Lu AA12004 is one of the few new (3 in the last decade) anti-depressant drugs about to go to market. They are tested by "Clinical trial".
"If you ask me, this study should have compared the new drug to an SSRI, because they're used much more widely than venlafaxine. ... although there are no fewer than 26 registered clinical trials of Lu AA21004 either ongoing or completed, only one is comparing it to an SSRI. "
Pharmacologically, Lu AA21004 is kind of a new twist on an old classic . Its main mechanism of action is inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, just like Prozac and other SSRIs. However, unlike them, it also blocks serotonin 5HT3 and 5HT7 receptors, activates 5HT1A receptors and partially agonizes 5HT1B.
Basically, the main problem with Lu AA21004 was that it made people sick. Literally - 9% of people on the highest dose suffered vomiting, and 38% got nausea. However, the 5 mg dose was no worse than venlafaxine for nausea, and was relatively vomit-free. Unlike venlafaxine, it didn't cause dry mouth, constipation, or sexual problems.
So, been on vacation, in reality, for the last couple weeks. But, once again it's exam time, and obviously there some procrastination going on. Among that, there are always a few videos... so let the roll begin!
(The above TED talks all take a bit of time to get going, but they are all GREAT.)
So, I'll leave it at this for now. Anyway, there are tons of pictures and stories being prepared. I'll be traveling until July 9-10th, so there probably won't be (m)any updates until then.
Most people are surprisingly bad at spotting fake smiles. One possible explanation for this is that it may be easier for people to get along if they don't always know what others are really feeling.
Although fake smiles often look very similar to genuine smiles, they are actually slightly different, because they are brought about by different muscles, which are controlled by different parts of the brain.
Fake smiles can be performed at will, because the brain signals that create them come from the conscious part of the brain and prompt the zygomaticus major muscles in the cheeks to contract. These are the muscles that pull the corners of the mouth outwards.
Genuine smiles, on the other hand, are generated by the unconscious brain, so are automatic. When people feel pleasure, signals pass through the part of the brain that processes emotion. As well as making the mouth muscles move, the muscles that raise the cheeks – the orbicularis oculi and the pars orbitalis – also contract, making the eyes crease up, and the eyebrows dip slightly.
Lines around the eyes do sometimes appear in intense fake smiles, and the cheeks may bunch up, making it look as if the eyes are contracting and the smile is genuine. But there are a few key signs that distinguish these smiles from real ones. For example, when a smile is genuine, the eye cover fold - the fleshy part of the eye between the eyebrow and the eyelid - moves downwards and the end of the eyebrows dip slightly.
Scientists distinguish between genuine and fake smiles by using a coding system called the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), which was devised by Professor Paul Ekman of the University of California and Dr Wallace V. Friesen of the University of Kentucky.
In How To Live Forever, a new film launching Friday in New York, director Mark Wexler (Air Force One, PBS-National Geographic) does just that. Ya gotta love Buster, a 101-year-old chain-smoking, beer-drinking marathoner, and Marge Jetton, a 104-year-old iron-pumping Seventh-day Adventist.
Sending a Super Sale promotion out the day after earth day was not enough for you, but you also suggest to "Save Energy and shop online".
Really? Like, energy energy, or laziness energy? I was planning to go into this whole harangue about box stores vs driving assumptions vs delivery services and trucks vs whatever else came to mind at that exact moment, but knowing Dude, you got a Dell's target marketing audience, I'm going to take a Saturday morning break and just assume it's the latter.
Mmmm, yes Dell, show me how you care for that earth...
Automation of higher-level jobs is accelerating because of progress in computer science and linguistics. Only recently have researchers been able to test and refine algorithms on vast data samples, including a huge trove of e-mail from the Enron Corporation.
“The economic impact will be huge,” said Tom Mitchell, chairman of the machine learning department at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. “We’re at the beginning of a 10-year period where we’re going to transition from computers that can’t understand language to a point where computers can understand quite a bit about language.”
Nowhere are these advances clearer than in the legal world.
A typical physician spends most of the day playing twenty questions.
Where does it hurt? Do you have a cough? How high is the patient’s blood pressure? But an expert system can play twenty questions better than most people. An expert system can use the best knowledge in the field, it can stay current with the journals, and it never forgets.
Consider how many people die because physicians forget the basics. Gina Kolata reports on a Medicare program to rate hospitals on the quality of care provided in the treatment of heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia – these three areas chosen because there are standard, clinically proven, treatments that everyone agrees are highly beneficial.
