Killing the pathogen
By Sharon OmahenUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia scientists have developed a method foreliminating the harmful E. coli O157:H7 pathogen in cattlewatering troughs.An estimated 73,000 cases of E. coli O157:H7 in humans arereported each year in the United States. Studies have shown thatthe pathogen can be transferred from one cow to another throughthe animals’ drinking water. Safer, but not as tastyHe found that the cows drank 19 liters per day of the lactic acidwater, compared to 30 liters per day of nontreated water.”They’ll drink the treated water, but obviously, they’rereluctant to drink it,” he said. “So it’s not suited forcontinuous feeding.”West said cows could survive on the reduced water intake. Butwhen a cow’s water or feed intake is reduced, her growth and milkproduction also decline.To keep from reducing cows’ water intake, the scientistsrecommend farmers periodically treat their water tanks with thechemical treatment.”A farmer could treat his tanks for 20 minutes and basicallysanitize his watering system,” Doyle said. “He could treat theholding tanks and the troughs, then flush and refill them withclean water. This would kill the organism and then provide freshwater for the animals.”Adding the chemical to his cattle’s water supply would be anadded task and, for now, a voluntary action for the farmer, Doylesaid. Searching for the best controlThe best treatments were a combination of lactic acid, acidiccalcium sulfate and caprylic acid and another combination oflactic acid, acidic calcium sulfate and butyric acid.”Both treatments include a base chemical, acidified calciumsulfate, or Safe2O,” Doyle said. “This chemical has avery lowpH, less than 2, which makes it very acidic.”Doyle’s laboratory studies found that the two chemicalformulations not only eliminated E. coli O157:H7, but also killedother enterohemorrhagic E. coli which are related to E. coliO157:H7.But what do the cows think of this new power-drink? UGA animalscientist Joe West fed the treated water to a group of test cows.”We use Calan doors, which are electronically controlled doors,”he said. “Each cow has a transponder that works as the door’skey.”In this way, West can monitor how much water a cow trulyconsumes. For the study, he measured how much water the cowsdrank over seven days and compared that to what theynormally drink. Ready when needed”Until someone down the line gets serious about controlling E.coli at the source, this is just a control method available tofarmers,” he said. “If on-farm controls should be mandated, wehave a treatment available that will work.”Adding the chemicals to cattle drinking water shouldn’t becost-prohibitive for farmers.”The material is fairly dilute, and we’ve determined that a verydilute combination can still be effective” Doyle said. Contaminating drinking water”Cattle drinking water is often contaminated with cud (rumencontent),” said Michael Doyle, a UGA microbiologist and directorof the Center for Food Safety in Griffin, Ga. “Cattle water canalso have manure in it, and together, this leads to E. colicontamination.”In the past, disinfectants like chlorine have been ineffective atremoving E. coli O157:H7 from cattle drinking water. With fundingfrom the American Meat Institute Foundation, Doyle led a projectthat focused on identifying practical treatments for eliminatingE. coli O157:H7 in cattle drinking water.The UGA scientists first screened various chemicals in searchof an effective control.”We knew right away that chlorine and ozone treatments had littleto no effect,” Doyle said. “But we were able to ultimatelyidentify two chemical combinations that are highly effective.”
Volume XXXIIINumber 1Page 17 By Bodie PennisiUniversity of Georgia For most people, the word cranesbill triggers thoughts of a long-legged bird with a long beak wading in a swamp. But for gardeners, cranesbill also refers to a type of perennial geranium prized for its toughness and long bloom period. The plant gets it name from the long, slender beak-like fruit produced after flowering.Today, cranesbill geraniums are among the hottest plants in the landscape industry, following the introduction of one called Rozanne in 2001. Rozanne cranesbill hardy geranium is so hot, in fact, that it was chosen the 2008 Georgia Gold Medal winner for herbaceous perennials.Gardeners and landscapers throughout the Southeast are singing the praises of this exciting new plant, calling it a floral blockbuster and an exceptional performer, even in the unrelenting summer heat and humidity of the Southeast. Rozanne grows in a well-rounded mound to a height of 18 to 20 inches. From late May until frost, the plant produces an abundance of blue-violet flowers with pale centers. Its attractive, deeply lobed foliage turns brownish red in the fall. Plant cranesbill in well-drained, amended soil and keep in full sun to lightly shaded sites. Fertilize at planting time with a complete granular fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, 16-4-8 or 12-4-8, and repeat one to two additional times during the growing season. The plant is a vigorous grower and is likely to decline in bloom during midsummer when the sprawling foliage competes for the plant’s energy. At that time, pruning will encourage new growth and create more flowers to brighten the fall landscape. After the first frost, cut back the plant and mulch it with leaves to provide a warm winter rest. Use Rozanne cranesbill hardy geranium in perennial borders, rock gardens or decorative containers. The plant grows best in zones 5 to 8.
Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc,Everybody knows the outlandish combination of chunks and swirls that put Ben & Jerry’s on the map over 30 years ago but few people correctly guess the first flavor the two real guys ever churned out. Mint with chocolate cookies? Cherry Garcia? Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough? The answer may surprise you.Co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield knew there needed to be a creamy, delicious ice cream that could stand on its own before adding any chunks and swirls. Since 1978 the duo stirred up every imaginable flavor combination ‘ many that had never been tried before. Still, Greenfield and Cohen are quick to point out that the first flavor an ice cream maker must perfect is the one without any chunks or swirls whatsoever. That’s why their first flavor was: Vanilla.‘While Ben & Jerry’s is synonymous with funky and chunky concoctions like Phishfood, Chunky Monkey and Chubby Hubby, the company has been heralded for its Vanilla ice cream in national independent taste tests year after year,’ said Leo Acquino, Director of the Flavor Guru team. ‘Usually testers cite our flavor, texture and creaminess;’ added Acquino, ‘it’s that homemade quality that we’re most proud of.’Customers agree too. Vanilla is the best-selling flavor in Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops nationwide. As the holiday season approaches, and you need the tastiest vanilla beside that pie you’ve perfected, there are even more reasons for choosing Ben & Jerry’s vanilla than simply for its award-winning taste. Ben & Jerry’s believes that it’s what’s inside that counts. That means never missing out on an extra scoop! Ben & Jerry’s pint is still a pint (a full sixteen fluid ounces) versus the downsized 14 ounces of other competitors. While it is the ‘giving season’ you shouldn’t be paying full price for less than a full pint of super premium ice cream.Furthering the company’s belief that it’s what’s inside that counts, Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla ice cream always starts with fresh and wholesome cream and milk from Vermont family farmers who promise not to use recombinant bovine growth hormone. In addition Ben & Jerry’s uses Fair Trade vanilla beans, paying developing world farmers a guaranteed fair price for their harvest. The result is a sweet deal all around. The effort combines great taste plus good business decisions which results in Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla not only being the company’s first flavor, but also being the world’s best vanilla.For more information on Ben & Jerry’s or to find your local Scoop Shop, visit www.benjerry.com(link is external). For up-to-date information on the company, coupons, images and more, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/benjerry(link is external).About Ben & Jerry’sBen & Jerry’s produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and ice cream novelties, using high-quality ingredients including milk and cream from family farmers who do not treat their cows with the synthetic hormone rBGH. The company states its position on rBGH* on its labels. Ben and Jerry’s products are distributed nationwide and in selected foreign countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues. Ben & Jerry’s, a Vermont corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the community. Contributions made via the employee led Ben & Jerry’s Foundation in 2009 totaled over $1.7 million. Additionally, the company makes significant product donations to community groups and nonprofits both in Vermont and across the nation. The purpose of Ben & Jerry’s philanthropy is to support the founding values of the company: economic and social justice, environmental restoration and peace through understanding, and to support our Vermont communities. For the full scoop on all Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop locations and fabulous flavors, visit www.benjerry.com(link is external).* The FDA has said no significant difference has been shown and no test can now distinguish between milk from rBGH treated cows and untreated cows. Not all the suppliers of our other ingredients can promise that the milk they use comes from untreated cows.
