sappehera

Pillows and Blankets for Sell in the Sky

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Mon, 4 Aug 2008 18:13:00 -0400

An excerpt from the New York Times
"JetBlue Airways said Monday that it would sell a pillow and blanket set for $7 on flights of two hours or more. The set, which passengers can take home, includes a 10-by-12 inch pillow and a fleece blanket, which fit into a carrying case."

And now you won't believe what airline would charge you next.... Fortunately, international flights still do offer that. However, last time I got checked at the immigration at the New York's JFK, lots of travelers carried their own pillows.

Be Prepared for Beijing Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Sun, 3 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0400

Interesting tips from BBC News (please read full tips here)

# Chi fan le ma? [Translation: Have you eaten?]

Learn some Chinese. Just a bit. Locals absolutely love it the moment you speak Chinese.

# Be prepared: you will be used for English practice

Beijing locals love outsiders. Not just foreigners - but people from other parts of China too.

# Small-talk can be blunt

In China be prepared to be asked how old you are, if you are married and if you have kids.

# Stop! Look both ways!

In China a zebra crossing does not necessarily mean cars will stop for you.

# Smile, smile...

Smiling police officers make your day,

# No to Xiaojie

One word you should not use in a Beijing restaurant to get the attention of a waitress is xiaojie - which means Miss.

# Seek what unites

# When in Beijing prepare to get renao [Translation - hot and noisy]

Go to a karaoke bar in Beijing and you will find people singing, clapping, a lot of noise and people enjoying themselves.

Image source: AP

Story source: BBC News (31 Jul 08)

Be Fit Without Even Trying, Will It Be Possible?

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Sat, 2 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0400

Researchers reported in Cell about two drugs that increased endurance of couch potato mice. "It's a little bit like a free lunch without the calories," said Dr. Evans, leader of the researcher group.

Drugs, Aicar and GW1516, showed ability to increase endurance of mice on a treadmill by 44%-75% with/without combination with exercise - compared to without treatment. Results are possibly applied to human (because of similar genes controlling muscle tone). Therefore, they have potential to help people who are too frail to exercise and those with health problems such as diabetes.

Story source: New York Times

Image source: New York Times

First Ever Loss of Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Fri, 1 Aug 2008 06:00:00 -0400

The largest coffee restaurant chain reported its first "ever" quarterly loss (net loss of $6.7 million) as a public company. Recently, it reported a plan of closing 600 stores in the U.S.

The chain, Starbucks, has been a big, big player and leader in coffee world. What is happening? Economy + over expansion + competitors? Economy is on a slower pace for nearly every business categories, mostly automobile, retail and others. Starbucks also has been over expanded with several branches not being able to support themselves. New competitors with cheaper coffee such as McDonald's or Dunkin' Donut are sharing the (coffee) cake.

Detail news here

Sappehera is Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:44:00 -0400

Dear friends:

After a long while, I am bringing this blog back to life - while closing a website based on mac.com. You will notice a big difference here at Sappehera, new look and new feature. On your right is my public Picasa Web Albums - you're invited to view, comment, download or print any of my pictures as you wish. The contents in this blog will be the same, anything I could think of. If you like it, please pass the words to your friends. Thanks! //Keng (Rathachai)

Sappehera is Moving!

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:36:00 -0400

Dear subscribers and visitors,

Sappehera is now moving to a new home at www.rathachai.com, please feel free to visit the same blog at that website/ColorWorld/FromBeaconHill(Sappehera)

Thank you for your visits here and hope to see you at the new home.

You can
- Subscribe to an 'RSS feed' on that website to receive new messages every time they are posted
- Make comments with easy-to-use button
- See my other stuffs

Regards,
Keng

Catch the News; Touch the Future

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:51:00 -0400

This is a Suzuki Pixy + Suzuki Sharing Coach (SSC), on show at the soon-to-come Tokyo Motor Show. An auto show of the future, the 40th Tokyo Motor Show is ready to show off the new concept cars from world's automakers like Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, etc.

Start today at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City, until Nov 11.

See more photo from BusinessWeek

Thailand's 100th Starbucks Shops

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:25:00 -0400

Starbucks has just opened its 100th store in Thailand last week. 100th - it's one-hundredth!

First store in Thailand at Central Chidlom (July 1998)
50th store in Thailand at Hua Hin
100th store in Thailand in Ubon Ratchathani

At present:
>1,400 stores in 9 Asian countries
10,000 stores in the US
>2,000 stores in other parts of the world

This chain is growing very fast. Why?
Read very detailed stories at gotomanager's Behind the Premium Price
Photo source: businessweek.com

Siam in Europe

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:56:00 -0400

A Brief 'Must-Read' Story from the Nation newspaper.
"Tracing the Siamese king's journeys into the heart of Europe provides us with a glimpse of how he manoeuvred to steer Siam from European colonialism and how he (King Chulalongkorn) used his first-hand knowledge gained in Europe to modernise his own country."

