Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4.
Quality characteristics of red fruits fresh and after lyophilization
Received: July 2021 – Accepted: October 2021
fruit, lyophilization, freeze drying, Total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoid, vitamin C
In our work, the quality characteristics and nutritional parameters of red fruits were examined in their fresh state and after lyophilization. The purpose of the comparison was to assess the effect of freeze drying on these fruits. The elemental and dry matter content of fresh fruits was determined, and the changes in their total phenolic compound and flavonoid content, as well as their vitamin C and acid content. A slight increase in the total phenolic compound and flavonoid content and a smaller decrease in the vitamin C content were observed, while the quantity of total acids was reduced in the sample to almost one-third after lyophilization.
Over the past few decades, there has been a steady increase in interest in research into the antioxidant effects of fruits, especially red fruits, as they support the proper functioning of the human body through their prominent role in nutritional physiology [1, 2]. Fruits are extremely rich in phenolic compounds, such as tannins, anthocyanins and flavonoids, and are considered a very good source of vitamins. They are high in sugar, contain dietary fiber and organic acids (oxalic acid, malic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid), while low in calories and fat [11]. These plant substances are present in higher concentrations in small fruits (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, sour cherries and raspberries) [13], thus having a positive effect on the health and performance of the human body, and may provide protection against, for example, digestive, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].
Phenolic compounds present in fruits form a very large group of plant metabolites and exert their defense mechanisms over a very wide range [9, 14]. These compounds also affect the organoleptic properties and quality of the fruits [11, 12]. Flavonoids are secondary plant metabolites that have a protective function in fruits, against dehydration, infections, mechanical damage, etc. [15]. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the human body, as it plays an important role in the defense against scurvy, as well as in maintaining healthy skin, gums and blood vessels, among other things [16]. Not only bioactive compounds, but also minerals may be responsible for the antioxidant effect. Exogenous antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, flavonoids, carotenoids and elements with antioxidant effects, such as selenium, zinc, manganese, etc., are also key to the functioning of the human body's defense mechanism. Red fruits contain higher amounts of the elements that are essential for the healthy functioning of the human body. For example, several studies have reported high potassium, calcium and magnesium contents in such fruits, as well as their low sodium content [17, 18, 19, 20].
In their fresh state, the fruits spoil in a short time, and their shelf life can be extended by reducing their moisture content, i.e., by drying. The production of such fruits is a major challenge for the food industry, as some drying processes can damage the antioxidant effects of the plants [10]. Therefore, it may be interesting to assess how freeze drying (as a gentle method) affects the bioactive content and antioxidant effects of the fruits.
The fruits examined by us were strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa), raspberries (Rubus idaeus), sour cherries (Prunus cerasus), blackberries (Rubus) and blueberries (Cyanococcus). Fresh fruits were obtained from the same commercial unit, their place of cultivation was the north-eastern region of Hungary. The tests were started by examining the total polyphenol, flavonoid, acid and vitamin C contents of the fresh fruits. Following this, fresh fruits were lyophilized using a Heto Powerdry PL 9000 lyophilizer at -45 °C for 24 to 48 hours, and then the above tests were again carried out on the freeze-dried samples. Element content was tested only in the case of fresh samples, as neither drying ovens nor lyophilization has not an effect on the element content of the plants.
3.1. Determination of dry matter content
In the case of fresh fruits, the dry matter content was determined using a drying oven (Memmert UF 75 Universal Oven, Memmert GmbH+Co. KG, Schwabach, Germany). Samples were dried at 55 °C to constant weight for 12 hours, and then the moisture and dry matter content of the samples was determined using a formula. As lyophilization is a freeze-drying method, no further drying was performed on the lyophilized samples.
3.2. Total phenolic content (TPC)
The total phenolic content was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent according to the method described by Singleton et al. [21]. After homogenization, the samples were soaked in an 80:20 mixture of methanol (Scharlab S. L., Spain) and distilled water, then they were filtered through fluted filter paper (Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A., Gottingen, Germany). 0.5 ml of the samples was pipetted into a test tube, followed by the addition of 2.5 ml of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (VWR International S.A.S., France) and 2 ml of 75 g/l sodium carbonate (Scharlab S. L., Spain) solution. For the formation of the colored compound, the samples were allowed to stand for 2 hours at room temperature in a light-protected area, and then the absorbance of the samples was measured in a 1 cm cuvette at 760 nm using a spectrophotometer (Evolution 300 LC, Thermo Electron Corporation, England). The calibration solution used in the determination of the total phenolic content was prepared from a stock solution of gallic acid (Alfa Aesar GmbH&Co. KG, Karlsruhe, Germany), so the results were obtained in mg GAE/100 g (Gallic Acid Equivalent).
A spectrophotometric method was used to determine the total flavonoid content. Samples were once again soaked in an 80:20 mixture of methanol (Scharlab S. L., Spain) and distilled water, then they were filtered through fluted filter paper (Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A., Gottingen, Germany). 1 ml of the filtered samples was pipetted into test tubes containing 4 ml of a 20:80 methanol:distilled water mixture and 0.3 ml 5% of sodium nitrite (Scharlau Chemie S.A., Spain), then 5 minutes were allowed to pass. At the end of the waiting time, 0.3 ml 10%of aluminum chloride (Scharlab S.L., Spain) and 2 ml of 1 M sodium hydroxide (Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH, Germany) solution were pipetted to the samples, and the volume was filled to 10 ml using a methanol: distilled water mixture. Finally, the absorbance of the samples was measured in a 1 cm cuvette using a spectrophotometer (Evolution 300 LC, Thermo Electron Corporation, England) at 510 nm. A stock solution of catechin (Cayman Chemical Company, USA) was used for the calibration solutions, and the results were obtained in mg CE/100 g (Catechin Equivalent) [22].
3.4. Determination of vitamin C content
The vitamin C content of the samples was determined using a metaphosphoric acid solution [23]. To 5 g of the samples was added 100 ml of a 3% metaphosphoric acid (Thermo Fischer GmbH, Germany) solution, then it was mixed. It was then washed into a 250 ml volumetric flask and an additional 50 ml of metaphosphoric acid was added. The mixture was filtered through fluted filter paper (Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A., Gottingen, Germany). 50 ml of the filtrate was pipetted into a titration flask, then 30 ml of distilled water, 5 ml of 2% hydrochloric acid (VWR International S.A.S, France), 5 ml of 1% potassium iodide (Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH, Germany) and 1 ml of starch indicator (VWR International S.A.S., France) were added. The resulting solution was finally titrated with a 0.004 M potassium iodate (Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH, Germany) solution. Results are given in mg/100 g.
3.5. Determination of total acid content
Acid content was determined according to the method described by Czipa (2014) [23]. Fresh samples were homogenized, lyophilized samples were pulverized, and then 20 g was weighed into an Erlenmeyer flask and 150 ml of distilled water was added. After thorough stirring, it was heated on a water bath at 85-95 °C for 30 minutes, and then it was allowed to cool to room temperature. The mixture was filtered through cotton wool and then made up to the mark with distilled water in a 250 ml volumetric flask. 25 ml of the resulting filtrate was pipetted out and made up to 100 ml with distilled water ml. Titration was carried out in the presence of a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator with 0.1 M sodium hydroxide (Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH, Germany). Results are given in %.
Sample preparation was performed according to the method of Kovács et al. [24]. During the test, 3 g of the sample was weighed into a 100 ml digestion tube. Concentrated nitric acid (10 ml) was added to the samples, they were allowed to stand overnight, and then were heated at 60 °C for 30 minutes. Following this, hydrogen peroxide (3 ml) was added to the samples and they were heated again at 120 °C for 90 minutes. At the end of this time, the samples were made up to 50 ml with high purity distilled water (Milli-Q water purification system; Millipore SAS, Molsheim, France), and filtered through 388 filter-paper (Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A., Gottingen, Germany). Element content was measured with an ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer) instrument (Thermo Scientific iCAP 6300, Cambridge, UK). The elements were measured at the following wavelengths: Ca (317.9 nm), K (766.4 nm), Mg (279.5 nm), Na (589.5 nm), P (185.9 nm), S (180.7 nm), Mn (259.3 nm), Zn (213.8 nm). The Rf power of the ICP instrument was set to 1200 W.
Analytical testing of the samples was performed in triplicate in each case. SPSS software (version 13; SPSS Inc. Chicago, Illinois, USA) was used for the evaluation of the results. Using the program, the mean and standard deviation were determined, and then Tukey and Dunnett's T3 test (one-way analysis of variance) was used to determine statistically significant differences between the results.
4.1. Dry matter content
Among the fruits we examined, strawberries and sour cherries had the lowest dry matter content (12.6%), while the highest results were obtained for blackberries (16.8%). In order to make the results of the different tests comparable, the values are given on a dry matter basis in each case.
