text stringlengths 8 5.77M |
|---|
Q:
Flex4.5 Accordion with Checkbox
I have the following code for accordion in Flex 4 with couple of checkboxes inside, since the checkboxes are plenty i made it inside a list so that it can scroll. but when I try to run this code the checkbox only shows as label and no checkbox beside it. what is wrong with my code. please help thank you
<mx:Accordion x="14" y="11" width="200" height="260">
<s:NavigatorContent width="100%" height="100%" label="Page">
<s:List x="0" y="0" width="100%" height="100%">
<s:ArrayCollection id="colPage">
<s:CheckBox label="View" id="chkView">
</s:CheckBox>
<s:CheckBox label="SelectTab" id="chkSelectTab">
</s:CheckBox>
<s:CheckBox label="setParentData" id="chkSetParentData">
</s:CheckBox>
<s:CheckBox label="setViewData" id="chkSetViewData">
</s:CheckBox>
<s:CheckBox label="appendString" id="chkAppendString">
</s:CheckBox>
<s:CheckBox label="deleteLastOneCharacter" id="chkDelLastChar">
</s:CheckBox>
<s:CheckBox label="clearString" id="chkClrStr">
</s:CheckBox>
<s:CheckBox label="calculate" id="chkCalc">
</s:CheckBox>
<s:CheckBox label="resetViewData" id="chkResetVwData">
</s:CheckBox>
<s:CheckBox label="popViewController" id="chkPopVwCont">
</s:CheckBox>
<s:CheckBox label="popToRootViewController" id="chkPopRootVwCont">
</s:CheckBox>
<s:CheckBox label="finishModalView" id="chkFinishModView">
</s:CheckBox>
.... and many other checkboxes
</s:ArrayCollection>
</s:List>
</s:NavigatorContent>
....and manu other Navigator Content
</mx:Accordion>
A:
Ouf, a lot of problems here with your approach. You need to remove all the checkboxes. Instead, use a custom item renderer, include the checkbox in there (that has binding to the data for label and it's currently selected state) and set the renderer on the list.
Then you just need to set the dataProvider for the list which could be a simple object with {label:'Some Label', selected:false} that is repeated for every 'instance' of checkbox. By using this approach, you will be recycling item renderers, increasing code reuse and performance.
|
The city council was to vote on Saundra Kee Borges tonight to be Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra’s permanent chief of staff. We’ve previously reported that she didn’t have the votes. Now, the press release:
(May 13, 2013) “I have thought long and hard about this decision and today I have asked Mayor Segarra to withdraw my nomination as Chief Operating Officer for the City of Hartford. This was not an easy decision but it is the right one at this time. I want to thank Mayor Segarra for his confidence in me and my leadership. At his request, I will stay on to assist with the transition and selection process of a permanent COO. I owe a lot to this City and it has been an honor for me to serve in this capacity.
Mayor Segarra has asked Albert G. Ilg to serve as Special Assistant to the COO as a temporary part-time employee to assist with the transition and to work with City Council members and Department Heads to design the process for the permanent COO selection. Mr. Ilg is a long-time City Manager, most recently in Windsor and in Hartford in 2002.
“I sadly accept this withdrawal,” said Mayor Segarra. “Sandy is an exceptional manager. She’s detailed, driven and one of the most professional individuals I have worked with. She is a true believer in the City of Hartford” |
Introduction {#s1}
============
Cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) family protein is a transcription factor that plays a critical role in regulating numerous biological systems, such as development, cancer, and memory formation [@pone.0020285-Lonze1], [@pone.0020285-Lee1]. One of the CREB family proteins CREB1 can activate gene expression in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, and CREB1 binds to a cyclic AMP-responsive element (CRE) in the promoter regions of target genes as a dimer [@pone.0020285-Montminy1]. CREB1 contains three functional regions: (1) a phosphorylation site (P-box or kinase-inducible domain, KID), (2) a glutamine-rich transactivation domain (Q-domain), and (3) a leucine zipper (bZIP) domain. The P-box is the target region affected by several different kinase cascades and is required for the induction of gene expression; the Q-domain interacts with a component of the TFIID complex for basal transcription; and the bZIP domain is necessary for DNA binding and dimerization. Another remarkable feature of CREB1 is the variability of spliced isoforms, giving rise to functionally different CREB1 proteins with either activating or repressing potential on target gene expression [@pone.0020285-Ruppert1]--[@pone.0020285-Mayr1]. The activator isoform contains all three functional regions. On the other hand, the repressor isoform does not include either the P-box or the Q-domain but does possess the bZIP domain. Because the repressor maintains the bZIP domain, they have been expected to interact with the activator and to interfere with gene induction via heterodimerization. Previous reports have revealed the existence of CREB1 spliced isoforms and the gene regulation by the splicing products in various animal species [@pone.0020285-Yin1], [@pone.0020285-Hummler1]--[@pone.0020285-Upadhya1].
To date, however, there has been no direct observation to determine whether a heterodimer can be formed between the CREB1 activator and the repressor in living cells. In our recent studies, we comprehensively analyzed an alternative splicing of the CREB1 gene in the mollusk *Lymnaea stagnalis* [@pone.0020285-Sadamoto1]. *Lymnaea* CREB1 gene in the brain was expressed as seven spliced isoforms encoding two protein isoforms, either the CREB1 activator or repressor. Using the two spliced products, we here examined the dimerization between different CREB1 isoforms to assess the quantitative analysis of protein interaction. To determine whether or not different CREB1 spliced isoforms interact with each other, we applied fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) analysis, a confocal microscope-based method. FCCS is a well-investigated method for observing direct associations between differently labeled proteins in femto-liter confocal volumes, and it enables us to directly and noninvasively observe the interaction between proteins in a living cell [@pone.0020285-Saito1]--[@pone.0020285-Bacia1]. As a result, we first confirmed the strong interaction between CREB1 activator and repressor isoform proteins via the bZIP domains in the nuclei of living cells. Our present findings suggest that the CREB1 spliced isoforms, transcriptional activator, and repressor interact with each other continuously, resulting in the complexity and diversity of CREB-mediated gene regulation via the formation of their homodimer and heterodimer in the nuclei of living cells.
Results {#s2}
=======
Expression of CREB1 isoform proteins in living cells {#s2a}
----------------------------------------------------
To examine microscopically the interaction between CREB1 isoforms, we here used two different CREB1 isoform proteins of the pond snail *Lymnaea stagnalis*. The *Lymnaea* CREB1 isoforms were applied because we had already finished a comprehensive analysis of alternative splicing [@pone.0020285-Sadamoto1]. Seven splicing variants of CREB1 mRNA were identified and their sequence characterization allowed them to be grouped into only two protein isoforms: (1) the CREB1 activator (264 amino acids) containing both a phosphorylation site (P-box) and a leucine zipper (bZIP) domain; and (2) the CREB1 repressor (167 amino acids), containing a bZIP domain but not a P-box, that might be able to make a heterodimer with the activator protein. And heterodimerization will result in interference with gene induction because of the lack of a P-box.
We constructed four types of plasmids with two different fluorescent proteins for labeling: enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and tandem monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP) ([Fig. 1A](#pone-0020285-g001){ref-type="fig"}). Following a previous report [@pone.0020285-Saito1], we used tandem mRFP to improve the weak brightness of mRFP. The CREB1 activator protein was fused to EGFP (EGFP-Act), whereas the CREB1 repressor protein was fused to mRFP (mRFP-Rep). Because the dimerization domains (bZIP domains) of the CREB1 isoform proteins exist at the C-terminal part, the expression constructs code for the N-terminal fusions of CREB1 activator or repressor isoform proteins with EGFP or tandem mRFP, respectively, to protect the dimerization ability of CREB1 isoform proteins. For negative control experiments, we also constructed plasmids encoding truncated CREB1 proteins (EGFP-Act mut and mRFP-Rep mut). The dimerization domains of these proteins were selectively truncated without affecting the nucleus translocation signal ([Fig. 1A](#pone-0020285-g001){ref-type="fig"}).
{#pone-0020285-g001}
We then transfected the expression constructs into the human tumor cell line HeLa. Sixteen hours after transfection, transiently expressed CREB1 isoform proteins, EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep, were observed in the nuclei of the cells, which we expected because of their nuclear transport signals ([Fig. 1B](#pone-0020285-g001){ref-type="fig"}, EGFP-Act, mRFP-Rep). Some cells showed deformation of the nuclei, but no cell damage, such as cell death or a significant number of changes, was observed. This is quite similar to the case with the control cells transfected with the EGFP-C1 vector (data not shown). Thus, the biological activities of HeLa cells did not seem to be affected by the expression of *Lymnaea* CREB1 isoform proteins. In the case of the plasmids of EGFP-Act mut and mRFP-Rep mut, fluorescence microscopy revealed that these truncated CREB1 proteins were also localized mainly in the nucleus, but partly in the cytoplasm ([Fig. 1B](#pone-0020285-g001){ref-type="fig"}, EGFP-Act mut, mRFP-Rep mut).
FCCS analysis of direct interaction between CREB1 isoform proteins in living cells {#s2b}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To investigate the molecular interactions between CREB1 activator and repressor isoform proteins, we applied dual-color fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) to living cells. Typical auto-correlation curves and cross-correlation curve of FCCS data were shown in [Figure 2](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}. As a positive control, we measured the cross-correlation for the interaction between EGFP and mRFP fluorescent molecules using EGFP-mRFP fusion proteins (EGFP-mRFP chimera, [Fig. 2A](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}). The interaction between different CREB1 isoforms was also examined using fluorescent-labeled CREB1 activator and repressor proteins (EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep, [Fig. 2B](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}). For one of the negative control experiments, we applied CREB1 isoforms lacking the dimerization domains (EGFP-Act mut and mRFP-Rep mut, [Fig. 2C](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}). Further, to ensure that the dimerization domain was not responsible for nonspecific interaction between CREB1 isoforms, we also performed another negative control experiment using EGFP-labeled CREB1 activator (EGFP-Act) that possesses the ability of dimerization (EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep mut, [Fig. 2D](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}). For each measurement, we concerned to keep the ratio of expressed proteins constant to accurately examine the interaction between EGFP-labeled and mRFP-labeled proteins. For the positive control, EGFP and tandem mRFP fusion protein (EGFP-mRFP chimera) were used and the fluorescent intensity at the red channel of tandem mRFP was about 3-fold that of EGFP. Thus, during FCCS analysis, we chose the cells having the roughly the same green and red fluorescent intensity ratios as the EGFP-mRFP chimera (the ratio of count rate for red/green: 2.6--3.4). The cross-correlation for the negative control measurement could be considered as the background, however, it could be attributable to the leakage of one fluorescence emission through another fluorescence detector as described previously [@pone.0020285-Baudendistel1]. The uniform ratio between red/green signals can correct the effect of the fluorescence leakage from another channel on the cross-correlation.
![FCCS measurement of differently labeled CREB1 isoforms in the nuclei of living cells.\
The inset is a schematic diagram showing fluorescent-labeled proteins used with each experiment. Auto- and cross-correlation curves of fluorescent-labeled proteins were shown for EGFP- mRFP chimera protein (A), EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep (B), EGFP-Act mut and mRFP-Rep mut(C), and EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep mut (D), respectively. The green curve denotes the auto-correlation of the green channel \[*G*g(τ)\], the red curve the auto-correlation in the red channel \[*G*r(τ)\] and the black curve the cross-correlation curve \[*G*c(τ)\].](pone.0020285.g002){#pone-0020285-g002}
We next performed the normalization of cross-correlation data among various samples. Following the previous report [@pone.0020285-Muto1], the cross-correlation \[*G*c(τ)−1\] was normalized by \[*G*r(0)−1\] as the relative cross-correlation \[*G*c(τ)−1\]/\[*G*r(0)−1\] ([Fig. 3A](#pone-0020285-g003){ref-type="fig"}). As a result, we observed clear cross-correlation in the measurements of positive control experiments ([Fig. 2A](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}, [3Aa](#pone-0020285-g003){ref-type="fig"}) and differently labeled CREB1 isoforms (EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep, [Fig. 2B](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}, [3Ab](#pone-0020285-g003){ref-type="fig"}), whereas, almost none of cross-correlation in the negative control experiments using truncated CREB1 isoform proteins (EGFP-Act mut and mRFP-Rep mut, and EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep mut, [Fig. 2C, 2D](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}, [3Ac, 3Ad](#pone-0020285-g003){ref-type="fig"}). The fluorescence auto-correlation functions of the green and red fluorescent molecules, *G*g(τ) and *G*r(τ) (τ: the time delay), and the fluorescence cross-correlation function, *G*c(τ), were calculated by equation (1) in [Materials and Methods](#s4){ref-type="sec"}.
![The quantitative evaluation of FCCS data for interaction between CREB1 isoforms.\
A, Relative cross-correlation \[(*G*c(τ)−1)/(*G*r(0)−1)\] calculated from FCCS measurement. Typical curves of cross-correlation were shown for EGFP- mRFP chimera (a), the EGFP-CREB1 activator isoform protein and the tandem mRFP-CREB1 repressor isoform protein (b), the EGFP-truncated CREB1 activator isoform protein and the tandem mRFP-truncated CREB1 repressor protein (c), and the EGFP-CREB1 activator protein and the tandem mRFP-truncated CREB1 repressor protein (d). B, Relative cross amplitudes \[(*G*c(0)−1)/(*G*r(0)−1)\] calculated from each FCCS measurement that corresponds to the fraction of the associated molecules (*N* ~c~/*N* ~g~). Here *N* ~c~ is the average number of particles that have both green and red fluorescence in the excitation-detection volume, and *N* ~g~ is that of the green fluorescent particles. Each relative cross amplitude: EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep (black bar), EGFP-Act mut and mRFP-Rep mut (white bar), EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep mut (hatched bar), EGFP-mRFP chimera proteins (cross-hatched bar).](pone.0020285.g003){#pone-0020285-g003}
For the quantitative evaluation of cross-correlations, the cross-correlation amplitude \[*G*c(0)−1\] was normalized by \[*G*r(0)−1\] as the relative cross amplitude \[*G*c(0)−1\]/\[*G*r(0)−1\] ([Fig. 3B](#pone-0020285-g003){ref-type="fig"}). The relative cross amplitude of the positive control was 0.83±0.02 (EGFP-mRFP chimera proteins, n = 29), and that of CREB1 activator and repressor isoforms was 0.43±0.03 (EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep, n = 20). The relative cross amplitudes of CREB1 activator and repressor isoforms (EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep) were significantly higher than those of negative control samples \[EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep mut, 0.15±0.02, n = 10; EGFP-Act mut and mRFP-Rep mut, 0.18±0.02, n = 15; *P*\<0.001 for each comparison\]. The supplemental experiments also showed that the relative cross amplitudes of CREB1 heterodimer were almost the same as those of CREB1 homodimers ([Fig. S1](#pone.0020285.s001){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). More, the negative control experiments showed similar low values of relative cross amplitude (*P*\>0.5), and the values were also similar to those of independent fluorescent molecules in a single cell reported previously [@pone.0020285-Saito1], [@pone.0020285-Muto1]. Thus, mRFP-Rep mut lacking the bZIP domain interacted to neither EGFP-Act nor EGFP-Act mut. In addition, interaction between EGFP-Act mut and mRFP-Rep was not also detected by FCCS analysis (data not shown). These results clearly showed that the high cross-correlation amplitude of EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep is caused by heterodimer formation via specific interaction between the bZIP domains of CREB1 isoforms, but not to be the cause of the nonspecific protein interaction.
Discussion {#s3}
==========
In this paper, we directly assessed the interaction between CREB1 activator and repressor isoforms in living cells using fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS). In the nuclei of cells expressing EGFP- or mRFP-labeled intact CREB1 isoforms, strong interaction between green and red fluorescent proteins were observed as cross correlation (EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep, [Fig. 2B](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}, [3Ab](#pone-0020285-g003){ref-type="fig"}). The positive control experiments using EGFP-mRFP fusion protein supported that the high cross correlation ratio is the result of interaction between different fluorescent molecules ([Fig. 2A](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}, [3Aa](#pone-0020285-g003){ref-type="fig"}). More, the negative control experiments using the truncated CREB1 proteins lacking the bZIP domains showed that the interaction is a consequence of dimer formation by the bZIP domains ([Fig. 2C](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}, [3Ac](#pone-0020285-g003){ref-type="fig"}). Nor can the detected cross-correlation be attributed to the nonspecific interaction between CREB1 isoforms ([Fig. 2D](#pone-0020285-g002){ref-type="fig"}, [3Ad](#pone-0020285-g003){ref-type="fig"}, [Fig. S1](#pone.0020285.s001){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). The results conclusively demonstrated that the high cross-correlation of FCCS analysis arose from the dimer formation between the bZIP domains of CREB1 isoform proteins ([Fig. 3B](#pone-0020285-g003){ref-type="fig"}).
The FCCS is an emerging technique that can physically and quantitatively evaluate molecular interaction [@pone.0020285-Saito1], [@pone.0020285-Kogure1], [@pone.0020285-Baudendistel1]. Recently, FCCS has been applied to living cells to characterize molecular interactions directly in the intracellular environment [@pone.0020285-Bacia1], [@pone.0020285-Bacia2], [@pone.0020285-Park1]. For example, the transcription activator proteins Fos and Jun were examined for dimerization [@pone.0020285-Baudendistel1], for which *in vitro* studies had shown heterodimer formation during the course of their action. As Bacia and Schwille [@pone.0020285-Bacia1] mentioned, FCCS is suitable for detecting relatively strong interactions, such as "binding", but not weak interactions. In line with the previous suggestion, our results by FCCS analysis clearly showed strong interaction between different CREB isoforms. We also performed FCCS analysis of identical CREB1 isoforms and observed that the relative cross amplitudes of homodimers were almost the same as those of heterodimer ([Fig. S1](#pone.0020285.s001){ref-type="supplementary-material"}). The result indicates the dimerization abilities of CREB1 isoforms are equal.
Another interesting finding is that the truncated CREB1 isoforms lacking a dimerization domain (CREB1-Act mut and CREB1-Rep mut) were observed slightly in cytoplasm, unlike the case with intact CREB1 proteins (CREB1-Act and CREB1-Rep) localized mainly in the nuclei ([Fig. 1B](#pone-0020285-g001){ref-type="fig"}). The truncated CREB1 proteins contained the nuclear transport signals as intact proteins ([Fig. 1A](#pone-0020285-g001){ref-type="fig"}), thus, the difference in the localization pattern indicates that the dimerization has some role in the localization or stabilization of CREB1 proteins in the nuclei. The previous studies suggested that CREB1 activator and repressor proteins interact with each other by making heterodimers, and that the interaction among CREB1 proteins is independent of the phosphorylation state as they are being activated for gene induction *in vitro* [@pone.0020285-Bartsch1], and Wu et al. [@pone.0020285-Wu1] reported that CREB dimerization is DNA-dependent. Taken together with these previous ideas, a possibility emerges that dimerization acts positively on the nuclear localization of CREB1 proteins to immobilize them in the nuclei, for instance, by binding them to DNA.
Additionally, because CREB1 proteins strongly interact to each other as shown in this study, the quantitative regulation of CREB1 activator and repressor will also be a critical component of CREB1-dependent gene regulation. However, FCCS analysis in this study clearly showed that the dimerization abilities were not different between heterodimer and homodimer ([Fig. S1](#pone.0020285.s001){ref-type="supplementary-material"}), indicating that CREB1 repressor does not actively absorb CREB1 activator to make heterodimers. Thus, the regulation of gene expression by CREB1 repressor can depend on the phosphorylation status of CREB1 activator, and depend on occupying CRE sites. In a previous study [@pone.0020285-Sadamoto1], we have quantified the mRNAs of all CREB1 isoforms in the snail brain, and confirmed that the CREB1 repressor, as well as the CREB1 activator, is constitutively expressed. The constitutive existence of the CREB1 activator and the repressor will offer an exquisite balance of the CREB1-mediated mechanism in gene expression. More, the CREB1 expression in the brain was upregulated after learning [@pone.0020285-Sadamoto1], indicating the molecular number of CREB is also regulated by extracellular stimuli. Correspondingly, cyclic AMP-responsive element modulator (CREM), another CREB family protein, makes various spliced isoforms, and there is a switch in CREM-gene expression during spermatogenesis resulting in the conversion of CREM from repressors to activators [@pone.0020285-Foulkes1], [@pone.0020285-Nantel1]. Thus, spliced isoforms of CREB family proteins are also quantitatively regulated in the control of many biological events, and strong interaction between the isoforms will directly change the gene regulatory mechanism. One more interesting feature of CREB1 is the formation of dimerization with other family member proteins via the bZIP domain, such as CREB2 [@pone.0020285-Lee1], [@pone.0020285-Sadamoto2], inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) [@pone.0020285-Girardet1], [@pone.0020285-Hu1], and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein [@pone.0020285-Hatakeyama1], resulting in the wide functional ability of CREB1 proteins. The present study will also facilitate the future investigation of the molecular dynamics between CREB family proteins that accurately reflect those seen *in vivo*.
In conclusion, we clearly demonstrated the heterodimerization of the CREB1 activator and repressor by the cross-correlation between two fluorescent molecules observed in living cells, and this is the first report of direct observation of the interaction dynamics between CREB1 isoforms. The noninvasive analysis in living cells, as performed in the present study, will enable us to design future studies to investigate the function of CREB1 isoforms in a wide range cellular functions.
Materials and Methods {#s4}
=====================
Plasmid construction and transfection procedure {#s4a}
-----------------------------------------------
The expression plasmids of CREB1 isoform proteins of *Lymnaea stagnalis* were constructed by PCR using the specific primer for each activator and repressor isoform. For the negative control experiment, plasmids that encode truncated CREB1 isoform proteins lacking dimerization regions were also constructed. Primers were designed according to the previous study [@pone.0020285-Sadamoto1], with the following sequences:
Act forward 5′- GATCTCGAGCTatgtcagcagggaatggt -3′,
Rep forward 5′- GATCTCGAGCTatggaagatgattcgaacag -3′,
reverse 5′- GCAGAATTCtcatgcatctttttgacagtataac -3′,
mut reverse 5′- CAGAATTCtcatttgacatactctttcttcttc -3′.
The primers "Act forward" and "reverse" were used for the subcloning of CREB1 activator (Act), "Rep forward" and "reverse" for CREB1 repressor (Rep), "Act forward" and "mut reverse" for truncated activator (Act mut), and "Rep forward" and "mut reverse" for truncated repressor (Rep mut), respectively. The PCR products of activator (Act) or its truncated protein (Act mut) for CREB1 isoforms was digested and ligated into the multiple cloning site of pEGFP-Cl (Clontech Laboratories, Mountain View, CA, USA), and the PCR products of repressor (Rep) or its truncated protein (Rep mut) was in the modified plasmid encoding tandem mRFP dimer. The CREB1 activator or repressor isoform protein was engineered in the C-terminal of EGFP or tandem mRFP.
Cell culture and transfection with plasmid DNA were performed as described previously [@pone.0020285-Saito1]. HeLa cells grown on LAB-TEK chambered coverslips with eight wells (Nalge Nunc International, Naperville, IL, USA) were transfected using Effectene Transfection Reagent (Qiagen, Valencia, CA, USA). For the cross-correlation positive control experiment, the plasmid encoding EGFP and tandem mRFP fusion protein (EGFP-mRFP chimera) was used. The plasmids encoding the tandem mRFP dimer or EGFP-mRFP chimera were constructed in a previous work [@pone.0020285-Saito1].
FCCS measurements {#s4b}
-----------------
FCCS was measured with a ConfoCor2 (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany) including two detectors of avalanche photodiodes (SPCM-200-PQ; EG&G, Vaudreuil, Quebec, Canada) equipped with an LSM510 inverted confocal laser scanning microscope (Carl Zeiss). EGFP was excited at the 488 nm laser line of a CW Ar^+^ laser, and mRFP was excited at the 543 nm laser line of a CW He-Ne laser through a water-immersion objective (C-Apochromat, 40×, 1.2NA; Carl Zeiss). Emission signals were split by a dichroic mirror (570 nm beam splitter) and detected at 505--530 nm for EGFP and 600--650 nm for mRFP. The confocal pinhole diameter was adjusted to 48 µm.
Data analysis for FCCS {#s4c}
----------------------
Auto-correlation curves for red and green channels, and a cross-correlation curve were obtained by using the algorithm described below in the software package for ConfoCor2 (Carl Zeiss) [@pone.0020285-Baudendistel1], [@pone.0020285-Muto1], [@pone.0020285-Oyama1]. The fluorescence auto-correlation functions of green and red fluorescence, *G*g(τ) and *G*r(τ), and the fluorescence cross-correlation function, *G*c(τ), are calculated bywhere τ denotes the time delay; *I~i~* is the fluorescence intensity of the green fluorescence (*i* = g) or red fluorescence (*i* = r); and *G*g(τ), *G*r(τ), and *G*c(τ) denote the auto-correlation functions of green (*i = j = x* = g), red (*i = j = x* = r), and cross (*i* = r, *j* = g and *x* = c), respectively. Acquired *G*(τ) was fitted by a one-, two-, or three-component model aswhere *F~i~* and τ*~i~* are the fraction and diffusion time of component *i*, respectively. *N* is the average number of fluorescent particles in the excitation-detection volume defined by radius w~0~ and length 2z~0~, and *s* is the structure parameter representing the ratio *s* = z~0~/w~0~. The average numbers of green fluorescent particles (*N* ~g~), red fluorescent particles (*N* ~r~), and particles that have both green and red fluorescence (*N~c~*) can be calculated byrespectively. When *N* ~g~ and *N* ~r~ are constant, *G*c(0) is directly proportional to *N*c. For evaluation of cross-correlation, cross-correlation amplitude \[*G*c(τ)−1\] is normalized by \[*G*r(0)−1\], i.e. the relative cross-correlation = \[*G*c(τ)−1\]/\[*G*r(0)−1\]. For the quantitative evaluation of cross-correlations among various samples, the cross-correlation amplitude \[*G*c(0)−1\] is normalized by \[*G*r(0)−1\], i.e., the relative cross-correlation amplitude = \[*G*c(0)−1\]/\[*G*r(0)−1\], which corresponds to the fraction of the associated molecules (*Nc*/*Ng*) [@pone.0020285-Muto1].
Statistics {#s4d}
----------
The data are expressed as mean±SEM. Statistical significance was examined by a one-way ANOVA with Scheffe\'s post hoc test.
Supporting Information {#s5}
======================
######
The quantitative evaluation of FCCS data for interaction between different or identical CREB1 isoforms. Relative cross amplitude \[(*G*c(0)−1)/(*G*r(0)−1)\] was calculated from each FCCS measurement and presented as the mean ± SE (n = 11--17). Each relative cross amplitude: EGFP-Act and mRFP-Rep (black bar), EGFP-Act and mRFP-Act (left hatched bar), EGFP-Rep and mRFP-Rep (right hatched bar), EGFP-Act mut and mRFP-Act (left open bar), and EGFP protein and mRFP-Act (right open bar). Black bar: CREB1 heterodimer. Hatched bar: CREB1 homodimer. Open bar: negative control. \*, *P* \<0.001 vs. negative controls.
(TIF)
######
Click here for additional data file.
**Competing Interests:**The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
**Funding:**This work was supported by grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Nos. 10765, 19770059, and 21770081 to HS, and Nos. 19370039 and 21657022 to EI) and by an OM Award from the Zoological Society of Japan (to HS). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
[^1]: Conceived and designed the experiments: HS KS HM MK EI. Performed the experiments: HS KS HM. Analyzed the data: HS KS HM MK. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: HS KS HM MK EI. Wrote the paper: HS KS HM MK EI.
|
I'm Back, Bitches
In the words of Peter Griffin, “That kill me? Yeah, I was afraid of that.” Instead of a discount surgeon this time, however, it was vacation.
But I’m back now. And badder than before. Hope all you guys are getting this via a feed rather than regular visits.
Anyway, ahl has requested a remaining schedule analysis. Sadly, I don’t have time for anything as detailed as that at the moment, what with the post-vacation hangover crushing me.
That said, let’s take a (reasonably) quick look at the realities of the schedule – and a few other items – in an edition of In Case You Haven’t Been Keeping Up With Current Events.
Shall we?
Beckett
Like most of you – I feel safe in assuming – the words “Dr. James Andrews,” as recently applied to Beckett, absolutely terrified me. As the news was read to me all I could think was “please not Andrews, please not Andrews, please not Andrews.” Not because I’m convinced he’s the difference between a title and not – though we’re obviously not winning one without him, I’m not convinced we’re winning one with our bullpen as currently constituted – but more because of what it could have meant beyond this season. Losing our ace, with all due apologies to Jon Lester, for 18 months to Tommy John surgery would have been devastating.
But the news there, of course, was good. Or at least as good as a visit to Andrews gets. There’s clearly something still wrong, but at least they’ve done all the due diligence they can.
Incidentally, anyone care to place bets that it was Schilling’s experience with the club doctors that led to Beckett’s personal request to see Andrews? If so, I will happily take your money.
Buchholz
A whole slew of folks has checked in to see whether or not my expectations for Buchholz have been rethought in the wake of his flameout and subsequent demotion. The short answer? No. To quote Rob Neyer, “Buchholz is 23, and going through the sort of thing that 23-year-old pitchers often go through.” The list of pitchers – good ones – that have come up and struggled mightily is far too long to be of interest.
Did I expect him to struggle as much as he did? Nope. But does his performance, which was exceedingly poor, change the fact he has the ability to dominate in the big leagues? No again.
Yes, his command deserted him (93 hits and 41 walks in 76 IP). But he’s still striking guys out: 72Ks for a K/9 of 8.53, which is better than Matsuzaka’s 7.93 and Lester’s 6.32, and only slightly worse than Beckett’s 8.74.
Also, his luck was hideous. His BABIP for the 08 season was an appalling .366. Batters are hitting nearly 80 points better than they should, then, on balls put in play. Which screams for a reversion to the mean. Again, for comparison, Matsuzaka (.266), Lester (.303), Beckett (.330).
It is, then, still my firm expectation that the man called Clay will be fine. As Kevin Thomas reports, it would appear that he’s already righting the ship.
Byrd, Kotsay, et al
True, I should be doing individual pieces on each. But I’m not, so let’s just focus on the big picture: Theo and the gang did well. Neither, of course, are studs. Nor are they likely to be major difference makers. Byrd is no Sabathia (though what’s left of him come the playoffs should be interesting to see), Kotsay is no Texeira, but you knew that.
What they are, rather, are credible reinforcements. Help for a club that finds itself shorthanded due to injury and performance issues alike.
Nor was the cost prohibitive, although Sumoza’s power is more than I would have liked to surrender, especially considering our system’s deficiencies in that regard. And frankly, I probably would have given up more to get Mrs. Kotsay on our side.
Lester
His one start blip aside, the kid’s been a stud. This is the pitcher everyone valued over Papelbon, over Buchholz, over everyone. He’s emerged a legitimate #2 starter to Beckett, and I feel pretty good when he takes the mound.
My question: what about his innings? He’s at 176.2 right now, with three starts remaining. Say he goes 6 in each: that would put him, at season’s end, at 194.2. Given that he threw 134.2 last year, 200+ innings pitched would seem to be a lot to ask. Particularly for an organization that protects its kids as ours does.
In which case, it would be logical to suspect that they’d skip him for a start or two. But how can they, realistically, when the division is more or less out of our grasp and the wild card is likely to be a down-to-the-wire affair?
A reemergence from Buchholz in the Portland playoffs could be the best thing to happen to Lester’s ’07 season. Because otherwise I’m not sure how the lefty would be available for the playoffs should we be fortunate enough to make it.
MDC
Yes, Mirabelli told Amalie last season that Delcarmen’s stuff was the best on the team, bar none, and yes he’s unscored upon in his last 7 outings (7.1 IP).
But no, I don’t trust him. And I’m not sure Tito does, either.
Sandwiched into that little run, of course, is his one third of an inning appearance at Yankee Stadium in which MDC managed to allow a hit and two walks in the time it took to get one out.
As Baseball Prospectus has written in the last, he’s missed bats at every level, and he’s got all of the tools necessary to be successful. But he’s 26 years old, and this is his fourth year seeing time with the club, and you still don’t know what you’re going to get day-to-day.
Frustrating, because we need him. Badly.
Pedroia
I would love to take credit for the little guy’s resurgence since I wrote this piece refusing to dismiss him, since he’s hitting .391/.432/.609 in that time with 10 stolen bases and more walks than strikeouts, but I can’t.
It’s all him, and bless him for it. We need more of that, as offense is going to be at a premium with our bullpen.
The Division vs The Schedule
Allan’s got the right of it, I think: this is a Wild Card race, not a battle for the division. Sure, we need to try and take the division (I fear the Angels) and, sure, it’s possible that we could take all or most of the six remaining head to head contests with the Rays and make things interesting. But it’s improbable.
We won twice as many games as we lost in August (18-9), and actually dropped two and a half games in the standings (3 GB to 5.5 GB). All you can do is tip your cap to the Rays, and focus on trying to get into the playoffs any which way we can.
Sure, our ‘pen is combustible and likely to prove our undoing, but that’s what we said in ’03 as well, and Embree, Timlin and Williamson suddenly and unexpectedly settled down. Stranger things have happened, then. Not many, but they have.
The Kids & The Playoffs
Finally made it to a Seadogs game this past week, and Lars Anderson – to my completely untrained eye – looks good. I’m always suspect of subjective phrases like “the ball comes off his bat differently,” but, well, it does. The lineout he made in the second damn near killed their shortstop it was hit so hard. Kudos to the Fire Brand guys for getting an interview with him. Sadly, Bard (back) and Reddick (ankle) didn’t play, but it was good to see Diaz (looked not so good with the bat) and others in person.
Also, on a related note, the news that all seven minor league clubs finished with winning records and four (including the Seadogs) are going to the playoffs is welcome. Our front office isn’t perfect – damn you, Lugo – but they’ve legitimately done wonders with the farm system. Which should pay dividends both immediate and long term. |
Q:
Eclipse import deleted all XML files
I imported my project about 30 minutes ago using Android->Existing Code->MyProject.
Eclipse completely deleted every xml file. This is a huge project. I don't know what to do!!!
A:
Try APKTool it may get your XML back for you. After that, either make backups of your code regularly or look into setting up a version control system for yourself.
|
Mieczysław Weinberg
(1919 - 1996, Russland)
At least since the posthumously staged world premiere of the Ausschwitz opera “The Passenger” at the Bregenzer Festspiele 2010, the formidable artistic dimensions of this composer have finally, truly been recognized.
"Just like his "predecessors" Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Shostakovich and Prokofiev, who became icons of classical music, Weinberg left an invaluable legacy; his, however, still awaits discovery. Weinberg’s music calls for intuitive emotion, a further “wake up call” for all individuals among us, who are searching for lasting human values.” Gidon Kremer
Meanwhile, a superb discography with internationally renowned interpreters is available on the market; Mieczyslaw Weinberg's multifaceted chamber and symphonic works have finally assumed their rightful place on the opera stages, festivals and great concert halls of the world. |
-What is this?
-Happy holidays, Dwight.
But do not open it
till Christmas.
-You're so pathetic.
How long did this take you
Three hours?
-Five minutes, actually.
I am a black belt
in gift wrapping.
-Yeah, no such thing.
They don't give out black belt
for things that are stupid
[ Scoffs ]
Well, I hope it was worth it
'cause I'm gonna take it apart
in about five minutes.
-I think it'll take you
a little bit longer than that.
-Really? If I can skin a mule
deer in less than 10 minutes
I ought to be able
to cut my way --
-Hey, it's snowing.
-Oh, my God, it's the first
snowfall of Christmas.
Is that just so magical for you,
little girl?
Can you not wait
to have a hot chocolate
and cuddle up with papa
and tell him about
all your Christmas dreams, hm?
It's not even real snow.
Look. It's dusting. Pitiful.
-Hey, Dwight.
-Oh!
[ Laughter ]
-Yes!
-Whoo!
-Damn it, Jim, you cannot
throw snowballs in here!
-Well, it's not a snowball
'cause it's only a dusting
right?
-Look at that.
There's a pebble in there.
You could have killed me.
-Oh, don't be such a baby.
-Yeah, who's the little girl
now?
-Then I challenge you
to a snowball fight
on the first real snow
of winter.
-You got it.
-That sounds awesome.
Can we all do it?
-No, Andy,
it's a snowball fight.
It's not fun.
Go get your own thing.
Jim. Jim.
What --
What th-- What's happening
-Oh, she's asleep.
-Oh, narcolepsy.
-Probably.
-Okay, now open your eyes
and describe it to me.
-I don't know.
It has four bedrooms and a loft.
-Oh, my God, now she's up.
-Yeah?
-And she's trying to describe
how to correctly
butcher a goose,
but she's having trouble
coming up with it.
-Okay, Cindy. Yo, Cindy, Cindy
Hold its neck back,
insert the knife
beneath the jaw,
bring it all the way around.
There's gonna be
a good amount of blood.
Don't let that bother you.
Have a bucket there
for the blood
and the innards
and the feathers.
[ Line rings ]
-You've reached the voicemail
of Dwight Kurt Schrute.
Please leave --
[ Cellphone beeps ]
-Raaah!
[ Screaming ]
-Stop. Stop!
Ahh!
-I have no feeling
in my fingers or penis,
but I think it was worth it.
Haa!
-Um, I was laying on the ground,
defenseless,
and he just kept throwing them
until he exhausted himself
And...
[ Cellphone chimes ]
Then "How about it icing it?
LOL. Dwight."
-I need to give you
your Christmas gift now
because --
Well, I'll just tell you.
-What?
-For the past few months,
I've been sending Dwight letters
from the CIA.
-Are you serious?
-They're considering him
for a top-secret mission.
-There's his application.
Oh, this is where
I made him list
every secret he promised
he'd never, ever tell.
-[ Chuckles ]
"Last year,
my boss, Michael Scott,
took a day off because
he said he had pneumonia,
but really he was leaving early
to go to magic camp."
Wow.
-So, here's the gift --
you get to decide what
his top-secret mission is.
Sorry I didn't wrap it.
-You both have sizable Christmas
bonuses coming your way.
If I catch either of you
messing with the other,
I will give both bonuses
to the other person.
-Can't do that.
-No, absolutely not.
-You need consequences, okay
I want you both
walking on eggshells.
-[ Chuckles ]
Ah.
I'm gonna...
Dwight really wants my bonus
He's trying to entrap me.
Oh, God, now I can't drink
at this thing.
I get really pranky
when I drink.
-[ Laughing maniacally ]
-Don't. Stop, Dwight.
Dwight, stop.
-Oh, no!
-Dwight, stop!
-Oh, no! Oh, no!
Yes, taste my wrath!
-Okay, okay, okay, seriously
Okay, okay.
-[ Laughs ]
Yes, I have a wig for ever
single person in the office.
You never know
when you're gonna need to
bear a passing resemblance
to someone.
-Sorry, I forgot to tell you -
I intercepted a transmission
earlier,
and it seems that the CIA
is gonna need Dwight
down at their headquarters
in Langley for training
and an ice-cream social
with the other agents.
-We should get him a bus ticket.
To make his trip easier.
-Oh, no, that would be
very patriotic.
[ Keyboard clacking ]
-It costs $75.
-Hm.
Well, maybe the CIA could
send a helicopter.
-[ Giggles ]
[ Cellphone vibrating ]
-What the...?
"You have been compromised
Abort mission. Destroy phone."
Destroy phone?
-Oh, Jim, hey.
-Hey, Toby.
-There's this female
stenographer at the courthouse
who looks exactly like you
-No way. That's incredible
-Yeah, no, it's uncanny.
-You know what's crazy?
I can't reconnect with you
right now.
Hold on one second.
[ Gasping ]
-Oh!
-You guys, this has to stop.
Someone could have
really gotten hurt.
-What if Meredith was taking her
smoking break below that window?
You know what would have
happened?
The shards of glass would have
shaved her face right off.
And yes,
it might have been funny,
but it also would have been
incredibly tragic.
-Yeah, I just got
my replacement credit card
You want the number?
Oh, it's 4793-0032-3313.
The security code is 927.
Okay, great.
Thank you very much. Bye.
So, Dwight did take the bait
He used my credit card numbers
to send a $200 bouquet
of flowers...
to my wife.
From me.
-[ Laughing hysterically ]
Boom!
[ Indistinct conversations ]
-"Hey, Pickles. Merry Christmas.
Open immediately.
Love, Swiss Cheese."
[ Laughter ]
Damn it, Dwight.
-Didn't think
your affectionate nickname
would be your undoing,
did you, Jim?
Let that be a lesson to you all.
-Oh, no.
[ Laughter ]
-Aah, I've been attacked!
Oh, my God! Ah! Someone put
a porcupine in my drawer.
-Oh, my God.
-Yeah.
I was just sitting here
at my desk,
and I reached into my drawer
to grab my toothbrush
and some tooth powder,
and all of a sudden,
I was attacked by this
bloodthirsty, rabid creature
-I wonder, in this office,
who has access to a porcupine?
-Or who in this office
knows that I have access
and is trying to set me up
-You know what, why don't
we just call animal control?
-You might want to run that by
Angela 'cause it's so cute
-No.
Porcupines don't have souls.
They're like dogs.
-Yes, I'm calling from
Dunder Mifflin.
We have a very rabid porcupine
in our office.
Someone should come pick it up
-Come down right away.
-I don't know. Let me ask.
Were you quilled?
-Yes, I was quilled.
-And what's its name?
-Henrietta.
-Oh.
-What?
All right, get her out of here
Dwight.
-I surrender.
-I do not accept your surrender.
There's only one way
that I would ever relent.
-Anything. You got it.
-You hit Pam in the face
with a snowball while I watch.
-You're a psychopath.
-I'll take that as a no.
-I'm sorry.
-Okay.
-By the way, I'm not gonna mes
with your and Dwight's bonuses
I think it's causing
more problems.
So just be yourselves, have fun,
and try not to let it
affect your work.
-All right.
I will definitely do that.
-All right. I'll tell Dwight
-You know what, you're sitting
and thinking.
And it's probably better
if it comes from me anyway
-[ Yawns ] Man.
I fell asleep, took a nap.
Hey, guys.
I feel refreshed now.
How's it going?
-Dwight.
-Took a little nap
right next to Jim's desk.
I feel so good right now.
Mmm, cookies.
What's everyone staring at
-Oh, man, I was supposed to
tell Dwight something.
Come on, Jim.
I got nothing.
Okay, this is it.
-What? What?
-Go!
-This is what?!
-Go! Go!
-Oh, my God!
-[ Grunting ]
-Honey.
Jim.
Jim.
-In the end,
the greatest snowball
isn't a snowball at all.
It's fear.
Merry Christmas.
|
A Pittsburgh Foodie Blog by Christopher Jobes
January 30, 2014January 31, 2014
Mediterrano
If you are looking for Rustic Greek Mediterranean Cuisine, Mediterrano is the place for you. Voted Pittsburgh Magazine’s Best Mediterranean Restaurant in 2012, Mediterrano has done so much in their 3 years in business. Entering Mediterrano you get a very warm feeling that helps by its small intimate surroundings.
The first thing we decided to order was the Hummus Sampler. This changes daily, that night we had classic, spicy and spinach. The Hummus Sampler is served with warm pita. All were great, of course as long as the classic hummus tastes good it can only go up from there. I’ve even ordered this a few times to go since my visit.
The Village salad is easily one of my favorite things on the menu. Vine-ripened tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, red onions, kalamata olives, feta, and Greek oregano, with garlic croutons, dressed with Mediterrano house vinaigrette. I ordered the smaller portion for this meal, but usually the larger portion is what I get. While this may be great by itself, add some lamb on top if you really want to make it a meal.
For my main event I had Moussaka, how much more traditional can you get. Layers of lightly sautéed eggplant, zucchini, and potato, with aromatic meat sauce and béchamel. Absolutely delicious and it will make you want to order it every time you visit Mediterrano (this wasn’t my first).
If you have never been to Mediterrano I highly suggest you schedule a visit ASAP! A little bonus tip for when you go, the spinach & feta pizza is fantastic! |
Hickory
PerformanceMobile
Our new PerformanceMobile app lets you place orders and check order statuses from any device, no matter where you are. Plus, it’s available in English and Spanish. Sign up for this service now, as well as our other technology services that can make your life easier.
PathProven
Food Trace Tecnhology
When you see the PathProven logo on Braveheart and Allegiance boxes or packages, you can rest assured that the product can be tracked right back to the feedlot or farm that it came from, and its entire production process has been carefully inspected and regulated.
Rosina Food Products
Rosina Food Products, Inc. is the industry leader in frozen food specialties focusing on Frozen Pasta, Meatballs, Eggplant Cutlets, and Pizza Toppings. With more than 250 products, Rosina has a simple goal – to ensure success for each and every customer. For us, it begins and ends with the customer. With over 50 years of experience in the industry, we continue to provide quality frozen products and Italian specialties to our loyal customers.
KRAFT Premium Products
Quality dining experiences are made with quality ingredients. So it’s no surprise KRAFT premium products drive the dishes that delight and keep customers coming back. With a portfolio of high-performing products, unmatched marketing and sales support, and innovative programs designed to grow your business, Kraft Foodservice is committed to your long-term success.
Burger Sales Are Still Booming
Burgers have always been popular, but lately, the Better Burger trend has ensured that burgers will remain profitable for operators in the year to come. When you consider that burgers are purchased away from home more often than any other sandwich, it’s no wonder that the Better Burger trend has customers wanting more.
SCA
SCA is one of the largest away-from-home manufacturers of sanitary paper products in North America. Our segment-driven solutions include Tork® napkins, hand towels, bath and facial tissue, skin care, wipers, and dispensers. |
ECONOMY – Jewish Voice From Germanyhttp://jewish-voice-from-germany.de/cms
Die englischsprachige Brücke zwischen Deutschland und den Juden in aller WeltFri, 04 Jan 2019 17:08:27 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.16Decline and Way Outhttp://jewish-voice-from-germany.de/cms/decline-and-way-out/
Fri, 05 Oct 2018 13:10:55 +0000http://jewish-voice-from-germany.de/cms/?p=7689Concentrating on the traditional business of financing corporations which operate internationally will lead German banks out of their current crisis…
What’s going on with Germany’s big banks? Ten years after the global financial crisis the country’s two leading lenders are in worse shape than ever. On the international stage, in their profitability and market valuation, Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank now play only a marginal role. Chaos in management and strategy, incessant scandals, nose-diving share prices and now, even the exit from Germany’s blue chip index have all accompanied the former heavyweights’ downfall.
While Germany’s economy keeps growing at a healthy clip and the country remains Europe’s political and economic locomotive, its banks – i.e. the backbone of the economy – are caught lagging behind. As a European banking market slowly takes shape and the EU moves ahead with plans for a banking union, the German players watch from the sidelines, too preoccupied with their own problems.
Policymakers in Berlin worry that the two banks will become mere pawns in the looming consolidation of Europe’s banking sector instead of helping shape the transformations. A brief look at market valuation reveals the gulf between the German, French and Spanish lenders. Both France’s BNP Paribas and Spain’s Santander have market capitalizations exceeding 70 billion euros, which is three and a half times that of Deutsche Bank. Even numbers two and three in France can easily take on Commerzbank (market cap 10 billion euros).
Widening gulf
The gap with US banks is far wider. “Since 2012 the profits of American banks have been at least double those of their European counterparts,” says a recent report by consultants Ernst & Young. And the gulf, it adds, is widening. US banks got back on their feet quickly following the financial crisis and forced capitalization by the government. Currently they are benefiting from the booming domestic economy and Donald Trump’s tax reform. While interest rates at historic lows continue to depress revenues in the Eurozone, the Federal Reserve began raising US rates long ago, ensuring a more amenable banking environment.
At the Frankfurt bank summit, German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz expressed the government’s wish for a big and strong German bank that can accompany the country’s booming exports abroad. With this in mind, the possibility of merging Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank has repeatedly been considered. But both lenders’ CEOs consider such plans illusory, at least in the shorter term. Christian Sewing and Martin Zielke instead point to the unfinished business of restructuring both businesses. A hurried merger would resemble an emergency operation with an uncertain outcome.
The reasons for the decline of Germany’s once-proud lenders do not lie only in the 2008 financial crisis. They were primarily homemade: mismanagement, chaos at the top, loss of trust. For Deutsche Bank things began to sour when Germany’s then-flagship lender joined the free-for-all adventure of investment banking. With the takeover of US investment bank Bankers Trust, then considered the bad boy of Wall Street, the heretofore antiquated Deutsch-bankers set themselves a challenge they would not rise to. Two worlds collided in the process. Bankers Trust epitomized the brash new Wall Street approach to moving markets, while Frankfurt remained the domain of pinstriped banking with private customers and lending to midmarket companies and prosperous industries. The outcome of this Kulturkampf is well known: The investment bankers won the upper hand and made the lender their cash cow. CEOs Hilmar Kopper, Rolf Breuer and Josef Ackermann failed to rein the investment bankers in. Tasked with rolling out a new beginning at Deutsche, the following chief executive tandem of Jürgen Fitschen and Anshu Jain, installed by still-serving supervisory board chair Paul Achleitner, could not implement a new culture at the lender.
A shoe that does not fit
In 2015, despite the bank posting billions in losses, it also paid out 2.4 billion euros in bonuses. Billions more in write-offs and massive legal costs for its scandals followed. Deutsche Bank is an illuminating case study of what happens when a company hurriedly adopts an Anglo-Saxon business model that does not fit, writes economic historian Werner Abelshauser. Now, Deutsche Bank is caught in a strategic trap: Investment banking, which once guaranteed high profits, no longer works. And in retail and corporate banking, Deutsche does not have the necessary size.
Germany’s other big private sector bank offers a similarly bleak picture. Commerzbank had to be rescued from oblivion with billions of taxpayer euros in late 2008. Its takeover of Dresdner Bank shortly before Lehman Bros collapsed proved disastrous for Commerzbank. Several subsequent changes in strategy have since cost the bank its very identity.
One handicap against international competition is Germany’s splintered banking market. While the country’s consumers benefit from the intense competition by paying less for financial services than their European neighbors do, the banks themselves are saddled with inadequate market share and profit margins. France’s five biggest banks, including BNP Paribas, Societé Générale and Crédit Agricole, account for over 80 percent of the domestic market there. Germany’s top three manage barely fifteen percent. The relatively profitable and stable retail market is firmly in the hands of state-affiliated savings and loan banks (Sparkassen) as well as cooperative Volks- and Raiffeisenbanken. Sparkassen alone take 40 percent of the domestic market.
Also, Germany is “overbanked.” There is a bank branch for every 2,500 citizens. In Sweden that figure is 5,000, and in the UK even 6,000. That keeps costs high and binds capital that would otherwise go toward investments such as foreign expansion or digitization.
Both German big banks share a fear of being taken over from abroad. Switzerland’s UBS is reportedly interested in Deutsche, while BNP Paribas and Italy’s Unicredit are believed to have Commerzbank in their sights.
The fates of Germany’s two big banks are not yet clear. Over the medium term a merger is very possible. A “Deutsche Commerzbank” would be number three on the European market while fulfilling the wish for a German national champion. Yet a foreign takeover, including a hostile one, cannot be ruled out given the lenders’ depressed share values.
For the historian Abelshauser there is only one way forward for Germany’s export-based economy: back to the roots, i.e. back to the business of financing corporations that leave their mark internationally.
Michael Balk is head of the business section of the daily Frankfurter Neue Presse
]]>Garage Goldhttp://jewish-voice-from-germany.de/cms/garage-gold/
Fri, 05 Oct 2018 13:00:46 +0000http://jewish-voice-from-germany.de/cms/?p=7730Vintage cars are a much sought-after secure investment. Here’s what it takes to make the right choices – in addition to a top-notch car mechanic…
In the wake of the global finance crisis, fine art and especially vintage cars have seen a remarkable increase in value – up to five or even ten percent per year. This comes as no surprise given that the market for artwork and vintage cars is governed by a highly limited and finite supply coupled with virtually unlimited capital availability. In addition to the investment aspect, many such investors tend to be vintage car enthusiasts or even hobbyists. This element also helps explain why this very interesting asset class can be unpredictable and difficult to assess. A vintage Aston Martin, Bugatti or Ferrari is generally regarded as a very secure investment. These brands enjoy legendary prestige, and prices for vintage sports cars have risen steadily over the last three decades.
However, many vintage cars are not secure investments. These include many pre-war vintage cars as well as the vintage Ford Mustang. At the major classic and vintage car auctions, such vehicles usually sell for well below their purchase price, if they sell at all. Investors who choose unwisely or base their purchases on faulty market projections are liable to incur a significant loss. Investors who do not wish to rely solely on their personal preferences or life experiences but who are seeking a safe and profitable investment are well advised to consult an expert who is knowledgeable about vintage vehicles and their price development. This, of course, must be coupled with careful asset-value management services. After all, two things are crucial for the long-term maintenance of this class of asset – top-notch asset management and a top-notch car mechanic!
]]>€ & $ – Close Friends?http://jewish-voice-from-germany.de/cms/e-close-friends/
Fri, 05 Oct 2018 12:55:40 +0000http://jewish-voice-from-germany.de/cms/?p=7691The EU is a heavyweight – but it must join forces and step up the cohesion of its economic area to compete with the US, argues Klaus D. Oehler….
Donald Trump has a clear goal: Make America great again. The US President repeats his election slogan tirelessly. But his often controversial and unusual methods and decisions are having an effect. The US economy is actually doing well, not least because of the tax cuts, but also because of protectionist measures Trump wants to enforce to boost domestic industry. Whether all this is necessary and how sustainable this turnaround will be – politicians and economists are arguing about it. The US President doesn’t seem to care much about critical voices. He prefers to refer to his balance sheet. And that’s something to be proud of: Only recently, online giant Amazon rose to become a company with a market capitalization of a trillion dollars. This makes it the only company in the world besides Apple that has ever reached this value. What the companies have in common, apart from their market power, is their network of customers, which – thanks to digitization – can be expanded almost infinitely. The European companies closest to the trillion dollar mark are SAP with 142 billion dollars and Royal Dutch Shell with 271 billion dollars, which makes it the most valuable European company. In order to give their economy a boost, according to experts recently quoted in the newspaper “Die Welt”, closer cooperation between the states in addition to facilitating market access is called for.
Differences in performance
It is equally difficult to predict how the relationship between the long-standing “close friends”, the US and Europe, will develop. Almost at the last minute, the President of the EU Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, negotiated a compromise with Trump that averted punitive tariffs on German cars to be sold in the US. The outgoing convinced European Juncker is the one who sees more opportunity than risk for the European Union in the new relationship with Washington. In early September, in a much-noted speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, he presented his vision of a united Europe. The EU is a sovereign power that represents half a billion people and has enormous economic power, Juncker said. He added that nationalism had never solved problems.
This reference was important because a trend towards nationalist governments has increased in Europe in recent years. The first trigger was the euro crisis, in which both sides felt disadvantaged in the end by the measures taken in Brussels and the decisions taken by individual EU governments. Some felt patronized, others did not want to pay so much for the rescue of other states. Later, there was the refugee crisis, to which the governments also reacted differently; a common European solution could only be achieved in part. Juncker also admits all this: there is no convincing single foreign and security policy and even the monetary union is stagnating because of the all too great differences in economic performance. However, the heads of state and governments were able to agree on a banking union, a first step forward. The president of the EU Commission also made it clear that a country that wanted to leave the Union could not only benefit from the advantages a membership offers – a clear signal to London, where the Brexit is still controversial. Juncker’s proposals for reforming the EU envisage that majority decisions should make the EU more able to act in foreign and financial policy terms. Migration is to be managed efficiently with a mix of legalization and consistent repatriation. A new partnership with Africa – also to combat the causes of flight – should complement this. As a global currency, the euro should finally be brought into line with the US dollar.
US Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur RossU.S. federal government / Public Domain
Economists, however, regard this goal difficult to achieve. “Different regions do not have the same economic power, be it in terms of growth trends or innovative capacity; they also do not have the same political power, and that is the real challenge,” says Philippe Waechter, chief economist of an asset manager belonging to Natixis Investment. The international reference currency is the currency of the dominant political power. He recalls Japan having a strong economy in the eighties. “But its currency never competed with the dollar because of political weakness … And the same could be said of Europe, which does not manage to dictate strong political decisions in the long run,” says Waechter.
But it should now be clear to everyone involved that competition in the globalized world will be fought out primarily between three triads in the future: America, Asia with a strong China, and Europe. The Europeans, with their high export ratio, should above all be interested in strengthening the cohesion of their economic area. Many German industries, for example, now account for 60 to 80 percent of sales abroad – only free world trade can bring further growth in the long term.
Klaus D. Oehler is the financial editor at the daily Stuttgarter Zeitung
]]>Britain must stay in Europehttp://jewish-voice-from-germany.de/cms/britains-must-stay-in-europe/
Fri, 05 Oct 2018 12:39:43 +0000http://jewish-voice-from-germany.de/cms/?p=7695“This is a nightmare. We should not have listened to these charlatans…” Hard Brexit, Chequers Deal, No Deal – what does all this mean for the people of the United Kingdom? Travelling Britain, you get a clear picture of the fears of the consequences of leaving the EU, the disillusionment with Brexit and the strong wish to Remain. Especially in Northern Ireland. A personal appeal…
The tea is piping hot and strong, the cucumber sandwiches are delicious, the lawn green and rolling. A perfect English late summer afternoon. But the mood is sombre. Like everywhere on my short tour of the UK and Ireland we are talking about: Brexit.
“This is a nightmare. I voted out – but I am beginning to think that was a huge mistake,” muses Bob, a retired policeman. “We were misled. Right now, it does not look like the promises of ‘Leave to Take Control’ will ever come true. Quite the contrary. We should not have listened to these charlatans.”
Claire, who runs the admission department in a private school in Cambridge, makes sure “to get as many international kids in as we can – to keep up the cosmopolitan atmosphere that was always our school’s trade mark.” And indeed that of Britain! Brexit itself Claire deems nothing short of a “disaster. I was born on the ‘continent’ as it is called here,” she says with a smile, “but here in England I found the love of my life. We raised our family here. So far I have always had the best of both worlds.” The smile leaves Claire’s face. “Now, I just feel sad and disoriented.
I can’t believe what is happening.”
JVG
“To my horror, my parents voted Out,” says Michael, a GP from Manchester. “They thought Brexit won’t affect them and their lifestyle. But for certain it will affect the life of their children and grandchildren very much. I obviously failed to make that clear to them.” Michael’s wife, a nurse working with homeless people, is distraught: “We are already feeling the cuts in social spending. With Brexit, this will get much worse. How on earth are we going to look after our people?”
A rough ride
“To be honest, I didn’t vote at all,” says George, the cab driver. “Perhaps that was not a clever move but there you are.” Is he afraid of Brexit? “Well, the riding will be rough for a bit. Probably very rough. But then things will look up again. And as you know, when push comes to shove, we are a tough lot. We’ll pull through,” explains George as we head through the Belfast morning drizzle.
Not everybody in Northern Ireland shares George’s optimism. Apart from the list of withdrawn financial capital, non-valid driving licenses, a stop to the flow of goods and work, and so on … here we have the issue with the border to the Irish Republic. In Northern Ireland, where 56% voted “Remain”, this makes people uneasy. What will happen to the peace between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, which is only two decades young and by no means as stable as it might appear?
