#TCR 2017

[flodaya]

He’s been on every set since they met. KC Undercover, Greatest Showman, Euphoria, Dune 2, Challengers. It’s just so 🥰

ohgod

U hauling in New York while she's filming TGS in 2016

lurking on KC Undercover in 2017

chilling on set of Euphoria all night in 2019

neither 2020 nor Malcolm and Marie ever happened

chilling on the Euphoria set part 2 in 2021

their little back and forth between Boston and New York and Challengers set and TCR set in 2022

visitng her in the middle of the desert during Dune

[destinyc1020]

Tom uses his instagram to announce work projects, as a platform for his charity and occasionally post about his gf or like her pics. And this is something he obviously adapted the last few years. Now Z seems to be the same. Obviously something went into that decision.

Yea Z has been steadily decreasing her social media habits tremendously over the past several years actually.

Anyone who was here in 2016/2017 during Z's IG and Snap era, compared to how she is now, it's like night and DAY! 🤣

I don't blame her though. She has like 184 MILLION followers. That's a lot of pressure. 😩

Tom has recently started doing the same....esp during the Danny/TCR filming era... But he used to be pretty active himself over the years until the past year or so. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[badass-at-fandoming]

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to ask because I got curious - but do you think WoD will ever come out with an official backstory for Beckett? Or any new content involving him? I'm keeping my fingers crossed but honestly who knows. Also now that it's the new year, we're a few steps closer to Bloodlines 2 releasing. What are you current thoughts on it?

Hello and thank you for your patience while I traveled far from my beloved tumblr!

Will Paradox's World of Darkness come out with new Beckett lore? Why, yes! They already have: in the Fifth Edition Corebook he's confirmed to be alive (x) and Custos talks about Beckett Embracing him and his subsequent abandonment (x) and he's in LA By Night (x). Plus, he's been in Vampire: the Masquerade - Heritage (x and that's where his current wiki photo is from) and referenced in the Tender ARG (general x specifically x). In my opinion, Beckett morsels have been dangled at a steady clip.

Do I want World of Darkness to publish like, an official backstory? God, no. The last time it was attempted, the result was a clusterfuck. Reading "A Brief History of Beckett" in his Diary was terrible. Either the author didn't care to research him, or wasn't given time to, beyond the most cursory glance. More to the point, that chapter lacks of a cohesive vision on how to play it. I'm much happier reading and applauding backstories that fans come up with.

As for Bloodlines 2, I don't keep up with World of Darkness News so much, so your ask was a great invitation to catch up. The most recent Dev Diary (x) is a fascinating peek at their sound design and the care they're putting into it. The last paragraph mentions a release date and DLC plans to be announced as soon as January 15th.

As for my broader opinion on the game, VtM:B2 will be what is, when it is. I'm sure I'll be delighted to dissect it. Though the studio has never made an RPG before, doing new genres and knocking it out of the park seems to be their thing (see Little Orpheus x and Still Wakes the Deep x).

I'm more concerned if The Chinese Room is taking care of its workers in the collapsing larger industry. Are the workers being treated well? Are they paid enough? Are they being laid off to line the pockets of shareholders and CEOs? Thankfully, The Chinese Room seems to be doing good by their people. In 2017, before Paradox gifted them the VtM:B name/they pitched their project, The Chinese Room did lay off everyone except the two founders and one lead designer (x). Seems like they ran out of money. When TCR was bought by Sumo, they seemed to have solved a longstanding we-don't-know-how-to-run-a-business problem (x). Founder Jessica Curry has gone on record calling for more diversity, inclusion, and women in the industry (x) and took a backseat due to toxic publisher relationships (x) rather than studio culture. Her husband and co-founder Dan Pinchbeck designed a paid internship program with the express purpose of hiring racial and gender minorities, women, older people, and those from lower-income backgrounds (x). I hope they keep up and improve upon this track record even though Pinchbeck left (x).

Overall, I'm content enough to buy a game from these folks. There's always room for improvement (like a union), but they're leagues ahead of other studios in terms of worker treatment.

Thank you for the ask! Kind of you. I hope you're having a good start to 2025!

[omegaremix]

Omega Radio for September 23, 2017; #146.

Ariel Pink “Feels Like Heaven”

Personal Best “Poor Old You”

Gingerlys “Turtledoves”

Slothrust “Sex And Candy”

Deerhoof “Singalong Junk”

Girlpool “1, 2, 3…”

War On Drugs, The “Pain”

Warpaint “Keep It Healthy/ Disco//very”

Club Night “Rally”

Idles “Stendhal Syndrome”

Sleaford Mods “TCR”

Naomi Punk “Journey To The Top”

Vallens “Sin So Vain”

Pond “Man It Feels Like Space Again”

Washed Out “Get Lost”

Tame Impala “The Less I Know The Better”

LCD Soundsystem “Tonite”

Grizzly Bear “Mourning Sound”

Coca Leaf “New Soft Down”

Eric Copeland “Synching Cycles”, “Discoball”

Algiers “Cleveland”

Zola Jesus “Siphon”

Deluxe indie, dreampop, and top-shelf sounds

[crazykuri]

not to be sappy but a whole month. 31 days. away from everything and everyone. 24/7 just the two of them. the me from 2017 can't really process it still. and i know it's normal for a couple to go on vacation. but their relationship was special, they never were able to do that during 1.0, and i bet you they wanted to do something like that so bad, for so long. i'm really happy for them

and the more time has passed, the more i kinda understand why tom completely freaked out when they were outer day 2 out of the 21 days or their baecation lol. he really thought "i've been waiting for this for the whole year there's no way they're ruining it" 🤣

a sappy ask, finally 😁 and yes! i know i’m looking like that mindy kaling meme with each day passing without content but this makes me really happy <3 they deserve this 🥹 i remember tom during uncharted press saying he’s looking forward to live under a rock and go on a nice long break after tcr. good for him, good for them 💗

[thisandthat-whatever]

U sure we not same person?bc I have same views about tom and z they far from the best,one big difference z much more successful project so she much more loved in industry. They big part of the game if project successful and very popular nobody watch closely and play easy ball if acting in some part not the best but is project is flop no matter how good performance is nobody cares u would be blamed for everything.