4.2 Total phenolic compounds (TPC)
The total phenolic content of the fresh and lyophilized fruits is summarized in Figure 1. Very high values (945-1363 mg GAE/100 g) were obtained for all samples. Higher values were measured for the lyophilized samples than for the fresh fruits. In our opinion, this may be due to the fact that lyophilization for these compounds is a more gentle drying method than using an oven.
Figure 1. Total phenolic content of fresh and lyophilized fruits
As shown in the figure, there is no significant difference between fresh blackberries (967 mg GAE/100 g) and fresh blueberries (945 mg GAE/100 g). In the case of these fruits, the phenolic content is not significantly higher even after lyophilization (1037-1061 mg GAE/100 g). In contrast, for strawberries, raspberries and sour cherries, values between 1,145 and 1,363 mg GAE/100 g were obtained. No significantly different values were obtained for fresh strawberries and fresh sour cherries (1,145 and 1,150 mg GAE/100 g), and for lyophilized strawberries and lyophilized sour cherries (1,306 and 1,283 mg GAE/100 g). These differences could not be verified statistically.
4.3. Flavonoid content
The flavonoid content of the tested samples is shown in Figure 2. It is clear that there is no significant difference between the fresh and lyophilized samples, i.e., lyophilization does not significantly affect the presence of these compounds in the samples. In contrast to the phenolic compounds content, raspberries had the lowest flavonoid content (309-340 mg CE/100 g), while blueberries had the highest values (647-707 mg CE/100 g). In the case of strawberries and blackberries, almost the same results were obtained, and the differences were statistically verifiable in each case.
Figure 2. Total flavonoid content of fresh and lyophilized fruits
4.4. Total acid content
The total acid content is shown in Figure 3. It can be clearly seen that lyophilization did not have a beneficial effect on these compounds, as significantly lower results were obtained for all samples compared to the fresh fruits. Very high acid contents were measured for fresh raspberries and fresh sour cherries (54.4-54.5%). As a result of lyophilization, these values decreased by two-thirds (16.6-16.7%). In the case of the other fruits, the acid content did not even reach 30%. Statistically verifiable differences were obtained in all cases, except for lyophilized sour cherries and lyophilized raspberries (P=0.167).
Figure 3. Total acid content of fresh and lyophilized fruits
4.5. Vitamin C content
The vitamin C content of the fruits is shown in Figure 4. In this case, lyophilization did not have a large effect on the vitamin C content, since, as shown in the figure, the results after lyophilization were lower for all samples. The highest values (236 and 242 mg/100 g) were obtained for strawberries. Similar results were obtained for raspberries and blackberries (172-199 mg/100 g), and for sour cherries and blueberries (102-128 mg/100 g). Significant results were obtained in almost all cases, except for fresh strawberries with fresh raspberries, fresh raspberries with fresh blackberries, and for fresh sour cherries with fresh blueberries.
Figure 4. Vitamin C content of fresh and lyophilized fruits
4.6. Element content
The element contents of the samples are shown in Table 1. Although several elements were measured, only the most important results are highlighted. The calcium content of the fruits was between 240 and 2302 mg/kg. Among the results, the calcium content of blueberries was extremely low compared to the other samples (240 mg/kg). There was no statistically verifiable difference between strawberries and blackberries (P=0.096).
Table 1. Element results of fresh and lyophilized fruits
The potassium content was highest in the case of strawberries (12,693 mg/kg). In contrast, blueberries have an extremely low potassium content of 3,765 mg/kg. Values between 6,582 and 9,521 mg/kg were obtained for the other samples. The differences were statistically verifiable in all cases. The magnesium content of the fruits was between 195 and 1,383 mg/kg. Once again, blueberries exhibited an extremely low value of 195 mg/kg. At the same time, the magnesium content of strawberries was 1,383 mg/kg. Significant differences were obtained in almost all cases, with the exception of strawberries-raspberries and sour cherries-raspberries. The sodium content values of the fruits was between 5.15 and 23.1 mg/kg. Compared to the other samples, the sodium content of strawberries and blackberries was very high (22.9 and 23.1 mg/kg). Phosphorus content results were between 863 and 2,024 mg/kg. Similarly to calcium, potassium and magnesium, blueberries had the lowest result for phosphorus (863 mg/kg) as well. Significant results were obtained for all samples. In the case of sulfur, values between 445 and 695 mg/kg were measured.
The lowest result was obtained for blueberries, while the highest was obtained for blackberries. Significant results were obtained in all cases except for blueberries-strawberries-sour cherries [25].
4.7. Conclusions
The nutritional parameters of different red fruits were examined. Our aim was to compare the examined parameters (total phenolic content, flavonoid, acid and vitamin C content) in the fresh state of the fruits and after lyophilization. In addition, the major element contents (calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, sulfur) of the fresh samples were also determined. In terms of the total phenolic content and the flavonoid content, higher results were obtained for all fruits after lyophilization. The reason for this may be that lyophilization does not have as adverse an effect on these compounds as the use of a drying oven. Positive results were also obtained for vitamin C. The presence of this vitamin was slightly reduced in these samples by lyophilization. In contrast, much lower acid content results were obtained after lyophilization. In terms of their element content, blueberries had the lowest values, while the highest values were obtained in the case of strawberries. Based on the results obtained, it can be stated that in the case of the parameters examined (except for the acid content), freeze drying, also known as lyophilization, is a much more gentle drying method than the use of an oven.
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Global Dialogue
Was Mangala 'progressive'?
By Ramindu Perera, September 29, 2021
Some reflections on the progressive identity in contemporary times
The sudden demise of veteran politician Mangala Samaraweera evoked an interesting discussion about the legacy and the future of the politics the former Minister represented. Being a leading figure in mainstream politics for decades, in 2020, he retired from partisan politics to form a platform to promote centrist politics. A few months before his untimely death, he launched a movement called the "Radical Centre" – a platform committed to the revival of liberalism. The initiative was introduced as a force upholding the values of democracy, multiculturalism, and economic liberalism.
It is quite common to see commentators referring to Samaraweera's politics as "progressive". The identification of Samaraweera with the notion of progressiveness, largely stems from the positions he adopted on issues concerning the rights of ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities. In the later stage of his career, he became a vocal critic of majoritarianism and often provoked hardline Sinhala nationalist elements by making statements challenging majoritarian attitudes.
However, in addition to the above, Samaraweera was well-known for his leaning towards liberal economic policies and the relationship with the liberal imperial establishment. Being a staunch advocate of economic liberalisation, the former Finance Minister of the "good governance" Government once famously stated that the "socialist mindset" Sri Lanka has inherited is an obstacle to economic development. The budget proposals he presented in 2017 and 2018 contained a range of liberalisation measures which reflects his thinking on economic policy. The infamous decision of Samaraweera – as the former Foreign Minister – to abstain from voting for a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Resolution in 2017 that condemned Israeli aggression on Palestine, created a huge controversy even within the ranks of the Government.
The making of the progressive identity
Identifying Samaraweera as a "progressive politician" raises some interesting questions regarding how the meaning attached to the term has evolved. The term has a long history in our political vocabulary. In a historic sense, especially during the 1956-1977 era, the broader anti-United National Party (UNP) forces were defined as progressive. The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and the Communist Party used this term to identify the Left leaning national populist bloc that was contesting the domination of the UNP which was understood by the former as the party representing the comprador bourgeoisie. According to this understanding, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was also recognised as a progressive party due to its role in the anti-UNP bloc.
The commitment towards economic and social justice and anti-imperialism were determinants of the progressive identity at the time. The national welfare project SLFP-led governments initiated, combined measures for economic independence and the redistribution of wealth. This marked a rupture from the dependent economic policy that was followed by UNP governments in the immediate aftermath of independence. To liberate the country's economy from the neocolonial grip, post-1956 SLFP-led governments aimed to fast track industrialisation through direct state investments in the economy and encouraging local production by imposing import substitution measures. The expansion of the public sector was accompanied by social welfare measures like strengthening the free education system, free healthcare services and providing subsidies to the low income population. Furthermore, they advanced a non-aligned foreign policy with an anti imperialist leaning.
The identification of progressiveness with the commitment towards economic and social justice reflected the spirit of that particular historic epoch. Following World War II, the conception of the social welfare state became widely admitted throughout the international order. Henry R. Luce, Professor of Jurisprudence at the Yale Law School, and a Professor of History at the Yale University, historian Samuel Moyn refers to this epoch as the "age of national welfare". The defining feature of the age of national welfare is the intervention of the state in the economic realm to encourage economic redistribution. The interventionist state deliberately adopted policies to reduce the gap between the haves and have-nots and to empower the latter. In the Third World, there was an anti-imperialist dimension to the national welfare project since the question of national welfare was intertwined with achieving economic self determination.
