Halloween in Our Neighborhood – Photos

Friday, November 5, 2021

Fig 01- Attractive photo in front of a house


This year, Halloween decoration displays are not that much in our neighborhood, and even in our town in this year.


May be, no more than 20% have decorated their houses. Actually, less and less year by year.


I don’t know the exact reasons, I guess several of them could be:

- economic instability

- pandemic

- security

- hurricane


In case of our neighborhood, the crucial factor is that we just hit severely by hurricane Ida.


My previous post about this storm:

- Hurricane Ida Debris Piles in the Neighborhood


Trick or treat hours are limited.


Fig 02- A grave yard at the corner


Fig 03- Kid and teenager with strange customs


Fig 04- Decoration in one of houses.


Our city authority set trick or treat hours from 6 PM to 8 PM. Two hours only. However, no age limit yet in Louisiana.


I know some cities such as Chesapeake, Virginia limits the age. Kids 12 or below only to participate in trick or treat.


Who over 12 years old engages in trick or treat will punished with a fine between US$25 to US$100 or will be jailed.


A fine between US$10 to US$100 will be given or jailed to whom involve in trick or treat after 8.00 PM.


How about with your areas or countries?


# Previous postings:

- Does Oarfish As a Precursor to Tsunami and Earthquake?

- What are Important Species of American Fresh water fish?

- What is Painting Stylistic of Baroque?

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America is Top Importer of Ornamental Fish – Part 2

Monday, November 1, 2021

Freshwater ornamental fish


You may read previous post (Part 1):


Singapore is fourth position as importer, but the top as exporter, and known as “the ornamental fish capital of the world.”


The list of 5 top exporters is following:

1.Singapore with exports valued at US$69.32 million.
2. Japan with value at US$41.34 million.
3. Czech Republic with worth at US$32.0 million
4. Thailand with value at US$23.31 million
5. Malaysia with worth at US$22.62 million.


Gravel or small stones, in addition for accessories or decors functions, they have the biological cycle roles in the aquarium.


The Gravel or small stones may grow bacteria for breaking down waste products.


Small stones for aquarium accessories.


This process made water fresh and fish healthier.


In respect to business, the gravel or small stones involves million of dollars values.


Together with drugs (control fish diseases), feeds and plants are very important aspects in the ornamental fish industries in the coming future.


# Previous postings:

Understanding Diseases in Human Body through Knockout Genes – Part 2

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Gene knockout (credit to YouTube)

You may read Part 1:


The knockout will result in disrupt of targeted gene.


Since mouse is closely related to humans, thus, it is favorite animal for knockout experiments.


Especially with regard to genetic questions that relate to human physiology or behaviors.


At Figure above (top of this article), we can see how to target gene.


The introduce specific gene modification in mice by the use of embryonic stem (ES) cell, then produced knockout animal (mice).


As described by Hansson (2007) that knockout have become absolutely important in medical research.


Through targeting (removing) a specific gene, we can find out what happens once it is gone.


Little plant in the early autumn


It is lead to new understanding of normal development and disease processes, then identified new avenues for medical therapy.


# Previous postings:


References

Hansson, GK. 2007. ADVANCED INFORMATION. Gene modification in mice.

"The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2007".


NIH (National Human Genome Research Institute). 2015. Knockout Mice.

America is Top Importer of Ornamental Fish – Part 1

Saturday, October 23, 2021

One of ornamental tropical fishes.


The international trade for ornamental fish involved billion dollars of money. The industry is worth more than US$20 billion.


The ornamental fish industry covers:

- drug

- feeds

- plants

- accessories

- glass

- and “plastic" aquarium


The industry is quite reasonable big enough, especially for small business (exporters) in developing countries.


There are around 125 countries trade ornamental fish, and it is believed will be expanded in term of volumes and values in the coming future. The exporters are commonly from developing countries, and importers are coming from industries countries.


Aquarium accessories.


Some countries such as Singapore and Japan are both as exporter and importer. Especially, Singapore imports aquarium fish from neighbor countries, then re-export to world market with higher bid.


The top five importers of ornament fish are following:

1.United State of America (USA) with values at US$42. 9 million

2. United Kingdom (UK) with values at US$29.5 million

3. Germany with values at US$23.4 million

4. Singapore with values at US$21.3 million

5. Japan with values at US$19.5 million


# To be continued to Part 2


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Understanding Diseases in Human Body through Knockout Genes – Part 1

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Procedure to produce gene knockout animal (credit to Medindia)


Knockout is a technique to in-activate specific genes in human body.


The technique is part of biotechnology which has been used to modify living organisms in order to improve human welfare.


The knowledge has been around since a long time ago, may be dated back to 5000 B.C.E.


Inactivated specific genes is the biochemical and pathological basis that might be used to understand human diseases.


For these purposes the scientists produced a knockout mouse.


NIH (2015) informed that human share many genes with mice.


Thus, observing knockout mice gives information that can be used to better understand how a similar gene:

- may cause certain abnormality
- or contribute to diseases in humans.


Then?


Highway go to our city.


So far, knockout mice have been used to understand many diseases, including:

- cancer
- obesity
- heart disease
- diabetes
- arthritis
- substance abuse
- anxiety
- aging and Parkinson disease.


# To be continued to Part 2


## Previous postings:

Millions are Bitten by Snakes Every Year – Part 2

Friday, October 15, 2021

A snake crawling on the wood bridge


Previous post (Part 1):

- Millions are Bitten by Snakes Every Year – Part 1


what countries have the higher death due to snakebites?


Here the top five countries in the world, the death of snakebites per year (Top 5 Special Report, 2021):

1) India

- number of death around 15 thousands to 50 thousands


2) Indonesia

- death about 11,581


3) Nigeria

- about 9,900


4) Pakistan

- death about 8,264


5) Bangladesh

- number of death around 8,000


Street in the neighborhood, illustration only.


The places where people got snake bites are following:

- farming

- constructions

- plantations.


Moreover, you might wonder: why does top 5 death come from developing countries?


The main reason that no or lack of anti venom drugs to treat snakebites. The other reasons are:

- weak health systems

- less medical resources.


Finally, have you seen snakes in the natures?


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Local Jelly at the Farmer Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 15

Monday, October 11, 2021

Jellies in the jar at the farmer market


Previous post (Part 1):


It is a kind of dressing which is combines of a jam and a sauce or a seasoning. A typical classic product from southern states of America.


A pepper jelly is a vinegar or pectin base preserve, made with:

- hot peppers

- sugar and salt


So, you may guess the taste, yes, mix of sweet and spice of hot peppers which may include:

- Jalapeno

- Habanero

- Serrano


The makers of Bulldog Pepper Jelly from city of New Orleans, Louisiana claimed that their assorted jellies are locally grown, not imported from other states or other foreign countries.


A sign of farmer market


Pepper jelly was popular in America during 1980s to 1990s.


The product is consumed or used for multiple purposes such as:

- glaze on meats, chicken wings, fish and on vegetables.

- topping for crackers, ice cream, cheesecake, cheese and waffles

- using as sauce and dipping

- using as spread to sandwich, turkey slices and hamburger.

- using as appetizer

- mixing with yogurt


Have you tried pepper jelly? What do you think?


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- Are Raw Peanuts Good for Health? - Food Variety 6

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