King Chulalongkorn, who passed away on November 23, 1910, came to the throne in the midst of this profound political change in the region. His father, King Mongkut, had already had a hard time dealing with foreign pressure, and it was during King Chulalongkorn's reign that Siam had to walk a fine line. To remain independent, Siam had to cede territories and judicial rights, as well as pay monetary fines.... Read full story at The Nation

Three Boston's Hospitals Named Top Facilities in the US

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:30:00 -0400

Per report by WebMD Health.
The survey done by Leapfrog group (health care business group) scores hospitals for their patient safety standard and treating high-risk diseases. It is based on a survey of 1285 hospitals.

Four categories were evaluated:
1. ICU staffed by specially trained doctors
2. Computerized order-entry systems for medication and other orders with error-prevention measures
3. Performing procedures such as cardiac cath, and caring for high-risk neonatal conditions
4. Performing safe practices (hospital-related infection control, medication/treatment error cut)

Here are the three Boston's hospitals in their list in alphabetical order (see the complete list)
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (picture)
- Massachusetts General Hospital

Happy 60th Anniversy to the Best Store in Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:50:00 -0400

The best and the largest retail chain in Thailand, Central Department Store, at its 60th anniversary! From a magazine/news stand comes a little store in China Town, then bigger one in Silom, luxurious Chidlom, the first large-scale shopping plaza in the country Central Plaza Lardprao, and the funky-looking Zen. This place is rich of memory - remember when you were in high school, or university? It was and is still our meeting points for movie, dining, and shopping. Happy 60th anniversary!

Alaska Thru My Eyes: Fairbanks

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 07:25:00 -0400

Leaving Denali, we were heading to Fairbanks, the second largest city of Alaska after Anchorage. Fairbanks is a relatively new city, founded on 1901, and once was a hub of construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in mid-1970s. It is a home of the ... Continue reading story and view the photos

Today is an Ether Day

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:09:00 -0400

Celebrating the Ether Day at Mass General Hospital, where the first anesthesia was used!

On October 16, 1846, a dentist William Morton anesthetized a patient while Dr. Warren, a senior surgeon, removed a hemangioma under the jaw, with the use of Ether as an anesthesia - the first successful public demonstration of anesthesia at the MGH's Ether Dome. Today is now celebrated world wide as Ether Day. A prominent MGH's surgeon at that time, Dr. Jacob Bigelow, wrote a letter to his friend in London about the success, it made the news a couple months later since it arrived by mail boat!

Painless operation is not to be taken for granted! It's safe anesthesia that makes complicated procedures such as invasive surgery or special radiology exams available to normally uncooperative patients.

Learn more about the Ether Day

Wrap Up From My Website

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:49:00 -0400

PAST WEEK ACTIVITIES ON MY WEBSITE

B&W WORLD
- Case of the Week "Case #30 Answer"
- RadEducation "Radiology Research--Good to Great"

COLORWORLD
- Photo Gallery "Alaska Thru My Eyes: Fairbanks"

A Greener Can

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:45:00 -0400

Thinking of a can that makes the world greener?

Generally, the process of producing cans causes environmental burden because of the washing water, solid waste generated, and carbon emission during painting process. An innovation from a Japanese company with the TULC (Toyo Ultimate Lightweight Can) has shed a light on the issue as it is now making more 'environmental friendly' cans.

With this new technique that use polyvinyl film lamination on both sides of steel board, it eliminates the use of lubricating oil, reduces carbon emission by 1/3, near zero uses of water, and reduces solid wastes generated by the regular process.

Learn more about TULC

No-name Seafood Place in Bangkok China Town

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 18:55:00 -0400

A recommendation for people (in Bangkok) who enjoys seafood.

Interestingly, the place does not have the name (do they pay taxes?), there is no menu (need to follow what the cook wants), and it is essential to reserve. It sounds pretty expensive for the location (Bangkok China Town), but I heard that the food is good.

Link to pictures
Link to review (in Thai language)

Top 100 Asia-Pacific Universities (2007)

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:28:00 -0400

This is also done by the same institution as in previous post.

Ranks 1-10 are...
1. Tokyo University, Japan (featured photo)
2. Kyoto University, Japan
3. Australian National University, Australia
4. Hebrew University, Israel
5. Osaka University, Japan
6. Tohoku University, Japan
7. University of Melbourne, Australia
8. Nagoya University, Japan
9. Tokyo Institution of Technology, Japan
10. Hokkaido University, Japan

Are there any Thai universities on this list? HERE
FAQ about ranking

Countdown to 2010 Asian Games

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:30:00 -0400

Hope to be the largest and most successful Asian Games ever, this 2010 event will be held at Guangzhou, China. The city will be transformed into one of the leading sporting cities in the world with improved stadiums and projects.