The recent assessment of a senior police officer in the Sunday Times that the forces are working 24/7 just to keep a lid on things is less than assuring. Will the old conflict, the old violence and hatred return?
Back to London. As a financial hub, the city is especially dependent on close ties with Europe. Here, the fear of a hard Brexit is especially great. Hence Mayor Sadiq Khan cooked up the idea of a second referendum. He is not the only one. And he is not the only one who says “that this is not a re-run of the referendum but the British people having a say for the first time on the outcome.” Bingo, Mr. Khan. Let’s give the Bobs and grandmas and grandpas and Georges a moment to re-think. And another vote to all those who were against Brexit in the first run: all the Claires and Michaels, the Olivers and Ingrids. All those who want to Remain.
And, above all, we are running out of time. A couple of months are a long time for child on a summer holiday. But a short time for grown ups in difficult negotiations. Hard Brexit, No Deal, Chequers Plan, Soft Brexit, Norway Model … Stop the muscle flexing. Stop drawing up one emergency plan after another. Stop the nightmare. Use common sense. All sides – Deal?
]]>Medical Technologyhttp://jewish-voice-from-germany.de/cms/medical-technology/
Thu, 05 Jul 2018 12:40:33 +0000http://jewish-voice-from-germany.de/cms/?p=7545Health care is a market with great potential – also for the investor. Yet finding the most promising investment opportunities is not an easy task…
Healthcare is a market with enormous potential – for service providers, industry, and last but not least, for investors. The world’s population is aging, and chronic diseases are growing ever more common. Industrialized countries are spending more and more on their healthcare systems and affluent patients are increasingly willing to invest in diagnosis and therapy.
At the same time, new developments such as genetic and stem cell technology, big data, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology are expanding the possibilities of modern medicine beyond what we could have imagined only a few years ago. Technology companies such as Apple, Alphabet, and Amazon are now also joining in. Investors who wish to get on board with these developments may elect to invest in an ETF – one, for example, that tracks the MSCI World Health Care Index.
As is the case in most business sectors, however, direct investment in innovative companies is a more interesting option, particularly for more substantial investments. The medical technology sector is an attractive choice, in part because it is less risky than the pharmaceutical industry. A long-time engine of growth in the healthcare sector, medical technology is currently enjoying renewed momentum and dynamism due to the impact of digitalization. Apps, artificial intelligence, laser and sensor technology, mixed reality, and telemedicine are benefiting both physicians and patients, and are blurring the boundary between medicine and lifestyle trends.
But in the current gold rush, selecting the most promising investment opportunities from the wealth of startups isn’t easy. Demographic developments provide a solid and sustainable basis for the medical technology sector, and one which is relatively impervious to cyclical economic trends. However, health policy decisions could create – or eliminate – mass markets for specific therapies virtually overnight. Investors risk finding themselves sidelined. For this reason, individual investors would be well advised to seek expert advice from the fields of medicine, health industry, and health policy both before and during the investment process. ■ |
Description
Rec-Rec are fishlike plankton that feed on sound waves. They absorb sound waves transmitted through water and use them as a form of nutrition. The sound waves that the Rec-Rec eat are then stored inside their bodies until they have been digested. Once the digestion process is complete, they play back the sounds in perfect four-second intervals. While these sounds are playfully emitted, wave patterns can be seen pulsating on their bodies. Rec-Rec always swim side by side in schools of four. When they swim at different speeds, the frequency with which they emit sounds also changes. |
Orchid Springss Flats for Sale in Korattur, Anna Nagar
DROP AN ENQUIRY
Apartments in Anna Nagar
Alliance Orchid Springss: 2026, finest lakefront living, luxury apartments in Chennai. Complete with a shopping mall, multiplex and a world-class club house. These apartments near Anna Nagar West Extension are built on Korattur lakefront. Korattur lake; the 600-acre largest fresh water lake of Chennai makes Orchid Springss lakefront living a unique and distinct experience. Orchid Springss living takes you to a new high of luxury apartments life in Chennai.
Why? To buy Orchid Springs Apartments
READY-TO- MOVE-IN APARTMENTS IN CHENNAI
These are furnished, ready-to- move-in luxury apartments in Chennai, near Anna Nagar.
AWARDED NORTH CHENNAI’S BEST APARTMENT PROJECT
As it is awarded North Chennai’s best residential luxury project, Orchid Springss stands above the rest.
LAKEFRONT LIVING
Chennai does not offer a lakefront living apartment this excellent. The breathtaking views of the lake and its surroundings from Orchid Springss enrich your life as no other.
FURNISHED FLATS
These luxury apartments come furnished with ACs in your living room and all bed rooms. They come with pre-fitted imported modular kitchen too.
IDEAL LOCATION
With Anna Nagar Just 5 minutes away, Orchid Springss places you in the vicinity of some of the best schools, hospitals, shopping malls and other conveniences in Chennai. It comes right at the centre of 4 lane connectivity all around.
TRANQUIL SURROUNDINGS
The project comes with over 78% open space, lush green surroundings and ample ground-water sources ensuring self-sufficiency in potable water. |
Q:
How did Thanos get where he did in Avengers: Endgame?
In Avengers: Endgame,
it's explained that traveling back in time to change the past creates a new timeline for everyone and everything in that changed universe.
At one point in the past,
Thanos acquires the ability to time travel himself, and he uses it to travel into the future. But he uses it to travel into the future of the main timeline.
But why doesn't he just end up
in the future of his own universe? How does he get back into the main one from there?
A:
He uses the device that was supposed to bring back Nebula to the main timeline to do so. At that point in the movie, main timeline Nebula has been compromised and her device has been stolen by Thanos. Said device is calibrated to go back to the main timeline.
Thanos knows that there is a full gauntlet being built in that timeline (thanks to Nebula's memories), so he chooses to go there to save himself a lot of time.
|
The Odessa Fire Department is responding to reports of a semi-truck on fire at I-70 and Highway 131. Scanner traffic indicated this is on the south outer road. If you’re in the area, please use caution as crews work the scene. |
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee blasted Democratic presidential front-runner Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, for embracing Russia and Cuba over Israel.
Huckabee, who recently returned from a trip to Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made the statements on “Fox & Friends” Thursday reacting to Sanders' claim that Netanyahu is a “racist.”
During Tuesday's Democratic presidential debate, Sanders, who is Jewish, said, “Right now sadly, tragically in Israel, through Bibi Netanyahu, you have a reactionary racist who is now running that country.”
Sanders’ comment came days after the Vermont senator announced he would not attend this year's AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee] conference next month, writing in a tweet that the pro-Israel group provides a platform “for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights.”
MATT BROOKS: BERNIE VICTORY WOULD MOVE US FROM 'MOST PRO-ISRAEL PRESIDENT' TO 'FIRST ENEMY OF ISRAEL'
“Israel is a free country. People have free speech. They get to vote. They can disagree with their government. They can speak out against their government,” Huckabee, a Fox News contributor, said.
Huckabee called Sanders' views on Israel and Netanyahu "insane," defending the prime minister from claims of racism.
“If you get sick in Israel, it doesn't matter whether you're Muslim, Christian or Jew, you get the same exact treatment in a hospital, you get to ride on the same roads and the Jewish state of Israel protects the religious liberty of all faiths including Muslims and Christians,” he noted.
Host Pete Hegseth compared President Trump and Sanders, noting that Trump “built a historic relationship with the state of Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu.”
During his time in office, Trump has moved the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and recognized Israeli sovereignty over the contested Golan Heights region.
Hegseth then pointed out that Sanders, “point blank” said that “Netanyahu is a racist” and asked Huckabee why.
AIPAC BLASTS SANDERS AFTER 2020 FRONTRUNNER SAYS HE'LL SKIP CONFERENCE
“Because he's crazy and he doesn't care what he says,” Huckabee responded. “He's the same guy that embraces socialism all over the world in places where it’s murdered millions of people. He ignores that little fact in order to say that somehow people under his socialist government would live better.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He then reiterated that “there's no racism in Benjamin Netanyahu” and called Sanders’ claim “absurd.”
“It's foolish on its face, even his political opponents and the press, which is very left-wing in Israel, as nutty and as far to the left as they are, they don't even say that about Netanyahu,” he noted. |
Merseyside Skeptics Society
The Merseyside Skeptics Society (MSS) is a nonprofit organisation that promotes scientific scepticism in Merseyside and the United Kingdom. Founded in 2009, the society has campaigned against the use of homeopathy, challenged the claims of psychics, and hosts regular events in Liverpool, podcasts, and an annual conference in Manchester, QED: Question. Explore. Discover.
As part of their Liverpool Skeptics in the Pub events the society hosts guest speakers, who have included Simon Singh, David Nutt, and Robert Llewellyn. It also organises the awareness and protest against homeopathy campaign, 10:23.
History
The Merseyside Skeptics Society was founded in February 2009 to develop and support the sceptical community in Merseyside.
The Society held its first speaker's meeting on 17 September 2009 at the Crown Hotel in Liverpool, England. Professor Chris French, editor of The Skeptic magazine gave a talk entitled "The Psychology of Anomalous Experiences". Merseyside Skeptics Society Limited was registered in the United Kingdom as a private, limited by guarantee, no share capital company on 20 August 2010.
According to co-founder Michael Marshall, the group chose to use the American spelling of 'skeptic' because "in the States, the word isn’t as strongly linked to cynicism. It's not seen as being as negative as it is over here."
When climate change deniers began identifying as sceptics, vice president Michael Marshall made a clear distinction, stating: "In our view, climate change sceptics are not sceptics. A sceptic looks at the available evidence and makes a decision, and for homeopathy the evidence is that it doesn't work. But the sceptical position on climate change is that it is happening."
Activities
Meetings
The Society holds several regular meetings in the Liverpool area, including the Liverpool Skeptics in the Pub, Skeptic Dinners, and Women's Socials.
Liverpool Skeptics in the Pub holds two meetings a month, one of which is a social event and the other of which features a guest speaker. Guest speakers have included Ariane Sherine, Simon Singh, David Aaronovitch, Evan Harris, Elizabeth Pisani, Brian Deer, Jon Ronson, Stephen Law, David Nutt, Mark Stevenson, Mark Lynas and Robert Llewellyn, among others. Topics covered vary widely and include health care, science, atheism, the paranormal and supernatural, psychics, politics and psychology.
Homeopathy
In 2009, the society wrote an open letter to pharmacy chain Boots in which they denounced the sales of homeopathic products in their store. In the letter they wrote that "We trust brands such as Boots to check the facts for us ... We don't expect to find products on the shelf at our local pharmacy which do not work", calling for them to remove the "bogus therapy" from their shelves.
The Society organised the 10:23 campaign to raise awareness of, and campaign against, homeopathy. This campaign included protests in 2010 against Boots for selling homeopathic preparations as equivalent to mainstream, scientifically-based medicine and involved mass homeopathic overdoses outside Boots stores to mock what the protesters asserted to be the lack of efficacy in homeopathic products.
Following the overdose, Boots responded by saying "We know that many people believe in the benefits of complementary medicines and we aim to offer the products we know our customers want."
These protests took place in 70 cities in 30 countries around the world, including Australia and New Zealand, and resulted in no ill effects to those taking the products.
In addition, the Society has complained about GPs who have advocated alternative medicine including homeopathy.
Sports wristband test
In 2012, Merseyside Skeptics Society investigated claims that the Shuzi Qi sports wristbands – bands supposed to improve athletic performance similar to Power Balance bands – had any effect. These bands were promoted in marketing materials as containing a computer chip programmed to "resonate with blood cells' natural frequencies", improving circulation by causing them to "unclump", and were claimed to "bring your whole being into a state of balance where ... your endurance levels are increased." The study cited by Shuzi UK used a technique called live blood cell analysis which has been discredited, and Merseyside Skeptics Society characterized the claims as "nonsensical techno-babble".
After the society conducted tests with a rugby player, it was reported that the bands had made "no discernable difference" and that when subject to double blind trials, the product failed to have any effect on the rugby player's performance. Following the test, a spokesman for Shuzi UK stated that the claims made on its UK website would be updated; however, the director of the company claimed that the tests were biased and unfair.
Challenging psychic claims
In 2011, celebrity psychic Sally Morgan was accused of having an off-stage assistant at her shows who passed information to her via radio. Merseyside Skeptics Society subsequently challenged her to participate in a test of her supposed powers, designed by psychologist Chris French. Around the same time, Simon Singh received emails from Sally Morgan's solicitor, stating that she had instructed the solicitor to "take libel proceedings, if necessary, in relation to allegations that she is a cheat" following the campaign encouraging her to take the test.
The Society turned the initial challenge into an annual event titled the "Halloween Challenge"; a scientific test to investigate if professional mediums could demonstrate psychic abilities in a controlled setting. In 2012, researchers at Goldsmiths, University of London conducted the challenge with two professional mediums, who both agreed beforehand that it was a fair test of their abilities, asking them to attempt to identify information about five volunteers they had not previously met and could not see. The experiment involved the mediums writing details about the volunteers, who then had to identify themselves from the descriptions. With a success rate of one in five, the results showed little evidence of the mediums' claimed psychic ability. One of the mediums described the test as "designed to confirm the researchers' preconceptions", saying that she had to work face-to-face to make a connection.
Vice-president Michael Marshall supported the ban of the sale of tarot readings and spells on eBay in 2012, stating he thought it was "solid consumer protection". He continued that "tarot, spells and curses are all highly unproven", noting that although many tarot readers are sincere and believe they have psychic abilities, "that doesn't make it any more real."
When the owner of a missing cat in Lincolnshire enlisted the help of a psychic, who said that it had been adopted by another family and would be found in an area children play, the society said: "Both of these are incredibly obvious scenarios to suggest for a missing cat, and would likely be the suggestions you'd get from someone without psychic powers – and without the need for a fee, too."
In June 2010, Liverpudlian psychic Joe Power made allegations to the police that threats of violence had been directed towards him from members of the society on social media site Facebook. After police contacted the society in regards to the claims, a member was able to explain that the allegations were unfounded. In a statement on their website following the incident, they wrote "nobody involved with the Merseyside Skeptics Society – or anyone that I even know of – has ever made threats to Joe or his family, and we absolutely never will."
Podcasts
Merseyside Skeptics Society produces three podcasts titled Skeptics with a K, InKredulous and Be Reasonable.
Skeptics with a K
Skeptics with a K, "the podcast for science, reason and critical thinking", is the official podcast of the Society. Its first episode was recorded on 28 July 2009, at Mike Hall's home. The podcast features hosts Mike Hall, Michael "Marsh" Marshall and Colin Harris – in April 2014 replaced by Alice Howarth – discussing recent events from a skeptical point of view. Co-host Michael Marshall described it as, "a fairly-shambolic, overly-enthusiastic and snarky mix of science, skepticism and sarcasm." A popular semi-regular segment, until 14 July 2011 when it concluded with a special "Best of" edition, was a fact check on the children's book The Giant Book of Fantastic Facts. On 1 April 2013, an entire episode consisted of fictional stories including a parody of Ghost Busters, a story about the "Mersey Book of Monsters" and one about the "Paranormal Investigation Society Scotland (PISS)". The hosts have appeared as guests on other popular podcasts including Cognitive Dissonance and the Token Skeptic.
InKredulous
InKredulous is a comedy panel quiz show, inspired by shows such as Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You, and The News Quiz, featuring a variety of guests from the sceptic community. In the pilot episode, host Andy Wilson described it as "the quiz show where we satirically examine news stories, websites, events and personalities who will tweak the spider sense of our sceptical listeners and delicious looking panelists." The first episode was released on 8 February 2010. Hosts of other podcasts are frequently guests, including Steven Novella of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, Robin Ince of Infinite Monkey Cage, George Hrab of Geologic, Brian Dunning of Skeptoid, Kylie Sturgess of Token Skeptic, Ross Blocher and Carrie Poppy of Oh No, Ross and Carrie!, and others. Other notable guests include David Aaronovitch, Paul Zenon, and Jon Ronson.
Be Reasonable
Be Reasonable is a monthly interview show that engages guests with ideas outside the mainstream scientific consensus, such as a member of the Flat Earth Society. In the first episode, on 28 January 2013, hosts Hayley Stevens (until June 2014) and Michael Marshall described the show as an examination of their guests' beliefs and their structure, and the evidence they believe supports these beliefs. Guests have discussed past life therapy, aura photography and the presence of aliens on Earth.
QED: Question, Explore, Discover
Starting in February 2011 the Merseyside Skeptics Society, in conjunction with the Greater Manchester Skeptics Society, began organising and presenting an annual two-day sceptical science festival, QED: Question. Explore. Discover.
QED is organised by sceptics volunteers and any proceeds go back into the event or a charity. On the "Token Skeptic" podcast Michael Marshall said, "How we try to always pitch it and how we try and run it is - it's all about the skeptical community. Because its being run by people who are just part of that community who are doing this because we really love it, the atmosphere, seems to be, of people coming together. It's kind of a big party, a celebration of UK scepticism and also international scepticism".
QED 2011
The master of ceremonies for the first QED was George Hrab. Notable speakers included Steven Novella and Eugenie Scott, and episodes of the podcasts InKredulous, The Pod Delusion, and Strange Quarks were recorded live during the event. In an article on the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry website about the first QED conference, Kylie Sturgess said, "The organisers of QEDCon didn't need to proclaim the success of their convention from the stage—it was evident from the beginning to the end."
QED 2012
The second QED convention in 2012 was sponsored by the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science and featured speakers such as Robin Ince and Maryam Namazie. The Skeptic magazine awarded the first annual "Ockhams' Awards" at QED 2012. The categories and winners were; Editor's Choice Award – Mike Hutchinson from The Skeptic; Best Skeptic Video – Tim Minchin's "Storm"; Best Science Video – Daniel Keogh and Luke Harris; Best Skeptic Blog of 2011 – Skepchick; Best Podcast – The Pod Delusion; and Best Event/Campaign/Outreach – Robin Ince.
QED 2013
The third QED, sponsored by the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science and the British Humanist Association, featured speakers such as Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss. The second annual Ockham's Awards were presented to "Shut Up Infinity" (Best Video); Quackometer (Best Blog); Kylie Sturgess, Token Skeptic (Best Podcast); Skeptics on the Fringe, Edinburgh Skeptics Society (Best Event/Campaign) and The Pod Delusion (Editor's Choice).
QED 2014
The fourth QED was hosted by magician Paul Zenon, who co-wrote and appeared in the humorous opening film and was also a panelist. Notable speakers included Richard Wiseman, Elizabeth Pisani, Mark Crislip, Robert Llewellyn, Nathan Phelps, Susan Gerbic, Mark Edward and Deborah Hyde. The Ockham Awards for the year 2013 were hosted by Wiseman and included Skepticality (Best Podcast), Leaving Fundamentalism by Jonny Scaramanga (Best Blog), Nightingale Collaboration (Best Campaign), Superstition ain't the way: Kylie Sturgess at TEDxPerth (Best Video) and the QED organisers (Editor's Choice).
QED 2015
The fifth QED took place in April 2015 and featured guest included Mitch Benn, A. C. Grayling, Harriet Hall, Lucie Green, Ryan Bell, Natalie Haynes, Jennifer Michael Hecht, Bruce Hood, Aron Ra, Kate Smurthwaite and Matt Dillahunty.
QED 2016
QED 2016 was hosted by Matt Parker and speakers included Captain Disillusion, Dr Karl, Susan Blackmore, Michael Blastland, Timandra Harkness, Britt Hermes, Meirion Jones, Cara Santa Maria, Simon Singh and Paul Zenon. The Ockham awards were again hosted by Richard Wiseman.
Board of directors
President – Mike Hall
Vice President & Press Officer – Michael Marshall
Secretary – Alice Howarth
Treasurer & Events Co-ordinator – Andrew Johnston
Director – Laurie Phillips
See also
Association for Skeptical Enquiry
Edinburgh Skeptics
Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science
References
External links
10:23 Campaign website
QED: Question. Explore. Discover. website
Category:Organisations based in Merseyside
Category:Skeptic organisations in the United Kingdom |
[Function of the esophagogastric junction after trans-gastric selective proximal vagotomy].
The influence of transgastric selective proximal vagotomy (TSPV) on the cardia functional state was studied in 120 patients with ulcer disease of the duodenum. It was established that seromyotomy in the zone of cardia and lesser curvature of the stomach when performing TSPV resulted in disturbance of the constrictor-valvar mechanism of the esophago-gastric passage. Fundoesophagography does not allow the insufficient closure of the cardia to be adequately corrected. The significance of fundoplication is stressed in order to restore the mechanism of cardia closure after TSPV. |
The main goal of this project is to understand how changes in the hippocampus may cause pathological aggression and antisocial behaviors. We previously found that mice with the conditional knockout (KO) of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) restricted to the hippocampal area CA3 are more aggressive than their wild type (WT) counterparts. Because hippocampus does not directly control aggression, we hypothesized that it acts on remote targets that either enhance or suppress aggression. Given that a) remote communications in the brain are mediated by oscillations and b) hippocampus generates oscillations, we investigated how BDNF deletion altered oscillatory activity in the hippocampus. We found that carbachol-induced gamma oscillations are attenuated in slices from BDNF knockout mice. At the same time we found elevated expression and activity of 5-HT3 receptor in these animals. The 5-HT3 receptor is selective for GABAergic neurons, which participate in generating gamma oscillations, and we hypothesized that the increase in 5-HT3 receptor activity might be responsible for attenuated gamma oscillations. When we pharmacologically suppressed 5-HT3 receptor, the power of gamma oscillations increased, which suggests that decrease of gamma power in BDNF knockout mice results from the increased activity of 5-HT3 receptor.
Behavioral characterization of BDNF KO mice showed that they exhibit attenuated empathy-like behavior in a novel test in which animal is exposed to a cage-mate animal under distress. We continue investigation to determine whether the 5-HT3 receptor, which is involved in aggressive behaviors, also contribute to deficit in empathy-like behaviors |
Attending
- David Baker
- James Kyle
- Leah Silber
- Robert Jackson
- Todd Jordan
----
Internationalization
- LS: start with a few languages, Japanese, Portuguese? or something else
- choose only subset of docs, so can actually ship
- RJ: what url should we use? have concerns about how this will work
- DB: I'll take a look at how CrowdIn syncing might work, based on the issue
- RJ: concerned that need a trusted person to verify translations
- JK: happy to give you a quick demo of how CrowdIn works
- https://github.com/crowdin/crowdin-cli
- can use webhooks to deploy (and can setup a translations bot to commit the translations back to the main rep)
- has ability to handle issues if there are problems with translations
- support has been quite responsive
- RJ: much happier to see this working in action
- LS: JK, would you be willing to help get infrastructure setup for us?
- JK: yes, I'll start working on getting Ember translations working with CrowdIn
- just need a crowdin.yaml file (https://github.com/thejameskyle/babel-handbook/blob/master/crowdin.yaml)
---
Workflow for getting core attention on issues
- discussion for a while, note-taker got busy talking :-)
Summary: we'll add a weekly issue to the Github guides repo (tagged with "needs core attention" with a few chosen guides / api docs issues). But we'll plan to only request attention on 3-5 issues per week
---
Search engine issues with versioned guides
- discussion of the problem, note-taker got talking :-)
Summary: RJ will bring up at core team meeting tomorrow, DB will write up an issue with thoughts (https://github.com/emberjs/guides/issues/1185)
|
Q:
blackberry signed keys not working after mylaptop restart
i am getting signed keys to my mail.
i got 3 csi files and fallow the steps to install these keys which are give in main.
eveything is fine but after restarting my pc i can't able to sign project.
it again ask signed keys,i am trying to reinstall the same 3 .csi files then i got error
unable to register client 3707997321 because there are no more regestration attempts.
i am trying in same sysytem.is there any possibilities to work these and where can i found these installed keys.
can any one please help me.
Thank u in advance.
A:
When you try to reinstall the keys you will get that error.
So the issue is after restarting the PC, you are not able to sign again.
There could be many reasons for this issue. But one possible reason is you installed keys using one version of Eclipse and now you are trying to run & sign another installed version of Eclipse.
For example, you installed keys using an Eclipse which is installed in c:\Eclipse. Now you are using an Eclipse which is installed in c:\Eclipse_new_path.
|
174 F.2d 917 (1949)
MARTIN et al.
v.
NATIONAL LEAGUE BASEBALL CLUB.
No. 259, Docket 21340.
United States Court of Appeals Second Circuit.
June 2, 1949.
John L. Flynn, New York City, for plaintiffs.
Baker, Hostetler & Patterson, Cleveland, Ohio, Willkie, Owen, Farr, Gallagher & Walton and E. P. Feeley, New York City, Mark F. Hughes, New York City, argued, for defendants.
Before L. HAND, Chief Judge, and SWAN and FRANK, Circuit Judges.
L. HAND Chief Judge.
This is an appeal from an order denying an injunction, pendente lite, in an action under the Anti-Trust Acts, 15 U.S. C.A. §§ 1-3, 13-15, to restore the plaintiffs' to their privileges as baseball players and for damages for their exclusion from "organized baseball." It is a sequel of our decision in Gardella v. Chandler,[1] in which a majority of the court held that the complaint set out a claim under the Anti-Trust Acts against the defendants in that action, who together with others are defendants in this. The plaintiffs in the case at bar moved for an injunction, pendente lite, to compel the defendants to take them off the "suspended" list, and to restore them to their former position as "eligible" baseball players, freed from the "reserve clause" contained in contracts under which they had been employed until 1946 when they accepted engagements elsewhere. The complaint alleged that the defendants, who are the owners and officers of the "Major Leagues" in baseball, regularly broadcast the games play by play to distant audiences by radio and television; but neither in the complaint nor in any supporting affidavits is it alleged how great a part these activities constitute, either absolutely, or proportionately to the total activities or to the income of the business. By the "reserve clause" a player promises that "while under contract or reservation he will not play baseball * * * otherwise than for the Club or a Club assignee" 4(a) and that "on or before February 15 * * * of the year following the last written notice to the player * * * the Club or any assignee hereof may renew this contract for the term of that year" at a salary agreed upon, "or in default of agreement the Player will accept such salary rate as the Club may fix, or else he will not play baseball otherwise than for the Club or for an assignee thereof." The club is given the privilege of terminating the contract upon *918 ten days notice, so that in effect the player agrees to an indefinite employment at any salary after the first year which the club may fix, subject to discharge at the club's pleasure. Although the complaint and the affidavits alleged generally that the defendants had a monopoly of the whole business of "organized baseball," this was denied and stands unproved, saved as we could take judicial notice of it, which we cannot.
The plaintiffs during 1946 were players with the St. Louis team under contracts containing the "reserve clause"; but, finding better pay elsewhere, they joined Mexican teams. Whereupon the defendants, acting for the "Major Leagues" and for the "Minor Leagues" (59 other teams, affiliated with them), "suspended" them for five years, under the sanction that no players in the "Major Leagues" or the "Minor Leagues" are allowed to play on any team with a "suspended" player. The plaintiffs allege that this has substantially excluded them from their calling by confining them to non-professional, or "semi-professional" teams. The defendants counter by alleging that the "reserve clause" was "indispensable" to the conduct of professional baseball, and that they had not prevented the plaintiffs from playing on any teams except those of the "Major" and "Minor" leagues. The judge denied the motion on three grounds. First, he held that the injunction would "disturb the status quo" by restoring the plaintiffs to positions which they had voluntarily resigned three years before; second, he held that their rights depended upon disputed questions of fact and law; third, he held that they had an adequate remedy at law in the recovery of damages.
Of these three grounds we find it necessary to consider only the second. All members of the court in Gardella v. Chandler, supra,[2] held that, if the facts alleged in the complaint, which was all that was before us, had been the same as in Federal Baseball Club v. National League,[3] it would have been our duty to follow that decision, and to hold that the defendants were not engaged in interstate commerce. Judge Chase held that that decision was authoritative in spite of the new facts alleged in the complaint; Judge Frank and I thought otherwise, although we did so for not quite the same reasons. We both thought that radio broadcasting from the "ball-parks" of narratives of the games play by play, and projecting the actual scene by television, might make the defendants' activities interstate commerce, but Judge Frank thought that it was necessary to look only at the absolute extent of the radio broadcasting and television. If that was substantial, it colored the sum total of the activities and made the business interstate, regardless of the proportion which it bore to the whole. I thought that there had been some interstate activities in the Federal Baseball Club v. National League, supra, but that the court did not regard them as enough to make the business interstate. It seemed to me that it was a question of the proportion of the interstate activities to the whole business, and that the new activities of radio broadcasting and television should be added to the earlier interstate activities, and the sum should be compared with the business as a whole. So far as concerns the present record, it makes no difference which of us was right, for it does not appear what is the extent of the radio broadcasting or the television, either absolutely, or proportionately. We are all agreed that the bare allegation in a complaint that the defendants make contracts with broadcasting and television companies will not support the jurisdiction of the court.
Apart from the question of jurisdiction, we are not prepared to say that, on the record now before us, the "reserve clause" violates the Anti-Trust Acts. Such a determination may involve consideration, among other things, of the needs and conduct of the business as a whole. We do not mean that it would not be otherwise, if the record showed, with enough certainty to support a preliminary injunction, that the defendants have established a monopoly of the baseball business, and that the "reserve clause" is a means of maintaining it. If it be established that they do have such a substantial monopoly, the "reserve clause" will take on a different face, as to *919 which nothing we say now must be understood to express any opinion.
For the foregoing reasons, we hold, not only that we should not reverse what was in any event a discretionary order, but that the judge came to the only conclusion legally open to him on the record. It would, however, seem highly desirable that the cause should be preferred, and that it should be brought to trial as soon as possible.
Order affirmed.
NOTES
[1] 172 F.2d 402, 403.
[2] 2 Cir., 172 F.2d 402, 403.
[3] 259 U.S. 200, 42 S.Ct. 465, 66 L.Ed. 898, 26 A.L.R. 357.
|
Institutional Access
Description
An overview and a critical review of the Conformance Testing Methodology and Framework is provided by this book. This standard, ISO/IEC 9646, describes a methodology for testing implementations of Open System Interconnection (OSI) specifications. It is widely used by protocol and profile specifiers to help them specify their conformance requirements unambiguously and to provide proformas for suppliers to fill in to clarify which capabilities their products support. The standard is also used by test specifiers to define how to specify OSI conformance tests and to give guidance to test system developers. Further, it is used by test laboratories and the relevant accreditation bodies to define how an OSI test service should be operated. Finally, it is used by other testing methodology specifiers to serve as a guide on how to write testing methodology standards.
The publication, which will serve as a definitive textbook on the subject, enables readers to understand existing test documents, especially test suites, and aims to assist them in producing their own documents. |
SUMMARY ? CORE C: MELANOMA SCREENING AND STRATIFICATION The focus of this P01 is the biological interplay between metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and mitochondrial biogenesis and function in melanoma. Alterations in these functions may promote therapeutic resistance and at the same time create novel drug sensitivities. Thus, a goal of the P01 will be to understand the mechanisms underlying deregulation of central metabolism, ER stress pathways, and mitochondrial biogenesis and function, and their significance for melanoma development and response to therapy. These studies will provide the basis for melanoma stratification based on changes in pathway activities, independent of the BRAF and NRAS genotypes. The extensive collaboration among all programs and cores using well- annotated melanoma cultures and tissues is essential for success of the P01. Core C will play a critical role in association with Projects 1, 2, and 3 and Core B to achieve the goals of the P01. First, we will provide biomaterials (melanoma cell cultures and tissue) for experimental use by each of the projects. Second, the core will also carry out single-agent and combination high-throughput screening for sensitivity of melanoma to select therapeutic agent libraries developed by the core. Third, we will integrate drug sensitivity data with genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data on the cell cultures and tissues to be analyzed. Finally, we will provide comprehensive pathology support and access to clinically annotated archival human melanoma tissue for translational studies. |
Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to transmit data between a node (e.g., a transmission station) and a wireless device (e.g., a mobile device). Some wireless devices communicate using orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) in a downlink (DL) transmission and single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) in an uplink (UL) transmission. Standards and protocols that use orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) for signal transmission include the third generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16 standard (e.g., 802.16e, 802.16m), which is commonly known to industry groups as WiMAX (Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access), and the IEEE 802.11 standard, which is commonly known to industry groups as WiFi.
In 3GPP radio access network (RAN) LTE systems, the node can be a combination of Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node Bs (also commonly denoted as evolved Node Bs, enhanced Node Bs, eNodeBs, or eNBs) and Radio Network Controllers (RNCs), which communicates with the wireless device, known as a user equipment (UE). The downlink (DL) transmission can be a communication from the node (e.g., eNodeB) to the wireless device (e.g., UE), and the uplink (UL) transmission can be a communication from the wireless device to the node.
In LTE, data can be transmitted from the UE to the eNodeB via a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH can carry scheduled data traffic and possible control signaling. The PUSCH can be carried in subframes of a radio frame. A one millisecond (ms) subframe can allow a one ms scheduling interval (or transmission time interval (TTI)). Uplink coverage may be limited by a maximum transmission power of the wireless device. In some situations, a voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) packet, for example, cannot be transmitted in a one ms subframe with an acceptable error rate. One solution to transmit a VoIP packet is to segment the VoIP packet at higher layers to allow the VoIP packet to be transmitted over several subframes. However, such segmentation can result in additional signaling overhead for each segment (including resource allocation signaling and hybrid automatic repeat request (hybrid ARQ or HARQ) acknowledgement signaling). A technique for improving uplink VoIP coverage at a cell edge can be to use TTI bundling, where a single transport block (TB) from a medium access control (MAC) layer is transmitted in multiple consecutive subframes, with one set of signaling messages (e.g., HARQ acknowledgement feedback) for the whole uplink transmission. For example, the PUSCH can allow groups of 4 TTIs to be bundled together in addition to the single one ms TTI.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. |
Helen Gym
Helen Gym ( ; born 1968) is an American politician. She serves as a member of the Philadelphia City Council, and is the first Asian American woman to serve in the body. A second-generation Korean-American, Gym is also a community organizer, journalist, former school teacher, and is on the board of Asian Americans United, a racial justice and advocacy group.
Personal life
Gym was born in Seattle, Washington and raised in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. Her parents were born in Korea and immigrated to the United States in the 1960s. Her father was a computer engineer who worked for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Her mother worked in the food services department at the Ohio State University. Gym has a younger sister. When Gym was growing up, the family attended the Protestant Korean Church.
In 1993, Gym graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where she majored in history. After leaving college, she returned to Ohio and worked for the Mansfield News Journal as a reporter. In 1994, she worked as a teacher. In 1996, Gym completed her language acquisition master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
Career
Gym has worked as a grassroots community organizer in Philadelphia has been involved in education reform there since 2006. Around that year, she co-founded the Parents United for Public Education. She is a member of the editorial board of Rethinking Schools and one of the founders of The Philadelphia Public School Notebook, a nonprofit, independent, free news service. She also co-founded a charter school in Chinatown called the Folk Art Cultural Treasures School.
In 2000, Gym led a campaign called the "Stadium Out of Chinatown Coalition" against the construction of a baseball stadium north of Chinatown, due to the fear that it might result in gentrification of the area.
She has also led other campaigns. In 2008, she fought against the establishment of the proposed Foxwoods Casino planned near Philadelphia's Chinatown because of the concern that unchecked development would compel longtime residents of that area to move away. She has also organized in opposition to state-sponsored, predatory gambling.
In 2009, she worked on a successful federal civil rights case to help stop the bullying and harassment of Asian American students in South Philadelphia High School.
The case came about partially due to a series of assaults at the school on December 3, 2009, when as many as thirty Asian immigrant students were attacked and beaten by large groups of African-American students. In her testimony, she called for the commission to require the school and district officials bear responsibility for not addressing the problem, to differentiate bias-based harassment and generalized violence, and take a different approach for each, and to develop effective anti-harassment policies and procedures. One result of the case was the 2014 creation of the AAPI Bullying Prevention Task Force. ("AAPI" stands for Asian American Pacific Islanders.)
Philadelphia City Council
In January 2016, Gym succeeded newly-elected Mayor Jim Kenney as a Democratic member of the Philadelphia City Council at-large district. She ran on a platform of housing reform and education. As councilperson, she has worked to ensure that Philadelphia's communities have an equal voice to wealthy entities and lobbyists. She proposes a fair standard of living, especially for schoolchildren, and to combat hunger, lack of housing, and poverty.
Following the aftermath of the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Gym posted on Twitter, "All around the country, we're fighting to remove the monuments to slavery & racism. Philly, we have work to do. Take the Rizzo statue down", referring to a statue of former Philadelphia mayor, Frank Rizzo.
Personal life
In 1995, she married Bret Flaherty, a lawyer. They have three children.
Awards and honors
Eddy Award, 2007
White House's "César E. Chávez Champions of Change", 2014
The Philadelphia Inquirer's Citizen of the Year
One of Philadelphia Magazine's 75 most influential people in the city
Emily’s List’s 2017 Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award
Notes
References
External links
TEDx talk "Why The Fight For Public Education Matters"
Category:1960s births
Category:Living people
Category:Pennsylvania Democrats
Category:Philadelphia City Council members
Category:American women of Korean descent in politics
Category:Women city councillors in the United States
Category:American women journalists
Category:American community activists
Category:Politicians from Columbus, Ohio
Category:Politicians from Seattle
Category:University of Pennsylvania alumni |
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now, Hillary Clinton tries to rack up a huge vote in West Virginia. Will this primary day help her plant seeds of doubt about Barack Obama? We're standing by for the first exit poll information.
And I'll ask the former New York governor Mario Cuomo about his scenario for party unity.
Also, high gas prices driving many Republicans to break right now with President Bush. But would the plan they're backing actually bring down fuel costs?
And thousands upon thousands of dead and injured. The enormity of China's earth quake disaster becomes more evident by the hour. We're going to take you to a middle school where young lives and parents' hearts were crushed.
I'm Wolf Blitzer at the CNN Election Center. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Polls close in West Virginia in about three and a half hours, and we could find out then if Hillary Clinton pulls off the big win she's expecting. Barack Obama has all but written off the state to Clinton.
Twenty-eight delegates are up for grabs in today's primary. Even if Clinton scores a blowout, the delegate math still will weigh heavily in Obama's favor as this primary season winds down. After tonight there are five more Democratic contests and 189 pledged delegates up for grabs.
As West Virginia votes, Clinton is making the case that today's primary shows her strength and Obama's weakness in a fall showdown with John McCain.
CNN's Jessica Yellin is in Charleston, West Virginia. She's watching this story for us.
Jessica, Senator Clinton and her team, they maintain this primary tonight means a lot down the road. What are they saying?
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf. They are reminding reporters today that no Democrat has won the White House without winning West Virginia since 1916. And they insist Senator Clinton would win this state in November.
Her campaign insists a win in West Virginia has far-reaching significance. Declaring, "Senator Obama has been unable to close a significant gap in the polls here. With a win in West Virginia, Senator Clinton will have once again proven her greater ability to win in the key swing states."
Her campaign is showing no signs of letting up. Today, announcing she'll visit upcoming primary states South Dakota, Oregon and Kentucky. And daughter Chelsea is in Puerto Rico, which votes in almost three weeks.
But team Clinton seems to be fighting gravity. Obama, also in D.C. to vote, was received like a hero. After working out in a U.S. Senate gym, he was cheered by a group of kids and swamped by reporters.
The drip, drip, drip of bad news for Senator Clinton is turning into a torrent. Today, former Colorado governor Roy Romer, who had stayed neutral, announced he's backing Obama. Romer, once a co-chair of Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign, told reporters, "I believe it is over. Obama's lead cannot be overcome. It's time for the party to unify and get on to the general election."
And while Clinton is wildly popular in West Virginia...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She understands the middle class person. And that really is one of the big reasons I'm for her.
YELLIN: ... there are signs her blue collar base is open to Obama.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not saying he's going to win. But he's going to do well.
YELLIN: And Wolf, Barack Obama is clearly aware of his need to bolster his support among those blue collar voters who have favored Clinton so far. This week he is visiting Macomb County, Michigan. Now, that's a swing county in a bellwether state. But it's also significant because that's the county where the term "Reagan Democrat" originated. It's got great symbolic meaning that he's going there this week -- Wolf. BLITZER: All right, Jessica. Thanks very much. Stand by.
There's also been a new development for John McCain's campaign. An influential televangelist who endorsed the Republican is expressing regret for anti-Catholic remarks.
John Hagee has referred to the Roman Catholic Church as "the great whore." McCain rejected Hagee's remarks, but not his support. And the controversy has hung over his campaign.
But now Hagee has written a letter to the president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights. It says, and let me quote right now, "Out of desire to advance a greater unity among Catholics and Evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful."
Here's the response from the Catholic League's William Donohue. He says, "What Hagee has done takes courage and, quite frankly, I never expected him to demonstrate such sensitivity to our concerns, but he has done just that. Whatever problems we had before are now history. This case is closed."
So, does Hagee's regret clear up a big campaign headache for John McCain? We're going to be talking about that. We'll have much more on that story coming up in our "Strategy Session."
We're also standing by for the first exit poll results coming in from West Virginia. Bill Schneider will be sharing those numbers with us. That's coming up.
Much more coming up on the presidential political front. But there are also right now new developments in China's Sichuan Province reeling from that magnitude 7.9 earthquake that devastated the area yesterday.
Take a look at this video that's just been released showing how the disaster unfolded at the region's main airport. You can see the panic and the damage the quake caused there.
Thousands of Chinese troops are pouring into the quake zone where they face a daunting, daunting task. The death toll has now topped 12,000 people. More than 26,000 reported injured. Thousands remain missing. Many buried under collapsed buildings. And one local official reports more than three million homes have been destroyed.
CNN's John Vause is at the epicenter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There are few comforts here for the badly hurt. Just a sheet of plastic to protect them from the rain. They're left on the road to moan.
This woman has back injuries and cannot walk. Remarkably, though, no one complains. No one speaks at all. They just wait for hours until the soldiers come and take them away.
Most are dazed, confused. Like Gao Shun (ph). He slowly recalls how he received those horrific bruises.
"I was on a bridge," he told me. "I don't know who saved me." This is that bridge Gao (ph) was crossing just as the tremor struck. Along with the concrete and steel, he went crashing to the river below.
Everywhere here the scale of the devastation is sweeping. And amid the rubble, memories of lives before the quake, lives that will never be the same again.
(on-camera): The force of the earthquake was so powerful that many homes didn't simply collapse. They were destroyed, smashed into pieces. And in many cases beneath the pile of wood and brick, are the people who once lived here. The focus, say officials, is not on finding the dead, but, rather, on trying to save the living.
(voice-over): But for many of the living, there is only misery. Survivors with nothing and nowhere to go, they huddle together in makeshift tents.
"It's horrible. There's devastation everywhere. We have no food," this woman says.
Thirteen thousand people lived in this small town, not far from the epicenter of the quake. The local communist party secretary who has been directing the rescue tells me 3,000 people are still missing. As he shows me the damage to his community, I asked, "How many have died?"
He breaks down in tears. "Up to 500 have been killed," he says, including his parents, wife, and two children. In the midst of his anguish, there's a call on his radio. He's needed again and goes back to work.
John Vause, CNN, China.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: What a heartbreaking story. Thanks to John Vause for that.
Let's go to Jack. He's got "The Cafferty File" -- Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Barack Obama has generated an excitement, hope perhaps, not seen in American politics in years. Maybe even decades. But behind the scenes, some of his field workers and volunteers are coming face to face with something very different -- racism.
"The Washington Post" reports about what it calls raw racism and hostility that have gone largely unnoticed and unreported in this election so far. Obama volunteers have had doors slammed in their faces. They've been called racially derogatory names. Some Americans apparently can't deal with the idea that Barack Obama might become our first African-American president.
One volunteer says that she was chased by dogs while canvassing in Indiana. Another woman in Pennsylvania gave up her phone bank duties after one night because of negative responses from voters in her county which is 98 percent white. Drivers yelling out racial slurs as they passed a group of black high school kids holding up Barack Obama signs in Indiana.
The campaign says these are isolated incidents, that most volunteers and staffers have had positive experiences. It says the election has reinforced Obama's view that this country is not as divided as our politics.
As for the candidate himself? Well, he doesn't talk much about race, but then he doesn't have to. Obama has won 30 of the 50 contests so far, including five of 12 primaries where blacks made up less than 10 percent of the votes. He also won in caucus states that are overwhelmingly white, places like Iowa and Idaho and Wyoming.
So here's the question: Now that it looks like it will be Barack Obama against John McCain, how big an issue will race become?
Go to CNN.com/caffertyfile. You can post a comment on my blog -- Wolf.
BLITZER: It's pretty depressing stuff.
CAFFERTY: Sad.
BLITZER: Yes, very sad. All right, Jack.
Tomorrow, by the way, we just got word we're going to be having an interview in THE SITUATION ROOM with Hillary Clinton tomorrow. We had one with Barack Obama last week. It's good to get one with Hillary Clinton.
Democrats divided between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama also are split on whether a joint ticket is possible.
Coming up next, I'll speak live with the former New York governor Mario Cuomo. I'll ask him why he thinks Obama and Clinton should and could team up and actually make it work.
Plus, we're standing by for the first exit polls from West Virginia. We're looking for fresh clues about where the Democratic contest goes from here.
And Republicans choose between voter worries about soaring gas prices and loyalty to President Bush.
We're live at the CNN Election Center, and you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: This note to our viewers. Barack Obama is going to be speaking before the polls close, before the polls close in West Virginia. He's in Missouri getting ready for that speech. You'll see it here live in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Also, we're standing by for exit poll numbers from West Virginia. The primary there taking place right now. The polls there close 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
Bill Schneider and his team going through those numbers. We'll share what we're getting with you as soon as they come in. Stand by for all of that.
Right now, Democrats are debating among themselves over a lot more than whether Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama should be president. There are serious disagreements over whether a drawn-out fight is good or bad for the party. And the prospect of an Obama/Clinton ticket has some Democrats applauding, others saying no way.
Joining us now is Mario Cuomo, the former Democratic governor of New York. He has not endorsed either of these candidates, but he has very strong views.
Thanks, Governor, for coming in.
MARIO CUOMO (D), FMR. NEW YORK GOVERNOR: Good to be here, Wolf.
BLITZER: If Barack Obama is watching us right now -- maybe he is, we don't know -- what is your message to him about a possible ticket involving Obama and Clinton?
CUOMO: Well, first of all, I'd say to him, congratulations for the extraordinary race you've made and the great success you've made so far. It's not over, but you've done a heck of a job.
And I'd say the obvious. Look, what we want more than anything is to win, and to win you're going to need all the votes she gets and you don't. And all the votes that she gets that -- that all the votes she gets, all the votes you get, they're different votes.
You've got Hispanics here. You have African-Americans there. You have all people. You need them both. The best way to do that...
BLITZER: And the only way to do that is to invite her on the ticket?
CUOMO: No, no. The best way to do it is to invite her on the ticket. If, in fact, at the end of process you win, which it looks like you might very well, then why not add her to the ticket? Now, all the arguments I hear against it don't make any sense to me.
BLITZER: Well, let's go through some of them and I'll give you a chance to respond.
For example, he has many ardent supporters who want change, and they think that by bringing her on the ticket, that negates this concept of change.
CUOMO: I think that's not ridiculous, but close. She was part of the Clinton years. Is that what you want to change?
BLITZER: Well, their argument is, been there, done it, time to move on.
CUOMO: Well, just a minute. You had the eight best years in modern history in the Hillary and Bill years.
You had the following -- you had a balanced budget; you had a $5.4 trillion surplus; you had 22 million new jobs; you had a middle class ascending and doing better; you had poor people shrinking in number. You had all of that in the Clinton years.
You want to change that? Who changed it? Bush changed it. Into what? Into a disaster. He reversed all of that.
BLITZER: What about the personal, though, the relationship that they have, that he might not feel comfortable bringing her on the ticket because you also bring her husband into the mix as well? You've heard that.
CUOMO: Do you really think Bill Clinton...
BLITZER: I'm not making the -- I'm just asking you to respond.
CUOMO: We would all know that -- you think Bill Clinton wants to hang around the Blair House, you know, for fun and give opinions? People should understand this about the vice president like lieutenant governors.
They don't have any authority. None. Except if there's a tie in the Senate you have to vote. After that, it's all up to the president.
BLITZER: Dick Cheney's been a pretty powerful vice president.
CUOMO: And that's why we're getting rid of Bush. And people like him because he turned the presidency over to him. But Bush did it. The president can do it.
If Obama wants to do it, he can hand to it Hillary. I doubt that would happen. If Hillary were there, Obama would be a strong president and he would use her as he wishes to.
So, this notion that, well, they disagree on issues, so what? It's the president that counts.
George Bush won, the first George Bush -- was accepted by Reagan and lived for eight years. Reagan had one big proposition: cut the taxes, especially on rich people. George Bush said that's voodoo economics. He couldn't have been more...
BLITZER: They were a good team for eight years.
CUOMO: Eight years.
BLITZER: And LBJ and JFK.
CUOMO: And JFK, and so on. Look, the argument...
BLITZER: So the argument that there's so much bad blood between these two...
CUOMO: It's all nonsense. It doesn't mean anything.
Here is what you have to focus on: win this race against McCain. And the way to do that is to get all those women, all those people who love Hillary, all those workers who like her for whatever reason, and bring them in with all the people who like you, Obama, which may be a few more than like her. Put them all together.
Look, we might have the first African-American president in history. Hallelujah. But imagine the first African-American president and the first woman vice president in history.
BLITZER: And what about the traditional notion that you need geographic distribution? Because New York State and Illinois, they're pretty Democratic states.
CUOMO: Like Clinton and Gore? Geographic? Two southern guys. What are you talking about?
BLITZER: So you don't believe in that?
CUOMO: No, of course, not. History doesn't believe in it.
BLITZER: And this other notion that neither one of them has any military -- they never served in the military, that's been an argument that's been made why this wouldn't necessarily be a good team.
CUOMO: I don't think it's going to stop people from voting for...
BLITZER: Some people have suggested Wesley Clark, for example, might be a good running mate.
CUOMO: Or he might make a good appointment to -- to the government. He doesn't have to be the vice president to give them his expertise.
Yes, he might be a good running mate. But, look, it's not stopping Obama from saying that Hillary would be a good president that she's never run an Army, and it's not stopping her from saying Obama would be a good president. Either they're both lying or they're both telling the truth.
So, no. You don't need a military person as vice president. As a matter of fact, they're not good politicians usually, the military people, because there's a difference.
So, you surround yourself with good military people like Wesley Clark. I don't hear any really good arguments against Hillary.
BLITZER: And it's interesting, neither of these two candidates has accepted the notion, but it's also interesting they haven't rejected it either.
CUOMO: And why should they? Why should they reject it?
BLITZER: You think she would accept?
CUOMO: I really don't know, but there's one way to find out. Offer it to her.
BLITZER: All right. Governor, thanks very much for coming in.
CUOMO: Thank you.
BLITZER: Mario Cuomo is the former governor of New York.
West Virginia has what Democrats want, but can the party get it? You're going to want to hear what that is and why tonight's outcome could teach Democrats a very important lesson for down the road.
And if Barack Obama suffers a blowout in the primary tonight, what might that mean for the general election? A lot more coming up, right here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(NEWSBREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Happening now, Hillary Clinton expected to win big in West Virginia's primary tonight, but can a Democrat win big there in the general election?
I'll speak with the West Virginia governor, Joe Manchin. We'll talk about that and more. And I'll also ask him why he's not yet backing a candidate, despite Clinton's major support in his state.
Keep the lights on or pull the plug. When asked whether Hillary Clinton should leave the race, you're going to want to hear what a majority of Democrats are now saying in a brand new poll.
And there's another heated race among fierce rivals for a Mississippi House seat. What happens is of major concern to both Democrats and Republicans, and could affect you.
I'm Wolf Blitzer at the CNN Election Center. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
Hillary Clinton is planning a huge primary victory party, but might Barack Obama upstage the celebration? He's planning a huge campaign event in Missouri, a state sure to be a battleground in the general election in November. And over the next few days Obama will pointedly visit several other states that will be in play come November.
Let's walk over to our chief national correspondent, John King. He's watching this story for us.
John, this is a fascinating new development -- Obama not going to be delivering a speech in one of the upcoming primary states, or even today's primary. But he's looking ahead.
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Looking ahead, Wolf, and trying to learn the lessons and learn from his weaknesses in the primary campaign, as he prepares for what he believes will be the general election.
And let's look first at Missouri, where he will be tonight. You see the dark color blue here on the map. That means Barack Obama carried the state of Missouri in the primaries. You will remember that, how narrow a victory it was, Barack Obama winning 49 percent to 48 percent.
But look. The light blue is Senator Clinton. She won all across the state of Missouri. Barack Obama won the state because he won in the big population centers. Well, tonight, he's going to be right down here, Wolf, Cape Girardeau County, very small piece of the state. Hometown of who? Rush Limbaugh was born in Cape Girardeau. You know he's on conservative talk radio saying, vote for Hillary Clinton. Keep the primaries going.
What is Barack Obama doing here? He's trying to talk to white rural voters. Now, let's go back in time and look at this county. We will go back to the 2004 red. George W. Bush who this county. But go back to 2000, red. George Bush won this county.
But a big, interesting thing happened in 2006. I'm going to keep it red for here. An interesting thing happened in 2006. Claire McCaskill, the new Democratic senator from this state, won a very narrow victory in this county over her Republican challenger.
It is in a part of Missouri where you have white conservative voters. If you go loosely across this area, this is the Bible belt of Missouri, white conservatives. So, Barack Obama targeting one of his weaknesses.
BLITZER: She's a big supporter of Obama, too.
KING: She is. And she will be with him. And he's trying to target one of his weaknesses, white rural voters, more conservative Democrats and independents. That's one of the places we will see Barack Obama campaigning, quite interesting.
Another place he's going, Wolf, in the coming days is up here in the state of Michigan, Macomb County. Now, this is back in time. George Bush won this state -- lost the state, but won this county against John Kerry. Macomb County is what? Blue-collar. General Motors is there. There are General Dynamics tank plants there. It's where Michael -- the county where Michael Dukakis rode the tank back in 1998, white blue-collar union voters, many of whom fled north from Detroit years ago to get away from the city, a huge swing area.
BLITZER: They used to call them Reagan Democrats. KING: Reagan -- the birthplace of Reagan Democrats.
And if you go back in time and you look at other elections, you can see it swings over time. Macomb County was -- it was Democratic. Al Gore won it in 2000. That's the Republican primary there. John McCain won it in the 2000 in the primary. But it's a swing county, more upscale, more blue-collar middle-class voters. Barack Obama has had a weakness in the primaries.
And lastly this week, he will be going down to Florida. And he will be going, Wolf, in the key part of the state, the I-4 Corridor, which runs roughly like this, from Tampa over to Orlando and Daytona Beach. Forty percent of the state's voters live right here along the I-4 Corridor.
You have independent voters that live big in this area. Also, the Puerto Rican part of the Hispanic population of Florida tends to be along this corridor.
And, again, let's go back in time. As you can see, it's a swing area. John Kerry won somewhat up here. They tied in Orlando. George Bush won across here. George Bush went on to win the state of Florida. You remember the infamous close contest back in 2000 in the state of Florida, much more competitive for Al Gore. He won many more of the counties along I-4. The state went 49-49.
Remember, George W. Bush won that state by 500-something votes, 537, I think it was. Well, he won by 4,400 votes along this corridor, the counties just along I-4. It is the swing vote area in the state of Florida. And Barack Obama will be in the Tampa area, we are told, later in the week.
BLITZER: And Florida and Michigan both critical, also very important, because he didn't campaign there because those primaries in those two states were negated because they moved them up to January, against DNC rules. So, this will give him a chance to start campaigning in two states where he really didn't spend a whole lot of time over the past, what, year-and-a-half.
KING: Absolutely right.
And that's we have -- on our Democratic map, we have those states a different color, because they don't count. Their delegates don't count because of the rules. So, Barack Obama essentially has two big missions when he goes to those states: try to make peace with angry Democrats, who say, hey, why aren't our votes going to count at the convention? Look for Barack Obama to say, I want to work this out somehow.
But, also, he's looking ahead to November, trying to make peace with Democrats, also reach out to independents and address his weaknesses. Those weaknesses have been discovered during this long and tough Democratic primary.
KING: All right, John, don't go anywhere. I know you are not, because you're going to be here. We have got a lot more to talk about over the next several hours.
Meanwhile, what might the West Virginia results mean for Clinton and Obama going forward?
Our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, is joining us.
Bill, what are we looking for tonight in West Virginia, specifically?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, Wolf, West Virginia Democrats could deliver an important message to their party.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER (voice-over): West Virginia could send Democrats a message, that Hillary Clinton has something to say, and they better listen.
Clinton's strengths all along has been not just with women, but also with older, rural, and blue-collar Democrats, the kinds of voters who predominate in West Virginia. Are they Reagan Democrats? Not exactly. West Virginia did not vote for Ronald Reagan in 1980, and it did not vote for his vice president in 1988.
But the state did vote for George W. Bush -- twice. They're Bush Democrats, and the Democratic Party wants them back. Obama has had trouble reaching them with his message of inspiration and unity.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have got to open up our arms and say, we want everybody, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, young, old, rich, poor, gay, straight. We want everybody under the banner of a new America.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
SCHNEIDER: A lot of West Virginia Democrats are hurting. They're not bitter. They're looking for hope.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's going to have to somehow convince older socially conservative voters that he can make their life better. And he's going to have to stick to the issues of economics and health care.
SCHNEIDER: Hillary Clinton seems to know how to reach those voters.
SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D-NY), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's going to take somebody who gets in there and rolls up her sleeves and gets to work for you.
SCHNEIDER: She's a fighter.
CLINTON: Let's show the world that West Virginia knows what kind of president we need. If you stand with me tomorrow, I will stand with you every single day in the White House. (END VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER: Senator Clinton may not win the nomination, but she is sending a valuable message to Democrats: Show more fight.
You know, sometimes, it takes a woman to toughen up a man. Screw your courage to the sticking place and we will not fail, Lady Macbeth said -- not that Lady Macbeth is a role model, but still.
BLITZER: Always good to quote Shakespeare.
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Bill.
And don't go very far away, because we're only moments away from the first batch of West Virginia exit polls.
Bill Schneider will bring those numbers to us as soon as they're released. Stand by for that.
With Barack Obama now slightly leading Hillary Clinton in the race for those superdelegates, two college students have found themselves right in the middle of it all.
Our Internet reporter, Abbi Tatton, is joining us now.
Abbi, who are these very young superdelegates?
ABBI TATTON, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Well, they are two undecided superdelegates, Lauren Wolfe and Awais Khaleel, leaders of the College Democrats of America.
Last month, they asked for input from college-age students about who they should support. And, boy, have they been getting it, especially from supporters of Barack Obama online, who are increasingly saying, what are you waiting for?
Take a look at this blog post from Students for Barack Obama, who are saying, he's inspired, empowered our generation. It's time for you to pledge your support.
There's Facebook petitions urging the same thing. And, yesterday, actor and Obama supporter Kal Penn, he of "Harold & Kumar" fame, weighed in with an open letter on "The Huffington Post," saying, "I understand that you wanted your constituents to weigh in, but that time has come and gone."