Deadspin conceded. They published a follow up, saying that — in this case — the machine did write the better story.
"The image of the robots typing wins me over for sure," says Carmichael. "And on top of that, in some cases, as we've seen with Narrative Science's story, they actually can produce the stronger story."
This robot journalist can explore its surroundings, take pictures, interview people, perform internet searches, and publish online. Ok, I'm about to lose my job.
A browser extension "bookmarklet" (chrome, firefox, safari) allows you to send any web article straight to your kindle for later reading at the push of a button.
Or, send articles/attachments straight to your kindle with its personal email address (@free.kindle.com). No spam either; all incoming email addresses need to be pre-approved.
These people obviously haven't heard that the four digit hourly fee ceiling has been broken recently. It is funny though; there is certainly a growing discrepancy between what you are reading and what you are hearing lately. These articles keep coming out one after another all saying exactly the same thing, yet every lawyer I'm talking to, new graduate or established, isn't complaining a lick about a lack of business.
Maybe it is a larger problem in the states, and just like good Canadian journalism, it's unabashedly echoed here. The story du jour. I suspect the problem is also magnified in business centres like Manhattan and Toronto, where once would be corporate lawyers aren't finding what they were promised and don't want to leave their chosen path (or residence), and it is from these business sectors that these articles are focused on and are coming from. In truth, I think the dip in new hires extends to the business sector as a whole (don't tell me it's rebounded), and even corporate jobs by the boatload will soon be available for those those who are born for a Bay Street gig. However, in saying that, as a practicing lawyer in Canada even today, you certainly won't starve.
It's a signpost that points at things in space; planets, comets, satellites in orbit around the earth. Press a button, and the signpost will point at the object, actually track it across the sky, and show you the exact distance it is from the signposts location, updated every second or two! It's inspiring and accessible!
So, yeah, it's been a LONG while since I've updated, and that's not entirely out of laziness. I've been reading instead of surfing the net most nights lately, and most certainly not law books ;) I've been on a travel run of late, and for those that don't know yet, I'm going on a two month summer program to Herstmonceux Castle to study international public law. There'll be plenty of updates from there, don't you worry.
But, in this potpourri blog update (you thought I jumped around a lot before?), in preparation for the summer, I've picked myself up a Kindle.
The ebook tipping point came when I found a mound of online resources for free downloads of current books, news and magazine releases downloaded straight to the Kindle (including the New Yorker, w cartoons!), as well as free international 3G internet service. Sure it's in black and white, but it's perfect for email, directions, wikipedia, facebook, etc. I was thinking of a Nook Color for the longest time, but figured that was more just another toy than an actual reader, and I'm happy, especially with all of Kindle's automations, that I went for the Kindle. That, and with little games included (Scrabble, Sudoku, Mathdoku!, etc... ), it was a no-brainer.
SO, to distract myself even further from the upcoming exams, I've been thinking about what to do this summer. The current plan is to travel around Europe for a bit after school, and then maybe a bike trip over the Rockies in late July.
The school in England is located about 90 kms south of London (but only 65 kms from Gatwick airport). So, easy and cheap access to the rest of Europe for a weekend trip.
Yup. I'll be "studying" there.
I've been fortunate enough to visit the castle once before with Jeremy when we went over to visit Simon while he was on exchange from Dalhousie, and it's absolutely great there. They even have a WORKING OBSERVATORY!!!
The above is the observatory figuring out whether a "leap second" was to be added in 2009. In a nutshell, a laser beam is fired at a satellite to which a retro-reflector has been attached. By measuring the time it takes for the beam to return, it is possible to measure where the base station is relative to the satellite and therefore detect fluctuations in the Earth's rotation as well as tidal movements of the land (due to the pull of the Moon). Interestingly, the solar building was not only the first of the new domes at Herstmonceux to become operational following the move from Greenwich; it is the only one where active research is still carried out. http://www.nmm.ac.uk/rog/2009/01/no_leap_second_in_june_2009.html
--
So, when not spending time on the grounds, current weekend trip ideas include Berlin, Madrid or Barcelona, and Paris, and maybe a cost saving long weekend bike/camping trip to Stonehenge, which is about 180 kms away. And yes, through the wonderful Tori, who happens to have cousins living a short 18 km jog away in St. Leonard's-on-sea, I think I may have secured a bike for the duration of my visit.