This does not mean that the age of national welfare was flawless. The main limitation of the mid-20th Century welfarism is the failure to recognise patterns of discrimination based on "identities" such as gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and so forth. Though it advanced a notion of economic and social equality, there was no substantive attention towards designing inclusive policies to accommodate "difference". Certain states deliberately institutionalised discrimination against minorities.
A classic example for this failure is the New Deal project initiated by the former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Though the New Deal advanced the welfare of the white working class and lifted them to the status of the middle class, the black population was largely excluded from receiving these benefits. In the case of Sri Lanka, a main limitation of our national welfare regime was the ethnic bias it demonstrated. The Sri Lankan state failed to accommodate the aspirations of non-Sinhala Buddhist communities in the process of post-colonial state building.
The neoliberal turn
The neoliberal global order which emerged after the 1980s was a reversal of the age of national welfarism. The thinking of national welfare was replaced by a new paradigm which advocated the withdrawal of the state from economic activities. Economic liberalism is the antithesis of what was considered as "progressive" in the preceding era. The new model was premised on the idea of trickle down. The rich – the so-called "creators of wealth" were given all the incentives, while liberalisation measures like trade liberalisation, labour law reforms and privatisation affected and dispossessed the urban and rural poor. The focus shifted from reducing inequality to "poverty reduction". Inequality was not seen as immoral anymore; to the contrary, inequality was even seen as a precondition for growth.
From older standards, it would have been unimaginable to describe a political project legitimising inequality and strengthening the position of the economic elite as a progressive endeavour. Further, having an intimate relationship with figures of the US establishment would have easily made a person look like an arch reactionary.
What has caused the difference that we see today? The answer lies in the ideology of international human rights that has grown alongside the neoliberal project. In the late 1960s, a wave known as "New Social Movements" emerged in Western countries that highlighted forms of inequality that were neglected by the national welfare state and progressive movements. The disparity between the rich and poor concerns class inequality. New Social Movements such as feminism, the movement for gay liberation and various movements against racism, raised demands for equality in social relations other than class relations. While older progressive movements fought for redistribution, these new movements strived for recognition.
The contemporary international human rights discourse – comprised of different legal bodies at the UN level and international non-governmental organisations working on human rights matters – is a phenomenon that developed in the 1970s. This became quite mainstream in the next few decades. The human rights discourse successfully absorbed various demands for recognition raised by New Social Movements and framed them in terms of individual legal rights.
There is no doubt that the human rights discourse in its liberal form has brought significant improvements in areas like gender equality or minority rights during the last few decades. But historically, the mainstream human rights discourse also evolved as an ally of the global neoliberal order. The individualist premise of both projects i.e., the focus on defending the rights of the 'individual' and the anti-statist bias, treating the state with suspicion made neoliberalism and liberal human rights natural allies.
The post-Cold War international order is defined by this alliance between neoliberal economics and the ideology of liberal human rights. The articulation of these two projects lies at the heart of contemporary liberal imperialism. This articulation has had a profound impact on both projects. In its original manifestation, neoliberalism appeared as a crude doctrine – devoid of any moral content – which treats possessive individualism as the paramount value. However, the alignment with human rights has given neoliberalism a humane flavour.
Therefore, assuming a humanitarian character, neoliberal institutes are framing their ideas with reference to human rights. For instance, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Bank mandated labour reforms that dismantle protection for standard types of work are depicted as attempts to enhance female labour force participation.
The multinational conglomerate Amazon – that is being accused of not paying a decent wage for its workers – erect billboards supporting the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Imperialist countries bomb Afghanistan in the guise of saving Afghan women from the tyranny of patriarchy! Hilary Clinton who is responsible for the killings of thousands in Afghanistan as the US Secretary of State champions herself as a fighter for gender equality.
A regressive notion of progressiveness?
After the fall of the Soviet Union and the decline of class-based politics, it seems like the meaning of the term "progressive" has undergone; or at least is undergoing, a transformation. Economic equality does not matter anymore. Progressive identity is not necessarily aligned with the commitment to economic and social justice. The identity is largely defined by cultural determinants. Thus, someone advocating highly regressive economic policies could nevertheless claim to be a progressive given that he takes a stand for other causes like racial harmony, minority rights, gender equality and so forth.
The politics of Samaraweera can be understood as the local manifestation of this logic of neoliberal humanism. Samaraweera is considered to be a progressive since he is against racism, stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning rights, and critiques ethnic majoritarianism. However, in doing so, commentators totally neglect the regressive nature of the economic policies he passionately promoted. Ironically, even Left leaning commentators – who are supposed to take the norm of economic and social equality seriously – tend to forget the reactionary aspect of his legacy and depict the veteran politician as some kind of a progressive visionary. Talking about progressive credentials of a politician who condemned the "socialist" mindset of the people and publicly allied with the imperialist West would have been unthinkable a few decades ago.
These developments indicate the extent to which the critique of capitalism and imperialism has been weakened within our "progressive" political circles. British Labour politician Peter Mandelson once stated: "We all are Thatcherites (a reference to former Conservative British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher) now!". He was referring to the Labour Party compromising the idea of democratic socialism and the commitment to economic and social equality under the pressure of triumphant neoliberalism introduced by Thatcher. In a similar vein, the absence of any political economic critique in the appraisal of Samaraweera's legacy shows that most of our progressives have tended to compromise class considerations and define what it ought in terms of cultural determinants. This compromise has contributed to the emergence of a highly incomprehensive notion of progressive identity.
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Draper Eliminates Black Drop with Ropewalker
April 30, 2018 2:35 pm Draper, Press Room, Uncategorized
(Spiceland, Ind.) – April 30, 2018 – Draper, a leading manufacturer of projection screens and projector and flat-panel display lifts, announces Ropewalker, the latest innovation in projection screens designed for large venues.
Built for large venues, particularly those with tall ceilings where the screen has to be mounted high above the floor, Ropewalker lowers a motorized screen housing from the ceiling using durable steel cables. A motorized projection screen will descend from the housing to an appropriate height for the audience while creating a solution without black space between the screen and the ceiling. Ropewalker can lower the screen housing up to 34 feet, making it ideal for most large venues, including houses of worship, ballrooms, gymnasiums or architecturally appealing rooms. Available with tension and non-tensioned viewing surfaces up to 18 feet high and 18 feet wide, the Ropewalker features the award-winning Optically Seamless TecVision, which are engineered for high contrast, precise resolution, color accuracy and the broadest possible view cone while providing superior quality, consistency and uniformity. Together with the TecVision, Ropewalker creates a robust solution for many video needs.
"At Draper, we design and manufacture innovative solutions that provide best-in-class remedies supporting the simplest to the most complex project requirements," said Jentry Wittkamper, product manager and export sales manager for Draper, Inc. "At InfoComm 2017, we received overwhelming feedback from our customers regarding the Ropewalker and its problem-solving design. Since then, we have released minor updates to the Ropewalker that enhance the design and technology behind our floating projection screens and we're pleased to announce we will be taking orders on the Ropewalker following InfoComm 2018."
Visit Draper in booth 2347 at InfoComm 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 6 – 8, 2018. For more information on Draper, please visit https://www.draperinc.com/.
About Draper
Based in Spiceland, IN, Draper manufactures projection screens, projector and flat-panel display lifts, window shades and gymnasium equipment. The family owned and operated business was founded in 1902 by Luther O. Draper and is owned and managed by his descendants. With locations in the United States, Sweden and United Kingdom, Draper ships products to dealers throughout the United States and more than 100 countries. To learn more about Draper, visit www.draperinc.com.
Terry Coffey
E-mail: tcoffey@draperinc.com
Website: www.draperinc.com
Tags: draper, projection, RopeWalker, screen
SoundTube Adds Electro-Acoustics Systems Pte Ltd for Southeast Asia
EAS will cover Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Brunei Lenexa, Kan. – July 11, 2022 – MSE Audio, parent company of seven leading commercial and residential loudspeaker brands including SoundTube, is pleased to announce the new partnership with Electro-Acoustics Systems Pte Ltd (EAS) as their distributor for Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Brunei for SoundTube, SolidDrive, Soundsphere
SoundTube Releases Surface Mount Subwoofer
Distortion-free bass performance with versatile mounting options that's made in the USA Lenexa, Kan. – July 6, 2022 – SoundTube, an MSE Audio brand and creator of The Original Pendant Speaker™, announces the release of the SM1001 Surface-Mount Subwoofer. The new subwoofer will begin shipping this summer. The SM1001 is a 10" subwoofer with
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Movie Listings for Aug. 31 -Sep. 6
By John Curry Aug 30, 2001 12:00 AM
AMC Union Station
AMC Courthouse Plaza
Cineplex Odeon Foundry
Cineplex Odeon Dupont Circle
Cineplex Odeon Inner Circle
Cineplex Odeon Uptown 1
Cineplex Odeon Pentagon City 6
50 Massachusetts Ave. N.E.
Jeepers Creepers (R)
1:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm, 9:30 pm
The Princess Diaries (G)
1:40 pm, 4:40 pm, 7:20 pm, 10:10 pm
Planet of the Apes (PG-13)
Rush Hour 2 (PG-13)
American Pie 2 (R)
Rat Race (PG-13)
John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars (R)
5:10 pm, 8:10 pm, 10:30 pm
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (R)
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (PG-13)
America's Sweethearts (PG-13)
Arlington, VA.