You can find people on Hillary Clinton sites as well, urging them to pledge their support for Hillary Clinton, but they're far outnumbered. I spoke to Lauren Wolfe earlier today, who told me, "No endorsement yet, but you will probably hear from us soon" -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks very much for that, Abbi.
We're only minutes away from bringing you the exit polls from West Virginia. As I said, Bill Schneider is going through those numbers.
Also ahead, there's a new move in Congress aimed at lowering gas prices, and Republicans feel so strongly about it, they're breaking ranks with President Bush right now.
Plus, is John McCain's pastor problem going away? We're going to look at the impact, now that Pastor John Hagee says he regrets those anti-Catholic remarks.
And we're standing by to hear from Barack Obama in the fall battleground state of Missouri. We're going to carry his remarks live, as he braces for what likely will be a big loss in West Virginia tonight -- much more coming up right here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: We should pretty soon -- momentarily, in fact -- be getting the first exit poll numbers coming in from West Virginia. We have been questioning actual voters today on their thoughts on a whole range of issues.
Bill Schneider going through those numbers. He's going to be sharing them with us as soon as they come in. Stand by for that. That's going to happen soon.
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill today, a direct challenge to President Bush, driven by concerns about gas prices. Senators voted overwhelmingly to temporarily stop the shipment of thousands of barrels of oil a day to the government's emergency reserve.
CNN's Kate Bolduan is joining us now. She's watching this story for us.
Kate, a lot of politics involved in this idea. It's not necessarily a new idea, but it's controversial. What's going on?
In a rare bipartisan move today, senators voted to offer what they think will result in some relief at the pump. But the White House says it won't work.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BOLDUAN (voice-over): Facing pressure to do something about skyrocketing gas prices, Senate Republicans joined Democrats and voted overwhelmingly to defy the president and temporarily halt oil shipments to the country's emergency stockpile. They say that will make more oil available and drive down the cost.
SEN. BYRON DORGAN (D), NORTH DAKOTA: Why on earth should we be putting oil underground at a time of record high prices?
SEN. PETE DOMENICI (R), NEW MEXICO: Now, make no bones about it now. This is no big energy policy. This is one little thing we can do, and I think we ought to go ahead and do it.
BOLDUAN: The stockpile, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, was set up on the Gulf Coast after the Arab oil embargo in the 1970s. It's a backup in case oil supplies are disrupted. Right now, there are 700 million barrels of oil stored underground in salt caverns. Every day, the U.S. adds 70,000 barrels to the reserve. The Senate proposal stops that.
FRANK VERRASTRO, ENERGY AND NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERT: By adding back between 70,000 and 100,000 barrels a day, you ought to get some relief in the short term.
BOLDUAN: Estimates of just how much consumers will save vary widely, from as much as a quarter a gallon to as little as a few pennies. President Bush opposes the move, saying it wouldn't affect price. He argues, an additional 70,000 barrels a day is negligible when compared to the 86 million barrels consumed every day worldwide.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You're talking about one-tenth of 1 percent of global demand.
BOLDUAN: He also says, withholding from the reserve is a risk to national security.
BUSH: One of the things the al Qaeda would like to do is blow up oil facilities.
SEN. KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON (R), TEXAS: It's an honest disagreement with the president. People are really worried. They're worried about the high cost of food. They're worried about the high cost of transportation. And that's the bread-and-butter issue for most families.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BOLDUAN: Now, the House is expected to pass a similar measure this evening.
Today, the White House restated the president's opposition to the legislation, but members of Congress say, Wolf, that, if the president decides to veto the bill, they do expect that they will have the votes to override it.
BLITZER: All right, that would be pretty significant, Kate.
Thanks very much. Stay on top of this story for us.
BLITZER: In our "Strategy Session," Barack Obama has all but conceded defeat in West Virginia. But could a blowout there tonight rekindle doubt in uncommitted delegates' -- superdelegates' minds that Obama may not be able to carry key swing states in November? And McCain supporter Pastor John Hagee now says he regrets offending the Catholic Church. Will his words help McCain with the Catholic vote? Donna Brazile and Leslie Sanchez, they are standing by live, right here in our "Strategy Session."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: In our "Strategy Session," the evangelical Pastor John Hagee has endorsed John McCain, but, previously, he denounced the Catholic Church, among other things, accusing it of supporting Hitler. Now Hagee is expressing regret for that and other remarks he calls -- and I'm quoting now -- "hurtful."
Among other things, Donna, he says this, Hagee: "Out of a desire to advance the greater unity among Catholics and evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful."
But, more importantly, I'm someone who believes in redemption. I think what Pastor Hagee is trying to do is to put this episode behind him, so that Senator McCain can campaign without having to renounce and denounce and distance himself.
On the other hand, I think Pastor Hagee may have to go a step further. He also insulted and -- and demeaned the people of Louisiana when he said the Hurricane Katrina was a sin from God. There are many Catholics in New Orleans. I was just there this weekend. And that's also hurtful.
But, personally, I don't think that this has any place. I believe in religious tolerance. I don't think it has any place in our political discussion, especially in light of many of our problems today.
BLITZER: Here's the reaction from Karen Finney, the communications director of the Democratic National Committee: "Unless John McCain's idea of being a new kind of a Republican includes cozying up to radicals who compare women to dogs, hold racially insensitive fund-raisers, and call one of the worst natural disasters in our country's history 'God's punishment,' he should renounce John Hagee's endorsement immediately."
Clearly, Karen Finney, speaking for the DNC, is not ready to forgive and forget.
I think that -- a couple of things. The Democrats are trying to connect and build a stronger bond between the pastor and John McCain. But I think John McCain's going to do incredibly well among Catholics on his own record, which is really the bigger issue.
He's somebody -- if you look at the fact that many Catholics are in these Rust Belt states, a disproportionate number of them come from the military or are veterans. They are going to really like the personal appeal of John McCain, as well as the fact that he's put together a very strong Catholic coalition that is very much the Bush team that delivered Ohio and Florida by two-thirds of the Catholic vote.
So, I think John McCain is making very strong inroads, and he's going to stand on his own record, not on something the DNC...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: A lot of them used to be called Reagan Democrats, as you well know, Donna.
BRAZILE: Well, as Bill Schneider said, some of them are Bush Democrats, too.
Look, but the truth is, is that the partisanship on religion really started with the Republicans. So, let's not play any game.
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: No, I would start with Hillary Clinton and Reverend Wright.
(CROSSTALK)
BRAZILE: No, it started long before this election.
SANCHEZ: Or Bill Clinton...
(CROSSTALK)
BRAZILE: It started long before this election season. And we're now split into born-again, not frequent churchgoers.
The truth is, is that this country's struggling. When you read "The Washington Post" poll today, you see 82 percent of the American people want a different direction. These are Catholics, like myself, who are struggling, working-class Catholics, like the people I saw when I was home. They want a new direction. They want a president who will rebuild this economy and really fight for...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: It's been a long time, Leslie, since that right track/wrong track number of "The Washington Post"/ABC News poll that was released today -- 82 percent of the American people, according to this poll, believe the country is now going on the wrong track.
SANCHEZ: No, there's no doubt about it. That's a significant thing.
But when you are talking about a faith community, many in the faith community feel the Democrats don't give them alternatives. They see them as social liberals who don't endorse policies that they fundamentally believe are important.
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: When you talk about faith, when you talk about partial- birth abortion, when you talk about religious persecution, these are significant things to many evangelicals, charismatic Catholics, and faith communities.
(CROSSTALK)
BRAZILE: So is poverty. So is poverty. So is homelessness.
SANCHEZ: No doubt about it. But what is the motivator for their vote?
BRAZILE: So is lack of health care.
And what -- there's no such thing as Republicans have some kind of monopoly on faith. I'm a woman of faith. I'm a liberal Democrat. What does that make me?
SANCHEZ: No.
(CROSSTALK)
BRAZILE: It makes me a liberal Democrat. It makes me passionate about issues.
BLITZER: All right, let's -- Donna, let's talk about...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: Let's talk about West Virginia for a moment. Let's talk about West...
BRAZILE: No, it's about the Democrats.
SANCHEZ: We're talking about who is going to vote in November.
BLITZER: Let's talk about a blowout, if she gets one tonight, against Barack Obama in West Virginia. What does that mean?
BRAZILE: It says everything about Hillary Clinton, that she's still fighting to win, that she's been able to connect with these voters on the economy.
One in six West Virginians are on food stamps, one in six.
BLITZER: That's pretty -- that's pretty shocking.
BRAZILE: It was 246,000 people in five years ago. It's up to 274,000 people.
I follow this, because I care about people in this country, caring about them in terms of their livelihood, and that's what this election is about. And Hillary has spoken to those needs. I don't think it says anything about Barack Obama that he's not going to aggressively compete to use his financial resources to -- to run up her negatives or his negatives.
What it says is that she's been able to connect in that state. It's a swing state. It's a very important state. He's been able to connect in other states. Hopefully, he will be able to do better in the fall.
BLITZER: What does it say if she wins big tonight?
SANCHEZ: I think it says two things. One, it just -- it shows her strong appeal. She's going to say she has momentum. She's going to try to change the conversation. Those are very strong points to be made.
But it's an interesting thing. If Barack Obama did incredibly well with working white, even lower-income voters in Virginia -- he did well in Maryland -- why is it falling off today? Why does he not want to be competitive in a state like this?
And if you look at the electoral map -- John King has beginning about this -- it's going to go to those Rust Belt states. I do believe that. It's going to go to those Reagan Democrats, who fundamentally may -- not only on faith, but on issues of elitism and kind of direction of this country, are going to have a problem with his candidacy.
BRAZILE: But he did won Wisconsin. And that is so-called Rust Belt.
(CROSSTALK)
SANCHEZ: He won't even compete in West Virginia. I mean, that's a significant state.
BLITZER: All right, guys, we will continue this conversation, because both of you are not going anywhere.
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: Thanks very much.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: If Barack Obama becomes the presidential nominee, should he pick Hillary Clinton as his running mate? You are going to want to hear what Clinton supporters think vs. what Obama supporters think. Also, what are West Virginia voters thinking as they vote today? We're going to have the first batch of exit poll numbers coming in to THE SITUATION ROOM.
And Barack Obama is set to speak shortly before West Virginia's primary results, before the results are even in. And he will be speaking from Missouri, a state key to the presidential win in November. You're going to hear Obama live, right here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Checking our Political Ticker: Democrats voters are weighing in on whether Barack Obama should choose Hillary Clinton as his running mate, if he indeed clinches the nomination.
And this programming note: We're going to have a one-on-one interview tomorrow with Senator Clinton. She will be here in THE SITUATION ROOM -- my interview with Senator Clinton tomorrow, 4:00 p.m. Eastern.
Jack Cafferty's joining us once again for "The Cafferty File" -- Jack.
CAFFERTY: The question this hour is: Now that it looks like it will be Barack Obama against John McCain, how big an issue will race become?
Tremendous story in "The Washington Post" today about this.
Kel writes from Auburn, Alabama: "Being a black man, I will tell you, racism sometimes seems to show up in the most subtle ways, even in today's society. I just hope that the smarter part of America will vote for the best candidate, and not let their ignorance keep the man for the job out of the office."
Mary in Wethersfield, Connecticut, says: "If Obama loses the election, the media will say it's because the U.S. is racist. There will be no talk of his lack of experience, his longstanding association with Reverend Wright, his lack of substantive, realistic ideas. We will all just be a bunch of racists who couldn't bring themselves to vote for the black guy."
Jenny in Boston writes: "It depends who answers your question. It is not an issue for me, but, for the ones who are voting today, it might be."
J. writes: "Race was not an issue. And Obama started his campaign as a champion of all people. Then came the Clintons, with her surrogates, such as Bob Johnson and Bill Clinton himself. I can just see the talking heads tonight bloviating on this issue and what it all means. It means that certain parts of this country are bigots. It would have happened had Hillary won, and they would not have been able to accept a woman. Only, she voted for the Iraq war. Wonder how many West Virginia men and women died for Hillary's Bush policy on Iraq?"
Bill in New London, Connecticut, says: "Huge. Race has been huge all along. Ever wonder why Obama can't secure the older voters and blue-collar white voters? It's because he's black. Polls won't show it, but we all know there are just some people who will not vote for a black man. Sad, but true."
And Nic writes: "I really hope it doesn't matter. Bush fit the perfect stereotype that was safe to vote for. And look at the mess he got us into. If people are so blinded by race and hate that that is the only reason that they don't vote for Barack Obama, then they deserve whatever they get."
If you didn't see your e-mail here, you can go to my blog at CNN.com/caffertyfile, look for yours there, along with hundreds of others -- Wolf. |
The invention refers to a solenoid comprising an armature movable in an armature room, and a coil which can be flowed through by current, wherein the coil, when flowed through by current, generates a magnetic field which serves for moving the armature so that the armature moves in the direction of the control cone, respectively the front region of the armature immerses in the control cone.
Solenoids of the type described in the beginning are sufficiently known. They serve for carrying out corresponding switch or control tasks.
Here, for example, proportional magnets are known where a power is generated by means of the solenoid which is proportional to the applied current. Linear connections of this kind can, for example, be used in suitable pressure control valves where a corresponding linear pressure control characteristic is decisive.
Known pressure control valves have here the object of reacting as sensitively and delicately as possible in a control range as large as possible. Just in the lower characteristics region the inclination of the characteristic is supposed to be not too steep so that too large variations do not result from slight current variations. On the other hand, however, suitable pressure control valves should provide, even with high pressure, a high control power. Here the electric requirements should remain unchanged, if possible, that means that the large development of power is not supposed to lead to a higher receiving of current, and thus necessarily to a larger diameter of the wire in the coils.
In order to be used optimally in such a case of application a solenoid is supposed to have a characteristic deviating from the linear control characteristic. |
16-2672-cv
Morris v. Berryhill
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT
SUMMARY ORDER
RULINGS BY SUMMARY ORDER DO NOT HAVE PRECEDENTIAL EFFECT. CITATION TO A SUMMARY ORDER
FILED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2007, IS PERMITTED AND IS GOVERNED BY FEDERAL RULE OF
APPELLATE PROCEDURE 32.1 AND THIS COURT’S LOCAL RULE 32.1.1. WHEN CITING A SUMMARY
ORDER IN A DOCUMENT FILED WITH THIS COURT, A PARTY MUST CITE EITHER THE FEDERAL APPENDIX
OR AN ELECTRONIC DATABASE (WITH THE NOTATION “SUMMARY ORDER”). A PARTY CITING A SUMMARY
ORDER MUST SERVE A COPY OF IT ON ANY PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL.
At a stated term of the United States Court of Appeals
for the Second Circuit, held at the Thurgood Marshall
United States Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, in the City of
New York, on the 18th day of January, two thousand eighteen.
PRESENT: DENNIS JACOBS,
REENA RAGGI,
PETER W. HALL,
Circuit Judges.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -X
Sheila Jean Morris,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
-v.- 16-2672-cv
Nancy A. Berryhill, Acting
Commissioner of Social Security,
Defendant-Appellee.1
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -X
FOR APPELLANT: Elizabeth Haungs, Law Offices of
Kenneth Hiller, PLLC, Amherst,
New York.
FOR APPELLEE: Graham Morrison, Special
Assistant United States
Attorney, for James P. Kennedy,
1 Pursuant to FRAP 43(c)(2), Acting Commissioner Nancy A. Berryhill is
automatically substituted for Carolyn W. Colvin.
1
Jr., Acting United States
Attorney for the Western
District of New York (Stephen P.
Conte, on the brief).
Appeal from a judgment of the United States District
Court for the Western District of New York (Skretny, J.).
UPON DUE CONSIDERATION, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED
AND DECREED that the judgment of the district court be
AFFIRMED.
Sheila Morris appeals from the judgment of the United
States District Court for the Western District of New York
affirming the Commissioner’s denial of her application for
Supplemental Social Security disability income. We assume
the parties’ familiarity with the underlying facts, the
procedural history, and the issues presented for review.
Sheila Morris filed a Title XVI application for
supplemental security income in September 2011 alleging
disability since June 1, 2008. The application was denied,
and Morris requested a hearing before an Administrative Law
Judge (“ALJ”). Appearing pro se, Morris submitted
testimony and documentation about her condition and
capacity at the February 2013 hearing. The ALJ also
consulted the medical opinion and notes of Morris’s
treating physician, Dr. Ellis Gomez, in addition to
treatment records from a geriatrician, a specialist in
physiatry and rehabilitation, and a neurologist, as
summarized below.
These treatment records show that Morris suffers from
hypertension, hypothyroidism, and sporadic pain in her
hands, feet, neck, and back. In a March 14, 2011
employability assessment, Morris was diagnosed with
hypertension, hypothyroidism, and swelling in her ankles
and forearms; it was recommended that she not work for
three months. Later that year, Morris’ treating physician
Dr. Gomez diagnosed obesity, high cholesterol, and mild
plantar fasciitis in the ankles, but otherwise normal
extremities. Dr. Gomez’s August 30, 2011 employability
assessment noted the same set of conditions, and opined
that Morris was moderately limited in walking, standing,
2
sitting, lifting, pushing, and climbing. A November 22,
2011 physical exam and diagnosis by Dr. Gautam Arora
detected the same conditions in addition to chronic pain,
but only identified mild limitations in physical movement.
These diagnoses revealed no limitation in mental function
limitations and no limitation in seeing, hearing, speaking,
or the use of hands. In February 2012, after Morris
complained of pain and numbness in her hands and forearms,
Morris saw Dr. Jeannie Koenig, a neurologist, who diagnosed
moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
On June 26, 2012, Dr. Gomez completed another
functional capacity assessment, this time opining that
Morris was “moderately limited” due to impairments in all
areas of physical functioning and most areas of mental
functioning, including: understanding and carrying out
instructions; making simple decisions; interacting
appropriately with others; maintaining socially appropriate
behavior; and functioning in a work setting. As a result,
Dr. Gomez concluded that Morris would not be able to work.
Before the ALJ, Morris was not able to name her medical
conditions, but she testified that: she had a ninth-grade
special education; she had never worked full time; and she
could not work due to trouble with her feet, legs, and
arms.
To be disabled under the Social Security Act (“Act”), a
claimant must establish an “inability to do any substantial
gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable
physical or mental impairment which can be expected to
result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to
last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”
20 C.F.R. § 404.1505(a). The Commissioner engages in a
five-step process to determine disability status, with the
burden resting on the claimant for the first four steps and
on the Commissioner for the fifth. 20 C.F.R. §
404.1520(a)(4); see also Burgess v. Astrue, 537 F.3d 117,
128 (2d Cir. 2008). The ALJ found that the medical record
evinced “severe impairments,” but determined that Morris
retained the residual functional capacity to perform light
work, with certain limitations, and that the Commissioner
had proven that such work existed in significant numbers in
the national economy. The ALJ therefore denied Morris’
3
application, ruling that she was not under a “disability”
within the meaning of the Act.
Morris alleges that she did not receive a full and fair
hearing because the ALJ failed to develop the record with a
complete medical history, particularly in light of her pro
se status. Morris also argues that the ALJ inappropriately
discounted the June 26, 2012 medical opinion of Morris’
treating physician, Dr. Gomez, that Morris was unable to
work. The district court found that the ALJ fulfilled the
duty to develop the record and that the ALJ’s determination
was supported by substantial evidence. The Commissioner’s
motion for judgment on the pleadings was granted.
Our review of the denial of disability benefits
“focus[es] on the administrative ruling rather than the
district court’s opinion.” Moran v. Astrue, 569 F.3d 108,
112 (2d Cir. 2009) (citation omitted). The threshold
question is whether the claimant received a full and fair
hearing. “[T]he social security ALJ, unlike a judge in a
trial, must on behalf of all claimants ... affirmatively
develop the record in light of the essentially non-
adversarial nature of a benefits proceeding.” Lamay v.
Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 562 F.3d 503, 508-09 (2d Cir. 2009)
(citations and alterations omitted); see also Butts v.
Barnhart, 388 F.3d 377, 386 (2d Cir. 2004) (“It is the
ALJ’s duty to investigate and develop the facts and develop
the arguments both for and against the granting of
benefits.”) (citations and alterations omitted). Failure
to develop the record warrants remand. See Rosa v.
Callahan, 168 F.3d 72, 79-80 (2d Cir. 1999); Moran, 569
F.3d at 113-15 (vacating and remanding for “perfunctory”
efforts by the ALJ to develop the record).
This duty is heightened for a pro se claimant. See
Moran, 569 F.3d at 113; Cruz v. Sullivan, 912 F.2d 8, 11
(2d Cir. 1990). When a disability benefits claimant
appears pro se, the ALJ must “ensur[e] that all of the
relevant facts are sufficiently developed and considered.”
Cruz, 912 F.2d at 11 (internal quotation marks, citations,
and alterations omitted). Further, an ALJ “cannot reject a
treating physician’s diagnosis without first attempting to
fill any clear gaps in the administrative record.” Rosa,
168 F.3d at 79.
4
Morris contends that the record was deficient because
the ALJ discounted the opinion of her treating physician,
Dr. Gomez, and that gaps remained in the administrative
record, in particular, missing treatment notes. Dr. Gomez
did receive requests for documents from the Social Security
Administration, to which she responded with treatment
records for Morris through April 2012. Additionally, at
the hearing, Morris provided the ALJ with supplemental
records from Dr. Gomez including a functional capacity
assessment dated June 21, 2012, progress notes dated
December 31, 2012, and correspondence between Dr. Gomez and
other treating physicians. Morris argues, however, that
the ALJ had a duty to recontact Dr. Gomez to obtain any
outstanding records or clarification as of February 2013
before discarding his opinion. See Rosa, 168 F.3d at 80;
Selian v. Astrue, 708 F.3d 409, 420-21 (2d Cir. 2013).
The appellant urges that three missing records may
exist that bear on Dr. Gomez’s “moderately limited”
opinion. But that theoretical possibility does not
establish that the ALJ failed to develop a complete record.
It is at best disputed whether these records offer the
salient corroboration to Dr. Gomez’s June 26, 2012
diagnosis argued by the appellant. As the Government
points out, there is no evidence that the alleged
appointments were held or that the corresponding records
exist. And Morris has no information about their contents.
Moreover, many of the recommendations made in Dr.
Gomez’s June 26, 2012 opinion are contradicted by his own
August 30, 2011 opinion, which noted that Morris had no
mental deficiencies. Dr. Gomez consistently found
relatively mild limitation related to his patient’s
obesity, hands, and feet, none of which supported the wide-
ranging and extreme functional limitations identified in
his assessment affecting areas such as speech,
socialization, and attention span. The duty to recontact
arises only if the ALJ lacks sufficient evidence in the
record to evaluate the doctor’s findings, not when the
treating physician’s opinion is inconsistent with her own
prior opinions and the rest of the record. See Guillen v.
Berryhill, 697 F. App’x 107, 108 (2d Cir. 2017)(summary
5
order)(citing Rosa, 168 F.3d at 79 n.5)); see also Rebull
v. Massanari, 240 F. Supp. 2d 265, 272 (S.D.N.Y. 2002).
Morris responds that the missing treatment notes would
show that her condition deteriorated significantly between
August 2011 and June 2012; but this is dubious, especially
considering the addition of previously undiagnosed social
and cognitive handicaps. Further, the ALJ already
possessed records from Dr. Gomez spanning May 2011 to
December 2012, in addition to numerous assessments and
notes from other physicians that cover each possible
impairment, none of which corroborate the physical and
mental limitations listed in the June 26, 2012 opinion.
See Carvey v. Astrue, 380 F. App’x 50, 51 (2d Cir. 2010)
(summary order)(“[B]ecause the record evidence was adequate
to permit the ALJ to make a disability determination, we
identify no merit in [the] claim that the ALJ was obligated
sua sponte to recontact the treating physician[].”).
Morris relies on Lopez v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec. to
illustrate that the omission of even one treatment source
for a pro se claimant requires remand. 622 F. App’x 59 (2d
Cir. 2015). In Lopez, a summary order, the claimant stated
at her hearing that she had been “hospitalized for four
days” due to back pain, but the hospitalization did not
appear in the administrative record. Id. at 61. The court
concluded that the absence of the hospital stay “creat[ed]
an obvious gap in the record” and remanded for the ALJ to
further develop the record. Id. (internal quotation marks
and alterations omitted) (citing Rosa, 168 F.3d at 79 n.
5). But an overnight hospital stay is likely to be a
serious and critical medical event that could materially
change the weight of the evidence on the disability
determination; the potentially missing records here would
consist of routine check-up and progress notes, with no
indication that they contain significant information. It
is not even clear that any records are actually missing.
With a sufficient administrative record, we review “de
novo to determine whether there is substantial evidence
supporting the Commissioner’s decision and whether the
Commissioner applied the correct legal standard.” Zabala
v. Astrue, 595 F.3d 402, 408 (2d Cir. 2010) (citation
omitted). Substantial evidence “means such relevant
6
evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to
support a conclusion.” Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S.
389, 401 (1971) (internal citation and quotation marks
omitted). If there is substantial evidence to support the
Commissioner’s decision, it must be upheld. 42 U.S.C. §
405(g); see also Moran, 569 F.3d at 112.
Morris argues that the ALJ’s disability decision is not
supported by substantial evidence because it insufficiently
credits the medical opinion of her treating physician, Dr.
Gomez.
Under the Treating Physician Rule, the “opinion of a
treating physician is given controlling weight if it is
well supported by medical findings and not inconsistent
with other substantial evidence.” Rosa, 168 F.3d at 78-79;
see also Burgess v. Astrue, 537 F.3d 117, 128 (2d Cir.
2008). But the opinion of a treating physician is not
absolute. See Halloran v. Barnhart, 362 F.3d 28, 32 (2d
Cir. 2004); cf. Minix v. Chater, No. 95CIV.8410(SAS), 1996
WL 435164, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 1, 1996). As explained
above, Dr. Gomez’s June 2012 opinion was not supported by
his diagnoses; conflicted with his earlier August 30, 2011
assessment; and painted a graver picture of Morris’ health
than any of Morris’ consulting physicians’ assessments
could support. In the event of such a conflict, “we defer
to the Commissioner’s resolution of conflicting evidence,”
Cage v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 692 F.3d 118, 122 (2d Cir.
2012), and reject the ALJ’s findings “only if a reasonable
factfinder would have to conclude otherwise.” Brault v.
Soc. Sec. Admin., Comm’r, 683 F.3d 443, 448 (2d Cir.
2012)(emphasis in original)(citation omitted). Rejecting
Dr. Gomez’s opinion here in favor of contrary evidence was
a proper exercise of discretion. See Veino v. Barnhart,
312 F.3d 578, 588-89 (2d Cir. 2002).
Aside from the discounted opinion of Dr. Gomez,
substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s determination that
Morris is not disabled and can perform work available in
the national economy with certain limitations. See 20
C.F.R. § 416.920(f); Talavera v. Astrue, 697 F.3d 145, 151,
153 (2d Cir. 2012).
7
For the foregoing reasons, and finding no merit in
MORRIS’s remaining arguments, we hereby AFFIRM the judgment
of the district court.
FOR THE COURT:
CATHERINE O’HAGAN WOLFE, CLERK
8
|
Conventional control panels having control elements, for example having pushbutton switches or display elements in house doorbells, transport means, elevators, etc., envisage that one or more control elements are fastened to a front panel or introduced into said panel and the latter in turn can be fastened in the desired place. In the installation of such control panels, the control elements are fastened to the front panel in a first step, which can be effected, for example, by means of a screw nut which is screwed onto a thread provided on the control element. The front panel as a whole is then fastened. However, such a procedure does of course require that the front panel be prefabricated as a separate workpiece. The installation, too, can be inconvenient and tedious depending on the cabling of the control elements and depending on accessibility of the control panel. Moreover, the front panel must be detached as a whole if a control element is faulty.
It would therefore be desirable to be able to fasten a control element directly to an already installed front panel. Such a front panel then need not be a separate, prefabricated workpiece. It would also be entirely possible for the casing provided with suitable openings, the housing or the like of the article on which the control panel is to be mounted also to serve directly as the front panel. In this way, high costs both for the production of the control panel and for its installation would of course be saved. A known means for permitting the fastening of a control element to a front panel installed in a fixed position consists in providing the front panel with additional holes into which, for example, plastics arms provided with a sawtooth profile and mounted on the control element can be introduced, which arms then fix the control element to the front panel. An other solution is disclosed in the two U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,070,559 and 4,016,359. These two publications each disclose a control element which can be formed, for example, as a switch or lever or as an electrical insulator and can be fastened to a front panel with a circular opening. In these known cases, the control element has a housing with a cylindrical section and an annular groove running all round the cylindrical section. The cylindrical section is dimensioned so that it fits virtually without play into the circular opening. These known control elements furthermore each have an annular spiral spring which fits into the annular groove and serves for fastening the control element without additional fastening means, i.e. in the manner of a snap fastener, to the front panel. On insertion of the control element into said front panel, the spiral spring is pressed into the annular groove. It relaxes again in the inserted state and then rests against the inside of the front panel, with the result that the control element is fixed in the opening.
This known method of fastening has the disadvantage that the cylindrical section has to be dimensioned so exactly that it can be inserted into the opening of the front panel so that it fits tightly, i.e. without play, and that the control element is relatively expensive because the spiral spring has to be specially made for this purpose. |
Q:
Error when trying to install brew -e:194
I received an error when installing brew and I'm not sure what it is:
overminds-MacBook-Air:~ overmind$ ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.github.com/mxcl/homebrew/go/install)"
==> This script will install:
/usr/local/bin/brew
/usr/local/Library/...
/usr/local/share/man/man1/brew.1
Press ENTER to continue or any other key to abort
==> Downloading and installing Homebrew...
-e:194: command not found: Error: /usr/bin/xcode-select returned unexpected error. --version
Do I have to worry about it? (I'm just following a tutorial installing git).
Thanks in advance.
A:
This indicates that xcode-select is missing, which therefore means that Xcode is not installed.
Install Xcode, then run it and allow it to install components, then retry the installation.
|
Mavic Crossone MTB Rear Wheel 2014 - £90.00£76.99
Save £13.01!
Mavic Crossone MTB Rear Wheel
Years of wheel systems development enable us to bring expertise to all levels. All the components are engineered together to ensure maximum reliability and the feel a true wheel system. Simple and reliable: Crossone.
Weight:1885 grams (pair of wheel)
Technologies:
FTS-X: Force Transfer System X - A further improved FTS free wheel system to meet the demand of intensive MTB riding as closely as possible to make the freewheel mecanism even more hard wearing.
Type in required words separated by spaces to search across selected mountain bike stores. A space represents 'AND', so all the words you enter will be present in either the product name or category. Use - (minus) to exclude single words and * as a wildcard, eg. roc*. Words must be of 3 letters or more. |
List of Philippine Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders
This is a list of Philippine Basketball Association players by total career free throws made.
Statistics accurate as of March 5, 2017.
See also
List of Philippine Basketball Association players
References
External links
Philippine Basketball Association All-time Leaders in Most Free Throws Made – PBA Online.net
Free Throw, Career |
STP: Fossil’s secret, little weapon
Fossil’s line of men’s automatic watches raised as many questions as eyebrows from the watch-loving community almost a half a decade back. For a company making quartz watches their bread and butter, many felt apprehensive if their automatic movements came from China. At prices well below the $500 mark, it’s pretty normal to feel if you are getting something that’s reliable and of value, albeit they exhibited impressive finishes, heft and proportions.
The Fossil automatics, no doubt, are refined elements and unless bigotry has taken the best of you, there’s no denial to the fact. They used (and still do) the STP movements, which is an acronym for Swiss Technology Production. Fossil trumped the affordable mechanical watch market game with the STP movements but it’s not just they are used by Fossil only. STP, so far, has fared extremely well as stock movements for a host of third-party manufacturers.
STP followed the ways of ETA and Sellita but over time, became a major contender for ETA, whom it replaced from many a watches. This is due to the fact that the STP1-11 automatic mechanical movement fitted anywhere an ETA 2824-2 or the Sellita SW200 would.
So, is the STP-11 just another 2824 clone? Not quite, but even if it had been, it would be no less noteworthy. It ensures both efficiency and quality, adhering not just to the current standards but also the more rigorous ones starting from 2017, both for the assembly and production of the components.
The movement under discussion measures 25.94mm across and operates at 4Hz. It can store power for 44 hours and has perlage polishing to it. In terms of customization, the STP1-11 allows as much possible and the same can be seen in the following upgrades – the STP3-13 and STP5-15, specifically designed for the open-heart types. For the fully skeletonized watches, it is the STP6-15 that was introduced while additional functionalities came with STP2-12-1, -12-3 and the -12-6, the last one fitted with a power reserve indicator and multiple calendar information.
But what about the women’s watches from the Swiss Fossil range? There you have the STP8-14-11 (time and date) and the STP8-14-21 (time only). These two are 17.48mm wide across.
STP movements are made inside a fully automated assembly line utilizing robotics for the assembly. Only tasks that machines are not ideal for use human interference, which are typically not the processes requiring high-precision and repetitive tasks. It helps to keep the prices down while offering higher levels of precision than fully hand-made movements that are also extremely rare.
So, to conclude; STP as a part of the portfolio, the Swiss Fossil watches remain attractively priced while maintaining a very high-quality. We are soon to receive them, so this bit of info is going to help you to spend your money well. |
FDA Pretends to Lighten Burden on Compounding Pharmacies Even as it Tightens Its Stranglehold on Them
The government is playing games with patients’ lives. A new document shows just how arbitrary Pharma-inspired limitations on shipping compounded medications really are. Action Alert!
The FDA is continuing to issue rules that implement the new compounding law passed by Congress in 2013, and this week the agency released a whole slew of documents—including the long-awaited draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the interstate distribution of compounded medications by traditional pharmacies.
At issue is the so-called “5% rule” included in the law, which states that traditional compounding pharmacies can only send 5% of their sales out of state, which would be calculated on a monthly basis. Here is only one example of how why this rule is irrational: How can a pharmacy be sure that it has not or will not exceed this 5% until the end of the month, when it’s too late to do anything about it?
“Good news!” says the FDA. “Now if your state signs our MOU, compounded drugs shipped out of state can make up a whopping 30% of your sales!” While 30% is certainly better than 5%, there shouldn’t be a limit on compounded sales at all, especially since FDA has offered no rationale for the 30% number or any other number. If 30% is as safe as 5%, then clearly safety is not the FDA’s concern and any restriction is utterly arbitrary. Is 31% suddenly unsafe? This also raises the question: if the FDA believes it has the authority to change the limit, why not just eliminate it altogether?
You might say, “Well, just buy your compounded medications in-state!” But it isn’t that simple. Many states lack compounding pharmacies that can fill their doctor’s prescriptions. In addition, many states will refuse to sign an MOU with the FDA because by doing so they agree to assume full regulatory responsibility for the pharmacies. In all likelihood, the FDA designed the MOU offer in a way that they knew would be rejected. In our opinion, the objective in all of this is to shut down compounding because it threatens Big Pharma profits, and Big Pharma funds the FDA.
The absurdity of this rule becomes even more apparent when we consider the traditional pharmacies that are located near state lines. If a pharmacy estimates that it is at its allowed limit for interstate shipments, it can’t ship to patients in other states even if they live just a few miles away—though they could ship to patients within the state even though they may live hundreds of miles away. What kind of logic is that? It doesn’t make anyone safer; it merely inconveniences patients, who may be elderly, disabled, or severely ill.
Not only will this rule make it more difficult to get certain drugs, it may make it impossible to get them at all, if you aren’t lucky enough to live in a state with a complete compounding pharmacy:
Restricting interstate shipments from traditional pharmacies essentially hands this market over to a new category of companies created by the legislation called outsourcing facilities—which in turn creates a new group of government-engineered quasi-monopolies.
These new companies can only ship medications that appear on a list of compounding ingredients pre-approved by the FDA. The list, when it eventually appears, will almost certainly leave out many important compounded ingredients, such as bioidentical estriol or compounded extended-release thyroid.
The FDA has long been hostile to bioidentical estriol in particular, because it competes with FDA-approved drugs, even though those drugs have been proven to cause heart disease and cancer. So much for protecting the consumer.
Simply put, this MOU does not make what began as a very bad idea much better. It also coincides with other assaults on compounding pharmacies covered in a recent article.
The FDA is taking public comments now regarding the MOU. If you are one of the many millions who rely on compounded medications, or care about someone who does, please submit a comment.
Action Alert! Tell the FDA and Congress that any limit on interstate sales of vital compounded drugs such as estriol or extended release thyroid is unacceptable. Tell them there must be no limit on the interstate dispensing of compounded drugs when a patient has a prescription ordered by a doctor. Please send your message immediately! |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma display device employing a plasma display panel (hereinafter also referred to as a plasma panel or a PDP) and an image display system using the plasma display device. In particular, the present invention is useful for providing a display device capable of improving luminous efficacy and producing a high-contrast and high-quality image.
2. Description of Prior Art
Recently, plasma display devices have been expected as promising large-size thin color display devices. More specifically, an ac surface-discharge type PDP is the most common type among PDPs put to practical use because of its simple structure and high reliability. Although the present invention will be explained mainly by using a conventional PDP of the ac surface-discharge type, the present invention is equally applicable to other types of PDPs.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a part of a structure of an example of a plasma panel. Formed on an underside of a front glass substrate (a substrate facing a viewing space explained subsequently) 21 are transparent common electrodes (hereinafter referred to as X electrodes) 22-1, 22-2 and transparent independent electrodes (hereinafter referred to as Y electrodes or scan electrodes) 23-1, 23-2. X bus electrodes 24-1, 24-2 and Y bus electrodes 25-1, 25-2 are overlaid on the X electrodes 22-1, 22-2 and the Y electrode 23-1, 23-2, respectively. Further, the X electrodes 22-1, 22-2 and the Y electrodes 23-1, 23-2, the X bus electrodes 24-1, 24-2, and the Y bus electrodes 25-1, 25-2 are covered with an dielectric 26, and then are covered with a protective film (also called a protective layer) 27 such as magnesium oxide (MgO). The X electrodes 22-1, 22-2 and the Y electrodes 23-1, 23-2, the X bus electrodes 24-1, 24-2, and the Y bus electrodes 25-1, 25-2 are collectively named a display discharge electrode or a display electrode (a display discharge electrode pair or a display electrode pair when a pair of X and Y electrodes is indicated).
In the above, the X electrodes 22-1, 22-2 and the Y electrodes 23-1, 23-2 have been explained as transparent electrodes, this is because a lighter (high-brightness) panel can be obtained, and it is needless to say that they do not always need to be transparent. Magnesium oxide (MgO) is explained as a concrete material for the protective film 27, but material for the protective film 27 is not limited to magnesium oxide. The objects of the protective film 27 are to protect the display discharge electrodes and the dielectric 26 from bombarding ions and to promote initiation and sustenance of discharge with secondary electron emission caused by incident ions. Other materials can be used which are capable of achieving the above objects. The front glass substrate 21 combined in this way with the electrodes, the dielectric, the protective films in an integral structure is called a front plate.
On the other hand, formed on an upside of a rear glass substrate 28 are electrodes (hereinafter referred to as A electrodes or address electrodes) 29 such that they intersect the X electrodes 22-1, 22-2 and the Y electrodes 23-1, 23-2 at right angles with grade separation. The A electrodes 29 are covered with a dielectric 30, and barrier ribs 31 are formed on the dielectric 30 such that they extend in parallel with the A electrodes 29. Further, phosphors 32 are coated on inner surfaces of cavities formed by wall surface of the barrier ribs 31 and the upper surfaces of the dielectric 30. The rear glass substrate 28 combined in this way with the A electrodes and the dielectric in an integral structure is called a rear plate.
A plasma panel is fabricated by bonding the front and rear plates provided with the necessary constituent elements as described above, filling a gas (a discharge gas) for creating plasma, and then sealing the panel. It is needless to say that it is necessary to bond and seal the front and rear plates to ensure the hermeticity of the sealed package containing the discharge gas.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the PDP of FIG. 2 viewed in the direction of the arrow D1 of FIG. 2, and schematically illustrates one cell which serves as the smallest picture element with borders of the one cell roughly indicated by broken lines. Hereinafter, cells are also called discharge cells.
In FIG. 3, the A electrode 29 is disposed halfway between the two barrier ribs 31, and the gas (discharge gas) for creating the plasma is contained within a discharge space 33 surrounded by the front glass substrate 21, the rear glass substrate 28 and the barrier ribs 31.
Here, the discharge space means a space where a display discharge, an address discharge, or a preliminary discharge (also called a reset discharge) is generated in operation of the plasma panel as described later. More specifically, the discharge space is a space which is filled with the discharge gas, has applied thereacross an electric field necessary for the discharge, and has a spatial expanse required for generation of the discharge. Further, a display discharge space means a space where a display discharge occurs, more specifically, a space which is filled with the discharge gas, has applied thereacross an electric field necessary for a display discharge, and has a spatial expanse required for generation of the display discharge. The discharge space and the display discharge space mean a space included in each of the discharge cells, or a collection of the spaces included in the discharge cells.
In a color PDP, usually three kinds of phosphors for red, green and blue are coated within the cells. A trio of cells coated with the three different kinds of phosphors serve as one pixel. A space having a plurality of such cells or pixels arranged continuously and periodically is called a display space. A set is called a plasma display panel or plasma panel which includes the display space and is provided with other necessary structures such as vacuum sealing and electrode leads for external connection. Hereinafter, the plasma panel is also referred to as the PDP.
In the plasma panel, a structure integrally fabricated to seal the discharge gas therein hermetically is referred to as the basic plasma panel. In the basic plasma display panel, a surface from which visible light for display is irradiated is called a display surface, and a space into which the visible light for display is irradiated is called a viewing space.
As described above, in the basic plasma panel, there is a space containing the plural discharge cells arranged continuously, which is hereinafter referred to as a display space. A projection of the display space onto the display surface is called a display region Rp, a projection of the discharge space onto the display surface is called a discharge region, and a projection of the display discharge space onto the display surface is called a display discharge region. A region other than the display discharge region in the display region Rp is called a non-display discharge region. A projection of the discharge cell onto the display surface is called a cell region.
A direction perpendicular to the display surface is called a height direction. In a case where the discharge cells include barrier ribs as their constituent components, a direction of a line connecting centers of two adjacent ones of the discharge cells arranged with one of the barrier ribs interposed therebetween is called a width direction, and a direction perpendicular to the width direction in a plane parallel with the display surface is called a length direction.
A barrier rib width is defined as a width of the barrier rib as measured in the width direction, and an average of the barrier rib width averaged over the height direction of the barrier rib is called an average barrier rib width Wrba.
In the conventional plasma panel shown in FIG. 2, the length directions of the barrier ribs are oriented approximately in one direction, and this structure of the plasma panel is called the straight-barrier-rib structure. In another conventional plasma panel, the length directions of the barrier ribs are oriented in at least two directions, that is, DR1 and DR2, and this structure of the plasma panel is called the box-barrier-rib structure.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the PDP of FIG. 2 viewed in the direction of the arrow D2 of FIG. 2, and schematically illustrates one cell with borders of the one cell roughly indicated by broken lines. Reference character Wgxy denotes a spacing between the display electrode pair (the X and Y electrodes), and the spacing Wgxy is called a display electrode gap. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 3 denote electrons, 4 is a positive ion, 5 is a positive wall charge, and 6 are negative wall charges.
By way of example, FIG. 4 schematically illustrates that, by applying a negative voltage to the Y electrode 23-1 and a voltage positive with respect to the Y electrode 23-1 to the A electrode 29 and the X electrode 22-1, initially a discharge is generated, and then the discharge has ceased. This has caused formation of a wall charge for assisting in initiation of a discharge between the Y electrode 23-1 and the X electrode 22-1, and this formation of the wall discharge is called address. In this state, when an appropriate voltage of the polarity opposite from the previous one is applied between the Y electrode 23-1 and the X electrode 22-1, a discharge is generated in the discharge space between the two electrodes through the dielectric 26 (and the protective film 27). After the cessation of the discharge, if the polarity of the voltage applied between the Y electrode 23-1 and the X electrode 22-1 is reversed, a new discharge is generated again. By repeating this process, discharges are generated continuously, and these discharges are called display discharges (or sustain discharges).
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an image display system including a plasma display device employing a PDP and a video signal source coupled thereto. A driving means (also called a drive circuit) receives signals representing a display scene from the video signal source, and then converts the signals into drive signals for the PDP in a procedure explained below and drives the PDP.
FIGS. 6A–6C illustrate an operation during one TV field (hereinafter also called simply one field) required for displaying one picture on the PDP shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6A is a time chart. As shown in portion (I) of FIG. 6A, one TV field 40 is divided into sub-fields 41 to 48 each having a different number of plural light emission times. Gray scales are generated by lighting one or more selectively from among the sub-fields.
As shown in portion II of FIG. 6A, each sub-field comprises a preliminary discharge period 49, an address discharge period 50 for addressing discharge cells to be lighted, and a display period (also called a lighted display period) 51.
The preliminary discharge period 49 is a period for homogenizing conditions of all the cells (conditions for establishing their drive characteristics) and preparing to ensure stability and reliability in their subsequent operations. Usually, during the preliminary discharge period, a preliminary discharge, a reset discharge, or an overall-address discharge (a discharge for addressing the entire display region simultaneously) is performed.
FIG. 6B illustrates waveforms of voltages applied to the A electrode, the X electrode and the Y electrode during the address discharge period 50 shown in FIG. 6A. A waveform 52 represents a voltage V0 (V) applied to one of the A electrodes during the conventional address discharge period 50, a waveform 53 represents a voltage V1(V) applied to the X electrode, and waveforms 54 and 55 represent voltages V2(V) applied to ith and (i+1)th Y electrodes. When a scan pulse 56 is applied to the ith Y electrode (in FIG. 6B, the scan pulse is illustrated as ground potential, but it may be selected to be a negative voltage), an address discharge is generated in a cell located at an intersection of the ith Y electrode with the address electrode 29. Even when the scan pulse 56 is applied to the ith Y electrode, if the A electrode 29 is at ground potential, the address discharge is not generated.
In this way, each of the Y electrodes is supplied with the scan pulse once during the address discharge period 50, and the A electrodes 29 are supplied with the voltage V0 or ground potential in synchronism with the scan pulse according to whether they are to be lighted or not to be lighted, respectively. In the discharge cells where the address discharges have been generated, electric charges are formed by the discharges on the surfaces of the dielectric and the protective films covering the Y electrodes. ON and OFF of the display discharge described subsequently are controlled by the assistance of an electric field generated by the above-mentioned electric charge. That is to say, the cells which have generated the address discharge serve as lighted cells, and the remainder of the cells serve as non-lighted cells.
On the other hand, there is another driving method in which the cells which have generated the address discharge serve as non-lighted cells (in which a wall charge generated by the above-explained overall-address discharge is eliminated by the address discharge), and in which the remainder of the cells serve as lighted cells.
FIG. 6C illustrates display discharge pulses applied between the X and Y electrodes which serve as display electrodes (also called display discharge electrodes) all at the same time during the display period 51 shown in FIG. 6A. The X and Y electrodes are supplied with the voltage waveforms 58 and 59, respectively.
The pulses of the magnitude V3 (V) and the same polarity are applied alternately to the X electrodes and the Y electrodes, and as a result reversal of the polarity of the voltage between the X and Y electrodes is repeated. The discharge occurring in the discharge gas between the X and Y electrodes during this period is called the display discharge. Here, display discharges occur in pulses, and their polarities are alternated.
A display electrode-to-electrode voltage Vse(t) externally applied in a cell during the display period is expressed byVse(t)=Vy(t)−Vx(t) (1)where Vx(t) and Vy(t) are voltage applied to the X and Y electrodes, respectively, during the display period, and t represents time.
A maximum applied display-discharge voltage Vsemax is defined as the maximum of the absolute value |Vset(t)| of the display electrode-to-electrode voltage Vse(t) during a time when the display discharge pulses are applied. In FIG. 6C, Vsemax is V3 (V). However, in a case where the waveshape of the voltage actually applied to the display electrodes is distorted by capacitances, inductances and resistances and others included in circuits on route from the power supply to the plasma panel, and consequently, is not rectangular unlike in the case of FIG. 6C, V3 represents the display electrode voltage averaged over a time when the display discharge pulses are applied, and therefore Vsemax has a magnitude somewhat different from that of V3.
Usually the means for generating the display discharge pulses is provided in the drive means shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 illustrates its outline. The means for generating the display discharge pulses includes as its constituent elements dc voltage supplying means, that is, display-discharge dc power supplies, and switch circuits (circuits X, Y in FIG. 7) provided between the display-discharge dc power supplies and the display electrodes. The display-discharge dc power supplies may be formed of mere capacitors, or may be formed of mere grounding electrodes (grounding interconnection lines). The switch circuits serve to select voltages from among output voltages of the display-discharge dc power supplies including ground potential and apply the selected voltages to the display electrodes. A display-discharge dc power supply voltage Vsdc is defined as the maximum of the absolute value of a difference between two output voltages from the two display-discharge dc power supplies, respectively. The display-discharge dc power supply voltage Vsdc is approximately equal in magnitude to V3. However, in a case where the waveshape of the voltage actually applied to the display electrodes is distorted by capacitances, inductances and resistances and others included in circuits on route from the power supply to the plasma panel, and consequently, is not rectangular unlike in the case of FIG. 6C, Vsdc has a magnitude somewhat different from that of V3.
In the above explanation, the display discharge has been explained in connection with a driving system in which the address discharge periods and the display periods are separated from each other, that is, the Address and Display Periods Separated Driving System, but the essence of the display discharge lies in intentional generation of light emission necessary for display, and therefore it is needless to say that such a discharge is recognized as the display discharge in other driving systems also.
For example, in the above-explained driving system (the Address and Display Periods Separated Driving System), the address discharge periods and the light-emission display periods are provided for the entire display region simultaneously, respectively. However, there is another driving system in which, while the address discharge periods are provided to some of the scanning electrodes (the Y electrodes), the light-emission display periods are provided to others of the scanning electrodes (the Y electrodes), and vice versa, and this driving system is called the Simultaneous Address and Display Driving System.
In the above-explained conventional techniques, the so-called progressive scanning drive system is employed, and all the discharge cells in the display region are used for displaying an image during each field period. On the other hand, the so-called interlaced scanning driving system can also be used. In the interlaced scanning driving system, the discharge cells of the plasma panel are divided into two kinds (group A and group B, for example), an image display is performed by alternately using the discharge cells of each of the group A and the group B on successive fields. For example, successive fields are divided into odd-numbered fields and even-numbered fields, and an image display is performed by using the discharge cells of the group A on the odd-numbered fields and using the discharge cells of the group B on the even-numbered fields. Further, in a third driving system, the same scanning electrodes (Y electrodes) may be used both for driving the odd-numbered fields and for driving the even-numbered fields. The plasma display device employing the plasma panel to which the interlaced scanning driving system or the above-described third driving system is applied is called the ALIS (Alternate Lighting of Surfaces) type plasma display device. The details of the ALIS type plasma display device have been reported in Kanazawa, Y., T. Ueda, S. Kuroki, K. Kariya and T. Hirose: “High-Resolution Interlaced Addressing for Plasma Displays,” 1999 SID International Symposium Digest of Technical Papers, Volume XXX, 14.1, pp. 154–157 (1999). |
Was Matthew Whitaker disrespectful in his Congressional hearing?
With days left before the Senate votes to confirm his successor William Barr, Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker was called in to answer questions from the House Judiciary Committee. Whitaker was asked about topics ranging from forced family separations at to the border to the continuation of the Mueller investigation. Yet Whitaker seemed at best dismissive and at worst downright disrespectful. Some could argue he answered the questions in a professional manner. What do you think?
PERSPECTIVES
When presented with an intense line of questioning about forced family separations at the southern border from Representative Pramila Jayapal, Whitaker refused to acknowledge the seriousness of the ongoing situation.
.@RepJayapal: "These parents were in your custody, your attorneys are prosecuting them, & your department was not tracking parents who were separated from their children! Do you know what damage has been done to children and families across this country?!"
He did technically respond to the questions, after some pushing. Well, a lot of pushing. But he answered. He should get some points for that?
WATCH: Acting AG Whitaker answers yes to Rep. Lieu's questions about potentially indicting various people based on the Constitution, but refers to DOJ policy when asked about potentially indicting a sitting president.
Again, he dodged and obfuscated but eventually does answer the question honestly.
.@RepEscobar: At SOTU, Trump said my community, El Paso, had high crime rates before we build a wall. But FBI data indicates El Paso has long been 1 of the safest cities in US. Do you disagree w/the FBI?
The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say. |
34.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard
Advertisements
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) will introduce an amendment that will block the Secret Service from paying to stay at any Trump businesses or properties.
The amendment states, “None of the funds made available by this Act to the United States Secret Service may be used to purchase, rent, or otherwise acquire goods or services, including hotel rooms, office space, or golf carts, from entities that are owned or operated by the President or the immediate family of the President.”
By law, the President can’t pay for his own Secret Service protection, but there is nothing stopping his family from finding other arrangement or paying for their own security. In other words, there is no law saying that Trump’s kids need Secret Service protection when they travel for business or go on vacation.
Advertisements
Rep. Schiff’s amendment is brilliant because it takes away Trump and family’s motivation for their constant travel and weekend vacations at Trump properties. The President is making money off of the taxpayers every time he goes to one of his properties for the weekend.
The Secret Service is broke, and can’t afford to pay its agents for hours that they’ve already worked because the Trump’s are living such a lavish lifestyle on the taxpayers’ dime.
Trump must not be allowed to profit from the presidency, and the best way to stop his greed and waste is to begin cutting off the flow of taxpayer funds to Trump businesses. |
If you’ve followed the instructions mentioned above with no luck, then please proceed by following the steps below:
Make sure that the Tobii EyeX Controller is connected to a USB 3.0 port with no extension cable in between.
Redo the display setup from the Tobii settings menu.
Make sure that the USB 3.0 cable is not broken.
Ensure the USB cable is properly connected to both the Tobii EyeX Controller as well as the computer.
Some controllers have power caps or are configured to save power so that might limit the amount of power given to each USB device. The eye tracker needs about 5-6 W of power to turn on its lights, then it uses on average 1.5-2 W of power.
Check Device Manager and check if you can see the category Eye Tracking Devices, under that category you should see Tobii EyeX Controller driver. |
A federal judge on Thursday ruled that voters whose mail-in and provisional ballots were rejected because of signature issues will have two additional days to resolve the problems and possibly get their votes included.
“The precise issue in this case is whether Florida’s law that allows county election officials to reject vote-by-mail and provisional ballots for mismatched signatures — with no standards, an illusory process to cure, and no process to challenge the rejection — passes constitutional muster,” Judge Mark Walker wrote in his decision. “The answer is simple. It does not.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The decision comes just ahead of the Thursday afternoon deadline for a machine recount.
The ruling will matter most in the state's still too-close-to-call Senate race, where Gov. Rick Scott (R) has a razor-thin lead over incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson Clarence (Bill) William NelsonDemocrats sound alarm on possible election chaos Trump, facing trouble in Florida, goes all in NASA names DC headquarters after agency's first Black female engineer Mary W. Jackson MORE (D).
It will also affect the close gubernatorial race where former Rep. Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantisFlorida attorney general scrutinizing Bloomberg paying fines for felons to vote Trump may meet with potential Supreme Court pick in Miami Florida governor unveils legislation targeting protesters in 'violent or disorderly' demonstrations MORE (R) has a little more breathing room over Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum (D), according to unofficial results.
Nelson's lead recount lawyer, Marc Elias, praised the decision in a statement to The Hill.
“Today’s decision is a victory for the people of Florida and for the Nelson campaign as we pursue our goal of making sure every legal ballot is counted," Elias wrote. "The court’s ruling impacts thousands of ballots, and that number will likely increase as larger counties like Broward add their ballots to the total pool which can be cured."
"We are taking several steps to ensure the rights of every Floridian are protected, and this is one major step forward.”
Scott's campaign will appeal the decision.
“We are immediately appealing this baseless decision and we are confident we will prevail in the Eleventh Circuit," Scott's press secretary, Lauren Schenone told The Hill in a statement. "Let’s be clear — Bill Nelson’s high-priced Washington lawyers went to court to argue against a process that they previously argued for."
Schenone specifically called out Nelson lawyer Elias for making what she says was a conflicting argument in an Arizona case and threatening Nelson's "legacy."
"It’s worth noting that Marc Elias is currently making THE EXACT OPPOSITE ARGUMENT in a similar case in Arizona," she added. "This also follows recent reports of the Democratic party encouraging and instructing voters to try to vote days after the legal deadline."
"Another day, another chance for Marc Elias to rack up massive legal fees regardless of the blatant hypocrisy … or the damage this will do to Bill Nelson’s legacy."
Walker's decision comes in the midst of a series of lawsuits and courtroom activity around the contentious Senate race.
Nelson has filed several lawsuits challenging how Florida election officials tabulate and evaluate ballots.
On Tuesday, he also asked a federal judge to delay the recount deadlines for his and other races in Florida.
Scott has taken his own legal action to ensure transparency in Broward and Palm Beach counties, where recounts are still taking place.
The courts ruled that the counties were not adequately transparent, but did not bring forth any evidence of election fraud.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it will not actively investigate either county, despite Scott's requests, because it has not received any credible allegations of fraud.
Still, Scott has accused Nelson and his team of trying to commit election fraud, specifically pointing to 93,000 ballots that were found after election night.
Florida law requires the total votes to be tallied within 30 minutes of the polls' close. Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner ordered recounts in three statewide races, including the Senate and gubernatorial races.
"The laws are set up to stop fraud," Scott told Fox News.
Nelson has accused Scott of "trying to stop all the votes from being counted ... impeding the democratic process."
--Updated at 10:03 a.m. |
2012 Formula LO season
The 2012 Formula LO season was the inaugural Formula LO season and the thirteenth season of the former Formula Lista Junior. It began on 19 May at the Red Bull Ring and ended on 13 October at Autodromo Nazionale Monza after twelve races.
Teams and drivers
All cars were powered by BMW engines, and Mygale FB02 chassis.