Speaking of Stonehenge for a second, which archaeologist believe was erected around 2500 BC, there are many theories as to why it was built. However, they all seem to centre around the idea that it was a religious meeting place of some kind. BUT, perhaps more interesting is the recently discovered Gobelki Tepe.
Located in south east Turkey, dating back to around 9000 BC (!), current theories surrounding this, errr, erection are that this is the reason for and the beginning of the transformation of the homo sapien nomadic hunter-gatherer to the current farming and agriculture lifestyle. These profound changes in our understanding of human societal and cultural development are absolutely amazing. Despite only about 5% of the area has been excavated so far, tremendous scientific research and theories have emerged.
Get this: A current theory holds that nomadic homo sapiens would gather in this area, and had been for years before erecting the monument, and because of the constant and consistent revisiting, sedentary farming villages emerged. Firstly, the hill was ideally situated for ancient hunters. Wild gazelles still migrate past twice a year as they did 11ish millennia ago. Secondly, for some reason they picked this place to make a consistent ritual place out of, for whatever reason. So, more proof right?
Wheat is considered the basis for farming culture today and in ancient times. One of the earliest domesticated form of wheat was the einkorn.
The cultivation of einkorn, perhaps for eating as gruel, is thought to mark the origin of agriculture in the ancient world. "If you know where [einkorn] wheat was domesticated, you know where agriculture originated," says wheat geneticist geneticist Jan Dvorak of the University of California. A newish study aimed to find those whereabouts, and has (read the full article pdf print here... you just gotta love the periodical access given with an active student number...).
Heun and his colleagues analyzed the DNA from 270 lines of the wild einkorn, as well as 68 lines of the larger, cultivated grain, which differs genetically only slightly from the wild forms. In the DNA fragments they examined, the cultivated einkorn most closely resembles 11 lines of wild einkorn that grow in the Karacadag Mountains, less than 30 kms from Gobekli Tepe.
"They show that all the cultivated einkorn is related to one specific population in Turkey," says Dvorak. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE FINDING. Along with the cultivated wheat came barley and lentils, then other crops, including another form of wheat that led eventually to the familiar bread wheat. Likewise, sheep, goats, and pigs were domesticated in the Fertile Crescent, along with dogs (SN: 6/28/97, p. 400 (pdf)).
Incredible. This seems to be where it all started. It seems that the erection of monumental complexes was within the capacities of hunter-gatherers and not only of sedentary farming communities as had been previously assumed. In other words, as excavator Klaus Schmidt puts it: "First came the temple, then the city." (link)
Anyway yes, I have checked out flights from London to Sanliurfa (where Sanliurfa is less than 20 kms outside Gobekli Tepe), and they are currently running about 250 pounds, or $540, with a stop in Istanbul... Gobekli is about 170 kms by road from Istanbul.
Anyway anyway, after the castle (classes end on the 23rd of June), if not Gobekli, which does seem a bit out of the way and hence more of a one off trip(?), we're thinking of visiting Simon in Warsaw, go down to Krakow and Auschwitz, Vienna, and then Croatia to visit Milan. We have our return flight booked for July 9th. Of course this is still very much in the air, so to speak.
--
Ok, I'm not done procrastinating yet. I'm currently looking for people to come along on this trip, as current enlistees are waivering... here's the recruitment email I sent out a couple months ago if anyone is interested.
Ok, I did some research on a Calgary to Kelowna bike route.
TOTALLY DOABLE in 6 days.
- CalgaryFolkFestival Thursday July 21st - 24th. Awesome.
- Leave Calgary by bike Monday July 25th - arrive in Kelowna Saturday July 30th.
- Adam/Claire wedding.
- Monday August 1st is the August long weekend holiday. Fly back.
All these events are once in a lifetime opportunities as I see it. Except for Adam's wedding. HEY-OOOO!
Around 600 kms. +/- 100 kms a day depending on hills = 6-7 hours on the bike on hard days, 5 hours on easy days. This obviously doesn't include stops, but, if we start each day at 8am and finish at 6pm, that's 10 hours travelling time, for 7 hours max bike time. Lots of time for food and exploration, never mind the early evenings. It's certainly not "easy", but totally doable, and a major accomplishment.
And look at the elevation below. There are 5-6 hard climbs, and don't get me wrong, these are hard, world famous climbs. Rogers Pass being one. Obviously we take the total kms down those days...
