Gluten Sensitivity

     Say no to gluten in your diet.

     Are you part of this popular topic?

     Gluten is a substance that is present in cereal grains, especially in wheat, and is responsible for the elastic texture of dough. Gluten is a mixture of two proteins. It causes illness in people with celiac disease.

     The elastic texture in baked goods is spawned from gluten.

     The two proteins,  glutenin and gliadin, when added to water, bond together to form gluten. Gluten has the ability to trap air.  It can trap air the same way a balloon can. A gluten network will fill up with swollen starch granules and bubbles.

     Gluten allows bread to rise, and cake to gain a soft texture.  Gluten texture, in cake, is made to be soft so that there isn't a lot of resulting bubbles in the dough.  There is a low gluten content in cake flour. Dough with high gluten content is used for making bread. The bread loaves rise higher because of the air bubbles that form as a result of the previous gluten network.

     When those two proteins combine, they cause illness in people that should be on a gluten free diet.

     "Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body mistakenly reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, as if it were a poison (http://www.glutenfreeliving.com/gluten-free/celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/)".

     -"Symptoms-of celiac disease":

     1.  bloating, gas, diarrhea

     2.  weight loss or gain

     3.  constant fatigue or weakness

     4.  headaches, infertility, depression

     5.  failure to thrive

     6.  short stature

     7.  distended dental

     8.  enamel defects

     9.  unusual behavior changes.

     Gluten, non-celiac, sensitivity-

     Non-celiac gluten sensitivity has been coined to describe those individuals who cannot tolerate gluten and experience symptoms similar to those with celiac disease, but yet who lack the same antibodies and intestinal damage as seen in celiac disease. Early research suggests that non-celiac gluten sensitivity is an innate immune response, as opposed to an adaptive immune response (such as autoimmune) or allergic reaction.

     Research what you eat.

     Maybe you should be gluten-free.

HOMEOPATHIC WELLNESS

     Here we are in the midst of another teeth clatteringly, cold winter.

     Have you ever tried holistic medicine for your over-the-counter medication uses?

      “Holistic medicine is a form of healing that considers the whole person -- body, mind, spirit, and emotions -- in the quest for optimal health and wellness (http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/what-is-holistic-medicine).”

     As with any form of healthcare, there is more than one way for a patient to improve his health.  In particular, in holistic medicine, let us look at homeopathic medicine.

     Personally, holistic medicine seemed fraudulent.  We have all heard of the “Old Western movie Elixirs” that could heal all with one bottle, at one low price, only offered at that particular point in time. Okay.  Occasionally,   the usual medications won't work.  Not that long ago, there was a bad cough that wouldn't give me space to think.  My favorite medicines had ceased to work. The cough was still there. A simple cold/bronchial cough, too.  At that point, the homeopathic version (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FRWXG1Q/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/179-2041899-6295516) seemed worth a try. It worked. It also worked better than its counter part.

     Some opinions of holistic meds point out that, “…most (holistic medications) pale in comparison to modern medicine (http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/183655).”;  Others like to add to the holistic meds debate that it deserves respect.  “Forty-two percent of hospitals offered some form of alternative therapies to their patients, according to a 2010 survey of 5,800 facilities (http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/18/health/alternative-medicine-offit/index.html).”

     Here is a short history of homeopathic medicine.

     It was brought into being in the early 19th century by a German physician, Dr. Samuel Christian Hahnemann (1775-1843).

     Homeopathic medicine has three principles: 

                    Law of similars- a disease can be cured by a medicine that creates symptoms similar to those the patient is experiencing.

                    Single remedy principle- a single medication will cover all the symptoms the patient is experiencing: mental, emotional and physical.

                    Minimum dose principle-  homeopathic physician prescribes small number of doses in order to see what effect the medicine has, and then the medicine is prescribed in an infinitesimal dose.

     Orthodox medicine is well established.  It is not complete,  though.  There are tremendous amounts of undefined diseases,  uncureable conditions,  and other researched subjects.  One could argue that homeopathic medicine has begun to take up some of that slack. Homeopathic medication isn't meant to be a replacement, it should be viewed as an added pathway to wellness.

     As we endure this antagonistic winter, stay warm,  and remain healthy.  If you haven't, yet,  try holistic/homeopathic medicine for your over-the-counter medication uses.

Define: Commodities Investments

     How long has your money dictated to you where it prefers to reside?

     Is that fine with you?  Take control.  Become a monster by learning to properly invest your money.