Race calendar and results
Championship standings
Drivers' championship
Rookies' Championship
Teams' Championship
References
External links
Official website
Formula LO
Formula LO
Category:Formula Lista Junior |
package com.arkivanov.mvikotlin.timetravel.server
import com.arkivanov.mvikotlin.rx.Disposable
import com.arkivanov.mvikotlin.rx.observer
import com.arkivanov.mvikotlin.timetravel.controller.TimeTravelController
import com.arkivanov.mvikotlin.timetravel.controller.timeTravelController
import com.arkivanov.mvikotlin.timetravel.proto.internal.DEFAULT_PORT
import com.arkivanov.mvikotlin.timetravel.proto.internal.data.timetravelcomand.TimeTravelCommand
import com.arkivanov.mvikotlin.timetravel.proto.internal.io.ReaderThread
import com.arkivanov.mvikotlin.timetravel.proto.internal.io.WriterThread
import com.badoo.reaktive.utils.ThreadLocalHolder
import platform.darwin.dispatch_async
import platform.darwin.dispatch_get_main_queue
import platform.posix.close
import kotlin.native.concurrent.freeze
class TimeTravelServer(
controller: TimeTravelController = timeTravelController,
private val port: Int = DEFAULT_PORT,
onError: (Throwable) -> Unit = {}
) {
constructor() : this(controller = timeTravelController)
private val storage = ThreadLocalHolder(Holder(controller = controller, onError = onError))
fun start() {
val holder: Holder = storage.get() ?: return
val connectionThread = connectionThread()
holder.connectionThread = connectionThread
connectionThread.start()
}
private fun connectionThread(): ConnectionThread =
ConnectionThread(
port = port,
onClientConnected = ::onClientConnected,
onError = ::onError
)
fun stop() {
val holder = storage.get() ?: return
storage.dispose()
holder.connectionThread?.interrupt()
closeClients(holder.clients.values)
}
private fun onClientConnected(socket: Int) {
runOnMainThreadIfNotDisposed { holder ->
val reader =
ReaderThread(
socket = socket,
onRead = ::onCommandReceived,
onDisconnected = { onClientDisconnected(socket) }
)
val writer = WriterThread(socket = socket, onDisconnected = { onClientDisconnected(socket) })
val stateDiff = StateDiff()
val disposable = holder.controller.states(observer { writer.submit(stateDiff(it)) })
holder.clients += socket to Client(socket, reader, writer, disposable)
reader.start()
}
}
private fun onClientDisconnected(socket: Int) {
runOnMainThreadIfNotDisposed { holder ->
holder.clients.remove(socket)?.also {
closeClients(listOf(it))
}
}
}
private fun closeClients(clients: Iterable<Client>) {
clients.forEach {
it.reader.interrupt()
it.writer.interrupt()
it.disposable.dispose()
}
clients.forEach { close(it.socket) }
}
private fun onCommandReceived(command: TimeTravelCommand) {
runOnMainThreadIfNotDisposed { holder ->
when (command) {
is TimeTravelCommand.StartRecording -> holder.controller.startRecording()
is TimeTravelCommand.StopRecording -> holder.controller.stopRecording()
is TimeTravelCommand.MoveToStart -> holder.controller.moveToStart()
is TimeTravelCommand.StepBackward -> holder.controller.stepBackward()
is TimeTravelCommand.StepForward -> holder.controller.stepForward()
is TimeTravelCommand.MoveToEnd -> holder.controller.moveToEnd()
is TimeTravelCommand.Cancel -> holder.controller.cancel()
is TimeTravelCommand.DebugEvent -> holder.controller.debugEvent(eventId = command.eventId)
is TimeTravelCommand.ExportEvents -> Unit // Not supported
is TimeTravelCommand.ImportEvents -> Unit // Not supported
}.let {}
}
}
private fun onError(error: Throwable) {
runOnMainThreadIfNotDisposed { holder ->
holder.onError.invoke(error)
}
}
private fun runOnMainThreadIfNotDisposed(block: (Holder) -> Unit) {
val callback: () -> Unit =
{
storage
.get()
?.also(block)
}
dispatch_async(dispatch_get_main_queue(), callback.freeze())
}
private class Holder(
val controller: TimeTravelController,
val onError: (Throwable) -> Unit
) {
var connectionThread: ConnectionThread? = null
val clients = HashMap<Int, Client>()
}
private class Client(
val socket: Int,
val reader: ReaderThread<*>,
val writer: WriterThread,
val disposable: Disposable
)
}
|
The newly appointed U.S. special envoy for Syria marked the civil war’s third anniversary this week by closing the country’s embassy in Washington and evicting its diplomats from the U.S. as his first order of business.
Daniel Rubinstein, who was appointed to succeed Ambassador Robert Ford in the special-envoy post by Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday, said in a statement on Tuesday that representatives of the regime of President Bashar Assad were no longer welcome in Washington.
“For three years, Bashar al-Assad has refused to heed the call of the Syrian people to step aside,” Rubinstein said. “He has directed a war against his own people and created a humanitarian catastrophe in order to hold on to power and protect his narrow interests.”
The U.S. ordered that operations at the Syrian embassy in Washington stop immediately and all personnel who are not U.S. citizens or permanent citizens leave the country.
The U.S., he said, will maintain diplomatic presence with Syria “as an expression of our long-standing ties with the Syrian people, an interest that will endure long after Bashar al-Assad leaves power.”
Contact us at letters@time.com. |
The Pearl City Chargers crushed the Roosevelt Rough Riders 42-0 on Saturday in OIA D2 varsity football at Aloha Stadium.The Chargers took a 35-0 lead at halftime which forced the running clock in the second half.
Pearl City scored their first touchdown at 7:48 of the first quarter on a 1 yard run by Andre Carter. Zameer Kahn PAT. QB Isaiah Asinsin followed with a 2 yard touchdown scamper with 4:50 on the clock in the first quarter. Kahn PAT.
The Chargers scored three more touchdowns in the second quarter. Makoa Cooper made the score 20-0 on a 2 yard rushing touchdown, Kahn PAT. Tupuola-Fetui put the Chargers up 27-0 on a 4 yard touchdown pass from Micah Quillopo-Jamile with 3:13 on the clock. Kahn PAT. Thomas King scored the final touchdown of the first half on a 16 yard touchdown pass from Asinsin with 2:54 on the clock.
The Chargers scored their final touchdown of the ball game on a 21 yard fumble recovery by Alihikaua Rodrigues at 10:00 in the third quarter.
Pearl City QB Isaiah Asinsin completed 4/5 for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Andre Carter led the Chargers with 71 yards on 12 carries with 1 touchdown.
The tough and speedy Charger defense held the Rough Riders to 67 yards of net offense to the Chargers 208. Zion Tupuoal-Fetui, Alihikaua Rodrigues, and Samuel Soto recorded a sack apiece with Kasey Kikuyama picking up an INT.
The Chargers improve to 2-0 in league play while the Rough Riders pulled even at 1-1.
The Junior Varsity Chargers also improved to 2-0 with a 26-14 victory over Roosevelt at Aloha Stadium.
Coming up this Friday, August 25, the varsity hosts visiting Waialua at Edwin Bino Neves Stadium. No JV game scheduled.
GO CHARGERS!
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Pearl City’s Andre Carter powers into the end zone scoring the game’s first
touchdown on a 1 yard run at 7:48 of first quarter. Carter led all rushers, behind the
Chargers explosive offense line, picking up 71 yards on 12 carries with one touchdown.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Chargers QB Asinsin sprints for the end zone in the first quarter. Asinsin scored
on a 2 yard run to put the Chargers up 13-0. Zameer Khan converted the PAT.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Asinsin completed 4/5 for 81 yards and one touchdown.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
Thomas King scored the third touchdown of the second quarter on
a 16 yard touchdown pass from Asinsin with 2:54 on the clock.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
The Chargers defense was tenacious holding the Rough Riders
offense to 67 yards of net offense led by three sacks and an INT.
Photo by Barry Villamil | barry@mypearlcity.com
KING & KAMI
Making it happen on the Chargers Offensive and Defensive sides of the ball!
|
8. Two engineering students were walking across a university campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?"
The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday, minding my own business, when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike, threw it to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want."
The first engineer nodded approvingly and said, "Good choice; the clothes probably wouldn't have fit you anyway."
9. An engineer was crossing a road one day, when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.
The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you for one week and do ANYTHING you want."
Again, the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.
Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess and that I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"
The engineer said, "Look, I'm an engineer. I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog, now that's cool."
10. A wife asks her husband, a software engineer...
"Could you please go shopping for me and buy one carton of milk, and if they have eggs, get 6!" A short time later the husband comes back with 6 cartons of milk. The wife asks him, "Why the hell did you buy 6 cartons of milk?" He replied, "They had eggs." |
Brisbane Subway Map
Historical region of Country
The Apostolic Constitutions devote a whole section, VIII 17-18, to deacons. Likewise, Ambrose devotes a section of his De officiis ministrorum II 28 to deacons. Brisbane Subway Map Pelagius, In Rom. 16,1, at the beginning of the 5th c. attests that in his day the ministry of diaconissae consisted in the administration of baptism and teaching, esp. women. The Acts of Philip 4th-5th c. mention diako,nissai along with dia,konoi, and presbu,tidej along with presbu,teroi, among the clergy. Likewise, in the Martyrdom of Matthew 28, a converted king is ordained presbu,teroj, his wife presbu,tij, his son dia,konoj, and his wife diako,nissa: that the female titles cannot possibly be interpreted as “wife of the presbyter†and “wife of the deacon†here is proved by the ordination of all four of them and their inclusion in the priestly dignity or i`erosu,nh.
Ps.-Dionysius presents deacons, presbyters and bishops as the steps of the ecclesiastical hierarchy that imitate the celestial one in his De ecclesiastica hierarchia. Justinian’s Novellae explicitly include deaconesses within the clergy and says that they are ordained though ceirotoni,a. These documents also attest that that they administered baptism to men as well, and partook in the arcane rites avpo,rrhtoi and the most holy and venerable mysteries sebasmiwta,toij musthri,oij, i.e., the Eucharistic consecration. Even at the end of the 7th c., the Trullan synod considered women deacons to be ordained ceirotonein and to belong to the priestly order i`eratikh, as well as male deacons and presbyters. Similarly, in the Testamentum Domini nostri, widows and women deacons and presbyters are all included in the clerus and located together with the bishop behind the veil at the moment of the Eucharistic sacrifice at Mass.
Their ordination is indicated by the same word that designates the ordination of male deacons, presbyters and bishops. Some wealthy deaconesses, such as Olympia in Constantinople, used their riches in support of the church and for charitable works. Epigraphical as well as literary evidence of both men and women deacons in Late Antiquity is abundant, in the East and in the West. |
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for performing percutaneous myocardial revascularization and injecting autologous materials into the treated tissue to stimulate angiogenesis.
A leading cause of death in the United States today is coronary artery disease, in which atherosclerotic plaque causes blockages in the coronary arteries, resulting in ischemia of the heart (i.e., inadequate blood flow to the myocardium). The disease manifests itself as chest pain or angina. In 1996, approximately 7 million people suffered from angina in the United States.
One technique that has been developed to treat patients suffering from diffuse atherosclerosis, is referred to as percutaneous myocardial revascularization (PMR). In this method, a series of channels are formed in the left ventricular wall of the heart extending inward from the myocardium. Typically, between 15 and 30 channels about 1 mm in diameter and preferably several millimeters deep are formed with a laser in the wall of the left ventricle to perfuse the heart muscle with blood coming directly from the inside of the left ventricle, rather than traveling through the coronary arteries. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,150 to Saadat describes mechanical apparatus for forming such channels. PCT Publication WO 98/17186 describes a laser-based system for performing PMR that includes needle adjacent to the laser element for injecting a contrast agent to mark the position of the PMR channels for imaging.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,059 to Mar. et al. describes a laser-based PMR system that deposits a angiogenic agent, such as a gene vector or genetically engineered harvested cells, into the channel formed during the PMR procedure to promote angiogenesis. A drawback of this approach, however, is that blood pulsing through the PMR channel during normal cardiac wall motion may cause the angiogenic factor to be promptly washed out of the channel, thereby dissipating any beneficial effect obtainable from its introduction.
In addition, it is relatively difficult and expensive to use engineer and produce the kinds of angiogenic factors referred to in the foregoing patent.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods for delivering angiogenic agents in conjunction with PMR treatments that promote long-term residence of the angiogenic agent in the vicinity of the treated tissue. It further would be desirable to provide relatively low-cost and readily available or readily prepared angiogenic agents for use in conjunction with PMR.
Wartiovaara et al., xe2x80x9cPeripheral Blood Platelets Express VEGF-C and VEGF which Are Released During Platelet Activation,xe2x80x9d Thromb Haemost, 80:171-175 (1998), describes that a variety of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) may be derived from platelets. Knighton et al., xe2x80x9cRole of Platelets and Fibrin in the Healing Sequence,xe2x80x9dAnn. Surg., 196(4)379-388 (1982), which is incorporated herein by reference, describes that thrombin-activated platelets, when injected in vivo in rabbit corneas, produced neovascularization that was dose related. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,957,742 to Knighton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,896 to Antoniades, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,418 to Brazeau describe methods of extracting platelet growth factors from blood.
Sakai et al., xe2x80x9cAutologous Cardiomyocyte Transplantation Improves Cardiac Function After Myocardial Injury,xe2x80x9d presented at the 1999 STS Convention, San Antonio, N. Mex., Jan. 1999, suggests that autologous cardiomyocytes may be harvested, cultured and re-injected into injured myocardium to restore ventricular function.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods for using autologous materials in conjunction with PMR to augment angiogenesis resulting from forming myocardial channels.
It further would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods that reduce the risk of such autologous angiogenic materials from washing out of the PMR channels, and instead promote retention of such materials by injecting the angiogenic materials into the myocardium adjacent to the PMR channels.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide apparatus and methods for delivering angiogenic agents in conjunction with PMR treatments that promote long-term residence of the angiogenic agent in the vicinity of the treated tissue.
It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for conveniently and economically preparing autologous angiogenic agents for use in conjunction with PMR.
It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus and methods for using autologous materials in conjunction with PMR to augment angiogenesis resulting from forming myocardial channels.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods that reduce the risk of such autologous angiogenic materials from washing out of the PMR channels, and instead promote retention of such materials.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for performing percutaneous myocardial revascularization that enable autologous angiogenic agents, such as platelets, platelet derived growth factors or cardiomyocytes to be injected into the myocardium adjacent to the PMR channels.
These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing methods for collecting and processing autologous biological materials to form autologous angiogenic agents.
Apparatus and methods also are provided for performing percutaneous myocardial revascularization that includes an injection needle disposed in spaced-apart relation to the channel-forming tool, so that a predetermined amount of the autologous angiogenic agent may be injected into the myocardium adjacent to the PMR channel.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, blood, cardiomyocytes, or other biological material is first collected from a patient scheduled to undergo PMR. The biological material is then treated to concentrate and activate or express one or more platelet derived growth factors, and is stored in preparation for re-injection into the patient""s myocardium during a PMR procedure.
Apparatus suitable for implementing the methods of the present invention comprises a catheter having an end region that is directable to contact a patient""s endocardium at a plurality of positions. Preferably, the catheter comprises inner and outer catheters each having preformed distal bends, so that the distal end of the inner catheter is directable to a plurality of positions. A cutting head is disposed within a lumen of the inner catheter and coupled to a drive tube that rotates and reciprocates the drive shaft. The drive tube is coupled to a motor that imparts rotational motion to the drive tube. The cutting head and drive tube include a lumen through which severed tissue is aspirated.
One or more stabilizing elements, are disposed on the distal end to retain the inner catheter in position while the cutting head is reciprocated beyond a distal endface of the inner catheter. In accordance with the present invention, the stabilizing elements also serve as injection needles for the re-injecting autologous angiogenic agent into the patient""s myocardium in the vicinity of the channels formed by the cutting head. Methods of using the apparatus to deliver angiogenic agents also are described. |
In a video message delivered to the world to recognize the New Year, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres issued a "red alert" for 2018.
"When I took office one year ago, I appealed for 2017 to be a year for peace," he said. "Unfortunately, in fundamental ways, the world has gone in reverse."
This time around, Guterres said he is "not issuing an appeal." Instead, he is "issuing an alert—a red alert for our world." The U.N. chief pointed to ongoing conflicts, "global anxieties about nuclear weapons," rising inequalities and xenophobia, "horrific violations of human rights," and the climate crisis as leading reasons for worldwide alarm.
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT Never Miss a Beat. Get our best delivered to your inbox.
Calling for global unity to address these issues, Guterres urged world leaders "to make this New Year's resolution: Narrow the gaps. Bridge the divides. Rebuild trust by bringing people together around common goals."
Watch: |
MG‑132 reverses multidrug resistance by activating the JNK signaling pathway in FaDu/T cells.
Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major impediment to cancer therapy. MG‑132 has been identified to be effective against MDR in several types of cancer. However, the mechanism of MG‑132 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas remains unknown. Based on our previous study, the present detected P‑gp and P‑gp expression in hypopharyngeal carcinoma FaDu cells, revealing that their expression was lower than that observed in the MDR cell line FaDu/T. To reverse the MDR of FaDu/T cells, the present study introduced MG‑132 and demonstrated that the high expression of P‑gp/P‑gp in FaDu/T cells was attenuated in a time‑dependent manner. MG‑132 also strengthened the sensitivity of FaDu/T cells to multidrugs. c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase (JNK) activation was further observed in FaDu/T cells. However, P‑gp/P‑gp did not decrease when FaDu/T cells were pretreated with SP600125. These results indicated that MG‑132 reversed the MDR of hypopharyngeal carcinoma by downregulating P‑gp/P‑gp, and the underlying mechanism may be associated with the activation the of the JNK signaling pathway. |
The invention is particularly concerned with two-cycle internal combustion engines which are commonly provided with transfer passages and porting providing for delivery of fuel from the crankcase into the combustion chamber above the piston. Intake porting is provided in order to introduce fuel into the crankcase space for compression therein upon the downward stroke of the piston and for delivery from the crankcase space through the transfer passage means. Intake valves are commonly provided in the intake passageway or intake tract.
In two-cycle engines of the kind referred to, a crankshaft is provided, being housed in a crankcase below the cylinder, and the crankshaft is connected with the piston working in the cylinder by means of a wrist pin, the axis of which parallels the axis of the crankshaft. This geometry of these parts is well-known; and it is also known that with this geometry, the body of the piston is positioned and supported during its reciprocation in the cylinder by interengagement of surfaces of the piston with the cylinder wall. The principal guiding support for the piston in the cylinder is derived from interengagement of surfaces of the piston body with the cylinder wall in areas concentrated in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the wrist pin; and the wear at the inner surface of the cylinder is correspondingly concentrated in the areas of the cylinder wall concentrated in the plane perpendicular to the wrist pin.
In conventional two-cycle engines, for various reasons, it is very common to employ a fuel intake port in the cylinder wall in the region of the plane perpendicular to the wrist pin, in consequence of which the available surface within the cylinder for supporting and guiding the piston is reduced in proportion to the area of the intake port or ports.
The above interrelationship between the position of the intake port and the plane perpendicular to the wrist pin has been found to be convenient in various types of equipment, such as motorcycles, chain saws and other devices, for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the fuel supply system, including for example, a carburetor, intake passage and valves are also conveniently located in positions generally in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the wrist pin.
In efforts to increase the power of the engine, there has been a tendency to multiply or increase the size of the intake port or ports, and to locate such ports in positions which at least in large part confront the piston through at least a substantial part of the piston stroke; and in consequence, the increase in the intake area tends to reduce the surface area of the cylinder serving to guide or support the piston. One undesirable consequence of this is the increase in wear of the remaining areas of the cylinder wall adjacent to the intake port or ports.
Having the foregoing in mind, the present invention contemplates an arrangement in which at least a part of the intake porting is provided in the cylinder wall in the region of the axial plane of the wrist pin, instead of in a region of the axial plane perpendicular to the wrist pin. By locating intake porting in this manner, relatively large intake ports may be provided without impairing the guiding or supporting function of the surfaces of the cylinder lying in the plane perpendicular to the wrist pin. In the arrangement of the invention, it is further contemplated that for purposes of providing communication between the intake porting and the crankcase, the body of the piston is constructed so that the surfaces thereof are spaced away from the cylinder wall in the regions adjoining the axial plane of the wrist pin. In this way, large intake port area may be provided without appreciably impairing the guiding or support of the piston in the cylinder, with consequent reduction in the wear of the cylinder, even when employing increased intake port area.
It is contemplated according to the invention that this "laterally" positioned intake porting may, if desired, be employed in combination with at least some intake porting lying within the plane perpendicular to the axis of the wrist pin. Moreover, it is further contemplated that the laterally positioned intake porting may be supplied with fuel for admission to the engine through passages extended circumferentially through the cylinder wall toward a position in the region of the plane perpendicular to the axis of the wrist pin, in which position a fuel supply chamber, appropriate valves, carburetor, etc. may conveniently be arranged.
By the intake port system of the present invention, it is possible to still further increase the total intake porting area without seriously affecting the support or guiding of the piston in the cylinder.
The present invention is also concerned with improvements in the interrelationship of the porting and the passage arrangements described above in relation to other porting and passage means, such as the transfer ports and passages commonly employed in two-cycle engines. These improvements may still further enhance the delivery of fuel into the combustion chamber and thereby increase the power of the engine.
The increase in fuel delivery and the consequent improvement in operation of the engine are accomplished according to the present invention by providing a novel interrelationship between the intake porting and passages and the transfer porting and passages, according to which the intake porting and passages not only deliver the fuel to the crankcase space, but also deliver fuel by an injector type of action into the transfer fuel flow during the phase of the cycle of operation in which fuel is being transferred from the crankcase to the combustion chamber.
In the arrangements according to the present invention, reed type intake valves are preferably provided in the intake tract, and injector porting or passages are provided in order to deliver fuel from the intake tract substantially directly into the transfer passage means. According to the invention, this may be accomplished in several ways by providing a region of at least one transfer passage intermediate its ends in communication with the intake passage or tract downstream of the valve means. Indeed, in certain arrangements according to the invention, a region of the intake tract downstream of the valve means and a region of at least one transfer passage intermediate its ends are common to each other.
Several embodiments of engines providing improved operation in various aspects as referred to above are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinafter. |
1. Introduction {#sec1-genes-11-00002}
===============
Constant improvement of lamb growth and meat yield of lamb carcasses is of high interest for sheep breeders due to direct benefits from breeding of faster growing animals with higher final body weight as well as carcass weight. Nowadays, sheep breeding is supported by various molecular genetics tools. One of them is a marker-assisted selection, which seems to be convenient choice, especially for less numerous indigenous sheep populations. This relatively cheap approach has a potential to increase rates of genetic gain for certain growth and carcass traits in different sheep populations.
Among many genes, which are involved in animal growth and which affect final carcass weight, the one coding for myostatin is an excellent candidate for the marker-assisted selection due to its crucial role in muscle development and growth. Indeed, myostatin, being a member of the transforming growth factor-β super-family, acts as a negative regulator of muscle growth. This protein is a homodimer, which is primary synthesized in skeletal muscle as a 375-amino acid propeptide. Subsequently, this propeptide is proteolytically processed at the RSRR (263) site to give rise to a 26-kDa active processed peptide, which binds to receptor to elicit biological function \[[@B1-genes-11-00002],[@B2-genes-11-00002]\].
The myostatin gene (*MSTN*) is expressed both in developing and adult skeletal muscles. It is located on the second chromosome in sheep and consists of three coding exons. Whole gene length is 6757 bps (GenBank no NC_040253.1), whereas transcript consists of 1128 bps and codes for a protein with 375 amino acids in its final configuration \[[@B3-genes-11-00002]\] (Oar_v3.1, database version 97.31). In general, polymorphisms, especially those nonsynonymous ones, in coding regions of different genes, are of great importance due to their typically significant effect, positive or negative, on certain organism's phenotype. For instance, in double-muscled cattle breeds, especially Piedmontese and Belgian Blue, a missense mutation or an 11 nucleotide deletion, respectively, in the third exon of the *MSTN* gene, inhibits production of mature, functional myostatin leading to increase in muscle mass caused by enhanced muscle development \[[@B4-genes-11-00002]\]. In sheep, Boman et al. \[[@B5-genes-11-00002],[@B6-genes-11-00002]\] have detected single-base deletion c.960delG in coding region of the *MSTN* gene only in Norwegian White sheep, which resulted in completely non-functional protein. Additionally, Boman and Våge \[[@B7-genes-11-00002]\] found one base-pair insertion in coding part of this gene, which creates premature stop codon in the 49th amino acid position in protein exclusively in Norwegian Spælsau sheep. They (\[[@B5-genes-11-00002],[@B6-genes-11-00002],[@B7-genes-11-00002]\]) concluded that these two Indels positively affect sheep carcass traits in terms of increased muscularity and reduced fatness in investigated sheep breeds in Norway. The synonymous G/C transversion in the third exon of the *MSTN* gene was identified in two Indian sheep breeds \[[@B8-genes-11-00002]\], whereas the c.101A\>G SNP (rs417816017) in the first exon was found in selected sheep breeds in China and New Zealand \[[@B9-genes-11-00002],[@B10-genes-11-00002],[@B11-genes-11-00002]\]. Moreover, Trukhachev et al. \[[@B12-genes-11-00002]\] have identified two more sequence variations in coding region of this gene, i.e., a single nucleotide insertion (c.782_783insT) and a new SNP c.940G\>T in the third exon exclusively in Stavropol Merino sheep. However, in all beforementioned studies the association analyses of the effects of these SNPs on carcass traits in sheep were not undertaken.
Clop et al. \[[@B13-genes-11-00002]\] have found the G/A substitution in 3′UTR region of the *MSTN* gene that creates a target site for two microRNAs, i.e., mir1 and mir206, which are highly expressed in skeletal muscle. They also reported that this mutation results in muscular hypertrophy in Texel sheep due to translational inhibition of the myostatin gene. Indeed, it is well known that variants in non-coding regions of the genome can influence gene regulation and affect the phenotype. Other authors, e.g., \[[@B14-genes-11-00002],[@B15-genes-11-00002]\], also confirmed effects of SNPs located in non-coding regions of the *MSTN* gene on growth, carcass and meat quality traits in sheep. For instance, Gan et al. \[[@B14-genes-11-00002]\], who investigated polymorphisms in a promoter, 5′UTR and 3′UTR regions as well as introns of the *MSTN* gene, identified 12 haplotypes. Notably, two of these haplotypes were significantly associated with certain growth traits in sheep. Kijas et al. \[[@B15-genes-11-00002]\] found a number of effects of SNPs located in the promoter, the second intron, and the 3′UTR regions on several carcass and meat quality traits. Moreover, Wang et al. \[[@B16-genes-11-00002]\] identified polymorphisms in the promoter region of the *MSTN* gene and showed their effects on growth and carcass traits in NZ Romney sheep.
Interestingly, Hickford et al. \[[@B17-genes-11-00002]\] detected polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene and reported associations between these alleles and a number of carcass traits in New Zealand Romney sheep. Sjakste et al. \[[@B18-genes-11-00002]\], who also identified a number of SNPs in the same fragment of the *MSTN* gene in Latvian Darkhead sheep, reported several reasons that suggested the polymorphisms in this non-coding region possess functionality as regulatory elements. For instance, the G/T transversion in the c.373+18 position could be functionally active affecting transcript splicing. Moreover, due to T nucleotide the transcription repressor AREB6 binding site could be created in the c.373+101 position \[[@B18-genes-11-00002]\]. Interestingly, the simultaneous analysis of substitutions in the positions c.373+241, 243, 246, 249, and 259, revealed four transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) \[[@B18-genes-11-00002]\]. Sjakste et al. \[[@B18-genes-11-00002]\] also showed that in the majority of alleles the presence of cytosine in the c.373+323 position resulted in formation of the binding sites on the minus strand to both SMAD proteins, involved in muscle mass regulation in adulthood \[[@B19-genes-11-00002]\], and the MEIS1 cofactor of TALE (*HOX*) family, critical for many aspects of animal morphogenesis (reviewed by \[[@B20-genes-11-00002]\]).
Despite the abovementioned potential significant functionality of the SNPs located in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene, very limited number of association studies between these polymorphisms and growth as well as carcass traits in sheep have been undertaken. The majority of studies have focused on the G/A substitution in the 3′UTR region (c.\*1232); however, this substitution has not been found in Merino sheep \[[@B14-genes-11-00002],[@B15-genes-11-00002]\] despite having been reported in several other sheep breeds including New Zealand Romney \[[@B21-genes-11-00002]\]. For this reason, the present study was performed with the aim of identifying alleles and genotypes in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene and to estimate their effects on growth and carcass traits in Colored Polish Merino sheep. The presence/absence of the G/A transition in the c.\*1232 position of this gene was also investigated. With respect to carcass traits, the novelty in this study was the first extensive analysis of allelic and genotypic effects in the first intron of *MSTN* gene on lamb carcass traits, involving weights of 10 different meat cuts, weights of 3 parts of a carcass as well as tissue composition of a leg. The importance of this study lies also in comprehensive analysis of association between polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* and growth traits in Merino sheep based on first results obtained in Colored Polish Merino sheep.
2. Materials and Methods {#sec2-genes-11-00002}
========================
2.1. Animals {#sec2dot1-genes-11-00002}
------------
The studies were carried out on 264 purebred Colored Polish Merino lambs of both sexes, which were produced over three experimental years on a farm owned by the National Research Institute of Animal Production (NRIAP) Experimental Station Kołuda Wielka (Poland). Lambs were sired by nine different rams. Each sire was used for breeding during two or three experimental years. Sheep were raised indoors and at the pasture, where they grazed six times a week. Suckling lambs were fed dry, granulated mash and a meadow hay ad libitum.
The Colored Polish Merino is a variety of the Polish Merino sheep breed, which was produced by selecting the Polish Merino sheep for colored wool. Similarly to the Polish Merino sheep, the Colored Polish Merino sheep are used both for their meat and wool. Adult ewes and rams weight on average 55--65 kg and 80--100 kg, respectively \[[@B22-genes-11-00002]\]. Prolificacy of Colored Polish Merino ewes is 135% on average.
All procedures that involved animals were approved by the Local Animal Research Ethics Committee and the Local Veterinary Service.
2.2. Growth Traits {#sec2dot2-genes-11-00002}
------------------
Growth data regarding body weights at second (BW2), 30th (BW30), 56th (BW56), and 78th (BW78) day of life were collected for 264 male and female lambs. Based on these data the average daily gains between second and 30th (ADG2-30), 30th and 56th (ADG30-56), as well as 56th and 78th (ADG56-78) were calculated for each individual under investigation. Moreover, birth rank and sex were recorded for each lamb at birth.
2.3. Carcass Traits {#sec2dot3-genes-11-00002}
-------------------
In total, 106 ram lambs at mean age 105 days (SD 4.2, range 92--119 days) were chosen for slaughter during the three years of the study. Slaughtering, carcass cutting, and leg dissection were done in the abattoir of the NRIAP Experimental Station Kołuda Wielka as described previously by Grochowska et al. \[[@B23-genes-11-00002],[@B24-genes-11-00002]\] according to the methodologies of Nawara et al. \[[@B25-genes-11-00002]\] and Krupiński et al. \[[@B26-genes-11-00002]\]. In brief, the slaughtering of ram lambs took place in batches, three or four times a year from March to April. Lambs were electrically stunned, exsanguinated, and skinned. Carcasses were cooled down in a chilling room (\~4 °C for 18 h). Thereafter, they were halved and weighted. The right-half carcass was divided into three parts, i.e., fore-part of the carcass, the full loin part, and the leg part. Each of these parts was weighed and further divided into the following cuts: Scrag, middle neck, shoulder, breast and flank, rib, loin, tenderloin, leg, fore shank, and hind shank according to the methodology of Nawara et al. \[[@B25-genes-11-00002]\]. All cuts were weighted. The leg was dissected for three tissues: Muscles, bones, and fat, which were weighted separately and a yield of each tissue in the leg was calculated.
2.4. Genotyping of the Ovine MSTN Gene {#sec2dot4-genes-11-00002}
--------------------------------------
DNA extraction and the identification of the *MSTN* gene polymorphisms were performed on 264 sheep as described previously by Grochowska et al. \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\]. Briefly, total genomic DNA was purified from the whole blood using a MasterPure^TM^ DNA Purification Kit for Blood Version II (Epicentre, Madison, WI, USA). Polymorphisms in the first intron as well as the c.\*1232 position, that is located in the 3′UTR region, of the *MSTN* gene were analyzed. Genotypes in the first intron were identified using the PCR-SSCP method according to the methodology of Hickford et al. \[[@B17-genes-11-00002]\] with later modifications implemented by Grochowska et al. \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\]. Thereafter, PCR products representative of unique SSCP banding patterns were cleaned up using the ExoSAP-IT^®^ (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and sequenced in both directions in Genomed, Poland. Moreover, the A/G substitution at the c.\*1232 position of the ovine *MSTN* gene was detected using PCR-RFLP method as presented by Clop et al. \[[@B13-genes-11-00002]\] with later modifications described by Grochowska et al. \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\].
2.5. Transcription Factor Binding Sites (TFBSs) Prediction {#sec2dot5-genes-11-00002}
----------------------------------------------------------
The AnimalTFDB (version v3.0) (<http://bioinfo.life.hust.edu.cn/AnimalTFDB/>) \[[@B27-genes-11-00002]\] was used to predict changes of the TFBSs that were caused by the identified SNPs in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene in sheep.
2.6. Statistical Analyses {#sec2dot6-genes-11-00002}
-------------------------
Allele and genotype frequencies in the *MSTN* locus were calculated. Moreover, the observed and expected heterozygosity as well as the Hardy--Weinberg equilibrium test calculations were performed in Arlequin 3.5.1.2 \[[@B28-genes-11-00002]\].
SAS software package \[[@B29-genes-11-00002]\] (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA) was used to analyze the dataset. The effects of the *MSTN* genotypes or a number of copies of a certain *MSTN* allele on growth traits were estimated using the MIXED procedure. The following mixed-effect model was applied: where Y~ijkl~ is the performance of the nth individual lamb for each trait of interest, μ is the general mean for each trait of interest, a~i~ is the fixed effect of the ith *MSTN* genotype (i = *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-A, *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-C, *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E, and *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E1) or the fixed effect of the ith number of copies of a certain *MSTN* allele (i = 0 or 1 for the *MSTN*-C, *MSTN*-E, and *MSTN*-E1 allele or i = 1 or 2 only for the *MSTN*-A allele), b~j~ is the fixed effect of the jth litter size (j = 1 (single), 2 (twin)), c~k~ is the fixed effect of the kth year of observation (k = 2011, 2012, 2013), d~l~ is the fixed effect of the lth sex (l = male, female), f~m~ is the random effect of the mth sire (m = sire 1, 2, ..., 9), and e~ijklm~ is the random error.
Relationship between the *MSTN* genotype or a number of copies of a certain *MSTN* allele and carcass traits were analyzed using the model described above without the effect of the sex because only male lambs were investigated. In addition, the right-half carcass weight was found to be significant; therefore, it was fitted in the final model as the covariate with exception of three traits i.e., muscle, fat and bone tissue yields.
With regard to aforementioned models, for all variables, main effects and two-way interactions between fixed effects were tested. Generally, these interactions did not show a significant effects on the majority of analyzed traits; therefore, only single significant interactions were fitted in the models exclusively for selected traits although not for the others. Moreover, once the *MSTN* genotype or a number of copies of a certain *MSTN* allele was found to be statistically significant in the abovementioned models for certain traits, the significance of deviations was tested using the Tukey--Kramer test.
Analyses of relationships between the *MSTN* genotypes and growth traits covered sheep with genotypes that fulfilled the criterium of minimal sample size (n = 10; i.e., *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-A, *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-C, *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E, and *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E1). With regard to carcass traits, which were recorded for male lambs, only two genotypes excided the sample size of 10, i.e., *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-A and *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E. Effects of a number of copies of a certain *MSTN* allele on growth traits were estimated separately for each of four alleles (i.e., *MSTN*-A, *MSTN*-C, *MSTN*-E and *MSTN*-E1), which fulfilled the criterium of minimal sample size (n = 10). With respect to carcass traits only three alleles, i.e., *MSTN*-A, *MSTN*-E, and *MSTN*-E1 reached the sample size of at least n = 10; therefore, allelic effects were tested only for them.
3. Results {#sec3-genes-11-00002}
==========
3.1. Detected MSTN Alleles and Genotypes and Their Frequencies {#sec3dot1-genes-11-00002}
--------------------------------------------------------------
In the studied Colored Polish Merino sheep, the SSCP analysis of polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene revealed four alleles, i.e., *MSTN*-A, *MSTN*-C, *MSTN*-E, and *MSTN*-E1, and four genotypes ([Figure 1](#genes-11-00002-f001){ref-type="fig"}), which were previously described by Hickford et al. \[[@B17-genes-11-00002]\] and/or Grochowska et al. \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\]. Polymorphisms of these four alleles as well as frequencies of these alleles and genotypes are shown in [Table 1](#genes-11-00002-t001){ref-type="table"} and [Table 2](#genes-11-00002-t002){ref-type="table"}, respectively. The *MSTN*-A allele was predominant (87.7%), whereas the *MSTN*-C allele occurred with the lowest frequency of 2.3%. Consequently, the *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-A homozygotes were the most frequent (75.4%) individuals in the investigated flock, while *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-C sheep were the rarest ones (4.5%). With the regard to polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene, the value of observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.25) was found to be slightly higher than the value of expected heterozygosity (He = 0.23). The population was in the Hardy--Weinberg equilibrium (*p* = 0.83).
All investigated animals were GG homozygotes with respect to the c.\*1232 SNP position of the *MSTN* gene ([Figure 2](#genes-11-00002-f002){ref-type="fig"}). The A allele, which is associated with muscular hypertrophy in sheep \[[@B13-genes-11-00002]\], was absent in the studied sheep.
3.2. Transcription Factor Binding Sites (TFBSs) {#sec3dot2-genes-11-00002}
-----------------------------------------------
The variation of TFBSs caused by six SNPs in the investigated fragment of the first intron of the *MSTN* gene was predicted using AnimalTFDB software. The G allele in the c.373+18 position created the putative binding sites for the following transcription factors-SETDB1, ESR1, ESRRA, and NRIP1, whereas the T allele created the putative binding sites for transcription factor RFX1, RFX2, and SETDB1. It was observed that the binding site for transcription factor GMEB1 was created due to both T and C allele in the c.373+18 position of the *MSTN* gene. Furthermore, the binding sites for the transcription factors SOX7, SOX21, and SMAD4 were created because of the A allele in the c.373+243 position. The binding site for transcription factor DMRT1 was created due to the simultaneous presence of the A and C alleles in the c.373+243 and c.373+249 positions. The C allele in the c.373+249 position was predicted to create the binding site for the transcription factor GTF2B, whereas the T allele in this position resulted in the creation of the binding site for transcription factor TRIM28. Moreover, the simultaneous presence of C and T allele in the c.373+249 and c.373+249 position was shown to create the binding site for the transcription factor POU6F1. It was predicted that the T allele in the c.373+259 position created the putative binding site for the transcription factor ESR1. The binding site for transcription factor BRD4 was created due to the T or C allele in the c.373+323 position. Moreover, the C allele in this position resulted in the creation of the binding sites for transcription factors OSR1 and POLR2A.
3.3. Effects of MSTN Alleles and Genotypes on Growth Traits {#sec3dot3-genes-11-00002}
-----------------------------------------------------------
Results of the association analyses of *MSTN* genotypes and alleles with growth traits in Colored Polish Merino sheep are presented in [Table 3](#genes-11-00002-t003){ref-type="table"} and [Table 4](#genes-11-00002-t004){ref-type="table"}, respectively. The general linear mixed model analyses showed significant effect of the *MSTN* genotype only on BW2 (*p* = 0.042). The *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E1 heterozygous lambs were on average 10% heavier than homozygotes *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-A. With regard to BW2 it was found that this difference was due to effect the *MSTN*-E1 allele, but was not related with the number of copies of the *MSTN*-A allele. The presence of the *MSTN*-E1 allele was highly significantly related (*p* = 0.006) with higher BW2, whereas the *MSTN*-A allele was not associated with this trait ([Table 4](#genes-11-00002-t004){ref-type="table"}). Assessment of the allelic effects of the *MSTN* gene on the other growth traits did not show any significant associations.
3.4. Effects of MSTN Alleles and Genotypes on Slaughter Traits {#sec3dot4-genes-11-00002}
--------------------------------------------------------------
[Table 5](#genes-11-00002-t005){ref-type="table"} shows the results of association analyses between the *MSTN* genotypes and slaughter traits in Colored Polish Merino sheep, whereas [Table 6](#genes-11-00002-t006){ref-type="table"} presents the effects of a number of copies of *MSTN* alleles on these traits. Among the 16 traits that were studied, weights of the two meat cuts, i.e., loin and fore shank, were significantly and highly significantly, respectively, affected by the *MSTN* genotype (*p* = 0.025 and *p* = 0.0018, respectively). *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E lambs had 6.2% heavier fore shank cuts when compared with *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-A ([Table 5](#genes-11-00002-t005){ref-type="table"}). With respect to this trait, performed statistical analysis revealed highly significant (*p* = 0.005) effect of a number of copies of the *MSTN*-A allele, whereas animals carrying one copy of this allele had heavier fore shank cut (3.9%) than those ones with two copies. In contrast, the presence of the *MSTN*-E allele in the lamb genotype resulted in highly significantly (*p* = 0.009) higher fore shank weight when compared with counterparts without this allelomorph ([Table 6](#genes-11-00002-t006){ref-type="table"}). On the other hand, *MSTN*-A homozygotes had 6.6% heavier loin cut ([Table 5](#genes-11-00002-t005){ref-type="table"}) than the *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E heterozygotes. Analysis of the effect of a number of copies of the *MSTN*-A allele on this trait confirmed that an additional copy of this allele positively affects loin cut weight (*p* = 0.053; [Table 6](#genes-11-00002-t006){ref-type="table"}). Additionally, the results of the association analysis between a number of copies of *MSTN* alleles and carcass traits indicated significant negative effect of the additional copy of the *MSTN*-A allele on scrag and leg weight. Interestingly, lambs harboring one copy of the *MSTN*-E allele had 3.8% heavier hind shank cut (*p* = 0.027) when compared with lambs without this allele ([Table 6](#genes-11-00002-t006){ref-type="table"}).
4. Discussion {#sec4-genes-11-00002}
=============
In this study we presented allelic and genotypic effects of the *MSTN* gene (first intron) on economically important traits in lamb production, i.e., growth traits and meat cuts weights. To our knowledge, it is the first so extensive study of the associations between polymorphism in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene and growth traits as well as meat cuts weights in a merino sheep breed not only in Europe, but also worldwide. The better understanding of the impact of polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene on growth and carcass, especially in sheep breeds lacking G/A transition in the c.\*1232 position, is of high interest due to its potential effect on lamb production. Importantly, significant associations between alleles and/or genotypes in this region of the *MSTN* gene and growth as well as carcass traits, could offer the potential to improve meat production in sheep breeds without beforementioned substitution in the 3′UTR region.
4.1. Detected MSTN Alleles and Genotypes and their Frequencies {#sec4dot1-genes-11-00002}
--------------------------------------------------------------
Our present and previous \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\] study of the *MSTN* gene polymorphisms, together with analyses performed by Kijas et al. \[[@B15-genes-11-00002]\], showed that the investigated sheep of a merino breed, do not possess a loss of function SNP in the 3′UTR (the c.\*1232A allele). For this reason, we focused our attention on polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene. Other authors, e.g., \[[@B13-genes-11-00002],[@B14-genes-11-00002],[@B17-genes-11-00002],[@B18-genes-11-00002]\], reported that this region of the ovine *MSTN* gene was highly polymorphic in different sheep breeds. Indeed, we confirmed these observations in Colored Polish Merino sheep in our present and previous study \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\] detecting four and five different alleles, respectively. Furthermore, detecting 5 alleles and 7 genotypes, we also recognized that other two sheep breeds in Poland, i.e., Kamieniec and Pomeranian, are even more polymorphic with respect to the first intron of the *MSTN* gene \[[@B30-genes-11-00002]\]. Interestingly, Sjakste et al. \[[@B18-genes-11-00002]\] indicated several reasons suggesting that the SNPs located in the non-coding region of the *MSTN* gene, i.e., the first intron, could have functionality as regulatory elements. For instance, the G nucleotide in the c.373+18 position, which is only present in the *MSTN*-A allele in Colored Polish Merino sheep, initiates processes that could potentially increase the transcription and splicing efficiency of the c.373+18G sequence variant compared to the c.373+18T alleles (i.e., the *MSTN*-C, *MSTN*-E, and *MSTN*-E1 alleles in the present study). Consequently, Sjakste et al. \[[@B18-genes-11-00002]\] concluded that the c.373+18T variant should be considered as advantageous in meat breeding programs in sheep. Additionally, the T nucleotide in the c.373+101 position, which we detected only in the new *MSTN*-E1 allele \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\], creates the transcription repressor AREB6 binding site. In contrast, the cytosine in this position, which is more common in a number of sheep breeds \[[@B13-genes-11-00002]\] as well as Colored Polish Merino sheep \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\], could potentially change sequence bendability following the formation of the DNA curvature \[[@B18-genes-11-00002]\]. With regard to substitutions in the positions c.373+241, 243, 246, 249, and 259, Sjakste et al. \[[@B18-genes-11-00002]\] deducted that the Hap 1 = A sequence variant can specifically bind those transcription factors (TFs) that potentially negatively influence myogenesis. In the present study, all detected alleles with only one exception of the *MSTN*-C allele have cytosine in the c.373+323. Sjakste et al. \[[@B18-genes-11-00002]\] found that in the majority of alleles cytosine in this position defines the minus strand affinity to SMAD proteins and the MEIS1 cofactor of TALE (*HOX*) family. SMAD proteins are involved in muscle mass regulation in adulthood \[[@B19-genes-11-00002]\]. The MEIS1 cofactor of TALE (*HOX*) family is critical for many aspects of animal morphogenesis (reviewed by \[[@B20-genes-11-00002]\]). On the other hand, thymine in the c.373+323 position (the *MSTN*-C allele in our studies) generates new GATA1 site on the plus strand and controls the affinity to the nonspecific transcriptional activator of the GATA family involved in muscle growth regulation \[[@B31-genes-11-00002]\].
In the preset study, the *MSTN*-A allele and consequently the *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-A genotype were the most frequent ones in Colored Polish Merino sheep. We reported similar results in our previous study \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\]. To our knowledge, there have not been other studies than ours regarding allelic and genotypic frequencies in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene in a Merino sheep; therefore, it is hard to compare them with other studies in Merino sheep worldwide. Only Hickford et al. \[[@B17-genes-11-00002]\] reported the presence of five alleles, i.e., A, B, C, D, and E, detected in Merino & Polwarth in New Zealand. Other authors, i.e., Clop et al. \[[@B13-genes-11-00002]\], Gan et al. \[[@B14-genes-11-00002]\], Trukhachev et al. \[[@B12-genes-11-00002],[@B32-genes-11-00002]\] provided information about polymorphic positions in 5 Merinos Arles sheep in France, two Merino breeds in China, Stavropol Merino and New Zealand Merino, and 30 Dzhalginsky Merino rams in Russia, respectively, but they did not classified these SNPs into alleles or genotypes.
With respect to the first intron, we observed considerably lower frequency of the *MSTN*-A allele (51.1%) in Kamieniec sheep breed and higher occurrence of this allele in Pomeranian sheep breed in Poland \[[@B30-genes-11-00002]\] as compared with Colored Polish Merino in the present study. Interestingly, in Kamieniec sheep the *MSTN*-B allele, not detected in the preset study, occurred with the frequency of 46.5%. On the other hand, Farhadian et al. \[[@B33-genes-11-00002]\] observed lower percentage of the A allele (42%) together with higher occurrence of the C and D alleles (23% and 21%, respectively) in Makoei sheep in Iran as compared to Colored Polish Merino, Kamieniec, and Pomeranian sheep breeds in Poland. Based on the results of the present study as well as other abovementioned ones, it could be concluded that the first intron of the *MSTN* gene is polymorphic, whereas both the number of alleles/haplotypes as well as their frequencies vary with respect to sheep breed, its purpose, and region of an origin. Moreover, breeding history together with genetic background of the breed play important roles in modulating the polymorphism in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene. Considering the fact, that a great number of sheep breeds from all around the world have not been investigated in terms of polymorphism in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene, information about nucleotide variations in this part of the *MSTN* gene in different sheep breeds all around the world could be very valuable.
4.2. Effects of MSTN Alleles and Genotypes on Growth Traits {#sec4dot2-genes-11-00002}
-----------------------------------------------------------
Myostatin acts as a negative regulator of muscle growth. Growth traits are of great interest for breeders because they influence the profit form lamb production. It is well known, that polymorphisms in non-coding regions can have a significant effect on a regulation of the gene expression. Therefore, they can finally affect a phenotype. Indeed, in the current study we showed effect of intronic polymorphisms on one out of seven analyzed growth traits, i.e., BW2. We found that *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E1 heterozygous lambs were significantly heavier on the second day of life than *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-A homozygotes. Subsequent analysis of the allelic effect showed that this difference was due to effect of the *MSTN*-E1 allele. Similarly, Farhadian et al. \[[@B33-genes-11-00002]\] found the effect of polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene on birth weight, but not on other growth traits, in Iranian Makoei sheep. Additionally, our previous results showed both genotypic and/or allelic effects of the *MSTN* intronic polymorphisms on several carcass and meat quality traits in Colored Polish Merino sheep \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\] as well as growth traits in Kamieniec sheep breed \[[@B30-genes-11-00002]\]. In contrast, Hickford et al. \[[@B17-genes-11-00002]\] did not find any association between polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene and growth traits in New Zealand Romney sheep.
Several authors have also focused on the effects of nucleotide variations in other non-coding regions of the *MSTN* gene than the first intron \[[@B15-genes-11-00002],[@B16-genes-11-00002],[@B21-genes-11-00002],[@B34-genes-11-00002],[@B35-genes-11-00002],[@B36-genes-11-00002],[@B37-genes-11-00002]\] or/and polymorphisms in coding region of this gene \[[@B6-genes-11-00002],[@B8-genes-11-00002],[@B10-genes-11-00002]\] on growth traits. For instance, Kijas et al. \[[@B15-genes-11-00002]\] analyzed SNPs in the promoter region, the second intron and the c.\*1232 position of the *MSTN* gene; however, they did not find any relationships between these nucleotide substitutions and several lamb growth traits, e.g., birth weight, in different sheep breeds. These results partially correspond with findings of Masri et al. \[[@B35-genes-11-00002]\] and Johnson et al. \[[@B38-genes-11-00002]\], who also did not show effects of the c.\*1232G\>A transition (formerly g+6723G\>A) on several growth traits. On the other hand, we found effect of this SNP on body weight at 56th day of life and average daily gain in Kamieniec sheep breed in Poland \[[@B30-genes-11-00002]\]. Moreover, the c.\*1232G\>A substitution was associated with lamb live weight in 8 weeks of age in Texel x Welsh Mountain lambs \[[@B36-genes-11-00002]\]. Interestingly, Wang et al. \[[@B16-genes-11-00002]\] found association between the nucleotide variation in a promoter region of the *MSTN* gene (c.-2379) and birth, tailing and weaning weights. Moreover, Han et al. \[[@B37-genes-11-00002]\] investigated SNPs in the promoter, the first exon and intron, as well as the 3′UTR region of the *MSTN* gene and they observed highly significant (*p* = 0.006) and significant (*p* = 0.02) effects of the H1 haplotype on tailing weigh (approximately 3 weeks after birth) and growth rate to weaning, respectively.
SNPs in coding regions are even of higher interest than those ones in non-coding fragments of the gene due to their direct effects on the structure of a protein. According to Ensembl database there are 8 SNPs in coding region of the ovine *MSTN* \[[@B3-genes-11-00002]\] (Oar_v3.1, database version 98.31), whereas only 3 of them are synonymous variants. However, there are sparse information on associations between these polymorphisms and production traits in sheep mostly due to the fact that they have been detected in single sheep breeds. For instance, Ma et al. \[[@B10-genes-11-00002]\] showed relationship between SNP in the first exon of the *MSTN* gene (rs417816017) and several growth traits, among them birth weight, in Tan sheep. Boman et al. \[[@B6-genes-11-00002]\] found an effect of a deletion in coding region of the *MSTN* gene (c.960delG) on weaning weight and live weight gain in Norwegian White Sheep. Ranjan et al. \[[@B8-genes-11-00002]\] reported an association of the SNP in the third exon of the *MSTN* gene with body weights in 9 and 12 months old Madras Red sheep, whereas birth weight was not affected by this SNP.
As mentioned before, in the present study the *MSTN*-E1 allele affected significantly BW2, but not other growth traits under investigation. This result may suggest that the *MSTN*-E1 allele plays a role rather in prenatal muscle development than in postnatal growth in Colored Polish Merino sheep. Interestingly, Casas et al. \[[@B39-genes-11-00002]\] and Short et al. \[[@B40-genes-11-00002]\] observed an association between *MSTN* gene mutations and calving difficulties in cattle. However, Crispo et al. \[[@B41-genes-11-00002]\], who studied fetal and postnatal development and delivery in wild type (WT) lambs and their *MSTN* knock-out (KO) counterparts (using CRISPR/Cas9 technology), did not find evidence on the effect of the myostatin gene on prenatal lamb growth. They observed that homozygous *MSTN* KO lambs were not significantly different than WT animals in terms of body weight at birth. Moreover, conversely to our results Crispo et al. \[[@B41-genes-11-00002]\] and Li et al. \[[@B42-genes-11-00002]\] showed significant differences between the WT and the *MSTN* KO lambs in postnatal growth and development. Results of Crispo et al. \[[@B41-genes-11-00002]\] are with disagreement not only with our present studies, but also with outcomes of other authors, e.g., \[[@B10-genes-11-00002],[@B16-genes-11-00002],[@B34-genes-11-00002]\], who have observed the effects of polymorphisms in the *MSTN* gene on birth weight. Conversely, several authors, e.g., \[[@B15-genes-11-00002],[@B38-genes-11-00002]\], did not observe effects of the *MSTN* gene polymorphisms on postnatal growth. In the *MSTN* KO lambs the myostatin is completely inactive; therefore, the effects are more profound when compared them to lambs with different *MSTN* genotypes. Lambs having the *MSTN* gene in their genomes differ in terms of genotype in the locus of this gene and the differences between genotype groups are often not significant due to functions of other gene fragments, which simultaneously play a role in gene function and expression.
Taking into consideration both our results and those reported by other authors, it could be concluded that the effect of the *MSTN* gene polymorphisms on growth traits vary on type of polymorphism and sheep breed. Like many other production traits, growth characteristics belong to complex traits, which are affected by polygenes as well as environmental factors. Consequently, different results of association analyses obtained for certain sheep breeds are probably due to divergent genetic background of the breeds of interests, which may affect the magnitude and, perhaps, even the mode of action of the *MSTN* gene effects on lamb growth \[[@B43-genes-11-00002]\]. Additionally, environmental factors, e.g., feeding, are of great importance with respect to animal growth. Therefore, it could be assumed that both breeding history and environmental effects, together with the genetic background of the sheep breed, play roles in modulating the effects of selected SNP in the *MSTN* gene on lamb growth. Moreover, different results of the aforementioned association analyses are probably caused by differences in the *MSTN* gene polymorphism as well as in allele/haplotype frequencies between investigated sheep breeds in the present study as well as studies of other authors.
4.3. Effects of MSTN Alleles and Genotypes on Slaughter Traits {#sec4dot3-genes-11-00002}
--------------------------------------------------------------
Polymorphisms in the *MSTN* gene are associated with the meatiness and fatness of lambs (e.g., \[[@B5-genes-11-00002],[@B13-genes-11-00002],[@B24-genes-11-00002]\]). Higher yield of lean meat is of high interest, as it guarantee breeder higher profit from lamb production. In the present study, we investigated genotypic and allelic effects of the *MSTN* gene on several lamb carcass cuts weights as well as tissue composition of a leg in Colored Polish Merino sheep. To our knowledge our analyses are the first attempt of assessing the relationships between the *MSTN* gene polymorphisms and abovementioned traits in Merino sheep. Additionally, for the first time we have reported the association of genotypes and alleles in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene with lamb carcass cuts weights in Merino sheep in Europe.
We observed that *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-A homozygous lambs had 6.6% higher weight of one of the most valuable cuts, i.e., loin. Despite the fact that the effect of this genotype was not very large, on average 32 g, with regard to the weight of whole carcass, it could be relevant for a breeder in terms of profit from lamb production when considering a whole flock. As it is the first report on the association between alleles and genotypes in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene and lamb carcass cuts weighs both in Merino sheep and European sheep, it is hard to compare our results with those of other authors. To our knowledge only Hickford et al. \[[@B17-genes-11-00002]\] have investigated the associations between polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene and yields of three lamb carcass cuts, i.e., leg, loin and shoulder; however, the research was performed in New Zealand on Romney sheep. Despite the fact that Hickford et al. \[[@B17-genes-11-00002]\] conducted analyses on different sheep breed raised in divergent environmental conditions, their results are in partial agreement with those obtained by us in the current study. They also found negative effect of the A allele (comparable to the *MSTN*-A allele; see \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\]) on leg yield. However, in contrast to our results, Hickford et al. \[[@B17-genes-11-00002]\] observed negative influence of this allele on the loin yield. Furthermore, Han et al. \[[@B37-genes-11-00002]\], who investigated association between the *MSTN* gene haplotypes and various carcass traits, showed that the presence of the H1 haplotype increased yields of such as valuable cuts as loin and leg as well as total yield. The H1 haplotype is similar to the *MSTN*-A allele detected in present study. Interestingly, Han et al. \[[@B37-genes-11-00002]\] reported that the presence of other haplotype, i.e., the H2 one, caused decrease in loin and leg yields, whereas for loin yield its effect was not significant. Remarkable, the H2 haplotype is also partially similar the *MSTN*-A allele from our current study (see \[[@B24-genes-11-00002]\]) in terms of polymorphism in the first intron and the c.\*1232 position, and it differs from the beforementioned H1 haplotype only in the position the c.\*1232 of the *MSTN* gene having A allele instead of G. This arrangement is in agreement with nucleotide variation encountered in Colored Polish Merino and other Merino sheep breeds, which do not possess the c.\*1232 A allele \[[@B15-genes-11-00002],[@B24-genes-11-00002]\]. These results suggest that the negative effect of the *MSTN*-A allele on leg weigh or yield could be similar in different sheep breeds raised in divergent environments, what may drove to conclusion that, with respect to this trait, genetic effect could be more relevant than environment.
