ScienceDaily (Aug. 3, 2012) ? In the cognitive sciences, the capacity to interpret the intentions of others is called "Theory of Mind" (ToM). This faculty is involved in the understanding of language, in particular by bridging the gap between the meaning of the words that make up a statement and the meaning of the statement as a whole.
In recent years, researchers have identified the neural network dedicated to ToM, but no one had yet demonstrated that this set of neurons is specifically activated by the process of understanding of an utterance. This has now been accomplished: a team from L2C2 (Laboratoire sur le Langage, le Cerveau et la Cognition, Laboratory on Language, the Brain and Cognition, CNRS / Universit? Claude Bernard-Lyon 1) has shown that the activation of the ToM neural network increases when an individual is reacting to ironic statements.
Published in Neuroimage, these findings represent an important breakthrough in the study of Theory of Mind and linguistics, shedding light on the mechanisms involved in interpersonal communication.
In our communications with others, we are constantly thinking beyond the basic meaning of words. For example, if asked, "Do you have the time?" one would not simply reply, "Yes." The gap between what is said and what it means is the focus of a branch of linguistics called pragmatics. In this science, "Theory of Mind" (ToM) gives listeners the capacity to fill this gap. In order to decipher the meaning and intentions hidden behind what is said, even in the most casual conversation, ToM relies on a variety of verbal and non-verbal elements: the words used, their context, intonation, "body language," etc.
Within the past 10 years, researchers in cognitive neuroscience have identified a neural network dedicated to ToM that includes specific areas of the brain: the right and left temporal parietal junctions, the medial prefrontal cortex and the precuneus. To identify this network, the researchers relied primarily on non-verbal tasks based on the observation of others' behavior[1]. Today, researchers at L2C2 (Laboratoire sur le Langage, le Cerveau et la Cognition, Laboratory on Language, the Brain and Cognition, CNRS / Universit? Claude Bernard-Lyon 1) have established, for the first time, the link between this neural network and the processing of implicit meanings.
To identify this link, the team focused their attention on irony. An ironic statement usually means the opposite of what is said. In order to detect irony in a statement, the mechanisms of ToM must be brought into play. In their experiment, the researchers prepared 20 short narratives in two versions, one literal and one ironic. Each story contained a key sentence that, depending on the version, yielded an ironic or literal meaning. For example, in one of the stories an opera singer exclaims after a premiere, "Tonight we gave a superb performance." Depending on whether the performance was in fact very bad or very good, the statement is or is not ironic.
The team then carried out functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analyses on 20 participants who were asked to read 18 of the stories, chosen at random, in either their ironic or literal version. The participants were not aware that the test concerned the perception of irony. The researchers had predicted that the participants' ToM neural networks would show increased activity in reaction to the ironic sentences, and that was precisely what they observed: as each key sentence was read, the network activity was greater when the statement was ironic. This shows that this network is directly involved in the processes of understanding irony, and, more generally, in the comprehension of language.
Next, the L2C2 researchers hope to expand their research on the ToM network in order to determine, for example, whether test participants would be able to perceive irony if this network were artificially inactivated.
Note:
[1] For example, Gr?zes, Frith & Passingham (J. Neuroscience, 2004) showed a series of short (3.5 second) films in which actors came into a room and lifted boxes. Some of the actors were instructed to act as though the boxes were heavier (or lighter) than they actually were. Having thus set up deceptive situations, the experimenters asked the participants to determine if they had or had not been deceived by the actors in the films. The films containing feigned actions elicited increased activity in the rTPJ (right temporal parietal junction) compared with those containing unfeigned actions.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by CNRS (D?l?gation Paris Michel-Ange), via AlphaGalileo.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
Nicola Spotorno, Eric Koun, J?r?me Prado, Jean-Baptiste Van Der Henst, Ira A. Noveck. Neural evidence that utterance-processing entails mentalizing: The case of irony. NeuroImage, 2012; 63 (1): 25 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.06.046
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
Mending a broken heart -- with a molecule that turns stem cells into heart cellsPublic release date: 2-Aug-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Heather Buschman, Ph.D. hbuschman@sanfordburnham.org 858-795-5343 Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute
Researchers discovered a molecule that converts stem cells into heart cells, which could be used to replace diseased or damaged tissue in heart disease patients
LA JOLLA, Calif., August 2, 2012 For years, scientists have been looking for a good source of heart cells that can be used to study cardiac function in the lab, or perhaps even to replace diseased or damaged tissue in heart disease patients. To do this, many are looking to stem cells. Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham), the Human BioMolecular Research Institute, and ChemRegen, Inc. have been searching for molecules that convert stem cells to heart cells for about eight yearsand now they've found one. Writing in the August 3 issue of Cell Stem Cell, the team describes how they sifted through a large collection of drug-like chemicals and uncovered ITD-1, a molecule that can be used to generate unlimited numbers of new heart cells from stem cells.