With TCR if I sending ask to some other blogs they call me hater. Tom was not the best,was episodes where I was like "yea, amazing I need more of that" like in ep 6 but overall,show not use Tom at all as much was possible, Iike other cast realized better. Idk if it's his maximum and I not should expecting more from him,like he will stay okay/good actor but nothing special. So anyways time will tell. I wouldn't drag him or waiting awards/prestige for stupid stan wars. If he not interested in acting no more he will just retire after few spiderman films and nothing wrong with this life he want this

Having had been a Tom stan since 2017 (although I would not call myself a stan nowadays but still a fan), I have never called his acting amazing or great. He is good but not great yet. That is what bugs me when Timothee fans bring down Tom though because although their acting styles may be different, their capacity currently is the same. Timmy is no better than Tom. They both have room to improve, and time will show if they do.

And again it doesn’t matter how many awards or which awards they win now. Awards have no actual value to me, except to watch who is wearing what and who will give the cheesiest accepting speech.

[motorsportverso]

Sebastien Loeb um piloto fenomeno do rally e do automobilismo

9x WRC CHAMPÍON

4x RALLY DE MONTE CARLO WINNER

2012  X-GAMES RALLYCROSS CHAMPION

2013 PIKES PEAK HILL CLIMB CHAMPION

2022 Extreme E CHAMPION

2006 2ND 24H DE LE MANS

WTCC 6 wins

2023 RALLY AZORES WINNER

4X ROC RACE OF CHAMPIONS WINNER

O Inicio Da trejtória No WRC anos  2000

Fez uma etapa do WRC com um Toyota Corola WRC com entrada da federação francesa(FFSA),Tendo como resultado um 10º lugar WRC em Sanremo, começando a chamar a atenção para a Citroen que iria entrar com a equipe de fabrica em 2001.

JWRC (S1600  NA ÉPOCA)Sendo campeão em dúpla com Daniel Elena em um Citroen Saxo S1600.

Daniel  Elena seu fiel navegador em toda trajetória no WRC 

Ele foi um dos que mais contribuiu com os títulos do WRC de Loeb , Mais os 9 titulos com a Citroen também são dele, alêm disso eles correrem 5 RALLY DAKAR juntos mas no fim de 2021,essa dupla foi desfeita porcausa que os chefes do Prodrive\Bahrein Raid Extreme não estavam muito contentes, nesse mesmo ano Daniel “pendura o capacete” e se aposenta como navegador em provas profissionais.

Em 2006 , participou das 24h De Le Mans com a Pescarolo, terminou na 2º posição ,inclusive treinou usando o simulador do Gran-turismo 4 no PS4

Em 2012 além da temporada do WRC participou do X-Games no rallycross e ganhou com o Citroen DS3

Em 2013 a participação com a Peugeot 208 T16 em Pikes Peak com vitória com recorde que só foi batido em 2018.

2014-2015-WTCC com a equipe de fabrica da Citroen com o C-Elyseé WTCC

2016-2018-Participação no mundial de rallycross com Peugeot 208 T16

Com duas vitórias

2016-2018-Participação no Dakar com a Peugeot

Como melhor resultado 2º em 2017

Em 2018 anuncia saída do grupo PSA ( o que hoje e a Stellantis junção do Grupo Fiat e PSA) e que iria correr algumas etapas do WRC com a Hyundai em 2019

Melhor resultado 3º

2021-Retorno ao Dakar com a Prodrive  com o Hunter

 Melhores resultados 2º em 2022 e 2023

Com vitórias na Inglaterra em 2021 e no Chile em 2022

Campeão em 2022

Vitória no retorno ao WRC no rally de Monte Carlo em dupla Isabella Galmiche  em 2022

2023-Retorno ao mundial de rallycross com Lancia da Special One Racing

2023-Vitória no Rally de Azores-com o Skoda Fabia RS Rally 2 em dupla com Lauren Godey

2023-Retorno ao Extreme E nas rodadas duplas da Sardenha com a ABT Cupra em dupla com Klara Andersson , melhor resultado 2º Lugar

Roc-race of champions-participações na corrida dos campeões

Ganhou em 2003 em duelo com Marcus Grolhom , ganhou em 2005 em duelo com Tom Kristenssen, ganhou em 2008 em duelo com David Coulthard, ganhou em 2022 em um duelo dos "Sebastiam" com Vettel.

Curiosidades o Loeb tem sua própria equipe a "Sebastien Loeb Racing" que já correu em varias categorias :mundial de rallycross, JWRC, WTCC,WTCR,TCR EUROPE e em 2021-2022 foi a equipe técnica da Hyundai no Fia ETCR.