Moreover, in the present study we observed that *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E heterozygotes had significantly heavier fore shank cuts (6.2%). Subsequent analysis of the effect of the presence or the absence of certain *MSTN* alleles, showed that this increase was due to effect the *MSTN*-E allelic variant, because the occurrence of both additional copy of the *MSTN*-A allele or one copy of the *MSTN*-E1 allele in the genotype of a lamb caused reduction in fore shank cut weight. Furthermore, we also found, that additional copy of *MSTN*-A was not advantageous in terms of its effect on weight of scrag and leg weight, whereas hind shank weight were higher due to the effect of the *MSTN*-E allele. Since other authors have performed their analyses on different lamb cuts (inter alia \[[@B17-genes-11-00002],[@B37-genes-11-00002],[@B38-genes-11-00002]\]) and they have investigated polymorphism in divergent parts of the *MSTN* gene than first intron, especially 3′UTR region (inter alia \[[@B15-genes-11-00002],[@B34-genes-11-00002],[@B38-genes-11-00002]\]), it is hard to directly compare our outcomes with their results. Worth mentioning is the fact, that similarly to present study, a large number of articles have been focused on non-coding regions of the *MSTN* gene, instead of its coding parts (inter alia \[[@B16-genes-11-00002],[@B38-genes-11-00002]\]). For instance, Wang et al. \[[@B16-genes-11-00002]\], who investigated associations between SNPs in promoter region of the myostatin gene and carcass traits in New Zealand Romney sheep, observed significant effects of substitution in the c.-2449 position, but not in c.-2379, on loin yield and proportion. Also Hadjipavlou et al. \[[@B43-genes-11-00002]\] analyzed the g.-2429G\>C SNP and they noticed its significant impact on muscle depth in commercial Charollais sheep. Similar effect was seen for the c.\*1232G\>A SNP in the 3′UTR region \[[@B43-genes-11-00002]\]. Complex analysis of associations between the c.\*1232G\>A SNP and wide spectrum of carcass traits were performed by Johnson et al. \[[@B38-genes-11-00002]\] in New Zealand Texel sheep. In general, based on bulk number of valuable measurements of carcass, e.g., total weights of lean, internal, and subcutaneous fat as well as bone weights in three lamb cuts, they confirmed that the A allele was associated with increased muscle and decreased fat mass. Additionally, they noticed that estimates for an additive effect were significant and were positive for muscle, but negative for fat traits \[[@B38-genes-11-00002]\]. Kijas et al. \[[@B15-genes-11-00002]\], who investigated not only the c.\*1232G\>A SNP, but also nucleotide substitutions in the promoter region and in the second intron of the *MSTN* gene, found that majority of significant effects of polymorphism in the myostatin gene on selected carcass traits were due to the substitution in the c.\*1232 position in Australian sheep breeds. Furthermore, Haynes et al. \[[@B34-genes-11-00002]\] reported that homozygous AA lambs also in the c.\*1232 position had higher dressing percentage, shortloin, topside, and round weights when compared to their counterparts with other genotypes in Australian sheep. They also confirmed higher lean and less fat mass in the AA homozygous lambs than in sheep with other genotypes in the c.\*1232 position. Interestingly, Haynes et al. \[[@B34-genes-11-00002]\] found increased number of muscle fibers in the cross-section of LM between the 12th and 13th rib in lambs with AA genotype. In contrast, Masri et al. \[[@B35-genes-11-00002]\] did not show association between the c.\*1232G\>A SNP and several traits measured by video image analysis, i.e., weight of 5 lamb cuts both in Texel and Poll Dorset sired lambs. Worth mentioning is the fact that they observed significant effect of this SNP on several carcass traits describing area of different muscles, muscle proportion and total estimated muscle weight.
5. Conclusions {#sec5-genes-11-00002}
==============
Polymorphisms in the *MSTN* gene are associated with increased muscle mass and decreased fatness \[[@B13-genes-11-00002],[@B15-genes-11-00002]\]; therefore, we regarded this gene as genetic marker in selecting for better meat performance in Merino lambs. The importance of our present study lies in assessing the genotypic and allelic effects of the polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene on selected growth and slaughter traits in the Colored Polish Merino, the sheep breed, which is monomorphic in the c.\*1232 position. A total of 7 growth and 16 carcass traits were investigated. The novelty in the present study was that 10 different meat cuts were separately subjected to association analysis. Significant genotypic effects of the polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene were found for BW2, loin and fore shank weights. Moreover, the *MSTN* alleles in the first intron of this gene significantly affected BW2, scrag, leg, fore and hind shank weights. Obtained results suggest that polymorphisms in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene are associated with abovementioned carcass traits and BW2 in Colored Polish Merino sheep; therefore, may be considered as genetic marker of carcass traits in this breed. Our results provide a foundation for further analysis of polymorphisms and association analyses of the *MSTN* gene with production traits as well gene expression study both in Merino and other sheep breeds worldwide, which regardless of monomorphism in the c.\*1232 position, exhibit phenotypic variance in carcass traits.
E.G. conceived and supervised the study; B.B. contributed to the analysis of lamb growth and carcass performance; E.G. contributed to the wet lab; E.G. and S.M. contributed to statistical analysis of the data, E.G. wrote and revise paper. E.G. acquire the funding. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
This work was founded by National Science Centre, Poland \[grant number NN311521440\]. Part of this work was supported by the project "Realization of the second stage of the Regional Innovation Centre", which was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the Regional Operational Program for Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship for years 2007--2013.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
{#genes-11-00002-f001}
{#genes-11-00002-f002}
genes-11-00002-t001_Table 1
######
Alleles identified in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene in Colored Polish Merino sheep.
Nucleotide Position SNP Allele
--------------------- ----- -------- --- --- ---
c.373+18 G/T G T T T
c.373+101 C/T C C C T
c.373+240 T T T T T
c.373+241 T T T T T
c.373+243 A/G G A G G
c.373+246 T T T T T
c.373+249 C/T T C T T
c.373+259 G/T G T T T
c.373+323 C/T C T C C
genes-11-00002-t002_Table 2
######
Allelic and genotypic frequencies in the first intron of the *MSTN* gene in Colored Polish Merino sheep.
Allele/Genotype (n = 264) Frequency (%)
--------------------------- ------------------- ------
Allele *MSTN*-A 87.7
*MSTN*-C 2.3
*MSTN*-E 5.5
*MSTN*-E1 4.5
Genotype *MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-A 75.4
*MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-C 4.5
*MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E 11.0
*MSTN*-A/*MSTN*-E1 9.1
genes-11-00002-t003_Table 3
######
Results of the association analysis between the *MSTN* genotypes and growth traits (LSM ± Standard error) in Colored Polish Merino sheep.
Trait Unit LSM ^1^ ± Standard Error *p*-Value
------------------------------------------------------ ------ -------------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- -------------------- -----------
n = 264 199 12 29 24
Body weight at 2nd day of life kg **5.0 ± 0.08 ^a^** **5.3 ± 0.22 ^a,b^** **5.1 ± 0.14 ^a,b^** **5.5 ± 0.18 ^b^** **0.042**
Body weight at 30th day of life kg 12.7 ± 0.17 12.9 ± 0.54 12.5 ± 0.35 13.1 ± 0.42 0.676
Body weight at 56th day of life kg 19.2 ± 0.32 19.3 ± 0.81 19.2 ± 0.55 19.3 ± 0.69 0.999
Body weight at 78th day of life kg 26.4 ± 0.48 24.9 ± 1.71 26.9 ± 0.76 26.7 ± 0.98 0.721
Average daily gain between 2nd and 30th day of life g 256 ± 4.06 253 ± 14.48 246 ± 9.27 252 ± 10.41 0.808
Average daily gain between 30th and 56th day of life g 249 ± 6.75 243 ± 15.40 258 ± 10.74 243 ± 13.33 0.686
Average daily gain between 56th and 78th day of life g 329.8 ± 8.33 326.7 ± 23.30 319.1 ± 15.54 330.0 ± 19.21 0.914
^1^ LSM = Least squares mean; values with different superscripts (a, b) within a row are significantly different (*p* \< 0.05). Values in bold were applied to highlight highly significant effect of the *MSTN* genotypes on growth traits.
genes-11-00002-t004_Table 4
######
Results of the association analysis between a number of copies of the *MSTN* alleles and growth traits (LSM ± Standard error) in Colored Polish Merino sheep.
Trait Unit Allele LSM ^1^ ± Standard Error *p*-Value
------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- ---------- -------------------------- ----------- ------------- ----- -------
Body weight at 2nd day of life kg *MSTN*-A 5.2 ± 0.12 65 5.1 ± 0.09 199 0.093
*MSTN*-C 5.1 ± 0.09 252 5.3 ± 0.23 12 0.347
*MSTN*-E 5.1 ± 0.09 235 5.06 ± 0.16 29 0.754
*MSTN*-E1 **5.1 ± 0.07 ^a^** 240 **5.5 ± 0.18 ^b^** 24 **0.006**
Body weight at 30th day of life kg *MSTN*-A 12.4 ± 0.27 65 12.7 ± 0.18 199 0.996
*MSTN*-C 12.7 ± 0.18 252 12.9 ± 0.54 12 0.709
*MSTN*-E 12.8 ±0.18 235 12.5 ± 0.36 29 0.386
*MSTN*-E1 12.7 ± 0.15 240 13.1 ± 0.41 24 0.298
Body weight at 56th day of life kg *MSTN*-A 19.2 ± 0.44 65 19.2 ± 0.32 199 0.961
*MSTN*-C 19.2 ± 0.31 252 19.3 ± 0.80 12 0.937
*MSTN*-E 19.1 ± 0.32 235 19.6 ± 0.58 29 0.415
*MSTN*-E1 19.2 ± 0.31 240 19.3 ± 0.68 24 0.896
Body weight at 78th day of life kg *MSTN*-A 26.4 ± 0.59 65 26.5 ± 0.47 199 0.829
*MSTN*-C 26.5 ± 0.46 252 26.6 ± 1.03 12 0.877
*MSTN*-E 26.2 ± 0.44 235 27.2 ±0.77 29 0.263
*MSTN*-E1 26.5 ± 0.46 240 26.5 ± 0.90 24 0.966
Average daily gain between 2nd and 30th day of life g *MSTN*-A 250 ± 6.43 65 256 ± 4.04 199 0.388
*MSTN*-C 254 ± 3.68 252 253 ± 14.45 12 0.937
*MSTN*-E 255 ± 3.79 235 246 ± 9.24 29 0.360
*MSTN*-E1 254 ± 3.78 240 252 ± 10.38 24 0.822
Average daily gain between 30th and 56th day of life g *MSTN*-A 251 ± 8.71 65 249 ± 6.71 199 0.784
*MSTN*-C 249 ± 6.43 252 242 ± 15.32 12 0.629
*MSTN*-E 247 ± 6.61 235 265 ± 11.17 29 0.077
*MSTN*-E1 250 ± 6.65 240 243 ± 13.33 24 0.593
Average daily gain between 56th and 78th day of life g *MSTN*-A 324 ± 11.88 65 330 ± 8.30 199 0.603
*MSTN*-C 329 ± 7.95 252 327 ± 23.24 12 0.935
*MSTN*-E 328 ± 7.68 235 332 ± 16.30 29 0.793
*MSTN*-E1 328 ± 8.10 240 330 ± 19.21 24 0.918
^1^ LSM = Least squares mean; values with different superscripts (a, b) within a row are significantly different (*p* \< 0.05). Values in bold were applied to highlight highly significant effect of a number of copies of the *MSTN* alleles on growth traits.
genes-11-00002-t005_Table 5
######
Results of the association analysis between the *MSTN* genotypes and carcass traits (LSM ± Standard error) in Colored Polish Merino sheep.
Trait Unit LSM ^1^ ± Standard Error *p*-Value
--------------------------------- ------ -------------------------- --------------------- ------------
***n*** 79 12
**Carcass parts**
Fore part of the carcass weight g 2628 ± 13.23 2645 ± 29.98 0.599
Full loin part weight g 1711 ± 10.96 1698 ± 24.18 0.539
Leg part weight g 2217 ± 9.13 2239 ± 22.79 0.392
**Carcass cuts**
Scrag weight g 370 ± 5.25 328 ± 10.30 0.2671
Middle neck weight g 526 ± 8.90 535 ± 15.18 0.535
Shoulder weight g 1049 ± 5.24 1038 ± 11.93 0.387
Fore shank weight g **308 ± 2.03 ^a^** **327 ± 5.27 ^b^** **0.0018**
Breast and flank weight g 1029 ± 8.08 1050 ± 19.77 0.329
Rib weight g 473 ± 4.54 456 ± 10.04 0.104
Loin weight g **518 ± 4.73 ^a^** **486 ± 12.44 ^b^** **0.025**
Tenderloin weight g 58 ± 0.95 60 ± 1.87 0.218
Leg weight g 1815 ±9.10 1834 ± 20.47 0.365
Hind shank weight g 401 ± 2.66 402 ± 6.31 0.844
**Leg**
Muscle tissue yield \% 71.8 ± 0.30 71.7 ± 0.67 0.914
Fat tissue yield \% 12.4 ± 0.27 12.1 ± 0.62 0.655
Bone tissue yield \% 15.2 ± 0.17 15.7 ± 0.37 0.173
^1^ LSM = Least squares mean; values with different superscripts (a, b) within a row are significantly different (*p* \< 0.05). Values in bold were applied to highlight highly significant effect of the *MSTN* genotypes on carcass traits.
genes-11-00002-t006_Table 6
######
Results of the association analysis between a number of copies of the *MSTN* alleles and carcass traits (LSM ± Standard error) in Colored Polish Merino sheep.
Trait Unit Allele LSM ^1^ ± Standard Error *p*-Value
--------------------------------- -------------------- ---------- -------------------------- ----------- --------------------- ---- -----------
**Carcass parts**
Fore part of the carcass weight g *MSTN*-A 2645 ± 21.56 25 2628 ± 12.60 79 0.491
*MSTN*-E 2627 ± 12.25 92 2633 ± 26.52 14 0.871
*MSTN*-E1 2624 ± 12.45 96 2624 ± 35.15 10 0.903
Full loin part weight g *MSTN*-A 1707 ± 17.48 25 1711 ± 10.33 79 0.824
*MSTN*-E 1711 ± 9.89 92 1709 ± 21.43 14 0.947
*MSTN*-E1 1708 ± 9.81 96 1740 ± 27.95 10 0.266
Leg part weight g *MSTN*-A 2255 ± 17.92 25 2214 ± 8.91 79 0.055
*MSTN*-E 2219 ± 7.91 92 2228 ± 22.06 14 0.695
*MSTN*-E1 2221 ± 8.01 96 2192 ± 24.95 10 0.266
**Carcass cuts**
Scrag weight kg *MSTN*-A **389 ± 7.53 ^a^** 25 **370 ± 4.65 ^b^** 79 **0.016**
*MSTN*-E 371 ± 4.92 92 384 ± 9.43 14 0.207
*MSTN*-E1 373 ± 5.58 96 363 ± 13.53 10 0.450
Middle neck weight g *MSTN*-A 535 ± 11.52 25 526 ± 7.72 79 0.429
*MSTN*-E 526 ± 7.62 92 530 ± 13.39 14 0.759
*MSTN*-E1 527 ± 8.39 96 510 ± 19.05 10 0.367
Shoulder weight g *MSTN*-A 1054 ± 11.90 25 1051 ± 7.09 79 0.811
*MSTN*-E 1053 ± 6.05 92 1040 ± 13.90 14 0.404
*MSTN*-E1 1051 ± 6.06 96 1044 ± 17.94 10 0.674
Fore shank weight g *MSTN*-A **320 ± 3.82 ^a^** 25 **308 ± 2.10 ^b^** 79 **0.005**
*MSTN*-E **308 ± 2.07 ^a^** 92 **322 ± 4.91 ^b^** 14 **0.009**
*MSTN*-E1 311 ± 2.31 96 299 ± 7.87 10 0.147
Breast and flank weight g *MSTN*-A 1049 ± 14.25 25 1031 ± 8.02 79 0.268
*MSTN*-E 1032 ± 7.65 92 1050 ± 17.70 14 0.340
*MSTN*-E1 1034 ± 7.22 96 1045 ± 22.07 10 0.637
Rib weight g *MSTN*-A 462 ± 6.88 25 471 ± 4.01 79 0.223
*MSTN*-E 470 ± 3.86 92 455 ± 8.72 14 0.100
*MSTN*-E1 469 ± 3.79 96 460 ± 11.16 10 0.483
Loin weight g *MSTN*-A 495 ± 9.61 25 516 ± 5.26 79 0.053
*MSTN*-E 515 ± 5.05 92 500 ± 12.39 14 0.279
*MSTN*-E1 510 ± 4.40 96 537 ± 14.42 10 0.083
Tenderloin weight g *MSTN*-A 60 ± 1.38 25 58 ± 0.85 79 0.114
*MSTN*-E 58 ± 0.77 92 58 ± 1.64 14 0.837
*MSTN*-E1 58 ± 0.77 96 56 ± 2.51 10 0.359
Leg weight g *MSTN*-A **1856 ± 16.45 ^a^** 25 **1813 ± 8.75 ^b^** 79 **0.020**
*MSTN*-E 1817 ± 8.93 92 1820 ± 18.95 14 0.899
*MSTN*-E1 1820 ± 8.35 96 1798 ± 24.17 10 0.372
Hind shank weight g *MSTN*-A 397 ± 4.99 25 401 ± 3.04 79 0.499
*MSTN*-E **399 ± 2.90 ^a^** 92 **414 ± 6.30 ^b^** 14 **0.027**
*MSTN*-E1 401 ± 2.99 96 415 ± 9.83 10 0.155
**Leg**
Muscle tissue yield \% *MSTN*-A 71.6 ± 0.49 25 71.8 ± 0.29 79 0.752
*MSTN*-E 71.8 ± 0.29 92 71.6 ± 0.60 14 0.753
*MSTN*-E1 71.8 ± 0.27 96 71.2 ± 0.78 10 0.457
Fat tissue yield \% *MSTN*-A 12.8 ± 0.56 25 12.4 ± 0.25 79 0.510
*MSTN*-E 12.6 ± 0.28 92 12.3 ± 0.59 14 0.664
*MSTN*-E1 12.5 ± 0.25 96 13.7 ± 0.73 10 0.094
Bone tissue yield \% *MSTN*-A 15.1 ± 0.28 25 15.2 ± 0.16 79 0.690
*MSTN*-E 15.1 ± 0.15 92 15.7 ± 0.34 14 0.123
*MSTN*-E1 15.2 ± 0.15 96 14.6 ± 0.44 10 0.151
^1^ LSM = Least Squares Mean; values with different superscripts (a, b) within a row are significantly different (*p* \< 0.05). Values in bold were applied to highlight highly significant effect of a number of copies of the *MSTN* alleles on carcass traits.
|
Top Democratic chairman slams decision to pull U.S. troops from Syria A U.S. delegation met with the Kurds Monday, in an effort to repair relations with the abandoned U.S. allies. The U.S. is struggling to redefine its role in the region, after President Trump said the priority now is for U.S. troops to protect oil wells in Syria. Charlie D'Agata reports from Iraq. |
This application claims the priority of German patent document 198 47 750.3, filed Oct. 16, 1998, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for capacitive object detection in a motor vehicle.
Capacitive object detection methods are known from various publications, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,013. In principle, two electrodes (which as a rule are in the form of plates) are located adjacent to the object in question. To detect occupancy of a vehicle seat, for example, the electrodes can be located in the upholstery of a seat, e.g., in the seat cushion or seat back. In this case, occupancy recognition is used to trigger safety devices such as an airbag or the like only when the seat is actually occupied.
The capacitance of the capacitor thus formed is measured. When a person is present, the capacitance of the capacitor changes because of the relatively good conductivity of the human body. It is problematical in this situation however that known methods are based on the vehicle ground. Capacitance measurement is sharply distorted by leakage currents of a resistive or capacitive nature.
Practical tests have shown that the effect of the leakage currents far exceeds the effect of the change in capacitance as a rule. Another complicating factor is that the leakage currents depend to a large extent on ambient parameters such as humidity and on the individual being touched by another vehicle occupant. Thus there are two offsetting effects, and the effect of the leakage currents cannot be determined quantitatively. As a result, it is not possible to make any statement about the weight or the volume of the object on the seat (for example to recognize a child seat).
One way of solving these problems is provided in International patent document WO 95/21752, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,843. In this patent, the two electrodes must be insulated from vehicle ground. However, complete insulation cannot be achieved because there is always at least capacitive coupling between the measuring arrangement containing the two electrodes and the vehicle ground, as well as through the object on the seat. Consequently, fault currents cannot be completely prevented. In addition, a potential-free design for such a measuring system is costly.
One object of the invention is to provide a method of the type described above, that achieves an accurate determination of the presence of an object, at low apparatus expense.
This and other objects and advantages are achieved by the capacitive object detection arrangement according to the invention, in which the two capacitive electrodes are operated successively with alternating voltage and the resultant alternating currents (a total of four in all) are analyzed. Each alternating current results from the alternate transmission and reception operation of the electrodes. From an overall consideration of the alternating currents it is possible to determine whether an object is present and how extensive the grounding of this object is. The latter is determined from the leakage currents which are not compensated but are considered individually.
It is useful to compare the two alternating currents that result from direct feedback (in other words the mutual influence of the two electrodes). These partial currents result when one electrode is in transmission operation and the other is in reception operation, or when transmission and reception are reversed. If the alternating currents are at least approximately the same size, the object is approximately correctly positioned. If the currents differ sharply from one another, as a rule an xe2x80x9cout of positionxe2x80x9d situation exists, in other words the object does not conform in its position to the natural setting position.
Especially in the last case, the average of the two alternating currents can be used to calculate the grounding capacitance of the object. The result of the calculation is then sufficiently accurate.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. |
I mean, is that a tower of glory or is that a tower of glory? The sweet! The salty! The creamy! The crunchy! Can peanut butter and jelly have it all? YES, YES THEY CAN.
And yeah, PB&J sandwiches, especially many-layered sandwiches, are great. But when they start to seem a little stale, don't let the inevitable onset of sandwich ennui slow your roll. There are so many other ways to enjoy this blessed union. Here are just a few. |
This weekend, the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who has given us Mark Gatiss’ stunning An Adventure In Space And Time, and the excellent birthday episode itself, The Day Of The Doctor. But there’s a further treat, which was initially made available on the red button for BBC viewers. And now, you can see it here.
Trust us, you want to watch this, and we don’t want to spoil any of it for you. It’s The Five(ish) Doctors, and it’s all kinds of amazing. I’ve never written the phrase “all kinds of amazing” before, but I’ll make an exception here. Enjoy…. |
<benchmark>
<entries>
<entry category="University" eid="Id1" size="3">
<originaltripleset>
<otriple>Accademia_di_Architettura_di_Mendrisio | country | Switzerland</otriple>
<otriple>Accademia_di_Architettura_di_Mendrisio | dean | Mario_Botta</otriple>
<otriple>Accademia_di_Architettura_di_Mendrisio | numberOfStudents | "600"^^xsd:nonNegativeInteger</otriple>
</originaltripleset>
<modifiedtripleset>
<mtriple>Accademia_di_Architettura_di_Mendrisio | country | Switzerland</mtriple>
<mtriple>Accademia_di_Architettura_di_Mendrisio | dean | Mario_Botta</mtriple>
<mtriple>Accademia_di_Architettura_di_Mendrisio | numberOfStudents | 600</mtriple>
</modifiedtripleset>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id1">The Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio is in Switzerland. Its dean is Mario Botta and it has 600 students.</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id2">The Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio of Switzerland has 600 students and the dean is called Mario Botta.</lex>
</entry>
<entry category="University" eid="Id2" size="3">
<originaltripleset>
<otriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | city | Bangalore</otriple>
<otriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | motto | "Nurturing Excellence"@en</otriple>
<otriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | country | "India"@en</otriple>
</originaltripleset>
<modifiedtripleset>
<mtriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | city | Bangalore</mtriple>
<mtriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | motto | "Nurturing Excellence"</mtriple>
<mtriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | country | "India"</mtriple>
</modifiedtripleset>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id1">The Acharya Institute of Technology is located in Bangalore, India and its motto is: "Nurturing Excellence".</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id2">The Acharya Institute of Technology in Bangalore, India has the motto "Nurturing Excellence".</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id3">Acharya Institute of Technology is in Bangalore, India and its motto is"Nurturing Excellence".</lex>
</entry>
<entry category="University" eid="Id3" size="3">
<originaltripleset>
<otriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | president | "B.M. Reddy"@en</otriple>
<otriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | city | Bangalore</otriple>
<otriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | country | "India"@en</otriple>
</originaltripleset>
<modifiedtripleset>
<mtriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | president | "B.M. Reddy"</mtriple>
<mtriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | city | Bangalore</mtriple>
<mtriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | country | "India"</mtriple>
</modifiedtripleset>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id1">B.M. Reddy is the president of the Acharya Institute of Technology, which is located in Bangalore, India.</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id2">The Acharya Institute of Technology is in Bangalore, India. Its president is B.M. Reddy.</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id3">The Acharya Institute of Technology (Bangalore, India) has B. M. Reddy as its president.</lex>
</entry>
<entry category="University" eid="Id4" size="3">
<originaltripleset>
<otriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | sport | Tennis</otriple>
<otriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | established | 2000</otriple>
<otriple>Tennis | union | International_Tennis_Federation</otriple>
</originaltripleset>
<modifiedtripleset>
<mtriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | sportsOffered | Tennis</mtriple>
<mtriple>Acharya_Institute_of_Technology | established | 2000</mtriple>
<mtriple>Tennis | sportsGoverningBody | International_Tennis_Federation</mtriple>
</modifiedtripleset>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id1">The Acharya Insitute of Technology offers tennis and it was established in 2000. The tennis governing body is the International Tennis Federation.</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id2">The International Tennis Federation is the governing body for the sport which is offered at the Acharya Institute of Technology which was established in 2000.</lex>
</entry>
<entry category="University" eid="Id5" size="3">
<originaltripleset>
<otriple>India | largestCity | Mumbai</otriple>
<otriple>AWH_Engineering_College | country | India</otriple>
<otriple>India | river | Ganges</otriple>
</originaltripleset>
<modifiedtripleset>
<mtriple>India | largestCity | Mumbai</mtriple>
<mtriple>AWH_Engineering_College | country | India</mtriple>
<mtriple>India | river | Ganges</mtriple>
</modifiedtripleset>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id1">AWH Engineering College is in India. Mumbai is the largest city in India. The river Ganges runs through India.</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id2">AWH Engineering College is located in the country of India, whose capital city is Mumbai. One of the rivers in India is called the Ganges.</lex>
</entry>
<entry category="University" eid="Id6" size="3">
<originaltripleset>
<otriple>Romania | leaderTitle | Prime_Minister_of_Romania</otriple>
<otriple>Romania | leaderName | Klaus_Iohannis</otriple>
<otriple>1_Decembrie_1918_University,_Alba_Iulia | country | Romania</otriple>
</originaltripleset>
<originaltripleset>
<otriple>Romania | leader | Klaus_Iohannis</otriple>
<otriple>Romania | leaderTitle | Prime_Minister_of_Romania</otriple>
<otriple>1_Decembrie_1918_University,_Alba_Iulia | country | Romania</otriple>
</originaltripleset>
<modifiedtripleset>
<mtriple>Romania | leaderTitle | Prime_Minister_of_Romania</mtriple>
<mtriple>Romania | leaderName | Klaus_Iohannis</mtriple>
<mtriple>1_Decembrie_1918_University | country | Romania</mtriple>
</modifiedtripleset>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id1">The leader of Romania is Prime Minister Klaus Lohannis. The 1 Decembrie 1918 University is in Romania.</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id2">The Prime Minister of Romania is Klaus Iohannis. The University of Romania was established on 1 Decembrie 1918.</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id3">1 Decembrie 1918 University is located in Romania. The country's Prime Minister is Klaus Johannis.</lex>
</entry>
<entry category="University" eid="Id7" size="3">
<originaltripleset>
<otriple>Romania | patronSaint | Andrew_the_Apostle</otriple>
<otriple>1_Decembrie_1918_University,_Alba_Iulia | latinName | "Universitas Apulensis"@en</otriple>
<otriple>1_Decembrie_1918_University,_Alba_Iulia | country | Romania</otriple>
</originaltripleset>
<modifiedtripleset>
<mtriple>Romania | patronSaint | Andrew_the_Apostle</mtriple>
<mtriple>1_Decembrie_1918_University | latinName | "Universitas Apulensis"</mtriple>
<mtriple>1_Decembrie_1918_University | country | Romania</mtriple>
</modifiedtripleset>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id1">1 Decembrie 1918 University is located in Romania. Its Latin name is "Universitas Apulensis". The patron saint of Romania is Andrew the Apostle.</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id2">Universitas Apulensis is the latin name of the 1 Decembrie 1918 University in Romania. The patron saint of the country is Andrew the Apostle.</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id3">The 1 Decembrie 1918 University has the Latin name, Universitas Apulensis. It is situated in Romania, which has the patron Saint Andrew the Apostle.</lex>
</entry>
<entry category="University" eid="Id8" size="3">
<originaltripleset>
<otriple>Aarhus_University,_School_of_Business_and_Social_Sciences | faculty | 737</otriple>
<otriple>Aarhus_University,_School_of_Business_and_Social_Sciences | students | 16000</otriple>
<otriple>Aarhus_University,_School_of_Business_and_Social_Sciences | established | 1928</otriple>
</originaltripleset>
<originaltripleset>
<otriple>Aarhus_University,_School_of_Business_and_Social_Sciences | numberOfStudents | "16000"^^xsd:nonNegativeInteger</otriple>
<otriple>Aarhus_University,_School_of_Business_and_Social_Sciences | facultySize | "737"^^xsd:nonNegativeInteger</otriple>
<otriple>Aarhus_University,_School_of_Business_and_Social_Sciences | established | 1928</otriple>
</originaltripleset>
<modifiedtripleset>
<mtriple>School of Business and Social Sciences at the Aarhus University | academicStaffSize | 737</mtriple>
<mtriple>School of Business and Social Sciences at the Aarhus University | numberOfStudents | 16000</mtriple>
<mtriple>School of Business and Social Sciences at the Aarhus University | established | 1928</mtriple>
</modifiedtripleset>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id1">The School of Business and Social Sciences at the Aarhus University was established in 1928. It has 737 academic staff and 16,000 students.</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id2">The School of Business and Social Sciences at Aarhus University was established in 1928. It has 16000 students and an academic staff of 737.</lex>
<lex comment="good" lid="Id3">The School of Business and Social Sciences at the Aarhus University was established in 1928 and currently has a staff of 737 and a student population of 16000.</lex>
</entry>
</entries>
</benchmark> |
Winner
Golden Globe
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Tom Hanks
|
EastEnders’ New Year special had more twists and turns than a giant’s intestine as Ronnie and Charlie’s wedding day spiralled shockingly out of control; spelling death, destruction and more red herrings than Morrisons’ fish counter.
Ronnie was getting married and, for some inexplicable reason, was so desperate to see the back of Nasty Nick that she stole 100k from Phil and handed all of the cash over to Walford’s least trustworthy resident. Quite how Ronnie assumed Phil wouldn’t notice such a substantial dip in finances was never really addressed but when the truth did dawn on Mr Potato Head, all hell broke loose.
Ronnie had tied the knot with Charlie boy, watched by guests such as Sharon Watts, Billy ‘spare part’ Mitchell and Mrs Doyle. She got somewhat distracted when she saw Nick lurking about (seriously, this is a guy who is better at lurking around corners and behind doors than Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons. I half expected him to stand on a rake) which proved the point that paying him to go away was never really going to work.
Ruthless Ronnie may have slammed a car boot down on a two bit criminal last New Year, but Nasty Nick, Albert Square’s most notorious villain, is a different kettle of fish altogether. This is a chap who has no qualms about poisoning his mother, blowing up a cafe or faking his own death; a few words of warning from a blonde in a wedding dress won’t see him off. Still, Phil can be quite scary, so when Nick overheard Ronnie giving Phillip permission to kill Nick, he sprung into action. As cutting the brakes of Mark Fowler’s motorcycle all those years back had worked out so well for Nick (his son, Ashley ended up being killed), Nick sliced the brakes of Ronnie’s wedding car before swooping off into the shadows.
It was at this opportune moment that Ronnie and Charlie Jnr decided to make an appearance, spilling Ronnie’s waters all over the place (oh cheers, thought the janitor of the reception venue). Cue a dash in a brakeless car to the hospital.
Meanwhile, across Walford, former detective Emma Summerhayes had done the best detective work of her career; shame she was no longer employed to do so. She had figured out Lucy’s killer and we were delivered more than a few cryptic clues, including her shocked stares at the B and B (I knew it was Patrick!) and a threat or two from the likes of Jane, Max and Lauren. She agreed to meet up with the killer who tried to talk their way out of the crime. Rather than doing anything with the information, Emma wandered aimlessly about the Square. Whenever someone is driving around Albert Square at high speed and someone else is wandering about urgently, death is imminent (RIP Tiffany, Danielle, the prostitute that Pat killed) and, luckily for Lucy’s killer, the wedding car ploughed right into Emma before crashing and overturning through the middle of the Square.
Emma got up as she was okay, for now, but she sent a text from her drafts saying she wasn’t willing to hold the killer’s secret anymore and, with 14 suspects gathered around (Max, Cindy, Denise, Ben, Jane, Lee, Whitney, Abi, Ian, Peter, Lauren, Cokers) one of them received the text, meaning that the list of suspects had just been cut down. We weren’t given much time to dwell on this however, as Ronnie was in peril.
She was unconcious in the car, which had just burst into flames and for one wild moment, it looked like it was about to explode; delivering the biggest EastEnders curveball of all time. She made it to hospital and died all over again after her baby was retrieved from her. But just as the doctors gave up (those NHS cuts meant that it was time for their break and they had no one to cover) the knowledge that she was now a mummy pulled Ronnie back from the brink. So phew, Ronnie wasn’t dead after all. So who was? Cut to Emma Summerhayes, who had again fled with the intention of dobbing Lucy’s killer in it, as collapsed with a brain bleed. Oh dear; although we knew she would have to meet her maker if the mystery was to continue until February. There are only so many scenes EastEnders can do where the camera man is playing the killer and Anna Acton is having to talk to herself.
Meanwhile, Mrs Doyle discovered the truth about Nick’s responsibility for the crash and was none too pleased. But Nick had a wicked idea to cover their tracks and it was destined to not look good for one Walford favourite. Got a crime to pin on someone? You know where to look.
Elsewhere, Dexter continued the longest drawn out soap exit of all time while Nancy struggled with her loyalties as Shirl tried to get herself back into the Vic. And newly returned Kim found some bruises on poor Patrick, opening up a whole new dark edge to drunky Denise’s story.
If the first episode of 2015 is setting the standard for EastEnders, it is going to be an absolutely brilliant year indeed!
2 responses to “EastEnders: A car crash of a New Year”
Calm in a Crisis Award goes to Nancy Carter, who directed the rescue effort like a pro. Rubbish in a Crisis Award goes to the Cokers who clearly think the best thing for a person with a head injury is to stare at them sadly for a while. |
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="zh-cn">
<head>
<title></title>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<link href="dist/permeate.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
<link href="font/material-icons.css" rel="stylesheet">
</head>
<body>
<header class="nav-bar is-default">
<div class="nav container">
<div class="nav-brand">
Permeate
</div>
<ul class="nav-list">
<li class="list-item">
<a class="item-link is-active" href="#">首页</a>
</li>
<li class="list-item">
<a class="item-link" href="#">门户</a>
</li>
</ul>
<ul class="nav-list nav-list-right">
<li class="list-item">
<form>
<label class="search">
<input class="form-input" type="text" placeholder="搜索板块">
<a role="button">
<i class="material-icons search-icon">search</i>
</a>
</label>
</form>
</li>
<li class="list-item">
<a class="item-link" href="#">消息</a>
</li>
<li class="list-item">
<a class="item-link" href="#">提醒</a>
</li>
<li class="list-item">
<a class="user-link" href="#">
<img class="user-img" src="images/user-img.jpg" alt="">
<span><small>XXX用户</small></span>
</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="nav-secondary">
<div class="container">
<!--路径导航-->
<ul class="route-guidance">
<li class="guidance-item">
<span>首页</span>
</li>
<li class="guidance-item">
<a href="#">门户</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</header>
<section class="section">
<div class="container">
<div class="paper">
<div class="paper-header">
设置
</div>
<div class="paper-body" style="min-height: 500px;">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-lg-2">
<menu class="menu">
<ul class="menu-list">
<li class="menu-list-item">
<a class="menu-list-link" href="#">修改头像</a>
</li>
<li class="menu-list-item">
<a class="menu-list-link" href="#">个人资料</a>
</li>
<li class="menu-list-item">
<a class="menu-list-link is-active" href="#">密码安全</a>
</li>
</ul>
</menu>
</div>
<div class="col-lg-6">
<form>
<div class="form-group row">
<label class="col-3 form-label text-right">
<span>旧密码</span>
</label>
<div class="col-9">
<input class="form-input" type="text" name="" value="">
</div>
</div>
<div class="form-group row">
<label class="col-3 form-label text-right">
<span>新密码</span>
</label>
<div class="col-9">
<input class="form-input" type="text" name="" value="">
<p class="form-prompt"><small>如不需要更改密码，此处请留空</small></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="form-group row">
<label class="col-3 form-label text-right">
<span>确认新密码</span>
</label>
<div class="col-9">
<input class="form-input" type="text" name="" value="">
<p class="form-prompt"><small>如不需要更改密码，此处请留空</small></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="text-right">
<button class="btn btn-primary" type="button">确认修改</button>
</div>
</form>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</body>
</html> |
Jesse and Brittany discuss listener emails and voicemails related to Megyn Kelly’s departure from NBC’s Today Show because of her blackface comments, the political climate and the degree to which Donald Trump deserves blame for the recent wave of right-wing terrorism, and reactions from those in the impacted communities including a listener who wrote us from her synagogue in the aftermath of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting. |
Q:
Measure memory usage of code unit
I have a function memory that takes a function and measures the memory usage of it:
import java.lang.management.ManagementFactory
def memory[T](
f: ⇒ T
)(
mu: Long ⇒ Unit
): T = {
val memoryMXBean = ManagementFactory.getMemoryMXBean
memoryMXBean.gc()
val usedBefore = memoryMXBean.getHeapMemoryUsage.getUsed
println(s"${memoryMXBean.getObjectPendingFinalizationCount()} pending, used $usedBefore")
val r = f
memoryMXBean.gc()
val usedAfter = memoryMXBean.getHeapMemoryUsage.getUsed
println(s"${memoryMXBean.getObjectPendingFinalizationCount()} pending, used $usedAfter")
mu(usedAfter - usedBefore)
r
}
Getting the amount of memory used by new Array[Byte](1024*1024) should return 1MB.
memory{new Array[Byte](1024*1024)}{r=>println(s"$r byte")}
But the very first call of memory returns a negative result, subsequent calls measure (even with different bodys) the memory usage just fine:
scala> memory{new Array[Byte](1024*1024)}{r=>println(s"$r byte")}
0 pending, used 45145040
0 pending, used 45210384
65344 byte <- 65kb != 1MB
scala> memory{new Array[Byte](1024*1024)}{r=>println(s"$r byte")}
0 pending, used 45304512
0 pending, used 46353104
1048592 byte <- Correct
Somewhere between the two memoryMXBean.getHeapMemoryUsage something gets freed, but there where no pending object to be freed. This behaviour can be also determined when you have an empty body (remember to restart the scala console to get this result):
scala> memory{}{r=>println(s"$r byte")}
0 pending, used 44917584
0 pending, used 44025552
-892032 byte <- 800kb less memory?
scala> memory{}{r=>println(s"$r byte")}
0 pending, used 44070440
0 pending, used 44069960
-480 byte <- This is ok
Also executing the gc() and getHeapMemoryUsage on the console produces this result:
scala> import java.lang.management.ManagementFactory; val memoryMXBean = ManagementFactory.getMemoryMXBean; memoryMXBean.setVerbose(true)
import java.lang.management.ManagementFactory
memoryMXBean: java.lang.management.MemoryMXBean = sun.management.MemoryImpl@2f98635e
scala> memoryMXBean.gc(); memoryMXBean.getHeapMemoryUsage
[GC (System.gc()) 57400K->44462K(109056K), 0,0148555 secs]
[Full GC (System.gc()) 44462K->39602K(109056K), 0,2641397 secs]
res1: java.lang.management.MemoryUsage = init = 33554432(32768K) used = 41358440(40389K) committed = 111673344(109056K) max = 239075328(233472K)
scala> memoryMXBean.gc(); memoryMXBean.getHeapMemoryUsage
[GC (System.gc()) 46702K->40258K(111104K), 0,0025801 secs]
[Full GC (System.gc()) 40258K->39631K(111104K), 0,1988796 secs]
res2: java.lang.management.MemoryUsage = init = 33554432(32768K) used = 40583120(39631K) committed = 113770496(111104K) max = 239075328(233472K)
41358440 - 40583120 = 775320, almost 800kb less memory usage (see used).
Why does the very first measurement return a wrong result? Is there a way to fix this other than running the method twice?
Using Scala 2.12.1-20161205-201300-2787b47 (OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM, Java 1.8.0_112) on Arch Linux.
Thanks!
A:
Using JAMM
If you want to check how much memory a data structure on the JVM consumes, you should look into instrumentation libraries such as JAMM. It works by traversing the object graph of the object you want to measure, and exploiting knowledge about the memory layout on the JVM you are running on.
Note that the data you will get back is specific to the JVM version and architecture you are using. On different architectures, the memory consumption might be different because of different pointer size and encoding. And on different JVMs, even the memory layout might be different.
Nevertheless, this is a powerful tool to implement highly efficient data structures on the JVM.
Here is how you would use JAMM from scala:
val o = new Array[Byte](1024*1024)
val mm = new MemoryMeter()
println("Size of new Array[Byte](1024*1024): " + mm.measureDeep(o))
And here is the result:
Size of new Array[Byte](1024*1024): 1048592
The JAMM library is a java agent that hooks into the JVM. Therefore, using JAMM requires downloading the jamm jar and adding a parameter (e.g. -javaagent:jamm-0.3.0.jar) to the java options, preferably using the javaOptions sbt key.
Automated memory tests
Note that if you rely on compact in-memory representation for some data structures you write, you should have automated tests that ensure that the in-memory representation is as you expect. For inspiration on how to set this up, here is a minimal project that imports and configures the JAMM java agent for the tests.
To play around, you can just add your test code to JammTest and run it with sbt test:run.
|
Q:
merge and order two columns in the same model
If I had an ActiveRecord model, Foo, which had two date columns, date_1 and date_2, and I wanted to sort by the later of the two columns (the date that was later), how would this be done? Answers will be judged based on simplicity of the code and the least sql used.
similar question
Ruby or Rails sort on two/multiple date fields
I'm leaning towards the following but I don't know if there is a better way.
Tested code:
Foo.select("CASE
WHEN date_1 > date_2 THEN date_1
ELSE date_2
END AS later_date, *").order("later_date desc")
A:
Try using this:
Foo.order('GREATEST(date_1, date_2) DESC')
|
The U.S. government is seeking the identity of Coinbase users for tax purposes, sparking fears that Bitcoin’s anonymity may be compromised.
According to a legal summons filed in the Northern California District Court, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seeks to identify several Coinbase users and their financial activity, based on evidence that they may have violated U.S. tax laws:
“Based upon a review of the petition and supporting documents, the Court has determined that the “John Doe” summons to Coinbase, Inc. relates to the investigation of an ascertainable group or class of persons, that there is a reasonable basis for believing that such group or class of persons has failed or may have failed to comply with any provision of any internal revenue laws, and that the information sought to be obtained from the examination of the records or testimony (and the identities of the persons with respect to whose liability the summons is issued) are not readily available from other sources.”
As indicated by the summons, two things are clear: one, the IRS has tracked Bitcoin-related activity sufficiently to be able to determine that certain users may not be in compliance with tax law, and two, this activity has been traced back to Coinbase wallets. As Coinbase is an AML/KYC compliant entity, they are required to collect personal information concerning the identity of their customers, meaning that transactions traced back to Coinbase wallets can reveal the real identity of its users.
A somber awakening for pro-privacy Bitcoin enthusiasts
The summons implicating Coinbase reveals a grim reality for the most privacy-conscious Bitcoin fans: the government is tracking cryptocurrency transactions, and will move on them to de-anonymize users if a suspicion arises of legally noncompliant activity.
Julio Alejandro, founder of Blockchain-based activist organization the Humanitarian Blockchain, sees the arrival of harsh realities to the happy-go-lucky world of Bitcoin as an event that will push cryptocurrency underground:
“Bitcoiners are Hakuna Matata utopians. They believe in a “no worries, trouble free” alternative electronic world where peace, trade and anonymity are essential to live and let others live with in their virtual jungles. As innovations are reduced by taxation, transhumanism, sharing economies and crypto-anarchist movements - where most technological advancements are imagined - will dilute and their physical members will be forced to act and hide in an underground radical, threatening, subcultural movement harder to lead or moderate.”
Is greater financial privacy more than what Bitcoin can provide?
As Bitcoin shows its potential privacy vulnerabilities, the need becomes pressing for currencies that expand beyond its original privacy offerings. According to Eric Sammons, consultant for Dash, the quest for financial privacy necessitates a currency that is both difficult to trace and also prioritizes usability:
“Although Bitcoin was initially touted as an "anonymous" currency, people who understand the technology have always known it's actually easily trackable. This sweeping action by the IRS demonstrates why it's important for the crypto world to be advancing both convenience and anonymity in its currency, such as what Dash is trying to do.”
Virgil Vaduva, creator of peer-to-peer emergency response and ridesharing app Cell 411, supports Monero as a necessary evolution beyond Bitcoin in order to maintain financial privacy: |
By
February 21, 2013
It took me a whole weekend, but fueled by Utz cheese balls I got through the entire run of House of Cards. That foreshadowing you’re detecting is exactly correct: I found it a slog. I think Emily Nussbaum at The New Yorker was very right when she wrote in this week’s issue that it’s “elegant,” in terms of script and production value, and fairly aggressive in its message that it is a realistic sort of fiction we are watching. But “it’s a meditation on amorality that tells us mostly what we already know.” What we already know, in that rubric, is that politicians are corrupt, that power-brokering and negotiation are dirty businesses.
Kevin Spacey’s Congressman, Francis Underwood, spends much of his time reminding the naifs in his orbit of that. Not that there’s much innocence to go around in this crew: his wife (Robin Wright) is prepared to screw him over, the young reporter (Kate Mara) tells him pretty explicitly that she’s prepared to play his “whore.” The closest thing this show has to an idealist is the girlfriend of a drug-addicted senator who helps him cover it up, which in the rosiest view she does because she believes he’s one of the good ones. But even there, she barely peeps up when he sits silent at a committee meeting leading to a shipyard's closing that costs his district thousands of jobs.
This über-cynicism turns up in popular culture a lot. The trope of the corrupt political process is the plot engine of shows like Veep and even Scandal, as Nussbaum pointed out. (Homeland fits in here, too.) It also makes cameos in a number of other shows whenever they hit up Washington. It’s not necessary to be a naif here to notice, even accepting the obvious distance between fiction and reality, that this worldview matches up pretty closely to public opinion about the powers and pitfalls of government. For all the pomp and circumstance in America about the greatness of the Capitol, the high-flown rhetoric of State of the Union speeches, few people believe any more in government as a setting where political ideals are properly debated. Even back in 2008, the biggest dreamers in the Obama campaign positioned him as someone who would break up the bonds of corruption and dysfunction in politics. And in a way, the massive disenchantment among liberals that set in sometime about midnight on January 21, 2009, is only evidence that all along, the fear was lurking that this was not the panacea they’d hoped for.
There are, of course, other views. In popular culture, Aaron Sorkin’s entire existence is predicated on a high-minded, if also entirely self-aggrandizing, idea that somewhere out there there are men (and the clumsy-but-well-intentioned women who adore them) who are in power to do good. His unlikely comrade-in-arms, I think, is someone like Amy Poehler. Her beloved, if low-rated, Parks and Recreation stars her as a sort of mid-level functionary determined to make some small difference. Irony was draped all over this, at first, for comedic effect, but as the show went on it became hard not to respect her drive. And yet: these are the views that are typically attacked as liberal fantasizing, naïve and unknowing of true “human” nature, in a way that the other shows are not. Both present heightened versions of reality, but only one skews that way, in a lot of public reaction.
3
4
5
The idea that power corrupts, etc., has a powerful hold everywhere in the “real” world, of course. And yet, speaking as a Canadian expat, it’s always seemed to me to be much more concentrated in America. At least in terms of the baseline up North, it isn’t presumed immediately that “government,” as a category, can’t achieve anything. Or at least it isn’t presumed that the private sector automatically does things more efficiently or even just “better,” whatever that means. This explains, for example, why although there has been a Conservative government in Canada for years now, one that could rival your average Republican for pig-headed thinking, they have never been able to dismantle the public healthcare system. In spite of the ominous coverage it receives down here, that system is hugely popular, at the very least generally agreed by Canadians to be much preferable to the American hell of private red tape (yes!) and expensiveness.
These pop culture artifacts are of course only articulations of one of the great myths of American culture: that the problems in its politics are fundamentally about individual morality. Much as I enjoyed Lincoln, there is something of an anointment of secular sainthood to the hullabaloo surrounding it which comes off as the other side of the corruption coin. Put it all into the American love of a good show, and government becomes an operation of gods and devils, just like it is on television.
As proof you need look no father than the persistent belief that if one ousts the one or two or, you know, 300 bad apples from government—every last one of those Francis Underwoods—we would be left with a system that is largely workable. And that is, as people from James Fallows to Lawrence Lessig to Ezra Klein would put it, balderdash. They all explain why it is in slightly different ways—all of course pointing to the money/lobbyist problem, though there are a lot of vague and undefined references to “partisanism” too—but they agree that the system is as broken as some of the people in it.
No one is denying that dramatizing a broken system is a lot harder than dramatizing a broken person. And I am not, of course, suggesting that the pessimism of Americans can or should be solved by popular culture alone, nor even that popular culture has any obligation to solve it, though perhaps Sorkin might agree with that. He would be well reminded that his attempts to instruct the media on how it should operate, with The Newsroom, have not gone down all that well. Didacticism is a tricky tactic for an artist. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t ask ourselves what lessons things like House of Cards, with its aggressive devotion to “realism,” are teaching us, anyway. |
Culvert pipes, which are widely used to allow water to flow beneath roads without having to redirect it or construct a bridge to pass over the water, present an ideal place for beavers to construct a dam and restrict the flow of water. A number of previous patents have sought to deal with this problem, in which they prevent beavers from entering culvert pipes by physically obstructing an entrance at an end of the culvert pipe through the use of screens. In addition to deterring beavers from entering culvert pipes, it is important to deter them from building dams that obstruct the flow of water through the culvert pipe, too. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,102,537; 6,447,206; and 7,441,989 describe cone-shaped screens that block beavers and similarly-sized animals from entering the culvert pipe. Furthermore, the cone-shaped screens deter beavers from constructing dams as the beavers are unable to properly anchor the dam. In spite of these benefits, screen-based beaver control devices have shortcomings. Firstly, the small debris may still gather at the screen and promote clogging of the entrance of the culvert pipe. Furthermore, these screens inhibit passage of fish and turtles through the culvert pipe. |
Super-Resolution Structured Illumination Microscopy.
Super-resolved structured illumination microscopy (SR-SIM) is among the most rapidly growing fluorescence microscopy techniques that can surpass the optical diffraction limit. The strength of SR-SIM is that it can be readily applied to samples prepared for conventional fluorescence microscopy, requiring no sophisticated sample preparation protocols. As an extension of wide-field fluorescence microscopy, it is inherently capable of multicolor imaging and optical sectioning and, with sufficiently fast implementations, permits live cell imaging. Image reconstruction, however, currently relies on sophisticated computational procedures, susceptible to reconstruction artifacts, requiring trained users to recognize and avoid them. Here, we review the latest developments in SR-SIM research. Starting from a historical overview of the development of SR-SIM, we review how this method can be implemented in various experimental schemes, we provide an overview of the important parameters involved in successful image reconstruction, we summarize recent biological applications, and we provide a brief outlook of the directions in which we believe SR-SIM is headed in the future. |
Q:
Batch delete a large number of files
Everyday user-uploaded files older than a month are deleted from the server. User uploads are stored into directories by the day (eg /var/www/media/2013-03-13) so its easy to identify the files/directory that needse to be deleted.
Problem: Deleting 100,000 files at a time makes the server unresponsive and takes a long time. (Ubuntu 12.04 with 2x2TB ext4 SATA3 hdd in software RAID1). At the moment PHP is doing exec on the command find /path/to/dir -maxdepth 1 -name '*' -delete.
How do I split up the files required for deletion? Doing a ls will take really long on those large directories.
Solution need not be in PHP. It does not even require splitting the files into smaller batches
A:
Find the directories of the days you want to keep
Find the directories of all days
Remove 1. from 2.
rm -rf the directories you get from 3.
I'm not sure if this is faster than your method, but it avoids explicitly listing all the files in the directories.
|
<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
<PropertyGroup>
<AppendTargetFrameworkToOutputPath>false</AppendTargetFrameworkToOutputPath>
</PropertyGroup>
<PropertyGroup>
<TargetFramework>netstandard2.0</TargetFramework>
<LangVersion>latest</LangVersion>
</PropertyGroup>
<PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|AnyCPU'">
<OutputPath>..\Bin</OutputPath>
<DocumentationFile>..\Bin\ViennaNET.Mediator.Seedwork.xml</DocumentationFile>
</PropertyGroup>
<PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|AnyCPU'">
<OutputPath>..\Bin</OutputPath>
<DocumentationFile>..\Bin\ViennaNET.Mediator.Seedwork.xml</DocumentationFile>
</PropertyGroup>
</Project>
|
// Collection+Extensions.swift
//
// Copyright (c) 11/10/14 Ramotion Inc. (http://ramotion.com)
//
// Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
// of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
// in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
// to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
// copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
// furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
//
// The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in
// all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
//
// THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
// IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
// FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
// AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
// LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
// OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN
// THE SOFTWARE.
import Foundation
extension Collection where Self.Index == Self.Indices.Iterator.Element {
/**
Returns an optional element. If the `index` does not exist in the collection, the subscript returns nil.
- parameter safe: The index of the element to return, if it exists.
- returns: An optional element from the collection at the specified index.
*/
public subscript(safe i: Index) -> Self.Iterator.Element? {
return at(i)
}
/**
Returns an optional element. If the `index` does not exist in the collection, the function returns nil.
- parameter index: The index of the element to return, if it exists.
- returns: An optional element from the collection at the specified index.
*/
public func at(_ i: Index) -> Self.Iterator.Element? {
return indices.contains(i) ? self[i] : nil
}
}
|
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Tired of visiting parlour every month for getting smooth fuzz-free skin? So, Laser Hair Removal is the best solution for you. Laser Hair Removal is the trendy and worthy treatment that is done to minimize hair growth on the particular area of your body with the help of lasers.
In parlour, you are ready to bear the pain that comes along with waxing for getting smooth and beautiful skin while Laser Hair Removal is not much painful. So are you ready for the Laser Hair Removal Treatment? If so, Cosmotree clinic is the answer for you offering the best Laser Hair Removal treatment in Delhi and Gurgaon providing long -term permanent solution.
Credits to advancement in technology now, most people can safely have Laser Hair Removal. At Cosmotree clinic we offer one of the best Laser Hair Removal in Delhi, dermatologists use the finest of lasers which are USA FDA Approved to remove unwanted facial and body hair safely and effectively giving you the best results in the shortest period of time. Cosmotree sets a benchmark in providing the best Laser Hair Removal in Delhi as our experts are well versed and experienced in their work.
Laser Hair Removal is a big decision, so it is normal you have a thousand of questions in mind before having a Laser Hair Removal? Stop worrying, we are here to help you. We’ve got all the answer of your questions about Laser Hair Removal. Let’s discuss.
Laser Hair Reduction or Laser Hair Removal?
Well, Laser Hair Reduction is the actual term. Laser Hair Removal is a big lie, 100% removal is not possible, only hair reduction is possible. After some sessions, you can feel the reduction in terms of number of hairs and thickness of hair. After the complete treatment, you can feel the major reduction in rate of growth of hairs. After treatment, you might need some maintenance sessions to remove complete hair as hair removal varies from one area of body to another and depends on the hormonal balance of one’s body. Laser Hair Reduction depends on the machine quality and results vary from 25% to 80%.
Getting rid of the unwanted hair often requires a few office visits. Usually, people need between 3 to 6 treatments but it vary from person to person and the results too. After the treatment, most patients remain hair-free for several months. Even when the hair grows back, most patients see noticeably less hair than before. The hair also tends to be finer and lighter in color.
Laser hair removal can be repeated when the hair grows back.
How does it work?
The laser hair removal treatment for hair removal works on the principle of selective Phototherolysis (SPTL). The process uses a specific match of wavelength and pulse duration to get the optimal effect on the targeted hair follicles. The effectiveness of the treatment depends on the cause and growth of the unwanted hair and the area from where you want to remove it. Some patients may require touch sessions even after completing the process of laser hair removal treatment.
Benefits:
• Permanent hair reduction.
• No more shaving, and waxing, and thus fewer skin allergies.
• Reduces the in- grown hairs.
• Reduces excessive hair growth (PCOS) etc.
Types of Lasers used:
• Nd YAG Laser: This long pulse laser can be safely used on all skin types, including tanned skin. It is less effective for light or fine hair when compared to other types of lasers.
• Diode Laser: The diode laser is very effective for darker and lighter skin.
• Alexandrite Laser: It is the quickest of all laser types and works best for treating larger body areas among patients who are light-to-olive complexions.
What about the Pain?
No, laser hair removal is not painful. Prior to the treatment, the area to be treated will be cleansed. Some patients are given a numbing gel. When the area to be treated is small and the skin is very sensitive, numbing the area helps. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes for a numbing gel to work. You may experience some discomfort throughout the procedure – this has been described by many as feeling as though a rubber band is being snapped against your skin, but you should not find it painful.
What all services Cosmotree offers for Laser Hair Removal?
Cosmotree clinic offers the best Laser Hair Removal treatment in Delhi and Gurgaon using finest lasers which are US FDA Approved and can be used on most body parts. Many lasers successfully treat large areas. You can get the Laser Hair Removal Treatment on the following part of your body:
• Face
• Underarms hair removal
• Chest hair removal
• Bikini hair removal
• Shoulders hair removal
• Neck hair removal
• Legs hair removal
• Arms hair removal
• Back hair removal
• Beard hair removal
Pre-Treatments Precautions:
• For best results shave the area at least a day prior to your treatment.
• Body or facial scrubs 1 week prior to or after treatment only.
• You must use an SPF 25-30 on the area of treatment during sun exposure and summer months.
Post-treatment care:
• Avoid itching the treated area.
• No swimming, steam rooms and hot baths.
• No sun exposure of the treated area and wear SPF 25-30 at all times.
Laser Hair Removal Cost:
Cost of laser hair treatment vary according to the size of the treatment. Laser hair treatment cost mainly depends on the type of hair & skin and number of the session. If you want the Full Body Hair Removal Treatment, then the cost would be higher. So, it’s worth undergoing the best Laser Hair Removal treatment as it will give you the long lasting results and you can save the time and money in future. Choose quality over the money.
Why Cosmotree:
• Cosmotree clinic provides best Laser Hair Removal in Delhi/ Gurgaon and Mumbai featuring finest lasers that are
US FDA Approved.
• Each treatment is recommended only after the complete examining of skin type, its sensitivity, its texture etc.
We at Cosmotree examine your skin and body constitution and then only offer you the treatment that is best suited
for your needs and your body.
• We offer one of the best services in customer care including post care too, leaving our clients all happy and
satisfied.
• All medical and beauty procedures require lots of hygiene, especially when it comes to your skin as it can easily
be infected. At Cosmotree clinic, we take extra precautions to ensure proper cleanliness providing an excellent
environment.
• Cost-effective but without compromising on the quality.
• Cosmotree is one of the trusted brand offering best treatments for laser hair removal in Delhi, with highly
skilled and experienced professionals giving you desired visible results in the shortest period of time.
Some things to keep in mind when coming to Cosmotree clinic for treatments:
• Prior appointment should be made for free consultations.
• It is recommended to opt for packages instead of single services for good discounts.