Legally Blonde (PG-13)
1:00 pm, 10:00 pm
Captain Corelli's Mandolin (R)
Summer Catch (PG-13)
Jurassic Park III (PG-13)
Ghost World (R)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (R)
12:20 pm, 5:00 pm, 9:40 pm
The Deep End (R)
12:50 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:10 pm, 5:30 pm, 7:10 pm, 7:50 pm, 10:10 pm
All Over the Guy (R)
12:30 pm, 2:50 pm, 5:10 pm, 7:30 pm, 9:50 pm
Wet Hot American Summer (R)
12:40 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:20 pm, 7:40 pm, 10:00 pm
M St. at Thomas Jefferson N.W.
333-FILM #827
Memento (R)
Shrek (PG)
Moulin Rouge (PG-13)
Sexy Beast (R)
Himalaya: L'Enfance D'Un Chef (G)
The Closet (Le Placard)
(R) 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm, 9:30 pm
An American Rhapsody (PG-13)
Pearl Harbor (PG-13)
Lumumba (NR)
Cineplex Odeon
The Others (PG-13)
The Score (R)
Jackpot (R)
Uptown 1
3426 Connecticut Ave., NW
Pentagon City 6
Fashion Square Mall, Arlington
The above listing is for movies playing between Friday, August 31 and Sunday, September 2 as provided by theaters.
This article appeared in the August 30, 2001 issue of the Hatchet.


You are here: Home / NEWS . . . . . . . . / Vaccine Victims / Cervarix Injuries / Japan and the HPV Vaccine Controversy
Japan and the HPV Vaccine Controversy
April 8, 2014 By admin 15 Comments
By Norma Erickson
The SaneVax Team would like to share a series of events in Japan which culminated in a decision which was nothing short of miraculous. This decision and the events leading up to it offer hope to millions of families whose lives have been adversely impacted by the use of Gardasil and Cervarix.
Due to massive efforts by HPV vaccine victims and their families, independent medical and scientific professionals willing to speak about their concerns, traditional media outlets with the integrity to investigate and report accurately, input and assistance from the SaneVax team, and political representatives who actually did the job they were elected to perform – THERE WILL BE NO GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDED HPV VACCINATION PROGRAM IN JAPAN FOR AT LEAST A YEAR.
Because all of the groups just mentioned worked together to preserve the health of Japanese girls, multiple members of the House of Councilors, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party intervened making it impossible for Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to call for the re-instatement of Japan's official recommendation for HPV vaccines (both Gardasil and Cervarix) for 2014.
Basically, the HPV vaccine debate in Japan came down to one side claiming psychosomatics versus the other side presenting science. Science won!
Timeline of Events Recorded by SaneVax:
29 March 2013 – Japan decided to add both HPV vaccines, a pneumococcal vaccine and a vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis to their government recommended vaccination schedule. Although HPV vaccines had been approved for several years, they had not been widely used. The new law was to take effect April 1st. SaneVax received questions from a Tokyo newspaper journalist concerned about the safety of HPV vaccines the same day. This was quickly followed by inquiries from other journalists, both newspaper and television, as well as Japanese victims' advocates.
14 June 2013 – Japan suspended their recommendation for both HPV vaccines after discovering the adverse events reported after Gardasil and Cervarix were between 1.7 and 3.6 times higher than the other two vaccines which had just been added to the recommended schedule. The government wanted time to obtain a more complete picture of HPV vaccine side effects. This meant that medical consumers in Japan could still obtain HPV vaccines should they so desire, but prior to administration the provider had to inform the patient that the vaccine was NOT recommended by the government.
18 June 2013 – Newspapers in Japan reported the government task force assigned to analyze reports of HPV vaccine injuries had examined 2,000 cases and found 357 of them to be serious. The Health Ministry decided there was no way to determine whether the vaccines were responsible for contributing to the new medical conditions at that time, so decided to conduct further studies and make a determination as to whether to reinstate its recommendation of HPV vaccines in about six months (a tentative deadline of mid-December).
28 Sept 2013 – The Secretary General of the Nationwide Liaison Association of Cervical Cancer Vaccine Victims and Parents and a journalist from Kyoto News informed the SaneVax team that a delegation from the Ministry of Health was making plans to visit health officials in London and Washington DC as a part of a fact finding mission.
3 Oct 2013 – The meetings scheduled with the United States health officials were postponed at the request of the U.S. government.
7 Oct 2013 – As a result of intense negotiations between the Secretary General, a journalist from Kyoto News(who had agreed to act as an interpreter, and the SaneVax team, the Japanese Ministry of Health representative along with three esteemed Japanese medical professionals attended a meeting in London to gather evidence from Dr. Sin Hang Lee, MD, Pathologist, Milford Hospital, Director, Milford Medical Laboratory Inc., and former associate professor of pathology at Yale University; Professor Francois Jerome Authier, MD, PhD, Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, Henri Mondor Hospital, Paris and Dr. Damien Downing, MB BS, MIBiol from London who is a pioneer of Ecological Medicine, Mrs. Freda Birrell, Secretary of SaneVax Inc. and her husband David Birrell, VAERS Research Analyst for SaneVax Inc. (Note: Conditions for this meeting were that all information presented be kept in strictest confidence until Mr. Miyamoto, Japan's Ministry of Health, had time to return home and make his formal recommendations.)
16 Oct 2013 – An article appeared in The Japan Times News – indicating the beginning of a full-scale investigation into the side effects from HPV vaccine use.
28 Oct 2013 – Japan's advisory committee on immunization policies met to decide whether to restart the HPV immunization program – the chief of the advisory board said the panel will put forward its final advice to the health ministry in December.
30 Nov 2013 – It was revealed that the meeting with the same Japanese delegation originally scheduled to take place in the United States had occurred in secret between November 20 and 22 with no input from any experts independent of pharmaceutical industry influence. Rumors were circulating in Japan that the health authorities intended to announce a recommendation to re-start HPV vaccination programs on December 22 with an official announcement coming out on December 25. At this time, the advisory committee was believed to be split 70% for and 30% against making such a recommendation.
16 Dec 2013 – Senator Yamatani had obtained the scientific evidence provided to Mr. Miyamoto in London and pulled together top medical professionals from Japan to analyze the data and explain it to her. Once explained, in addition to being concerned about the lack of need and unproven efficacy of HPV vaccines, she was seriously concerned about their safety.
The December 25th deadline passed with no official word from the Japanese Health Ministry. This left the Ministry of Health in an awkward position. The fiscal year for Japan's government began on April 1st. If no determination was made prior to that date – there would be no government recommended HPV vaccination program.
20 Jan 2014 – The Japanese government's advisory council released an official report in which they dismissed all of the symptoms that have shown up in the vaccinated girls as the consequences of psychogenetic psychosomatic reactions. According to Kyoto News Reporter, Mutsuo Fukushima, the key proponent of this theory of psychosomatic reaction is Dr. Yutaka Ohno of Keio University, who stated publicly:
"It is impossible to find physical causes for the alleged and presumed adverse reactions at those vaccinated girls, so we cannot help, concluding that their so-called adverse reactions are the mere consequences of psychosomatic reactions. The government should provide counselling to the girls so that they may be freed from their psychosomatic reactions."
24 Jan 2014 – Due to the tireless efforts of all concerned, Senator Yamatani and Senator Nakagawa agreed to help facilitate an open debate on the benefits versus risks of HPV vaccines. The HPV vaccine proponents would represent one side of the debate and have the opportunity to choose which experts would represent them. Those concerned about the use of HPV were asked to gather experts from around the globe to testify as to the potential dangerous consequences and lack of need for mass HPV vaccination programs, and be available to answer questions from the audience. A tentative goal of mid-February was set for the debate to give each side time to secure experts.
January to mid-February – Due to massive efforts behind the scenes, by the time the debate was scheduled the calendar of events also included a public Symposium on the Adverse Reactions experienced by girls after HPV vaccination, two televised press conferences, a debate on HPV vaccine risks versus benefits (open to the public and televised) and a briefing on HPV matters to influential lawmakers of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
25 Feb 2014 – International Symposium on the Adverse Reactions experienced by girls who have been vaccinated with Human Papillomavirus Vaccines followed by Press Conference.