[tsasocial]

AATCC announces 2025-2026 board of directors

This fall, AATCC individual members elected their 2025-2026 President and Interest Group Board of Directors representatives. Election results were announced at the AATCC Annual Meeting, preceding the Technical Committee on Research (TCR) meeting on November 13, 2024. All officers began their term on January 1, 2025

President

Christina Rapa, W.L. Gore and Associates, will serve two years as President before continuing to Immediate Past President for two years.

Rapa has been an advocate for AATCC for over 23 years. Starting as a Textile Engineering student at both Jefferson University and NC State and continuing through the formation of the Northwest chapter in Portland/Seattle in the early 2000s, she now serves as the Delaware Valley chapter Chair.

As the Material Interest Group chair for the last 3.5 years, she has invited members via webinar to hear diverse speaker topics such as “Space Textiles”, “Biobased leather”, “Advances in regenerated cellulose” and “Seaweed fiber”. As an engineer in the Fabrics division at W.L. Gore and Associates, she focuses on digital transformation, including 3D material creation and PLM software implementation.

Rapa will be a member of the Board for all four years, providing continuity and guidance to the Association. When Rapa became President, John Crocker, SDL Atlas, became Immediate Past President.

Interest Groups

AATCC members participate in one or more interest groups to network, learn, and share ideas with like-minded colleagues. Each member may select one “voting” interest group from which they elect representatives to the AATCC Board.

The Chemical Applications Interest Group re-elected Sabyasachi Gaan, as Chair. Sabyasachi Gaan received his PhD in chemistry from UC Davis in 2007. He has been working at Empa in Switzerland since 2007 and is currently head of the Additives and Chemistry group in the Laboratory of Advanced Fibers. His group specializes in the development of functional polymer and metal additives, synthesis and modification of sustainable thermoset and thermoplastic polymers, and recycling of polymers. He has been a member of AATCC since 2016, served on the AATCC Journal of Research Committee, and currently serves as the AATCC Chemical Applications Interest Group Chair.

The Concept 2 Consumer Interest Group elected Chris Hipps as Chair. Chris Hipps is the Global Director of the Color Management business at Archroma. He has been with Archroma since 2014. Prior to this, from 1998 to 2014, he was with Datacolor, Oxco, and CAE Simuflite in various technical, sales, and marketing positions. Beginning his career as a process engineer and shift dyeing manager at Dixie Yarns’ Caroknit division, he graduated from NC State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Science and then earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Hipps has been a member of AATCC since 1992 and was the interim Chair for the Concept to Consumer Interest Group.

The Materials interest group has elected Apurba Banerjee as Chair and Yongxin Wang as Vice-Chair. Banerjee has served as the At-large Member since 2021.

Apurba Banerjee is a Textile Research Scientist at Standard Textile Corporation (STC). As a key member of the Research and Development department, she plays a pivotal role in bringing sustainable, value-added products to life in the realms of Hospitality, Healthcare, and Interiors. Banerjee is a proud alumna of the University of Georgia, where she earned her Ph.D. in Polymer, Fiber, and Textile Science in 2017. Prior to that, she honed her craft at Colorado State University, graduating with a master’s degree in Apparel and Merchandising in 2013. Banerjee has a passion for advancing industry benchmarks through her multiple voluntary leadership roles in organizations like AATCC and ASTM International.

Yongxin Wang is a Materials Manager at W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. She has been with W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. since 2018. Prior to this, Wang worked at VF Corporation as a Materials Research Manager, where she worked as a project lead, and gaining extensive experience on raw materials and their properties, textile manufacturing/processing/structure, and their relationship with apparel performance. Wang received her Master’s in Textile Materials and Product Design from Donghua University, Shanghai China in 2010, and went on to receive her Ph.D. in Fiber and Polymer Science from North Carolina State University in 2013. Her experience in textiles is demonstrated in her numerous publications throughout her career. Wang has been a member of AATCC 2021.

In 2023, AATCC newly established the Rising Professionals Interest Group. The group is focused on supporting individuals as they embark on a career in textiles. Members include recent graduates as well as seasoned professionals transitioning from other industries and those who just want to learn more about navigating opportunities for growth.

The Rising Professionals interest group re-elected Jessica Brooks as Chair and Monét Freeman as Vice-Chair.

Jessica Brooks is the Colorist for the Vertical Business Units for W. L. Gore & Associates. She has been with Gore since 2021. In addition, Brooks is an adjunct faculty at Thomas Jefferson University and teaches the Color, Dyeing & Finishing course. Prior to this, she was the Dye Lab & Technical Manager for Darlington Fabrics. Brooks has been a member of AATCC since 2013 and is currently the Vice Chair of the AATCC Delaware Valley Section and the Chair of the RISE Interest Group. She is a member of the RA36 Color Measurement Test Methods committee and on the AATCC Board of Directors. She feels very strongly in helping push future generations into taking active roles within AATCC and promoting a mentorship space within the association.

Monét Freeman serves as a Physical Testing Specialist at the Textile Technology Center at Gaston College, with six years of professional experience steering all facets of manufacturing, quality and testing, operations management, and coordinating industry training. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Freeman completed her studies in Textile Technology at North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles. Freeman is a strong believer that, no matter what, there is always room for improvement and perfecting your craft. Her interest in the Rising Professionals Interest Group stems from her own personal experience of not feeling fully equipped with the tools for career development or networking right out of school.

Opportunities

While AATCC Board elections only occur every two years, there are many ways to get involved. Taking a leadership role on a committee or task group is an excellent way to make connections and gain valuable experience. To learn more about available opportunities, contact Gregg Woodcock, AATCC Executive Director (woodcockg@aatcc.org) or any Board or staff member.