• You can choose to pay us in a single go or in 2-3 instalments.
• Pay using all Debit/Credit cards, PayTm as well as Cash.
Looking for a solution to your skin & Hair Problems, hurry up and rush to Cosmotree clinic for your Laser Hair Removal Treatment in Delhi/Gurgaon and Mumbai to get rid of your unwanted hair effectively and safely. Thus enjoying fuzz-free smooth skin for a longer period of time. As it’s important to choose the best clinic i.e. Cosmotree Clinic right dermatologist to ensure you get the best results. At Cosmotree Clinic, you’re in good hands. Our skincare specialists and staff will provide you the best treatment to meet your cosmetic goals, and we’ll do our best to keep you comfortable every step on the way. Kindly Give us a call at 09999909292 to Schedule a Free Consultation today And Start Your Procedure Hazel Free. |
While the advent of digital cameras has certainly taken over Hollywood in a significant way, there are a number of films coming up in 2020 that were shot on good old fashioned film—including four that were shot using large-format film and IMAX. This via an excellent piece over at Indiewire that shows a bright future for shooting on film, in the wake of the news that Kodak renewed its deal to create traditional film for Disney, NBCUniversal, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros.
Indeed, said deal was initially driven by filmmaker Christopher Nolan, who banded together with a number of filmmakers to keep film alive by getting studios to agree to purchase a set amount of film from Kodak, which would subsequently keep Kodak from going out of business and thus removing the choice to shoot on film entirely. And many of those same filmmakers have brand new movies coming in 2020 that were shot on film, not digitally.
2019 was lacking in notable movies that were shot using large-format film (which is different from digital IMAX, in which films like Avengers: Endgame were shot), but 2020 will bring four such features. First and foremost there’s Nolan’s latest film Tenet, which was shot using large-format and IMAX film by cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema. The DP revolutionized shooting in IMAX on Interstellar by going handheld, which hadn’t been done before owing to the size and weight of the IMAX cameras, so it’ll be interesting to see what new tricks Nolan and Hoytema have up their sleeves on Tenet.
Also shot on large-format film were Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman 1984, which was spearheaded by DP Matthew Jensen using mixed film formats, as well as Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express sequel Death on the Nile. And then of course Cary Joji Fukunaga’s No Time to Die marks the first Bond movie ever shot using IMAX cameras, with Oscar-winning DP Linus Sandgren behind the lens. The Bond film uses a mix of both 65mm film and IMAX.
Indiewire notes that the increase in demand for large-format film cameras for these 2020 releases caused a bit of a supply issue—Tenet and No Time to Die were shooting at the same time, but not enough cameras were available. But the Logmar camera company introduced a lightweight, compact Magellan 65mm film camera to help fill the void, so this kind of issue shouldn’t happen again.
Beyond large-format, there are also a number of movies coming in 2020 that were just shot on good old-fashioned 35mm film. This includes new films from Steven Spielberg, Edgar Wright, and Wes Anderson, and even on the small screen Westworld continues to be shot on film as does Adam McKay’s Succession and his upcoming HBO Lakers series.
Check out the (admittedly incomplete) list of 2020 movies shot on film below, via Indiewire, and get excited about seeing all that beautiful grain onscreen all year long:
A Quiet Place Part II
No Time to Die
Artemis Fowl
F9 (digital/film hybrid)
Wonder Woman 1984
The King of Staten Island
Tenet
The French Dispatch
Last Night in Soho
Death on the Nile
West Side Story
The Banker
Never Rarely Sometimes Always
The 40-Year-Old Version
On the Rocks
The Devil All the Time
Flag Day
Wendy |
Homo- and heterometallic complexes of tetra-(di-substituted hydroxybenzyl)-N,N'-ethylenediamine derivatives.
The coordination behavior of a series of group 4 metal alkoxides [M(OR)(4)] modified by a set of novel substituted hydroxybenzyl ethylene diamine (H(4)-ED-L(4)) ligands {[tetra(3,5-di-t-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N'-ethylenediamine] termed H(4)-ED-DBP(4) (1), [tetra(3,5-di-t-amyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N'-ethylenediamine] termed H(4)-ED-DAP(4) (1a), and [tetra(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N'-ethylenediamine] termed H(4)-ED-DCP(4) (2)} was elucidated. The reaction of 1 or 1a with the M(OR)(4) precursor led to the isolation of the structural similar species M(ED-L(4)) where L = DBP, M = Ti (3), Zr (4), Hf (5); L = DAP, M = Zr (4a), Hf (5a). In contrast, the reaction of 2 with the M(OR)(4) precursors yielded Ti(ED-DCP(4)) (6), (py)(2)Zr(ED-DCP(4)) (7), and (HOBu(t))Hf(ED-DCP(4)) (8) where py = pyridine and HOBu(t) = HOC(CH(3))(3). For 3-6, the cations of the monomeric species were completely encapsulated by all available heteroatoms (four O and two N) of the ED-L(4) ligands, yielding an octahedral geometry for each metal center. For 7 and 8, an identical binding by the ED-DCP(4) ligand was observed with the additional coordination of Lewis basic adducts, forming 8- and 7-coordinated metal centers, respectively. Switching to +2 cations led to the isolation of [(THF)Ca](2)(ED-DBP(4)) (9a) where THF = tetrahydrofuran, {[(py)Ca](4)(ED-(mu-DBP-eta(6))(4))(2)}(n) (9b), and [(py)Zn](ED-DBP(4))[Zn(py)(2)] (10) *5py and [(py)Sn](2)(ED-DBP(4)) (11). The structures of these species were significantly different in arrangement compared to the Group 4 derivatives. Further attempts to produce a mixed +4/+2 cationic species yielded [(py)(ONep)(2)Ti(ED-DBP(4))Zn(py)] (12). Reacting the single-source precursor Co[mu-OC(6)H(4)(CHMe(2))(2)-2)(2)Li(py)(2)](2) with 1, led to the isolation of (py)Li[ED-DBP(3)(H-DBP)]Co (13), with one of the phenol protons remaining unreacted. The synthesis and characterization of these compounds are presented in detail. |
Q:
How to reorder boxplot labels in ggplot2
I want to plot first figure with no NAs and order by median. I think I could do this by using na.omit and the code1 below.
How can plot the second figure by keeping the ones that are in figure1 (carA and carC) and also keep the same ordering as in figure 1.
a
R G T
EG1 2 20 carA
EG2 4 40 carA
EG3 8 80 carA
EG4 10 100 carA
EG5 NA 20 carB
EG6 NA 40 carB
EG7 NA 50 carB
EG8 NA 90 carB
EG9 4 50 carC
EG10 8 60 carC
EG11 12 70 carC
EG12 24 90 carC
code1
ggplot(a, aes(reorder(T, log2(R+1), median, order=TRUE), log2(R+1), fill=T)) + geom_boxplot()+coord_flip()
code2
ggplot(a, aes(reorder(T, log2(G+1), median, order=TRUE), log2(G+1), fill=T)) + geom_boxplot()+coord_flip()
A:
You need to capture the order from the first plot, and use it to set the limits in the second using scale_x_discrete (due to coord_flip).
limits <- levels(reorder(a$T, log2(a$R + 1)))
ggplot(a, aes(reorder(T, log2(R + 1), median, order = TRUE), log2(R + 1), fill = T)) +
geom_boxplot() +
coord_flip() +
scale_x_discrete(limits = limits)
ggplot(a, aes(reorder(T, log2(G + 1), median, order = TRUE), log2(G + 1), fill = T)) +
geom_boxplot() +
coord_flip() +
scale_x_discrete(limits = limits)
|
# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
import sys
import six
from nose2.plugins import buffer
from nose2 import events, result, session, util
from nose2.tests._common import TestCase
class TestBufferPlugin(TestCase):
tags = ['unit']
def setUp(self):
self.session = session.Session()
self.result = result.PluggableTestResult(self.session)
self.plugin = buffer.OutputBufferPlugin(session=self.session)
self.plugin.register()
class Test(TestCase):
printed_nonascii_str = util.safe_decode("test 日本").encode('utf-8')
printed_unicode = six.u("hello")
def test_out(self):
six.print_("hello")
raise {}["oops"]
def test_err(self):
six.print_("goodbye", file=sys.stderr)
def test_mixed_unicode_and_nonascii_str(self):
six.print_(self.printed_nonascii_str)
six.print_(self.printed_unicode)
six.print_(self.printed_nonascii_str, file=sys.stderr)
six.print_(self.printed_unicode, file=sys.stderr)
raise {}["oops"]
self.case = Test
class Watcher(events.Plugin):
def __init__(self):
self.events = []
def testOutcome(self, event):
self.events.append(event)
self.watcher = Watcher(session=self.session)
self.watcher.register()
def test_captures_stdout(self):
out = sys.stdout
buf = six.StringIO()
sys.stdout = buf
try:
test = self.case('test_out')
test(self.result)
assert "hello" not in buf.getvalue()
assert "hello" in self.watcher.events[
0].metadata['stdout']
finally:
sys.stdout = out
def test_captures_stderr_when_configured(self):
self.plugin.captureStderr = True
err = sys.stderr
buf = six.StringIO()
sys.stderr = buf
try:
test = self.case('test_err')
test(self.result)
assert "goodbye" not in buf.getvalue()
assert "goodbye" in self.watcher.events[
0].metadata['stderr']
finally:
sys.stderr = err
def test_does_not_crash_with_mixed_unicode_and_nonascii_str(self):
self.plugin.captureStderr = True
test = self.case('test_mixed_unicode_and_nonascii_str')
test(self.result)
evt = events.OutcomeDetailEvent(self.watcher.events[0])
self.session.hooks.outcomeDetail(evt)
extraDetail = "".join(evt.extraDetail)
if six.PY2:
for string in [util.safe_decode(self.case.printed_nonascii_str), self.case.printed_unicode]:
assert string not in extraDetail, "Output unexpectedly found in error message"
assert "OUTPUT ERROR" in extraDetail
assert "UnicodeDecodeError" in extraDetail
else:
for string in [repr(self.case.printed_nonascii_str), self.case.printed_unicode]:
assert string in extraDetail, "Output not found in error message"
def test_decorates_outcome_detail(self):
test = self.case('test_out')
test(self.result)
evt = events.OutcomeDetailEvent(self.watcher.events[0])
self.session.hooks.outcomeDetail(evt)
assert "hello" in "".join(evt.extraDetail)
|
We know what you’re thinking. “Is that a haiku?” Nope. (We had to check.)
Actually, what you’re probably thinking is “Nice try, Ellsbury.” Sure, he’s had one of the more smooth transitions from the Red Sox to the Yankees we’ve seen. That’s in part because with the Red Sox on top, we’re a bit less filled with rage for our pinstriped nemeses. It’s in part because Ellsbury never cultivated a Johnny Damon-like aura around town that made a move to New York feel like a betrayal. He’s always been a mercenary, and we knew that. And now there’s this gesture to the fans. So does that mean we won’t boo him next time he takes the plate at Fenway? Let’s ask Twitter:
Classy shout out to Red Sox Nation from Jacoby Ellsbury in Globe. Appreciate the ad revenue, bro, but we’re still gonna boo those pinstripes
Be respectful of our online community and contribute to an engaging conversation. We reserve the right to remove impersonators or personal attacks, threats, profanity, or flat-out offensive comments. By posting here, you are permitting Boston magazine and Metro Corp. to edit and republish your comment in all media.
Lea
Two world championships is a big deal in this town. Jacoby is a game changer. I for one thank him and will never boo him; pinstripes or otherwise. The Red Sox had ample time to sign him to a long term deal. Who among us would have turned down that offer? It is about the money; it’s a business. I say good for him. And…..Thank You Jacoby. I may never see another Sox player steal home. |
Index: xserver/configure.ac
===================================================================
--- xserver.orig/configure.ac
+++ xserver/configure.ac
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ dnl forcing an entire recompile.x
AC_CONFIG_HEADERS(include/version-config.h)
AM_PROG_AS
+AC_PROG_CXX
AC_PROG_LN_S
LT_PREREQ([2.2])
LT_INIT([disable-static win32-dll])
@@ -1777,6 +1778,10 @@ if test "x$XVFB" = xyes; then
AC_SUBST([XVFB_SYS_LIBS])
fi
+dnl Xvnc DDX
+AC_SUBST([XVNC_CPPFLAGS], ["-DHAVE_DIX_CONFIG_H $XSERVER_CFLAGS"])
+AC_SUBST([XVNC_LIBS], ["$FB_LIB $FIXES_LIB $XEXT_LIB $CONFIG_LIB $DBE_LIB $RECORD_LIB $GLX_LIBS $RANDR_LIB $RENDER_LIB $DAMAGE_LIB $DRI3_LIB $PRESENT_LIB $MIEXT_SYNC_LIB $MIEXT_DAMAGE_LIB $MIEXT_SHADOW_LIB $XI_LIB $XKB_LIB $XKB_STUB_LIB $COMPOSITE_LIB $MAIN_LIB"])
+AC_SUBST([XVNC_SYS_LIBS], ["$GLX_SYS_LIBS"])
dnl Xnest DDX
@@ -1812,6 +1817,8 @@ if test "x$XORG" = xauto; then
fi
AC_MSG_RESULT([$XORG])
+AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED(XORG_VERSION_CURRENT, [$VENDOR_RELEASE], [Current Xorg version])
+
if test "x$XORG" = xyes; then
XORG_DDXINCS='-I$(top_srcdir)/hw/xfree86 -I$(top_srcdir)/hw/xfree86/include -I$(top_srcdir)/hw/xfree86/common'
XORG_OSINCS='-I$(top_srcdir)/hw/xfree86/os-support -I$(top_srcdir)/hw/xfree86/os-support/bus -I$(top_srcdir)/os'
@@ -2029,7 +2036,6 @@ if test "x$XORG" = xyes; then
AC_DEFINE(XORG_SERVER, 1, [Building Xorg server])
AC_DEFINE(XORGSERVER, 1, [Building Xorg server])
AC_DEFINE(XFree86Server, 1, [Building XFree86 server])
- AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED(XORG_VERSION_CURRENT, [$VENDOR_RELEASE], [Current Xorg version])
AC_DEFINE(NEED_XF86_TYPES, 1, [Need XFree86 typedefs])
AC_DEFINE(NEED_XF86_PROTOTYPES, 1, [Need XFree86 helper functions])
AC_DEFINE(__XSERVERNAME__, "Xorg", [Name of X server])
@@ -2565,6 +2571,7 @@ hw/dmx/Makefile
hw/dmx/man/Makefile
hw/vfb/Makefile
hw/vfb/man/Makefile
+hw/vnc/Makefile
hw/xnest/Makefile
hw/xnest/man/Makefile
hw/xwin/Makefile
Index: xserver/hw/Makefile.am
===================================================================
--- xserver.orig/hw/Makefile.am
+++ xserver/hw/Makefile.am
@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@ SUBDIRS = \
$(DMX_SUBDIRS) \
$(KDRIVE_SUBDIRS) \
$(XQUARTZ_SUBDIRS) \
- $(XWAYLAND_SUBDIRS)
+ $(XWAYLAND_SUBDIRS) \
+ vnc
DIST_SUBDIRS = dmx xfree86 vfb xnest xwin xquartz kdrive xwayland
Index: xserver/mi/miinitext.c
===================================================================
--- xserver.orig/mi/miinitext.c
+++ xserver/mi/miinitext.c
@@ -107,8 +107,15 @@ SOFTWARE.
#include "os.h"
#include "globals.h"
+#ifdef TIGERVNC
+extern void vncExtensionInit(void);
+#endif
+
/* List of built-in (statically linked) extensions */
static const ExtensionModule staticExtensions[] = {
+#ifdef TIGERVNC
+ {vncExtensionInit, "VNC-EXTENSION", NULL},
+#endif
{GEExtensionInit, "Generic Event Extension", &noGEExtension},
{ShapeExtensionInit, "SHAPE", NULL},
#ifdef MITSHM
|
1. Introduction {#sec1-foods-08-00572}
===============
The human population is predicted to increase to 9.6 billion by 2050. This population growth combined with an increase in consumer demand for food protein is expected to nearly double the demand for food \[[@B1-foods-08-00572]\]. With more than 1900 species, edible insects represent an interesting source of protein for human consumption \[[@B1-foods-08-00572]\]. Edible insects are widely consumed in many parts of the world and some studies have listed the many advantages of entomophagy compared to conventional livestock production systems. The first is the low environmental impact of edible insect production. Compared to conventional livestock meat, the production of edible insects could reduce land use, water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and feed conversion \[[@B1-foods-08-00572]\]. More specifically, and according to a life cycle assessment, Smetana et al. \[[@B2-foods-08-00572]\] demonstrated that the production of edible insect-based protein powder is two to five times more environmentally beneficial than the production of animal products such as poultry and meat. Moreover, Oonincx et al. \[[@B3-foods-08-00572]\] demonstrated that the global warming potential and land uses of edible insect production were lower than for other protein sources. The second advantage is related to their high nutritional value. Edible insects are a good source of proteins (55.0%--70.7% w/w for *Acheta domesticus* (*A*. *domesticus*) and 47.2%--65.3% w/w for *Tenebrio molitor* (*T. molitor*), lipids (9.8%--22.8% w/w for *A. domesticus* and 14.9%--43.1% for *T. molitor*), minerals (3.6%--9.1% for *A. domesticus* and 2.7%--4.3% for *T. molitor*) and essential fatty acids, such as linoleic and linolenic acids \[[@B4-foods-08-00572],[@B5-foods-08-00572],[@B6-foods-08-00572]\].
However, in Western countries, many cultural and psychological barriers stand in the way of consumer acceptance of insects as food \[[@B1-foods-08-00572],[@B7-foods-08-00572]\]. Nevertheless, to reduce insect food neophobia, previous studies proposed to insert invisible edible insects into various food preparations \[[@B8-foods-08-00572]\]. This suggests that incorporation of edible insect powder or ingredients into familiar products could increase acceptance and consumption of edible insects \[[@B9-foods-08-00572],[@B10-foods-08-00572]\]. Nevertheless, the production of edible insect ingredients, such as protein concentrates or isolates, is a major challenge for food processing optimization. Indeed, because high lipid content can interfere with protein extraction, it is necessary to include a lipid separation step to enhance protein extraction.
Several lipid extraction methods with conventional solvents are described in the literature. Alternative environmentally friendly solvents, such as methanol and ethanol, are also recommended \[[@B11-foods-08-00572]\]. Three-phase partitioning (TPP) was first reported to be an efficient method for protein extraction, but it is also a good strategy for extracting oil from oleaginous material such as soybeans, seed kernels or almonds, apricots, and rice bran \[[@B12-foods-08-00572]\]. Finally, supercritical CO~2~ (SC-CO~2~) extraction is another common oil extraction method known for its low operating cost and environmental impact \[[@B13-foods-08-00572]\]. Several studies have focused on lipid extraction methods applied to insects. Most were performed on wild-caught edible insects using organic solvents for lipid extraction. For example, Tzompa-Sosa et al. \[[@B5-foods-08-00572]\] extracted lipid fractions from four insect species (*T. molitor*, *Alphitobius diaperinus*, *A. domesticus*, and *Blaptica dubia*) using Soxhlet, aqueous, and Folch extraction methods. Aqueous extraction of lipid gave the lowest lipid yield for all edible insect types, whereas Soxhlet and Folch produced similar yields. Using *T. molitor*, Zhao et al. \[[@B13-foods-08-00572]\] obtained similar defatting efficiencies (lipid extraction yield of about 30%) using ethanol or a mixture of hexane and isopropanol. The application of supercritical CO~2~ to extractions of *T. molitor* produced a range of defatting from 21% to 95%, depending on duration, temperature, and pressure applied \[[@B14-foods-08-00572]\]. This method has many advantages, such as being solvent free and reducing oxidation of lipid components \[[@B14-foods-08-00572]\]. These previous studies demonstrated that the quality of the lipid extract is greatly affected by the extraction procedure. Consequently, the lipid extraction method must be carefully chosen.
In this context, the aims of the present study are to investigate the impact of the six conventional and alternative defatting methods on 1) the lipid extraction yield and lipid profile recovered, and 2) the protein extraction and purification rates.
2. Materials and Methods {#sec2-foods-08-00572}
========================
2.1. Insects {#sec2dot1-foods-08-00572}
------------
House cricket (*A. domesticus*) and mealworm (*T. molitor*) meals were provided by Entomo Farm (Norwood, Ontario, Canada). The global composition of these two edible insects is presented in [Table 1](#foods-08-00572-t001){ref-type="table"}. The protein content was determined according to the Dumas method \[[@B8-foods-08-00572],[@B15-foods-08-00572]\] (Elementar rapid Micro N cube, Langenselbold, Germany), using a conversion factor of 4.76 to convert nitrogen content to protein content, as determined by Janssen et al. \[[@B16-foods-08-00572]\] for whole insect meal. The ash content was determined by an incineration method (AOAC 938.08) \[[@B17-foods-08-00572]\], and the chitin content was determined by the method described by Spinelli et al. \[[@B18-foods-08-00572]\].
2.2. Lipid Extraction Methods {#sec2dot2-foods-08-00572}
-----------------------------
[Figure 1](#foods-08-00572-f001){ref-type="fig"} shows the established protocol described in the following sections. Briefly, *A. domesticus* and *T. molitor* meals were defatted, in triplicate, using one of six different methods. The resulting oils and defatted fractions were recovered and weighed. Between extraction and analysis, these were kept at −20 °C. Oil samples were kept under a nitrogen atmosphere.
### 2.2.1. Soxhlet Method {#sec2dot2dot1-foods-08-00572}
Ten grams of insect meal was deposited in a cellulose cartridge (Fisher Scientific catalog number 12-101-100) and the lipids were extracted for 6 h using a Soxhlet apparatus, as described by Tzompa-Sosa et al. \[[@B5-foods-08-00572]\]. Four different solvents, hexane, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and 95% ethanol, were used for the extractions. After each extraction, the solvent was completely removed using a rotary evaporator (R-215, Büchi, Flawil, Switzerland). The lipid extracts and the defatted insect meals were dried at 50 °C in a vacuum oven for a minimum of 5 h and were kept in a desiccator at room temperature before weighing. Lipid extracts were stored at −20 °C.
### 2.2.2. Three-Phase Partitioning Method {#sec2dot2dot2-foods-08-00572}
The TPP extraction method applied to insect meals was adapted from Dutta et al. \[[@B12-foods-08-00572]\] and Panadare and Rathod \[[@B11-foods-08-00572]\]. Briefly, 10 g of insect flour was mixed with 60 mL of distilled water. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 4.5 with 0.1 M HCl. Next, 20 g of ammonium sulfate and 60 mL of *tert*-butanol (*t*-butanol) were added and the mixture was stirred at 35 °C for 1 h. The mixture was kept at room temperature for 1 h without agitation and centrifuged at 2800× *g* for 5 min. Supernatants were collected in a pre-weighed round-bottom flask and the *t*-butanol was evaporated using a rotary evaporator (R-215, Büchi, Flawil, Switzerland). Extractions were performed in triplicate and oil samples were kept under a nitrogen atmosphere at −20 °C until used.
### 2.2.3. Supercritical Carbon Dioxide {#sec2dot2dot3-foods-08-00572}
Supercritical CO~2~ extraction was performed in triplicate at the Centre d'étude des procédés chimiques du Québec (CÉPROCQ) (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) with a laboratory-scale unit, according to the method of Purschke et al. (2017) \[[@B14-foods-08-00572]\]. Equal masses (15 g each) of insect meal and glass marbles were added to a 500 mL reactor operating at a flow rate of 10 g/mL for 75 min (325 bar, 55 °C). Oil and defatted residue were collected after extraction and weighed. The oil fraction was kept at −20 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere until used.
2.3. Characterization of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) by Gas Chromatography {#sec2dot3-foods-08-00572}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oil fractions were derivatized prior to analysis of FAMEs (fatty acid methyl esters). One drop of extracted oil was introduced into a 10 mL screw cap tube. One mL of hexane was added, followed by 0.5 mL of 0.05 M sodium methanolate. The cap was tightened, and the solution was vortexed before heating in a water bath at 40 °C for 15 min. After heating, 2 mL of hexane and 3 mL of saturated NaCl solution were added. The solution was vortexed again and left at rest until the two phases were separated. The organic phase containing FAMEs was collected (supernatant) and filtered through a glass pipette equipped with 1 cm of anhydrous sodium sulfate. The FAMEs were collected in a clean 10 mL screw cap tube. The aqueous phase was washed twice with an additional 2 mL of hexane. The supernatant was collected after phase separation, filtered in a glass pipette as above, and added to the previous 10 mL tube. Another 5 mL of hexane was added for a final hexane volume of 10 mL, and a FAME concentration of about 1 mg/mL.
One microliter of the FAME solution was injected onto a GC-2010 Plus Gas Chromatograph (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) equipped with a BPX70 column (60 m × 0.25 mm internal diameter × 0.25 µm film thickness; SGE, Melbourne, Australia) and a flame ionization detector (FID). Dihydrogen (H~2~), at a flow rate of 1.29 mL/min, was the carrier gas. The injector (split ratio 50:1) was maintained at 250 °C with a purge flow of 3 mL/min. The temperature started at 60 °C for 1 min, increased to 190 °C at 5 °C/min, was maintained at 190 °C for 15 min, then finally increased to 240 °C at 5 °C/min where it was maintained for 1 min, for a total program time of 53 min. The FAMEs were identified by comparing the retention time of the peaks with a commercial standard (C4 to C22 GLC-607; Nu-Chek Prep, Elysian, MN, USA). Analyses were performed in triplicate and the data were analyzed with GCsolution software, version 2.32.00 (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan).
2.4. Protein Extraction {#sec2dot4-foods-08-00572}
-----------------------
*A. domesticus* and *T. molitor* proteins were extracted according to Zhao et al. \[[@B13-foods-08-00572]\]. For both insects, 4 g of defatted or regular (control) meal was added to 60 mL of 0.25 M NaOH. The mixture was agitated for 60 min at 40 °C and centrifuged at 3500× *g* for 20 min at 4 °C. The supernatant was removed, and a second extraction was performed on the residue. Supernatants from the first and second alkaline solubilization were pooled and the pH was adjusted to 4.3--4.5 to induce protein precipitation with 2 M HCl before centrifugation (2500× *g*, 15 min, 4 °C). After protein precipitation, the supernatant was removed, and the residue containing precipitated proteins was washed twice with distilled water at pH 4.5 and centrifuged (2500× *g*, 10 min, 4 °C). The residue and the supernatant were freeze-dried. The powders of the two fractions were analyzed using the Dumas combustion method (Elementar rapid Micro N cube, Langenselbold, Germany). A conversion factor of 5.60 was used to convert the nitrogen percentage to protein content of insect protein extract, as determined by Janssen et al. \[[@B16-foods-08-00572]\]. This conversion factor is different than that used to determine the protein content of the whole insect meal ([Table 1](#foods-08-00572-t001){ref-type="table"}), because the non-protein nitrogen (NPN) content is reduced during the protein extraction \[[@B16-foods-08-00572]\].
2.5. Extraction Yields {#sec2dot5-foods-08-00572}
----------------------
For all lipid extraction methods, the oil extraction yield was calculated according to Equation (1): where m~f~ is the mass of extracted fat (g) and m~i~ is the mass of crude *A. domesticus* and *T. molitor* meal (g). As proposed by Zhao et al. \[[@B14-foods-08-00572]\] for *T. molitor*, the extracted fat was expressed as a percentage the initial mass of edible insect meal samples, which means that the most efficient defatting method could not have a 100% lipid extraction yield.
The protein extraction yield was calculated according to Equation (2) \[[@B19-foods-08-00572]\]: where m~r~ represents the mass (g) and %P~r~ represents the protein content (% w/w) of the residue after protein precipitation, and m~d~ and %P~d~ represent the mass (g) and the protein content (% w/w) of defatted *A. domesticus* or *T. molitor* meal (respectively). The protein purity was obtained when determining the nitrogen content of each sample (Elementar rapid Micro N cube, Langenselbold, Germany).
2.6. Statistical Analysis {#sec2dot6-foods-08-00572}
-------------------------
Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) University Edition, SAS^®^ Studio 3.5 software. A randomized complete block design with six treatments (different extraction methods) in multiple blocks (*n* ≥ 3) was used. For each experiment, the experimental unit was *A. domesticus* or *T. molitor* meal, which received one treatment. Each experiment was performed in triplicate and results were reported as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Tukey tests (α = 0.05) were used as multiple comparison tests. Statistical analyses were done independently for *A. domesticus* and *T. molitor*.
3. Results and Discussion {#sec3-foods-08-00572}
=========================
3.1. Lipid Extraction Yield and Fatty Acid Composition {#sec3dot1-foods-08-00572}
------------------------------------------------------
[Table 2](#foods-08-00572-t002){ref-type="table"} shows the fat extracted (% w/w of the insect meal) from both insect meals obtained from the different defatting methods. The extraction yields were higher for *T. molitor* (22.1%--28.8% w/w) compared to *A. domesticus* (11.9%--22.7% w/w). This difference is explained by the fact that crude *T. molitor* has a higher fat content than *A. domesticus* (36% w/w \[[@B20-foods-08-00572]\] vs. 18.6%--22.8% w/w \[[@B21-foods-08-00572]\]). The results showed that the defatting method significantly impacts the lipid extraction yields for *A. domesticus* (*p* \< 0.05), unlike for *T. molitor* (*p* \> 0.05). Significant differences were observed between Soxhlet extractions of *A. domesticus*, depending on the solvent used (*p* \< 0.05). Ethanol produced the highest lipid extraction rate at 22.7% w/w. The lipid extraction rates for TPP and ethyl acetate were similar, and hexane and SC-CO~2~ were the least efficient methods for lipid extraction with values of 14.6% and 11.9%, respectively. Further optimization of the SC-CO~2~ method using co-solvent might improve the extraction yield in a future work, as shown by Rudyk et al. \[[@B22-foods-08-00572]\] for the extraction of nonfood and nonpolar compounds.
The fatty acid (FA) profiles of lipids extracted from *A. domesticus* and *T. molitor* meals are shown in [Table 3](#foods-08-00572-t003){ref-type="table"}; [Table 4](#foods-08-00572-t004){ref-type="table"}, respectively. For both insects, the three most abundant FAs were palmitic acid (C16:0), vaccenic acid (C18:1V), and linoleic acid (C18:2). For *A. domesticus*, C18:2, which is an essential fatty acid, represented 29%--36% of the total FA, while C16:0 and C18:1V comprised 26%--31% and 21%--24% of the total FA, respectively. Stearic acid (C18:0) was the fourth most abundant FA of *A. domesticus*, ranging between 10% and 11% of the total FA.
For *T. molitor*, C18:1V was the dominant FA at 37%--40% of the total FA. The second most abundant *T. molitor* FA was C18:2 (33%--37%), followed by C16:0 (18%--19%). Except for these major FAs, the remaining FAs found in both edible insect lipid extracts were detected at very low relative abundance. Some differences were observed, especially the abundance of C14:0, C17:0, C17:1, and C18:1V, which were higher in *T. molitor* oil extract, or the abundance of C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1 (oleate), which were higher in *A. domesticus* oil extract. Finally, arachidic (C20:0), transvaccenate (C18:1T), petroselinate (C18:1P), gamma-linolenic (C20:3), and docosahexaenoic (C22:6) acids were detected in *A. domesticus* oil, but were absent from *T. molitor* oil.
These results agreed with the work of Tzompa-Sosa et al. \[[@B5-foods-08-00572]\] who reported that C18:1, C18:2, and C16:0 were the three most abundant FA in four insect species, including *T. molitor* and *A. domesticus*. Mariod et al. \[[@B21-foods-08-00572]\] findings also supported these results as they indicated that the major FA of adult *A. domesticus* were C18:2 (30%--40%), C18:1 (23%--27%), C16:0 (24%--30%), and C18:0 (7%--11%). They also reported the occurrence of smaller amounts of palmitoleic (C16:1), myristic (C14:0), and linolenic acids (C18:3). Moreover, the proportions of FA obtained from *T. molitor* larvae with SC-CO~2~ were close to the results obtained by Purschke et al. \[[@B14-foods-08-00572]\], who found 18.46% of C16:0, 2.41% of C18:0, 42.14% of C18:1, and 29.00% of C18:2 for the same treatment (325 bar, 55 °C, 75 min).
There were some differences in the FA profiles, depending on the defatting method used. For both edible insects, Soxhlet extraction with ethanol or TPP were the two least efficient methods for extracting C16:0, whereas SC-CO~2~ was the most efficient. For *A. domesticus* only, Soxhlet extraction with hexane or TPP extracted more C18:0. Ethanol was the least efficient solvent, but there was no significant difference between ethanol and petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, or SC-CO~2~. For both insects, SC-CO~2~ extracted the highest proportion of transvaccenic acid, but no significant difference was observed between Soxhlet extractions with hexane or petroleum ether (or ethyl acetate for *T. molitor*, exclusively). Like the C18:0 extractions, ethanol was the least efficient extraction method for transvaccenic acid but there was no significant difference (*p* \> 0.05) between this method and TPP (and ethyl acetate for *A. domesticus* only). Moreover, for both *A. domesticus* and *T. molitor*, TPP and Soxhlet extraction with ethanol were the two defatting methods extracting the most C18:2.
With both insects, extraction of the three most abundant FAs showed that ethanol and TPP, two defatting methods using polar solvents (ethanol and *t*-butanol), are more efficient at extracting C18:2, whereas methods using nonpolar solvents are more efficient at extracting C18:1 and C16:0. These results agree with the findings of Murali et al. \[[@B23-foods-08-00572]\]. These authors fractionated lipids from *Fusarium* spp. into polar and nonpolar classes using ethanol (polar) and petroleum ether (nonpolar). They found a higher quantity of C18:2 in the polar lipid fraction, whereas the nonpolar lipid fraction contained more C18:1 \[[@B23-foods-08-00572]\]. The results obtained in this study also agree with the fact that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as C18:2 are relatively more polar than monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) such as C18:1V and long-chain saturated FAs such as C16:0 \[[@B24-foods-08-00572]\].
As explained previously, ethanol produced the highest fat extraction yield. However, for FA quantification, its efficiency was highly dependent on FA relative polarity. These results show that lipids other than FA also affect the fat extraction yield. Indeed, phospholipids, the second most important lipid in insects, after triglycerides, are polar components and therefore very easily solubilized in a polar solvent, such as ethanol, methanol \[[@B20-foods-08-00572],[@B25-foods-08-00572]\], or even *t*-butanol, used for TPP extraction. Conversely, triacylglycerols or sterol esters have very low polarity and, so, are soluble in nonpolar solvents, such as hexane and ether \[[@B25-foods-08-00572]\]. It can therefore be hypothesized that all categories of lipids were present in the same proportions for *T. molitor*, leading to the non-significant differences (*p* \> 0.05) in fat extraction yields observed for the defatting methods under study. However, *A. domesticus* meal may have contained a higher proportion of polar lipids since methods using polar solvents such as ethanol and *t*-butanol were significantly more efficient at extracting fat from this insect species. These findings suggest that the most suitable defatting method may differ from one insect to the other, depending on its lipid composition.
3.2. Protein Extraction and Purity {#sec3dot2-foods-08-00572}
----------------------------------
Protein extraction experiments were performed on defatted *A. domesticus* and *T. molitor* to generate an enriched protein fraction. Protein concentrations of initial *A. domesticus* and *T. molitor* meals were 53% and 45% w/w on a dry basis, respectively. According to Rumpold and Schulter \[[@B6-foods-08-00572]\], the protein content of *A. domesticus* meal ranged from 55% to 70%, compared to 47% to 60% for *T. molitor*. These results are higher than those observed in the present study since they used a protein conversion factor of 6.25. However, it was recently suggested by Janssen et al. \[[@B16-foods-08-00572]\] that this conversion factor overestimates protein concentration because it includes natural nitrogen-containing polysaccharides such chitin, or chitosan, or inorganic nitrogen such as uric acid, urea, or ammonia \[[@B26-foods-08-00572]\]. Consequently, a protein conversion factor of 5.60, used in this study, seems more appropriate for evaluating the protein content of the protein extract of whole meal and defatted protein extracts \[[@B16-foods-08-00572]\]. Assuming an overestimation of protein concentration in the literature, the protein concentrations obtained in this study were comparable \[[@B13-foods-08-00572]\].
The protein extraction yields are presented in [Table 5](#foods-08-00572-t005){ref-type="table"}. Extractions performed on defatted *A. domesticus* and *T. molitor* meals were compared to those on the whole meals ([Table 1](#foods-08-00572-t001){ref-type="table"}) without defatting to evaluate the importance of defatting to increase protein extraction and protein purity.
Protein extraction was not performed with defatted meals obtained using TPP since ammonium sulfate was used to precipitate the proteins. Ammonium sulfate contains nitrogen, which interferes with the nitrogen analysis to determine protein content. For *A. domesticus*, there was no significant difference (*p* \> 0.05) in protein purity between the extraction made with the most polar solvent, ethanol (78.5% ± 2.0%), and the least, hexane (74.7% ± 0.3%). No significant were observed either for *T. molitor*. Yi et al. \[[@B7-foods-08-00572]\] used aqueous extraction for insect defatting, and after protein extraction of defatted meal following centrifugation, the purity was 50%--61% in the supernatant fraction. The results of this study demonstrated the importance of defatting insect meals and of precipitating proteins after extraction, to obtain protein concentrates with high purity.
Finally, insect protein concentrates and isolates were compared with plant-based proteins. The results are presented in [Table 6](#foods-08-00572-t006){ref-type="table"}. The protein extraction yield of insects was quite inferior to vegetal proteins, depending on the extraction method. However, the protein purity of insect extracts can be compared to other protein matrices, but not the whole meal. In fact, the major compositional difference between insect and plant-based matrices is the presence of chitin that has an important structural role in insects \[[@B27-foods-08-00572]\]. However, chitin in insects, as in crustaceans, is found in a complex matrix made of proteins and fat, rather than in its pure form \[[@B27-foods-08-00572],[@B28-foods-08-00572]\]. Consequently, despite the fact that defatting increases the purity of protein extracts, it might be interesting to find a complementary method that would collapse the chitin matrix and, thus, improve protein extraction yields, and the competitiveness of the edible insect industry.
4. Conclusions {#sec4-foods-08-00572}
==============
The impact of six different defatting methods on lipid extraction, fatty acid composition, and protein extraction from two insect meals were investigated. Ethanol provided the highest fat extraction rate. However, according to fatty acid profiles obtained by gas chromatography, ethanol was less effective at extracting relatively nonpolar fatty acids. Consequently, the choice of defatting methodology should be made according to the fat composition of the edible insect used. The lipid extraction method impacts protein extraction, as defatting performed with ethanol produced a higher protein purity for *A. domesticus*. Even if eco-friendly alternatives are available (i.e., SC-CO~2~), there must be a compromise between extraction rate of edible insect macromolecules and sustainability of processing steps. The results also showed that defatting and protein precipitation were important for obtaining good yields and purification rates comparable to results found in the literature for pulse proteins. Furthermore, following this study, it would also be appropriate to optimize the SC-CO~2~ process, notably with the use of co-solvent, to assess the functional properties of these high-purity protein concentrates and to validate their incorporation into functional foods.
The authors would like to thank Yacine Boumghar and Mathieu Sarrazin from Centre d'étude des procédés chimiques du Québec (CEPROCQ, Quebec, Canada) for SC-CO~2~ extractions, Diane Gagnon and Sophie Fortin (Department of Food Sciences, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada) for their input into this project, and Barb Conway for editing this manuscript.
Writing---original draft preparation, investigation, and data curation, M.L. and V.P.; writing---review and editing, V.P., A.M., J.C., A.G., and A.D.; supervision and project administration, A.D.; funding acquisition, A.D.
This research was funded by Fonds de Recherche du Québec---Nature et technologies, grant number 2018-PR-208090.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
{#foods-08-00572-f001}
foods-08-00572-t001_Table 1
######
Physicochemical characterization (% w/w on a dry basis) of *Acheta domesticus* (*A. domesticus*) and *Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor)* meals.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insect Meal Protein Ash Chitin Other\
(Sugar, Lipid, etc.)
----------------- ------------- ----------- ----------- ----------------------
*A. domesticus* 53.5 ± 0.3 5.5 ± 0.1 5.9 ± 0.6 35.1 ± 0.6
*T. molitor* 45.7 ± 0.02 4.3 ± 0.1 7.2 ± 0.5 42.9 ± 0.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
foods-08-00572-t002_Table 2
######
Lipid extraction yield of *A. domesticus* and *T. molitor* meals, according to the defatting method.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Insect Meal Defatting Method Extracted Fat\
(% w/w of Sample Mass)
--------------------------- ------------------ ------------------------
*A. domesticus* Soxhlet (Hexane) 14.6 ± 0.1 ^c^
Soxhlet (Petroleum ether) 14.7 ± 0.2 ^c^
Soxhlet (Ethyl acetate) 15.1 ± 0.3 ^b^
Soxhlet (Ethanol) 22.7 ± 2.9 ^a^
TPP 19.3 ± 2.0 ^ab^
SC-CO~2~ 11.9 ± 1.4 ^c^
*T. molitor* Soxhlet (Hexane) 25.5 ± 0.1 ^a^
Soxhlet (Petroleum ether) 24.3 ± 1.2 ^a^
Soxhlet (Ethyl acetate) 25.7 ± 0.3 ^a^
Soxhlet (Ethanol) 28.8 ± 5.9 ^a^
TPP 23.7 ± 2.4 ^a^
SC-CO~2~ 22.1 ± 0.6 ^a^
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SC-CO~2~: supercritical CO~2~, TPP: three-phase partitioning. Mean values ± SD with different letters are significantly different (Tukey test, α = 0.05, *n* = 3).
foods-08-00572-t003_Table 3
######
Relative abundance of fatty acid composition from *A. domesticus* oil.
Fatty Acid Relative Abundance (u.a.)
------------ --------------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------------- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------
Saturated C14:0 0.81 ± 0.03 ^b^ 0.83 ± 0.04 ^b^ 0.81 ± 0.05 ^b^ 0.69 ± 0.03 ^c^ 0.60 ± 0.10 ^c^ 0.95 ± 0.03 ^a^
C16:0 27.70 ± 1.00 ^a,b^ 27.50 ± 0.30 ^a,b^ 26.90 ± 1.10 ^a,b^ 24.60 ± 0.70 ^b^ 25.10 ± 2.40 ^b^ 29.60 ± 0.30 ^a^
C17:0 0.29 ± 0.01 ^a^ 0.25 ± 0.02 ^a^ 0.24 ± 0.03 ^a,b^ 0.21 ± 0.01 ^a,b^ 0.10 ± 0.10 ^b^ 0.22 ± 0.00 ^a,b^
C18:0 10.30 ± 0.20 ^a^ 10.14 ± 0.03 ^a,b^ 10.00 ± 0.30 ^a,b^ 9.60 ± 0.40 ^b^ 10.50 ± 0.10 ^a^ 9.92 ± 0.08 ^a,b^
C20:0 0.60 ± 0.01 ^a^ 0.57 ± 0.03 ^a,b^ 0.57 ± 0.02 ^a,b^ 0.46 ± 0.04 ^c^ 0.43 ± 0.06 ^c^ 0.50 ± 0.02 ^b,c^
MUFA C16:1 1.17 ± 0.01 ^a^ 1.14 ± 0.03 ^a^ 1.12 ± 0.00 ^a,b^ 1.10 ± 0.03 ^a,b^ 1.02 ± 0.08 ^b^ 1.22 ± 0.05 ^a^
C17:1 \- \- \- \- \- \-
C18:1T 0.15 ± 0.01 ^a^ 0.15 ± 0.01 ^a^ 0.14 ± 0.01 ^a^ 0.12 ± 0.00 ^b^ 0.12 ± 0.01 ^b^ 0.11 ± 0.00 ^b^
C18:1P 0.20 ± 0.01 ^b,c^ 0.19 ± 0.03 ^b,c^ 0.18 ± 0.02 ^c^ 0.16 ± 0.02 ^c^ 0.40 ± 0.10 ^a,b^ 0.52 ± 0.08 ^a^
C18:1V 21.40 ± 0.70 ^a,b^ 21.10 ± 0.50 ^a,b^ 20.40 ± 0.40 ^b^ 19.50 ± 0.40 ^b^ 20.30 ± 1.30 ^b^ 22.50 ± 0.40 ^a^
C18:1 0.58 ± 0.02 ^a^ 0.54 ± 0.04 ^a,b^ 0.54 ± 0.04 ^a,b^ 0.50 ± 0.01 ^a,b^ 0.47 ± 0.06 ^b^ 0.60 ± 0.02 ^a^
C20:1 \- \- \- \- 0.10 ± 0.00 ^b^ 0.11 ± 0.00 ^a^
PUFA C18:2 30.10 ± 1.10 ^b,c^ 29.50 ± 0.50 ^c^ 29.30 ± 0.30 ^c^ 33.00 ± 0.70 ^a,b^ 33.60 ± 2.20 ^a^ 27.40 ± 0.50 ^c^
C18:3 1.52 ± 0.01 ^a^ 1.48 ± 0.05 ^a,b^ 1.46 ± 0.03 ^a,b^ 1.47 ± 0.05 ^a,b^ 1.39 ± 0.08 ^b^ 1.48 ± 0.03 ^a.b^
C20:3 0.29 ± 0.01 ^b,c^ 0.28 ± 0.02 ^c^ 0.30 ± 0.00 ^b,c^ 0.43 ± 0.04 ^a^ 0.35 ± 0.04 ^b^ 0.15 ± 0.01 ^d^
C22:6 0.14 ± 0.01 ^b^ 0.14 ± 0.01 ^b^ 0.15 ± 0.02 ^b^ 0.15 ± 0.01 ^b^ 0.17 ± 0.01 ^a,b^ 0.19 ± 0.01 ^a^
C18:1P: methyl petroselinate, C18:1T: methyl transvaccenate, C18:1V: methyl vaccinate, MUFA: monounsaturated fatty acid, PUFA: polyunsaturated fatty acid, SA: Soxhlet (ethyl acetate), SC-CO~2~: supercritical CO~2~, SE: Soxhlet (ethanol), SH: Soxhlet (hexane), SP: Soxhlet (petroleum ether), TPP: three-phase partitioning. Mean values in the same line with different letters are significantly different (Tukey test, α = 0.05, *n* = 3).
foods-08-00572-t004_Table 4
######
Relative abundance of fatty acid composition from *T. molitor* oil.
Fatty Acid Relative Abundance (u.a.)
------------ --------------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ------------------ -------------------- ------------------ ------------------
Saturated C14:0 1.65 ± 0.05 ^b^ 1.64 ± 0.02 ^b^ 1.60 ± 0.10 ^b^ 1.67 ± 0.00 ^b^ 1.58 ± 0.01 ^b^ 1.72 ± 0.04 ^a^
C16:0 18.74 ± 0.00 ^a,b^ 18.77 ± 0.03 ^a,b^ 18.67 ± 0.05 ^a,b^ 17.78 ± 0.05 ^c^ 18.20 ± 0.40 ^b,c^ 19.10 ± 0.20 ^a^
C17:0 0.42 ± 0.02 ^a^ 0.40 ± 0.02 ^a^ 0.41 ± 0.00 ^a^ 0.41 ± 0.01 ^a^ 0.44 ± 0.01 ^a^ 0.41 ± 0.00 ^a^
C18:0 2.30 ± 0.01^c^ 2.30 ± 0.01 ^c^ 2.33 ± 0.01 ^b,c^ 2.80 ± 0.08 ^a^ 2.62 ± 0.08 ^a,b^ 2.20 ± 0.20 ^c^
MUFA C16:1 0.93 ± 0.00 ^a^ 0.94 ± 0.02 ^a^ 0.96 ± 0.00 ^a^ 0.95 ± 0.05 ^a^ 0.93 ± 0.03 ^a^ 0.97 ± 0.02 ^a^
C17:1 0.13 ± 0.00 ^a^ 0.13 ± 0.01 ^a^ \- \- 0.11 ± 0.00 ^a^ 0.12 ± 0.00 ^a^
C18:1V 39.74 ± 0.00 ^a^ 39.74 ± 0.07 ^a^ 39.70 ± 0.03 ^a^ 36.94 ± 0.02 ^b^ 38.10 ± 0.60 ^b^ 39.80 ± 0.30 ^a^
C18:1 0.31 ± 0.01 ^a^ 0.29 ± 0.00 ^a^ 0.31 ± 0.01 ^a^ 0.30 ± 0.02 ^a^ 0.30 ± 0.01 ^a^ 0.29 ± 0.01 ^a^
PUFA C18:2 33.76 ± 0.06 ^c^ 33.70 ± 0.05 ^c^ 33.80 ± 0.09 ^c^ 37.00 ± 0.10 ^a^ 34.70 ± 0.50 ^b^ 33.40 ± 0.10 ^c^
C18:3 1.25 ± 0.01 ^a^ 1.24 ± 0.01 ^a^ 1.28 ± 0.01 ^a^ 1.30 ± 0.08 ^a^ 1.21 ± 0.02 ^a^ 1.27 ± 0.01 ^a^
C18:1P: methyl petroselinate, C18:1V: methyl vaccinate, MUFA: monounsaturated fatty acid, PUFA: polyunsaturated fatty acid, SA: Soxhlet (ethyl acetate), SC-CO~2~: supercritical CO~2~, SE: Soxhlet (ethanol), SH: Soxhlet (hexane), SP: Soxhlet (petroleum ether), TPP: three-phase partitioning. Mean values in the same line with different letters are significantly different (Tukey test, α = 0.05, *n* = 3).
foods-08-00572-t005_Table 5
######
Mass and protein yield of the residue after protein precipitation of *A. domesticus* and *T. molitor*, according to the defatting method.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insect Meal Defatting Method Protein Extraction Yield\ Protein Purity\
(%) (%)
--------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------- -----------------
*A. domesticus* Whole meal (without defatting) 38.9 ± 1.7 ^a^ 58.3 ± 0.5 ^d^
Soxhlet (Hexane) 32.4 ± 3.8 ^ab^ 74.7 ± 0.3 ^ab^
Soxhlet (Petroleum ether) 33.1 ± 1.0 ^ab^ 74.3 ± 2.0 ^b^
Soxhlet (Ethyl acetate) 31.6 ± 3.0 ^b^ 74.4 ± 1.2 ^b^
Soxhlet (Ethanol) 31.0 ± 4.0 ^b^ 78.5 ± 2.0 ^a^
TPP ND ND
SC-CO~2~ 33.7 ± 1.1 ^ab^ 70.1 ± 1.9 ^c^
*T. molitor* Whole meal (without defatting) 39.3 ± 0.8 ^a^ 48.7 ± 0.1 ^b^
Soxhlet (Hexane) 33.7 ± 1.6 ^b^ 74.0 ± 2.2 ^a^
Soxhlet (Petroleum ether) 33.5 ± 1.2 ^b^ 72.7 ± 1.5 ^a^
Soxhlet (Ethyl acetate) 33.2 ± 0.6 ^b^ 75.4 ± 0.5 ^a^
Soxhlet (Ethanol) 33.9 ± 3.7 ^b^ 75.3 ± 0.8 ^a^
TPP ND ND
SC-CO~2~ 36.4 ± 1.5 ^ab^ 72.7 ± 4.1 ^a^
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ND: not determined, SC-CO~2~: supercritical CO~2~, TPP: three-phase partitioning. Mean values ± SD with different letters are significantly different (Tukey test, α = 0.05, *n* = 3).
foods-08-00572-t006_Table 6
######
Comparison of protein extraction yield and purity between edible insect and several pulse matrices.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Protein Source Extraction Method Protein Extraction Yield\ Protein Purity\ Reference
(%) (%)
------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------- ---------------------------
*A. domesticus* ^1^ Alkaline solubilization and isoelectric precipitation 31.0--38.9 58.3--78.5
*T. molitor* ^1^ Alkaline solubilization and isoelectric precipitation 33.2--39.3 48.7--75.4
Pea Alkali extraction-isoelectric precipitation 62.6--76.7 83.3--86.9 \[[@B29-foods-08-00572]\]
Salt extraction 68.2--74.8 71.5--79.3
Micellar precipitation 30.7--31.1 81.9--87.8
Pea Isoelectric precipitation 55.0 81.7 \[[@B30-foods-08-00572]\]
Ultrafiltration 57.1 83.9
Lentil Isoelectric precipitation 50.3--62.8 78.2--79.1
Ultrafiltration 51.9--60.5 82.7--88.6
Chickpea Isoelectric precipitation 53.7--69.1 63.9--73.6
Ultrafiltration 50.3--54.7 68.5--76.5
Flaxseed Hydrolysis with cellulase followed by isoelectric precipitation ND 82 \[[@B31-foods-08-00572]\]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
^1^ Data obtained in the present study. ND: not determined.
|
late the remainder when 21411879 is divided by 2434.
2415
What is the remainder when 319263 is divided by 45328?
1967
Calculate the remainder when 1419304 is divided by 141918.
124
What is the remainder when 6227721 is divided by 58198?
535
Calculate the remainder when 2713467 is divided by 137.
45
What is the remainder when 15277 is divided by 7314?
649
What is the remainder when 3693310 is divided by 307771?
58
What is the remainder when 17157206 is divided by 2451029?
3
Calculate the remainder when 4671416 is divided by 295.
91
What is the remainder when 7250885 is divided by 7250875?
10
What is the remainder when 487263 is divided by 5079?
4758
What is the remainder when 215453 is divided by 14972?
5845
What is the remainder when 34384869 is divided by 1248?
1221
Calculate the remainder when 14223641 is divided by 585.
536
What is the remainder when 7268426 is divided by 2932?
2930
What is the remainder when 93255 is divided by 1038?
873
Calculate the remainder when 314293 is divided by 204.
133
Calculate the remainder when 9379018 is divided by 1263.
1243
What is the remainder when 134878 is divided by 16799?
486
Calculate the remainder when 371331 is divided by 2846.
1351
What is the remainder when 168030 is divided by 55903?
321
What is the remainder when 20076740 is divided by 28?
12
What is the remainder when 1646716 is divided by 580?
96
What is the remainder when 2149775 is divided by 3?
2
Calculate the remainder when 1665007 is divided by 50453.
58
Calculate the remainder when 188894 is divided by 546.
524
Calculate the remainder when 796913 is divided by 33.
29
Calculate the remainder when 3341711 is divided by 66.
65
What is the remainder when 237498 is divided by 489?
333
What is the remainder when 291656 is divided by 86?
30
What is the remainder when 58454 is divided by 198?
44
Calculate the remainder when 37146636 is divided by 267.
261
Calculate the remainder when 87207 is divided by 4130.
477
What is the remainder when 22409911 is divided by 29682?
1
What is the remainder when 147219 is divided by 422?
363
Calculate the remainder when 1550443 is divided by 258406.
7
What is the remainder when 51057 is divided by 5315?
3222
What is the remainder when 1257839 is divided by 22?
11
What is the remainder when 82298 is divided by 823?
821
Calculate the remainder when 40143 is divided by 7862.
833
What is the remainder when 2446123 is divided by 71944?
27
What is the remainder when 15036150 is divided by 8850?
0
Calculate the remainder when 184436 is divided by 49.
0
What is the remainder when 6861880 is divided by 13?
12
What is the remainder when 346447 is divided by 15743?
101
Calculate the remainder when 53421 is divided by 6145.
4261
What is the remainder when 4362662 is divided by 1360?
1142
What is the remainder when 81405 is divided by 81224?
181
What is the remainder when 43663 is divided by 42989?
674
Calculate the remainder when 15271165 is divided by 44.
41
Calculate the remainder when 9779626 is divided by 26941.
43
Calculate the remainder when 574965595 is divided by 559.
555
Calculate the remainder when 3184310 is divided by 241.
218
Calculate the remainder when 6977294 is divided by 67087.
246
What is the remainder when 78592917 is divided by 12?
9
Calculate the remainder when 200101585 is divided by 4.
1
Calculate the remainder when 2187829 is divided by 2728.
2701
Calculate the remainder when 6340262 is divided by 6340256.
6
What is the remainder when 4578045 is divided by 1241?
1237
Calculate the remainder when 70070 is divided by 127.
93
What is the remainder when 2373171 is divided by 751?
11
What is the remainder when 201617 is divided by 249?
176
What is the remainder when 18720395 is divided by 34?
29
Calculate the remainder when 790117 is divided by 7746.
25
What is the remainder when 750418 is divided by 293?
45
Calculate the remainder when 5670861 is divided by 5670260.
601
Calculate the remainder when 3122397 is divided by 61.
51
Calculate the remainder when 1557543 is divided by 33139.
10
Calculate the remainder when 454742 is divided by 6219.
755
What is the remainder when 998713 is divided by 427?
387
Calculate the remainder when 542784 is divided by 41750.
34
What is the remainder when 1749388 is divided by 1855?
123
Calculate the remainder when 13653175 is divided by 1010.
1005
What is the remainder when 377115 is divided by 871?
843
What is the remainder when 843463 is divided by 964?
927
What is the remainder when 79355 is divided by 13215?
65
Calculate the remainder when 6522344 is divided by 543496.
392
What is the remainder when 1306736 is divided by 119?
116
Calculate the remainder when 26522681 is divided by 13261335.
11
What is the remainder when 2382382 is divided by 3361?
2794
Calculate the remainder when 15818212 is divided by 101.
97
What is the remainder when 1638571 is divided by 267?
259
Calculate the remainder when 85275 is divided by 14210.
15
What is the remainder when 385559 is divided by 4?
3
What is the remainder when 638870 is divided by 91257?
71
What is the remainder when 199264 is divided by 4304?
1280
Calculate the remainder when 29681 is divided by 14568.
545
Calculate the remainder when 1480927 is divided by 25100.
27
Calculate the remainder when 465109 is divided by 18.
7
Calculate the remainder when 17632332 is divided by 799.
0
What is the remainder when 230118 is divided by 1438?
38
What is the remainder when 491831 is divided by 98351?
76
What is the remainder when 43489463 is divided by 3106390?
3
Calculate the remainder when 3147493 is divided by 62.
1
Calculate the remainder when 2338252 is divided by 779413.
13
Calculate the remainder when 36646185 is divided by 20.
5
What is the remainder when 32437 is divided by 1197?
118
Calculate the remainder when 9489255 is divided by 220680.
15
What is the remainder when 24003603 is divided by 2862?
9
Calculate the remainder when 1835907 is divided by 917534.
839
Calculate the remainder when 69016750 is divided by 167.
159
Calculate the remainder when 77025 is divided by 1476.
273
Calculate the remainder when 38393 is divided by 9381.
869
What is the remainder when 3170744 is divided by 1621?
68
What is the remainder when 64708570 is divided by 4265?
4255
What is the remainder when 4538179 is divided by 567272?
3
What is the remainder when 5071018 is divided by 1516?
1514
Calculate the remainder when 263033 is divided by 1296.
1241
What is the remainder when 794776 is divided by 2667?
10
What is the remainder when 70504813 is divided by 3611?
38
Calculate the remainder when 2953000 is divided by 438.
4
What is the remainder when 2724396 is divided by 8961?
252
What is the remainder when 57367351 is divided by 2716?