26 Feb 2014 – Government Sponsored Public Hearing (debate) of the Health Ministry's Advisory Council for the Deliberations on the Reported Adverse Events of HPV Vaccines, the advisory panel consisting of 15 scientists – February 26th, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (Evidence to be presented by scientists and medical professionals from the United States, Canada, France and Japan regarding potential mechanisms of action between HPV vaccines and serious adverse events.) Briefing on HPV Matters to Influential Lawmakers followed by a press conference. (Note: A synopsis of the scientific information presented is at the end of this article.)
27 Feb 2014 – Word from Japan was that all events were well attended and well received. Major television broadcasters covered all of the public events. Newspaper articles for the most part portrayed accurate accounts of the proceedings. Doctors from all over Japan started writing letters stating that in their opinion it was outrageous for government health officials to try and explain away the girls' new medical conditions as psychosomatic. Government officials began to sign on to a resolution supporting a complete ban on HPV vaccinations.
26 March 2014 – The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare met to decide whether to make a recommendation to reinstitute the previously suspended government recommendation for HPV vaccines.
The final deadline of April first passed with no official word from the Ministry of Health – leaving the government recommendation for HPV vaccines suspended for 2014.
This silence on the part of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare speaks volumes. It means the voices of victims and their families have been heard. They will no longer have to worry about being told their symptoms are all in their head, coincidental, or just plain accidental.
For the next year (at least) women in Japan can get either Gardasil or Cervarix at no cost, should they so desire. The difference now is that it will be their decision to make – not one that is government mandated. If they decide they want to take these vaccines, their healthcare provider must inform them prior to administration that the vaccine is NOT recommended by the Japanese government.
This is a huge victory for every family around the globe who has suffered after participating in a global health experiment conducted in the name of cervical cancer prevention – HPV vaccination programs.
These events did not happen by accident. Japan's decision was the culmination of a lot of hard work combined with valid scientific research, and these three factors:
1. The families of those who experienced adverse events after HPV vaccination did not surrender. In spite of their pain, they organized, spoke out and demanded action from their government health officials and political representatives.
2. Despite the intense pressure exerted on medical professionals to claim adverse events that occur after HPV vaccinations are the result of coincidence, mass hysteria, conversion disorder, psychogenic illness, fabricated illness, or genetic disorders, numerous medical professionals in Japan actually listened to their patients, investigated, and came to their own independent conclusions. Not only that, they had the courage to speak out for those who were suffering and demand investigations.
3. Japanese politicians had the integrity to listen to both sides of the HPV vaccine debate in public as well as privately.
Society can no longer justify sacrificing our children's health and perhaps their very lives in the name of public health. The 'greater good' is no excuse – every single individual life is valuable – public health agencies need to start acting like it.
The time has come for physicians to establish diagnostic criteria for vaccine injuries. Scientists need to determine who is most likely to suffer an adverse reaction after vaccination and why. Most importantly, successful treatment protocols must be developed for the vaccine injured.
Above all – every country in the world needs to encourage open and honest scientific debate regarding HPV vaccines. Just think about it, If HPV vaccines are half as good as they claim to be – public debate should be no problem.
Medical and Scientific Evidence Submitted in Japan:
Dr. Authier (data presented at the public hearing, at the meeting with the Senators and at news conferences)
1) Aluminum salts used as adjuvants in HPV vaccines can cause myalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive impairment, overt autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis, DM, thyroiditis…)
2) Macrophagic myofasciitis, biopsy proven, is significantly associated with above conditions.
3) Alum particles can be transported by monocyte-lineage cells to lymph nodes, blood and spleen, and penetrate the blood brain barrier with potential damages to nerve tissues.
4) Aluminum salts are poorly biodegradable as adjuvant in HPV vaccines.
Dr. Hajjar (data presented at the meeting with the Senators and at news conferences, and admitted to public hearing through Dr. Sin Hang Lee)
1) Dr. Hajjar reported the case of a 16-year-old girl who suffered an acute-onset and permanent bilateral visual loss and a transient left hemiparesis following Gardasil vaccination.
2) Tumefactive demyelinating lesions and chiasmal neuritis as part of a presentation of acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis were documented by MRI imaging studies.
3) A brain biopsy was performed on this case to confirm that there was a perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages with focal demyelination in the brain tissue, characteristic of the histopathological changes in acute demyelinating (or disseminated) encephalomyelitis as complication of vaccination.
Dr. Tomljenovic (data presented at the meeting with the Senators and news conferences)
1) Post-mortem brain tissue specimens from two young women who suffered from cerebral vasculitis-type symptoms following vaccination with the HPV vaccine Gardasil were analyzed by IHC for various immuno-inflammatory markers.
2) Gardasil-vaccinated cases showed positive immuno-reactivity for HPV-16L1 antigen in cells within cerebral vessels, with some HPV-16L1 – positive cells adhering to the walls of these vessels and some infiltrating the brain parenchyma. No such pattern of staining was observed with the anti-HPV-18L1 anti-HPV-11L1 antibody in any of the Gardasil-vaccinated cases. Control cases were negative.
3) Conclusions: The presence of foreign antigenic material in the central nervous system can trigger adverse inflammatory and immune-mediated manifestations. Normally, vaccine antigens are not expected to cross the blood-brain barrier. The finding of HPV-16L1 intra and perivascular immuno-positive cells in the brains of these two cases suffering unexpected and sudden death following Gardasil vaccination is thus of concern.
Dr. Lee (data presented at the public hearing, at the meeting with the Senators and at news conferences)
1) Gardasil contains residual HPV L1 gene rDNA fragments, firmly bound to the AAHS adjuvant by ligand exchange through the phosphate backbone of the DNA molecule in non-B conformation – a new chemical inadvertently created in the vaccine manufacturing process.
2) It is well known that aluminum nanoparticles can transfect foreign, bacterial or viral DNA into human cells, especially macrophages, and macrophages can cross the blood brain barrier.
3) It is well known that activated macrophages, highly immune-stimulated by free bacterial or viral DNA, can produce and release a variety of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor which is a myocardial depressant and can cause acute inflammation. Human macrophages recognize HPV DNA as a viral DNA (foreign invader), not the DNA from the human host's own body, and react in a high alert state- a highly augmented reaction which may be very harmful in certain genetically predisposed young girls. We cannot predict which girls will react violently in their heart and in their brain as a result of these activated macrophage activities.
4) HPV 16 L1 gene DNA in non-B conformation was found in the post-mortem blood and spleen tissue obtained at autopsy of such a sudden unexpected death without obvious cause of death 6 months after Gardasil vaccination. No scientists at the public hearing believe that psychosomatic reactions can cause such death and inflammation of the brain in these HPV-vaccinated girls. Therefore, more research must be performed on the potential toxicity of this vaccine.
Read the French translation here.
Filed Under: Cervarix Injuries, Gardasil / Silgard Injuries, HPV, Japan, SANE Vax Press Releases, Vaccine Politics/People Tagged With: cervarix, Gardasil, HPV VACCINES, Japan
Congratulations is extended to all whose massive efforts have resulted in this miraculous decision!
Sincere gratitude is extended:
– To the Japanese government including politicians and health officials who have listened with integrity and an open mind to concerns presented to them regarding the HPV vaccines.
– To the Japanese journalists and media who have courageously publicized and accurately reported the situation.
– To the highly respected medical professionals from several countries who have participated in meetings and who have presented their independent research with scientific evidence concerning efficacy and safety aspects of the vaccines.
– To the Japanese doctors who have listened to their patients, taken their injuries seriously and who have courageously spoken out and demanded investigations.
– To the SaneVax team which has worked painstakingly and conscientiously and has facilitated so that meetings, public hearings and symposium could take place, contributing towards the events which lead to the decision.
– To the massive efforts of HPV vaccine victims and their families who despite their suffering are using their voices to share their concerns .
As stated in the press release: "Every country in the world needs to encourage open and honest scientific debate regarding HPV vaccines".
Thank you Japan for leading the way!
krobinson says
This news is very encouraging. Hopefully other countries will follow Japan's lead and take a hard look at the scientific evidence and the numerous reports of terrible health issues and suffering by those injured by HPV vaccines. Every life is important. Every young person on this earth should be able to live their lives free of unnecessary pain and suffering so they can reach their full potential and fulfill their dreams. Our daughter received the first dose of Gardasil in September 2010 at age 11 and has been chronically ill and suffering ever since. Thankfully, she was not one of the children killed by this vaccine. How can a child suffering in severe 24/7 pain and chronic illness be able to reach her or his full potential when they can't even get out of bed? Parents are not adequately informed of potential vaccine risks. More troubling is that most doctors are simply unable to recognize, diagnose and treat vaccine injuries. It is very troubling that there is NO vaccine injury treatment protocol. Instead, many of the vaccine injured are regularly mis-diagnosed and offered treatments that do nothing for the actual cause of their illness, the vacine injury. Japan is showing the world that its government values the lives of its young citizens. Although HPV vaccines are not government mandated in the USA (thankfully), I wish my government showed that it valued the lives of its young citizens enough to listen to those suffering from HPV vaccine injuries and consider the growing evidence that HPV vaccines have caused many serious injuries, some that have been life theatening or even resulted in unnecessary death. The efforts of all of those involved have most certainly have saved lives and prevented unnecessary suffering!