[outskirtspress]

Outskirts Press Ranked #1 in Self-Publishing for Nine Years in a Row

It can be nearly impossible to decide where to publish your book with so many available options. But Top Consumer Reviews just made it easier! For the ninth consecutive year (2017-2025), the top consumer product and services review site has once again named Outskirts Press the #1 self-publishing company. According to TCR, there are many reasons Outskirts Press has garnered this honor multiple…

[alexesguerra]

After Tarot Kit After Tarot Kit Cards – February 8, 2017 by Corrine Kenner (Author), Pietro Alligo (Author), Giulia F. Massaglia (Author) --Brand New-- After Tarot explores what the cards would look like just moments after the usual scenes with which we are most familiar. For instance, what would happen to The Fool moments after putting his foot over the cliff? Find out in the revolutionary After Tarot. Kit includes 78-card deck and a 160-page guidebook. The companion booklets for most Lo Scarabeo decks are in five languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German. About the Author Corrine Kenner specializes in bringing metaphysical subjects down to earth. Her work on the tarot is widely published, and her classes and workshops are perennial favorites among students in the Midwest. Corrine is a certified tarot master, and she holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from California State University, Long Beach. Corrine is the author of Tall Dark Stranger, a handbook on using tarot cards for romance, and Tarot Journaling, a guide to the art of keeping a tarot diary. She was also the creator of Llewellyn's Tarot Calendar. She is a contributor to the 2005, 2006, and 2007 editions of the Llewellyn Tarot Reader. A former newspaper reporter and magazine editor, Kenner edited Llewellyn's popular Astrological Calendar, Daily Planetary Guide, and Sun Sign Book. She is also the author of Crystals for Beginners. Corrine has lived in Brazil, Los Angeles, and the Twin Cities of Minnesota. She now lives in the Midwest with her husband Dan and her daughters Katherine, Emily, and Julia. You can find her website at www.corrinekenner.com. About the Author Pietro Alligo is a fine-artist based in Italy. About the Author Giulia F. Massaglia is an artist based in Italy. Product details Cards: 160 pages Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; Box Tcr Cr edition (February 8, 2017) Language: English ISBN-10: 0738752754 ISBN-13: 9780738752754 Product Dimensions: 6 x 2 x 9 inches Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds

[mschmdtphotography]

Shire’s Union

Book Title: Trilogy consisting of: Whirligig (Book #1) The Copper Road (Book #2) Tigers in Blue (Book #3) Series: Shire’s Union Author: Richard Buxton Publication Date: WG = 22/3/2017 TCR = 26/7/2020 TIB = 8/12/2023 Publisher: Ocoee Publishing Page Length: WG = 479 TCR = 421 TIB = 424 Genre: Historical Fiction Whirligig Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEBrhvpPNH4 Twitter…

[pacosemnoticias]

Tribunal da Relação de Lisboa confirma coima de 24 milhões de euros à Super Bock

O Tribunal da Relação de Lisboa confirmou a infração da Super Bock às regras da concorrência e respetiva coima de 24 milhões de euros aplicada à empresa, anunciou a Autoridade da Concorrência (AdC).

Segundo um comunicado da AdC, "o Tribunal da Relação de Lisboa (TRL) confirmou a condenação da Super Bock por infração às regras da concorrência, sancionada pela AdC em julho de 2019, bem como o montante integral da coima de 24 milhões aplicada à empresa".

O acórdão, de 12 de setembro, "considerou improcedentes os recursos apresentados pela Super Bock e por dois responsáveis da empresa, da decisão do Tribunal da Concorrência, Regulação e Supervisão (TCRS) que tinha também confirmado integralmente a sanção aplicada pela AdC", avança o regulador.

O TRL afirma que "sopesando todas as circunstâncias analisadas, afigura-se-nos que as coimas aplicadas se mostram proporcionais e adequadas, atenta a gravidade da conduta (acordo vertical entre empresas, de fixação de preços, com o objetivo de impedir, restringir ou falsear, de forma sensível, a concorrência), a dimensão do mercado afetado (abrangente de quase todo o território nacional), a longa duração da infração (11 anos) e as consequentes vantagens daí resultantes para a visada Super Bock, a situação económica da visada e o seu volume de negócios", revela a AdC.

Segundo o regulador, o acórdão refere ainda que, "apesar da ausência de antecedentes contraordenacionais dos recorrentes em matéria de infrações à concorrência, a motivação recursória evidencia a desvalorização da conduta infratora e a auto-desresponsabilização dos visados, importando que a sanção a aplicar seja suscetível de promover a consciencialização, não só social e comunitária, como dos próprios infratores, demovendo-os da prática de novos ilícitos, assim como retraindo o surgimento de cartéis ou práticas semelhantes restritivas da concorrência por parte dos demais operadores designadamente no mercado cervejeiro, tão lesivas dos direitos dos consumidores".

De acordo com o mesmo comunicado, o TRL endereçou um pedido de reenvio prejudicial ao Tribunal de Justiça da União Europeia (TJUE), a propósito do caso, e também este se pronunciou no sentido de "os acordos de distribuição exclusiva da Super Bock nos quais fixava, nomeadamente, preços mínimos de revenda poderem ser contrários ao direito da concorrência".

Em 25 de julho de 2019, a AdC condenou a Super Bock Bebidas S.A., um administrador e um diretor da empresa ao pagamento de coimas de valor global superior a 24 milhões de euros por fixação de preços mínimos e outras condições de transação aplicáveis à revenda dos seus produtos a hotéis, restaurantes e cafés (canal HORECA), durante mais de dez anos (2006-2017).