     Make your money make money.

    First of all, we are discussing the action or process of investing money for profit or material for a result.  Investing can also be defined as the surrounding of a place by a hostile force in order to besiege or blockade it.

     You might ask, 
"Where could a beginner begin? "

     Gold!

Commodity [ kuh-mod-i-tee ]
noun [plural com·mod·i·ties.]

1. an article of trade or commerce, especially a product as distinguished from a service.
2. something of use, advantage, or value.
3. any unprocessed or partially processed good, as grain, fruits, and vegetables, or precious metals.

     Yes, by definition, it is a fact, gold is a commodity.

     Interestingly, commodities of food, energy or metals, are an important part of everyday life. Commodities can be an important way for investors to diversify beyond traditional stocks and bonds.

"What is a traditional stock, and bond?"

     As an investor, stocks and bonds are part of a variety of options to choose from.  The investment you select reflects your financial goals, investment preferences, and tolerance for risk.  Stocks and bonds represent traditional investments.  Traditional means that you put your money down and hold on. Although you want to make changes as necessary to protect your investment, these types of investments can add stability to more aggressive — and riskier — investment strategies.  For example,  some risks accompany trading and hedging.
    
     Investing in stocks is great. When you buy stock, you’re buying ownership in a corporation, or company. The benefit is a mutual profit.  Normally, investors buy stocks and hold them for a long time, making decisions along the way about reallocating investment capital as financial needs change, selling underperformers, and following a variety of advice tactics.

     You want to make sure that your stock portfolio is carefully balanced among the different types of stocks (growth, value, domestic, international, etc.) and your other investments.

          "A well-balanced traditional portfolio (which includes stocks and long-, short-, and intermediate-term bonds) generally offers a steady return of between 5 and 12 percent, depending on the specific investments and the amount of risk you’re willing to assume.(http://finance.zacks.com/investing-for-beginners/)"

"Investing in bonds is traditional,  too, right?"

     To raise money, governments, government agencies, municipalities, and corporations can sell bonds. When you buy a bond, you’re essentially lending money to this entity for the promise of repayment in addition to a specified annual return. In that sense, a bond is really nothing more than an IOU with a serial number. Some people, to sound impressive, call bonds debt securities or fixed-income securities.

     Although some entities are more reliable than others, bonds generally offer stability and predictability well beyond that of most other investments. Because you are, in most cases, receiving a steady stream of income (the annual returns, for example), and because you expect to get your principal back in one piece (at the end of the bond’s life), bonds tend to be more conservative investments than stocks, commodities, or collectibles.

"Okay,  let's look at commodities."

     It used to be that most people did not invest in commodities because doing so required significant amounts of time, money and expertise. Today, there are a number of different routes to the commodity markets, and some of these routes make it easy for even the average investor to participate.

"What about the Futures Market?"

     A popular way to invest in commodities is through a futures contract. A futures contract is an agreement to either buy or sell an asset on a publicly-traded exchange. The asset is usually a commodity, a stock index or a currency. The contract specifies when it will be delivered and at what price. Most contracts specify that the asset must actually get delivered, although some allow a cash settlement instead. Most contracts are paid off before the delivery date. Futures are available on commodities such as crude oil, gold and natural gas, as well as agricultural products such as cattle or corn.

     Most of the participants in the futures markets are commercial or institutional users of the commodities they trade. These hedgers may use the commodity markets to take a position that will reduce the risk of financial loss due to a change in price. Other participants, mainly individuals, are speculators who hope to profit from changes in the price of the futures contract. Speculators typically close out their positions before the contract is due and never take actual delivery of the commodity itself.

     Investing in a futures contract will require you to open up a new brokerage account, if you do not have a broker that also trades futures, and to fill out a form acknowledging that you understand the risks associated with futures trading.

          "Each commodity contract requires a different minimum deposit, depending on the broker, and the value of your account will increase or decrease with the value of the contract. If the value of the contract goes down, you will be subject to a margin call and will be required to place more money into your account to keep the position open. Due to the huge amounts of leverage, small price movements can mean huge returns or losses, and a futures account can be wiped out or doubled in a matter of minutes.( http://www.finra.org/Investors/InvestmentChoices/P005912)"

     Most futures contracts will also have options associated with them. Options on futures contracts still allow you to invest in the futures contract, but limit your loss to the cost of the option. Options are derivatives and usually do not move point-for-point with the futures contract.

"Okay,  let me see the stock part."