Lauren Ayers says
Decades ago Japan followed the American example of childhood vaccines at an early age. Then when those first highly vaccinated babies reached school and had so many problems, they methodically sought what was different for those kids and found that that was the first generation to have so many shots at a young age. Japanese public health then postponed vaccines so that kids only got them after the age of 2, which greatly reduced the number of kids with learning problems arriving to first grade.
Cómo se ha fraguado el rechazo de Japón a la vacuna papiloma | Blog de Miguel Jara says:
[…] Esta es una gran victoria para todas las familias de todo el mundo que han sufrido después de participar en un experimento de salud global que se realiza en nombre de la prevención del cáncer de cuello de útero. Podéis leer el texto completo de información de la asociación de afectadas Sanevax aquí. […]
HPV-vaccinen i Japan – udviklingen det sidste år says:
[…] Dette er en oversat artikel fra: https://sanevax.org/japan-hpv-vaccine-controversy/ […]
HPV: the worst vaccine scam ever | VACCIDEMIC says:
[…] Japan Suspends HPV Vaccine Recommendation. […]
PAPILOMA. Japón suspende campaña de vacunación sistemática says:
Očkování, autismus a Američané na Měsíci: Všechno je jinak. "Zrádce" mluví. Zázrak v České televizi. Statečné lékařky na pranýři | bezpolitickekorektnosti.cz says:
[…] setkání o nežádoucích účincích a toxicitě hliníku ve vakcínách HPV viz zde a zde, ale to je zase další téma, o kterém se v ČR nesmí mluvit, pokud nechce být člověk […]
Quality of Science on HPV vaccines presented in Japan - Mothering Forums says:
[…] Quoted: 1093 Post(s) Quality of Science on HPV vaccines presented in Japan https://sanevax.org/japan-hpv-vaccine-controversy/ This article includes a timeline and a list of the science presented to the Japanese government […]
WHO: Accusations of Misconduct Over HPV Vaccine Safety Inquiry - The Thinking Moms' Revolution says:
[…] the Japanese public (and the rest of the world) on the subject of HPV vaccine safety. For a detailed timeline of events, I'll refer you to Sanevax as they were involved in supporting this endeavor and have […]
HPV e big pharma: la nuova frode degli organi (in)competenti | Vaccini Informa says:
[…] moltissime vittime trattate in maniera irrispettosa; tutto ciò non può essere tollerato oltre. Nel 2014, Sin Hang Lee, MD (ex professore associato all'Università di Yale, attuale direttore del […]
Victims in Japan Sue for Damages Due to Gardasil and Cervarix HPV Vaccines | Health Exchange says:
[…] Effects in Young Girls Takes Gardasil Out From Japanese Market. The Tokyo Times. 5 Erickson N. Japan and the HPV Controversy. Sanevax.org Apr.8, 2014. 6 HPV Vaccine Seen Differently By Japan and the U.S. The Tokyo Times. […]
Cómo se ha fraguado el rechazo de Japón a la vacuna del papiloma - Mundo Viperino says:
[…] global que se realiza en nombre de la prevención del cáncer de cuello de útero. Podéis leer el texto completo de información de la asociación de afectadas Sanevax aquí. Mientras Japón deja de recomendar la vacuna del papiloma la Unión Europea la aprueba para […]
Open Letter: Globally Coordinated HPV Vaccine Research Fraud Involving CDC, WHO, GACVS, etc – Governmental Services Corporation Watch says:
[…] In 2014, Sin Hang Lee, MD, former Associate Professor at Yale University and current Director of the Milford Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory and other researchers appeared before eight medical academic members of the Japanese government's Advisory Council on the Alleged Adverse Reactions to HPV Vaccines, several top-ranking Health Ministry bureaucrats, medical doctors and journalists from the nation's major newspapers and television networks. Dr. Lee and the other researchers presented evidence regarding the risks involved with HPV vaccines during a symposium, two press conferences and a government-sponsored public hearing. Dr. Lee reported to Japanese officials in attendance his findings of HPV DNA fragments in 16 unopened vials of Gardasil sent to Milford Medical Laboratory Inc. from nine countries and in the postmortem blood and spleen samples obtained at the autopsy of the 18-year-old New Zealand girl who died after Gardasil vaccination. […]
IT'S OFFICIAL: GLOBAL, COORDINATED HPV RESEARCH FRAUD INVOLVING CDC, WHO, GACVS & OTHERS | The Crazz Files says:
I am a Gardasil Survivor
HPV Vaccines and their devastating effects


About Isha Vidhya
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Human Impact Stories
Ace Alumni: Toppers at studies, jobs and caring for their families
Isha Vidhya alumni are proving their mettle in varied professional fields and also in managing multiple responsibilities at a rather tender age. Read on to know more about the resourceful Isha Vidhya alumni who are now making their mark professionally, and playing a larger role at home by supporting their families financially.
Sixty-four percent of Isha Vidhya students study on scholarships and complete their school education thanks to the support and benevolence of donors. It's very gratifying to see these students grow and become capable enough to extend financial support to their families soon after leaving school.
Schooling is a privilege for a majority of our students who come from underprivileged backgrounds. It's quite heartening to read stories about these resourceful Isha Vidhya alumni who are now employed, making their mark professionally, and playing a larger role at home.
Aspiring for a dream job at Adobe or Google
Kirthiv joined Isha Vidhya Vanavasi in class 8 on a scholarship and did well in his studies. Kirthiv's father is a photographer and his mother is a teacher. Due to a financial crisis in the family, he had to take up a job soon after finishing school and is now doing an internship at Tinkerkraft – a company working on Artificial Intelligence – in a few programming languages such as Python and Javascript. His monthly salary is Rs 15,000 which helps him contribute to his family's expenses.
He secured this job after doing a year-long course in computer software at NavGurukul – a non-profit organization that provides software training to young people from financially weak backgrounds.
Kirthiv says that what he loved about Isha Vidhya was the learning based on activities, and Yoga which helped him feel refreshed and healthy in body and mind. He attributes his learning and journey this far to the inspiration and motivation of his teachers.
He's determined to resume academics soon and work at Google or Adobe in the future.
A first-generation school-goer works at CEAT Tyres
Induja T. works in the production department of CEAT Tyres Pvt. Ltd. She got the job after completing a 2-year Diploma course in Electrical and Communication Engineering from a Government Polytechnic College. With help of her monthly salary of Rs 12,000, she is now able to shoulder her domestic financial responsibility with her father, who is an illiterate farmer.
She joined Isha Vidhya Tuticorin in class 4 on a scholarship and did well in studies as well as in sports – she won prizes in running, shot put and throwball. She feels blessed for the encouragement and support that her teachers gave her at Isha Vidhya.
Soon after completing schooling Induja had to quickly take up a job to help manage the financial crisis of her family. But, she has not given up on her dream. She aims to resume her studies soon, and pursue higher studies in computer science.
Full-time employee, part-time student
Paranthaman works at Social Labs as a backend developer and earns Rs 20,000 a month even as he is studying in the first year of BCA. Much like Induja and Kirthiv, Paranthaman too had to take up the job rather urgently because of his family's financial condition.
He had joined Isha Vidhya Villupuram in class 5 on a scholarship and right from day 1 he was a studious boy. After passing class 12, he joined NavGurukul for a year-long course in computer software.
Paranthaman was also keen on sports and had won the 400 m relay at the zonal level. He says that his teachers, who were wonderful, impartial mentors and very encouraging, have shaped him into who he is now.
Paranthaman plans to pursue higher studies and reach greater heights in his chosen field.
Happy to be financially independent
After completing class 12 with a score of 75%, Subramaniam joined NavGurukul for a year-long course in software engineering, which he was very keen to pursue. He now works in a software firm in Kerala and is earning well.
The transition from student to professional has been a joyous one for Subramaniam. He says he's happy to be earning at such a young age and feels economically independent.
Subramaniam had joined Isha Vidhya Nagercoil on a scholarship in class 2. The son of a carpenter, he sailed through school with ease. He says he has come this far because Isha Vidhya gave him ample opportunities to develop himself, acquire new skills, and helped him choose his career path.
Sowing Seeds for a Greener Planet
Shanthan works as an afforestation supervisor at NLC – a company that generates electricity using fossil fuels. Despite receiving a 96% on his diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Swamy Abedhanandha Polytechnic College, Thiruvannamala, he chose to take this job because he wants to be a tool to promote afforestation rather than relying on NGOs alone to improve the environment.
The seeds were sown for his chosen path at his alma mater, Isha Vidhya Cuddalore, where Shanthan was involved in the growing of saplings for Project GreenHands, an Isha Outreach environment initiative.