A AdC considerou que o comportamento da Super Bock constituiu uma restrição grave da concorrência, proibida por lei.

"A interferência de um fornecedor na determinação dos preços e outras condições de transação praticados por distribuidores independentes, que adquirem os seus produtos para revenda, restringe a capacidade de estes competirem entre si, na medida em que elimina a concorrência pelo preço dos produtos, em prejuízo dos consumidores, que ficam limitados nas suas opções de escolha e deixam de poder beneficiar de produtos a preços reduzidos", afirma o regulador.

Esta decisão da AdC, objeto de recurso pelos visados para o TCRS, viria a ser confirmada integralmente pelo tribunal, em outubro de 2021.

Segundo a AdC, "os mercados afetados no presente caso assumem uma importância crucial na vida dos consumidores em geral. Trata-se da distribuição de cervejas, águas (lisas e com gás), refrigerantes, iced tea, vinhos, sangrias e sidras em hotéis, restaurantes e cafés, o que corresponde, grosso modo, a todo o consumo fora do lar".

"A prática em causa é, portanto, suscetível de prejudicar de forma direta e imediata o bem-estar dos consumidores", refere a autoridade.

[monstruous-pictures-present-blog]

📆 June 2017 📰 Determination of a Key Antigen for Immunological Intervention To Target the Latent Stage of Toxoplasma gondii 🗞 The Journal of Immunology

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the pathogens that can establish a chronic infection in the brain. Acute infection with the parasite is characterized by proliferation of tachyzoites in various organs, and it can cause various diseases, including lymphadenitis and congenital infection of fetuses (1). Although IFN-γ–mediated immune responses and, to a lesser extent, humoral immunity inhibit tachyzoite growth (2–4), the parasite establishes a chronic infection by forming tissue cysts, which can contain hundreds to thousands of bradyzoites, preferentially in the brain. This infection is ubiquitous and is one of the most common parasitic infections in humans worldwide (1).

It is well recognized that chronic T. gondii infection can reactivate and cause life-threatening toxoplasmic encephalitis in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with AIDS and organ transplants (1, 5, 6). Even in immunocompetent individuals, recent epidemiological studies demonstrated that T. gondii infection is associated with a 1.8-fold increase in the risk for brain cancers (7) and that brain cancer mortality increases with the seroprevalence of IgG Abs to T. gondii (8). Therefore, to improve public health, it is important to develop a method to eliminate T. gondii cysts from chronically infected individuals. However, there is currently no drug that can target the cyst stage of the parasite.

Although it had generally been considered that the immune system of infected hosts is unable to recognize or remove T. gondii cysts, our recent studies demonstrated that CD8+ immune T cells of chronically infected BALB/c mice (the H-2d haplotype), which are genetically resistant to the infection, possess a potent activity to initiate the immune process to remove tissue cysts from the brain when these T cells are transferred to infected immunodeficient (athymic nude or SCID) mice that have already developed large numbers of cysts (9). This anticyst activity of CD8+ immune T cells does not require IFN-γ production, which is essential for controlling tachyzoites, as mentioned earlier, but it does require perforin (9). Perforin is critical for cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T cells; therefore, it is most likely that cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T cells initiates the immune process to remove the cysts.

T. gondii cysts are formed within infected host cells (10, 11); however, the mechanisms by which CD8+ T cells recognize the cyst-containing cells are unknown. To develop a novel method to activate CD8+ T cells capable of removing T. gondii cysts, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms by which the T cells recognize the cyst-containing cells. The present study revealed that H-2Ld is the major Ag-presenting molecule required for CD8+ immune T cells to initiate T cell–mediated cyst elimination. The present study also determined that CD8+ immune T cells bearing TCR Vβ8.1, 8.2+ chain have a potent activity to remove the cysts, and this T cell population recognizes the N-terminal region (aa 41–152) of dense granule protein 6 (GRA6Nt) of T. gondii presented by the H-2Ld molecule. Furthermore, CD8+ T cells activated by immunization with GRA6Nt were able to remove T. gondii cysts. These findings provide the foundation required for an immunological intervention targeting the latent stage of T. gondii to eradicate chronic infection with this parasite.

[touringcarsnet]

Touring Cars news: http://www.touringcars.net/2017/05/rob-huff-joins-leopard-racing-remainder-tcr-international

Rob Huff joins Leopard Racing for remainder of TCR International

Rob Huff will join Leopard Racing for the majority of the remainder of the current TCR International Series season, joining Jean-Karl Vernay in a Volkswagen Golf GTi.

http://www.touringcars.net/2017/05/rob-huff-joins-leopard-racing-remainder-tcr-international

#LeopardRacing, #TCR

See more at TouringCars.Net

[truecrimecrystals]

Delecia Waddy has been missing since March 9th, 2017. The then-24-year-old was last seen at a campground at Kings Dominion, an amusement park located in Doswell, Virginia. While there, Delecia tried to bargain for a space at the campground but was turned down and left the park around 11:30am. The next morning, Delecia’s car was found abandoned near the campground. It had a tank full of gas and appeared to be in working order. Her cellular phone, purse, wallet, driver's license and some other belongings were found scattered behind Meadow Event Park, near her abandoned vehicle.

Shortly after these findings, a massive search was launched for Delecia. That search was very short lived; it was called off after witnesses said they saw her walking in a field off Route 30 in Caroline County, Virginia. Her scent was also tracked by dogs at a home in that area. A few days later, on March 12th, an acquaintance who did not know Delecia was missing at the time spotted her in Richmond, Virginia.