"Heart disease is the leading cause of death in this country. Because we can't replace lost cardiac muscle, the condition irreversibly leads to a decline in heart function and ultimately death. The only way to effectively replace lost heart muscle cellscalled cardiomyocytesis to transplant the entire heart," said Mark Mercola, Ph.D., director of Sanford-Burnham's Muscle Development and Regeneration Program and senior author of the study. "Using a drug to create new heart muscle from stem cells would be far more appealing than heart transplantation."
Searching for a needle in a haystack
Stem cells are important because they do two unique things1) self-renew, producing more stem cells and 2) differentiate, becoming other, more specialized cell types. To obtain a large number of a certain cell type, such as heart cells, the hard part is figuring out the signals that direct them to become the desired cell type.
Mercola's group has been hunting for heart-inducing signals for 15 yearsin embryos and in stem cells. To find a synthetic molecule that might one day lead to a drug therapy to regenerate the heart, they joined forces with a team of medicinal chemists at the Human BioMolecular Research Institute led by John Cashman, Ph.D. With funding from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, they used sophisticated robotic technology to methodically test a large collection of drug-like chemicals, looking for that needle in a haystack that, when added to stem cells, results in cardiomyocytes. The winning compound was ITD-1.
Therapeutic applications
There's no shortage of therapeutic possibilities for ITD-1. "This particular molecule could be useful to enhance stem cell differentiation in a damaged heart," explained Erik Willems, Ph.D., postdoctoral researcher in Mercola's lab and first author of the study. "At some point, it could become the basis for a new therapeutic drug for cardiovascular diseaseone that would likely limit scar spreading in heart failure and promote new muscle formation."
Mercola, Willems, and Cashman are now working with San Diego biotech company ChemRegen, Inc. to further develop ITD-1 into a drug that one day might be used to treat patients.
More scientific detail
The researchers discovered that ITD-1 blocks a cellular process known as TGF? signaling. TGF? (short for transforming growth factor-?) is a protein produced by one cell type to influence others' behaviors, such as proliferation, scarring, and even stem cell differentiation. TGF? works from outside the cell, binding to a receptor on the surface of a responding cell to initiate an intracellular signaling cascade that causes genes to be switched on or off, ultimately altering cellular behaviorin this case making heart muscle.
ITD-1 triggers degradation of the TGF? receptor, thus inhibiting the whole process. With TGF? signaling turned off, stem cells are set on a course toward cardiogenesis. ITD-1 is the first selective inhibitor of TGF?, meaning that it might also have applications in many other processes controlled by TGF?.
###
Media contacts: To arrange an on-site, phone, or Skype interview with the researchers involved in this study, please contact Heather Buschman at (858) 795-5343 / hbuschman@sanfordburnham.org or Rebekah Handley at (858) 458-9305 / RHandley@hbri.org.
This research was funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the Human BioMolecular Research Institute, the American Heart Association, the German Research Foundation, and the T Foundation.
The study was co-authored by Erik Willems, Sanford-Burnham and ChemRegen Inc.; Paul J Bushway and Joaquim Cabral-Teixeira, Sanford-Burnham; Dennis Schade, ChemRegen Inc. and Human BioMolecular Research Institute; Wenqing Cai, Sanford-Burnham; Patrick Reeves, Harvard Medical School; Marion Lanier, ChemRegen Inc. and Human BioMolecular Research Institute; Christopher Walsh, Salk Institute for Biological Studies; Tomas Kirchhausen, Harvard Medical School; Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Center for Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona; John Cashman, ChemRegen Inc. and Human BioMolecular Research Institute; Mark Mercola, Sanford-Burnham and ChemRegen Inc.
About Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute
Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute is dedicated to discovering the fundamental molecular causes of disease and devising the innovative therapies of tomorrow. The Institute consistently ranks among the top five organizations worldwide for its scientific impact in the fields of biology and biochemistry (defined by citations per publication) and currently ranks third in the nation in NIH funding among all laboratory-based research institutes. Sanford-Burnham utilizes a unique, collaborative approach to medical research and has established major research programs in cancer, neurodegeneration, diabetes, and infectious, inflammatory, and childhood diseases. The Institute is especially known for its world-class capabilities in stem cell research and drug discovery technologies. Sanford-Burnham is a U.S.-based, non-profit public benefit corporation, with operations in San Diego (La Jolla), California and Orlando (Lake Nona), Florida. For more information, news, and events, please visit us at www.sanfordburnham.org.
About Human BioMolecular Research Institute
The Human BioMolecular Research Institute is a non-profit research institute conducting basic research focused on unlocking biological and chemical principles related to diseases of the human brain, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The Institute conducts fundamental studies of central nervous system disorders, heart disease and cancer including stem cell approaches and translates findings into new drug development to address human illness. In addition, the institute promotes scientific learning through community service and public access by disseminating information and sharing research with collaborators, colleagues and the public. For more information, visit www.HBRI.org.
About ChemRegen Inc.
ChemRegen is a for-profit company doing research directed at identifying small molecules of use for addressing human diseases. The approach is to develop regenerative medicines to work in conjunction with human embryonic stem cells to cure major human diseases including heart disease, cancer and other diseases. For more information, visit www.ChemRegen.com.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Mending a broken heart -- with a molecule that turns stem cells into heart cellsPublic release date: 2-Aug-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Heather Buschman, Ph.D. hbuschman@sanfordburnham.org 858-795-5343 Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute
Researchers discovered a molecule that converts stem cells into heart cells, which could be used to replace diseased or damaged tissue in heart disease patients
LA JOLLA, Calif., August 2, 2012 For years, scientists have been looking for a good source of heart cells that can be used to study cardiac function in the lab, or perhaps even to replace diseased or damaged tissue in heart disease patients. To do this, many are looking to stem cells. Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham), the Human BioMolecular Research Institute, and ChemRegen, Inc. have been searching for molecules that convert stem cells to heart cells for about eight yearsand now they've found one. Writing in the August 3 issue of Cell Stem Cell, the team describes how they sifted through a large collection of drug-like chemicals and uncovered ITD-1, a molecule that can be used to generate unlimited numbers of new heart cells from stem cells.
"Heart disease is the leading cause of death in this country. Because we can't replace lost cardiac muscle, the condition irreversibly leads to a decline in heart function and ultimately death. The only way to effectively replace lost heart muscle cellscalled cardiomyocytesis to transplant the entire heart," said Mark Mercola, Ph.D., director of Sanford-Burnham's Muscle Development and Regeneration Program and senior author of the study. "Using a drug to create new heart muscle from stem cells would be far more appealing than heart transplantation."
Searching for a needle in a haystack
Stem cells are important because they do two unique things1) self-renew, producing more stem cells and 2) differentiate, becoming other, more specialized cell types. To obtain a large number of a certain cell type, such as heart cells, the hard part is figuring out the signals that direct them to become the desired cell type.
Mercola's group has been hunting for heart-inducing signals for 15 yearsin embryos and in stem cells. To find a synthetic molecule that might one day lead to a drug therapy to regenerate the heart, they joined forces with a team of medicinal chemists at the Human BioMolecular Research Institute led by John Cashman, Ph.D. With funding from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, they used sophisticated robotic technology to methodically test a large collection of drug-like chemicals, looking for that needle in a haystack that, when added to stem cells, results in cardiomyocytes. The winning compound was ITD-1.