It is expected that more than 14,000 athletes and officials from 45 member countries and territories will take part in the 2010 Games. New disciplines added to this Asian Games include cricket, dance sport, dragon boat, roller sport and Chinese board game of weiqi.

Opening date: November 12, 2010
More information HERE

Alaska Thru My Eyes: Denali (2)

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Tue, 9 Oct 2007 18:19:00 -0400

Beside wildlife viewing, the highlight of Denali National Park visit is the highest peak in North America, Mount McKinley. Local people, including the native Athabascans call it ‘Denali’ which means ‘the great one’. This snow-capped mountain can be seen from many points on the park road if it is not too cloudy. To travel in Denali, you leave your own car and take the park shuttle bus. Each bus is equipped with air conditioning and heater, and is a size of a standard school bus (see photo). It is basically a tour that you can hop out and hop in back again (with careful time selection) and it goes into the middle of the park Continue Reading and View the Photos

Top 100 World Universities (2007)

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Mon, 8 Oct 2007 20:31:00 -0400

The ranking was performed by China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University on a yearly basis. It grades the institution by the number of alumni and faculty winning Nobel Prizes in sciences, Fields Medals in math, number of articles authored by faculty in selected scientific journals, and overall academic performance in relation to the size of the school.

Here is the ranking from 1-10 and the countries
1. Harvard University, US
2. Stanford University, US
3. University of California at Berkeley, US
4. University of Cambridge, UK
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US
6. California Institute of Technology, US
7. Columbia University, US
8. Princeton University, US
9. University of Chicago, US
10. Oxford University, UK

View the complete list HERE
Above image..you know it's Harvard.

Wrap Up from the Past Week

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Sat, 6 Oct 2007 18:52:00 -0400

PAST WEEK ACTIVITIES IN MY WEBSITE

B&W WORLD
"Case #30-2007"
"Case #29-2007 Answer"
"Radiation Risk to Children from CT"
"CT is Better Than Pulmonary Angiography in Detection of Pulmonary Embolism"

COLORWORLD
"Alaska Thru My Eyes: Denali National Park (1)"

If You Are Pregnant...

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Fri, 5 Oct 2007 20:07:00 -0400

New recommendation says 'Eat seafood!'

Excerpts from the Physician's First Watch "The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition has recommended that pregnant, breast-feeding, and postpartum women consume at least 12 ounces of seafood weekly, especially oily ocean fish like salmon and sardines. Six of the twelve ounces may come from albacore tuna."
The recommendation contrasts with FDA's previous issue of Environmental Protection Agency in 2004. The FDA advised that pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning-a-pregnancy women consume UP TO 12 ounces of lower mercury seafood (e.g. shrimp, canned light tuna) weekly and should avoid high-mercury fish (e.g. shark, swordfish).

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition comprises of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC.

Full story in Washington Post

Bert's - The Well-Being Moment (Made in France)

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Thu, 4 Oct 2007 18:37:00 -0400

Interesting newcomer for a contemporary 'French' sandwich shop, Bert's. The chain is big in Paris, started in 2002 - now having more than 30 locations locally and internationally (Dubai, UK, Belgium, Bangkok! and etc). It calls itself a 'contemporary cafe', selling variety of breakfast, lunch, snack to drinks.

Interestingly, it's actually French but has an English name. And the reason is "The English sounding name is intended to bestow an aura of cosmopolitan smartness". If you know (well, I know you know) Au Bon Pain, or Hagen Daz - they are not French but have French names just because of that same reason?!?

The review I read also said "the Bert's-type cafe, imposing a self-consciously youthful style for a well-heeled target market, is flourishing." Is it just a trend?

Terror Alert in London Because of Thai Chilli Dish!

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Wed, 3 Oct 2007 20:40:00 -0400

Thai chilli dish sent people out in panic on the streets of London. Three streets were closed, people were evacuated and the search was carried out...

Read full story at The Nation

Why You Might Be Interested in 'RadCentral' Page

noreply@blogger.com (Rathachai Kaewlai) — Wed, 3 Oct 2007 19:21:00 -0400

RadCentral page on my website is now having its new look. More useful stuffs in Radiology are put on such as

DOWNLOADS
All my presentation topics on Emergency Radiology (currently covering 5 topics)

JOURNAL LINK
All major Radiology journal links

SEARCH TOOLS
Try this - searching radiology image using ARRS Goldminer
Try this - searching radiology knowledge using Yottalook
Otherwise - basic search giants such as Google, Google Scholar, PubMed

RADIOLOGY TEACHING FILES
Access to multiple 'free' radiology teaching files in major US institutions
ACR Case in Point
Auntminnie Case of the Day

RADIOLOGY SOCIETIES
Links to major radiology societies

You might want to bookmark it!