After these sightings, police said that they did not believe Delecia was in danger—despite the fact that they never actually located her. She also has not contacted her loved ones or accessed her social media accounts since her disappearance. If Delecia is, in fact, voluntarily missing, it is unclear why she would abandon her vehicle, which was in good condition. It is also unclear how her personal belongings became scattered in the nearby park.

Even though police believe that the sightings of Delecia shortly after her disappearance are credible, they have yet to elaborate on how they believe Delecia arrived in Richmond—which is located over 25 miles away from Doswell—without her vehicle. It is very unlikely that she got there on foot, so if she actually was in Richmond on March 12th, somebody had to have helped her get there. This leads to a whole new set of questions: Did somebody pick her up? If so, who? How was she able to contact someone for a ride without her phone? Did she hitchhike? Was she somehow able to take public transportation without her wallet?

Now that Delecia has been missing for years, fears for her safety have increased. Her case is still open, and her family is desperately hoping for answers. If you have any information about Delecia’s whereabouts, please contact Morse Investigations at (888) 756-6825.

[catsafarithewriter]

Secret Santa: What Happens in the Cat Kingdom...

So, not so secret since Shelby is the one who got me going down this route, but, uh, Merry Christmas @tcrmommabear, and here is your Christmas present, which involves the Lost Ladies, the Bureau, and the ensuing chaos. (A bit of light-hearted humour for once!)

Haru hadn’t been sure what to expect upon meeting Baron’s sister.

Of course she figured that, being made alongside Baron, she would likely share a little of his... dramatic tendencies.

She didn’t disappoint.

Baroness Louise von Gikkingen was a tall, white-furred feline dressed in a long dusty-pink double-breasted jacket that swept all the way down to the hem of her green dress, compete with a matching cravat and parasol. Neat white gloves bore resemblance to Baron’s, and discreet lace lined both her dress and parasol. All in all, the whole attire was wholly impractical for anyone who dubbed themselves adventurers.

A little like Baron’s suit.

She didn’t come alone either; she was accompanied by a long-furred cat with white-and-tortoiseshell markings, not much taller but with more strength to her build. This was Persephone. Persephone was wearing a slightly more practical, but no less stylish, coat that looked suspiciously like a pirate’s coat. The tricorne hat and twin swords didn’t help matters much.

Louise was also not expected for another week.

Baron’s sister grinned at them, a grin that said the owner knew exactly what she was doing. “Baron. It’s been far too long. You’ve made quite the name for yourself, so I’ve heard.”

“As have you, it seems,” Baron replied. “How many of the stories are true?”

“All of them,” Louise promised, “except the boring ones.”

The twin Creations paused, considering the other, and then Louise swept Baron into a hug that looked like it could break bones. “Stop being so proper and hug your sister, dammit.”

“It’s good to see you too, Louise,” Baron managed. “May I introduce the Cat Bureau—?”

Louise released him. “But of course,” she said, bowing in a manner that was notably similar to Baron’s style. “Introduce away.”

Baron reclaimed what dignity he retained by returning to the kettle to distribute tea. He motioned to each Bureau member as he spoke. “Louise, this is Toto—“

“A pleasure.”

“—another Creation who helped me establish the Cat Bureau, and this is Muta—“

“Heya.”

“—who has been with the Bureau for nearly fifteen years now, and this is Haru—“

“Hi.”

“—a former client who has recently become part of the Bureau and,” there was only the slightest pause before he finished with, “a good friend,” but there was a knowing grin already on Louise’s face.

Louise bowed again, but this time in a movement that seemed far more natural, and motioned to her plus one with, “Baron, Bureau... Baron’s girlfriend—“

“Oh, I’m not—“ “We’re not—“ Haru and Baron protested.

“—may I present,” Louise continued, “the great and magnanimous once-Cat Queen and my ex-girlfriend, Persephone.”

The cat in the pirate coat rolled her eyes. “I wish you’d stop introducing me like that.” She looked to the Bureau with an apologetic smile. “I’m her wife. Of seventeen years, may I add,” she said pointedly to Louise.

“You’re Lune’s mother?” Haru asked.

Persephone perked up. “You know my son?”

“I... may have saved his life. And his wife’s. And almost been married off to both him and his father. And now be godmother to his kittens.” Haru smiled weakly. “Um, hi.”

“No way.” Louise turned to Baron. “You’re dating the hero of the Cat Kingdom??”

“Louise, we’re not—“

“I’m a hero?” Haru interrupted.

“Sure you are. Come on; you saved both the current Cat monarchs and caused the then-Cat King to abdicate? You’re a legend!”

Baron coughed tactfully at this point. “Of course, I suppose the stories also tell of a dashing cat who also helped...?”

“Oh, of course.” Louise turned to Muta. “Is it true you threatened to eat the entire castle?”

Haru watched as Baron took an aggressively large sip of tea, fascinated. She had never seen Baron so riled, and with so few words to boot.

“So, you’re the human who saved my Lune?” Persephone joined Haru, leaning against the sofa arm. “I suppose a thank you is in order then.”

“Oh, there’s no need,” Haru said quickly. Her mind jumped to the last time a cat had been in her debt. “Really. No need. At all.”

Persephone looked at her strangely, and Haru realised she was being Odd. Then the ex-Queen laughed — and it was a loud, abrupt laugh — and said, “Fair enough.”

“Is Louise usually so...”