Therapeutic applications
There's no shortage of therapeutic possibilities for ITD-1. "This particular molecule could be useful to enhance stem cell differentiation in a damaged heart," explained Erik Willems, Ph.D., postdoctoral researcher in Mercola's lab and first author of the study. "At some point, it could become the basis for a new therapeutic drug for cardiovascular diseaseone that would likely limit scar spreading in heart failure and promote new muscle formation."
Mercola, Willems, and Cashman are now working with San Diego biotech company ChemRegen, Inc. to further develop ITD-1 into a drug that one day might be used to treat patients.
More scientific detail
The researchers discovered that ITD-1 blocks a cellular process known as TGF? signaling. TGF? (short for transforming growth factor-?) is a protein produced by one cell type to influence others' behaviors, such as proliferation, scarring, and even stem cell differentiation. TGF? works from outside the cell, binding to a receptor on the surface of a responding cell to initiate an intracellular signaling cascade that causes genes to be switched on or off, ultimately altering cellular behaviorin this case making heart muscle.
ITD-1 triggers degradation of the TGF? receptor, thus inhibiting the whole process. With TGF? signaling turned off, stem cells are set on a course toward cardiogenesis. ITD-1 is the first selective inhibitor of TGF?, meaning that it might also have applications in many other processes controlled by TGF?.
###
Media contacts: To arrange an on-site, phone, or Skype interview with the researchers involved in this study, please contact Heather Buschman at (858) 795-5343 / hbuschman@sanfordburnham.org or Rebekah Handley at (858) 458-9305 / RHandley@hbri.org.
This research was funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the Human BioMolecular Research Institute, the American Heart Association, the German Research Foundation, and the T Foundation.
The study was co-authored by Erik Willems, Sanford-Burnham and ChemRegen Inc.; Paul J Bushway and Joaquim Cabral-Teixeira, Sanford-Burnham; Dennis Schade, ChemRegen Inc. and Human BioMolecular Research Institute; Wenqing Cai, Sanford-Burnham; Patrick Reeves, Harvard Medical School; Marion Lanier, ChemRegen Inc. and Human BioMolecular Research Institute; Christopher Walsh, Salk Institute for Biological Studies; Tomas Kirchhausen, Harvard Medical School; Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Center for Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona; John Cashman, ChemRegen Inc. and Human BioMolecular Research Institute; Mark Mercola, Sanford-Burnham and ChemRegen Inc.
About Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute
Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute is dedicated to discovering the fundamental molecular causes of disease and devising the innovative therapies of tomorrow. The Institute consistently ranks among the top five organizations worldwide for its scientific impact in the fields of biology and biochemistry (defined by citations per publication) and currently ranks third in the nation in NIH funding among all laboratory-based research institutes. Sanford-Burnham utilizes a unique, collaborative approach to medical research and has established major research programs in cancer, neurodegeneration, diabetes, and infectious, inflammatory, and childhood diseases. The Institute is especially known for its world-class capabilities in stem cell research and drug discovery technologies. Sanford-Burnham is a U.S.-based, non-profit public benefit corporation, with operations in San Diego (La Jolla), California and Orlando (Lake Nona), Florida. For more information, news, and events, please visit us at www.sanfordburnham.org.
About Human BioMolecular Research Institute
The Human BioMolecular Research Institute is a non-profit research institute conducting basic research focused on unlocking biological and chemical principles related to diseases of the human brain, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The Institute conducts fundamental studies of central nervous system disorders, heart disease and cancer including stem cell approaches and translates findings into new drug development to address human illness. In addition, the institute promotes scientific learning through community service and public access by disseminating information and sharing research with collaborators, colleagues and the public. For more information, visit www.HBRI.org.
About ChemRegen Inc.
ChemRegen is a for-profit company doing research directed at identifying small molecules of use for addressing human diseases. The approach is to develop regenerative medicines to work in conjunction with human embryonic stem cells to cure major human diseases including heart disease, cancer and other diseases. For more information, visit www.ChemRegen.com.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Home tuition essentially targets children who need additional help when it comes to fulfilling the requirements of school. Aside from this, tuition is also sought after by parents who want advance lessons for their children or to help maintain their already exceptional grades in school. By this, it?s easy to identify how it plays a significant role in the lives of children, or students, for that matter. But besides the kids, parents greatly benefit also from home tuition services.