2715
Calculate the remainder when 35721237 is divided by 537.
534
What is the remainder when 22891017 is divided by 77?
72
Calculate the remainder when 233036 is divided by 19.
1
Calculate the remainder when 931726 is divided by 1545.
91
What is the remainder when 250943 is divided by 124968?
1007
What is the remainder when 200292 is divided by 20021?
82
What is the remainder when 41240 is divided by 40982?
258
Calculate the remainder when 117606 is divided by 3360.
6
What is the remainder when 25503 is divided by 6067?
1235
Calculate the remainder when 8747286 is divided by 627.
9
What is the remainder when 21324 is divided by 3233?
1926
Calculate the remainder when 6913943 is divided by 1662.
23
Calculate the remainder when 1285964 is divided by 39.
17
What is the remainder when 28783 is divided by 262?
225
Calculate the remainder when 15782157 is divided by 1140.
1137
Calculate the remainder when 3563 is divided by 711.
8
Calculate the remainder when 66732 is divided by 11.
6
Calculate the remainder when 554826 is divided by 184936.
18
Calculate the remainder when 119809 is divided by 3379.
1544
Calculate the remainder when 356288 is divided by 44534.
16
What is the remainder when 24506384 is divided by 129?
125
Calculate the remainder when 73452 is divided by 11.
5
What is the remainder when 56745752 is divided by 37?
36
What is the remainder when 317703 is divided by 79180?
983
Calculate the remainder when 1165917 is divided by 129544.
21
What is the remainder when 9802 is divided by 8083?
1719
What i |
The liver and the waistline: Fifty years of growth.
Fifty years of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia have witnessed the changing appearance of Australians. Asian immigration has transformed the dominant urban culture from European to Eurasian, with some unique Australian attributes. Meanwhile, global conditions have altered body shape, and our sports-proud country is now fat! Thus, as in North America, Europe, China, and affluent Asia-Pacific countries, prosperity and lifestyle, cheap processed foods coupled with reduced physical activity have created an epidemic of over-nutrition resulting in overweight/obesity. Additional genetic factors are at the core of the apple shape (central obesity) that typifies over-nourished persons with metabolic syndrome. Indigenous Australians, once the leanest and fittest humans, now have exceedingly high rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes, contributing to shorter life expectancy; Asian Australians are also at higher risk. Like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cigarette smoking, obesity now contributes much to gastrointestinal morbidity and mortality (gastroesophageal reflux disease, cancers, gallstones, endoscopy complications). This review focuses on Australian research about fatty liver, particularly roles of central obesity/insulin resistance in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH). The outputs include many highly cited original articles and reviews and the first book on NAFLD. Studies have identified community prevalence, clinical outcomes, association with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and hypoadiponectinemia, developed and explored animal models for mechanisms of inflammation and fibrosis, conceptualized etiopathogenesis, and demonstrated that NASH can be reversed by lowering body weight and increasing physical activity. The findings have led to development of regional guidelines on NAFLD, the first internationally, and should now inform daily practice of gastroenterologists. |
1alpha-Hydroxyvitamin D2: a potent synthetic analog of vitamin D2.
A hydroxy analog of vitamin D(2), 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(2), has been synthesized and tested for biological activity. This vitamin derivative is active in stimulating intestinal calcium transport and bone calcium mobilization in the rat and exhibits antirachitic activity. Its biopotency is comparable to that of the corresponding vitamin D(3) analog, 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(3). |
BARCELONA/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The chief executive of food ordering company Takeaway.com TKWY.AS on Wednesday said he did not want to overpay as his company pursues an agreed merger with Britain's Just Eat JE.L, despite a higher unsolicited offer from rival Prosus PRX.AS.
FILE PHOTO: Signage for Just Eat on the window of a restaurant in London, Britain, August 5, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville./File Photo
Takeaway’s current all-share bid values Just Eat at 4.3 billion pounds ($5.5 billion), and Takeaway shareholders would receive around 48% of the combined company.
In a small crowd of investors and reporters on the sidelines
of the Morgan Stanley European Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Barcelona, CEO Jitse Groen was asked if he wanted to raise his bid.
“I don’t want to be the idiot that runs into a ratio that doesn’t make any sense,” said Groen, referring to decreasing the percentage of the shares Takeaway.com owners would hold in the merged company.
When asked again if the answer was “no,” Groen added “No. Look, the combination is the new Booking.com, so I think for investors, that’s the thing to think about,” he said, referring to the online service that grew to dominate its sector by offering the largest selection of hotels and an easy-to-use ordering app.
Takeaway later issued a statement saying Groen “did not state that the Takeaway offer will not be changed.”
A spokesman for the company added Groen had not been answering a reporter’s question.
Prosus’ cash offer of 710 pence values Just Eat at around $6.3 billion, a premium of 12% to Takeaway.com’s offer at the current share price.
Groen, who owns 25% of Takeaway himself, said there was “a lot” of backing from shareholders.
“Because they are the same shareholders, there’s a lot of overlap. People know our track record,” he said.
A Takeaway spokesman said that Groen was not indicating any level of shareholder support for the deal, but feels well-supported by its shareholders generally.
Just Eat shares closed at 739.4 pence, a signal investors still believe a higher offer is on the cards.
Investor Cat Rock, which holds 5.69% of Takeaway shares and 2.6% of Just Eat, has said it backs the merger and opposes the Prosus bid as insufficient.
However, Aberdeen Standard Investments and Eminence Capital with 4.92% and 4.26% of Just Eat respectively have said they consider the Takeaway offer too low.
Prosus, which has argued it has more resources to invest after poor third quarter results from Just Eat, responded on Wednesday by saying that Takeaway underestimates “the level of investment required in a sector that is changing rapidly”.
“Ours is the only offer that provides the certainty of cash to shareholders at an attractive and fair value,” it said.
Takeaway also on Wednesday outlined plans to introduce Takeaway’s branded delivery service in Britain if its bid for Just Eat succeeds, and to combine the two companies’ IT systems to save on costs.
Those changes would cost “tens of millions” of euros in the short term but would strengthen the combination’s competitive position and lead to long-term growth, it said. |
Post navigation
Sexual abusers are responsible for their actions. Period.
Prominent conservative political pundit Ben Shapiro has waded into waters in which he cannot swim—human nature and sexual violence. We have invited Dr. Agustin Fuentes, an expert in human nature and human evolution, to refute Shapiro’s argument that the abundance of recent sexual abuse and harassment allegations (#metoo) is directly related to the breakdown of conservative cultural values (or as he states it, cultural values that conservatives have not created but have advocated) at the hands of the political Left. We acknowledge that sexual violence occurs across the continuum of gender. But, Shapiro’s column is written with a heteronormative perspective. Thus, Fuentes’ response is also heteronormative in perspective because it approaches the evolution of humans and the arguments around sexual violence between men and women, as traditionally defined. That said, we advise that this post (and pages it links to) contains information about sexual assault and/or violence which may be triggering to survivors. –JMO
By Agustin Fuentes, PhD, University of Notre Dame
A recent column at the National Review by Ben Shapiro bemoans reactions to the spike in reports of sexual harassment and sexual assault. In particular, Shapiro writes “Men are built with a certain capacity for Sin… men tend to see women as potential sex objects and, without social boundaries, will treat women that way.” He suggests that the current plague of sexual abusers is, in part, due to the abandoning of conservative cultural values (traditions) that keep men in check.
In making these claims, Shapiro demonstrates his clear lack of understanding of human nature and disregards our evolutionary history. Shapiro has strong academic credentials as an attorney (with degrees from UCLA and Harvard). Unfortunately, he does not have the credentials to write with authority about human nature. This is highly problematic because he has over 800,000 Twitter followers, his podcasts routinely get 750,000 hits per day, and his website the Daily Wire garners over 80 million visitors per month. Shapiro has a voice, and people listen. They shouldn’t in this case…
Having a Y chromosome may facilitate certain patterns of sexual abuse and coercion, but it does not cause them. Humans have a hell of a lot more agency, and responsibility, than that.
Second, if sexual aggression is really core to male nature, then humans already would be extinct. Non-consensual sex (rape) is a very poor reproductive strategy for a species to employ in the long term. Rape is not more likely to result in fertilization than consensual sex, and there are many ways pre- and post-birth that a woman (or others) can make a coerced reproductive outcome be negative. And, rape is dangerous. In many human societies, if one attacks and rapes someone, that person’s family, friends, and community frequently track down the rapist and extract some form of severe punishment, often lethal or otherwise reproductive-capacity-ending, which certainly is a bad evolutionary move on the part of the rapist. So, while rape and sexual coercion do occur and are a serious problem, they are not successful reproductive strategies for a majority of male humans on this planet, in the past or in the present.
Third, orgasms can be a lot of fun, and males often have a fairly easy time achieving them…that is a biological reality. If the orgasm is the driving force (the engine of the “urge”), it can be achieved all on one’s own. But most instances of sexual aggression involve the use of power, abuse, disrespect, and control against another person, and are not just seeking to achieve an orgasm. And, many cases of sexual violence do not include an attempt at reproductive copulation. It is not as if sexuality and physical sensation have nothing to do with sexual coercion and abuse. Rather, they don’t explain, justify, drive, or even offer much insight into why it happens.
I am not stating that biology does not matter or that this is all the fault of a specific culture. Whatever we might call a human nature is really, really complicated, as are the patterns and contexts of sexual violence. I am arguing, however, via the points above, that in the case of sexual abuse, violence, and harassment, there is compelling evidence rejecting the assertion that males are naturally driven to sexually abuse females unless controlled by societal restrictions.
And what about those conservative traditions that Shapiro suggests control men? Restricting sex outside of marriage, specific rules of conduct keeping men and women ‘behaving’ around one another, and that “men would protect women in chivalrous fashion.” Well, it turns out that they are not reflective of the vast majority of human history and much of contemporary humanity. They are not even really reflective of the USA. A study of premarital sex between 1954 and 2003 concluded “[a]lmost all Americans have sex before marrying” then and now. And, a large percentage of serious sexual violence (rape) happens within the confines of the traditional marriage. Finally, the conservative “rules” that Shapiro idealizes do not prevent any of the many, many conservative men espousing those same values from the very sexual misconduct being decried.
Today we are seeing an uptick in the calling out of sexual aggressors because women, for a range of historical and contemporary reasons, are standing up for their right to be respected and not abused, and refusing to back down or shut up. Invoking “nature” or “sin” to explain the actions of sexual abusers naturalizes the actions of those abusers, diminishes their responsibility, and disempowers the women risking so much to stand up for themselves. Hopefully, Shapiro’s audience will turn to a broad range of informed voices when appropriate to see that he is out of his league in this argument.
Dr. Agustin Fuentes is professor of anthropology at the University of Notre Dame. His current research includes cooperation and creativity in human evolution, ethnoprimatology and multispecies anthropology, evolutionary theory, and interdisciplinary approaches to human nature(s). His most recent book isThe Creative Spark: How Imagination Made Humans Exceptional (Dutton, 2017).Follow Agustin onTwitter.
Post navigation
Jason earned his MA in Anthropology in 2002 and his PhD in Functional Anatomy & Evolution in 2007. Currently, he is Assistant Professor of Anatomy & Cell Biology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. His research focuses on how the shape and structure of bones and muscles influence the way they work. orcid.org/0000-0001-8462-0271
2 comments
I advise that this post (and pages it links to) contained a trigger warning, which is fairly indicative of the dearth of honesty and seriousness in the prose that followed it.
“Unfortunately, he (Shapiro) does not have the credentials to write with authority about human nature.”
Wow. Logical fallacy from the word “go.”
“Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them.” -some hack named George Orwell who obviously wasn’t credentialed enough to write with authority about human nature
Fuentes concludes: “Invoking “nature” or “sin” to explain the actions of sexual abusers naturalizes the actions of those abusers, diminishes their responsibility, and disempowers the women risking so much to stand up for themselves”, demonstrating clearly for all why “credentialism” doesn’t prevent the promulgation of absurd statements without evidence that would still be idiotically wrong even if they weren’t inapt strawmen.
Thankfully, Shapiro’s audience DOES turn to a broad range of voices (de rigueur), but it unfortunately means they will have their time wasted by uninformed pontificators like this one who is clearly out of his league in this argument. |
<template>
<div id="secondcomponent">
<h1>I am another page</h1>
<el-card class="box-card">
<div slot="header" class="clearfix">
<h1 style="line-height: 36px; color: #20A0FF">豆瓣电影排行榜</h1>
</div>
<div v-for="article in articles" class="text item">
{{article.title}}
</div>
</el-card>
<a> written by {{ author }} </a>
<p> 感谢 <a href="https://github.com/showonne">showonne</a>大神的技术指导</p>
</div>
</template>
<script>
export default {
data() {
return {
author: "微信公众号 jinkey-love",
articles: [],
}
},
mounted: function() {
this.$http.jsonp('https://api.douban.com/v2/movie/top250?count=10', {}, {
headers: {
},
emulateJSON: true
}).then(function(response) {
// 这里是处理正确的回调
this.articles = response.data.subjects
// this.articles = response.data["subjects"] 也可以
}, function(response) {
// 这里是处理错误的回调
console.log(response)
});
}
}
</script>
<style>
</style>
|
Queer Suicides
The last few weeks have seen a flurry of stories about the supposed rise in queer suicides, particularly by youth and young adults. But while the deaths are undoubtedly tragic, they are by no means unusual and have not increased in number; they are simply being reported on more often. The exact reasons why the press would, at this time, take such an interest in queer suicides are the subjects of a future piece. For now, I want to complicate the narratives and stories about queer youth that are being spun in the media and in our cultural discourse. |
Double level selection in a constitutional dynamic library of coordination driven supramolecular polygons.
A constitutional dynamic library (CDL) of Cu(II) metallo-supramolecular polygons has been studied as a bench test to examine an interesting selection case based on molecular recognition. Sorting of the CDL polygons is achieved through a proper guest that is hosted into the triangular metallo-macrocycle constituent. Two selection mechanisms are observed, a guest induced path and a guest templated self-assembly (virtual library approach). Remarkably, the triangular host can accommodate several guests with a degree of selectivity ranging from ∼1 to ∼10(4) for all possible guest pairs. A double level selection operates: guests drive the CDL toward the triangular polygon, and, at the same time, this is able to pick a specific guest from a set of competitive molecules, according to a selectivity-affinity correlation. Association constants of the host-guest systems have been determined. Guest competition and exchange studies have been analyzed through variable temperature UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Molecular structures and electronic properties of the triangular polygon and of the host-guest systems also have been studied by means of all electrons density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations including dispersive contributions. DFT outcomes ultimately indicate the dispersive nature of the host-guest interactions, while TDDFT results allow a thorough assignment of the host and host-guests spectral features. |
TAWAU (July 15): About 2,000 Umno members in the Kalabakan Parliamentary constituency today unanimously announced that they were leaving the party to join Parti Wawasan Sabah.
The move was led by seven members of the Kalabakan Umno divisional committee who were recently appointed at the divisional election meeting, including the Umno permanent chairman of the area, Mohd Nazri Durahman.
Meanwhile, Sebatik State Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Muis Picho said this proved that the people wanted leadership change besides their welfare being looked after.
“I believe more Umno members at the committee and branch levels will leave the party to join Warisan shortly,” he told reporters at a gathering of the leaders with the people, here today.
|
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a key-code outputting apparatus of a data processor equipped with a keyboard. More particularly, the present invention relates to a key-code outputting apparatus of a data processor equipped with a keyboard, which can provide a correct key-code, required by a data processor, to a data processing program even when a key arrangement of the keyboard connected to the data processor is different from the key arrangement of the keyboard assumed by the data processing program of the data processor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Keyboards have been used generally as an input devices of data processors. However, the key arrangement of the keyboards has not yet been unified completely, and various keyboards having different key arrangements have been put on the market. For example, keyboards having an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) arrangement and keyboards having an ANSI arrangement have spread in U.S.A. Nonetheless, the keyboards of the ANSI (American National Institute, Inc.) arrangement have been more popular than the keyboards of the ISO arrangement in U.S.A.
FIG. 1A shows the broad construction of the data processor 1 to which a keyboard 4A of the ANSI arrangement is connected. The keyboard 4A of the ANSI arrangement is connected to the data processor by a connector 1C. The data processor 1 includes a keyboard driver 6. Data inputted from the keyboard 4A is transmitted to an application program (data processing program) 20 through this keyboard driver 6. A display device 5 is connected to the data processor 1, and display data from the application program 20 is stored in a screen code buffer 21 as a display memory and is then outputted to the display device 5.
A keyboard is provided in most cases as a fitting to a data processor such as a personal computer at the time of shipment. In such cases, no problem occurs because the key arrangement of the keyboard is coincident with the key arrangement assumed by a data processing program of the data processor. On the other hand, there is the case where the key arrangement of a keyboard added to the data processor is different from the key arrangement of the keyboard the user usually uses. In such a case, the user removes the keyboard provided with the data processor from it and after connecting the keyboard having the key arrangement familiar to him, the user inputs data to the data processor. Then, quite naturally, the key arrangement assumed by the data processing program is different from the key arrangement of the keyboard, and the data processing program of the data processor receives meaningless input data and cannot execute data processing.
Accordingly, for example, a key-code conversion apparatus for converting the key-code generated by the keyboard of the ISO arrangement to the key-code of the ANSI arrangement has been provided so that the data processing program generated on the assumption of the keyboard of the ANSI arrangement can be operated by the keyboard of the ISO arrangement, too.
FIG. 1B shows a data processor having a keyboard interchanging function according to the prior art, and like reference numerals are used to identify the same constituent members as those of the data processor explained with reference to FIG. 1A. The keyboard 4A of the ANSI arrangement and the keyboard 4I of the ISO arrangement can be interchanged by the connector 1C. A keyboard driver 6I for the ISO arrangement and the keyboard driver 6A for the ANSI arrangement are disposed in parallel inside the data processor 1, and one of them can be selected by a switch 7.
Note that the switch 7, the keyboard driver 6I for the ISO arrangement and the keyboard driver 6A for the ANSI arrangement correspond to the key-code conversion apparatus.
Although a large number of key arrangements other than the ISO arrangement and the ANSI arrangement of the keyboards that can be used in U.S.A. exist, a key-code conversion apparatus for handling the key arrangements other than the ANSI arrangement and the ISO arrangement have not been available as as key-code conversion apparatus for the data processor equipped with a conventional keyboard.
By the way, it is necessary for the key-code conversion apparatus for converting the difference of the key arrangements on the keyboard to correctly grasp a character input mode used by the data processing program of the data processor and to execute the key-code conversion processing. The character input mode represents the mode for inputting the data of the keyboard by characters other than the alphabet. In Japan, for example, a kana character input mode such as hiragana and katakana other than the alphabet exists, and the kana character is displayed in the mixed state with the alphabet on the key top of each key of the keyboard by means such as printing.
The Japanese writing system utilizes four different kinds of symbols: (1) kanji, (2) katakana, (3) hiragana, and (4) romaji. Kanji is a set of ideographs principally borrowed from classic Chinese characters. Both katakana and hiragana are Japanese original syllabaries invented in the eighth or ninth century based on Chinese characters. They differ in orthographical form, but have a syllabary of 48 letters each as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B. Hiragana corresponds to an alphabet in Japanese language. Katakana also corresponds to an alphabet in Japanese language and is especially used for a word of foreign origin. Romaji is an alphabet of 28 Roman letters and the same phonetic sound of katakana and hiragana can be realized by the combination of 28 Roman letters as shown in FIG. 19C. Since the number of kanji is several thousand, Japanese language is input to a computer or a Japanese word processor by using a hiragana-assigned keyboard and hiragana displayed on the screen of the computer or the Japanese word processor is converted to kanji or katakana by touching a conversion key on the keyboard. Katakana may be directly displayed on the screen of the computer or the Japanese word processor by using the hiragana-assigned keyboard if the input mode is katakana-input-mode.
For example, in the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) arrangement keyboard conforming to the ISO arrangement in Japan, the alphabet "A" and a hiragana character shown by the alphabet T (pronunciation is "chi") are assigned to a certain key (key top) 8J as shown in FIG. 1C. When the key 8J having "A" and the character shown by the alphabet T assigned thereto is touched, the JIS arrangement keyboard generates a key-code "41", for example, irrespective of the kana input mode/alphabet input mode, and this key-code "41" is inputted to the data processor. When the data input device receives this key-code "41", the data processing program recognizes the key-code as the character shown by the alphabet T in the kana input mode and recognizes it as "A" in the alphabet input mode.
A keyboard equipped with a thumb shift key and referred to as a "thumb shift arrangement keyboard" is also available in Japan. As shown in FIG. 1D, three kinds of characters, that is, the alphabet "A" and two hiragana characters shown by the alphabet W (pronunciation is "WO") and the alphabet U (pronunciation is "U"), are assigned to a certain key 8S of the thumb shift arrangement keyboard. In this thumb shift arrangement keyboard, when this key alone is touched in the kana input mode, a key-code corresponding to the hiragana character shown by the alphabet U is outputted and when this key is simultaneously touched with the thumb shift key in the kana input mode, a key-code corresponding to the hiragana character shown by the alphabet W is outputted. When this key is individually touched in the alphabet input mode, a key-code corresponding to the alphabet "A" is outputted.
As described above, the data processing program recognizes the character input mode and executes recognition processing of the key-code generated by the keyboard. Therefore, when the key-code outputting apparatus is constituted, a construction must be employed such that the key-code outputting apparatus can correctly grasp the character input mode recognized by the data processing program.
Set processing of the character input mode is generally carried out by the push-down operation of the alphabet/kana key disposed on the keyboard. When the key-code outputting apparatus is constituted, therefore, it may be possible to employ a construction which monitors the character input mode recognized by the data processing program by monitoring the key operation of the alphabet/kana character key.
When such a construction is employed, however, there is the case where the character input mode recognized by the key-code outputting apparatus is not transmitted to the data processing program due to bit fall-off, etc. In such a case, the character input mode recognized by the key-code outputting apparatus becomes different from the character input mode recognized by the data processing program. Further, when the kind of characters to be printed is determined in advance in accordance with the positions on a slip to be printed such as when characters and figures are printed on a slip having frames printed thereon before-hand, there is the case where the data processing program changes arbitrarily the character input mode when the printing position changes.
FIG. 1E shows the screen display of the display device 5 when an address book is inputted by the data processor. When the address book is inputted, the character input mode automatically changes to the alphabet input mode in the fields F1 and F4 for inputting the postal code and the telephone number even when the operator does not change the character input mode, and the character input mode automatically changes similarly to the kana input mode in the fields F2 and F4 for inputting the address and the name.
As described above, when the character input mode recognized by the operator becomes different from the character input mode recognized by the data processing program of the data processor, the key-code outputting apparatus wrongly grasps the character input mode used by the data processing program, so that the data processing program cannot receive the correct key-code.
For example, even though the character input mode changes from the kana input mode to the alphabet input mode and yet the operator still recognizes the character input mode as the kana input mode, the kana characters the operator desires to input are not recognized by the data processing program, and the alphabet assigned to the key touched by the operator is inputted. |
Q:
Designing a Audio Spectrum Analyzer
I want to design a simple LED audio spectrum analyzer kinda like this.
Which method would be less expensive to do:
Use many filters for each frequency band, depending on how much bands and LEDS I want to use
Use a microprocessor to do FFTs
Clearly, doing FFTs will have a certain lag, but would that lag be significant enough to overcome the expensive of the many filters of the first bullet? Which method would be most power efficient? Or is this extremely dependent on the hardware? Any input is much appreciated. This is the first time I am taking on such a project, and I want to get as much feedback as possible. Thank you!!
A:
Well, most people are good at analog circuits, or MCU/DSP stuff. Not many people are good enough at both. So... Do what you know better.
The DSP approach will be more flexible, and would allow you to do cool things like: change the decay time, do both a peak and RMS reading at the same time, etc. The response time will be slower than an analog approach, but still faster than what your eye could perceive.
As Ben Jackson pointed out, the LEDs will draw more current than the rest of the circuit. Assuming that you're driving each LED with 20 mA, and you have 31 bands with one LED on for each band then you're pulling 620 mA just for the LED's.
As for which approach would be less expensive, that all depends. If this were a commercial product then the DSP based approach is by far the cheaper one. But the economics of working in your basement changes the whole equation. For example, if you need to spend $100-500 on DSP/MCU development tools then that's an issue. So in the end, we can't say which is cheaper-- only you can.
So this brings me back to my original point: do whatever you do better. Do whatever one makes sense for you-- and just know that might not be what makes sense to others.
A:
Since FFT is linear in frequency and you most probably want a logarithmic display you may also check the Goertzel filter algorithm. It may be faster if you only need the values of several frequency bins.
A:
Microchip supplies an FFT library with their C compiler for the dsPIC 16-bit digital signal controllers. The free version of the compiler is suitable, and the chips are quite inexpensive. The on-chip ADC could be used for this application, all that needs to be added are the drivers for the LED array. The Microchip Explorer 16 board has an audio spectrum analyser using the LCD display, it's supplied as part of the demo software. You should be able to use the low-cost Microstick for this; the dsPIC33FJ128 that can be used with it should have enough memory.
If you don't have any DSP experience you are likely to find this a challenging project, however.
|
Bernie Sanders, Democratic candidate for president, talks with Chris Hayes about the upcoming Iowa caucuses, the shape of his campaign in early primary states, and his chances against Donald Trump in a general election match-up. |
I Used Emoji Spellcasting to Prevent a Hangover
One emoji spell is used to destroy the capitalist state and usher in the era of gay space communism.
The word "sigil" refers to an inscribed word or emblem that holds magical significance or power. In medieval times, a sigil was an emblem that you could draw, along with other ritual components, to summon heavenly beings or to repel their demonic counterparts; later, beginning in Renaissance times, it was thought that drawing or utilizing a sigil could be a method of writing your desire on the world and imbuing it with magic significance.
Many practitioners of magic, however you define concepts like "magic" or "power," still use sigils today. The fine art occultist Eliza Gauger's "Problem Glyphs" series imagines complex emblematic images commissioned in response to individual querents' problems—this seems to help those who commission Gauger to exorcise the agita rendered in the glyphs. A book of Gauger's Problem Glyphs raised over $40,000 on Kickstarter, well past its goal.
But if at its core magic is intention and ideas, and if glyphs are visual representations of those intentions and ideas, maybe any image-based language could hold power, whether it has the weight of history behind it or not. Perhaps a lexicon of quite modern images could be used to cast spells: What about emoji?
The method of delivery and the social media component seem to play a strong role in emoji spells.
My friend Ginger Drage introduced me to a massive community of Tumblr users who believe you can cast spells using emoji. I was instantly fascinated, in part because it made so much sense: "They are basically like sigils," writes user Wiccanery in this infinitely helpful introduction to the practice. "When doing sigils, you draw something while thinking of the intention and what you'll use it for, and then you charge it. Emoji spells are like that, but instead of drawing from scratch, you select emojis from a list, always thinking of their purpose."
Here are some advisables about how it all works: emoji spellcasters advise beginning and ending each chain of sigils with, the crystal ball emoji
, a modern version of the "circle of protection" that helps designate the magical space and keep power safely contained to the intended objective. According to many, candle emoji like
or anything that seems sensible to the user will work so long as the intention is correct and consistent.
The method of delivery and the social media component seem to play a strong role in emoji spells. The idea that Facebook or Tumblr "likes" or shares could supposedly "charge" the power of a spell may sound absurd at first, but in practice it makes sense: a thoughtful "like" is an endorsement of the emblem, an addition of your wish or intention to the spellcaster's, thereby strengthening it. A share enhances the reach of a spell and the number of magic users that could potentially enhance it—participation, belief, engagement and intention is all part of magic.
At the Tumblr url emojispells, there are currently suggested spells for everything from ritual cleansing to menstrual pain relief to finding pokémon. But I decided to try one for myself: I texted
to one of my best friends, willing as I hit "send" that she would find the luck and money that I visualized as being represented by the four-leaf clover and the stack of pounds sterling (she's English).
I also posted the same spell on my Facebook as a status, asking any friends who were willing to like and therefore "charge" the spell—in this edition I added a tiny emoji girl-face to represent my friend, to clarify that the wish for luck and wealth was aimed at her and not at myself. As of writing this, my friend hasn't reported finding any unusual spikes in fortune or in cash. But then again, maybe I should have posted it on her Facebook wall rather than as my own status update. Maybe I confused the universe. I did wake up today to find an outstanding payment for some work had been unexpectedly delivered to my account.
Haley Houseman is a writer and illustrator who doesn't identify as "a practitioner of any kind of codified witchcraft", but instead, like me, believes that intention and personal convictions can support rituals and practices. "I practice my own rituals as basically a form of self-care, to connect and communicate my hopes, fears and intentions out into the universe," she tells me. "And I am all for using any tools, digital or otherwise, that make that connection."
"So in that way, emoji spells make a ton of sense to me. It's turning a set of symbols or images—like sigils, sort of—into a tool, investing them with meaning and intention of your own," she says. "Spellcraft is about harnessing your personal power and directing it outward, so for me, the mode and method are only a part of it. They are a vehicle for intention. If emoji can be a vehicle for our language, for emotion and celebration and concern, then why not?"
One neat idea in the Wiccanery guide suggested using an emoji spell as your phone's alarm text, potentially to convey your wishes for the day ahead. Last night I went to bed after hours of drinking dark rum and watching "Kinky Britain" with the friend I tried to cast the fortune spell on —after she left I worried about the morning ahead, as I had to get up unusually early for an important meeting and dark, sweet spirits almost always give me a lingering headache. With the summer heat and some existing fatigue, I felt I was doomed to struggle on waking.
So I tried let's-call-it a Hail Mary: I set as my alarm text an emoji spell starring a bright sun, the "okay" hand sign, the BACK ON and TOP signs, respectively, and added the face of an angel who would never, never drink dark spirits the night before an important early meeting:
It worked. I woke with the air of a person who has definitely dodged a bullet, free of headache and while tired, even possessed of a certain calm preparation about the day's affairs. I will erase it from my everyday alarms and save it only for situations where great power is required. I suggest you do the same. |
Separation of a flexible nose cone tip during directional atherectomy.
An 82-yr-old white female underwent directional coronary atherectomy of a high-grade proximal left anterior artery stenosis. The nose cone tip of a Simpson Atherocath SCA-EX separated during loading of the device onto a 360-cm exchange wire. This was recognized prior to insertion through a rotating hemostatic valve and exchanged for another device. Catheterization laboratory policy regarding defective devices is briefly discussed. |
---
abstract: 'The strip map is a natural map from the arc complex of a bordered hyperbolic surface $S$ to the vector space of infinitesimal deformations of $S$. We prove that the image of the strip map is a convex hypersurface when $S$ is a surface of small complexity: the punctured torus or thrice punctured sphere.'
address: 'CNRS and Université Lille 1, Laboratoire Paul Painlevé, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq Cedex, France Wolfgang-Pauli Institute, University of Vienna, CNRS-UMI 2842, Austria'
author:
- François Guéritaud
title: Strip maps of small surfaces are convex
---
Introduction
============
Let $S$ be a compact orientable surface of genus $g\geq 0$ with $p\geq 1$ boundary components, where $2g+p\geq 3$. The arc complex of $S$ is the complex $\overline{X}$ whose vertices are the isotopy classes of non-boundary-parallel embedded arcs in $S$ with endpoints in $\partial S$, and whose $(k-1)$-cells (for $2\leq k \leq 6g-6+3p=:N$) correspond to $k$-tuples of mutually nonisotopic arcs that can be embedded in $S$ disjointly. In this paper we study some realizations of $\overline{X}$ in $\mathbb{R}^N$ arising from hyperbolic geometry.
The top-dimensional cells of $\overline{X}$ correspond to so-called hyperideal triangulations of $S$, namely, collections of arcs subdividing $S$ into disks each of which is bounded by three segments of $\partial S$ and three arcs. Elements of $\overline{X}$ can always be represented in barycentric coordinates in the form $\sum_{i=1}^N \lambda_i\alpha_i$ where the $\lambda_i$ are nonnegative reals summing to $1$ and the $\alpha_i$ are arcs of a hyperideal triangulation. Note that $\overline{X}$ is infinite unless $S$ is the thrice punctured sphere.
A cell of $\overline{X}$ (of any dimension) is called *small* if the arcs corresponding to its vertices *fail* to decompose $S$ into disks. For example, vertices of $\overline{X}$ are small cells but top-dimensional cells are not. An important result of Harer and (independently) Penner [@harer; @penner] is the following: *the complement $X\subset\overline{X}$ of the union of all small cells is homeomorphic to an open $(N-1)$-ball*. Up to boundary effects, we may therefore think of the infinite complex $\overline{X}$ as (essentially) a ball.
It is an interesting question whether this triangulation of the ball can be realized by affine simplices in $\mathbb{R}^{N-1}$ as a tiling of, say, a convex region. One of the main results of [@dgk2] is an affirmative answer:
\[prop:stripconvex\] The projectivized *strip map* (defined below) associated to a hyperbolic metric on $S$ restricts to an embedding of $X$ into $\mathbb{P}(\mathbb{R}^N)$, whose image is a convex open set with compact closure in some affine chart.
The strip map {#sec:stripmap}
-------------
Let $\mathcal{T}$ be the space of hyperbolic metrics on $S$ with totally geodesic boundary, seen up to isotopy. Then $\mathcal{T}$, also called the Teichmüller space, is diffeomorphic to an open $N$-ball. Let $g\in\mathcal{T}$ be a fixed metric and $x=\sum_{i=1}^N \lambda_i\alpha_i$ a point of $\overline{X}$. We consider for each arc $\alpha\in\overline{X}^{(0)}$ its geodesic representative in $(S,g)$, still denoted $\alpha$, that exits $\partial S$ perpendicularly: in particular, the (representatives of the) $\alpha_i$ are disjoint. Suppose moreover that for each $\alpha\in \overline{X}^{(0)}$ we are given a point $p_\alpha\in\alpha$, called the *waist*. To any reals $c_1\dots,c_N\geq 0$ we can then associate a deformation $\mathsf{Strip}\left ( g, \sum_{i=1}^N c_i \alpha_i \right )\in\mathcal{T}$, as follows:
- Glue funnels to $\partial S$, turning $(S,g)$ into an infinite-area hyperbolic surface $S'$ without boundary;
- For each $1\leq i \leq N$, cut $S'$ open along the geodesic $\alpha_i'$ that extends $\alpha_i$;
- Insert along $\alpha'_i$ a *strip* of $\mathbb{H}^2$ of width $c_i$, i.e. the region bounded by two geodesics of $\mathbb{H}^2$ perpendicular to a segment of length $c_i$ at its endpoints. Make sure these endpoints become glued to the two copies of the waist $p_{\alpha_i}\in\alpha_i'$ obtained after cutting $\alpha_i'$ open.
- Define $\mathsf{Strip}\left ( g, \sum_{i=1}^N c_i \alpha_i \right )$ as the convex core of the new surface with $N$ strips inserted.
We may now define a continuous map associated to $g\in\mathcal{T}$ and to the chosen system of waists $(p_\alpha)_{\alpha\in\overline{X}^{(0)}}$: $$\begin{array}{rrcl} \boldsymbol{f}: & \overline{X} & \longrightarrow & T_{[g]}\mathcal{T} \\
& \sum_1^N \lambda_i \alpha_i & \longmapsto & \left . \frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}t} \right |_{t=0}
\mathsf{Strip}\left ( g, \sum_{i=1}^N t\lambda_i \alpha_i \right ). \end{array}$$ This map $\boldsymbol{f}$, called the (infinitesimal) strip map, is the main object of interest in this paper. Its projectivization $f:\overline{X} \rightarrow \mathbb{P}(T_{[g]}\mathcal{T})\simeq \mathbb{P}(\mathbb{R}^N)$ is the projectivized strip map mentioned in Proposition \[prop:stripconvex\]. The strip construction goes back at least to Thurston [@thu86a]; see also [@pt10].
Remarkably, the set $f(X)$ is actually independent of the choices of waists. In fact $f(X)$ coincides with the projectivization of the space of infinitesimal deformations of the hyperbolic metric on $S$ such that all closed geodesics become (in a strict sense) shorter to first order [@dgk2]. This has important consequences concerning the structure of the deformation space of Margulis spacetimes (quotients of $\mathbb{R}^{2,1}$ by free groups acting properly discontinuously), and motivates a more detailed study of $\boldsymbol{f}$.
Convex hypersurfaces
--------------------
Proposition \[prop:stripconvex\] can be rephrased thus: for any two top-dimensional simplices of $\overline{X}$ with vertex lists $(\alpha,\beta_1,\dots, \beta_{N-1})$ and $(\alpha',\beta_1,\dots, \beta_{N-1})$, there exist reals $A,A',B_1,\dots, B_N$ such that
- $(\boldsymbol{f}(\alpha),\boldsymbol{f}(\beta_1),\dots, \boldsymbol{f}(\beta_{N-1}))$ is a basis of $\mathbb{R}^N$;
- $\displaystyle{A\boldsymbol{f}(\alpha)+A'\boldsymbol{f}(\alpha')=\sum_{i=1}^{N-1} B_i\boldsymbol{f}(\beta_{i})}$;
- $\sum_{i=1}^{N-1} B_i >0$ and $A,A'>0$.
(The first two conditions already imply that $(A,A',B_1,\dots, B_{N-1})$ are unique up to scaling.) The following conjecture appears in [@dgk2]:
\[conj:stripconvex\] For an appropriate choice of waists $(p_\alpha)_{\alpha\in\overline{X}^{(0)}}$, the image of $\boldsymbol{f}|_X$ in $T_{[g]}\mathcal{T}$ is a convex hypersurface, with codimension-1 edges looking salient from the origin. In other words (see Figure \[fig:convexity\]), the numbers $A,A', B_i$ defined above satisfy the extra condition $\displaystyle{A+A'<\sum_1^N B_i}$.
at -4 74 at 163 73 at 53 31.5 at 84 74 at 77 1 ![A convex hypersurface in $\mathbb{R}^3$.[]{data-label="fig:convexity"}](convexity "fig:"){width="7cm"}
Since $X$ is dense in $\overline{X}$, restriction to $X$ is inessential in Conjecture \[conj:stripconvex\]; it is only meant to ensure the image is a (noncomplete) topological submanifold. Conjecture \[conj:stripconvex\] would give a realization of $X$ within the simplicial decomposition arising from the convex hull of a discrete set $\boldsymbol{f}(\overline{X}^{(0)})$. It is not clear a priori that such convex realizations should exist, even given Proposition \[prop:stripconvex\].
Note that Conjecture \[conj:stripconvex\] has a well-studied finite counterpart: the complex of diagonal subdivisions of a (finite, planar, convex) $n$-gon is finite, and is realized as the cell decomposition of the (dual) *associahedron*, a now classical polytope in $\mathbb{R}^{n-3}$: see for example [@loday] and the references therein. In this note, we prove
\[thm:main\] Conjecture \[conj:stripconvex\] is true for $S$ a once punctured torus or a thrice punctured sphere.
The proof will be a rather explicit computation. The once punctured torus and the thrice punctured sphere are called the *small* (orientable) surfaces; their arc complexes are planar triangle complexes recalled in Section \[sec:trees\]. As these complexes are dual to trees, it is not hard to realize them in the boundaries of convex (finite or infinite) polyhedra of $\mathbb{R}^3$, so Theorem \[thm:main\] is not a new *realizability* result. However,
- It is interesting to note that the strip map gives a natural realization.
- In the case of the punctured torus, we can extend Theorem \[thm:main\] to singular hyperbolic metrics (Theorem \[thm:ellip\]), replacing the boundary component with a cone point of angle $\theta\in (0,2\pi)$. Proposition \[prop:stripconvex\] was already extended to that singular context in [@PT-note]. Theorem \[thm:parab\] also treats the intermediate case of a cusped metric ($\theta=0$).
- In the case of the thrice punctured sphere, we will see that a naive choice of waists, such as the midpoints of the arcs, does in general *not* work for Conjecture \[conj:stripconvex\]. This could shed light on the general case.
Plan
----
Section \[sec:background\] contains reminders about the geometry of strip deformations, the arc complexes of the small surfaces, and hyperbolic geometry (Killing fields and the Minkowski model). Section \[sec:S03\] proves Theorem \[thm:main\] for the thrice punctured sphere, and Section \[sec:S11\] for the once punctured torus.
Background {#sec:background}
==========
The sine formula
----------------
To estimate the effect of a strip deformation on the metric of $S$, it is convenient to compute how it affects the lengths of various geodesics. Here we give a formula: the proof is similar to the classical *cosine formula* for earthquake deformations [@ker83], and can be found in [@dgk2 §2.1].
For simplicity, we restrict to strip deformations $\boldsymbol{f}(\alpha)$ along a single arc $\alpha$: the general case $\boldsymbol{f}(\sum_1^N \lambda_i \alpha_i)$ is then recovered by linearity. Let $\gamma \subset S$ be a closed geodesic, and $\mathrm{d}\ell_\gamma:T_{[g]}\mathcal{T}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ the differential of its length function. Suppose that $\gamma$ intersects $\alpha$ at points $q_1,\dots, q_n$ lying at distances $r_1,\dots, r_n\geq 0$ from the waist $p_\alpha$, measured along the arc $\alpha$. Then $$\label{cosineformula}
\mathrm{d}\ell_\gamma(\boldsymbol{f}(\alpha))=\sum_{i=1}^{n} \sin ( \measuredangle_{q_i}(\alpha, \gamma)) \, \cosh (r_i)$$ where $\measuredangle_{q_i}(\alpha, \gamma) \in (0,\pi)$ denotes the angle, at the point $q_i$, between the directions of $\alpha$ and $\gamma$.
This formula shows for example that a strip deformation along a very long arc $\alpha$ will have a huge lengthening effect on the boundary length of $S$ — more precisely, on the lengths of the boundary components of $S$ that $\alpha$ intersects but that lie far away from the waist $p_\alpha$.
Arc complexes of small surfaces {#sec:trees}
-------------------------------
In a (hyperideal) triangulation $\tau$ of the surface $S$, whenever an arc $\alpha$ separates two distinct regions, removing $\alpha$ creates a hyperideal quadrilateral of which $\alpha$ was a diagonal. The triangulation obtained by inserting back the other diagonal is called the *diagonal flip* of $\tau$ at $\alpha$. Two distinct top-dimensional faces of the arc complex $\overline{X}$ share a codimension-1 face exactly when the two corresponding triangulations of $S$ are related by a diagonal flip.
### The thrice punctured sphere {#sec:arcs03}
The thrice punctured sphere $S$ has one triangulation $\tau$ obtained by connecting all pairs of distinct punctures together. It also has three more triangulations, obtained from $\tau$ by flipping one of its $3$ edges. In total, the arc complex $\overline{X}$ has $6$ vertices, $9$ one-cells ($3$ of them inner), and $4$ two-cells (the triangulations). The full mapping class group of $S$ has order 12 and projects to the automorphism group of $\overline{X}$, which is the order-6 dihedral group. The kernel is the reflection of $S$ preserving the arcs of $\tau$ pointwise. The dual of $\overline{X}$ is a $3$-branched star. See Figure \[fig:smallsurf\].
### The once punctured torus
Up to the action of the mapping class group $\mathrm{GL}_2(\mathbb{Z})$, the punctured torus $S$ of interior $\simeq (\mathbb{R}^2\smallsetminus \mathbb{Z}^2)/\mathbb{Z}^2$ has only one hyperideal triangulation, obtained e.g. by projecting to $S$ the three segments of $\mathbb{R}^2\smallsetminus \mathbb{Z}^2$ connecting the origin to $(1,0)$, $(0,1)$, and $(1,1)$. The resulting arc complex $\overline{X}$ is dual to an infinite planar trivalent tree, with one vertex for each rational number $p/q\in\mathbb{P}^1(\mathbb{Q})$ (corresponding to the segment from the origin to $(p,q)$). The mapping class group maps onto the automorphism group of $\overline{X}$, with kernel $\{\mathrm{Id},-\mathrm{Id}\}$. See Figure \[fig:smallsurf\].
at 136 96 ![The arc complexes $\overline{X}$ of the two small surfaces.[]{data-label="fig:smallsurf"}](smallsurf "fig:"){width="12cm"}
Lorentzian geometry
-------------------
We see $G:=\mathrm{PSL}_2(\mathbb{R})$ as the isometry group of the hyperbolic plane $\mathbb{H}^2$, and the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}:=\mathfrak{psl}_2(\mathbb{R})$ as the space of Killing vector fields on $\mathbb{H}^2$. The Killing form on $\mathfrak{g}$, multiplied by $\frac{1}{2}$, makes $\mathfrak{g}$ isometric to Minkowski space $(\mathbb{R}^{2,1},\langle \cdot |\cdot \rangle)$. Viewing $\mathbb{H}^2$ as one sheet (call it “future”) of the unit hyperboloid of $\mathfrak{g}$, we can then identify the isometry action of $G$ on $\mathbb{H}^2$ with the adjoint action. For $\mathcal{Y}\in \mathfrak{g}$, we write $\Vert \mathcal{Y} \Vert :=\sqrt{\langle \mathcal{Y} | \mathcal{Y} \rangle}$ and let $d_{\mathbb{H}^2}$ be the hyperbolic distance function.
\[fact:classical\] The following are classical:
1. If $\mathcal{Y},\mathcal{Z}\in\mathbb{H}^2\subset\mathfrak{g}$ then $\Vert \mathcal{Y}-\mathcal{Z} \Vert = 2\sinh (d_{\mathbb{H}^2}(\mathcal{Y},\mathcal{Z})/2)$.
2. If $\mathcal{Y},\mathcal{Z}\in\mathfrak{g}$ satisfy $\Vert \mathcal{Y} \Vert^2 = \Vert \mathcal{Z} \Vert^2 = 1$ and the hyperbolic half-planes $P_\mathcal{Y}:=\{u\in \mathbb{H}^2\, |~ \langle u|\mathcal{Y} \rangle \geq 0\}$ and $P_\mathcal{Z}:=\{u\in \mathbb{H}^2\, |~ \langle u|\mathcal{Z} \rangle \geq 0\}$ are disjoint, then $\Vert \mathcal{Y}-\mathcal{Z} \Vert = 2\cosh (d_{\mathbb{H}^2}(P_\mathcal{Y},P_\mathcal{Z})/2)$.
3. If $\mathcal{Y},\mathcal{Z}\in\mathfrak{g}$ are future-pointing lightlike (i.e. isotropic) vectors representing ideal points $y,z\in \partial_\infty \mathbb{H}^2$, a Killing field $\mathcal{U}\in\mathfrak{g}$ belongs to $\mathbb{R}^{>0} \mathcal{Y} - \mathbb{R}^{>0} \mathcal{Z}$ if and only if $\mathcal{U}$ represents an infinitesimal translation of axis perpendicular to the hyperbolic line $yz$, with $y$ to the left and $z$ to the right of the axis. The velocity of that Killing field along its axis is then just $\Vert \mathcal{U} \Vert$.
Convexity criterion
-------------------
We can use Killing fields to express the local convexity of the hypersurface $\boldsymbol{f}(X)$ at a codimension-1 face, as follows.
### The thrice punctured sphere {#sec:crit03}
For $(S,g)$ a hyperbolic thrice punctured sphere, let $\alpha, \beta, \gamma$ be the arcs of the triangulation $\tau$ of Section \[sec:arcs03\] and let $\delta$ be the arc obtained by flipping $\alpha$ in $\tau$.
Note that $(\alpha, \beta, \gamma)$ and $(\beta, \gamma, \delta)$ are top-dimensional faces of the arc complex $\overline{X}$. Let us consider local convexity at the edge $\boldsymbol{f}([\beta, \gamma])=\boldsymbol{f}([\alpha, \beta, \gamma])\cap\boldsymbol{f}([\beta, \gamma, \delta])$, corresponding to the flip that replaces $\alpha$ with $\delta$. By the discussion[^1] preceding Conjecture \[conj:stripconvex\], there exists a relationship of the form $$B \boldsymbol{f}(\beta)+C \boldsymbol{f}(\gamma) - A \boldsymbol{f}(\alpha) - D \boldsymbol{f}(\delta)=0 \in T_{[g]}\mathcal{T}
\label{eq:vanish}$$ for some $(A,B,C,D)\in \mathbb{R}^4 \smallsetminus \{0\}$, unique up to scalar multiplication, and we can assume $B + C> 0$ and $A,D> 0$. Convexity at $\boldsymbol{f}([\beta, \gamma])$ is the property $$A+D<B+C. \label{eq:tocheck}$$
Lift all arcs $\alpha, \beta, \gamma, \delta$ to $\mathbb{H}^2$, obtaining a tiling $\mathcal{E}$ of $\mathbb{H}^2$ into infinitely many triangles (or “tiles”), each with one right angle and two hyperideal vertices. This tiling is equivariant with respect to a holonomy representation $$\rho:\pi_1(S)\rightarrow \mathrm{PSL}_2(\mathbb{R})\simeq \mathrm{Isom}^+(\mathbb{H}^2).$$ The relationship expresses the fact that appropriate infinitesimal strip deformations on $\beta, \gamma$ can cancel out appropriate infinitesimal strip deformations on $\alpha, \delta$, yielding the *trivial* deformation of $S$. This can be interpreted (see [@dgk2 §4]) as an assignment of a Killing field to each tile, via a map $$\psi:\mathcal{E}\rightarrow \mathfrak{psl}_2(\mathbb{R})\simeq\mathrm{Kill}(\mathbb{H}^2)$$ satisfying the following properties:
(i) Equivariance: for any tile $t\in\mathcal{E}$ and any $\eta\in \pi_1(S)$, we have $\psi(\eta\cdot t)= \mathrm{Ad}(\rho(\eta))(\psi(t))$; in other words $\psi$ defines a tilewise Killing field on the quotient $S$ of $\mathbb{H}^2$;
(ii) Vertex consistency: if $t_1$, $t_2$, $t_3$, $t_4$ are the tiles adjacent to a lift of the vertex $\alpha \cap \delta$, numbered clockwise, then $\psi(t_1)-\psi(t_2)+\psi(t_3)-\psi(t_4)=0$; in other words, the $\psi(t_i)$ form a parallelogram in $\mathfrak{psl}_2(\mathbb{R})$;
(iii) Edge increments: suppose the geodesic line $\lambda$ of $\mathbb{H}^2$ is a lift of the arc $\beta$ (resp. $\gamma, \alpha, \delta$), and $p\in \lambda$ is the lift of the corresponding waist. If $\lambda$ separates two adjacent tiles $e,e'\in\mathcal{E}$, then $\psi(e')-\psi(e)$ is a Killing field representing an infinitesimal translation whose axis is the perpendicular to $\lambda$ through the lifted waist $p$, and whose signed velocity (measured towards $e'$) is the real number $B$ (resp. $C, -A, -D$).
The increment condition (iii) expresses the fact that the relative motion of adjacent tiles is given by some strip deformation. The vertex condition (ii) can be rephrased thus: the point $\alpha\cap \delta$ cuts $\alpha$ in two halves, but the increment of $\psi$ across either half is the same. Condition (i) expresses the fact that the linear combination of all 4 (signed) strip deformations is trivial in $T_{[g]}\mathcal{T}$.
We can turn this Killing-field interpretation around:
\[crit:killing\] Conversely, if we exhibit an assignment $\psi$ of Killing fields to tiles, satisfying (i)–(ii)–(iii) for some reals $A,B,C,D$ with $A,D>0$, then local convexity of $\boldsymbol{f}(\overline{X})$ at the edge $\boldsymbol{f}([\beta, \gamma])$ (where $\boldsymbol{f}$ is defined for the waists induced by the translation axes of the increments of $\psi$) amounts to the inequality above: $A+D<B+C$.
In the rest of the paper, we will therefore check convexity of $\boldsymbol{f}$ by exhibiting special Killing fields and computing their velocities $A,B,C,D$.
### The once punctured torus
The discussion of Section \[sec:crit03\] is essentially unchanged when $S$ is a hyperbolic once-punctured torus and $\alpha, \beta, \gamma$ the arcs of a triangulation. The only difference is that the tiles are no longer right-angled in general, because $\alpha$ need not intersect its flip $\delta$ perpendicularly (unless $\beta, \gamma$ have equal lengths). This inconvenience is compensated by the fact that $\alpha, \delta$ intersect at their midpoints, which becomes a natural choice of waist.
Proof of Theorem \[thm:main\] for the thrice punctured sphere {#sec:S03}
=============================================================
In this section $S$ is the thrice punctured sphere.
A bad choice of waists: midpoints
---------------------------------
We begin by remarking that, for some hyperbolic metrics $g$ on $S$, picking waists at the midpoints of the arcs would *not* define a strip map $\boldsymbol{f}:\overline{X}\rightarrow T_{[g]}\mathcal{T}$ with convex image. Indeed, suppose $(S,g)$ has boundary components $a,b,c$ of lengths $0<\ell(a)\ll 1 =\ell(b)=\ell(c)$. Let $\alpha, \beta, \gamma, \delta$ denote the the arcs $bc,ca,ab,aa$ respectively, where an arc is referred to by the two boundary components it connects. Then $\ell(\beta)=\ell(\gamma)\gg 1 $ and $\ell(\alpha)$ is on the order of $1$: see Figure \[fig:wrong\].
at 201 39 at 115 31 at 115 64 at 130 54 at 202 48 at 88 30 at 88 64 at -2 50 at 180 80 at 180 14 ![A thrice punctured sphere with a short loop.[]{data-label="fig:wrong"}](wrong "fig:"){width="10cm"}
We know that there exist reals $A,B,C,D$ with $A,D>0$ satisfying . By symmetry, we can assume $B=C=1$. Let us prove that $A+D>2=B+C$, in violation of local convexity .
The Teichmüller space $\mathcal{T}$ is coordinatized by the three boundary lengths $\ell(a),\ell(b),\ell(c)$, hence the range $T_{[g]}\mathcal{T}$ of $\boldsymbol{f}$ admits a dual basis $(\mathrm{d}\ell(a), \mathrm{d}\ell(b), \linebreak \mathrm{d}\ell(c))$. By , the lengths of $b$ and $c$ are not affected by the infinitesimal deformation $\boldsymbol{f}(\delta)$, because $b\cap \delta = c\cap \delta=\emptyset$. They are affected at roughly unit rate by $\boldsymbol{f}(\alpha)$ because the arc $\alpha$ has length on the order of $1$ and intersects $b,c$. But they are affected at a *huge* rate by $\boldsymbol{f}(\beta)$ and $\boldsymbol{f}(\gamma)$ because the waists on $\beta$ and $\gamma$ are far away from $b$ and $c$. So the identity $\mathrm{d}\ell(b)(\boldsymbol{f}(\beta)+\boldsymbol{f}(\gamma))=\mathrm{d}\ell(b)(A \boldsymbol{f}(\alpha)+D\boldsymbol{f}(\delta))$, true by , can only hold if $A$ is itself huge. Thus $A+D>2$, proving that $\boldsymbol{f}$ has nonconvex image.
A good choice of waists
-----------------------
In a general hyperbolic thrice-punctured sphere $S$, the arcs $\alpha, \delta$ intersect orthogonally (at the midpoint of $\delta$ but not of $\alpha$): we pick this point for the waists $p_\alpha$ and $p_{\delta}$, and do the same for the pair formed by $\beta$ (resp. $\gamma$) and its flip. Let us prove that under this choice, $\boldsymbol{f}$ has convex image.
The following is a hyperbolic generalization of a classical Euclidean fact.
\[lem:bisector\] Let $\alpha_0, \alpha_1, \alpha_2$ be lines in $\mathbb{H}^2$ bounding half-planes with disjoint closures in $\mathbb{H}^2\cup\partial_\infty\mathbb{H}^2$ (i.e. the sides of a hyperideal triangle). Let $\beta_i$ be the common perpendicular of $\alpha_{i+1}$ and $\alpha_{i-1}$ (indices modulo $3$). The *height* $h_i$ is the common perpendicular to $\beta_i$ and $\alpha_i$, intersecting $\alpha_i$ at the *foot* $p_i$. Then the three heights $h_i$ are the inner angle bisectors of the triangle $p_0 p_1 p_2$.
By a compactness argument, there exist points $p'_i\in\alpha_i$ such that the triangle $p'_0 p'_1 p'_2$ has minimum possible perimeter. By Snell’s law, $\alpha_i$ is the outer angle bisector at the vertex $p'_i$: so it is enough to prove that $p'_i=p_i$.
In Minkowski space $(\mathbb{R}^{2,1},\langle \cdot | \cdot \rangle)$, embed $\mathbb{H}^2$ as the upper unit hyperboloid. Let $v_i\in\mathbb{R}^{2,1}$ be the unit spacelike vector ($\langle v_i | v_i \rangle =1$) such that $\langle p'_{i+1}|v_i \rangle=0= \langle p'_{i-1}|v_i \rangle$ and $\langle p'_i|v_i \rangle>0$. By symmetry, $\alpha_i=\mathrm{ker} \langle \, \cdot\, | v_{i+1}+v_{i-1}\rangle \cap \mathbb{H}^2$, and $\mathrm{ker} \langle \, \cdot \, | v_{i+1}-v_{i-1}\rangle \cap \mathbb{H}^2$ is the line $h'_i$ perpendicular to $\alpha_i$ at $p'_i$.
Let $(w_0, w_1, w_2)$ be the dual basis to $(v_0, v_1, v_2)$, i.e. $\langle w_i|v_j\rangle = \delta_{ij}$. Then $w_{i+1}+w_{i-1}-w_i$ pairs to $0$ against $v_i+v_{i+1}$ and $v_i+v_{i-1}$ and $v_{i+1}-v_{i-1}$. This means that $\alpha_{i-1}, \alpha_{i+1}$ and $h'_i$ have a common perpendicular (necessarily $\beta_i$). Therefore $h'_i=h_i$, hence $p'_i=p_i$ as desired. (We may also note that all three heights $h_i=h'_i$ run through the point of $\mathbb{H}^2$ collinear with $w_0+w_1+w_2$, since that vector pairs to $0$ against $v_{i+1}-v_{i-1}$.)