“Not to quite this degree,” Persephone replied. She watched the Creations’ interactions with obvious amusement. “I think it’s a bit of sibling rivalry.”

“But Baron would never stoop so low—“

“I’ll have you know, I saved a princess from an unwanted marriage!” Baron’s tea was slammed down on the table, killing off whatever Haru had been about to say.”

Words failed Haru. “When...?”

“That’s you, Chicky,” Muta whispered. He was grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh, sure,” Louise replied airily. “I mean, kudos to you. You saved an almost-princess from an unwanted marriage. I just eloped with the Queen.”

“I can’t help feeling that you’re being a little sarcastic.”

“Me? Sarcastic? Never.”

“You know,” Haru said, “I always imagined that Baron’s sister would be as...”

“Emotionally constipated?” Muta offered.

“I was going to say as reserved as Baron, but that works too.”

In the time that Louise had been visiting, she had regaled then with countless stories, and Haru — given Baron’s own track record for the dramatic — would have believed them. All except for the wedding stories. She had told six conflicting versions so far of her and Persephone’s wedding, and each one getting progressively more outlandish.

“Accidental. As it turns out, you should probably research a world’s nuptial customs before visiting.”

“Online wedding. So, not a great service, but the reception was amazing.”

“We posed as pets for a year and our owners married us.”

“We disguised ourselves in the Cat Kingdom and got Natori to officiate it.”

“We never actually married; we just call each other wife.”

Haru rejoined Persephone, who was watching the precedings on the sidelines with a far too knowing look. “How many stories does she have?” Haru asked.

“Well, let’s simply say that if we wait for her to run out, we’ll be here for a while.” The cat took a long sip from her cup. “I hope your homeboy has a lot of tea stocked up.”

“Enough to sink a battleship,” Haru said. “So... what’s the real story? How did the wedding go?”

“Oh, there’s no story.”

Haru considered Louise’s behaviour so far, coupled with the fact that she was created alongside Baron. “I… find that hard to believe.”

“No. I mean there’s literally no story.” Persephone finished her tea and eyed the remaining sludge at the bottom of her cup. Then she grinned at Haru. “We don’t remember.”

“I... what?”

Louise snapped her head up, ending whatever remark she had been about to fire back at Baron. “Sephie...”

“Louise, they have to know sometime.”

“Yes. Next century. Let’s book it in the calendar and forget about it until then.”

“Louise...”

“Is that the time? Let’s go, Sephie; I think we have a party to crash in the Reptile Kingdom somewhere...”

Persephone gently grabbed Louise’s arm as the white cat started for the door, and steered her back to the group, strong-arming the parasol out of her grip and returning it to the coat-rack. “Louise, I think your family might want to know why they weren’t invited to the wedding, don’t you?”

Louise sagged and then sank down into the sofa, dramatically graceful even in defeat. “Fine. We don’t remember because we were blindingly, fantastically drunk that day. Happy?”

The Bureau exchanged glances, but Haru was the one to eventually raise a hand. “I have a few questions...”

Persephone leant down and kissed Louise’s head. “I’ll explain.”

“Fine.” Louise pulled her down to the sofa. “But sit while you’re talking.”

“Why? Are you missing me already?”

“Of course. But also together we look smoking hot and who are we to deny everyone that?”

Persephone laughed, throwing her head back and then leaning against Louise. “As you wish.” She looked to the waiting Bureau with a smirk as slanted as her pirate hat. “So, I believe the Human World has a place called Las Vegas...”

“Oh.” Suddenly Haru could see where this was going. “And the Cat Kingdom…?”

“Has Catmas.”

“Catmas? Like… cat-Christmas?”

“No, Chicky,” Muta said. “It’s literally called cat-mess ‘cause all the cats are in a mess the next day.”

Haru made a face at Muta. “I’m really struggling to tell whether you’re having me on because that’s just the way you talk but also it sounds like something the Cat Kingdom would actually do.”

“Oh, it’s legit,” Persephone said. “Plus, the Cat Kingdom has always been fond of its puns. So: Catmas. A festive held around the same time as your Christmas, involving much celebration and eating and catnip wine.”

“So much catnip wine,” Muta added, a tad wistfully.

“You always gave the impression you couldn’t stand the Cat Kingdom,” Baron remarked.

“Make decent catnip wine, and then we’ll talk.”

“Regardless, on Catmas, it’s not uncommon for couples to marry, provided they have the wedding rings and... not much else,” Persephone said. “You don’t even need an official cat to, well, officiate it. You just grab the nearest cat, sign the paperwork, and bamm. Married. We... wouldn’t have been the first couple to marry while under the influence of catnip wine.”

“What a night to have forgotten,” Louise sighed.

“So, simply put, that’s what happened. Like I said, there’s not a story.”

There was a pause as their audience digested this, and then Haru said, “Okay, so I might not know much about cat weddings, however close I got to one myself, but surely, if there are records, then there might be records of who officiated the wedding too? Perhaps they might be able to tell you how it happened?”

“She has a point,” Toto said. “I doubt anycat would forget marrying off their Queen.”

“Unless they were stinkin’ drunk too.”

Haru batted Muta. “That’s not helpful. Baron? What do you think?”

“I think that the current Cat King and Queen might just allow us to peruse their records if we ask nicely.”

After the Cat Kingdom adventure, Haru had assumed she would never meet Natori again.However, it turned out that only the ex-Cat King’s advisor had any idea how to navigate the old archives or the impractical dating system of the Kingdom.