He says, "Our school teachers were like friends who were concerned about our development. Our teachers are the ones who celebrate in our triumphs. Not only did we have to study well, but they were determined that we should be good human beings for the community."
Inspired by Sundar Pichai
Praveen Kumar works at Aaseya IT service – a company that specializes in Digital Transformation, after completing his Electrical & Computer Engineering from Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Erode. Inspired by Sundar Pichai, he wants to acquire more knowledge in this field and be a leading IT programmer.
Praveen Kumar is a first-generation school-goer who scored 96% in Class 10 at Isha Vidhya Salem and an equally excellent CGPA of 8.01/10 in his final year of college. He says that Isha Vidhya's teaching methodology inspired him to study intently and do well academically.
He says that the transition from studying to working was easy becausehe was encouraged to interact in English with his teachers and fellow students at Isha Vidhya. This was very helpful later on as he didn't feel shy to communicate and bond well with both his college mates and his colleagues.
Correcting Vision
Nilesh set up an optician's shop after completing Class 10 from Isha Vidhya, Nagercoil. Although he did well in his studies – he scored 93%, he was more inclined to set up his business instead of pursuing higher studies. But before taking the plunge, Nilesh interned with his father, who runs a car accessories business, and also worked at an optician's shop where his father worked in order to learn the ropes of the game.
Nilesh is a first-generation school-goer who studied on a scholarship. He credits his teachers with inspiring him to study well and constantly motivating him to pursue his career. He says Isha Vidhya shaped his character and taught him patience.
He feels content to be earning and being independent, and aspires to set up a chain of optician's shops across India.
Velam landed a job at India Post based on her excellent Class 10 score of 96%. She is currently working as a Dak Sevak (postal officer) and aspires to rise to a higher post in the future.
Velam scored 91% in Class 12 at Isha Vidhya Nagercoil and studied B.Sc. Math at Pioneer Kumaraswamy College, Nagercoil, but she grabbed the India Post job for the stability a government job provides. This means a lot to her considering that her father runs the house with his earnings as an auto driver.
Velam acknowledges the vital role her Isha Vidhya teachers played both academically as well as in preparing her to face any challenge.
She is pleased to have this secure job and being in a position to support her family financially.
Computing on
Bhavadharni works as a support executive in TCS's Citibank project. She was hired on campus at Sri Krishna Adithya College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, where she had completed her B.Sc. Computer Science out of her eagerness to gain more knowledge about computer technology. Bhavadharni says, "My journey as an employee is different from what it was at Isha Vidhya Coimbatore – I feel more responsible now, working in an MNC.
But the things I learned at Isha Vidhya, like discipline, punctuality, and speaking in English, help me immensely now." She loves her job which gives her an opportunity to interact with people.
Bhavadharni says that her teachers played a major role in motivating her to study well and instilling confidence in her to make sound decisions in life.
Analyzing Processes
Madhan Praveen is a Programmer Trainee at Cognizant – he landed the job through college placement. He scored 73% in the final year of his B.Sc. at Kongu Arts and Science College, Erode, keeping up with his excellent school scores of 97% in Class 10 and 90% in Class 12.
Madhan studied at Isha Vidhya, Erode, from Class 6 and says that the support that his teachers gave helped him do well academically as well as in extracurricular activities – something he continues to do as a member of NCC (National Cadet Corps).
He goes on to say that the basic skills that he learned at Isha Vidhya help him even today. His alma mater helped him become more confident and embrace any work that comes his way.
Madhan wants to improve his networking abilities and gain new skills at work.
Success-Stories
Class of 2018 — The Toppers' Journey
In 2018, seven Isha Vidhya schools reached a new milestone when the first batch of 108...
This ship sails their dreams - Scholarship
These young gems, having faced more than their fair share of trials and tribulations, do not...
Isha scholarships help first-generation tribal students complete...
Ten tribal students of Thondamuthur in Coimbatore overcome centuries of socioeconomic...
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Dirty Impound
For some folks rock 'n' roll is not just something one sells their soul to but the thing that reminds them they have a soul in the first place.
October 17-October 23
Comments Off on Albums of the Week | October 17-October 23
In this edition: Jonathan Wilson, Chamberlin, L.A. Guns and Rocket From The Tombs.
Dennis' Pick of the Week:
Jonathan Wilson: Gentle Spirit (Bella Union)
Some albums whack you between the eyes and others boil you slow. The latter method tends to develop richer, more complex textures but it also requires patient listeners willing to saunter awhile. From the prayerful, cracked plea of the opening title track to the vaguely magical, silvery conclusion, Gentle Spirit (released September 13) takes its time, pure California rock redolent of the hills, valleys, highways and ocean that sculpt the state, a child of the canyons outside of Los Angeles where wildness and star-filled skies still hold sway. Wilson has been active in recent years as a producer and sideman, working with Dawes, Gary Louris, Chris Robinson, Jackson Browne and many others, but his own music is singular, earnest, poetic, a sound that permeates and invigorates one with a deep breath of fresh desert air. The first five cuts all clock in over six minutes with two hovering around eight minutes, thus quickly establishing a long-form, exploratory personality, though Gentle Spirit doesn't meander. Like the best work of his Cali ancestors – the early solo albums of Crosby, Stills and Nash spring to mind – Wilson's music has dense muscle pumping its wings, soaring but solid, lovely and powerful in its graceful movements. Natural Rhapsody may be the finest evocation of Obscured By Clouds/Meddle-era Pink Floyd ever wrought, and Desert Raven is a controlled mini-epic that starts with a guitar figure that rivals In Memory of Elizabeth Reed. One could pick out such sparkling moments on every cut so densely packed with beauty and thoughtful craftsmanship is Gentle Spirit, a lush, spiritually resonant work that's timely as hell even if we might not realize it in all our hustle & bustle. (Dennis Cook)
Dennis' Runner-Up of the Week:
Chamberlin: Cabin Covers EP (Roll Call)
It's cheeky to cover five songs released by peers in just the past few years but to do so with the quiet aplomb Chamberlin has mustered is cheeky AND impressive. On the Cabin Covers EP (released September 20), the Burlington, Vermont band has given an old school MTV Unplugged treatment to tunes from Kanye West/Bon Iver (Lost In The World), Passion Pit (Little Secrets), Cults (Go Outside), Vampire Weekend (Giving Up The Gun), and Foster The People (Pumped Up Kicks), effectively exposing the bones of this teen-centric material and building on those sturdy elements after shearing away the original shiny coats. Chamberlin doesn't shy away from the overwrought, adolescent concerns in the original lyrics, and lead singer Mark Daly's faultless falsetto and quivering pipes cling surprisingly well to these tales of young love and cultivated ennui. Frankly, I'd happily listen to any of these versions before revisiting the originals (with the one exception of Pumped Up Kicks, arguably the weirdest hit single of 2011, which continues to fascinate it in any configuration). By sculpting these acoustic-leaning, gorgeously harmonized renditions Chamberlin shows they can meet the competition on their terms and then better them, a form of sonic judo that throws one for a loop. (DC)
All proceeds from sale of the Cabin Covers EP will go to Vermont communities impacted by Hurricane Irene. You can pick up a digital download for a $4.99 minimum donation or a physical CD with a pound of Vermont Coffee Company Dark Roast here.