We now return to the thrice punctured sphere $S$. Let $\alpha, \beta, \gamma$ be the arcs connecting distinct boundary components; the waists $p_\alpha, p_\beta, p_\gamma$ are the feet of the heights of the hyperideal triangle with sides $\alpha, \beta, \gamma$. The point $p_\alpha=p_{\delta}$ is also the midpoint of the flipped edge $\delta$. Denote by $2\widehat{a}, 2\widehat{b}, 2\widehat{c}$ the interior angles of the triangle $p_\alpha p_\beta p_\gamma$ (see Figure \[fig:bisector\]).
at 73 49 at 93 49 at 74 42 at 92 43 at 46 65 at 55 71 at 110 70 at 119 65 at 48 29 at 56 22 at 108 22 at 118 29 at 85 75 at 23 62 at 143 62 at 23 33 at 143 33 at 33 49 at 86 40.5 at 43 77 at 122 77 at 45 18 at 120 18 at 63 66 at 103 67 at 101 26 at 63 25 at 63 80 at 103 80 at 101 13 at 63 13 ![Four colored tiles $t_1,\dots, t_4$ of a 3-punctured sphere $S$, in the universal cover. The white lines are heights. The axes $\ell_i$ of all four Killing fields $\psi(t_i)$ run through $p_\alpha$.[]{data-label="fig:bisector"}](bisector "fig:"){width="11cm"}
The arcs $\beta, \gamma, \alpha, \delta$ subdivide $S$ into four (quotient) tiles $t_1, t_2, t_3, t_4$. Each tile $t_i$ is a right-angled pentagon containing $p_{\alpha}$ as a vertex, and either $p_\beta$ or $p_\gamma$ as an interior point of the opposite edge. Let $\ell_i \subset t_i$ be the segment connecting these two points, oriented towards $p_\alpha$. Assign to each tile $t_i$ the Killing field $\psi(t_i)$ defining a unit-velocity infinitesimal translation along $\ell_i$. Note that $\psi$ respects the symmetry of $S$ defined by reflection in the edges $\alpha, \beta, \gamma$. We claim that $\psi$ (or strictly speaking, its lift to $\mathbb{H}^2$) satisfies the convexity criterion \[crit:killing\]:
- Equivariance is true by construction of the lift;
- Vertex consistency follows from Lemma \[lem:bisector\]: the points $\psi(t_1)$,…, $\psi(t_4)$ form a rectangle in $\mathfrak{psl}_2(\mathbb{R})$, hence in particular a parallelogram;
- The local increment $\psi(t)-\psi(t')$ across any edge separating tiles $t,t'$ is an (infinitesimal) loxodromy of axis perpendicular to $t\cap t'$, in the correct direction, passing through the correct waist. Indeed:
— The increment across (either half of) $\alpha$ is, by symmetry, a translation of velocity $A:=2\cos \widehat{a}$, along an axis perpendicular to $\alpha$ at $p_\alpha$, pushing the adjacent tiles towards each other.
— The increment across (either half of) $\delta$ is a translation of velocity $D:=2\sin \widehat{a}$ along an axis perpendicular to $\delta$ at $p_{\delta}=p_\alpha$, pushing the adjacent tiles towards each other.
— Using symmetry across $\beta$, the increment at the edge $\beta$ is a translation of velocity $B:=2\cos \widehat{b}$ along an axis perpendicular to $\beta$ at $p_{\beta}$, pushing the adjacent tiles away from each other.
— Similarly, the increment across $\gamma$ is a translation of velocity $C:=2\cos \widehat{c}$ along an axis perpendicular to $\gamma$ at $p_{\gamma}$, pushing the adjacent tiles away from each other.
- The convexity inequality to be checked thus becomes $2\cos \widehat{a} + 2\sin \widehat{a} < 2\cos \widehat{b} + 2\cos \widehat{c}$. This holds true: indeed $$\cos \widehat{b} + \cos \widehat{c} > 1 + \cos (\widehat{b}+\widehat{c}) > 1 + \cos (\pi/2 - \widehat{a}) > \cos \widehat{a} + \sin \widehat{a}$$ where the first bound is due to concavity of $\cos$, and the second to $\frac{\pi}{2} > \widehat{a}+\widehat{b}+\widehat{c}$ (since $2\widehat{a}, 2\widehat{b}, 2\widehat{c}$ are the angles of a hyperbolic triangle).
This proves Theorem \[thm:main\] for the thrice punctured sphere.
Proof of Theorem \[thm:main\] for the once punctured torus {#sec:S11}
==========================================================
In the remainder of the paper, $S$ is a once punctured torus. Let $\alpha, \beta, \gamma$ be the edges of a hyperideal triangulation of $S$, and $\delta$ the edge obtained by flipping $\alpha$.
The waist $p_\alpha$ of $\alpha$, still defined as the point $\alpha\cap\delta$, is necessarily fixed under the hyperelliptic involution: $p_\alpha$ is now the midpoint of $\alpha$ *and* of $\delta$.
Loxodromic commutator {#sec:loxo}
---------------------
Let $a,b,c,d$ denote the half-lengths of $\alpha, \beta, \gamma, \delta$. Let $S'$ denote the surface $S$ extended by a funnel glued along $\partial S$. Place a lift $p$ of $p_\alpha=p_\delta$ at the center of the projective model of $\mathbb{H}^2$ in $\mathbb{P}(\mathbb{R}^{2,1})$. Lifts of the edges $\beta, \gamma$ then define a fundamental domain of $S'$, equal to the intersection of $\mathbb{H}^2$ with a parallelogram $\Pi$ (Figure \[fig:paral\]).
at 32 44 at 75 71 at 39 18 at 81 18 at 33 94 at 71 94 at 9 74 at 8 58 at 104 55 at 103 39 at 36 75 at 80 44 at 55 50.5 at 18 18 at -1 16 at 110 96 at 109 16 at 5 95 at 55 38 at 85 56 at 56 76 at 24 57 at 59 12 at 117 50 at 54 98 at -5 58 at 209 33 at 207 15 at 237 55 at 279 52 at 210 81 at 210 97 at 181 57 at 139 62 at 153 16 at 262 96 at 261 16 at 159 95 ![Left: lengths in a fundamental domain (right-angled 8-gon) of the punctured torus $S$ made of 4 tiles in $\mathbb{H}^2$. Dark dots in $\mathbb{H}^2$ are waists. Right: Killing field assignments in the 8 tiles (abbreviating $\sinh$ to $\mathrm{sh}$ and $\cosh$ to $\mathrm{ch}$).[]{data-label="fig:paral"}](paral "fig:"){width="12.5cm"}
The boundary of $S$ lifts to lines truncating the corners of $\Pi$. These lines are dual to *unit spacelike* vectors $\mathcal{A},\mathcal{D},\mathcal{A}',\mathcal{D}'$ projecting to the vertices of $\Pi$, such that $\alpha\subset \mathrm{span} (\mathcal{A},\mathcal{A}')$ and $\delta\subset \mathrm{span} (\mathcal{D},\mathcal{D}')$. We may assume that the counterclockwise order of vertics of $\Pi$ goes: $[\mathcal{A}]$, $[\mathcal{D}]$, $[\mathcal{A}']$, $[\mathcal{D}']$. In $\mathbb{R}^{2,1}$, the third ($p$-parallel) coordinates of $\mathcal{A}$, $\mathcal{D}$, $\mathcal{A}'$, $\mathcal{D}'$ are respectively $\sinh a$, $\sinh d$, $\sinh a$, $\sinh d$; thus $$\label{eq:centered}
(\mathcal{A}+\mathcal{A}')\sinh d = (\mathcal{D}+\mathcal{D}')\sinh a.$$ The lifts of the edges $\alpha, \delta$ subdivide $\Pi\cap \mathbb{H}^2$ into four tiles $p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$, $p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$, $p\mathcal{A}'\mathcal{D}'$, $p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A}$ (see Figure \[fig:paral\]), adjacent respectively to tiles $\overline{p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}}$, $\overline{p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'}$, $\overline{p\mathcal{A}'\mathcal{D}'}$, $\overline{p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A}}$ outside $\Pi$. We pick the following assignment of Killing fields: $$\begin{aligned}
\psi(p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}) & := & \mathcal{A}\sinh d - \mathcal{D} \sinh a \\
\psi(p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}') & := & \mathcal{D}\sinh a - \mathcal{A}' \sinh d \\
\psi(p\mathcal{A}'\mathcal{D}') & := & \mathcal{A}'\sinh d - \mathcal{D}' \sinh a \\
\psi(p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A}) & := & \mathcal{D}'\sinh a - \mathcal{A} \sinh d.\end{aligned}$$ Note that these are infinitesimal translations whose axes run perpendicular[^2] to the sides of $\Pi$, into $\Pi$, because the vectors on the right-hand side belong to the correct 2-plane quadrants by Fact \[fact:classical\].(3). We extend $\psi$ by symmetry under the $\pi$-rotations around the waists (midpoints) of $\beta, \gamma$. (This will in particular force each edge increment, such as $\psi(p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D})-\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}})$, to have its axis run through the corresponding edge midpoint, i.e. the correct waist.) Note that the $\pi$-rotation around the hyperbolic midpoint of $[\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}]$, for example, swaps the unit spacelike vectors $\mathcal{A}$ and $\mathcal{D}$, because it swaps the corresponding boundary components of the lift of $S$. This entails $$\begin{aligned}
\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}}) & := & \mathcal{D}\sinh d - \mathcal{A} \sinh a \\
\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'}) & := & \mathcal{A}'\sinh a - \mathcal{D} \sinh d \\
\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{A}'\mathcal{D}'}) & := & \mathcal{D}'\sinh d - \mathcal{A}' \sinh a \\
\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A}}) & := & \mathcal{A}\sinh a - \mathcal{D}' \sinh d.\end{aligned}$$
We may now check the convexity criterion \[crit:killing\] for $\psi$. Equivariance is true by construction.
Consistency at the vertex $\alpha\cap\delta$ is the relationship $\psi(p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D})+
\psi(p\mathcal{A}'\mathcal{D}')=
\psi(p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}')+
\psi(p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A})$, which follows from (actually both sides vanish).
The increment at the edge $\beta$, or $\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$, is $\psi(p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D})-\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}})= (\mathcal{A}-\mathcal{D})(\sinh a +\sinh d)$, an infinitesimal loxodromy with axis perpendicular to $\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$ (at the waist), pulling the tile $p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$ away from $\overline{p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}}$, i.e. pointing into $\Pi$. By Fact \[fact:classical\], its velocity is $$B:=\Vert \mathcal{A}-\mathcal{D} \Vert (\sinh a + \sinh d) = 2\cosh b \, (\sinh a + \sinh b).$$
The increment at the edge $\gamma$, or $\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$, is $\psi(p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}')-\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'})= (\mathcal{D}-\mathcal{A}')(\sinh a +\sinh d)$, an infinitesimal loxodromy with axis perpendicular to $\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$, pulling $p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$ away from $\overline{p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'}$. Its velocity is $$C:=\Vert \mathcal{D}-\mathcal{A}' \Vert (\sinh a + \sinh d) = 2\cosh c \, (\sinh a + \sinh b).$$
The increment at the edge $\alpha$, or $p\mathcal{A}$, is $\psi(p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D})-\psi(p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A})=(\mathcal{A}-\mathcal{A}')\sinh d$ (using ), an infinitesimal loxodromy with axis perpendicular to $\mathcal{A}\mathcal{A}'$, pulling $p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$ towards $p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$. Its velocity is $$A:=\Vert \mathcal{A}-\mathcal{A'} \Vert \sinh d = 2\cosh a \, \sinh d.$$
Finally, the increment at the edge $\delta$, or $p\mathcal{D}$, is $\psi(p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}')-\psi(p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D})=(\mathcal{D}-\mathcal{D}')\sinh a$ (using ), an infinitesimal loxodromy with axis perpendicular to $\mathcal{D}\mathcal{D}'$, pulling $p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$ towards $p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$. Its velocity is $$D:=\Vert \mathcal{D}-\mathcal{D'} \Vert \sinh a = 2\cosh d \, \sinh a.$$
It remains to check convexity via , namely $A+D<B+C$, i.e. $$\begin{aligned}
\cosh d \, \sinh a + \cosh a \sinh d &<& (\cosh b + \cosh c) (\sinh a + \sinh d) \notag\\
\text{i.e. }\hspace{10pt} \frac{\sinh (a+d)}{\sinh a + \sinh d} &<& \cosh b + \cosh c. \label{haha}\end{aligned}$$ Let us prove . If $\theta$ denotes the angle formed by the diagonals $\alpha$ and $\delta$ of $\Pi$, then a classical trigonometric formula gives (up to permutation) $$\begin{aligned}
\cosh (2b) &=& \sinh a \, \sinh d -\cosh a \, \cosh d\, \cos \theta \\
\cosh (2c) &=& \sinh a \, \sinh d +\cosh a \, \cosh d\, \cos \theta.\end{aligned}$$ In particular, $\cosh (2b) + \cosh (2c)$ depends only on $a$ and $d$, not on $\theta$. Since the map $x\mapsto \sqrt{\frac{x+1}{2}}$, taking $\cosh (2u)$ to $\cosh u$, is concave, it follows that the infimal possible value $\mu$ of $\cosh b + \cosh c$ (with $a,d$ fixed) is approached for extremal $\theta$, i.e. when $\{\cosh (2b), \cosh (2c) \}=\{1,2\sinh a \, \sinh d -1\}$: thus $\mu=1+\sqrt{\sinh a \, \sinh d}$. The following are equivalent: $$\begin{aligned}
\frac{\sinh (a+d)}{\sinh a + \sinh d} &<& 1+\sqrt{\sinh a \, \sinh d} \\
\frac{\sinh a\, (2\sinh^2\frac{d}{2}) + \sinh d\, (2\sinh^2\frac{a}{2})}{\sinh a + \sinh d} &<& \sqrt{\sinh a \, \sinh d} \\
\frac{2\sinh^2\frac{d}{2}}{\sinh d} + \frac{2\sinh^2\frac{a}{2}}{\sinh a} &<& \sqrt{\frac{\sinh a}{\sinh d}} + \sqrt{\frac{\sinh d}{\sinh a}}. \end{aligned}$$ The last inequality is *true*: its left hand side is $\tanh \frac{d}{2}+\tanh \frac{a}{2} <2$, while its right hand side is $\geq 2$. This proves convexity, hence Theorem \[thm:main\] for $S$ a one-holed torus.
Elliptic commutator {#sec:comell}
-------------------
Let $g$ be an incomplete hyperbolic metric on the once-punctured torus $S$ whose completion admits a cone singularity of angle $\theta\in (0,2\pi)$. The holonomy representation of $g$ takes the two generators $u,v$ of $\pi_1(S)$ to two loxodromics with elliptic commutator. In fact, the fixed points of $[u,v]$, $[v,u^{-1}]$, $[u^{-1},v^{-1}]$, $[v^{-1},u]$ in $\mathbb{H}^2$ form the vertices of a convex quadrilateral, equal to a fundamental domain of $(S,g)$ (the generators $u^{\pm 1},v^{\pm 1}$ identify opposite sides in pairs). Any element of the arc complex of $S$ is realized as an embedded geodesic loop $\alpha$ in $S$, connecting the singularity to itself.
We can extend to this context the strip construction along $\alpha$ defined in Section \[sec:stripmap\]. The main difference is that there are no funnels to extend the metric $g$ into: instead, we should remove from $(S,g)$ a neighborhood of the puncture $p$, then cut along $\alpha$ and insert an appropriate narrow trapezoid of $\mathbb{H}^2$, and finally extend the new metric all the way to a new cone singularity $p'$. The position of $p'$ is forced by the gluing parameters; see Figure \[fig:newcone\].
at 27 18 at 38 66 at 266 74 ![Procedure for inserting a strip into a cone metric along an arc $\alpha$. In $S$, since both endpoints of $\alpha$ are at the singularity $p$, we should actually consider a combination of two such procedures.[]{data-label="fig:newcone"}](newcone "fig:"){width="11cm"}
The strip map $\boldsymbol{f}$ is therefore still well-defined, valued in the tangent space at the (smooth) point $[g]$ to the representation variety of $\pi_1(S)$. Thus Conjecture \[conj:stripconvex\] (convexity of $\boldsymbol{f}$) still makes sense, as does the convexity criterion \[crit:killing\] (the only difference is that the Killing fields $\psi(\cdot)$ live on the universal cover of the regular part of $S$, which is no longer isometric to $\mathbb{H}^2$: but they still make sense as tilewise Killing fields in the quotient $S$).
Conjecture \[conj:stripconvex\] continues to hold for $S$ a punctured torus with cone singularity. \[thm:ellip\]
We adapt the method from Section \[sec:loxo\]. Let $S$ be a hyperbolic punctured torus with cone singularity. We still call $\alpha, \beta, \gamma$ the edges (running from the singularity to itself) of a triangulation of $S$, and $\delta$ the flip of $\alpha$. The waist of $\alpha$ is its midpoint, where it intersects $\delta$.
Let $a,b,c,d$ denote the half-lengths of $\alpha, \beta, \gamma, \delta$. Place a lift $p$ of $p_\alpha=p_\delta$ at the center of the projective model of $\mathbb{H}^2$ in $\mathbb{P}(\mathbb{R}^{2,1})$. Lifts of the edges $\beta, \gamma$ then define a fundamental domain of $S$, equal to a parallelogram $\Pi \subset \mathbb{H}^2$.
Define *unit timelike* vectors $\mathcal{A},\mathcal{D},\mathcal{A}',\mathcal{D}'$ projecting to the vertices of $\Pi$, such that $\alpha\subset \mathrm{span} (\mathcal{A},\mathcal{A}')$ and $\delta\subset \mathrm{span} (\mathcal{D},\mathcal{D}')$. In $\mathbb{R}^{2,1}$, the third ($p$-parallel) coordinates of $\mathcal{A}$, $\mathcal{D}$, $\mathcal{A}'$, $\mathcal{D}'$ are respectively $\cosh a$, $\cosh d$, $\cosh a$, $\cosh d$; thus $$\label{eq:centered-ellip}
(\mathcal{A}+\mathcal{A}')\cosh d = (\mathcal{D}+\mathcal{D}')\cosh a.$$ The lifts of the edges $\alpha, \delta$ subdivide $\Pi$ into four tiles $p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$, $p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$, $p\mathcal{A}'\mathcal{D}'$, $p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A}$, adjacent respectively to $\overline{p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}}$, $\overline{p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'}$, $\overline{p\mathcal{A}'\mathcal{D}'}$, $\overline{p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A}}$ (each sharing an edge with $\Pi$). We pick the following assignment of Killing fields (the picture is identical with Figure \[fig:paral\], except $[\mathcal{A}]$, $[\mathcal{D}]$, $[\mathcal{A}']$, $[\mathcal{D}']$ lie inside the disk $\mathbb{H}^2$, and $\cosh$ and $\sinh$ are exchanged): $$\begin{aligned}
\psi(p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}) & := & \mathcal{A}\cosh d - \mathcal{D} \cosh a \\
\psi(p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}') & := & \mathcal{D}\cosh a - \mathcal{A}' \cosh d \\
\psi(p\mathcal{A}'\mathcal{D}') & := & \mathcal{A}'\cosh d - \mathcal{D}' \cosh a \\
\psi(p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A}) & := & \mathcal{D}'\cosh a - \mathcal{A} \cosh d.\end{aligned}$$ Note that these are infinitesimal translations whose axes run perpendicular to the sides of $\Pi$, because the vectors on the right-hand side belong to the correct 2-plane quadrants (Fact \[fact:classical\].(3)). We extend $\psi$ by symmetry under the $\pi$-rotations around the waists (midpoints) of $\beta, \gamma$. Note that the $\pi$-rotation around the hyperbolic midpoint of $[\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}]$, for example, swaps the unit timelike vectors $\mathcal{A}$ and $\mathcal{D}$. This entails $$\begin{aligned}
\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}}) & := & \mathcal{D}\cosh d - \mathcal{A} \cosh a \\
\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'}) & := & \mathcal{A}'\cosh a - \mathcal{D} \cosh d \\
\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{A}'\mathcal{D}'}) & := & \mathcal{D}'\cosh d - \mathcal{A}' \cosh a \\
\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A}}) & := & \mathcal{A}\cosh a - \mathcal{D}' \cosh d.\end{aligned}$$
We may now check the convexity criterion from $\psi$. Equivariance (relative to the holonomy representation of the regular part of $S$) is true by construction. Vertex consistency $\psi(p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D})+ \psi(p\mathcal{A}'\mathcal{D}')=
\psi(p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}')+ \psi(p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A})$ follows from .
The increment at the edge $\beta$, or $\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$, is $\psi(p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D})-\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}})= (\mathcal{A}-\mathcal{D})(\cosh a +\cosh d)$, an infinitesimal loxodromy with axis perpendicular to $\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$ (at the waist), pulling the tile $p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$ away from $\overline{p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}}$, i.e. pointing into $\Pi$. By Fact \[fact:classical\], its velocity is $$B:=\Vert \mathcal{A}-\mathcal{D} \Vert (\cosh a + \cosh d) = 2 \sinh b \, (\cosh a + \cosh d).$$
The increment at the edge $\gamma$, or $\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$, is $\psi(p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}')-\psi(\overline{p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'})= (\mathcal{D}-\mathcal{A}')(\cosh a +\cosh d)$, an infinitesimal loxodromy with axis perpendicular to $\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$, pulling $p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$ away from $\overline{p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'}$. Its velocity is $$C:=\Vert \mathcal{D}-\mathcal{A}' \Vert (\cosh a + \cosh d) = 2 \sinh c \, (\cosh a + \cosh d).$$
The increment at the edge $\alpha$, or $p\mathcal{A}$, is $\psi(p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D})-\psi(p\mathcal{D}'\mathcal{A})=(\mathcal{A}-\mathcal{A}')\cosh d$ (using ), an infinitesimal loxodromy with axis perpendicular to $\mathcal{A}\mathcal{A}'$, pulling $p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$ towards $p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$. Its velocity is $$A:=\Vert \mathcal{A}-\mathcal{A'} \Vert \cosh d = 2\sinh a \, \cosh d.$$
Finally, the increment at the edge $\delta$, or $p\mathcal{D}$, is $\psi(p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}')-\psi(p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D})=(\mathcal{D}-\mathcal{D}')\cosh a$ (using ), an infinitesimal loxodromy with axis perpendicular to $\mathcal{D}\mathcal{D}'$, pulling $p\mathcal{D}\mathcal{A}'$ towards $p\mathcal{A}\mathcal{D}$. Its velocity is $$D:=\Vert \mathcal{D}-\mathcal{D'} \Vert \cosh a = 2\sinh d \, \cosh a.$$ It remains to check convexity via , namely $A+D<B+C$, i.e.$$\begin{aligned}
&& \sinh d \, \cosh a + \sinh a \cosh d \: < \: (\sinh b + \sinh c) (\cosh a + \cosh d) \notag \\
&& \text{ i.e. } \hspace{5pt} \frac{\sinh (a+d)}{\cosh a + \cosh d} = \frac{\sinh \frac{a+d}{2}}{\cosh \frac{a-d}{2}} \: < \: \sinh b + \sinh c. \label{hihi}\end{aligned}$$ Let us prove . If $\theta$ denotes the angle formed by the diagonals $\alpha$ and $\delta$ of $\Pi$, then a classical trigonometric formula gives (up to permutation) $$\begin{aligned}
\cosh (2b) &=& \cosh a \, \cosh d -\sinh a \, \sinh d\, \cos \theta \\
\cosh (2c) &=& \cosh a \, \cosh d +\sinh a \, \sinh d\, \cos \theta.\end{aligned}$$ In particular, $\cosh (2b) + \cosh (2c)$ depends only on $a$ and $d$, not on $\theta$. Since the map $x\mapsto \sqrt{\frac{x-1}{2}}$, taking $\cosh (2u)$ to $\sinh u$, is concave, it follows that the infimal possible value of $\sinh b + \sinh c$ (with $a,d$ fixed) is approached when $\theta\rightarrow 0$ or $\theta \rightarrow \pi$, hence $\sinh b + \sinh c \rightarrow \sinh \frac{a+d}{2} + \sinh |\frac{a-d}{2}|$. This is clearly $\geq \left . \sinh \frac{a+d}{2} \right / \cosh \frac{a-d}{2}$ (with equality when $a=d$, but bear in mind that the infimal value is *not* achieved: $\theta\notin\{0,\pi\}$). Theorem \[thm:ellip\] is proved.
Parabolic commutator {#sec:parab}
--------------------
Conjecture \[conj:stripconvex\] continues to hold for $S$ a one-cusped torus. \[thm:parab\]
The case of a cusp (parabolic commutator) can be recovered as a limit case of an elliptic commutator. Namely, given a one-cusped torus $S$ with arcs $\alpha, \beta, \gamma, \delta$ satisfying the combinatorics above, we can find a fundamental domain in $\mathbb{H}^2$ equal to an *ideal* quadrilateral $\Pi$ whose diagonals intersect at $p$. Denote by $p\mathcal{A}$, $p\mathcal{D}$, $p\mathcal{A}'$, $p\mathcal{D}'$ the diagonal rays issued from $p$, isometrically parameterized (respectively) by functions $m_\mathcal{A}$, $m_\mathcal{D}$, $m_{\mathcal{A}'}$, $m_{\mathcal{D}'}: [0,+\infty)\rightarrow \mathbb{H}^2$. Let $H\subset \mathbb{H}^2$ be the preimage of a fixed small horoball neighborhood of the cusp. Then there exist reals $\overline{a}, \overline{d}>0$ such that $\mathbb{H}^2\smallsetminus H$ contains exactly the initial segment $m_\mathcal{A}([0,\overline{a}])$ (resp. $m_\mathcal{D}([0,\overline{d}])$, $m_{\mathcal{A}'}([0,\overline{a}])$, $m_{\mathcal{D}'}([0,\overline{d}])$) of the ray $p\mathcal{A}$ (resp. $p\mathcal{D}$, $p\mathcal{A}'$, $p\mathcal{D}'$).
Given $t>0$, the quadrilateral $$\Pi_t:=\left (
m_\mathcal{A}(\overline{a}+t) \, ,\:
m_\mathcal{D}(\overline{d}+t) \, ,\:
m_{\mathcal{A}'}(\overline{a}+t) \, ,\:
m_{\mathcal{D}'}(\overline{d}+t)
\right )$$ has opposite edges of equal lengths. The isometries taking opposite edges of $\Pi_t$ to one another define a representation $\rho_t:\pi_1(S)\rightarrow \mathrm{PSL}_2(\mathbb{R})$ equal to the holonomy of a cone metric converging to the initial cusped metric as $t\rightarrow +\infty$. Let $a_t, b_t, c_t, d_t$ be the semi-arc lengths in this cone metric; in particular $a_t=\overline{a}+t$ and $d_t=\overline{d}+t$.
The member ratio of is $$\frac{\left . \sinh \frac{a_t+d_t}{2}\right / \cosh \frac{a_t-d_t}{2}}{\sinh b_t + \sinh c_t} =
\frac{\left . \sinh (\frac{\overline{a}+\overline{d}}{2}+t)\right / \cosh \frac{\overline{a}-\overline{d}}{2}}{\sinh b_t + \sinh c_t} <1.$$ To prove convexity of the strip map $\boldsymbol{f}$, we only need to bound this ratio away from $1$ (and take limits as $t\rightarrow +\infty$). If $\overline{a}\neq\overline{d}$, this comes from the relationship $\sinh b_t + \sinh c_t \geq \sinh \frac{a_t+d_t}{2} + \sinh |\frac{a_t-d_t}{2}|$ proved at the end of Section \[sec:comell\]. If $\overline{a}=\overline{d}$, then up to permutation $$\begin{aligned}
\cosh (2b_t) &=& \cosh^2 a_t-\sinh^2 a_t \, \cos \theta = 1+ \sinh^2 a_t \, (1-\cos \theta) \\
\cosh (2c_t) &=& \cosh^2 a_t+\sinh^2 a_t \, \cos \theta = 1+ \sinh^2 a_t \, (1+\cos \theta) \end{aligned}$$ where $\theta$ is the angle (independent of $t$) formed by the diagonals of $\Pi_t$, hence $$\textstyle{\sinh b_t + \sinh c_t = \sinh a_t \Big ( \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos \theta}{2}}+\sqrt{\frac{1+\cos \theta}{2}} \, \Big ) = \sinh a_t \, (\sin \frac{\theta}{2}+\cos \frac{\theta}{2}).}$$ Since $\sin \frac{\theta}{2}+\cos \frac{\theta}{2}>1$, this gives the desired bound.
Illustration
============
![[]{data-label="fig:Nappe"}](Nappe){width="12cm"}
Figure \[fig:Nappe\] was made using the Mathematica software. It shows the image of the strip map $\boldsymbol{f}:\overline{X}\rightarrow T_{[g]}\mathcal{T}$ for a hyperbolic torus $(S,g)$ with a cone singularity, composed with a projective transformation $\Phi$ of the range $T_{[g]}\mathcal{T}$ sending the origin to infinity. This composition by $\Phi$ enables us to show the whole set $\boldsymbol{f}(\overline{X})$ (which is unbounded in $T_{[g]}\mathcal{T}$). The plane at infinity was sent by $\Phi$ to the plane containing the tips of all the “teeth”. The gaps between the teeth are not an artefact; they actually grow wider for $g$ a genuine (not conical) hyperbolic metric on $S$. Each triangular gap lies in a plane containing the point $\Phi(0)$ at infinity.
[GLMM]{} <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">J. Danciger, F. Guéritaud, F. Kassel</span>, *Margulis spacetimes via the arc complex*, preprint, http://arxiv.org/abs/1407.5422. <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">F. Guéritaud</span>, *Lengthening deformations of singular hyperbolic tori*, to appear in *Boileau Festschrift* (J.-P. Otal, ed.), Ann. Fac. Sci. Toulouse, available at <http://math.univ-lille1.fr/~gueritau/math.html>. <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">J.L. Harer</span>, *The virtual cohomological dimension of the mapping class group of an orientable surface*, Invent. Math. [**84**]{} (1986), 157–176. <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">S.P. Kerckhoff</span>, *The Nielsen realization problem*, Ann. of Math. 117 (1983), p. 235–265. <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">J.-L. Loday</span>, *Realization of the Stasheff polytope*, Archiv der Mathematik [**83**]{}–3 (2004), 267–278
<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">R. C. Penner</span>, *The decorated Teichmüller space of punctured surfaces*, Comm. Math. Phys. 113 (1987), p. 299–339. <span style="font-variant:small-caps;">A. Papadopoulos, G. Théret</span>, *Shortening all the simple closed geodesics on surfaces with boundary*, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 138 (2010), p. 1775–1784.
<span style="font-variant:small-caps;">W. P. Thurston</span>, *Minimal stretch maps between hyperbolic surfaces*, preprint (1986), arXiv:9801039.
[^1]: Proposition \[prop:stripconvex\], which informs this discussion, is also easily verifiable by hand here.
[^2]: Moreover, all four infinitesimal translation axes run through $p$, because all four vectors have vanishing third coordinate; but we will not use this fact.
|
Search This Blog
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Oral Insulin Reduced Glucose Levels in Pre-Clinical Trials
Oral Insulin Cobalamini has been shown to considerably reduce sugar levels when tested on animals. This is as per announcement of Access Pharmaceuticals. They used some formulas of Cobalamini that are based on the body's natural absorption of Vitamin B12. They plan to do more pre-clinical tests.
Hopefully, this will be a success especially for people who have to do multiple insulin injection daily. This emerging company already has patents on Vitamin B12 to carry drugs. It will transfer this to the blood for easier absorption. Cobalamini therefore has the potential to deliver insulin orally or improve the delivery system currently in use.
Senior Vice President of Access Pharmaceuticals' Research and Development, Dr. David P. Nowotnik said that the company has data to use this method with different proteins but the result of the pre-clinical trials delighted them as there is indication that desired effect can be attained.
Access Pharmaceuticals plans to collaborate with other companies in the development of this oral delivery device. They have conducted studies with top pharmaceutical companies but are looking for partners to do more research on the availability of oral insulin.
CEO and Access Pharmaceutical Stephen R. Seiler said they're excited by the results of the research they conducted on animals. The potential for an oral delivery system for insulin is indicated. The Cobalamini technology, he said, can be applied to some cancer products as well.
People with diabetes I am sure will just be too happy not to have anymore of insulin resistance if they could take it by mouth as this will eliminate the irritation to the skin due to multiple injection. In another study, The American Chemical Society has known of this issue since their 222nd national meeting.
They were told at the meeting that the material is a polymer, the consistency of which is gel-like. This will offer another way or in place of injecting the insulin every day. A graduate student named Aaron C. Foss of Purdue University conducted a study on this issue with the guidance of the professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, Nicholas A. Peppas, ScD.
You see, the polymer is supposed to protect the insulin until it enters the small intestine. There, the blood will absorb it without it being exposed to the acidic hazards in the mouth first, then onto the throat and stomach. Researchers before this had only a minimum amount of insulin left for the blood to absorb but Peppas is confident this will not happen with their own research.
Why? Because the small intestine is less acidic than the other places where the insulin has to pass through So once the insulin gets to the small intestine, the polymer swells up. In addition, the polymer intercepts the calcium which is a good thing because the walls of the small intestine need to have the pores tightly sealed. Then as soon as they open up, the insulin can slip through to the blood. Sneaky, huh?
They have been working on this for some time so I looked for any report on the progress but I failed. So if any good soul out there who will be successful in this detective work, please let me know as I am truly interested to know the result of this investigation on oral insulin. |
2:05 Philippe Coutinho would love to play in the Premier League again, says representative Kia Joorabchian Philippe Coutinho would love to play in the Premier League again, says representative Kia Joorabchian
Philippe Coutinho "would love a return to the Premier League" one day, but his agent Kia Joorabchian insists transfers are not on his agenda while the nation is in lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Coutinho is currently on loan at Bayern Munich from Barcelona, but the German club are not expected to make the deal permanent despite him contributing nine goals in 32 matches prior to the suspension of the Bundesliga.
Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal are among the clubs interested in bringing the former Liverpool star back to England, but in an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with Sky Sports News, Joorabchian insists his main concerns are the health of his clients and their families, and the NHS.
"I want to say how grateful and thankful I am to the people in the NHS on the frontline," he said. "I have a lot of friends who work there and I know what they and their families are going through. They are doing an incredible job and you can't put a value on that.
Coutinho, on loan at Bayern Munich from Barcelona, is attracting interest from Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal
When the futures of his players are back on the agenda, Joorabchian insists he will not influence any decision taken by Coutinho, even though the super-agent is a self-confessed Arsenal supporter and enjoys a strong relationship with the club.
"The fact I'm an Arsenal supporter is not a secret," he said. "I don't have any preference where the players go. I don't try to push someone to one club or another. Everything is a possibility. After the Champions League game he played in England we had a long chat about it.
Coutinho has scored nine goals while on loan at Bayern
"The Premier League is something that he has always enjoyed playing in, and loved playing in, and would probably love to come back and play in.
"The question is what are going to be the financial conditions of all the clubs, including Barcelona and all the Premier League clubs at the end of this pandemic."
Joorabchian has players in lockdown all over the world and he speaks to each of them at least once every two days.
As well as Coutinho in Germany, Chelsea's Willian is back in his native Brazil, Arsenal's David Luiz remains in London and Oscar is in a hotel room with his family in Shanghai.
"Everyone wants to stay safe, stay healthy and get back to training. Everyone is trying to stay positive," Joorabchian said.
Joorabchian says he will not influence any decision Coutinho takes on his future
There is a ray of hope as far as Joorabchian is concerned and that is the improving situation in China.
Life there is slowly getting back to normal and Oscar is due to return to training with Shanghai SIPG on Monday. He has been in quarantine in a hotel room with his wife and children since he returned to China two weeks ago.
He has not played or trained with his team-mates since the Chinese season ended in November last year. Joorabchian believes there is a chance the Chinese Super League could get back under way at the end of June, which could also be the time when football returns in Europe.
Joorabchian is the agent of Chelsea forward Willian
"Oscar never complains," Joorabchian said. "He's extremely grateful that he's going to start training again."
Thousands of miles in Brazil, Willian is training on his own at his family home. He was given permission by Chelsea to fly home but he is ready to come back as soon as it is safe to start training and playing again in England.
Although his contract runs out at the end of June, he is committed to finishing the current campaign with Chelsea whenever that may be, even though it is looking less likely that he will be at Stamford Bridge for 2020-21.
"There is a lot of speculation but I can genuinely explain to you we have not spoken about transfers or anything like that," Joorabchian said.
"No one has the right feeling. Neither us nor the other side have the feeling to discuss something when so much is happening around the world that is so much more important." |
With a little help from their friends
2 March 1980
Third World nations bargain with foreign corporations to maximise the benefits from the commercial investments. Corporations minimise the returns with a little help from their friends. *Christopher Sheppard* looks at a business survey in Kenya* - one country which has gambled on the wholesale involvementof foreign companies in its economy.
A Kenyan executive in the driving seat. Managing in the interests of his country or corporation?
Photo: Margaret Murray
Corporate investment in the Third World is no longer a simple matter of planning the factory, signing some documents and posing for photographs with the relevant government minister. Developing countries are increasingly insisting on certain conditions before letting international companies set up shop. Foremost amongst their demands is local employment - not only unskilled jobs but also senior managerial positions. And often there is an insistence on sharing the profits of the proposed venture by permitting nationals, and sometimes the government, to own a substantial number of the shares in the concern.
Stiff terms? Possibly. Certainly such demands have caused a lot of friction between governments and foreign businesses in the past. But the more flexible and forward-looking corporations have found that native managers and local government shareholding in their overseas operations can work to their advantage. At worse, it can mean little more than a facade of local control and ownership while allowing the foreign firms to effectively silence cries of exploitation. Nevertheless, corporate partnerships with Third World governments for 'mutually beneficial' goals are increasing. And with 50 per cent of the shares locally owned, how can multinational subsidiaries possibly act against the interests of the country where they are based? When local people run the company, the proposition seems even more absurd.
Evidence from Kenya contradicts this. It shows that in negotiation with foreign business, officials are often willing to sell their national interest short. Outside control can remain as tight as ever, sometimes with the added benefit of inside information. Company profits, shared by the local elites, are seldom seen by ordinary citizens of the country.
Advert
Canadian economist Steven Langdon surveyed more than seventy international corporate subsidiaries doing business in Kenya. These companies were given easy access to the country soon after independence in the 1960s. Today, control of the economy is in few hands; the biggest twenty companies in Langdon's survey have 86 per cent share of all national business investment. Few of them are constrained by competition. More than 60 per cent hold a virtual monopoly in the main product they sell - helped by high tariffs on foreign imports that might undercut their prices. And all this has occurred with, the consent of the Kenyan government.
Of course, when foreign businesses are negotiating for a share of the Kenyan market, they bring a lot of firepower to the bargaining table. Kenya requires highly skilled people to gather and analyse information in order to assess the proposals of foreign corporations and bargain effectively. They frankly admit they have too few such people, spread too thinly. On the other side, corporate negotiators are skilled specialists, with easy access to information and the experience of parent company operations elsewhere to guide them. The corporations also control much of the technology required to develop new industries. Third World governments find it difficult to bargain for such knowhow, since they can't fully assess its importance. And behind the corporate investor is the power of their institutional allies: trade federations, cartels and sympathetic Western governments. 'Even if the days of gunboat diplomacy are over,' Langdon observes, 'the involvement in a business dispute of the governments of such large aid donors as the U.K., the U.S. and West Germany, seems to lead to settlements that favour the British, American and German firms involved.' 'I get on the 'phone to Kenyans if I need to,' said one British High Commission official in Nairobi, 'That's why we're given entertainment allowances - so that we know someone who knows so-and-so who is dealing with it, when the issues come up.'
It is against these odds that Third World negotiators must bargain when trying to get the best deal for their nation.
The Kenyans appear to have done particularly well in their insistence on a local share of the equity holdings in foreign concerns. Indeed, 75 per cent of the multinational subsidiaries in Kenya have local shareholders. More than half are in partnership with the government. But shareholding does not mean control. Two-thirds of the companies with hefty local ownership of shares in the Langdon survey still had their corporate investment, spending and recruitment decisions controlled by an overseas head office. Contact with the overseas head office remained close, with managers regularly flying in and out of Nairobi for foreign training and consultations. It appears that Kenya's multinationals are more part of the plans of the global corporations than planners in their own right.
Indeed, government participation appears to have protected rather than limited the interests of foreign corporations. Langdon quotes one firm which insisted on government shareholding, 'to assure that we have got absolute protection, because the day we are in the market and we see anyone else coming in, we are ready to hammer on the government's door and say "Look, it's your money, you've got to protect it." '
The financial benefits of government participation are not widely shared. The Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation is the main aim of government investment. Its shareholders are described as a 'roll-call of the Kikuyu middle class'.
Advert
The relationship between Kenya and foreign investors is warm. It's helped by the 'Africanisation' policy - foreigners working in Kenyan subsidiaries were cut by 80 per cent between 1967 and 1972. A dramatic turn-about for multinational recruitment policy and a triumph for the local negotiators. But who benefits from this? Obviously the individuals employed do. Most foreign firms offer managerial salaries that are fixed on an international scale. They are far above locally realistic rates of pay. Such remuneration benefits others: bids up local wages and provides an excuse for higher government and civil servant pay.
The multinationals benefit from 'Afri-canisation' too. Langdon argues that the loyalty of black executives is most often to the company. 'Kenyan born executives are intitiated on a worldwide basis, by training and consultations abroad, as they take on more senior positions.'
This Kenyan elite ensures the smooth
running of business operations by providing a direct route to the government's top decision makers. As one foreign manager interviewed by Langdon says: 'This is another reason why we are giving Kenyan citizens good chances to get along in our company . . . they're all Kikuyu names,mind you. And we certainly find these chaps all know the people in government. They all went to the Alliance High School together; they all went here together and there together. This helps us a lot. If we have problems about getting a license organised or, you know, you have to find your way around, these chaps can usually find their way around.' Such informal backdoor connections weaken the position of the national negotiators with foreign business. One embassy official noted that 'some companies get away with murder here, because their top man has good personal relations with the people who matter.' Key decisions are wrested from government institutions and bargains struck in private.
In 1969 Firestone Tires outmanoeuvred both its competitors and government negotiators by meeting privately with the Ministers involved. The company clinched a tire-manufacturing project, where there were outrageous Kenyan concessions including
* a ban on all other tire imports
* the right to decide on tire prices, despite the monopoly position
* government financial participation in the project to the extent that Firestone desired.
One of Firestone's major concessions was an undertaking to bring prominent Africans, including a former Cabinet Minister, onto its managerial staff.
Kenya has become a powerful example of the collusion of interests between foreign corporations and local decisionmakers. That alliance has done little to lessen the disparities of income, still less the widespread poverty in the country. Instead an important group of government representatives, senior civil servants and business executives have found their interests lie far more with the international economy than with the self-reliant development of their nation.
* 'The Multinational Corporation in the Kenya Political Economy' by Steven Langdon, Dept. of Economies, Carleton College, Ottawa. Published in 'Readings on the Multinational Corporation in Kenya' ed. Raphael Kaplinsky.
This article is from
the March 1980 issue
of New Internationalist.
You can access the entire archive of over 500 issues with a digital subscription.
Get a free trial now » |
Related
Article
Holman set to join Al Nasr
Australia international Brett Holman appears set to leave Aston Villa as he prepares to undergo a medical at Al Nasr.
The Socceroo, 29, could join several of his international team-mates in the Middle East after the UAE Pro-League club revealed they were close to signing him.
According to Al Nasr, Holman is due at the club for a medical on Friday and will become their designated Asian player, replacing Takayuki Morimoto.
"Brett represents a strong signing for us as he's an international player who has played in England, one of the top leagues in Europe," board member Fahad Hadi told The National.
"He has the qualities that we needed at Al Nasr and, most importantly, he has a lot of experience.
"It's good to have someone with that knowledge in our squad, and he will only improve the team."
Holman is eager to maximise his chances of playing time before the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which Australia qualified for thanks to a 1-0 win over Iraq on Tuesday.
He was reduced to a bit-part role under Paul Lambert at Villa last season and is likely to feature regularly at Al Nasr, with a two-year deal believed to be on the table.
Holman signed with Villa on March 2012 – joining the club in July – after impressing at AZ Alkmaar, where he won the Eredivisie and Dutch Super Cup.
Mark Bresciano, Sasa Ognenovski and Alex Brosque – members of the Socceroos squad for their recent World Cup qualifiers – all ply their trade in the Middle East.
Just what such a move does to Holman's hopes of gaining a starting place for Australia in Brazil remains to be seen.
His position behind the striker has come under pressure from up-and-coming star Tom Rogic, who joined Celtic in January and may earn a regularly starting berth for the Scottish Premier League champions next season.
A flurry of off-season signings at Villa may have also contributed to his decision.
Denmark striker Nicklas Helenius, midfielders Leandro Bacuna and Aleksandar Tonev and defenders Antonio Luna and Jores Okore are among those who have already signed. |
Kivela chronic wasting disease bill passes House
LANSING, MI-- A bill to combat chronic wasting disease sponsored by the late Representative John Kivela has passed the House.
The legislation would increase the penalties for illegally bringing a deer carcass from a state with CWD into Michigan. Fines would range from $500 to $2,000 and violators could face up to 90 days in jail.
Kivela, who died last week, was especially concerned about CWD spreading to deer herds in the U.P.
No one voted against the bill, which would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. It now heads to the senate for consideration.
Related Content
LANSING, MI-- State Representative John Kivela is hoping a bill he introduced to combat chronic wasting disease in deer will win approval in the House and the Senate.
The legislation would increase the penalties for illegally bringing a deer carcass from a state with CWD into Michigan. Fines would range from $500 to $2,000, and violators could face up to 90 days in jail.
Kivela says a healthy deer herd is important to the economy, and deer hunting is threatened by the possibility of infected deer entering the U.P. from Wisconsin. |
// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-only
/*
* Copyright 2013 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
*
* CPU Frequency Scaling driver for Freescale QorIQ SoCs.
*/
#define pr_fmt(fmt) KBUILD_MODNAME ": " fmt
#include <linux/clk.h>
#include <linux/clk-provider.h>
#include <linux/cpufreq.h>
#include <linux/errno.h>
#include <linux/init.h>
#include <linux/kernel.h>
#include <linux/module.h>
#include <linux/mutex.h>
#include <linux/of.h>
#include <linux/slab.h>
#include <linux/smp.h>
#include <linux/platform_device.h>
/**
* struct cpu_data
* @pclk: the parent clock of cpu
* @table: frequency table
*/
struct cpu_data {
struct clk **pclk;
struct cpufreq_frequency_table *table;
};
/**
* struct soc_data - SoC specific data
* @flags: SOC_xxx
*/
struct soc_data {
u32 flags;
};
static u32 get_bus_freq(void)
{
struct device_node *soc;
u32 sysfreq;
struct clk *pltclk;
int ret;
/* get platform freq by searching bus-frequency property */
soc = of_find_node_by_type(NULL, "soc");
if (soc) {
ret = of_property_read_u32(soc, "bus-frequency", &sysfreq);
of_node_put(soc);
if (!ret)
return sysfreq;
}
/* get platform freq by its clock name */
pltclk = clk_get(NULL, "cg-pll0-div1");
if (IS_ERR(pltclk)) {
pr_err("%s: can't get bus frequency %ld\n",
__func__, PTR_ERR(pltclk));
return PTR_ERR(pltclk);
}
return clk_get_rate(pltclk);
}
static struct clk *cpu_to_clk(int cpu)
{
struct device_node *np;
struct clk *clk;
if (!cpu_present(cpu))
return NULL;
np = of_get_cpu_node(cpu, NULL);
if (!np)
return NULL;
clk = of_clk_get(np, 0);
of_node_put(np);
return clk;
}
/* traverse cpu nodes to get cpu mask of sharing clock wire */
static void set_affected_cpus(struct cpufreq_policy *policy)
{
struct cpumask *dstp = policy->cpus;
struct clk *clk;
int i;
for_each_present_cpu(i) {
clk = cpu_to_clk(i);
if (IS_ERR(clk)) {
pr_err("%s: no clock for cpu %d\n", __func__, i);
continue;
}
if (clk_is_match(policy->clk, clk))
cpumask_set_cpu(i, dstp);
}
}
/* reduce the duplicated frequencies in frequency table */
static void freq_table_redup(struct cpufreq_frequency_table *freq_table,
int count)
{
int i, j;
for (i = 1; i < count; i++) {
for (j = 0; j < i; j++) {
if (freq_table[j].frequency == CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID ||
freq_table[j].frequency !=
freq_table[i].frequency)
continue;
freq_table[i].frequency = CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID;
break;
}
}
}
/* sort the frequencies in frequency table in descenting order */
static void freq_table_sort(struct cpufreq_frequency_table *freq_table,
int count)
{
int i, j, ind;
unsigned int freq, max_freq;
struct cpufreq_frequency_table table;
for (i = 0; i < count - 1; i++) {
max_freq = freq_table[i].frequency;
ind = i;
for (j = i + 1; j < count; j++) {
freq = freq_table[j].frequency;
if (freq == CPUFREQ_ENTRY_INVALID ||
freq <= max_freq)
continue;
ind = j;
max_freq = freq;
}
if (ind != i) {
/* exchange the frequencies */
table.driver_data = freq_table[i].driver_data;
table.frequency = freq_table[i].frequency;
freq_table[i].driver_data = freq_table[ind].driver_data;
freq_table[i].frequency = freq_table[ind].frequency;
freq_table[ind].driver_data = table.driver_data;
freq_table[ind].frequency = table.frequency;
}
}
}
static int qoriq_cpufreq_cpu_init(struct cpufreq_policy *policy)
{
struct device_node *np;
int i, count;
u32 freq;
struct clk *clk;
const struct clk_hw *hwclk;
struct cpufreq_frequency_table *table;
struct cpu_data *data;
unsigned int cpu = policy->cpu;
u64 u64temp;
np = of_get_cpu_node(cpu, NULL);
if (!np)
return -ENODEV;
data = kzalloc(sizeof(*data), GFP_KERNEL);
if (!data)
goto err_np;
policy->clk = of_clk_get(np, 0);
if (IS_ERR(policy->clk)) {
pr_err("%s: no clock information\n", __func__);
goto err_nomem2;
}
hwclk = __clk_get_hw(policy->clk);
count = clk_hw_get_num_parents(hwclk);
data->pclk = kcalloc(count, sizeof(struct clk *), GFP_KERNEL);
if (!data->pclk)
goto err_nomem2;
table = kcalloc(count + 1, sizeof(*table), GFP_KERNEL);
if (!table)
goto err_pclk;
for (i = 0; i < count; i++) {
clk = clk_hw_get_parent_by_index(hwclk, i)->clk;
data->pclk[i] = clk;
freq = clk_get_rate(clk);
table[i].frequency = freq / 1000;
table[i].driver_data = i;
}
freq_table_redup(table, count);
freq_table_sort(table, count);
table[i].frequency = CPUFREQ_TABLE_END;
policy->freq_table = table;
data->table = table;
/* update ->cpus if we have cluster, no harm if not */
set_affected_cpus(policy);
policy->driver_data = data;
/* Minimum transition latency is 12 platform clocks */
u64temp = 12ULL * NSEC_PER_SEC;
do_div(u64temp, get_bus_freq());
policy->cpuinfo.transition_latency = u64temp + 1;
of_node_put(np);
return 0;
err_pclk:
kfree(data->pclk);
err_nomem2:
kfree(data);
err_np:
of_node_put(np);
return -ENODEV;
}
static int qoriq_cpufreq_cpu_exit(struct cpufreq_policy *policy)
{
struct cpu_data *data = policy->driver_data;
kfree(data->pclk);
kfree(data->table);
kfree(data);
policy->driver_data = NULL;
return 0;
}
static int qoriq_cpufreq_target(struct cpufreq_policy *policy,
unsigned int index)
{
struct clk *parent;
struct cpu_data *data = policy->driver_data;
parent = data->pclk[data->table[index].driver_data];
return clk_set_parent(policy->clk, parent);
}
static struct cpufreq_driver qoriq_cpufreq_driver = {
.name = "qoriq_cpufreq",
.flags = CPUFREQ_CONST_LOOPS |
CPUFREQ_IS_COOLING_DEV,
.init = qoriq_cpufreq_cpu_init,
.exit = qoriq_cpufreq_cpu_exit,
.verify = cpufreq_generic_frequency_table_verify,
.target_index = qoriq_cpufreq_target,
.get = cpufreq_generic_get,
.attr = cpufreq_generic_attr,
};
static const struct of_device_id qoriq_cpufreq_blacklist[] = {
/* e6500 cannot use cpufreq due to erratum A-008083 */
{ .compatible = "fsl,b4420-clockgen", },
{ .compatible = "fsl,b4860-clockgen", },
{ .compatible = "fsl,t2080-clockgen", },
{ .compatible = "fsl,t4240-clockgen", },
{}
};
static int qoriq_cpufreq_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
{
int ret;
struct device_node *np;
np = of_find_matching_node(NULL, qoriq_cpufreq_blacklist);
if (np) {
dev_info(&pdev->dev, "Disabling due to erratum A-008083");
return -ENODEV;
}
ret = cpufreq_register_driver(&qoriq_cpufreq_driver);
if (ret)
return ret;
dev_info(&pdev->dev, "Freescale QorIQ CPU frequency scaling driver\n");
return 0;
}
static int qoriq_cpufreq_remove(struct platform_device *pdev)
{
cpufreq_unregister_driver(&qoriq_cpufreq_driver);
return 0;
}
static struct platform_driver qoriq_cpufreq_platform_driver = {
.driver = {
.name = "qoriq-cpufreq",
},
.probe = qoriq_cpufreq_probe,
.remove = qoriq_cpufreq_remove,
};
module_platform_driver(qoriq_cpufreq_platform_driver);
MODULE_ALIAS("platform:qoriq-cpufreq");
MODULE_LICENSE("GPL");
MODULE_AUTHOR("Tang Yuantian <Yuantian.Tang@freescale.com>");
MODULE_DESCRIPTION("cpufreq driver for Freescale QorIQ series SoCs");
|
Clear Creek Recreation Area
Area Status: Open
Located in Bankhead National Forest, Clear Creek is the largest recreation area on Lake Lewis Smith. It offers a day use group picnic site, a campground and countless ways to enjoy the lake and surrounding area. Many of the camp sites at Clear Creek are well-shaded, private and offer views of the lake. There are 3 reservable group picnic areas that can accommodate up to 50 people. The day use areas stay open year-round. The fish still bite in the winter!
Natural Features: Bankhead National Forest is located in northwestern Alabama, and its prominent feature is the Sipsey Wilderness. Known as "The Land of a Thousand Waterfalls," it's an area of abundant streams, old-growth forests, limestone bluffs and lush canyons. Lake Lewis Smith boasts more than 500 miles of shoreline marked by high rock bluffs. The water is clear and deep and provides excellent fishing.
Recreation: The campground has a basketball and volleyball court, playground and horseshoe pit. Interpretive programs are hosted during the summer. Day-use visitors and campers have access to a boat ramp and swim beach. The lake provides excellent fishing for Kentucky Spotted Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass. There are two trails in the area; the 2.5-mile Raven Interpretive Trail and a 1.5-mile bicycle trail.
Facilities: All facilities are wheelchair-accessible. Flush toilets, drinking water and showers are offered for both campers and day use visitors. The campground offers standard sites with electric and water hook-ups, as well as tent-only non-electric sites for groups. Sites contain paved parking spurs, picnic tables, grills and tent pads.
Nearby Attractions: Two nearby attractions within Bankhead National Forest are the Little Natural Bridge and the 19th-century Pine Torch Church. Another popular attraction in the local area is Houston Civil War Jail.
At a Glance
Reservations:
Reservations can be made by visiting Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance for standard sites or 12 months in advance for group sites.
Fees
Standard camp sites range in price from $16-32 per night. Group camping sites are $50 per night. Group picnic areas are $30-35 per day.
Open Season:
Early March - Late October
Usage:
Light
Closest Towns:
Jasper, AL
Water:
Drinking Water
Restroom:
Flush
Information Center:
Be sure to reserve a site that will accommodate your equipment. The site you reserve is your site. You may not move to another site.
Gatehouse hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. The Day Use Area is open from 8 a.m. until dusk. After-hours access is available by calling ahead, (205) 384-4792
Alcohol is not allowed in park
Campground has a two tent maximum per single site. Two vehicles are included in the site fee. There is a fee for additional vehicles that will be collected at the campground. |
Q:
Testing functions that contains async calls
I'm trying to test the get function:
exports.get = function(req, res) {
Subscriptions
.find(req.params.id)
.success(function(subscription) {
if (subscription) {
res.json({message: "Success"}, 200);
} else {
res.json({message: "Not found"}, 404);
}
})
.error(function(error) {
res.json({message: "Internal server error"}, 500);
});
};
Specifically, I don't really care if it hits the database, I only want to test the scenarios where the success and error events occur. I'm using sequelize.js as my orm to handle the database. I've gotten a test up and running, but its a bit nasty, with the timeout. Is there a better way of doing this? Here's the test I've written so far:
var express = require('express')
, sinon = require('sinon')
, subscription = require('app/controllers/subscriptions')
, Subscriptions = require('app/models/subscriptions')
;
describe('subscription controller', function() {
beforeEach(function() {
this.mockResponse = sinon.mock(express.response);
});
afterEach(function() {
this.mockResponse.restore();
});
describe('GET /subscriptions/:id', function() {
it('should return a json response', function(done) {
var request = {
params: {
id: 'identifier'
}
};
var expectedResponse = {
subscriptions_uri : "/subscription/identifier"
};
this.mockResponse
.expects('json')
.once()
.withArgs(expectedResponse);
subscription.get(request, express.response);
setTimeout(function() {
done();
}, 500);
});
});
});
A:
I decided to use the supertest library, which made testing my controller incredibly easy:
var express = require('express')
, subscription = require('app/controllers/subscriptions')
, request = require('supertest')
, app = express()
;
describe('subscription controller', function() {
describe('GET /subscriptions/:id', function() {
it('should return a json response', function(done) {
var expectedBody = {
subscriptions_uri : "/subscription/identifier"
};
request(app)
.get('/subscriptions/identifier')
.set('Accept', 'application/json')
.expect('Content-Type', /json/)
.expect(expectedBody)
.expect(200, done);
});
});
});
|
Q:
Extracting the most common words and then append to a csv file with python
So i'm trying to extract the most used words from a .txt file, and then put the 4 most common words into a csv file. (and then append if need be), At the moment it's extracting the most common words, and appending to a csv file. But it's appending each letter to a cell.
python
import collections
import pandas as pd
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import csv
fields=['first','second','third']
# Read input file, note the encoding is specified here
# It may be different in your text file
file = open('pyTest.txt', encoding="utf8")
a= file.read()
# Stopwords
stopwords = set(line.strip() for line in open('stopwords.txt'))
stopwords = stopwords.union(set(['mr','mrs','one','two','said']))
# Instantiate a dictionary, and for every word in the file,
# Add to the dictionary if it doesn't exist. If it does, increase the count.
wordcount = {}
# To eliminate duplicates, remember to split by punctuation, and use case demiliters.
for word in a.lower().split():
word = word.replace(".","")
word = word.replace(",","")
word = word.replace(":","")
word = word.replace("\"","")
word = word.replace("!","")
word = word.replace("“","")
word = word.replace("‘","")
word = word.replace("*","")
if word not in stopwords:
if word not in wordcount:
wordcount[word] = 1
else:
wordcount[word] += 1
# Print most common word
n_print = int(input("How many most common words to print: "))
print("\nOK. The {} most common words are as follows\n".format(n_print))
word_counter = collections.Counter(wordcount)
for word in word_counter.most_common(n_print):
print(word[0])
# Close the file
file.close()
with open('old.csv', 'a') as out_file:
writer = csv.writer(out_file)
for word in word_counter.most_common(4):
print(word)
writer.writerow(word[0])
Output csv file
p,i,p,e
d,i,a,m,e,t,e,r
f,i,t,t,i,n,g,s
o,u,t,s,i,d,e
A:
You can use a generator expression to extract the first item of each sub-list in the list returned by the most_common method as a row instead:
with open('old.csv', 'a') as out_file:
writer = csv.writer(out_file)
writer.writerow(word for word, _ in word_counter.most_common(4))
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.