The notable effects of home Singapore tuition easily exhibit in the students? progress in school. This could clearly be proven once they get improved or higher marks in their examinations and in their report cards. They?re able to acknowledge that good study habits may bring about good results. Because of this, they turn out to be more confident with themselves, with the knowledge that they can perform well alongside their classmates without having to think less about themselves anymore.
Home tutoring greatly benefits parents also because they need not be bothered about how they can help their children when it comes to meeting school requirements. Tutors in Singapore, as skilled professionals in their field, possess the ability to keep children?s interest in the lessons they are taking up. They also know how to teach young students on a more personal level where the latter can freely speak up or pose questions when something seems to be uncertain.
Parents whose work requires them to be away from home for most of the day may not have time to help their children with their homework. In this case, it shall be best to get a dedicated tutor to attend to your kids? school homework and prepare them for the next day?s examinations. As parents, your need to still be involved could be resolved by regular updates from your chosen tutor who shall inform you of your child?s progress.
Besides the work-related benefits of engaging the services of a tutor, you will also be able to pamper yourself because of the opportunity to be able to do stuff you enjoy most. Or, in some cases, you can then have time for new things that you?ve always desired to try. Finally enrolling in that dream culinary or photography class or dance lessons may be one of the many rewards that you could experience when you decide to get a home tutor for your children. But, the fact that you can have more family bonding time with the people who truly matter shall be the greatest benefit you can have.
Related articles on tuition or visit www.inspiredtuition.com.sg
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How Home Tuition Helps Your Child Perform Better
Home Tuition ? Ideas To Make Teaching And Learning Fun And Easy
Who doesn?t want to be happy all the time? But as Dr. Loretta Breuning explains in Meet Your Happy Chemicals, constant happiness is simply not the point. The happiness reward system that we humans have inherited from our primate ancestors (and which we share with all mammals) is just that: a reward system meant to encourage us to take actions that promote survival. If it were always on, it would lose its effectiveness to flag survival-positive actions.
What, then, can we do about being happy more often, and less frequently unhappy? While happiness self-help books have often come up with lists of ?good actions? such as the creation and maintenance of close and trustworthy relationships and the availability of meaningful work, Dr. Breuning puts it into a new context: that of brain chemistry.
The four happiness chemicals ? dopamine, endorphin, oxytocin, and serotonin ? are released respectively when we approach an award, are in pain, bond with and/or trust another, and accrue respect. While in prehistoric times, the chemicals may have released for more obvious survival needs such as hunting food (dopamine) or masking immediate pain from injury so we could escape a dangerous situation (endorphin), the release of the happiness chemicals in a modern life may seem more cryptic.
Here is where Dr. Breuning?s narrative really shines. The particular wisdom of the book is its ability to distinguish each of the four happiness chemicals, provide examples for when they are released, and how we can build new happiness circuits ? basically new ways that we can be happier. While most triggers for happiness are built at a young age, adults are able to build more happiness circuits, it will just take a little effort. Specifically, 45 days. That?s the amount of time it takes to build a new and persistent neural pathway in the brain, one that will release happy chemicals when triggered.
Dr. Breuning also provides interesting material on the usefulness of unhappiness as nature?s alarm system (Chapter 2: Good Reasons to be Unhappy) and exercises to create more circuits for each of the happiness chemicals (Chapter 5: Building New Happy Circuits.) While a lot of these tips are not necessarily novel?for instance, one of the exercises for building new dopamine circuits is to celebrate small steps and adjust expectations so they are more realistic?the neurochemical context which Dr. Breuning uses to frame the exercises is very refreshing. In contrast to most self-help books, in which exercises for improvement are justified on the basis of anecdotal information, and a certain well-of-course reasoning, Dr. Breuning?s book grounds the exercises in neurochemical fact, giving exercises like ?laugh? and ?break an unpleasant task into smaller parts? new life.