Ron's Pick of the Week:
L.A. Guns: Acoustic Gypsy Live (Favored Nations)
When it comes to personnel changes, guitar great Tracii Guns definitely has his old partner in crime W. Axl Rose's Guns 'n' Roses beat in terms of the cast of cats who've rotated through the lineup of his legendary Hollywood hard rock outfit L.A. Guns. So much so that there is now essentially two versions of the band touring under the group's name, one led by longtime singer Phil Lewis and the other one helmed by Guns himself, something I will need a lot more room than this stretch of space to get into – it's enough to make your damn head spin. And, at press time, the member deck has been shuffled yet again with the news of former Love/Hate frontman Jizzy Pearl leaving the Tracii-led L.A. Guns, after two years of returning to the band following a short stint with them in the late 90s, and being replaced by the group's first female member, Rock Star: Supernova runner-up Dilana Robichaux. However, prior to Pearl's departure, the arguable stronger version of L.A. Guns recorded an amazing live album capturing the band's very first all-acoustic performance at the celebrated Los Angeles music venue The Hotel Cafe in February of this year with one of the strongest lineups either faction has witnessed since the Cocked and Loaded era. "I hadn't played live acoustically for more than an hour since my Bancroft Junior High School guitar ensemble when I was 13 years old," explains Guns in the liner notes to Acoustic Gypsy Live (released September 27), a candid snapshot of the group presented in a way many fans never thought possible. But this excellent 14 song set proves that Tracii doesn't need to plug in to be electrifying on the six-string. Produced by former Quiet Riot guitarist Niel Citron and boasting a contingency consisting of Jizzy, Tracii and the now ex-rhythm section of drummer Chad Stewart and bassist Danny Nordahl (who have since been replaced by Eric Grossman on bass and Doni Gray on drums, who appears here on percussion and backing vocals), not to mention auxiliary players Teddy Andreadis on keys and Muddy Stardust on second guitar, this stripped-down performance exposes the rootsy essence of some of L.A. Guns' rowdiest, loudest anthems like Never Enough, Over The Edge, Sex Action, and Rip and Tear. Other tracks, meanwhile, such as the recently penned Little Soldier and the group's signature hit The Ballad of Jayne, showcase a more twang-induced essence that sounds more Laurel Canyon than Sunset Strip. And when you dig into Pearl's commanding presence on surprise covers of Otis Redding's These Arms of Mine and Love Hurts, the Boudleaux Bryant hit made famous by Nazareth, you will instantly feel the impact of his absence from the still-warm microphone he left behind. How the Dilana-led edition of the Tracii Guns version of L.A. Guns will fare in comparison to past incarnations remains to be seen, but chances are it's gonna have to be something mighty transcendental to eclipse the definitive nature of Acoustic Gypsy, which presents this excellent body of work in the world of hard rock in a light that far exceeds the interpersonal drama that has mired its existence all these years. (Ron Hart)
Ron's Runner-Up of the Week:
Rocket From The Tombs: Barfly (Fire Records)
When Rocket From The Tombs first emerged in 1974 out of Ohio's burgeoning proto-punk scene alongside the likes of the Electric Eels and DEVO, they came screaming out of the gate armed with some of the most visceral anthems ever penned in the Me Decade, Sonic Reducer and 30 Seconds Over Tokyo chief among them. However, rampant drug use and violent interpersonal conflict between its members caused the Tombs to implode during a July 1975 soundcheck for a shared bill with Television. Shortly thereafter, the ex-RFTT members went on to form Pere Ubu and the Dead Boys, two of punk's most celebrated acts, causing the Tombs to achieve supergroup status after the fact. 37 years later, original members David Thomas, Cheetah Chrome and Craig Bell reconvene with Pere Ubu drummer Steve Mehlman and Television guitarist Richard Lloyd, who was eyewitness to the band's brutal demise, to finally conspire the long-dormant band's official debut LP. And while there are elements present that do showcase their age, such as the old man soul-rocker Sister Love Train and its reprise Love Train Express, Barfly (released October 11) nevertheless exhibits all the scrappy, caustic charm we have come to expect from this lost American band whose official arrival onto the national scene has evaded us for way too long. (RH)
Albums of the Week | October 4-October 10
Mastodon, Wilco and more reviewed Continue reading →
Albums of the Week | October 20-October 26
The goodness deluge of 2010 continues. Continue reading →
Albums of the Week | September 26-October 2
Got new records? We do. Continue reading →
Albums of the Week |April 26-May 2
Less reviews but more timely! Continue reading →
← You Gotta See This: moe.
Hey Shredder: Brad Barr →
Missing Walter Becker
Goodbye to Steely Dan's Spirit Animal. Continue reading →
Missing Col. Bruce Hampton
R.I.P. brilliant, weird shaman. Continue reading →
Album Review – Chris Velan – Glow
Call this into your heart. Continue reading →
Album Review – Will Courtney – Planning Escapes
It's in your mind. Continue reading →
Album Review – The New Up – Tiny Mirrors
The future is now. Continue reading →
Album Review – Greg Loiacono – Songs From A Golden Dream
Let the music take you. Continue reading →
Album Review – Jerry Joseph – By The Time Your Rocket Gets To Mars
Burn up all your flags. Continue reading →
Album Review – Nathan Moore – Goodbye America
It only takes one. Continue reading →
that's us on the facebooks
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About Dirty Impound


Boxing Results and Post-Fight Analysis
ShoBox photos and quotes: Gary Russell Jr, Olympians win on Friday night
Gary Russell Jr and the five debuting U.S. Olympians discuss their Friday night wins on ShoBox: The New Generation.
By Bad Left Hook Nov 11, 2012, 7:34am EST
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Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
Steve Farhood, Showtime Sports
"What we saw at the end of the show confirmed what I said at the top of the telecast, which is that Russell's talent demands that he raises the level of his opposition, and does so now. That was certainly a candidate for Knockout of the Year.
"What impressed me most about the five Olympians was their commitment to body punches, which counts to next to nothing in the amateur game. That in itself showed that they are en route to developing as pros."
Gary Russell Jr
"I think by the end of 2013, after three or four more fights, I'll get my shot at the 126-pound title. People don't think of me as a hard hitter but I was known as a power puncher in the amateurs. I had a hand injury early in my pro career, but I'm 100 percent healthy now."
"Tonight, I felt I was in total control the whole time. Even when he got me against the ropes it was because I allowed him to. I wanted to see what kind of power he had. The entire time I was looking to set him up for the right hand. I got it home clean and that was the fight.
"I feel blessed to have been able to headline a card with the Olympians. They were all asking me a lot of questions beforehand like 'what should I expect,' stuff like that. I kept telling them the same thing: just trust your pedigree. Your pedigree with get you through."
Terrell Gausha
"They kept telling me to work behind the jab, go to the body and not to get too anxious,'' he said after his fight was stopped at 1:55 of the round. "I felt I was hurting Caplinger with almost every punch, especially the right hand.
"I feel great and think I did well. I got the job done and now I'm ready to do this again. There will be no breaks for me. I want to fight again as soon as possible."
Errol Spence
"I felt really great in there. The guy was tough, but I knew that if I took my time I'd eventually get him. When I started landing those uppercuts I knew I was hurting him, but he took them well at first and then I couldn't tell for sure if he was really hurt, or tired, or just playing possum.
"So I just played it smart, kept my cool and set him up. I'll be ready to go again in three weeks."
"This was a great win for me and the perfect birthday present. I got some good rounds in. The plan was to take my time and consistently work the body so I could get him in position to get him out of there with the right hand.
"This win is for the people in Staten Island and the people in New York and on the East Coast. I hope everybody across the country prays for all those who lost everything in Hurricane Sandy.''
Dominic Breazeale
"Everybody got a little excited in there for a second. Actually, I was surprised he got up the first time, but I was pleased to knock him down again.
"I hope my next nine or 10 fights are like this. I didn't even get hit, but I know I have a long, long way to go, so you can bet I'll be right back in the gym. It's going to take a lot of hard work and preparation to get to where I want to be. Heck, I might go running tonight just to burn off some energy."
Rau'Shee Warren
"The knockdown wasn't really a knockdown. I slipped. He never really hit me. I was told between rounds to try and walk him down, which is what I did, but I was so anxious and wound up so hard that when I missed with the hook I lost my balance and my gloves touched the canvas. On the way down, he tapped my shoulder. I said something to the ref like, 'for real?' and he continued to count.
"Aside from that, I thought I won easily. I hit him with everything, but I was too, too overanxious. I'll slow things down the next time for sure. I really hope they bring me back on Showtime."


'RHODubai': Chanel Ayan Reveals She Survived Forced Genital Mutilation At Age 5
Wanda Giddings
While being on a reality show like Housewives chronicles the glamourous lifestyle of its cast, many have experienced real tragedy. Chanel Ayan from The Real Housewives of Dubai is speaking publicly against the trauma she endured in Africa as a child. The reality star says that she was forced to undergo genital mutilation when she was just 5-years-old as a means of being forced to remain a virgin until marriage. She eventually had the painful procedure of having it reversed.
Ayan speaks out against genital mutilation
During the latest episode, fans saw Ayan get emotional about the mutilation she received as a child. In her interview, she explained that it's part of her culture.
"I'm a survivor. I felt that I was utterly betrayed by my culture and my family. This is just a barbaric practice and it shouldn't be happening to young girls. It happened to be thirty-five years ago, and I've never gotten over it," she explained.
Ayan says it's something that's accepted in her culture. "In my culture, it's done to keep women virgins. Everybody's a virgin in my culture because of this. Because how are you going to have sex when you're sewn as a girl until you're married? It's a way to keep men satisfied. This is practiced in over twenty-eight African countries: the Middle East, Syria, Yemen," she explained.
A post shared by A Y A N (@chanelayan)
"I think the trauma is something that I will live with for the rest of my life," she explained. "This is why I want to talk about it, because I honestly don't want this to happen to anyone because I know exactly how it feels, and it's not good."
Ayan added: "A lot of girls get depressed, hormones are imbalanced–a lot of young girls die."
Ayaan to raise proceeds
The star is using her pain to help other girls. Because she can relate to the pain of young girls going through genital mutilation she is doing something about it.
She will use her forthcoming cosmetic line Ayan Beauty to raise proceeds to help bring genital mutilation to an end.