By Gustavo Arias Retana/Diálogo November 30, 2018 In August 2018, a special jury in Colorado pressed charges against 16 narcotraffickers who moved cocaine from Mexico to the United States and laundered money through Chinese banks. The process isn’t new: In 2017, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warned about criminal groups in Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela that used their contacts with Chinese mafias to launder money through banking entities in the Asian nation. Sara Hsu, an associate professor of Economics at the State University of New York and specialist in the Chinese financial system, explains that the Asian nation is an attractive destination to launder money coming from Latin American criminal activities. One of the reasons is the strengthened link between groups such as Mexican drug cartels and Chinese mafias. “It’s true that Chinese regulations on money laundering were less rigorous in the past,” Hsu told Diálogo. “But the incentive comes from some Chinese gangs’ willingness to cooperate with Latin American criminals to launder money and participate in other illegal activities. As such, they become important facilitators for Latin American [criminal] organizations.” Hsu’s description fit what the DEA indicated in its 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment on the role of Chinese criminal organizations—particularly those operating in the United States—as money laundering facilitators for Latin American criminals. According to the report, Asian transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) “play a key role in the laundering of illicit drug proceeds. Asian TCOs involved in money laundering contract their services and in some cases work jointly with other criminal groups, such as Mexican, Colombian, and Dominican TCOs.” According to Hsu, some of the most common money laundering techniques are the purchase of Chinese products and fake commercial exchanges through casinos in Macau and Chinese money exchange houses. Gonzalo Villa, director of Latin America for the Miami-based Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists, points to the use of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin as another strategy. “Bitcoin and other similar currencies are very attractive, because of their perceived anonymity and decentralized system,” Villa told Diálogo. “For example, the deep web or dark web has become the ideal place for online illegal activities. Using cryptocurrencies is now a method criminals increasingly use.” DEA also confirms that bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies allow Latin American drug cartels to easily transfer their illegal earnings worldwide. “Bitcoin is the most common form of payment for drug sales on dark net marketplaces and is emerging as a desirable method to transfer illicit drug proceeds internationally,” indicated the report. The Chinese financial system as accomplice One must keep in mind that many forms of money laundering Latin American criminals use in China count on a supportive financial system frequently sanctioned for its poor regulation. “Due to the weaknesses in its financial system, China has become an attractive hub to launder money at an international level,” Villa said. In recent years, several Chinese banks received sanctions or warnings in the United States for violating legal regimes to prevent financial crimes linked to money laundering. In 2018, U.S. authorities and financial regulatory agencies sanctioned the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Financial Services LLC due to inconsistencies in its anti-money laundering compliance program. The company’s head office in New York was cited for deficiencies in its anti-laundering programs and was required to pay a fine of $12.5 million. In 2016, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS) imposed a $215 million fine on the Agricultural Bank of China for violating money laundering rules, mainly for concealing suspicious transactions and silencing its compliance officer. In 2015, the Federal Reserve and NYSDFS ordered China Construction Bank to tighten money laundering controls in their New York subsidiary to resolve a legal action both regulatory bodies had submitted. The Chinese financial system shows little interest in correcting its weaknesses, in turn becoming a perfect ally for Latin American criminals who need to launder their profits generated by business such as drug sales. These criminals found in China the perfect combination of criminal partners, money laundering mechanisms, and accomplice banks.
