clinicians
challenges due to the wide range of symptoms
In some cases this uncertainty undermines the doctor-patient relationship and can also lead to a cost to society.
Paper 4. Patient, clinician and researcher experiences of Lyme disease treatment
The researchers found no published evidence on this topic.
Paper 5. The effectiveness of different approaches for preventing Lyme disease
The evidence on all these issues was of poor quality.
Insect repellents and protective clothing may reduce incidence of tick bites.
Education has not been clearly demonstrated to reduce the incidence of tick bites or Lyme disease.
Evidence on vaccinations and controlling the tick population was scarce.
The full reports
The five full reports can be downloaded here:
Prevalence, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Lyme disease: an evidence map and four systematic reviews
Posted in Blog posts, Charity newsTagged Department of Health, Government, Independent enquiries, Lyme disease, Lymes
Do the Draft NICE Guidelines acknowledge chronic Lyme disease?
9 thoughts on "UK Government's Independent Enquiry into Lyme Disease"
Vanessa Atkinson says:
Thank you so much to John and Veronica for the huge undertaking to get this conversation initiated and then to get this amount of research reviewed thoroughly. A thorough review avoiding any inflammatory remarks!
On the topic of under reporting, the UK lab threw out my blood sample in September 2015 from Medway hospital, and did tge same again in October 2015 from Royal Surrey Hospital. I'm not the only person they're doing this to. In February 2016, I saved up enough money to get a test done in Germany that confirmed the presence of Borrelia in me.
Frances says:
I believe Australians suffering with this insect-borne illness are having worse experience with GPs and health departments than those in UK or EU. Just shameful.
Robyn says:
Australia need to acknowledge that this illness is here. Too many people are suffering and cannot get any help.
Belinda Rigby says:
Thank you for your hard work. I don't think the government have got a clue just how many of us are out here. I for one am not on any statistics as having Lyme and I bet they will be shocked when the true number comes out. But how are we ever going to be counted when we are dismissed by all Doctors. Could you organise a massive event that we could all show up to for them to see that Lyme affects many lives? Thank you for everything you do for us.
Maxine Deeks says:
My son has been ill from 17 with Lyme and now 21. NHS diagnosed him with ME and IBS and he tried several times to take his life which pushed myself and my husband to dig deeper into his illness and a wonderful nutritionist found he had Lyme. Retested in Addenbrookes in infectious disease dept and was more or less told no way was it Lyme it's rare! He is now being treated in Washington DC and making amazing progress. We still have a long way to go but to see my son live with some normality in his life gives me hope with this dreadful disease. Thank you for bringing awareness for Lyme.
Mrs smith says:
I had the basic NHS test . It was negative, I had a attached tic and then two weeks later the bullseye rash and flu symptoms which then progressed to other symptoms.
I was refused more testing on the NHS. I went private and got bloods done in Germany via arminlabs all came back positive for three stains and some co/infections. My gp refused to except the result he said he got told by the uk Lab not to except results from other labs. I've had no treatment from the NHS. I am now currently very sick and unable to work. I can not afford private treatment as I'm now unemployed. Why is this happening? I want my life back!! The shocking thing is I now think my children are showing signs for Lyme and I don't think they have been bitten!!
Something needs to change and quick!!
2 people per 100,000? That is very surprisingly low to me. Lyme is undoubtably under-reported and under diagnosed. Once you become part of this group living with Lyme and co-infections and you know that you cannot rely on the medical establishment, you become somewhat of an expert in these diseases. You recognise collections of symptoms in others that aren't diagnosed, maybe symptoms that you had yourself before something was the final trigger that sent you spiralling downhill. I dont remember a bite and I only know that – part of – my problem is Lyme because of the rash. When I see friends with Shingles, Fibromyalgia, arthritis, chronic coughs, depression, cardiac issues and/or other problems combined, I immediately start to think about which combinations of infections (including Lyme, mycoplasmas, viruses and parasites) are trying to get a hold and whether they will ever get a real diagnosis or treatment.
Anna Wood says:
Thanks to Veronica & the Cauldwell charity for trying to make a difference. I hope it will lead to better care sooner rather than later. I read the post with interest. One point I think is unlikely is that there are more cases of Lyme disease in Europe (first of all Britain is also Europe by the way!). I don't think on the one hand we can claim there is under-reporting & diagnosis and then categorically state that the UK has less cases. It is unlikely, given the high incidence of ME/CFS & fibromyalgia in the UK, many cases of which could be undiagnosed Lyme (as you rightly point out the tests are failing many people).
I was told I had 'fibromyalgia 20 years ago! Soldiered on and then got bitten again in 2015, got a bullseye rash. Finally getting treatment privately in the USA. Thank you for fighting our corner. My GP was prepared to say in a letter to the local hospital, 'she believes she has
Lyme disease'. I have two positive tests from different labs and are so much better for sticking to the USA treatment protocol. We will get a win eventually, if not in my lifetime. Thank you so much!