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Bevo

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  1. Saw this in JAMA today: Microplastics and Human Health Summarize Plastics production and use reached 435 million tons in 2020 (up from 234 million tons in 2000) and by 2040 is expected to further increase by 70%. Plastics are synthetic materials composed of polymers, such as polyester, polyethylene, copolymers of polypropylene, and polyurethane, that vary in chemical composition and often contain additives. Although more than 13 000 chemicals are associated with plastics, 10 groups of chemicals are identified as being of major concern due to their high toxicity and potential to migrate or be released from plastics. These include specific flame retardants, certain UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates, bisphenols, alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, biocides, certain metals and metalloids, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Microplastics Plastics smaller than 5 mm are termed microplastics, which enter the body primarily through inhalation or ingestion after plastic litter in the environment degrades into smaller plastic fragments. Inhaled particles that have a diameter of 2.5 μm or smaller can enter the alveoli of the lungs and the bloodstream and accumulate widely in the tissues.1 Many foods, beverages, and drinking water sources contain microplastics, which can enter the body upon ingestion. A 2020 study performed in Mexico evaluated microplastic contamination in 57 common beverages (soft drinks, beer, cold tea, and energy drinks). Of the beverages evaluated, 48 samples showed detectable microplastics, 36 samples contained less than 5 microplastic particles/L, 9 samples had 5 to 10 microplastic particles/L, and 3 samples contained 11 to 30 microplastic particles/L, with the highest abundance of microplastics (mean [SD], 28 [5.29] particles/L) recorded in a beer sample.2 Many clothing pieces, cosmetics, and other personal use products contain microplastics and use of these products may lead to increased exposure through accidental ingestion or aerosolized inhalation. A 2024 review of 38 studies investigating 2379 cosmetic and personal care products reported 16.4% (n = 390) contained microplastics. Face scrub was the most commonly tested product (46.8% of total products tested) and 26.5% of the face scrubs tested contained microplastics. Microplastics’ unique surface area, defined by coarse shapes and heterogeneous material, enables them to act as a vehicle for various contaminants. Specifically, microplastics act as sorbents that adsorb or absorb various pollutants on their surface primarily through hydrophobic or electrostatic means and by pore filling (physically accumulating environmental contaminants, such as microbes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals, and encasing them in micro or nanopores) interactions.3 In vitro studies using human cell lines, organoids (3-dimensional, miniature organ structures grown in the laboratory that mimic the structure and function of real organs), and animal studies have shown that microplastic exposure increases oxidative stress, production of reactive oxygen species, cell membrane organelle damage, immune response, and DNA damage.4 Liver organoid exposure to polystyrene microplastics induced hepatotoxicity with increased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the supernatant (liquid above a solid phase) and compromised antioxidant balance, suggesting oxidative stress and an increase in inflammatory response observed via elevated interleukin-6 levels, even at the lowest dosage used in this study (0.25 μg/mL; mean [SD], 102 [7] items/mL).5 Methods of Detecting Microplastics Current detection methods for microplastics, such as microscopy, spectroscopy (analysis of the spectrum of light that a substance emits or absorbs), and thermal analysis are being used, and most studies focus on detecting polystyrene particles.6 Many techniques have been validated, standardized, and published; however, methodological limitations include difficulty of isolation from complex environmental or biological samples and identification of each microplastic type. More robust and standardized methodologies for detecting and quantitating microplastics are being studied. Presence of Microplastics in Human Tissues Studies have reported the presence of microplastics in many human tissues and organs, including the lungs, brain, blood, liver, kidneys, heart and circulatory system, spleen, colon, testes, ovarian follicular fluid, and placenta as well as in human breast milk and infants’ first stools. Longitudinal studies suggest increased microplastic concentrations in biological tissues over the past several decades. Levels of microplastics were statistically higher among 24 individuals in 2024 compared with 28 individuals in 2016 in postmortem human brain tissue (median, 4917 μg g−1 