     Many investors looking for a commodity play use stocks, which are less prone to volatile price swings than the futures market. Stock investors need to do some research to help ensure that a particular company is a good investment as well as a good commodity play.  Oil companies allow investors to select from drillers, refiners, tanker companies or diversified oil companies. Stocks are easy to buy, hold, trade and track, and it is possible to play a particular sector.  Stock options, which require a smaller investment than buying stocks directly, are another way to invest in commodities. While risk is limited to the cost of the option, the price movement will not usually directly mirror the underlying stock.

"What are ETFS and ETNs?"

     Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs), which trade like stocks, allow investors to participate in commodity price fluctuations without investing directly in futures contracts.  Commodity ETFs usually track the price of a particular commodity or group of commodities that comprise an index by using futures contracts, although a few back the ETF with the actual commodity held in storage.  ETNs are unsecured debt designed to mimic the price fluctuation of a particular commodity or commodity index, and are backed by the issuer. A special brokerage account is not required to invest in ETFs or ETNs.

"Can we utilize Mutual Funds?"

     While mutual funds cannot invest directly in commodities, they can invest in stocks of companies involved in commodity-related industries, such as energy, agriculture or mining. Like the stocks they invest in, the fund shares may be affected by factors other than commodity prices, including stock market fluctuations and company-specific risks.

     In conclusion, there are different types of commodity investments for novice and experienced traders to consider. Although commodity futures contracts provide the most direct way to participate in price movements, other types of investments with varying risk and investment profiles also provide exposure to the commodities markets. The key is to invest with the tool that works best for you.

     Rely on accurate research tactics,  and fact based investment strategies.

     Have fun; make money, money.

Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS)

     In 2007, Roi Cohen Kadosh, at the University of Oxford and his colleagues, was researching the brain in ebb attempt to uncover cognitive learning.  They found that  the area of the brain responsible for mathematics is the right parietal lobe.  It is located just above the right ear.

     There are two separate parietal lobes. One involves sensation and perception.   The other lobe is responsible for integrating sensory input, primarily with the visual system. The first function integrates sensory information to form a single perception which is simply called cognition. The second function constructs a spatial coordinate system to represent the world around us.

 

 

     "Individuals with damage to the parietal lobes often show striking deficits, such as abnormalities in body image and spatial relations (Kandel, Schwartz & Jessel, 1991)."

     Also in 2007, Roi Cohen Kadosh, at the University of Oxford, and his team "short-circuited" this area using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).   TMS is  a stream of magnetic pulses which temporarily disables a targeted area of the brain. The result is that some of the subjects' ability to perform numerical tasks fell.

     "In fact, their performance resembled people with dyscalculia, who have difficulty comprehending mathematics" (http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21729085.400-zapping-brain-to-improve-learning-comes-at-a-cost.html).

   Noninvasive transcranial stimulation techniques like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and direct current stimulation (tDCS) have been used to induce neuroplastic-like effects in the human cortex, leading to the activity-dependent modification of synaptic transmission. They introduced a novel method of electrical stimulation: transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), whereby a random electrical oscillation spectrum is applied over the motor cortex. tRNS induces consistent excitability increases lasting 60 min after stimulation. These effects have been observed in 80 subjects through both physiological measures and behavioral tasks. Higher frequencies (100–640 Hz), sounds at the range of a vibrating tuning fork, appear to be responsible for generating this excitability increase.  This effect may be attributed to the repeated opening of Na+ channels. In terms of efficacy tRNS appears to possess at least the same therapeutic potential as rTMS/tDCS in diseases such as depression, while furthermore avoiding the constraint of current flow direction sensitivity characteristic of tDCS(http://m.jneurosci.org/content/28/52/14147.short).

 

     Sodium, Na+, channels channels are made up of a single polypeptide with four homologous domains. Each domain contains 6 membrane spanning alpha helices. One of these helices, S4, is the voltage sensing helix.  It has many positive charges. A high positive charge outside the cell repels the helix.  This keeps the channel closed. Depolarization of the cell interior causes the helix to move, inducing a conformational change.  The ions will then flow through the channel while it is open (http://pharmaxchange.info/press/2011/02/voltage-sensor-in-the-voltage-gated-sodium-and-potassium-channels/).

     Recently, researchers found out that students performed better at math after using this same brain stimulation.  The students could crunch numbers involving the basic fact that an equation in one variable in a statement in which two expressions, at least one containing the variable, are equal.