In brief, the biggest gift that Meet Your Happy Chemicals gives us is a greater understanding of our own brains, the kind of understanding that will hopefully lead to happier lives: better acceptance of unhappiness, and ways to pave our own ways to more happiness.
As Dr. Breuning says, and I quote: ?This brain we?ve inherited is frustrating. In its quest for survival it often turns unhappy chemicals on and happy chemicals off. When my neurochemistry frustrates me, I remind myself that it has succeeded at promoting survival for millions of years.?
Joy Ding is a free-lance writer and marketer living in San Francisco. You can reach her at joy.j.ding@gmail.com.
Thanks to years of research, countless probability models and a complex set of algorithms, I have developed a system that can predict the winner of an MMA bout with a stunning fifteen-percent level of accuracy.? I know, I know, it's a breakthrough that will most certainly make me rich.? But until the oddsmakers in Las Vegas make me an offer that I find acceptable, you all get to benefit from this nigh-infallible prognosticative method.? First up on the fortune telling schedule: the UFC on FOX 4 undercard!
Cole Miller vs. Nam Phan ? American Top Team featherweight mean-mugger Miller had a rough time against "The Ultimate Fighter ? Season 14" exponent Steven Siler back in March, but he's still a skilled and dangerous jiu-jitsu specialist capable of using his lanky limbs to tie people in knots.? TUF 12 veteran Phan, on the other hand, may be a jiu-jitsu black belt, but as we saw in his bout against Jimy Hettes at UFC 141, the Vietnamese warrior is very open to getting dominated on the ground.? The only gray area here is whether or not Miller can get Phan down.? If he can, expect Phan to survive to the final bell but lose via clear-cut decision.
?
Phil Davis vs. Wagner Prado ?Light-heavyweight Davis is to wrestling what Steven Seagal is to?yellow-tinted sunglasses ? which is to say, Davis is a bad, bad dude who can control almost anyone. ??Prado is making his Octagon debut at UFC on FOX 4, and though he trains with the Nogueira brothers and is supposedly some kind of ace striker, he's going to get handled by the Division I All-American wrestler in a big way.? Takedowns, pins, tech falls ? Davis is going to do it all, and earn the unanimous decision win in the process.
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Josh Grispi vs. Rani Yahya ? Two years ago, New Englander Grispi was one of the most promising up-and-coming featherweights in the WEC, and it seemed as if he was destined to battle champ Jose Aldo for the UFC's 145-pound division belt.? But the hype train got derailed in a big way ? first by Louisiana-based fighter Dustin Poirier's knuckle sandwiches at UFC 125, then by George Roop's body-blow KO at the TUF 13 Finale.? Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and 2007 grappling champ Yahya isn't that dangerous on the feet,?just on the ground, so Grispi just might have the skills to get the "W".? This one is also going to decision, with Grispi taking it by virtue of being on top more than being on the bottom.
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Phil De Fries vs. Oli Thompson ? In his UFC debut back at UFC on Fuel TV: "Sanchez vs. Ellenberger", Brit heavyweight De Fries got chewed up and spit out in a mere 43 seconds against Stipe Miocic.? However,Brit strongman Thompson faired only slightly better against Shawn Jordan at UFC on FX: "Alves vs. Kampmann", getting TKO'd in the second round, so the question here is who can pull it together more effectively for their second UFC appearance.? My algorithms are telling me it's going to be De Fries via TKO, but really, it's six of one and half a dozen of the other.?
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Manny Gamburyan vs. Michihiro Omigawa ? Omigawa hails from Japan, sports a pretty decent judo background, and racked up some decent wins fighting in organizations like DEEP and Sengoku.? Unfortunately, in six UFC appearances he has won a grand total of once.? Yes, he's tough as nails and extremely hard to finish, but he lacks that special quality (which we'll simply call "ability to win").? Armenian fireplug Gamburyan is cut from a similar cloth; after taking second place in the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter, he's fought in the UFC seven times and tasted victory twice.? He, too, is tough and lacks ability to win, but he's also been plagued by injuries.? For that, I see Omigawa winning either by decision or by Gamburyan's limbs inadvertently falling off and him not being able to continue.
?