vs 3345 μg g−1) and liver tissue (103.7 μg g−1 vs 432.9 μg g−1).7 A study using spectroscopy reported a substantial increase in the frequency and concentration of microplastics in human placentas in Hawaiʻi from 2006 to 2021.8 Based on examination of 10 placental samples in each time frame, microplastics were detected in 60% in 2006, 90% in 2013, and 100% in 2021. Average microplastic particles per 50 g of placental tissue increased from 4.1 in 2006 to 7.1 in 2013 to 15.5 in 2021. The increase in the number of microplastics per 50 g of placenta tissue from 2021 reached statistical significance in comparison with 2006 samples (P < .001) and 2013 samples (P < .05).8 Known and Potential Health Effects Associated With Microplastics Observational studies have shown an association of microplastics with adverse health effects, although this does not prove causation. In a study of 257 patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease, microplastics (polyethylene) were found in the excised carotid artery plaque of 58.4% of patients (n = 150; mean [SD] level, 21.7 [24.5] μg/mg of plaque) and 12.1% (n = 31) also had measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride (mean [SD] level, 5.2 [2.4] μg/mg of plaque).9 Patients with detectable microplastics in excised carotid artery plaque had a 4.5 times higher risk (20.0%; 30/150 patients) of a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months of follow-up than those in whom microplastics were not detected (7.5%; 8/107 patients).9 A postmortem study reported that brain tissue obtained from 12 patients with dementia had higher levels of microplastics than those obtained from 52 individuals without dementia (26 076 μg g−1 vs 4131 μg g−1; P < .001).7Further research into potential mechanisms of organ dysfunction and disease associated with microplastics is ongoing. Policies to Reduce Plastic Pollution Although many local and national policies exist to limit plastic pollution, few comprehensive international agreements are currently in place to decrease plastic pollution. Agreements that have been reached include the 2019 Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments, which control transboundary movements of plastic waste into countries with limited recycling options (such as insufficient recycling plants or lack of technical expertise to recycle in an environmentally sound manner), and the MARPOL Annex V, a legally binding agreement signed by more than 150 countries that prohibits ships from dumping plastic waste into the ocean. The United Nations Global Plastics Treaty has been in negotiation since March 2022 after a resolution was adopted to develop an international, legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, with a goal of addressing “the full life cycle of plastics, including their production, design, and disposal.” Conclusions Microplastics have been detected in human tissues at increasing rates and are associated with known and potential adverse health effects, raising concerns over the high levels of plastic pollutants in the air, water, and soil. International cooperation to limit plastic pollution and to find environmentally safe plastic alternatives is needed. Corresponding Author: David C. Christiani, MD, MPH, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, Bldg I, Room 1401, Boston, MA 02115 (dchris@hsph.harvard.edu).
  2. Were any of the female hostages returned alive in the last week?
  3. There was also a hospital that was hit overnight
  4. Maybe that’s a good thing, but I saw no evidence that Gandalf was much of a pussy slayer in his old age so being like him seems to have some downfall? Maybe chicks just don’t like magicians.
  5. Yeah, but I estimate 93.6% of heterosexual surlys would hit it.
  6. Lots of land mines have been used and are probably still being used to some extent.
  7. I don't know who sets the limits on offensive line takes. It might be just as big of a Sark and Banks issue as a Flood issue.
  8. Interesting that the life expectancy in Montana and the Midwest is decent. Their diets are terrible.
  9. Another Manning roommate? With him and Livingstone starting, some heads may explode.
  10. Yes, Pat Coogan would have helped us. The Ducks' three redshirt senior transfer offensive linemen have been difference makers - Nevada Wolfpack left tackle Isaiah World, USC Trojans left guard Emmanuel Pregnon and Texas State Bobcats right tackle Alex Harkey. Yet we picked up no one. I don't even recall us trying to pick anyone up.
  11. I missed the game today. Did Stroh or Brooks or someone else start at left guard?
  12. I said it back in the spring. It wasn’t a mystery but there was a lot of discussion that Flood valued consistency and no one worthwhile was available (I think our resident expert had that pov).
  13. It is an awfully dumb headline. Israel wasn't going to stop until all the hostages were retrieved. Negotiations allows some hamas terrorists to remain alive.