Although we may be against some wind, most of the trip is downhill! An ideal direction to do the Rockies if you're EVER going to do them.
What a great accomplishment this would be, and to be bookended by two awesome events... it's practically a sin not to do this. I'm currently sending email inquiries to Vienna on how to actually make it a sin.
Alright, enough for tonight. Back to consuming, and "the readings"... but first, solely on our Property Prof's recommendation, the following Cosby show clip.
The Queens Law Cancer Society once again held the Cabaret for a Cure. The Cabaret is a fun event where Queen's Law students perform dance routines choreographed by Queen's law students. There's also be a raffle at the event with several amazing prizes! All money raised from the event goes to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Yes, the above was basically ripped from the LSS newsletter. So, with the formalities out of the way, here are some pics!
Seven routines for eight bucks, including an arm length of raffle tickets for $10. Stages, the club, was Stages. There's a reason I hadn't stepped been there for 8 years. Actually, there are probably many reasons, but you know what I mean...
Mark, a natural MC.
Rock that shit like it was Nav Can vs. the GFAA, moot partner!
Good turnout... including a packed second level.
So, shooting indoors in varying lights may have finally convinced me to shoot RAW images, cuz the exposures were just impossible to judge from moment to moment...
Chicks love props!
And the chicks apparently liked this too..
First Julia sighting!.. Take a good look, cuz she tries to disappear later...
Exhibit A.
And B... awesome.
That tie is disgusting.
So, so awesome.
Also awesome.
Beata getting her moves down for an India exchange.
Ladies and Gentlemen, your future lawyers of Canada! And all for unquestionably a great cause.
Yup. Solid night. And relatively short too. Got home, and still had time for Albert to introduce me to Tower of Power (So they're playing 4 consecutive nights in Tokyo, and another 4 nights in Seattle. Then they come to Ontario, and play: Ottawa, Kingston, Oakville, Chatham, Mississauga, St. Catherine's, and Markham; we're going to see them April 2nd at the Grand.) His suggested listening tracks:
Cuff the Duke Tweet:
I'm playing the Dakota tonight with my solo band the Thieves! Peter Elkas is playing as well. There will also be a surprise guest.
--
Joel Plaskett Blog post:
Posted on March 7th, 2011
Hey Upper Canadians,
The van is packed and on its way to Ontario. See you at Peter Elkas’ residency tomorrow night at the Dakota in Toronto. Might even sing a few songs.
Meaford on Wednesday and away we roll.
Jp
Apocalyptica was formed in 1993 when four cellists, Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, Max Lilja, and Antero Manninen gathered to play Metallica covers at Sibelius Academy. In 1996, Apocalyptica released their debut studio album, Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, which consisted solely of Metallica covers played on cellos.
This is ripped (and edited) from the Wikipedia entry, but I thought it was of interest today.
International Women's Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women’s Day is marked on March 8 every year.
Started as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries, primarily Eastern Europe, Russia, and the former Soviet bloc. In many regions, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day.
The first IWD was observed on 19 March 1911 in Germany following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America.
An 'International Women's Day' was established. It was suggested by the important German Socialist Clara Zetkin, although no date was specified. The following year, 1911, IWD was marked by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, on March 19.In the West, International Women's Day was first observed as a popular event after 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for Women's Rights and International Peace.
--
The day is an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zambia.
In many countries, such as in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia, the custom of giving women flowers still prevails. Women also sometimes get gifts from their employers. Schoolchildren often bring gifts for their teachers, too.
--
Clara Cetkin 1857 -1933) was an influential socialist German politician and a fighter for women's rights.
Because of the ban placed on socialist activity in Germany by Bismarck in 1878, Zetkin left for Zurich in 1882 then went into exile in Paris. During her time in Paris she played an important role in the foundation of the Socialist International socialist group. She also adopted the name of her lover, the Russian revolutionary Ossip Zetkin, with whom she had two sons, Kostja and Maxim. Ossip Zetkin died in 1889. Later, Zetkin was married to the artist Georg Friedrich Zundel, eighteen years her junior, from 1899 until their breakup in 1928.
When Adolf Hitler took over power, Zetkin went into exile ... in the Soviet Union. She died there near Moscow, in 1933, aged nearly 76. She was buried by the wall of the Kremlin in Moscow.
Zetkin was memorialized on the ten mark banknote of the now-defunct German Democratic Republic (GDR).
Posts