 

     Math is a highly complex cognitive faculty that is based on a myriad of different abilities," Cohen Kadosh said. "If we can enhance mathematics . . . there is a good chance that we will be able to enhance simpler cognitive functions."

     First, second, and third degree polynomial equations are widely used at parent companies, like Microsoft, to model manufacturing processes and product design features based on measurements made on factories and testing labs.  This small brain shock could lead to huge intelligence increases in a wide variety of fields.

     "The researcher said that if future experiments with TRNS continue to show positive results, the technique could be used in clinics, classrooms and even at home to help people who struggle with particular cognitive tasks."

     "This could include anyone from a child falling behind in . . . math class to an elderly patient suffering from neurodegenerative disease," he said.

Nootropic brain enhancement

Have you wanted to ultimately be smarter than you are, or were at any point in your lifetime? 

Well, now you can buy a new brain at Walmart.

 

Yeah, right.  We aren’t that advanced, yet.

Neuroscience has given us the option of a more productive brain. Supplements of all kinds fill the shelves in all sorts of vitamin sections of stores.  This option, to lead you to that smarter goal, can  increase your productivity, improve concentration and create massive amounts of motivation.

Nootropics.

Nootropics, memory enhancers, neuro enhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers, are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods that purportedly improve mental functions such as cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration. Nootropics are thought to work by altering the availability of the brain's supply of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones), by improving the brain's oxygen supply, or by stimulating nerve growth.

Nootropic - having positive effects on organically impaired cognition or nervous system function; said of certain drugs. (http://web.archive.org/web/20080130031824/http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_n_10zPzhtm)

Commonly referenced memory drugs, or nootropics are, Racetams.  These are sometimes cited as having few side-effects with a wide therapeutic window. The well known racetams are piracetam, the oldest and most well-known of the group, aniracetam, oxiracetam, pramiracetam and noopept.  Racetams function to control glutamate receptors.  Glutamate receptors are in the brain. There are two types of glutamate receptors, AMPA and NDMA. The neurotransmitter, glutamate, binds to these receptor sites and assists in learning and memory formation as well as muscle coordination and other important neurological functions.  Other receptors work in coordination with racetams.  Cholingeric receptors bind to acetylcholine, which is another important neurotransmitter involved in cognitive function. This binding process causes increased alertness and sensory perception.

 

 

 

Importantly, racetams aren’t based amphetamine chemical structures like the “smart drug” ADHD medication.  Some will use these illegally, and end up having an addiction.  Racetams are sage.

One experiment using the nootrophic piracetam was printed in the Georgian Med News. 2013 Jul-Aug;(220-221):64-71.  Study of acetylsalicylic Acid role in the potentiation of antiamnesic and neuroprotective properties of piracetam in rats with alloxan diabetes. 

“Co-administration of piracetam with acetylsalicylic acid was accompanied by an expressed antiamnetic potential - the reduction of early markers of proteins degradation (aldehydephenylhydrazones, APH) by 21,7% (p<0,05) and late markers of proteins degradation (ketonephenylhydrazones, KPH) by 23,8% (p<0,001) was noted. This combination was 15,7% (p<0,05) more active than piracetam according to the effect upon KPH. NO2-/NO3- level was also decreased by 30,3% (p<0,05) in comparison with alloxan-diabetic rats. The significant anti-platelet effect was observed: degree of collagen-induced platelet aggregation was reduced by 56,8% (p<0,01), ADP (5 μmol/l)-induced - by 31,7% (p<0,01), ADP (20 μmol/l)-induced - by 47,3% (p<0,01) as compared to the hyperglycemic rats. Such an increase in nootropic activity of piracetam may be assumed to be directly related to the ability of acetylsalicylic acid to improve microcirculation in the ischemic areas of the brain in diabetes and probably to its neuroprotective potential.”

Neurological advances have put you in the place to make you a smarter individual.  We go to gyms like it is our second nature.  Why not exercise our most inspiring part of the body?

Nootropics.



 

FISCAL CLIFF jumping.

The media has built up the huge cliff for us all to jump off of just after a new year celebration full of calamity.

The government, on the other hand has been working hard to put an elevator on that cliff, so we wouldn’t have to jump.  The elevator was composed that weekend by Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Mitch McConnel.

The cliff was originally constructed by the preceding Bush administration through a variety of tax changes. 