Once the system is set up, Jernigan said, researchers will be able to enroll in it and order materials online. A person seeking to develop a new flu diagnostic test, for example, will be able to order particular viral strains and a test kit, consisting of a standard set of viruses used to validate the test. ATCC sitehttp://www.atcc.org/ By means of “a secure internet web portal for approved users,” the system will give researchers, vaccine and diagnostic-test developers, and public health officials better access to a repository of flu viruses, including those that could pose a pandemic risk, as well as kits and reagents (substances used in tests), the CDC said. ATCC is a private, nonprofit biological resource center that acquires, develops, produces, and distributes reference microorganisms, cell lines, and other materials for research. The contract is for 1 year, with an option to renew each year for up to 10 years, the CDC said. “We’re trying to speed up development by providing much greater access to new viruses and other products that we have here but are not easily accessible,” he said. Oct 9, 2008 (CIDRAP News) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has contracted with a private biological resource business to set up a system to improve researchers’ access to influenza viruses, test kits, and reagents. “Historically CDC has provided some of these products for developers to use, but what’s happened in the past is that people haven’t had as easy access to those things as they’ve needed,” Jernigan told CIDRAP News. “Also, as H5N1 has emerged and with the potential for a pandemic, we’ve recognized that there needed to be availability of a stockpile of viruses and library of reagents.” “This new resource will be a significant improvement for accessing the CDC library of influenza viruses,” said Dr. Nancy Cox, director of the CDC’s Influenza Division, in a news release. “We expect that the CDC-IRR will speed the development of better diagnostic tests, antiviral drugs, and vaccines.” In the event of a flu pandemic, the CDC-IRR will serve as a source of reagents to qualified labs, the CDC statement said. Such labs are expected to play a critical role in detecting and confirming initial cases, characterizing viruses, monitoring the course of the pandemic, and choosing vaccine strains, the agency said. See also: Under the contract, ATCC will essentially take over from the CDC the work of storing flu viruses, test kits, and reagents and sending them to other labs and researchers, according to Dr. Daniel Jernigan, deputy director of the CDC’s Influenza Division. Researchers and developers of vaccines and tests need the items because flu viruses constantly change. Jernigan said the new system is expected to help both public health labs, which are “the first line of detection for pandemic and seasonal influenza viruses,” and developers making new vaccines, antiviral drugs, and diagnostic tests. Jernigan said the CDC and other federal agencies have a long-standing relationship with ATCC, which has operated for more than 80 years. “We work with them on other repositories we have here. This is one of the largest projects we’ve initiated with them,” he said. Oct 8 CDC news releasehttp://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2008/r081008.htm The CDC yesterday announced the awarding of a $16.9 million contract to American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) of Manassas, Va., to set up the CDC Influenza Reagent Resource Center (CDC-IRR), described as a secure, Web-based system to improve access to viruses and related items.
Getting to grips with your equity is key when it comes to purchasing a property.IF YOU are considering selling your property a question that will come up is what level of equity you have in your home.It is important you fully investigate your equity position before making any decisions about selling or buying another property.There are some common traps associated with using equity in your home and it’s important you do the sums early so you understand your position.Equity is the difference between the market value of the property and the owner’s unencumbered interest in the property. In other words, it’s what would be left over if you sold the property today and paid off all the associated debts with the home (that is the mortgage).The equity (or “net profit” as it can sometimes be called) is often what people use to fund activities such as renovations.To have equity in your home the market value of the property should be growing.But what happens when the value of the property falls and the potential sale doesn’t clear the associated debts?More from news01:21Buyer demand explodes in Townsville’s 2019 flood-affected suburbs12 Sep 202001:21‘Giant surge’ in new home sales lifts Townsville property market10 Sep 2020It is well documented that regional Queensland property markets are doing it tough and Townsville is no exception.Unfortunately, it’s possible that there may be owners who have bought property in Townsville in the past five to 10 years who are paying off a property that has a lower market value today than it did when they bought it.When a property owner is considering selling the property and they have negative equity it’s likely they may need the bank’s approval before they can sell. It’s important you thoroughly investigate your financial position before you make any decisions.Many experienced agents who have seen a few property cycles in their time (and I’m one of those) will know to ask the equity question early to avoid any heartache down the track.If you’re serious about selling start by finding out from the agent what costs are associated with the property sale and then talk to the bank to find out how much equity you have.It’s much better to ask this question early and avoid potential tears and disappointment down the track when you’ve fallen in love with your dream home only to find out you don’t have as much equity as you thought.