  14. I don't know. Ricky wasn't the top ranked back in California his senior year in high school and many had him as a fullback. And how do you feel about this list? Notice #11 1 Kevin Jones 6-1, 215 4.20 Springfield-Cardinal O'Hara, Pa. Va Tech 2 Eric Shelton 6-2, 230 4.45 Lexington-Bryan Station, Ky. Florida St 3 Jabari Davis 6-0, 230 4.50 Tucker, Ga. Tennessee 4 Carnell Williams 6-0, 190 4.50 Attalla-Etowah, Ala. Auburn 5 Kelly Baraka 6-0, 186 4.39 Portage-Northern, Mich. Michigan 6 De'Arrius Howard 6-0, 220 4.45 West Memphis, Ark. Undecided 7 Damien Nash 5-11, 180 4.30 East St. Louis, Ill. Missouri 8 Cedric Houston 6-0, 206 4.46 Clarendon, Ark. Tennessee 9 J.R. Lemon 6-2, 214 4.40 Tyrone-Sandy Creek, Ga. Stanford 10 Lydell Ross 6-1, 215 4.50 Tampa-Gaither, Fla. Ohio St 11 Cedric Benson 5-11, 198 4.50 Midland-Lee, Texas Texas 12 Seymore Shaw 6-1, 215 4.40 Shawnee, Okla. Oklahoma 13 Michael Bell 6-1, 193 4.49 Tolleson-Union, Ariz. Arizona 14 Stephen Jackson 6-1, 210 4.38 Las Vegas-El Dorado, Nev. Oregon St 15 Tramain Hall 5-11, 180 4.40 Deerfield Beach, Fla. NC State 16 Morris Virgil 5-11, 185 4.30 Urbana, Ill. Illinois 17 Joseph Addai 6-0, 200 4.50 Houston-Sharpstown, Texas LSU 18 David Underwood 5-11, 219 4.40 Madisonville, Texas Michigan 19 Maurice Hall 5-10, 183 4.30 Columbus-Brookhaven, Ohio Ohio St 20 Ty Eriks 6-2, 220 4.40 Seattle-O'Dea, Wash. Washington 21 James Buchanan 6-2, 240 4.60 Sarasota-Cardinal Mooney, Fla. Florida St 22 Brandon Brokaw 6-0, 225 4.54 Pennington, N.J. BC 23 Marques Simmons 5-10, 180 4.30 Davenport-North, Iowa Nebraska 24 Darryl Poston 5-10, 180 4.40 Huntington Beach-Edison, Calif. USC 25 Willie Reid 6-0, 175 4.40 Warner Robins, Ga. Florida St
  15. I steamed a rug yesterday (and cooked a nice seafood dinner) so this hits close to home.
  16. Yes, but he is partially wrong. Our left guard and center sucking is the bigger issue. Cojoe and Baker and Goosby will be fine. Most teams would be very happy to have them. When Oregon got a new coach, we ended up with a great offensive line hall. If we would have had a class like that 2 years later, we wouldn't be talking like we are. Last year should have been a big haul and it wasn't. This year should be a big haul and it may end up being that way but it isn't looking likely right now. We are not bringing in the numbers of quality players we need on the OL and we are taking too many fillers who will sit on the bench and (hopefully) never see the field.
  17. Police fire water cannon at Georgia protesters near presidential palace Opposition protests turned violent as riot police deployed tear gas and water cannon near the presidential palace. By News Agencies Published On 4 Oct 20254 Oct 2025 Georgian riot police have deployed water cannon, pepper spray and tear gas to disperse protesters who tried to storm the presidential palace in Tbilisi during municipal elections. The clashes took place on Saturday after opposition groups, who had boycotted the vote, called for a “peaceful revolution” against the governing Georgian Dream (GD) party, accusing it of authoritarianism and adopting pro-Russia policies. Thousands of people gathered in Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue waving Georgian and EU flags in what organisers said was a show of defiance against GD. Some later barricaded nearby streets, lit fires and clashed with riot police. In the evening, a group of demonstrators moved towards the palace and attempted to break through the fence, according to witnesses. The Ministry of Internal Affairs later declared the rally unlawful, saying it had “exceeded the norms set by law.” Police then pushed protesters back with force. Georgia’s health ministry, quoted by local media, said 21 security personnel and six protesters were injured in confrontations. “Today is the outcome of a deep crisis which is absolutely formed by our pro-Russian and authoritarian government,” protester Davit Mzhavanadze told local media, according to a report carried by Reuters. “I think this protest will continue until these demands will be responded to properly from our government.” The governing GD, which announced it had won control in every municipality across the country of 3.7 million, rejected accusations of vote-rigging. The party, founded by billionaire and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, denies being pro-Moscow. It says it seeks EU membership while maintaining stability with Russia. Georgia, once seen as one of the most pro-Western states to emerge after the Soviet Union’s collapse, has seen its ties with Europe and the United States deteriorate since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The government froze accession talks with the European Union following last year’s disputed parliamentary election, sparking months of demonstrations. Saturday’s confrontation was the most serious flare-up in months after earlier protests had lost momentum. Authorities had warned in advance that they would respond firmly to any attempt at what they described as a push for “revolution”.