Where we stand, now:

The Bush-era income tax rates will be permanently extended for all income up to $400,000, and $450,000 if you are married. Bush tax cuts that apply to income above those levels will expire.  The compromise bill, from Biden and McConnel, would also preserve the expanded parameters for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit for 5 more years.

The income exemption levels for the Alternative Minimum Tax for inflation have been permanently adjusted.  The Biden-McConnell compromise will reinstate limitations on how much those making $250,000, and married couples making $300,000, may take in itemized deductions and personal exemptions. The bill will extend ,two more years,  several tax breaks for businesses, including a production tax credit for developers of wind projects, the research and development tax credit, and a measure allowing for bonus depreciation. The compromise bill will extend for one or two years a few "temporary" tax breaks for individuals that regularly are extended. These include an option to deduct state and local sales taxes in place of state and local income taxes; and a deduction for elementary and secondary school teachers for certain expenses. The legislation will preserve the current estate tax exemption level of $5.12 million but index it to inflation for future years. And it will raise the top rate to 40% from 35% currently. The bill will continue a federal extension of unemployment benefits for one year. The Biden-McConnell compromise will prevent a scheduled 27% cut in reimbursement for Medicare services for one year. The so-called "doc fix" will boost the deficit by $31 billion.

The new deficit is a different story.  Put on your thinking caps, U.S. government.

BIRTH CONTROL FOR MALES

How long has birth control been in existence?

Good question. 

     Birth control methods have been utilized for thousands of years. In our present times, many safe and effective methods are easily available to us. Trying to choose is not as difficult if you take the time to research and learn about each method.  Have you considered birth control for males?

     Experimental steps toward a male preventive has made leaps and bounds.

     Recently, “…JQ1  successfully inhibited the production of sperm in lab mice.” (http://news.yahoo.com/science-takes-major-step-towards-creating-male-birth-155039405.html)

     This experimental cancer drug, that was being tested on mice, can serve as a hormone-free contraceptive pill for human men.  What is great about the findings as opposed to others is that the effects of JQ₁, were also found to be reversible.

What about when you don’t want to be sterile? 

Say: reversibility. 

     The effects were reversed through the mice by stopping the daily dosages.  Their sperm levels returned to normal. They were then able to fertilize their female partners and produce healthy offspring.

     According to lead researcher, Dr. Martin Matzuk of the Baylor College of Medicine Houston, "We envision that our discoveries can be completely translated to men, providing a novel and efficacious strategy for a male contraceptive.”

     Before these recent research results there was the first time hopes for a reversible male birth control option. This was earlier this year when the Los Angeles Times reported on a gel.  The gel decreased men’s sperm counts with minimal side effects. That gel contained the hormones testosterone and Nesterone (a man-made progestin).  (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/16/male-birth-control-jq1-sperm-count_n_1784361.html)

   In a study led by Dr. Martin Matzuk, director of the Center for Drug Discovery at Baylor, and Dr. James Bradner, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, found that JQ1, inhibited the amount and quality of sperm produced by male mice. Their study was published in August of the journal Cell.  Matzuk stated that, “We found that the JQ1 molecule causes a contraceptive effect in males,”, and he agreed that, “If you stop the drug, there’s complete reversibility.”  (http://www.webpronews.com/male-birth-control-pill-molecule-identified-2012-08)

     JQ1, in the rodents, impacted spermatogenesis via direct inhibition of the testis-specific bromodomain protein, BRDT.

     JQ1 altered sperm production. The blood-testis barrier was breached.  No separation of the  blood vessels and the seminiferous tubules. The male mice in the study mated normally, but were sterile, as the amount and quality of their sperm was low. Small molecules such as JQ1 can be used in pills similar to those used for female contraceptives.

     Matzuk importantly stated, also, that “JQ1 is not the pill for men, because it also binds other members of the bromodomain family”.  The bromodomain member is, BRDT.

    

     Matzuk emphasized the point, “However, the data is proof of principle that BRDT is an excellent target for male contraception and provides us with useful information for future drug development.”

     Members of the BET (bromodomain and extra terminal motif) family of proteins have been shown to be chromatin-interacting regulators of transcription.  In a BRDT experiment, a mutation was generated in the testis-specific mammalian BET gene Brdt (bromodomain, testis-specific) which disrupted spermiogenesis and male sterility.  (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22570411) 

     The experimental steps consisted of:

Germ cell separation

RNA purification and microarray analysis

Quantitative real-time PCR

Northern blot hybridization analysis

In situ hybridization

Immunoblot analysis

Immunofluorescence

Flag-BRDT pull down

Co-immunoprecipitation

     FYI:  The stages of sperm production are spermatocytogenesis, spermatidogenesism, and spermiogenesis. 