“And why exactly do you wish to check the marriage records?” the old cat asked. Haru wasn’t sure Natori was ever enthusiastic about much, but he seemed particularly tired to be called out of retirement for something as trite as marriage records. Even the reappearance of the long-lost once-Cat Queen only caused a raised eyebrow. It seemed Natori was really doing his best to live a quiet life after everything.

“It’s for a case of utmost importance,” Baron said, and if there was a crack in his voice at the outrageous lie, Haru didn’t catch it. “We’re looking for a wedding that took place on Catmas, seventeen years ago.”

Natori made a face and started down the aisle of records. “You’ll have a job picking one out from the masses then. Seventeen years ago... that would have been the Year of the Lake Thief.”

Muta guffawed. “Guess what I was doing that Catmas.”

Natori spared a withering look to Muta and then pulled a heavy tome off a shelf. “Which names is it?”

Baron smoothly retrieved the book from the old advisor. “We’ll take it from here. Thank you, Natori.”

“Just don’t go making a mess. This room has a very strict system.”

“Yeah. Of nonsense,” Muta muttered. He grinned pointedly when he earned a final glare, and then dropped the smile when Natori left.

“Was the lake incident really on Catmas?” Haru asked quietly while the others flipped through the records.

Muta snorted. “Lots of things seem like a good idea on Catmas. Can’t remember much of that night. Unfortunately, a lot of other cats did.”

“And thus, Renaldo Moon, the legendary cat criminal, was born.”

“Hey, here it is!” Everyone crowded round Louise as she singled out a line. “On the Catmas of the Year of the Lake Thief, Her Majesty, the Great Cat Queen Persephone, the Just--”

“I didn’t write that title,” Persephone muttered. She leant over Louise’s shoulder and continued with, “--wedded Baroness Louise von Gikkingen--”

“--the Dauntless,” Louise added.

“How about the Reckless?” Baron offered.

“Try the Rude. I’m trying to read this. Wedded Baroness Louise von Gikkingen, which was officiated by... Renaldo Moon.”

There was a long, long silence. All eyes turned to Muta, who had paused, mid-bite of a fishcake he’d stolen from the Bureau before leaving. “Huh,” he eventually said, and swallowed his mouthful. “I really was busy that Catmas.”

Baron pinched the bridge of his nose and, very slowly and painfully calmly, said, “Muta. Why didn’t you ever tell me that you married my sister to the long-lost Cat Queen?”

“There was a lot of catnip wine drunk that year and I honestly don’t remember much of it.” He smirked. “Sounds like I had a blast though.”

“So, the good news?” Haru said. “We have the cat in question already here. The bad news: He remembers precisely zero about it too.”

Persephone flipped the book shut and returned it to its shelf. “Well, it was always a long shot, but at least we tried, Louise. Louise?” She turned to see her wife staring morosely at the wall of records. “Hey, Lou?”

Louise ignored Persephone and instead side-eyed Baron. “Oh, don’t give me that look, Baron.”

“What look?”

“The ‘my sister has just done something stupid’ look. At least I had the guts to propose, even if it is on a drunken Catmas night.”

“And what does that mean, Louise?”

“Oh, I don’t know; how about you ask your lovely lady client who you are obviously smitten with?”

Persephone froze, mid-way in trying to stop the ensuing argument, and at that point, backed away. “Nope. You’re on your own now, darling.”

“Louise,” Baron said, very very calmly, “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t drag Haru into this--”

“No, no,” Haru said. “Haru doesn’t mind being dragged into this. She has a point there.”

“Haru, please--”

“If you’re going to call out Louise for her choices, I think she’s allowed to fire back a few points about your love life.”

“Haru--”

“You jumped off a flipping building the first time I confessed how I felt.”

“That... I’m not... I wasn’t trying to... call out Louise’s choices. I was simply...”

“Judging,” Louise finished.

Baron sighed and then smiled at his twin. “Louise, after all the years we’ve known one another, do you think I’m going to judge you at all for getting drunk--”

“So very, very drunk,” Louise supplied.

“--and marrying the cat you fell in love with?”

“I think you’re a little surprised.”

“Granted. Yes, I am surprised. And yet, not as surprised as I thought I’d be. You have got a track record of jumping before you look--”

“Hark who’s talking,” Haru murmured.

“--but since when have you cared what the rest of the world thought?” he finished.

“It’s not that. It’s simply that...” and here Louise hesitated. She glanced away and met Persephone’s eyes. “I didn’t want anyone to think it was a rash, spur-of-the-moment, drunken decision. I mean, yes, I was drunk, but I had the rings, I was going to propose - I had it all worked out, it wasn’t meant to go like that--”

Persephone laughed, that same laugh that rang round the room, and brought Louise into an embrace. “You idiot,” she sighed softly. “Do you think I would ever have stuck around for so long if this wasn’t love? Adventures and fun aside, it’s being together that matters most. That’s the biggest adventure of all.” She paused, and then added, “But I do really like our regular adventures too.”

Louise laughed back, albeit a little weaker. “Duly noted.”

“So, is everythin’ sorted?” Muta finished the last crumbs of the fishcake. “We all good? Cause I couldn’t help noticing a buffet when we came in...”

“I think we’re good.”

“Does your sister always cause so much chaos whenever she visits?” Haru asked. She waved off the couple from the Bureau doorway. It had only been a few hours, but she already felt knackered.

Baron watched them leave with a feline grin that looked uncannily reminiscent of Louise’s mischievous smile. “Always.”

“Oh, okay.” Louise and Persephone vanished through the portal, and Haru looked to Baron. “Also, your sister is right. We need to talk about us.”