  18. It is snowing here in the mountains today in Montana - so I figured I would check the weather in Ukraine and Russia. Lows in the low 40s/high 30s for the week. Winter is coming.
  19. Get a grip, guys. The sky is not falling. We just suck.
  20. Our LG and Center were sieves. Improvements in those 2 positions would go a long way to making us a decent OL. That isn't happening though. There is no one on the roster to fix the issue. We have some big athletic guys but we don't have enough of them and the remaining guys are big and slow or just not talented. Meanwhile, we have no intermediate passing game to help take the pressure off of the OL. And Sark has no confidence in the line or the quarterback as evidenced by running a QB draw on 3rd and long when Florida had a fucking spy on Manning. What pisses me off more than anything is that Flood and Sark were totally unaware of the issue as we didn't look to the portal, we were fine with our OL recruiting class last year, and we are headed towards a similar or worse class this year while we let some quality guys go to our competition.
  21. Someone should just hold up those numbers and then ask Sark if he sees any issues with the OL going forward.
  22. I think that was in 1940. It was understandable though. We were soon to be at war and the Tchoupitoulas Bridge was pretty new.
  23. Exactly and unfortunately without transfers it is not a quick fix. And we can't afford to lose any non senior starters. Next year we could have Baker, Brooks, Cujoe, Goosby as quality starters. But those guys need to be playing on the line together. We can't have any of them playing backup roles. Basically, all you need then is a starting center with Robertson and Cruz as quality backups. That leaves Chatman and Neto as quality backups at guard and some others who are either unknown or known and not good enough. But it also means that we will be razor thin at tackle without spending the money and bringing in 2 guys to compete. And I personally think this is unlikely. More likely in my next best case scenario is that we have Turntine and Lee as backups at tackle. For some reason this year Flood thought it was a great idea to have solid tackle backups while not having starting quality guards and centers. This can't happen. But it is not a new thing. Last year it was pretty much the same. It doesn't help that our right guard has been a disappointment compared to expectations, but in a perfect world, he would have been pushed out of the starting lineup. Now with all that said above, I think Flood will have only 2 starters and 2 backups out of Brooks, Baker, Cujoe, and Goosby. With that decision our interior will basically be dog meat for another year with Robertson/Cruz at center and Chatman and Neto probably starting at guard with Stroh, Kibble, Chatman, and Christian backing them up. And with Turntine and Lee as redshirts. And of course we need to flip Lee for him to even be an option. Roster Brandon Baker 73 OL 6' 4" 308 lbs SO Nick Brooks71 OL 6' 7" 349 lbs FR Jaydon Chatman75 OL 6' 4" 306 lbs SO Jackson Christian76 OL 6' 5" 310 lbs FR Andre Cojoe77 OL 6' 6" 335 lbs SO Devin Coleman59 OL 6' 5" 331 lbs FR Jordan Coleman78 OL 6' 5" 350 lbs FR Daniel Cruz51 OL 6' 3" 312 lbs FR Trevor Goosby74 OL 6' 7" 312 lbs SO Nate Kibble70 OL 6' 3" 330 lbs FR Connor Robertson62 OL 6' 4" 312 lbs JR Connor Stroh79 OL 6' 7" 341 lbs SO Neto Umeozulu72 OL 6' 4" 325 lbs JR
  24. At least five people were killed as Russia launched air strikes in western Ukraine early Sunday, raining missiles and drones on the Lviv region near the Polish border — forcing the NATO country to scramble jets to lock down its skies. Lviv — only 43 miles from Poland — was pounded for hours overnight by missiles and Russian drones as air defenses fired furiously in all directions to fend off the attack, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said five people died and at least 10 others were injured in the attack. He estimated that Russia launched more than 50 missiles and 500 drones. “Today, the Russians once again targeted our infrastructure – everything that ensures normal life for our people,” Zelensky said. “We need more protection and faster implementation of all defense agreements, especially on air defense, to deprive this aerial terror of any meaning. “A unilateral ceasefire in the skies is possible – and it is precisely that which could open the way to real diplomacy. America and Europe must act to make Putin stop,” Zelensky said. A witness told The Post the latest strike is “definitely the worst hit in Lviv since the beginning of the war.”
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