     During spermiogenesis, the spermatids begin to grow a tail, and develop a thickened mid-piece, where the mitochondria gather and form an axoneme. Spermatid DNA also undergoes packaging, becoming highly condensed. The DNA is packaged firstly with specific nuclear basic proteins, which are subsequently replaced with protamines during spermatid elongation. The resultant tightly packed chromatin is transcriptionally inactive. The Golgi apparatus surrounds the now condensed nucleus, becoming the acrosome. One of the centrioles of the cell elongates to become the tail of the sperm.  Maturation then takes place under the influence of testosterone, which removes the remaining unnecessary cytoplasm and organelles. The excess cytoplasm, known as residual bodies, is phagocytosed by surrounding Sertoli cells in the testes. The resulting spermatozoa are now mature but lack motility, rendering them sterile. The mature spermatozoa are released from the protective Sertoli cells into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule in a process called spermiation.  The non-motile spermatozoa are transported to the epididymis in testicular fluid secreted by the Sertoli cells with the aid of peristaltic contraction. While in the epididymis the spermatozoa gain motility and become capable of fertilization. However, transport of the mature spermatozoa through the remainder of the male reproductive system is achieved via muscle contraction rather than the spermatozoon's recently acquired motility.

     The BRDT role in spermiogenesis, is in chromatin remodeling.  This is one of the most dramatic chromatin remodeling processes. Indeed, during the postmeiotic maturation of male haploid germ cells, or spermiogenesis, histones are replaced by small basic proteins, which in mammals are transition proteins and protamines. (http://www.mendeley.com/research/role-histones-chromatin-remodelling-during-mammalian-spermiogenesis/)

    BRDT is similar to the RING3 protein family. It possesses 2 bromodomain motifs and a PEST sequence (a cluster of proline, glutamic acid, serine, and threonine residues), characteristic of proteins that undergo rapid intracellular degradation. The bromodomain is found in proteins that regulate transcription. Several transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been found for this gene.

     The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the BET protein family. BET proteins have two N-terminal bromodomains and one C-terminal extraterminal domain (ET domain). BET proteins regulate chromatin reorganization via binding to acetylated histones. This gene is thought to play a role in the transcriptional regulation of spermatogenesis. Although referred to as testis-specific bromodomain (Brdt) protein, RT-PCR indicates that this gene is expressed in both mouse oocytes and testes. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different proteins.

     So, controlling our reproduction is part of being human with intelligence.  We have been participating for quite some time.

     Don’t ask how long.

     To find your options for birth control, you can check at your friendly neighborhood CVS, or Walgreens.  Research online, too. 

     As far as birth control for males, it is in the process of being discovered.  This has to be perfected.  JQ1 is great and gives the reversibility of its potent effects.  Just stop taking the pill. Boom!  Loaded, and lethal!  BRDT is front runner.  This is where the future in drug development is for male contraception.

 

Read a book, or read an e book?

      Once upon a time, some executives in the upper echelon of their companies collaborated to eliminate competition among e book sellers.  The target company was Amazon.com.  Why Amazon, you might ask?  Well, Amazon.com is the marketer of the KINDLE e book readers.  Customers were bewildered by the high price of e books in proportion to hardback books.  Amazon.com cut the prices of bestselling novels to $9.99, taking a loss for the price of best sellers and other e books; the KINDLE started flying off of the shelves. The exception that executives wanted to remove is the fact that $9.99 was substantially below their hardcover prices.  Chronologically speaking, it wasn’t that long ago that Amazon effectively built a monopoly on e book sales and e reader sales.  Obviously, the competition was “ooooohhh aaaahhhhhhh.”

Amazon's market share:                     60 - 90 %

Barnes & Noble's Nook market share:        25 %

iBookstore market share:                   10 % - 15 %

“According to federal court papers, the settlement agreement with three publishers said that for two years they will not restrict, limit or impede an e-book retailer's ability to set, alter or reduce the retail price of any electronic book ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47017081 ; Pete Yost)."

     Wide spread complaints were from: Texas, Connecticut, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont and West Virginia. Puerto Rico also joined the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Austin, Texas.

     Why are e books costing so much?  Look at the example above.