The property at 5 Black Myrtle Court, Terranora, has just been completed. It’s for sale with a $1.55-1.65 million price tag.The lucky buyers will pick up the keys and move straight in with no effort thanks to the $1.55-1.65 million deal on offer, which includes the furniture that was styled by interior designer Jacinta Platt, of Scout Design.The custom property was designed by Rayne and Larissa Fouché, of Fouché Architects. Mr Fouché said the home at 5 Black Myrtle Court, which was on a slopping site in the exclusive and boutique Vista Terranora estate, drew inspiration from rural Australian themes. “Masonry landscape walls act as an anchor for the floating structure, while also providing areas for plants to grow,” he said. “The structure is nestled into the site and follows the contours so as to provide a building that is part of the hill. “The cranked plan offers unique views from the living room and each of the four bedrooms.“A portion of the site in front of the outdoor entertaining area is reserved for an infinity-edge swimming pool with ocean views.” The luxury furniture is included in the package. The house is split into two wings.Vista Terranora is an acreage estate of just 14 lots, all of which are at least 4000sq m, with uniquely designed homes for each block by individual architects and designers. Dragonfly is the second house to be completed and is on the market through Sophie Carter, of Sophie Carter Exclusive Properties. More from news02:37International architect Desmond Brooks selling luxury beach villa9 hours ago02:37Gold Coast property: Sovereign Islands mega mansion hits market with $16m price tag1 day ago“As much as the house can it resembles dragonfly wings,” she said. “It was designed so that it doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, it’s beautiful. “On the balcony you have (views of) the whole eastern coastline and then if it’s a windy day you can be on the northern side but you still have views of the ocean through the corridor, which connects the two wings of the house.” Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayNext playlist itemMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 1:02Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -1:02 Playback Rate1xChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedQuality Levels720p720pHD540p540p360p360p270p270pAutoA, selectedAudio Tracken (Main), selectedFullscreenThis is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.PlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently playing liveLIVERemaining Time -0:00 Playback Rate1xFullscreen5 wow rural home sales around Australia01:03 The house features four bedrooms and three bathrooms.Ms Carter said there was nothing standard about the property. “The finishes are beautiful, they have used brass throughout the bathrooms in delicate spots, in every room there are fine details that stock standard homes, or any homes really, just wouldn’t have,” she said. It’s known as the Dragonfly house and it’s like nothing you would have seen before.IT’S definitely not just a standard house, which is what will get buyers buzzing when they see it. Dubbed Dragonfly, this Terranora property has a unique design that blends perfectly into its picturesque surrounds. The four-bedroom, architecturally-design house is split into two wings that are connected by a glass corridor. MORE NEWS: Why this villa sold before auctionMORE NEWS: How you can join an exclusive property club 
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RelatedPostsNo Content Available Four state chapters of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria in the South West have dissociated themselves from the purported October 7 elections scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Abuja.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the South West SWAN’s action is in line with a directive by the Nigeria Union of Journalists.In a joint statement signed by Chairmen of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Ekiti States on Thursday, the states said the decision was reached after robust deliberations with their Executive Committees and chapter Members.According to the Chairmen, their decision stems from the September 24 directive by the leadership of the NUJ, which indefinitely suspended the upcoming national elections due to internal rancour amongst members over the electoral process.“As professionals with total regard for constituted authorities and rule of law governing journalism, we will not be participating in any election not recognised by NUJ,” Lagos SWAN Chairman, Debo Oshundun, said.Hakeem Akintunde of Ogun said: “We have been directed by the leadership of NUJ to stay away from any elections, so we don’t have any intention of going to Abuja or Port Harcourt for either of the elections.”For Niyi Alebiosu of Oyo State, the South West has nothing against individuals but against the electoral processes.Alebiosu said: “For the sake of peace and future of our noble association, staying away from all electoral matters until issues are resolved is the best route to follow.”The South West Chairmen therefore warned the Africa Zone of the Association of International Sports Press from interfering in the local affairs of SWAN, which falls under the jurisdiction of NUJ.They said: “According to Article 7(a) of the SWAN Statutes which focuses on membership, without being a member of NUJ and not AIPS, full membership of SWAN is not possible based on Article 7 (h)(iii).“We find it unacceptable and an act of double standard that the same National Leadership of SWAN which consulted the NUJ whenever it suited it is now claiming to be independent of the union when it is not favourably disposed to the directives of the NUJ.” Tags: SWAN Crisis
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