John Moraga vs. Ulysses Gomez ? Hey, it's two Octagon newcomers, making their UFC debut in a bout that will be broadcast on either Facebook, MySpace, Friendster or maybe even LinkedIn.? Who knows.? Either way, both men have worked their way up the regional circuits ? Moraga through Arizona's Rage in the Cage and Gomez through California's Tachi Palace Fights.? Because Octagon jitters are going to be hanging over these men like an oppressive fog of lethargy, my algorithms are literally shrugging at me.? I guess I'll pick Gomez, but that's solely because I think I'd have more fun checking out a TPF show than a RITC show.? Arizona's got a problem with ants, you know.? They're everywhere.
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Who you trying to get crazy with, ese?? Don't you know I'm loco?
United States' Nathan Adrian reacts after competing in the men's 100-meter freestyle swimming semifinal at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza)
United States' Nathan Adrian reacts after competing in the men's 100-meter freestyle swimming semifinal at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza)
LONDON (AP) ? Nathan Adrian of the United States won the men's 100-meter freestyle by the smallest of margins at the London Olympics on Wednesday.
Adrian clocked 47.52 seconds to win by 0.01 ahead of world champion James "The Missile" Magnussen of Australia.
Magnussen touched in 47.53 to take the silver medal and Brent Hayden of Canada finished in 47.80 for bronze.
After a particularly stressful day, I laid my kids down for a nap. Not that they needed to rest, but I needed a reprieve, a chance to regain my sanity. As I sat there relishing the quiet; the smell of bubblegum fresh caught my attention and perked my brain. As I followed the scent, it led me to my daughter?s room. There I discovered several things:
1. Myself?questioning why I chose to have kids in the first place.?
2. My daughter has a very creative side, not sure if I was ready to embrace it or scream.
3. Blue sparkle toothpaste had been used as a decoration technique on everything. The carpet, her toys, and mainly, her favorite castle. (P.s. her room now has wood flooring like the rest of the house).?
On days like today, I find myself on the verge of a Mommy Burn Out and the idea of being in an office is more enticing than being at home. And I say enticing because I LOVE being at home with my kids except for moments like this. ?I question how this role as mommy has all but consumed every part of me; my body, my time, my home, my paycheck, my identity, and my heart.
Is it worth being setting aside my dreams and ambitious career ideas to parent? YES?with that said, we need to be careful of the motherhood burnout. The burnout happens when we don?t carve ?me time.? Many women can identify with what I?m saying and still others cannot. Take for example an elderly mentor whom I confided in. I mentioned I needed ?me? time. Time to sort out my writing, my talents, to shave my legs if needed. She waited for me to finish my soapbox speech before she said, ?Heather, you?ll have plenty of time for you later. Right now, your entire role in life depends on being a mother.?? Taken back, I didn?t say anything. Her statement didn?t sit well with me.?
As I picked apart her conversation, I understood her view of motherhood and its nobility. It is the greatest job on this earth, I get that. But?there?s always a but, but did I give up ?me? time when I decided to become a mother? I don?t think so.
I don?t care if you were made to mother, we all need me time. Especially when you walk in on bubble gum tooth paste 3-D sculpture, or have a demanding three-year-old. If we take care of ourselves first, we are better moms and women.
Do you feel this way? Don?t give up, here?s the 411 on avoiding burn out in motherhood. First and foremost, remember why you choose to be home with your kids.
Regain Your Perspective
I want to be there for my kids, to create childhood memories they will one day be fond of. No one else can do that like I can.
I want to be there every step of the way to instill my family values, morals, and ensure their hearts reflect our faith. ?Only I can do this.
I want to be there for the tough decisions they have to make, to pick them up when they stumble, and to cheer them on when they succeed. No one else can value my children the way I do. No one else can empower them the way I do.
No one else values their hearts like I do. It takes prodding, molding, and shaping of the everyday life to shape their hearts to be ready for life.
Being a mom requires time, commitment, and it creates a life time?investment. If I invest in my kids, they will invest in themselves and?their?families in the future
Tori hiding in the clean laundry after the tooth paste incident.
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Public release date: 2-Aug-2012
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