     Well, paper doesn't cost very much.  We set it in our consumer minds that because a product isn’t heavy, it is cheap.  The logic will confide that an e book should cost very little or next to nothing because there is no paper, printing, and shipping involved.  Not so, company publisher's costs come from expenses that still exist in an e book world: Author advances, design, marketing, publicity, office space, and staff.

     What was really happening with the price fluctuation was the e book marketplace competition that publishers wanted began to take place. In order to set the $9.99 price, Amazon.com had to lose money.  Gaining a strong customer base along with a huge percentage of the overall market was more important to the retail giant.  Rather than competing on price, e book sellers like Apple, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and others have, up until now, mainly been competing on user experience.  The companies want us to have a relatively great reading experience. Despite the poplarity of the e book experience, we are still a hardcover world.

     Ebook companies could decide on a means of plotting a solution to a two-variable problem on a graph in order to solve the small linear programming problem.  The first step is to the goal: maximize profit via objective function.  The two constraints mildly limit the degree to which the objective can be accomplished.  There are plenty of alternative courses of action in this product-mix problem, though. 

     No need, now.  The government is now telling us that the e books are inevitably going to be set at a low price, anyway.

“Barnes and Noble and Amazon continue to duke it out in the e-reader market. Barnes and Noble currently offers over 2.5 million digital books, magazines and newspapers for its Nook devices. (ABC News; JOANNA STERN (@joannastern) April 12, 2012)"

BUS. TECH. SCOPE

     Being without your sheepish techie gadgets leaves you feeling as if you left your briefs in the drawer.  Keep clean undergarments on, please.

At APPLE, the 3G iPad has busted loose.  Not 3G in the “fall asleep slow” term, but third generation “latest technology to break your purse” term.

     Alas, there is still an app for that.  “A recent survey of businesses between five and 499 employees found that 72 percent have implemented mobile technology in their organization while a third have gone completely wireless. NPD Group reports that 75% of U.S. SMBs plan to buy tablets over the next 12 months – mostly iPads (http://www.forbes.com/sites/ciocentral/2012/03/15/how-to-do-business-on-your-brand-new-ipad/,  Eric Savitz, Forbes Staff).”  Innovation looks great on business.  This scratch promises to load interface with customers, streamlining your operations to point out improved results.

Become known as the new kid cloud kicker with the client engaging device to function as a real time digital projector, flyer or interactive menu for your business. The  SlideRocket application rockets your presentations and marketing objectives.  Constantly sell, cut down on paper use with Evernote, answer calls with the latest eVoice virtual phone solution, Dropbox gives you power to get data anytime, and utilize your realtime payment center through Square.

     Any updated, upgradations can boost your work ahead of our dynamic and competitive marketplace.  Determine what is important in order to utilize technology to its utmost extent.

     Technology is the norm, now. Invest on that statement. “Except they don’t, argues Gina Martin Adams over at Wells Fargo. She calls tech “the new defensive sector,” noting the sector’s low beta, steady earnings, massive cash piles and rising dividends have given it a new mature edge that was missing in 1999-2000 (http://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2012/03/15/tech-stocks-snoozing-their-way-into-a-new-bull-cycle/, Jonathan Cheng March 15, 2012).”  The Beta (β) of a stock or portfolio is a number describing the relation of its returns with those of the financial market as a whole.  Beta can be estimated for individual companies using regression analysis against a stock market index.

Move away from your touchpad with the Logitech Cube- small, featherweight mouse. It is designed for travel, fits into any pocket, doubles as a presentation clicker, USB-rechargeable battery lasts a very long time, there’s a power switch on the mouse, Logitech’s minuscule 2.4GHz Unifying USB receivers, and it works with over a dozen other Logitech wireless products.

Rethink your plans.  Get Bold, and T-Mobile will bring your business up to speed with 4G innovations, a powerful network, and flexible plans.  The new Blackberry 9900 4G, in black obviously, is running the new RIM 7 OS.

What about your site?  Utilize the JVC GSTD1BUS.  “Get it…”--Full HD 3D camcorder, 64GB internal Flash memory, SDXC card slot, 5x optical zoom, 3D playback on the 3.5 touch panel LCD without special glasses, F1.2 Super Bright "JVC 3D TWIN HD GT LENS", two Back-illuminated CMOS Sensors, low-light performance, while JVC's unique BIPHONIC audio technology reproduces dynamic 3D SOUND.

Handle your operations with ease. Catch-up, 2012 is wonderful.

 Smile.

Plan B

There are said to be side effects when attempting to be mature after being immature.  When using this emergency contraceptive product the female may have:

• Changes in her period
• Nausea
• Lower abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Breast tenderness

The box tells the patient:  “…you may have an ectopic pregnancy and should get immediate medical attention. (http://planbonestep.com/where-to-get-plan-b.aspx, 2/26/2012)”

Lots of these FAQS could scare you.  Studies are being conducted periodically.

For example: one such study showed that the adjusted odds ratio for gallbladder disease comparing drospirenone and levonorgestrel OCs to nonexposure were 0.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7-1.1] and 1.0 (95% CI 0.9-1.1), respectively.  The research concluded, that there is no evidence in these data that drospirenone- or levonorgestrel-containing OC use confers an increased risk of gallbladder disease compared to women not currently exposed to an OC. Nor is use of drospirenone OCs associated with a higher risk of gallbladder disease than use of levonorgestrel-containing OCs. (Contraception. 2012 Feb 9. Drospirenone- and levonorgestrel-containing oral contraceptives and the risk of gallbladder disease.)

Another study demonstrated results from research aiming to examine the effect of COC usage on CYP3A4/5 activity in obese women.  Thirty-four, reproductive-aged (18-35 years old) obese (body mass. The methods utilized index, BMI >30 kg/m(2) ) women were placed on a combination oral contraceptive pill containing 20 mcg Ethinyl Estradiol/100 mcg Levonorgestrel for 21 days starting at the onset of menses. Midazolam pharmacokinetic study was conducted prior to initiation and after 21 days of COC treatment. Serial blood samples were collected and plasma concentrations of midazolam were measured using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimates using  Midazolam clearance, a surrogate measure of noncompartmental method. Results: CYP3A4/5 activity, was significantly decreased upon COC use (63.3L/hr vs. 53.9L/hr; p<0.05). A median decrease of 5.6 L/hr (C.I: -4.1 to 13.3 L/hr) was observed. However, the magnitude of change was similar to that reported in  Although we hypothesized that obesity exposure normal BMI women. Conclusions: might amplify the impact on CYP3A4/5 activity in COC users, we found that this was not the case. This finding is reassuring regarding potential additional drug-drug interactions in obese COC users as CYP3A4/5 is a major player in the metabolism of many marketed drugs.  (Effect of Ethinyl estradiol/ Levonorgestrel combined oral contraceptive on the activity of Cytochrome P4503A in obese women., Edelman A, Munar M, Elman MR, Koop D, Cherala G., Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2012 Feb 2.)

Form an intelligent hypothesis.
Assimilate positive goals.

Momentum to Desirable Customer Service

Where does customer service make a huge difference?  Is it when you get that HACK DOUBLE WITH EXTRA CHEESE, and they give you the ‘special’ one without sauce?

Or, is it when you really are spending a little more change than a dollar bill.  Approach a place of business with a few stacks, and then let somebody tell you that you need to hold your horses for a darn minute, senor.

There was an example:

Car dealerships, such as Momentum BMW, offer many automotive products and services to their area customers. The Managers need to be extremely knowledgeable of quality new BMW vehicles, used cars, and value priced parts.

“Momentum carries a comprehensive line of new 2011 - 2012  BMW vehicles, including the X5, M3, 3-Series, 5-Series and 7-Series, making us a good choice as your Houston BMW car dealer.(Momentum BMW-Houston 2/1/2012)”

World-class customer service would fulfill ambitious missions with services including trust, originality, and customers experiencing their dream being brought into mortal wellness. A Manager’s team has to be a strong, and committed staff with experience surpassing the mere satisfaction of the customers' needs.  Flying low passed satisfaction in businesses like Momentum involves spending time in the community, volunteering donations to Houston Children's Charity, Be an Angel Foundation, and Children's Advocates.

Don’t underestimate that momentum = mass • velocity.  The details of the equation are Mass being customer service, and Velocity being overall sales.  Read those plates.

Customers going to buy a car usually expect that after you've agreed to a selling price - whether through negotiating or the Internet or the Fleet Department -- you'll be herded into the Business Office. There, you have to be aggressive. Customers keep in the forefront of their mind that the Business Manager is actually a salesperson working on commission so the car buying game is not over.  “WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY A GAME?”

We, as managers, understand that a balance of confidence, humility and knowledge, together with integrity and skill, will make the ideal businessman/woman.

Maintain mass and you will maximize velocity, towards a more than equal customer service experience.